Welcome to my Christmas Special, everyone! This story takes place in a universe where multiple fandoms live together. Portals allow access to other universes where Star Wars, Star Trek and other fandoms can be found. Through the efforts of Natasha Higgins, the groups work together by trading technology, magic, and knowledge in a giant cooperation. I will do my best to mention as many of the groups as I can, so you get a good idea of the scale we are dealing with
Also, the main part of the story is based on the Mama music video by the K-pop group Exo. I highly recommend you check them out, they are phenomenal!
Enjoy!
Chapter One
Christmas Powers
Natasha Higgins loved Christmas. It was no secret that one of her favorite things about the season was introducing it to people who weren't used to it/had never heard of it before. As the coordinator for an Inter-Universal Cooperation, she was in a unique position to spread her favorite holiday to more people than could be imagined.
2016 was the third year that the Federation had been celebrating it, and the fifth year that the citizens of the Star Wars Universe had been celebrating it in their own way. SHIELD had their own little traditions and, of course, there was the giant party that Tony Stark threw every year for everyone in the cooperation to attend if they wished. They'd begun using a specially set-up area that the residents of Camp Half-Blood had helped them construct two years ago. Apparently, monsters were attracted to the particular type of energy that clung to travelers from other Universes.
This was also the first year that the magical community was to be included after a year of difficult negotiations in the wake of the Sokovia Accords being signed. Nat had been working very hard to bring the wizarding communities into the Cooperation and was ready for a wonderful celebration this Christmas season.
Unfortunately, the Accords had created several problems for her, both personally and professionally. Nat didn't completely approve of the concept of powered people needing to be registered. As the Watchdogs had proven in recent weeks, it was far too easy for someone to get ahold of the list and use it to attack powered people. This meant that her relationship with the newly re-revealed SHIELD was a bit strained. Since SHIELD was the main umbrella for the Cooperation in her Universe, Nat had to put her personal feelings aside and focus on making sure that the Accords didn't try and leak into other Universes.
Never-the-less, Nat's relationship with Agent Phil Coulson was still quite friendly. As such, she didn't ignore his call when it came in a week before Christmas. "Phil! What can I do for you?"
"You could look at the screen and make sure you didn't put tinsel over it again."
Nat turned from her position by her Christmas tree to look at the panel that had opened in the wall opposite. Sure enough, a string of tinsel was draped directly over the camera that would allow the Agent to clearly see her. "Oops! Give me a sec!" With little hesitation, she tore a piece of tape from the roll on the table and used it to pin the shiny garland back from the camera. "Better?"
"Much," Phil replied with a smile. "How are you still decorating? Aren't you usually completely done by now?"
"Yeah, but I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to finish everything as quickly as I usually do," Nat reminded him. "Not to mention, Tony has been calling me every day to finalize plans for the party. And I had to meet with Chiron, because the borders that protect the party area were reacting negatively to the Wizard brand of magic and he needed my help to get someone to come over and help calibrate them to let in Wizards and Witches, but not monsters. It's been a crazy year!"
"I can second that," Phil agreed. "Unfortunately, I'm going to need to interrupt you again. We need your help."
"What's up?"
"Are you familiar with the K-pop group Exo?"
Nat froze, her inner fangirl fighting to get out. "Yes," she replied carefully. "Why?"
"Some recent intel indicates that they all have powers. I know you've recently learned Korean and you've been mentioning a few trips with the Doctor to Korea lately. Thought you might come with us to assess the situation and facilitate smooth communications."
"They had powers in their Mama video, sure. But that's just effects, Coulson. They don't actually have powers."
"Our intel says otherwise. They've been keeping an extremely low profile, but there are plenty of indicators if you know what to look for. You know us better than that, Nat. Besides, they've already agreed to the meeting. Why would they do that if they didn't have powers?"
Nat nodded. "It's a good idea. I'd love to be there. When?"
"Meeting's in about ten minutes. Meet you on the Prometheus?"
"Sounds good, I'll be ready in five. Tell Caldwell to be waiting for my signal." Nat ended the transmission and began squealing. Exo was her favorite K-pop group. They were the ones who had gotten her interested in Korean culture in the first place. She'd begged the Doctor to take her on trips to antient Korea after being introduced to Exo and falling in love with their music.
The two of them ended up saving a king from being killed by aliens. The king offered to let Nat marry one of his sons as a reward, but she simply accepted an official name. He made her a princess and named her Shin Sung Ah. The Doctor warned her that she would need to be careful when using that name. With a title and a name, she would likely have been entered in official records. Anyone who payed attention to Korean history would recognize the name.
So, she did everything she could to be worthy of her new title and name. She learned the language, studied the culture and history. She hoped that she'd be able to put her knowledge to good use some day. It seemed that the day had finally arrived.
Nat rushed around her apartment, grabbing what she needed. She was going to have to try extremely hard to keep her inner fangirl in check during this meeting. But she had to do this. It was important that she get this right. The Sokovia Accords were complicated, and things were difficult enough these days without adding twelve powered people who had enjoyed relative safety for five years. Exo was established, and they'd stayed off the radar for so long, it would be terribly difficult to convince them to realize they needed to register.
Once she was ready, Nat tapped on her communicator watch. "Prometheus, ready to transport." With a flash of light, Nat disappeared from her apartment and reappeared on the Earth ship Prometheus. Phil was waiting for her on the bridge with Mack, Mae and Joey.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to bring Mack?" Nat asked.
"Well, hello to you too," Mack said, sounding offended.
