"Brother? You honor me with your presence. Shall I bow down now, or would you rather I kiss your feet?"
"I am not here to engage you in a bout of words, Loki."
The door behind Thor closes with a hiss of finality, leaving the two brothers alone in a modest-sized room. Everything is white, from the floor, to the walls, and the ceiling. Which contrasts heavily with the dark brown of the fine wood that makes up the furniture strewn about. Desks, little tables, dressers, and the frame to a large inviting bed.
If it wasn't for the fact that the door had locked itself when it closed, the room may have even been confused with a lavish hotel.
"Ah, a physical bout then?" Loki grins, leaning forward and enjoying how uncomfortable Thor seems. "Well, I'm afraid I must inform you I am unarmed…obviously. But I have no doubts the people will sing your praises anyway-"
"Loki. Please." The near begging in Thor's tone actually halts the God of Mischief. "I did not come here to fight."
"You had a much different tone the last time we saw each other. Though, I suppose I should be grateful the future King of Asgard would dain me with-"
"Do not attempt to pin any blame on me, brother." Thor jabs the other god in the chest. "You know I find most of your games amusing, but what you did was too far."
Loki shrugs, gesturing to a table with a chessboard on it. Thor accepts, although reluctantly, sitting across from his brother and letting him make the first move. "Has your kingly training made you soft, Thor? This is far from the first time we've had some fun at Midgard's expense. The Sky Trumpets, Stonehenge, The Nazca Lines, need I go on? The humans have been scratching their heads over those forever."
Thor moves his pawn forward. "This is different and you know that. People died. That is why it has taken me so many months to visit. I have been working with the humans to repair-"
"Your new friends! Of course!" Loki makes his move and leans back, laughing, but there's no humor in it. "How are they?" The trickster purposefully exaggerates his voice. "I imagine the monster I unleashed was traumatizing."
Thor pauses, stuck in thought. Loki gives him a quizzical look before the Thunder God recovers, surprising his brother with a little smirk. "Actually, I would describe it more as motivating."
"Surely, you can't be serious."
"I am, and don't call me Shirley." Thor completes his turn. "You wished to bring me down to Midgard. Well, brother, you succeeded. And in doing so I, and the other heroes of Midgard, found we work quite well together."
Loki chokes back a laugh, holding his fist to his mouth. "What are you saying?" He's barely containing his chuckles now. "You're forming some sort of team with the mortals?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
"Are you that desperate to spite me?"
Thor leans back as Loki takes his turn. "Not everything is about you."
"Has it ever been?" Loki places his bishop down. "Check. And what of the creature I unleashed on the city?"
Thor moves his King to avoid losing. "The Hulk will be part of the team."
It is Loki's turn to pause. "Now there's one twist I didn't see coming. But there is merit in keeping your enemies close to keep an eye on them. I would infer that's why Odin had me imprisoned here instead of Asgard's regular cells. If he'd allow me a small stroll, I could even go offer greetings to Hela just down the hall-"
"Do not try to trick me into sympathizing with you." Thor grimaces when Loki captures his Knight. "Mother already informed me of you organizing a prison riot the first week you were incarcerated. That's why you were moved here."
Taking his next turn, Thor looks up, really staring at his brother. "I know you are aware that what you did goes beyond a normal prank. Tricking the Hulk into appearing in the middle of a crowded city was foolhardy and cruel. So, tell me, why?"
"That is the right question, isn't it?" Loki's queen moves into place. "Check." The pair is silent for the next minute, with Thor refusing to make his next move until his brother answers. The two stare one another down, with a grin slowly growing on Loki's face. "You are serious? Perhaps I just wanted your attention?"
Thor's expression hardens, disbelief clearly radiating off of him.
Loki's grin falls, his eyes dropping to the chessboard as his voice comes out in almost a whisper. "Or perhaps, after centuries of most all treating me like a monster, I decided to finally start acting like one."
His grin comes back; the shadow that had previously fallen onto the God of Mischief's face is nowhere to be found. "But then again, I was probably just looking for a good bit of fun."
Thor inhales slowly, taking everything his brother had said in. Finally, he exhales. "You do realize that to stoop down to that level is proving right to all who doubt you?" Thor moves his chess piece.
"You of all people are not seriously about to lecture me on turning the other cheek, are you?" Loki looks ready to gag. He uses his telekinesis to make his next movie for the sole purpose of keeping his aghast look on Thor. "I've watched you raid villages of other realms whose only crime was not respecting you. I would know, I was the one to sneak you out of and back into Asgard, wasn't I?"
"And that was foolish of me. Reckless actions of my younger self attempting to take me down a dark path. One that I wish to prevent you from traveling." Blue eyes look up from the board to pierce the green ones across from them.
"Should I be grateful the hero Thor has chosen to attempt to save me from these wild machinations he has concocted?"
The God of Thunder makes his next move. "No. I do not come to you as the future king or a hero. I come to you as a brother."
Loki clicks his tongue, taking an uncharacteristic amount of time with his next move, very purposefully not looking at Thor. "If that is true…brother, what if I told you I believe that not only am I talented at playing the bad guy… but that I enjoy it?"
Thor's response is surprisingly quick. "I would tell you to allow yourself to do some good. To give it a chance."
The God of Mischief snickers, clapping his hands in delight. "Truly inspirational, Thor. Yes, think of all the wondrous things I could do from my cell. Do you plan to bring children here so that I may perform tricks for them?"
"No. The Avengers have had many meetings about it and-"
"Beg your pardon?" Loki's guffaws. "But…did you just say the Avengers?"
Thor rolls his eyes. "Yes, that's what we are calling ourselves. Now, if you'd let me-"
"You joke?"
