Opposites - a tale with Wolverine

by lslauri

Meet Lana, an astrophysicist with problems dealing with her mutation and a crush on a certain mutant capable of releasing red rays from her eyes. She ends up learning that if you see a face, you don't see a heart.

1. Part I

- Her name is Lana, a girl, no, a woman, who at first glance seems frail and vulnerable, but you will see how much strength she has within her, and given the circumstances, I don't know how many of us would have the same courage. Since I know how chaotic this whole multiverse thing is, let me situate you: Lana's universe is one where the Avengers and the X-Men exist, where evil mutants can wipe out cities, and it is that universe that I affectionately call home. Dr. Strange protects the world from forces invisible to us, the Avengers protect the world from everything unrelated to mutants, and, well, we, the X-Men, take care of our own. Or at least, we try. Not everything is rosy for the "super" heroes... Charlie's School for Gifted Youngsters is located in Westchester, and one summer afternoon, the doorbell rang. Something extremely rare there. Beast looked at the monitors and saw that frail girl, brunette, with very long and disheveled hair, and a desperate look on her face, so*

- No! Wait, Logan! "Desperate look"? I hadn't slept for three nights! Can a normal human go that long without sleep? Stop narrating, I'll narrate this story, since it's about me, right?

- But I was there when he saw the cameras, and your posture was just as I described, Lana...

- May I... – and the Canadian raises his arms, conceding. - I am an astrophysicist, very good at what I study and, unfortunately, a mutant. Wait, I said unfortunately because of how I discovered it and the nature of my mutation, not the fact itself, but the circumstances caused by it.

"I was always a very calm child and, when I was almost four years old, playing with my friends, I ended up falling and scraping my knee. It was the first time I really got hurt, and after that, I had to be insanely careful not to get hurt at all...

"I fell, got up, the pain in my knee was bearable, but it wouldn't stop bleeding! By the time I got home and told my parents, the cut had opened, and the wound exposed my kneecap!

- Wow! – the mutant next to me cuts in – I didn't remember that part about the kneecap, did you already mention that?

I look at him annoyed, shake my head "no," and before continuing, I get an "I knew it" look in return:

My parents were extremely worried. No bandage or substance worked, and with an improvised tourniquet, we drove to the nearest ER. But before we got there, I had lost consciousness. My parents said I fainted in a red puddle and arrived in such bad shape that I went straight to the ICU, received 10 bags of blood, and even then, I almost didn't survive. Several tests were done. They tested for all existing coagulation disorders, but my profile never fully matched any of them. That's when the doctor suggested my parents do the "X" gene test, and even though they were apprehensive, they agreed. Sure enough... I carried this gene, in a barely understood molecular sequence that, most of the time, produced children who didn't live past four years old.

- Ah! So look, you're still a little miracle, aren't you? – he dared to interrupt me again.

- Logan! Are you going to keep trying to lift me up, even knowing there's nothing miraculous about my condition? Please! Be the pessimist shown on television, at least with me, will you?... I don't need false hope, I know my mutation is a pain in the ass! I focus on what I love, to survive...

He falls silent at my last words, but it's true, I love being the person capable of detecting temporal-spatial anomalies through complex calculations and pointing the finger at those who can really do something about it before chaos reaches our planet! And since getting hurt is part of life, I always think it's impossible to live a long life with my condition...

- Don't talk like that, Lana... You were so accurate in your prediction that we can't afford to be without you for the next 80 years!

I laugh out loud! Eighty years? I'll be over 100! Impossible, even if I weren't this walking hemorrhage...

- I don't think about dying, Logan. But being aware of what I am gives me mental stability, so you could say I'm being pessimistic to be wrong in the future, you know? Can I continue?

- This reverse psychology is a pain in the ass... – he points out and adds: Go ahead.

