Marvel : Ms. Hyuga's journey

Inside her small apartment, Vomi stood in front of the mirror, gazing at her new appearance which she had perfected with transformation techniques. The reflection in the glass showed a middle-aged man with strong facial features, hair that was beginning to gray, and square glasses — exactly like the man in the photo Elliot had given her last night. The man was Elliot's father, Robert Sanders.

"Hmm… perfect," Vomi murmured while adjusting the collar of the lab coat she was wearing. She checked small details like the ear size, the brow lines, even the faint scar below the chin visible in the photo.With a deep breath, she looked at herself once more.

"Robert Sanders, genius scientist and easily fooled father. It's a shame your son falls in love too easily," she thought to herself. Then she took the employee ID that Elliot had given her and slipped it into her coat pocket.

Upon leaving the apartment, Vomi's steps were firm and calculated. It was nearing midnight, and the cold New York air embraced her gently. A few minutes later, she arrived at the Pym laboratory complex which now looked deserted due to the Christmas holiday.

Security cameras? No problem. Reduced guard presence? A golden opportunity.

Vomi walked through the main entrance, placing Robert Sanders' ID on the digital scanner. The indicator light turned green, and the door creaked open slightly. She entered without hindrance.

— Inside the Pym Laboratory —

The laboratory was silent. Emergency lights dimly illuminated the room, creating faint shadows on the walls. Vomi walked slowly, her steps almost silent. She headed towards Robert Sanders' private office with a clear objective: information about cloning technology.

Once there, she turned on the computer on the desk and entered the credentials she had stolen from Elliot's memory regarding his father's habits.

One click here, one command there, and—"Gotcha," Vomi murmured as the screen displayed a folder titled "Cloning Research Files – Classified".

Quickly, she found the physical storage location of the research files: the third-floor archive room.

After noting the location, Vomi turned off the computer and hurried.

When she arrived at the storage room, her smile widened. The research files were neatly arranged in folders. Vomi opened one of them and saw complex diagrams and scientific data."True cloning technology, huh?" she murmured while touching the sheet. "Finally…"

However, her delight stopped abruptly.

Click!

The room door opened.

Vomi's heart almost jumped out of her chest as the sound of approaching footsteps came closer.

Her head turned, and in the doorway, stood Hank Pym with a sharp gaze."Robert? What are you doing here?" Hank Pym asked, his eyebrows furrowed. "Aren't you supposed to be on holiday? Christmas, remember?"

Vomi swallowed. But quickly, she put on a flat and natural expression, exactly like Elliot's father."Oh, Hank," Vomi said in a deep and heavy voice, similar to Robert's. "I… left some personal belongings. Spare glasses and a notebook. I just stopped by to pick them up."

Hank stared at her for a few seconds that felt like forever. Vomi maintained her composure, even though inwardly she was preparing for any possibility.Finally, Hank Pym nodded slightly. "Hmm. Well then, hurry up and finish your business. I'd imagine you'd rather be at home with your family."

"Of course, of course. I'll be going home soon," Vomi replied with a faint smile.Without saying anything else, Hank Pym turned and left, letting the door close behind him.Once alone again, Vomi exhaled in relief."That was close…" she murmured while wiping her forehead. "You old geezer. You almost gave me a heart attack."

…

Naori (Kagebunshin) stood slightly nervously in the private room. In front of her, Nick Fury sat calmly—too calmly, even. As if the man wasn't someone who had just declared himself from the FBI, or rather SHIELD. But Naori knew better. Nick Fury was no ordinary man, and it was precisely his calmness that made Naori begin to feel uneasy.Naori could still feel her heart pounding erratically.

Just a few minutes ago, she had been enjoying a relaxing massage at a luxurious spa when an employee came to whisper in her ear."Ms. Naori, there's someone looking for you. He says he's from the FBI."

Naori sighed deeply at that moment. "Coulson again? Ugh, just tell him I don't want to be disturbed. I'm busy."

