Chapter 97: A Just Group Beatdown
Central Park, lakeside.
The murky lake water exploded.
Carol Danvers, the former Captain Marvel who once soared through the Universe.
At this moment, she was like a drowned rat, miserably standing up from the sludge.
The dark red battle suit on her body was burnt to tatters, revealing skin covered in black magic patterns.
"Roar—!!!"
She let out a roar that didn't sound human.
The black mist in her eyes grew thicker, as if even her sanity had been completely swallowed by the darkhold.
"Kill... kill... the false god..."
She desperately tried to soar into the sky again.
To go and risk her life against the man standing above the clouds.
However.
The moment her feet left the ground.
"Zzzzt—!!!"
A dazzling bolt of blue lightning struck the top of her head without warning!
Boom!
The massive impact forced her back into the mud.
Electro Max hovered in mid-air, current surging through his body, smiling like a villain (though he already was one):
"Hey, old lady."
"Where do you think you're going?"
"The boss said your opponents are us."
"Looking for the boss?"
"You think you're worthy?"
Carol roared, trying to counterattack despite the current.
But the next second.
"Clang!"
A silver whirlwind swept past instantly.
Quicksilver Pietro's figure pulled out countless afterimages in the air.
"Too slow! Too slow!"
"This is the strongest in the Universe?"
"Looks like the slowest in the Universe to me!"
Pietro mocked her while landing hundreds of strikes on Carol.
Although the damage wasn't high.
It was extremely humiliating.
Carol was knocked around, unable to lock onto a target at all.
"Enough!"
She erupted with a wave of black photon energy.
Wanting to blast away this annoying fly.
But the moment the energy wave expanded.
"Hum—"
An invisible, massive wall of psychokinetic force appeared out of thin air.
Like a transparent dome, it pinned that violent energy firmly in place!
Jean Grey.
She stood on the rocks by the lake, red hair flying, her gaze indifferent.
The Phoenix Force leaked just a sliver of its aura.
It was enough to suppress this photon energy contaminated by dark magic.
"Filthy power."
Jean frowned, her face full of disgust:
"This kind of thing shouldn't exist in the World."
Before Carol could recover from the telekinetic suppression.
In the sky.
Countless steel rebars twisted into spikes fell like a torrential rain!
"Magneto is here!"
Eric hovered in mid-air, his hands pressing down.
That overbearing aura of controlling everything was even stronger than during his time in the Brotherhood.
"Go!"
Puchi puchi puchi puchi!
Countless rebars, like nails, pinned Carol firmly to the ground!
Although her body was as hard as iron.
Under Magneto's microscopic control, those metal pieces slid directly through the gaps in her battle suit, binding her tightly!
"Roar!!!"
Carol struggled frantically.
Black mist erupted from her body, attempting to melt the metal.
"Still want to move?"
A golden figure fell like a meteorite.
Thud!
Sentinel Robert Reynolds.
He knelt on one knee, pinning Carol's head down with one hand.
The power derived from a million exploding suns erupted instantly!
"For me—"
"Stay down!"
Boom!!!
The ground collapsed.
Carol's entire head was pressed deep into the ground.
Complete suppression!
A total gang-up!
The true caliber of the Homelander Group!
...
The top floor of the Homelander Group Building.
Arthur leaned against the railing, holding a bucket of popcorn (which he'd just had Wesley bring up).
He watched the one-sided battle below.
The smile on his face never faded.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
"So tragic."
"Truly tragic."
"The so-called 'strongest combatant of the Avengers'?"
"In front of my employees, she's just a high-level infantryman."
He grabbed a handful of popcorn and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Eddie!"
Arthur shouted into his earpiece:
"Give me a close-up!"
"Especially the shot of the Sentinel pinning her head down."
"Make sure it's clear!"
"I want the whole World to see."
"How fragile the heroes of the old era are."
On the helicopter.
Eddie Brock's hands were shaking with excitement.
"Copy that, Boss!"
"This footage is absolutely incredible!"
"I've already thought of the headline—"
"The God's Praetorian Guard! A Just Group Beatdown!"
...
In the underground air-raid shelter.
Nick Fury watched the hopeless images on the screen.
The pages of the darkhold were crushed to dust in his hand.
"How can this be..."
"How could it turn out like this..."
The ultimate weapon he had placed high hopes on.
The Captain Marvel he had summoned back by sacrificing his soul.
Hadn't even seen Arthur's face.
Before being rubbed into the ground by a bunch of his subordinates?
"No!"
"It's not over yet!"
Blood-tears streamed from Fury's eyes.
He began to frantically chant an incantation.
An incantation to sacrifice his life.
"Chthon!"
"Grant me power!"
"Let chaos descend!"
Along with his chanting.
On the screen.
Carol, who was being ground into the dirt, suddenly underwent a transformation.
Boom!!!
A pillar of energy as black as ink surged into the sky from within her!
It directly flipped the Sentinel who was pinning her down.
Shattered Magneto's steel rebars.
And even broke through Jean's telekinetic barrier.
"Roar—!!!"
Carol stood up.
Her body began to swell, her skin turned completely black, and a pair of wings made of pure dark energy even sprouted from her back.
Binary Mode—Blackened Version!
That terrifying aura instantly enveloped all of Manhattan.
"Oh?"
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"A phase-two transformation?"
"Interesting."
He had no intention of taking action himself.
He just calmly said a word into his earpiece:
"Wanda."
"It's your turn to take the stage."
"Let her see..."
"What is called—"
"True magic."
On the edge of the battlefield.
Scarlet Witch Wanda, who had not yet acted.
Heard the divine command.
She slowly stepped out of the shadows.
In those beautiful eyes, a crimson light flickered.
That was Chaos Magic.
A power that even the Sorcerer Supreme would be wary of.
"Yes, Boss."
Wanda looked at Carol, who had already turned into a monster.
There was no fear on her face.
Only a kind of... sorrow for seeing one of her own kind.
And.
A determination to purify her.
"You have been swallowed by the darkness."
Wanda raised both hands.
Red energy danced at her fingertips.
"This shouldn't be your end."
"Let me..."
"Help set you free."
Boom!
Red Chaos Magic and black dark energy.
In the sky above Central Park.
Collided violently!
This was a peak duel on the magic side!
The heavens and earth changed color!
The red and black energy storm swept everything around it into the void.
"Aaahhh—!!!"
Carol let out a roar of pain.
Under the erosion of Chaos Magic.
The dark energy on her body began to peel away and dissipate.
Reality Warping!
That was Wanda's ability!
"I say—"
Wanda's voice was ethereal and divine:
"Darkness, begone!"
Hum!!!
The red light flared intensely!
That overbearing dark energy was like snow meeting a blazing sun.
It disintegrated instantly!
The wings on Carol's back shattered, and the black markings on her body faded.
She turned back into the woman in the red and blue battle suit.
Only.
At this moment.
She had completely lost consciousness.
Falling powerlessly from the sky.
"Slap."
She slammed into the mud.
Without moving another inch.
The entire field was dead silent.
Then.
Deafening cheers erupted!
"We won! We won again!"
"Long live the Scarlet Witch!"
"Long live the Homelander Group!"
[Ding! Detected that the host's The Seven have displayed dominant combat power!]
[Ding! Public confidence in the Homelander Group has reached fanatical levels!]
[Ding! popularity points +20,000,000!]
[Ding! popularity points +30,000,000...]
Arthur watched the numbers rising crazily.
Satisfied, he stuffed the last handful of popcorn into his mouth.
"Not bad."
"This play was performed quite brilliantly."
He brushed the crumbs off his hands.
And slowly rose into the air.
Arriving at the center of the battlefield.
He looked at the unconscious Captain Marvel.
Then glanced at his subordinates, who were looking at him with worshipful faces.
"Take her back."
Arthur ordered:
"Lock her in the suppression cell prepared for Mutants."
"Remember."
"Put the best collar on her."
"From now on."
"She is our company's—"
"Watchdog."
"Yes, Boss!"
Logan chuckled, dragging Carol away like a dead dog.
Having dealt with this side.
Arthur turned around.
Those eyes glowing with red light.
Looked directly toward Hells Kitchen.
Through layers of obstacles.
He saw the Black Braised Egg, who was already spitting blood.
"Nick Fury."
Arthur's voice rang directly in Fury's mind:
"Are you out of cards?"
"If not."
"Then hurry up."
"If you're out..."
A cruel smile curled on Arthur's lips:
"Then wash your neck."
"And wait for death."
...