"Do I look to be?" Loki laughs boisterously more, causing Thor to say, "this is not a game, brother."
"Oh, sure it is," Loki replies, calming down a little. "That's all life is, Thor. A board full of pieces moving in random directions." He gestures to the chessboard. "It's only the truly cunning who recognizes that and once you do…" He moves his queen. "Deciphering how to move the pieces in the way you desire is simple. Checkmate."
Thor looks back and forth from all the pieces a few times, before conceding the match. "One day, I will defeat you at this game." He looks back up. "But lives are not chess pieces for you to maneuver how you wish. Now, back to what I was saying." Loki snickers more at the thought of the 'Avengers.'
"It took many nights of convincing, but I have gotten the rest of the Avengers to agree to let you assist us as a - what was the word Tony used - ah, to assist us as a consultant."
"Another reason why it took you so long to visit I assume?" Loki raises an eyebrow and Thor shrugs. "You spent all that time convincing them to let me help them without even knowing if I'd agree?"
"I knew you never would without it." Both of Loki's eyebrows raise in surprise at the startling accurate assumption. "Brother, this is the good I was speaking about. Help us. Slowly build that trust again. Take yourself off this wayward path you walk. And though I cannot promise anything, maybe you won't have to spend as much time in this cell as father has sentenced you."
Loki mulls it over for over a full minute. His mouth twists as his eyes look around the cell. "I suppose it could potentially help cure my boredom with this place. But I do have a thought." He leans forward. "You claim you have received the permission of your team and yet, none of them come with you? I'd have thought that would have shown some good faith."
Thor waves to the wall behind them, the door to the cell opening once more. "That is where you're wrong, brother. But we thought I should go in first to…judge your mood."
Loki scoffs. "I feel I should be insulted, but I'm more amused than anything." A man walks into the cell, the door closing behind him, wearing a uniform that's just a little too bright for most. Loki grins. "Ah, the man out of time."
Steve Rogers offers the Asgardian a single nod, stopping next to Thor. On one arm, his shield, and under the other, a thick set of files. "Loki." The First Avenger peers around the cell, whistling. "This is what prison is like on Asgard? It's nicer than my apartment."
"We can switch if you'd like," Loki suggests.
"The furniture is courtesy of our mother," Thor informs the other man. "Who, despite her illness, refused to let her son be uncomfortable." He shoots his brother a look.
Steve nods, pulling up another chair to sit by his teammate, and placing his shield carefully next to him. "I appreciate the offer," he answers Loki. "But I think we prefer you where we can find you."
"Yes, you and the rest of the…Avengers," Loki mocks. "Tell me Captain, as a man of God, how does it make you feel knowing you locked one away?"
"Enough, brother."
"There's only one God, sir." Steve looks him up and down. "And I'm pretty sure he'd smell better than you."
Thor can't help himself as he snorts, with even Loki not bothering to stop his laughter. "Very good. I'm glad you're the one they sent."
"As for the name, we believe it's a strong one." Steve places the files on the table, putting his hands together over them. "It efficiently tells our enemies what we are capable of and gives the public hope in Earth's Mightiest Heroes."
"Stop." Loki can hardly control his laughter. "Earth's mighti-" His gaze turns back to Thor. "Mightiest Heroes? Like the Almighty Thor? Did you have a hand in picking the slogan? If so, you both came to the right place for assistance in your branding."
"We aren't here for that," Thor stresses.
"Why not something like the Revengers?"
"Are you going to help us or not?" Steve cuts in.
"If it's me you're coming to," Loki smirks. "You must truly be desperate."
Steve hums, opening the top file to reveal info and the picture of an attractive woman. "She's a lot like you. Uses a lot of magic, illusions, mind control, and likes to hear herself talk." Loki narrows his eyes in annoyance while Thor snickers. "Her name is Amora, no last name known. Codename: Enchantress. Her abilities have been giving us a real run-around. Would you be willing to help us?"
Loki studies the page and the observed abilities of the woman, flipping it over to see if there was anything useful on the other side. Eventually, he glances back. "Where would you like to start?"
Opening his eyes, Loki inhales deeply, allowing the memory to fade away while enjoying the fresh clean air around him. Above him, the sky is clear, except for one cloud on the horizon. Giving it a quizzical look for a moment, Loki conjures his phone into his hand, hitting a contact, and bringing it up to his ear. He knows where he has to start. It barely rings once before being answered.
"Dad?"
"Izuku, listen to me very carefully."
Okay, no big deal. He's just standing in a room with heroes he's idolized for years, feeling like he can pass out any second, it'll be alright. It will be! For sure. Definitely… Where does Izuku start?!! AHHHHHHHH-
No, no. Calming thoughts. Thinking soothing thoughts. Katsudon. Taking notes on his favorite heroes. Pranking unsuspecting victims. Ah, now he's feeling better. The feel of a dagger in his hand. Eri smiling. His friends holding him up. Ochako holding him like he's the only thing she sees, even though she can do way better than-
Well, his insecure thoughts stopped for almost a minute. Might be a new record honestly. Woo. But anyway, where was he? Oh, that's right. He's standing in a room with some of the most famous heroes in the world and they want to talk to him.
Instinctively, and like an idiot, Izuku peers behind him. As if Dr. Strange might be addressing another Izuku Lokison in the room. Technically, Izuku could just make a clone and let it do all the talking while he hides invisible, but something tells him the much more powerful sorcerer would see right through that.
Okay, Plan B. Izuku can try actually talking to them. He might die, but it's a risk he has to take. Okay, it's simple. Dr. Strange addressed him, so all he has to do is respond with a simple 'yes, sir.' It's short, simple, and acknowledges he knows he was spoken to. So easy. Izuku opens his mouth and-
"Can I have your autograph?"
