Author's note (not a rant):
Hey there,
Seems like a bit of a hiccup's cropped up in my writing style, and it's about time I admitted it. You know what? It's actually a valid point this time around— You heard right! Valid critiques from the unwashed masses of Webnovel! Shocking, I know.
So, here's the deal. Some folks have been rightly calling me out for going a tad overboard with the explanations, gestures, and describing every nook and cranny, and they're right.
You see, I've got a habit of tossing around certain moves and phrases (like "frowned" or "waved his hand") a bit too much, which I abused in my earlier stories. So, I took action. I roped in ChatGPT to help me cook up fancier paragraphs (which I would try to replicate in my own writing), using like a hundred words when ten would do just fine. You know, to buff up my vocabulary and learn new expression and all that.
Guess what? It sort of worked. But the plan slightly backfired 'cause now I've got this avalanche of over expressions the actual chapters. Brace yourselves, the next dozen or so might come off as stuffed with this kind of stuff. But here's my promise: I'll try to make up for it with more double updates, more frequently.
If you're in a hurry or you've had enough of these wordy bits, just skip 'em or skim 'em. Or, you know, if you're totally fed up, feel free to just stop reading. I promise you, no one would care.
And with that out of the way, enjoy the chapter.
...
Amidst the chaos that gripped the penthouse, the clash of mutant abilities and fiery confrontations, the timely arrival of Iceman was a breath of cool relief. His presence shifted the dynamic, the frosty trails he left in his wake causing Pyro's flames to sputter and die. The battlefield suddenly shifted, the pressure on Armor lessening as Iceman joined the fray, a symphony of ice and fire unfolding.
In the midst of this tumult, a figure stood who was a stranger to this world of mutants and powers and the fact that his own son was a mutant. Warren Worthington, Jr, a man of prominence and privilege, stood at the heart of the turmoil, his expression one of sheer disbelief.
Once a symbol of his stature, his penthouse had transformed into an arena of superhuman confrontation, a sight that defied all logic. His brows furrowed in confusion as he struggled to comprehend the surreal turn of events.
Breaking through his confusion, he turned to the young mutant known as Armor, his voice carrying a mix of uncertainty and curiosity. "Say, young lady..." he began, his tone a mixture of politeness and bewilderment.
As her attention focused on him, he continued, his words an inquiry into the chaos that enveloped his surroundings. "You wouldn't mind explaining what's happening here, would you?" His voice held an air of urgency, a plea for clarity in a world suddenly turned upside down.
Armor's expression mirrored her understanding of the gravity of the situation. She shifted her gaze from the ongoing battle to meet Warren's eyes, her response carrying a weight of responsibility. Her voice, firm yet empathetic, conveyed a sense of purpose. "Some people are trying to make an example out of you..."
Her words hung in the air, a solemn reminder of the dangers that lurked beyond the veil of his everyday life. Turning back to the battleground, she assumed her stance once more, ready to shield him from harm. Her declaration continued, revealing a truth that cast her as both guardian and defender. "We, the X-men are here to protect you..."
Warren's mind was a whirlwind of confusion and realization. The name "X-men" resonated with a familiarity he couldn't quite place, a thread of connection that had eluded his comprehension.
However, as the pieces began to fall into place, his thoughts shifted to Robert Kelly, the events that had unfolded in the senator's rally, and the larger context that now seemed inescapable.
His expression darkened with a mix of apprehension and determination. In a muttered undertone, he vocalized the realization that had taken root within him. "I had intended to stay out of that mess, but it looks like I'll have to involve myself..."
The gravity of his words hung in the air, his resolve taking shape in the face of unforeseen circumstances. His gaze turned to his son, Angel, who was locked in combat with Daken, a reflection of the complex tapestry that bound their lives. "For a variety of reasons, it seems..."
In the midst of the swirling melee, Angel and Daken danced in a frenzied exchange of blows, their movements a blur of agility and calculated strikes. The echoes of their combat reverberated through the penthouse, the tension palpable as their clash sent ripples of force across the floor.
Amidst this chaotic ballet, a subtle disturbance went unnoticed by Daken. From the very ground beneath him, a sliver of shadowy substance emerged—a barely perceptible rise in density. Kitty Pryde, the master of phasing, wielded her unique ability with practiced precision.
Her torso materialized from within the floor, her fingers deftly seizing Daken's ankles. With a surge of power, she manipulated his density, his form sinking as if through quicksand.
The penthouse floor seemed to swallow Daken; his form pulled into the ground beneath him. It was a maneuver that exemplified Evan's training, a testament to the lessons she learned from him. Noticing the shift in the battleground, Angel was content to leave Daken ensnared, his attention swiftly shifting to a new objective.
