A Red Dragon Lost In A Marvelous World

[Avengers Tower - Conference Room]

The holographic displays were even more crowded than before. Faces representing the Avengers, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four filled the screens, a testament to the gravity of the situation. The air crackled with a mixture of concern, curiosity, and underlying tension.

"Let's recap," Captain America said, his voice carrying its usual authority, though a hint of weariness was detectable. "We have a young man, Issei Hyoudou, who arrived in our reality through… unconventional means. He possesses extraordinary power, directly linked to his emotional state. And, thanks to the quick thinking of Professor Xavier and Jean, he's currently sleeping peacefully in one of our medical bays."

"Peacefully is a relative term, Steve," Tony Stark quipped, leaning back in his chair. "His energy signature is still fluctuating, albeit at a much lower level. It's like a dormant volcano – could erupt at any moment."

"The boy is a nexus of power," Doctor Strange added, his expression somber. "His connection to… whatever energies fueled that 'Boosted Gear' is unlike anything I've encountered. It's both draconic and… something else. Something alien."

On one of the screens, Professor Xavier nodded. "His mind is a labyrinth, Captain Rogers. The trauma he's experienced is profound. He's lost something… someone… incredibly important to him. That loss is the key to his instability."

"He mentioned someone named 'Ddraig'," Jean Grey added, her voice soft. "A constant companion, a source of strength. It's as if a part of his very soul has been ripped away."

Reed Richards, his face displaying his characteristic thoughtful frown, spoke up. "The energy surge when he… manifested that gauntlet… it was off the charts. It briefly registered on sensors designed to detect cosmic-level events. We're talking about a potential planetary threat, if left unchecked."

"So, what's the plan?" Sue Storm, the Invisible Woman, asked, her voice laced with concern. "We can't just keep him sedated forever."

"We need to understand him," Xavier said. "Understand his powers, his origins, his… grief. Only then can we hope to help him control his abilities and find some measure of peace."

"And in the meantime?" Wolverine growled from another screen, his usual gruffness amplified. "We babysit a walking nuke? No offense, Chuck, but I'm not exactly thrilled about having that kind of firepower under my roof – or any roof, for that matter."

"Logan's concerns are valid," Cyclops added, his voice calm and measured. "We need a contingency plan. A way to contain him if he loses control again."

"I'm working on it," Tony said, tapping a few keys on his holographic interface. "I'm thinking a specialized containment cell, reinforced with vibranium and incorporating some of Strange's mystical safeguards. Something that can withstand a… significant energy surge."

"We also need to consider the… circumstances of his arrival," Strange interjected. "This 'dimensional trader'… he's clearly a powerful entity, and his motives are… questionable, at best. We need to find out more about him, and his client."

The meeting continued, a complex dance of brainstorming, strategizing, and debating. The assembled heroes, despite their differences, were united in their determination to address this unprecedented threat – and, perhaps, to help a lost and heartbroken young man find his way.

[Latveria - Castle Doom]

In the imposing, gothic confines of Castle Doom, Victor Von Doom, ruler of Latveria, stared intently at a holographic display. The data scrolling across the screen was perplexing, disturbing… and intriguing.

"A localized energy spike of this magnitude…" he murmured, his voice a metallic rasp from behind his iron mask. "Within the borders of that… pathetic nation, the United States. Unprecedented."

He zoomed in on the epicenter of the disturbance: a nondescript rooftop in New York City. The energy signature, though fading, still resonated with a power that made even Doom pause.

"Draconic… and something else," he muttered, his analytical mind dissecting the data. "Something… alien. This bears further investigation."

Doom had little interest in the petty squabbles of superheroes. But power… power was always of interest. And this… boy, this Issei Hyoudou, was clearly a nexus of extraordinary power. A power that, perhaps, could be… harnessed.

He turned to one of his robotic attendants. "Prepare my personal jet. I have… business in New York."

[Hidden HYDRA Base - Location Undisclosed]

Deep beneath the earth, in a clandestine HYDRA facility, a different kind of interest was brewing. Red Skull although dead, a contingency was in place if such energy signatures were identified. Baron Strucker, his monocle glinting in the dim light, studied the sensor readings with a cold, calculating gaze.

"Remarkable," he said, his voice a sibilant whisper. "An energy signature that rivals even the Tesseract. And emanating from a single… individual."

He turned to one of his scientists, a nervous man in a lab coat. "The source?"

"A… a teenager, Baron," the scientist stammered. "Located in New York City. Currently in the custody of the Avengers."

Strucker smiled, a cruel, predatory expression. "The Avengers… how predictable. Always stumbling into things they don't understand."

He paused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "This… boy… could be a valuable asset. A weapon of unimaginable power. HYDRA has always sought to control the ultimate power, and it it would be a massive shame to not be able to utilise it."

