23 Chapter 22: Welcome at S.H.I.E.L.D.

Shortly after Brokk and Sindri started remodeling the temple, Tonja started working on the Multiverse Gate. Initially understanding nothing, she swiftly found a link between the Gates and the powerplant on the first floor and the Gates.

''Pool did this change anything for you?'' Tonja shouts out from the powerplant to Deadpool, who once again rests on the altar.

Standing beside Tonja, Ethen hears the skull say. ''Yes, now I can differentiate the different realities by taste.''

Remembering the 'chief ballbuster', Ethen asks. ''Great can you connect the gate to the Reality where the Nick Fury is in that I talked to?''

''Guess so... It is the MCU and it should taste like popcorn...'' Pool states as he searches the right reality. ''... Hehehe... I knew it! Popcorn taste!''

''Is that it?... Now that I am moving in with you, you are going on an adventure...'' Asks Tonja, before realizing how she sounds like. ''... Dear god! I sound like a needy wife... See what you do to me!''

''I am sorry... But I like this new you...'' States Ethen, while hugging his girl and kissing her neck.

Resisting at first, but then melting into his embrace Tonja tells him. ''... Weren't you going? Why are you still here bothering me... Ah!... Why do you have to go?''

Turning Tonja around, Ethen tells her honestly. ''Because I promised someone that I would intern at S.H.I.E.L.D. and also because of me staying seems unnecessary. Brook and Sindri remodeling the second floor, you working on the Multiverse Gate... I am simply not needed.''

''But I need you!'' Complains Tonja, hugging Ethen.

Ruffling her hair, Ethen kisses Tonja before telling her, while looking into her lust filled eyes. ''Hey I am not gone forever. If you want to see me have that skull dial-up the 'MCU' and join me.''

Nodding, Tonja accompanies Ethen to the gateway while holding hands with him reaching the event horizon, she tells him. ''Stay safe!''

Smiling Ethen tells her. ''I will. See you soon!''

That said, Eten lets go of Tonjas hands and walks through the gate.

Arriving inside the interrogation room inside the shield facility outside New York, Ethen takes a look back, seeing Tonja wave at him, as the gate closes. With the gate closed, Ethen leaves the interrogation room, only to find the place largely destroyed and hears a familiar voice asked.

(Nick Fury) ''Crap! How is everybody? Carol? Steve?''

(Carol) ''I am okay, but my powers are gone.''

(Nick Fury) ''Steve?''

(Steve) ''Same here... How in the world did we offend that guy and more importantly how do we get Natasha back?''

(Nick Fury) '' I have no idea...''

Hearing Ethen comes closer, Nick stops talking, while turning around spotting Ethen. ''... Back? So soon?''

Nodding Ethen says. ''Yes, I am what happened?''

''Hunter Prince happened!...'' Says the man called Steve wearing a shield, before holding out his hand to Ethen, asking. ''... And who are you? My name is Steve Rodgers.''

Shaking Steve's hand, Ethen says. ''Ethen Wayne. Nice to meet you.''

''And I am Carol Danvers.'' States the good looking slim, flat chested and 1,86m tall cool blonde.

Shaking hands with her too, Ethen is instantly attracted by the cool beauty. Remembering Tonja, he says. ''Nice to meet you...'' Turning to Furry he tells him. ''... I am here to fulfill my promise.''

Shaking his head, but smiling Fury says. ''That is good, very good, but as you can see we are in a bit of a bind here.''

Smiling at Fury Ethen says. ''No problem I will help where I can!''

''Good, but first let me have a talk with these two...'' Says Fury, pointing at curiously a looking Steve and an annoyed Carol. Looking behind Ethen he says. ''... Good that you are here! Maria, Ethen Wayne; Ethen, Maria Hill. Maria could you please tell Ethen here about shield proceedings and get him a place to stay at the barracks?!''

Saluting Fury Maria says. ''Will do, sir!... Then please follow me.''

Seeing Ethen being lead away by Hill, Carol smirks at Fury stating. ''Didn't know that 'Yes-Sir-Woman' where your type Nick.''

''Oh, shut up Carol. We are adults. She is my secretary!...'' Defends Fury himself, before returning to his domineering presence. ''... Also, I have to talk to the two of you about Ethen...''

Surprised how easy Fury loses his composure in front of Carol, Steve asks. ''Who is he anyway?''

''That even I don't know... From what I know his mother is called Diana Prince.''

''Diana Prince?!'' Carol asks totally surprised, remembering Hunter calling a 'Diana Prince' his mother. ''... Is she both Hunters and Ethen's mother? Doesn't that make these two half brothers?''

Not eager to fight somebody on Hunter's level, Steve asks concerned. ''Can we trust him?''

''That is something I want to figure out...'' Fury says, making a dramatic pause. ''... But I will need the help of the two of you!''

''Whatever I can do I will!'' Says Steve, not even thinking about it for a second.

''Good...'' Says Fury, before turning to Carol asking. ''... Carol?''

''I have lost my powers thanks to this dammed collar...'' Carol Danvers states, before saying. ''... Since I am human now, I can be of much help, but I will do what I can. I am in!''

While the two captains and Fury are making plans to get a better understanding of Ethen, the man in question is lead by Maria Hill through the complex.

''Director Fury said I am supposed to tell you about shield guidelines. Ever been in the army?...'' Asks Hill, Ethen who is currently contemplating how much and which powers he should reveal to them. ''... Hello? Mr. Wayne?''

Hearing Hill talks to him, Ethen stops thinking and says. ''Ahm, yes, absolutely!''

''You didn't even listen to me...'' Says the Deputy Director as she rolls her eyes, leading the way. ''... This here one of several S.H.I.E.L.D. complexes located around the world.

S.H.I.E.L.D. is an acronym for 'Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division'. We are an extra-governmental military counter-terrorism and intelligence agency, tasked with maintaining both national and global security.

We recently made headlines with the 'Avengers Initiative' and the 'Battle of New York', so public sentiment is high and many people approve of our work...''

Having heard about the Avengers, but not really understand ing who or what they are, Ethen regrets not having that annoying skull, so he asks Hill. ''Who or what are these, Avengers? What are they avenging? Are they like the Justice League?''

''I don't know of a Justice League, but the Avengers, also known as the 'Heroes of New York', are a team of extraordinary individuals, either with superpowers or other special characteristics. Its purpose is to protect global stability from inner or extraterrestrial threats. Though primarily affiliated with the United States of America, they work with the peaceful interests of the whole world in mind rather than a specific country or organization...'' Seeing Ethens shining eyes Hill stops her explanation, saying. ''... Don't even think about joining them. They are above your or my paygrade... Here we are room 117, Captain Americas former quarters.''

That said the Deputy Director uses her ID card to open the door. Seeing the room spacely decorated, Ethen thanks her by saying. ''Thank you!''

Expecting an answer from the woman, Ethen notices her listening intently to her earpiece, totally ignoring him.

Setting foot in his new temporary home, he suddenly hears Hill say. ''Director Fury just called. He says that you will be joining Captain America's team for now. He and Agent Denver will do an evaluation of your skills tomorrow...'' That said, Hill smiles at him saying. ''... Welcome to S.H.I.E.L.D.''