Chapter 110 Maximoff Siblings' Enrollment Record
"I don't think this is a good method, Pietro," Wanda said, looking at her brother with worry.
"Relax, Wanda," Pietro comforted his sister. "The more nervous you are, the more they'll sense your unusualness. Just think of this as going to the supermarket to buy groceries."
"Hope so," Wanda sighed, following behind Pietro towards Avengers Tower.
"Halt!" A burly man in a suit at the doorway stopped the advancing siblings. "This is Avengers Tower. Ordinary people are prohibited from entering. Please state your purpose."
"We received a notification to report here," Pietro said, taking out a form and handing it to the guard.
The guard took the form and glanced at it, his eyes widening in shock. "You're the passers of the test."
"Yes, we are," Pietro nodded.
"I didn't expect anyone to actually pass the test," the guard said, his tone filled with envy.
It had been mentioned before that to combat Thanos, the Avengers needed more manpower, as well as to locate the Gem.
Although the suggestion of recruiting more manpower was met with mixed opinions, it was still underway. At the suggestion of SHIELD, Steve put on his Captain America uniform and filmed an inspiring short film, which also served as an advertisement to recruit special personnel.
These special personnel were superhumans. The advertisement didn't reveal the real reason for recruiting superhumans, only stating that they were recruiting reserve members for the Avengers.
As expected, the advertisement was met with an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response. The inspection offices set up by SHIELD in various states were operating at maximum capacity.
Unfortunately, despite the enthusiastic response, the results were disappointing. Basically, out of ten applicants, ten were fakes. There were even video bloggers trying to capitalize on the situation and create big news.
Because of this, SHIELD had to issue a new statement: anyone impersonating superhumans and wasting time would be sentenced to prison, with a minimum sentence of six months and no top seal.
Even then, some still didn't believe it and continued to defy the odds, until someone was actually arrested and imprisoned, and the news reported it. Only then did this phenomenon finally stop.
And so, although the inspection offices finally quieted down, the achievement remained the same as before: zero.
This was why the guard was so shocked when he saw the passed form. Pietro and Wanda were the first successful pair in months.
"Wait a moment while I confirm with my superiors. What are your names?" the guard said, pressing his communicator to his ear.
"My name is Pietro Django Maximoff, and this is my sister, Wanda Django Maximoff," Pietro replied.
"Please wait," the guard said. After getting the siblings' names, he contacted his superiors.
"Confirmation complete," the guard said quickly.
"Information verified. Welcome to Avengers Tower, future heroes," the guard said, welcoming the siblings with a smile.
"Oh, thank you," Pietro said, feeling a little overwhelmed.
"We're just interns," Wanda added, also surprised.
"No need to be modest. Once you join the Avengers, you'll become heroes sooner or later," the guard said, as if it were a matter of course.
"Hey, everyone, there are two hero reserves over here!" A tourist nearby overheard their conversation and immediately shouted.
"What?"
"Reserve? Someone passed the test?!"
"Where are they? Where are they?"
"Take a picture with me!"
"Autograph! Please give me an autograph!"
The staff inside the Tower were relatively restrained, only asking loudly. However, the tourists checking in around Avengers Tower didn't care. They couldn't see the Avengers themselves, but even though Pietro and Wanda were just reserves, it was enough to ignite their enthusiasm.
The swarming crowd startled Wanda. If Pietro hadn't pulled her back, she might have used her ability.
Seeing this, the guard quickly shielded the siblings behind him and formed a human wall with the other guards to stop the enthusiastic people.
"Go inside and report!" the guard shouted without turning his head.
"Stop! This is Avengers Tower!..."
"Th-Thank you," Pietro stammered, flattered. They had only passed the test to get close to Stark for revenge, but how had they become stars already?
"I think we should go inside first, Pietro," Wanda whispered, leaning closer to Pietro.
Pietro finally snapped out of it, took Wanda's hand, and walked into Avengers Tower.
As soon as they entered the Tower, a capable woman in a suit called out to them.
"Excuse me, are you Mr. Pietro and Miss Wanda?"
"We are. May I ask who you are?" Pietro looked at the woman, puzzlement in his eyes.
"My name is Melinda May. You can call me Melinda. I'm your receptionist," Melinda said, extending her right hand in introduction. (Agents of SHIELD has been removed from the MCU Universe, so I won't write their plot, but in memory of the show, I'll have some people from it make a cameo.)
"Hello," the siblings said, shaking her hand in turn.
"These are your temporary passes. Please follow me," Melinda said, handing them two tags and gesturing for them to follow. She then turned and walked deeper into the building.
The siblings took the tags and quickly followed. To their surprise, everyone they passed greeted them. They returned the greetings one by one until they got into the elevator, finally getting a chance to catch their breath.
"Tired?" Melinda asked, a smile in her eyes as she looked at the relieved siblings.
"A little," Pietro admitted, clearly not used to it. He felt it was even more tiring than the test at the inspection office.
"Why are they so enthusiastic?" Wanda asked, puzzlement in her voice.
"We're obviously here for the first time."
"Because you're reserves for the Avengers," Melinda replied.
"The Avengers saved New York not long ago—no, they saved the world. They're more popular than any star right now."
"As reserves, you're seen as future heroes by others. Love extends to everything connected to them, so the public even love you as well."
Pietro and Wanda exchanged a speechless look. Only they knew they weren't here to be heroes; they were here for revenge.
'I told you this was a bad idea,' Wanda glared at Pietro.
'How was I supposed to know it would be like this?' Pietro avoided her gaze, clearly caught off guard.
Melinda watched the interacting siblings, assuming they were just overwhelmed by the attention. Ignoring them, she took out her mobile phone to check their work schedule.
Inside the elevator, Pietro and Wanda were busy complaining to each other. Melinda was looking down at her mobile phone. No one noticed a faint energy seeping out from the elevator's control panel.
The energy hitched a ride. It originally had a clear goal, but something seemed to go wrong. It splitting into several strands, drifting towards Pietro and Wanda.
(End of Chapter)