The employee just smiled stiffly and left. Naori, who returned to lying down with her eyes closed, felt the matter was settled. But not long after, the same employee came back with a more anxious face."Ms., the man refuses to leave. He's insistent. He said his name is… Nick Fury."

Naori's eyes immediately snapped open, her body reflexively jumping off the massage bed.

"WHAT?!"

In that panic, the towel covering her body slipped. The employee in the room immediately bowed their head, their face flushed with embarrassment. However, Naori didn't notice that small detail. Hurriedly, she pulled the towel back up, grabbed any clothes she could find, and ran out of the room.

In a half-dressed state, with messy hair and a face still flushed from the massage, she threw a wad of cash on the cashier's desk without caring about the change."Keep it!" she said while continuing to run towards the room where Nick Fury was waiting for her.

Now, inside the private room, Naori stood in the doorway with her breath still ragged, her hair disheveled, and her thin shirt looking wrinkled. Her appearance, although messy, looked… alluring.

Nick Fury, who was sitting with his arms folded, tried his best to maintain his composed expression. But his mind was in turmoil.'Good heavens… What kind of test is this?' Nick Fury thought to himself. 'Why did she have to come in looking like that? Focus, Nicholas. Focus!'

Naori clicked her tongue in annoyance. Her gaze was sharp towards Nick Fury."So… You really are Nick Fury, huh? I ran around like crazy because they said there was a man from the FBI looking for me. And look at you now." Naori pointed at Nick Fury with her chin. "Sitting calmly like a rock by the roadside. What's with that attitude? I didn't even have time to get ready!"

Nick Fury remained silent for a moment, then finally opened his mouth in a flat tone—even though his mind was still in turmoil."If I didn't restrain myself, Naori, I might have attacked you by now."

Naori froze. "Huh?" She blinked a few times, feeling like she misheard.

Nick Fury, still with a serious expression, without a smile, without any sign of joking."You heard what I said. Your appearance… is quite distracting. But I am still a gentleman. If I didn't restrain myself, you might be on that table right now."

Naori was stunned. Her face, which was previously full of anger, now turned red. Her hands clenched at her sides, then she hurriedly cleared her throat to hide her embarrassment.'What is this?!' Naori grumbled in her heart. 'And why am I blushing?! I've heard lines like that from many other men. But… for some reason, it feels different coming from Nick Fury.'

She tried to control her emotions, but her cheeks remained pink. To cover her chaotic feelings, Naori folded her arms across her chest and looked at Nick Fury with a scrutinizing gaze."Hey, so… What do you want coming here? If you just wanted to see me looking like this, I can leave now."

Nick Fury raised an eyebrow slightly, this time there was a slight thin smile at the corner of his lips. But his tone remained serious."I need to talk to you, Naori. And don't get me wrong, I didn't come here just to… enjoy the view." Nick Fury's gaze briefly swept over Naori's still messy hair, then returned to her sharp eyes. "This is serious."

Naori rolled her eyes, then walked lazily to the chair in front of him. She dropped herself into the chair with a languid attitude."Okay, okay. Say it. But you should know, I'm still annoyed that you interrupted my relaxation time. I paid a lot for that massage, you know?"

Nick Fury just shook his head slowly. In his heart, he muttered, 'This woman… really…'

Naori looked at him suspiciously. "You're just being quiet. Don't tell me you intentionally came just to tease me? Because if so—"

"Naori," Nick Fury interrupted suddenly, his voice deeper. "You know this isn't about joking or teasing. I came here because SHIELD needs you. And I think… you know that."

Naori fell silent. Instantly, the atmosphere in the room became more serious. Nick Fury's gaze, which previously looked calm, was now full of intensity. Naori leaned back in her chair, then took a deep breath.

'Why does everyone always need me?'

"What do you need from me, Director?" she finally asked, her tone calmer.

Nick Fury gave a faint smile "You'll find out soon enough. But believe me, Naori. This time, the world might need you more than ever before."

Naori scoffed softly, but in her heart, something stirred.'The world needs you? Hah… That cliché again.' But as she looked into Nick Fury's serious eyes, Naori muttered, 'And I hate myself… because I'm a little intrigued.'