…dangit, Izuku.
There's a brief pause of silence, before Star and Stripe's roar of laughter breaks the tension, the hero clapping her hands in amusement. Around Izuku, both Spider-Man and Thor chuckle into their hands, trying and failing to hide themselves.
"He's adorable!" Izuku yelps as Star and Stripe hoists him off the ground very much like he weighs nothing, holding the teen from under his armpits. "Strange, you said he'd be coming in here talking about his 'glorious purpose' and trying to prank us but just look at him!"
Meanwhile, Ochako suddenly got the feeling that someone was touching something that was not theirs.
Izuku, who had gone limp as a doll in shock, merely looks down at the hero as she holds him above her head. "Can I have your autograph too?" he asks, his brain pretty much running on autopilot by this point.
"Of course, you can, little man!!" In contrast to how easily he was flung around, Izuku is lowered back down gently, where he conjures a notebook and pen and hands it to the statuesque hero. Then it hits him.
"Oh my gods Star and Stripe!! I've been following your career since your debut! You know, when you said All Might inspired you and you saved- Ack!"
Annoyance can't even begin to describe what Izuku feels when his uncle covers his mouth for a second time today. In revenge, Izuku bites down on the god's palm but receives no reaction. When he looks up, Thor is giving him an amused look. "Do you believe that would seriously be enough to hurt me?"
"C'mon Thor, don't be a spoilsport! HAHA!" Star roars with even more laughter, patting the Asgardian on the shoulder. "I don't mind if the kid has some questions! You're always talking about how smart he is!" Izuku's ears go red at the mere thought of Thor talking him up to professional heroes.
"I don't believe you quite know what you're asking for, Cathleen."
Izuku's heart jumps when a web snatches the notebook and pen out of Star's hand after she's done signing, depositing them into Spider-Man's. "Let the kid take a load off. He just got done fighting off Ultron, por el amor de Dios. So what if he wants to ask some questions?" The hero points the pen at Izuku. Spider-Man is talking to him again. "Besides, I'm willing to answer as many as you want."
He technically already has Spider-Man's signature from when his Uncle had gotten it for him at the start of the year, but Izuku certainly wasn't gonna stop the hero from signing his notebook again. And, to be honest, he couldn't even if he wanted to. Forming words is a bit difficult right now.
"We're not here so you can start a fan meet up…again," Ken groans, tapping a few gears on the vibranium gauntlet on his arm.
"I can't help it if I'm the most popular one here."
"There will be time for questions later." Dr. Strange's voice carries an authority over the room, drawing everyone's attention back to him, with even his uncle uncovering his mouth. Izuku can't help but be intimidated with how effortlessly the sorcerer hops into the air, gliding over to him before touching back down. A feat Izuku wishes he could copy so badly.
The Sorcerer Supreme had learned to fly without the use of his Cloak of Levitation long ago. Instead of keeping it, Strange had decided on letting the cloak decide who its next master should be, but it denied every candidate. So now it sat in his grandfather's vault.
Strange picks up from where he left off. "We have been summoned here for a matter of grave importance."
Bump.
Izuku swallows, standing up straighter as the leader of the Avengers studies him with a critical eye. "As you may or may not be aware. Our universe didn't naturally start off the way it did."
Bump.
"The Beyonder used six powerful gems to essentially crash different realities together. All for his twisted game."
Bump.
"And in the end, while we were able to stop his plan, we-"
Bump.
"I- stop that!" Strange commands, annoyed as Spider-Man continuously bumps him with Izuku's notebook.
"The kid asked for an autograph, and I think you should give it to him." Bump. Bump.
"One of the oldest and most powerful relics to exist in the universe, that was thought to be destroyed centuries ago, may somehow still be intact…" It looks like Strange is using all of his willpower to keep his voice level as he talks to Spider-Man. It reminds Izuku of some of the talks he's had with Aizawa in a way. "And your biggest concern… is an autograph?"
"Hey, no one's ever accused me of having brains. Okay, actually, that's not completely true. I've got brains. It's common sense that I'm lacking."
Strange's eye twitches. "Just- fine, okay. Here, give me the book." Spider-Man happily hands it over, with Strange signing it with a flair before handing it to Black Panther. "And for the last bit of my sanity, could you stop crawling on the ceiling inside the compound? We keep having to fix the holes you leave behind."
Izuku's brain resets when potential insight into the hero's powers comes into play. "Holes? Why do you leave holes in the ceiling?"
Spider-Man holds up his hand, curling it a bit to emphasize the talons on the end. "I can't stick to walls like the usual guys can, but I make up for it by using my brute strength and talons on my hands and feet to crawl around! Here, I can show you-"
"No, he can't." Strange sighs, trying to hurry them along.
Bruce takes Izuku's notebook back from Ken. "Oh, even Vision has already signed this." The scientist quickly jots down his signature before holding it out to Izuku, who takes it cautiously back.
"T-thank you, sir…and I'm sorry again about my dad's prank that forced you to turn into the Hulk…" Despite Izuku always being a huge fan of both Bruce and the Hulk, he had always avoided the man and felt awkward the few times they had been in a room together. He knows the destruction his father caused that day was immense and got him into a lot of trouble. It's part of the reason his mom is always so hard on the two of them and trying to curb their harsher pranks, despite the incident happening over two centuries ago.
"It's…" Bruce trails off, clicking his tongue. "I can't exactly say it's fine, but that wasn't your fault, so you don't need to apologize. In addition, it directly led to the creation of our team, and your father has done more than enough to make up for his actions since, so at least some good came out of it."
