Su Ming finally let out a sigh of relief, standing aside as he removed his helmet and lit a cigarette. The strong winds made this a challenging task, but he truly needed a moment to calm down.
The wind howled past the edges of the cloak, and Su Ming knew everything was over. Although the process seemed lighthearted, the planning and calculation behind it had been meticulous.
Using such a method against the Dark Phoenix had been a gamble, with Su Ming estimating at best a fifty percent chance of success.
It had worked primarily because of Cable's typically serious and stern demeanor. This sudden contrast made the plan effective. If they tried this again in the future, it might not work.
After this, the Dark Phoenix's sense of humor would surely have been elevated.
Rogue bent down, patting Jean's back to help her stop her uncontrollable laughter.
"Jean, are you okay?"
"Haha, hiccup... Did you see Cable's face? That was priceless!" Jean couldn't stop laughing, hiccuping with each breath.
"I know, I saw it." Rogue replied helplessly. Now wasn't the time to talk about this. "First, you need to calm down. Cable's fine. We're all fine. You need to stay composed."
"Okay, I understand... whew... Haha!" Jean tried her best to steady her breathing, but every time she glanced at Cable staring blankly at the sky, she couldn't help but laugh again.
She just couldn't stop looking.
Su Ming glanced at her with resignation. Now that everything was over, if she actually laughed herself unconscious, the Phoenix might seize the opportunity to return.
"Cloak, descend."
The cloak had long grown tired of carrying everyone while they ran for their lives, especially since none of them were sorcerers—it was a humiliation to its existence.
It dove straight for the ocean, settling on the surface like a raft, drifting with the waves.
It needed to clean itself after all that. These people had vomited on it, fought on it, and even performed calisthenics. The world of humans was just too complicated.
"Alright, everyone, it's over. This timeline's Kang is dead, and Apocalypse has been sealed away again..." Su Ming adjusted his hair as he puffed on his cigarette. "By the way, Jean, where did you put him?"
"I... hiccup... forgot. That was the Phoenix's doing, I... haha... I can't remember."
Su Ming pinched the bridge of his nose. "Okay, thanks for the help, everyone. Time for you all to head home. Remember, this is 1942."
"Wow, cousin, so that's how it is? Use us and then kick us out?" Wade jumped up, finally having stapled himself back together.
Of course! Why would he want to keep them around? He'd had enough of Deadpool's constant chatter. Now he just wanted a vacation, a chance to unwind.
"Shut up. You're coming back to New York with me. I'll settle your payment, and you and Cable can head back to the future to spend it." Su Ming smacked Wade on the head, causing a few staples to fly out. "The fun stuff is all in the future, isn't it?"
Wade tilted his head in thought. It was true. What fun could there be during a time of war?
"Okay, Slade, you want to come with us?"
"No, I have other matters to attend to." Su Ming tossed his cigarette butt into the sea and pulled his helmet back on. "Cloak, take us to Kamar-Taj."
Every mode of transportation for Su Ming seemed to be red—perhaps it was his destiny.
The cloak soared into the air again, dripping wet as it left a trail of water, making its way to Kamar-Taj and slipping back into the New York Sanctum.
The New York Sanctum had a new Sorcerer Supreme, with Kaecilius standing expressionless in a corner. Whatever he had experienced had made him even more hungry for power.
Su Ming didn't care much about Kaecilius's inner struggles; he'd be useful later on.
Letting the cloak shrink back to its regular size, Su Ming greeted the new Sorcerer Supreme, then led Cable and the others into a car parked down the street.
Su Ming had left Halloway back in Cairo—not to wait for him, but rather to wait for someone he was meant to encounter.
Halloway had been stationed outside the governor's mansion in Cairo, the spot where Deathstroke had promised to meet him. Days had passed, and he showed up each morning, leaving for a hotel at night.
Every day, he idly munched on figs and dates like a local, watching camels and donkey carts pass by on the street.
He wondered if something had happened to Deathstroke, but he quickly dismissed the thought. Based on what he knew of Su Ming, even if everyone else were dead, he would still be alive.
"Ah, seems like I've been forgotten. Am I supposed to walk back to America myself?" Halloway thought bitterly. North Africa was in chaos at the moment.
"Avenging Angel, right?"
A voice interrupted his thoughts, and the doctor's heart skipped a beat as he immediately went on alert.
The first thing he saw was a shield with a white star emblazoned on it.
"Relax, I'm Captain America, Steve Rogers. Good to see you again." Steve extended his hand with a smile, shaking Halloway's. "That surgery you did for me in Paris... uh, left a lasting impression."
"How did you recognize me?" Halloway wasn't in costume now; he was dressed like an ordinary man in a white shirt.
"Your beard. It's quite distinctive." Steve released his hand, pointing at Halloway's chin with a grin. "When you operated on me, I wasn't fully unconscious—just severely weakened. But I saw and heard a few things."
"Like my beard?" Halloway covered his mouth, considering whether he should shave it off in the future. But his beard was his pride!
"Like how there might still be pieces of cloth in my gut, or how you were working with Su Ming and his crew."
Steve shrugged. After recovering in England, he had tracked Halloway down, learning that the Captain America identity had been used in Alexandria and Cairo. It was clear Su Ming had been using his name for something again.
He hoped it hadn't been for anything nefarious.
The doctor furrowed his brow. "Sorry, I'm not close with Su Ming. I'm just a doctor."
"I understand. Su Ming is the rumored demon of New York. No one knows his true identity. It doesn't surprise me that you don't, either."
Steve brushed off the notion of hidden identities, missing yet another chance to uncover Su Ming's secrets.
"So, what do you need from me? Su Ming could come back any time."
"He might not be back anytime soon. All air routes out of North Africa are blocked. We're all stuck here." Steve explained his intentions with a natural ease, not an ounce of awkwardness in his expression. "Su Ming gave me an idea—assembling a team of super-powered individuals to fight against the Nazis. It's a great plan."
"Huh?"
"Yes, exactly. I've formed a team—the Invaders." Steve smiled, introducing his team members. "Jim, the Human Torch, is eager to learn on the battlefield. And this here is Namor, ruler of the seas, looking to settle a score with the Fuhrer."
Halloway's mouth twitched slightly. Namor was covered in needle marks, all from his own handiwork. And why was Namor walking so strangely? He wasn't like that last time. He seemed to be clenching tightly...
Despite his discomfort, Halloway politely shook hands with both of them.
"Nice to meet you."
Namor's voice was strained, as if he had a hernia. The Human Torch seemed somewhat dazed and slow-witted.
Steve clearly sensed Halloway's skepticism, but he remained optimistic, hoping the tactics he had learned from Su Ming could help end the war.
"We're in need of a medic. Avenging Angel, join our Invaders. Let's overthrow the Fuhrer's regime together!"
Steve's smile was radiant, straight out of a propaganda poster. Halloway considered the offer for a moment. He had time on his hands, after all.
Su Ming had mentioned a formidable foe—U-Man. Perhaps with this team's help, he could take down the enemy and prove that he too was a hero.
"Of course, Captain, it would be my honor."
Halloway shook Steve's hand firmly, and thus, the Invaders—historic legends—assembled amidst the sands of Cairo, opening a new chapter in history.