Chp. 48 Turkeys

"So the mutants have ceased their attacks?" Alexander Pierce looked at Fury who was seemingly stressed.

"For now, it seems our mutual friend had been able to curb in the actions of Magneto for the meantime." Fury said as he seemed defeated.

"Don't push yourself Nick. We were not ready for this kind of pressure but now that we survived this it seems imperative that we develop measures that would help us curb any attacks from mutants in the future." Pierce looked at the tired Fury seemingly sympathetic.

"And what does the Council plans to develop now?" Nick Fury tiredly asked as he looked at Pierce, he knew that Pierce was HYDRA and one of its heads and he still cannot believe that the guy he trusted was one of the enemy.

"Phase two is still in progress but the Council is planning on something else…" Pierce then pulled a file on the desk and showed it to Fury. "…project Insight, this might take years to finish but this will ensure our safety against those mutants if we ever need such to feel at least safe from sudden attacks."

"This…" Fury read the project and raised his brows but he did not show much. "…how much are they going to pull for funds with this?"

"Enough, they have seen the terrors the mutants could bring and project Sentinel is a bust. To think that most people have the x-gene will cause much death and massacre so it is better for this Project insight to pick out the bad seeds in the mutant population." Pierce said as he looked at Fury getting up.

"Well, they better give the funds fast. The world is getting shittier by the minute and we are sitting ducks with nothing to cover us from the rain." Fury said to Pierce.

"I'll do my best Nick, also get yourself some rest. As your friend I can't let you get burned out with these stuff alone, have a brandy or some wine." Pierce said to Fury.

"You know I prefer Gin right?" Fury said as he went to his desk to sit and rest.

"Yeah, I know but I drank the ones in the fridge already." Pierce said as he left breathing a sigh of relief. He had suspected Fury to have been aware but at least HYDRA has not yet brought to the surface, even that rebelling Viper did not let people know HYDRA exist.

Which means that their problem is more of an Internal Competition for now, Viper might have provided intel to the mutants on experimental facilities they have to get the Scientist in her hands.

"Give Strike Team a rest, we'll have to lay low for now." Pierce said to Sitwell who came near to him.

"Yes sir." Sitwell said as he turned and gave the news to the Strike team.

Arriving in his office Pierce dimmed the room and opened a secure line of communications.

"Zola, tell me what you found." Pierce said as he was answered by a robotic voice.

"Nothing for now Pierce, because whatever happened to Ophelia still eludes me but she will contact the HAND in the meantime. She cannot face us all alone and she is seeking allies to widen her reach." Zola's voice rang in the room.

"Hmm, it seems she intends to get HYDRA to be under one command and she thinks she is that person huh?" Pierce took a bottle of gin in his own fridge and drank a glass.

"It might seem so but we must be careful, there is another person behind all of this and I do not have the means to find him yet. Once Project Insight is online then maybe I can find more to uncover the truth of the shadow behind the Viper." Zola's voice stilled the room as it descended in Silence.

[X-Mansion]

"Why must we stop now Charles? We have made great progress in saving our kind." Max said in frustration as he looked at Xavier.

"We need to lay low for now Max, the world will be against us if we keep on doing what we did. We need to stabilize for a moment and find help for the people we saved, there are too many that needs our help right now and they are sitting there outside confused and helpless." Xavier said as he looked at his friend.

"*sigh* I understand Charles, it seems seeing too many being treated this way has boiled more anger within me. What about our new acquaintance? Would he be of help?" Max asked.

"He has already did much Max, you just don't know it yet but he has been tracking down John Sublime on his own and has been giving us the coordinates. We wouldn't have caught him without his help, other than that he has been secretly supporting groups that are in favor of our existence." Charles said as he rolled out of the room where he was greeted by a Hallway full of young mutants running about.

"So he was helping in many ways then, to think we were all but guinea pigs for beings out there makes be bit angry too but maybe with his help we can handle the pressure that'll fall on us. But at least we have weakened HYDRA in our ways, let us hope he has more plans for that terrorist organization." Max followed behind as he looked at the children running around playing while his own people also adapted to this harmonious atmosphere.

"We'll he is in Africa right now in my sources but he is able to do more things that we can think of." Xavier then went to the other Senior members and talked about how they could organize the Mansion better now that they have about a thousand new students.

[Troll World]

"Whoa, you're really a good shot aren't you John?" Paul said as he carried the turkey John shot for him to cook. Paul had invited John and Helen to a Thanksgiving dinner with him as the chef in his lakeside cabin.

