The industrial wasteland on the outskirts of the crumbling city was a graveyard of rusted dreams and forgotten ambitions. Amidst the skeletal remains of factories long abandoned, a fortress of steel and malice stood defiant—a secret Friends of Humanity facility, its very existence a middle finger to hope. Inside, a labyrinth of cold corridors pulsed with the hum of flickering fluorescent lights, while high-tech security systems guarded treasures too dangerous for the world to know. Lasers crisscrossed the storage vault like a deadly spiderweb, daring any fool to step into their trap.
Ben Willis was no fool, but he was damn well going to dance with danger tonight.
At eighteen, Ben was a mutant anomaly—a walking paradox of flesh and machine. His body, a masterpiece of vibranium, titanium, adamantium, and Stark tech, moved with the predatory grace of a panther through the shadows. His healing factor meant he could take a beating and keep on grinning, and his cybernetic enhancements made him a one-man wrecking crew. But it was his newly emerged secondary mutation—a rather *impressive* physical attribute below the belt—that had him chuckling to himself as he dodged a laser beam with a hair’s breadth to spare.
“Really, universe? You couldn’t give me telepathy or invisibility? No, you had to go for the low blow—literally,” he muttered under his breath, a smirk tugging at his lips as he pressed himself flat against a wall. “Not that I’m complaining. Might come in handy for more than just distracting guards.”
He shook off the thought, focusing on the mission. Three cases of Sentinel parts and the coveted Soul Stone were his targets. The Sentinels were bad enough—killing machines designed to hunt mutants like him—but the Soul Stone? That was a game-changer, a cosmic artifact that could tip the scales in the wrong hands. Ben wasn’t about to let the Friends of Humanity keep it.
With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a targeted EMP burst from his cybernetic arm, frying the nearest security panel. Sparks danced in the dim light as the lasers in the next corridor fizzled out. He moved like a ghost, his boots silent on the steel floor, until he reached the vault. The cases of Sentinel parts were heavy, but his enhanced strength made quick work of them, stacking them in a hover-sled he’d rigged earlier. The Soul Stone, glowing an eerie crimson in its containment field, seemed to whisper promises of power.
“Sorry, sweetheart, you’re tempting, but I’ve got enough baggage,” he quipped to the empty air, deciding to leave it for now. He’d come back for it later—if there was a later.
That’s when the cavalry arrived.
The vault door slammed open with a force that could only mean trouble. Bucky Barnes, Captain America, and Iron Man strode in, a trifecta of righteous indignation and overpowered tech. Steve Rogers’ shield gleamed even in the shitty lighting, Bucky’s metal arm whirred with menace, and Tony Stark’s suit hummed with enough sarcasm to power a small city.
“Willis, you’ve got some explaining to do,” Tony’s voice crackled through his helmet’s speakers, his repulsors charging with a whine. “Stealing from SHIELD? That’s a new low, even for a punk with a healing factor.”
Ben turned slowly, leaning casually against the hover-sled, his arms crossed over his broad chest. “Stark, I’m flattered you keep tabs on me. Didn’t know I was your type. Should I send flowers, or do you prefer vibranium?”
Tony’s faceplate flipped up, revealing a smirk. “Cute, kid. But I’m more into brains than brawn. Hand over the Sentinel parts, and maybe I won’t turn you into a human paperweight.”
Steve stepped forward, his jaw set in that All-American way that screamed ‘disappointment.’ “Ben, we know you’ve been through hell, but this isn’t the way. Whatever you’re planning, we can help.”
Ben’s green eyes glinted with mischief as he tilted his head. “Cap, your whole ‘dad voice’ thing is adorable, but I’m not here for a therapy session. These parts? They’re my ticket to stopping something bigger. You should be thanking me.”
Bucky, ever the silent storm, cracked his knuckles—metal and flesh alike. “Talk is cheap, kid. You’ve got ten seconds before I drag you out of here myself.”
“Oh, Barnes, you sweet talker,” Ben shot back, his grin widening. “Ten seconds? I only need five to make you blush.”
Before Bucky could growl a response, Ben sprang into action. His Stark tech boots activated, propelling him into the air as he dodged a repulsor blast from Tony. He tossed an upgraded EMP grenade at Iron Man, the device sticking to his suit like a clingy ex. The blast shorted out Tony’s systems momentarily, earning a string of curses.
“Damn it, Willis! Do you know how much this costs to repair?” Tony shouted, his suit stuttering as he tried to reboot.
“Send me the bill, sugar!” Ben called back, flipping mid-air to avoid Steve’s shield. He activated a super magnet in his gauntlet, yanking the vibranium disc off course and pinning it to the wall. Steve’s eyes narrowed, but Ben just winked. “Don’t worry, Cap, I’ll give it back—polished and everything.”
Bucky lunged, his metal arm aiming for Ben’s throat, but Ben’s cybernetic reflexes kicked in. He sidestepped, grabbing Bucky’s arm and sending a low-voltage shock through it, just enough to make the soldier grunt in frustration.
“Sorry, tin man, I’m not into heavy metal,” Ben teased, releasing him and vaulting over the hover-sled.
The fight was chaotic, a blur of fists, tech, and banter. Ben’s body took hits—Bucky landed a solid punch to his ribs, and Steve tackled him hard enough to dent the floor—but his healing factor stitched him back together faster than they could tear him apart. Finally, with a burst of speed, he outmaneuvered them, securing the Sentinel parts and hovering just out of reach.
“Fun as this was, boys, I’ve got a hot date with destiny,” Ben said, catching his breath. His tone shifted, suddenly serious. “Listen up, because I’m only saying this once. Carl Denti and his Friends of Humanity goons are planning an attack on Krakoa. They want to wipe out the X-Gene for good. These parts? They’re my way of stopping them. So, either help me, or get out of my damn way.”
Steve’s expression hardened. “If that’s true, we’ll handle it. But you can’t do this alone, Ben.”
“Watch me,” Ben replied, his voice low and dangerous. With a final smirk, he activated his escape protocol, a burst of speed sending him rocketing through a skylight, the hover-sled trailing behind. The Soul Stone remained in the vault, a decision he’d likely regret later.
Below, Tony rebooted his suit, muttering, “That kid’s got more balls than brains.”
Bucky retrieved Steve’s shield, his glare fixed on the broken skylight. “He’s trouble. But if he’s right about Denti…”
Steve nodded, resolute. “Then we stop this threat—together. Willis might think he’s a lone wolf, but no one fights alone. Not on my watch.”
As Ben soared into the night, the weight of the Sentinel parts was nothing compared to the questions gnawing at him. Who was he, really? His memories were a fractured mess, and the whispers of family ties—lost or hidden—haunted him. But for now, he pushed it aside, focusing on the fight ahead.
“Time to save the world,” he murmured to himself, a cocky grin returning. “And maybe steal a few hearts along the way.”
The city sprawled beneath him, a battlefield waiting to erupt. And Ben Willis was ready to light the fuse.
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