Chapter 11: Hell III
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The armored vehicle sped through the devastated streets, dodging debris and demonic creatures that leapt out from the shadows. Aleis remained in the backseat, his mind still processing everything that was happening, while Susan Storm watched intently at the chaos unfolding outside.
After a few minutes of tense silence, Susan turned her body toward Aleis, studying him for a moment with a calculating gaze.
"I don't know if you've been told this yet, but you're at a disadvantage," she said frankly. "Not just because of the chaos around us, but also because of what you're wearing."
Aleis looked at his clothes, torn and dirty from previous battles, and realized that not only was he physically exhausted, but his clothing didn't provide him with any additional protection in this war scenario.
"When you were part of the X-Men, you wore a suit designed to work with your powers," Susan continued. "That kind of technology is vital now. What's coming will be more dangerous than anything you've faced so far."
Susan reached out and opened a small hatch inside the vehicle. From within it she pulled out a black suit with a design that immediately reminded Aleis of her old X-Men uniform. This new suit, however, had a more modern feel, with white stripes running down the arms, chest, and legs, mimicking the design of the iconic Invisible Woman suit, but with details that seemed to have been thought out specifically for it.
"Reed designed this for you based on the data we have on your powers," Susan said as she handed him the suit. "It's made of a special material that not only withstands large amounts of energy, but can also amplify and channel your vector abilities more efficiently. Additionally, the suit's flexibility will allow you to move without restrictions, something you'll need to take on Madelyne and her forces."
Aleis took the suit, feeling the weight and texture of the material in her hands. It felt light, yet incredibly durable, as if it were designed to withstand the fiercest of attacks. The white stripes stood out against the black background, reminding her of the days when she had fought alongside the X-Men, before the demonic chaos had begun. But this suit was more than a reminder of the past; it was a tool for the future.
"Put it on," Susan said. "It will help you survive what is coming."
Aleis, still silent, nodded and put the suit on inside the moving vehicle. As she adjusted it over her body, she felt a strange connection, as if the suit was in tune with her abilities. It was as if it enhanced every fiber of her being, amplifying her control over the vectors and giving her a new sense of security and power.
Susan watched him, assessing how he adapted to the new equipment.
"It suits you well," she commented, sketching a small smile. "Now you really look like a true warrior."
Aleis looked at himself in the dark reflection of the vehicle window. The new suit not only provided him with a layer of protection, but it also seemed to resonate with his identity as a mutant. The white stripes reminded him of the times when he fought with the X-Men, but this new uniform represented more: a new beginning in a much larger fight.
"Thank you," he said, not taking his eyes off the reflection. "I think I'll need it."
"You will," Susan confirmed. "Madelyne Pryor isn't just a demonic threat; she manipulates the fabric of reality in her dimension. Your powers, combined with this suit, could be the key to stopping her."
Aleis nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. Despite his doubts, the determination in his heart was beginning to solidify. He was no longer the insecure mutant who had questioned himself at the start of all this. Now, armed with this new suit and Susan's support, he knew he could be a force to be reckoned with.
The vehicle continued to advance as the demons roared around them. The air was charged with dark energy, but Aleis, dressed in his new suit and feeling the potency of his powers growing, mentally prepared himself for the next stage of the battle.
"We will reach Baxter Tower soon," said Susan. "Get ready, Aleis. What we face there will be the most important fight of our lives."
The albino closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the vectors of matter accumulating around him, channeling through the suit, and finally opened his eyes with a renewed look of determination.
"I am ready," he answered firmly, knowing that the fate of everyone depended on what they would do next.
The war for the future of the world was about to begin. And this time he would fight not only against demons but against hell itself.