The Reunification of S.H.I.E.L.D.

On-board Justice I…

After a quick patch-job on her thigh at the medical bay, Director Hill observed the state of Alpha Base from the bridge of the tri-carrier. The base, exposed by the decrease in water level, was battered and nearly destroyed. Some of the platforms were completely decimated by the cannon-fire from the battle, others were submerged into the ocean, with water flooding them whole.

It was a dark observation, since it had served as their home and a place of refuge for so long. She felt it like a gut punch, seeing everything they had worked so hard for virtually destroyed.

She sighed at the sight.

"Good to see you're up and about," she heard Tony's voice speak from behind her.

"It's hard to see something we've worked so hard to build decimated before us."

He stepped forward, next to her, and observed the base.

"Eh, I guess. We can always rebuild," he shrugged.

"If we have the chance to, Stark. Alpha Base is gone. The Triskelion is gone. What do we have left?"

"A fleet of heli-carriers. The Avengers. The X-Men. Specter Haven. The youngsters."

She sarcastically chuckled.

"We're going to need a lot more than that if we are to defeat the Reaper and his forces."

"You're right," he concurred, "We're going to need hope. A lot of it."

"I didn't figure you for an optimist."

"I'm an optimist when it suits me."

Suddenly, a specialist approached them.

"Director, the Acting-Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. is requesting to come-aboard."

"At last," she murmured, "Have them come aboard."

Tony watched her as she marched off. He returned this attention to the remnants of Alpha Base, watching as it succumbed to the sea.

Inside the holding cells of Justice I…

Riptide and Ember were both brought on-board, contained in specialized cells that limit their mutative abilities. Riptide's trident was confiscated, and Ember's cell had a water sprinkling unit in the event she tries to ignite her flame.

Phantom, Phantasm, Firewalker, Peter, Danny, and Ava walked into where they were being held to interrogate them, as requested by Director Hill once they brought them aboard. The others remained as the security detail for the meeting between Hill and whoever the Acting Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. was.

Passing by the empty cells, they reached the mutates' cells at the far end of a long corridor, guarded by two armored R.O.G.U.E. agents. Riptide was leaning against the far wall and Ember was sitting, crisscross in the middle of her cell, seemingly meditating.

"Come to gloat, have you?" Riptide grunted, his voice slightly distorted behind the energetic wall of his cell.

"We've come to talk," Phantom plainly stated.

"We're not talking."

"There's no use staying quiet while you're here."

The others stood back while Phantom paced between the two cells. Riptide continued to lean on the wall, with his arms crossed, and Ember stayed silent.

"We will presumably return to Manhattan, sooner or later. By then, all we need to do is wait and our master will save us from this pitiful cell you have us in."

"You honestly think Reaper will come and save you guys?" Phantasm harshly asked, stepping forward, "You guys failed his orders. You're both as good as dead."

"You think we haven't realized that?" Ember questioned, breaking her silence, "Yet, the fact remains: our master is running out of options. You all have killed most of our Vanguard. He won't kill us when he needs us."

Firewalker stepped forward, seemingly eyeballing Ember.

"You must understand that you are on the wrong side," Danny tried to reason with them, "Please, I implore you to see past Reaper's flawed logic."

They both ignored him.

"Here's a better question," Ava butted in, "Do you guys really believe in Reaper's ultimate goal?"

"Of course, we do," Ember swiftly responded.

"So, Reaper's ultimate goal is to convert humanity. Yet, you guys had to work with S.H.I.E.L.D. to fight R.O.G.U.E.? Do you not see the contradiction?"

"It was a necessary deception," Riptide answered, "If S.H.I.E.L.D. was too stupid to realize our master was manipulating them from the very beginning, then that's their problem. Obviously, it didn't work out in their favor."

"And so, the question remains, what should happen to you both," Phantasm pointed out.

Riptide merely shrugged as a gesture.

