"What do you think?" Steve asked as soon as Sam returned after escorting Anakin to his room.
Vision stepped toward the center of the room, hands clasped behind his back. "He is not lying. His conviction, his recollections, his body language all indicate that he firmly believes every word he says. He does not improvise or contradict himself. He behaves like someone who already held a position of authority… elsewhere."
Natasha crossed her arms. "And that makes him trustworthy?"
Sam leaned casually against a nearby column, relaxed but attentive. "I like him," he said. "Yeah, he's arrogant. He's got that 'top of my class' energy. But not for no reason. The kid has composure. He took down a four-meter mutant lizard without killing anyone. That says a lot."
Sam continued, "And if everything he said about the Jedi is true… his Order sounds like a mix of monks, diplomats, and soldiers with strict rules. Sounds crazy, sure. But also highly structured. He's not some out-of-control teen with powers. His moral compass is strong."
Steve paced a few steps, thinking. "Yes. The saber, the posture, the way he speaks, even how he moves. He's not inexperienced. He received real training. I'd say military, if he didn't insist so much on the peacekeeper part."
Wanda, still with her arms crossed, glanced sideways. "Does that peace include cutting off emotional bonds from childhood?"
Natasha nodded faintly. "He said Jedi must renounce everything. Family. Attachments. Desires. And at that moment, did you see his expression?"
Just then, firm footsteps approached from the corridor. The doors slid open with a soft hum, and three figures entered:
Tony Stark, walking with his trademark relaxed confidence, dark glasses still on despite being indoors.
James "Rhodey" Rhodes, in formal Air Force uniform, walking beside him like he was still assessing the situation.
And behind them, with measured steps and a stern expression, Secretary of State Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross.
Tony removed his glasses and scanned the room with a wry smile. "Where's my teenage alien friend with the laser sword?"
Steve raised an eyebrow slightly. "You heard already?"
Rhodey nodded, crossing his arms. "Heard? It's everywhere. There's a viral clip of that kid in medieval robes yelling that this planet is uncivilized and asking if we want to escalate into an interplanetary conflict. There are memes. Lots of them."
Wanda sighed, closing her eyes briefly. "Yeah, that part wasn't exactly diplomatic."
"That adolescent, allegedly extraterrestrial, caused structural damage, manipulated police weaponry with an invisible force, and is carrying advanced weaponized technology without identification. We still don't know who he is," Ross stated firmly.
"Looks like some kind of galactic samurai with a messiah complex. Not exactly rare these days," Tony remarked dryly.
"I conducted a full scan of Anakin Skywalker, facial biometrics, thermal patterns, vocal analysis, even skeletal structure," Vision began, addressing the doubt about his extraterrestrial origin. "I cross-referenced every known database on Earth, governmental, medical, civilian, and military."
He paused briefly.
"He does not exist. No records. No matches. Unless someone erased his presence with a level of efficiency beyond any intelligence agency on this planet, which, frankly, even I could not confirm without margin of error."
Steve then summarized their entire conversation with Anakin clearly and concisely. He explained what the young man had claimed: his role as a "Padawan," what the Jedi Order entailed, the Force, his sense of duty, and his training from childhood.
Tony, Rhodey, and Ross listened in silence.
"So we've got a kid with a lightsaber, strange powers, military-level training, and a stack of Shaolin monk ideals… stranded on our planet like he's part of some interdimensional exchange program," Tony said, breaking the silence with his usual sarcasm.
"He says he's an apprentice? If that guy is the equivalent of a cadet, how powerful is a full Jedi?" Rhodey asked, exhaling through his nose.
Ross stepped forward, face tense, voice firm. "That's exactly the problem. It's not just about what he can do. What if these Jedi number in the hundreds? Thousands? What if not all of them are as peaceful as he claims? How do we know he's not a scout, sent here to observe us? We don't want another invasion like 2012."
Tony raised a hand to stop him. "Okay, but there's one important difference. The kid didn't arrive with an army or a magic scepter. According to him, his galaxy is millions of light-years away. And he got here by accident."
Vision intervened in his neutral tone. "Furthermore, if we analyze his actions so far, they align with the principles he himself described. He acted to protect civilians, avoided unnecessary damage, and neutralized an enemy without killing him. He demonstrated no offensive behavior or signs of conquest."
Ross did not look convinced. "That's what he says. Words don't guarantee intentions."
Steve spoke then, firm but measured. "No, but actions do. He was in the middle of chaos, saved lives, and even after a police officer fired at him, he chose a restrained and diplomatic response. He didn't flee. He came here to talk to us."
"And, with respect," Vision added, "he displayed a certain disdain for our technology. His reaction to our star map and our level of space exploration was frustration. He perceives us as primitive. If his objective were invasion or hostile reconnaissance, I doubt his kind would select a planet he considers so underdeveloped."
"I want to speak with him," Ross said. As Secretary of State of the United States, he had responsibilities to fulfill.
