The next morning~
Banner realized his efforts at self-restraint had failed.
Looking at Natasha beside him, a pang of guilt suddenly surfaced in his heart.
He had betrayed Elizabeth.
"...I'm sorry, Elizabeth."
"What are you thinking about?"
Natasha woke up, placing a hand on Banner's chest.
"Nothing. I just don't know if we'll survive."
The heaviness of his words made Natasha's hand freeze for a mont.
The reason she sought him out wasn't just to calm the unpredictable Hulk—part of her wanted one last reckless act before the end.
Experiencing the partial transformation of the Hulk's body was sothing she'd never dared to imagine before. No wonder even General Ross's daughter had gone crazy for him.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
"Banner, ti for the eting."
Soon, the two were dressed and walked into the eting room under everyone's curious gazes.
Nick was seated at the head of the table. When he saw everyone was present, he spoke with a dark expression:
"According to the latest reports, Apocalypse has been gathering civilians in Cairo to build a pyramid. Those who disobey are killed. So far, over thirty thousand people have died."
Hearing this, the group was imdiately filled with righteous anger.
"That damn Apocalypse, he treats human life like it's nothing. We have to attack Cairo and rescue those people imdiately!"
"Director, just give the order. We will depart imdiately."
Seeing the crowd's fervor rise, Nick nodded in satisfaction. Holding this eting had been worth it.
"I know you're eager to save lives, but now isn't the ti."
"I recently acquired a shipnt of Vibranium and Adamantium. If any of you need it, co to for approval. I've also secured so super-soldier serum and T-virus enhancers—anyone interested, talk to Maria."
Seeing the group's spirits dim, he continued, "Tomorrow at noon, we'll begin the mission. Code na: Godslayer Plan."
....
The next morning~
At first light, the sleepless team gathered on the deck, awaiting the start of the operation.
They soon noticed transports and helicopters continuously arriving on the deck of the aircraft carrier.
As sets of futuristic equipnt were unloaded, their eyes sparkled with excitent.
They were introduced to experintal electromagnetic rifles, lethal drones, missile launchers, sniper rifles, and even the first Sentinel prototypes, each boosting their hopes for victory.
Then Nick appeared.
"Everyone, these weapons are for S.H.I.E.L.D. agents."
Hearing this, the crowd wasn't disappointed—they rely nodded. After all, even if given these high-tech weapons, they might not know how to use them properly.
"Alright, let's begin the briefing and deploy the plan."
"Yes, sir."
...
In Cairo~
The city had turned into sothing close to hell on earth.
Thousands of civilians, shackled and driven by soldiers, transported stones to the city center, where a foundation stretching a thousand ters awaited them. Stones were piled up to form a pyramid.
Sitting on a golden throne, Apocalypse rested his head on one hand, coldly watching the people laboring below.
Beside him sat a despairing Charles.
"Are you sure you won't yield to ?" Apocalypse asked.
Charles shook his head firmly. "You've only taken a wrong path. There's still ti to turn back."
Apocalypse showed no disappointnt, rely continuing to look out coldly.
For soone with an endless lifespan, very few things still held his interest. His desire to rule this world stemd mostly from habit—thousands of years ago, he'd been worshipped as a god.
Equality with what he saw as re insects was unthinkable.
"When the pyramid is complete, it will be the day you're reborn," Apocalypse said. To him, taking over soone's body was no curse—it was a gift of honor.
Suddenly, a person below collapsed.
"Mom, are you okay? Mom..." A child knelt beside his mother, crying in despair.
Seeing this, nearby soldiers raised their whips.
"Get back to work! Stop lying around!"
Charles, sitting beside Apocalypse, couldn't bear to watch and turned his head away.
At that mont, Lorna volunteered to intervene.
"I'll go see what's happening."
Without waiting for Apocalypse's response, she used her magnetic powers to float down.
Arriving at the scene, she saw the soldiers recoil in fear at her approach.
"We'll remove her imdiately. It won't delay the project."
One of the soldiers kicked the crying child aside and was about to drag the woman away.
"She's not dead," Lorna said softly. "You can let her rest in the building over there."
The soldiers looked at her in disbelief. Other mutants didn't treat them like people—most just beat or killed them. Anyone who fell was typically executed and tossed into a mass grave.
This cruelty stemd from the oppression mutants had endured from humans. Now that Apocalypse had made them the ruling class, many mutants had abandoned their kindness and beco more ruthless than their forr oppressors.
Lorna was one of the few under Apocalypse who held onto her principles.
Among the humans, most were complicit not out of malice but survival.
Despite their confusion at Lorna's leniency, the soldiers acted quickly, hauling the woman away.
"Go on and follow her," Lorna said to the child.
Without a word of thanks, the child ran over to his mother. For him, mutants had only brought disaster, and gratitude was the furthest thing from his mind.
"You know, that may not sit well with our master."
A beautiful woman in black leather with long dark hair approached Lorna from behind.
Lorna tensed up as she saw her.
"Um... Psylocke, I just thought... there was no need to—she only fainted. She can still work for us later. Yes, that's it."
Seeing Lorna's nervousness, Psylocke smiled faintly.
"You owe one."
She turned and left, leaving Lorna to let out a small sigh of relief.
Watching Psylocke's retreating figure, Lorna wondered if perhaps her colleague, too, had her own hidden kindness. It was only the environnt that had pushed her into serving the Hellfire Club.
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