Ch: 276-285
Chapter 276
"So that's how it is!"
"White, it really is you—no wonder so many ancient beings have their eyes on you."
"Looks like those Ancient Ones have finally noticed that Earth has gained a bug capable of rewriting cosmic rules."
The Ancient One smiled faintly, then spoke to the air:
"Tell Strange he doesn't need to hold back against those dimensional demon-gods; our Universe now has two heavyweights!"
Quantum Void, Kang Council Observatory
Several Variants of Kang the Conqueror were in session.
Prime Universe Kang had just finished a Cross-temporal observation.
"A variable! That damned variable again!"
"No Timeline should contain a being of this rule-level!"
"Unless..."
"He doesn't belong to this Narrative Layer at all."
Suddenly, every Kang projection turned in unison.
They detected a higher-dimensional presence watching them.
Damn it—those things are looking this way again!
Above the Multiverse, beyond the Omniverse,
a colossal golden figure towered in the void.
A supreme being of three golden faces.
The famous Living Tribunal of the Marvel Universe!
The Living Tribunal slowly lowered its head; the central visage's Eye of Judgment narrowed as it murmured:
"Altering Chaos Laws."
"Interfering with Conceptual Authority."
"This outsider is disrupting Cosmic Balance."
Then the Tribunal fell silent.
After a moment, the left-hand Face of Vengeance rumbled, "Perhaps he is the Wild Card!"
The right-hand Face of Necessity glowed golden: "Observation continues."
The Tribunal's Scales of Judgment shook violently—the first case in eons it could not instantly decide.
Other Cosmic Deities reacted differently—Eternity, Infinity, Death...—yet all tacitly chose to keep watching and stay their hand.
Earth, the next day
Bai Ye's eyes snapped open, golden light swirling in his pupils.
"What's wrong?"
Wanda padded in, rubbing her eyes, pushing open the glass door to the balcony.
Bai Ye gave her a faint smile and said without hiding, "Our fight yesterday seems to have become an invitation to certain beings."
Hearing this, Wanda curiously pressed, "What do you mean? Don't tell me..."
"Mm, you guessed right."
Bai Ye nodded, lifting his gaze to the brightening dawn sky.
"The cosmic deities of every dimension have set their sights on Earth."
Wanda shook her head; she didn't want to dwell on it. Compared with those miscellaneous gods, she treasured the person before her far more.
"You didn't sleep again last night?"
Bai Ye shrugged, gently slipping an arm around her shoulder as the two turned to face the rising Sun.
"The Beyonders' threat continues; we have to grow even stronger."
Marvel Universe, Earth, atop the Himalayas.
On a snow-veiled peak thousands of meters high, a figure in jade-green Armor stood amid the howling wind.
Doom's cloak whipped in the gale, frost crusting his mask while his eyes pierced the snow to scan the churning heavens.
"It's finally begun."
A low voice slipped from beneath the mask, tinged with amusement.
Doom's thoughts drifted back a year, when he'd sat on his throne savoring the thrill of rule.
He could have become this World's god, its eternal monarch.
But those self-righteous ants, those foolish superheroes, banded together to oppose him.
At the memory, Doom's fingers slowly clenched, his Armor emitting a low hum.
That final battle had nearly destroyed the entire Kingdom.
Doom had thought himself utterly defeated, yet at the last moment he staked everything on one gambit.
Using Forbidden Sorcery, he swapped souls with that so-called genius scientist.
In the end, Doom won rebirth at the price of half a burned face.
Doom survived—in another man's body.
No one knew the once-brilliant scientist was no longer himself.
No one knew Doom's soul had been exchanged.
Doom bided his time, learning, merging that man's technology with his own sorcery.
When everyone finally relaxed their guard, Doom exacted revenge; the superheroes fell.
Doom had won. He returned to his Kingdom and set the crown upon his head once more.
Yet the fruit of victory tasted nothing like he'd imagined.
Because Doom's soul remained trapped within this body.
But now none of that mattered... Doom slowly raised his hand, snow swirling above his palm to form a hovering orb of ice.
"A new game has begun."
Doom's gaze fixed on the distance, thoughts drifting back to the cataclysm that had shaken Earth a month earlier.
"Hah, so-called righteous superheroes?"
Doom's voice rang out, dripping sarcasm amid the snow.
He had thought it all over, yet fate loves to mock him.
A month ago, a Scarlet Spatial Rift had suddenly torn across New York's sky.
The fissure looked like a wound ripped open in the heavens.
Every person on Earth saw it.
Superheroes flocked to the scene, and Doom followed them in.
Though Doom cared nothing for the worms' lives, he needed to know what was happening.
Once inside that space, all were stunned by the sight before them.
A gigantic, blood-red Earth was slowly approaching.
It was another Earth!!!
Fear.
Even Doom felt the oppression—two Earths on the verge of collision, and nothing could be done.
Then something even more shocking happened.
From that Earth stepped people who looked exactly like them.
In the end, they learned these were people from a Parallel Universe.
Moreover, the other Universe's heroes brought the truth.
For unknown reasons, the orbits of the two Earths had begun to overlap; unless one was destroyed, everyone would die.
How ironic.
Doom watched coldly as the so-called heroes panicked, tried to negotiate, sought another way.
Yet in the end they chose slaughter.
Battle erupted; Doom joined—not to save, but to survive.
In the end, they won.
The price was Doctor Strange opening a Spatial Rift and summoning Dormammu to devour the other Earth.
"HAHAHAHA."
Doom's laughter cut through the snow, harsh and grating.
"These are heroes? This is justice?"
They spoke of protecting the World, yet at the final moment chose the cruelest method.
Hypocrisy!
"There has never been a true hero in this World."
"Only survivors."
Doom's gaze was icy, the corner of his mouth curling in mockery beneath his mask.
"Next time, I'll let them know what a real choice looks like."
