Marvel : The Summoning System

In the dimly lit command center of Aegis, Azmuth stood before the holographic display, receiving instructions from Hunter. The air was tense with the weight of recent events, and the necessity for strategic decisions loomed large.

"Prepare a few pods, Azmuth," Hunter commanded, his eyes fixed on the holographic map. "We need to relocate some of the Skrulls to a secure location. Red Room's isolation chamber should serve our purpose. Ensure they cooperate, at least until we figure out our next move."

Azmuth, his brow furrowed in concentration, replied, "Understood, Hunter. I'll have the pods ready for departure. But I must stress the importance of their cooperation. We're trying to build trust here, if we keep them in the isolation chamber, they might feel threatened"

"What other choice do we have! Let's just put them there for now. I don't want them in the city.", replied Hunter.

"Well, you are the boss. I will send the pods.", said Azmuth. Skrulls were soon rehabilitated in the isolation chamber of red room. 

In the secluded chamber within the Red Room, the Skrulls gathered, discussing their situation. A seasoned Skrull, remembering past events, remarked, "This feels familiar, doesn't it? Just like what happened on the spaceship. Nick Fury did the same thing to the rest of us."

The sentiment echoed among the Skrulls, a sense of déjà vu mingling with their uncertainty. As Hunter released the previously captured Skrull, allowing him to reunite with his family, gratitude filled the air. The Skrull expressed heartfelt thanks, realizing that not all humans were adversaries.

Back in the Aegis command center, Hiroshi, now freed from captivity, approached Hunter with a mixture of relief and curiosity. "I owe you my life, Hunter."

Hunter, acknowledging Hiroshi's gratitude, nodded appreciatively. "You are a family to me. Of course, I will come for your rescue."

In another part of the city, Ezio Auditore emerged from the shadows of the warehouse, unharmed and carrying the mysterious box. On a distant rooftop, Kingpin and Prowler observed silently. Satisfied with what they saw, they departed, leaving Ezio to his devices.

Haytham, having kept a watchful eye, rejoined Ezio. The duo, made their way toward Grant Enterprises. The city's nightlife concealed their movements as they moved with purpose.

Ezio, however, left as soon as he dropped Haythem to 'Grant Enterprises'. With the box in his possession, he made his way to the Red Room. The secrets hidden within the box could potentially harm or help Aegis, only time will tell.

In the Red Room's clandestine laboratory, Azmuth meticulously diagnosed Hiroshi. The checkup concluded, Azmuth accelerated Hiroshi's healing reducing his recovery time. A meeting convened with Hunter, Jiraiya, Azmuth, Aizawa, and Hiroshi. Discussions unfolded about the Skrulls' accommodation and the pressing need for a safe haven was on agenda.

Jiraiya, leaning against a table with a calm demeanor, interjected, "This 'Seed of Pandora' might be the key to securing a future for the Skrulls. We can't risk exposing them to unnecessary dangers. Azmuth, what do you need to make this cloaking device?"

Azmuth, surrounded by holographic schematics, replied, "It's a matter of time. We have the technology and resources; we just need the time to execute it. I'll start working on the detailed design as soon as possible."

Ezio, still clutching the box, entered the conversation. "I overheard your discussion. Would the item in this box be of any use?"

Aizawa, eyeing the box with suspicion, inquired, "And where did you get that, Ezio?"

Ezio proceeded to recount the intense confrontation with Madame Gao in the warehouse. He hinted at her potential knowledge about Aegis and emphasized that the box might hold vital information as it was treasured by her.

Hiroshi, curious about the box's contents, took it from Ezio's hands. "This looks like a dragon bone. It's sought after for its vitality. Darkstar was looking for one."

Azmuth, the scientist in him intrigued, ran detailed analyses on the dragon bone. 

"This is good. The 'Seed of Pandora' needs vitality for its growth. And it would take roughly 70 years to gather enough vitality to completely mature without harming the current ecosystem of nature. But what would take 70 years could now be achieved in seven days if we use this bone as a catalyst… fertilizer to be more specific."

Now armed with a plan, the team discussed potential locations. Hunter suggested scouting unoccupied islands, Azmuth ran a full scan around the planet to find islands which were out of radar of other nations and were geographically sound. One popped up in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of New York. Azmuth's search identified reefs in the area, making it an ideal hiding spot.

