This story is set after the final episode of Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes. It is set after a week after it. Avengers saved the world from Galactus, but the world keeps spinning. It's back to business as usual. The world just can't stay out of danger.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Avengers or the X-Men. All the characters belong to Marvel.
It looked like they were in for another boring night. When he enlisted in the army he expected to go overseas, see the world, defend his country from enemies of freedom, make his family proud, and all that jazz. Instead he was a glorified security guard at a military base. All that training to be the best of the best and he was standing guard on his home soil, in one of the most fortified bases in the country. Frankly anyone who tried to break into the base was an idiot. Unfortunately there weren't a lot of idiots around.
"This is so boring," he groaned. He heard his partner snort. His partner was middle-aged and started graying early, tainting his dark brown hair. He was blessed with large physique with muscles hard enough to make coins bounce off of them. He wore the uniform pretty damn good.
"Will you shut up about being bored already, Gordon," he groaned. Kids were the worst. They always thought being in the army was just like the movies. They wanted to chase terrorists, foil villains' plots, and hook up with exotic women. In all his years of service that was one constant he found in these kids. The minute they saw real action they nearly soiled themselves on the spot. Gordon was no different. He was another hot shot kid who thought he was the protagonist in an action movie.
Gordon was a short kid who stuck out his chest and proudly showed off the stubble on his face. He had short chestnut hair. Thanks to his training his small structure was accented by muscles.
"Come on, old man. You can't tell me you find this assignment exciting." Gordon shuddered as if he described some dreadfully disgusting task.
He rolled eyes at his young partner's immature antics. "It doesn't matter if you find this assignment exciting. We have our duties and right now that is to stand guard at this base. In case you haven't figured that out yet kid that means we suck it up and do our duty."
Gordon let out an overly loud and overly annoying yawn. God he wanted to strangle this kid sometimes. "I'm sorry did you say something, Vic? I couldn't hear you over all this," he waved his arm across the empty room. "So much is just going on."
"Newsflash kid just because you aren't getting shot at doesn't make this job any less important. You should know this," Vic lectured.
Gordon wasn't in the mood to listen to another drawn out and droll lecture. "Ok, ok, I get it, Vic. Guarding this base is important too. It's just when I signed up I was hoping for something with a little more action. We could use a little more excitement to liven things up down here. I wish someone would try to break in here."
A blaring sound echoed throughout the room so loudly that it split eardrums throughout the base. The two men readied their rifles at the entrance. "Looks like you'll get your wish, kid."
"I guess I did," Gordon added with a smirk. There was only one way into the main facility and that was through them. They were guaranteed some action. He was itching for action. The pattering of footsteps could be heard. Gordon thought he would really have to thank the idiot or idiots who pulled this stunt. He hoped it was idiots as in plural. When the doors were pushed open he found himself disappointed.
A single man walked out. Sure he was enormous. In fact he was sure this guy could put some football players to shame with his bulk, but he wearing a ridiculous getup. Who wore red and yellow spandex with matching wrist bands? Generally the guy looked clueless. He had a farm boy aura to him that offset his huge size. The kicker was he was unarmed! So much for killing boredom he thought.
"Stop!" ordered Vic. The towering farm boy didn't stop of course. "I said stop!" This time the man obeyed. "Good. Now get on the ground." The man didn't comply with this request. "I won't repeat myself again," Vic warned.
The man spoke, "I am sorry, but it is you who should get on the ground."
Gordon had to stifle back a laugh. "Look guy I know you tower over us and have muscles to spare, but think about this for a moment. You break into a military base unarmed. You aren't in any position to be giving out demands."
"Please just get down on the ground," the man pleaded.
The two guards exchanged baffled looks. "We're not playing around here. Get down on the ground now!" The intruder sighed and started to walk forward. "Get down!" Vic continued. The man kept walking toward them. He tried again, but the man refused to heed him. With no options left they had no choice Vic opened fire. He expected the man to go down after getting shot in the shoulder, but that's not what happened. He saw flesh turn into metal. The bullet bounced right off the intruder's newly metalized shoulder. "What the hell?"
"We've got a code blue!" Gordon shouted. He and Vic shot at the metal man. Bullets had no effect. They bounce off him harmlessly. The metal man yanked their rifles out of their hands.