Determination etched into his features, Angel veered away from Daken and set his sights on Vanisher, who posed a distinct threat with his teleportation abilities. With Nightcrawler locked in combat with the teleporter, Angel's intent was clear—to assist his ally in subduing Vanisher, severing the enemy's escape route and weakening their tactical advantage.
Simultaneously, Kitty Pryde's ethereal form shimmered with focus. Her knowledge of her own powers allowed her to counter Pyro's fiery onslaught. As flames surged toward her, she phased through the oncoming attack, the fire harmlessly passing through her body.
Her determined gaze locked onto Pyro, her mission to neutralize him before his destructive abilities could wreak havoc on the penthouse.
Vanisher, however, was no stranger to the ebb and flow of battle. His attention caught the shifting tide of the conflict, and he had no intention of succumbing to defeat. The scent of impending retreat hung in the air as he activated his teleportation power, his form vanishing from the penthouse in the blink of an eye. Angel's outstretched hand found only empty air, his intended target disapearing.
As the battle continued to unfold, the penthouse was a chaotic whirlwind of mutant powers and clashes. Vanisher's reapaeared as quickly as he ddisapeared, and he brought a new dynamic to the fight, accompanied by Domino. The seasoned mercenary had been monitoring the situation from afar, gathering information through a transmitter.
Vanisher's teleportation deposited him right in front of Kitty Pryde, cutting off her path to Pyro. Domino, a calculating strategist, wasted no time. In her gloved hand, she held a small metallic marble, its significance known only to her. With a practiced motion, she aimed and flicked the marble toward Kitty, its trajectory swift and precise.
Kitty's reaction was instinctive; her power allowed her to phase through solid objects, and she had relied on it countless times before. The marble, seemingly insignificant didn't pass through her body. It imacted her torso and bounced off, yet its impact triggered an unexpected and unsettling chain of events.
The color drained from Kitty's face, replaced by a sickly pallor. Her focus wavered, and she stumbled to the ground. Her movements were clearly unsteady as though she had been struck by an unseen force.
The truth was revealed in the aftermath—the marble had disrupted Kitty's phasing ability, exploiting her vulnerability to dense matter. While she could effortlessly navigate through solid objects, extremely dense materials could destabilize her control and induce nausea. The small marble, though unremarkable in appearance, was made from pure adamantium-- it had exploited this weakness with precision.
Meanwhile, Vanisher wasted no time. In a seamless motion, he teleported next to Daken, the clawed mutant who had been ensnared by Kitty's powers moments earlier. A hand on Daken's shoulder was all it took, and the two disappeared from the ground, reappearing elsewhere in the penthouse. With Daken free and Domino's tactical prowess now in play, the momentum of the battle seemed to shift.
The absence of Kitty, even if temporary, left a gap in the X-Men's defense. Her unique phasing abilities were a key asset, and her unexpected incapacitation altered the dynamics of the confrontation. With Domino's careful planning and Vanisher's teleportation prowess, the odds appeared to lean in favor of their opponents.
The tension in the air was palpable as the young mutants exchanged brief but meaningful glances. The unfolding battle had taken an unexpected turn, and the advantage seemed to be tilting in favor of the enemy forces.
Despite this shift, determination blazed in their eyes, and an iron will bound them together. They were united, prepared to stand their ground and fight, even if it meant facing overwhelming odds.
Bobby Drake, known as Iceman, refocused his attention on Pyro, his icy constructs meeting the searing flames that Pyro conjured. The clash of elements painted a mesmerizing tableau, each move and countermove a dance of power and strategy. Flames melted ice and ice quenched fire, an elemental battle that symbolized the ongoing conflict.
Warren Worthington III, Angel, engaged in a fierce aerial confrontation with Daken, their blows punctuated by the rush of air and the rhythmic exchange of strikes. Angel's wings beat with precision, granting him both mobility and a formidable offensive advantage. Daken, his bone claws glinting ominously, countered with calculated strikes, each blow a testament to his vicious prowess.
Nightcrawler, the agile teleporter, faced off against Vanisher in a dizzying display of movement. Their forms flickered in and out of sight as teleportation powers clashed, creating a series of fragmented images that reflected their intense struggle. The penthouse seemed to be a shifting battlefield, where each blink of an eye could lead to a new confrontation.
Armor, known as Hisako Ichiki, took on a protective role, guiding Kitty Pryde towards relative safety behind her next to Angel's father. Her energy armor shimmered with defensive power as she shielded them both, her resolve unwavering.
The responsibility of safeguarding those who were not direct combatants rested heavily on her shoulders, but she faced the challenge with a steadfast determination.
Amidst the chaos, Domino remained a calculating presence on the sidelines. Her keen eyes tracked every movement, every development in the battle. Her stance exuded readiness, a coiled spring ready to unleash its force at a moment's notice. While content to observe, she was fully aware of the need to intervene if circumstances demanded it.
...
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