"No offence, Mack. But you're kinda intimidating. I know you're a softie, but they don't know that. The tallest one there is Chanyeol, and he's so much thinner than you that you could probably break him like a twig. I'm not sure you going is a good idea."
"I'm surprised you wouldn't object to Mae as well," Phil replied calmly.
"Mae makes sense! My Mandarin is still not perfect and there are four Chinese members. She may need to talk to them to clarify things. I'm concerned Mack will be seen as an attempt to intimidate them into registering."
"Nat," Phil said gently. "I know you don't like the Accords. You have made it abundantly clear that you disagree with the idea of powered people needing to register. But there isn't anything you can do to change it now. It's the law that enhanced individuals must be registered. Now, how about we get this over with so you can get back to your decorating?"
Nat sighed and nodded. "Yeah. Let's do this."
"Aren't you going to change?" Mae asked.
"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Nat was dressed in a white dress shirt under a pale blue suit jacket dusted with sparkling snowflake patterns and matching pants. Her blue bow tie was decorated in the center with an ornate snowflake pin, and she wore sleek, white boots with low heels. Her short hair, which she usually spray-dyed in bright colors, was swooped back in its natural, brown state with a touch of white glitter at the tips. "It's perfectly professional-looking!"
"It's not very SHIELD though."
"Good thing I'm not SHIELD then. Shall we go?"
Nat knew the instant she walked into the room that coming had, perhaps, been a bad idea after all. She'd expected attention from Kim Minseok because of her outfit. Xiumin had frost powers, so seeing someone dressed in something that appealed to his powers was sure to catch his attention. However, what she hadn't expected was Huang Zitao's reaction the instant she walked through the door.
All twelve members of Exo were sitting at a long table with their manager. Nat was the last one through the door as Phil introduced them. As she came out from behind Mack, Tao, who had been leaning over to talk to Kai, glanced at the doorway and nearly leaped to his feet. Only Kai and D.O.'s grip on his arms kept him in his seat, but his eyes were still fixed on Nat.
Phil made his pitch, explaining about the new regulations because of the Accords. Nat did her best to scan everyone, watching their reactions and gauging their thoughts. She noticed that Tao's eyes didn't leave her the whole time. Even Phil finally noticed.
"Is there something wrong Mr. Huang?" he asked. Mae repeated the question in Mandarin when Tao didn't react.
"What is she?" he asked, pointing at Nat.
"Sorry?" Phil replied, confused.
"Time clings to you like a spider's thread," Tao said, shifting the direction of his words to Nat. "Why is this so? What powers do you have that time clings to you like this?"
"I don't have powers, Tao," she replied quietly. "Have you heard of the Doctor?"
"Anyone who has an interest in Time knows of the Doctor."
"I am friends with him. He takes me on trips occasionally. Through Time and Space."
"I'm sorry," Phil interjected. "I'm a little confused."
"Tao's powers are Time related," Nat explained. "Didn't you watch their video?"
Phil glanced at Mae. "I didn't have time. It's important that you understand…"
Tao turned to Kris, seated a few people down from him, and began speaking rapidly in Mandarin. Nat's Mandarin was still in development, and he was speaking so quickly that she couldn't catch what he said.
Kris nodded, then spoke in English. "We would like to speak with Natasha in private."
"I don't know if…"
"Phil," Nat interrupted. "It's fine. I'd like to talk to them." Mack grumbled in concern and Nat smiled at him. "I'll be fine, Mack."
Phil, Mae, Mack and Joey reluctantly left the room. After a short conversation, Exo's manager left as well. Nat was now alone with a group of extremely attractive males. All of whom had powers that could probably kill her. Except for Yixing, of course. Lay's powers were all about healing.
Nat shifted a little nervously. "What did you want to talk about?" she asked in Korean.
"We can tell you don't approve of the Accords," Suho said, not wasting any time. "And yet, here you are. It is also strange that you know of the Doctor. Zitao has never met him, and his powers are in the Doctor's realm of expertise. Why are you here? What is your reason?"
"I am the coordinator for an Inter-Universal Cooperation. Much as you all have done, there are many groups who have kept their identities secret. But Sokovia changed things. Groups that were previously able to remain secret, are now being forced to reveal themselves. The governments can't cover things up any more like they used to. But, we have been coordinating treaties and agreements among all the different groups for several years now. That's one of the reasons things have been able to remain as calm as they have."
"So, you're the one who has been protecting the portals in America," Jongin said suddenly. The teleporter was staring at her intently.
"Yes, we monitor the portals in America, England, Egypt, Italy and Greece." There was a sudden explosion of talk from all around the table. Nat smiled. "I suspected you were from another universe. How close was your music video to the truth?"
Yixing stood and approached as everyone else discussed what to do. "It is quite accurate. We were sent away from our universe after the two worlds reunited. No one trusted us. They blamed our powers for the problems that appeared after the reunion. So, we left. Jongin used his powers to create a temporary portal which we used to get here. We sealed it behind us. There is no return for us."
Nat nodded. "I wish we could help with that. Portals are fickle, even with the things we have access to. But I can say that we can offer more freedom to use your powers. You can work with others who have powers, you'd probably even get to travel to the other universes in the cooperation."
"Do we have to register to have access?"
Nat sighed. "No, you don't. But registering is the law now. If you refuse to register, your access to the cooperation would be strained and difficult. The other option you have is to relocate to another universe. But, I doubt anyone would like that. You have so many fans here. It would be such a shame for you to leave now."
"We aren't going anywhere." Suho's voice reminded Nat that there were others in the room. "Jongin, bring Agent Coulson and his associates back in. We will register, but there will be one condition."
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