A Mutant Collector Quest

"Alright, I will be off now. It was lovely meeting you all," Stephanie announces with a small smile, looking at the different people in the room, and then goes out.

Peggy looks at Jemma and asks, "The war … did we win?"

"Yes, the Allies won the war," Jemma answers excitedly. "It's all thanks to you, Captain Carter!"

You excuse yourself as Jemma starts narrating Captain Carter's stories that every kid in the UK knew about.

"Dr. Strange, please wait a minute," you call out to the figure walking away.

She stops as you approach her. "Yes, what is it, Luke? Is this about the confidentiality? Then you know you don't have to worry. The amount of money you are giving me, even if you were doing something illegal, I wouldn't say a word," Stephanie responds with a smirk.

"No, I trust your integrity, doctor. I just wanted to give you a gift," you explain, bringing out a red and blue coloured Personal Shield generator bracelet.

"See, we have known each other for some years, and you are a very handsome guy, Luke. But you are too young for me, and I am very busy with my work, so I have no time for a relationship. So sorry, I can't accept your gift," Stephanie responds firmly, pushing the bracelet back towards you.

"This isn't that kind of gift; it's a defensive device…" You awkwardly explain the details of the bracelet.

"Oh? this sounds like an amazing item ... why are you giving it to me?" she asks curiously.

"It's a thank-you gift for keeping today's matter a secret, and a genius mind like yours should be protected," you reply with a smile as you present her the bracelet.

"Well, if you put it like that, then I don't mind accepting it," she acknowledges with a pleased smile, taking the bracelet from your hands.

"Why don't you keep it on all the time? I don't want you to get hurt; the streets aren't safe nowadays," you suggest as you see her putting the bracelet in her pocket.

"Well, I suppose you're right," Stephanie muses as she wears the bracelet. "I have to say ... your roundabout methods are cute. Keep this up for some years, and who knows, I might just give you a chance," she adds with a smirk and a wink.

"Okay, I'm going to be late. I have to go now!" she calls out, waving at you and rushing away.

"Drive slowly and safely!" you yell as she waves you off.

You sigh. Sometimes you are unsure if you should really change someone's fate or not. Shaking your head, you go back to the room.

"There's so much to show you. The technology, the advancements… you will be amazed," Toni is showing something on her tablet to the seated Peggy as Christine conducts tests on her.

"Yes, she is Iron Woman!" Jemma exclaims from the side. You shake your head; ever since Jemma saw Captain Carter alive, her enthusiasm hasn't subsided. You even checked if she was secretly taking some NZT, but it's just a celebrity aura effect.

As you enter, Peggy's gaze turns towards you. You smile and gesture towards the door, "Shall we take a walk? Some fresh air might be good for you."

Peggy nods, and you all take the elevators to the roof of Watson Tower. Along the way, Peggy looks around curiously.

As the doors open, Peggy steps out and gasps at the sight before her.

The New York City skyline stretches out, it is a breathtaking view of modern skyscrapers and bustling streets.

"This… this is incredible," Peggy breathes, her eyes wide with wonder. "So much has changed!"

"Yes," you acknowledge, standing beside her the others giving you both a bit of privacy. "The world has advanced in ways people could never have imagined decades ago."

Peggy nods slowly, taking it all in. "I talked with Howard's daughter ... She told me that you are one of the richest men in the world, that even she doesn't know how much money you have. Now you've spent so much money on me," Peggy turns towards you, looking at you with a serious expression. "What do you want from me?"

You smile as you look out over the busy city below. "Right now, I want nothing from you," you state calmly.

Peggy narrows her eyes at you, following your gaze to the bustling city. "If not now ... then you must have plans for the future. Why not just be straight with me and tell me what you want?" she presses.

You sigh, "Miss Car—"

"Just call me Peggy," she interrupts. "Every time you call me Miss Carter, it makes me feel old ... although I am technically over 80 years old now," she adds with a chuckle.

"Peggy, much has changed in these 60 years. The world is different now," you explain with a sigh.

"I figured. Invisible Woman, Iron Woman—these aren't just fancy names, are they?" Peggy asks, looking at Toni and Susan, who are chatting with the other girls while having drinks.

"Still, this doesn't concern you ... You can just live and enjoy your life. You don't need to worry about money. Your contribution to this world is too great already, and I don't lack wealth, so you can live a lavish life for as long as you want," you say sincerely. You honestly wouldn't mind that; she has done enough, paid the ultimate price! It would be selfish to ask her to pick up her shield again.

"There was this bloke I once knew. He was a scrawny little guy who could be blown away by a strong breeze. But even with that weak body of his, he wanted to do good for this world." Peggy reminisces, looking at the sky with a smile. "He was supposed to get the serum ... He deserved these powers, but he died that day by the hands of a spy, and I had to step up in his place! From that day, I vowed to myself to honour his memory and use these borrowed powers for good!" Peggy declares with determination, clenching her fist.

You smile, knowing all about the circumstances of that day and Steve Rogers' tragic fate. But even if one hero died that day, another was born from his ashes!

"Lucas, I can tell by your tone that even though the war has finished, the fight has not!" Peggy asserts, looking at you steadily.

"Yes, it hasn't," you admit with a wry smile. "But first, you should integrate with this modern world before taking part in that fight."

"63 years of history, technology, current affairs… I have so much catching up to do!" Peggy sighs in exasperation.

"You have been asleep for a long time but you are not alone, Peggy. We are here to help you adjust to this new world, and you can take all the time you need," you assure her with a smile.

"... My relatives?... My comrades? The Howling Commandos? ... Are any of them alive?" Peggy asks hopefully.

Your expression softens as you look back at her. "I am afraid most of them are gone. It has been many decades," you reply slowly.

Peggy's shoulders slump slightly, the weight of the news pressing down on her. "So, I really am alone in this new world."

"Not entirely… one of your relatives is still alive. Your great-niece—she's even in this same building," you reveal with an odd look.

"Oh? Where is she? Let's go and meet her," Peggy suggests, her mood lifting a little.

"Before you meet her, I need to inform you about two important organisations ... One of them is S.H.I.E.L.D., a name unfamiliar to you now but soon it won't be. The other is a name you are very familiar with," you say, looking at her sadly.

"Don't tell me…" Peggy looks into your eyes and can infer what you are about to say.

"Yes, it's… Hydra," you confirm with a bitter smile, knowing her history with them.

"Hydra? But how? Red Skull was swallowed by a blue portal! Did he not die?" she asks, confused.

"I will tell you all I know slowly. And there's no need to hurry, they have survived for so many years; a few more days will make no difference," you say, patting her back as she clenches her teeth.

"There is also something else you need to know," you add, opening your palms parallel to the ground in front of her.

She looks at what you're doing, puzzled. You smirk and activate your Powers: Electricity Manipulation and Phoenix Magic.

"Bloody hell! Magic??" Peggy exclaims, stepping back.

In your right hand, a blue fire burns, and in your left, electricity crackles.

You deactivate your Powers and look at her with a harmless smile. "Welcome to the future, Captain Carter!"