Chapter 2
The Child of Tomorrow
Two years had passed since John Javier and Elizabeth Xingbing left S.H.I.E.L.D.
After years of government research, they chose a peaceful life, hoping to build a family together.
However, fate had other plans.
The women of the Xingbing family possessed an extraordinary genetic lineage, one that gave them exceptional potential in the field of Quantum Brainwave research. Unfortunately, their bloodline came with a cruel curse.
For generations, it was incredibly difficult for the women of the family to conceive a child. Many couples spent decades trying to have children, while others never succeeded at all.
Elizabeth refused to let her family's bloodline come to an end.
John shared the same determination.
Together, they decided to combine the research they had devoted their entire lives to.
John's Coordinator Project.
Elizabeth's Innovator Project.
For two years, the husband and wife worked tirelessly inside the hidden laboratories beneath Morgenroete Industries.
They experienced countless failures before finally achieving what many believed was impossible.
Within an artificial incubation chamber floated a healthy embryo.
It wasn't a clone.
Nor was it a genetically manufactured weapon.
It was their own child.
A child created through the combined achievements of their research while remaining completely human.
The project received its official designation.
Project 00.
Codename: E.J.
Months later, after ensuring the embryo had developed safely, it was transferred into Elizabeth's womb, allowing her to experience a natural pregnancy like any other mother.
Nine months later...
A healthy baby boy was born.
The moment John held the child in his arms, every achievement in his scientific career became meaningless compared to the tiny life before him.
Elizabeth smiled weakly as tears filled her eyes.
"Our son..."
John gently nodded.
"He isn't Project 00."
"He isn't an experiment."
"He's our child."
Together, they gave him a name.
Edison John Xavier Javier.
To the world, he was simply another newborn.
Only his parents knew that he represented the future of humanity.
---
Five years later...
New York City.
Rain poured across the empty streets as a luxury black sedan drove through the city.
Inside the vehicle, laughter filled the atmosphere.
John smiled while driving.
Elizabeth sat beside him, while young Edison quietly looked out the window at the bright city lights.
It had been a wonderful evening.
A rare family outing.
None of them noticed the black motorcycle following several vehicles behind.
Far above...
On the rooftop of an abandoned building...
A silent figure assembled a sniper rifle.
Long black hair.
A cybernetic left arm.
A face without emotion.
The legendary assassin of Hydra.
The Winter Soldier.
His mission was simple.
Eliminate John Javier.
Eliminate Elizabeth Xingbing.
Recover every piece of research related to Project 00.
No witnesses.
No survivors.
He slowly squeezed the trigger.
Bang!
The first bullet shattered the windshield.
John instinctively turned the steering wheel, narrowly avoiding another speeding vehicle.
"Elizabeth!"
Without hesitation, she threw herself over Edison.
Another bullet pierced the side of the car.
The sedan spun uncontrollably before crashing into a concrete barrier.
Smoke rose from the destroyed engine.
The Winter Soldier calmly approached the wreckage.
His pistol slowly rose.
Cold blue eyes stared at the frightened child trapped inside the damaged vehicle.
His orders were absolute.
Destroy the research.
Leave no witnesses.
Just as his finger tightened around the trigger—
CLANG!
A circular shield struck the pistol, sending it flying across the street.
The Winter Soldier immediately stepped backward.
Standing beneath a flickering streetlight was an elderly African-American man wearing a worn brown coat and an old cap that concealed much of his face.
His body had aged.
His hair had turned gray.
But the strength in his stance remained unshaken.
"You've killed enough tonight," the old man said quietly.
Without speaking a single word, the Winter Soldier charged.
His metal fist shot forward with enough force to break concrete.
The old man raised his shield.
BOOM!
The collision echoed through the deserted street.
The Winter Soldier's expression changed ever so slightly.
"So..."
"You're still alive."
The old man remained silent.
Very few people remembered his name.
That was exactly how he preferred it.
Once, he had been a forgotten Captain America.
A hero erased from history.
Officially...
He no longer existed.
His name was Isaiah Bradley.
No reporters searched for him.
No government wished to acknowledge him.
He lived in secrecy, helping others only when no one was watching.
Isaiah glanced toward the wrecked car.
Through the broken glass, a frightened little boy stared back at him.
For a brief moment...
Isaiah remembered every child who had suffered because powerful people treated human lives as experiments.
His grip on the shield tightened.
"I won't let history repeat itself."
The Winter Soldier attacked again.
Steel clashed against vibranium.
The rain poured harder as two forgotten super soldiers fought beneath the darkness.
Inside the wrecked vehicle, five-year-old Edison watched the battle with wide eyes.
He couldn't understand what was happening.
But somewhere deep within his soul...
The memories of another life trembled.
This night...
Would become the first turning point in the life of the boy destined to become the vigilante known as...
Red X.