Another location surfaced in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, and a third in the Pacific Ocean. Hunter, Jiraiya, and Azmuth decided to scout the locations personally. They prepared to depart on a sleek jet docked on red room. The aircraft soared into the night, carrying the hope of a secure future.

As the sleek jet penetrated through the night sky, the hum of its engines providing a backdrop to the vast expanse above, Jiraiya, Azmuth, and Hunter found themselves in an unexpected moment of respite. The urgency of their mission momentarily faded, allowing a jolly atmosphere to unfold within the confines of the aircraft.

Jiraiya, ever the strategist, leaned back in his seat, a thoughtful expression playing on his features, he understood the need to relax in such tense situation. "You know, back in my ninja days, we didn't have these fancy flying machines. It was all about leaping from tree to tree or summoning animals for a ride. Times have certainly changed."

Azmuth, engrossed in the holographic schematics projected before him, responded without looking up, "Advancements in technology have their perks. I, for one, appreciate the efficiency of modern transportation."

Hunter, steering the aircraft with a practiced ease, chuckled. "I guess I'm somewhere in between. I can appreciate the simplicity of a well-timed jump, but I wouldn't trade this jet for anything when time is of the essence."

Jiraiya's eyes gleamed with a mischievous spark. "Speaking of which, Hunter, any secrets you're hiding? Maybe some jutsu you've been practicing in your downtime?"

Hunter, a smirk playing on his lips, replied, "I'll leave the flashy jutsu to you, Jiraiya. My skills lie more in survival and getting the job done."

Azmuth, finding a lull in his work, finally looked up. "Survival is a crucial skill. It seems we're all here because of our ability to navigate through the challenges life throws at us."

Jiraiya, ever the social provocateur, nudged Hunter. "Survival skills aside, any new hobbies you developed, Hunter? You can't be all serious about business, right?"

Hunter, considering the question, glanced out of the window at the stars. "I guess you could say sketching. When I'm not saving the world, I'm also catching up on literature."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Literature? Any favorite genre? 'Romance' novels, perhaps?"

Hunter, maintaining his stoic demeanor, deadpanned, "More like survival guides and tactical manuals. Got to stay sharp, you know."

Azmuth, rolling his eyes, "Just leave the boy be Jiraiya. Don't turn him into a pervert like yourself!"

The trio shared a brief moment of laughter, the camaraderie among them evident.

Azmuth, returning to his holographic interface, remarked, "Well, I hope your reading habits include understanding the intricacies of alien technology. It might come in handy."

"Well yeah! I will also look into that stuff if I understand it. May be you could teach me a thing or two.", Hunter said.

"Sure. By the way, what do you do in your free time?"

"Sketching, mostly." Hunter said, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Jiraiya had a faint smile on his face. Azmuth replied, "Sketching, huh? What's the subject of your masterpieces?"

Hunter leaned back, contemplating his response. "Landscapes mostly. Scenes that capture the essence of places I've been. It helps me unwind and, you know, reflect."

Azmuth, not one to miss a beat, raised an eyebrow. "Landscapes, you say? That's unexpected. Are you sure you're not picking up artistic tendencies from our resident sage?"

Jiraiya, ever the instigator, grinned. "Hey, nothing wrong with a bit of artistic expression. Hunter, are you venturing into more avant-garde territory? Perhaps something a bit... risqué?"

Hunter, caught off guard by the suggestion, chuckled nervously. "Uh, well, I might have dabbled in some, uh, more unconventional sketches lately."

Azmuth, with a dry sense of humor, remarked, "Jiraiya's habits rubbing off on you, I see."

Jiraiya, seizing the opportunity, leaned in. "Come on, Hunter, don't hold back. Are we talking about still life or, you know, more lively subjects? Live models, perhaps?"

Hunter's stoic expression betrayed a hint of discomfort. "Let's just say I've been experimenting with different themes. It's a work in progress."

Jiraiya, undeterred, nudged him further. "Live models, then? Imaginations running wild? You've got to spill the details, my friend."

Hunter chose to remain silent, a subtle smirk playing on his lips. The atmosphere in the jet remained light as Jiraiya, the perpetual romantic, decided to delve into the realm of love. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he turned his attention to Hunter.

"So, Hunter, my friend," Jiraiya began, "what's the deal with your love life? Any special someone back home, or perhaps, someone who's caught your eye in this adventurous journey of ours?"