- Well, you can imagine how my parents felt after discovering that I could bleed to death. How much they protected me from all situations that could cause the slightest cut... I almost became "the bubble girl," if it weren't for my mother's incredible understanding of the needs of a human being my age. She was my defender, my inspiration. She always included me in family events, trying not to make me seem stranger than usual. They decided to explain to those close to us that I was a mutant, and that only made my cousins and uncles keep a safe distance from the freak... Being a mutant, in Texas, wasn't desirable. Actually, being anything different in Texas is a problem. – I hear the Canadian's laughter and ignore it.

With that, I delved into studies from an early age. My mother was a university professor, a theoretical physicist; my father, a historian, interested in extraterrestrial civilizations. With this mix, something good was bound to come! I ended up specializing in string theory and predicting possible extraterrestrial invasion events. You may wonder: but don't the X-Men only deal with mutants? Shouldn't that be work for the Avengers?

And you're right. The Avengers' complex was where I first rang the doorbell... They even opened the door, Natasha and Banner were interested. But having a male ego as big as Stark's inside, ruined any chances of continuing my studies and projects.

A few weeks ago, I had located a possible portal with enough energy to destroy not only Earth but half of our Sun as well. I went there, laid out the whole issue, my unconventional methods, and after a grueling argument with Stark, I received just one response:

- Thanks, kid, we'll keep an eye on it. Now, if you want a soda, Wednesday can show you where they are.

That cheekiness left me completely disoriented! I remembered how capable they could be of defending us, and at that moment, I walked away firmly, asking them not to bother looking because I was going to find the real superheroes!

And please, allow me one more digression: during college, I was always pro-me, that is, pro-mutant. My discussions with my classmates were always filled, on their part, with terms like "mutants," "aberrations," and so on. I gently defended us, loved watching television coverage involving Professor Charles Xavier. He always gave me a sense of peace, a non-incisive assertiveness in his comments, and a huge desire for humans to realize how similar we are and how we should help each other... But many times, all that peace was frustrated by another mutant dissenting from this peaceful coexistence. And then the elite team would spring into action, subjugating without judgment, doing a part of the job that the ordinary police wouldn't be able to do. – I let out a sigh.

- Thinking about Cyclops, huh? – he asked disdainfully.

- Hey! But how?... – I asked, dumbfounded.

- Your scent changes when you're near him... Your heart races, pupils dilate. You don't need to be a doctor to see that he's the reason. – and he growls slightly.

- When I saw him on TV, he was indeed the reason for my sighs. And it was for many days, right after they accepted me here... But my sigh just now was from exhaustion, seeing humans always making, and sometimes more persistently, the same mistakes, you know?

- Tell me about it!

- So, I think your statement needs to be changed to the past tense. "Your scent changed when you were near him." – I made sure to exaggerate the imitation of the Canadian, giving a strong growl.

He laughs, grabs my hand, and nods approvingly.

- Go on, girl, continue the story! You haven't moved forward since I started...

I glance sideways, letting out a "pfff" and continue:

- Well, when I rang the bell of the Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, I had no idea how much that would change my life and how much those present would be more open to listening to me, as if I were family. I heard a familiar voice from the TV on the intercom, it was Beast asking what I wanted. I quickly explained about the urgency of the matter and how it required Professor Xavier's assistance. I told them who I was and what I did and heard the click of the door opening, followed by instructions to go to the main door of the mansion.

Before knocking on the large wooden door, the handle turned and, summoning all the courage I could muster, I entered the school's antechamber, waiting for someone to come meet me. Instead, I had a unique experience. I felt a warm embrace in my mind and heard Professor X's voice giving me directions to his room, asking me to come see him as soon as possible. I passed by some classrooms, saw Storm, Kitty Pryde, Nightcrawler, and Colossus teaching classes to completely heterogeneous groups, in age and appearance. From children looking ordinary to old folks with tree bark skin, others with three heads! They were colors and textures that mimicked the most incredible aspects of nature. I was amazed! – Logan cleared his throat, knowing it was a request to speak, so I nodded:

- While you were heading to the room, the Professor was telling us about the tranquility of your thoughts, about how none of that diversity scared you, and that made me, Beast, and Cyclops very reassured when you knocked on his door, you know?

