Marvel X The Boys

The mist encroached further, wrapping the alley in an oppressive, otherworldly silence. The twisted figures within it grew more defined with each passing moment, their glowing eyes fixed on the group. Alex felt the familiar ping of the system echo in his mind, cutting through his rising panic.

System Notification

[QUEST ALERT]

New Quest Unlocked: Investigate the Mist

Objective: Survive and identify the source of the mist.

Reward: 200 EXP, Enhanced Perception (Passive).

[Enemy Status Identified]

As the system screen materialized before Alex, a smaller, red-bordered window appeared beside it, listing details about the enemy.

Enemy Status Window

Name: Mist-Walkers (Manifestations)

Type: Entity (Residual Magic)

Level: 8

Abilities:

Environmental Obfuscation

Physical Manifestation (Limited)

Weakness: Source Disruption

Alex blinked at the screen, his confusion mounting. Residual magic? Physical manifestation? He scanned the details again, but the text offered little explanation for what the source might be.

"Oi, what now?" Butcher snapped, noticing Alex's vacant stare.

"It's..." Alex hesitated, glancing at the advancing creatures. "They're called Mist-Walkers. And they're not natural. Something's creating them."

"What, your magical mystery system told you that?" Butcher barked. "What next? You gonna say the bloody Tooth Fairy's behind it?"

Deadpool, standing uncomfortably close to Alex, leaned in with exaggerated seriousness. "Don't mock the Tooth Fairy, Crowbar McGee. She's got connections. Mess with her, and she'll yank more than your teeth."

"Shut it, Spandex," Butcher growled.

The Truth Revealed

Before the tension could escalate further, a guttural sound echoed through the alley. The Mist-Walkers jerked to a halt, their glowing eyes flickering briefly before vanishing entirely.

"What the hell was that?" Hughie asked, his voice trembling.

The group turned their attention to the mist, which was now retreating rapidly. It swirled away from the alley, revealing a metal grate in the ground—a sewage outlet.

"No," Alex muttered, a sinking feeling in his chest. "It can't be..."

The system pinged again, and Alex's jaw tightened as new text appeared in his vision:

[QUEST UPDATE]

The mist originates from the municipal sewage system. Investigate further to locate the primary source.

"Sewage?" Tony Stark asked incredulously, his suit scanning the grate. "You're telling me all this drama is because of New York's plumbing?"

Deadpool doubled over with laughter, slapping his knee. "Oh, this is rich. Literal sewer gas turned spooky. I love it! Can we fight a giant toilet next? Please?"

A Change in Plans

Steve Rogers stepped forward, his shield lowered but his demeanor still commanding. "Regardless of where it's coming from, this isn't normal. We need to regroup at the Tower, figure out what we're dealing with."

Butcher scoffed. "And why exactly should we follow you lot? Last I checked, we don't answer to a bunch of over-dressed do-gooders."

"Because," Natasha Romanoff said, her voice calm but firm, "if you don't, you'll end up dead—or worse. Whatever's causing this mist isn't done yet."

Mother's Milk placed a hand on Butcher's shoulder. "Butcher, they've got resources. Let's at least hear them out."

Tony smirked, his suit powering down partially. "He's the reasonable one, huh? Every team's got one."

Deadpool raised his hand. "I'm the reasonable one in this team."

"No, you're not," Alex, Butcher, Hughie, and Natasha said in unison.

The Jet and Departure

Moments later, the Avengers' sleek Quinjet descended into the alley, its engines kicking up debris. The hatch lowered, and Steve gestured for the group to board.

"Time to go," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

As the group filed into the jet, Deadpool pointed at the interior with exaggerated awe. "Ooh, fancy. Where's the in-flight movie? Do we get snacks? Is Spider-Man hiding under the seats?"

"Sit down," Natasha said, her patience clearly thinning.

Alex took a seat near the back, his mind racing. The system window still hovered faintly in his vision, a constant reminder of the chaos he was now part of.

Butcher slumped into a seat across from him, glaring. "You're still not off the hook, sunshine."

Deadpool plopped down beside Alex, throwing an arm around him. "Don't worry, kid. You've got me. And by extension, plot armor. You'll be fine."

The jet rose into the sky, leaving the alley and the pale mist behind. But Alex couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning.