Chapter 7:
'Why did I have to end up in the Marvel world?'
Every single day, Li Ji found himself returning to this same frustrating question. If he had been reborn in his original world just a few decades earlier, he could have easily become a business tycoon, shaping the economy with a flick of his wrist. But here? In Marvel? Business tycoons were just disposable side characters, stepping stones in the grand scheme of things.
Li Ji prided himself on knowing the Marvel Cinematic Universe well, and that knowledge only made his outlook more grim. The world might seem peaceful now, but in another decade or two, chaos would be the new normal. Supervillains, alien invasions, mad titans—just existing here was like playing Russian roulette. Even with Tony Stark as his new "brother," Li Ji wasn't optimistic. The moment Thanos snapped his fingers, what were the odds that he would be among the unlucky half?
The more he thought about it, the deeper his frown became.
"Howard, look at Gage," Maria said, standing near the cradle with a worried expression. "Doesn't he seem... depressed? He never plays with toys, never makes a fuss. He just lies there all day with that sad look on his face. Could it be a genetic thing? Maybe his mutation affected his brain chemistry?"
Howard turned to look at Li Ji, who was indeed staring blankly at the ceiling with a deep scowl.
"No, depression is more of a psychological condition," Howard reassured her. "It can have genetic factors, but usually, it's brought on by external stress. And, well, babies don't really have stressful lives."
Maria folded her arms. "Then what's wrong with him? He's nothing like a normal child."
"Maybe he just wants to go outside," Howard guessed. "Now that I think about it, we haven't taken him anywhere in two months."
"What do you mean? I take him to the supermarket all the time!"
Howard chuckled. "That's not exactly what I meant. Tony's winter break is coming up soon. Why don't we plan a family trip? A few days away might help brighten Gage's mood."
Maria thought for a moment before taking the calendar off the wall. "Tony's back on Sunday. Are you free then?"
"Sunday, December 18..." Howard scratched his chin. "No good. I've got something work-related. How about the 23rd to the 25th? We can make it a Christmas trip."
Maria's face lit up. "I love that idea!" She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Howard smiled and returned the kiss. "Merry early Christmas, Maria."
---
A little later that evening, another question popped into Howard's mind. "By the way, Maria, I heard from Jarvis that Gage has finished his camel milk again?"
Maria sighed. "Yeah. I don't know why, but he eats so much. And yet, he barely gains any weight! Most babies would be round as a ball by now."
Howard gave her a suspicious look. "Are you sure you're not drinking it yourself?"
Maria smacked his arm. "Excuse me?"
Howard quickly waved his hands in surrender. "No, no, I meant—maybe Gage's mutation affects his metabolism?"
Maria huffed. "I already took him to the doctor, and they said his body absorbs nutrients perfectly fine. He's completely healthy."
Howard rubbed his chin. "Well, it's a good thing we adopted him, then. If he had ended up in another family, he might've bankrupted them just from food costs."
Maria laughed. "I was just thinking the same thing."
Li Ji, still lying in the cradle, scoffed internally. 'How childish.'
---
The day of their trip arrived.
Maria stepped out of the car and took one look at the barren landscape. "This is where you found Gage?" she asked, unimpressed. "Howard, this place is in the middle of nowhere. There isn't a single sign of civilization for miles. Are you sure you're not hiding something from me?"
Howard broke into a nervous sweat. "Uh, well... maybe his parents drove out here specifically to abandon him?" His voice lacked conviction.
Maria narrowed her eyes but let it go with a huff.
"Oh my god," Tony groaned dramatically. "I gave up a date with Fres, Virginia, and Miranda for this?" He gestured at the rocky terrain. "What am I supposed to do here? Count pebbles?"
Maria's expression darkened at the mention of three girls' names. "Stop whining and go make some milk for your brother."
Tony grumbled but obeyed, trudging back to the car.
Maria took a deep breath, staring up at the sky. "It's been so long since I went camping... I think the last time was in middle school."
Howard chuckled. "Last time I went camping was during World War II, about forty years ago."
Maria smirked. "Yeah, yeah, we get it. You're old."
"Old? I still feel like a twenty-year-old!" Howard said with a grin.
Li Ji, meanwhile, was internally screaming. 'Do these people not realize I'm right here? There's a minor present! Control yourselves!'
---
That night, Maria suddenly called out, "Howard, come look at the moon! It's so full tonight!"
"Werewolves usually show up when there's a full moon," Howard joked as he rocked Li Ji in his arms.
Tony scoffed. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."
Maria ignored both of them. "Hurry up and bring Gage outside! The stars are beautiful tonight!"
Howard wiped Li Ji's mouth and carried him outside. The second Li Ji saw the full moon, something deep inside him stirred.
'The moon…' He felt a strange pull toward it.
At first, it was just a strange sensation. Then, a sudden heat erupted from within his body.
"Hey, Gage, why are you getting heavier?" Howard frowned. His arms trembled slightly as he struggled to keep holding him. Then, his eyes widened.
"Gage, what's happening to you?!"
The baby in his arms was growing.
Thick fur sprouted across Li Ji's body, his limbs stretching and twisting unnaturally. His tiny baby fingers became clawed hands, his small frame expanding rapidly. A low growl rumbled in his throat, deep and primal.
Howard, startled, quickly set him down on the ground.
"Gage?!" Maria cried, stepping back.
Tony stared, his usual snark gone. "Uh... I think we found out what his mutation is."
Li Ji, now towering over them on all fours, let out a deafening roar. The sound echoed through the empty wilderness, shaking the very ground beneath them.
Howard's face turned pale. "Maria... we might have a problem."
---