Authors Notes

Greetings, readers.

This story is going to focus on the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, including the shows and other media, but from the perspective of the protagonist, feel free to make any suggestions of the stuff you want to see in the story, and if it is reasonable, I will fit it into the story.

As a budding writer, your reviews are very important to me, so I will start responding to them in the Author Notes Section with this chapter.

Djangiti: — I'm glad you are enjoying the story; I hope you like what I have planned for the following chapters

Please feel free to leave a review, as it helps improve the story's quality.

CHAPTER FIVE

Plans

The next four days crawled by at an agonizingly slow pace, each moment dragging on as anticipation built. But finally, things started moving again.

Penny had some news for me.

"So, the warehouse I originally wanted from my father? Yeah, that's not happening, something about a high bidder at an auction," she said with a huff. But before I could ask, she smirked. "But Daddy did get me another one."

She was practically glowing with excitement as she revealed the location." It's in Hunts Point, in the Bronx."That caught my attention. Hunts Point? That area had some solid industrial spots.

After school, Penny insisted on taking me to see it. As she drove, her hands gripping the steering wheel with barely contained energy, she filled me in.

"The contractors Daddy hired started working on it yesterday. It was a pretty easy job—just needed some sprucing up, security upgrades, and moving in all our equipment. It's still in the boxes, though, so none of them know what it's actually for."

I nodded, impressed. "Damn, Penny, you and your dad really went all out."She giggled, clearly pleased with the compliment.

"Well, I doubt this came as a simple gift, knowing Daddy, he's probably hoping we create something he can invest in later," she admitted with a mischievous grin. "You know, make him more money. So, in his eyes, this is just another investment."

I chuckled. "Fair enough, I can respect that."We kept chatting as we navigated through Hunts Point, the scenery shifting from residential to industrial. After a few more turns, we pulled onto Tiffany Street, and there it was.

A massive brick warehouse sat on the waterfront, towering over its surroundings. It was impressive—sturdy, well-placed, and best of all, completely ours. It was perfect.

I couldn't help but stare, taking in every detail of the structure. Penny, grinning ear to ear, practically vibrated in her seat.

"Cool, right?" she said, practically bouncing. "I made such a fuss when my dad refused to give me the first warehouse—like, full-on drama queen mode—until he told me to check this one out. After seeing it? I had to go back and apologize."

She rolled her eyes and laughed. "He just laughed at me for being so dramatic, he was so smug, but it was so worth it."

I smirked. "Well, I would be too if I had scored this place too, I'm with your dad on this one."She nudged me playfully before I asked the inevitable question.

"So… how much did he splurge on this place?" I asked. Her smile turned a little shy, which immediately told me the number was going to be big.

"Eight million," she admitted. "He put the whole thing in my name. We're basically our own private company now." I let out a low whistle. "Damn. Penny, that's a lot, sometimes I wonder how you do it."

Penny chuckled.

"Well, it's either this, or have him buy me a yacht that I would constantly throw lavish parties on, I'm guessing he thinks he lucked out. Anyways, Daddy is paying the utility bills for the next 3 months, until we can make our own plans."

I nodded, appreciating that. "I respect that. He's already done so much for us. We should figure out a way to fund our operations. I have a few ideas I want to run past you, but first, we need to finish setting up. Did the contractors install anything yet?"

Penny nodded enthusiastically. "I showed them where to set up the automated assembly line. The rest? We have to do ourselves."

"Good," I said, relieved. "Can't have too many people knowing what we have, or what we're doing here."

She pulled up to the massive garage door, rolling down the window as a small panel lit up on the side of the car. Leaning slightly, she positioned her eye in front of the retinal scanner. A quiet beep followed, and with a mechanical hum, the garage door rolled open.

Penny grinned triumphantly and drove her Porsche inside.

The interior was massive.

A fully installed assembly line stretched across part of the space, while huge crates were stacked neatly in rows, their contents waiting to be unpacked. My eyes scanned the room, taking in every detail.

"Damn," I muttered under my breath. "You weren't kidding about going all out."

Penny beamed at the compliment. "Of course not. Now, security system check?"

I turned to her, curious. "How solid is it?"Penny's expression shifted into something more serious, business-like.

"The entry points have been reinforced—completely impenetrable unless someone has authorized access. The entire building is covered by a 360-degree hidden surveillance system connected to a security server, meaning we can access the footage from anywhere with internet, and the roof is reinforced to prevent unauthorized access from above."

She gestured toward the ceiling as she spoke.

"The whole place is wired with motion-activated tracking systems. When it's armed, even the slightest movement gets detected."

I nodded, impressed.

"And the locks?" I asked. "Biometric and retinal scanners, hidden from plain sight, which reminds me, I need to add you to the system." She replied.

I smirked. "Good. Anything else?"She grinned.

"Oh, yeah. The contractors also installed an offline server, completely disconnected from external networks. It's designed to run all our systems and store our projects securely. I made sure we got the best Stark Industries has to offer. It's state-of-the-art."

I let out an appreciative whistle. "Damn, Penny. You really don't do things halfway."

"Obviously." She flipped her hair dramatically before continuing. "Now, onto the rest of the equipment. We've got an industrial fabricator—still in the box. An automated welding machine that needs a person monitoring the digital controls. Tons of raw materials, including high-grade metals and other supplies."

As she spoke, she walked me through the massive crates, listing off each item she had acquired. The sheer scale of it all was overwhelming. Nearly half the warehouse was filled with boxes, machinery, and workstations.

"And the rest of the space?" I asked. Penny shot me a mischievous grin. "Oh, that? That's for your gym, and if we ever decide to expand, maybe turn this into an actual company that earns contracts."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Gym?"

"Yep! Figured you'd want your own space for training, maybe try lifting some heavy objects, some Tanks maybe?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "For now, I'll stick to the trains."

We made our way up to the first-floor office and bathroom, a surprisingly spacious area that overlooked the entire warehouse.

Penny glanced around, her mind already working on something.

"You know," she mused, "this would make a killer studio apartment. All it needs is some furniture and a little elbow grease."

I smirked.

"You already planning on moving in?"

She laughed, shrugging playfully.

"Maybe. You never know, especially those nights when we need to finish a crucial project."

The remainder of the afternoon was spent transforming the warehouse into a fully functional high-tech lab and workshop. Penny took charge of directing me, pointing out the specific locations we had marked for the various pieces of machinery. With her keen eye for detail and my ability to lift heavy equipment effortlessly, we worked in sync.

I soared overhead, gripping the massive machinery with precise control, carefully aligning each piece into its designated spot. The whir of my flight mixed with the clanking of metal and the occasional hum of activated systems. Penny, standing below with her tablet in hand, made sure everything was exactly where it needed to be.

