Daniel had arrived in this world right before World War II broke out.
As a regular man suddenly placed at the side of Dr. Erskine—the creator of the super soldier serum—you'd think his story started with luck. But life here was far from simple.
He arrived just as Dr. Erskine had escaped a secret facility run by the Third Reich. The Red Skull was rising. Chaos was brewing. And Daniel found himself right at the edge of a storm.
Luckily, fate—or maybe something else—tipped the scales in his favor.
The moment Daniel's presence sent a ripple through time and space, he caught the attention of Amora, the powerful and seductive witch. Sensing the anomaly, Amora intervened. That moment saved Daniel's life.
She took him in and trained him.
With her guidance, Daniel learned rune magic—the older kind, from Asgard's deep traditions. And under mounting pressure from the Red Skull, he also continued his duties in Erskine's place: furthering the super soldier experiments.
While he didn't have a science degree, Daniel had something this world lacked—foresight. He came from a future filled with knowledge. In comparison, this version of Earth hadn't even mapped DNA yet. As crude as their tools were, just having a theoretical background and critical thinking gave him a massive advantage.
Especially once he learned enough magic to apply mystical energy during experimentation. It was that unique blend—of science and magic—that allowed him to produce his first super soldier serum.
And with it, the first functional super soldier.
There were problems, sure. The blend wasn't perfect. Side effects, instability... still, the soldier survived and showed clear improvements—strength, speed, stamina.
But it didn't matter.
The first batch was rushed into the warfront and none made it back.
That wasn't Daniel's fault. He had no say in battlefield command. Higher-ups made the calls. The moment those soldiers proved effective, command demanded more.
They needed another batch—and fast.
Just then, the government, newly surrendered and eager to gain favor, offered "volunteers" for new trials. Essentially, disposable test subjects.
Most of them didn't make it.
Only one survived.
Didier.
Once just a nobody on the streets of Paris, Didier had joined the Foreign Legion out of desperation—only to end up in Daniel's program.
And he thrived.
From that point forward, Didier never left Daniel's side. In every battle, he protected him fiercely. While Daniel cast spells from the rearline, Didier stood in front—his shield, his sword.
When the war ended, both of them retreated to icy exile in the Arctic.
Then, years later… Daniel vanished—disappeared while searching for the Tessaract.
Didier stayed behind and guarded the base. He kept everything going, until now.
Daniel stood beside the bedridden veteran. Didier's body was frail—aged and thinned—but the grip on Daniel's hand was surprisingly strong.
"Sir," Didier said, jaw trembling, "I can't believe it's really you. You came back."
His voice cracked. A mix of disbelief and emotion clung to every word.
Everyone else in the base might have forgotten Daniel, but Didier hadn't. There were no pictures, no public memorials. The younger generation didn't know him. But this man—this loyal bodyguard—always believed.
"You look worse than I expected," Daniel muttered sadly, "Even if the serum you took wasn't perfect, your condition's far too weak for a super soldier."
Didier gave a tired smile. "Living's been exhausting, sir. Keeping Norwich Energy running... fighting off hostile takeovers, shielding our people—it all takes a toll."
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
"Norwich Energy," he repeated slowly. The company he'd founded decades ago had become a global player. Not the biggest, but close. Well-known. Respected. And dangerous.
Today's corporate battles weren't fought with guns—at least, not openly. But these companies had private armies. Mercenary divisions active in Africa, the Middle East. Nation-states in all but name.
"They protected us well," Didier added. "Thanks to that company, our people got new lives. They didn't have to keep hiding."
A quiet pause followed.
"But you came here for more than just a reunion," Didier said, his tone shifting. "Why now?"
"I found something," Daniel said softly, leaning closer. "Something that changes everything."
He whispered into Didier's ear.
At once, Didier's eyes widened. He pulled back slightly, face pale. "No… can't be…"
"Hydra's back," Daniel said. His voice turned cold, sharp as ice. "Nearly sixty years after the fall of the Reich... they've started rebuilding."
"And even if we wanted to stay out of it, we can't. The moment they rise again—whether they win or lose—anyone connected to them gets caught in the crossfire."
Didier understood.
If Hydra succeeded, fine—some of their people might slip into a new world order.
But if it failed, every remnant would be hunted.
"We have no choice," Daniel said. "Either we step forward now—or they drag us in later."
Didier exhaled slowly. "Then maybe it's time we woke up... before it's forced on us."
Daniel's expression hardened and he asked, "What's with those mutants outside? They came for this base?"
"They aren't from Irene," Didier said. "They came from Sebastian Shaw… from the Hellfire Club."
Daniel's brow twitched. "Shaw? He knows about the base?"
"It's Emma Frost," Didier explained. "Irene's adopted daughter. She's the CEO now. Also part of the Hellfire Club. She handed over this base to them months ago."
Daniel went silent for a moment.
Emma Frost — Irene's adopted daughter.
Which meant, indirectly, also his adoptive daughter. It was a complicated mess.
After all these years, Irene had never remarried. Never found another partner. For much of the world, she was a symbol of strength and restraint. But Daniel knew the deeper reason.
Irene was a mutant—and so was her secret partner. Someone Daniel had once known as "Levin Darkhall," a boyish associate. But now, thanks to modern records, DNA scans, and annoying government transparency, he knew the truth.
Levin had been Mystique.
In disguise, of course.
They had been together long before Daniel disappeared. Irene and Mystique shared a bond that spanned decades. And through them came Emma—and her connections to the broader mutant world.
The Brotherhood.
Charles Xavier's school.
And now, the Hellfire Club.
Mutants might still be tolerated today, but that acceptance was hanging by a thread. As the number of enhanced individuals increased, so did the fear, the backlash, and the chaos.
Xavier's dream, Magneto's might, Shaw's power—they all led to confrontation.
And Emma was now deep in the middle of it all... dragging Irene's company—and Daniel's legacy—into the shadows of mutant politics.
"I'm guessing she didn't mention any of this to me because she knew I'd never approve," Daniel muttered.
Didier nodded grimly and explained, "Irene adopted three mutant girls. Only Emma holds power within the company. But she has a firm grip—and her influence is spreading fast."
"What about our people?" Daniel asked, eyes sharp again. "The real ones. The ones who built this base with their own hands."
"They still hold many key jobs," Didier said. "Especially here, at HQ. But elsewhere… it's changing. Emma's empire is growing. Ours is shrinking."
Daniel's fists clenched and he realized, "So the power shift already started. Emma's way of 'uniting mutants' means slowly cutting out the rest of us."
"Exactly," Didier whispered. "And yes—she must've known about the Hellfire delegation that stormed in here. She might have even sent them."
Daniel smirked and said, "Then it's time I reminded them who built this place."