C135 Fury/Windu
Check out early access chapters on my PatreÌon, currently 14 chapters ahead!
ââââââ
As the ship flew smoothly through the air en route to the Red Room floating base, the atmosphere inside was a mix of tension and contemplation.
Yoda and Windu, standing across from Peter, exchanged concerned glances before Windu spoke, "You didnât tell us this was your home planet, Peter..."
Peter simply replied, "You didn't ask."
Yoda frowned. "Worried we are. Attachment to this world, you show," he said, his voice gentle but firm.
Windu nodded in agreement, his tone more direct. "If we had known you would use this break of yours to find your home world, we might not have allowed it in the first place."
Peter sighed, understanding their concern but also feeling a sense of frustration. "Iâm sorry, Masters. But you must understand, Earth is where I was born and where my mother is buried. Iâll always feel a deep connection to this place, just as I do to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Both places are my home.â
âIs that why you want to open a temple here? Because itâs your home?â Windu asked, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
âWhat do you mean by that?â Peter appeared confused.
Yoda clarified. "A favor to your home planet, it seems."
Windu crossed his arms, his expression unyielding. "You must represent all planets, not just your own. And letâs be clear, if we agree to this temple being built, you cannot operate or be part of it,â he said, suspecting that Peter was trying to establish a home for himself on Earth.
Peter sighed, feeling the weight of their words. "I understand your perspective, but you're wrong about my intentions. I plan to leave this planet after dealing with a few things. I wonât be staying here for long. The temple is needed to protect Earth, just as the Jedi protect all in need. Unless, of course, our mission has changed since I left?"
The tension in Winduâs posture increased. "Our mission remains the same, but we cannot allow personal bias to influence our decisions."
TheÌ source of this content n/o/v/(el)bi((n))
âI agree,â Peter's gaze was steady, determined. "But this temple isnât just for Earth; it's for the Jedi as well."
Peggy, Tony, and the others listened intently, pretending not to hear but unable to hide their curiosity. Tony, in particular, found the conversation fascinating. The idea that Peter was part of some galactic peacekeeping force that didnât allow attachments was odd, to say the least.
Yoda's interest piqued. "How could a temple here benefit the Jedi?"
Peter took a deep breath. "We now know for sure that thereâs a Sith Lord out there, likely controlling the Kree Empire. As a Sith, he will undoubtedly target the Jedi. He wonât rest until we are eradicated."
Windu frowned. "We know this already. Are you going to answer the question?"
Peter nodded. "This temple can be a secret fallback, even from the Republic.â He paused for a moment before explaining. âWe need a place to retreat to in case of an emergency. After all, who knows what might happen? Even the Republic could turn on us at any time."
They didnât seem very convinced, so Peter turned to Yoda and asked, "Howâs your former padawan? Still rising in the Senate? Whatâs his opinion of the Jedi again?"
Peter noticed Yoda's eyes narrow and pressed on. "We both sensed the Dark Side in him that day. Whether heâs a Sith now or merely a fallen Jedi, we need to be cautious.â
â?â Windu glanced between Peter and Yoda, confusion evident on his face, as neither had mentioned their encounter with Count Dooku until now.
Ignoring his silent questions for the time being, Peter continued. âIf my fears prove true, we need a fallback plan. There are too many children in the Jedi Temple to leave unprotected. We must be both prepared and vigilant."
Windu's eyes narrowed. "But why this planet? We could find a hidden planet without any sentient life, a planet the Kree doesnât know about. Why must it be Earth?"
Peter nodded, understanding their concern. "I see why youâd think that, but it's not why I chose this planet."
Yodaâs curiosity deepened. "Then why?"
Peter turned to Magneto, who had been listening intently. "Because of people like him."
Every head turned to Magneto, who raised an eyebrow in return. Peter continued. "This planet is on the rise and will soon become the most powerful and protected place in the galaxy. The appearance of powerful mutants like Magneto, Xavier, Storm, and others will create a force so strong that they could conquer the galaxy should they ever choose to do so."
Minutes passed in tense silence before Xavier finally spoke, his voice filled with grim certainty. "Heâs part of Hydra. Iâve seen enough."
Peterâs expression hardened. "Good. Now we know for sure. Letâs keep him asleep and continue extracting information."
Xavier frowned, his face reflecting his inner conflict. "Iâll do it, though I donât like using my powers this way...â he agreed nonetheless.
Given the circumstances, this was for the greater good.
Magneto scoffed. âCan you stop this holier-than-thou nonsense? Heâs a Nazi for crying out loud...â
Peter turned to Xavier, who sighed at his old friendâs comment, concern etched on his face. "Magnetoâs right, Professor. He doesnât deserve your sympathy. Now, how long will it take to know everything Pierce knows?"
Xavier sighed, his fingers gently touching his temple. "It might take a few days to get through all his memories and piece together the information."
Peggy frowned, her worry evident. "He canât disappear for that long. Pierce is a member of the World Security Council. If he doesnât check in by tonight, it will raise alarms and draw unwanted attention."
Peter considered her words, his mind racing for a solution. "Can you speed things along in any way, Professor?"
Xavier shook his head, his expression grave. "The only way to speed things along would be to tear through his mind, but that would leave him brain-dead and still unable to check-in. Iâm not willing to do that; itâs the same as killing him. We need to handle this delicately."
Magneto's eyes narrowed, his voice rising ever so slightly. "There must be another way.â
Peter placed a reassuring hand on Magneto's shoulder. "I understand your frustration, but we have to do this right. We canât afford to make any mistakes."
Yoda nodded in agreement. "Patience, you must have. Through patience, wisdom is gained, and the path to the Force revealed."
Peter took a deep breath, which sounded more like a sigh. "Just get to work, Professor. Weâll figure something out to buy us the time we need."
Xavier gave a slight nod and moved closer to Pierce, focusing his powers. As he began to delve back into Pierceâs mind, the group quietly exited the office, giving him the space needed for the task.
...
In the hallway, Tony paced back and forth, his mind racing. "We need to find a way to cover for Pierceâs absence."
Peggy nodded, considering the options. "Iâll reach out to a few trusted contacts. We can try to fabricate a story. Itâs risky, but it might buy us the time we need."
Peter nodded. "Good, let me know what you come up with. I'll handle the cleanup from the battle in the meantime," he said as Peggy pulled out her phone and walked away.
"Hey, wait up!" Tony called, running after her, determined to help his godmother.
...
..
.
Hours later, after overseeing the first day of the cleanup operation alongside his masters, Yoda and Windu, Peter felt the exhaustion settling in. âI just want to listen to music and stuff my face with food...â
The battlefield had been partially cleared, and the remaining Kree were rounded up and secured in the Red Room's new prison, where they would stay until they could be transported elsewhere.
Sighing tiredly, Peter was about to head off for some much-needed rest and food with his Masters when a sudden sound caught his attention.
The distinct thrum of helicopter blades filled the air, growing louder as the aircraft approached the hangar. Peter, Yoda, and Windu turned to see the helicopter descend gracefully, its landing gear touching down with a soft thud. The door swung open and out stepped Nick Fury and Phil Coulson, their expressions grim and determined.
But, as soon as Fury and Windu locked eyes, they both froze in shock. The resemblance between them was uncanny, and for a moment, it was as if they were staring into a mirror. The hangar fell silent, the weight of the moment pressing down on everyone present.
ââWho are you?ââ
A/N: 2182 words :)