Chapter 25: New Threats
Xavier's School
The past two months had been peaceful at Xavier's mansion.
Lin Chen had settled into a comfortable routine, spending time with both Jean and Daisy, and occasionally helping Professor Xavier deal with mutant-related issues.
One morning, both Jean and Daisy came to find him together. Their faces showed both nervousness and happiness.
"Lin Chen," Jean began, taking his hand. "We need to tell you something."
Daisy took his other hand, smiling despite her obvious worry. "We're both... we're pregnant."
Lin Chen's eyes widened in shock. "What? Both of you?"
"About a month along," Jean confirmed. "We found out yesterday."
Lin Chen pulled them both into a tight hug, his face breaking into a huge smile. "That's incredible! I'm going to be a father!"
"Father of two children," Daisy corrected with a laugh.
The next nine months passed quickly.
Lin Chen was very attentive to both women, using his powers to make sure their pregnancies went smoothly and everything was perfect.
Professor Xavier provided a private wing of the mansion for the growing family. Storm helped design the nurseries.
---
The day finally arrived. Jean went into labor first, early in the morning. Lin Chen stayed by her side the entire time, holding her hand as she breathed through the pain.
"You're doing great," he encouraged, using his telepathy to help ease her pain slightly.
After several hours, Jean gave birth to a healthy baby boy. The moment Lin Chen held his son for the first time, tears filled his eyes. This was the first time he truly felt like a father.
"He's perfect," Jean whispered, exhausted but glowing with happiness.
"Kyle," Lin Chen said softly, looking down at the baby's face. "His name is Kyle. Kyle Chen."
Just hours later, Daisy went into labor as well. The timing was almost miraculous. Lin Chen rushed between the two rooms, making sure both women were comfortable and safe.
Daisy's labor was shorter, and soon she was holding a beautiful baby girl.
"She has your eyes," Lin Chen said, kissing Daisy's forehead.
"Lin Xue," Daisy suggested. "It means 'Snow' in Chinese, right? For her pure, beautiful spirit."
"Lin Xue," Lin Chen repeated, holding his daughter gently. "Perfect."
The mansion celebrated the births. Professor Xavier visited to congratulate them.
Storm, Psylocke, and other X-Men brought gifts. Even Tony Stark came with an elaborate baby basket with a note: "Welcome to the world, lucky kids."
Lin Chen looked at his two children—Kyle in one arm, Lin Xue in the other—and felt a deep sense of purpose he'd never experienced before. These two lives depended on him. He would protect them no matter what.
Out of curiosity, Lin Chen activated his system to check Kyle's status.
[DETECTED: Lifeform - Kyle Chen]
Race: Special Human (Mutant with great Potential)
Age: Three Hours, Seven Minutes
Physical Attributes:
- Strength: 0.5 kg (Potential: 500+ tons when fully grown)
- Physique: 0.3 (Potential: 1,200+)
- Speed: 0.0 m/s (Potential: 100,000+ m/s)
- Mental Power: 0.4 (Potential: 5,000+)
**Abilities (Unawakened):**
- Mind Manipulation
- Cosmic Energy Manipulation
- Reality Manipulation
- Multiversal Travel
Overall Potential: Multiversal+
Lin Chen's eyes widened.
His son had inherited incredible potential—abilities that combined aspects from both him and Jean, including the Phoenix Force's reality manipulation.
He quickly checked his daughter's status.
[DETECTED: Lifeform - Lin Xue]
Race: Special Human (Inhuman)
Age: One Hour, Twenty Minutes
Physical Attributes:
- Strength: 0.2 kg (Potential: 100+ tons when fully grown)
- Physique: 0.3 (Potential: 1,000+)
- Speed: 0.0 m/s (Potential: 10,000+ m/s)
- Mental Power: 0.3 (Potential: 3,000+)
Abilities (Unawakened):
- Space Manipulation
- Cosmic Energy Manipulation
- Molecular Manipulation
Overall Potential: Universal+
Lin Chen stared at the information in shock. Both his children had inherited extraordinary abilities—combinations of his powers and their mothers' genetics. They would be incredibly powerful when they grew up.
"What's wrong?"
Jean asked, noticing his expression.
"Nothing," Lin Chen said, smiling warmly. "Just realizing how amazing our children are going to be."