As the last machine settled into place, I landed beside Penny, rolling my shoulders to shake off the tension. We stepped back to take in the sight before us. The transformation was astounding—what had once been an empty warehouse was now a sleek and advanced facility, filled with cutting-edge technology and equipment ready to be put to use.

"Finally," Penny exhaled, placing her hands on her hips, a satisfied smile stretching across her face. "I thought for sure we'd still be at this tomorrow. At least the heavy lifting is done. Now we can focus on the finer details—calibrating the machinery, running tests—but overall, we are good to go."

I nodded, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Yeah, this place looks incredible. We actually did it."

Penny grinned and flopped onto one of the makeshift seating arrangements we had set up earlier. "Well, we deserve a break. And food." She gestured toward the stack of pizza boxes she had ordered earlier.

We sat down, the exhaustion catching up to us as we enjoyed the greasy goodness. The silence between bites was comfortable, both of us just taking in what we had accomplished.

After finishing off a couple of slices, Penny wiped her hands on a napkin and turned to me. "So, what do you think we should make first?"

I leaned back, thinking for a moment. "How about a super suit? If anything pops up again, I can't go out in my hoodie again."

Penny let out a small chuckle, raising an eyebrow at me. "We could do that, sure. But with what we have right now, it won't be anything special. Just a durable outfit, it will be bulletproof, but nothing special or high-tech." She tapped her fingers against the table, considering the idea. "Unless you have some ideas of your own, you are the engineering genius after all."

I shook my head. "Thanks, nah, let's go with your idea for now, then we will focus on finding more high-grade materials in the future."

"Alright, brainiac," she teased, rolling her eyes.

I smirked before continuing. "But we should insulate the suit against electrical shocks. When I fought Whiplash in Monaco, the electricity from his whips hurt. Didn't burn me or anything, but it definitely packed a punch."

Penny blinked. "Whiplash? That what you're calling him now?" She smirked before nodding. "Interesting choice. And yeah, insulation is definitely a smart idea. Now, what about the colors?"

I thought for a moment before answering. "Black and grey, with orange accents. And I want an orange phoenix emblem on the chest—wings spread out wide."

Penny raised an eyebrow. "A phoenix, huh? Kind of on the nose, don't you think?"

I smiled slightly, my gaze distant for a moment. "Gotta have a calling card, Penny." In truth, it meant more than just a calling card, the phoenix represented immortality, resurrection, and life after death. I had been given a second chance in a new reality. And with my powers, I'll be pretty close to immortal, a god amongst men. The symbolism felt right to me.

She studied me for a moment, then gave a small nod. "Okay, fair enough." She pulled out her tablet and began inputting the design details. "And the mask? What are you thinking?"

I reached for the tablet, and she handed it over without hesitation. My fingers moved across the screen as I sketched, forming the rough outline of what I envisioned. The mask looked identical to the one Mark from the Invincible comics wore, just without the weird eye wear. It was crucial—not just for aesthetics but for anonymity. I had no intention of dealing with S.H.I.E.L.D. or HYDRA trying to recruit me. Worse, I didn't want them targeting my family to get to me.

Another thought crossed my mind, and I snorted. "This works, might add some tech in it as time goes on."

Penny peeked at my drawing as I handed the tablet back to her. She studied it for a moment before arching an eyebrow. "Alright… guess that works."

I smirked. "Come on, you know it looks badass."

She tilted her head side to side, feigning indecision. "Eh, it's okay, I guess. I was thinking more of a full-face cover. Maybe a helmet with a built-in heads-up display? Something with a little more functionality. But hey, you're the engineering genius here. I'm just the kid obsessed with chemistry and biology."

I chuckled at her playful rant. "Oh, please, don't sell yourself short. You know you're more than that, if anyone can give me a run for my money, its you."

She smiled, nudging me lightly. "Thanks, Jon."

A moment later, her expression turned more serious. "Actually, I've got another idea. You might not like it."

I leaned forward, intrigued. "Go on."

"Now that we're really committing to this… what if we graduate early?" She watched my reaction carefully. "I mean, when we get to University next year, then that frees us to fully focus on starting our tech business, my dad can smooth over any bureaucratic nonsense with the universities."

I frowned. The idea wasn't ridiculous. Truthfully, we could have both graduated years ago from high school and gone to university, but we had made a pact to live a normal teenage life for as long as we could. I guess, in her eyes, 'normal' was no longer an option.

I met her gaze. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

She nodded without hesitation. "The sooner we finish high school and university, the sooner we can fully focus on our new life."

I sighed, my features softening. "Penny… are you sure you want this life? It's not going to be like the comics. It's going to get really dangerous. We're going to change the world with our projects, and piss off some powerful people, and you could get hurt. I'll always protect you, but sometimes, luck runs out. Are you ready for that?"

She was quiet for a moment, truly considering my words. Then, a small smile tugged at her lips. "As long as I'm helping make the world a better place, then I'm with you. All the way. No matter what comes our way."

Before I could respond, she pulled me into a hug. I returned the gesture, appreciating the moment of unspoken solidarity.

She pulled back with a determined grin. "Alright, enough moping. Let's get the fabricator set up so we can start designing your suit."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Yeah, let's do this."

We walked over to the Fabricator, the soft hum of machinery filling the air around us. Penny brushed her fingers over the control panel, then turned to me with a raised eyebrow.

"Last chance to make any changes," she said, giving me one final opportunity to adjust the design.

I shook my head. "Nah, go ahead."

With a nod, she loaded the design into the Fabricator's computer. The machine whirred to life, scanning the blueprints and beginning the slow but precise work of bringing the suit to reality. A notification popped up on the screen.

"Estimated completion time: ten hours," Penny read aloud. She sighed and crossed her arms. "Well, guess we're gonna have to check on it tomorrow."

I agreed. It was already late into the night, and neither of us had told our parents where we were. We made sure to set the machine to auto shut down upon completion and double-checked the security system before heading out of our new hideout.

As we stepped outside, entering her car, Penny smirked at me. "Told you the studio apartment conversion was a good idea. It's looking more appealing now, isn't it?"

I chuckled, tilting my head. "You realize your idea only comes with one bed, right? That means either one of us was going to stay alone, or we share the bed."

I let the words hang in the air, watching her reaction. Her face turned bright red as she processed the implication, and she stammered, "Uh, yeah, hadn't thought of that... uh... hmm... so anyway, what other brilliant ideas do you want to work on after the suit?"

I noted the way she dodged the question and smirked to myself. Instead, I chuckled to ease the tension and said, "Well, we're gonna need money, and I've got a few ways I think could work for us."