I smiled to myself, I didn't know that.

- Go on, keep going. Let's see if your description brings legitimateness.

I raised an eyebrow, surprised at that sophisticated word coming from the thin, well-carved, and determined lips of the Canadian.

- Just because I don't use fancy words doesn't mean I don't know them, Lana... I'm over 100 years old! That should count for something in the vocabulary department, right?

I laughed openly, along with him.

- I knocked on the door with my heart full of hope. Certain to be heard in that place and, when the door was opened by Scott Summers, my whole body froze! I must have stopped breathing for a few minutes, despite the Professor telling me to come in, my legs wouldn't obey me and the only thing I could think of was how much taller that man was in person, how muscular, and what a hunk!... I was in a trance until a blue head appeared behind him and asked if I was okay. I was shocked and took a deep breath, heard a grumble in the corner and saw a stocky guy, with hair styled upwards like horns and bearded; arms crossed and leg against the wall, dressed as a cowboy. What a surreal scene!

- No! Wait, hold on... I don't have hair styled like horns!... And that was my best cowboy outfit!

- Yeah... see how beautiful it is to make false descriptions of people?

- Are you getting back at my description of "desperate"? That's low!

- Are you just saying that because I'm shorter than you, funny guy?

I don't think he had thought of that, but my statement made him laugh about the fact.

- My expression was hopeful, not desperate, you know? Despite the exhaustion, I had hope of being heard by my peers. Likewise, actually, your appearance was amazing! It stood out a bit from the surroundings, but I knew who you were from television and preferred this version much more than the flashy uniforms. Of course, Scott looked even more amazing, with those almost tight jeans, a royal blue shirt, and freshly washed hair.

The Canadian rolled his eyes and nodded. He had understood my point. And he made hand gestures for me to continue my description.

- In the background, behind his desk, was Professor Xavier. I won't lie, I was speechless to realize I was in front of the greatest telepath in the world, I felt somewhat "naked" and, instinctively, hugged my backpack and walked to the chair in front of him. His smile reassured me and Scott's voice cut through the silence, questioning my presence. I babbled something disconnected, I always did that near the big guy. And then you finally spoke, teasing me, saying it was good for me to breathe, otherwise I might faint from hypoxia! I must have turned crimson! I shot an angry look in your direction and focused on Prof. X, explaining all my methodologies, my calculations, and the imminent threat I believed was very close, threatening everyone on this planet and, why not, the Solar system too. The most intrigued, clearly, was Hank. I noticed the concern in his eyes and also his empathy, as he had understood the gravity of the situation. He came up with several precise questions about the methodology, added other possible options to my future astrophysical analyses. He surprised me! And unlike me, he managed to convey to others how urgent it was to investigate this ASAP!

- Hank is indeed awesome... – the Canadian muttered softly.

Smiling, I continued:

- The second to speak up was Scott. After it was explained and digested for the second time, he asked the Professor if he could form an exploratory team on Earth, but to send some drones to the coordinates and collect all possible information. That would be as close to reality as my theories would get, it would be the maximum! I couldn't help but send him a grateful look, always mixed with passion. And then you came, questioning the sanity of your friends, believing in such theoretical nonsense from someone they were seeing for the first time! Why?! And I stopped talking, did the Canadian not believe I would have that doubt? I left him puzzled for the first time.

- Wow, Lana! I... I don't know... Many times, I may give the wrong impression. I was calling my friends to really think about the matter, not wanting to belittle, but playing the role of the "devil's advocate," you know? By questioning your theories, I was calling others to think a little more before acting, that's all. It was more to reaffirm your points, you get it?

- Hmm. Interesting... That really helped, after Hank clarified my ideas even more, we all agreed on the urgency of verifying the truth of those theories. Deep down, I wanted to be wrong!...

