In Marvel as a summoning Mage

**Ritsuka's POV**

The morning came, but not with the warmth and light it usually brings. I woke up with a start, sweat clinging to my skin as the lingering echoes of my nightmare haunted my mind. The image of all my friends, vanishing into nothingness, leaving me utterly alone in darkness, was still fresh and raw. "Don't leave me alone, please," I whispered, barely aware of the words slipping past my lips.

As my vision adjusted to the dim light of the room, I noticed I wasn't the only one awake. Across from me, Bucky Barnes sat on the edge of the sofa, his gaze distant and haunted. I didn't need to ask to know he'd been trapped in his own nightmares, likely reliving the faces of those he had been forced to kill.

For a while, we just sat there, neither of us speaking. The silence between us was heavy, filled with the unspoken understanding of shared pain. Eventually, I decided to break the silence. "Bucky," I began, my voice still a bit shaky from the remnants of my nightmare, "I should introduce myself properly. I'm Ritsuka Fujimaru, a mage, and... well, I guess you could call me a friend."

Bucky turned to look at me, his eyes dark with the weight of everything he'd been through. "Ritsuka… I remember everything now. Everything I did… and how Da Vinci and Dantes stopped Tony and Logan from killing me. I owe them my life."

His words were heavy with guilt, but I could see a spark of relief in his eyes. Knowing that his brainwashing was gone must have been a huge weight lifted from him, even if the memories of his past actions were still a burden.

Just then, Karen toddled into the room, rubbing sleep from her eyes. She came over and climbed into my lap, her presence a soothing balm against the darkness of the morning. "This is Karen, my daughter," I said, gently brushing her hair back. "She used her power to remove the brainwashing. She's got a bit of magic in her, like me."

Bucky's gaze softened as he looked at Karen. "She… she did that?"

I nodded. "Yeah. She's stronger than she looks. And you're free now, Bucky. Free from Hydra, free from their control."

Bucky sighed, his shoulders slumping as if the weight of the world was on them. "But am I really free? I remember everything I did. I can see it all so clearly now… and I don't know if it's worth living with."

I looked at him, understanding the pain he was feeling. "You are worth it, Bucky. You're not defined by what Hydra made you do. You're defined by what you do now. I know it's hard, but you've got a chance to make things right."

Bucky shook his head slightly, the doubt still gnawing at him. "You sound a lot like Steve, you know that? He always saw the good in people, even when they couldn't see it in themselves."

A small, sad smile tugged at my lips. "I can't compare myself with him. I'm not really great like him. Steve was a good man, Bucky. And so are you. You just need to remember that."

Before Bucky could respond, Tony walked into the room, his expression one of cautious understanding. He pulled up a chair beside us and sat down. "Morning," he said, his voice carrying a weariness that matched the rest of us.

"Morning," I replied, trying to shake off the last of my nightmare. "We were just… talking."

Tony's gaze shifted to Bucky. "So, you're all back in your head now?"

Bucky nodded slowly. "Yeah. I remember everything… and I know I've got a lot to make up for."

Tony's expression was unreadable for a moment, then he sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Look, Bucky. What you did… it wasn't you. Not really. But that doesn't mean it didn't happen. Dantes and Da Vinci, they saved you. And that's something. But it doesn't erase the past. You've got to do good things now, not because it'll make up for what you did, but because it's the right thing to do."

Bucky met Tony's eyes, and for a long moment, they just stared at each other, as if silently communicating the shared pain between them. "I know," Bucky said finally. "I don't expect forgiveness, Tony. But I'm going to try. I have to."

Tony nodded slowly, his expression softening just a bit. "I can't forgive you. Not yet. But I'll accept that you're trying. Actions speak louder than words, Bucky. Show me you're serious, and maybe… maybe one day, we can get past this."

Bucky nodded, his face set in determination. "I'll prove it. I owe that to everyone… to Steve, to Ritsuka, to Da Vinci… and to you."