"They better not get into too much trouble," Daisy said with a tired laugh.
Lin Chen chuckled. "With these two? Trouble is guaranteed."
---
One Year Later - Xavier's School
Lin Chen's life had found a peaceful rhythm. He split his time between his family at Xavier's mansion and occasionally helping S.H.I.E.L.D. with major threats. His power levels remained the same—he hadn't encountered any new abilities in the past year.
His children were growing remarkably fast. Kyle and Lin Xue could already walk and talk, and they looked like they were two or three years old instead of one. This accelerated growth was likely due to their special genetics.
"Daddy! Let's play!" Kyle called out, running toward Lin Chen with surprising speed.
"Me too!" Lin Xue added, following her brother.
Lin Chen laughed and picked them both up. "Alright, alright. What do you want to play?"
But before they could answer, his phone rang. It was Nick Fury.
Lin Chen's expression became serious. He set the children down gently. "Jean, can you watch them? I need to take this."
"Of course," Jean said, coming over to distract the children.
Lin Chen walked to a quiet corner and answered. "Fury. What's wrong?"
"We have a situation," Fury said without introduction. "I need you at the S.H.I.E.L.D. research facility. Now."
Lin Chen opened a portal and stepped through, arriving at the remote facility within seconds. The scene was chaos—alarms blaring, agents running in panic, smoke billowing from damaged equipment.
"What happened?"
Lin Chen asked as Fury approached.
"Loki," Fury replied grimly. "He came through a portal from the Tesseract. Mind-controlled several of my agents, including Hawkeye. Stole the Tesseract and escaped."
Lin Chen's expression hardened. "Loki. Thor's brother from Asgard."
"You know him?" Fury asked.
"I know of him," Lin Chen replied. "He's cunning and ambitious. If he has the Tesseract, he's planning something big."
"That's why I'm activating the Avengers Initiative," Fury said. "We need a team to stop him. I've already sent Romanoff to recruit Banner, and I'm pulling in Rogers and Stark. But I want you on standby in case things go badly."
"I'll monitor the situation," Lin Chen agreed. "But I have a family now, Fury. I can't drop everything unless it's absolutely necessary."
"Understood," Fury nodded. "Just stay ready. I have a feeling we're going to need you."
---
Kuningstrasse 28, Stuttgart, Germany - Later That Night
Loki stood in the crowded square, dressed in full Asgardian battle armor and holding his mind-controlling scepter. He fired a blast of energy, destroying a taxi and sending people screaming in all directions.
"Ahhhhh! Run!" People shouted in panic as explosions erupted around them.
Loki created three copies of himself, each holding a scepter, surrounding the crowd from different directions.
"Everyone kneel down!" Loki roared.
Terrified for their lives, the people slowly dropped to their knees.
Loki smiled, enjoying their fear. "Isn't this your nature? You were made to be ruled. Freedom is just an illusion that makes you unhappy. It is your nature to be controlled, and in the end, you will always surrender."
An elderly man slowly stood up. "There will always be someone like you. But we will not be conquered by anyone."
"Look at this old man," Loki said mockingly. "He doesn't know good from evil. He doesn't know how to fear gods." He raised his scepter, the blue gem glowing.
"Today I'm going to kill him as a warning to others!"
BOOM!
A blazing ray shot toward the old man—
CLANG!
Captain America appeared, his shield blocking the blast. The energy bounced away harmlessly.
"The last time I came to Germany," Steve Rogers said calmly, "I also met someone who thought he was superior. We had some disagreements."
"Hmph! The American soldier!" Loki sneered. "A man out of time. Obsolete!"
Above them, a S.H.I.E.L.D. Quinjet appeared, with Natasha Romanoff at the controls. "Loki! Drop your weapon! Surrender immediately!"
The Gatling gun on the wing pointed at Loki.
"Madness!" Loki fired his scepter at the jet.
SNAP!
But the blue light was blocked by an energy shield before it could hit the aircraft.
From a nearby rooftop, Lin Chen watched the scene unfold. He had decided to observe quietly, only helping if absolutely necessary. This was the Avengers' fight—but he would make sure no innocent people died.
Captain America threw his shield at Loki. The shield hit hard, making Loki stumble backward. Steve caught the returning shield and rushed forward, punching Loki in the face.
BANG!
