Title: Incursio
Written By: Mr. Omelette
Disclaimer: I'm not smart, artistic, enlightened and awesome enough to make either of them
Spoilers: so far, the Rebellion, Avengers (2012) and Iron Man 3 movie
A/N: ...I have decided to redeem a previously villainous character from the IM3 movie.
Summary: Homura observes all other possibilities with her new powers. And Madoka just wants cake.
For Eric Savin, the past few hours has been a whirlwind of events. First, he learns that the person who saved his life, Aldrich Killian, was a fraud. Second, the woman who created what did save his life, Maya Hansen, had ordered him to go look for help. Third, the help she was talking about happened to be from the three people whose house he destroyed a couple of hours ago.
It's no wonder that he's currently outside dangling at least thirty feet above the ground on a brittle-looking pole.
"I just want to talk!" He yelled into the gathered crowd below.
Everything happened so fast: one moment he was talking to this girl with white highlights on her hair and the next thing he knew, he was being pulled by the back of his shirt's collar. Oh, and getting shoved out of a closed window, getting injured by the shards of the window, and somehow catapulting at least three storeys high.
There had been a slight touch on his head-no, his brain, and this voice came to him. He didn't hear it; it came directly inside his mind. "I have two young girls telling me that you're responsible for destroying their house. They said you exploded.' The voice inside his head was that of a young woman. Haughty in her tone, and condescending in execution.
Eric was only a little bit aware of what these mutants were capable of so it came as a shock to him to learn that some of them are capable of telepathy.
'I'm glad you think highly of us, Mr. Savin.'
'I didn't tell you my name.' he fired back, feeling like he got caught with his hands on the cookie jar.
'You didn't have too.' The voice playfully challenged.
Eric Savin cursed himself again.
"I just want to talk!" Eric tried to pry the thing that's gripping his shirt's collar but the more he tried to reach back, the higher the metal pole seemed to go.
'One of the girls wants me to tell you that if you struggle some more, you'll end up a hundred feet in the air.'
"I just want to talk, I swear!"
Down below, Kyoko and Yuma were transformed clutching their weapons. Kyoko felt the Exploding Man struggle again so she extended the spear ten more feet.
Ms. Jean Grey and another mutant was conversing with the dangling man above. The older woman looked at the redhead, "Is this really necessary?"
Kyoko looked at her.
"He really just wants to talk." Jean Grey placed a hand over her hip.
Kyoko stared at the older woman's face before relenting, "Fine, but it's on you if he decides to explode again."
But that didn't mean that Exploding Man –Eric Savin– was left off the hook after his feet touched the ground. Kyoko made sure to wrap his body securely in her chains, and had personally volunteered to be the one to drag her captive when Steve and Prof. Xavier came into the scene.
"So," Eric started upon finding himself still bound by the most peculiar of chains on the ground, "any chance you getting rid of these chains?" He was currently staring at Steve Rogers, two telepaths (Charles Xavier and Jean Grey), and those two kids wearing costumes. They had chosen to question the man out in the open, away from bystanders and buildings should their captive decide to go 'boom!'.
Professor X looked at the girl responsible for Mr. Savin's predicament, before returning his gaze back into their captive, "I'm afraid you have to ask her yourself."
Kyoko turned to Steve before looking at Yuma. Kyoko scrunched her nose, which Yuma translated as: "She'd rather not, thank you very much."
"How are she even doing that?" Eric tried to stand, only for Kyoko to will the chains to tighten itself around him.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you?"
Eric has just about had enough of it, "Look, all that's been instructed to me was to give a thumb drive to one Virginia Potts to hopefully help her in her… condition." He sat in a cross-legged position, "Has she broken anything yet?"
Before anyone could reply, an inquiring voice spoke, "What's a thumb drive?"
No one moved for a second before Kyoko just had to facepalm as Yuma explained it to Steve, "It's like a floppy disk… but better."
Her explanation was met with an even confused look on the blond's face, "And what's a floppy disk?"
Eric Savin tilted his head, "I'm surprised you even know what a floppy disk is. Just how old are ya, kid?"
