Marvel: From the Void and Back Again
Chapter 31: New Legacy's and The Phoenix's Arrival
…
The waiting area outside the medical bay was filled with tense anticipation. Logan, Daken, Laura, Nightcrawler, Pixie, Vision, Cap, and several others sat in silent vigil, waiting for any news. Occasionally, they could hear Madelyne Pryor scream out in pain as she pushed, each cry echoing through the halls and tightening the knot of anxiety in their chests.
Logan paced the floor, his usual stoic demeanor strained by the tension. Daken leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a rare look of concern on his face. Laura sat quietly, her eyes fixed on the door, every muscle in her body taut with worry.
Nightcrawler and Pixie whispered softly to each other, trying to offer mutual comfort, their friendship a small beacon of light in the heavy atmosphere. Vision stood by the window; his gaze distant as he processed the events unfolding inside.
Captain America, ever the leader, tried to maintain a calm presence for the others. He occasionally glanced at his watch, the minutes dragging on painfully.
Cable was the most nervous, his foot tapping incessantly on the floor. Seeing his mother in pain and knowing the risks involved made his heart race with fear and anticipation.
Two hours passed, each moment feeling like an eternity. The sounds of Madelyne's labor seemed endless, each scream a reminder of the stakes and the fragility of life.
Finally, the door to the medical bay opened, and Jean-Grey stepped out, her face radiant with a mix of exhaustion and joy. She smiled warmly at the gathered group, the tension in the room easing slightly.
"It's over," she said softly, her voice filled with relief. "Madelyne and the babies are fine. You can come in and see them now."
A collective sigh of relief swept through the room. Cable was the first to move, practically sprinting through the door to his mother's side. The others followed shortly behind.
Inside the medical bay, Madelyne lay on the bed, looking exhausted but blissfully happy. In her arms, she held two tiny, swaddled infants. Peter-Knull stood by her side, his expression one of pure joy as his children were in their mothers' arms.
Cable approached slowly; his eyes filled with emotion as he stared at his younger siblings. "Mom…" he whispered.
Madelyne looked up, her eyes shining with love. "Nathan," she said softly, holding her children up slightly so he could see them better. "Meet your siblings, Lucian and Selene."
Cable gently touched the babies' heads, his heart swelling with a mix of love and protectiveness. "They're beautiful," he whispered, as he felt their smooth heads.
The rest of the team gathered around, their faces alight with happiness and relief. Logan turned to Peter-Knull, "You did good, kid," he said gruffly.
Just then, Lucian stirred in his swaddle as he looked around with curious eyes, but it was Selene, the daughter, who caught everyone's attention. Her eyes opened wide, and she looked around with a curiosity that seemed almost too aware for a newborn. Laura, Daken, and Spider-Gwen, who had arrived during the past two hours after receiving word of the situation, noticed it immediately.
"Is it just me, or does she seem... too aware?" Laura whispered, raising an eyebrow as she watched Selene's intelligent gaze.
Daken nodded, his eyes widened slowly in shock. "Yeah, she's looking directly at Nathan... almost like she understands who he is."
Spider-Gwen tilted her head, fascinated. "There's definitely something unusual about her."
Peter-Knull gently offered Selene to Cable. "Would you like to hold her?"
Cable hesitated for a moment, then nodded, carefully taking Selene into his arms. As he cradled her, she stared up at him with those wide, curious eyes, and what happened next made everyone gawk in shock.
"Bwather...?" Selene's tiny voice piped up, clear and unmistakable.
The room went eerily silent, every pair of eyes locked onto the newborn who had just spoken. Daken's eyes were the size of dinner plates. "Did... did the newborn baby just speak?" he asked, his voice a mix utter shock and disbelief.
Jean-Grey stepped closer, her telepathic senses reaching out gently. "This is extraordinary," she murmured. "I've never encountered a newborn with such awareness, let alone the ability to speak."
Peter-Knull looked at Selene with a little bit of shock, but not as much as the others as he could only say, "Wow… that's unusual?"
The room remained in stunned silence, everyone trying to process what they had just witnessed.
Tony Stark was the first to break the silence, his own eyes feeling like dinner plates. "Okay, I know we've seen some weird stuff, but this... this takes the cake."
Wanda Maximoff's mouth was slightly agape. "This is beyond extraordinary. I mean, we've dealt with some bizarre stuff, but a newborn speaking mere moments after being born? That's... incredible."
