The tear in reality pulsated violently, growing brighter with each passing second. Strange's spells seemed to barely hold it together, the edges flickering like a faulty neon sign. Harley stood back, his breaths shallow and uneven. The others fanned out, ready for whatever monstrosity might emerge.
"Harley," Strange called, his voice strained as he maintained his spell. "The energy you released earlier—it resonated with the tear. You might be able to stabilize it again, but this time, you need to focus!"
"Focus?" Harley's voice cracked, the sparks on his hands flickering like dying embers. "I don't even know what I'm doing!"
Deadpool slid next to him, draping an arm around his shoulder. "Buddy, you've got this. Just think of it like a first date—terrifying, awkward, and with a 50/50 chance of disaster. But hey, you survived the last one, right?"
"I didn't—" Harley began, but Deadpool cut him off with a dramatic gasp.
"Oh my God, you've never been on a first date? That explains so much! Don't worry, Uncle Wade will help. Just treat the multiverse tear like a hot stranger at a bar. You approach cautiously, make your move confidently, and if things go sideways... you blame your wingman. That's me, by the way."
"Deadpool!" Steve barked, his voice slicing through the moment.
"Fine, fine. I'll save the pep talk for later," Wade said, backing off with his hands raised.
Logan growled, his claws at the ready. "If you two are done chatting, we've got bigger problems."
As if on cue, the tear rippled violently, and something began to emerge. At first, it was a shadow—a formless void of swirling darkness. But then, it coalesced into a grotesque figure: a monstrous amalgamation of limbs, eyes, and teeth, its body shifting like liquid metal.
"Yup," Deadpool said, drawing his katanas. "Definitely nightmare fuel."
The creature let out a deafening roar, the sound reverberating through the park. Civilians screamed in terror as the Avengers worked to herd them to safety.
"Bruce, we could really use the Hulk right now," Natasha said, her guns trained on the creature.
Bruce shook his head. "Not happening. It's too unstable with the tear this close. If I change, I might make things worse."
"Then we take it down the old-fashioned way," Steve said, charging toward the creature with his shield raised.
Logan followed, his claws slashing at the monster's shifting form. Each strike tore through the creature, but its body reformed almost instantly.
"Great. It's a self-healing freak. Just what we needed," Logan muttered.
Deadpool jumped into the fray, landing on the creature's back and stabbing wildly. "You're not the only one who can heal, big guy! Let's see how you like a taste of Wade Wilson!"
The creature bucked, sending Deadpool flying into a tree. He landed with a loud thud, his body contorted at an unnatural angle. "I'm okay!" he called, his limbs snapping back into place. "Just needed a quick chiropractic adjustment."
Harley watched the chaos unfold, his heart pounding. The sparks on his hands flared again, brighter this time. He didn't understand this power—where it came from or how to control it—but something deep inside him told him it was the key.
"Harley!" Strange shouted. "Now's your chance. Focus on the tear. Imagine sealing it, like closing a door!"
Harley took a shaky step forward, his hands trembling. The energy surged through him, growing hotter and more intense. He raised his hands toward the tear, his fingers glowing with an otherworldly light.
The creature turned its many eyes on him, sensing the threat. With a guttural roar, it lunged toward Harley, its massive form barreling through the park.
"Not on my watch," Logan snarled, throwing himself in the creature's path. His claws sank into its shifting flesh, but the monster swatted him aside like a ragdoll.
Steve threw his shield, the vibranium disc striking the creature's head with a resounding clang. It staggered but kept moving, relentless in its pursuit of Harley.
Deadpool reappeared, this time riding a child's scooter he'd apparently commandeered. "Don't worry, Harley! I'll distract it with my superior comedic timing!" He hurled the scooter at the creature, hitting it square in one of its many eyes.
The monster screeched, momentarily disoriented.
"Harley, do it now!" Strange urged, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Harley closed his eyes, forcing himself to focus. The energy in his hands pulsed, synchronizing with the tear's unstable rhythm. He took a deep breath and thrust his hands forward.
A beam of light shot from his palms, striking the tear directly. The energy crackled and surged, pushing against the distortion. The tear resisted, its edges flaring wildly, but Harley didn't back down. He poured every ounce of energy he had into the beam, willing the tear to close.
The creature let out a final, ear-piercing roar as it was dragged back into the collapsing tear. Its form twisted and shrank, disappearing into the void.
With one last surge of light, the tear sealed shut, leaving the park eerily quiet.
Harley collapsed to his knees, his hands smoking from the effort. The others rushed to his side, their faces a mix of relief and concern.
"You did it," Steve said, helping him to his feet.
Harley nodded weakly, his body trembling. "I didn't even know I could."
"Looks like you're full of surprises," Natasha said, offering him a small smile.
Deadpool clapped him on the back. "See? Told you it'd be like a first date. Except this time, you closed the deal. Proud of you, buddy."
Harley managed a weak laugh, but his mind was racing. If this was just the beginning, what else was he capable of—and what price would he have to pay to find out?