The wind howled, blizzards raged, frost coating the cold mask, yet Doom remained oblivious.
His thoughts drifted further back to memories he could scarcely bear yet could never forget.
Times buried deep within his heart—unchangeable, impossible to change.
"Mother."
Doom's voice was so low the snowstorm nearly swallowed it.
Years ago, when he was still a young Prince, a demon from Hell tore away the one person he cherished most.
His only family, the only one who understood him.
From that moment, Doom swore to retrieve his mother at any cost.
He strove tirelessly, mastering the most advanced technology, delving into the most forbidden knowledge, even branding himself a villain in the eyes of the World.
"I do not regret."
Doom clenched his fist, resolve hardening within.
Yet despite doing everything, Doom still failed.
Not only did he fail to save his mother, he was gravely injured.
But there was good news: his technology transformed the entire Kingdom.
His people loved him, calling him their Savior.
Chapter 277
Under his rule the nation grew strong, science leapt forward, and statues of him rose in every square.
But it was not enough; he needed greater power.
So he set out to find Kamar-Taj.
Ancient One.
Remembering the bald sorceress, a rare warmth stirred in his frozen heart.
Back then the Ancient One had been gentle and wise, teaching him like a mother.
"You possess an unbreakable will."
"But remember—power is not the goal; it is the responsibility."
Her words still echoed in his ears.
Doom studied with fanatical thoroughness, missing no detail.
The Ancient One took special care of him, personally guiding him through the most arcane spells.
Under the Ancient One's tutelage the days flew past; soon Doom was to leave.
She stood on the sanctum steps, watching him go, eyes full of hope.
From that moment Doom swore that once he rescued his mother he would remake the World.
Back in his kingdom he fused magic with technology, forging armor strong enough to battle demons.
Yet when he faced Mephisto, confident of victory, reality struck him a brutal blow.
All his power was undone; Mephisto defeated him without effort.
Crawling back to Earth, Doom grew more fanatical.
He needed power—power great enough to crush demons utterly.
He pursued every scrap of knowledge, every mighty force he could grasp.
Yet whenever he reached for such strength, self-righteous heroes appeared to block him.
"No, you can't do that—you'll lose control!"
"You'll destroy the World!"
Waving banners of morality, they sabotaged his plans again and again.
"I only want my mother back."
Standing in the blizzard, Doom clenched his armored fists until they creaked.
"What's wrong with that?!"
The storm howled back, echoing his fury.
Frost sheathed his armor, yet his gaze was colder than the wind.
Then his expression turned almost serene.
For one day, inside an old rival's Base, he found the machine.
A trans-universal gateway.
Doom's hand traced its cold surface, a slow smile forming behind his mask.
At last he understood—the answer had been here all along.
A grand design began to take shape in his mind.
"If one Universe is not enough, I shall rule them all!"
"I will gather infinite Worlds' resources and end every threat forever!"
Doom was certain—he could not fail.
Amid the snow he raised his arm, energy conduits flaring to life along the armor.
"I am Victor Von Doom."
"I am Doctor Doom."
"And I will save every Universe."
The blizzard intensified, swallowing his silhouette in white.
Only those cold eyes still gleamed with iron resolve.
Then Doom turned away, returning to his homeland—Latveria.
Beneath the frigid vault of his hall, Doctor Doom sat upon his throne, hands resting on its arms.
His mask remained impassive, yet through its lenses he stared at the ring-shaped engine in the center of the chamber.
Yes—this device was the keystone of his grand design: the cross-dimensional gateway.
It rotated slowly, cerulean energy rippling within its hoop, sparks dancing across the hall.
"At last…"
Doom's voice was low, gravelly, edged with metallic resonance.
"The key to the Multiverse."
"Richards."
He spoke Mister Fantastic's name with quiet contempt.
"You always underestimate me."
He had not only taken the cross-time machine—he had also taken Franklin Richards.
An Omega-level Mutant child who could rewrite reality itself.
Doom knew everything he desired was almost within reach.
"Where is the boy now?" he asked, turning slightly toward the robot sentries in the shadows.
"In the side hall, Master," the mechanical guard replied.
"He is enjoying ice-cream and cake."
A faint curl of satisfaction touched Doom's lips.
"Good." He had no intention of harming Franklin.
On the contrary, the child's power was vital.
For his plan to succeed, Franklin's abilities would be the linchpin.
"They must be searching for me."
The heroes would be in chaos—but it no longer mattered; they could not stop him.
"Soon…"
Doom rose and walked to the machine, laying a hand upon its azure energy.
"Soon I shall prove it."
"Only I can save every Universe!"
His mind drifted back to those distant days before the cold mask…
"In my youth…"
His voice was low, almost a murmur.
He had been Victor Von Doom, a brilliant student.
Studying alongside Reed Richards—the man who would become Mister Fantastic.
They had been friends, even friendly rivals.
Together they might have changed the World.
But fate cast them onto opposite paths.
An experiment, an explosion—scarring his face, forcing him to hide forever behind cold metal.
While Reed won everything.
He married the beautiful, mighty Invisible Woman.
He gained friends—Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm—formed the Fantastic Four, became a celebrated hero.
Worse, he had children: Franklin and Valeria, prodigies both.
"And I…"
Doctor Doom's fists clenched, fury rising.
"I couldn't even save my mother."
Jealousy? Yes—he admitted it.
Why should the indecisive, self-righteous Reed possess everything?
While Victor Von Doom—smarter, stronger, more resolute—sat alone on a throne, masked, bearing the name of Doom.
"It isn't fair."
Yet his anger faded as quickly as it had come.
He smiled—not cold, not mocking, but genuinely, freely.
None of it mattered; soon he would transcend everything.
"I need envy no one."
"For I shall soon be the savior of every Universe!"
His gaze burned into the slowly awakening cross-dimensional engine.
Azure light grew brighter, reflecting off his iron mask.