She glanced at me while driving. "Please, do share your brilliant idea. Spare me the suspense."

I laughed. "Okay, so... there are a lot of new companies and startups that are up and coming. If we invest in a few, we could secure the finances to start working on bigger projects in the future, when we get a return on our investments, some of these could even give us a return in as little as a few months."

Penny considered this, nodding slowly. "That's a good idea. Daddy suggested the same thing. But which companies did you have in mind?"

"I'll send you the list later," I said. "Another option is to take money away from the criminal organizations we take down."

She frowned. "That's a good idea on paper—steal from the thieves—but in reality, it's not that viable. Most of the criminals in the city deal in hard cash, not offshore accounts. The ones who do have big money are the higher-ups, and they're well-insulated, due to their connection to politicians and other powerful people. If we go after them, they could use the system against us and have us arrested. To the public eye, they'd be in the right."

I grinned. "You're right. But if we expose them first—with enough evidence to bury them—and let the authorities arrest them, we can then get away with hacking their accounts afterward, no one would be the wiser."

She tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, thinking. "It's not a bad plan, but getting the evidence will be the hard part, any other plans."

"We'll figure something out, and if I think of more, ill message you," I assured her.

By the time we arrived home, I was exhausted. I stepped out of the car and waved. "See ya tomorrow, Penny."

"Bye, Jon," she said before driving off.

I entered the apartment complex and greeted Tyrone at the front desk before heading up. As soon as I opened the door, I called out, "Hey Mom, hey Dad, I'm back!"

Their voices answered from the living room, where they were sitting on the couch, watching the TV show Survivor. I plopped down next to them, feeling the warmth of home settle over me. We chatted about my day, and I told them about the warehouse and how we were almost done setting it up.

Dad was impressed. "Sounds like you've got something big going on," he said, his interest piqued. "I'd love to see the space sometime."

As we talked, my mind drifted to the larger picture—the immense task ahead of me. Making sure this world, and eventually this universe, was safe. It was overwhelming. I couldn't do it alone.

I need help, I needed allies.

A thought then struck me like lightning. Why not tell my parents and Penny what was in store for the future? Gain their wisdom and expertise? But how would I tell them? If I admitted that I was from another universe, that I had died and been granted a second chance here, it wouldn't end well for me. Mom would probably order a CT scan and send me straight to a psychiatrist, and have me checked in a mental asylum.

Then, an idea—a crazy one, but crazy is kinda my thing, isn't it? What if I made it part of my powers? A once-off event, that granted me visions of the future, flashing through my mind as my abilities awakened. It sounded insane, but then again, I could lift trains, dodge and shrug off bullets, and fly faster than Mach 1. One more crazy power wouldn't be that much of a stretch.

I nodded to myself, steeling my resolve.

"Mom, Dad, I need to tell you something," I said, my voice serious.

My parents smiled warmly at me, their eyes filled with curiosity, but their expressions quickly shifted when they noticed how serious I looked. The weight of what I was about to say must have shown on my face, because my father immediately grabbed the remote and turned off the TV. The sound of the Survivor theme cut out abruptly, leaving only the hum of the ceiling fan and the distant noise of traffic outside. He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, his eyes studying me with concern.

"What's up, champ?" he asked, his voice calm but firm. "Something wrong with Penny or your new hideout?"

I shook my head, but before I could speak, my mother gasped softly, a knowing smile spreading across her face.

"I knew it," she said, clasping her hands together. "You got Penny pregnant, didn't you?"

My brain short-circuited.

"What?" I blurted, frowning in sheer disbelief.

"You two have been sneaky of late," she continued, smirking. "You've even got your own place now. What am I supposed to think?"

"Mom, no! What the—Penny and I are just friends!" I said, throwing my hands up. "The warehouse is for research, not… whatever you're thinking!"

Mom just chuckled, exchanging a look with Dad.

"Sure, sure," she said, clearly enjoying herself. "You forget, your father and I were your age once."

I groaned, rubbing my forehead. "That's not even close to what I wanted to talk about."

Their smiles faded slightly, and they exchanged another glance—this time, one of shared concern. My father's brow furrowed as he leaned back.

"Then what is it?" he asked, voice steady.

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. This was it. The moment of truth.

"I… didn't tell you everything about my powers," I began carefully. "I mentioned the strength, speed, flight—but I left out one other ability."

Mom and Dad exchanged a look of alarm.

"Okay, what ability?" Dad asked cautiously.

I swallowed hard. "so, I see things. Visions of the future."

Silence.

Then, at the same time, they burst out laughing.

"Oh, that's a good one, Jon," Dad said between chuckles, shaking his head. "Had me going for a second."

I didn't say a word. I just let them process it.

After a few moments, the laughter died down, and their expressions gradually shifted from amusement to unease. My father was the first to fully grasp that I wasn't joking.

"Wait… you're serious?" His voice was quieter now, more measured.

I nodded. "Yeah I am. When my powers first awakened, I saw flashes of things that hadn't happened yet. At first, I didn't know what to make of it, but then Monaco happened… and everything lined up perfectly with what I saw."

Mom's face paled. Dad sat back, rubbing his chin.

"Is this some kind of joke, Jon?" he asked, his tone edged with tension. "Because if it is, it's not funny."

I exhaled sharply. "No, it's not, Dad, but I expected that reaction. If you don't believe me, then let me prove it. In a few days, Ivan Vanko—the guy who attacked in Monaco—is going to strike again. He's going to hijack Justin Hammer's drones at the Stark Expo and use them to attack the people there. Then, he's going to try to kill Tony Stark. People are going to die."

The color drained from Mom's face. Dad's eyes widened in disbelief.

"That's impossible," he said, shaking his head. "Ivan Vanko is dead. He died in prison—there was an explosion, I read the brief a few days ago at work."

I let out a humorless chuckle. "No, Dad. Hammer faked the whole thing. He broke Vanko out so he could build him military drones."

Dad swore under his breath, running a hand down his face. I could tell he wanted to dismiss it, to rationalize it away—but something in his gut told him I wasn't lying. I saw it in his eyes.

They exchanged another look, this time filled with something different. Not doubt. Not amusement. Determination.

"Wait here," Dad said suddenly, standing up and heading toward the other room.

I blinked, confused. "Uh… okay?"

He returned seconds later with a notebook and a pen, flipping it open as he sat back down. His face was set, his jaw tight.

"Start from the beginning," he said firmly. "Tell me everything you saw."

I stared at him in shock. "Wait—you believe me?"

Mom nodded; her expression softer than his but just as serious. "Of course we do, sweetheart. Why would we doubt you?"

Dad nodded. "You've never lied to us before. And now, looking back… it all makes sense. The way you reacted after Monaco, the guilt you carried—it wasn't just about losing people. It was about knowing it was going to happen and not being able to stop it, wasn't it?"