Inside the underground air-raid shelter.
"Pfft—"
Fury suddenly spat out a mouthful of black blood.
That was the backlash from the darkhold.
Carol was defeated.
Completely and utterly defeated.
And she was defeated head-on by that little Witch.
"It's over..."
"It's all over..."
Captain America Steve Rogers sat in a corner, his shield dropped on the ground.
His eyes were hollow.
"We can't win at all."
"They're just a bunch of monsters."
"A bunch of monsters armed by a god."
Natasha wiped her tears, not knowing what to say.
The former Avengers.
Now only this room full of the old, the weak, and the crippled remained.
"No!"
Fury suddenly raised his head.
In that one eye, the final madness was still burning.
"We haven't lost yet!"
"I still have one last card!"
With trembling hands, he opened the last page of the darkhold.
That page.
Was a forbidden incantation written in blood.
Summoning—
The Crimson Lord, Cyttorak!
"Since we can't win in this Universe."
"Then let's take this Universe..."
"And destroy it together!"
Fury began to chant.
His body began to burn.
His soul began to be sacrificed.
"Fury! Stop!"
Captain America tried to stop him but was repelled by an invisible force.
"Too late..."
Fury's body turned to ash in the flames.
Leaving only that crazed voice echoing:
"Arthur..."
"I'll wait for you in hell!!!"
Boom!!!
The entire air-raid shelter collapsed instantly.
An aura more terrifying than Dormammu's and more evil than Thanos's.
From deep underground...
It awakened!
...
Homelander Group Building.
Arthur had just returned to his office.
Before his seat was even warm.
"Hmm?"
He frowned.
Sensing that uncomfortable aura.
"That smell again."
"The stench of a muddy swamp."
Arthur walked to the window.
Watching the blood-red pillar of light rising from the direction of Hells Kitchen.
"Cyttorak?"
He recognized the source of that power.
The Lord of the Crimson Cosmos.
Red Tank's sugar daddy.
"Is this your trump card? Nick."
Arthur laughed.
A somewhat helpless laugh.
"Why do you all always think..."
"That calling a slightly larger insect over..."
"Could bite an elephant to death?"
He shook his head.
"Since you're here."
"Then I might as well..."
"Take you in as well."
Arthur raised his left hand.
Six Infinity Stones.
Plus the unlocked full power of the high-level Silver Superman.
"Cyttorak."
"I heard your Crimson Gem is quite valuable?"
"Just as well."
"In my display case."
"I'm still missing a red bead."
Boom!!!
Arthur smashed through the ceiling.
Turning into a bolt of golden divine lightning.
Heading straight for that blood-colored pillar of light!
"Boys!"
"Overtime!"
"Tonight..."
"We're eating—"
"Braised Demon God!"
Chapter 98: This World is Enough with Just Me
Hell's Kitchen was now living up to its name.
The former slum and gang hangout had been completely reduced to scorched Earth.
That abandoned air-raid shelter was long gone.
In its place was a massive crater hundreds of meters in diameter.
Inside the crater.
Crimson energy surged like boiling magma.
An ancient, tyrannical, and indescribable aura of terror was erupting frantically from the rift connecting to the Crimson Cosmos.
The sky was dyed blood-red.
It was the color of despair.
"Roar—!!!"
A dull roar, as if coming from deep within the Earth's crust, shook all of Manhattan.
That was no human voice.
It was the whisper of a god or demon.
At the edge of the crater.
Captain America Steve Rogers and Black Widow Natasha were struggling to withstand that terrifying pressure.
Their faces were pale, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
"Is this... what Fury summoned?"
Natasha's hands gripping her guns were covered in cold sweat:
"This feeling... it's even more suffocating than facing Thanos."
Captain America didn't speak.
He stared fixedly at the crater.
The light in his eyes was slowly fading.
To fight one tyrant, they had brought forth a World-destroying demon god.
Is this what they call "justice"?
Fury...
Did you really do the right thing?
Just then.
"Boom—!!!"
Above the sky.
A bolt of golden divine thunder tore through the blood-red clouds.
That oppressive atmosphere was instantly dispersed by half.
That man.
Had arrived.
John Arthur hovered directly above the crater.
His deep blue suit looked exceptionally profound under the reflection of the blood-red light.
The star-spangled cape behind him flapped loudly in the fierce wind.
He crossed his arms, looking at the red light below with a playful expression.
"So this is Cyttorak?"
John Arthur's voice, amplified by the Mind Stone, clearly spread throughout the scene:
"Why hasn't he come out yet?"
"Is he shy?"
"Or perhaps..."
"Is he too ugly to show his face?"
"Presumptuous!!!"
From within the crater came a roar like a thunderclap.
Immediately after.
A giant hand made of pure crimson energy suddenly reached out from the rift!
It grabbed the edge of the crater.
The ground cracked.
A mountain-like figure slowly crawled out.
It was a giant clad in crimson heavy armor.
Wearing that iconic round helmet that only revealed two glowing eyes.
Crimson Sovereign.
Cyttorak!
Although this was just his projection avatar on Earth.
That dimensional pressure was still enough to drive mortals insane instantly.
"Ant."
Cyttorak looked up.
Those eyes burning with demonic fire stared fixedly at John Arthur in the air.
"Was it you..."
"Who disturbed my slumber?"
"That little sacrificial insect said..."
"You want to challenge a god?"
"Challenge?"
John Arthur laughed.
He slowly descended, hovering in front of Cyttorak.
The size difference between the two was immense.
Before Cyttorak, John Arthur was like a mosquito.
But in terms of presence.
John Arthur completely displayed a crushing posture.
"No, no, no, big guy."
John Arthur extended a finger and wagged it gently:
"I'm not here to challenge you."
"I'm here to..."
"Restock."
John Arthur's gaze fell upon the massive red gem on Cyttorak's chest.
The Crimson Gem.
It was the source of Cyttorak's power.
And the treasure that could turn a mortal into the Juggernaut.
"That bead."
"I've taken a liking to it."
"Hand it over."
"I might consider..."
A cruel smile curled at the corner of John Arthur's mouth:
"Giving you a quick death."
"Arrogant!"
Cyttorak was enraged.
As a Multiverse-level demon god, he was the absolute ruler in the Crimson Cosmos.
When had he ever been so insulted by a mortal?
"Since you seek death."
"Then I shall grant it to you!"
"Crimson Bands!"
Boom!
Cyttorak slammed his hands together.
Countless crimson energy chains appeared out of thin air!
Instantly binding John Arthur tightly!
These chains weren't just energy.
They contained the laws of the Crimson Cosmos.
Once ensnared, even the Hulk wouldn't be able to move!
"Got you, little insect!"
Cyttorak grinned savagely.
He reached out his giant hand, wanting to crush John Arthur.
"Is that it?"
Bound like a zongzi, John Arthur showed no panic.
He even let out a yawn.
"This kind of bondage play..."
"Is a bit low-level."
"Break—"
"Open!"
Buzz!
John Arthur's muscles flexed slightly.
The power of an Advanced Silver Superman instantly erupted!
Combined with the purple glow of the Power Stone!
"Snap! Snap! Snap!"
Those crimson chains, said to be inescapable.
In this instant.
All snapped!
Dissipating into countless red sparks.
"What?!"
Cyttorak was stunned.
His hand froze mid-air.
How is this possible?
This is pure physical strength?!
"Too brittle."
John Arthur cracked his wrists, producing a series of loud pops.
"Big guy."
"It seems the quality of your chains isn't up to par."
"Did you buy them on Pinduoduo?"
"Damn you!"
Cyttorak was fly into a rage from shame.
"Crimson Bombardment!"
Boom boom boom!
Countless crimson energy spheres rained down like a meteor shower, bombarding John Arthur!
Every single energy sphere was enough to level a city!
"Too slow."
John Arthur's figure flickered.
Instantly vanishing from the spot.
The next second.
He appeared above Cyttorak's head.
"Let me show you."
"What real—"
"Bombardment looks like!"
John Arthur's eyes glared.
Sizzle—!!!
Two incredibly thick beams of Heat Vision.
Under the dual empowerment of the Reality Stone and Mind Stone.
Transformed into two golden dragons!
Blasting straight towards Cyttorak's helmet!
"Clang—!!!"
A deafening roar.
Cyttorak's indestructible magic helmet.
Under the impact of the Heat Vision.
Instantly turned glowing red!
Then...
Melted!
"Ah!!!"
Cyttorak let out a scream of agony.
That soul-scorching heat was unbearable even for a demon god like him.