"Reed, you will never surpass me."
"This time I will take everything from you!"
Doctor Doom spun around, barking an order to the robotic guard.
"Bring Franklin here."
The robot bowed and sped away.
Doom returned to the console, palms pressing against its surface.
As he worked the machine's glow intensified, energy ripples shaking the very air of the hall.
"Come!"
His voice trembled with excitement.
"Victory is at hand!"
Doom's eyes swept the hovering cross-dimensional engine.
Then he turned to another sentinel nearby and issued a crisp command.
"Fetch the ship and the Pym Particles."
The robot regarded him, then bowed.
"As you command, Master."
Chapter 278
It spun around and quickly vanished into the shadow of the side hall.
A moment later it returned.
Its hands cradled a miniature starship—palm-sized, its streamlined blue shell emblazoned with the Fantastic Four sigil.
Its other arm bore a Pym-particle canister glinting with blue light.
Doctor Doom stared at the two objects; behind his mask the corners of his mouth rose slowly, finally shaping a low, cold chuckle.
The craft was booty he had casually claimed while raiding the Baxter Building.
Reed's private shuttle, built for deep-space exploration, boasted full interstellar range.
The Pym Particles he had personally lifted from Hank Pym's lab, slipping past every layer of security with ease.
"Reed, you never saw this coming, did you?"
Doom paced slowly around the machine, the smile behind his mask relaxing more and more.
Then he stepped into the open center of the hall, took the miniature craft, and set it gently on the floor.
"Begin."
A robotic guard stepped forward at once and handed him the Pym-particle canister.
Doctor Doom accepted it and adjusted the parameters with practiced ease.
"Buzz!"
A blue beam burst from the canister and bathed the tiny starship in precise light.
In an instant the hull quivered, its structure swelling rapidly.
"Crack—boom!"
The ship ballooned at visible speed, its frame re-forming and stretching under the Pym Particles' power.
In seconds the palm-sized toy had become a shuttle dozens of meters long.
The craft now filled nearly all the hall's remaining space.
Doctor Doom looked up at the behemoth, eyes gleaming with excitement.
His plan was proceeding step by step.
"Perfect."
"With this I can not only travel dimensions—"
"—I can enter outer space when I wish, even journey to other galaxies in search of greater power."
Saying this, Doom turned toward the robot guard and said in a low voice,
"Initiate the Cross-Dimensional Routine."
"We depart soon."
The guard bowed, then hurried to the control terminal.
Doom gazed at the shuttle, murmuring,
"Reed, you're forever lost in theories and calculations—"
"I care only for results."
He lifted his hand slowly; lights on his armor flared alive one by one.
"Very soon you will know—"
"—who the true genius is!"
Just then the metal hatch slid aside and a squad of robotic guards strode in perfect step.
Among them a small figure skipped and weaved.
"Uncle Victor!"
It was Franklin Richards—eight years old, an Omega-Level Mutant able to rewrite reality.
Wide innocent eyes took everything in.
Half-eaten candy still clutched in his hand.
Doctor Doom turned and glanced at Franklin.
Then he crouched, his tone turning gentle.
"Franklin."
The boy showed no fear; giggling, he threw himself forward and hugged Doom's neck.
Doom lifted him carefully, servo joints adjusting force so as not to harm the child.
Franklin leaned against Doom's shoulder, blinking, then pointed at the gigantic craft in the hall.
"Uncle, is that Dad's spaceship?"
Doom glanced at the silver-blue shuttle.
He chose not to hide the truth; he admitted it outright.
"Yes."
Doom explained calmly, "We are going somewhere very far."
Franklin tilted his head. "Where?"
Doom was silent a moment, then said quietly,
"There, someone intends to bully Uncle Victor."
Will you help me?"
Hearing this, Franklin's little face scrunched; he clenched his fists and puffed his cheeks.
"Don't be scared, Uncle—Franklin's here!"
Whoever dares bully you, I'll chase them away with my powers!"
Behind his mask Doom's expression turned delighted.
"Good boy."
He patted Franklin's back lightly, praise laced with irony.
Then, lifting his head, he ordered the robot guards,
"Move the Trans-Universal Drive into the ship."
The machines sprang into action, mechanical arms detaching components with precision.
They carried the huge ring-shaped device and slid it smoothly into the shuttle.
Doom, still holding Franklin, strode toward the open hatch.
Inside, console lights glowed and engines rumbled like a waking beast.
Franklin wriggled excitedly. "We're riding a spaceship!"
Doom looked down at him, voice firm.
"Yes, Franklin."
"This time we are going to change everything."
The hatch closed slowly behind them.
The instant it sealed every lighting system inside flared alive.
Doom set Franklin down; the moment his feet touched the deck the boy dashed toward the humming trans-universal engine.
"Uncle Victor!"
Franklin stood on tiptoe, small hands gripping the console edge, eyes sparkling at the blinking lights.
"What's that glowing ring?"
Doom stepped behind him, palm hovering above the ring device.
"It's the key to our new World."
Looking at Franklin, Doom used a fairy-tale analogy to explain.
After soothing Franklin, Doom swiftly keyed the final code into the control panel.
The main screen flared crimson warnings.
[Dimensional Anchor unstable]
[External energy infusion required]
He knew the critical moment had arrived.
"Franklin."
Doom knelt to meet Franklin's gaze and pointed to the core of the machine.
"Now touch here with your power—gently—just like when you make toys change shape."
Franklin blinked, not understanding the principle but eager; he raised a chubby little hand.
"Like this?"
Red-gold light poured from his palm, flowing like a river to coil around the machine.
"Boom!"
Blinding blue light swallowed the entire cabin.
Franklin yelped; Doom shielded him in time.
The machine's howl rose beyond human hearing; sparks burst from riveted seams.
The central ring device became a vortex that devoured everything.
"Hold tight!"
