27 A Hero's Dilemma #27

In the quiet of the night, Evan stood with an air of composed vigilance on the edge of a towering skyscraper. His form was a silhouette against the backdrop of city lights, hands resting confidently behind his back.

His gaze was on the building directly opposite, its imposing presence punctuated by the knowledge that it held the penthouse of Warren Worthington, Jr.—Angel's father.

The sprawling metropolis lay before him, a labyrinth of possibilities and potential dangers. Down below, the city's heartbeat pulsed in distant echoes, contrasting the focused determination etched into Evan's features.

With the young mutants now deployed within the opposite building, Evan's confidence in their abilities didn't waver. However, his experiences had taught him that the line between plans and reality was often treacherous.

In this world of uncertainty, he stood as a pillar of assurance, a safeguard against the unforeseen twists that could unravel even the most carefully laid strategies. It was his duty to ensure the safety of the students, a responsibility he accepted without hesitation.

Amidst his contemplation, a sudden thud disrupted the tranquility behind him, a distinct sound of impact that sent ripples through the air. Evan's senses sharpened, his reflexes honed from years of training.

In the moonlit solitude of the rooftop, Evan's voice carried wry amusement as he addressed the newcomer who had made his presence known. "There you are, kid..." His words, infused with a hint of familiarity, drifted into the night air, accompanied by a sense of calculated expectation.

With a deliberate grace, Evan pivoted on his heel, his gaze fixing upon the newly arrived figure—Spider-Man. The young vigilante's trademark red-and-blue suit was a vivid contrast against the urban panorama, a beacon of hope and determination in the midst of darkness.

Evan's tone was calm and knowing as he addressed the masked hero. "I expected you'd show up sooner or later..."

Spider-Man's response came with a light scratching of his mask-covered head, a gesture of mild exasperation that carried an undercurrent of concern. "Well, I can't rightly stay away when there's some guy standing on a roof in the middle of the night like he's about to jump..." His words held a touch of sarcasm, reflecting his uniquely quippy persona.

Evan's laughter danced in the air, a warm ripple that resonated with a shared understanding. "I assure you, I have no intention of jumping, and even if I did, I'd be fine..." His reassurance was laced with an air of confidence.

Spider-Man's nonchalant shrug belied the curiosity that sparkled within his eyes. He stepped forward to join Evan, their stances side by side, as they shared a mutual view of the opposite building. His gaze shifted from the cityscape to Evan, masked eyes narrowing with playful suspicion. "So, what are you doing here? Nothing shady, I hope..."

The masked hero's voice carried a touch of gravity as he continued, his words veiled with uneasy mirth. "I saw how you handled Rhino, and I'd rather not have to deal with you in a less... friendly context."

Evan's head shook with a trace of amusement as he responded, the night breeze carrying his words into the open air. "Besides trespassing? Nothing shady..."

A gesture toward the aerial figure of Angel, who gracefully circled the opposing building, served as a visual testament to his explanation. "I'm only here to watch over my students and ensure nothing goes south..."

Spider-Man's masked gaze shifted between Evan and the airborne Angel, a glimmer of intrigue sparking within his eyes. His voice, tinged with curiosity, carried a playful edge as he inquired further. "And what are your students doing exactly?"

Evan's shoulders lifted in a casual shrug, the dim light accentuating the contours of his frame. "What the X-men usually do... They're protecting someone," he spoke with assurance, a reflection of his confidence in the capabilities of his charges.

A subtle widening of Spider-Man's eyes beneath his mask betrayed his surprise. His question was direct, his voice edged with awe and curiosity. "So you're with the X-men?"

Evan's response held a touch of complexity, a nuanced glimpse into his role within the larger mutant narrative. His head shook in negation. "I'm not an X-man if that's what you're asking. My role is more of an educational one..."

Evan's gaze shifted from the opposite building, his eyes meeting Spider-Man's through the lenses of his mask. His question, delivered with a blend of earnestness and curiosity, hung in the air like a challenge. "Tell me, what do you think of mutants?"

