When morning came, Steve Rogers looked everywhere for the missing two teenagers. He first thought they had run away from the compound, but when he found out through the security camera that the two of them had entered the public bathroom, he quickly went there. What he found was a mess. Destroyed toilet stalls and mirrors, and in the corner, those two teenagers, asleep, each leaning to each other. Rogers just sighed and crossed his hands, and went to wake them up.
When they woke up, Hal apologized for the destruction, but Illyana herself cut him off and apologized for herself.
"I get it, you're frustrated." Steve muttered. "But we got to work on your temper, young lady. And next time, don't choose to sleep here, if not for the mess, it'll make people wonder what were you two doing here."
"We… uh, got tired after talking." Said Hal, massaging his eyes, clearing the gunk. "Must've fallen asleep I guess. Again, sorry Captain."
"Well, this place needed remodeling anyway, I should thank you for giving me a reason to do that." said Rogers with a faint smile, patting the shoulders of the both of them. "Anyway, I need to talk about your future."
"What about it?" Hal muttered.
"Your education. I've already talked to your friends, they agree on a plethora of different things." Steve continued. "And apparently, Hal, we don't even have any data on you. Nat's been searching everywhere, and except for what she has from S.W.O.R.D., we have nothing on you."
"Yeah, I was…" Hal paused, thinking of a way to word it. "I'm amnesiac. Selective amnesia, if that's a word. I don't remember my life before the facility, but I remember a lot of other things, even stuff that the others don't know."
"Amnesia… so you don't even know how old you are." Steve frowned, before turning to the girl. "And… Illyana. We have data on you, it's just…"
"That I'm supposed to be eleven years old this year?" she muttered. "Yeah I know. But I'm older already."
"...Can I ask how that is possible?" asked the Captain.
"My powers." she said simply. "I was sent into a place where time is different."
"And now?" he asked. "How old do you think you are?"
She shook her head. "I stopped counting a long time ago. I don't know."
Steve sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You two are… unique cases."
"Do we need to know our exact ages?" Hal asked, half-joking.
"We're trying to figure out whether to enroll you in high school," Steve said.
"I don't want to go," Hal said flatly.
"Same," Illyana added without hesitation.
Steve gave them both a look. "Education matters—even for people like us. Besides, it will give you some sort of structure in your life, some normalcy."
"Yeah, we get that," Hal said. "But high school isn't for me. I'd rather skip it."
Steve arched an eyebrow. "Skip it? What exactly do you mean?"
"You see, my powers… they're tied to my imagination and willpower," Hal began. "But that's not enough. I also have to understand how things work. The constructs I summon—I have to know how it functions, down to the details. Otherwise, they're just hollow statues. A car, for example—I can imagine one and bring it into existence. But it won't function like a car. It's just an unmoving giant toy. I can move it with my power, sure, but it's still just a toy." He paused and gave a half-smile. "It's honestly more efficient to summon a normal block and ride that instead of summoning a whole ass car-shaped block."
Steve crossed his arms. "So you're saying you want higher education?"
"I do," Hal nodded. "Just let me take the test. I'll study. I want to learn—need to."
Steve studied him for a moment. "Alright. But if you're serious, you'll have to work hard. I'll see what I can do."
He turned to Illyana. "And you?"
"No," she said flatly.
"Illyana—"
Before Steve could scold her, Hal stepped in.
"Captain, if I may."
Steve turned his attention back to the boy.
"I know a place. Somewhere Illyana could learn—not like a regular school. But somewhere that fits her… skillset." Hal glanced at her. "She doesn't need high school. Not with what she can do."
Steve raised an eyebrow. "Hal, you're not her guardian. And… are you two—?"
"No! No, nothing like that," Hal said quickly. "I just… Look at her."
They both glanced at Illyana, who was now scowling.
"Are you mocking me?" she snapped.
Hal placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "You've been through things most people can't imagine. You've got power most can't understand. And I think you deserve a place that recognizes that."
He turned back to Steve. "If you trust me, Cap, I'll make sure she gets what she needs. You just have to get us there."
Steve's eyes narrowed. "And where exactly is there, Hal?"
Hal sighed. "You ever heard of Doctor Stephen Strange?"
Steve's expression shifted. "How do you know that name?"
Hal shrugged. "Amnesia, remember? I don't know how, but I do. Illyana—most of her abilities aren't mutant-based. It's magic. And right now? She's talented, but untrained. She needs guidance. She needs someone like Strange."
"Strange is gone," Steve said quietly. "He was one of the ones who disappeared during the Snap."
"Then we find where he practiced," Hal said. "There has to be someone left who can help her. She could integrate there, contribute to their society."
Steve considered it for a long beat. Then he turned to Illyana. "I'm not ordering you. I'm asking. Do you want to go?"
She looked away for a moment, then turned a sharp eye on Hal. "'Untrained'?"
Hal winced. "You're the Sorcerer Supreme of Limbo, I get it. You know Limbo magic better than anyone. But when it comes to earthly magic…"
"I don't know much," she admitted begrudgingly. "Fine."
Steve nodded. "Alright. I'll make the arrangements. I've never met Strange personally, but I'll reach out to someone who did and find out where to send you."
"Thanks, Cap," Hal said. "And… can I ask about the others? The mutants?"
"They haven't been released yet," Steve said, shaking his head. "It's only been a day. But I promise, I'll let you know when they are. And I'll make sure they're safe."
"And the ones we haven't found yet?" Hal asked. "The… undiscovered mutants?"