"How did my brother accomplish that again?" Thor asks, curious.
"Illusion of a bomb going off on some train tracks," Bruce answers. Izuku tries to keep the confused look off his face but doesn't succeed. "I know. Monotonous by today's standards but hundreds of years ago, it was almost unheard of."
"That's all well and good. But may I now get back to my explanation about the formation of our universe and the possible danger we're in? Or would you all," Strange stares at Star and Spider-Man, "prefer to keep dicking around?"
Glancing down and feeling his heart soar at the signatures, Izuku opens his mouth to thank them, but Spider-Man beats him to it. "Did I mention that I can bite people and paralyze them?"
"Oh my gods!" All previous hesitation is gone, he spins to face the arachnid-branded hero. "You can?! Does it have to be in a specific spot? How long does it take to affect a person? How much does their biology-"
"It would appear," Vision begins while Strange pinches his nose. "That they wish to continue 'dicking around.'"
"I swear, the human lifespan is not enough." Strange groans, letting his hand drag down his face before falling. "Maturity is only afforded to those who live at least a couple of centuries." He looks to Vision and Bruce, but when he peers at Thor, the Sorcerer Supreme facepalms when he sees Thor trying to goad Spider-Man into biting him to see how long it would take to paralyze him. "I stand corrected."
"Uncle Thor, aren't you immune to poison and toxins? It probably wouldn't work on you."
"Now hold on there." Thor cups his chin. "Maybe, if she'd be willing to lend me her aid, Star can use her quirk to make me vulnerable to Miguel's venom…thereby allowing our experiment to continue!"
Star snaps her fingers. "That's brilliant!"
Thor grins, laughing a bit while soaking up the praise. "Why, thank you! I don't know why my brother is always saying my plans are 'idiotic' and a 'fool's errand.' Well, who's laughing now, Loki? If you'd be so kind to-"
"Ahem." The small group glances to find Strange holding his arms out to the side, letting them fall and hit him. "I could have been certain we only invited one child to our facility today?"
"Aww, don't be like that Strange." Izuku yelps when Star's giant hand comes down on his head, patting him and flattening his head. "We're just trying to help him relax!"
"Wouldn't be much of a talk if Izuku here faints in the middle of it," Spider-Man shrugs.
"A quick reminder. The Japanese prefer that you use their family name while addressing them," Ken reminds his companion. "First names are for family and those they've known for a long time-"
"Any of you can call me Izuku!" Does he shout it in a similar way to when he told Ochako she could call him Deku? It's certainly a possibility.
"Or they can simply give you permission," Ken finishes with a small chuckle.
"Sounds bueno to me!" Spider-Man pulls his mask off, smirking at Izuku as he does. "You can have the privilege of calling me Miguel, mi amigo." Miguel shoots him finger guns, winking at him with one of his red eyes that stand out under his messy brown hair, which matches his skin color.
"I-I-"
"I'll do you one better!" Star laughs. "How about you call me Cathy! It's only fair, yeah?!"
"Y-y-y-y-"
"Oh crap, I think he might actually faint!"
"Hold onto him!"
Unlike for most of his life, Izuku does actually catch a break and manages to keep himself from passing out in front of the Avengers. To be honest, if he did faint, only to wake up and find out he fainted in the first place, he'd probably fall unconscious again right after, so Izuku is glad he didn't.
After fixing himself with some help from Miguel and Cathleen - there's no way Izuku can bring himself to use a nickname for Star and Stripe yet - Strange gets right down to business, not wanting to waste any more time. "Please, before anything else happens, conjure your scepter."
Izuku does just that. He holds out his palm and after a brief green glow, he feels the familiar smooth metal and rush of power he always does when bringing forth his weapon. Every eye is on the scepter as Strange effortlessly lifts it up with his telekinesis, slowly spinning it around so they can all see, the soft red glow reflecting off them all.
"Bruce," Strange prompts.
"The metals used to construct the scepter are some of the most durable of what we know exists." Bruce fixes his glasses, leaning in. "An Uru handle with a textured grip at some parts to allow greater control. Platinum blades securely holding the scepter's power source in place as well. There's no doubt about it." He puts some data into a tablet he's holding. "This scepter was specifically made for whatever's inside it. To be able to both contain and disperse its power."
"No vibranium means Wakanda was not involved," Ken studies the items as well. "Nor have I ever seen a design like this in our archives."
"It's Dwarvish." The group looks up in a bit of surprise at the certainty in Thor's words, the god frowning at the scepter. "To manipulate the metal Uru to such a precise degree could only have been done by their skilled hands. And as they were the constructors of Stormbreaker, they would know how to build a weapon that could quell immense power."
"And…what? They never brought up in casual conversation that they built a weapon to use the power of an infinity stone?" Strange asks incredulously.
"Wait wait wait!" Izuku waves his hands in the air to bring the adult's attention back onto him. "An infinity stone?! I think I'd know if I'd been carrying around one of those all this time!" He shrinks a little at the round of flat stares he receives. "Wouldn't I?"
"Would you?" Strange raised an eyebrow. "The power of an infinity stone is nothing like anyone has ever experienced. Especially if this is the Reality Stone as Vision's report suggests."
Izuku gives the hero a questioning look, who sighs. "During our battle with Ultron, I noticed that with your scepter, you were able to accomplish feats that were reminiscent of the stone. Not enough to make a definitive decision, but one I felt was still worth investigating. That is why I reiterated to you before we began that you are not in trouble."