Yuma ignored him, never removing his gaze from Steve, "Well, a floppy disk is like-"
"Enough!" Kyoko stomped her foot. She pointed a finger at the captive man, "You, where's the flash drive?"
Steve leaned forward and asked Yuma in a whisper, "Wasn't it supposed to be a thumb drive?"
Yuma turned and had to suppress a giggle, "It's basically the same thing. Like soda and pop."
"Really?"
Jean Grey had noticed the cute exchange between the antiquated man and the green-haired child and couldn't help herself from quipping, 'Like pancakes and waffles…' albeit, telepathically, so as to not further aggravate the younger redhead.
'More like catsup and ketchup.' Prof. Xavier chipped in-telepathically as well.
Kyoko found Steve's look of realization random because it came out of nowhere, but decided to speak against it before repeating her question.
"It's in my coat's front pocket."
Kyoko saw through his ruse, however, because even if it was true or not, Kyoko had to loosen the chains wrapped around him if they were to get a hold of thumb drive.
Professor Xavier intervened so as to placate the fiery nature of the younger redhead, "We shouldn't jump into drastic reactions, Ms. Sakura." He turned to Jean, who nodded in return.
Jean Grey closed her eyes, and used her telekinesis to see if there was a flash drive in Eric's possession. "There is one." She opened her eyes and raised a hand.
Kyoko could feel her chains being loosened up forcibly, but only just a little. She looked at Eric, and he didn't look like he was the one responsible for it.
It didn't last long, but a black flash drive levitated out from Eric and into Jean Grey's hand.
"Now, do you believe me?" Eric Savin had a smug look on his face.
Maya Hansen was dead. She had succumbed from the wounds she's sustained from the ambush earlier.
Tony figured that Maya Hansen's plan of escape didn't take into account of the several hidden cameras around the room. Tony saw a couple of them of course – Aldrich should update his gear sometime because a few of those cameras hand red blinking lights. Blinking lights that would've only been seen if the camera was focused on you.
Anyway, Tony remembered Maya's words on her final moments, "If you can't see the good in my dream, Tony, then at least leave no trace of it." She smiled tauntingly but bitterly at him before her body just… lost its strength.
He couldn't even give her body a proper burial because of the rain of bullets that followed. Tony Stark was running, those who would see him would think that he was trying to dance too, but what they didn't know was Tony had just sent the signal for his armor to come and get him.
If he had done it earlier… maybe…
No. There was no way his armor would've made it in time. He calculated it. And the gunshots had caught them by surprise.
One thing is for sure, however, he need to deliver justice to Aldrich Killian.
Hank McCoy was now reading the information – scarce as they are – regarding the virus that has been injected into Pepper Potts. He can't help but highlight certain parts of the current lab records of the virus. The blue-furred man looked at a projected screen of a recent blood sample of Pepper then to another screen that had Maya Hansen's report. "Are you sure this is the current file regarding the virus' findings?"
Eric Savin was still wrapped in chains, but at least he was tied to a chair. Not in their immediate location however: he was chained into a chair in the Danger Room; a room that could handle almost anything you could throw at it. "I dunno. The one who created the project just wanted me to give it to Virginia Potts, so she could hopefully give it to an experienced doctor or something…"
Hank McCoy was safe from harm because he was far away from the guy; he was at the infirmary. He looked at screen that showed Eric Savin's face, before turning back to the blood sample magnified by a super electron microscope. "This doesn't make sense. This lab report states that, at best, anyone subjected to the program would always be at risk of spontaneously combusting because the cell membrane of the cells becomes too erratic due to-" he was interrupted by a tug on his lab coat.
Yuma looked at him, "I think I've got to do something about it."
"What do you mean?"
"Well," Yuma looked down, "Pepper wasn't feeling well when we rescued her from the bad guys, so I used my magic to make her feel better."
"That…" Hank tilted his head, "…doesn't make sense to me."
Clea appeared beside the girl, "Perhaps, I could explain it better."
As Clea tried to explained what was done to Pepper, the girl in question was with Steve and Professor Xavier at the sickbay.