Loki staggered from the blow but quickly recovered. As a god of Asgard, he was very durable. He swung his scepter at Steve.
BANG!
Steve blocked with his shield. The two fought hard—Steve using his combat skills, Loki using his scepter and illusion magic.
Loki created copies of himself, making Steve hit empty air while the real Loki attacked from unexpected angles.
[DETECTED: Duplication Magic]
[ANALYZING...]
[Duplication Magic: Ability to create perfect illusory copies of oneself. Duplicates can speak, move, and interact, but cannot cause physical damage. Useful for deception, distraction, and tactical advantage. User can swap positions with duplicates instantly.]
[CONFIRM ACQUISITION? Y/N]
"Yes," Lin Chen confirmed mentally.
The ability merged smoothly into his system. Lin Chen now understood how Loki created his illusions—projecting his consciousness into multiple forms while keeping his true body hidden or switching places with the illusions. It was excellent for misdirection and avoiding attacks.
The fight continued. Steve was doing well, but Loki's copies gave him too many advantages. Loki could dodge attacks easily and attack from unexpected positions.
"Hahaha! What's wrong, soldier? Is this all you have?" Loki laughed.
Steve stood up, answering firmly. "I can do this all day!"
Then, with a thunderous crash, Iron Man arrived. Tony Stark's armor gleamed red and gold as he landed, energy weapons aimed at Loki.
"Make your move, Reindeer Games," Tony said casually.
All of Tony's weapons extended from his suit, pointing at Loki.
Loki slowly raised his hands in surrender.
---
Quinjet - Flying to S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier
Loki sat in restraints, smirking as if everything was going according to his plan. Steve and Tony watched him carefully, while Natasha piloted the jet.
Suddenly, lightning flashed outside the jet. Thunder rumbled ominously.
"What's the matter? Scared of a little lightning?" Steve asked Loki.
"I'm not overly fond of what follows," Loki replied mysteriously.
BOOM!
Something landed on the jet's roof with tremendous force. The rear hatch suddenly opened, and Thor—God of Thunder—appeared, his red cape billowing dramatically.
"Brother," Thor said seriously, grabbing Loki by the collar and lifting him.
"Wait!"
Steve shouted, but Thor was already jumping off the jet with Loki.
"Another Asgardian?" Tony muttered. "Is the guy friendly?"
"Doesn't matter. If he frees Loki or kills him, the Tesseract is lost," Steve said urgently.
Tony activated his suit.
"Stark, we need a plan of attack!"
"I have a plan. Attack," Tony replied, flying out after them.
Steve sighed. "I need a parachute."
"We're at 30,000 feet!" Natasha pointed out.
"I still need a parachute," Steve muttered, grabbing one.
---
Thor slammed Loki down on a rocky area. "Where is the Tesseract?"
"I've missed you brother," Loki said sarcastically.
"Do I look like I'm playing games?!" Thor demanded.
"You should thank me. With the Bifrost gone, how much dark energy did Father have to use to send you here to your precious Earth?"
"I thought you were dead," Thor said, his voice pained.
"Did you mourn?" Loki asked bitterly.
"We all did. Our father—"
"Your father!" Loki spat. "He told you my true parentage, didn't he?"
"Listen, Brother..." Before Thor could complete his sentence—
CLANG!
Iron Man crashed into Thor at full speed, sending them both tumbling through the trees.
"I'm listening!" Loki called out helpfully.
Tony and Thor began fighting seriously, exchanging powerful blows that shook the entire forest. Thor's hammer strikes created craters. Tony's energy blasts carved through trees.
From a distance, Lin Chen watched with mild interest. These heroes were powerful by normal standards, but they didn't know how to work together yet. They needed to learn.
After a while, Captain America parachuted down and joined them. Finally, after a powerful blast that shook the forest—
BOOOOM!
The impact created a massive shockwave that flattened trees in a wide area. The sound was deafening. A bright flash of light burst from the point of contact.
When the dust settled, all three heroes were thrown backward but unharmed. Steve's shield had absorbed and spread out the energy perfectly.
Thor and Tony stared at each other, then at Steve and his shield. The raw power of that defensive move had impressed them both.
The tension slowly faded.
Thor straightened his cape. "Very well."
Tony's faceplate pulled back. "Truce?"
Steve lowered his shield. "We need to work together. Loki is the real threat here."
---