43 42. Giant-Bald-Baby-Man-dude
Heya, I'm Back!
I had End Semester Exams, that's why couldn't write. Well, now that I'm back and free, expect more frequent releases this month!
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[ S.H.E.I.L.D. Headquarters ]
Maria Hill's hurried footsteps resounded as she made her way towards Fury's office.
As she reached his office, she put a brown folder on his table. As Fury opened the file, Maria Hill briefed Nick Fury on the unfolding situation in Sokovia.
"Sir, our intelligence reports something highly irregular happening. Wanda Maximoff, one of the suspects to have attacked Tony Stark in Stark Expo, has been officially appointed as the new General of Sokovia's military forces."
"Sokovia, eh...", Fury's eye narrowed as he examined the file's contents. "This makes no damn sense. The girl who is barely 20 can't have such military experience in a mere 11 months. How did such a girl even end up in such a position?"
"We suspect that the masked individual is the one pulling the strings again," Maria stated firmly.
Turning the page, Fury's gaze fell upon the sketch of the slender, masked man clad in black - the enigmatic figure linked to the Stark Expo attack.
The most baffling thing about the attack that happened on Stark Expo was that there was no digital trace of the attackers. Everything that S.H.E.I.L.D. had on them was from the eyewitnesses, even Stark could provide them with only a distorted photograph of the three.
Though, with the relentless effort of S.H.E.I.L.D. ciphers they managed to identify two of the three attackers — Wanda Maximoff and Pietro Maximoff. The masked individual remained an infuriating mystery.
If the twins had worn a mask that time, even they wouldn't have been identified by S.H.E.I.L.D. But at that time they wanted Stark and his people to see their faces and remember them.
Typical Vengeance crap...
Well, the siblings were a bit too emotional and immature at that time. Pietro was immature even now.
"Hmm... Her appointment seems ironclad by procedure," Fury said, "but keep all agents in Sokovia on high alert. Gather every scrap of intel you can without overt action. This is an international situation - we're dancing on eggshells for now."
Indeed, this was an international affair, Fury's hands were tied, that's why he couldn't act too bold.
The situation reeked of something insidious brewing.
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[ Seoul - South Korea ]
Before coming here, Erik had stopped by Kamar-Taj to meet with Alice(The girl he rescued along with the Maximoff twins in Baron Strucker's research base), it was a nice short meeting.
Today, Erik was here to meet a friend and colleague. It was Dr. Helen Cho.
She was the person who helped him build the upgraded cocoon. And she had called him today for some work-related stuff.
"In a sense, aren't I like your mother, Jerry? Oh, pardon me - it's Eirikyr now, isn't it?" Helen flashed a toothy grin.
Erik laughed heartily at Helen's friendly jibe. "You can just call me Erik. And, if you're my mother, do you want me to call you mommy or something?" He grinned.
Helen blushed a little bit at that, such a handsome man calling her 'Mommy' as she did this and that with him...
Helen cleared her dirty mind with cough and spoke, "Anyway, I suppose the cocoon did its job well."
He flexed an arm, admiring the perfection of his engineered physique. "That it did," Erik replied with satisfaction.
Helen's gaze lingered over the taut muscles and veins of his forearms, a subtle tension thickening the air.
She was fumbling a lot today, Erik was totally her type. She was the one who helped design his body, his body represents her every fetish. And she knows what monster sleeps inside those pants, and that thought doesn't let her concentrate.
Erik, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, cleared his throat, "So, uh, what did you need me for today, Helen?" he asked to steer the conversation away from the sudden intensity of the moment.
Helen blinked, breaking free from her daze, and shook her head slightly. "Right, sorry. I called you here because I've been working on some enhancements for the cradle," she explained, gesturing towards a sleek metallic structure in the corner of the room.
"But it's just not possible to enhance it without those space metals... I want it to at least create a complete functioning organ. Imagine the lives we could save with this."
Erik's interest was piqued at the mention of enhancements for the cocoon. He approached the metallic structure, examining it with a keen eye.
'If she hadn't worked with me, she may have pursued an alternative solution eventually. But knowing one path, perhaps her mind sees it as the sole option,' he mused.
'This technology is quite dangerous...'
'In my previous world, I would have used every means to encourage it with authority like I have now. But this is Marvel... Can't let it tech get in the wrong hands...'
Suddenly Erik's eyes sparkled with an idea.
"Helen, what is more important to you — Saving lives or the profit you gain from this technology?"
"Saving lives, of course but profit wouldn't hurt.", her reply was without any hesitation.
"Then come to Sokovia with me. I'll provide you with everything that you need. But in exchange, I'll retain full oversight and management authority over the cradle's use. Of course, you'll receive full credit for your effort and a massive royalty too. And I'll save as many people as possible while keeping the price cheap as well."
This way, Erik could also keep an eye on her.
"Are you proposing to me again or something?" Helen raised her brow.
Erik rolled his eyes with a grimace. "No ma'am, and I apologize for that time again. I had become too overconfident in the ugly me..."
Erik really wanted to forget about that dark day if possible.
Helen was a really nice woman. When she was still in the Mars base, she appreciated Erik's, formerly known as Jerry's kindness. She talked with him as an equal, laughed at his jokes, and even lightly flirted with him sometimes. Overall, she was a great woman.
One day Jerry, straight up went and confessed to her. The poor guy in the ugly body thought that she liked him too. The outcome was predictable.
And from that day he became even more determined to get a new body for himself.
However in the end he did find someone who saw past his ugly appearance and loved him for who he was.
Helen smiled flirtatiously, "And do you remember my response from that time?"
She had told him that she would definitely date him if he managed to obtain a new body.
Erik twisted his brows, he was a bit nervous now. Through his enhanced senses, he could perceive her breathing and heartbeat, and he knew that she wasn't just flirting right now. "I thought that was simply a lighthearted way to let me down easy?"
Stepping closer, Helen traced his chiseled jawline with her fingertips, then his toned chest, "What if I was totally serious?"
Her gaze dropped to his lips, imagining what it might be like to kiss him...
As she lifted her heels to capture his lips with hers, he gently stopped her, his expression filled with regret. "I... am sorry, Helen. I have someone I love right now..."
Helen widened her eyes, her heart sinking a little at his words. "Really...? I-I mean I was just kidding."
"So, who's the lucky girl?" She asked.
Erik smiled warmly, "Wanda."
"Really!" Helen exclaimed in surprise.
As they continued to talk, seamlessly transitioning between unimportant topics and work-related discussions, Helen's transfer to Sokovia was confirmed.
Helen would come to Sokovia in a few days after all her unfinished work in Korea and the required paperwork were processed. This is how Erik bagged a top-level scientist for Wanda's upcoming empire.
It was nighttime when Erik returned to Sokovia and on his return, he received a warm welcome hug from Wanda. She did ask whose smell was all over his body, but let him off pretty easily.
After having dinner together with everyone, Wanda and Erik walked out to have a peaceful walk in the wilderness.
As they walked, she couldn't help but appreciate the beauty of their surroundings: the soft rustling of leaves in the wind, the dazzling array of stars twinkling above, and the calming sound of water trickling nearby.
Drawing closer to Erik, Wanda pressed herself against him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
And then... She saw a weird, ginormous, bald baby-man, in a regal-looking cape!
"W-What the hell is that?!" she exclaimed, pointing.
Erik turned serious as he turned around he put his arm in front of Wanda to protect her.
"Eirikyr Anderson, the Eternal Ruler, the singular across the multiverse. You have been chosen."
Erik sighed, "Well, shit..."
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