He turned back to the scientist. "Prepare a team. We will… acquire this asset. And show the Avengers, and the world, the true meaning of power."

[The Void - Beyond the Known Universe]

In a realm beyond human comprehension, a being of unimaginable scale and power stirred. Galactus, Devourer of Worlds, felt a faint… ripple… in the cosmic fabric. A flicker of energy, insignificant in the grand scheme of things, yet… unusual.

His immense, helmeted head turned, his cosmic senses focusing on a tiny, insignificant blue planet in a remote corner of the galaxy. Earth.

He had consumed countless worlds, drained their life force to sustain his own existence. Earth had always been… beneath his notice. A minor source of energy, not worth the effort.

But this… this was different. This was a new energy. Something… unexpected.

For a fleeting moment, Galactus considered altering his course, diverting his world-ship towards this intriguing anomaly. But then, the sensation faded, the ripple subsided. It was too small, too insignificant to warrant his attention. For now.

He turned away, his vast consciousness returning to the endless search for sustenance. But a seed of curiosity had been planted. A faint, lingering awareness of a small, blue planet… and a boy with the power to ripple the fabric of reality. A power that, perhaps, one day, might even pique the interest of Galactus himself.

[Dimensional Nexus - Location: Unknowable]

The dimensional trader stood within a swirling vortex of colors and energies, a space between spaces, where the laws of reality held little sway. Before him, shimmering in the chaotic flux, was a projection of his client: a being of pure energy, its form constantly shifting and reforming, like a nebula given consciousness. It had no discernible features, yet it radiated an aura of immense power and ancient knowledge.

"The transfer is complete," the trader reported, his voice smooth and professional, a stark contrast to the chaotic environment. "The subject, Issei Hyoudou, has been successfully delivered to the designated universe – designation: Marvel-616."

The energy being pulsed with a subtle shift in its luminescence, a gesture that the trader had learned to interpret as satisfaction. "Excellent. And the… instability?"

The client's 'voice' wasn't auditory; it was a direct transmission of thought, a telepathic impression that bypassed the need for language.

"Precisely as predicted," the trader confirmed. "The subject's emotional state, coupled with his inherent power, is generating significant fluctuations in the local spacetime fabric. Your harvesters should be detecting a considerable increase in… chroniton-entropic particles." That was the technical term for the "unique energy" the client craved – the energy released by alterations in fate and time, by chaos and unpredictability.

"Most satisfactory," the client responded. "The initial readings are promising. This… 'Issei Hyoudou'… possesses a remarkable potential for disruption."

The trader allowed himself a small, self-satisfied smile. "Indeed. I took the liberty of… enhancing that potential. A small 'gift,' as I assured him."

"Explain." The client's energy pulsed with a hint of curiosity.

"The Dimensional Anchor and Adaptation Matrix," the trader elaborated. "It serves its primary function, of course – stabilizing the subject's physiology in any new environment. However, I included a… secondary function. A subtle feedback loop. It amplifies the subject's emotional responses, translating them directly into fluctuations in his power output. In essence, I turned his grief and confusion into a catalyst for chaos."

A ripple of energy emanated from the client, a gesture the trader recognized as amusement. "Ingenious. A delicate touch of… sadism. I approve."

"It was the most efficient solution," the trader said smoothly. "A direct intervention would have been crude, and potentially counterproductive. This way, the subject's own internal turmoil fuels the process. He becomes a self-sustaining engine of disruption."

"And the local inhabitants? The… 'Avengers'?"

"They are reacting as expected," the trader said. "They perceive the subject as a threat, a problem to be solved. Their attempts to control him, to help him, will only serve to further destabilize the situation. The more they interfere, the greater the chaos." He gestured towards a smaller, secondary projection that shimmered into existence beside the client. It showed a live feed of the Avengers Tower conference room, the various heroes discussing their strategy.

"They are… predictable," the client observed, its energy signature flickering with disdain. "Linear thinkers. They cannot comprehend the true nature of the forces at play."

"Precisely," the trader agreed. "They are pawns in a game they don't even realize they're playing. And Issei Hyoudou… he is the wild card, the unpredictable element that will shatter their carefully constructed order."

The client pulsed again, a silent expression of satisfaction. "Continue to monitor the situation. Report any significant developments. The potential for harvest is… considerable."

"Of course," the trader said, bowing his head slightly. "I am, as always, at your service."

The client's projection shimmered and vanished, leaving the trader alone in the swirling vortex. He watched the image of the Avengers, their faces etched with concern, their efforts doomed to futility. A slow smile spread across his face.

This was shaping up to be a very profitable deal indeed. And the best part was, he didn't even have to lift a finger. The chaos would unfold naturally, fueled by the grief of a lost boy, the well-meaning intentions of heroes, and the insatiable hunger of a being beyond their comprehension. It was, he thought, a masterpiece of manipulation. And he was the artist.