Marvel 616X

Short Chapter)

Albedo sat at the large central console in the New York Sanctum, his eyes fixed on the stream of data flowing across the screen. The information they had extracted from SHIELD was extensive, but much of it was encoded, locked behind layers of encryption that even his advanced AI struggled to unravel. His hands moved quickly over the controls, his expression a mix of concentration and frustration.

Behind him, the Sanctum was alive with quiet activity. Polaris was seated cross-legged near a window, a faint magnetic field shimmering around her as she practiced fine-tuning her control. Scarlet Spider hung upside down from the ceiling, casually tossing a rubber ball against the wall and catching it with his free hand. Thor leaned against a pillar, Stormbreaker resting by his side as he observed the others, his gaze thoughtful. A-Bomb was on the floor in the corner, doing push-ups to pass the time.

Every so often, someone would break the silence to check in on Albedo.

"How's it going?" Scarlet Spider asked, flipping upright and dropping to the ground with a soft thud. "Any juicy secrets yet?"

Albedo didn't look up. "The encryption is complex, but not impossible. There's something important buried in here—they wouldn't have gone to such lengths to protect it otherwise."

"Good," Scarlet said, tossing the ball into the air and catching it again. "Because we could really use a win."

Polaris glanced over from her spot by the window. "Anything about mutants? Or the experiments?"

"Still digging," Albedo replied, his tone clipped as he focused. "I'll let you know when I find something."

Thor stepped closer, his heavy footsteps echoing slightly. "Your dedication is admirable, Albedo. But don't let it consume you. Even the sharpest blade dulls without rest."

"I'll rest when we have what we need," Albedo muttered, typing a series of commands into the console. "The Maker's already ahead of us. I won't give him any more time to widen that gap."

Thor nodded but didn't press further, stepping back to let Albedo work.

The hours stretched on, the Sanctum filled with the soft hum of the console and the occasional quiet conversation. A-Bomb eventually rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. "This waiting game is killing me. Someone put on something entertaining before I lose it."

Scarlet Spider grinned, walking over to the small TV in the corner of the room. "Fine. Let's see what the world's up to."

He turned on the TV, flipping through channels until he stopped on a news broadcast. The room grew quiet as the familiar image of The Maker filled the screen. Standing behind a podium, his confident and polished demeanor was on full display. The caption at the bottom read: "The Maker to Address Recent Allegations."

Polaris straightened, her expression hardening. "Great. Just what we need."

Thor gripped Stormbreaker tightly, his jaw clenching. "The serpent speaks again."

Albedo's hands froze over the console as he turned to look at the screen, his crimson eyes narrowing. "He's making his move."

The group gathered around the TV, their unease palpable as they waited for The Maker to begin his speech.

The screen flickered slightly, and the image of The Maker came into sharp focus. He stood behind an imposing podium, flanked by two SHIELD officers in stark black uniforms. The seal of the United Nations hung prominently behind him, surrounded by flags from every nation. His polished suit and calm demeanor were a stark contrast to the chaos brewing across the globe.

The camera zoomed in as The Maker began to speak, his tone steady and deliberate.

"Citizens of the world," he began, his deep, commanding voice carrying a weight of authority. "The past few days have been marked by a storm of controversy and accusations—allegations that call into question not only my actions but the very measures we've taken to protect humanity."

The room in the Sanctum was silent as the group listened, each member wearing a different expression. Polaris crossed her arms, her gaze hardening as The Maker continued. Thor's grip on Stormbreaker tightened, his knuckles whitening. Scarlet Spider leaned casually against a wall, but his mask couldn't hide the tension in his posture.

"I will not deny the images and documents you've seen," The Maker continued, his tone now somber. "Yes, there were experiments. Yes, there were programs that some might find distasteful. But these actions were not taken lightly. They were responses to unprecedented threats—threats that have shaped this very world."

The camera panned slightly, showing members of the press and various U.N. representatives watching him with varying degrees of skepticism. The backlash in the room was evident—murmurs of dissent and narrowed gazes made it clear that many weren't buying his excuses.

"Take, for example, the catastrophe in Chicago," The Maker said, his voice rising slightly. "A single enhanced individual—uncontrolled, unchecked—leveled half the city in under an hour. Thousands perished. Or the invasion of New York, where aliens poured through a portal created by careless misuse of technology. Who was it that stood between you and annihilation? SHIELD, mutants under my guidance, and the systems I've built to safeguard humanity."