Firewalker cleared his throat, trying to gain Ember's attention. But, she was still sitting down, staring at the floor in front of her.

"If I were you, I would just kill us and let it be over with. We're not going to talk or expose our master," Riptide emphasized.

"Surely, we can come to some sort of agreement," Peter suggested.

"Like what?"

"I don't know. I mean, you guys are pretty powerful mutates. Maybe you guys can help us?"

Ember chuckled.

"You can't be serious."

"I think he has a point," Phantom agreed, "You both are powerful, that much is certain, especially you, Ember."

"Yeah, you really something else," Firewalker humorously added in.

Ember just glared at him.

"We'll never help you," Riptide confidently assured them, "We've sworn an oath to our master."

"And I'm not asking that you break it," Phantom quickly answered, "You've sworn an oath to an entity, an alter-ego of mine. You'd simply serve a different cause."

"We understand technicalities, Phantom. You are not our master," Ember snapped back.

"Fair enough. But, regardless, I offer you both a place amongst our ranks. I offer you a place in Specter Haven."

"Wait, what?!" Phantasm exclaimed.

"Phantom, I don't think that's a good idea," Ava added shortly after, "We just got through fighting them, and now you want them to join you?"

"Dad, you have no idea what they're capable of. They could betray you!"

"My purpose in this universe is to preserve life, no matter the cost," he defended his stance, "…if that means offering my enemy an alternative path, then that's what I suggest. These two started off in the same place my junior specters started. They were simply influenced by Magneto's persuasion."

"And Magneto is no longer alive," Danny pointed out, "His interests have been lost."

Riptide and Ember exchanged looks.

"You're awfully trusting really quick, Phantom," Riptide concluded.

"This is war, Riptide. Time to get to know you isn't to my advantage. But, I've seen what you're both capable of. Based off what Spider-Man and his team's told me, you both hold some sort of doubt of your master's will."

"We hold no doubt in his will," Riptide angrily assured him.

"But, we do," Ember softly contradicted.

"Ember? What are you doing?!"

"He is right, Rip. Regardless of how I feel, I don't think Reaper is doing what Magneto would've wanted."

"How would you know?! Magneto trusted him!"

"Magneto's dead, Rip. How are we sure that his dream is still being preserved?"

"To be fair, Magneto did basically start all this mess," Firewalker murmured. Phantasm nudged him to shut up.

"Just give it some thought," Phantom finished, "For now, we won't pester you further."

He gestured for them to leave the cell block. They filed out, with Phantasm giving a cold stare at the two mutates before leaving, and Firewalker winking at Ember. Phantom stayed behind.

Peter notices this and stays behind with him.

"I assume you have more to say?" Riptide questioned.

With his back turned to both mutates, Phantom nodded. Peter watched as the specter turned to look at them.

"I need to know what he has planned. For your sake, for our sake, please, if you could tell me that much."

"An offer turned into begging? And here I thought you were much more intimidating. So much for not being pestered anymore."

"My world is in danger, Riptide. The Reaper will stop at nothing to destroy us all. I need to know what you know."

"You'll get nothing from me. Humanity is a scum that deserves to be wiped out of this planet."

"You can't honestly think that," Peter interjected, "Come on. Only Reaper is crazy enough to believe that's possible."

"It's not only Reaper," Ember gravely answered, "Moros and Tombstone, the other two mutates, are also indoctrinated in his beliefs."

"And you two aren't?"

"No," she sighed, "In truth, only Moros and Tombstone do…"

"Ember! Shut your mouth!"

She shook her head and just turned around, her back exposed to them.

"Just leave us, Phantom," Riptide growled, "We'll… consider… your offer. Until then, just leave us."

Phantom simply nodded and turned to leave. Peter followed behind, taking a few glances back at the menacing Riptide.

"That went well," he murmured to Phantom once they left the holding cells.

"They'll come around."

"How can you be so sure, Phantom?"

"I have a feeling."