- Yeah, I can imagine, brunette... But it wasn't anything like that, right? Your mutation, who knows, isn't just bleeding to death! It's being awesome at calculations, you developed your own methodology, you know? – I shrugged, it could be, but it didn't take away the fact of bleeding to death...

- The three of you left the room, left me with Prof. X, discussing the ramifications of all this. Then, he welcomed me, going with me to the kitchen and introducing me to Bobby, a.k.a. Iceman, leaving us to interact. Since I only knew them from television, getting to know Bobby's flirtatious spirit was a bit embarrassing. It didn't take many minutes for him to make an ice skater as a gift, along with a rose, I didn't know where to go! And what to do! I was partly relieved when you showed up and called him "harassing popsicle." It had been a while since I laughed so much! – and I heard him laugh too, beside me, at those words – As soon as you appeared, he quickly left the kitchen. Your relaxed posture made me feel very good too. But I still had anger about how you questioned my ideas, so I couldn't resist teasing you.

- Yeah, you asked if I was there because I didn't know how to pilot a drone, damn!

- Your response was interesting, though, right?... I remember you taking a deep breath not to send me somewhere inappropriate and then saying that you didn't let robots carry out your actions. And, at that moment, I thought about the past attacks by the Sentinels and how there must be a connection between them and this behavior. You added that Cyclops knew that and hadn't even called you to join the reconnaissance group.

- And it was me mentioning the pretty boy's name for your heart to race and your scent to change, all full of desire for my biggest "crush's" husband... If I didn't know Scott, I would even try to throw you into his arms, so you'd clear the way for Jean. But it's impossible! Those two are "fucking" soulmates, if that shit really exists!

I sighed, not trying to hide my annoyance. He seemed like a broken record, repeating the same thing, why?!

- And there's no use sighing, Lana! Damn it! You can be really mean when you want, huh?

I was shocked:

- Me-an? Me? Are you sure? I get scolded for no reason, and I'm the mean one? Honestly, Logan!

- Keep telling your story, come on... The Professor asked you to be very detailed so that the recording turns out perfect and helps to help other people. – now it was him showing annoyance... I agreed and continued.

- So, surprisingly, you served me a glass of orange juice and became interested in my past life. I thought of it as something practical on your part because you have always been the action of the X-Men and, by having this attitude and evaluating me, it would be possible to draw your own conclusions. I remember thinking that even with the greatest telepath in the world by your side, you needed to do things your way. Evaluate people your way, with your methods, and, in this way, have your truth, as if it were palpable. I didn't mind, I went along with it, answered frankly, and when you asked if I was a mutant, I didn't hesitate – and that surprised me – to say yes, but that my mutation wasn't useful or related to my profession. You raised an eyebrow and said you had seen a lot when it came to mutation, but if I wasn't comfortable talking about it, it wasn't necessary. I replied that I had no problem describing my mutation: it's the opposite of yours, Mr. Logan. While you can heal in the blink of an eye, in that same blink, I turn into a puddle of blood and die from hypovolemia! Quite useful, right? I commented, ironically. I remember your face showing doubt as you replied, I think deep down you tried to find something nice to say to me, didn't you? But there's no way to say something nice in front of such crap, and I added: I even made a sample calculation if each mutation has its counterpart, you know? But I think we are the only opposites in that regard...

- Your scent changed so much at that moment and your expression followed with such sadness afterward that I felt like an idiot for making you talk about your mutation.

- Yeah... you, strangely, gave me support, putting your hand on mine, but I never had those connections and closed myself off. I pulled my hand away and thanked you for the juice, leaving the kitchen, not knowing where to go or what to do.

And then he chuckled softly.

- What are you laughing at?

- Your scent of fear, of not knowing where you were going, it even burned my nostrils, but I didn't want to pressure you.

- Almost no pressure at all, you waited for me to stay in that huge corridor and freeze because I didn't know where to go. You villain!

- Oh, Lana, that attitude of not accepting support seemed very arrogant to me, you know?