"I am truly sorry for this, but you left me with no choice." The metal man effortlessly lifted up both men. Their fear was palpable, but he didn't let it get to him. He threw both of them against the wall roughly. The impact had knocked both of them unconscious. "You really should have taken me up on my offer," he said.
The military base found itself under siege. Chaos had reigned. Soldiers were in frenzy. Their invaders struck without warning. The enemy kept them divided and off balance. A group of soldiers rushed to the corridor only to be engulfed in flames. Their screams were music to the cackling flame throwing man. He wouldn't stop until his heart found content with burning every last soldier he set eyes on.
In another corridor the soldiers were stalked by something they couldn't even describe. It was reptilian in nature. It pounced and dragged soldiers down and pulled them off into the shadows where they could only hear blood churning screams. It wasn't the only animal to hunt them down. A savage animal that was more primal than man slashed anything he could get his razor sharp claws in, throats, stomachs, whatever he could touch he was fine. Within minutes the entire military facility was on its knees. Its occupants were either wounded or dead, except for a small band of soldiers. They made a choice to make their final stand right outside of the bunker where the missiles stationed.
"What do we do, colonel?"
"We make our final stand here. They won't even set a foot in here!"
"Yes sir!" they hollered in unison. Each of them raised their rifles. If they went down they would go down fighting. Fingers went to the triggers not wanting to give these monsters a chance to fight back. Suddenly every gun in the room was ripped out of their hands by an invisible force. Rifles floated in the air out of reach. The soldiers were puzzled and fearful at what was going on before their eyes.
"In my experience men with guns tend to make very poor decisions. I can't have that now." Two men came into view. One man dressed in form fitting red that revealed his slim yet muscular form. He wore a red helmet and a long elegant royal purple cape. The most unusual trait was the fact that he was levitating a few feet off the ground. The second man dressed in black form fitting material. He too wore a cape, except his was red. His chest had two red large strips run down from his shoulders until the connected on his lower abdomen, giving it a V shape. He wore red gloves and red boots. On top of his head rested a gold ring. He had long brown hair that was tied into a ponytail.
"It's really him!" cried a soldier.
"Magneto," the colonel said under his breath.
Magneto floated closer to the colonel. "If you would be so kind as to step aside I will be on my way and you can go unharmed." Predictably the soldiers remained stationed where they were.
"Forget it, Magneto. We won't step aside for you. We knew the risk when we enlisted. We won't back down from any terrorist, not even the mutant ones."
The second man was outraged at the colonel's act of defiance. "How dare you speak to the Great Magneto with such insolence you under developed homo-sapien! He offers you mercy and you spit in his face." Before his tirade could continue he was stopped by his master.
"That is enough, Cortez." The master of magnetism groaned. "Then we shall do this the hard way." The mutant super villain willed the metal doors off their hinges. The soldiers were left in horror induced awe. With the mere gesture of his left hand several missiles came rushing toward him before he stopped them in midair. "You see, Cortez. We have what we came for. There was nothing they could do to stop us. We should try to avoid violence when we can."
"As always your wisdom speaks true, Great Magneto." Cortez bowed before his master. Without warning the colonel charged at them, but Cortez tackled the colonel before he could reach Magneto. He started to punch the colonel with unrestrained fury. "How dare you try to touch the great one with your primitive hands! Human filth! Learn your place!" He continued to attack and attack until the colonel lost consciousness.
The soldiers rushed to their colonel's side. Before they could reach Cortez their own rifles were pointed at them. Quickly they were frozen in place.
"That is enough," Magneto commanded. "I've stomached your stupidity enough for one night," he told soldiers. Why did they always test him? Did they not realize how foolish it was for sheep to challenge a wolf? They tested his patience.
"Do you see how ungrateful they are, master? You spared their lives and they continue to oppose you, to fight you. It is within their nature to cause conflict." He didn't need Cortez to tell him that. He had witnessed more than his fair share of human atrocities. They were cruel and more vicious than any beast. Beasts killed for a reason rather it be hunger or survival. Humans could kill for no reason at all. "If we leave them alive they will think we're weak." Those words rang more true than he would ever have liked to believe. Every time he tried to show them mercy, every time he tried Charles' way he always regretted it. That was how he lost his beautiful Magda to those bastards he had spared long ago. He had done so at her insistence and all it did was ensure her death. His beautiful Magda was stolen from him. Her kindness was rewarded with brutality. Why would this time be any different? "If we are to survive we must fight fire with fire. We must be just as ruthless, master." His mind was made.
