Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

"You're not. Definitely not even their friend. A stranger. Outsider. And right now, you're trespassing this fanfic. And I want you to leave!"

"YOU SHOULD BE LEAVING. No wonder the Cavillrine hates you for that. But at least your new Logan is cool now with your hijinks. In every given fanfic, only the writer, only Author-nim, who casts the canon can control the narrative. Thanks, Wade, but I don't need you to tell me who I am."

Cut to: a neon sign flickers outside a quiet Korean convenience store. The soft hum of a refrigerator blends with the faint sound of a NewJeans song playing from a radio.

“Every night, the same dream. Every morning, the same nightmare. Might be the worst one I've got in my life. Why is Author-nim like that?”

A man slumped across a table, red suit, mask half off, drooling on a half-eaten triangle kimbap.

Logan, dryly: “Good morning, sleeping beauty.”

Wade, snorts awake, jerks up: “Logan! Wait, what are you doing here? Did TVA assign you here? Are we shooting the Backstreet Rookie remake?”

Logan: “I guess. They wanted another collab. Which, apparently, sounds… supernatural.

Wade: “Supernatural? Wait, is that a crossover joke or are we talking K-pop this time?”

Logan: “Depends. What’s on the news? And it better not be something that can scare me worse than Halloween.”

Wade, grabbing the remote, turns on the TV: “Let’s see... Korean morning news never disappoints.”

[News flash from SBS News: “Breaking this morning, the highly publicized case involving global sensation NewJeans and their agency HYBE/ADOR reaches its verdict today.”]

Wade: “Oh no. The Bunnies are in trouble.”

Logan: “Bunnies?”

Wade: “NewJeans’ fandom name, Logan. Keep up!”

Logan: “We’re in Korea, not the multiverse, bub. Let’s not get involved.”

Wade, already strapping on his gear: “Too late. I smell a crossover.”

Logan, grabbing his clawed gloves: “Every time I wake up, you’ve got a new fandom phase.”

Deadpool, looking at a mirror: “Well, I might as well audition for True Beauty then.”

They push through the glass doors. The bell jingles as the morning sun hits it. Seoul wakes up, unaware that chaos (and a fourth-wall break) is coming their way.

But before he leaves, he goes near the cashier.

Deadpool, dropping the cash: “Ahjussi, as they call everyone here. Keep the change. In case you wanna sue me for shoplifting. You’re welcome. This is what Hwae Wil-sung, aka my Korean variant, said plenty of times. He taught me well.”

To be continued...

Chapter Text

Billboards across Seoul blast noise as breaking news kicks in.

[JUST IN: Seoul Central District Court rules in favor of ADOR, NewJeans’ contracts upheld.]

Wade’s eyes widen. He slowly removes his mask, disbelief plastered across his face.

Wade, shocked face: “What the f—”

Logan, shushing him: “Language, bub. You just already said the F-bomb one time.”

Wade: “Oh, I forgot. Peter Parker stole my gig. Blame Mysterio for that, though… or Sony’s custody agreement."

Logan: “Focus.”

Wade: “Oh, I am focused. On injustice. This is Korea’s “Twelve-Rated” tragedy.”

He grabs a marker and a cardboard box from his waist, scribbling furiously.

A crowd of reporters and fans buzzes just outside the court building. Amid the chaos, two out-of-place figures stand side by side holding homemade protest placards.

[Logan’s sign: “Artist rights are human rights.”]

[Wade’s sign: “Even superheroes are artists (technically, if you squint).”]

Logan: “You spelled 'artists' wrong the first time.”

Wade: “I was multitasking! Righteous fury and handwriting don’t mix. Plus it brought back memories of when they made my supersuit green and animated.”

A taxi glides past. A blonde woman in a white blazer steps out of the building, calm, elegant, unreadable.

Woman, from a distant: "Bucheon-si."

Wade, whispering: “Wait. I’ve seen her in plenty of comic books. Aren’t you sure she’s the one in the forest in Dark Phoenix? She looks like she charges by the octave.”

Logan, sighing: “Don’t start, bub.”

Wade, defensive: “What? I’m just saying, if this turns into Suits: Seoul Edition, I call cameo rights.”

