The whiteness consumed them one last time.
John, Nyx, and Tony felt their bodies dissolve in the same blinding light that had taken Eccaruss. But this time, it wasn't loss that filled the air. It was transition.
The void folded inward, the brilliance swelling until it became unbearable—then collapsed with a soundless snap.
The three of them stumbled forward, their feet finding solid ground.
When John blinked the light away, he realized they weren't in the endless whiteness anymore. Instead, they stood in a wide lounge—familiar to two of them, but strange to Nyx.
The glass walls stretched upward, revealing a city skyline bathed in golden evening light. Beyond, skyscrapers pierced the clouds. Stark Industries logos gleamed faintly in the distance.
Tony exhaled a half laugh, half sigh of relief.
"Well… home sweet home."
He spread his arms, taking in the polished marble floors, sleek furniture, and bar stocked with more bottles than a five-star club.
"Welcome to Avengers Tower—the one place where my coffee always tastes better, and my bills are always bigger."
Nyx's violet eyes scanned the surroundings, her expression unreadable as usual. She walked slowly to the edge of the lounge, placing one delicate hand against the transparent glass. The reflection of the city danced across her pale features.
"So this is the world…" she murmured softly.
After a pause, she turned to John.
"Master," she said, bowing her head faintly. "I wish to walk this world. To see it with my own eyes. This is where you live, where you belong. I ask permission."
Tony nearly choked on his drink.
"Hold on. She wants to stroll through New York? That'll go over great—what's she gonna do, buy a pretzel and terrify the vendor into cardiac arrest?"
But Nyx's eyes didn't leave John. She asked no one else.
John folded his arms, silent in thought. Letting her go wasn't necessarily a bad thing. He was sure Nyx wouldn't act recklessly. After a brief pause, he gave her the answer she wanted.
"Fine," he said at last. "But there are rules."
Her violet eyes sharpened in attention.
"Don't cause trouble. Don't let anyone see you. Return quickly. And don't do anything without my permission."
Nyx inclined her head gracefully.
"Understood."
In the next breath, her form shimmered and dissolved into violet light. She was gone.
The lounge was quiet.
Tony slammed his glass down.
"Tell me you realize what you just did. You just gave her a hall pass to Manhattan."
John didn't flinch.
"She won't go against my orders."
"And if she does?" Tony pressed.
John's voice was flat but unwavering.
"Then I'll deal with her. If she wants to stay with me, she has to follow my orders."
Something in his tone silenced Tony for once. He muttered under his breath,
"You've got more faith in psycho-doll than I do."
The moment passed, and Tony gestured upward.
"Well, if we're sticking around, let's hit the sky fortress. Haven't checked in for a while."
John nodded.
"Let's go."
---
The Sky Fortress floated above Earth's clouds like a citadel of silver. Gardens spread across its terraces, alive with glowing blossoms, singing streams, and air that carried a faint, soothing fragrance.
In one such garden, five young figures sat together in a circle.
Peter Parker waved his hands animatedly.
"Look, all I'm saying is—it's weird. Months here, and we've never seen the leader of this place. Everyone keeps saying it's the Arcanist, but no one knows what he even looks like."
Kamala Khan groaned, hugging her knees.
"Ugh, yeah. It's just meditation, meditation, meditation. Which is fine, but sometimes I just wanna stretch my legs, y'know? Like… save a cat from a tree or something."
Ava Alaya—the Tigress—yawned lazily.
"The Arcanist will show himself when he chooses. Be patient."
Cloak's quiet voice followed.
"But Peter's right. It feels like we're preparing for something… but we don't know what."
Dagger twirled a strand of pale hair around her finger.
"Or who."
Before any of them could continue, the air froze. The wind stopped moving. The flowers stiffened mid-sway.
And then—light bent into a circle, forming a shimmering blue portal.
Peter scrambled to his feet, eyes wide.
"Uh, okay, that's new."
But none of them panicked. Teleportation wasn't unusual here. If it had been their first time, they would have been nervous. But after months in the fortress, they had gotten used to it.
From the portal two figures stepped through.
Tony Stark.
And beside him, a teenage boy they didn't know.
"Tony Stark?" Peter gasped. His voice cracked in disbelief.
Kamala's jaw dropped.
"No way…"
Even Ava, usually calm, stiffened with surprise.
Tony blinked at the sight of them, just as startled.
"Wait a second… what the hell are you kids doing here? Did Fury open a summer camp while I wasn't looking?"
But John only stood in silence beside him. His eyes scanned each of their faces—Peter, Ava, Kamala, Cloak, Dagger. Recognition flickered there.
He knew them. Because it was his order that brought them here. But he didn't say a word.
Tony was still shaking his head, muttering about "teen squads" and "Stark babysitting services," but the younger heroes ignored his sarcasm. They stepped forward respectfully.
"It's an honor," Ava said with a bow of her head.
Peter stammered.
"Y-yeah, wow, hi—Mr. Stark."
Cloak and Dagger offered quiet nods, though their eyes kept darting toward John.
John met their gazes calmly, but his thoughts stirred.
They don't know me yet. Best it stays that way… for now.
"Come on," Tony said finally, clapping John on the shoulder. "We've got places to be."
John and Tony began walking toward the great silver sphere at the fortress's center—the Avengers' command hub.
Behind them, Peter, Kamala, Ava, Cloak, and Dagger exchanged quick glances, then followed.
The portal shimmered once more and faded, leaving only the scent of flowers and the echoes of their footsteps.