The Family Revelation

Tired and injured. 

That's how the spectators saw Markus. But they also knew of him as the saviour, the one that saved them from the terrors of a mad being. 

Cameras flashed and reporters rushed, but Markus didn't want them anywhere in his vicinity. Using his powers, he created a weak force field that kept the pesky reporters away and gave him enough space to breathe. 

"Good day, everyone." Markus breathed with a tired smile. "Pardon me for you had to see such a scene." 

People from all around the world were glued to their screens as Markus started to speak. 

"Today's threat was something that none of us had expected." He paused and looked around. "And I hope that we don't have to witness such a disaster again. What we witnessed today was a nightmare, one where many of our friends and families lost their lives." He showed an expression that embodied pain. "We cannot change the past but we can help build a better future. This is something that my father always told me about."

The people stared at the boy with hope and sorrow. 

"Never thought that I would have needed to say this but… We need to keep moving forward, despite the losses we faced."

As the crowd processed his words, one brave reporter decided to speak.

"W-Who are you? A new hero? A mutant?"

Markus smiled and closed his eyes. "Once a person calls himself a hero, he is nothing but a hypocrite. But what I am... is a mutant."

His revelation made sense to a lot but a few became vigilant.

"S-So aren't you the same?!" One accused. "Just like the other mutants that terrorised us!"

"Are you a criminal just because you are from the same species as Hitler?" Markus answered with a question. "Or are you a murderer because you might share some blood with Genghis Khan or Atilla the Hun?" 

The person frowned. "What does that have anything to do with me?"

"Exactly. What does being a mutant have anything to do with me being a villain or a hero?" Markus raised a curious eyebrow. "A person's alignment, his motives, his path is not defined by what his race is. It's defined by the choices he makes." He chuckled a bit. "Once again, that's what my father used to tell me."

This time, quite a lot of people seemed curious as one of them asked. 

"Who was your father?" 

Markus, aware that most of the people were also interested in the question, nodded. 

"Well, let me introduce myself." He said. "My name is Markus Hanley, the son of the deceased Marcellus Hanley." He paused. "And a mutant."

And with that, the crowd went insane.

…

…

"So, that's what he planned for." Mobius mumbled as he stared at the screen before him. 

"Shouldn't we stop him, sir?" One of his juniors asked. "What he is doing can harm the future."

Mobius didn't move his sight from the screen. "And why should we do that?" He asked. 

"Wouldn't i—"

Not letting the person finish, Mobius continued. "We are responsible for making sure that the future of the multiverse doesn't deviate. And currently, there hasn't been much of a reason for it to deviate." Mobius finally turned. "And even if it does deviate a little. We will have to turn a blind eye to it till Kang is taken care of."

As the junior still seemed confused, Mobius added. "The timeline Markus is from is already a complex one. There is not one but countless things that should not exist there or should not have existed so soon… but they do. And even Markus' existence is an anomaly. So, as long as he doesn't go insane and starts destroying the worlds, we have no real reason to act." He calmed his expression. "Till then… We watch."

'And hope nothing else happens.'

…

…

[[Selene]]

"Proceed with the clean up." Ordering the minions was easy but assigning proper leaders to handle sectors was not. 

"Kill or detain?" One of the minions asked which made me remember Markus' order. 

"Kill. We don't want anyone that might cause trouble when we make future moves."

"Affirmative."

Noting that Markus was surrounded by people that now stared at him as an angel, I had to make my way towards the base. 

Markus had succeeded. The plan moved a little slower than usual but the end has been as he desired. The moment he revealed himself to be the youngest Hanley son, the crowd went crazy. 

Marcellus was a messiah to them and as his son who saved them from the threat of the Jester. He was now a ray of hope for them. 

"Playing with the trust and beliefs of millions and he is still not deemed a villain."

But then again… His actions have reduced the crime rates. 

"Selene, do you copy?" Sable's voice came from the communicator designed by Markus.

"I do." 

"The east has been cleared of rats and once Markus returns. It will be the turn for the elder to make a move." 

"Understood. Take care of the rats and I will deal with the political aspect."

"Got it."

…

…

Fury frowned looking at the ruckus caused by Markus. 

"That was the plan?" 

"Apparently, it was." Magnus sighed at Markus' revelation. "I knew that he wanted to reveal his identity soon but I didn't know he would do it now. But then again… This is probably the best moment to do it."

Fury didn't speak and continued watching Markus speak. This reminded him a lot of Marcellus and the speeches he gave. 

"He takes after his father… At least his skills as an orator."

Magnus cracked a smile at the observation of Nick. 

"That he does. Sometimes when I listen to him speak, it feels like it's father speaking."

Magnus looked at Fury when he said those words. Fury was lost in thought but after a while, he nodded. 

"He seems to be better than you at this thing." Fury deduced. 

"He is." Magnus nodded, agreeing to Fury. 'Nick is smart but not enough to figure out the truth.' Magnus sighed. 'That's good for his own safety.'

"So, are you going down?" Fury asked, making Magnus nod. 

"I am… After all, it's time for the world to know about my little brother and his strength."