I let out a slow breath, relief washing over me. "Yeah," I admitted. "That's exactly what it was."

"Then let's hear it," Dad said, tapping his pen against the notebook. "What else is coming? If we can help you stop people from dying, we will."

I hesitated for only a second before launching into it. I started with the Stark Expo attack and worked my way forward—every major event I knew about. The Hulk's battle on the university campus. The fight between Hulk and Abomination in Harlem. The arrival of Thor and the destruction caused by the Destroyer. Every detail I could remember, I laid it all out for them.

By the time I reached the first Avengers movie, Dad looked like he was about to pass out. But then I got to the events of the Winter Soldier.

I took a deep breath. "And there's something else," I said, looking him straight in the eye. "HYDRA never died. They've been inside SHIELD this whole time."

Dad inhaled sharply. "Wait, what?"

"Yeah, all those HYDRA personnel SHIELD absorbed after WW2; they slowly corrupted the ranks of SHIELD. Oh, and Bucky Barnes?" I continued. "He's alive. He's been brainwashed and turned into a super soldier known as the Winter Soldier."

Dad looked like he'd been punched in the gut. His hands tightened around the notebook. His face darkened.

"Are you telling me SHIELD is compromised?" he asked, his voice dangerously quiet.

I nodded. "Yeah. And not just a little. They're everywhere."

Dad swore, slamming the notebook shut. He took a deep breath, rubbing his face with both hands before looking up at me with an expression I had never seen before—pure, undiluted anger.

"Of all the bad things I've imagined about SHIELD," he muttered, his voice trembling with fury, "this is the worst. I don't know who the hell I can trust anymore, we have to fix this."

I had expected disbelief. I had expected arguments. But what I saw in my father's eyes now wasn't doubt. It wasn't fear.

It was resolve.

And I knew, in that moment, that I had just gained my parents as my first real allies.

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair before looking my father straight in the eye.

"I can give you a few names," I said. "The people I saw that i know are clean."

Dad studied me for a moment, his fingers tapping against the notebook in his lap. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes carried the weight of a thousand unspoken questions.

"All from these visions of yours?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with skepticism.

I nodded, meeting his gaze without hesitation.

He let out a slow breath, then finally said, "Fine. But finish going through the future threats first."

I nodded in return, bracing myself to continue, but before I could speak, Mom's voice cut through the tense silence.

"Wait, Is your boss, Director Fury clean?" she asked.

I turned to her so fast I almost gave myself whiplash.

Wait, what?

My stomach twisted, my brain struggling to process what I'd just heard. My mother… just casually dropped Nick Fury's name?

I turned to fully face her, my heart hammering. "You know Dad's boss?"

She nodded, looking strangely tense, her posture suddenly too stiff, too rigid.

I narrowed my eyes. "Mom, how do you know Nick Fury? You're a surgeon."

Mom's lips parted, but no words came out at first. Her fingers clutched the fabric of her pants as if grounding herself. "That's… a story for another time," she finally said, her voice quieter now, almost reluctant.

A story for another time?

I opened my mouth to demand an explanation, but before I could get the words out, Dad shot me a look—one that clearly said, Not now.

Reluctantly, I swallowed down my questions and refocused. "Fine," I muttered, rubbing my temples. "Back to the visions, then."

I launched into it again, detailing the events of rise of Ultron, the fall of Sokovia, and the eventual signing of the Sokovia Accords. I walked them through how that one event led to Civil War, how it fractured the Avengers, and how the man responsible for it all—Zemo—had disguised himself as Bucky Barnes, planting a bomb at a political summit.

When I got to the part where King T'Chaka was killed in the explosion, Mom gasped, her hands flying up to cover her mouth.

"King T'Chaka dies?" she whispered in horror, her voice trembling. "Bast save us…"

My breath hitched.

My whole body tensed. Bast save us?

The words echoed in my head like a gunshot. That wasn't some throwaway phrase. That was something the Wakandans used to say in the movies.

And she said it so naturally. Like it was second nature. Like it meant something to her.

Slowly, I turned my full attention to her, my stomach twisting into knots. "Mom… how do you know the Wakandan king on a first name basis?"

Her mouth opened slightly, but no words came.

She looked scared. "I—I can't—" she stammered, but Dad reached out, placing a firm but gentle hand on her arm.

"He has to know, Rose," Dad said, his voice filled with quiet resolve. "It's time he knew everything."

Mom swallowed hard, her fingers trembling slightly before she clenched them into fists. She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as she looked up at me with something I couldn't quite place—fear? Regret? Sadness?

"Jon," she said softly. "There are things I never told you. About your heritage. About where we're from."

My breath caught in my throat.

Heritage? Where we're from? A cold chill ran down my spine as the pieces of a puzzle I didn't even know existed suddenly started clicking into place.

Nick Fury. T'Chaka. Bast.

I shot up from my seat so fast the chair nearly toppled over. My hands clenched at my sides, my mind racing, my heart pounding against my ribcage.

"No…" I took a shaky step forward, staring at them, barely able to get the words out.

"No, no, no… You—you're Wakandan, aren't you?"

Mom nodded solemnly; her gaze distant as if she were staring into the past. Then she spoke, her voice soft yet steady.

"Long before you were born, I accepted a War Dog assignment in America. My mission was to study Western medical practices and report my findings back to Wakanda. I was eighteen when I enrolled at Harvard Medical School."

I blinked, still trying to process everything she was saying.

She continued, a faint hint of pride in her voice, "I graduated summa cum laude and then entered my residency at my current hospital. It was during my third year there that I met your father."

I glanced at Dad, who gave a small smile at the memory.

"He had brought in a friend," Mom explained, "who had managed to injure himself during a golf game."

Dad chuckled. "Idiot tried to show off his swing and ended up with a golf club to the ribs."

I snorted despite myself, but Mom's expression remained serious.

"That was the day we met," she said softly. "We fell in love. And soon after… I became pregnant with Lora."

Dad reached for her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Mom's eyes shone as she said, "When she was born, I was so overwhelmed with joy that I contacted my father, Korabo—an elder of the Border Tribe. I wanted him to know about his granddaughter, about the life I had built here."

She paused, her expression darkening. "I even sent him pictures. One of Lora… and one of Derick."

The warmth in her voice disappeared, replaced by something cold and raw.

"His response was instant," she whispered. "He shouted at me. Seething with anger. He called me a disgrace—a whore who had given herself to an outsider. A Colonizer." Her voice wavered, but she pushed forward. "He told me I had brought shame to my family. To our tribe."

I clenched my fists, my heart pounding in my chest.