They exchange a brief look; a flicker of light seems to shimmer in her eyes before she enters the vehicle as it is about to drive away.

Back to the convenience store, Wade and Logan return, exhausted, still holding their signs like defeated crusaders. They freeze mid-step.

The once-quiet store now buzzes with energy: five young girls sit cross-legged on the floor, sharing cup ramen and snacks. The radio softly plays “ETA.”

“what's your ETA? What's your ETA?”

Behind the counter, Vanessa hums to herself while mopping the tiles, casual, content, as though this were perfectly normal.

Wade, staring, voice cracking: “Vanessa? Honey?"

Vanessa, without looking up: “You tracked mud again, Wade. What just happened?”

Wade: “You’re…”

[He points at those five girls.]

“...and they’re…”

Hanni, cheerful, mouth full: “Hi! You must be the ahjussi who left the banana milk.”

Wade: “Ahjussi?! I’m not that old. Okay, maybe multiversally, yes. But still!”

Logan, to Vanessa: “Why are global pop idols eating noodles in our hideout?”

Vanessa: “They said the store felt safe."

[She smiles softly.]

“Maybe it’s about time you started feeling safe, too.”

Minji, to Logan: “Logan-nim. Tell Laura-ssi we’re sorry we have to do this.”

Logan: “I know, I heard she is a massive fan of you guys a lot.”

Wade again is in shock once more.

Wade: “Oh no, this is definitely a dream. Author-nim, you’re doing it again, aren’t you?”

Vanessa: “Maybe. Or maybe the story just needs you to listen this time.”

The five girls look up at him, uncertain, hopeful. The TV behind the counter replays the verdict headline:

[“Contracts Upheld. Artists To Appeal Case, Vowing To Keep Fighting”]

Logan: “Guess we’re not done here.”

Wade: “Nope. They deserve freedom from this broken system. A loss for them is a loss for the entire industry. Screw that, company stans.”

To be continued...

Chapter Text

In their apartment above the convenience store in Itaewon, Wade, Logan, and Vanessa convene with NewJeans about the development of their ongoing case during dinner.

Wade: “Apologies if I have this face. Someone decided to botch—”

Logan, putting his finger on Wade’s mouth: “That’s a very taboo topic, bub.”

Wade, pulling Logan’s finger away: “Let’s say, something bad happened to me three movies ago, not even makeup can save it. Too bad, tvN didn’t cast me as Lim Ju-kyung’s cousin in True Beauty Season 2 because of this.”

The girls of NewJeans chuckle about Wade.

Danielle: “No, ahjussi. You are actually confident in yourself. Even Vanessa-nim still loves you despite everything.”

Vanessa: “Despite everything, he’s still the same man I fell for, the one who never knows when to shut up, but somehow always finds a reason to care.”

Wade, mock offense: “Excuse me, that sounded like a compliment wrapped in samgyupsal. Too hot.”

Vanessa: “Wade. You’re embarrassing yourself.”

Wade, flustered, bowing politely: “Oh, sorry. Mianhae.”

Hanni, giggling: “Well, I guess. That’s how Korean dramas show love, ahjussi.”

The room falls briefly quiet. The distant hum of Itaewon nightlife seeps through the window, laughter, music, life continuing outside. Logan breaks the ice to continue the plans.

Logan: “Right, so what will they want you to do next, girls?”

Hyein: “They want us to pay a termination fee or bring us back to ADOR. That’s unconditional surrender.”

Haerin: “And it’s 915 billion won.”

Wade, who is once again doing PDA with Vanessa, drops his samgyupsal wrap to the floor.

Wade: “915 billion? That’s 644 million dollars? Not even Squid Game can save this. Someone paid the courts to make you suffer.”

Danielle: “Worse, contract still valid. That’s not what you meant by making us ‘do it till we’re 90’.”

Minji: “But ahjussi-deul, maybe we need your help in dealing with this kind of mess. After all, you are great at saving people.”

Wade, stuttering: “We are, but... wait... You weren’t... supposed to see that. Full of blood, swearing, and stuff. KBS wouldn’t even air that. What do you expect? Do Money Heist? I am actually toning down everything so that you won’t get into further trouble. You have fans still waiting, don’t you?”