He staggered back, crushing countless ruins.
"Boys!"
John Arthur hovered in the air, in no hurry to pursue.
Instead, he waved a hand behind him.
"What are you all standing around for?"
"Can't you see the BOSS's health bar is visible?"
"Go—"
"Farm him!"
"Yes! Boss!"
The Seven, who had been waiting for a long time, instantly charged from all directions.
"Make way! Make way!"
Logan, cigar in mouth, led the charge.
"This big guy's hide seems pretty thick!"
"Let me test my claws!"
Shing!
adamantium claws popped out.
Logan, like a cannonball, jumped directly onto Cyttorak's knee.
"Squelch!"
The steel claws stabbed in deep!
Though for Cyttorak's size, it was like a needle prick.
But this was Adamantium!
Indestructible!
"Roar!"
Cyttorak cried out in pain, trying to swat this flea.
But just then.
"Hum—"
A powerful magnetic field instantly enveloped his arm.
Magneto Erik Lehnsherr hovered in mid-air.
He made a grasping motion with both hands.
Countless rebars and car wrecks from the surrounding ruins instantly converged into a giant iron python.
Tightly binding Cyttorak's arm!
"Though your armor isn't metal."
"There's plenty of scrap iron here!"
"Hold still!"
"Zzzzt—"
Electro Max turned into lightning and dove straight into the gaps of Cyttorak's armor.
Millions of volts of current surged frantically!
Giving this demon god a free session of electrotherapy.
"magic?"
"I'm familiar with that too."
Wanda waved her hands.
Red Chaos Magic transformed into countless blades.
Specifically attacking Cyttorak's joints and weak points.
Reality warping!
Defense weakening!
"Bang!"
Hela also made her move.
She summoned countless massive nightsky swords.
Falling from the sky like a rainstorm.
Stabbing deeply into Cyttorak's back.
"This is the so-called demon god?"
Hela looked disdainful:
"He's far worse than that big oaf Surtur."
Even the Sentinel, who usually just acted as a power bank.
Flew over at this moment.
He didn't use any fancy moves.
Just a plain and simple punch.
Boom!
This punch.
Directly hit Cyttorak, making him stumble and nearly fall.
This was a punch with the Power of a Million Exploding Suns!
Even a demon god would cry out in pain!
"This is... The Seven?"
Natasha, watching from afar, had her mouth wide open.
Too strong.
When these people coordinated.
They were simply a precision killing machine.
Even a demon god of this level.
Was being suppressed and beaten by them!
"Are we... really obsolete?"
Captain America gave a bitter laugh.
The shield in his hand hung powerlessly.
...
"Enough!!!"
Cyttorak, who was being ganged up on, finally exploded.
"I am the Crimson Sovereign!"
"I am invincible!"
Boom!
A terrifying ring of energy erupted from within him.
Directly blowing away everyone attacking him.
"You insects!"
"All of you shall die!"
Cyttorak raised both hands.
The Crimson Gem on his chest glowed intensely.
He was going to cast a forbidden spell!
To drag this entire area into the Crimson Cosmos!
"Want to use an ultimate move?"
John Arthur had been watching the show from the side.
Seeing this.
He knew.
It was time to wrap things up.
"The wind-up is too long, you idiot."
John Arthur's figure flickered.
Instantly appearing in front of Cyttorak's chest.
Within less than a meter of the Crimson Gem.
"This bead."
"Is mine."
John Arthur reached out.
On his bracer.
The Space Stone flashed blue.
"Space—"
"Peel!"
Buzz!
A piece of Cyttorak's chest armor instantly vanished.
Revealing the embedded Crimson Gem inside.
Immediately after.
The Reality Stone flashed red.
"Reality—"
"Modify!"
The soul-bound gem connection with Cyttorak.
In this instant.
Was forcibly severed!
"No!!!"
Cyttorak discovered in horror.
That he and his source of power...
Had lost connection!
"Yoink!"
John Arthur grabbed the Crimson Gem.
And yanked it out!
Crack!
This gem containing the power of the Crimson Cosmos.
Was forcibly ripped out by him!
"Ah—!!!"
Deprived of the gem, Cyttorak.
Was like a balloon with its air let out.
His massive body began to rapidly shrink and shrivel.
His originally terrifying aura instantly withered.
This was his weakness.
In this dimension, all his power came from this gem.
AI Model: gemini-3.1-flash-lite
The gem is gone.
He is finished too.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Arthur toyed with the fist-sized ruby in his hand.
Feeling the surging energy within it.
"The quality is not bad."
"Even better than I imagined."
He casually stored the gem into his system space (treasures of this level are worth keeping).
Then.
He looked at the Cyttorak projection that had shrunk to the size of an ordinary person and was slumped on the ground.
"Now."
"Do you have any last words?"
"You..."
Cyttorak raised his head.
Those eyes were filled with venom:
"You will regret this..."
"The Crimson Universe will not let you go..."
"I will return..."
"Return?"
Arthur laughed.
He raised his foot.
That was the foot wearing a combat boot.
"Welcome back."
"As long as you aren't afraid of being beaten by me again."
"But this time..."
Arthur applied pressure with his foot.
"You will first—"
"Turn to ash!"
Boom!
With one stomp.
This projection avatar of Cyttorak.
Was crushed instantly!
It turned into a cloud of red smoke and dissipated completely into the air.
The battle was over.
Clean and swift.
[Ding! Detected that the host has defeated the Crimson Sovereign Cyttorak (projection)!]
[Ding! Captured the Crimson Gem!]
[Ding! The global broadcast effect is explosive again! Public faith in the host has reached god-level!]
[Ding! popularity points + 50,000,000!]
[Ding! popularity points + 80,000,000...]
[Current popularity points: 385,000,000!]
385 million!
Arthur looked at this number, laughing like a 300-pound child.
"This wave wasn't a loss."
"That old guy Fury actually sent me a big gift before he died."
He turned around.
Looked at Captain America and Natasha not far away.
The two of them were completely stunned.
They looked at Arthur.
As if they were looking at a truly...
Invincible god.
"You two."
Arthur straightened his tie and slowly flew over.
His face wore that familiar, ominously friendly smile:
"The show is over."
"Time to buy tickets, right?"
Captain America gripped his shield tightly.
Although desperate.
He still did not retreat.
"What do you want?"
"To kill us?"
"Kill you?"
Arthur shook his head:
"No, no, no."
"I said it before."
"I am a merciful god."
"And..."
Arthur pointed to the surrounding cameras (Eddie is really dedicated; even during that battle just now, he didn't turn them off):
"Killing people in front of so many viewers."
"It has a bad influence."
"So."
Arthur snapped his fingers.
Wesley immediately ran over and handed him a document.
"Sign it."
Arthur threw the document to Captain America:
"This is the'Superhero Retirement Security Agreement'."
"Sign it."
"Then you can go to that island I bought in Hawaii."
"Enjoy your retirement."
"Fish and sunbathe every day."
"No need to worry about World peace anymore."
"Because..."
Arthur pointed at himself:
"This World."
"Me being here is enough."
Captain America looked at the agreement.
He looked at the ruins around him.
Finally.
He looked at Natasha beside him.
Both of their eyes were filled with exhaustion and helplessness.
They had lost.
Lost completely.
In this era of absolute power.
They, the remnants of the old era.
Indeed...
Needed to exit the stage.
"Fine."
Captain America picked up the document.
Signed his name.
That was the last thing he did as Captain America.
...Three days later.
Homelander Group Building.
Arthur sat on the throne made of Vibranium and Asgardian gold.
He held the newly made desk lamp—Dormammu's fire—in his hand.
Beside him sat the Crimson Gem acting as a paperweight.
Wesley was reporting the work:
"Boss."
"The remnants of the Avengers have been completely cleared out."
"S.H.I.E.L.D. has also been completely reorganized, now called 'Eye of Heaven', under our direct jurisdiction."
"Every country in the World has signed the 'Arthur Peace Agreement'."
"You could say..."
"The entire Earth is now under your control."
"Hmm."
Arthur nodded.
Everything was within expectations.
"However..."
Wesley paused and brought out a new piece of intelligence:
"News from Kang."
"He has deciphered a new cosmic coordinate."
"Oh?"
Arthur became interested:
"What place is it?"
"It is..."
Wesley hesitated:
"It is a place known as the 'X-Men movie Universe'."
"That is..."
"The Universe that possesses a complete Mutant timeline."
"And."
"According to Kang's detection."
"The timeline of that Universe is collapsing."