Captain Marvel blinked a few times, trying to make sense of it. "We're talking about a baby that's only a few minutes old, right? And she's already... aware?"
Vision, ever the analyst, looked deeply intrigued. "This level of cognitive development is unprecedented. It suggests an extraordinary level of intelligence and awareness from birth."
Laura's eyes were wide as she processed all of this. "It's almost like she's been observing us even before she was born."
Daken shook his head, still trying to wrap his mind around it. "I've seen some wild things, but this? I don't even know where to start."
Spider-Gwen continued to gawk at Selene, her eyes filled with a mix of lingering shock and fascination. "This kid is going to be a handful. I mean, who knows what kind of abilities she might have not to mention her brother?"
Cap looked at Peter-Knull, his expression one of curiosity. "Peter, have you ever encountered anything like this with your symbiotes before?"
Peter-Knull shrugged slowly. "No, this is new territory even for me since I haven't really had kids before outside of my symbiotic creations, which I created out of my own symbiotic blood, and Lucian and Selene are part human mutant. My children seem to have inherited abilities that go beyond anything I've seen."
Madelyn, still holding Lucian, looked over at Selene with a mixture of pride and astonishment. "They're special, aren't they?
Logan, still somewhat in shock, let out a low chuckle. "Well, looks like we've got our hands full with these two. Never a dull moment with this crew."
…
A few hours later…
The team gathered in a briefing room to inform Nick Fury of the astonishing situation they found themselves in. Peter-Knull, Madelyne, and their extraordinary children, Lucian and Selene, had settled into their quarters, where the infants were now playing with symbiote toys gifted by Toon-Shade and other allies during a baby shower months ago.
Fury listened intently as Captain America and the others recounted the events. His expression remained serious, but the raised eyebrow betrayed his surprise. "So, let me get this straight," Fury said, his voice measured. "These kids are only a few hours old, and they're already talking? And recognizing people by name?"
"Yes, sir," Captain America confirmed. "They've been saying things like 'Bwather,' 'Mommy,' 'Daddy,' and even the names of Logan, Gwen, and others."
Logan leaned back in his chair, still processing the surreal nature of the situation. "The boy, Lucian, he's already reading a children's book out loud," he added, shaking his head in disbelief.
Nick Fury rubbed his temples, processing the information. "This changes a lot of things," he said. "We need to figure out the extent of their abilities and how to ensure their safety—and ours in the coming days."
Jean-Grey nodded. "I've never encountered anything like this. Their cognitive abilities are far beyond what we've seen in any other beings, including mutants and enhanced individuals."
Spider-Gwen, sitting nearby, added, "It's not just about their intelligence. There's something special about their awareness. It's like they're... tuned into everything around them in a way that's almost supernatural."
Madelyne, holding Lucian, glanced over at Selene, who was giggling as she played with a symbiote toy. "They are special," she said softly. "We need to protect them and nurture their abilities, whatever they may be."
Fury leaned forward in his chair on the other end. "We're going to need to monitor them closely. Tony, Reed, and the rest of our science team will need to run tests. We have to understand what we're dealing with here."
Peter-Knull, standing beside Madelyne, thought about that for a moment, "I don't see anything wrong with that? As long as their comfortable?"
Tony Stark, who had been quiet until now, spoke up next. "We'll set up a dedicated lab and observation area. We need to keep an eye on their development and make sure we're prepared for any surprises."
Logan chuckled again, a touch of admiration in his voice. "Surprises? With these kids, I think we can expect a lot of those."
Jean-Grey looked thoughtful. "I'll use my telepathy to help monitor their mental and emotional states. We need to ensure they're not overwhelmed by their own abilities."
Fury stood up, signaling the end of the briefing. "Alright, people. We have our work cut out for us. Let's get to it."
In the observation room, Lucian continued to read aloud from his children's book, his voice clear and confident. Selene, meanwhile, turned her attention to the group, her bright eyes scanning each face with that uncanny intelligence.
"Mommy, Daddy," she said again, her voice filled with the innocent warmth of a newborn. Then she looked directly at Logan. "Uncle, Logan?"
Logan's eyes widened slightly. "Well, I'll be damned, Uncle Logan, huh," he muttered, rolling that around as he thought about that in his head. "Uncle Logan…?"