The rifles were all cocked. The soldiers were startled. Cortez looked on with glee. "I've been at the mercy of humans my whole life. If there is one thing that I've learned is that they have no mercy. I will not be merciful either." With a gesture the refiles fired. The room was filled with the men's screams. Magneto was unfazed and unmoved by the terror induced screams. Kindness would be rewarded with cruelty. He couldn't afford to be kind. He hardened his heart. He became cold. The lifeless bodies littered the room and felt nothing, because he had to feel nothing.
"Well done, my master," Cortez praised. He didn't bother trying to contain his visible delight at the sight of dead men before him.
"It is as you say, Cortez. We cannot afford to be merciful in this war. That is why we need these as insurance," his gaze went to the missiles, "Have the Acolytes regroup as soon as they deal with the rest of soldiers. We don't need the military on our heels yet."
"My liege in order to ensure our escape and no military retaliation this soon it would be better for us to eliminate everyone in the facility."
Cortez's blood lust was troublesome. He never shied away from killing before, but it was with purpose. Cortez seemed willing to issue death for the slightest of reasons. Killing without purpose was beneath them. Did Cortez have a point in this instance though? Magneto was feeling his age more and more recently. Now was not the time for mercy. Mercy in war would be taken advantage of. He needed to remain hard if he was to avoid another holocaust. He couldn't follow Charles' path. That would doom them all. "Do as you wish, just make sure no one follows." The mutant super villain rose to the air along with his new weapons. He ripped open a hole large enough for him and the missiles with his magnetism to exit.
"Cortez to all Acolytes; eliminate everyone here." His lips curled into an ominous smirk. "Burn this place to the ground." They would burn everything to the ground. That would teach the inferior primitives their place. The age of man was over. It was time for the mutants to rise and take their rightful place as rulers of the world.
Today was going to be a bad day. Clint could tell that as soon as he got out of bed. He just had a feeling. Natasha said it was intuition, but he preferred to call it his gut. It never let him down before. It hadn't let him down that morning either. Every news channel was covering a mutant terrorist attack on military facility. Unsurprisingly the mastermind behind the whole thing was public mutant enemy number one, Magneto. He and his minions trashed a facility and killed every soldier serving there. Also unsurprisingly people were in an uproar. In his old days with S.H.I.E.L.D. this headache wouldn't concern him in the slightest.
S.H.I.E.L.D. didn't get tangled in mutant affairs directly. According to Fury that was all politics. It was one of the few things Clint agreed with his old boss on. They steered clear of the Mutant Registration business. They let the politicians, needing a cause to win votes make their Mutant Response Divisions, deal with the mutant debate. They only got involved if mutant was an agent of Hydra or trying to blow up the world. They certainly didn't play clean up to every mutant attack or incident. But that was the good old days with S.H.I.E.L.D. The Avengers didn't agree with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s mutant policy or non-policy. He was on the Quinjet piloted by the Avengers' fearless leader, Captain America and Vision, the synthezoid. The three of them were on route to Washington D.C. and sticking their noses in something they shouldn't get involved in. As usual he was the only voice of reason.
"Do you mind explaining to me why we're going to D.C. again, old man?" He swore he saw the captain roll his eyes. Even Captain America couldn't hide when he got annoyed all the time it seemed. He was counting this a minor victory.
"You know why we're going, Clint. The president asked us there personally," the captain replied. "He wants our help in dealing with fallout of the attack."
"I guess the better question is why did the president call us in?" Hawkeye retorted. "They know Magneto did it. Why not leave it to their little M.R.D.s to handle him?"
"I do not understand your reluctance, Hawkeye," Vision said. "Is it not the Avengers duty to serve the people and protect them?"
Serve and protect, Vision was officially spending too much time with Cap. He had to get the synthezoid away from the old man for an evening and get him out to socialize. He didn't want the poor android to start calling everyone soldier.
