Chapter 196: Mother’s Embrace. 2013 CE

[6 months, Smith Medicals]

Pluto was sitting in the waiting room of the medical bay of Smith medicals as he watched the news from the tv that was attached to the wall. He was alone, his wife and son accompanying the Stacy family on the ongoing cancer treatment using the miracle serum that was based on the Extremis virus.

"It has been almost half a year since the incident in November last year where the Nobel prize winner, Dr. Maya Hansen, the inventor of the miracle serum, along with the son of Jonathan Smith, Theodore Smith, was kidnapped by the group that called themselves 'The Ten Rings', and the massacre that ensued on the Whitestone bridge where the attempted kidnapping was abruptly stopped by two unknown enhanced individuals. Since then, the police and the military have been together to uncover the mystery behind the kidnapping and the ones who stopped it. Recently, the FBI had disclosed the profile of the leader of 'The Ten Rings', and it was discovered that CEO of a company named A.I.M, Alrdich Killian, was behind all the bombings and kidnappings associated with the Ten Rings. The FBI has refused to disclose any further information as of now, although, just after the massacre that ensued in New York, the home residence of Killian was unknowingly destroyed by an unknown individual, and it suggests that Killian died in the destruction."

Pluto was listening to the news rather casually, listening to the reporter's narration about the events that happened six months prior. The reporter then questioned an expert on the matter, but the topic quickly derailed to a conversation about enhanced individuals.

"Kidnappings happen all the time! Especially if related to the family of richmen! They could just pay them off, but the worrying thing is the three unknown enhanced individuals that killed the kidnappers! What is the government doing?! Let these powered people run free without control, next thing we know, a second destruction of Harlem will happen!"

"Those kinds of things will not happen again." a man opposite said. "The Avengers are ready to to take care of the problem if need arises—"

"And what? Destroy New York again?" scoffed the first man that argued. "The Hulk's rampage costs the city billions. BILLIONS! And you want us to rely on them?!"

"Tony Stark can—"

"Tony Stark is only one man! Sooner or later he will be bankrupt if this continues! The government must take control of these so-called 'super-heroes'!"

Pluto could only sighed at the debate that was going on in the news as he turned the TV off. Suddenly, his phone rang and the symbol of the Unseen ones appeared on the screen, making him frown when he stood up. As he stood up from his seat, Maya Hansen came out of the operating room alone, while Pluto could see a blonde girl hugging her mother tightly inside the room.

"Result?" Pluto asked the woman as he made his phone silent for a second.

"She'll recover." Said Hansen as she closed the door. "The subject's cancer cells have been thoroughly wiped out, the only thing now is to wait for Mrs. Stacy's recovery. Should be no more than a week, then she could go home."

Pluto nodded. "That's good."

"I'll leave now," said Hansen awkwardly, to which Pluto just hummed. Soon, the door to the room opened again, and it was George, his face was quite wrecked from all the crying, and as soon as he saw Pluto, he walked up to him and hugged him.

"Thank you John." he said softly, Pluto just patted him on the back. "Truly, thank you."

"Hey, you should've asked sooner." Pluto chuckled. "Your pride is too big."

"Side effect of being a policeman for decades." said George in embarrassment, "But yes, I suppose you're right."

Pluto looked through the small window of the door and questioned. "How's Gwen?"

"She'll manage. I hate to admit it, but your son is a blessing for my family. If it weren't for Gwen knowing him, I don't know what would happen to us…"

"That's not true George. We've known each other since they were not even 1 year old." Pluto shook his head in amusement. "Anyway, I'll leave you to it, my wife will handle all the administration, there's an… urgent business that needs to be taken care of."

"Ah yes, of course." said George with a smile. "Thank you once again, John."

Pluto nodded and walked away from the waiting room. He took out his phone, and answered again.

"Something happened?" asked Pluto.

"Father, I've had reports of people randomly teleported to another world, some went missing, some came back, telling what they have seen. It seems the phenomenon is all over the world."

"Really?" Pluto raised his brow. "So?"

"Well… you should see this… this is just in." said Cleo from the phone.

Pluto then checked out his phone, Cleo had sent him a video, it was from London, a giant spaceship with portals above it suddenly appeared out of thin air.

Cleo's face then appeared at the edge of the screen. "Should we send someone? Or should we let the Avengers deal with it?"

Pluto sighed at the sighed. "No, I'll deal with it."

"Pardon?" Cleo was surprised. "Then should we go also?"

"No, no. I'll call Sprite and Sersi, they should be in London."

"Very well, father. I'll send a couple people just in case."

Pluto just hummed in agreement as he hung up the call, before calling someone again. He called Sprite, who was now a full time fantasy book writer that lived in London with Sersi.

At first, Sprite didn't pick up the phone, but after about 15 seconds, she finally picked up, but only the sound of running could be heard.

"Sprite? Where are you?" Pluto asked the Ex-Eternal.

"Dude! Is that you?!" Sprite said with a high voice. "Could you help me here a bit?! Me and these pretty boys besides me are fighting this weird guy from space!"

"Pretty boys?" Pluto looked at the phone weirdly for a second.

"Just hurry up!"

"Fine fine, I'll go." Pluto sighed, before disappearing from the place altogether.