-Next Day: Mactan Shrine (Morning: 8:21 AM)-
The sun shone brightly over the Mactan Shrine, the iconic statue of Lapu-Lapu standing tall against the blue sky. The scent of saltwater drifted in from the nearby sea, mingling with the chatter of tourists exploring the historical site.
Wally walked slowly alongside his grandfather, the two keeping a watchful eye on Pearl, who was running around the open plaza, laughing and chasing birds. Her giggles echoed across the area, bringing a faint smile to Wally's face.
Grandfather: So... when are you going back to the USA, apo?
Wally: About two or three days, I guess. My leave's almost up.
The grandfather nodded thoughtfully, his eyes fixed on Pearl, who was now trying to climb a small stone pedestal for a better view of the shrine.
Grandfather: Did you tell her?
Wally: Of course not, Lolo. I'd rather not spoil her innocence with all of that. She's just a kid.
Grandfather: But she's a smart kid. Don't underestimate her.
Wally stopped, his hands tucked into his pockets, and looked at Pearl as she waved excitedly at them from the pedestal.
Wally: That's exactly why I can't tell her. If I say anything about my powers or what I've been through, she'll spread it. Not because she's careless, but because she's proud of me.
Grandfather: And?
Wally: And then you and Pearl will get dragged into it. People might start saying terrible things. Hate comments, threats... I don't want that for either of you. It's better if she just thinks I'm her regular old Uncle Wally.
His grandfather sighed and placed a hand on Wally's shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze.
Grandfather: You're a good man, Wally. Your mother would've been proud.
Wally glanced at his grandfather, his expression softening.
Wally: Thanks, Lolo. That means a lot.
They continued walking, Pearl running back to them with a wide grin on her face.
Pearl: Uncle! Lolo! Look! I found a crab shell by the shore!
Wally crouched to her level, ruffling her hair with a chuckle.
Wally: That's pretty cool, Pearl. Let's go check out the beach before we leave, huh?
Suddenly, his head throbbed with intense pain, forcing him to clutch his temples.
Wally: Ahh... What the hell...
His vision blurred, and his eyes began spinning like spirals. The world around him faded into darkness, replaced by a vivid and fragmented glimpse of the future:
-Vision-
A man dressed as an airplane captain stood menacingly in the plaza, his eyes glowing with malice. Sparks of electricity danced around him as he raised his hands, summoning dark clouds overhead. The air grew heavy, the ominous hum of building lightning filling the space.
With a thunderous roar, bolts of lightning crashed down, striking the shrine and sending people screaming in every direction. The man's voice echoed through the chaos.
Airplane Captain: They'll pay for what they've taken from me! EVERYONE WILL PAY!
-Back to Reality-
Wally gasped, snapping back to the present. He staggered, his vision clearing as Pearl's voice broke through the haze.
Pearl: Uncle! Uncle Wally! We need to go!
Wally blinked rapidly, his breathing uneven. He saw Pearl running toward him, her face pale with worry, and his grandfather standing nearby, calling his name.
Grandfather: Apo! Are you okay?
Pearl: Uncle, I think there's something bad going on back there! People are screaming!
Wally shook his head, steadying himself as the throbbing subsided.
Wally: Pearl, Lolo, stay here. I'll go check it out.
Grandfather: Wally, wait! What's happening?
Wally turned to his grandfather, his jaw tight with determination.
Wally: I think... I think something bad is about to happen. Stay with Pearl. I'll be back.
Without waiting for a reply, Wally sprinted off toward the plaza, his heart pounding as he remembered the man from his vision.
Wally jogged toward the edge of the plaza, pulling out his phone. His fingers hovered over Logan's contact, ready to call for help.
Wally: Logan's gonna hate me for this...
Before he could press the call button, his eyes caught something or rather, someone. His breath hitched as he froze in place.
There he was.
The man from his vision.
He wore a pilot's uniform, complete with a captain's hat, casually strolling through the bustling plaza. His hands were tucked into his pockets, but there was an unsettling aura about him, an electric charge that seemed to ripple invisibly around him.
Wally: No way... It's him.
The man stopped briefly, glancing around as if surveying the crowd. Wally's instincts kicked in.
Pocketing his phone, Wally began following him, moving carefully to avoid drawing attention.
Wally: What's he planning?
The man turned down a quieter path near a cluster of food stalls. Wally kept his distance, using the crowd as cover.
The man suddenly glanced over his shoulder, and Wally ducked behind a vendor cart selling fresh coconuts.
Vendor: Bay, palit ka? (English: Sir, are you changing?)
Wally shook his head quickly, waving the vendor off before peeking around the corner.
The man adjusted his hat, muttering to himself as he walked toward an isolated area near the shrine's entrance.
Wally: Alright, buddy. Let's see what you're up to.
