Since he wasn't being kicked out, Wolverine settled back into his chair, swapping one leg over the other. He looked at Amon with genuine curiosity. "So, kid, why did you and Ilyana come looking for us?"
Amon answered lightly, "I think you're getting a little too comfortable here, Uncle Wolf. So, I found you a job."
Wolverine grunted, intrigued. "Oh yeah? What kind of job?" He had plenty of free time at the school; the X-Men weren't exactly busy every single day.
Amon replied, "I've started a new company in the superhero business. I've already spoken with Professor Xavier, and he has agreed to let the X-Men join. This is an opportunity to reshape the public's perception of mutants, to move beyond the stereotype that mutants are a threat. This will be far more effective than your current activities as the X-Men."
Scott was visibly surprised. "The professor actually agreed? It seems this idea of a superhero company might really have merit." The future of mutantkind was a constant worry for everyone at the academy. If there was a viable plan to improve their situation, Scott was more than willing to give it a try.
Piotr, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "I've already promised Amon I would be a part of his company. What do you all think?" As Amon's close friend, Piotr had readily agreed to the plan as soon as Amon had told him about it.
Jean Grey and Scott exchanged a look, and a silent understanding passed between them. Scott nodded. "Since the professor has given his approval, Jean and I are in. I just wonder what a certain idle person thinks." Scott couldn't resist another jab at the man he saw as a rival for his girlfriend's affections.
Wolverine retorted, "There's nothing at this school that needs my help right now. I'm more curious what some people are so busy with all day. As for joining your company, Amon, count me in. I'm getting bored just sitting around here anyway."
Jean then interrupted. "Ororo is currently in Africa with her boyfriend, T'Challa. We'll have to wait until she returns to see if she wants to join."
Amon clapped his hands together, a smile spreading across his face. "Excellent. Since everyone agrees, let's get ready. We'll head to New York this afternoon to discuss the specifics with our partner, Tony Stark."
"Iron Man?" Scott asked. "The guy who's been all over the news, the one they're calling the first point of contact with aliens?"
Amon nodded. "The company was established in partnership with him. We can leverage his fame to launch our own operations. He's also surprisingly dedicated to this sort of thing, which should make the process smoother."
The citizens of New York were treated to a shock today. It wasn't another alien attack, but the sudden, impossible appearance of a new skyscraper, one that towered even over Stark Tower. No one knew what had happened to the buildings that had previously occupied that space, nor did they have any idea how or when this new edifice was constructed.
It was simply... there. Fully built, fully decorated, with people already moving about inside. Emblazoned on its high-tech facade were massive, glowing letters that read: "Marvel."
This was the headquarters Amon had prepared for his superhero company. It wasn't stolen from another timeline, but a genuine miracle. Over the years, Amon's clones had fulfilled countless wishes in war-torn regions like Afghanistan and Sokovia. Many of those wishes were for simple things like food and shelter. In granting them, Amon had accumulated a vast reserve of miraculous power. Conjuring a single building was now a trivial matter for him. The employees inside were, of course, Amon's tireless clones.
"Amon, Amon! How did you do this?" Ilyana asked, tugging on the corner of his coat. "When I passed by here yesterday, this was just a block of small factories. Now there's this massive building. Is this another one of your historical projections?"
Amon adjusted his monocle, his tone casual. "It's simple. A minor miracle is all it takes. And Ilyana, you're not using your brain. Didn't I tell you that historical projections can only bring forth things that have actually existed? Have you ever seen a building like this before?"
"Just like this," Amon said, casually reaching into the air. A figure instantly familiar to Ilyana appeared in his hand—a perfect replica of herself, though its eyes were empty and lifeless. "See? Is this something that truly existed?" He tapped the head of the Ilyana projection. "A good start."
"Hey, stop that! What if you make me look stupid?" Ilyana swatted his hand away before he could pat the projection again. She reached out, touching the replica's arm.
"It's exactly the same! I want to learn this. Demonstrate it a few more times so I can record the ability," she demanded, shaking the key-shaped necklace hanging from her neck. The necklace was a powerful magical item, capable of recording and replicating abilities.
"Later. Your teammates are here." Amon looked up, and Ilyana followed his gaze. A sleek, high-tech jet was descending from the sky. It was one of Beast's designs, capable of flying over a major metropolis without triggering a single alert. The X-Jet landed gracefully on the building's rooftop helipad.
Wolverine, a cigar clenched between his teeth, was the first to disembark. He took in the panoramic view, a low whistle escaping his lips. "This place is even more spectacular than Stark Tower. Kid, you're secretly a tycoon!"
Jean was equally stunned. "When did such an iconic building appear in New York?"
Piotr added, "Amon, you opened a company this big and didn't tell me?"
The top floors were dedicated to rest and recreation. The group settled onto plush sofas by a semi-open-air swimming pool, waiting for Tony Stark to arrive. He was, predictably, late.
"Didn't we agree to meet at three?" Scott said, his voice edged with impatience. "It's already ten past. Where is Tony Stark?"
Wolverine, ever ready to needle Scott, grunted, "Young people. No patience."
Amon laughed. "Who knows? Perhaps he's already here, just too timid to come in, and is observing us from a distance."
Ignoring Amon's remark, Wolverine's gaze roamed the area before landing on a lavishly stocked wine cabinet. A few particular bottles caught his eye.
"Now what kind of wine is that?" he muttered, his interest piqued.