The rest of the morning was pretty uneventful. After breakfast, I went to the rec room where the rest were watching movies. Jubilee was at the helm of the remote and was having a marathon of cheesy action films and comedic movies. Kitty sat cross-legged beside me, tossing popcorn into the air and catching it with an infrequent flair.
Jean went to the garden to do her chores.
Around noon, a notification chimed from multiple phones and devices around the mansion, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Breaking news from S.H.I.E.L.D," Scott said as he took the remote from Jubilee and flipped the channel from the movie to a live press conference.
Nick Fury was standing at a podium with the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo on it.
"Ladies and gentlemen" began Fury, his voice firm but not imposing. "The world is changing. We face threats that no one nation, no one organization, can handle alone. To meet these challenges, S.H.I.E.L.D. is proud to announce the formation of a new team: The Avengers Initiative."
Everyone began to whisper. Avengers now? Then, this reality is different from what I thought. Tsk. Although I have information on the heroes and villains, I have no way of knowing which events are going to pop up next. Then if we consider the alternate versions of heroes and villains... Who is the villain or hero? Fuck!
On the screen, Fury kept talking. "This team will have some of the world's most amazing people. Together, they will protect Earth from both known and unknown dangers. I'm happy to introduce the founding members: Captain America, Iron Man, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Bruce Banner, also known as the Hulk."
'No Thor. Just as I thought, alternate reality...' My thoughts were racing as the camera displayed the team standing behind Fury. Steve Rogers looked like a hero with a star on his suit, standing tall next to Tony Stark, who was already smiling at the cameras. Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton stood beside the group, as usual looking serious, whereas Bruce Banner seemed a bit uneasy.
Fury shifted his weight at the podium, giving the rumbles in the press room time to subside before he spoke again. "As the world continues to change, so must we. Though the Avengers Initiative shall be a foundational element of global defense, S.H.I.E.L.D. realizes the efforts that all other extraordinary individuals have put into keeping the world safe from harm and working behind the scenes. That's why I am also pleased to announce a strategic alliance with the X-Men."
A pinkish portal opened beside Fury as Charles and Blink walked up beside Fury.
"You have got to be kidding me," Logan grumbled, his claws instinctively twitching.
As the close-up shot of Professor Charles Xavier focused as he stood next to Fury with Blink, murmurs, and incredulous whispers escaped from the room.
Fury continued, his voice measured and authoritative. "The X-Men have proven their commitment to defending this earth, time and time again, at great personal cost. It is my honor to hereby announce that the Avengers Initiative and the X-Men will come together, unifying under one banner, to unite against threats that not only threaten nations but humanity itself."
The screen changed to reporters hurrying to ask questions. Among them stood one very loud voice that could cut through the din. "Director Fury, does this mean mutants are now officially part of global defense initiatives? How does the public respond to this?"
Fury raised a hand to silence the crowd. "This partnership isn't about politics; it's about survival. The Avengers and the X-Men share a common goal: protecting the Earth. Together, they represent the best of what we can achieve when we set aside differences and fight for the greater good."
Blink moved forward now, replaced by quiet determination rather than her usual insouciance. "The X-Men have always sought to bring about an understanding - in peace - between mutants and humans. This alliance with the Avengers is a step closer to a safer future for all, regardless of our origin."
The camera turned toward Charles and nodded gravely. "In a world with ever-rising problems, unity is still our greatest strength. The X-Men prepare to stand side by side with the Avengers to protect this planet."
Back in the mansion, Logan scoffed, crossing his arms. "Unity, yeah? Sounds like another excuse for S.H.I.E.L.D. to stick their noses in our business. Now, they are gonna gobble us up like a hungry snake."
"Logan, they're offering to work with us, not against us," Storm said, her tone calm but firm. "This could be a chance to show the world we're not just 'danger'—we're heroes too."
Jubilee leaned forward in her chair, eyes wide with excitement. "Do you think they'll call us in for missions? Like, 'Jubilee, we need your fireworks to dazzle the enemy!' Or like, 'Blast them to oblivion, Jubilee, our explosive queen'."
Kitty smirked. "Yeah, or 'Kitty, phase through this impenetrable vault and steal the plans!' Sounds like fun."
Scott, however, looked skeptical. "Fury's not telling us everything. He never does. We need to tread carefully."
I didn't say anything, just staring at the screen and thinking about how the events were changing.
The news conference wrapped up with a few more words from Fury and the team before the press started asking questions about the new alliance.
..
The rest of the afternoon went chattering full of excitement, concern, and heavy debate amongst the team. It appeared that everybody had an opinion about the Avengers Initiative and X-Men's sudden union with S.H.I.E.L.D.
By dinner time, the mansion was filled with tension and curiosity. Jean agreed with Logan's view on Shield.
Logan, of course, continued to mumble about the interventionist government and how they were so much better off on their own.
Storm, ever the diplomat, reminded them all that this could be a step toward the acceptance mutants had been fighting for all along. "It's not about S.H.I.E.L.D. controlling us, Logan. It's about changing perceptions. This is a chance for us..."
"Yeah, tell that to the people who still call us freaks," Logan retorted, stabbing a piece of meat on his plate. "S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't want allies. They want tools. Just wait and see. You will know soon enough."
As the evening calmed down, the chatter died down and everyone went their ways. I was about to go to Kitty's room to spend some time with her, but a new message from Psylocke caught my attention.
[Hey, Aron, wanna train? I could really use a sparring partner.]
I thought about it for a moment before replying.
> Sure, when do you want to start?
[Now. If you are free... I'm in the training room.]
> I'm on my way.
I went to the training room where Psylocke had requested me to meet her for a session. Psylocke was already there, stretching in her usual no-nonsense attire—a fitted tank top and athletic pants that gave her freedom of movement. Her violet hair was tied back in a sleek ponytail, and her sharp eyes locked onto me as I entered.
"You're late," she remarked, though her tone held more amusement than irritation. She rolled her shoulders and stepped onto the mat, her bare feet making no sound.
"By a minute," I countered with a faint smile, tossing my jacket onto a bench nearby. I joined her on the mat, feeling the firm give of the surface beneath my feet.
"No powers," she said, raising an eyebrow. "Just skill. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
She nodded and assumed a stance, her body low and balanced. I mirrored her, watching her movements closely. We circled each other for a moment, testing the waters, each looking for an opening.
She moved first—a feint with her left hand, followed by a swift roundhouse kick. I barely sidestepped, the air from her strike brushing past me. I retaliated with a jab, but she blocked it easily, her forearm meeting mine with a solid thwack. Her movements were precise and fluid, her body a weapon honed to perfection.
"Not bad," she said, a smirk tugging at her lips. "But you're holding back."
"You sure about that?" I replied, stepping in closer with a quick combination—a jab, a hook, and a low kick aimed at her thigh. She deflected the punches but had to pivot sharply to avoid the kick, her footing momentarily shifting.
"Better," she said, now more serious.
**[POWERSTONES & Reviews]***
Support link: patr eon.com/UnknownMaster
[14 advance chapters] [No double billing]
-------