He clenched his fists, his mind racing. Should he call for backup? Should he confront the guy?
Wally: No sudden moves... Let's figure this out first.
The man paused briefly near a food cart, pretending to browse the items. Wally used the moment to duck behind a parked van, peeking out just enough to keep the man in sight.
Suddenly, the man pulled something small and metallic from his pocket a device that looked like a remote with a blinking red light.
Wally (to himself): Oh, no... That can't be good.
As the man continued walking, now heading directly toward the plaza, Wally clenched his fists.
Wally (to himself): Alright, I can't wait anymore. Time to act.
Wally stuffed his phone into his pocket, took a deep breath, and stepped out from behind the van. He quickened his pace, closing the gap between himself and the man.
Wally walked up behind the man, his steps deliberate, his breath steady. He reached out and grabbed the man's shoulder.
Wally: Hey, dude, I think you dropped something back there in the distance.
The man turned his head slightly, calm but with an edge of suspicion.
Man: I didn't drop anything.
The two locked eyes. Wally glared, his grip tightening slightly.
Wally: This is him... It has to be.
Man: Have we met before?
The man's voice was low and measured, but his eyes narrowed as he studied Wally. The air around them felt tense, charged.
For a moment, neither moved, the silence stretching until Wally broke it.
Wally: Tell me... By any chance are you the same person who's been destroy pl-
Before he could finish, the man raised his hand subtly, and a sudden gust of wind slammed into Wally, sending him sprawling onto the ground.
Man: Tsk, tsk... Too nosy.
Wally gritted his teeth, recovering quickly as he forced himself to stay calm.
Wally: He's dangerous. If I'm gonna do this, I can't let him know who I am.
With that thought, Wally's face began to blur, his features vibrating at super speed. His eyes ignited with a crimson glow as he stood, his voice lower and distorted.
Wally: You... what are you?
The man chuckled darkly, the air around him crackling with electricity.
Man: It seems... I've been caught.
He stepped forward, his voice rising as storm clouds began to gather unnaturally fast above them.
Man: You want to know what I am?
Wally braced himself, ready for the confrontation.
Man: I am the storm... I am the storm of destruction... I AM STORM KILLER! I AM WEATHER WIZARD!
With a booming laugh, Weather Wizard raised his arms, summoning bolts of lightning that struck the ground around him, the air thick with raw power.
Wally: Oh, great. A walking weather disaster. This is gonna be fun.
A bolt of lightning struck the ground nearby as Weather Wizard raised his hands, the storm intensifying around them. Wally braced himself, his speed force humming inside him as he prepared for the fight ahead.
Wally's muscles coiled with anticipation as he prepared to attack, his body vibrating at high speed. He blurred into motion, a streak of yellow and red, ready to strike down Weather Wizard once and for all. But just as he was about to make contact, a powerful gust of wind slammed into him, sending him crashing violently into the ground.
The impact shook him to the core, nearly forcing him to stop vibrating and expose his face. His heart raced, but he quickly regained control, his glowing red eyes scanning the chaos around him.
Above him, Weather Wizard stood with a triumphant smirk, his arms raised as he manipulated the wind with ease. The atmosphere felt heavy with electricity, the air crackling. People in the plaza were fleeing in terror, screaming in fear at the sight of the two of them.
One terrified bystander pointed at Wally, his voice trembling.
Bystander: Naay mutant dagan! (English: There's a mutant run!)
As the crowd scattered, Wally could feel the weight of their fear pressing down on him. His vibrating face flickered as he stood up, ready to push forward. But Weather Wizard's voice cut through the chaos.
Weather Wizard: You!
Wally didn't have time to react as Weather Wizard suddenly grabbed him by the leg, lifting him off the ground with an impossible strength. His grip tightened, and Wally's body was slammed against the hard concrete, his breath knocked out of him.
Weather Wizard: You've ruined everything!
With a sinister sneer, Weather Wizard summoned a bolt of lightning, crackling with raw power, and sent it straight into Wally's chest. The lightning coursed through his body, but Wally's eyes burned with defiance as he stood unharmed, barely even flinching.
Wally: I'm immune to lightning, you idiot.
Without hesitation, Wally channeled the energy of the lightning attack, redirecting it back toward Weather Wizard. The bolt of pure electricity surged back at him, the air filled with a deafening crack as it collided with Weather Wizard.
The villain staggered back, shocked by the force of the attack, his arms flailing to regain control of the storm around him. He growled in frustration, his eyes narrowing at Wally, who was already preparing for the next move.
Wally: You want to play with lightning? Let's see if you can handle it better than me.
Weather Wizard groaned, rising slowly, his expression filled with fury and disbelief.
Weather Wizard: You... are a problem.
Wally stood tall, dusting himself off and quickly regaining his stance, his vibrating face still distorting in flashes, but his voice steady.
