"Russell!"
"The big bad is back!"
Tony clutched his chest, every hair on his body standing on end. His armor snapped into place in milliseconds, his palm repulsor charged to full power, and his eyes locked on Russell. He was on maximum alert.
Hawkeye raised his bow at once, drew a specially made explosive arrow to full tension, and aimed at Russell's forehead.
Captain America gripped his Vibranium Shield, every muscle taut as he dropped into a fighting stance.
Every veteran Avenger was wound tight, bracing for the worst.
They knew all too well.
Nothing good ever came of this man showing up.
Meanwhile, the new generation of Avengers looked stunned and confused.
Sam stared Russell up and down, then murmured, "So that's Russell?"
"He's the one who filled the world with Mutants and turned Earth upside down?"
Kate tightened her grip on her bow, disbelief in her eyes. "He looks so ordinary. How could he have the power to change the world like that?"
The old and new Avengers felt very differently about Russell's sudden appearance, but their ready weapons made one thing clear: they all saw him as an enemy.
Russell looked around at the veteran Heroes braced for battle, then at the curious newcomers. The corner of his mouth lifted.
"Relax, everyone. You're not planning to attack me with that junk in your hands, are you?"
The air in the Helicarrier's conference room seemed to freeze.
Tony knew better than to try. He lowered his hand, though he kept his eyes fixed on Russell.
When he spoke, his voice was lower than before. It was not submission; it was the strained quiet of someone holding back his anger.
"You planted Mutant seeds in this Timeline, changed Earth's population on a massive scale, and left. Now you're back