Rodriguez wasn't the only one with questions. Across the world, people were wondering the same thing:
"Why is 'Oasis' so important?"
Three days from now, Second World would officially unveil the global press conference for "Oasis."
Inside the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier, every active member of the Avengers had gathered in the conference room. The television in the background continued broadcasting breaking news about the launch. Nick Fury, standing by the screen, kept a cold eye on each of his fellow heroes.
The memory of the Chitauri invasion still stung. S.H.I.E.L.D. had been utterly blindsided. Their forces crumbled. In the end, it was not them but the X-Men who stole the spotlight and saved the day. And although Fury had pulled some strings to recruit the Fantastic Four for a late intervention, it was merely a bandage on a bleeding wound.
Fury, the unshakable former agent king, had lost not just a battle—but face, credibility, and standing.
Even so, he wasn't one to spiral into despair. After weeks of readjustment, his resolve returned stronger than ever. His gaze was sharper, his demeanor colder, and his strategies deeper.
He finally broke the silence. "According to our intelligence, the new Xavier's School—or rather, Joseph—places greater importance on Oasis than the school itself."
He pressed a button, pausing the newsfeed. "Second World was established months ago. Yet they've held back the official release of the game. Only a million players were invited into the Pioneer Experience Program... but even that limited rollout caused a global frenzy."
"A game that only a million people have played is already being called the next epoch-making invention," he said slowly. "Once released, Second World won't just be a tech startup anymore. It'll be a global superpower."
Nick's eye narrowed. "And yet, they wait. They haven't released it. Others tried to interfere. Grant King—New York's underworld emperor—tried to dip his fingers in the Oasis pie. That very night, his criminal empire was wiped out."
Fury's tone darkened.
"The Red Fang Society got involved too. And now, they're history."
His words cast a long, cold shadow over the room.
"Next day, the NYPD found all illegal transactions linked to Grant King neatly packaged on their desks. Whoever's backing Oasis doesn't just play the game... they control the board."
He stared at the group. "So, what does this mean for Mutants? Why would Joseph—and the X-Men—care so much about a video game? Even if it's revolutionary, at the end of the day, it's just entertainment. Why such aggressive protection? What's really going on?"
Silence fell like a blanket across the room.
Captain America, Hawkeye, Black Widow—none of them had answers. The Chitauri invasion had humbled them all. Even their unshakable belief in their cause had taken a hit.
Thor, still unfamiliar with Earth's cultural intricacies, remained quiet. But the Fantastic Four and Ant-Man weren't as reserved.
"It's pretty obvious," said Scott Lang, clearing his throat. "The game isn't about money. Not entirely, at least. They're planning to release it globally, all at once."
He adjusted his helmet thoughtfully. "Right now, people all over the world are curious about the black bracelets worn by the X-Men. Everyone wants one. If this launches... we're talking hundreds of millions of players."
"You're saying they did all this for the players?" Susan Storm, the Invisible Woman, asked skeptically, her voice smooth but curious. "But why? Even if every person on Earth plays, how does that help Mutants?"
"Reputation?" Johnny Storm, legs crossed and posture slouched, chimed in. "If everyone plays this game and loves it... maybe people stop hating Mutants?"
"Their reputation has already changed," Ben Grimm, the Thing, rumbled. "If that was the goal, they could've launched Oasis earlier—why wait until now?"
"Ben's right," added Reed Richards, the brilliant Mr. Fantastic. "The X-Men are now more than heroes. They're celebrities."
He switched the TV channel again. A clip showed the Storm Team clashing with Chitauri invaders.
"Seven X-Men teams. All distinct. Each with its own uniforms, combat style, and diverse members. They're not just a tactical force—they're a phenomenon. It's like the world's fallen in love with them."
Each X-Men team had its own signature.
Wolverine's squad fought with ferocity, power, and brute dominance. All-male. All raw. A classic tough-guy team.
The Phoenix Team was nimble, strategic, and made up entirely of women. They used misdirection and versatility—an instant favorite among female fans.
The Storm Team specialized in long-range elemental attacks—lightning, fire, rock, air.
Cyclops' team functioned like a military unit—precision and cohesion.
Was it coincidence? Or careful branding?
The debate raged online. People argued endlessly over which team was strongest, most stylish, most admirable.
Some even fought over it in real life.
Most civilians didn't notice the pattern.
But Nick Fury did.
He wasn't just watching a superhero group rise—he was watching a global brand emerge.
"They're not forming teams," he thought grimly. "They're building idols."
"He knows exactly what people want," Fury thought to himself with clenched teeth. Joseph—that mysterious new leader of the Mutants—wasn't just winning battles. He was winning hearts. Minds. Loyalty.
The Avengers had struggled for years to build unity.
And now, the X-Men had built not just a team—but a movement.
"This kind of popularity has power," Fury admitted silently. "Influence."
Captain America and Iron Man had this kind of pull. When Steve Rogers stood on stage, the country believed. When Tony Stark cracked a joke, people forgave—even when he messed up.
That kind of cultural sway wasn't easy to gain. And now, the X-Men had it in abundance.
Fury turned to Reed. "So what are you getting at?"
Reed leaned forward. "We're looking at the wrong question. Don't ask what Oasis does for Mutants. Ask why they're launching it now."
The room stilled.
"Think about it," Reed continued. "Why did they wait until after the Chitauri invasion? Why launch during a crisis?"
He tapped the screen. "Those bracelets on the battlefield—summoning armies of magic—that was when the world finally saw Oasis. Not before. Not through commercials. On the battlefield."
The light flickered in the conference room as realizations hit.
"What did Mutants gain from that invasion?" Reed asked.
Black Widow, seated near the edge, suddenly spoke. "Did anyone notice... Wolverine, Phoenix, the others—they're stronger. Faster. Smarter. Their fighting styles have evolved. Not something training alone could do."
Her eyes locked on Fury. "What if... what if Oasis did this?"
Captain America stirred uncomfortably.
He knew the truth.
He'd been one of the select few to test the Oasis Pioneer Project. While his experience didn't match the X-Men's power boost, it had sharpened his skills, reflexes, and tactical ability immensely.
He cleared his throat. "Actually—"
But he was cut off by a voice from the back.
Maria Hill, silent until now, stood up.
"Sir... are we being too paranoid?"
Everyone turned.
She met Nick's eye and spoke calmly, but firmly. "I respect your leadership. But regarding Joseph... and the X-Men... maybe you're losing your objectivity."
She took a deep breath.
"Since Joseph showed up, Mutants haven't caused harm. Quite the opposite—they've protected civilians. They're not attacking us. They're not demanding rights. They're just... doing their jobs."
Her voice was strong now.
"In a world where aliens have invaded Earth, and we're as vulnerable as we've ever been... why are we treating our strongest allies like enemies?"
She turned, gesturing to the TV.
"And Oasis? We'll know what it is in three days. Why assume the worst?"
Silence.
No one argued.
Even the ever-defensive Tony Stark remained uncharacteristically quiet.
Nick Fury clenched his jaw.
His team—the very people he'd handpicked—were starting to see Joseph not as a threat... but a hope.
He felt the shift. And it terrified him.
The tide was turning. And S.H.I.E.L.D. might no longer be leading it.
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