A small smile graced Steve's lips. "Yes, Vision. That is exactly what the Avengers do." Steve was glad to see Vision asking more questions. He took it as a sign that Vision was going beyond the unfeeling automaton that only followed orders. If he asked questions that meant he learned. If he learned that meant he would have more of his own opinions and feelings. "We are going to Washington to see how we can help out."
Vision turned back to the archer. "Why do you feel the Avengers are not needed in this situation, Hawkeye?"
"Do you want bullet points or whole arguments?" Clint asked sarcastically.
"I would prefer to hear your whole arguments to better understand your opinion on this topic," Vision replied.
Clint forgot that Vision hadn't fully grasped sarcasm yet. His wit was totally lost on the poor synthezoid. Sarcasm was part of his charm. "First after we saved the world from Galactus last week we all agreed to take a break. For us to get to actually enjoy the world we're always saving for once. Hulk bolted after the crowds stopped cheering, which was smart, since he missed cleanup we all had to do later. Stark went to west coast with his girlfriend Potts. They're enjoying that California sun. T'Challa went back home, probably living it up like the king he is. Wasp and Pym went vacationing. Thor has been coming and going from Asgard. He's probably spending time with that paramedic girl of his. Even Carol is spending time with the new Emperor Mar-Vell in the Kree Empire. The only ones who are stuck mansion sitting are you, me, and Cap. The three of us going to D.C. doesn't exactly sound like us relaxing."
This was a sore point with him. Clint wanted to live up somewhere like some exotic island or lodging around some pool on a cruise. Somehow he had gotten stuck with the two anti-social Avengers, Captain, living in the 40s and scared to breach out, America and the Vision, an actual robot who barely grasped human society let alone knowing how to socialize. "Second, getting involved in mutant affairs is a horrible idea. That's all politics that the Avengers should be above."
Still not comprehending Vision continued his questioning. "Why are mutant affairs political?"
"People have been debating about mutants since McCarthyism. It's a hot button topic that comes up every time some mutant kid so much as looks at normal kid wrong. People don't like to distinguish the bad mutants from the good ones, so you get one senator who will say every mutant needs to be rounded up and another one saying that's unconstitutional to do so. They argue back and forth on and on with no resolution. If you pick a side in the debate you put a bull's eye on your back. Every person dissects your every little word to call you a fascist or bleeding heart liberal, both of which alienate you from everyone. That's why it's a horrible idea for the Avengers to get involved directly. We should take down bad guys regardless of who or what they are, but the moment we start bringing mutants in for the government is when they start making us their mutant division. That stops us from doing our real job."
What Hawkeye said was logical. Despite his rude demeanor at times Vision found the archer to be a thoughtful and intelligent man. He didn't fully comprehend the human-mutant issue as people called it. From all the information he had gathered that people disliked mutants for their mutations. There were many who felt those mutations made them separate from the human race and a threat. However, people such as the Fantastic Four who were mutated by an outside source were treated as beloved heroes by the same people. What was the difference with natural born mutations and unnatural induced mutations that sparked two stark different reactions? It was apparent that he still had much to learn about human beings before he could begin to understand them.
"We are doing our job, Clint." Steve retorted. "We aren't going after anyone because they're mutants. We're going to see what happened then go from there. If we're asked to bring in Magneto we'll do so because he a committed a crime, not because he is a mutant." Steve wouldn't let the Avengers be used like that. Tony relinquished leadership to him, because he felt Steve was the best one to lead them. He wouldn't betray that trust. He believed in his heart that the Avengers should do everything within their power to help people, regardless with how other people viewed it. If they ignored this incident just because they were afraid to get involved in the mutant debate they were doing the victims a disservice.
"Besides, we still agreed to have a team at the mansion to respond to any crisis that may arise. It's just your bad luck you drew the short straw and got station at the mansion, Clint. The others are hardly sitting around. Tony and Ms. Potts went to California to start setting up a branch of Avengers in the west coast. T'Challa's had responsibilities in Wakanda to take care of. Ms. Marvel went to the Kree Empire to help Mar-Vell keep an eye on Ronan the Accuser. Not everyone in the Kree Empire share Mar-Vell's view. Ronan could be a figure for any Kree who want to cling to the old ways to rally behind. Wasp thinks that some time away from the Avengers could help Hank recover from his breakdown. I think the Hulk mentioned visiting old friends."
