C42 - Fury's orders and Wanda's worries!

'Inner dialogue/thoughts'

"Normal dialogue"

[System]

[Diary entries]

(Word count: 1,312)

~ With Natasha ~

Fury had a point. Although Natasha did not think that Luke would be a threat towards them, however she could not deny that he had the potential to be one. 'Fury's right. I hate to admit it, but if Luke really has the ability to control the water in a person's body and in the atmosphere, then unless we can catch him by surprise, we may not be able to stop him if he decides to go rogue.'

'Without knowing his limits and capabilities, he could potentially summon colossal tsunamis unlike the world has ever seen. Or he could hide in the depths of the ocean, and we may never find him.' Natasha pondered.

They had only just established a connection in Luke's life through Natasha, to anchor Luke to their world. However, even though over the past month both Luke and Natasha had spent a lot of time together, it was still not enough of an assurance that Luke would not turn into an enemy.

Fury had hoped that Wanda would be the second, more solid anchor, but she and Luke had only just met. Although, from the reaction that Fury had been told, Luke still had a strong bond that Fury hoped could be re-establish with this world's Wanda. Unfortunately, this would all depend on Wanda herself.

Fury had sent Wanda and Pietro to Los Angeles, even ensuring that they would have an apartment that was close to the café and to Luke's own apartment. However, throughout the month the siblings had been there, Wanda had made no effort to establish contact with Luke.

To make matters worse, it would seem from the most recent diary entry that Luke would not take a proactive approach with Wanda. Instead, Wanda would have to engage with Luke herself in order for Fury's plan of establishing a second anchor to happen.

"What do you suggest we do, sir?" Natasha enquired, hoping that Fury would not make a fool's mistake of antagonizing Luke just because he has powers.

"Nothing." Fury replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

Hearing Fury's answer, Natasha was confused. "Sir?"

"Why would I want to make an enemy of a hero who had lost his entire world not too long ago?" Fury started, "Agent Romanoff, you seem to misunderstand me. Luke is a potential world-ending threat. But that's all it is, potential."

"From what we've read and seen thus far, he is still a far cry from the threat he could be. Moreover, we've already begun preparations in ensuring that he remains the hero that he is. Otherwise, why else do you think I've placed you near him or even sent the Maximoff siblings to where he is?" Fury revealed.

"In the event that he turns, what can we do to stop him? Who could we send? If he is truly able to bend water to his will, he could simply just go to the deepest depths of the ocean and not even a nuclear weapon would reach him."

"And if he doesn't run, the potential for collateral damage is too high if we use any of our big weaponry. So, do you understand now why I need you to keep a close watch on Luke?" Fury asked rhetorically.

"So, for the time being, we are to do nothing except what we've been doing thus far, getting Luke to see that this world is worth protecting too. And to do that, we'll need to start getting him re-acquainted with the people from his past life." Fury finished.

While outwardly and publicly Fury had stated that he would not try to antagonize Luke, he had already begun thinking of the many contingencies he would need on the off chance that Luke does indeed turn into an enemy.

Fury had never trusted anyone 100% throughout his entire life. The person who had earned the most trust he could give was Maria Hill, and even she did not know everything that he knew or to know about him. For example, only Fury knew about the titular name of "Avengers".

Another secret that no one else knew about Fury was his connection to Carol Danvers, who was his final trump card. He had a way to contact her to inform her of any impending world threats, and even though Luke may be able to bend water, he had seen what Carol could do.

If in the event that Luke truly turns into an enemy, he could call on Carol to help him deal with Luke. In a fight between Luke and Carol, Fury was confident that Carol could hold her own against him.

'But I need to make sure that it doesn't lead to that. I will need to start making preparations to start involving ourselves a little more proactively without it seeming too suspicious.' Fury mused.

"Agent Romanoff, tomorrow, I want you to reveal SHIELD to Luke." Fury spoke again, relaying his order to Natasha.

"Come again sir?" Natasha asked with confusion. "Do you think that's a good idea sir?"

"We need to involve ourselves now that a new threat has appeared and only Luke has any sort of information on them. Moreover, while he knows who you are exactly, it may do us some good if we tell him who we are instead of having him to say it for us." Fury reasoned.

"Roger that sir." Seeing the merit in Fury's reasoning, Natasha acknowledged the order before Fury hung up the call.

~ With Natasha ~

'It seems that something has Fury spooked. It's unlikely that Fury would just leave Luke alone considering the danger he could pose. This means that Fury knows something or is confident enough to stop Luke.' Natasha wondered.

Throughout her time in SHIELD and her interactions with Fury and those around him, Natasha had understood that Fury never truly trusts someone 100%. He had always had contingencies after contingencies prepared, adhering to the principles of Murphy's Law.

Deciding not to bother herself with the way her boss does things, Natasha instead was curious as to how Luke would take the reveal the following day. 'I've spent one month getting to know him and vice versa. Will he think that this was all just for show? A mission perhaps?'

Although Natasha knew that there was a chance that her friendship with Luke could be affected, she was still glad that she no longer had to be 'fake' around Luke any longer from tomorrow onwards.

~ At the same time with Wanda, in her apartment room in Los Angeles ~

Wanda had just finished reading the newest entry. To say that she was worried would be an understatement. She was not worried about her connection to Luke, but rather with the new enemies that Luke had just written off.

'Someone or something out there is capable of turning a normal person into a "creature" as Luke put it. And they are now here on this earth.' Wanda thought worriedly.

'Wait, since I am no longer at that orphanage, will I still get my powers in this life? Luke had written that when he first met the other Wanda, she had already gotten her powers. I on the other hand, am still a normal person without any abilities.'

In the following hours, Wanda remained awake, thinking of what she should do from now on to protect herself and her brother.

- End of Chapter 42 -

Next time in C43 - Luke's realization, Everyone's worried for Luke!

"You scared me there." Crystal muttered in a soft tone.

.

.

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"I know. I'm sorry for worrying you, Crystal." Luke replied, finally recognizing that there were people in this world who had grown to care for him.