Tony glanced at me, and for a moment, there was an unspoken understanding between us. We were all trying to navigate this messed-up world, doing the best we could with the hands we were dealt.

Bucky leaned back on the sofa, and I followed suit, Karen still nestled in my lap. "I wonder what Steve would say to me," Bucky murmured again, almost to himself. "You talk Like him as he always knew how to find the light, even in the darkest times."

I didn't respond immediately, just letting the words hang in the air. Eventually, I smiled softly. "I'm telling you buddy, I'm not really good guy like captain America. I had done few unforgiving things. But Steve… he's someone worth looking up to. But Bucky, don't just see the light in others. Find it in yourself too."

Bucky looked at me, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of hope in his eyes. It wasn't much, but it was something.

Tony stood up, stretching his back. "Alright, you two. Get some rest. We've got a long road ahead, and we'll need all the strength we can get."

As Tony left the room, Bucky and I both settled back down on the sofa, Karen now drifting off to sleep against my chest.

The morning had taken a surprisingly wholesome turn. Bucky, who was gradually easing back into the idea of normalcy, had found a surprising source of comfort in my daughter, Karen. The two of them were chatting away, and it wasn't long before they were playing together, laughing at something Karen had said. Seeing Bucky slowly emerge from the shadow of his past, interacting with Karen like any normal person would, filled me with a quiet sense of relief. It wasn't just that he was adjusting; it was that he had begun to respect and care for my family. There was a bond forming, one of trust and mutual respect.

Once everyone had freshened up, we gathered in the hall. "I'll take care of lunch," I announced, heading towards the kitchen.

Da Vinci, Morgan, and Ereshkigal all smiled knowingly. They'd been on the receiving end of my cooking before, and they knew exactly what was coming. "Oh, I'm definitely looking forward to this," Da Vinci chimed in, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"A taste of home, huh?" Morgan added, her tone soft, reminiscent.

Ereshkigal nodded, "Nothing beats your curry, Ritsuka."

Cooking had become a sort of therapy for me over the years. With all the chaos in our lives, it was a small way to maintain some normalcy. Besides, training under Emiya had given me skills that I put to good use whenever I could. A few hours later, the fragrant aroma of spices and curry filled the house, signaling that it was time to eat.

We all gathered around the table, our stomachs reminding us that it had been quite some time since we last ate, considering everything that had happened with Hydra. Even Tony, who could be picky when it came to food, was impressed. "You know, I wasn't expecting much, but this is incredible," Tony said, grinning as he shamelessly helped himself to another serving.

"Training under Emiya was the best choice I made at the start of the Grand Order mission," I replied, a bit of pride slipping into my voice as I watched everyone enjoying the meal.

Yinsen and Tony, after eating, dove back into their work, focusing on improving Tony's suit. The camaraderie between them was clear as they brainstormed and tinkered with different designs. They seemed to communicate in a language that only they understood, exchanging ideas and refining them with ease. And Potts later came to discuss about the upcoming future of stark industry, and success of Instragram app.

Meanwhile, Coulson, who had returned after attending to some business, sat with Karna, then he delving into the untold history of this world. Karna listened intently, absorbing every detail. He was eager to learn about the world we were now a part of, its heroes, and its struggles. Coulson, in turn, seemed more than happy to share his knowledge, understanding the importance of an ally like Karna being informed.

As for the rest of us, we enjoyed the simple pleasure of being together. Morgan, Ereshkigal, Karen, and I shared stories from our past adventures, recounting battles fought, friends made, and the journey that had brought us to this point. We spoke of how Karen had come into our lives, a beacon of hope in the midst of so much turmoil. There was something almost dreamlike about the peace that had settled over us, the warmth of a family enjoying each other's company.

"This life… it's good," I murmured, almost to myself. "It's beautiful. But I miss all our friends."

