Nathan's body erupted with searing, blinding electric energy.
The light was so intense that it resembled a miniature sun, momentarily turning night into day. Everyone nearby instinctively shielded their eyes. Yet, even with their eyelids squeezed shut, the afterimage of the burst still stung and lingered in their vision.
And then came the roar.
Electricity surged like a tidal wave, flooding into the body of Black Sky, the corrupted avatar of darkness. Her form trembled as if struck by divine retribution. The onslaught of energy wrapped her in arcs of lightning, shocking her into unconsciousness before she could fully awaken into her true demonic form.
A shrill scream echoed—cut short as her eyes rolled back, and her body collapsed limply onto the ground.
White smoke rose from her pale form, tendrils of static energy still crackling around her limbs. The sheer force had fried her nerves. Her body twitched slightly, but she was out cold.
Nathan stepped over calmly, bending down to pick up the sleek combat knife the girl had dropped. The blade gleamed with a sharp, cruel edge.
"A decent blade," he muttered, weighing it in his hand. "It's mine now."
Without ceremony, Nathan nudged Black Sky's face with his boot. She didn't react. Her mouth hung slightly open, tongue lolling, a mockery of her former arrogance. There was no sign of the fierce malice she'd held just moments before.
From inside his coat, Nathan retrieved three mechanical vials—nerve toxin injectors. Each contained a substance potent enough to paralyze enhanced beings for hours.
"With these… you'll be sleeping for a while," he said, and injected the toxin into her neck and arms.
Then he stood back and observed.
"Let's see what secrets you hold, girl. I wonder… can I find the demon Beast inside you?"
Beast—the ancient entity—was said to have once founded the notorious Hand organization. If Nathan could find a way to study even a fragment of Beast's biology or spirit...
"It might just open new doors," he murmured.
For someone like Nathan, scientific discovery was worth any risk—even studying demons.
Satisfied, he turned toward Luke Cage, who was still unconscious nearby. His muscular frame lay beside a shattered support beam, breathing shallowly. A crimson gash tore across his side, still bleeding.
Nathan found old bandages from the wreckage and began wrapping Luke's wound tightly.
Just then, Stick, the blind warrior monk, stepped forward holding a dagger.
"What are you doing?" Nathan asked, his eyes narrowing.
"What do you think?" Stick replied coldly. "I'm going to kill her. Killing her might keep Beast suppressed a while longer… maybe even buy the world some peace."
Nathan held up a hand. "No. We keep her alive."
Stick raised a brow. "Alive? You want to study her? Are you out of your mind?"
"I'm completely serious," Nathan said, his tone deadpan. "Everything can be contained, and everything can be studied—even demons. With the right containment… she's no different from a lab rat."
Stick stared at him in disbelief. And then… he smiled, a bitter, amused smile.
"Kid… you're more of a monster than she is. Fine. But you better make damn sure she doesn't escape."
"She won't," Nathan said. "If she integrates with Beast, I'll do what I must."
Stick nodded reluctantly. "And just so you know, your combat skills— they've improved. You completely overwhelmed Black Sky."
"Thanks," Nathan replied. "I'll come to you for more training later."
Stick grunted. "Your mess, your problem. I'm out."
With that, the old warrior vanished into the shadows.
Nathan surveyed the ruined laboratory. Once a haven of advanced research—now reduced to rubble.
"This place is useless for treatment," he muttered. "Luke Cage needs better care."
So Nathan hoisted Luke over his shoulder, picked up the still-paralyzed Black Sky, and rushed toward a hidden backup lab, one he had secretly constructed with Kurt's help.
Within minutes, they arrived.
Nathan placed Luke on the surgical bed and began his diagnosis immediately.
Luke's famed self-healing ability was no longer functioning properly. The Carbonadium blade had done more than just cut—it had poisoned the wound.
"The bleeding hasn't stopped. The cells aren't dividing. Something's blocking platelet activation," Nathan said aloud, studying blood slides under the microscope.
He frowned. "The Carbonadium must be releasing an inhibitory compound. White blood cells are neutralized, bacteria are flourishing, and infection's setting in…"
He typed rapidly on the lab's quantum system.
"I need to clear out the toxins first, or the healing serum won't work."
Scanning the blood, he discovered that a specific laser frequency could break down the Carbonadium toxins. He recalibrated his tools.
"Set the Planck constant… now calculate energy... frequency up... good."
Within minutes, Nathan fabricated a new high-powered surgical laser, tuned to the exact wavelength required.
He began treatment.
Microscopic views showed the toxin disintegrating. Platelets stirred to life, moving in to patch the bleeding vessels. White blood cells rallied, engaging the infection. Cells began to regenerate.
When it was over, Luke Cage's wound was healing—slowly but surely.
Nathan sighed in relief. "Done."
He administered trauma medicine orally, and knew Luke would be on his feet by morning.
With one threat handled, his eyes turned to Black Sky.
She was still unconscious, but the danger she represented was immense.
Nathan prepared a containment bench made of advanced superalloys. Restraints locked around her neck, wrists, waist, and ankles. Each restraint was designed to diffuse kinetic energy across the table structure.
With her contained, he turned to logistics.
He made a call. "I need a safe house. Hidden. Secure."
Kurt's voice came through: "On it, boss. You'll have it soon."
While waiting, Nathan checked on the world outside.
The Osborn Company's wound patches—designed by Nathan—were skyrocketing in popularity.
Hospitals couldn't get enough. Despite higher prices, customers adored them—especially the scarless healing.
The stock price doubled. Investors flocked. Nathan's wealth ballooned.
Soon, Kurt reported back. "House secured."
Nathan relocated Luke Cage to the safehouse. The man stirred awake.
"You'll stay here," Nathan told him. "Don't leave unless I call you. Food and essentials will be delivered."
Luke blinked. "You got games?"
Nathan smirked. "You'll find a console and projector. If you need anything else, message me."
He handed over a phone, and left.
Back at the lab, Nathan activated surveillance monitors. Dozens of feeds lit up—military bases, underground research facilities, urban traffic cams.
He had left a digital backdoor in one of the military systems.
His target?
Zeng Wu. Not for appearance or identity—just raw strength.
Nathan had always wanted to replicate Hulk's power, but the Green Goliath had vanished after Ultron's defeat—fleeing Earth to the cosmos.
So Zeng Wu was the next best option.
Through lip-reading software, Nathan observed General Ross speaking to Bronski.
"You'll stay at the base until Carl and the other target are found. Once they're located, we move. A new insulated combat suit will be delivered to handle the electric attacks next time."
Bronski sneered. "They won't escape again."
Nathan narrowed his eyes. Zeng Wu was here. Perfect. No need to search.
Next, Nathan called another contact.
"Status on Invisible Woman?"
Electro-Man's voice replied, "No movement on her side, boss. But the Human Torch... something's happened."
Nathan's eyes sharpened.
"Tell me everything."
END OF CHAPTER
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