Chapter 12: The Epic Encounter and a Shielded Heart – Or, "My Love Life Just Got a Legendary Upgrade."
The Sokovian raid ended in a whirlwind of explosions and revelations. Ultron, the "peacekeeping program gone wrong," had emerged, setting the stage for the next global catastrophe. Adam, along with the rest of the Avengers, retreated, leaving behind a bewildered Maximoff twins and a deeply unsettling feeling that they had merely traded one monster for another, albeit one made of vibranium and daddy issues.
Back in the Avengers Tower, the mood was grim. Tony was obsessing over his accidental creation, Steve was trying to keep the team together, and the news was already buzzing with fragmented reports of a sentient A.I. gone rogue. Adam, meanwhile, was experiencing a profound sense of… accomplishment. And a healthy dose of dread.
' Ultron. Right. The talking robot with the daddy issues and a penchant for genocide. And I just met the twins. So, that means… Wanda. She's getting pulled into this. I've got to protect her. And not just from Ultron, but from the Avengers' own suspicions. This is going to be harder than convincing Tony that 'STANK' Tower is a good idea. Almost. '
He also had a pressing personal matter. A system notification had been buzzing in his holographic interface since his encounter with the Maximoffs.
[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: Special reward for meeting Wanda Maximoff: Epic Draw unlocked! ]
' Oh, snap! An Epic Draw just for meeting Wanda? The system clearly knows what's up. It knows my endgame. It knows I'm here for the love, and the occasional world-saving. Alright, universe, don't let me down. Give me something truly epic. Something that says 'I love you, let me protect you from cosmic horrors.' '
He tapped the "Draw" button, a feeling of intense anticipation filling him. The Epic Draw animation was even more spectacular than before, a swirling vortex of shimmering colors and light. When it finally settled, two cards materialized, gleaming with an undeniable golden aura.
[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: [Epic Artifact] Aegis of the Protector (World of Warcraft) acquired. Recipient: Wanda Maximoff (Giftable). ]
[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: [Epic Skill Card] Mental Fortress (X-Men) acquired. Recipient: Adam. ]
Adam stared at the two cards, his jaw dropping. "Holy… wow. Okay. This is beyond useful. Aegis of the Protector for Wanda? A locket that projects a powerful barrier when she's in danger? That's… that's perfect! That's literally exactly what she needs! And Mental Fortress for me? High resistance to telepathic intrusion and mind control? The universe truly provides! No more getting accidentally mind-melded by confused witches or manipulative robots! This is the ultimate 'don't touch my brain' shield!"
He could feel the power of the Mental Fortress skill card even before he activated it. It radiated a sense of calm, of mental resilience. He crushed the card in his hand, and the sensation washed over him – not a painful influx, but a subtle strengthening of his mental defenses, like invisible walls rising around his consciousness. He tried to think of a complicated mathematical equation, or the lyrics to a particularly annoying pop song, and found his mind was surprisingly clear, unburdened. This was going to be a game-changer. Especially for dealing with Wanda's powers, and later, the Vision.
' Okay, Stiels, you just got a magical brain condom. Good for you. Now, how to explain to Wanda that I just acquired a magical locket specifically for her, without sounding like a creepy stalker? "Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, but here's a magical artifact, so call me maybe?" No. Too much. Maybe a subtle approach. A "lucky charm." Yes. That's the ticket. Or maybe I'll just accidentally drop it in her lap. Accidents happen. Especially around me. '
The rest of the Avengers were busy strategizing, debating Ultron's next move. Adam, meanwhile, was trying to figure out how to subtly implement his new acquisitions. His Mental Fortress was already at work, making the low-level hum of anxiety in the room less intrusive. He felt a newfound clarity, a sense of being more grounded, less susceptible to the ambient emotional noise.
His eyes drifted to the Aegis of the Protector locket. It was elegantly crafted, a silver disc with an intricate, glowing blue symbol etched into its surface. It pulsed with a soft, comforting light. It was beautiful. And it was exactly what Wanda would need when things inevitably went sideways.
Later that day, amidst a tense briefing about Ultron's capabilities, Adam saw Wanda and Pietro. They were sitting apart from the rest of the team, looking wary, like cornered animals. Most of the Avengers were still distrustful of them, viewing them as HYDRA experiments rather than potential allies.
' Time for phase one of 'Operation: Befriend the Powerful Witch.' Step one: Prove not all Avengers are judgmental jerks. Step two: Offer locket. Step three: Don't get incinerated. '
Adam made his way over to them, trying to project an air of casual friendliness. He pulled out a bag of (magically enhanced) homemade cookies he'd baked earlier. "Rough day, huh?" he said, offering the bag. "Nothing a good chocolate chip cookie can't fix. Unless you're Ultron. Then you probably just need to be dismembered and thrown into a sun."
Pietro eyed the cookies suspiciously but took one. Wanda looked at them, then at Adam, her expression unreadable.
"We are not here for hospitality," Wanda said, her voice soft but firm, still laced with a slight Sokovian accent.
"I know, I know. World-saving, robots, existential dread. Very serious stuff," Adam nodded. "But even world-savers need a snack. And a moment of sanity. Look, I get it. Everyone here's a little… tense. They don't know what to make of you. But I do. Or, at least, I'm trying to. And I think you guys got a raw deal. HYDRA's the bad guy, not you."
He lowered his voice conspiratorially. "Between you and me, most of these guys are just jealous you can move things with your mind and run really fast. They're stuck with punching and throwing shields. Kinda basic, if you ask me."
Pietro snorted, a small, quick laugh that made him seem more human. Wanda, surprisingly, allowed a faint smile to ghost across her lips.
"You are… strange," Wanda observed, her gaze lingering on him.
"It's a gift," Adam quipped. "And sometimes, a curse. Especially when I accidentally put myself to sleep during a particularly boring meeting. But hey, it keeps life interesting."
He then subtly reached into his pocket and pulled out the Aegis of the Protector. "Look, I know this sounds weird, but… I found this. It looks like it belongs to someone with, you know, a strong connection to… mystical energies. And it feels like it could protect someone important. Like a good luck charm. Consider it a peace offering. Or a very belated welcome-to-the-team gift." He held it out to her, open and sincere.
Wanda looked at the locket, then back at Adam, a flicker of something resembling awe, or perhaps cautious curiosity, in her eyes. She reached out slowly, her fingers brushing against the cool metal. As her touch connected, the locket seemed to pulse brighter, a soft blue light illuminating her face. It felt right. It felt destined.
' Don't stare, Adam. Play it cool. Act like you find magical artifacts just lying around every Tuesday. Which, now that I think about it, I kinda do. '
"What is this?" she whispered, her voice tinged with wonder.
"Just a little something to keep you safe," Adam said, trying to keep his voice light, masking the immense significance he knew it held. "Sometimes, even the most powerful people need a little extra… protection. Think of it as a fancy, magical seatbelt. Now, about those Ultron plans… you guys want to help us stop him? Because he's really not great at parties. Or respecting personal space."
Wanda clutched the locket, her gaze fixed on it, a profound emotion swirling in her eyes. Pietro, seeing his sister's reaction, looked at Adam with a new, less guarded curiosity. The trust wasn't there yet, not fully. But the barrier had chipped. And for Adam, that was more than enough.
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