"Pepper, I have the location of where Tony is now." Steve started, "I could help rescue him."
"No, Steve." Pepper had not once felt bad since Yuma did her magic thingy, "It'll be dangerous. I could go call for help. Stark Industries could…"
"If I might add," The paraplegic man intervened, "S.H.I.E.L.D. tells me that they've joined in the fray."
"How'd you know that?" Pepper asked.
"I'm a telepath, Ms. Potts."
Pepper gave a wiry smile, "Oh yeah…"
"Wait, are you speaking to Director Fury right now?" it was Steve's turn to ask, "Your powers extend that far?"
"More of a telepathic link I've established with the man." The bald man said vaguely. "Anyway, back to the topic at hand: Directory Fury has informed me that he has sent a few agents to… intercept Aldrich Killian and his lackeys."
"And Tony?"
"He will be a priority as well."
"…about that!" Everyone in the room jumped when a voice in the intercom.
Pepper recognized the voice, "Tony?" she called out.
"Over here! I suppose I should give you props for the firewall you have in this place, took JARVIS approximately three minutes to bypass it. Most evil organizations' firewall could only stop JARVIS twenty seconds. Tops." Everyone turned to look at a holographic screen containing Tony's face.
"Pepper? I'm supposed to be saving you right now, you know?"
"Steve and these guys saved me a couple of hours ago," Pepper rushed for the screen, "How about you? Are you okay?" she noticed the injuries on his face.
Tony mumbled a yes before noticing the blue grizzly mutant on the screen, "Hank McCoy! It's finally nice to meet you! How's our little pet project going along? Was it any good? I've read about your work on the evolutionary theory of the Homo sapien to Homo superior."
"You've read my work?" The blue furred man asked. "I mean, our joint project has produced very sound and visible results." which is a little code in of itself – the surveillance equipment they've put together did indeed bypass the anti-surveillance technology/magic Kyoko Sakura and Yuma Chitose have.
"Of course they'd work fine, I had a hand in creating it after all!" Tony Stark boasted. He then threw him a scientific question; a question that Hank McCoy could not help but entertain.
Pepper had to butt in, "Where are you right now? Seeing as we could see you on the screen, I'm guessing you have a suit on."
"That doesn't matter." Tony grinned, "I have Rhodey here with me and he's got some pretty… intense news. Of course he can't talk to you directly seeing as I'm wearing the suit, but I'll just tell you anyway."
Everyone looked at him expectantly.
"Aldrich Killian plans to kidnap our president. Oh and he stole Rhodey's suit." That's the last thing he said before the line got cut.
Director Nick Fury, in the middle of overseeing all that was happening in the S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ, felt a vein in his head appear.
Maria Hill beside him turned to her boss, "Sir?"
"I've just received word that Aldrich Killian plans to kidnap an allied president." S.H.I.E.L.D. normally left these things to their respective authorities, but since Aldrich Killian's posed threat became so great, it was within his organization's jurisdiction to try and contain it.
"Sir?" Maria Hill knew that the only person who Nick Fury allowed to communicate to himself telepathically was the strongest telepath of the world. Rumor has it that the reason why Director Fury is impervious to almost all types of mental attacks and sabotage is not just because of his indomitable will but because he is protected by said strongest telepath. Because of Charles Xavier, even people like Elizabeth Braddock would think twice before entering his mind.
"Open Hawkeye's communication line. His mission will be modified."
"Sir."
Frank Castle held a cardboard sign. The sign was a code for the person who was supposed to arrive today. He wore a cheap suit and a brown trench coat. His disguise was mostly a pair of shades and a fedora in the muddiest of color. He isn't too worried about someone getting a good look at him because 'The Punisher' doesn't just go out to hold a sign in broad daylight. It's also because those that do know of him are either dead or just know him by his name.
In fact the number of people who know of Frank's… hobby and his alter ego didn't exceed beyond the fingers of a hand. Besides, the person who probably posed a threat in this area would be Wilson Fisk, but Frank has been very careful in showing his face whenever he'd go out and… play.