Wally: And you're about to be a bigger one, pal.
The winds had barely settled when Wally's attention was drawn to a massive shadow looming above them. His eyes darted upwards, and his heart skipped a beat as he saw the SHIELD Helicarrier descending slowly from the sky, its enormous silhouette blocking out the sun. It hovered above the plaza with a low rumble, casting an intimidating shadow over the scene below.
Wally's breath caught in his throat.
Wally: Welp... this is not good.
His thoughts raced. The Helicarrier was the ultimate symbol of SHIELD's authority, and he had no doubt that they wouldn't be here just to say "hello."
Wally's gaze quickly snapped back to Weather Wizard, only to see the man vanish into thin air, the wind picking up around him before he completely disappeared from sight.
Wally: What the... smoke?
Confusion flooded his mind. One moment, Weather Wizard was standing right there, and the next... nothing. The plaza around him remained in chaos, with people running and screaming in every direction.
Then, without warning, SHIELD agents began to descend from the hovering Helicarrier, ropes pulling them down to the ground with precision. Their black tactical uniforms and weapons made it clear they were ready for a fight. Wally tensed, preparing to move, but before he could react, a familiar voice called out to him from behind.
Nick Fury landed in front of Wally, his iconic eye patch giving him an air of quiet authority. The moment he hit the ground, the surrounding agents immediately trained their weapons on Wally, creating a perfect circle around him.
Nick Fury: Surrender, and there will be peace, you mutant.
Wally froze, his entire body tense as the guns trained on him. He could feel the weight of every barrel, every pair of eyes on him, calculating, waiting for him to make a wrong move.
Wally's face vibrated harder, the distortion of his features intensifying as he struggled against the stillness. Fury's commanding tone pierced through the air, but Wally's anger and defiance burned brighter than any fear.
Nick Fury: Last chance, mutant.
Wally's chest heaved, and he struggled to keep control of his power, but the situation seemed dire. He was surrounded outnumbered by the agents, with no clear escape. Fury's ultimatum echoed in his mind, but Wally refused to back down.
Wally: So you're gonna lock me up, huh? But not the guy who looks like a wizard or something?
Fury's eyes narrowed slightly, and the tension in the air thickened. Wally's words hung in the air as the agents tightened their grips on their guns, ready for a confrontation. Fury's lips curled into a slight, knowing smirk.
Nick Fury: That man's not our concern right now, but you, Wally West... you're on our radar and own us something from your mother.
Wally: What...
Wally remained unmoving, his glowing red eyes meeting Fury's unblinking stare. He wasn't backing down not now, not with everything on the line. The question was, would SHIELD understand that he wasn't the enemy, or would they treat him as one?
A beat of silence passed before Fury gave a subtle nod, signaling his agents to stay in position. The standoff continued, the fate of the plaza hanging in the balance.
The tension was suffocating as Wally stood surrounded by SHIELD agents, his vibrating face still flickering with glowing red eyes. The SHIELD agents' weapons remained trained on him, and Nick Fury's steely gaze never wavered from the young mutant. The moment felt like it could snap in any direction.
Suddenly, a familiar sound reverberated through the plaza the unmistakable hum of the "Blackbird". The sleek black jet descended with a thunderous roar, its engines cutting through the air like a powerful blade. As the Blackbird landed with a gust of wind, its hatch opened, and Cyclops stepped out, his visor glowing brightly as he scanned the situation. The X-Men were not far behind, their footsteps confident as they followed their leader.
Cyclops: Not so fast, Fury!
His voice rang out with authority, a clear challenge. The SHIELD agents immediately flinched at the sudden intervention, their focus shifting from Wally to the newly arrived X-Men. Cyclops's posture was one of calm but undeniable strength. He knew exactly what was at stake.
Cyclops: Wally West belongs to the X-Men not the SHIELD.
Iceman, always the compassionate one, was the first to approach Wally. He walked up slowly, his usual playful demeanor replaced with a rare seriousness. He gently placed a hand on Wally's shoulder, his eyes filled with concern.
Iceman: Hey, you good, bro?
Wally blinked, his body still vibrating but not as intensely. He looked at Iceman with a mix of relief and exhaustion, his head still reeling from everything that had happened.
Wally: Yeah... I think so... just a bit... out of control, you know?
Before Iceman could respond, Fury's cold voice cut through the air again.
Nick Fury: This is not your concern, Summers. Wally West and his mother owe SHIELD something from the past, and now we need it. You're in our way.
Cyclops clenched his jaw, a flare of anger rising inside him. His team was here to protect Wally, not let him be pulled away by SHIELD's demands. He stepped forward, locking eyes with Fury.
Cyclops: I don't think so, Fury. Whatever debts you think they owe you, this isn't your business anymore.
