Chapter 25

Thanks to the Net, I was able to sense the energy, and once that happened, manipulating it became much easier.

Shaping this energy stream, holding it, and determining its direction felt like a dance, where every movement, every step was pre-planned and executed with flawless precision.

BAM

The energy beam, released from my weapon, pierced through the air, cutting through Namor's body with surprising ease, as if he were a mere shadow rather than the mighty ruler of the seas. The water behind him parted before the power of the beam, like the Red Sea before Moses, leaving behind only emptiness and a trail of destruction.

"Khah!" Namor coughed, his eyes filled with disbelief and pain as he focused on his abdomen, now marred by a hole disrupting the integrity of his powerful body.

"Thank Fury," I said, my words sounding like a verdict as I watched Namor's eyes slowly close, seemingly refusing to accept their fate.

Indeed, Nick Fury had asked me to keep Namor alive, insisting that his place was behind bars, not in a grave. According to my one-eyed friend, Namor would be imprisoned for many years.

"B-Bastard..." Namor's last words were whispered through pain before darkness enveloped his consciousness, rendering him unconscious.

Anticipating questions and doubts from my teammates, I noted, "He will live. I aimed to incapacitate, not kill him."

These words brought relief to Sue and Ben, while Johnny, descending from the sky, couldn't hide his surprise.

"Didn't think Magneto could do that. Reed, are you sure you got his powers?"

Johnny and Ben were unaware of our battle with Magneto, where he had demonstrated exactly such abilities.

The research on Max Eisenhardt's X-gene, known as Magneto, had been my secret project, known only to a select few. I explained that this was done to ensure we had enough power for the next encounter with such threats.

"The thing is, I managed to harness incredible energy to create what I did," I replied, feeling the Net's energy completely drained. "Magneto can do similar things without any problems."

The prospects made Johnny shudder.

"I wouldn't want to go through that again," Sue said dryly.

Hugging her shoulder, I tried to convey all the support and confidence I could muster.

"I promise you, it won't happen again," my words were not just a promise but a vow, given not only to her but also to myself, a vow to protect our world and those who live in it from any threats.

Burying her face in my chest, Sue whispered back, "I believe you."

Those three words sounded like a ray of light piercing through the clouds, a reminder that despite all the difficulties and trials, faith and love can overcome anything.

Ben and Johnny stood beside us, watching with warm smiles.

However, this moment of peace and unity was short-lived. I sensed the approach of a dozen armed individuals moving in our direction. These were SHIELD agents, arriving to take Namor, who was still unconscious.

Leading the group was their director, Nicholas Joseph Fury, or rather, his puppet. Fury's single eye fell on Namor, now bearing an unnatural hole, and his brow raised at the sight.

"He's alive," I said. "And he will survive."

Fury appraised me and, smirking, said, "I'll take your word for it, Dr. Richards."

He then looked at his subordinates and added, "Take him."

SHIELD agents, with their characteristic efficiency and precision, embodied discipline and professionalism. Their movements were coordinated and exact, like a well-oiled machine operating with remarkable synchronicity. Namor's hands, feet, and neck were shackled with devices that left him no chance of escape, demonstrating that SHIELD had extensive experience handling superhumans whose power required special measures.

However, my attention was drawn to something else — the collar around Namor's neck.

This item stood out with its uniqueness and the intentions behind its creation. Upon closer inspection, I realized its purpose: X-gene suppression. It was a technological marvel, capable of changing the rules of dealing with mutants, and the fact that SHIELD had such technology was concerning.

In my own research, I had long since developed a similar device, but seeing it confirmed that my technology was not the only one of its kind.

The collar suppressed the X-gene. While my technology surpassed what SHIELD had, still...

"Thank you for your help, Dr. Richards," Fury's voice was firm and sincere.

He extended his hand for a handshake, symbolizing not only gratitude but also recognition of our contribution to the cause. "Without you and your team, this wouldn't have ended so smoothly."

I shook his hand and said, "I hope he will remain behind bars for the rest of his days?"

Fury looked at me. Now that I knew he was a puppet of the real Fury, I began to notice the details...

Those glassy, almost motionless eyes betrayed him for a split second, giving his entire figure a touch of carefully crafted masquerade.

"Of course, Dr. Richards," Fury said. "There is no other way."

"That's all I wanted to hear from you."

Fury nodded and, bidding farewell, left with Namor. The Fantastic Four and I gathered our equipment and waited for the Fantasticar, which the autopilot had parked nearby.

"What's bugging you, Stretch?" Ben asked me.

My rocky friend, like the rest of the team, knew me inside out.

"Is it that obvious?"

"No," Johnny shook his head with a slight smile. "But I remember you having that look only at certain moments. What-AUCH!"

Johnny received a slap from his sister, who said, "My brother means that you rarely have that look."

I sighed but eventually said, "I have a bad feeling about Namor."

"What do you mean?" Sue asked, her eyes puzzled.

I understood why my words seemed strange. From their perspective, the issue of Namor shouldn't arise again since SHIELD had taken him...

"Let's just call it my paranoia," I said, deciding not to dwell on the matter for now.

—\\—

"What's everyone having?" I asked my team.

In that moment, standing before the choice of dinner, I felt a lightness after the tension of the battle. The decision to return home and order food seemed like the perfect way to recharge and strengthen the team's spirit.

"Mexican or Italian?" Ben asked Alicia with his usual easy confidence and warmth. His voice filled the room with anticipation, creating a friendly competition between culinary traditions.

