In the perpetually silent and still cosmos, a crystalline star hangs quietly, seeming as if it could keep revolving like this until the end of time.
However, there are not many peaceful spots left in this universe. At this moment, the talons of monsters reached out towards this place.
A red figure streaked past the star, plunging into the pitch-black universe space. This place was a mess, as if a major battle had just taken place, and the few figures following the red figure hesitated, standing at the threshold of the dark space.
They all had red eyes and long fangs like monsters, but their uniforms revealed that they once belonged to a righteous mutant organization—X-Men.
The Phoenix, now turned into a monster, had lost all her past beauty and appeared ferocious and ravenous; Wolverine Logan was standing on all fours, just like a wild beast; The crazily infected mutants were leaning toward their primal instincts, becoming even more terrifying than other demons.
"Jean Grey, we must go back now!" Cyclops, also turned into a monster, shouted, "The headquarters of the League of Murderers have detected the 'Cosmic Rift', we must go back now, a wide new world is waiting for the arrival of the immortal great power!"
"Shut up, Scott!" Jean Grey's temper had become more violent, and she shouted back, "Do you think I want to be sent out to chase down some unknown small fry? If it was not for the League of Murderers finding the Cosmic Rift, the X-Men should have had the limelight!"
"Enough." The monster Wolverine, licking his own claws impatiently, said, "Let me tear that damned kid to pieces, then he'll understand the consequences of delaying us!"
After that, several X-Men members flew towards the dark space without any further hesitation. Scott looked around at the surrounding environment, saying, "This seems to be the territory of the Shi'ar Empire, haven't they just had a civil war? The pathetic queen was even torn apart by the nobles."
"What's worth our attention about those losers?" Jean Grey sneered and continued to fly forward, then a shining star appeared within their field of vision.
Riley, surrounded by Chaos Magic, was drifting in front of a planet. There was no star behind him, but the star behind him shone exceptionally bright, revealing the dreaminess and tranquility that has long been absent in this chaotic cosmos.
"Got you, boy! We're going to tear you to pieces!" The now-monstrous members of X-Men shrieked and roared as they lunged at Riley. As they charged towards the star, Riley's figure suddenly disappeared, and the monsters crashed head-on into the bright planet.
The monsters, knowing they would not die, had no concerns. They crashed right into the heart of the star, and the destructive force radiated outwards from the center, almost instantaneously melting the monsters.
But the X-Men mutants who had now turned into monsters were not to be taken lightly, especially Phoenix Lady Jean Grey. The moment she felt the attack, she knew it was a trap. She immediately activated the Phoenix Force, not only to protect herself but also to tear everything apart in her frenzy.
The star in front of them seemed as though a switch had been flipped, the dreamy and soft white light became stronger and stronger. The structure of the planet began to shatter and crumble, and more light radiated from within, the resulting ripples from the clash of powers were enough to level an entire galaxy.
Jean Grey knew this was not a sustainable plan, so she wanted to get out. She flicked her long hair and turned to fly out of the galaxy. But the moment she retracted her power, she felt the scent of the new world she had longed for, irresistibly appealing, emanating from the heart of the star.
Not long after, in a spacious hall, X-Men and the League of Murderers confronted each other. Jean Grey lifted her mouth corners high and said sternly, "You discovered the Cosmic Rift, we found the portal to the New World!"
"And I can clearly sense that a strong scent of death is coming from behind the portal. If we invade that universe, we'll be able to offer a sacrifice to Death immediately!"
"Impossible!" Iron Man, now turned into a monster, his face contorted, took a step closer to X-Men, raised his voice and said, "The Cosmic Rift leading to a rich universe is our real target for invasion. That's the only place for us in the future - you are sorely mistaken!"
"But you can't traverse the Cosmic Rift yet." Scott pointed out sharply, "You've been testing the damned traversing technology since a week ago, do you have any breakthroughs yet?"
"The damned portal you found may not be reliable!"
"Still better than yours!"
Both sides continued arguing, then the door opened. A man, with a pentagram on his uniform, walked in, a wicked smile on his face.
He didn't become more violent like the other monsters. Instead, he calmly said, "There's no need to argue, what's wrong with more choices? Moreover, we aren't without enough power to divide the force. Since you've chosen different paths, then go and take responsibility for your own choices."
Captain America parted his mouth corners, showing a cruel smile, "Ma · Will, you gave us a new life, of course, we are obliged to take responsibility for our own choices."
"Death belongs to the weak." Ma · Will maintained a faint smile on his face, "Our only aim is to make everyone in all the universes become fearless of death. Now go, whether it's one universe or two universes, they are but the starting point of the path to immortality."
Dingling!
In the Sanctum Sanctorum, the telephone in Strange's office rang. Strange picked up the phone and said, "Hello? Riley, what's up?"
Strange's face gradually became serious, "Yes, the Sanctum Sanctorum is quite ready, but I have to ask again, are you sure you have enough gifts for the members? We've already sold the tickets."