Fury's expression didn't change he was always calm, calculating, but there was a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. He looked at Cyclops, then back to Wally, his tone still unwavering.
Nick Fury: You can play your little games all you want, Summers, but it won't change the facts. His mother was part of an operation that put a target on her, and by extension, on him. He's got something we need.
Cyclops's jaw tightened. He didn't know the specifics of Wally's past or what Fury was referring to, but one thing was certain: Wally was a member of the X-Men now. No one not even SHIELD was going to take him from them.
Cyclops: Whatever you think you're entitled to, it ends here. You're not taking him.
The standoff continued, each side unmoving, each leader resolute. The air between them felt electric, charged with the weight of their conflicting missions. Wally, caught in the middle, stood silently, knowing that the next move would determine everything. Would SHIELD force his hand, or would the X-Men be able to protect him?
The tension in the air had become nearly unbearable. Wally stood with the X-Men, Cyclops at the front, while SHIELD's forces remained on high alert. Fury's eyes flickered from Cyclops to Wally, calculating his next move. His hand hovered near his comm device.
Nick Fury: Maria, call the Avengers for me.
Maria Hill, who had been silently watching the standoff, nodded and stepped away to carry out the order. She quickly pulled out her communicator, her expression one of intense focus as she prepared to escalate the situation.
Cyclops's eyes narrowed, his hands clenched into fists. He could feel the tension ratcheting up. The idea that Fury was calling in the Avengers was a clear signal that things were about to escalate dramatically.
Cyclops: Oh, you want a war with us, huh?
Fury's eyes flicked toward Cyclops, his lips curling into a faint, unreadable smirk. He didn't flinch or waver in the slightest. His voice was low, firm, and commanding.
Nick Fury: This isn't about a war, Summers. This is about securing what's ours. You've got your team, and I've got mine. If you think you can stop me, I'd advise you not to make this harder than it needs to be.
Cyclops took a step forward, his gaze unwavering. His team stood behind him, ready for whatever Fury had in mind. The words 'war' and 'Avengers' hung in the air, creating an invisible barrier between the two sides.
Nick Fury: You'll have your chance to talk to them, Summers. But don't mistake this for a threat. This is about what's owed, and I'll get it one way or another.
Cyclops: I think you'll find it a lot harder than you imagine. This isn't just about what you want this is about Wally's choice. And right now, he's with us.
Nick Fury: You'll regret forcing my hand.
Fury didn't respond immediately, his attention shifting to Maria Hill as she raised her hand, signaling that the Avengers were on their way. The waiting game had begun.
Wally, still standing with the X-Men, exchanged brief glances with Cyclops, who had positioned himself as the first line of defense. Behind them, the team stood ready, prepared for whatever Fury and his agents had in store. Fury's hand tightened on his gun, his posture stiff and commanding.
Nick Fury: AGENTS!
With that, SHIELD agents rushed forward, fanning out around the plaza, their weapons drawn, prepared for a confrontation. They had orders to detain Wally at any cost. The sound of boots hitting the ground echoed through the plaza as they closed in, a wall of force and discipline aimed at the X-Men.
Cyclops: X-MEN!
Cyclops's command was sharp and immediate, his voice booming across the plaza. The X-Men sprang into action, each member positioning themselves as the battle lines were drawn. Iceman formed walls of ice, while Storm prepared to summon the weather. Colossus's muscles bulged as he shifted into his armored form, ready to protect the team, while Wolverine bared his claws with a grin.
Nick Fury: Take them down!
The SHIELD agents moved like a well-oiled machine, coordinating their efforts to overwhelm the X-Men. The air was thick with anticipation, each side sizing up the other. Fury's eyes were trained on Wally, fully aware of the mutant's unpredictable speed and powers.
Cyclops: Take them down!
With Cyclops's command, the X-Men surged forward. The plaza erupted into action. Wally vibrated through the crowd, a blur of speed, dodging SHIELD's gunfire and moving like a lightning bolt as he tried to disable their equipment.
Iceman launched a massive wave of ice to encase several SHIELD agents, while Storm summoned a powerful gust of wind to send others flying back. Colossus plowed through the enemy ranks, his metallic form unstoppable. Wolverine took the fight head-on, slashing through any agent foolish enough to come close.
The clash of powers, the sound of fists meeting metal, and the crackling of energy filled the plaza. Fury remained composed, watching the chaos unfold. His voice cut through the mayhem, calm but commanding.
Nick Fury: Don't hold back. We need him alive.
Cyclops: You're not going anywhere, Fury.
The battle had begun. Both sides were fully committed, but the real question was: who would stand victorious when the dust settled? The conflict between SHIELD and the X-Men had reached a boiling point, and there was no turning back now.
Next Issue: CONFLICT (X-MEN Vs. S.H.I.E.L.D.)