Rogue Replacement: A Marvel Story

Chapter -1X: What If?

In the vast realm of the cosmos, a tapestry of stars, swirling galaxies, and ethereal nebulae interwove, creating an endless expanse of celestial beauty. Amidst this great vastness, a curious sight caught one's attention: a radiant portal, tiny yet ever-expanding. This portal, shimmering with iridescence, offered glimpses into a myriad of realities and timelines, a mosaic of worlds within its depths.

Emerging from this kaleidoscope of possibilities was The Watcher himself. His skin was a muted shade of blue and his large head was disproportionate to his body. As his eyes darted from one portal to another, one could almost perceive the weight of endless eons and infinite stories they held within. He was the embodiment of silent observation, an ageless guardian of the multiverse.

"I am The Watcher," he intoned with an air of detached wisdom. "From universe to universe, I've observed. Seen the crescendos and abysses of each, the heroes, the foes. Yet, I remain, forever, a bystander. To watch, to understand, that is my eternal vow."

"Time. Space. Reality. These aren't merely stages of a linear journey. Rather, envision them as an intricate prism, branching endlessly into threads of what once was, what might have been, and what is yet to unfold."

As one gazed deeper into the portal, memories from the world unveiled themselves. But not as one might remember them. There was Professor Xavier in his iconic wheelchair, Wolverine with his fierce metallic claws, and Jean Grey exhibiting her formidable telepathic might. But peculiar twists interrupted the familiar.

Jean Grey sat confined to the wheelchair, while Professor Xavier emanated an energy, a flaming aura reminiscent of the powers of creation and destruction...

Wolverine, leading not as an X-Man, but as the head of the Brotherhood of Mutants in Magneto's place…

The Watcher continued, "Each choice made, every path either embraced or shunned, gives birth to a new reality. A universe teeming with its own potential, repercussions, and tales."

The narrative accelerated as the portal displayed its alternate realities with increasing urgency. There was Magneto, but not as the leader of the Brotherhood; he instead stood as a shield, safeguarding humanity...

Storm's commanding presence arose, a hammer in her hand channeling the powers of a god…

As the portals surrounding The Watcher continued their dance of realities, he posed a question to the unseen observer, a challenge to one's very understanding of existence, "Why reveal these alternate tales? What purpose does it hold? It is a quest, dear reader, to expand the realms of your understanding, to challenge the confines of your beliefs, and to always ponder on one perpetual query: 'What If?'"

In the ever-shifting landscape of the cosmos, while other portals shimmered and danced, a new one emerged distinct and demanding attention. This portal pulsed with an unfamiliar energy, intriguing The Watcher.

He moved towards it, his flowing robes trailing behind him. As he neared, the portal offered glimpses of yet another set of possibilities. Each flash within it was a tantalizing taste of a story yet to be explored. Among the familiar faces of mutants, a new one stood out. This face had rugged features, a sharp jawline, and intense, almost fiery eyes. He learned this was Tyson, a variant of the mutant, Rogue.

The Watcher, intrigued by the new portal, murmured to himself, "A play of fate, an alternate strand in the grand tapestry. What stories you must hold."

Diving deeper into this portal's visions, The Watcher focused on this particular reality…