Mom sniffed, and Dad immediately moved closer, wrapping an arm around her, pulling her into his warmth. She leaned against him for a moment before straightening up, her expression unreadable.

"And as my father raged through the hologram," she continued, "my sister was there. Listening. She didn't defend me. She didn't stand up for me. Instead… she took his side."

Her breath hitched slightly, and I felt my stomach twist.

"After that, my father exiled me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Told me to never return to Wakanda. That I was no longer welcome in my tribe, and my homeland."

I sank into my chair, trying to process the sheer weight of what she had just revealed. I wanted to say something—anything—but what the hell could I say? This was a lot to take in.

After a few seconds of silence, I finally managed, "I'm sorry… for overreacting, I didn't know."

Mom gave a small, sad smile and waved a hand dismissively. "It's fine, Jon, it's not your fault."

I swallowed and hesitated before asking, "Wait, so if you are Wakandan, then Rosalie isn't your real name, is it? What's your Wakandan name?" I shifted in my seat. "And your sister's name?"

She took a deep breath before switching to Wakandan. "NdinguAmahle, intombi kaKorabo, udade ka-Okoye."

I blinked. "Yeah, uh… that totally went over my head."

She chuckled at my expression and translated, "I am Amahle, daughter of Korabo, sister of Okoye."

I raised an eyebrow. "Amahle… cool name."

But then the last part hit me like a punch to the gut.

My eyes widened. I shot forward, raising my hands. "Wait, wait, WAIT. General Okoye is your sister?!"

Mom's eyes widened slightly. "Okoye is a general now?"

I nodded, watching as she brought a hand to her mouth and let out a soft chuckle.

"Huh, of course, she is," she murmured. "She was training to join the Dora long before I left, and she was always a high achiever."

I shook my head in disbelief. "Wow, so we're basically exiles. Damn… Wakandans really love doing that, don't they?"

Mom's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

I tilted my head. "You're not aware of anyone else being exiled?"

She shook her head.

I exhaled and leaned forward. "Okay. So, you don't know about Prince N'Jobu, the King's brother?"

She nodded. "Yes. I remember hearing that he fled to america after he helped Klaue smuggle vibranium out of Wakanda."

I shook my head, feeling a strange sense of dread creeping in. "That's not what happened."

Mom frowned. "What do you mean?"

I hesitated for a second before deciding to just say it.

"King T'Chaka killed his own brother after finding out about the crime he had committed," I said. "And left him there. The thing is—he knew N'Jobu had a son… and he left him there too. Alone, to grow up without parents, knowing what he was."

Mom gasped, her hand flying to her chest. "The King… he did that? To a child of Wakanda, hes own blood?"

I nodded solemnly.

She swallowed hard, then whispered, "And the boy? The young prince? Do your visions say what happened to him?"

I exhaled, my jaw tightening. "Yeah… He had a hard life growing up, hes hatred for Wakanda cannot be cured, he joined the navy, after MIT, and become a Navy SEAL. There he became one of the best, a really talented killer. Earned the nickname Killmonger."

The second that name left my lips; Dad stiffened.

His eyes widened before he muttered, "What the hell…" He turned to me sharply. "Killmonger? As in First Lieutenant Erik Stevens? He's a Wakandan?"

Now that threw me off.

I looked at him in confusion. "Wait, how do you kno—" And then it clicked. "Ohhh… Navy SEALs."

Dad nodded grimly. "I trained him. Kid was talented. Last I checked, he had joined a JSOC unit. You're telling me that that kid is a Wakandan prince?"

I nodded.

A sudden thought hit me. Without thinking, I pulled back my lip, checking for any kind of War Dog tattoo.

Mom raised an eyebrow at my antics. "Jon, what are you doing?"

I looked at her sheepishly. "I'm looking for a war dog tattoo."

She smirked. "Why would you have one? Only war dogs get them in Wakanda when they are deployed."

I fake pouted. "No fair. Erik has one."

She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. "Wait, really? Maybe his father gave him the tattoo… Interesting, with that, he could gain entry into Wakanda, and if what you say is true about his hatred, then he could cause problems for Wakanda."

Dad exhaled and ran a hand over his face. "Damn, Jon… These visions of yours are a lot to take in." He studied me for a second before asking, "And you say there's worse to come?"

I met his gaze and nodded.

He sighed and straightened up. "Alright. We need a plan. We're going to create a whiteboard, map out all the major threats, and figure out how we're going to deal with them."

Mom stood up as well, her expression determined. "This won't be easy. We'll need people we can trust. Resources. And above all, we'll need to protect ourselves."

I nodded firmly.

Dad left the living room without another word, his face set in deep thought. I heard his footsteps retreat down the hall, and then silence. Five minutes later, he returned, hauling in a whiteboard from the office he shared with Mom. He set it down with a heavy thud, grabbed a marker, and looked me straight in the eyes.

"Alright," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Start from the beginning. Do not leave anything out. We need to know everything."

I took a deep breath. This was going to be a long night.

For the next hour, I laid everything out for them—the entire chronological chain of events from the movies, every battle, every crisis, every moment of betrayal, every victory. I even included events from the TV series I used to watch on Naomi's tablet back in my old life: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Inhumans, and even the Netflix street-level heroes like Daredevil and The Punisher. The sheer scope of it all was massive.

From the attack at Stark Expo, to Loki's invasion, all the way to the Mad Titan's snap and Tony Stark's eventual sacrifice in Endgame. Every disaster, every near-apocalypse.

By the time I finished, both of my parents looked overwhelmed.

"So Stark..." Mom whispered, almost to herself. "He actually becomes a worthy hero in the end?"

Dad scoffed, shaking his head. "That son of a bitch. Never thought I'd see the day where Tony Stark was humanity's greatest hero."

I smirked. "Yeah, well, he grew up a lot during the coming years."

Dad exhaled and rubbed his temples. "Alright, next step. Tell me all the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents you saw in your visions who are clean."

I shook my head. "It's best if you give me names or show me pictures. That way, I can confirm if they're clean or not."

Dad nodded and started listing off names. "Maria Hill?"

"Clean."

"Natasha Romanoff?"

"Clean."

"Phil Coulson?"

"Clean."

Dad exchanged a look with Mom, nodding. "Alright, Fury's inner circle is clean. That's good to know. Let's branch out a bit."

I nodded.

"Jasper Sitwell?"

"Dirty."

Dad sighed, shaking his head. "No surprises there. Slippery little shit."

"John Garrett?"

"Dirty asf," I replied without hesitation.

Dad's expression darkened. "Shit. I liked John. Always had a certain... charm to him."

I gave him a look. "Yeah, well, he's Hydra. Full-blown, something about SHIELD leaving him for dead after a helicopter crash."