"But no, that's still not right." Izuku pushes past his trepidations as the team of legendary heroes stare at him, waiting for him to continue. Biting his lip and wishing he could let a clone take his place, he explains what he means. "A-a couple of years ago, I felt the power of an infinity stone." There's a shift in the room. "I didn't know it at the time, but while in my grandfather's vault I got a taste of the Power Stone and…"
Closing his eyes, an actual shiver runs down Izuku's spine. A sensation the half-frost giant is not used to. But he can still remember it clear as day. Putting his hand on the wall of Odin's vault. The sensation of all of his senses being overwhelmed at once. His eyes were open but he couldn't see. His ears refused to accept any new sounds. It was a surge of power his body wasn't ready for and it left him in a puddle of sweat and tears. Izuku had never forgotten what he felt that day.
So he is absolutely certain he hasn't felt anything close to it since.
He relays his experience and how Odin first explained the stones to him to the heroes, and he's a bit surprised when Strange nods, as if expecting that. "What you felt was a sliver of raw power from one of the stones. Your scepter there, if it does indeed contain a stone, was made to let you use that power without, you know, dying. So it stands to reason why you haven't felt that surge again." He says the part about dying just a little too matter-of-factly for Izuku's liking.
Strange turns to the other Avengers. "We need a way to figure out if this is the Reality Stone with absolute certainty. Out of all the stones to still exist, this would be the worst."
"Why?" Curiosity regularly gets the better of Izuku, so why should that stop today?
Strange glances around the room, looking for objection while a weird look crosses his face. When no one says anything, he looks back down at the boy. "You said before that during your talk with Odin, he told you how 'quirks' as most people know them came to be?"
"Sort of?…" Izuku thinks back, reiterating what his grandfather had told him.
"Centuries ago, there existed, let's call them items. These items contained power that had been around since the dawn of the universe itself. Each item possessed an immense and unique ability. One of them could grant a vast array of wishes, even those against the laws of nature itself. On its own, it was powerful indeed, but still limited in its reach and scale. However, when combined with another one of the items, it could easily affect change on say, a global scale. Put all the items together, and the scale is universal."
Izuku tries to digest everything he's listening to. His mind is running so fast that for once, his mouth can't keep up to mumble. He finally settles on, "s-so you're saying this…item, with the help of the others, is what gave people their quirks?…"
"I was not there to witness it myself, but I believe most likely, yes."
"He was right," Strange confirms. "And would you like to take a guess on what 'item' he was specifically talking about?" Izuku's eyes immediately lock onto his floating scepter. "Got it in one, kid. But that's not all. On its own, the Reality Stone can not affect change on a global scale. Remember, Odin said it had to be combined with others."
It isn't hard to figure out. "The Power Stone?…" Izuku whispers in disbelief.
"You're a regular member of Mystery Incorporated," Strange replies. Izuku doesn't get the reference but nods along anyway. "During the end of the Secret Wars against the Beyonder, there was mass chaos. Realities and different dimensions were crashing against each other, threatening to destroy one another. Our own universe was damaged beyond repair."
Strange spins the scepter around with his finger, watching it twirl. "Without doing something drastic, it could never survive. So a radical idea was suggested. As the other universe our own had been colliding with was also set to die, why not combine them?" Izuku tilts his head in bewilderment.
"Yeah, that's the look we all had too." Strange laughs a little. "But with no other choice, since our world and the other would continue to cross over one another until they were both destroyed, the stones were used to save both universes by bringing them together. And in the process," Strange gestures to the scepter. "This world as we know it came to be and the dawn of quirks, as your textbooks call it, began."
He brings the scepter back in between them. "That is why we have to know if that is the Reality Stone inside this scepter. Everything we have come to know is from that gem, and if it still exists, the results could be disastrous. That's why it is the worst stone to still exist, understand?"
Izuku, still a little dumbfounded, is positively not freaking out that he could've been walking around with the key to his whole universe in his pocket dimension this whole time! An infinity stone! With him! He keeps snacks and sodas in that dimension, not items of massive power what the heck?!!
"Everyone caught up to speed?" Strange looks around. "Anyone confused? No? Good. There will be time for questions later. Now comes the part where we figure out if the stone is really in there."
"Escucha, you say the stone was destroyed centuries ago, yeah?" Miguel confirms while leaning back on one of the tables. "But you also say all these different universes exist? What if the stone came from one of them?"
"Not a bad guess but wrong." Strange looks over Bruce's shoulder at his tablet, before moving back to the scepter. "Infinity Stones don't work outside of the universes they were created in." He puts his hand next to the power source and whispers a few words under his breath. "Damn, a Warding spell placed with Eldritch magic. Simple, but practically unbreakable. We can't remove the scepter's power source."
"If my scepter really has a stone in it…" the Avengers' attention is brought back to Izuku, who looks unsure and nervous. "What happens then?"
"If that is the case…" Vision begins, before seemingly wavering on what to say, looking to the others for help.
Strange sighs. "We'll cross that bridge if we get there. It's pretty clear you don't know what's in there so once again, if there is a stone, you would not be in trouble." The sorcerer continues on. "But if it is, I'm afraid we're going to have to make a decision about the scepter's ownership you may not entirely like."
Izuku nods, swallowing his excess saliva and looking down. "Okay…"
"C'mon." Izuku jolts a bit, not realizing when Strange had gotten next to him. "I have an idea of how to figure this out."
"Thank you all for meeting me so soon." Nezu settles at his desk, letting the aroma of his tea relax his nerves just as it does the same for his guests as they find places to sit around his office, getting comfortable. Aizawa and Logan predictably stand in different corners of the room, while All Might and one other person sit in the chairs in front of the principal's desk.
"But with the training camp fast approaching, and us attempting a type of camp we never thought possible before, I thought it best to make sure all of the details were squared away and, as Midoriya put it, we are all on the same page."