Doom's roar was lost in the storm of energy.
His armor's gravity anchors engaged automatically as the fortress outside twisted like spilled paint and dissolved.
Outside, the remaining robots all looked up, optics recording the terrifying sight.
Before them the shuttle crumpled like an invisible hand crushing a can, collapsed into a point of light, and with a pop vanished.
Moments later the craft entered a Quantum-Space Tunnel.
Franklin pressed against the porthole, gazing out. "Wow!"
Outside, countless colored Earths drifted past like soap bubbles.
Doom's armor panels scrolled frantic data.
[Breaching universal barrier!]
[Target Universe signature detected: Earth-199999]
He glanced at the child in his arms; Franklin watched everything with wonder.
The red light he had released seeped into every component, turning impossible inter-dimensional travel into reality.
"Reed…"
Doom chuckled at the void, triumphant.
"Your son is far more useful than your equations."
…While Doom crossed Universes with Franklin, Bai Ye was coaching Wanda in wielding her new Chaos Magic.
Bai Ye's Villa beach.
Chapter 279
Golden sunlight Scattered on the private beach, and the azure waves gently lapped at the shore.
Three lounge chairs were lined up in a row, and Susan, Martina, and Ju Ziyun were lazily lying on them, enjoying the warmth of the afternoon.
Three perfect bodies exuded a breathtaking charm under the outline of bikinis.
Susan wore sunglasses, and her body shimmered in the sunlight. Obviously, she was absorbing energy all the time.
She took a bite of ice cream and said vaguely:
"Wanda's energy fluctuation is getting stronger again."
Martina pillow was propped up on the back of her head with one hand, and she held an ancient book in the other, regardless of whether she could understand it or not, and said bluntly:
"The upper limit of Chaos Magic is difficult to estimate, not to mention she absorbed Chthon's original energy."
Ju Ziyun ate a potato chip, then Squinting, feeling the sea breeze Brushing her skin.
"Bai Ye said her potential hasn't been fully excitation yet. What will it be like if she really reaches her limit?"
Only to see not far from the three of them, at the junction of the beach and the waves
Wanda levitated half a meter above the ground, her legs crossed, and red energy burned around her like flames.
Her pupils had completely turned scarlet, her hair danced wildly under the surge of Chaos Magic, and the surrounding air presented broken ripples due to the distortion of energy.
Bai Ye stood in front of her, his hands in the pockets of his beach pants, his eyes reflected the violent energy flow around Wanda.
At this time, they were testing Wanda's power!
Because of the last Chthon incident, Wanda's Chaos Magic has grown to an immeasurable level!
Not only that, but it is still growing!
Chthon was sealed by other ancient gods, but that doesn't mean he is weak.
He and Wanda are both hosts of Chaos Magic. The difference is that one has absorbed it for many years, and the other has absorbed it for a short time.
Now that Wanda has absorbed his origin, the sum is not a simple understanding of 1 plus 1 being greater than 2.
But there is one drawback, and that is that Chaos Magic is still too special.
Bai Ye recorded the nutrients absorbed with Divine Talent while thinking about Wanda's situation.
Wanda's current state, her strength under normal circumstances is no different from that of Cosmic Deities such as Eternity and Infinity.
But if she wants to truly break through to the Omniverse level, she still needs some kind of stimulation.
Just like the extreme emotional outbursts she experienced in comics and movies.
As Marvel's top power, the real horror of Chaos Magic lies in emotional resonance.
People often say that Wanda will never have any Mutants.
And the M royal family incident in the comics that overwrites reality are all products of extreme emotions.
"But it's enough as it is now."
Bai Ye smiled slightly and raised his hand to snap his fingers.
"Buzz#「thirtyP=Study on drinking and weeping1?Mixed with barley!"
A golden barrier instantly unfolded, completely sealing Wanda's energy fluctuations within ten meters of the vicinity, so as to avoid irreversible damage to the surrounding space.
Wanda slowly opened her eyes, her scarlet pupils staring directly at Bai Ye.
"I feel like I can be stronger."
Her voice carried a double echo, as if another more ancient existence was speaking through her throat.
Bai Ye nodded slightly, with an approving expression, and said bluntly:
"Of course you can, but what you need now is control, not growth."
He took a step closer and gently touched her eyebrows with his fingers.
"Swish!"
(Hao Nuo's) purple-golden energy was injected into her consciousness like a trickle, helping her sort out the violent Chaos Magic in her body.
The energy around Wanda gradually stabilized, and her scarlet pupils also returned to their original color.
Wanda landed slowly, breathed a sigh of relief, and thanked:
"Thank you, dear, I just felt the energy scurrying around!"
Bai Ye smiled and rubbed her red hair casually.
"Just get used to it. You are now like a child holding a star star learning to walk."
Wanda raised a satisfied smile and looked at Bai Ye with ambiguous eyes.
"This powerful feeling is really good."
Wanda said softly, her eyes Flashing with a firm light.
"I can finally do something to help you."
Bai Ye laughed, shook his head, and comforted softly.
"There's a lot you can do, Wanda."
"Not only can you help me, but you can also protect everyone."
Hearing Bai Ye's words, Wanda's eyes softened.
She turned her head and glanced at Susan, Martina, and Ju Ziyun, who were laughing and playing on the beach chairs in the distance.
Then she looked in the farther direction, which was the location of S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, but then she shook her head.
"I just want to protect you, Susan, them, and Pietro."
Her voice was very soft, but with an unquestionable firmness.
"We are family."
After a pause, Wanda's eyes dimmed slightly.
"I'm actually very selfish, do you understand? dear."
Bai Ye didn't answer immediately, but gently stretched out his hand, rubbed her red hair, and then gently hugged her into his arms.
"Me too, Wanda."
Bai Ye's voice was calm, but with unquestionable sincerity.
He didn't lie, his idea has always been very simple, to protect his family.