"I had practice." John said as he looked at the prototype Gas rifle in his hands remembering the almost non-existent recoil when he fired it. He can tell that if the High Table learns of this kind of tech they will try and steal it from his new friend.

"Well, at least we won't have to spend a long time in the damp woods. I'll get the turkey ready before dinner and I'll show you how a real feast is in Asian culture." Paul smiled as he carried the Turkey excitedly to the cabin where Helen could be seen waiting.

"Wow, you got one already? It looks quite big too." Helen asked as she looked at the Turkey in Paul's hands.

"John was the one that got the turkey, he practically did the hunt himself while I stood there still like a statue all the time. Hahaha… anyways we got to prepare earlier than planned so I'll be in the Kitchen busying myself. You could watch TV for the meantime, I have cable installed here too." Paul said as he went to the back part of the cabin where the dirty kitchen is.

"Wow, did you really do it all John? How nice of you." Helen smiled as she put her hands around John who smiled at his wife's affectionate actions.

"The turkey was big so it was pretty easy." John smiled as he was pulled by Helen inside.

"Well let's get our big man a rest shall we? I think Family feud is on right now…" Helen led John inside while Paul boiled water for cleaning the Turkey.

"Hmmm?" Paul paused as he looked towards Skull Island's direction as a vessel found itself in the shores of the Tagu-Atu tribe. Seeing that it was just a group of scientist trying to research the Island Paul dismissed it as he continued on cleaning the Turkey.

If he had looked closely Paul would have noticed the name of the company the scientist worked for a bit familiar, Energyne, but this world he now treats as his own vacation time. Even with a clone it still brings a peace of mind being able to do normal things for once in a while.

He had already given the research and all the animals he got in the Island to the Lion clone anyways and the company in his name were just resource gatherers. Maybe once a year he could send a clone to get the materials he collected.

Right now his company is planning to acquire space projects so Paul could send a team of robots to metal rich asteroid to mine it in the near future.

He'll just have to be secretive and discreet about it as he does not have any more interest in this world at all other than the master Assassins he could hire in the future.

Paul smiled as he felt a bit of peace in this time he spent as a normal person, well as normal as he could be. Things like this might be small but it means a lot for him, having lost a home not knowing why or how still bothers him a bit.

"I'll get there when I get there…" Paul then looked at the happy couple knowing that Helen is already progressing in her Illness. At least he had already scanned her and hoped his research in the submerged world will bear fruit soon.

[Middle-earth]

"We're losing the light, come on!" Thorin urged his companions as the sun was setting in the horizon.

Nori and Dwalin were panicking as they hurried to find a semblance of a Keyhole in the grey wall. Nori was listening through a cup to hear if there is something within the walls while Dwalin kicked and punched as he felt frustrated finding nothing.

"Be quiet! I can't hear when you're thumping." Nori said.

"I can't find it." Dwalin said making the others worried and feeling hopeless. "It's not here! It's not here!"

"Break it down!" Thorin said as he saw the light was going away. The Dwarves took their hammers and axes to strike the wall down as they felt more frustrated and beginning to lose all hope.

"Aye!" Dwalin, Gloin and Bifur tried their all as they used the axes to bread down the walls.

"Come on!" Thorin shouted as he saw the light wane, but all was for naught as they chipped and broke their axes.

"Break!" Dwalin screamed in frustration.

"It has to break." Thorin said in his breath as he looked at the vanishing sun.

"It's no good. The door's sealed. Can't be opened by force." Balin said as he looked sadly at the grey wall. "There's a powerful magic on it."

The axes were now broken and of no use as the dwarves looked distraught at the wall as hope now gone in their eyes. Disappointment and frustration was prevalent as months of journey only to be met with empty grey walls.

"No!" Thorin said as he saw the sun set never to shine light upon where they stood. He moved forward and took out the map, looked at it again and read the words that were written by their ancestors.

"The last light of Durin's day will shine upon the keyhole." Thorin read as his voice cracked in grief looking towards his companions.

"That's what it says." Thorin looked to his company as he tried grasping for straws. "What did we miss?"

"What did we miss?" Thorin walked towards Balin asking him this. "Balin?"

"We've lost the light." Balin said. "There's no more to be done. We had but one chance. Come away, lads."

"It's over." Balin waved to his companions while Bilbo stood there confused.

"Wait a minute." Bilbo said.

"We're too late." Nori said as he walked down to the steps.

"Where are they going?" Bilbo asked confused as the dwarves started to leave.

"You can't give up now!" Bilbo said as he looked at his companions but his eyes looked at Thorin. "Thorin?"

