"It is exactly because I cannot find anything that I am asking you…"
Hill stood there in stunned silence for a long moment before finally forcing the words out.
"Are you sure that video is not from some movie? No… that does not make sense. You would not go that far just for a joke."
She dragged a hand through her hair, her voice rising in frustration.
"So I was pulled into bed by someone who jumped straight out of a comic book? Of all places, why Gotham? That is not even…"
Her words cut off abruptly.
A rectangular light screen appeared in front of her without warning.
The next second, a man in a red bodysuit stepped out, two long swords strapped across his back. He casually reached behind him and shut the glowing portal.
He looked around, then froze.
Hill immediately grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself. Natasha slipped under the covers, her eyes sharp with caution.
The red-suited man slowly raised his hand to his mouth, clearly stunned.
"What is wrong with this world? The Deputy Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Black Widow, in the same bed? And both of them with one guy?"
He tilted his head.
"No way anyone would greenlight this. If someone tried to film it, the backlash alone would destroy them."
He suddenly snapped his fingers.
"Oh right, introductions. I am looking for Wolverine. Big guy, claws, bad attitude. You seen him?"
Axel stared at him for a second, then spoke flatly.
"You have got to be kidding. Deadpool?"
"Exactly," Deadpool replied instantly, nodding. "Good start. At least someone here has taste."
He gestured casually.
"Logan is usually the more popular one, sure. But where I go, he shows up eventually. That is just how it works."
He leaned slightly forward.
"So, tell me where Wolverine is, and I will pretend I did not walk in on whatever this situation is."
Deadpool paused, then added with a laugh.
"Actually, no promises."
Axel did not respond. He simply watched him.
Deadpool kept going.
"Anyway, you are definitely not the Logan I am looking for. No offense, but studios would not bet on that. Still, since we met, call it fate."
He waved dismissively.
"Have fun, I am heading out."
"Wait."
Axel moved.
In less than a blink, he crossed the room and grabbed Deadpool's shoulder.
Deadpool froze, then slowly turned his head.
"…Okay. That was fast."
He nodded, almost impressed.
"Not a fan of teleporters, but I respect the efficiency."
His tone shifted slightly.
"Look, I have things to do. My world is falling apart, and I am on a clock. So how about you let go, and we both pretend this never happened?"
Without warning, Deadpool drew one of his blades and slashed at Axel's head.
Clang.
The blade stopped dead on impact.
Deadpool stared.
"…That is not normal."
He tilted his head, examining Axel closely.
"This sword is not decorative. It should have done something."
Axel did not even react.
Deadpool let out a low whistle.
"Alright, now I am interested."
He lowered the blade slightly, then tapped it against Axel again, just to be sure.
Nothing.
"Yeah, that settles it," Deadpool muttered. "You are coming with me."
Natasha, still under the covers, frowned.
"Why does everything you say sound insane?"
Deadpool turned and pointed at her.
"Please, do not interrupt. I am trying to recruit your boyfriend here."
He shifted his attention back to Axel.
"So here is the deal. I need help. My world is collapsing, and I am short on reliable people."
He gestured between them.
"You seem durable, and more importantly, entertaining. That qualifies you."
Axel smirked slightly.
"You are not even asking."
"No," Deadpool said bluntly. "I am not."
He tightened his grip on Axel's wrist.
"We are doing this."
A glowing portal opened beneath their feet.
Hill stepped forward instinctively.
"Wait, what are you—"
Too late.
Both of them dropped straight through the light.
As they fell, Deadpool laughed.
"You are going to love this. Multiverse travel, chaos, and hopefully Wolverine."
Axel's voice followed, calm and steady.
"Call me Wraith."
"Wraith?" Deadpool repeated. "Not bad. Better than most names I have heard."
The portal snapped shut.
Silence filled the room.
Hill and Natasha stared at the empty space where Axel had just been.
After a moment, Natasha exhaled slowly.
"I have never been married, and I have never done anything like that in an elevator."
Hill rubbed her forehead, clearly exhausted.
"I believe you. That man was completely unhinged."
She looked toward where the portal had been.
"But if even half of what he said is true…"
Her voice trailed off.
Natasha sat up, her expression turning serious.
"Then this world is a lot bigger than we thought."
Hill nodded slowly.
"And far more dangerous."
They both fell silent, each lost in thought.
Finally, Natasha spoke again.
"There is only one thing we can do now."
Hill glanced at her.
"We follow the trail."
Natasha nodded.
"Whether we understand it or not."