524

Frank Castle

"What kind of power?" Clearly, not everyone was aware of Jean Grey's situation.

Professor X reflected, "Since she was young, Jean has harbored an indescribable power within her, which has brought her much suffering. Fortunately, I found her and managed to temporarily shield this power."

"I've always feared this power would spiral out of control, but I didn't expect it to vanish now, as if it never existed."

"Why?" Wolverine inquired.

Professor X shook his head, "I don't know. Perhaps it's due to the intervention of the person who saved her."

Although unsure of Jean's fate, it was nonetheless a positive development. No longer did he have to dread the latent power within her causing havoc—it had seemingly dissipated.

After a pause, Professor X reassured, "There's no need to worry; Jean is safe. She should awaken tomorrow."

"Very well."

Relieved that Jean Grey was safe, everyone gradually left the room.

Professor X and Magneto strolled down the corridor to converse. Magneto broached the topic, "Charles, you really should learn more about the Sentinel Project."

"I am aware. However, the project was banned long ago. Despite covert operations, once exposed, those involved were imprisoned," Professor X remarked.

Magneto exhaled deeply, "You don't understand. You have no idea how far along the secret research has progressed."

"While those individuals are incarcerated, they remain alive, and the Sentinel Project's data persists intact, with at least three copies preserved. The Sentinel Project now sits as a ticking time bomb, temporarily frozen."

"If allowed to continue, it could be operational within a few years."

"Should the Sentinel Project be completed, mutants will face extinction."

Professor X fell silent momentarily, contemplating, "Even if the Sentinel Project resumes, we can intervene."

"We cannot," Magneto countered, shaking his head. "If Jean had that power, perhaps there would be hope. But now, stopping it in advance is our only recourse."

"What do you propose?" Professor X queried.

Magneto declared without hesitation, "Locate and eradicate all records related to the Sentinel Project. Eliminate every human scientist involved, including those suspected, like Tony Stark."

"No." Professor X rebutted firmly, "Destroying data is one thing, but taking lives is unacceptable. You even suggest targeting suspected scientists. This is preposterous."

"Even Tony Stark? Are you suggesting we eliminate him as well? Have you forgotten the consequences of such actions?"

Magneto persisted, "Without eliminating those involved, what good is destroying the data alone?"

Silence hung in the air for a brief moment before Magneto continued, "Charles, survival is a matter of chance. There's never a perfect choice. If my actions draw repercussions, I am prepared to face them alone."

Professor X regarded him solemnly, "There are no consequences borne alone in this world. All disasters inevitably impact others. Mutants are also members of society."

...

"Cough! Cough-cough-cough!"

Thanos clutched his chest, coughing violently, a hoarse sound emanating as though his very life force was escaping.

After what seemed an eternity, the fit subsided. Upon raising his hand, he beheld a stain of blood, murky and dim—a grim harbinger of mortality.

"Why... How could this be..." Thanos muttered to himself, staring at the tainted blood in his palm.

Unbelievably, the mighty Titan found himself afflicted—a terminal illness, it seemed.

Following the skirmish aboard the Sanctuary spaceship, his physical condition deteriorated daily. It was as though an unseen force relentlessly eroded his body, leaving him weakened and wracked with pain.

Initially manifesting as fatigue and insomnia, symptoms worsened to include sweating, dizziness, and now, the incessant coughing and bloody expectoration...

Each day brought more frequent bouts of coughing, some even waking him from sleep, leaving him sprawled, gasping for breath.

For the first time, Thanos tasted the bitter cruelty of disease. Its gradual encroachment brought not only physical anguish but despair, a relentless march towards his demise. Powerless against its onslaught, he could do naught but endure.

"Ah!" He bellowed in fury at the heavens, as if challenging fate itself, yet the illness swiftly quelled his defiance. "Cough!"

"Cough-cough-cough..." Thanos lay prone, gripped by paroxysms.

...

Central Park, New York.

Amidst the serene woodlands, laughter and banter occasionally punctuated the air as Frank Castle, his wife, and children enjoyed a picnic.

"Dad, did you really single-handedly eliminate dozens of terrorists in Afghanistan?" inquired his young son.

"Absolutely," Frank replied with a grin.

Wide-eyed, the boy queried, "How did you do it? I want to be like you someday."

Frank tousled his son's hair affectionately, "The battlefield is perilous, son. I hope you'll consider becoming a lawyer instead, using the law to fight injustice."

"A lawyer?" His wife interjected disapprovingly, "Frank, haven't we agreed he should become an engineer instead? There's no profession worse than a lawyer."

Perplexed, their son asked, "Why is being a lawyer such a bad thing?"

His wife asserted firmly, "There's no such thing as a good lawyer. It's the worst career in existence. So, don't listen to your father. You're going to be an engineer, understand?"

Curious, their daughter chimed in, "Mom, what's an engineer?"

"Bill Gates, Tony Stark, Nikola Tesla—all engineers."

"I'm going to be an engineer too!" declared both young Castles, echoing household names.

Amidst their lively debate over careers, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly broke the tranquility.

Instinctively alert, Frank couldn't help but follow the sound, spotting a group of individuals clad in black not far off.

Their purposeful movements and visible weaponry led Frank to a grim conclusion.

"It's a gang," Frank identified them succinctly.

"Bruno Costa," his wife added nervously, recognizing one of the gang leaders.

"You know him?" Frank inquired.

"Yes," she nodded. "During a case I handled, Bruno Costa was the defendant. He's involved in all manner of crime, yet he always manages to evade justice, thanks to Wilson Fisk."