Steve looked at him with mild discomfort. "We took him to rest less than ten minutes ago."
"Then he'll still be awake," Ross replied evenly. "This isn't a school field trip, Rogers. It's a matter of global security."
From the back, Sam let out an audible sigh. "Sure, sure. Nothing says hospitality like interrupting a newly arrived alien's nap."
Steve glanced at Sam, then nodded with resignation and walked toward the door.
Moments later, the automatic doors slid open with a soft hum.
Anakin entered with his steady stride, his tunic shifting with each step. His face showed no fear or tension. Only a slightly raised eyebrow.
"Is resting for such a short time normal on this planet? Quite the hospitality," he said with a half-smile.
"We apologize," Steve replied seriously. "But there are more people who need to meet you."
Anakin's gaze settled on the three newcomers.
A man with a well-groomed beard, radiating equal parts arrogance and analysis. Another with short hair, dark skin, and clear military bearing. And the last, the most tense of them all, in a formal suit, with the look of command in his eyes.
Steve gestured toward them in introduction.
"Anakin, this is Tony Stark, engineer and entrepreneur; James Rhodes, Air Force colonel; and Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross."
Anakin studied each of them in turn and simply nodded.
Ross wasted no time.
"Mr. Skywalker," he said in a political yet direct tone, "I represent the government of the United States. What occurred today was serious. You appeared in the middle of a major city, armed, possessing unknown abilities, and without identification. At the very least, we require clarity. Now."
Anakin did not flinch. He stood straight, hands resting near his belt, his gaze fixed on Secretary Ross with a calm that bordered on provocative.
"Let's say a Jedi, or even a Padawan like myself, appears on an unknown planet," he began, voice serene. "And on that planet, a violent being attacks a public place, endangering dozens of civilians. What exactly are we supposed to do? I assume your colleagues have already explained the principles of my Order."
No one answered.
Since no reply came immediately, Anakin continued.
"Should I wait for official identification? Look for an embassy? Request permission from the local government while a monster is about to crush a child eating a Big Mac, or whatever you call that?"
One of Steve's eyebrows lifted. Sam looked away to hide a smile. Wanda let out a brief amused breath.
But Anakin did not smile.
"I asked for nothing in return. And I've already told you my origins. What more do you want?"
He turned slightly, addressing the rest of the group.
"On the planets I've visited, even the most primitive ones, people understand the difference between help and threat. Here, it seems saving lives without filling out paperwork is frowned upon. I'm not sure if that makes you highly lawful or deeply insecure."
From the back, Tony Stark let out a soft nasal laugh. He ran a hand over his beard and crossed his arms.
"Well… that was a pretty intense way of saying 'you're welcome.' But I've got to admit, the kid's got style," he added, glancing at Ross.
Rhodey glanced sideways at him and murmured, "And nerves of steel. He stood up to a Secretary of State like it was nothing."
Ross kept his jaw tight for a few more seconds. But this time, he didn't respond with hostility.
Maybe it was the tone. Maybe it was the fact that, according to Vision, Anakin truly wasn't human. Or that, so far, the boy had demonstrated more control and principle than most people his age, along with the raw power he had displayed in the footage when defeating the Lizard.
"Look, Skywalker," Ross said more calmly, "we understand you're not here to invade us or destroy the White House. For now."
Anakin raised an eyebrow slightly.
Ross continued, forcing a more diplomatic tone. "But it remains a fact: you're stranded on a planet that isn't yours, with abilities we don't fully understand, and you're carrying a weapon that can probably cut cars in half. The ideal solution, for your safety and ours, is that you remain in a defined location."
"Defined?" Anakin repeated, one eyebrow lifted.
"Neutral," Steve clarified, stepping forward. "Here. At Avengers Headquarters. It's spacious, secure, well-equipped, and we can help you if a signal from your people ever appears. Think of it as your temporary embassy. We'll assist you in whatever you need to get home."
Ross nodded, returning to his firm posture. "Exactly. And if at any point you plan to go out, intervene, or use your weapon, you simply… inform us. Just common sense. Diplomacy."
Anakin lowered his gaze briefly, not in submission, but in thought.
He understood exactly what Ross was doing. Politicians liked control. They feared what they didn't understand, especially what might be dangerous to them. They wanted him monitored.
The thought brought a faint, almost condescending smile to his lips.
Control him?
Even his Master struggled with that.
"Sure, sure," Anakin said lightly, raising his hands. "I'll stay here. I'll inform you if I go out… relax."
Then, without warning, he gave the Secretary two soft pats on the shoulder. Not aggressive. Not friendly. Just uncomfortably familiar.
"Well… I'll return to my quarters. Thank you for your hospitality," Anakin said as he turned and walked out of the room as if he had already heard everything he needed to hear.
In his mind, he had handled the situation diplomatically, especially for his first time leading negotiations.
And on a planet that had no idea what a Jedi was.