Phantasm, Ava, Firewalker, and Danny were waiting outside.

"Get anywhere?" Phantasm curiously asked.

"No," Phantom sighed, "But, we'll keep an eye on them."

"We should probably head back to the bridge, then," Ava suggested, "The R.O.G.U.E./S.H.I.E.L.D. meeting should have started by now."

At the bridge…

A S.H.I.E.L.D. Quinjet landed on the tri-carrier flight deck. A team escorted the Acting Director and her team to the bridge, where Director Hill waited for them. Stark, Rogers, and Dr. Strange stood nearby, with Professor Xavier and Wolverine standing on the other side. The rest of the bridge was surrounded by other members of the teams, including Fox, Wolfe, Wren, Luke, and Nova.

"How's Coulson doing?" Hill quietly asked Stark.

"He's doing okay last I checked. Don't worry, he'll make it. Nothing can kill him."

"I'd like to believe that."

"He'll be fine, Maria. Focus on the here and now."

"Right."

The bridge doors slid open and the acting director marched in. Acting Director Daisy Johnson marched right in. She was a short, slightly tanned young woman. She had dark brown eyes, short sleek black hair, and a determined face. Her black body uniform defined her fitness, hinting that she was capable of holding her own in a fight.

Maria was initially surprised to see Daisy becoming the Acting Director.

"J-Johnson?"

Daisy grinned, shrugging.

"Surprised, Hill?"

"I didn't know you took over. How did that happen?"

"That's what I'm here to explain, huh?" she slightly chuckled, approaching Hill and stretching out her hand.

Hill warmly shook it.

"We're here to talk about a lot of things, Daisy. I'm relieved that S.H.I.E.L.D. was able to come to its senses when it came to Sitwell."

"Yeeeaaaah, I heard about that fight you had with him down at your base. Jesus, I knew he was crazy, but not that crazy. I heard the big green guy took care of him."

"You got that right," Stark humorously interrupted.

"Well, it's a good thing Jasper didn't kill you then, Maria. Can we sit down somewhere?"

"Of course."

In the conference room near the bridge, Daisy sat down and talked with Hill and the leaders to the other teams: Stark, Rogers, Xavier, Phantom, Phantasm, Parker, Black Cat, Cable, and Peter Quill, the others waited outside, to try and keep the conference as small as possible.

Peter felt a little small sitting with a bunch of older adults, but he didn't mind. He was probably the youngest there, with Daisy being a close second.

Daisy began the narrative with her explanation as to why S.H.I.E.L.D. suddenly had a change of heart. So, it turns out, as a surprise to Hill, that Fury had Daisy infiltrate the operations arm of S.H.I.E.L.D. back even before the Manhattan Incident. He did so with fears that Sitwell was rising through the ranks unusually fast, with his ambition unchecked and his true agenda unknown.

He kept this from the knowledge of everyone involved, including Hill and Coulson, so that there was absolutely zero possibility for her to be discovered by anyone within the organization.

Once the divide occurred and S.H.I.E.L.D. was split, she stayed alongside Sitwell as an avid supporter of his policies to get as close as possible to him. Once she infiltrated his inner circle, she began uncovering what exactly he was doing, specifically the roundup of mutants around the world and the concentration camps in Brazil.

With Fury's incarceration being personally handled by Sitwell himself, Daisy had to do whatever she could to communicate to R.O.G.U.E. on the knowledge of these camps as well as the other illegal activities the organization was doing around the world.

"So, you're the source that fed all that intel to my analysts," Hill, astonished, pointed out.

"Precisely. I made sure you guys weren't kept in the dark."

Once the invasion started, she began grouping together other higher-ranking S.H.I.E.L.D. officials who disagreed with Sitwell's policies. They tried to organize covert operations to try and save as many people as they could, but Sitwell prioritized taking R.O.G.U.E. down first. What civilians they did save were taken to an undisclosed location.

"I have a feeling he took those people straight back to Reaper," Phantasm wondered aloud.