Jean folded her arms, her lips pressed into a thin line. "He's twisting it. Those events happened, but not like he's saying."

"And Chicago?" Polaris muttered. "That wasn't even caused by a mutant. It was one of his experiments gone wrong."

The Maker gestured broadly, his tone taking on an almost fatherly quality. "I understand your fears. I understand the outrage. But I ask you—what would you have me do? Stand idly by while threats grow unchecked? Trust in individuals who refuse to cooperate, to share their power for the greater good?"

Scarlet Spider scoffed, shaking his head. "He's good, I'll give him that. Making himself sound like the only adult in the room."

"He is not convincing everyone," Thor rumbled. "Even now, I see doubt in their faces."

The camera cut to the U.N. representatives, some of whom whispered to each other, their expressions skeptical. The murmurs from the public watching the speech had grown louder. The Maker, however, remained calm.

"I admit," he said, his voice quieter now, as if offering a confession, "I have made mistakes. No leader is infallible. But every decision, every program, has been for one purpose: the survival of humanity. To ensure that our world doesn't just survive but thrives in an age of gods and monsters."

Albedo, who had been silent throughout, finally spoke, his voice low but sharp. "He's not just deflecting—he's reframing the entire narrative. He's using every real disaster to make his crimes look like necessities."

The Maker took a deep breath, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. "I am willing to answer for my actions. I welcome an investigation, but I ask that it be fair. Do not let fear and misinformation undo the progress we've made. Together, we can move forward—stronger, safer, united."

The press erupted into questions, voices clamoring to be heard as the broadcast cut away to analysts dissecting the speech. Polaris clenched her fists, her frustration boiling over. "He's trying to spin this like he's the only thing standing between us and chaos."

Jean shook her head. "And some people will believe him. Enough to keep him in power."

"He's buying time," Albedo said, his eyes narrowing at the screen. "But cracks are forming. The public isn't entirely on his side anymore."

Luke Cage, who had been standing quietly by the door, finally spoke. "So what's the next move? He's still got most of the world eating out of his hand, and even with what we've got, it's not enough to take him down."

Albedo leaned forward, his expression hardening. "Then we keep pushing. We find the cracks, widen them, and make it impossible for him to talk his way out."

Thor nodded solemnly. "This is but one battle in a much larger war. We must stay the course."

The group fell into silence, each member contemplating their next steps as the screen shifted to yet another analyst defending The Maker. The fight was far from over, and they all knew it.

Albedo sat back at the console, his crimson eyes fixed on the stream of data still running across the screen. His fingers moved deftly over the controls, his focus unbroken despite the noise in the background. His team had dispersed after the broadcast, each dealing with their frustration in their own way. But Albedo stayed put, driven by the need to find the next lead.

"This is far from over," he muttered to himself, his voice low. "If we don't stay ahead of him, we'll lose any chance we have."

Behind him, Scarlet Spider leaned against a wall, arms crossed, his mask rolled up just enough to reveal a smirk. "You know, for someone who was given a second chance at life, you don't really seem to live it."

Albedo didn't respond, his fingers continuing to work the console. Jean approached, her expression soft but determined. "Albedo, you've been working non-stop since we got here. You need a break."

"I'll rest when this is over," Albedo replied curtly, not looking up. "The Maker isn't resting. Neither should we."

Polaris, seated nearby, shook her head. "No offense, but that's not sustainable. Even you can't function like this forever."

Thor stepped forward, his heavy presence commanding attention. "Your dedication is admirable, Albedo, but a leader must also know when to recover. A soldier who never rests becomes a liability."

Albedo paused briefly, his fingers hovering over the console. "The Maker's forces aren't going to wait for us to recover. Every moment we waste, he's tightening his grip."

Luke Cage, who had been quietly observing from the corner, finally spoke. "And what good are you gonna be if you burn yourself out? You're no good to any of us if you're half-dead."

Albedo sighed, leaning back slightly in his chair but refusing to fully step away. "This isn't about me. This is about stopping him before it's too late."

Jean placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice gentle but firm. "And you won't be able to stop him if you collapse from exhaustion. We're a team, Albedo. You don't have to carry this alone."

Scarlet Spider grinned, flipping onto the back of the couch. "Besides, we're not saying abandon the mission. We're just saying take, I don't know, an hour or two to not be this." He gestured at the console dramatically.

Polaris stood, crossing her arms. "You've been doing everything for this mission since the day you got here. When was the last time you just… lived?"