Logan, assuring: “He’s right. And we aren’t lawyers. The best we can do is to operate as detectives. But we want to recommend someone who would like to do the job, someone who is within our caliber.”

NewJeans takes several guesses about who the other who will help them.

Danielle: “A superhero lawyer… She-Hulk?”

Wade: “Broke the fourth wall too hard, she lost the case against Disney+.”

Hanni: “Daredevil? Refer us to Nelson & Murdock?”

Logan: “Too blind to even see those unfair contract terms. But a great guy to be honest.”

Wade, busy looking at his phone: “Well, did email Nelson & Murdock once. Got an auto-reply saying, ‘Out of office: currently fighting ninjas. And il-jins.’”

NJZ is worried. Two people are now unavailable to answer the call.

Hyein: “How about… Daepyonim?”

Wade: “You mean Min Hee-jin, who is as chaotic as I, where my Korean variant from another universe loves her? Uhh… Say, she has issues like you guys, something new company matters.”

All: “THEN WHO?”

Suddenly, a female voice is heard coming downstairs, outside the apartment.

“Wade! Logan! Have you eaten? Shall we have tteokbokki?”

Wade: “Well, someone decides to cosplay Doona downstairs.”

He looks down from the window.

“…a blonde Doona.”

To be continued...

Chapter Text

Wade, Logan, and Vanessa go down to meet the woman outside their apartment. Apparently, she is waiting at the convenience store, and she is hungry although it is already past midnight and the streets of Itaewon.

Wade: “Agassi. Miss. We’re closed for tonight. What do you want?”

Woman, smiling faintly: “I brought food for you. You’ve been upstairs for hours. Figured maybe you’re still hungry… or avoiding the news again.”

Logan, eyes narrowing: “How come you know us, lady?”

Woman: “Because I’ve met you before. Both of you. Not exactly you-you, but close enough."

Wade, pretending: "Well, we came far away. From a remote countryside. Or a deserted island. We just moved into this apartment. Just a couple of days ago, currently readjusting to society after 15 years. Say, aren't you that ex-idol one who sits in civil engineering classes? You can't bicker Won-jun now?"

The woman is confused. Squinting and shrugging.

Vanessa, holding a comic book: "Wait, you must be the disco Dazzler, aren't you? You look like her. I mean, you ARE her."

Woman: "Uhhh, Vanessa-ssi. That was just in comics. Or movies. I am just Alison, or people call me Ali-ssi. Ali-unnie. Noona. Whatever they want. Currently practicing Korean but fluent in legalese. So did I just hear NewJeans want to appeal their case?"

Wade can't help but get star-struck and nudges Logan.

Wade, whispering: "How come Dazzler knows about this? Did TVA send her a memo?"

Logan, nudging Wade back: "Not now, bub."

Meanwhile, Vanessa continues to talk to Alison.

Vanessa: “Ali. Nice to meet you. Yes, but currently they are resting upstairs. We decided to rest downstairs. Aside from the tteokbokki treat and the legal matters, what comes up in the middle of the night? Isn’t curfew or something?”

Alison, scratching her head: “Ah, but my rent is already due, and I have to move out. I'm originally from Bucheon-si. I’m thinking of where to spend the whole night out here.”

Vanessa, compassionate: “Ah, I’m sorry. Well, you’re welcome here.”

Alison: “Thank you, Vanessa.”

With Vanessa’s blessing, Wade and Logan unlock the doors of the convenience store that also doubles as a resting place. Alison goes to retire for the night.

In a makeshift bed…

Alison deeply sighs as she is in a dream sequence.

[K-CON LA 2022: An overwhelmed Dazzler collapses mid-performance and is stretchered out of the venue.]

[BREAKING NEWS: “Top pop star Dazzler retires from the music industry.”]

She suddenly wakes up, phone in hand to check the time.

3:00 am.

She glances at Wade, Logan, and Vanessa, in deep slumber.

Wade, groggy: “What’s wrong, Ali?”

Alison: “Nothing. Just one of those dreams. Dreams of NewJeans being free. Aish. I got so much paperwork to do.”

