Chapter 5
"Marek's in Europe. He has no clue about this, but then again, neither do you, Charles." Mystique smirked, arms crossed.
Charles narrowed his eyes. "Do you really expect me to believe that? If Marek isn't involved, then why would the Brotherhood be bold enough to attack SHIELD? No way he'd let you take a risk like this unless he wasn't willing to make an outright move against the government himself." His gaze sharpened, glowing faintly with blue light as he probed Mystique's mind.
Mystique only laughed, tossing her head back. "Charles, you should know better. I had someone reinforce my psychic defenses a long time ago. Unless you break through them completely, you won't be able to read me. And if you *do* break through, well—" she leaned in with a teasing grin—"I might just fall madly in love with you."
Charles frowned slightly but didn't back down. The glow in his eyes deepened. "Raven, I've already taken control of every mutant in this facility. If you can't give me a damn good reason for what you're doing, none of them are leaving."
Mystique's expression hardened. "Then you should already know why we're here. SHIELD is holding a mutant captive—an *innate* mutant. And they're planning to use him for genetic experiments! We're not leaving without him." Her voice rose, sharp with conviction.
"Alright, alright, let's not blow out my eardrums," Howard interrupted, stepping forward with an exasperated sigh. "What I *do* want to know is where you got this information. Who told you SHIELD was experimenting on mutants?"
"The Brotherhood has its sources, Stark. We don't owe you an explanation." Mystique shot him a look but didn't answer directly. Howard didn't need her to—he already had a pretty good guess.
"So there *is* a leak in SHIELD." He stroked his mustache thoughtfully. "But your intel is way off. SHIELD isn't holding any mutant prisoners, and we sure as hell aren't running genetic experiments."
Mystique scoffed. "Oh yeah? Then who was that kid with a *tail* I saw locked up in there? What, are you gonna tell me he's just some *really* unfortunate government worker?" She folded her arms, glaring. "If you've got nothing to hide, then open the damn door and let Charles see for himself."
Howard rolled his eyes. "First of all, *that* kid is my *son.* Howard Stark's *son.*" He let the words sink in before continuing. "His name is Gage Stark. So unless you think I'm running experiments on my *own kid,* you might want to rethink your little rescue mission."
Mystique hesitated, caught off guard. But Charles raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "I don't recall hearing that Maria was pregnant again. Or is this... the result of a little side adventure?"
Howard waved his hands in a panic. "No, no, *adopted*! He's *adopted,* alright? If Maria hears otherwise, I'm sleeping at SHIELD for the next six months."
Charles chuckled. "Ah, I see."
Before Mystique could respond, Nick Fury stormed in, looking worse for wear with fresh cuts on his arms. "Are you *kidding* me? I'm out there dodging bullets, and you're all having a goddamn tea party?"
Howard smirked. "Nick, meet Professor Charles Xavier. He's the one who saved your ass just now."
Fury and Charles exchanged a glance before nodding at each other. "We go way back, Stark," Fury said. "No introductions needed. Charles, is that your new recruit?" He motioned toward Scott and Iris, who stood behind Xavier.
"Yes, these are my students," Charles said, before adding with a sigh, "The school is almost finished, thanks to Howard's funding. But getting students to actually *stay* in class? That's another problem entirely." He turned back to Fury. "But enough about that. What are you planning to do with the Brotherhood?"
Fury exhaled sharply. "I don't feel like giving the FBI an easy day, so they can go—*after* they pay for the damages. Until then, they're spending some time in SHIELD's holding cells."
He turned to Mystique. "As for you? Go wait in the underground garage. Once the repair costs are tallied up, I'll be down to hand you the bill."
Mystique gave him a cold, measured look but said nothing as she stepped into the elevator.
Once she was gone, Fury turned back to Howard, a sly grin creeping onto his face. "Alright, now that that's settled—care to explain your *illegitimate child*?"
Howard groaned. "For the last time, he's *adopted!*"
Fury smirked. "Adopted, huh? So, what's the paperwork gonna say? California birth certificate, or are we sticking with New York?"
Howard immediately caught on. Fury was offering to wipe any records of Li Ji's unknown origins and give him a legitimate identity.
"New York," Howard answered firmly. "His biological parents are gone. Just put my home address on the registry."
Fury nodded. "Alright, then let's go see the kid. You don't know much about mutants—there might be risks you haven't considered." Charles chimed in, watching Howard closely.
"Sure, this way."
---
As they walked into the secured room, Charles frowned. "You locked him in such a small space? Aren't you worried about him suffocating?"
Howard waved off the concern. "No chance. The room has the best ventilation system money can buy—fresh air circulation, temperature control, the works. He's fine." He pulled out a small device and pressed a button to unlock the door.
The moment it swung open, an unbearable stench filled the air.
"Oh, *hell* no," Fury groaned, staggering back and covering his nose. "Did someone let off a goddamn *biochemical weapon* in here?"
Charles visibly flinched but held his composure. "Howard, I think there may be… a slight flaw in your design."
Howard, trying not to gag, stepped inside and found Li Ji sitting miserably on the floor.
The baby looked up at them helplessly, clearly just as disgusted with the smell as they were.
Howard sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright, maybe* I should've factored in diaper changes."