"I think so too," Daisy concurred, "But, Sitwell didn't keep that information in our databases. I guess he wanted to make sure nobody knew what he was up to. Nobody wanted to admit that he had a back-channel to the invaders."

"It just doesn't make sense," Hill sighed, "Why did he turn to Reaper? I thought he hated mutants?"

"He hated them enough that he was willing to work out some sort of truce with the Reaper. Of course, we all know by now that Reaper's true goal is to convert humanity into mutated beings. Sitwell was blinded by his own ambition and pride to see that."

She concluded with the recent battle. Once they got word that they were attacking Alpha Base, she rounded up the high-ranking officers and brought them to the Judgment heli-carrier to try and convince Sitwell to cease his campaign. When he killed one of the officers to "punish" him, she knew it was time to overthrow him.

What they didn't see during the battle was an on-going skirmish between those that supported him and those that didn't within the corridors of the flag-ship. She fought alongside her officers to get to Sitwell's office, where she had the encryption key to access the director's terminal and send a message to all of S.H.I.E.L.D. to cease operations.

It was then that she was able to officially denounce Sitwell to all of S.H.I.E.L.D. and end the campaign against R.O.G.U.E.

Quill whistled in awe.

"That's one hell of a spying gig you pulled off," he commented.

"I'm just sorry that I wasn't able to stop him earlier. We could've saved a lot of lives had R.O.G.U.E. and S.H.I.E.L.D. banded together sooner," Daisy lamented, "Nevertheless, I am prepared to hand the torch back to you, Hill. You are the agent that Fury himself named to be his successor."

"Thank you. You have no idea how much of a relief that brings me."

Daisy simply nodded in agreement.

Professor Xavier then cleared his throat to get Daisy's attention.

"I immensely appreciate your role in all this, Director Johnson. But, the fact remains that S.H.I.E.L.D. actively hunted mutants globally and placed them in camps, as you've pointed out in your findings. Surely, there are agents who were involved in that who did nothing to stop it. I ask, as the primary speaker for the X-Men and mutant community, that justice must be served to those individuals, lower and higher ranking."

"He's right," Cable concurred.

Daisy shifted in her seat.

"I understand the gravity of those events. Believe me, I do. In order to successfully overthrow Sitwell, we had to lay low and do what we could outside of official channels."

"A necessary choice, I understand that. But, that doesn't answer my request, director."

She sighed.

"I am prepared to testify as well as bring forth every shred of evidence stored within our databases to bring to justice the agents involved. That will require a great deal of resources for analyzation as well as a form of government to preside over those proceedings and enforce them."

"Sort of a second set of Nuremberg Trials?" Black Cat pondered, "Except, for mutants?"

"I don't know much about law, but won't we need like a charter for that? A set of laws to punish those agents with?" Peter suggested, "Sorry, I didn't pay much attention in civics class."

"We'll need an agreement, precisely," Xavier answered, turning to Hill, "We need a formal set of laws that protects mutants as well as humans."

"A concordat," Phantom simply stated, "This has been discussed before. I think, with S.H.I.E.L.D. and R.O.G.U.E. now the last leading agencies, military arms against the RSF, a concordat would solidify the mutant cause for when the war is over."

"That sounds like a great idea," Rogers confidently pointed out.

"It's going to take a lot of time, though," Stark commented, "People will be more concerned with reconstruction than swift justice when this is all over."

"But it will come. One way or another," Xavier firmly stated.

"Agreed," Hill decided.

After the meeting, Hill came aboard Judgment with Daisy and signed a sort of "peace treaty" to unite the two agencies together under a single banner against the RSF. They discussed what would happen for after the war, where R.O.G.U.E. and its assets would return to S.H.I.E.L.D. and that Hill would resume her place as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., to preside over the trials of those who supported Sitwell.