"Don't tell me you believe that. Stark says he's off on business, but I've seen the way he looks at Potts. He's notorious for his little "business trips" then is caught by gossip tabloids off running around with some celebrity or model. Jan just wants time alone with Pym and Carol practically jumped at the assignment to go to Hala. No matter what she says she totally has a thing for Mar-Vell. I know it's been over 60 years since your last date, old man, but please tell me you can at least recognize the signs," Clint half teased and half mocked. "If you started dating again you might just be able to read them." He expected to see a frown on the captain's face, but instead a smirk appeared instead.
"How is Black Widow?" Steve asked. Clint's grin fell. "What about Mockingbird?" To his amusement the chattering Clint became mute. The captain couldn't stop the triumphant grin that emerged. It was often one of them shut up Hawkeye.
Humans were so complex yet so easy to read at the same time. Their emotions could rule their actions, which Ultron considered a fatal flaw. It manifested itself in a number of different ways. At the mention of the Black Widow and Mockingbird Hawkeye's heartbeat sped up briefly. The archer's failure to make a comeback was unlike him. What human emotion was he experiencing that caused this?
Cap got him there, but the old man was being naïve if he thought doing the government a favor in stopping Magneto was as simple as that. Clint would have thought he would be wearier of the government since the Red Skull succeeded in infiltrating it and become the Secretary of Defense. Oh well he would see for himself the underhanded tactic of politics. "At least with Captain America here the press will bombard you with questions instead of me. For once I won't be the one caught on camera making the team look bad," he half joked. Seriously did they have to catch him on camera when things went wrong, but go to Tony when they saved the world?
The Quinjet arrived in U.S. capital quickly enough. Captain America verified their identity to air space control, while Vision and Hawkeye took in the sights. The newest Avenger commented on how lucky it was for the Red Skull's attack to have been stopped before he could destroy the nation's most prized monuments. All Clint saw was the angry protestors in the streets. All that was missing was pitchforks and torches and it would complete the blood thirsty mob vibe from the old horror films. The minute they landed just outside of the White House the reporters swarmed in. The vultures practically jumped them as soon as they came out. Thankfully secret service agents made a barricade between the heroes and the press.
"Captain, are the Avengers here to assist in capturing the mutants responsible for the destruction of a military base?" one reporter asked.
"In light of this new mutant attack do you think the Mutant Registration Act should be revisited?" questioned another reporter.
"How come the Avengers haven't done anything about the mutant problem before?"
Steve never did like media circus that went along with being a superhero. He would take Arnim Zola's most viscous creations over being on display for the reporters to scrutinize every little thing he did any day of the week. He always had to mind his words lest they be misconstrued. "No comment." It did nothing to deter the questions. The words had been second nature to him at this point. He had said it over and over again when reporters bombarded him about what his Skrull double ganger told the world to surrender.
"Still think this is a good idea?" Hawkeye asked smugly. Steve chose to ignore him. It was no secret that Clint could be cynical. The former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent was certain them getting involved would spell disaster, but he refused to believe that. If they didn't try to help when they could than they were no better than the people responsible for the crime. The people in the crowd weren't just reporters. There were a number of everyday people there. What he saw disturbed him. They chanted slurs at mutant in general. One person had a noose in their hand. It was eerie to see such a mob out of blind hatred again. He remembered those same mobs in his day. The world had changed so much from his day. It made so much advancement that he could hardly believe it himself. Despite all that advancement some things hadn't changed to Steve's surprise and dismay. Physical and genetic differences still had the power to cause such strife.
Secret service agents ran a number of tests to verify that they were who they said they were. Steve and Clint had to check their weapons in with them. Steve was reluctant to let go of one of the few links to his old life, but he ultimately surrendered it. The agents were doing their duty and making sure the president wasn't in any danger. Of course there was a minor debate on whether or not Vision could accompany them, because of his robotic nature and abilities, but he refused to budge on that. As far as Steve was concerned Vision was an Avenger. If they wanted the Avengers help they would allow Vision to meet the president as well.
