The meeting in the Avengers Compound grew increasingly tense. Steve leaned over the map Strange had conjured, tracing the glowing fractures with a gloved finger. "These breaks... they're not just spreading. It looks like they're converging."
"On one universe," Natasha observed, pointing to the epicenter. "What's so special about this one?"
Strange's expression darkened. "It's not about the universe itself. It's about Harley. Whatever is inside him is drawing these anomalies together, like a magnet. And if we can't stop it..."
"The multiverse goes boom," Deadpool finished, mimicking an explosion with his hands. "Great. Guess I better update my will. Wait—do I even have a will? Logan, you get my Funko Pops."
"I don't want your damn toys, Wade," Logan growled, barely looking up.
Deadpool wagged a finger at him. "Don't pretend you don't want the Bob Ross Deadpool edition. It's a collector's item!"
Natasha raised an eyebrow. "Does he ever stop?"
"No," Logan, Strange, and Harley said in unison.
Harley's unease was palpable as he leaned against the wall, trying to process everything. His hands still tingled from the earlier surge of energy, and he clenched them into fists, willing the sensation to go away.
Steve's voice cut through his thoughts. "We need a plan. If Harley's the key to all this, then we need to figure out what he's capable of."
"Great idea, Captain America," Deadpool chimed in, giving a mock salute. "Let's just toss him into a gladiator pit and see what happens. Maybe he'll sprout wings. Or laser eyes. Or—"
"Wade," Natasha interrupted sharply. "Not helping."
"Fine," Deadpool said, crossing his arms. "But if he turns into the Hulk's glowstick cousin, don't come crying to me."
Bruce looked up from the monitors. "Actually, it's not the worst idea to test his abilities. If Harley is manifesting powers, we need to understand their nature. Otherwise, he could hurt himself—or worse, destabilize things further."
Harley felt a lump rise in his throat. "I don't even know how to use them. I don't even know what they are!"
Logan spoke up, his gruff voice softer than usual. "It's not about knowing. It's about surviving. If your life's on the line, instincts kick in." He tapped his chest. "That's how it works for me."
"Great pep talk, Logan," Deadpool quipped. "Inspirational. Truly."
"Shut it, Wade," Logan snapped.
Strange interjected before the argument could escalate. "Testing his abilities will have to wait. Right now, we need to stabilize the anomalies." He turned to Harley. "And you need to stay alive long enough to figure out what's inside you."
Harley swallowed hard, nodding despite the growing fear in his chest.
Suddenly, an alarm blared through the compound, and the lights flickered. Bruce's fingers flew over the keyboard, bringing up a live feed on the monitors.
"What now?" Natasha muttered, moving to his side.
The screen displayed a tear in the fabric of reality, hovering above a park not far from the compound. The edges of the tear shimmered and warped, spewing fragments of energy that distorted the surrounding area.
"That's new," Steve said, grabbing his shield.
"New and bad," Bruce confirmed. "If that tear expands, it could consume everything around it."
"Looks like we're back on duty," Logan muttered, popping his claws.
Deadpool clapped his hands together. "Field trip! Time to save the world, one dimension at a time."
Strange turned to Harley. "You're coming with us."
Harley's eyes widened. "Me? Why?"
"Because that tear is connected to you," Strange said bluntly. "And if we can't close it, you might be the only one who can."
Harley felt his stomach drop. This wasn't what he signed up for—assuming he'd signed up for anything at all. But there was no time to argue.
The group moved quickly, piling into the Quinjet and heading toward the tear. As they approached, the distortion grew more violent, its energy crackling like lightning. Trees in the park twisted and bent unnaturally, and the few people nearby were running in terror.
"Stay focused," Steve ordered as the jet landed.
The group disembarked, spreading out to assess the situation. Strange began weaving spells to stabilize the area, while Steve and Natasha worked to evacuate civilians. Logan and Deadpool took defensive positions, their eyes scanning for threats.
Harley stood frozen, staring at the tear. The energy pulsing from it resonated with the strange feeling inside him, like a drumbeat in sync with his own.
"Don't just stand there," Logan barked. "Move!"
But Harley couldn't move. His chest tightened as the energy within him surged, overwhelming his senses.
Deadpool sidled up to him, poking his arm. "Hey, buddy, you okay? You're looking a little... glowy. Like a nightlight. Which, to be fair, is an upgrade from your usual 'guy-next-door' vibe."
Harley didn't respond. The sparks around his fingers returned, brighter this time, and a low hum filled the air.
"Uh, Strange?" Deadpool called over his shoulder. "I think our boy here is about to go full anime protagonist."
Before Strange could respond, a burst of energy erupted from Harley's hands, shooting toward the tear. It struck the distortion, momentarily stabilizing it before the energy rebounded, sending Harley sprawling.
Logan rushed to his side. "Harley! You okay?"
Harley groaned, sitting up. "What... what just happened?"
"You happened," Strange said, his tone serious. "Whatever power you have, it's tied to the multiverse itself. You're not just connected to the anomalies—you're part of them."
Harley stared at his hands, the residual glow fading. He didn't know what he was becoming, but one thing was clear: there was no turning back now.