Hunter, caught off guard by the sudden shift in topic, offered a casual shrug. "Love life? Well, I've been a bit occupied with, you know, saving the world and all. Didn't leave much time for romantic pursuits."

Jiraiya, never one to accept evasive answers, persisted. "Come on, everyone has a soft spot. A warrior like you must have some tales of love and heartbreak to share. Or maybe someone in this group has sparked your interest?"

Hunter, trying to deflect the conversation, chuckled. "I'm not really the romantic type. My focus has always been on the mission."

Jiraiya, undeterred, leaned in with an encouraging smile. "Nonsense! There's more to life than just the mission. You need someone to share the victories and the defeats, someone to keep you warm on those cold nights."

Hunter, realizing he was cornered, sighed. "Alright, fine. Truth is, I've never really had a serious love interest. It's not something that's been on my radar, especially in my previous life. I'm kind of inexperienced in that department."

Jiraiya's eyes widened with surprise. "Inexperienced, you say? Well, my friend, we've got to change that. There's a whole world of emotions and experiences waiting for you. Maybe we'll find someone along the way who can turn that plain heart of yours into something a bit more... lively."

Hunter, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the spotlight on him, attempted to steer the conversation away. "Let's not make a big deal out of it. I'm fine as I am."

Jiraiya, though, wasn't satisfied. "We'll see about that. Maybe I'll play matchmaker and find the perfect person to sweep you off your feet."

As the banter continued, the conversation naturally shifted to Jiraiya's own experiences in matters of the heart. He regaled Hunter with tales of his youthful pursuits, including his long-standing affection for Tsunade, the legendary medic-nin.

Azmuth, the scientific mind in the group, couldn't help but be intrigued by the dynamics of love and relationships, a realm quite different from his usual pursuits. As Jiraiya continued sharing tales of his affections, Azmuth, with a raised eyebrow, decided to engage in the conversation.

"Jiraiya, forgive my curiosity, but you've mentioned this Tsunade a few times. She seems to hold a special place in your memories. Care to elaborate on your relationship with her?"

Jiraiya's eyes softened, a nostalgic gleam appearing as he spoke about Tsunade. "Tsunade is... or was, I should say, a remarkable woman. Strong, independent, and incredibly skilled. We've known each other since our youth, trained together, and faced countless challenges side by side."

Azmuth, adjusting his glasses with a keen interest, probed further. "And what about your feelings for her? It seems like more than just friendship."

Jiraiya, leaning back with a thoughtful expression, chuckled. "Ah, Tsunade. I won't deny that my feelings for her go beyond mere friendship. She's been a constant in my life, a beacon of strength and resilience. But fate, it seems, had other plans for both of us."

Azmuth, not unfamiliar with the complexities of emotions, nodded in understanding. "Life has a way of steering us in unexpected directions. What happened between you two, if you don't mind me asking?"

Jiraiya's gaze turned distant for a moment, lost in the memories of years gone by. "Tsunade and I, we walked different paths. She carried the weight of tragedy, and I pursued my own quests along. She shut her heart after her loved ones died, I tried many times and was rejected may times but, if you can't accept and move past rejection, or at least use it as writing material - you're not a real man. Life is funny that way."

Azmuth, sensing the bittersweet undertones of Jiraiya's narrative, remarked, "Sometimes, the universe conspires to keep two people apart, no matter how strong their connection."

Jiraiya, with a rueful smile, agreed. "Indeed. But I've always believed that no story is truly over until the last page is turned. Who knows what the future holds?"

The banter between Hunter and Jiraiya continued, the atmosphere lightening up with playful jabs and laughter. As the discussion veered towards summoning Tsunade, Hunter chimed in with a mischievous grin.

"Well, we're dealing with summoning here, who's to say we can't summon Tsunade for a little reunion? If I am lucky I can summon her and then I could be your wingman, Jiraiya."

Jiraiya, not one to be outdone, shot back, "A wingman, huh? I've been handling these matters long before you were a twinkle in the cosmos, Hunter. I don't need a brat playing matchmaker for me."

The friendly banter echoed in the cabin as the first island loomed into view. A rugged terrain of cliffs and valleys stretched out beneath them. The jet, unable to find a suitable landing spot, maintained a hovering state. The decision was made – they would have to take a leap of faith.