Later at evening, There was a brief, reflective silence, each of us thinking about those we had left behind or lost along the way. But then, Da Vinci, ever the pragmatist, broke the silence with a reminder. "Ritsuka, I checked on Bucky, and everything looks good. The brainwashing is completely gone, thanks to Karen. He should be fine now." She paused before adding, "Oh, and about your Command Spells… I've done all I can, but without the right materials, I can't restore them. But don't worry; they should return on their own in about three days."

I nodded, grateful for the heads-up. "Thanks, Da Vinci. You've done more than enough."

Bucky, grateful for all that Da Vinci had done, handed her a cup of coffee. "Thanks… for everything," he said, his voice quiet but sincere.

Da Vinci took the cup with a smile, "You're welcome. Just don't make a habit of getting brainwashed, okay?"

The next day, our little group—Karna, Da Vinci, Morgan, Karen, Ereshkigal, and I—prepared to head to the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters. There were things that needed to be addressed there, particularly concerning Jean and the Phoenix. It was a delicate situation, and I knew it would take careful handling to manage it smoothly.

With Morgan's help, we opened a portal to the school. As we stepped through, we were greeted by the sight of the Xavier School. It was an impressive building, a beautiful blend of old-world architecture and modern design. The school grounds were expansive, with students of all ages moving about, some practicing their powers, others simply enjoying the day. The mansion itself stood tall and proud, a beacon of safety and learning for mutants.

We didn't have to wait long before we were greeted. Storm, Kitty Pryde, and Jean Grey approached us, their expressions warm and welcoming. Storm, with her regal demeanor, was the first to speak. "Welcome to the Xavier School. We've been expecting you."

"Glad to be here," I replied, returning her smile. "We've got a lot to discuss."

Jean, standing beside Storm, gave a small nod, her eyes betraying the burden she carried. Kitty, ever the friendly face, stepped forward with a wave, "Hey, it's great to meet you all. We've heard a lot about you."

As we walked through the grand corridors of Xavier's School, the air felt thick with unspoken tension. The news Storm delivered was a mixed blessing, one that carried the weight of difficult decisions ahead. They also talked with my daughter.

"Professor Xavier is awake," Storm said, her voice steady but with a hint of concern. "He's come out of the coma and is resting in his room. Jean, could you guide Ritsuka and his friends to see him? I have a class to teach."

Jean nodded, the conflict in her eyes not lost on any of us. "Of course, Ororo," she said quietly.

Kitty Pryde was with us, but her mind seemed elsewhere. "I'll go check on Rogue," she said, her voice soft. "She's been making progress, but she still needs time."

I nodded to her. "That's good to hear, Kitty. Take care of her." I know what hydra had did to her.

As Kitty made her way toward Rogue's room, I turned to Da Vinci. "Beast mentioned wanting to discuss some of his projects with you. I forgot to mention it earlier."

Da Vinci's eyes lit up with interest. "I'd love to see what he's been working on. I'll head to his lab and catch up with you all later." She gave me a reassuring smile before heading off in the direction of Beast's lab.

With just Morgan, Karna, Ereshkigal, Karen, and Jean remaining, I felt the gravity of the situation settle on my shoulders. "We know what we're about to do," I said in low voice, my voice firm. "I'm going to reveal what Xavier did to Jean. This could go very wrong, very quickly, so be prepared for anything."

Morgan placed a hand on my shoulder, her gaze unwavering. "We're ready, Ritsuka. We'll handle whatever comes."

Ereshkigal nodded in agreement, her expression resolute. "We know about the Phoenix dream, the warning from Gaia. We'll be prepared."

Karna, ever the silent guardian, stood with quiet strength. His presence alone was a comfort, a reminder that no matter what happened, we were in this together.

Karen, sitting in my arms, looked up at me with her bright eyes, her small hands gripping my shirt as if to offer her own form of support. Her presence reminded me of why I was doing this—for her future and the future of everyone in this world.

Jean led the way down the hallway, and as we followed, I couldn't help but feel the tension rising. Confronting Xavier about his past actions was not going to be easy, especially for Jean. But it was necessary. We needed to address the truth if we were going to prevent the Phoenix from emerging and bringing devastation to this world.