Steve exhaled. "We don't have a clear plan. It's all new—for all of us. But we'll find them. And if they want a safe place, we'll give them that. With their consent, of course."
"I want to help," Hal said. "With finding them."
Steve smiled softly and placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll talk about that soon. For now, get cleaned up. Walk around. Get familiar with the place."
With that, Steve turned and left the wrecked bathroom, the door echoing shut behind him—leaving Hal and Illyana alone once more.
—
That afternoon, Hal stepped out of the showers, towel-drying his damp hair as he made his way into his new room. It was tucked inside the compound's dormitory—a fact that surprised him. He hadn't even realized the Avengers had one.
It was bigger than the one back in Milbury. Three times bigger, at least. And everything he needed was already here: a bed, a desk, a locker, a closet. He opened the closet door and found it stocked with fresh clothes—mostly old Avengers merchandise.
Sighing, Hal dropped onto the bed, feeling the weight of the last few days finally catch up to him. After days of running, hiding, and fighting, he was finally here. In the Avengers Compound.
For the first time in what felt like forever, he had space to breathe. To think.
Was this what he wanted? No—not exactly. But it was good enough. For now, all he wanted was for his group to have a little peace. A little quiet. After everything, they deserved that much.
He glanced toward the window. Down in the lot, a steady stream of people moved in and out—employees, apparently. Hal hadn't even realized the Avengers had employees. What did they all do? Legal work? Admin? Marketing? The idea of superheroes needing paperwork filled out and budgets approved was… weird.
It made him wonder: where did he fit into all this?
A member? A prisoner? A fugitive? A refugee? A recruit?
He was still turning the thought over when a knock came at the door. Hal got up and opened it to find Steve Rogers standing there, casual in a brown leather jacket, a phone in hand.
"Mind if I come in?" Steve asked.
"Uh—yeah, sure," Hal said, stepping aside.
Steve moved to the desk chair while Hal sat back down on the bed, still towel-drying his hair.
"You need something, Cap?" Hal asked.
"No," Steve said. "Just wanted to tell you—I found what you and Illyana were looking for. It's in Greenwich Village. About an hour's drive. I can take you both tomorrow, if you're ready."
Hal perked up. "That's great. I'll tell Illyana later. Or is she not in her room?"
"No, I came to see you first," Steve said. He leaned back a little in the chair, studying Hal. "So… how are you holding up?"
"I'm fine," Hal said with a small shrug. "A bed, a shower, clean clothes… what more could I ask for?"
Steve didn't smile. His voice softened. "No—I mean, really. Kid, you've been through a lot. You've... done things no kid should ever have to do."
Hal gave a tired, almost amused huff. "Ah. That kind of talk."
"If you're not comfortable—" Steve began.
"No, no, it's fine," Hal said quickly. He rubbed the back of his neck. "It's just… I don't know what else to say, Cap. We did what we had to do. They pointed their guns at us. They were ready to kill us. We fought back."
"I heard you destroyed the entire facility," Steve said. "And the staff,"
"There was only one staff member, Cap. Didn't they tell you that?" Hal muttered.
Steve raised a brow. "One?"
Hal nodded. "One. The rest? Automated machine gun turrets. You take one out, another pops up from the ground. Plus surveillance cameras. A ridiculous amount of them."
Steve shook his head slowly. "Jesus."
"In our case, our doctor wasn't exactly friendly either," Hal said. "Well, she pretended to be friendly. Good at hiding her prejudice behind a fake smile. Whatever you were told, Cap... it's probably only half the truth."
Steve offered a small, weary smile. "Well, you're here now. That's what matters. And listen—if there's anything you want to get off your chest... anger, frustration, anything—you can talk to me. I actually ran a support group after the Snap."
Hal chuckled under his breath. "Captain America offering therapy. Never thought I'd see the day. You offering this to the others too?"
"Of course," Steve said. "I figure after everything you kids have been through, you deserve someone to listen."
"Please do offer it to them," Hal said, his voice quieter now. "They're... they're a bunch of broken teenagers, Cap. Most of them were broken even before all this started."
Steve studied him carefully. "And you're not?"
Hal looked down. "I can't say. I don't know what happened to me before all this."
"Right," Steve said gently. "The amnesia."
He leaned forward slightly. "How can you tell the others are broken? Is it because of your powers? I read you can sense emotions."
"Some emotions," Hal nodded. "Enough to notice the heavy stuff. They've got these... scars. Things that won't just go away by talking about it."
A quiet, thoughtful silence settled between them for a moment.
Then Hal asked, softly, "Captain... what are we to you?"
Steve looked up, a little surprised. "What do you mean?"
"We're here. At your compound." Hal continued, steady but unsure. "How are we going to be treated? As kids who need to be watched? Refugees? Recruits?"
"God, no." Steve said firmly. "You're not soldiers. You're not assets. You're kids who need help. That's it."
Hal looked at him for a long moment, then muttered, "And how long are we supposed to need help? We can't just live off your kindness forever."
Steve leaned back slightly, arms crossed. "Until you can stand on your own. That's the only timeline we care about."
He added, a little softer, "You've got the wrong idea, Hal. We're the Avengers. Helping people is the whole point. We don't expect anything back."
Hal lowered his gaze, absorbing the words. "Right…"
Steve stood, giving Hal's shoulder a brief, reassuring pat. "Get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow."
Then, he left the room, leaving Hal alone—alone with a thousand unspoken questions still swirling in his mind.