Aizawa raises an eyebrow, flipping quickly through the booklet Nezu had given them all, scanning over the pages. His is the only tea that lay untouched. "Where should we start? This is a lot of information being given to us very quickly."
"Not to worry." Nezu's grin shows his teeth. "I only put the burden of keeping track of this information on myself. I only expect the rest of you to read your packets and enjoy. I will remind you of relevant information as needed."
"If it's alright, I think I know where to start," Toshinori speaks up after clearing his throat a bit, before turning to the person at his side. "David? What happens to you now?"
David Shield shifts a bit in his seat, nearly finishing his tea in a single gulp. "Until the investigation clears up? Nothing. I have to say Toshi, your cop friend was nice but very thorough in our interview. He wanted everything from when I came up with the idea to rebuild Ultron to now. The process we went through, the suppliers we went to for parts, even going so far as to ask if I knew what would happen once Ultron was made. We went through what happened that night on the island minute to minute, with no details left out. It was…not a pleasant experience, having to relive those events, but it's out of my hands now until the UN finishes their side of the investigation."
"Will you be going back to America then?"
The scientist shakes his head. "They don't want us doing any traveling of any kind. The 'we'd like to know where to find you' was heavily implied." David sighs, leaning back. "No, for the time being, you're stuck with Melissa and me. The police have frozen my accounts, so transferring myself money is out of the question, a big problem since I'm quickly running out of it for the hotel we've been staying at. Not to mention Melissa's education-"
"David." The man stops when Toshinori places a steady hand on his shoulder. "I swear, while you're here you will not have to worry about a thing financially. You and Melissa are more than welcome to stay with me."
"Toshi, we couldn't-"
"I insist," Toshinori emphasizes. "I've barely used any of the money I've made as a hero except for the charity donations and essentials. I might as well use it for something."
"And as for your other problem!" Nezu pipes up. "Ms. Shield is more than welcome to continue her education with UA's support department until such a time that she would like to transfer somewhere else. Though, if I may speak with candor, I don't see I-Island Academy opening again anytime soon, even if the island is found shortly."
David looks stunned. "You- you can admit a new student into your new school just like that?"
"You will find that when you operate under the policy of asking the board for forgiveness instead of permission, you can do most anything."
Looking back and forth, David couldn't look more astonished at the kindness if he tried. Eventually, a smile forms across his face. "Thank you. Thank you both so much."
"Not a problem." Nezu waves him with his paw. "It was the logical solution. Power Loader has informed me that your daughter and a certain student have taken to spending some time together after leaving the hospital."
"What is going on here?!"
Melissa and Mei spin around, trying and failing to cover up the computer screen behind them. Around UA's support lab, cleaning robots zip throughout the room, making a mess and dumping cleaning supplies everywhere.
"Hi, Sensei!" Mei greets Power Loader nonchalantly with a wide smile. "We were waiting for some of the data I got from Ultron to load onto the computer, so I thought I'd show my assistant here some tricks in hacking!"
One of the robots shakes its little fist at the girls as it flies past them. "We will not forget this when Judgment Day comes!"
Melissa gives the robots such an unimpressed look, they shiver a bit. "After Ultron, you guys don't scare me one bit."
"Don't you dare take the lord's name in vain!!"
Melissa sighs, putting her face in her hands.
"Hatsume, Shield, whichever one of you took over the robots," Power Loader exhales. "Please just let them get back to work."
"Right away, sir." Melissa nods politely, but her face quickly sours when she whirls back on Mei. "What was that about being your assistant?!"
"If we were heroes, you'd be my sidekick!"
"And if we were villains, I would've just betrayed you!!"
As the girls begin to argue, Power Loader looks mournfully back at his office. "I'm going to need a bigger flask."
"Moving on!" Nezu flips to the next page in the packet, prompting everyone else to do so. "Before they left, I had lengthy conversations with the Vision, Midoriya, and Kaminari, along with his father on the phone. While we are trying to limit the exposure of extraterrestrials as much as possible, I thought of a few other candidates whose knowledge of the situation would be necessary. Those I mentioned have already given their approval so now I ask for yours."
Aizawa squints at the paper. "Yeah, this first one makes logical sense. We should have had her in the room when Midoriya exposed the secret to the class."
There is a very long sigh that takes more than a couple of seconds to end. Recovery Girl takes off her glasses, rubbing her eyes, before looking back down at the medical reports at her desk. "Aliens?"
Aizawa sighs. "Yeah."
"Not only do we already have several students who are aliens, but other students with new abilities granted to them…by aliens."
"You are correct." Aizawa doesn't show it, but he's grateful that someone finally shares his indignation to this entire situation. "Being the primary physician to these kids, Nezu thought it was important that you know."
"…He should have told me sooner, so I knew what I was dealing with while treating these kids! And make sure he knows that he's screwed if I die from overwork. I'm going to need so much help if he really believes he can just drop this all my plate and-"
"She is not going to like being kept in the dark about this for so long." Aizawa doesn't know how correct he is. "Hell, I didn't like it."
Nezu's eyes glint. "And yet, you have not submitted a resignation?"
Principal and teacher have a brief stare down, before Aizawa blinks, looking away. "It would be criminal for me to leave and let anyone else try to handle those kids." Toshinori chuckles at how far Aizawa will go to not admit he likes his class. "Still, this is a lot to put on a single person, even Recovery Girl."
"I concur!" Nezu checks his computer. "I thought as much, but since there is no time before the training camp, I have a meeting scheduled after camp with the hero team operating out of the Cool World Amusement Park, which can hopefully help remedy this situation."
"Speaking of Recovery Girl," David says. "She should hopefully be able to find out what's going on with the boy Sero now that she has been enlightened, but my more pressing concern here is what you have on your report for Bakugo. They found traces of the Super Soldier Serum in his blood?"
