"Going? Where exactly?" Ryuuto asked, eyebrow twitching.
"SHIELD's tracker picked up someone who matches Loki's signal," Natasha Romanoff said flatly. "He's nearby. Tony told me you wanted to catch him, so—care to tag along?"
Ryuuto gave her a look. "Who else is coming?"
"If Tony doesn't get here in time... just the two of us."
Ryuuto wasn't going to pass up a chance to grab that scepter. "Fine," he said. "Wait here."
He slipped back into Charles' office, gave a quick explanation, then rejoined Natasha. But before they could leave the building, another figure appeared at the end of the corridor.
Storm.
"The Professor's worried you might run into trouble," she said with a calm smile, brushing her white hair back. "So he asked me to tag along."
"Storm, huh?" Natasha said, extending her hand. "Black Widow, Avengers—well, former."
Storm blinked. "Former?"
"From today," Ryuuto said, smirking, "Natasha Romanoff is officially the first non-mutant member of the X-Men."
Storm's eyes widened. "Seriously? That's... wow. Didn't see that coming."
After a beat, she tugged Ryuuto aside and dropped her voice.
"She's Avengers, Ryuuto. Government agent, spy—her loyalty isn't exactly… stable. Letting someone like that into the X-Men could be dangerous. Have you thought this through?"
Ryuuto snorted. "You've gotten way too cautious lately, Storm. Still treating me like some clueless kid?"
He cracked a grin. "Relax. If she ever betrays us, I'll deal with it personally."
Storm sighed. "I'm not doubting your strength, just thinking ahead. We can't afford any surprises. Magneto's already planning a raid on that pharmaceutical lab—it'll only make tensions worse."
"Then don't worry about it," Ryuuto said. "We'll handle Magneto when he comes."
Storm exhaled, half-resigned. "Fine. But I'm holding you to that."
She turned back to Natasha, clasping her hand. "Sorry if I sounded harsh earlier."
"Actually, I heard everything," Natasha replied, tone even. "And you're right to be cautious. I was a government spy, so I understand your doubts."
"Safety precautions," Storm said simply.
"In your place, I'd think the same," Natasha admitted.
Ryuuto rolled his eyes. "If you two are done bonding, Loki's not exactly waiting for us to catch up."
"Fair point," Storm said. "Let's move."
Meanwhile, at a rocky cliff by the sea—Loki stood with his scepter in hand, the wind whipping around him. Beside him stood Pyro, eyes dim and movements stiff under the god's control.
Since his alliance with Magneto had soured, Loki's patience was thin. Working under that man's shadow disgusted him.
The scepter couldn't control Magneto's will, which meant Loki needed someone even stronger—a mutant capable of surpassing him. One he could bend to his command.
His thoughts lingered on one name: Wanda Maximoff. Scarlet Witch. A being whose power could shatter reality itself. If he could find and control her, the world would kneel.
But she'd vanished—slipped into the sea like a ghost.
"You've had two days," Loki said coldly, glaring at Pyro. "Two days to find the Scarlet Witch, and yet—nothing."
Pyro swallowed. "W-We tracked her to the river mouth, but after that… she vanished. Maybe she drowned, or maybe a shark got her. If you really want to find her, you'll need Professor Charles. He has a Cerebro that could locate her instantly. Loki, no offense, but for a god, you're not exactly—"
His words cut off in a choking gasp as Loki's hand clamped around his throat.
"Say Thor's name in my presence again," Loki hissed, eyes glowing green, "and I'll turn your lungs inside out."
Pyro frantically nodded. Loki released him, sneering.
The irony wasn't lost on Pyro—his first humiliating defeat had been against Ryuuto back at the Mutant Academy. He'd lost a finger that day.
The teachers hadn't even punished Ryuuto. The students had mocked him instead.
That humiliation drove him to Magneto… and straight into Loki's control.
A pawn's destiny, from one master to another. Just his luck.
"Keep searching," Loki ordered. "If you return empty-handed again—don't bother returning at all."
Pyro bowed stiffly. "Yes, Lord Loki."
When he left, Loki stared out at the raging ocean, fury twisting his features.
First, the Avengers had ruined his invasion.
Then, that kid, Ryuuto, had humiliated him.
Was he truly fated to be a cosmic punchline?
As he turned, he caught sight of three approaching figures through the mist—Ryuuto, Natasha, and Storm.
Loki's lips curled into a grin.
"Well," he murmured, "speak of the devil."
....
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