MARVEL: TOAA

"Put that face outside, and you'd have girls screaming over you in no time," Reina teased, unable to hide her amusement.

Despite her tendency to infiltrate high-society parties to showcase her skills, Reina had never encountered anyone who matched John's quiet yet overwhelming presence. The aura he carried now was leagues beyond the most poised of aristocrats.

"Where's Ravion? Haven't seen him around," John asked, his curiosity breaking through the awkwardness of the moment.

"He's out finding clothes for you. After all, who would've thought his five-year-old would grow into a six-foot-tall teenager in just three days?"

John glanced down at himself. He was clad in nothing but undersized boxers—far too tight for his new frame. The realization struck, and he quickly wrapped a sheet around his waist, his embarrassment evident.

"It's not like I've never seen you before," Reina quipped, raising an eyebrow.

Her comment only deepened the flush on John's face. It was true; Reina had helped care for him when he was much younger. Yet, this newfound awareness of their growing maturity made the situation far more awkward.

"How about we respect each other's personal space?" John grumbled, gently pushing her toward the door.

Reina burst out laughing, her amusement echoing through the room as she exited.

Once alone, John attempted to change out of the constricting boxers, but his newfound strength betrayed him. With an audible rip, the fabric tore apart. He sighed, glancing down with mixed emotions. "Well… at least some parts are proportional," he muttered, wrapping the sheet more securely around himself.

A sudden knock startled him.

"What now?"

"Steak. You haven't eaten in three days. Aren't you hungry?" Reina's voice came from the other side of the door.

At her words, John's stomach growled in response. Hunger crashed into him like a wave, undeniable and demanding. He stepped out, barefoot and still wrapped in the sheet.

Reina barely suppressed a giggle. "An avant-garde look. Let me guess—your pants couldn't handle your transformation?"

"Seriously, Reina. Can you not?" John groaned, mortified.

"Well, sit down and eat. At least get some strength back," she said, motioning to the table.

John grimaced at the sight of the rare steak, a meal far from his preferences. "One of these days, I'll cook you some real food. Proper Chinese dishes—not this bloody excuse for a meal."

Reina rolled her eyes. "You've only said that about a hundred times already. Good luck finding the ingredients out here in the void."

Before John could retort, the door swung open, and Ravion walked in carrying a bundle.

"Finally! I love you, Ravion!" John exclaimed, snatching the package and darting to his room.

Ravion chuckled but quickly turned serious, holding up a strange metallic object. "Found this on the outskirts. Feels like it's packed with energy."

Reina's curiosity piqued as she took the object from him. It was an obelisk-shaped piece of metal with intricate etchings. "Weird shape," she remarked.

Before they could investigate further, the metal began to hum, faint lines glowing across its surface. The outer casing crumbled away, revealing a crystalline flower nestled inside.

"Careful!" Ravion said, shielding Reina as the crystal began to release a faint mist.

"What's going on?" John reappeared, now dressed in casual jeans and a vest, looking far more put together. His eyes landed on the floating crystal, and his expression darkened.

"Ravion, take Reina and leave. Now."

"What's wrong?" Ravion asked telepathically, sensing John's urgency.

"That's Terrigen crystal. It's deadly to regular humans."

Before Ravion could respond, the crystal shattered, releasing a wave of Terrigen Mist. Reacting instantly, Ravion teleported Reina and himself five miles away from the shelter.

They reappeared in a desolate field, but something was wrong. Reina's fingers had begun to turn to stone.

"No… no…" Ravion muttered, panic setting in. He frantically tried every ability in his arsenal—healing, elemental manipulation, even freezing—but nothing could stop the petrification spreading across Reina's body.

"Ravion…" Reina whispered, tears streaming down her face. "I'm glad I met you. Tell John I love him too… and that I'll never get to try his cooking."

With those final words, Reina's entire body turned to stone, her last tears crystallizing on the ground.

"No!" Ravion roared, his mechanical body growing larger as his grief gave way to fury. Thunder crackled around him, and beams of energy shot from his eyes, tearing through the stormy skies.

Back at the shelter, John felt the surge of Ravion's power and flew out to find him. He arrived just as cracks began to form on Reina's petrified body.

"Ravion, stop!" John shouted, but Ravion was paralyzed, watching as the stone shell around Reina began to crumble.

To their shock, the petrified layer fell away, revealing Reina beneath it—alive, transformed, and glowing with a strange luminescence.

Her eyes opened, now a radiant silver, and she exhaled shakily. "What… happened?"

Ravion and John stared in stunned silence. Reina was no longer human but something entirely new. The Terrigen Mist had unlocked a power within her, changing her at a fundamental level.

John stepped forward cautiously. "Reina… are you okay?"

She looked at her hands, flexing her fingers as if testing their strength. "I think… I'm more than okay."