As for the others? It all depends on his mood.
Bai Ye was never a superhero of great righteousness.
He never cared about the righteousness of saving the World, nor did he care about the life and death of those strangers.
He helps this World only because there are people he cares about in this World.
Beyonders?
Thinking of those guys, Bai Ye's eyes turned cold.
Those guys who claim to be the supreme existence want to destroy all Universes, including the one he is in.
Then his principle is that since someone dares to disturb his stable life and threaten his family.
"Then I won't let them have an easy time either."
In the distance, on the beach chairs, Susan, Martina, and Ju Ziyun were looking at the hugging couple with tease expressions.
Ju Ziyun propped her chin and said in an exaggerated tone on purpose:
"Why doesn't Oppa come over and hug us too?"
Martina raised her eyebrows and slowly added.
"Unless you can also create Universes with a wave of your hand, then Bai Ye will also hold a small meeting for you."
Susan laughed out loud, the three girls looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.
[Earth-199999] (The movie main Universe after the protagonist changed history)
At this time, the new Avengers Tower
As the elevator doors slid open to both sides with a ding.
The Thunderbolts, no, the members of the New Avengers, as they should be called now, strode into the conference room.
Yelena walked in the front, looking tired and a little helpless.
"We are now officially certified as the New Avengers, and the government has stamped it. Why doesn't Steve Rogers understand?"
Yelena rolled her eyes, her tone filled with Irritability irritability.
America Agent John Walker followed her, playing with a star-spangled shield in his hand, with a playful smile on his lips.
"Because the shield is still in his hands, but it doesn't matter, I also have a shield."
He shook the replica shield in his hand and self-deprecatingly said: "Although it is a knockoff."
Bucky walked on Yelena's right, and said expressionlessly:
"That's right, it's a broken shield."
John raised his eyebrows, his expression a little unhappy. He can joke about himself, but it doesn't mean others can scold his shield like this.
"It's still a shield, isn't it?"
"It's still a broken shield!"
"I..."
"Enough!"
Yelena rubbed her temples and called a halt to the childish bickering between the two men.
After watching the two of them shut up, Martina continued:
"Think about it carefully, if we form a team and call it the Avengers, who is the real leader?"
John shrugged and responded in a relaxed tone:
"This is the question that netizens have been asking, but based on the vicious memes I've seen..."
He paused, looked around directly, and said cautiously: "The real leader is definitely not us."
Bucky walked straight to the conference table, pulled out a chair and sat down, expressionless.
Yelena stared at Bucky and asked helplessly:
"Isn't Steve Rogers your good buddy? Didn't you say you talked to him?"
Bucky didn't raise his head and said in a low voice: "Talked."
Yelena: "And then?"
Bucky: "The talk broke down〔Qilu cage4〈?镹泣鏾罒了."
As soon as Bucky said this, the conference room instantly fell silent.
John Walker didn't seem to be affected by the atmosphere at all. Instead, he curiously approached the console and poked several unlabeled buttons with his fingers.
"What are these buttons for? Why isn't there even an explanation?"
Yelena rolled her eyes, too lazy to pay attention to him, and continued to complain:
"Do you know that he sued us for name infringement!"
Ghost Ava Starr leaned against the wall, crossed her arms, and added lightly:
"Our reputation has been declining, but we didn't have any room for improvement anyway."
Yelena took a deep breath, trying to get the topic back on track.
"And now there is a serious rising crisis, but no one tells me what's going on?"
Chapter 280
John Walker looked up blankly and asked,
"Are we running out of space already? There's no way we're at capacity—didn't you see how big this building is?"
Yelena froze, staring at him as if he were an idiot.
John blinked, utterly bewildered. "Isn't that right? What's wrong?"
Yelena rubbed her temples and enunciated, "It's external space!"
Just then, Sentinel-Bob, who had been quietly reading in the corner, finally looked up and slowly closed his book, about to speak.
Suddenly... "Alert! Alert! Unidentified spacecraft detected entering operational orbit!"
The building's AI voice—female—shrieked, and piercing alarms flooded the room.
Everyone shot to their feet, eyes snapping to the central screen.
Red Guardian narrowed his eyes, confusion thick in his gravelly voice.
"What is that thing?"
No one answered; they just stared fixedly at the display.
On the massive monitor, a deep-blue ship tore through the Atmosphere at breathtaking speed.
Along its blue hull, a huge, unmistakable number was emblazoned.
4
Aboard the craft, Doctor Doom gazed down at the Planet, a smile curling beneath his mask.
"The grand plan begins now!"
"Franklin, the time has come to show your power."
White Ye was about to head over and deal with Susan and the others' teasing when—
"Shaa!"
A Strange rustle shattered the Beach's calm.
White Ye and company turned toward the sound; a golden ring of sparks had appeared on the sand.
As the sparks spun outward, a Portal slowly formed.
All five focused on the gateway. The Ancient One stepped through first, trailed by two familiar figures.
A crimson-cloaked Strange—and another identically dressed Strange whose eyes bore dark veins.
"Whoa, a Sorcerer Supreme convention?"
White Ye grinned, gaze flicking between the two Doctors Strange.
"Some kind of buy-one-get-one sale?"
Two Doctor Stranges?"
Susan blinked in surprise, wondering if Strange had taken office early.
White Ye had told them snippets of the future.
Hence Susan's line of thought.
White Ye studied the newcomer from the cinematic main Universe with interest.
Indeed, this new Strange hailed from the film's main Universe.
White Ye had once visited that World and helped during the Avengers' Endgame.
Familiar with its heroes' aura, he recognized the newcomer's origin at a glance.
"Strange?"
Wanda narrowed her eyes, sizing them up curiously.
"Two of them?"
Martina and the other two girls instantly teleported to White Ye's side.
Wanda leaned close to White Ye's ear and whispered, "Didn't you say last time he was kinda weak?"