Spider-Man's mask concealed his expression, but his voice held a thoughtful quality as he considered Evan's question. "Mutants, huh? Well, they're just like anyone else, I guess. People with extraordinary abilities, trying to make their way in a world that might not understand them."

A faint chuckle escaped him, the sound carrying a hint of self-awareness. "I mean... I swing around in a red and blue suit, so I can't really judge anyone for being different." The admission was laced with humor, a reminder of the inherent irony in his own situation.

Spider-Man's tone shifted, becoming more serious as he continued. "But just like anyone else, there are good mutants and bad mutants. Just like there are good and bad regular people." He paused, his words tinged with a sense of conviction. "I think it's important to judge individuals by their actions, not their abilities."

Evan's side glance was a thoughtful gesture, his gaze fixed on Spider-Man as he posed the question that had been lingering in his mind. The moon's glow cast a soft illumination, painting the rooftop scene with a serene ambiance.

"Have you thought about voicing out your thoughts to the public...?" Evan's words hung in the air, a gentle inquiry that carried a weight of genuine curiosity. He observed Spider-Man, his keen perception attuned to the subtle shifts in body language that betrayed the masked hero's inner thoughts.

The fabric of Spider-Man's mask concealed his expression, but Evan could sense the ripple of confusion that emanated from him.

A chuckle escaped Evan, the sound carrying a sense of amusement. He understood the thoughts that might be swirling beneath the mask, the internal conflict that often accompanied the life of a hero. "You're one of the most well-known heroes in America. Countless people look up to you..." Evan continued his voice a soothing cadence that cut through the silence.

The weight of the rooftop seemed to settle around them, a space where ideas and possibilities intertwined. Evan's gaze remained steady, a conduit for his earnest intentions. "Haven't you considered that you could better the world in a way that doesn't involve brawling with psychos in haloween costumes 24/7?"

Spider-Man's masked gaze remained fixed on the city below, the reflective lenses concealing the myriad of thoughts that danced behind them. Evan's words had struck a chord, a chord that resonated with the internal struggles that often accompanied his dual life.

When it finally emerged, his voice carried a blend of introspection and contemplation. "You know, it's not like I haven't thought about it," he began, his tone a mix of earnestness and uncertainty. "There are times when I wonder if there's more I could do beyond just catching bad guys and stopping crimes."

"It just feels like J. Jonah Jameson would probably have a field day with it if I tried to use my platform to help mutants..." Spider-Man's voice carried a tinge of resigned amusement, his words laced with a blend of sarcasm and weariness.

A chuckle escaped Spider-Man, the sound a reflection of the absurdity that often accompanied the superhero's life. "He'd probably come up with a headline like 'Spider-Man: Hero of New York or the Hidden King of Mutants?'"

Evan's lips curled into a knowing smile, the moonlight catching the subtle shift in his expression. "Somehow, that's not too hard to imagine."

Spider-Man's gloved hand scratched the back of his mask-covered head, a gesture of exasperation that mirrored the sentiments of his voice. "Yeah... that's what I have to deal with every day..."

His words trailed off, a sense of introspection lingering before he spoke again, his voice tinged with optimism. "But who knows, maybe one day you'll see headlines that say 'Spider-Man's Thought of the Day' or something..."

Evan's laughter echoed, a warm resonance that filled the rooftop's expanse. "That would be amusing to see, if nothing else..." As Spider-Man turned to leave, his form poised with a sense of readiness, Evan's gaze remained fixed on the opposite building.

"Still, you should consider my words..." Evan's voice carried a gentle insistence, the weight of his intention underscoring his tone. His gaze shifted from the urban panorama to Spider-Man's retreating form, a silent invitation to reflect on the possibilities ahead.

In a seamless motion, Evan reached into the inner pocket of his jacket, retrieving a small card. Without breaking his gaze, he flicked the card into the air, a deft movement that sent it curving toward Spider-Man.

The card spun in a graceful arc before descending, landing squarely within Spider-Man's gloved hand. The hero's masked gaze shifted downward, his fingers curling around the card as he read its contents.

"And the offer to train you still stands, by the way..."

...

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