"It seems something powerful..."
"Is awakening."
"X-Men Universe?"
Arthur's eyes lit up instantly.
He looked at Magneto (of this Universe) who was watering flowers nearby.
Then he glanced at Logan who was smoking a cigar.
"Eric, Logan."
"Want to go see..."
"Another version of yourselves?"
"Especially you, Eric."
Arthur curled the corner of his mouth in a mischievous smile:
"I heard that you in that Universe."
"Is an old man who likes to play chess."
"And you have a thing..."
"With that bald guy, Charles."
The watering can in Magneto's hand was almost crushed.
"Boss..."
"Can I go kill him?"
"Of course."
Arthur stood up.
His red cape fluttered.
"Get ready."
"We are going on a—"
"Parallel Universe team-building trip!"
"This time."
"I want to pack up and take away all the Mutants in that Universe!"
"By the way..."
A glint flashed in Arthur's eyes:
"I also want to see."
"If that so-called 'Apocalypse'."
"Is really as..."
"Durable as the legends say."
...Meanwhile.
In that distant X-Men Universe.
In an ancient pyramid.
An ancient Mutant who had been sleeping for thousands of years.
Slowly opened his eyes.
En Sabah Nur.
Apocalypse.
He had awakened.
"False god..."
He felt it.
A powerful aura from another Universe, so strong it suffocated him.
Was approaching.
"War..."
"Is about to begin."
...Homelander Group Building, underground laboratory.
The space here had been expanded again.
The showroom that originally stored battle armor had now become a massive cross-Universe portal base.
Tony Stark, with his messy bird's-nest hair, was holding a wrench and performing final adjustments on the complex quantum core.
The circles under his eyes were as dark as a miner who had just finished digging coal.
"Damn it..."
"That bastard..."
Tony muttered while tightening screws:
"I am a scientist! A genius! Iron Man!"
"Not his renovation crew foreman!"
"Cross-Universe teleportation? How did he even come up with that!"
"With this level of energy fluctuation, if there's even a slight deviation, the entire New York would be sucked into the void!"
"Jarvis, how is the parameter calibration going?"
"Sir, although I hate to discourage you, there seems to be a decimal point labeled incorrectly in the formula provided by that guy named Kang."
"F*ck!"
Tony slammed the wrench onto the ground.
"I knew that pervert in a skirt wasn't reliable!"
Just then.
"Hum—"
A familiar spatial ripple rippled through the laboratory.
Tony's body stiffened instantly.
That suffocating sense of oppression.
Even without turning his head, he knew who had come.
"Yo, Tony."
Arthur walked out of the blue portal with light steps.
He held a bunch of grapes (just taken from the White House kitchen), eating them and spitting out the skins.
"Still complaining?"
"Seems like your work enthusiasm is very high."
Arthur walked behind Tony, reached out, and lightly patted his stiff shoulder:
"How is it?"
"Is the door to the new World open?"
Tony took a deep breath.
He turned around and squeezed out a very forced fake smile:
"Of course, Boss."
"Tony Stark never disappoints."
He pointed to the huge ring device behind him:
"Based on the coordinates provided by Kang, and the energy frequency we extracted from the Infinity Stones."
"This door."
"Can now lead to the Universe codenamed 'X-1983'."
"However..."
Tony hesitated:
"The physical constants of that Universe are slightly different from ours."
"After going over, there might be a little... um, culture shock?"
"Like superpowers going out of control, or Mutant genes running wild."
"Doesn't matter."
Arthur waved his hand, looking indifferent:
"I am a god."
"Rules are for mortals."
"To me."
"No matter which Universe it is."
"It's all my backyard."
He threw the last grape into his mouth.
"Good job, Tony."
"I'll give you a bonus later."
"Although I know you'd rather have a vacation."
"But..."
Arthur leaned closer and whispered:
"Being able to serve me."
"That is your greatest vacation."
After speaking.
He ignored the Iron Man who was about to collapse.
He turned around and shouted to the air behind him:
"Little ones!"
"Come in!"
"We are going on a—"
"Spring outing!"
...As soon as he finished speaking.
The laboratory door was pushed open.
The fully armed "The Seven" filed in.
Magneto Eric was still wearing his deep purple combat suit, his cape fluttering without wind behind him.
But today, there was a hint of... complexity in his eyes.
Even anticipation.
"That Universe..."
Eric walked to Arthur's side, his voice low:
"Is there really another me?"
"Of course."
Arthur smiled:
"And, that version of you..."
"Has it much worse than you."
"Wife is dead, daughter is dead."
"Now he's hiding in a steel mill working as a laborer."
Chapter 99: The Blue-Skinned Freak and Magneto's "Filial Piety"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Arthur shook his head:
"You're really a disgrace to the name Magneto."
A cold glint flashed in Eric's eyes.
The surrounding metal instruments began to emit a "buzzing" vibration.
"Then he..."
"Indeed deserves to die."
"No, no, no."
Arthur extended a finger and wagged it:
"Don't be in such a hurry to kill him."
"That's your Counterpart."
"Keep him."
"Perhaps..."
"We can form a 'Magneto Duo'?"
"Two showmen tearing down houses together."
"That scene would surely be beautiful."
Logan, with a cigar in his mouth, leaned against the wall with a look of impatience:
"I say, can we hurry up?"
"My claws are getting rusty."
"I heard that Universe has a Wolverine too?"
"I'm going to see if that imposter has as much hair as I do!"
"What's the rush?"
Arthur straightened his cape.
He walked to the portal.
Raising his left hand.
On his bracer.
The light of the six Infinity Stones instantly lit up.
It resonated with the Quantum Device Tony had built.
"Rumble—!!!"
Within the previously calm ring-shaped device.
A blinding white light suddenly erupted.
Space was torn apart.
A swirling vortex leading to an unknown dimension slowly took shape.
"Alright."
Arthur turned around.
Looking at the legion of monsters he had personally created.
His face wore that signature kind smile.
"Everyone."
"Although we're going for a tour."
"Don't forget our purpose."
"What we are bringing."
"Is love."
"Is peace."
"And—"
A red light flashed in Arthur's eyes:
"Absolute rule!"
"Departure!"
...
X-Men Cinematic Universe (1983 Timeline).
Cairo, Egypt.
This ancient city.
Was currently shrouded under an eerie cloud.
Although it was daytime.
The sunlight seemed to be blocked by some kind of power.
The air was filled with dust and... an ancient, decaying aura of divine power.
Deep in the slums.
Inside a dilapidated house.
Four people in strange costumes were kneeling before a blue-skinned freak who looked like an old chili sauce bottle cap.
En Sabah Nur.
Apocalypse.
This first Mutant who had slept for thousands of years.
Was currently spreading his arms, enjoying the worship of his newly recruited "Four Horsemen of Apocalypse."
Storm, Ororo.
Psylocke.
Angel.
And...
Magneto (Fassbender version), who had just lost his wife and daughter and was filled with hatred.
"My children."
Apocalypse's voice was raspy and heavy, as if carrying an echo:
"This World."
"Has been ruled by false gods and the weak for too long."
"They built skyscrapers."
"Manufactured weapons."
"Yet they forgot true power."
Apocalypse walked up to Magneto.
Extending his large, wrinkled blue hand.
He placed it gently on Magneto's helmet.
"Eric."
"I feel your pain."
"Your anger."
"That is the source of power."
"From this day forward."
"I shall grant you..."
"Greater power!"
Buzz—!!!
A surge of purple energy poured from Apocalypse's hand.
Infusing into Magneto's body.
Magneto let out a cry of pain and exhilaration.
He felt his control over magnetic fields increasing exponentially!
Metal deep underground was calling to him.
The entire Earth's magnetic poles were surrendering to him!
"Go."
Apocalypse withdrew his hand.
His eyes were disdainful:
"Go and pull the false gods of this World off their pedestals."
"Go and destroy all those so-called civilizations..."
"Completely!"
"Upon these ruins."
"We shall establish a new—"
"Kingdom of God!"
Just as Apocalypse was delivering his chuunibyou speech, preparing to take the Four Horsemen out to tear up the streets.
"Boom—!!!"
The sky.
Split open.
It wasn't a figure of speech.
It really split open.
A massive golden rift, spanning half of Cairo.
Appeared without warning above the clouds.
Following that.
A pitch-black, ferocious warship emblazoned with a giant letter "H."
Like a giant beast emerging from the abyss.
Slowly squeezed out of the rift.
That terrifying sense of oppression.