We continued for a few more minutes, going down the list, me confirming and denying names as best as I could remember. Once Dad had compiled enough information, he sat back in his chair, deep in thought.

Mom stood up, disappearing into the kitchen for a moment before returning with a bottle of red wine and two glasses. She poured a drink for herself and one for Dad before settling down, quietly watching as he worked.

I just sat back, arms crossed, watching the man operate. It felt good to have another set of eyes on this problem.

Dad finally broke the silence. "Okay, so the goal here is to make sure the worst of these events never happen, if we can totally prevent them from ever happening, then that's a victory."

I nodded. "Agreed."

He gestured at the whiteboard. "The ones you marked with stars—those are the disasters we have to prevent entirely. If they play out even remotely like what you saw, we've failed."

"Right."

He tapped the board again. "Let's focus on the Stark Expo first. Tell me exactly what happens. Play by play."

I exhaled and leaned forward. "Stark crashes Hammer's presentation, and the people cheer, Stark confront Hammer about using Vanko to build the drones. Vanko hijacks the drones and Colonel Rhodes armor remotely and sends them after the civilians and Stark. Stark and Rhodes fight back, but a lot of damage is done before they stop them."

Dad frowned. "If we let it play out like that, many people will die. That's unacceptable. Our job is to make sure the drones do not attack the civilians. Suggestions?"

I rubbed my chin. "I would suggest an EMP burst, but chances are the drones are shielded against that. And using one would knock out all other electronics in the area—including any reinforcements we bring in to aid in stopping the drones."

Dad smirked. "Correct, Jon. My idea? I cash in some favors, get an op approved. Three teams of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents on standby with heavy weaponry strong enough to take out the drones while we move the civilians to safety. Meanwhile, you focus on eliminating as many as possible around the Expo. Our priority is minimizing collateral damage—eliminating it entirely, if possible."

I nodded. "After that, Vanko shows up in his new armor. He'll overpower Tony and Rhodes, and they almost die, but manage to connect a lucky hit and kill Vanko, but with my help, we should be able to take him down before it gets out of hand."

Dad nodded in approval. "Good. Now, what are you planning to wear for the op? a hoodie won't cut it this time. I can get you tactical gear if you need it."

I chuckled. "Thanks dad, but I've got my own gear. I'll show you guys tomorrow at the warehouse."

Dad raised an eyebrow but didn't push. Instead, he leaned back in his chair. "Oh, by the way—S.H.I.E.L.D. knows your identity. They've had surveillance on this house for a while now."

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Of course, Fury knows. Of course he had to put a tail on me."

Then a sudden realization hit me. "Oh, shit. Are we sure this house isn't bugged?"

Mom smirked. "Relax. We checked."

I frowned. "How can you be so sure?"

She lifted her sleeve, revealing a string of glowing purple beads on her wrist. Kimoyo beads.

My eyes widened. "Whoa. Are those Kimoyo beads? They actually let you keep those?"

She chuckled. "Of course, you know what these are. And no, they did not take them from me. They could have never have managed that. This is all I have left of my home."

I stared at the beads in awe. If I could recreate them... they'd be invaluable to our mission.

I stepped closer. "Can I scan them tomorrow? I'm curious to see how they work—maybe even make my own version."

Mom looked at me skeptically. "I doubt you could. Unless you have a secret stash of vibranium hiding somewhere."

I smirked. "No, I don't. But I know someone who does... and it's high time I relieved him of it."

Mom's eyes narrowed. "I hope you're not planning on stealing vibranium from the Wakandans, that would end badly for all of us."

I shook my head. "Not them. Klaue. The thief that stole the Vibranium all those years ago, hes still got a lot stashed at his base of operations. He's fair game. And I know where he's hiding."

Mom's jaw tightened. She exhaled, running a hand through her braids. "Bast help us all... this is too much."

Dad grinned. "Join the club Rose."

We continued strategizing late into the night. Finally, around midnight, I headed to bed, exhaustion tugging at my limbs.

As I lay there, staring at the ceiling, a single thought echoed in my mind.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of something special. We would begin our journey to become the protectors of this world.

The following morning, I woke up feeling a mix of anticipation and relief. It was the weekend, thank God for that. Mom wasn't on call today, and Dad had called in sick, freeing them up to finally see what Penny and I had been working on at the warehouse. Dad had started referring to it as our "base of operations," which made me chuckle. It was still surreal how easily they had believed everything I told them about my visions. I had braced myself for disbelief, maybe even a call to a psychiatrist, but instead, they had taken my words at face value. More than that, they had immediately stepped up, helping me strategize and plan to tackle the looming threats. Their trust in me meant everything.

After a quick breakfast, we piled into Mom's brand-new Mercedes Benz S-Class and headed toward the warehouse. The morning traffic was bearable, and soon enough, we pulled up to the front garage door. As soon as we arrived, I stepped out first, scanning my palm against the biometric security panel. With a quiet hum, the heavy doors slid open, revealing the spacious interior. Mom drove in while I followed on foot, feeling an odd sense of pride as I watched them take in the sight of what Penny and I had built.

Penny was already there, waiting for us. As soon as I stepped inside, she was beaming, practically bouncing on her feet as she greeted my parents. Then, with her usual excitement, she turned to me, grabbing my hand and tugging me forward.

"Took your sweet time, didn't you?" she teased, grinning. "I've been waiting forever!"

I chuckled at her impatience. "Traffic," I said simply.

She barely acknowledged my excuse, instead announcing to everyone, "The suit is ready! You have to see it! It's perfect."

I caught the way Mom raised an eyebrow at how Penny was practically dragging me toward the fabricator, but I chose to ignore it. The woman had a habit of seeing things that weren't there.

When we reached the workstation, Penny reached in and carefully pulled out the completed suit. The moment it was fully revealed, Dad and I both let out an appreciative whistle. Damn. Penny had really outdone herself this time.

I stepped closer, taking in every intricate detail. "So," she started, running her fingers over the material, "the inner layer is a full-body unitard made of spandex and polyester. The middle layer is lightweight aramid fabric overlayed on the spandex, with thicker yet lightweight rubber and latex parts around most of the body—but not on the joints. The top layer consists of lightweight titanium panels that attach in specific areas, like the chest, abdomen, and back, segmented for greater mobility. The arms and legs are lightly armored to allow for free movement, and the chest and pauldrons bear the Phoenix logo, in orange, just like you requested."

I turned to Penny, shaking my head in amazement. "Damn, Penny, this is incredible. And you say you're not an engineer?"

She grinned. "We both know you're the real genius here."