And she goes back to sleep.

To be continued…

Chapter Text

Morning. The apartment above the convenience store was dimly lit, the last of the furniture pushed awkwardly against the walls. The five girls of NewJeans had been busy.

Haerin, wiping dust off a stack of newspapers: "Are you sure covering the windows with old news is a good idea, Unnie? What if the landlord complains about the aesthetic?"

Minji, taping up a window: "Well, Wade-nim must’ve loved this kind of furniture. But we're not trying to be aesthetic, Haerin-ah. We're trying to hide from the news cameras and the ADOR legal team. Plus, look!" 

She points to a section of a taped-up page.

Hanni, reading the bold headline: "'Top pop star Dazzler retires from the music industry.'"

Danielle: "That's Alison-unnie's past, right? The one she was dreaming about? Our lawyer used to be a superstar."

Hyein: "Even superheroes are artists. Now she's fighting for our artist rights.”

Haerin: “So, shall we eat then?”

Danielle: “Uhm. We have a marathon to do, am I right?”

Minji: “Ne.”

Alison, sharply dressed but with a sleepy, determined look on her face, was on a commuter train heading towards the Gangnam financial district. Her bag was overflowing with printed legal briefs and marked-up documents. 

[A quick flashback image of a stadium full of screaming fans, followed by the sight of a stretcher, flashed across her mind. She shook the memory away.]

Emerging from the station into the bright morning rush, she pulls out her phone and initiates a video call. Wade, Logan, and Vanessa answer from behind the convenience store counter, looking rumpled and tired.

Alison, smiling faintly: "Have you eaten breakfast, Wade, Logan, Vanessa-ssi?"

Wade, rubbing his eyes, his mask half-off: "No, we haven't... I was having a nightmare where Hugh Jackman actually had a good singing voice, and then I woke up."

Alison, on call: "I left some tteokbokki and some other stuff on your table before I left this morning. When I'm free, let's eat together. Jokbal and bossam combo?"

Wade, grinning: "Sure thing, Ms. Starlight-at-Law! You're already making my life better. Unlike Logan here, who just wants to grumble."

Logan, a low growl: "I was asking how our guys are doing in our universe, bub."

Wade: "Relax, I just checked the group chat. Peter's managing Drive Max. I’m on leave, obviously. Laura's currently curating a Michelin Guide, but it's for K-pop merch stores."

Vanessa, chuckling: "Photocard soups?"

Wade: "Exactly! Yukio and Negasonic are currently rating photocard soups. Others? They’re doing fine. Blind Al still wants that snort stuff, but that’s prohibited because we don't want to upset our younger audience. Gotta keep that 'Teen And Up Audiences' rating, you know!"

Alison, a small, tired sigh: "Good. Keep the fort safe. I have a firm to shake up."

Eventually, NewJeans emerge downstairs, about to join the trio as their new supportive lawyer approaches them.

Alison: “Yeorobun~~ How are my favorite clients and neighbors doing this bright, lawsuit-filled morning?”

NewJeans, in chorus: “Ali-unnie!”

Danielle: “You look like a K-Drama lawyer! Did you sleep?”

Alison: “Briefly. On caffeine. And maybe an expired energy drink Wade left in the fridge.”

Wade, sheepish: “Hey! That was vintage Red Bull. Limited edition from my ‘X-Force Bankruptcy’ era.”

Logan, muttering: “Figures.”

Vanessa, smiling: “Go knock them out today, Ali. We’ll make sure these kids eat instead of panic.”

Alison: “Thanks, Vanessa-ssi. And Wade…”

Wade, mock-saluting: “Yes, Ms. Starlight-at-Law?”

Alison: “…Don’t livestream another protest. I don’t have time to file for interdimensional permits again.”

Wade: “Aww. You did see that?”

Alison: “The entire firm did. Someone thought you were doing guerrilla marketing for a new K-pop group called Backstreetpool.”

NewJeans giggle. Even Logan smirks.

Alison: “Okay, kids. Eat, rest, and let me handle the boring adult drama for a few hours. Not even English subtitles could save me from Korean legalese. Or Latin. Pro bono. Anyways, say… Annyeong~~??”