…
Peter J. J. Jameson sat at his desk, sipping his coffee and going through the morning's paperwork with the help of his Grey-Sym symbiote. The routine hum of the office surrounded him, the sound of reporters typing away and phones ringing filling the air. Everything was business as usual until Grey-Sym, while sifting through a stack of files, casually mentioned, "Peter-Knull's and Madelyne's twins were born a little bit earlier today."
Jameson raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Well, that's interesting enough, it's only been just over four or five months, right?" he muttered, taking another sip of his coffee. But it was what Grey-Sym said next that made him sputter and nearly spill his drink.
"And the children are already talking. Reading children's books and playing with their toys... within ten to twenty minutes after being born though they started saying words almost immediately after their birth."
The reaction in the office was immediate. Conversations halted, and heads turned in Jameson's direction, incredulous disbelief and shock was written on everyone's faces. Jameson himself coughed, trying to catch his breath as he stared at the symbiote.
"What did you just say?" Jameson asked, his voice a mix of incredulity and curiosity.
Grey-Sym repeated, "The twins are talking and reading children's books. They're playing with toys, showing remarkable cognitive abilities just minutes after birth."
The office buzzed with murmurs of astonishment and curiosity. Reporters leaned in closer, eager to catch every word. Betty Brant, sitting nearby, shook her head in disbelief. "That's impossible," she whispered, her eyes wide. "Newborns can't do that!"
Jameson set his coffee down, his mind racing. "This is... this is unbelievable," he stammered. "Get me everything we can gather on this! I want to know how this is even possible."
Robbie Robertson, the city editor, stood up from his desk and walked over. "Sir, if this is true, it's going to be one of the biggest stories we've ever covered. We need to verify this information and get an exclusive."
Jameson nodded; his usual gruff demeanor tempered by the shock of the news. "Absolutely. We need confirmation and details. Get in touch with our contacts at the Avengers Tower. We need to get to the bottom of this."
Grey-Sym, still calmly sorting through files, added, "I'll send a mental signal to Peter-Knull to prepare for your arrival, and for any interviews."
The room was a flurry of activity as reporters and staff scrambled to follow Jameson's orders. Phones were picked up, and contacts were called, each person eager to uncover the truth behind the extraordinary birth.
He looked at Grey-Sym, his eyes still bearing that shocking look in them. "Let's make sure we're the first to get the full scoop on this. We need to document everything. Something tells me that our world is about to get crazier…"
…
A few hours later…
At Avengers Tower, there was quite a commotion outside. Reporters and journalists were flooding the area, eager to get a scoop on the astonishing news. The scene was chaotic, with cameras flashing and microphones thrust forward as everyone clamored for information.
Captain America, Tony Stark, She-Hulk, and Nathan Summers stood at the entrance, trying to address the barrage of questions being thrown their way.
"Is it true that the babies were speaking minutes after being born?" a reporter shouted.
"Yes, it's true," Tony Stark confirmed, his voice carrying over the noise. "They've shown remarkable cognitive abilities right from the start."
Another journalist waved her notebook frantically. "Mr. Stark, do you have any theories on why this is happening?"
Tony shook his head slightly. "We're still investigating. The twins are unlike anything we've ever seen, even among enhanced individuals and mutants. We're conducting tests to understand their abilities better."
Captain America, standing beside Tony, was bombarded with a question from an eager reporter. "Captain, can you confirm if the children's anatomy is entirely different from that of regular humans?"
Cap rubbed his temples; the weight of the situation was clear on his face. "That's where it gets weird, it's almost like they have ever shifting organs and amorphous insides and blood..." he began, pausing for a moment before continuing. "As for the simple answer... the answer can be narrowed down a little bit. Their anatomy on the inside is all... symbiote, like their father's anatomy and their mothers blood."
The revelation sent the crowd into a frenzy. Reporters frantically took notes, their pens flying across notepads as they tried to capture every detail.
"Captain Rogers, what does this mean for their development and health?" another journalist asked.
"We're closely monitoring their development," Cap replied. "We have our best scientists and medical experts working to ensure the children's health and well-being."
She-Hulk stepped forward, "We understand that this is unprecedented, but the twins are under the best care possible. We'll keep the public informed as we learn more."
Nathan Summers cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the reporters and journalists, including Jameson's. The crowd quieted slightly, eager to hear what he had to say.