"Yes! I wanted to ask you about that." Nezu pulls up his notes on Bakugo on the computer. "It seems he was exposed to the serum on the island during the attack, but has not shown any changes; do you know why that might be?"
"Vita-Rays," David replies. "The normal process of binding someone with the serum is not just injecting them with the serum, it is also exposing them to large amounts of Vita-Rays. This accelerated the bonding process and assures it's done correctly."
"So without it, the serum will just work its way out of his body?" Aizawa asks.
"No," David looks back at the packet, running hand through his hair. "Notice I said it accelerates the process, it doesn't enable it. Which means, albeit slowly, Mr. Bakugo will eventually start to feel the effects of the serum. Though, this will be delayed further if he can keep himself calm and relaxed. Tell me, is Bakugo a level-headed student?"
Silence. A cough. Then more silence.
"I'll tell Recovery Girl to push that up her priority list when I see her," Aizawa eventually tells Nezu.
"See that you do."
"Nezu, sir." Toshinori's eyes flicker up and down from the paper to the quirked animal. "Are you sure about this next couple of people?…"
"Bahahahahahahahahaha!!!"
"It isn't that-"
"Hahahahahahahahaha!"
"Really, it's-"
"Hahahahaha!" Gran Torino pats his knee, trying to catch his breath. "You- you-" It takes everything for the old hero not to burst into another fit of laughter. "You find out those boys are aliens… like real aliens… and you started- you started doing a bunch of stuff you learned from movies hahaha!"
Toshinori frowns. "Aizawa, would you like the pleasure of informing Gran Torino-"
"All yours." Aizawa hides his mouth underneath his scarf, but they all know he's laughing to himself under there.
"While I agree that All Might is the best choice to tell Gran Torino," Toshironi squawks in protest to Nezu's words, "I believe that, given the history between them, and his overall…stand-offish behavior, and given that it involves several students, I should handle the next one."
"You do realize how completely insane you sound, yes?"
"Absolutely!" Nezu chuckles, standing on the man's desk. "But I can't help but notice you are not outright refusing my claims."
Nighteye leans forward, adjusting his glasses. "I put my faith in facts and reasoning." He gestures to the encrypted files on his computer that Nezu had sent him. "Here we have the facts. Your argument and proof of aliens leaves little room for doubt. And it actually fills some holes in explanations I have been seeking. As for the other thing, it stands to reason that One for All isn't the only world-shattering secret out there." His eyes narrow. "I can't help but wonder however-"
Nezu holds out his paw. "To believe I am Midoriya in disguise and this is all some elaborate prank is completely understandable. You are more than welcome to apply your quirk onto me to confirm."
All Might's old sidekick raises an eyebrow, glancing behind him at the window that showed a city bathed in night. "It's very late; I could have very easily used my quirk already."
"True!" Nezu hadn't dropped his paw. "But if you haven't, you're more likely to use it now as you've taken the day off tomorrow to go and acquire several rare pieces of All Might merchandise that have gone on sale, making it unlikely that you'll need your quirk within the next twenty-four hours. So, what will it be?" Nighteye's usual frown breaks for only a moment, amused by the principal deducing his planes, before reaching forward and grabbing his paw. He looks into Nezu's beady eyes before activating his quirk.
After a few seconds, Nighteye exhales, leaning back and fixing his hair. "It is indeed you. And from what my quirk showed me, you wish to tell Mirio as well?"
"Not just him." Nezu shakes his head. "While I am confident in the location change for our training camp, I believe a little extra security can go a long way. So, I wish to bring Togata, along with both Hado and Amajiki, into the loop as it were. I am confident in Togata, as he has been keeping the secret of One for All, and I'm fairly certain of his two friends as well, since I want all of them at the camp. But what is your assessment of them?"
Nighteye is silent for almost a full minute, drumming his fingers against his desk, his face giving away nothing. Only slight twitches of his eyes give away how fast his brain is moving. "I believe…that I would like you there as well to help answer all of Hado's inevitable questions."
"I'll take that as a yes!" Nezu cheers, pulling out a tea he didn't have before and setting a cup in front of Nighteye, pouring his beverage in.
"To celebrate, or is there more you wish to speak about?" Nighteye inquires.
Nezu doesn't answer until he's finished pouring them both tea. "There is more I'm afraid. And it's something I believe your skills would excel at." Nezu takes a sip, not looking as cheerful as he did a moment ago. "Ever since the USJ, we have had suspicions of a traitor at the school. And with the revelation of the existence of aliens, I realize that there could be a lot more to this potential traitor than first thought possible."
He looks up, setting his cup down carefully. "We have already witnessed these visitors have multiple abilities that we never thought possible with quirks. Abilities our traitor could be using, and I'd like your help in locating them."
"As for the last person on our list!" Nezu turns the page in his packet, prompting everyone else to do so as well, and Logan to straighten. "Mr. Howlett, I believe it's possible for your class to attend the camp without revealing the existence of aliens as well, but I wish to put in a suggestion for at least one student to be made aware of the situation."
Dark Shadow busts out laughing when Tokoyami is knocked hard onto his butt… again. "Must you really ridicule my lack of expertise in fighting every time I am knocked to the ground?!" Tokoyami asks his quirk, incensed.
Dark Shadow's response is immediate. "Absolutely." Tokoyami groans.
"Think about it this way, bub," Logan calls out from his place leaning against the wall of the gym. "For every time you get knocked on your ass here is one less time it happens in the field."