In the meantime, since the two were still separate organizations, Hill trusted Daisy's role. She knew her for years and she was Fury's former protégé before Hill came aboard. She's an excellent spymaster with infiltration skills that matched those that Black Widow once had. There were rumors that she had special abilities of her own, but nothing that she'd ever witness her do.

Peter caught up with Phantom and Selena, who spoke on the side of the conference room after the meeting.

"That's one obstacle out of the way," Selena confidently pointed out, "Now, all that's left is Reaper and his forces. Dad, we need to get to him before its too late."

"What's going on?" Peter butted in.

"We're discussing what to do next, Peter. Selena believes the faster we get to Manhattan and defeat Reaper, the faster we can end this madness."

"This event's happened before, dad. The longer we wait, the stronger he'll become. The other phantoms who have waited were decimated."

"But, as you said, Selena, I'm a Revenant," he coolly answered.

Without another word, he walked off to go talk to Fox and Wolfe.

"You still don't even know what that means, old man!"

Peter watched as Phantom glanced back and simply shrugged.

"He's never this eccentric," he told her, "It's nice to see him so confident."

"Yeah, I know. I just want him to understand how serious the situation's become now."

"As though it wasn't serious enough?"

She sighed.

"The closer we get to Reaper, the more dangerous he becomes. He's got a few tricks up his sleeve than can end it all with the snap of his fingers."

"I doubt it. He's powerful but he's not that powerful."

"Let's hope so, Parker," she concluded. She walked off towards the corridor, where Wren was waiting for her.

Peter left the bridge too and entered one of the sleeping quarters. The room was fairly large, with multiple beds where they could sleep in separated by privacy glass. Pretty high-tech stuff.

The rest of his team was on the far end, sitting in what appeared to be a lounging area. They were still in their respective costumes, but they all had their masks off. Luke hadn't been wearing his sunglasses since he came back into the picture, so he was already good.

"You guys were just lucky that I was able to put my energy shield up before we got baked crispy fresh by Ember!" Sam proudly pointed out.

"Yeah, but I did the same too using a piece of metal. Where's my recognition?" Luke joked.

"Yeah, yeah, congrats, whatever. But, my energy shield! You got to admit, it was badass."

"For all the few seconds you were able to have it up before you were asking for help, you mean?" Ava humored, causing Danny and Luke to snicker.

"Hey! You try to use up all your energetic powers like that and see how it feels!"

"Sorry, 'oh-mighty bucketheaded Nova'," Danny sarcastically apologized.

"Oh okay! Is that how it's going to be? I just won't do it next time!"

Peter walked up, smiling about their conversation.

"Sounds like you guys are having a good time reminiscing."

"Hey Pete," Luke warmly greeted, "How'd the meeting go?"

Danny pulled up a seat for Peter to sit in.

"Good. Director Johnson and Director Hill have agreed to have S.H.I.E.L.D. and R.O.G.U.E. join forces to battle against the RSF. They'll figure out the details after the war."

"Are we just going to forget all the bad shit S.H.I.E.L.D. did?" Sam curiously brought up.

"No. Professor X already brought that up and they said they'd hold some sort of Nuremberg Trials type deal for after the war and bring those agents to justice. The ones that helped Sitwell, that is."

"Good. Justice is a must if we are to build a society after this madness," Danny contemplated.

"What's next, then?" Ava questioned, "Where are we going?"

"Probably Wakanda, I've always wanted to visit!" Sam answered with a tone of hope in his voice.

Luke force-coughed.

"Liar!"

"Shut it, Power Boy!"

"With Alpha Base destroyed, I have no doubt that Wakanda is our next destination. It is the most well-protected country on the planet. And, based off Mary Jane's reporting, it is the only country that has not been affected by the invasion. It would seem their vibranium-based technology is keeping it hidden from the world," Danny pointed out.

"That probably means a lot of refugees have poured in," Ava wondered.

"Probably. But, I do not blame them for doing so."