"Only small troops at the beginning?" Strange frowned, seeming dissatisfied, "Can't you draw the attention of some larger groups? You know I have to be responsible to the members, without a more stunning scene, it's not easy to promote the next season's memberships."
"That's true, but since that's the case, I'll have to notify those mutants to take it easy. If they scare them off, what do we do if the larger troops back out?"
"You're talking about the Three Great Empires? They're still in Asgard, waiting for the Technological Exposition. Alright, we can notify them. Next season, we just so happen to be rolling out some membership cards for them. It might be good for them to see."
"Don't worry, they won't be harmed. They're not as fragile as you imagine. Just bring them in, I'll make a call to the mutants to discuss some details."
Strange ended the call, redialed, and said to the other person, "Hello? Beasts Doctor, are you with Magneto right now? Oh, both of you are in the Netherworld looking at the crystal, right? You still remember our original transaction, right?"
"Yes, yes, that lad Riley went to another universe and brought back some membership gifts for us. We'll need to use your path to send them over. Don't worry, mages will also participate in the research of the crystal... No, no, no, don't be polite, if there are research results, it benefits human civilization."
Strange showed an official smile, then stood up from the chair and said, "I called to tell you that the situation may have changed. I thought Riley could lead them all here, but according to Riley, it seems they have other options. So, the ones who came here are a small troop of spies."
"Yes, yes, as long as you get what I mean. You should understand what luring the enemy in depth is, right? Make sure to not make Magneto work too hard, don't beat them up too badly."
"What, the crystal has already shown signs of life? Fine, you guys go ahead, send Hela my best regards. Goodbye."
After Beast ended the call, he pushed up his glasses and shook his head helplessly. Shadow Cat Kitty, crossing her arms, raised her voice and said, "Doctor! The crystal data monitoring is abnormal! I already repeated that five times!"
"I got it, I got it, Kitty, stop yelling." Beast muttered and walked out of the temporary research station built in the Netherworld.
The research station the mutants are using now is an extension of Stark's technology from the Mercury Base. It stands alone in the desolate land of the Netherworld with its always-science-fiction style
At this time, this star that emits a soft white light is constantly sending out power fluctuations. Even without data monitoring equipment, you can tell that something is off.
After a magnetic fluctuation, Magneto and the members of the Brotherhood silently appeared behind Beast. Beast was startled, he turned his head and glared at Magneto and complained, "Not everyone is Professor X, who can foresee your arrival beforehand. Can't you make a little noise? One day, I will be scared to death by you!"
"They are here."
Magneto only said one sentence. Beast again pushed up his glasses, looking into Magneto's eyes, he said, "The situation has changed. The people who came this time are a small task force, and they are reconnaissance troops. They are probably here to assess the situation of the universe. You absolutely must not be too hasty."
"If you eat all the small fry, the big fish behind them will not come. You should understand that mutants are nearly completely incapable of studying the M'Kraan Crystal. We're all relying on Stark and Kamar-Taj to share their research results with us. You cannot offend them."
Magneto still remained expressionless and full of imposing aura like he hadn't heard Beast's words but his surrounding magnetic field calmed down a bit so he should have heard it.
Watching Magneto's back as he heads towards the M'Kraan Crystal, Beast shook his head helplessly, and Shadow Cat Kitty also crossed her arms, stating, "I wonder how Professor X tolerated him for that long."
"They are enjoying it."
Suddenly, another figure appeared quietly behind Beast. Beast turned his head and saw Hela in her black dress. Hela always radiated a melancholic and ephemeral aura.
"Will I witness a wonderful battle?"
"I'm afraid you will be disappointed, Your Highness." Beast shook his head and said, "This time it's reconnaissance troops who came. We have to hold back and let them go back."
Despite not expecting it, Hela nodded and agreed, "That's right. Only by letting the enemy's main force in to fight can we achieve the greatest victory."
Shadow Cat Kitty was a bit curious. They've been here for so long, and Hela has never spoken to them voluntarily. This elusive Crown Princess doesn't seem to like talking, but unexpectedly when talking about war, she seemed a bit passionate.
"In the past, I've been bait myself. People always have unrealistic expectations for a princess in distress. I've already decapitated dozens of generals this way."
Shadow Cat shivered, not wanting to think about the details. She set her sights on the M'Kraan Crystal. Magneto was already flying in the air.
"He is a smart man." Hela started, lowering her gaze, "He maintains a certain level of magnetic field, but deliberately conceals its aggressiveness, allowing people to think that it is a natural phenomenon, and at the same time, hides himself within the magnetic field. I dare say that even if the enemy appears in front of him, they might not notice him. Excellent bait."
The moment Hela finished speaking, the M'Kraan Crystal exploded with a dazzling light, and several dark figures appeared at the center of the crystal.
As Beast concentrated on seeing clearly who they were, he gasped and yelled out to Hela:
"Quick! Your Highness! Block him!!!!!"
"...Who?"
"Magneto!!!!!"
"Boom!!!!!"