Finally, the doors opened and a sea of people coming down from the flight emerged into the area. Frank held his sign higher, eyes looking for the person he was waiting for.
The reason why he's in an airport just after breakfast was because of Mami. Or rather, Claire; the girl he'd picked up from Japan. Frank knows that he's way in on his head by taking Mami under his wing; his life revolved around danger. Or rather, his life revolved around him chasing after danger. He knows taking her in would be inviting danger to her. Of course, danger would've still found her if he had left her, but part of him still feels guilty of dragging her deeper into his world.
It also doesn't help that he knew he was trying to find Lisa, his dearly departed daughter, in Mami. He also knew that doing so is a bad thing, but you can't just stop what you feel. Right?
Finally, from the sea of people, he saw the unmistakable platinum locks. While what she wore were simple (sneakers, jeans and a white tee) Silver made quite the impression with her presence alone. In fact, quite a few men had checked her out – a fact that she herself noticed but had coolly ignored. She was dragging one suitcase with her.
Pushing down her sunglasses, she looked at the sign then to Frank, "They say you never forget your time with the Canadian."
"As do the time with the Silver Sable." He replied curtly, establishing the contact.
Silver gave him a once over before tilting her head, "So you're the one my dad wanted me to stay away from."
"My condolences." He simply replied. In the mercenary world, news of the death of the original Silver Sable had spread a couple of months ago. Sure, this girl is not the original, but he's heard of her exploits: like surviving that time in Budapest.
Silver smiled, "Please," she waved a hand, "dad was pretty happy to die on a bed due to his old age. He'd prefer that than being put down by others."
Frank only nodded before turning around, "Let us go." He led her to the exit, "I've already transferred your payment on the account you sent me." Once outside, he led her to a very expensive car.
"I was a bit apprehensive taking this job, even though it's a babysitting gig." She whistled when she saw the car, "But then, I wouldn't expect less from someone of your caliber."
"You're to merely oversee and tutor her," he opened the car's trunk and placed Silver's suitcase there. Frank, the gentleman from time to time, then opened the door her.
When they were both in, and Frank had roared the engine, Silver asked, "You're paying an awful lot for a job this simple."
Frank grinned, "I thought it's because it's from someone of my caliber?"
"You know what I mean," she gave him a dry look.
Frank, as a habit, liked to check the rearview mirror, "This is Fisk's area."
"I see." That was all that was needed to be said. "Anything else I should know?"
"Aside from the masked man named Spider-man? The mutant academy is a couple of minutes from here. There's also that Daredevil guy at Hell's Kitchen and Stark tower is being rebuild after the whole…"
"Alien thing." The girl with platinum-colored hair was looking at all the on-going city-wide reconstruction. "I was chasing this guy in the Chinese border when it happened. Crazy world we live in now, huh?"
Frank could only nod.
Mami debated between creating another clone to go and patrol around the city. She knew that she really needed to contact either Kyubey or the local girls. Granted, it's only her second day but the absence of Kyubey is alarming her. Well, Kyubey had this habit of showing up when no one expects it, but…
Oh and there's the whole 'Mitakihara-has-become-nonexistent' ordeal. She had google-d about Mitakihara and even Kazamino but such cities apparently no longer existed. The only reasonable explanation she could think of as to why they no longer existed was that a girl wished for it so. But not a lot of girls had the potential to actually make such a wish a reality. It's a possibility, but it a was very unlikely possibility.
Then there are the [Wraiths]. Why have there been no [Wraiths] when she had patrolled before? With her [Cube] reserves, she knew she could last for at least a month - three if she'd conserve them - but without a source of replenishing them, she knew it wouldn't last. Call it paranoid, but she's been able to survive as a solo for so long because Mami liked her facts straight. Of course, she needed to calm down first, because panicking would definitely soil her [Soul Gem] quicker, but it was just too hard when she's caught up in all this confusion. She definitely needed to talk to Kyubey.
There was movement outside of the door followed by a jiggling sound.
Frank had left earlier, telling Mami that he would be meeting up with her tutor.
"Mr. President," Aldrich Killian greeted the bound man, "It's such an honor to meet you."