Instantly caused the air in all of Cairo to freeze.
"That... that is..."
Storm looked up, staring at the sky in horror.
Even though she hadn't fully awakened, she could feel the...
Desperate aura emanating from that ship.
Apocalypse was also stunned.
For the first time, a look of bewilderment appeared on his blue face.
"False gods?"
"Is it a new weapon from that superpower?"
"No."
The younger version of Magneto shook his head.
He stared intently at the ship.
As a master of metal.
He could feel it.
That ship...
Was not a product of Earth.
The texture of that metal, the fluctuations of that magnetic field.
They were too advanced.
So advanced that they made him tremble.
Just then.
A golden beam of light shot down from the ship.
Landing directly on the open ground in front of them.
The light dissipated.
Seven or eight figures were revealed.
Leading them.
Was a blonde man wearing a dark blue skin-tight suit and a red cape.
He stood with his hands on his hips.
His face wore a...
Smile, as if he were watching a monkey show.
"Yo."
"Quite lively here."
Arthur looked around.
His gaze swept over Storm, Psylocke, and Angel.
Finally.
It fixed on that blue-skinned freak.
"That's right."
"Everyone's here."
"Saves me the trouble of looking for you one by one."
Arthur took a step forward.
That invisible pressure instantly erupted like a tsunami.
"You're Apocalypse?"
Arthur sized up this legendary progenitor of Mutants.
"You look..."
"Really damn ugly."
"Did you grow up eating hormones, you Smurf?"
"Presumptuous!"
Psylocke was the first to react.
A purple psionic blade lit up in her hand, and with a flash of her body, she was about to rush forward to teach this arrogant fellow a lesson.
"Begone."
Arthur didn't even look at her.
He just lightly spat out a word.
Boom!
An invisible air cannon instantly exploded.
Before Psylocke could even reach Arthur.
She was directly blown away by the airwave!
Like being hit by a high-speed train.
She crashed heavily into the nearby ruins.
Her fate unknown.
"What?!"
Apocalypse's pupils shrank slightly.
Reality Warping through speech?
Just the airflow from speaking could injure someone?
Is this really something a mortal can do?
"Who are you?"
Apocalypse asked in a deep voice.
He didn't rush to act.
As an old monster who had lived for thousands of years, he sensed an extremely dangerous aura from Arthur.
That was...
A power even more ancient and pure than his own.
"Who am I?"
Arthur smiled.
He slowly rose into the air.
The red cape behind him fluttered in the hot Egyptian wind.
"I am Homelander."
"And also..."
"The teacher who's here to teach you how to be a god—"
"Teacher."
"Teach me?"
Apocalypse was also provoked.
He considered himself a god.
"Mortal."
"Your arrogance will be your epitaph."
Apocalypse raised his hand.
In his palm.
A purple disintegration energy was gathering.
He was going to turn this ignorant fellow into sand!
"This move again?"
Arthur shook his head.
With a look of disappointment.
"You villains."
"Can't you come up with some new tricks?"
"Eric."
Arthur didn't act.
Instead, he turned to look at the older Magneto behind him.
"That kid wearing the helmet."
"I'll leave him to you."
"Go teach him."
"What it means to be a true—"
"Showman."
"Yes, Boss."
Old Magneto stepped out elegantly.
He looked at his younger, angry, yet confused self standing beside Apocalypse.
A complex look flashed in his eyes.
It was nostalgia.
And pity.
"Hey, kid."
Old Magneto spoke.
His voice was weathered and magnetic:
"That helmet."
"You're wearing it crooked."
Young Magneto was stunned.
He looked at the old man in the purple suit with a powerful aura.
An extremely eerie sense of familiarity surged in his heart.
Was that...
Bloodline resonance?
Or the echo of magnetic fields?
"Who are you?"
The Fassbender version of Magneto asked warily.
Surrounding metal began to tremble under his will.
"Who am I?"
Old Magneto smiled.
He raised his hand.
He didn't use much force.
Just a gentle wave.
Buzz—!!!
All the metal in Cairo.
Including the ore veins deep underground.
In this instant.
All emitted a deafening roar!
That level of control.
That precision.
It was as if a god were plucking harp strings.
By comparison.
Young Magneto's methods of just throwing things.
Were like an infant swinging its fists.
"I am your future."
"And also your..."
"Redemption."
Old Magneto's palm suddenly clenched.
Boom!
The metal fragments floating around young Magneto.
Instantly lost control.
Instead, they turned into a massive metal cage.
Trapping him tightly inside!
"What?!"
Young Magneto was pale with shock.
He desperately tried to regain control.
But he discovered in despair.
Before this old man.
His sensing of magnetic fields.
Was like a radio with its signal cut off.
Completely useless!
"This is the difference."
Old Magneto slowly walked to the cage.
Looking at his unwilling self inside.
"Stop struggling."
"Following that blue-skinned freak."
"Has no future."
"Look at my boss."
Old Magneto pointed at Arthur in the sky:
"That is a true god."
"That is the one worth our loyalty."
"You..."
Young Magneto looked at Old Magneto.
Then at Arthur in the sky.
His worldview collapsed.
His future self...
Was actually someone else's lackey?
And so proud of it?
What happened to this World?!
...
On the other side.
Seeing his strongest fighter instantly subdued.
Apocalypse could no longer sit still.
"Useless!"
He cursed.
Deciding to act personally.
"I will bury you..."
"All of you!"
Boom!
Apocalypse slammed both hands onto the ground.
The Earth cracked.
Countless rocks rose like giant dragons.
Carrying the momentum of destruction, they smashed towards Arthur and the others!
Matter Rearrangement!
This was Apocalypse's specialty.
"Playing with mud?"
Arthur looked at the flying stones.
He let out a yawn.
"Jean."
"I'll leave this Smurf to you."
"Don't kill him."
"I want him alive."
"Okay."
Jean Grey stepped forward.
AI Model: gemini-3.1-flash-lite
She looked at the arrogant Apocalypse.
A flash of red light flickered in her eyes.
Phoenix Force!
Hum—!!!
An invisible telekinetic force erupted instantly.
Those aggressive rock dragons,
collided with an invisible wall in mid-air,
shattering instantly!
Turning into a sky-filling sandstorm.
"What?!"
Apocalypse widened his eyes.
He felt it.
Inside that red-haired woman,
contained a power even more ancient and terrifying than his own.
What was that?
"You..."
Apocalypse just wanted to speak,
but Jean didn't want to waste any more time talking to him.
She reached out her hand.
The Phoenix Force transformed into a giant flaming bird claw,
grabbing Apocalypse's body directly.
"Give me—"
"Come here!"
Whoosh!
Apocalypse's massive body,
like a doll,
was dragged violently into mid-air by Jean.
"Ah!!!"
Apocalypse let out a roar.
He tried to teleport away,
but under the confinement of the Phoenix Force,
space itself was locked down!
He was completely unable to move!
"This is impossible!"
"I am eternal!"
"I am..."
"Slap!"
A crisp sound of a slap,
interrupted Apocalypse's roar.
Arthur flew over,
and gave him a heavy backhand.
"Shut up."
"You're too noisy."
Arthur rubbed his wrists,
looking at this stunned Mutant ancestor,
a look of extreme provocation on his face.
"Eternal?"
"In front of me,"
"do you even deserve to talk about Eternity?"
Arthur raised his left hand,
and on his bracer,
the Time Stone flashed with a green light.
"Let me see,"
"what exactly you are."
Hum!
Time reversal!
Under everyone's gaze,
Apocalypse's body began to undergo strange changes.
His blue skin began to fade,
and those bizarre armors began to disappear.
In the blink of an eye,
he had turned into a...
withered, aged, and seemingly dying ordinary Egyptian old man!
This was Apocalypse's original appearance.
If not for that body-swapping ritual,
he would have long since died of old age.
"No!!!"
Apocalypse, now an old man,
looked at his withered hands in horror.
His power,
his divine power,
in the face of the power of time,
had all vanished into nothingness!
"Give my power back to me!"
"Give it back!"
Old Apocalypse lunged at Arthur,
wanting to snatch the bracer.
But Arthur just gave a light kick.
"Get lost."
Bang!
Old Apocalypse was kicked away,
rolling into a sand dune,
getting a mouthful of sand.
A generation of Mutant ancestor,
just like that...
ruined?
The whole scene was deathly silent.
Storm (young version) and Angel were already scared silly.
They knelt on the ground, not even daring to raise their heads.
Is this a true god?
Even Apocalypse in front of him,
is just a toy?
