"Eternals? Welcome, welcome."
There was a hint of skepticism in Reed's voice, his face revealing a complex expression—surprise, curiosity, and the faint trace of a forced smile.
Ever since joining the Illuminati, he had gotten used to discovering new races now and then.
But every time a new race joined, it was a reminder that humans weren't always the dominant species on Earth. Though they claimed ownership of the planet, beings stronger, older, and far more advanced than humans kept emerging from the shadows.
As Director Pierce led two individuals into the room, Reed immediately understood—they were representatives of the Eternals, and colleagues of the so-called Golden Sentinels Pierce had previously mentioned.
A storm of emotions churned within him—bitterness, frustration, and a quiet anger that was getting harder to suppress.
To Reed, the Avengers and the Illuminati represented two completely different philosophies.
If the Avengers were Earth's elite superhero team, then the Illuminati had become something much more expansive—a cosmic congress, one that welcomed all races and creeds for the sake of broader goals.
But this diversity also weighed heavily on Reed.
Originally, the Illuminati had six speakership seats. Currently, only four were filled.
Reed represented humanity. He shared the table with King T'Challa of Wakanda, Mona of Atlantis, and—until recently—Black Bolt of the Inhumans.
With Black Bolt dead, his seat had been handed to Baron Zemo, the de facto ruler of the newly formed mutant nation in Sokovia.
And now, with the arrival of the Eternals and the Golden Sentinels, the Illuminati had finally reached its full six-seat capacity once more.
Reed had long accepted that his dream of shaping the Illuminati had faded. Were it not for his role as its original founder, he likely would have been pushed out already.
These days, he walked on eggshells. Every step, every move, had to be carefully calculated.
Outwardly, humans still held representation. But behind the curtain, Hydra's influence loomed, casting long shadows across the table.
Pierce's move to bring Golden Sentinel Kang into the Illuminati—and grant him a seat—was a massive threat. It underlined Hydra's lack of trust in Reed, and the message couldn't be more obvious: humanity's power was conditional.
Sure, Wakandans were human too, but their isolationist, hyper-autonomous mindset left Reed feeling more alone than ever.
Black Panther T'Challa would lend aid during planetary threats, but when it came to Illuminati politics—especially issues tied to non-Wakandan human interests—he remained coldly detached. To Wakanda, the world ended at its borders.
Among the six seats, Reed's support base was now the weakest. Kang's arrival only exposed that fragility further.
He thought of the other factions—mutants like Cassandra, Mystique's rogue faction, and countless disillusioned defectors from Hell's Kitchen. They had power, unity, and purpose. They were determined to never kneel to Alex Ray's regime.
Reed had a backup force—substitute heroes who acted as a new generation of Avengers. But deep down, he knew they were replacements in name only.
The originals—Captain America, Hawkeye, and others—had chosen to stay away from S.H.I.E.L.D. conflicts. Reed had only remnants to work with, patched together with whatever was left of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s resources and Hydra's temporary cooperation.
This "Avengers Alternative" team included:
U.S. Agent, standing in for Captain America.
Yelena, the second Black Widow.
Taskmaster, versatile but unpredictable.
Red Hulk, a transformed General Ross, serving under military command.
Charles Barton, a flashy archer trying to fill his brother Clint's shoes.
Honestly? Reed wasn't impressed.
They were fine against street-level threats. But if they encountered anyone from Hell's Kitchen—they'd be shredded.
He couldn't even directly command Red Hulk, since Ross still answered to the military.
In the grand scheme, Reed's influence was rapidly eroding. But he still had one valuable ally—Mordo, the Kamar-Taj defector, and the small circle of sorcerers who followed him.
The Illuminati had become a mirror of Earth's chaotic state. With alien races arriving, hidden powers awakening, and mutants gaining ground, humanity's voice was being drowned out.
If not for their shared enemy—Hell's Kitchen—the Illuminati might have already torn itself apart.
But Reed wasn't giving up.
He believed that mastering the Reality Stone would tip the scales. That with enough control, he could restore humanity's dominance.
Rebuild its glory.
He would be the king of a new era.
Gilgamesh, the Eternals' envoy, simply nodded in greeting. He wasn't being disrespectful—he just wasn't a diplomat.
He wasn't the Eternals' brain, either. He was here on behalf of their leader, Ajak.
Diplomacy really wasn't his strong suit.
"Someone from the Eternals will answer your questions shortly," Director Pierce said, clearly in a good mood. With these two powerhouses joining, his optimism was palpable.
He turned toward the other guest.
"This gentleman is Hydra's prized scientist, Dr. Kang. I believe you're already familiar with him, Reed?"
He smiled proudly, clearly admiring Kang like a prized possession.
Reed extended a hand, his smile tight and diplomatic. "Of course. Dr. Kang's reputation precedes him."
Kang looked like a harmless nerd—old glasses, quiet demeanor, scholarly presence.
But Reed knew better.
This man was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Smarter than most, and far more dangerous than the Eternals.
"Dr. Kang," Reed said, eyes narrowing ever so slightly, "you're the first person to make Hell's Kitchen lose face. I have to say—I'm impressed."
There was a flicker of something in Kang's gaze. He gave a bitter smile. "You're too generous, Mr. Reed. The truth is, Hell's Kitchen is incredibly powerful. I just got lucky. I managed to recover a research product of mine—barely. It was... intense."
"I never expected to be hunted by Kingpin himself. That... really took me off guard," Kang admitted, his tone laced with equal parts weariness and conviction. "But this experience only strengthened my belief that the Illuminati, and the federal government, are humanity's last hope."
Pierce's grin widened. He clapped Kang on the shoulder with approval.
"Well said! That wretched slum, Hell's Kitchen, doesn't scare us. As long as you can mass-produce that golden serum, Dr. Kang, we'll be unstoppable!"
Then, turning to Gilgamesh, Pierce added, "Brother Gilgamesh, I'd like to speak with you in private."
To Reed, he said, "Reed—why don't you show Dr. Kang around? Let him get to know the place."
Reed nodded politely.
Pierce led Gilgamesh out of the chamber.
As the doors closed, silence fell.
Only Reed and Golden Sentinel Kang remained.
The air thickened.
Reed's smile vanished.
"So," he asked coldly, "what's your real agenda, Dr. Kang?"
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