White Ye shrugged. "Weak he may be, but he keeps breaking limits at messing things up."
Clearly Wanda had also recognized the new Strange.
As the first woman by White Ye's side, she knew plenty about his multiversal travels.
Just as White Ye put it, Strange was a trouble magnet—and here he was again.
Something must be up; perhaps an incursion was affecting them.
Whatever it was, White Ye intended to hear them out first.
After roasting Strange, Wanda added flatly,
"Doesn't look like good news."
The Ancient One smiled and nodded to everyone; Dark Doctor Strange stood by with a grin.
The other Strange—the cinematic version—looked haggard, evidently fresh from battle.
"Mr. Bai, it's been a while," the Ancient One said gently.
"Sorry to interrupt your vacation."
Hands in his Beach-shorts pockets, White Ye quipped,
"So, another End of the World scenario, courtesy of three sorcerers?"
Dark Doctor Strange nodded. "Yes, but it's not our problem this time."
The cinematic Doctor Strange gave an awkward smile and admitted,
"My Universe is in trouble again."
White Ye raised an eyebrow at the familiar face.
"Well, well, Strange—here we go again. An incursion hitting you guys?"
As he spoke, White Ye casually conjured several Beach Chairs.
"So, what delightful disaster is it this time?"
The cinematic Universe's Doctor Strange stared gravely at Bai Ye.
"According to Sorcerer Ancient One, I learned that your Universe once faced an Earth-collision crisis, but in ours it should never have happened."
"Until Peter Parker's..."
"Stop."
Bai Ye suddenly raised a hand, thought of something, and said bluntly:
"You're talking about several Spider-Men, right?"
Doctor Strange nodded. "Three versions."
Wanda's red lips parted slightly. "So the Spider-Man of your Universe caused the Multiverse crisis?"
Sorcerer Ancient One sighed and shook her head. "More precisely, a magically gifted child opened the door to the Multiverse."
"At first it was nothing, but..."
As the thought struck him, the cinematic Doctor Strange shut his eyes in pain.
0 Please send flowers
"Villains linked to Spider-Man from three different Universes were forcibly dragged into our World."
"By the time we finally fixed that, the dimensional walls looked like Swiss cheese—full of holes."
Hearing this, Bai Ye rubbed his chin—clearly the plot of Spider-Man 3.
"So the crisis in your Universe was man-made as well?"
"Not only that."
Sorcerer Ancient One wove hand-signs and projected an image mid-air.
"Look at this."
In the projection a surge of energy rammed wildly against dimensional barriers; every impact rippled through space.
"That's Spectrum!" Dark Doctor Strange explained.
"She crossed Universes on her own, without the Sorcerer Supreme's help."
The cinematic Doctor Strange gave a bitter laugh. "Like smashing a glass window with a battering ram."
Bai Ye nodded, then chuckled. "So, to recap: first a kid botched a spell, then Spider-Man made trouble, and finally Spectrum brute-forced her way across?"
All three sorcerers looked embarrassed.
Bai Ye grew curious; from Strange's words, the cinematic Universe originally had no Earth-collision crisis?
Bai Ye wondered—could there be some barrier between the cinematic and comic Universes?
He had once heard that the cinematic and comic Universes follow two different worldviews.
In the comics' main Universe they call themselves the 616 Main Universe.
In the movies they also call themselves the 616 Main Universe.
The comic Multiverse centers on Comic-616, while...
The cinematic Multiverse branches off Universe-199999 on the Sacred Timeline; they refer to it as a Parallel Universe.
In short, they're separate Multiverses and normally don't affect each other.
Yet both answer to the same OAA, as if OAA created two Multiverses...
Thinking about the two Multiverses, Bai Ye understood what Strange had just said.
Strange and Ancient One exchanged glances; Dark Doctor Strange kept silent.
At last the cinematic Doctor Strange sighed. "This is our preliminary understanding; the exact cause is still under investigation, but one thing is certain—reckless Multiverse travel."
"Coupled with Captain Marvel–linked Spectrum forcing her way into another Universe, these actions led to the current situation."
"So..."
Bai Ye looked at Strange curiously and asked:
"How did you finally solve the Earth-collision crisis?"
At those words the air seemed to freeze.
Clearly the question left Strange silent.
He instinctively glanced at Ancient One; after receiving an affirming look, he looked toward Dark Doctor Strange.
Finally Strange sighed heavily and spoke with difficulty:
"We went to war with the other Universe's heroes; we won, yet the two Earths kept approaching."
"In the end... I released Dormammu and let him devour the other Earth to end the crisis."
"You released Dormammu?"
Wanda glanced at Strange; the outcome had never occurred to her.
"That was dangerous," she finally added.
Chapter 281
"I know!"
Doctor Strange suddenly raised his voice, then slumped his shoulders in defeat.
"But we have no choice; the distance between the two Earths is now close enough to see each other's skyscrapers."
Bai Ye watched Strange's collapsing expression with interest.
"So you opened a Dimensional Portal and let Dormammu devour one Earth?"
Saying that, Doctor Strange's face was filled with conflict and pain.
As Earth's Guardian, he had personally destroyed another Earth, a choice that clearly tormented him.
Bai Ye shook his head; he had nothing to say about such behavior.
But wow, Strange, your thick eyebrows and big eyes are really ruthless!
You actually dared to release Dormammu to swallow a Planet? Aren't you afraid the Dimensional Demon God would go berserk?
The Ancient One looked at Strange helplessly, then turned to Bai Ye.
"Our Universe's barrier is now extremely fragile and needs massive energy to repair. If we don't act, the Multiverse will keep drawing closer together."
Bai Ye didn't answer immediately, but gazed toward the distant horizon.
Suddenly, Bai Ye said oddly, "If that's all, isn't it enough for you to come over?"
Faced with Bai Ye's question, Strange fell into recollection.