"Boring."
Arthur shook his head.
He deactivated the Time Stone's effect.
Old Apocalypse turned back into that blue-skinned monster,
except,
at this moment,
he had completely lost his fighting spirit.
His eyes were hollow,
like a broken toy.
"Wesley."
Arthur called out.
"Here! Boss!"
Wesley, who had been filming the live stream on the side (although the cross-Universe live signal was a bit poor, this was exclusive material), ran over.
"Pack up this blue-skinned monster."
"Take him back."
"I think his genes are quite interesting."
(Note: Apocalypse's ability can be transferred and absorbed)
"Let Tony study him."
"Maybe we can develop some kind of'Superpower Transfer Serum'."
"By then..."
A trace of greed flashed in Arthur's eyes:
"We can make a big profit again."
"Yes!"
Wesley immediately directed several subordinates brought from Earth (now all at the level of Super Soldiers), took out special inhibitors, and tied Apocalypse up like a pig.
After dealing with Apocalypse,
Arthur turned around,
looking at the young Magneto trapped in the cage,
and Storm and Psylocke kneeling on the ground.
"As for you all..."
Arthur smiled,
smiling like a kidnapper.
"I see that you have extraordinary bones."
"You are cut out to be heroes."
"How about it?"
"Are you interested in..."
"Coming to my company as interns?"
"Room and board included."
"Five social insurances and one housing fund."
"And..."
Arthur pointed at Magneto and Jean behind him:
"Professional one-on-one mentorship."
Young Magneto looked at his spirited older self,
and then looked at the god-like Arthur.
He fell silent.
After a long while,
he slowly dissipated the magnetic field resistance around him,
lowering his proud head.
"I..."
"Am willing."
At this moment,
the history of the X-Men Universe,
was completely rewritten.
The Age of Apocalypse hadn't even begun,
before it had already ended.
Replacing it,
was—
The Age of Homelander!
[Ding! Detected that the host has conquered a key node in the X-Men Universe!]
[Ding! Subjugated the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse (variant)!]
[Ding! Defeated the Mutant ancestor Apocalypse!]
[Ding! Cross-Universe prestige established!]
[Ding! popularity points + 100,000,000!]
[Ding! popularity points + 200,000,000...]
[Current popularity points: 585,000,000!]
Five hundred and eighty-five million!
Arthur looked at that number,
his heart skipped a beat.
Almost there.
Almost there.
Halfway to that dream of the [Golden Superman]!
"Still have to keep making trouble."
Arthur licked his lips.
He looked up at the starry sky of this Universe.
"Since I'm here,"
"then don't be in such a hurry to leave."
"I heard that in this Universe..."
"There's a crazy woman called 'Dark Phoenix'?"
"I wonder..."
"If she can be caught back."
"To be a power bank,"
"for my Jean?"
Arthur's imagination,
was always so...
simple, unadorned, and boring.
...
X-Men Universe (Earth-1983).
Above the ruins of Cairo,
the sandstorm that originally blocked the sky had subsided. The false god Apocalypse, who had tried to reshape the World, was now packed into a dumpling-like shape, being rudely stuffed into a special containment pod by several Super Soldiers.
And in the center of the battlefield,
Arthur was floating in mid-air, holding an iced cola just brought from that World, the straw making a "slurping" sound.
He looked at the group of Mutants below, some kneeling in submission, some full of horror.
A smile appeared on his face that everyone was familiar with, like looking at the thriving leeks in his own backyard.
"Not bad."
"Really not bad."
Arthur took a sip of cola, feeling the pleasure of carbonated bubbles bursting on his tongue.
"The air in this Universe, although full of the smell of backwardness."
"But the'specialties' here are indeed very rich."
He turned his head and looked at the "The Seven" behind him.
Magneto Erik was having a staring contest with his younger self (Fassbender version).
"Listen, kid."
Magneto stood with his hands behind his back, his purple suit shining brightly in the sun:
"Take off that silly helmet."
"Working for the boss, you don't need that kind of thing to protect your brain."
"Because in this Universe, no one dares to touch the boss's people."
Young Magneto looked at this future version of himself, then looked at the blond man floating in the air.
That sense of oppression originating from the depths of his soul forced him to lower his proud head.
"I... understand."
Seeing this scene, Arthur nodded with satisfaction.
The recruitment work was going very smoothly.
However,
this was not enough.
His gaze penetrated layers of ruins, penetrated the atmosphere, and even penetrated the dimensional barrier of this Universe.
He was searching.
Searching for the most delicious "main course" in this Universe.
"System."
Arthur asked in his mind:
"Where is that little girl named Jean Grey?"
"I mean... the one in this Universe."
"The one with a grumpy little bird hidden inside her."
[Ding! Searching for target...]
[Location found!]
[Target location: United States, New York State, Westchester County, Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters!]
[Warning: The Phoenix Force inside the target is in an extremely unstable state, and the energy index is rising exponentially!]
"Unstable?"
Arthur raised an eyebrow, the smile on his lips deepening.
"Unstable is good."
"The more unstable, the more interesting."
"If she were like a tame little cat, what kind of pleasure would there be in conquering her?"
"Wesley!"
Arthur called out.
"Here! Boss!"
Wesley, who was directing his subordinates to move the gold from Apocalypse's pyramid, immediately ran over happily.
Although cross-Universe business trips were tiring, looking at his boss's satisfied expression, he felt he could work for another five hundred years.
"I'll leave this to you."
Arthur pointed to the ruins:
"Register all the Mutants who are still alive and have potential."
"Those who are willing to sign a contract, take them away."
"Those who are not willing to sign..."
A flash of red light flickered in Arthur's eyes:
"Then let them stay in these ruins forever."
"Understand?"
"Understand! Completely understand!" Wesley nodded repeatedly, cold sweat dripping down.
"Very good."
Arthur straightened his cape.
"Erik, Logan, and Jean."
He named a few people:
"Come with me."
"We're going to meet the Professor X of this Universe."
"By the way..."
"Go and tame a pet with a bit of a temper."
...
United States, Westchester County.
Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.
This was originally a peaceful pure land, a safe haven for Mutants.
But at this moment,
it had turned into the eye of a giant Storm.
A terrifying telekinetic Storm, filled with the aura of destruction, was spreading wildly from the school to the surroundings.
The ground was cracking, trees were being uprooted, and even that ancient castle building was groaning under this power.
"Jean! Control it!"
"Don't let it control you!"
Chapter 100: Because I am Homelander
Charles Xavier (McAvoy version) sat in his wheelchair, sweat drenching his forehead, fingers pressed firmly against his temples.
He was trying to use telepathy to soothe the red-haired girl who was on the verge of losing control.
But that power was too strong.
So strong it was like a supernova exploding.
His mental feelers were instantly incinerated as soon as they got close!
"Ahhh—!!!"
In the center of the lawn.
A young Jean Grey (Sophie version) was kneeling on the ground, head in hands, letting out a heart-wrenching scream.
Visible orange-red flames burned all around her.
That was the Phoenix Force!
A primal power capable of annihilating matter and rebooting the Universe!
"Get out!"
"Get out of my head!"
Jean roared, her eyes turning a pure gold—divinity devouring humanity.
"Rumble—"
The surrounding school buildings began to collapse, countless bricks floating in mid-air before turning into dust.
Cyclops, Beast, Mystique (J-Law version), and others hid behind cover in the distance, looks of despair on their faces.
They had never seen such terrifying power.
This wasn't an ability a Mutant should have.
This was divine punishment!
Just when everyone thought the school was about to vanish from the map.
"Vroom—!!!"
The sky suddenly split open.
A deep blue spatial portal appeared without warning directly above the storm.
Then.
An aura even more overbearing and tyrannical than the Phoenix Force descended from the sky!
It was absolute gravity!
It was an iron will!
"Thud!"
A heavy, muffled sound.
A golden figure crashed heavily in front of Jean Grey.
The moment the man landed, the violent telekinetic storm was actually forced back several meters, as if it had met its natural predator!
The dust settled.
Arthur stood there, hands on his hips.
His deep blue suit was spotless, and his red cape looked exceptionally vivid against the glow of the Phoenix fire.
He looked at the girl on the verge of a rampage, not a hint of fear on his face.
Instead...
He wore a slight expression of disdain.
"Tsk."
"This is the Phoenix of this Universe?"
"Why is she like a menopausal shrew, only knowing how to scream?"
Arthur shook his head and turned to look at the Jean Grey (MCU version) behind him.
"Jean."