I shrugged, there's no way - without being telepathic - to know the reasons for people's reactions and actions. We need to have the courage to ask each other, without assuming things are obvious...

Then you appeared behind me, with a triumphant smile on your lips, and asked if I wanted help finding the way out. Really? That, to me, was proof that you didn't appreciate my presence, and I believe feeling that, the Professor called me over again, this time to a classroom.

- Sorry if I made you feel that way, brunette...

- Whatever, Logan... I spent the next two hours watching a class on the origin of mutants, very interesting, because despite being one, I didn't know my origins, as old and scary as the stories involving the mentioned names. The night came, and I didn't even notice, I was really dazzled by the familiarity of it all. Some students came to talk to me, but not knowing how to respond, I ended up staying silent, and Charles told the class that I was an astrophysics consultant and was there to point out where the X-Men could be useful. Those words made me swell up a lot, I smiled gratefully at him and asked, as we left, where I would go, how long I would have to wait? Scott's voice caught our attention at the end of one of the corridors, and we went to him, with a worried look. He and Hank explained how the preliminary analysis pointed to some real alteration in that indicated quadrant. Cyclops put his hand on my shoulder and, smiling, said that we would be able to act in the best possible way: defense! Whoever had intentions to invade would be caught off guard by a welcoming committee. And Hank had already started the calculations and the necessary equipment to reverse their energy pulse to send them back. I found this defense ge-ni-al, if it worked... After all, all the calculations involved are wrapped in errors, plus or minus. Otherwise, we would have a "target" placed on Earth. Although Scott took his hand off my shoulder, I still felt its weight, still saw his smile in front of me, I was amazed for a while until I came back to reality, and in it, my part was done. I thanked the mutants present, sent a special thank you to Professor Xavier, and started packing my things to go home. And, again, you appeared all smug, asking me if I was running away! Oh, Logan, at that moment I really wanted to laugh and cry in your face, but I held back!

- Well... I needed to know if you had the same tendency as me, you know? To disappear when things got tense. It was curiosity, Lana...

- But I had no reason to stay in the mansion!

- Why not? You're a mutant, you were already there, why leave?

- I had no idea how many rooms there were in the mansion... Anyway. With this question and my lack of response, Charles took the opportunity to invite me to stay at the mansion for that night, if possible, helping with the technical details of the endeavor, along with Hank. It was then that Kitty, phasing through one of the walls and catching this part of the conversation, invited herself to take me to the guest room and offered me some of her clothes to spend the night in. I accepted, I needed a shower, and after that, I joined the main team's dinner at the large kitchen table. It was interesting to see those people, from countries, concepts, and pasts so diverse, united by the certainty that the powers bestowed upon us demand a stance, and all of them, believed in Professor Xavier's words, all believed in peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants. I grabbed a plate, loaded it with salad, and took a piece of pita bread, sitting in a spot where I would attract less attention and just observed them, a strange sense of belonging began to settle within me, and when asked to share my experiences, I did, with a certain pride, and then Hank sat next to me, explaining his thoughts and saying he would show me the calculations after dinner. – Logan smiles again, I leave space for him to speak.

- I almost heard your cry for help at that moment! It was a hormonal and heartfelt plea, which caused a slight pause in your heart. I had to intervene.

- Geez! I was interested in Hank's studies, but fatigue wouldn't allow me to be useful. As I mentioned, I hadn't slept for three nights! I needed to leave dinner for a comfortable bed.

- And I provided that, as quickly as possible, didn't I? – all proud and with a big smile.

- Yes, in a very typical way of yours... The Canadian approached us, putting his hands on Hank's shoulder and giving him a not-so-light massage, questioning the blue guy about how thoroughly the calculations were reviewed and that it would be better if the answer came from him, with almost no interference from me. At the same time, he boosted his friend's ego, left me in an inferior position, as if the idea could be better without me behind it. And when Hank left to review the calculations, you sat next to me, smiling and waiting for a thank you that didn't come. I made my sandwich and bit into it eagerly, your smile wilted, and you grumbled something, leaving my side all annoyed. Now I know how much I owe my well-deserved sleep to you, Logan, but at that moment, I just thought you were a know-it-all!