His thoughts uncontrollably drifted back to a scene from a few days ago.
The New York dome was ripped open by a green light, and a tall figure cloaked in dark green armor stepped down through a magical circle.
He held a little boy in his hand, and a metallic voice emanated from beneath his armored mask.
"From now on, this World is under my control."
"This World needs a true ruler."
"And I, Victor Von Doom, will save all Universes!"
Bai Ye noticed Strange zoning out and pressed on: flowyi Neon emu4 Grilled
"Although I don't know exactly why you sought me, your Universe should have a Sentinel, right? Why didn't you let him act?"
Hearing Bai Ye's query, Doctor Strange finally snapped back, smiling wryly and shaking his head:
"We tried, but the Sentinel couldn't unleash his full power."
He paused, rubbed his forehead helplessly, and continued:
"To alter reality or destroy a Planet, we must summon the Void, but how could that madman possibly listen to us?"
Bai Ye nodded, neither confirming nor denying.
Indeed, a Sentinel under the Void persona is even more dangerous and completely uncontrollable.
The Sentinel, hailed as Earth's strongest superhero on the surface, has absurdly high combat power.
At least he's stronger than most heroes, and if the Sentinel erupts, trying to reshape reality or destroy a Planet is understandable.
But the drawback is huge: he cannot be controlled.
At that moment, Doctor Strange suddenly grew serious: "Actually, I'm here mainly because of another matter."
Wanda, Susan, Martina, and Ju Ziyun all looked curiously at the Sorcerer Supreme.
They all wanted to know what could be so important to the Sorcerer Supreme.
"Oh?"
Bai Ye saw Strange finally about to reveal his purpose, a flash of interest in his eyes... "What could make you come in person? It can't be the Celestials, can it?"
Strange took a deep breath, as if making up his mind: "This story starts a week ago."
His voice deepened: "I was searching the New York Sanctum for a solution to the collision crisis, when someone breached the World barrier—a man calling himself Doctor Doom."
"He was carrying a child, saying he would rule all Universes."
At this point, Doctor Strange's eyes showed a hint of unease.
"The Avengers have disbanded; the newly formed Avengers (Thunder Strike Squad) went to stop him, but all failed."
Doctor Strange sighed lightly: "The most troublesome part is that the child seems to possess reality‑altering abilities."
Wanda looked puzzled: "Alter reality? Could it be..."
"No, it's Franklin Richards," Doctor Strange shook his head heavily.
"A child from another Universe."
Bai Ye was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh.
"New Avengers, are you talking about the Thunder Strike Team?" he shook his head.
If he remembered correctly, the Thunder Strike Team is that group slightly stronger than ordinary humans?
Besides the Sentinel, they have no top‑tier power, even weaker than the Squadron Supreme.
But if that's the case, Doctor Doom really did bring Franklin Richards into the movie Universe, so the Thunder Strike Team's loss wasn't unfair at all.
After all, that little boy can literally knead Universes with his bare hands—a truly absurd monster.
And his power grows the older he gets, surpassing even the long‑gone Sentinel.
Thinking of this, Bai Ye looked at Doctor Strange again, his eyes tinged with amusement.
"We've already got opponents of this caliber, what about the Sentinel? He still hasn't shown up? Did he just get used as cannon fodder again?"
"Has the Void not appeared?"
Doctor Strange's face grew even paler at the words, and he took a deep breath, his voice low:
"The Void did appear... but I opened a Portal and threw him into the Hell Dimension."
"I'll bring him back once he regains his sanity."
Speaking of the Sentinel, Strange felt helpless, truly not knowing what kind of beings populate his own Universe.
Either they disappear, become unreachable, or have all retired.
So there's not a single one we can actually use?
The only one with great power is a drug addict? Or perhaps a lunatic.
Bai Ye couldn't help but mutter inwardly.
Man, you play a ruthless hand—just tossing the Void straight into Hell?
Aren't you afraid he'll claw his way back from Hell to you?
Doctor Strange continued, "That kid's reality‑altering ability is just too strong!"
"The New Avengers are powerless against him."
"Tony and the others had already retired, but because of this crisis, the Avengers were forced to regroup."
As he spoke, Strange's tone grew heavier:
"We fought Doctor Doom again!"
"But his magical level is no less than mine, and with Franklin's abilities, the Avengers were defeated."
Bai Ye suddenly thought of something and pressed Strange further:
"What about Wanda? She didn't act?"
"I mean, the Wanda from your Universe."
He asked this because after helping the movie‑Universe Wanda last time,
the Scarlet Witch had already risen to a single‑Universe‑level strength.
Logically, she shouldn't be unable to handle the still‑young Franklin.
Doctor Strange was stunned, then shook his head with a complex expression.
"Since you helped her last time, she hasn't shown up before anyone again; no one knows where she went."
"We haven't heard from her in a long time."
Bai Ye nodded thoughtfully after listening.
Wanda's disappearance—self‑exile? Or… He didn't keep asking; a vague suspicion formed in his mind, but it didn't matter.
It's an old Marvel tradition: when a big event hits, high‑level powerhouses mysteriously stay out of the fight, or claim they're unavailable for various reasons.
In the end it's a bloody mess, and once the event passes, those people become active again.
Interesting.
Bai Ye looked at Wanda beside him; the two exchanged a glance.
"So..."
Bai Ye crossed his arms, staring straight at Doctor Strange:
"You want me to go to your Universe and help you deal with Doctor Doom?"
Doctor Strange was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Yes, we need your power."
Doctor Strange looked into Bai Ye's eyes, his tone sincere.
"We need your help not to resolve the Universe‑collision crisis, but to stop a lunatic who intends to rule the Multiverse."
Bai Ye kept his arms crossed, his expression calm, offering no immediate answer to Strange's request.
For such cross‑universal trouble, he always adheres to the principle of 'no profit, no early action', unless the reward is tempting enough.
