◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews.
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones. or 500 Collections
◇ You can read 50 chapter ahead on P@treon of which 10 Chapters are free. if you're interested: patreon.com/Heroicverse
------------------------------------------------
"What's wrong, Banner? Are you feeling unwell?"
Natasha noticed that Banner looked a little off.
"I... I'm not sure." Banner rubbed his brow. "Lately... my heart rate hasn't been stable. That big guy, he's getting restless."
"You'll be fine."
Natasha stood up, walked over to Banner, and gently placed her hand on his shoulder.
"If something unexpected happens, I'll sing you a lullaby."
Banner looked up at Natasha's gentle eyes, and his strained nerves relaxed slightly.
The air between the two seemed to thicken, and an unspoken feeling flowed between them.
"Hey! If you don't mind." Tony's voice cut in inappropriately. "We're about to enter Sokovia airspace. Can you save the 'Beauty and the Beast' routine for the celebration party?"
...VGD Sanatorium.
Pietro Maximoff put on his silver uniform.
"Ready?"
Homelander stood behind him, holding two hamburgers, and handed one over.
"Eat something. Going out on an empty stomach can lead to low blood sugar, and you won't run fast."
Pietro took the hamburger and looked at the man in front of him.
These past few days, he had received the highest standard of treatment at Vought's Medical Center.
The best Doctors, the best nutrients, and even Anthony would visit him every day.
This only deepened the guilt in his heart.
"Boss..." Pietro took a bite of the hamburger, his voice muffled. "What if... I mean, what if I can't bring the item back..."
"Then don't come back."
Homelander bit his hamburger, his tone as indifferent as if discussing the weather.
Pietro froze, his heart sinking to the bottom.
"Ha! Just kidding." Homelander turned around, smiled, and patted his shoulder. "Things can be lost, but there is only one of you."
"Listen, Pietro. I only have one order for you: leave the item there, but you must return!"
Homelander's expression was serious as he looked directly into Pietro's eyes.
"Remember, you are doing this for your family. A man fighting desperately for his family will never lose."
"Go, bring Wanda back. I've reserved two connecting sea-view apartments for you both at Brooklyn Park One. They're south-facing and get great sunlight."
Pietro felt a sting in his nose, nodded vigorously, stuffed the hamburger into his mouth in a few bites, and mumbled, "Wait for me to come back, Boss!"
After speaking, he put the Lead Box containing the Original Liquid into the inner pocket of his uniform and walked firmly toward the door.
Gained Special popularity value: +5000 (from Pietro Maximoff)
Homelander watched him leave, then looked at an empty lounge chair.
"Shabby?"
"That's me... Boss."
"You heard everything?" Homelander narrowed his eyes.
"I heard it." Shabby immediately raised his hands. "But I swear! I won't tell anyone! Pietro is going to save his sister, that's cool! I want to help too!"
"You want to help?" Homelander sized up the 18-year-old boy. "What can you do? Perform magic tricks for HYDRA?"
"I'm useful!" Shabby grew anxious and stood up. "I want to prove myself, Mr. Starr."
Shabby's gaze was sincere. "Pietro's trip this time is definitely dangerous. If he gets caught or trapped, at least... at least I can run back and report it. No one can see me."
Homelander looked at this young man who was eager to prove himself.
Just as he hesitated, the System in his mind suddenly started prompting wildly.
"Ding! Gained popularity value + 10220 (from Pietro Maximoff)"
"Ding! Gained popularity value + 11241 (from Pietro Maximoff)"
"Ding! Gained popularity value + 15008 (from Pietro Maximoff)"
"Ding! Gained popularity value ..."
This wave of popularity came inexplicably, and the volume was huge. He had already banked hundreds of thousands of popularity value in this short time.
He immediately made a decision.
"Since you want to go, then follow him, provided he agrees. Pietro hasn't gone far yet, but once he leaves the Base, it might be too late."
"Yes! Boss! Thank you, Boss!"
"Also, when you're not on a mission, don't run around naked..."
