"Whether it's reasonable isn't your call—she gets to decide." Ryuuto rapped on the door once. "Scare you."
"Okay, Teacher Ryuuto," Katie Dee's small voice answered.
Inside, Katie stood frozen, one hand hovering over the corridor wall. She inhaled slow and measured, then thrust her fingers forward like she was trying to push through plaster.
Her middle finger touched the wall and slid against it. She jabbed again; dust smeared under her nail. Nothing went through. Every time her Variant nearly woke, it needed a stronger shove—an emotional jolt she still hadn't found.
Think of something—feel it deep enough to snap the lock, Ryuuto thought, pressing his forehead to the wood. He knew that look: the stubborn, fragile edge that precedes a breakthrough.
Far above, tension gathered in a colder room. On a S.H.I.E.L.D. carrier in low orbit, Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff and a few others clustered in the briefing bay. Director Nick Fury entered with a grave set to his face, picked up the remote, and hit play.
The screen opened on rubble and screaming: Magneto's attack on a small town. Then grainy footage of Ryuuto's serpents swallowing armed officers—raw, terrifying, undeniable.
"I warned you mutants might turn on humanity," Fury said flatly. "But I didn't think it would happen this fast. I also didn't expect Ryuuto—someone who could join the Avengers—to be linked to this. Natasha told me he killed Magneto in Australia. That intel was wrong. Regardless of past events, we must see this from the perspective of all civilians."
"Then what's Plan A?" Steve asked.
"Plan A: surrender and hand them to the International Court of Justice," Fury replied. "Plan B: remove the threat by force."
Tony snorted. "I'm out. My Mark-III isn't repaired. I need the workshops."
"This is not the time for theatrics, Stark." Fury's voice clipped. "Magneto has declared war on humankind. We cannot stand idle. This footage hasn't gone public—only military feeds have it. Natasha, try to reach Ryuuto. See if he'll work with us against Magneto. If he will, we can suppress the panic. If not—then we prepare to be rough."
Tony pushed out, muttering. Fury's hands flattened on the table. "S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers protect law-abiding people. Right now, those people are being slaughtered by mutants like Magneto. If we fail to act, what separates us from the executioner? I know Ryuuto is close to some of you, but the world's safety must come first. Where's Thor?"
"Probably off with his Asgardian friends," someone muttered.
Fury sighed. "Typical. We rarely gather. And Thor—of all people—actually saw his Asgardian pals."
Natasha, who'd been listening in silence, stood. "I'll find Ryuuto. Something feels off. Loki hasn't been located and his scepter can control minds. If Ryuuto's under the scepter, that's one thing. If whatever happened is his own will… I don't know how to fix that."
"All right," Fury said. "Satellites are sweeping for Magneto. If we lock him, Banner—your team must prepare. Magneto controls metal; Steve, the shield will not be effective by itself. Natasha—you're on Ryuuto. Banner and Steve—coordinate to neutralize Magneto. Even if the shield can't block him, it can buy time for Banner to do what's necessary."
Fury clapped once. "Cheer up. This world needs you."
The room dispersed like a wound pulling shut. Tony grumbled, Natasha left with a tight jaw, Banner stretched and offered a wry smile, and Steve looked tired but resolute.
Back at Axville, the atmosphere was messy and human.
Ryuuto knocked again. "Katie—done yet? Want me to storm in and terrorize you?"
Behind the door, Katie swallowed and squared her shoulders. Ryuuto could hear the faint hitch in her breath: fear, grit, and something like hope. He slid down the wall and sat cross-legged outside the door, arms folded, chuckling softly.
[Ding! Global Alert: Avengers Notified]
Shion: "Oooh—big brass are on the scene. Politics incoming. Host, cradle that little spark right—don't let it die. The planet might send you a thank-you memo later."
Ryuuto snorted. "Don't be dramatic, Shion."
A hairline crack opened in the door. Katie peeked out—nervous but stubborn. Ryuuto rose, offered a thumbs-up, and for a breath the world narrowed to something ordinary: teacher and student, stubborn and brave.
Then the sky above Axville thrummed—a distant engine note, deeper than a plane. Not S.H.I.E.L.D. This felt colder, heavier, like the approach of something that didn't care about treaties or courts.
Ryuuto's grin sharpened. "Showtime's over. Let's do this."