"When is it not about my ability? If it weren't for this cursed power, I wouldn't have hurt you just now!" Peggy Carter, hearing Steve's analysis, said with frustration, her voice full of self-blame.
There was a "buzz," and once again, red energy swirled around Peggy Carter as her emotions became unstable. The energy nearly trapped Steve again.
It wasn't because Peggy stopped herself in time but because Lorna had been keeping a close eye on her. The moment Peggy's power surged, Lorna immediately controlled it.
Peggy Carter's newfound abilities were undeniably powerful, even stronger than when Lorna had awakened her own powers for the second time. However, Lorna had also benefited from the Reality Stone's power boost, and when she used it to dispel the darkness on Earth, she faced no backlash. This increased her mastery over her abilities.
It's worth noting that even Susan Storm, who had weaker powers, hadn't fully mastered her enhanced abilities yet, but Lorna was in complete control of hers. This was why Lorna had been tasked with stopping Peggy.
"Why is this happening?" Peggy asked, her eyes filled with confusion and fear as she felt the uncontrollable power inside her. She stepped back, not daring to approach Steve.
Peggy was worried that her tense emotions would cause another outburst of power. Even though Lorna was there to help control it, Peggy couldn't bear the thought of hurting Steve again.
"See, that's why your top priority right now is to get control of your power. It's too dangerous otherwise," Steve said, joking to lighten the mood as Peggy stepped back, helping her relax a bit.
"But I feel like I can't control this strange power at all. It's nothing like controlling my body," Peggy said, still frowning, despite momentarily relaxing.
Peggy Carter was an exceptional agent, nearly pushing the limits of human physical capabilities. Her control over her body was far beyond that of the average person.
Yet, despite her skill, Peggy had no control over the energy suddenly inside her. On the one hand, she had always been an ordinary person, unfamiliar with extraordinary powers. On the other, the power she awakened was far too strong for her current level of experience, making it harder to control than a baby learning to walk.
"It's fine. You'll get used to it and be able to control it eventually. Just like Dr. Banner, who still had the ability to transform after separating from the Hulk. He didn't know how to use his Hulk form at first either, but now he's got it under control," Steve continued to comfort her.
"Dr. Banner didn't have any combat experience either. He was purely a scholar. If he could manage, there's no way someone as brave and capable as you can't. Especially since you've regained your youth."
"If you can't control your power, you'll never be able to be near Steve again," Lorna added. "In fact, you won't be able to be near anyone. You'll be isolated in the Avengers' base, because if your power goes out of control, innocent people could get hurt."
"Is this my problem or something all superpowered people face?" Peggy asked after a moment of silence, looking at Lorna with hesitation.
"To be honest, it's mostly your problem. At least when we first awakened our powers, we didn't have as much trouble controlling them as you do," Lorna said softly, shaking her head.
"Maybe it's because your power is so strong, and you didn't have any previous experience with extraordinary abilities. It's understandable that you can't control it yet. Come with me to the training room, and we'll work on it."
"Okay," Peggy nodded, then looked at Steve. "I'll learn to control this power as soon as I can."
"I believe in you! With your skills, it won't take long," Steve encouraged her.
Soon after, Peggy and Lorna headed toward the training room. Right now, Steve wasn't really needed by Peggy, and his presence might even increase the risk. It was better for him to stay and look after Brian.
Brian, after all, was still a child. Peggy had at least been young once, but Brian had never grown up before. How could he quickly adapt to his grown-up body?
That's why Brian woke up much later than Peggy. In fact, it wasn't until Peggy had begun to gain control over her powers that Brian finally woke up.
As for Brian's friends, the Avengers had already sent them home. Steve had also contacted Brian's family to explain his situation, assuring them not to worry.
Even though the Avengers' reputation had declined significantly after the dark event, Steve's personal reputation as Captain America hadn't changed much.
After all, Steve had been viewed as an elderly man for many years, and he hadn't participated in many of the Avengers' recent battles. No one would blame an old hero who had fought so long for them.
"Uh? Where am I? Whose voice is that? Is that my voice? Why does it sound like this?" Brian, lying in bed at Avengers HQ, suddenly woke up, panicking when he heard his own voice.
Truth be told, if Brian hadn't been at Avengers HQ, where he had access to specialized nutrients and care, he might not have woken up at all. Even if he had, he would've been weak and exhausted for a long time. Instead, he was full of energy now.
"Brian, you're awake?" Steve, alerted by JARVIS, quickly came to Brian's side. "How do you feel? Is there anything uncomfortable?"