"Yes, Boss!"
..."Ashley!" Homelander took out his phone after hearing Shabby's voice fade away. "Did Pietro do anything today?"
"Pietro?" Ashley's voice sounded excited. "Did you forget? Today is the premiere of Speed and Deep Affection!"
"The independent movie starring Pietro? That action romance film?"
"Yes! Although the professional ratings on Rotten Tomatoes haven't come out yet, the audience reviews are explosive! Especially among female viewers."
Ashley quickly recited the data.
"The hashtag #QuicksilverIsTooHandsome# has already topped the trending list on Twitter. Tens of thousands of GIFs featuring his scenes in the movie are being shared."
"So that's it."
Homelander suddenly understood and showed a satisfied smile.
"This kid is good; we need to keep an eye on him."
..."Wait! Pietro!"
A voice called out to Pietro, who had already reached the gate outside the Base.
Pietro turned around, but saw nothing.
"Over here! Look down!"
A baseball cap floated in mid-air.
"Shabby?" Pietro frowned. "What are you doing here? I don't have time to play hide-and-seek with you right now."
"I wasn't planning on playing."
The voice of the The Invisible Man, Shabby Loudon, came through the air, carrying a trace of youthful stubbornness.
"I want to go with you."
"Go where? You're going to follow me if I go buy pizza?" Pietro said dismissively.
"Stop pretending, I know what you're going to do." Shabby's hat shook. "I heard what you and the Boss said. Although you can't see me, I was watching you both."
Pietro's expression changed, and his hand instantly reached for his waist.
"Relax, buddy." Shabby quickly raised his hands—though only the cuffs could be seen lifting. "I didn't tell anyone, I just... want to help."
"This is too dangerous, Shabby. This isn't filming a Reality Show." Pietro lowered his voice. "I'm going to meet a group of cold-blooded Terrorists. If we mess up, we'll die."
"I know."
Shabby's voice dropped, tinged with disappointment.
"But I don't want to be a hanger-on anymore, Pietro."
"In The Seven, Anthony is a god, you're an idol, Jessica is the Big Sister, and even Deadpool has fans. Only I... I don't even have a face on the poster."
"Everyone calls me 'The Invisible Man,' and not just because I can't be seen. It's because I truly... have no presence."
"I want to do something. I want to prove that I can be a hero too."
The floating baseball cap lifted, seemingly staring at Pietro.
"Take me with you. If something really goes wrong... at least there will be someone who can run back and report it. Anyway, as long as I don't wear clothes, even God can't find me."
Pietro looked at the suspended hat and was silent for a few seconds.
He remembered the days before he met Anthony. That feeling of longing to be recognized, longing to prove himself.
"...Fine."
Pietro sighed. "But one thing: once we get there, stay quiet, and no farting. If you disobey orders, I'll dump you halfway."
"Yay!!"
The baseball cap jumped up excitedly... Deep inside the Ancient Castle, the Command Room.
Baron Strucker looked at the silver-haired youth who appeared at the main gate on the monitor screen, a cold sneer on his lips.
"He's here."
"I knew it. As long as it's for his sister, he'll dare to do anything."
"Let him in."
A few minutes later.
The heavy iron gate opened.
Pietro walked in alone, trying his best to look relaxed, even chewing gum.
"Yo, Baron." Pietro whistled, looking around at the HYDRA soldiers holding high-energy weapons. "Is this your way of welcoming guests? I thought there'd be a red carpet and champagne."
"If you brought what I want, there will be champagne."
Strucker sat on a high-backed chair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest.
"Where is the item?"
Pietro pulled out the Lead Box, his hand resting on the lid.
"I want to see Wanda first."
"Of course." Strucker waved his hand.
The large screen on the wall lit up.
On the screen, Wanda was sitting in a white Isolation Room, holding a book.
She didn't appear to have been abused, just a little thin.
Pietro watched intently for a moment, confirming that the footage was live.
"She misses you very much." Baron Strucker smiled. "I know you miss her too, don't you?"