The Helicarrier was bigger than I imagined.
From the outside, it looked like an aircraft carrier with delusions of grandeur. From the inside? It was a flying fortress built by paranoia, ego, and a bottomless budget. Stark's tech in every hallway. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents everywhere. And me—an interdimensional stowaway with the secrets of this entire universe bouncing around in my skull.
Perfect.
---
[Quest Progress: Quiet Before the Storm – 5% Complete]
Objective: Gain trust from key Avengers (0/3)
> Targets: Wanda Maximoff, Peter Parker, Steve Rogers
---
> "We need to talk," came a voice behind me.
I turned. Steve Rogers—Captain America himself—stood there with arms crossed and eyes like judgment day.
> "You were in Stuttgart. You knew Loki would be there. And you pulled off something even Stark couldn't explain."
> "I'm not a threat," I said calmly. "And you know I've helped."
> "Knowing what's coming doesn't make you a friend," he replied. "It makes you unpredictable."
I sighed.
> "You're right. But I'm not trying to control things. I'm trying to stop the worst from happening. Like... Sokovia. Or Civil War."
His brow furrowed.
> "What war?"
I cursed under my breath. Too soon.
---
[Timeline Ripple Detected – Minor Divergence]
[Steve Rogers' Curiosity Level: +20 → Cautious Watchfulness]
---
Before I could answer, J.A.R.V.I.S.'s voice echoed through the intercom.
> "Mr. Stark, your requested guest has arrived. Initiating deck clearance."
A ripple of excitement ran through the Helicarrier crew.
That could only mean one thing.
---
Hangar Bay – S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier
He entered with awkward confidence, hoodie half-zipped, backpack slung over one shoulder.
Peter Parker.
Sixteen. Still raw. Still human. Still months away from swinging in front of the world.
And he stopped dead when he saw me.
> "Whoa. I know you."
My stomach dropped.
> "You do?"
> "Yeah. Kinda. You showed up in my dream last week. Weird, right? We were fighting side by side. Against purple aliens and... a magic glove or something?"
Everyone turned toward us.
Tony blinked.
Steve frowned.
Natasha raised an eyebrow.
Wanda looked startled.
I froze.
---
[System Alert: Precognitive Entanglement Detected]
> Peter Parker has latent timeline sensitivity.
New Bond Path Unlocked: Dreamwalker Link – Status: Unstable
---
Tony stepped forward.
> "Okay. That's it. We're putting a name to this mystery man. Who are you?"
I looked around the room. The team wasn't assembled yet, not fully. Trust was brittle. The web was delicate. I had to choose my next words carefully.
---
[Dialogue Branch Available]
> A) "I'm a failed timeline's backup plan."
B) "I'm you—if you all lose."
C) "I was sent to fix what's coming."
D) (Lie) "I'm a S.H.I.E.L.D. experiment gone wrong."
---
I chose A.
> "I'm a failed timeline's backup plan," I said softly. "You all died. The universe fell. And now I'm here—to change the ending."
Silence.
No one moved.
Then, surprisingly, it was Wanda who spoke.
> "I believe him."
Everyone looked at her.
She stepped forward, her voice steady but eyes glowing faintly red.
> "His mind is fractured. Like mine. But there's no malice. Only... grief. And guilt."
Peter spoke next.
> "If he's here to help, then... let him."
Steve looked like he was about to protest, but then he sighed.
> "One chance. That's all you get."
---
[Quest Progress: Quiet Before the Storm – 33% Complete]
✔️ Wanda: Trust Gained
✔️ Peter: Trust Gained
❌ Steve: Monitoring You
---
That night, in a quiet corner of the Helicarrier, the system rewarded me with something unexpected.
---
[New Skill Unlocked: Future Echo]
You now receive fragmented visions of upcoming critical events.
> Accuracy: 60%
Duration: 10–15 seconds
Cooldown: 3 days
---
I lay back in the bunk they gave me and stared at the ceiling.
I was in. Not fully trusted. Not truly one of them. But close.
The game was changing.
And the first real boss fight?
Was coming faster than any of them realized.
---
[Incoming Major Event: BATTLE OF NEW YORK – T-Minus 5 Days]
---