"Look at her."
"Then look at yourself."
"Both of you play with fire, but look at her special effects—she starts off with World-ending destruction."
"That little flicker of yours is only good for lighting a cigarette."
MCU Jean Grey's face darkened.
Although she had submitted to Arthur, she couldn't help but want to roll her eyes at those words.
Please!
I am the Phoenix host, not a lighter!
"Boss."
Jean took a deep breath, looking at her younger self with a complex gaze:
"She's lost control."
"That power... it's too pure. Her body can't handle it."
"If we don't stop her, half the Earth will be burned to ash."
"Burned to ash?"
Arthur laughed.
He took a step forward.
Ignoring the telekinetic storms capable of shredding steel.
"In this Universe."
"Only I."
"Have the right to burn the Earth to ash."
"Everything else..."
Arthur's eyes suddenly lit up.
Glowing intensely red!
"...is an illegal structure!"
"Be—"
"Quiet!"
Zzzzt—!!!
Two thick beams of Heat Vision erupted instantly!
No frills, just pure high temperature and kinetic energy!
Blasting directly at the Phoenix shield held up by the young Jean Grey!
"Boom!!!"
A violent explosion echoed through the sky.
The red Heat Vision and the orange Phoenix Force collided fiercely in mid-air.
The light produced at that moment even outshone the Sun in the sky!
"Ahhh!!!"
Young Jean let out a scream.
She felt a threat.
An unprecedented threat capable of killing her!
The Phoenix Force within her was thoroughly enraged.
Boom!
A massive fire phoenix composed of pure energy burst from her body!
Spreading its wings, it blotted out the sky!
It let out a clear, high-pitched cry and lunged at Arthur with an aura of total destruction!
"Watch out!"
Professor X shouted from afar.
But Arthur didn't even blink.
Looking at the incoming firebird, he didn't retreat; instead, he reached out a hand.
It was his left hand, wearing the infinity bracer.
"Interesting."
"Now this is more like it."
"However..."
A cold smirk played on Arthur's lips:
"Playing with energy in front of me?"
"Are you looking down on these six stones too much?"
On the bracer.
The purple Power Stone suddenly lit up!
Followed by the red Reality Stone and the blue Space Stone!
The light of the three stones intertwined, forming a brilliant yet deadly vortex.
"Now—"
"Absorb!"
Hum!!!
A terrifying suction force erupted instantly!
The moment the arrogant fire phoenix touched Arthur's palm.
It was like light being sucked into a black hole.
It actually began to twist and deform!
That massive energy was continuously sucked into the infinity bracer!
"Chirp—!!!"
The Phoenix let out a terrified cry.
It wanted to flee, to break free.
But the Space Stone locked down the surrounding space, the Reality Stone modified its form, and the Power Stone suppressed its eruption!
It was a perfect cage!
"Run?"
"Where to?"
Arthur's fingers snapped shut into a fist!
"Get in here!"
Boom!
The massive fire phoenix was forcibly compressed into an orange sphere the size of a fist.
Arthur held it firmly in his hand.
And young Jean Grey.
After losing the support of the Phoenix Force, she instantly lost consciousness.
She collapsed limply to the ground.
The storm ceased.
The World went quiet.
Arthur toyed with the struggling sphere in his hand.
Feeling the terrifying energy contained within.
"Tsk tsk tsk."
"This is the Phoenix Force?"
"It really is good stuff."
"Way more exciting than a nuke."
He turned to look at the dumbfounded MCU Jean Grey.
He casually tossed the sphere over.
"Catch."
"A reward for you."
"Eat it."
"Don't let it go to waste."
Jean scrambled to catch the sphere.
Feeling the kindred power inside, her body trembled.
This was...
The complete Phoenix Force?!
Boss just... gave it to me?
"Boss..."
Jean's eyes were full of disbelief and gratitude.
"Don't get the wrong idea."
Arthur straightened his collar, looking nonchalant:
"I just found it too noisy."
"Besides, I have no interest in things that easily make people go crazy."
"Since you're an expert at playing with fire, I'll leave it to you to look after."
"Remember."
Arthur leaned in closer, his tone becoming serious:
"Eat it and get stronger."
"Don't always make me clean up your messes when you're out fighting in the future."
"It's embarrassing."
"Yes! Boss!"
Jean gripped the sphere tightly, her gaze firmer than ever.
At this moment.
Her loyalty was locked in!
...
Having settled this "family matter."
Arthur turned around and looked at the young, dazed Professor X in the wheelchair.
"Yo."
"Charles."
"Long time no see."
(Though this Charles had never seen him before).
Arthur walked to the wheelchair, looking down at this future bald man (who still had hair now).
"Your school isn't bad."
"Nice environment, good for retirement."
Charles swallowed hard, forcing himself to calm down.
He looked at the unfathomable man before him and tried to use telepathy to probe him.
"Hum!"
Before the thought could even fully form.
A sharp pain instantly stabbed into his brain.
The Mind Stone on Arthur's bracer flashed slightly.
"Don't try it, little baldy."
Arthur pointed to his own head:
"My mind is a restricted area."
"If you dare to peek again."
"I'll pluck out that beautiful hair of yours, one by one."
"I'll let you experience the feeling of baldness fifty years early."
Charles quickly retracted his mental energy, his face pale with fear.
"You... what do you want?"
Charles's voice trembled:
"You took Apocalypse, and now you've stolen Jean's power..."
"Are you here to destroy the World?"
"Destroy the World?"
Arthur laughed.
He spread his arms wide, his red cape fluttering behind him.
"No, no, no."
"Why do you always think so poorly of me?"
"I'm here to save you."
"Look at you Mutants."
"Hiding in this crappy school, discriminated against by humans, hunted by the government."
"Is this the life you want?"
Arthur pointed to Old Magneto and Logan behind him:
"Look at them."
"Look at my employees."
"They used to be just like you, hiding like rats."
"But now?"
"They are heroes!"
"Superstars admired by tens of thousands!"
"They live in the most luxurious Villas, drink the most expensive wine, and enjoy the applause of the whole World!"
Arthur's voice was full of persuasion:
"Charles."
I'll give you a chance."
"Bring your students, bring your school."
"Join the Homelander Group."
"Become my branch office."
"I guarantee."
"In this Universe."
"No one will ever dare to discriminate against Mutants again."
"Because..."
Arthur's eyes flashed red:
"Discriminating against Mutants is discriminating against me."
"And the consequence of discriminating against me..."
He pointed toward Cairo, which had been leveled (though it was out of sight):
"You should already know."
Charles looked at Arthur.
Then he looked at the elderly but high-spirited Magneto standing behind him.
He fell silent.
As an idealist, he instinctively resisted this kind of hegemony.
But he was also a realist.
He knew that in front of this man.
Refusal meant destruction.
And...
He glanced at the trembling students.
For their future.
Maybe...
This was a good choice?
"I..."
Charles sighed.
As if laying down all his burdens.
"I agree."
"But, you must guarantee their safety."
"Of course."
Arthur snapped his fingers.
"I'm a man of my word."
"Wesley!"
"Here, Boss!"
That ubiquitous Dog-headed strategist popped up again, holding a stack of new contracts.
"Sign this school over to me."
"Rename it—"
"Homelander Training Base for Gifted Youth."
"From now on, this will be our talent reserve."
"All Mutant children must receive my... well, patriotic education."
"Got it?"
"Understood! Boss is brilliant!"
Wesley's flattery was thunderous.
AI Model: gemini-3.1-flash-lite
John Arthur nodded in satisfaction.
This trip was a complete success.
Not only did he handle Apocalypse and subdue the Phoenix Force, but he also packaged up the entire X-Men.
This kind of harvest felt even better than robbing a bank.
"Alright."
"My little ones."
"Going home!"
John Arthur waved his hand.
The portal opened once again.
The group strode across dimensions, preparing to return to the main Universe.
However.
Just as they were about to step into the portal.
"Beep—beep—beep!!!"
Tony's emergency communication suddenly connected.
It was the highest level Red Alert!
"John! Come back quickly!"
Tony's voice was filled with unprecedented terror:
"Something huge has happened!"
"That Black Braised Egg..."
"That madman Fury!"
"He is in Hells Kitchen..."
"He blew open Hell!"
"Now..."
"The streets are full of demons!"
"And..."
Tony's voice trembled:
"Mephisto..."
"That old devil has descended in person!"
John Arthur's footsteps came to a halt.
He turned back and glanced at the portal.
His originally relaxed expression instantly turned gloomy.