Albedo frowned, glancing around the room at their faces. They were all looking at him—not with judgment, but with genuine concern. He wanted to argue, to tell them they didn't understand the stakes. But deep down, he knew they were right.

"Fine," he said at last, his tone reluctant. "But only for a little while."

Scarlet Spider hopped off the couch, clapping his hands together. "Now that's the spirit! Come on, let's figure out what 'fun' means in this sanctum."

The team exchanged smiles, the tension in the room easing slightly as Albedo finally stepped away from the console. Despite his reluctance, a small part of him began to realize that maybe—just maybe—they had a point.

The team wasted no time dragging Albedo away from the console, practically forcing him into the Sanctum's more recreational spaces. The New York Sanctum, while heavily modified with technology and magic, still had areas that weren't mission-focused—spaces Dr. Doom and Clea had likely added as a reprieve from their heavy burdens.

The first stop was the Sanctum's training room, but this time it wasn't for combat drills. Scarlet Spider suggested a simple game of precision: throwing small metal discs at targets Polaris had suspended midair with her powers.

"Simple enough," Scarlet said, tossing one of the discs in the air and catching it. "No super strength, no energy blasts—just pure aim. Let's see what you've got, Albedo."

Albedo crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. "This is what you call fun?"

"Trust me," Polaris said, a slight smirk on her face, "it's more enjoyable than it sounds."

Thor chuckled, his deep voice filling the room. "A contest of skill? I approve. But do not expect me to go easy on you."

The game started casually, but it didn't take long for the competitive edge to creep in. Polaris manipulated the targets to shift unpredictably, keeping everyone on their toes. Scarlet Spider hit his marks with uncanny accuracy, his agility giving him an edge. Thor, for all his strength, relied on brute force, sometimes smashing the discs into the targets instead of landing clean hits.

When it was Albedo's turn, he frowned, focusing intently on the target. He threw the disc, landing a solid hit on the edge of the target. Scarlet Spider clapped dramatically. "Not bad for a first timer! I mean, not great, but not bad."

Albedo rolled his eyes, but he couldn't suppress the faint smile tugging at his lips. "Perhaps if the targets were stationary, I could outperform you all."

"Excuses, excuses," Polaris teased as she sent another target whizzing by.

Later, in the Sanctum's common area, Luke Cage brought out a deck of cards. "Alright, something a little less physically demanding. Let's see if any of you know how to play poker."

"Do not assume I lack skill in this mortal game," Thor said, sitting down heavily at the table. "Many nights in Asgard were spent in contests of wit and chance."

Scarlet Spider snorted. "This is going to be great."

Albedo hesitated before joining, sitting stiffly as Luke dealt the cards. "You expect me to gamble during a time like this?"

"It's not real gambling," Luke said with a shrug. "We're playing for bragging rights, not money. Relax."

As the game went on, Albedo found himself surprisingly engaged. Jean and Polaris sat on the sidelines, making sarcastic commentary and laughing as Thor tried to bluff his way through a terrible hand. Albedo, for his part, played methodically, studying everyone's tells and patterns. It didn't take long before he began to win round after round.

"Okay, he's definitely cheating," Scarlet Spider groaned, throwing his cards on the table after another loss. "You can't just be good at everything."

"Perhaps it's you who needs more practice," Albedo replied with a faint smirk, collecting his imaginary winnings. For the first time in a while, he felt… lighter.

Later still, the group ended up on the Sanctum's rooftop, where Polaris manipulated the metal in the surrounding structures to create a makeshift obstacle course. Scarlet Spider zipped through it with ease, taunting Thor when the larger man struggled to keep up. Luke Cage took a turn, crashing through some of the obstacles but laughing it off.

Albedo, watching from the sidelines, finally gave in to their prodding and took part. Using his agility and speed—not to mention his enhanced physical abilities—he navigated the course with surprising precision, earning cheers from the others.

"Not bad, boss," Polaris said, clapping as he landed gracefully at the end. "I might make an athlete out of you yet."

"Don't get used to it," Albedo replied, though his tone lacked its usual edge.

As the night wore on, the team settled back into the common room, the earlier tension replaced by an easy camaraderie. Albedo sat quietly, observing as the others laughed and shared stories. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of belonging—a feeling he hadn't realized he'd missed.

Jean leaned over, her voice soft. "See? Living a little doesn't hurt."

Albedo gave a small nod, his expression thoughtful. "Perhaps… it was necessary after all."

The team, now closer than ever, had reminded Albedo that even in the midst of their fight, moments of connection and levity were just as important as the battles they faced.