Wade, waving: “Yeah, goodbye. Annyeong~~”

Alison also waves, straightens her blazer, and disappears into the morning rush.

Gangnam.

Alison steps through the glass doors of a sleek corporate firm with the signage Nunbunsin Byeolbit Legal Group (눈부신 별빛 법률그룹) glows. The reception desk gleams; assistants hurry past with case files. She exhales, steadying herself.

A junior associate and her other colleagues greet her.

Associate, bowing: “Annyeonghaseyo~~ Attorney Blaire, the ADOR case files you requested just arrived from the court registry.”

Alison: “Thank you. I’ll review them in my office. Kamsahamnida.”

She walks down the hall, opens the binder, and freezes. Inside, neatly tabbed under Exhibit F, are studio demo logs and lyric drafts labeled:

“NEWJEANS: FULL ALBUM PROJECT: Tentative Q1 Release.”

Her eyes widen. A faint echo of fan chants from her memory blends with the rustle of legal paper.

Alison, whispering: “They… already planned a comeback? They’re using the art as leverage?”

The light from the window flares across her face: half lawyer, half former pop star, caught between both worlds.

Alison, to herself: “Not on my watch.”

[Cue soft music under the hum of Seoul traffic outside.]

To be continued…

Chapter Text

The sun glints off the Hangang River as the five NewJeans members finish their lap, stretching near the water.

Hanni, breathing hard, wiping her forehead: “Minji-unnie, that was our fastest time yet! Maybe we should audition for the Olympics instead of going back to the studio.

Minji: “It’s the playlist. That Dazzler album is pure motivation. We need that kind of energy when we're running away from billion-won lawsuits.”

Suddenly, the playlist shuffles to a sweet-sounding yet older, aggressive Dazzler song… from 2019?

Haerin: “Woah, what’s this song? It’s making my legs itchy. But that’s just as unreleased as a demo? That sucks to happen.”

Hyein: “Yeah, I think my speed just doubled! Quicksilver who?”

The girls take off in a fresh sprint, achieving seemingly superhuman speeds. They laugh, genuinely fast.

Danielle, yelling, excited: “Okay, this is definitely supernatural!

Turn all the lights out
Taking me higher
Put your hands on
Put your hands on me

From the distant jogging path, two groups of figures in dark, athletic wear emerge, rapidly closing the distance. They wear minimal logos, but a stylized silver 'H' is visible on their sleeves.

Minji, eyes widening, braking hard: “Stop! We’re not alone. Those aren't joggers. They’re too… organized.”

Hanni, panicked: “They're cutting us off from the bridge! They look like they're trying to corral us!”

The masked figures accelerate, their movements too fluid and coordinated for normal humans. The NewJeans members huddle.

Haerin: “Who are they? They look like bodyguards, but they’re wearing the wrong colors. Are they HYBE after all?”

Danielle, shaking her head, pointing at the silver 'H': “No, this is different. They’re forcing us toward the exit…”

Hyein, tears welling up, terrified: “They are forcing us to go to the GALA!”

One of the H-people step up to confront the girls.

H-Men leader: “No one forces you to join. We were convinced to invite you to the gala.”

Haerin, confused: “What gala? The Frosty one? And why are you playing SNSD sunbaenim’s theme?”

“You better run, run, run, run, run
Deoneun mot bwa, geodeochajullae”

The last figure closes in on them. Cut sharply.

Haerin, running away at the speed of light: “I immediately regret my decision!”

H-Men associates: “We expect you to have better outfits. You are coming.”

Minji, scared and confused: “Someone decided it was the right time to play Marvel Rivals in real life, like hello?”

To be continued…

Chapter Text

Inside Nunbunsin Legal, the office is sleek but tense. Alison, sharply dressed, is pacing near the window, phone pressed to her ear. Outside, a sudden, heavy snowstorm has started, and a dark-clad swarm of figures with the silver 'H' emblem is forming a perimeter on the street below.

Alison, frantic, pacing: "Wade! Logan! Vanessa, pick up! This isn't a joke! There are stalkers around my work area! Please help!"

She gets Wade's automated line, a loud, off-key singing message.