"Mephisto?"
"That old swindler who loves signing contracts?"
John Arthur narrowed his eyes.
Deep within his eyes, the two red flames instantly turned into a raging wildfire.
"Very well."
"That's just great."
"I just finished collecting rent for a Universe."
"And now there's a thief in my home?"
"Nick Fury..."
"You are forcing me..."
"To turn you into ashes."
"All units, listen up!"
John Arthur roared:
"Full speed, return to base!"
"Tonight..."
"We are going to eat—"
"Roasted devil!"
Boom!!!
A golden stream of light instantly rushed into the portal.
Murderous intent filled the air!
This time.
Homelander was truly angry.
...
Main Universe, New York.
Hells Kitchen.
The original sky had been covered by a layer of blood-red clouds.
Countless demons with wings, their bodies ablaze with fire, swarmed out from underground like locusts.
They were wreaking havoc in the city.
Screams, explosions, and cries rang out in unison.
And amidst the rolling thick smoke.
A red giant hundreds of meters tall, with its body burning with Hellfire, sat on a throne piled with skulls.
Holding a soul contract in his hand.
Mephisto.
Lord of Hell.
Looking at the chaotic human World beneath his feet, he let out a spine-chilling maniacal laugh:
"Hahahaha!"
"What delicious fear!"
"What vivid souls!"
"This World..."
"Belongs to me!"
Just then.
"Boom—!!!"
The red clouds in the sky were suddenly violently torn apart by a streak of golden lightning!
That man.
Filled with rage.
Had returned.
"Belongs to you?"
John Arthur's voice exploded above Mephisto's head like the thunder of judgment:
"Did you ask me?"
"Old thing!"
"This is—"
"My World!"
"Get..."
"Out!"
Zzz—!!!
Two beams of Heat Vision capable of piercing through Hell.
Descended from the sky!
Aimed straight at the center of Mephisto's brow!
The battle.
Erupted once again!
This time.
It was god among men vs the Lord of Hell!
...
"Zzz—!!!"
Two beams of Heat Vision, imbued with the energy of the Infinity Stones, like a sword of judgment sent by God, instantly pierced through the blood-red clouds covering Manhattan.
There was no resistance.
And no suspense.
"Boom!!!"
The Heat Vision struck Mephisto's hundreds-of-meters-tall lava body with precision.
A massive explosion resounded through the sky.
Mephisto's hideous, Hellfire-burning giant face was instantly blasted to pieces by this strike!
Magma splashed, and demon fire scattered everywhere.
The massive body collapsed like a building that had lost its support, smashing through several city blocks.
"Roar—!!!"
A painful roar came from deep underground.
As the Lord of Hell, although his projection on Earth had been destroyed, this was not enough to kill him.
But it was enough to make him feel—
Humiliation.
Extreme humiliation!
...
In mid-air.
John Arthur slowly retracted his Heat Vision, and the red light in his eyes gradually faded.
He hovered above the smoke.
The red cape behind him snapped in the heat waves.
"That's it?"
John Arthur looked at the lava giant reforming below, a look of extreme disdain on his face:
"I thought the Lord of Hell had more capabilities."
"It turns out..."
"You're just a little bit more durable than that Purple Potato Spirit?"
He turned his head.
He looked at the portal that had just opened behind him.
There.
The young Magneto, Professor X, and the bewildered Four Horsemen of Apocalypse were peeking at this new World.
"Welcome to the main Universe."
John Arthur pointed at the apocalyptic scene below, his tone as relaxed as if he were introducing a tourist attraction:
"This is your new home."
"How is it?"
"Although the environment is a bit messy."
"But this is the first ring of New York, where every inch of land is worth gold."
The young Magneto looked at the flowing lava and the little demons running rampant in the streets below, his mouth twitching fiercely.
"Boss..."
"Is this what you called... Heaven?"
"This is clearly Hell, isn't it?!"
"Hey, don't worry about the details."
John Arthur waved his hand:
"That's only temporary."
"Once I deal with that red-skinned freak, this will be Heaven."
After speaking.
John Arthur ignored this group of bumpkins who hadn't seen the World.
He slowly descended.
Landing above the churning lava lake.
At this moment.
Mephisto's body had condensed once again.
This time.
He did not grow large again.
Instead, he transformed into the appearance of an old gentleman wearing a red suit, holding a skull cane.
Although he looked gentle and refined.
The malice burning in those eyes was enough to drive the most steadfast saint insane.
"Mortal."
Mephisto adjusted his bow tie, his voice hoarse and elegant:
"You are strong."
"Stronger than any human I have ever seen."
"But..."
He raised the contract in his hand, which was the soul-binding contract signed by Nick Fury:
"This place has already been sacrificed to Hell."
"This is the rule."
"This is the law of the Universe."
"Even if you are a god, you cannot violate the spirit of the contract."
"Contract?"
John Arthur laughed.
He slowly floated in front of Mephisto.
The distance was less than a meter.
That sense of overwhelming oppression made even this Lord of Hell feel a hint of discomfort.
"Old thing."
"Have you been in the Underground Room for too long, and your brain has rusted?"
John Arthur raised his left hand.
On the bracer.
The six Infinity Stones, reflecting the firelight, shimmered with a glow that made the Multiverse tremble.
"Talking about rules in front of me?"
"Have you asked them?"
"Reality Stone!"
John Arthur snapped his fingers.
Hum—!!!
A strange red light instantly enveloped the parchment contract in Mephisto's hand.
"For me—"
"Change!"
The next second.
Mephisto discovered in horror.
The ancient contract in his hand, representing the ownership of countless souls.
Had actually turned into a...
Toilet paper?
And the cheap, two-ply kind with little bear patterns on it!
"This... how is this possible?!"
Mephisto's eyes widened, his old face instantly twisting:
"This is a soul contract! It is the embodiment of dimensional laws! How can it be modified?!"
"Nothing is impossible."
John Arthur shrugged, looking like it was a matter of course:
"As long as I want to."
"I can turn your entire Hell into a Disneyland."
"Do you believe me?"
"Scoundrel!!!"
Mephisto was completely enraged.
As one of the oldest demon gods, he had never been teased like this!
"Since you don't follow the rules."
"Then let your soul become my collection!"
Boom!
Mephisto's eyes instantly turned into two black holes.
An invisible, terrifying suction force targeting the soul instantly erupted!
This was his trump card.
Directly dragging the opponent's soul into the Hell dimension for eternal torture!
In the face of this move, physical defense was meaningless!
However.
John Arthur just stood there.
Without even blinking an eyelid.
In his azure blue eyes, a strange orange glow suddenly emerged.
Soul Stone!
"Playing with souls?"
John Arthur's mouth curled into a mocking arc:
"Did you forget?"
"The ancestor of this thing is currently wearing on my hand?"
Hum—!!!
The Soul Stone glowed brightly!
The suction force targeting the soul, the moment it touched the light of the stone, was like a clay ox entering the sea, disappearing without a trace.
Not only that.
An even more domineering and barbaric backlash force flowed back along the connection!
"Ah—!!!"
Mephisto let out a shrill scream.
He felt as if his soul had been tightly gripped by a red-hot iron hand!
The excruciating pain coming from the depths of his soul made even him, an expert at playing with souls, tremble.
"How is it possible..."
"Your soul... why is it as vast as a Universe?!"
Mephisto looked at John Arthur in horror.
What he saw was not a human soul.
But a burning, endless golden Sun!
"Because I am Homelander."
John Arthur reached out and grabbed Mephisto by the neck.
Lifting him up as if he were holding an old hen.
"Listen, old ghost."
"I don't have time to play house with you."
"I'll give you two choices."
John Arthur held up two fingers:
"First."
"I crush this avatar of yours, then rush into Hell and drag out your true form to crush it too."
"Second."
"Hand over the title deed to Hell."
"From now on."
"You are the General Manager of the Hell branch under the Homelander Group—"
"Responsible for helping me handle the trash that doesn't listen."
"Choose."
Mephisto: "..."
He looked at the six stones on John Arthur's wrist that were ready to explode at any moment.
He looked at the group of "The Seven" (plus that bunch of X-Men) in the distance, who were rubbing their fists and preparing to gang up on him.
He swallowed (if he had a physical body).
As an old devil who had lived for countless years.
He knew best how to judge the situation (and bully the weak while fearing the strong).
"Um..."
Mephisto's face instantly squeezed out a smile that was uglier than crying:
"Boss."
"Regarding benefits... is there social security and a housing fund?"