He shrugs, as I continue:

- If it weren't for the fatigue, I would have definitely enjoyed that first night among the most organized mutant community on the planet much more. I thanked for the bed being so comfortable, lay down, and woke up to my cell phone alarm at 5:30 a.m. I did my personal hygiene, neatly tied my voluminous waist-length hair, and put on one of Kitty's outfits, a gray cotton sweat suit. Knowing the way to the kitchen, I went there alone, made instant coffee with milk, cut two tomatoes, put more salad on top of them in a baked pita bread, and almost dropped everything when I heard your voice, so early, teasing me about what I was eating. What did you say again?

- If all you knew how to eat was pita bread with salad, or if you had a preference for tasteless things, at least the preference for Scott confirmed that. – and he let out a thunderous laugh.

- Yeah... When the joke is bad, the jokester has to laugh to not lose the fun, right?

- Hey... It was funny! You can ask anyone who's not Jean, they all think Cyclops is bland...

- Logan! He's a great strategist and a natural leader! I envy how easily he can delegate tasks, you know?...

- I'm a great strategist, too, and nobody puffs their chest to say that, huh! Delegating tasks, is that something you do? It's like those Roman emperors who stayed on their horses while sending others to the slaughter. Not me, I go there and do it. I get my hands dirty with blood if necessary...

- So, you don't know how to delegate, right? Alright, there's no need to be ashamed, as I said, I don't know either! If I had half of your technology, I would have sent the drones to check my theory, I would have thought of something similar to Hank's to prevent the invasion, you know? I'm incapable of delegating...

- We know that, brunette... That's why you're here now, right? Taking a "break"...

- I felt my face burning again with your remarks about Scott, and not even a minute passes, he comes in, accompanied by his wife who shoots me a glare and gives you a lively good morning, Logan. Honestly, I don't pay much attention to her. I can't take my eyes off Scott until the moment he gives the redhead a heated kiss, and I don't know where to look. I look at you and realize that you're still watching the scene, with a silly smile on your lips. Maybe thinking about how her kiss would be, who knows? They grab a tray with food and leave, smiling and floating, as if there was nothing around them. At that moment, I realized how idiotic my crush was! I had nothing in common with the redhead, neither height, nor beauty, nor telepathy/telekinesis, and certainly not green eyes and an aura of power... I felt like a walking trash, and with a heavy countenance, I left my sandwich on the table and asked you where Hank usually stayed. Your answer was that it was too early for most people in the mansion, you asked if I wasn't interested in watching the sunrise from the hill, and with a depressive spirit, I followed your footsteps, more out of automatism than willingness. The view from there was comforting, almost made me change my feeling by three hundred and sixty degrees; seeing the reverence with which you, despite being so ancient, watched that sunrise made me ask you why, and the answer silenced all my perceptions about you... You said that none of them was ever the same and that it was to maintain that inconsistency and beauty that you chose the X-Men, because just as no day is the same as another, no life is less important than another, you told me that we're all in this world for a reason, and when we find out what it is, nothing else matters.

- Yeah... And that I had found my reason by meeting Charles and his philosophy. Many think that I'm only here to see Jean every day, well, a small part is for that. You know how it is when we see the source of our desire, but hovering over that is the certainty that I can be useful to others who will never know me or thank me for it, Kurt talks a lot about it when he preaches about Jesus. That he always asked us to do without expecting anything in return and nowhere else did I have this opportunity so daily. We protect a world that fears and hates us,

- I nod affirmatively and resume narrating:

"After that, I spent the morning and part of the afternoon with Hank, reviewing our calculations and trying to understand his reasoning on others. We exchanged many healthy impressions, and I'm sure I have a friend here." Logan looks at me provocatively and shows all the fingers of both hands. I can't help but smile.

