Glitter & Gold (Marvel/Star Wars Crossover)

Chapter 35: Will You Take A Stand?

It wasn't long until we began to film and as soon as we were ready, Phil began. "Good evening. As you all know, a Hydra facility was destroyed yesterday. Hydra told you that it was an act of terrorism. They told you an Inhuman named the Patriot murdered civilians, but what they told you was a lie. We're gonna show you what really happened. This footage was taken from the body-cam of a high-level Hydra operative. Hydra used this Enlightenment Center to brainwash anyone who dared to question them."

"Jeffrey Mace saved these people, but Hydra was willing to kill them just to maintain their lie. Once you see this footage, the truth is undeniable. Hydra doesn't think we're smart enough to know when we're being fed alternative facts to keep us afraid, to keep them in power." Phil continued. "Remember, there are more of us than there are of them. And now that we know the truth, we have a choice to make. We all have the opportunity to be patriots. Will you take a stand? Are you going to hold them accountable?"

"Throughout history you've seen empires rise and fall...A wise man once told me that a person can do anything once they realize they're a part of something bigger. It's taken me a while to understand that. For years, I was just a face in the crowd, a history teacher who spread Hydra's lies. They seemed too imposing for any one person to fight. But now I'm choosing to stand up, to become a part of something bigger. I really do believe that together, we can accomplish anything. Because the truth is I'm not just a history teacher." Phil finished as he took out his S.H.I.E.L.D. badge. "My name is Phil Coulson and I'm an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D."

Once we finished, May suggested we leave. However Phil noticed that Loki and Ward had no intention on leaving.

"The Patriot would've been proud of what we did today." Phil commented before leaving.

May then gave them a nod before following Phil. Daisy then spoke up. "Good luck."

"You, too." Ward replied.

I then turned to Ward. "Ward, I know by now you've probably heard the worst of the other you. But know this, I may have not gotten along very well with the Ward out in our world, and I may not know you that well...but I'll take my chances and say you're much better than the Grant Ward you've been told."

Ward looked at me in confusion. "Thanks...I think?"

I chuckled. "It was a compliment. Something I never gave the other Grant Ward."

Daisy let out a laugh. "Well weird things are always happening at S.H.I.E.L.D."

I then looked over at Loki, who couldn't look at me without tearing up. I fought back the tears forming in my eyes, trying to remember that this world wasn't real.

"May the Force be with you both." I said.

With that Daisy and I headed out, following May and Phil. As we returned to the playground, Phil spoke up. "Can I ask you something, Storm?"

"Sure. Ask away." I replied.

"Whenever I'm around Loki, I get this feeling...like something's not right. Did he and I get along in this other world?" Phil inquired.

I glanced over at Daisy, who was shocked to hear Phil say that. However when I looked at her for help, she turned towards me and hesitated. "...I think you can answer this one, Storm. After all you are an Avenger."

"Thanks." I muttered before looking back at Phil, who anxiously waited for my answer. "...Well, certain things happened. And Loki came to Earth, heavily influenced by a scepter he had, which had the power to mind control...and one thing led to another...and you ended up with Loki's scepter in your chest, killing you...until you were brought back to life days later by Fury and a team of scientists..."