"Speaking of MJ," Peter suddenly remembered, "I should probably go check back up on her and Harry. As well as Aunt May. Has anybody seen them?"

"I think they're in the communications room on the starboard side of the tri-carrier," Luke kindly answered.

Sam suddenly stood up from his chair.

"Well, if you'll all excuse me, I'm going to get some food. I'm hungry after that last fight."

Danny got up as well.

"I am right behind you, Sam!"

Shortly after they left, Luke stood up and stretched.

"I guess I'll go talk to Jessica. See where they're at."

"She's not here?" Ava asked.

"No, she left with one of the life-ships. The Defenders were put in charge of the life-ship formation along with Deadpool."

"Oh, that must be fun," Peter sarcastically commented.

"Yeah, that's why I'm going to go check," Luke nervously chuckled, "I'll leave you two lovebirds alone."

The two of them watched him leave the room. Peter turned to glance over at Ava. He couldn't help but notice just how her suit accentuated her curves.

"Wow…" he softly commented.

"What?"

"Oh, nothing. It just seems like forever since I last saw you in the White Tiger suit."

"Oh, yeah," she giggled, "The other one you saw me in was half tattered and I was basically running around half naked."

"It wasn't that bad."

"Yeah, I'm sure you loved that," she flirted, "But trust me, it sucked. My soles are basically rock hard from all that running on my bare feet."

"Damn. Well, you still look great."

"Thanks, Pete. I would hope so."

An awkward silence followed. She moved a little closer to him and he did the same.

"So… I know that Sam had asked if we were still together the last time we all talked. I wanted to ask you if… if we still are?"

"Are we?"

"I… I hope so?"

He turned to her, reaching out to hold her hands.

"I thought about you for two years, Ava. I know that seems like a short time but… it seemed like an eternity to me."

She lifted her right hand and touched the side of his face.

"It was an eternity for me too, Pete. I lost control of the Jade Tiger Amulet because of it. I missed you so much."

"That's why you went full tiger back in the Amazon?"

She nodded.

"And you almost died. I would've never have forgiven myself if I lost you over my stupidity."

"It wasn't your fault, Ava."

She quivered her lips.

"One of my biggest worries was that you were going to fall in love with someone else."

"No, of course not! Why would you think that?"

"I'm nobody special, Peter."

"Don't say that. You're special to me. That's all that matters. I told you, I'd never forget about you. Here I am."

She smiled.

"There you are."

Slowly, they inched in, until his head met with hers. She got up from her seat and wrapped herself around him while he sat. Then, their lips met.

He had forgotten how her lips felt like, as did she.

They lost themselves in the moment. It was though nothing else mattered. As though there was no war, no fighting, no hate, or violence.

It was though all they had was their love.

Suddenly, they heard a knock on the door. It was Sam, who asked if they wanted anything to eat, he had brought some stuff back.

"At least he knocked," Peter sighed.

"Should we continue this later?"

"You bet."

They softly kissed one more time before attending to the door.

On-board Vengeance…

Reaper observed Peter's little moment with Ava through the mental connection he shared with the boy. In the depths of Peter's subconscious, Reaper's dark influence lingered, slowly growing, through whatever form Reaper saw fit.

"Interesting," he commented, "Your love will be your downfall, Peter Parker. I wonder what should happen… if I forced you to decide between your duty… and your love."

A/N: WOOO, I'm on a roll this week! xD No worries, my dudes. I did a little bit of editing and got this chapter much shorter than the last one. I wanted to get it done before midterms coming up this week and next week (don't worry, I think I shouldbe okay in passing). I needed a little help from el maestro for writing that romance scene in the end but I hope you guys like it, for real. I'll update Aferus' profile with the new due date for the next chap but we're ahead of schedule for now!

Up next, ready to see Earth-0819's Fantastic Four?

Much love to Sport21, Death Fury, and The Story's Shadow for staying consistent in their reviews. I see y'all. Mucho love!

Jack Montero