"Although consciously not wanting to think about Scott anymore, whenever he showed up to inquire about our progress on the calculations, my little heart fluttered. I had spent years watching him on TV and idealizing, so it would be difficult to quickly end this feeling. But now I didn't freeze anymore, I was able to be present during discussions and to assert my thoughts. We had lunch, and an hour later we were sure of our calculations revised so many times. We notified the Professor who assembled the teams, along with Scott. There would be three ships, as the energy required for the pulse was enormous and the combination would be the solution.

"Seeing you in your brown uniform was impressive. You were without the hood when you came to talk to me, and as soon as you put it on, your demeanor changed, as if you had turned a key labeled 'mission'. It was possible to see your focus through your eyes. The genuine concern to keep that Sun shining for as long as possible, for future generations. I was so proud to be a part of that, actually, to have been the catalyst for this mission. And, I believe, that pride made me a little blind, I don't know... What I do know is, half an hour after the three ships took off and the school was only with the students and Professor X, I passed by the laboratory where Hank and I spent the morning and it didn't take me long to look at the calculations and see an error! A small but significant error!... I panicked! I questioned whether I had sent the X-Men on a suicide mission! But as I'm not one for self-pity, I called Charles telepathically and explained what had happened. I asked if they could abort the mission and when contacting Cyclops, he thought it was better to proceed with the plan, because even if it didn't work entirely, they would still have a chance to fight. I found that attitude childish! But I had no voice to oppose... According to my new, and correct, calculations, one-sixth of an energy cycle would be needed to close the portal, and without this amount, something would be able to pass through. At this point, Scott was right, the energy wouldn't be destructive enough to end our Sun, but, as I had previously suggested, it could put a 'target' on our backs.

"In short, because this is on social media, if you want to see, an extraterrestrial fleet crossed over to our side and indeed, as I had predicted, it was hostile. The Avengers went to help, and for the first time, Earth saw humans, mutants, and a Norse god fighting side by side, but the more I watched the TV coverage, the more I saw the impossibility of defeating these guys! I kept analyzing what their weak point could be, and after some time, a helicopter managed to get an image of the main ship, with a very unusual energy sphere, and, as I was told, capable of emitting energy to the creatures' armors. It would be necessary to create a short circuit on that main ship for the superheroes to have any chance. And it was thinking about that, that without thinking, I got very close to the action, as we've discussed before, I don't know how to delegate tasks, and since I didn't have dialogue with Mr. Stark, I seized a lull in the battle and made eye contact with Natasha, explaining my plan to her and asking her to show Iron Man where he should hit that farther ship with all his energy. I knew he wouldn't question an analysis from the Black Widow. I found shelter and prayed. Thinking about how stupid I was for not asking the planet's greatest telepath to explain all this directly to Tony... But it was too late, I was there, witnessing one of the most epic battles of our world and wishing I could never calculate anything of that magnitude again. I saw when Natasha pointed to the ship and pressed the communicator in her ear tighter. The Avengers created a distraction for Tony to fly in that direction without being bothered, and after a few minutes, a flash followed by a deafening sound was all that remained. I felt the debris fall on my legs and the pain of crushed bones was so great that I blacked out. When I opened my eyes again, I saw Hulk almost removing a piece of granite from my feet, but then I heard his shout telling him not to do that, or my condition could be much worse, that rock was mechanically stopping my blood flow. I blacked out again. I woke up levitating, with the piece of building still attached to me, and I realized Jean was by my side, with a grateful smile and compassionate eyes. That was her, aware of her powers and making use of them. I felt small, but not humiliated, and I saw how much these beings can really be confused with gods, as Professor had explained in the class I attended. From then on, I can't narrate anymore, because I blacked out."

"And do you want me to do that, kitten?" I nodded affirmatively, blushing a little. I had never been called a kitten before, and seeing those blue eyes having something resembling compassion for me made me think some of his actions were the most annoying reverse psychology possible! Did he do everything he did because he really cared about me?