Bilbo eyes followed Thorin who was walking away and gave the map to him, but his eyes caught a slight glow in Thorin's cloak. "Thorin your cloak."

Bilbo's words made Thorin look and saw the letter that was left by Paul glow red making him stop. He reached in to the letter while Balin noticed this too calling to the others. "Wait, the letter form the Iron lord has something."

Thorin opened the letter and saw the letters and words inside were glowing red and started to morph and change. Soon another different content of the letter showed itself making Thorin started reading.

"I guess you were all starting to leave…" Thorin's face immediately looked around while Bilbo also followed as they felt the same creeped up energy again from the letter. Balin and Dwalin too was looking around as they too thought Paul was watching nearby.

"…don't worry I am not nearby, but you looked didn't you? Also before you left you all tried to break the wall didn't you? It was Bilbo who urged you to not leave didn't he? Learn from the hobbit, he had faith in your quest even when you lost faith in it after a small tumble…" Thorin looked around and saw the others came back watching him read.

"…like your map said, has the thrush knocked on the grey stone yet? Don't take it as a riddle, but more of an instruction. Since when did your kind ever dabble in eloquent riddle making, just treat it as it was said literally by your ancestors…" Thorin read this part while Balin was nodding in agreement, they were dwarves not long winded elves, they were direct.

"…and since when did sunset become the last light of a day? Doesn't moonlight count as a light? Did you forget your map's clue was in 'moon' runes? Did you just realize how hasty you all quit?" Thorin's eyes widened at this as he too realized they were indeed hasty.

"Moonlight? It's still Durin's day isn't it, so moonlight does really count!" Balin said as he looked at the sky seeing the moon was about to appear.

"There's still more… and as you are reading this, I am already in Lake Town. I'll take care of you nephews here…" Thorin smiled as well as the other dwarves. "… and as said earlier, you have much to learn from your friend Bilbo. Remember, he is your friend, a true friend that will tell you the errors of your ways. Heed his words, for he is one treasure you do not want to lose, have heart Thorin Oakenshield. Have faith like how your friend had faith in you purpose…P.S. Don't get burned." Thorin read the last part making him and the dwarves smile a bit.

They realized Bilbo had become someone they needed and had helped them greatly in their journey here. Thorin went and hugged Bilbo as he felt strength and hope come back in his heart thinking that their Burglar has not given up on them.

Then they looked up as a bird flew by then picked up a snail nearby to crush it in the grey rock. It was then the moon showed itself to the sky and shone through the statue illuminating the company as they wait in trepidation.

"Stand by the Grey stone when the Thrush knocks and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the Key-hole." Bilbo said as the light showed the key-hole.

"Hahaha!!!"

"There it is!!"

"The Key-hole!"

"YES!"

The dwarves shouted in glee as they saw the key-hole while Thorin picked up the key nearby and walked towards the grey wall. Thorin then placed the Key and turned it hearing a slight click in the wall, placing his hands on the grey stone he pushed and a door appeared.

*Thud*

Thorin and the others looked in silence as they saw the hall inside, they felt their hearts widen as their dreams were getting closer as the door was graced by the air of the outside world after decades of being closed.

"Erebor." Thorin said as he still felt the sight was surreal.

"Thorin." Balin was almost crying as he looked upon the halls they walked on since they were young.

"I know these walls." Thorin walked in as he felt the cold familiar walks in his fingertips. "These halls, this stone."

"You remember it, Balin." Thorin smiled as he looked back to the others. "Chambers filled with golden light."

"*inhales sharply* I remember." Balin answered as he walked in followed by the other dwarves.

"Herein Lies the seventh Kingdom of Durin's folk…" Gloin looked up and read the carved words in the wall. "…may the Heart of the Mountain unite all dwarves in defense of this home."

"The Throne of the King." Balin said as he stood beside Bilbo feeling very emotional.

"And what's that above it?" Bilbo asked as he looked at the peculiar part of the carving.

"The Arkenstone." Balin said as he looked at Bilbo.

"Arkenstone." Bilbo repeated the word as he was thoughtful. "And what's that?"

"That, master Burglar is why you are here." Thorin said making Bilbo look at the prince and to the others curiously seeing them staring at him then he looked at the carving once again. "*Gulp*"

Meanwhile, Tauriel was healing Kili in Bard's home as Bofur and Oin stood guard as they remembered Paul said the orcs are coming.

Paul on the other hand stood on top of his dragon's head with Bard, Legolas and Fili looking over to the master of Laketown standing scared as the eyes of the dragon peered down to him and his guards.