Apocalypse was resurrected.
This was completely outside Vincent Hall's expectations.
After comforting Raven, he found Psylocke.
Psylocke greeted him with a passionate kiss.
"Did you know Apocalypse is back?"
Vincent stopped her and asked gravely.
Psylocke's expression changed instantly.
"Impossible. I saw him die with my own eyes."
Vincent saw no lie in her eyes.
He realized only Raven might have received the news.
"Magneto is dead," Vincent said slowly.
Old Erik was a man of spectacle. His death was a pity.
But now, Apocalypse's return alerted Vincent more than Loki.
Compared to Apocalypse, Loki was nothing.
Apocalypse, with his myriad abilities, could awaken mutant potential. In this era of mutant decline, if he mass-produced powerful mutants, he would wield terrifying power.
"Killed by Apocalypse?" Psylocke looked grim. "Hmph. Let him come. My sword isn't for show."
Psylocke spoke coldly.
Her power had grown significantly over the years. She was a top-tier mutant.
She knew Apocalypse was terrifying—the First Mutant could kill Magneto, and he could kill her.
But to kill her easily? Even Apocalypse would struggle.
She could stall him long enough to summon Vincent.
Her man.
"Be careful. Apocalypse changed tactics. He used to be a god, disdainful of cheap tricks. Now he's unscrupulous. That makes him more dangerous."
Vincent warned with concern.
"I understand. If he finds me, I'll notify you immediately."
Psylocke breathed a sigh of relief.
"Stay in New York for now. It's lively lately, but it won't affect Oscorp. If Apocalypse doesn't come, fine. If he does, I'll rip his head off, seal his consciousness, and extinguish it."
Vincent's voice turned cold.
Anyone daring to touch his women committed an unforgivable sin.
"You be careful too. Apocalypse's strength is that no one knows how many trump cards he has. If he appears, he'll recruit new Horsemen."
Psylocke was an original Horseman. She knew his power to unlock potential. He was the mutant god.
"Do I lack enemies? I've faced stronger beings than you imagine. Stronger than Apocalypse."
Vincent scoffed.
He checked his status panel:
Wealth: 101.536 billion points (Upgrade available)Desire Points: 913.5 million points (Breakthrough available)Abilities: All three Devil Fruits at Tier 3 Origin Mastery+. Psychic, Water Magic at Dominator+. Man of Steel, Flight, Breath, Vision, Hearing, Brain at Peak+.New Skills: Atomic Forging+, Enchantment+.
Ding. System notification.
[Mission 3: Man of Steel. Strike hard. Show Apocalypse who is the Earth's Overlord, who is the Man of Steel! Reward: Gold Blind Box, Man of Steel Upgrade!]
Vincent's eyes lit up.
Gold Blind Box was good. But the Man of Steel upgrade was unexpected.
Upgrading Man of Steel normally cost 400 million points.
The sun also strengthened it.
But a mission reward was faster.
Psylocke listened to Vincent and stayed in New York.
British Intelligence pushed for the gene tech, but she claimed lack of clearance. It was a valid excuse to stay.
"It's getting dark."
Vincent murmured.
Thunder rumbled.
He sensed powerful Asgardians breaking the void, arriving on Earth.
"Loki got the Iridium."
"Now he's boarding the Helicarrier for the next phase."
"Disrupting the Avengers."
"Stealing the Arc Reactor energy."
"Releasing the Space Stone to open the portal."
The gloomy sky was depressing.
Vincent knew New York's ordeal was coming.
The Military would try to nuke the portal.
Future plot points rolled in his mind.
From his current height, this war seemed like child's play.
Compared to Apocalypse's global destruction in the past, the Battle of New York was small.
Apocalypse's return was the real threat. If that old fox hid and assassinated his people...
Vincent didn't fear battle.
"Go back to the X-Mansion? Use Cerebro to find him?"
But Apocalypse surely had defenses against Xavier now.
"Wait and see?"
No. Not his style.
The Ice Demon's authority allowed no provocation.
"You seem troubled?"
A familiar, mature voice echoed in his mind.
Telepathy from afar.
"Jean? Finished your vacation?"
Vincent entered the Mindscape.
He saw Jean Grey in a red dress.
The bitterness was gone. She radiated heat and light.
Vincent enjoyed the glow of the Phoenix Force.
Jean turned, surprised. "Vincent. You always surprise me. Your power has grown again. You threaten me."
The restless Phoenix Force sensed a threat in Vincent.
"I'm always growing. So are you. Your change makes me happy."
Vincent smiled sincerely.
"I tried your method. Cut the past. Forget the old life. Restart. I see the resilience of life. I realized I'm lucky."
Jean smiled.
She accepted life, infecting the Phoenix with beauty, calming it down.
"Destiny isn't set. You must master it."
In reality, Vincent used the Sling Ring.
He appeared next to Jean Grey.
On a rocky coast in Norway.
They watched the sea and stars.
Jean broke the silence. "I sense something big coming. Regarding mutants."
Vincent laughed.
"Enjoy your life. You're free from the past. Leave the rest to me. You know I can handle it."
Confidence.
"Your mysteries deepen. But I know your potential is earth-shattering. I called you because I worried you were doing..."
"Bad things?"
"Yes."
Jean knew what he did in New York.
"Not bad things. Just seizing destiny's initiative. Relax. My heart isn't twisted. I'm still the lustful, greedy demon you know."
Vincent's gaze pierced obstacles.
He saw Iron Man and Captain America fighting Thor.
"What are you looking at?"
Vincent held Jean's hand, sharing his vision.
Jean raised an eyebrow. "The man with the hammer is strong. Huge potential, but he doesn't know how to release it. He relies on the hammer."
"That's Thor Odinson. The Norse God."
"Thor?" Jean was surprised.
"The bound man is Loki."
Jean was interested. "You want to intervene?"
"They are SHIELD's first team. Compared to the X-Men, they are green. Egos clashing. I won't steal their training opportunity."
Vincent stood up.
"Glad we talked. Cleared my mind."
He prepared to return to New York.
"The moon is beautiful tonight, Vincent."
Jean looked at him with a smile.
Vincent's smile widened. "The wind is gentle too."
Their gazes locked.
An invisible hand untied Jean's belt.
Seawater rose, freezing into an igloo.
"Ms. Grey." Vincent offered his hand like a gentleman.
Jean placed her hand in his.
Strong magnetism released her nature.
She didn't need to overthink.
She just knew Vincent had the quality she needed.
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