"We understand you'll want interviews," Nathan began, his voice steady. "So, we'll let in three journalists and their assistants to see the children. Just bear in mind, they are already playing with Rubik's cubes... so don't be surprised if you see four solved Rubik's cubes in their play area."
The revelation sent a wave of astonishment through the crowd, causing jaws to drop and eyes to widen to the size of dinner plates. The reporters exchanged incredulous glances, obviously in shock at that statement.
After allowing the crowd a moment to absorb the information, Nathan continued, "We want to ensure that this is done in an orderly manner, so we've chosen the first three pairs. Peter J. J. Jameson and his assistant, Grey-Sym, will be the first pair, along with two other pairs of journalists."
Jameson, recovering from his early shock, nodded and quickly gathered his things, a look of determination on his face. The other chosen journalists and their assistants followed suit, their pens and notepads at the ready.
As they were led into the building, the chosen journalists followed Nathan Quietly through the halls of avengers' tower, till they eventually arrived in the play area.
Lucian and Selene were sitting contently, playing with Rubik's cubes, their tiny hands moving with a dexterity and speed that belied their age. Four Rubik's cubes lay on the floor, perfectly solved.
Jameson and the other journalists exchanged looks of amazement. "Unbelievable," Jameson muttered under his breath.
The other journalists began taking notes furiously, their eyes wide with disbelief as they watched the infants interact with their toys. Lucian glanced up from his Rubik's cube and smiled at the newcomers, his bright eyes full of curiosity.
"…Hello…." he said cheerfully, causing another wave of shock to ripple through the group.
Selene looked up as well, her eyes twinkling with intelligence. "Cubes, fun…," she added a moment later.
The journalists struggled to keep their composure, scribbling notes and capturing every detail of the scene. Nathan, standing nearby, observed with a mix of pride and vigilance, ready to step in if needed.
Jameson, regaining his professional demeanor, cleared his throat and approached cautiously. "Lucian, Selene," he began, "how do you like your toys?"
Lucian beamed, holding up his Rubik's cube. "They're fun!"
Selene held up her Rubiks cube next, "Yes, fun!
Jameson could only continue to stare in disbelief. He took a deep breath, trying to maintain his professional demeanor despite the surreal situation unfolding before him. "Less than a day old," he muttered to himself, shaking his head slightly. "This is beyond anything I've ever seen."
The other journalists, equally stunned, continued scribbling furiously in their notepads, their eyes darting between the twins and each other. The realization of what they were witnessing began to sink in: these newborns were displaying intelligence and abilities far beyond what anyone had ever seen before.
One journalist, wide-eyed and shaking his head, whispered to his colleague, "This is insane. I've covered mutants and enhanced beings, but this...?"
Another reporter, still trying to process the scene, said, "They're less than a day old, and they're already solving Rubik's cubes and talking. This is both surreal and downright bizarre."
Lucian, noticing the continued attention, looked up with a smile. "Why do you write so much?" he asked innocently, his bright red eyes filled with curiosity.
Jameson chuckled, unable to hide his amazement. "We're just trying to keep up with you, kid. You're something special."
Selene, holding up her completed Rubik's cube, added, "We like puzzles. They're fun!"
Nathan Summers, standing nearby, couldn't help but feel a swell of pride mixed with vigilance. He stepped forward, addressing the journalists. "As you can see, Lucian and Selene are extraordinary. We're still learning about their abilities, and we appreciate your understanding and respect as we navigate this unique situation."
The journalists nodded, still processing the incredible display of intelligence and awareness from the newborns. One of them, gathering her thoughts, asked, "Nathan, do you have any theories on why the twins are exhibiting such advanced abilities?"
Nathan looked over at Peter-Knull, who was watching nearby. Peter-Knull shrugged and stepped forward. "I've got a theory," he began, his tone thoughtful. "Since they're part symbiote, it's all about genetic memory. They've inherited some of mine and Madelyne's memories."
The journalists' pens paused mid-air as they absorbed this new information. Jameson's eyes widened. "Genetic memory? You're saying they have your memories and Madelyne's, right from birth?"
Peter-Knull nodded. "Exactly. Symbiotes have the unique ability to pass on memories and knowledge through their genetic material. It seems that Lucian and Selene have inherited this trait, giving them an advanced level of awareness and intelligence right from the start."