"You're doing a lot better than most beginners." Tokoyami looks up as his opponent speaks to him. "But c'mon, we gotta get as much fighting practice in as possible if you want to use those new alien powers to their fullest!" Kendo enlarges her fist and pulls the bird student up onto his feet easily, before letting her hand shrink down back to normal.
"Once again, Dark Shadow and I are indebted to you for taking time away from your days off to begin our lessons," Tokoyami thanks class 1-B's president sincerely.
Kendo waves him off as she walks back to her starting position. "If I wasn't here, I'd be in my home dojo practicing anyway." She lowers into a fighting stance. "Now, position one again!"
"You know, I think you're getting better."
Tokoyami eyes his quirk suspiciously. "Is that so?"
"I do! I think you might even land a hit on her this time!"
Tokoyami continues to eye Dark Shadow, but when she doesn't break, he sighs. "Very well. I will strive to do my best." He copies Kendo's position, and when she yells to go, he charges.
Only for him to meet a face full of mat once again to the sound of Dark Shadow laughing. "I thought you said… I was doing better," Tokoyami groans to the still laughing quirk.
"No, but it makes it funnier when you think you have a chance!"
"…I hate you…with all of my hate."
"Stephen, I can think of at least five, no six other ways we can test to see if that really is the Reality Stone in the scepter."
"Bruce, your opinion on the matter has been duly noted, will there be anything else, Doctor?"
Izuku gulps, switching his scepter between his hands again just to have something to do. He stands across from Dr. Strange in one of the many courtyards on Avenger's campus, the hero looking as calm as can be. The rest of the team stand off to the side watching.
"I guess not." Bruce shakes his head, putting his hands up in defeat. "Proceed, doctor."
Strange nods, before turning his sharp gaze back on Izuku. "Alright, kid, here's what's gonna happen. The best way," Bruce clears his throat, "in my opinion, to see if your pointy stick over there has an Infinity Stone is for you to use it. So, you and I are gonna have ourselves a little fight. Right here, right now."
"What?!" Izuku nearly drops the scepter in surprise. "But if you're right, you could get hurt-"
"I'm gonna stop you right there," Strange interrupts, clicking his tongue. "Before we go any further, answer me this. What will be your objective in this fight?" He pauses. "Besides proving you have a stone. If this were a regular fight, what would you be aiming for?"
"Um…" Izuku scratches his head, hesitating because the answer seems too easy. "To win?"
"Usually, but not this time, kid." Strange smirks. "Your only goal for today…is to land a hit on me. One single hit."
"But the Infinity Stone-"
"Did I stutter?" Strange's smirk grows.
"I love when he gets like this," Miguel chuckles.
"Yes." Ken crosses his arms. "It is always greatly entertaining when Strange lets his recklessness direct his actions." The sarcasm isn't lost on anyone. "Even in a controlled environment such as this, letting the boy use what might be a stone is a grave miscalculation in the least."
"I like a good fight as much as the next person." Star puts her hands on her hips. "But if there's anyone who knows how bad it can go when you have the power to warp the world around you, it's me!"
"Is the woman who regularly travels by standing on top of jets really about to question someone else for their recklessness?" Miguel snidely remarks.
"…You know you're small enough that I could squish you like an actual spider, yeah?"
"Hey!" Strange grabs the attention of his teammates. "Would you all relax? I thought this through, okay? And screw me if I haven't had a challenging fight involving the mystic arts in ages. But what the stone can do is distinct so it should be pretty easy to tell if it is or not after seeing it in action." He sighs and shakes his head. "Alright, Midoriya. Hit me."
Izuku lifts his scepter up a bit, unsure. He looks around the courtyard and the people in it before looking back down at his weapon, nervous at the constant stream of power he feels. Finally thinking of something, Izuku rears the scepter back and, focusing on directing the energy, fires an energy blast on Strange, who easily moves out of the way.
"Is that it?"
Shaking his head warily, he fires another energy blast at Strange, trying to add some variance in its path but again, Strange dodges easily.
"Strike two."
Shaking his arms a bit, Izuku tries launching a third energy blast. Strange rolls his eyes. "For the love of-" He quickly creates a portal that absorbs the attack. Izuku realizes too late that Strange had also created a second portal right next to him, causing him to be struck in the side by his own blast.
"Ah!" Izuku yells when he hits the ground.
"Why aren't you trying?" Strange asks, annoyed.
"It's-" izuku winces a bit, the demigod holding his tender side as he slowly gets back to his feet, "it's just that I don't want to destroy anything or get anyone-"
"Alright, I've had enough." With a flick of his hand, Strange fires a cord made of golden energy out of his wrist, wrapping it around the teen's body and dragging him over.
"You better pay me if you wanna use my moves!" Miguel screams in mock offendedness.
Strange ignores him, lifting the definitely not slightly terrified Izuku to his eye level. "This should help." He whips Izuku away effortlessly. The green-haired boy braces himself when it seems like he's gonna hit a tree but instead, Izuku gasps when he breaks through what seems to be an invisible glass wall. But yet, he doesn't feel a thing.
Free of his bindings, Izuku looks up in awe. It's as if the world around him had abandoned the law of physics. Trees and buildings float aimlessly in the air, the ground beneath him is no longer solid, but folds and bends at his will, and even the nearby city begins to rise up in the sky as if it is being peeled straight off the Earth.
"Welcome to the Mirror Dimension, Izuku Lokison." Strange gestures to the world around them. "Here, magic in general is both easier to use and easier to control. But the best part," he closes his fist, destroying several trees and turning them into splinters, "nothing we do here affects the outside world. Do you understand what I'm telling you?"
A grin slowly begins to form on Izuku's face, a red dangerous aura surrounding his body.
Strange chuckles. "Yeah, that's right. Here, reality can be-"