Dad stepped forward, running a hand over the suit, a look of genuine admiration on his face. "Wow. This is amazing. I'm shocked that it still looks so form-fitting." Then, his eyes landed on the Phoenix logo, and he smirked. "But isn't the orange a bit much, Jon?"

Before I could answer, Mom crossed her arms and asked, "How much did all of this cost?"

Penny hesitated, glancing at me before looking at my mom. "Well… Daddy paid for everything, and… the warehouse was eight million, and the equipment was about a million."

Mom's eyes widened in shock. "All that money? Isint that too much? Does your father even know what you two are doing here, Penny?"

Penny met her gaze head-on. "Well, no. But he all but said he was making an investment in us. In whatever we create. To him, this isn't wasted money—it's an investment in a potential startup."

Mom let out a slow breath, crossing her arms tighter. "And what exactly do you plan on making?"

I exchanged a glance with Penny before answering. "We're still working that out. But our projects will be designed to help people. Not harm them. We have no plans to build weapons." I hesitated before adding, "Well… not for sale, anyway."

Mom relaxed slightly at that, while Dad continued inspecting the suit. After a moment, he asked, "So, the aramid and rubber combination—I'm assuming that's to help against Vanko when he attacks the Stark Expo?"

Penny, who had been nodding along to the conversation, suddenly froze. Her head snapped toward me, eyes narrowing in confusion. "Attack? Stark Expo? What is he talking about, Jon?"

I groaned internally. Really, Dad? Smooth.

Penny crossed her arms, her expression demanding answers. "What aren't you telling me, Jon?"

I took a deep breath. Here we go again. "Alright," I said. "So, I have another ability I haven't told you about."

She didn't say anything for a moment, just raised an eyebrow. "Okay. Spill."

I exhaled slowly. "When my powers awakened, I got visions—of the future. That's how I know what's coming. That's how I know about the Stark Expo."

Penny stared at me; disbelief clear in her eyes. "Right. Is this the part I back away from you, Jon? I mean Visions, of the future? Really Jon? How do we know these so-called 'visions 'you claim to be having aren't just your overactive imagination? Or, you know, your brain's way of dealing with the trauma from Monaco?"

I opened my mouth, ready to argue, but before I could, Dad spoke up. "We already told you about the attack at the Stark Expo," he said. "And in a few days, a scientist named Bruce Banner will be surrounded by the military at Culver University. He'll be attacked, but he'll turn into a giant green monster and fight them off, you will know we speak the truth when it happens."

Penny's skepticism faltered, though she still looked hesitant. "Okay… Let's say I believe you. What's your stake in all of this?"

I met her gaze. "Penny, you saw what happened in Monaco. People died. And more people are going to die if no one does anything about it. If you had the power to stop that from happening, wouldn't you?"

She stared at me for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Okay. That, I can get behind. I'm not saying I believe in your 'visions' just yet… but if we're doing this, then it's to help keep people safe, and it's in line with our original plan, so yeah, I'm still in."

I nodded, knowing that in time, she'd come to believe—just like Mom and Dad had. For now, though, it was enough that she was willing to fight alongside me.

We meticulously examined every detail of the suit, from the way the fabric stretched over my body to the sleek mask that Penny had designed to conceal my identity. The mask itself was a masterpiece—lightweight yet durable, covering the upper half of my face while leaving the top open, allowing my hair to spill out naturally. It wasn't designed for full protection, but it was more than enough to keep people from recognizing me.

After marveling at the craftsmanship of the suit, I turned my attention to my mother. "Mom, can I see your Kimoyo beads now?"

She gave me a curious look before slipping the smooth, black beads off her wrist and handing them to me. "Of course, but let me explain how they work first."

I held them in my hands, feeling the cool surface of each bead, their weight perfectly balanced. As she retrieved them, she started to describe their functionalities.

"These beads act as a highly advanced communication device," she began, her voice steady and authoritative. "They contain a miniature computer capable of processing and storing vast amounts of data. They also have a holographic interface, allowing for visual displays like this—"

She held out my palm, and with a subtle motion, one of the beads detached from the string, hovering in the air as if suspended by an invisible force. A second later, a stunningly realistic volumetric projection flickered to life above my hand—a perfect, lifelike image of Lora.

Penny gasped, stepping closer as her eyes widened in pure astonishment. "No way…" she whispered, tilting her head as if to see the projection from different angles. The image remained solid, unfazed by her movements. "This is incredible! I mean, even Stark tech isn't this advanced. Where did you get this?"

My mother cast a brief glance at my father, who simply shrugged, leaving the decision to her. She then looked back at Penny; her expression unreadable. "Penny, we already consider you family. But before I answer that question, I need you to promise that what we discuss here never leaves this room."

Penny hesitated, eyes darting to me for reassurance. I gave her an encouraging nod. She exhaled, straightening her posture. "I promise. Whatever you tell me stays between us."

Mom studied her for a moment before nodding in approval. "Good. Then listen carefully—I got these beads from my home… Wakanda."

Penny blinked. "Wait… Wakanda? As in the small, third-world country in Africa? That Wakanda?"

A small smirk formed on my mother's lips. "That's the image we project to the world, yes. But in reality, Wakanda is far more advanced than any other nation on this planet. Most of what you consider science fiction is everyday reality there."

Penny's face contorted with confusion. "But how? How is that possible?"

My mother's voice was calm, steady, but there was an unmistakable pride beneath her words. "Vibranium," she said simply. "A metal unlike anything else in existence. It's what allowed Wakanda to develop technology far beyond what the rest of the world is capable of."

Penny's mouth hung open slightly as she turned to me. "You knew about this?"

I slowly shook my head. "I only found out yesterday."

She nodded slowly, absorbing this new revelation. Then, with a deep breath, she said, "Thank you for trusting me with this. I swear, I won't break that trust."

Both my parents exchanged glances before patting her gently on the shoulder. My father smiled. "We know, Penny."

I turned my attention back to the Kimoyo beads, walking over to the 3D scanner. Carefully, I placed them onto the platform and began the scanning process. The machine whirred to life, casting faint blue lights over the beads as it mapped their intricate structure. Penny and I sat beside it, poring over the early results while my mother gave us limited, but still incredibly useful, insights into their mechanics.

For the next hour, we brainstormed—throwing out ideas, debating possible prototypes, discussing ways to replicate even a fraction of the beads' capabilities. Everything was going well. Until it happened.

A sudden, excruciating pain exploded in my head. It felt like a white-hot dagger stabbing through my skull. I barely registered the moment my knees buckled, sending me crashing to the floor. My hands shot up, gripping the sides of my head as I clenched my jaw to keep from screaming. My vision blurred. My heart pounded.

Then, the memories came.