One of the journalists, still in disbelief, asked, "So, they already have knowledge and skills that would normally take years to develop?"
"Yes," Peter-Knull confirmed. "It's why they can talk, solve puzzles, and recognize people by name. Their cognitive abilities are far beyond what you'd expect from newborns because they're drawing on a wealth of inherited memories and experiences."
The journalists hurriedly took notes after recovering from that shocking revealation, trying to capture every detail.
Jameson, ever the reporter, leaned in closer. "Does this mean they have your abilities too? Could they potentially develop the same powers?"
Nathan, stepping in to help explain, added, "It's possible. We're still learning about their full range of abilities. Right now, we're focusing on ensuring they grow up healthy and supported."
Selene, who had been watching the conversation with her bright, intelligent eyes, suddenly spoke up. "Daddy and Mommy teach us good things," she said, her voice clear and confident. "We learn fast."
Lucian held up his solved Rubik's cube. "We want to be like them."
Jameson could only stare at the Rubik's cube being overwhelmed by this information… something tells him he needs to take a break after this, to let his brain process all of this after today.
…
Meanwhile, in deep space, a SHIELD-operated satellite/space station was conducting routine examinations of orbiting objects. The station's sensors scanned the vastness of space, picking up and cataloging any anomalies.
"Sector 4, report," the operator called out, his voice echoing through the control room.
"All clear, sir," came the reply from a nearby console. "Nothing out of the ordinary."
It was then that they received an alert.
Suddenly, an alert sounded, and the room's lights dimmed as a holographic display activated. "Sir, we're picking up a large energy signature approaching fast," one of the technicians reported, his voice tinged with urgency.
The screen zoomed in on a fiery object hurtling through space at incredible speed. The technicians zoomed in on the object as the image clarified, revealing a fiery phoenix with blazing wings.
"It's the Phoenix Force," the operator whispered, his eyes wide with fear.
The station's sensors zoomed in further, revealing a figure at the center of the fiery visage. "It's Hope Summers!" someone shouted.
"Contact Director Fury immediately!" the lead technician ordered, his voice rising in panic. "We need to alert the Avengers!"
The room was a frenzy of activity as technicians scrambled to send out distress signals and initiate emergency protocols. Alarms blared, and red lights flashed, casting an ominous glow over the room.
"We only have seconds to respond!" the lead technician yelled. "Initiate emergency protocols! Prepare for impact!"
Before they could react, Hope Summers, engulfed in the Phoenix Force, collided with the space station with devastating force. The station's reinforced structure crumpled under the impact, sending shockwaves through the entire facility. The fiery explosion lit up the control room monitors, showing the station breaking apart, debris scattering in all directions.
"Brace for impact!" the control room's automated voice warned as the pieces of the space station began to burn up upon reentry.
Hope Summers, surrounded by the fiery aura of the Phoenix, shot through the atmosphere, her descent leaving a blazing trail across the sky. The debris from the space station followed her, igniting like meteors as they entered Earth's atmosphere.
In the control room, technicians watched in horror as the live feed showed the destruction. "We've lost the station," one of them whispered, eyes wide with shock.
"Focus on the incoming threat!" the lead technician barked. "Track her trajectory. Where is she heading?"
"Calculating now," another technician replied, fingers flying over the keyboard. "She's heading straight for New York."
"Alert the Avengers now!" the lead technician ordered again. "They need to be ready for this."
Hope Summers descended rapidly, her fiery form illuminating the night sky. As she approached the Earth, her destination became clear: New York City, specifically the location of Peter-Knull. Her eyes burned with a fierce determination, the Phoenix Force amplifying her resolve.
"I'm coming for you!" she roared, her voice amplified by the Phoenix Force, echoing across the city as she descended towards Avengers Tower while it's inhabitants could only look upwards at the firey god that was descending upon them as the panic started setting in.
Among them was Kitty Pryde who was at the hospital doing volunteer work, who was staring out the window with the other hospital staff.
She didn't waste any time as she barked out orders with the hospital staff to get people and the patients to safety, even if a part of her knew it would most likely level half the seaboard if not the whole continent by the time they are done.
One thought flooded her mind as she imagined the battle that would follow should she actually encounter Peter-Knull.
"There's going to be fallout from this, and it's going to be bad..."
…
To Be Continued…