Marvel : the Author

Hello everyone ! How are you all ? I'm back to work so… Personally, I'd rather stay home ! Then again, at least, it allows me to work on my story a little more… which is ironic I know ! I can't seem to focus on writing when I don't have anything to do like I do at home. I'd rather watch some series or play some game

Speaking of game, let's talk about SteelRising ! A game taking place during the French Revolution around 1789. It's a steampunk/gaslight fantasy where you play an automate called Aegis. Also, it's a die-and-retry, also known as a Souls-like (for the series of game Dark Souls). Truthfully, I don't why I love this game so much… I've played Elden Ring a few hours but dropped it. Played Dark Souls (don't know which one) for a few minutes and dropped it. Played the Surge 1 and 2 a bit and dropped it… I've already played more than 20 hours on this game ! Maybe it's because it's during a period of my country's history ? I don't know… But I love it !

Now, don't you forget to leave stones, comments and reviews behind after you read this chapter. And if you want to read more or discover other things (I think I'll start posting my the Boys/InFamous crossover fiction this week) the visit my Patréon page : search for Cathbel on their website !

Gave a good day and enjoy !

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My first reaction ? 'Fuck ! I'm trapped in a S.H.I.E.L.D./Hydra facility !' Because this reality persists in being a completely mystery to me with things I recognize from one universe, and others from another… And then, I ask myself the question whether or not I'm standing in front of a Fury LMD - Life Model Decoy - or an evil clone or…

It's Fury's impatient voice that stops my mind from spiraling :

« So ? I'm waiting. »

I tilt my head uncomprehendingly :

« Waiting for what ? » I ask.

He's THE Super-spy ! I'm sure he knows about the Sinister Six ! Probably has been watching the fight unfold from the start. By now, I'm confident he has all their information from their real names to their first babysitter ! What sort of information could he possibly expect from little ol' me ?

Fury's face morphs into a frightening and impatient scowl. I flinch, and though I hope I didn't do so outwardly and only in my mind, I'm not sure. No wonder the guy was portrayed as an intimidating mother-fucker in most fictions I've read of him. Granted, he's often depicted as such even - or especially ? - in the comics, movies and TV shows. That said, in the latter, they did also often show a goofy side of him, so…

Here and now ? Yeah, nothing goofy about the guy ! Still, I have no idea what he wants from me…

I start to stutter :

« If… If it's about th-…the fight, we didn't start it ! Those guys… »

He cut me off.

« I know all~ about the fight. That's not what I care about ! » The door opens once more to let in a beautiful brunette in a form fitting military-like suit. In her arms, I instantly recognize…

« My clothes ! » I shout and start to move to retrieve them… Only to be interrupted.

« Sit the hell down ! » Fury orders and, against my better judgement, I actually do so. What the… ? Does the guys possess some kind of hypnotic voice power or something ? Or is it just his natural charisma and intimidation tactics ?

While I frown - even if nobody can tell - the man points at the clothes :

« I'm told the materials on this belt are not from this planet. Matter of fact, it seems some components of your… robe also possess some extra-dimensional properties… Care to explain what a barely pubescent kid like you's doing mixing with aliens and other dimensions ? »

Oh ! So that's why I'm here ! I think to myself.

He's not wrong about the robes. Since we use some mystical energy in the runes and stitching to make them, and by extension us, more resilient, they indeed do have extra-dimensional properties. I'm surprised they have the technology to tell, however…

As for the belt… Well, that's less surprising. The human race being what it is, discovered and identified almost all the resources the Earth has to offer… At least, those it can make use of, anyway. Unfortunately, earth metal aren't very conductive when it comes to magic. And dwarves don't exactly like to work with mundane materials anyway.

I could answer the guy and make this situation easy on me. The problem is that I don't think he'd be satisfied with something like : I met an alien and we travelled to her world to work on this marvelous piece of dwarwen creation. He'd want to know where I met the alien in question, the circumstances surrounding the encounter, the reason why we decided to travel and work together… Basically, he'd want to know all my and my family secrets. And that's just not something I'm comfortable with…

Instead, I ask :

« Where and how are my friends ? »

Fury furrows his brows silently, trying to make me talk or answer his questions, I don't know. To be honest, although I'm trying to hold his gaze with mine, my eyes are swimming around the room.

« I ask the questions here. Or do you think I'd just ignore a potential and powerful alien roaming New York ? »

For a moment, silence stretches between us as I try to wrap my head around his question. Of course, I know the answer to that. Fury has a compulsion to know and control everything. This need for control is, perhaps, what makes him a great director. No, what baffles is the implication behind the question. An alien ? What Alien ? And then, it dawns on me :

« I'm not an alien ! » I deny, surprise in my head, my eyes returning to his own. But then, echoes of a similar conversation I had with him comes to mind. I eye him with suspicion. « I believe we've already had this discussion… What is it I told you I was ? »

Fury's face is less blank than it was when we met him with Doreen and Peter, back before Cory got her powers. I don't know if it's because he's trying to interrogate me or… something else.

A slight smile stretches his lips for a fraction of a second before he says :

« Alter-Human. That's what you prefer to be called… Or at least, that's the story you told me. Mutant and homo superior aren't the correct terms according to you… »

I sigh and nod, before looking at him in silence. I'm still not a hundred percent sure it's Fury. However, I'm more curious about what he's going on about if he remembers our conversation.

« You see… I'm not sure I believe you. Granted it's impossible to tell your age based on appearance alone, but based on the company you keep and the fact they're all teenagers, we can make a guess that you, too, are one. In addition, while you were napping, my people took the liberty of taking some samples. No doubt they'll call soon to tell me your true origins, so… Drop the act, now. »

He takes the belt the one I believe to be Maria Hill deposited on a small tray beside the bed.

« Although we're not sure about the robe, this is obviously of alien origin. Where would a young mutant… Sorry. Alter-human, could possibly get their hands on something like this. Unless, you possess some contact with the black market… Which would make you a criminal and someone I need to get in my cells. »

I try to squash the anxiousness and anger I feel rising in me and consider what I can tell the man… Obviously, he's not ready to just drop it.