Alicia Masters, with a slight contemplation as if weighing all the flavors of the world, replied, "Let's go with Mexican."

Ben, smiling as if he had just gifted her the world of flavors, exclaimed cheerfully, "You heard the lady."

Internally noting Ben and Alicia's choice for Mexican cuisine, I pictured their dinner—enchiladas wrapped in soft corn tortillas, filled with juicy meat and generously covered in aromatic sauce, likely their choice based on past preferences.

Johnny, meanwhile, had gone on a date with his girlfriend. At least that's what he told us.

Then my gaze fell on Sue, who was immersed in her discoveries, working on documentation. Her dedication to science and research always inspired admiration in me.

"I'd like Pho," her soft, thoughtful voice sounded like music, inviting us to momentarily escape reality and imagine the warm, flavorful Vietnamese soup, where delicate notes of spices and freshness intertwined.

"Got it," I nodded, locking in our family dinner in my thoughts before finalizing the order. This evening promised to be filled with warmth, world flavors, and a sense of renewal after the trials we had faced, surrounded by those who were more than just friends or a team to me.

—= Johnny Storm =—

"...That's how our team handled Namor McKenzie," the blonde finished his story, his eyes shining with pride and unmistakable excitement. His lively, energetic gaze rested on his date's face, sparkling with amazement and admiration.

They were in an upscale restaurant Johnny had reserved through his connections and reputation as a member of the famous Fantastic Four. The air was filled with the aromas of exquisite dishes and light music, adding a special charm to their meeting. The candlelight on the table and soft lighting created an atmosphere of coziness and warmth, making the evening truly unforgettable.

The girl couldn't suppress a gentle smile that blossomed on her face as she listened to Johnny. This smile reflected not only her pleasure from the story of her hero's adventures but also Johnny's unique talent for storytelling, bringing his tales to life. His words were full of humor and liveliness, making each moment of the story burst into vivid colors in the listener's imagination.

The soft glow of the lamps illuminated their table, creating a halo around the couple, setting them apart from the rest of the world. Waiters passed by, carrying dishes that were not just food but culinary masterpieces, adding to the sense of exclusivity and sophistication.

This evening in the upscale restaurant, filled with tales of heroic exploits and the magic of each other's presence, not only deepened the bond between them but also reminded them that behind every feat lies real emotions, dreams, and aspirations.

After gazing at the lovely smile on her face, Johnny dared to say, "Tell me about yourself. As I understand it, you're not from around here?"

Crystal's smile tightened for a moment.

"Am I right that you're from Europe?"

After Johnny spoke, the tension eased, and she replied, "Yes, I'm from Norway..."

Inwardly, Crystal cursed herself for having to lie to Johnny...

—= Namor McKenzie =—

The King of Atlantis regained consciousness, engulfed by a wave of excruciating pain that washed over his body with unfamiliar intensity. This was something entirely new for Namor McKenzie, the great and powerful ruler of the seas, who had until now considered himself invincible. Pain was a cruel teacher, revealing unknown pages of sensory experience.

"Welcome back, Mr. McKenzie," a voice dripping with irony and cold disdain reached his ears. The voice sounded hauntingly familiar, like an echo from a distant past, bringing Namor back to long-forgotten memories.

Straining forward, trying to focus through the veil of pain, Namor's gaze fell on the source of the sound. There stood Fury, whose figure, despite the passing years, remained steadfast and commanding.

"Fury," Namor muttered, his voice sharp and pained. "I thought you had aged and died long ago."

Despite the circumstances of their meeting, moments of their shared past surfaced, when, as captain of the Howling Commandos, Fury and Namor had shared the hardships of war, fighting side by side against common foes.

"I'm glad to see you too," Fury replied, his voice calm and assured, his face showing no change, as if carved from stone. "Since you're awake, I think it's time I explain your current status."

Looking around, Namor realized he wasn't just being held in this grim place; his strength was bound by shackles, depriving him of his power. The metal collar around his neck and the cuffs on his wrists symbolized his complete helplessness in this situation.

In that moment, Namor remembered everything that had happened to him, and the fury in his eyes intensified severalfold.

"I can see by your eyes that what I'm about to say won't make you happy..."

Judging by the gritting of the King of Atlantis's teeth, Fury was right in his assumptions.

—= Reed Richards =—

First and foremost, I decided to check SHIELD's databases. I needed to understand how SHIELD had acquired such advanced weaponry.

"Hmm..." My gaze slid across the screen, analyzing the information that unfolded before me. The structure of SHIELD's database protection had undergone significant changes, forcing me to adapt my methods and once again penetrate their defense system. It was like a chess game, where each move required a new strategy and anticipation of the opponent's next steps.

"Now let's see... I see," I muttered as the coveted information finally appeared before my eyes. It soon became clear how SHIELD had acquired this cutting-edge technology. The source of this technological marvel was a mutant named Forge, whose unique technopathy ability allowed him not only to "hear" technology but also to create things that seemed miraculous even to the most advanced minds.

Forge's power turned him into a living bridge between the world of technology and humanity, allowing him to bring the boldest ideas and concepts to life. The fact that SHIELD had managed to persuade or force him to work for them opened new horizons for the organization in terms of armament and defense.

Soon, all of SHIELD's developments were in my hands again, and I said, "Chronos, what happened while I was gone?"

"There was an explosion at Oscorp."