"Well, Adrian, you're not going to say hello? We haven't met in a long time," Fyber said, voice echoing in the endless void of swirling red threads, mock hurt dripping from every word.
Adrian blinked slowly, his glare flat and irritated. "I should probably punch you in the goddamn head."
"Hahaha! Don't be so angry. Why are you so mad?"
"Oh, I don't know—maybe because you told me to kill the God of Symbiotes Knull And get all the goddamn Infinity Stone".
"I had a good reason for that."
"Oh really? And what's that?"
Fyber gave a mysterious smile. "I can't say it yet."
Adrian sniffed the air sarcastically. "You smell that? Sniff sniff. Smells like bullshit to me."
"Look, I'm not here to fight. I'm here because of that kid—Elio."
Adrian's eyes narrowed. "Why do you care about him?"
"Because Elio is going to be one of the strongest mutants this world will ever know. He has the potential to surpass even Jean Grey or Magneto."
"That strong, huh?"
"Immensely," Fyber said solemnly. "But his future is fragile. If he's captured, his power could be warped—turned into a weapon that ends Billions. That's why I brought you here."
Adrian folded his arms. "So what, you want me to save him?"
"Not just save him—protect him, train him, help him grow into who he's meant to be. You're the only one who can do it safely."
"That sounds more like a job for Xavier."
"Xavier's too visible. The Brotherhood knows him. They expect him. You? You're still a wildcard. But… I won't tell you exactly how to help him. You'll have to figure that out."
"Really? That's your big cosmic message?"
"Not entirely. I can tell you this much—there's someone in Mutant Town. A girl. She knows where the child is. You already met her."
Fyber smiled. "Ask for her trust. Her name is Sage. She'll point the way."
Adrian blinked. "The fire axe girl?" he stepped forward. "Okay, tell me where the base is. Where are they holding him I just need a little information?"
Fyber opened his mouth—
—and Adrian woke up, gasping.
"FUCK!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.
--
Bobby crashed through the door shirtless, Cassie already halfway through the wall in a shadow sprint, and Peter tumbled off the couch with a web splat.
"Jesus Christ, Adrian!" Bobby yelled, holding a pillow like a shield. "What the hell?!"
"I thought we were under attack!" Cassie said, shadow tendrils coiling.
Peter groaned. "I fell off the couch for this?"
Adrian blinked, still catching his breath. "Sorry. Just… had a horrible dream. About a dickhead."
"…That's it?" Cassie said flatly.
"A very persistent, reality-breaking dickhead," Adrian clarified.
Peter facepalmed. "You nearly gave me a heart attack for a dream?"
Bobby flopped on the couch. "Bro, you need therapy. Super therapy. Like Xavier-brand therapy."
Adrian sighed and rubbed his face. "Maybe. But I think I just got a lead."
Cassie raised an eyebrow. "On Elio?"
"Yeah. We need to talk to that girl again. The one with the axe. She knows something."
Later That Morning – Mutant Town
The Vanguard regrouped at the town's central square. It was still early, a soft haze clinging to the cracked pavement. They found Sage leaning against a rusted lamppost, cigarette dangling from her lips, fire axe resting on her shoulder.
"You again," she said without looking. "What's the panic this time?"
Adrian stepped forward. "We need your help. We think you know where they're keeping the kid. Elio."
Sage's eyes flicked toward him. "You think I just give that out to anyone?"
"No. But you want him safe, right?"
"How can I trust you".
"You can't but we can trust you".
She studied him for a long moment. "Follow me."
Elsewhere – The Brotherhood of Mutants
Deep within a blackened forest, hidden in an abandoned underground transport facility, Magneto stood before a glowing map. Mystique leaned against the wall nearby, eyes narrowed.
Wanda stood off to the side, her crimson aura flickering. "We're close. He's near. I can feel his field twisting the matter around him."
"Then we strike soon," Magneto said.
Toad jumped down from an upper vent. "Coordinates confirm. He's about four klicks west of Mutant Town. That's where they're hiding him. Old military blacksite. Buried deep."
Quicksilver zipped in and out of the room, stopping beside his father. "I'll scout it. In and out. Easy."
Magneto held up a hand. "No. Not yet. Let them get comfortable. Then we rip him away."
Mystique smirked. "And if X-Men and the Vanguard gets in our way?"
"They'll break like everything else," Magneto said, his voice a cold promise.