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*****
Washington, inside a secret facility.
This was the Sentinel Program's hidden base. In recent weeks, the project had been running ever more smoothly, development accelerating until it now approached completion.
But unlike before, there was a problem: no one was sure the Sentinels would ever be used. Most mutants had left for Kent Star.
Thinking of everything that had happened lately, the project lead let out a long sigh.
He had poured years of effort into the Sentinel Program—and now, he didn't even know if it would see the light of day.
The thought made his heart ache.
He wanted—just once—to witness the Sentinels' true power.
Muttering to himself, he spared a final glance at the latest-model unit, then turned and left the lab.
Thunk!
With a soft sound, the room went dark.
Moments after he departed, two crimson points of light gleamed in the silence. A cascade of data scrolled across those scarlet eyes, and far away, several hidden factories quietly spun to life.
"Mike! See you!"
"I am Groot!"
Rocket and Groot waved.
Mike nodded to them, then looked to Erik at his side. "Go on. Be careful out there."
"I know," Erik answered, boarding Rocket and Star-Lord's ship.
Star-Lord, sporting the latest smartphone and a pair of headphones slung around his neck, classic tunes playing faintly, called over to Mike, "These past few days were a blast. If we didn't have a big job lined up, I'd stay a couple more."
"Oh? You don't have to go. I'm sure Gamora and the others can handle it," Mike said, teasing.
Star-Lord: "…"
"Right, you can stay," Gamora said, patting his shoulder.
Drax glanced at him and nodded solemnly. "Remain here. We have Erik."
"Poor Peter," Mantis sighed, filing into the ship.
"Hey—wait for me!" Star-Lord yelped, darting through the hatch just as it closed. Grumbling echoed from inside.
Watching the ship depart, Mike turned to Gwen, whose face was alight with hope. "Let's head back to Earth. You start school tomorrow."
"Me? Really?"
Gwen's eyes brightened, then she hesitated. "Given… everything with our family, I'm not sure I should be going right now."
The warrant had become something of a joke, but technically, they were still wanted.
They could ignore it—schools couldn't. And, frankly, the Kents had stirred up too much. If she reappeared at school as a member of the Kent family, the place might erupt.
Gwen didn't want that.
"It's fine. It won't be a problem," Mike said with a conspiratorial wink.
"Really?"
She beamed at her father.
Kent Star was wonderful, but she had no friends here. She missed her pals on Earth.
"Sure—as long as we make a few cosmetic adjustments."
Mike ruffled her hair.
Gwen's eyes lit up. "Like what Erik did before?"
"Exactly."
"Just a little change, and we'll look like different people. No problem," he said with a smile.
"Great! When do we go back?"
"We can leave now if you want—but first we'll have Tony set up new identities."
"Then let's do it now!"
Gwen bounced with excitement, then fretted, "Can I change back later?"
"Of course. Anytime."
Still smiling, Mike led Gwen home—to their temporary place on Kent Star.
The next day, Mike brought Gwen and Raven back to Earth.
Using his ambidextrous skill, he subtly adjusted Gwen's features. Just minor tweaks—she was still just as pretty and cute—but it was undeniably a different face.
He aged himself as well, shifting his appearance to something more befitting a man of his years—a different visage altogether.
As for Raven—she didn't need help.
Next, Tony handled the paperwork for their new identities.
No need to change their names—plenty of people shared them.
They returned to their old house, too. Ultron had never leaked their address, so there was no need to move.
Clark also came back to Earth.
Ultron had exposed Clark's name and his disguised Superman persona, but it didn't match his day-to-day appearance well enough to cause trouble.
Kent Star matters would be left to Charles. With the X-School staff and Erik's team assisting, nothing should go wrong.
Jor-El had already designed the city—just follow the plans and build.
Though the recent turmoil had shaken the entire world, the Kents' daily life seemed largely unchanged.
Erik and Charles still labored for the mutants' future. Clark kept working as a reporter. Gwen went to school. And Mike remained the family's—well—unruffled, leisurely dad.
If anything had changed, it was this: the Kents had become a terrifying legend on Earth. The White House ruins—and the throne upon them—stood as a monument to the event, a new landmark. And the mutants had a new home.
A golden portal shimmered open inside the Kent home, and the newly "remodeled" trio stepped through.
"I'm grabbing my backpack!" Gwen whooped, sprinting upstairs.
It might have been the first time she'd ever been this eager for school.
It was Monday, and to avoid being late, she had prepared everything early.
"This kid," Mike chuckled, shaking his head. He glanced around at the dust that had settled over the house. "Needs a good cleaning."
Raven nodded. "I'll go buy groceries. After so long, whatever's in the fridge is probably no good."
"I'm off to school!" Gwen dashed back down, called to them both, and flew out the door like a gust of wind.
"Slow down," Mike laughed, walking her to the entryway.
Just then, several old neighbors stepped out of their homes.
Clearly, they'd all been keeping an eye on the Kents' place.
"Who's that old man? That's Mike's house!" Peggy Carter marched over, fuming. From the Stark place, Maria called Pepper Potts, and the two strode toward the Kent home, just as irate.
Steve squinted at the man at the Kents' door—there was something familiar about him.