It was like a tidal wave crashing into my mind. Fragments of my past life surged forward—memories of Lora, of my old family, of my childhood spent tinkering with machines, of laughter, of tears, of creating things far beyond what a kid my age should have been capable of. They overwhelmed me, flashing too fast to fully grasp.

And then, just as quickly as they arrived, they were gone.

When my senses returned, I realized I was still kneeling on the floor. Penny, Mom, and Dad were beside me, their faces painted with concern.

"Jon, are you okay? What was that?" Mom's voice was sharp, laced with worry.

I forced myself to sit up, shaking my head as I steadied my breathing. "It's nothing," I lied. "Don't worry about it."

Dad crouched beside me, eyes narrowing. "Was it another vision?"

I hesitated for half a second before nodding. "Yeah. But… nothing important." Another lie.

They exchanged glances but didn't press the issue further.

As they helped me up, I slumped into the chair in front of our blueprints. And that's when I realized it.

Something was different. Something had… changed.

Before, I had thought of myself as intelligent—above average, bordering on genius. But now? Now, it was like my brain had been unlocked in a way I couldn't quite explain. My eyes scanned the designs we'd been working on, and instantly, I saw it—the flaws, the miscalculations, the inefficiencies. Issues that would have taken hours to identify before now stood out like glaring neon signs.

"Well, I'll be damned…" I thought, a slow grin forming. Whatever had just happened, whatever part of my past had resurfaced, it had gifted me something incredible.

And I was going to use it.

Without hesitation, I grabbed the designs we had just been working on and tore them apart, crumpling them in my fists before tossing them aside. The paper hit the floor in scattered, wrinkled heaps.

"Hey! What the hell?!" Penny shouted, eyes flashing with frustration. "Those were good!"

But I wasn't listening. My mind was already racing ahead, ideas forming faster than I could articulate. I snatched a fresh sheet of paper and immediately began sketching, my pencil flying across the surface as if guided by an unseen force. The concept was clearer than ever—the beads were revolutionary, yes, but they were small, easy to lose, and not ideal for combat. Instead, I was going to integrate them into something even better—a bracer for my suit. A single, self-contained unit with a plethora of advanced functions.

As my hands worked, Penny fell silent, her previous irritation melting into awe. She leaned in closer, watching as calculations and intricate schematics appeared on the paper as though they had been waiting to be written down. My parents, sensing something significant was happening, started to ask what was going on, but Penny quickly raised a finger and shushed them.

"Wait, let him cook," she whispered.

Mom rolled her eyes. Dad chuckled under his breath.

Finally, I put down the pencil and turned the paper toward Penny, presenting my completed design.

Her eyes widened as she took it in. "Dude… this is… this is wow. I have no words for it."

Dad leaned over her shoulder, his brows furrowing slightly. "It just looks like a normal bracer to me. What's so special about it?"

Before I could respond, Penny took charge. She gestured animatedly as she explained every feature I had planned to integrate—the communication systems, the data processing units, the holographic interface, medical stabilizers, and even a tactical AI interface.

"I mean, he can't fully replicate the beads without tearing them apart," she said, nodding toward Mom's Kimoyo beads, "but just from observing how they function, he's figured out a way to mimic their capabilities. And this? This is insane."

Mom stepped forward and studied the blueprint. She traced one of my notes with her finger, then looked at me, her expression unreadable.

"You wrote here that the bracer needs Vibranium for it to be feasible," she pointed out. "So… what exactly are you thinking to solve that problem?"

I met her gaze and smiled. "Well… I think it's time I paid Klaue a visit."

Mom sighed and shook her head. "I still think this is a bad idea," she admitted. "But… I suppose it's better in our hands than that thief selling it on the black market."

I nodded in agreement. Penny exhaled, then looked me up and down with an amused smirk. "Let me guess, visions?"

I nodded again.

She chuckled. "Alright then. Might as well suit up and test it out on your mission."

Without another word, I grabbed the suit and mask, then sprinted to the bathroom to change. The hidden zippers along the sides made it easy to slip into without disrupting the sleek, tactical design. It hugged my form snugly—comfortable yet flexible enough for full movement. As I pulled the mask over my face, I made sure my hair stuck out at the top just as intended.

I turned to the mirror and whistled under my breath.

"Damn, I look good."

When I stepped back into the room, my parents and Penny immediately burst into wolf whistles and playful cheers.

"Alright, alright, simmer down," I said, faking annoyance but secretly enjoying the reaction.

Dad stepped forward and handed me a small comms earpiece, linked to a burner phone. I slipped it into a hidden pocket inside my chest piece.

"We'll be in touch through this," he said. "Tell us anything you see. Got it?"

I nodded.

Then his tone shifted, more serious. "Klaue is a wanted felon. If you have the chance to capture him, do it. I'll personally turn him over to S.H.I.E.L.D."

I hesitated. "No."

Dad frowned. "No?"

I crossed my arms. "Dad, think about it, If S.H.I.E.L.D. takes him, and he tells them I have his stolen Vibranium, what do you think they'll do?"

Dad hesitated. The answer was obvious. S.H.I.E.L.D. didn't exactly have the best track record when it came to handling powerful technology.

"So, what's your solution, Jon?" he asked. "Kill him? Leave him there?"

I opened my mouth to speak. There was no way I was going to leave Klaue there. Before I could respond, Mom stepped in.

"You could drop him off with the Border Tribe in Wakanda," she suggested.

Dad turned to her; concern etched on his face. "That would inevitably lead to a confrontation with your people, as they would come demanding answers," he said carefully. "Are you sure you're ready for that, darling?"

She was silent for a moment, deep in thought. Then she nodded. "Think about it, Der. Even if we kept him hidden, this heist you're planning is going to reach Wakanda's ears. They'll send the Dora Milaje eventually. It's better to be on good terms when that happens. Klaue killed members of the Border Tribe when he stole the Vibranium. They've been hunting him ever since. If you hand him over, they'll be indebted to you."

Dad exhaled through his nose, considering the logic. "The gratitude of an entire tribe could go a long way in Wakanda's politics…" he mused.

He turned to me. "Okay. You heard your mother. Get the Vibranium, secure Klaue, then take him to Wakanda and hand him over."

I nodded. "Got it."

"Any last-minute advice?" I asked, flexing my gloved fingers as the mission set in.

Dad's military instincts kicked in. "Case the place from a distance first. Identify all entrances and exits. Locate both the Vibranium and Klaue before making your move."

I absorbed every word, nodding in understanding. "Will do."

I took a moment to hug them all, feeling their silent support behind me. Then I turned and dashed toward the door leading to the rooftop. With one last deep breath, I pushed it open, stepped outside, and launched myself into the night, heading straight for Klaue's hideout.