"Be careful. He's not Peggy. If he loses control of his powers, you could get hurt," Lorna warned as she arrived, cautiously watching Brian. She was worried he might lose control like Peggy had and injure Steve.
Unlike Peggy, who subconsciously never wanted to hurt Steve, Brian had no such emotional connection. To him, Steve was just an old man who had helped find his soccer ball once. Their familiarity wasn't much more than that of strangers.
Plus, Brian was just a child. If many adults struggled to control newly acquired superpowers, how could a child manage?
"Are you… the grandpa who helped me find my soccer ball? What happened to me? Why do I suddenly look grown up? Is this a dream?" Brian asked, glancing between Lorna and Steve, recognizing Steve with some confusion.
"It's me. You're not dreaming. You're at Avengers HQ. Unfortunately, you got involved in a supernatural event. I'm afraid you won't be able to enjoy your childhood anymore, or play soccer with your friends," Steve said gently.
"I won't get to enjoy my childhood?" Brian's eyes widened, his expression a mix of confusion and helplessness. Tears welled up in his eyes. "I can't play soccer with them anymore? Does that mean I can't become a soccer star?"
Brian looked odd at that moment—an adult's body with the helpless expression of a child. But that was understandable. Despite his grown-up appearance, Brian was still mentally a child.
He'd never encountered anything supernatural before, and he had no idea what it really meant. When he heard that he couldn't play soccer with his friends or chase his dream of becoming a soccer star, Brian looked utterly lost and overwhelmed.
"Well, if you really want to, you might still be able to. But before that, we need to figure out your new abilities," Steve gently explained, trying to comfort him.
"Abilities? What abilities? I just know how to play soccer. Are you going to help me get into a youth training program? But what age group would I join with this body? Could I even make it?" Brian asked, looking down at his unfamiliar body in confusion.
Brian had been confident in his soccer skills before, but how could the skills of a six-year-old compare to those of a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old? He wasn't even sure if he could still kick a ball properly with his new body.
"Um… it's not about soccer. I'm talking about your superpowers. You know about superpowers, right? I told you, we're the Avengers. I'm Captain America. You've heard of Spider-Man and Iron Man, right?" Steve was a bit thrown off by Brian's soccer questions, so he steered the conversation back to something he was more familiar with: superheroes.
"Wait! You're Captain America?!" Brian's eyes widened in shock. Until now, he hadn't fully registered what Steve had been saying, too caught up in his concerns about soccer. But when Steve mentioned the Avengers and superheroes again, Brian finally understood.
"That's right!" Steve smiled, relieved to see Brian reacting the way most kids did when they realized they were talking to a superhero. For a moment, Steve had been at a loss for how to communicate with him.
"Captain America! Are you really Captain America? You don't look exactly like the toy models. The figures are bulkier—perfect for playing soccer!" Brian said excitedly, though he quickly returned to the topic of soccer, showing just how much he loved the sport.
"Toys sometimes aren't perfect replicas. But now, focus on what's happening to you. There's something different about your body, not just that you've grown up. You've got superpowers!" Steve said, exchanging a glance with Lorna as he tried to get Brian to focus.
"If you can master these powers, it could help with your soccer skills. You might even become a superhero like us, someone admired by the world!"
Steve was great at hitting the key points. While Brian kept mentioning soccer, his real dream was to become a soccer star. But being a superhero was even more glamorous than that, giving Steve a way to spark Brian's interest in his newfound powers.
After all, Brian couldn't just be
released into the world. Even Peggy had to stay at Avengers HQ to adjust to her abilities, so how could Brian, a mere child, be any different?
If Brian could eventually master his abilities, he could have a normal life. But if his powers were strong enough, becoming part of the Avengers might also be a possibility.
Given Brian's limited knowledge and the immense power he now possessed, staying at Avengers HQ was the safest option for him. Neither school nor a soccer field was a suitable place for someone like Brian anymore.
It wasn't that Brian had to join the Avengers, but his unstable powers made him a potential danger in everyday settings like school or the soccer field.
"A superhero? Could I really be one?" Brian's eyes lit up as Steve's words piqued his interest.
"Of course! Just listen to this lady... uh, sister here, and follow her guidance," Steve smiled, correcting himself quickly after receiving a warning glance from Lorna.
With Lorna's guidance, Brian slowly began to discover his superpowers. Although they weren't the same as Peggy's, his abilities were remarkably versatile. In fact, in some ways, Brian was like a little Superman...
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