[Wade, voiceover, singing off-key: "Sorry, the mercenary you've reached is currently on an unauthorized chimichanga run across the multiverse! Leave a message after the fourth-wall break!"]

Alison, slamming the phone down: "Aish! Jinjja! Pabo! The whole world is falling apart and they're rating photocard soups!"

A junior associate bursts into her office, shivering.

Associate: "Attorney Blaire-ssi, they're demanding to see you. They claim to be representatives from HYBE's specialized security team, citing an immediate return clause for the NewJeans artists!"

Alison, to the associate: "Tell them I'll be down. And call the police. Say there's a hostage situation, because those girls are not going back to be used as financial assets!"

Alison grabs her blazer, pausing at the window.

Alison, muttering to the snow, almost singing: "They want the girls back... no appeal. They're doing... what? Wae?"

She descends to the lobby. The leader of the 'H' men steps forward.

Alison, voice sharp, carrying: "You cannot be serious. They said they would appeal last time. Why the sudden change of heart? I’m currently processing that decision."

H-Men Leader, voice monotone, flat: "Attorney Blaire. Their choice is final. They are required to return to the principal timeline. You have no authority here."

A white shimmer, like bad TV reception, pulses. Alison feels a sudden strain.

Alison, suddenly furious, projecting her voice: "And you have no authority over my clients' artistic rights! This is not how you treat artists!"

The leader flinches, shielding his eyes from the non-existent light that seems to radiate from her.

Alison: "I demand that you stop! They are human beings! Jinjja! Nappeun saram!"

And she digs in about her past self to that bunch of H-Men still clinging to “Dazzler”.

“And about those songs you just sang. Do not ever sing those again. You don’t have the perfect voice. I would’ve smashed your heads off if you dared to just hum those melodies one more time, but I won't risk my license just for that. I would sue you for attempted harassment… trespassing… defamation…”

The exertion causes her to collapse heavily onto the cold, snowy marble floor, unconscious.

Hours later. Vanessa finally arrives near the Nunbunsin Legal building. Ali’s associate and two police officers are on standby.

Vanessa: "What happened? I couldn't reach them!"

Associate: "Attorney Blaire-ssi collapsed at the firm. The ambulance is outside. The police couldn't stop those... those H-people. They dispersed the moment she fell. I'm sorry for what happened to your friend."

Vanessa rushes to Alison, who is now on a stretcher attended by paramedics. Alison's phone is glowing faintly on the floor.

[Vanessa picks up the phone.]

[The screen shows an active call: Minji (NewJeans) - On Hold. Vanessa quickly puts the phone to her ear.]

Minji, soft, panicked: "Alison-unnie? We... we were running so fast, but they got us... Don’t mind about ADOR anymore. But that thing is still better than... unnie, tell her! Tell her that we would rather go back there than be pruned! We haven’t prepared a statement yet! But the fight goes on…"

Vanessa gasps, looking down at Alison. Alison's eyes flutter open, gaining a moment of clarity.

Alison, mumbling, labored breaths, mixing English and Korean: "Tell them... tell them, make sure to protect them. If not... they'll still be responsible. Sseuregi gyesiya. I would rather have them be bound in that messy ADOR contract... than disappear from this Earth. No pruning..."

The sudden, piercing sound of multiple sirens blares over the surrounding streets. Paramedics secure Alison.

Paramedic, urgently: "She’s too cold. We need to go. Fast."

Alison, scared, voice reduced to a whisper: “Ani. No, send me home. Back to the store. They shouldn’t know this.”

Vanessa clutches the phone.

Vanessa, into the phone, voice firm despite the tears: "Minji, listen to me. She told me to protect you. I heard you. She'd rather you be bound than... pruned. But Minji, what is the 'H'?! What does it stand for?!"

Minji, voice barely audible, fading out: "It... it stands for Hell... Hell...fire... Emma... F--"

The call cuts out with a sound like tearing fabric. Vanessa stares at the dead phone as the stretcher is wheeled away. The snow falls harder, lit by flashing emergency lights.

Vanessa, to herself, her eyes cold with resolve: "Pruned... Hellfire... Emma Frost. No. They are not going to take the girls. Not from this Earth."

To be continued...