Three heroes were in the oval office. For third time in his life Captain America met the president. The first time was when he met FDR after Project Rebirth had been a success. The second time had been when he and the Avengers exposed and captured the Red Skull. The president was a tall and clean shaven man. He had black hair, dark brown eyes, and light shaded brown skin. He wore a dark gray suit and a black tie. The bags under his eyes and small wrinkles forming on his face were testimony to the stress that came from shouldering an entire nation. Despite looking worn out a bright and wide smile formed. He got out of his seat to greet them.
"It is good to see you again, Captain America." He reached out to shake hands.
"Mr. President," Steve greeted. One by one each one of the Avengers shook his hand.
"I'm glad you agreed to come here today," the president continued. He sat back into his chair. "I'm sure all of you are aware of what happened last night?"
Steve was about to respond when Hawkeye beat him to it. "If you mean a military facility being destroyed by Magneto and his latest bunch of cronies for his Brotherhood than yes, we heard a little about that." The sarcasm, wit, and amusement were blended so perfectly. For his efforts he earned glare from every secret service agent in the room. If the president disapproved of Hawkeye's remark he didn't show it.
"As you can see the attack has started a new wave of anti-mutant hysteria across the nation. Magneto and his followers were ruthless. They killed every soldier at the facility and reduced the building to ruble."
"This is bold for Magneto," the captain commented. "He usually attacks organizations, companies, and other groups that suppress or discriminate against mutants. He doesn't lash out at the government or government officials unless there is a bill like Mutant Registration being discussed."
Clint was dumbfounded at the super soldier's knowledge. "How did you know all that? We've never encountered Magneto before?"
Captain America smirked. "When I was catching up on events after War World II I came across articles on mutant activities. Magneto's name came up more than a few times. I even read all the data Jarvis had on him."
"Color me impressed, Captain," the president said with a appreciative smile. "You're partially right. Magneto has made vicious moves against us before, but this is still so ruthless for him." The charisma had evaporated leaving a worn out and tired man. "This has been a terrible day. He killed every last man and woman on that base."
Vision observed the change in the president's demeanor. The sorrow was evident to him. He suspected the loss of lives weighed heavily on him. Proper etiquette would be for him to counsel the man, but they had an objective. The president's word choice caught his interest. "Excuse me, Mr. President, may I inquire why did you say Captain America was only partially correct in his assessment of Magneto?"
"A while back Magneto used his powers to take control of Sentinels. He sent them to attack Washington. Fortunately for us they were stopped before they ever reached here."
"Who stopped them?" Vision asked. Before the president could answer his question the door opened up. One of the agents stuck his head in.
"Sir, the other party is here."
The president's demeanor shifted. Stress melted. "Please send them in and thank you." The agent disappeared behind the door. Seconds later the door opened again. No agent came through this time. Three people in uniforms walked through. The first one to walk in was a tall and slim man. He wasn't overly muscular as Captain America was, but he was slightly more muscular than Hawkeye's physique. He wore a dark navy blue body suit and matching mask that was cut off before his nose. He wore a dark gray visor with ruby red lens. A yellow-gold belt was strapped around his waist. In the center was a X. He wore black boots. He wore a dark gray trench coat.
A woman of average height followed after him. The most noticeable thing about her was her long red hair. She wore a dark green body suit that showed off her full figure. There was a giant yellow X on her chest. She wore matching yellow boots, gloves, and a belt with X on it.
The final one was the most unusual of all. His body and posture were more animal like than human. He had blue fur all over his body. His hair was unruly, but didn't exceed his shoulders. He had blue sideburns. His body frame was large and muscular, at least twice as large as the build of an average man. He had a minor hunch back that made him slouch. He was shorter than the first man, but taller than the woman. Unlike other two he didn't wear a full body suit and was barefoot. His pants were mixed colored. The outside was bright yellow, while the inside was dark blue. He wore a dark blue vest, while the inside lining was yellow. There X on right side of his vest.
"You wanted to know who stopped Magneto, Vision. You are looking at the people responsible." The president opened his arms to welcome the new arrivals. "Avengers I would like to introduce you to the X-Men."
Let me know what you think so far.