All around, the neighbors converged: John Brennan and his wife from across the way; Bruce; Natasha; Wanda and Pietro; Hank Pym, who happened to be staying nearby; and the newest tenant, Vision—all closing in on the "old man."
"Who are you?" Peggy demanded, glaring.
Mike: "…"
He glanced toward Maria's door and spotted Tony standing there, enjoying the show.
Ah. So the rascal hadn't told anyone they were back.
Mike looked around at the gathering crowd and paused.
Well then.
They'd mistaken their "neighbor" for some kind of mid-boss, had they?
He chuckled inwardly, but on his face he put on a startled, even slightly cowed expression.
"Uh, I just moved in," he said.
"I don't care if you just moved in," Peggy shot back. "I'll pay you—leave. Now."
"Maria! Pay him!"
Maria answered automatically, then blinked.
Excuse me—am I your wallet?
She rolled her eyes and called, "Fine!"
Mike strode toward Peggy, scowling. "I'm not moving. Unless…"
He leered exaggeratedly, giving her an up-and-down look, then leaned in and murmured, "You spend the night—with me."
Peggy's eye twitched, breath drawn to retort—when Steve pulled her into his arms and faced Mike with a weary look. "Mike, that's a bit much, don't you think?"
Mike blinked. "You recognized me?"
Steve spread his hands. "Kind of obvious."
"Sure, you look different—well… older—but the 'couch-potato aura' is unmistakable."
Mike: "…"
Couch-potato aura, seriously?
What was that even supposed to mean?
His face darkened a shade.
He glanced around; everyone was laughing—even Peggy's earlier fury had become pure mischief.
So—they'd recognized him from the start.
The clown… was him.
"Boring," Mike muttered, then grinned at the lot of them. "How about dinner at my place tonight?"
Heads nodded all around.
"Now that's more like it," Hank Pym said coolly.
Laughter spread through the crowd.
"All right, all right—back to your homes. Don't crowd my door. I've got cleaning to do… unless you're volunteering?"
At that, they scattered with a collective rustle.
Mike: _
Meanwhile, on Gwen's school bus—
She sat in the corner, eyeing Luke up ahead, giggling under her breath.
"They don't recognize me… this is going to be fun."
Her bright eyes narrowed playfully, a sly glint within.
Thinking about what was about to happen, she couldn't help curling her lips into a grin.
When the bus stopped, Gwen shouldered her bag and headed for class—deliberately stepping in front of Luke and turning a little circle.
He glowered at her twice and muttered, "Move."
Gwen: "…"
Idiot. You didn't even recognize my backpack?
She huffed inwardly.
At this rate, he was never getting a girlfriend.
She stuck out her tongue at his retreating back and walked into the classroom.
She was the new student and would be introducing herself today.
At the teacher's cue, Gwen strode in, stood beside the podium, swept her gaze over the room—and faltered for a heartbeat.
It was the same class as before. What surprised her was that Luke and Mary had both transferred into her old homeroom.
Switched for the new term?
Why hadn't they told her—were they planning a surprise?
Unfortunately, she'd gone traveling with her dad over summer and only now returned—she'd missed the first day entirely.
"You can begin," the teacher said, mistaking her pause for shyness and offering an encouraging smile.
Gwen nodded. "Hello, everyone. I'm Gwen—Gwen Kent!"
The room went instantly quiet. Peter and a few others—who hadn't cared about a "new student"—snapped their heads up in shock.
"Ahem." The teacher cleared his throat. "Just the same name, that's all. She isn't that Gwen from the Kent family—not the original Gwen."
He himself had nearly jumped when he first saw the name on the roster.
"Tch. So it's just the name. Not even close to our Gwen," Harry muttered, turning his head to the window.
Luke and Mary, after a glance at the newcomer, also looked away.
Only Peter stared wide-eyed.
He had recognized her.
Gwen looked different, yes—but from her little mannerisms, and from her backpack—Peter knew.
He was so excited he almost shouted.
Smack!
He clapped a hand over his mouth.
He was smart enough to know what would happen if he blurted out her identity.
Gwen caught his look and paused, then smiled.
Peter—ever reliable.
She moved toward her old seat.
"Hey! Stop right there, impostor! That seat's off-limits!" Harry barked, voice cold.
Luke and Mary Jane both frowned.
"Pick another seat," Mary Jane said gently. "That one's taken."
"Taken? I don't see anyone," Gwen said breezily. She shot Harry a playful, challenging look and set down her bag.
"Damn it," Harry growled. "You'll regret that."
"I'm terrified," Gwen replied, all sunshine.
"Harry Osborn, sit down," the teacher snapped.
Harry snorted and glared at the teacher before dropping into his chair.
Fine. Let the pretender sit for now. When the bell rings, she's out.
That was Gwen's seat.
He glowered at her. Luke and Mary looked none too pleased either.
Under the desk, Gwen flashed a quick hand sign.
Harry and the others froze, eyes going wide as they stared at her.
Gwen flashed a smile. She scribbled a note and tossed it to Peter.
He read it, grinned, and passed it to Harry. Harry, suddenly delighted, lobbed it to Mary. Mary covered her mouth, beaming, and sent it on to Luke.
Luke unfolded it.
On the paper was a doodled "shh" face—and a single line:
I'm back. Keep it secret.
(End of Chapter)