Even the last time the Ancient One asked him to fix the Multiverse chaos, it was a fair exchange.
The price can be anything; he never thinks about what he wants, only what the other side offers.
Strange saw Bai Ye's silence, his face showing slight urgency, and couldn't help but glance toward the Ancient One, eyes asking.
The Ancient One and Dark Doctor Strange exchanged a look, then the Ancient One smiled faintly and said gently:
"Perhaps..."
"You could first tell me, what reward can you offer?"
Bai Ye raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at his mouth.
"It has to be the Ancient One; she really gets me."
Wanda, Susan, Martina and Ju Ziyun exchanged glances, each showing a knowing smile.
Strange finally understood, inhaled deeply, and swiftly formed sigils with both hands.
With complex magical gestures, the eye of agamotto on his chest slowly opened, and a green Time Stone floated out.
"Bai Ye," Strange said solemnly.
"If you're willing to help, I can give you the Time Stone and all the remaining Infinity Stones in our Universe!"
He paused, then his voice grew firmer:
"This is the greatest sincerity we can offer."
Bai Ye's gaze locked onto the Time Stone.
"Oh, a Time Stone?"
Although he grabbed a few when he first visited the movie Universe, and doesn't need them now.
He has to admit, Infinity Stones are still fine collectibles.
Chapter 282
Thinking of this, Bai Ye shrugged and finally spoke.
"Interesting idea."
Instead of answering Strange's proposal right away, Bai Ye turned to the four women beside him, smiling.
"Fancy a little trip? We might even bring back some gems."
Wanda chuckled. "I don't need them; give mine to Martina—she doesn't have a single one yet."
She paused, a sly glint in her eyes. "But I'm always up for a bit of fun."
Susan shook her head as well, palms up. "I don't need any more gems either."
She winked at Martina. "Leave them for her!"
Ju Ziyun languidly stretched. "Gems are useless to me now."
She tilted her head toward Bai Ye. "Still, I never say no to a good show."
Martina's eyes lit with surprise and gratitude at her younger sisters' words.
"I've long seen the wonders of the Infinity Stones—now I'll finally have one of my own?"
Bai Ye nodded approvingly at their reactions, then turned to the three sorcerers.
"Deal."
Strange exhaled in relief and immediately began sketching a Portal.
"Shall we leave at once?"
Bai Ye nodded, gaze shifting to the Ancient One and Dark Doctor Strange.
"This Earth is in your hands, both of you."
The Ancient One pressed her palms together, robes fluttering in the breeze.
"It is our duty."
Dark Doctor Strange gave a knowing smile.
"May the next time we meet bring news of your victory."
Bai Ye turned back; his four companions were ready.
"Good—let's move."
With a wave from Bai Ye the space warped, six silhouettes swallowed by spatial energy.
Only faint ripples of power remained on the beach, soon scattered by the sea wind.
The Ancient One stared at the spot where they'd vanished.
"They will succeed."
Dark Strange added, "And Bai Ye and those around him are growing faster than reason allows."
He paused. "We can't even keep up with their silhouettes."
"Why chase them?"
The Ancient One turned; a Portal had already opened.
"The wise do not blindly pursue power—they seek balance."
Dark Strange blinked. "I've learned something again, Master."
"Every day brings new lessons—especially when you think you already know everything."
The Ancient One stepped through the Portal, her voice fading with the sparks.
"Just as every Universe holds a new story."
Earth-199999 (Main Cinematic Universe)
Avengers Base
Evening light spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing everyone in the hall.
Tony Stark lounged on a corner sofa while Friday's robotic arm adjusted the reactor in his chest.
His temples were gray, the crow's-feet deeper than years ago, yet his eyes remained sharp.
He stared at the flickering data of the hologram, worry gnawing at him.
"So Strange went to find help?"
Tony asked slowly, voice low and weary.
"Yeah."
Steve Rogers sat opposite, shield resting beside his leg.
His golden hair still shone, but the lines of time could no longer be hidden.
Steve laced his fingers, knuckles whitening.
"He says Bai Ye can definitely handle Doctor Doom."
"Bai Ye, huh? That blond kid really is something."
Banner adjusted his glasses, frustration in his tone.
"After all, we tried—conventional methods were useless."
"Conventional?" Thor snorted, Stormbreaker across his knees.
"We even pulled out the unconventional—and he turned my axe into a toy with a thought."
"Exactly. The real headache isn't Doctor Doom; it's the kid."
Hawkeye leaned by the window, fingers brushing his quiver.
"Franklin Richards."
Black Widow Natasha crossed her arms against the wall.
"Reality warper, Omega-level Mutant—able to rewrite the physical laws of the entire Universe, theoretically."
Her sister Yelena picked up the thread, complaining, "That's what Doctor Doom himself said. I still don't get what a Mutant is."
"And we can't even lay a finger on him," John Walker said grimly.
The new Captain America, codename American Agent, felt powerless, fists clenched in frustration.
"The kid doesn't even know what he's doing—he's just playing."
Bucky sat in silence, cybernetic arm tightening slightly as he looked around.
"If the people Strange found can't cut it, do we have a fallback?"
Tony paused, then resumed tapping the armrest.
"We do."
He spoke softly after a long hesitation.
"But I hate that plan."
The room sank back into silence at his words.
Everyone knew what he meant: the Sentry.
The madman who, once unleashed, could obliterate the entire Planet.
"We can't let him out again."
Steve shook his head, voice firm.
"Last time he nearly leveled half of New York."
"But if it truly comes to the end…" Banner murmured, leaving the sentence unfinished.
No one answered; they all knew that, when push came to shove, they might have no choice…
Earth-199999 (Fantastic Four Cinematic Universe)
Fantastic Four Tower
In the lab only the low hum of machines and the crisp clack of keyboards could be heard.
Reed Richards' fingers flew across the keys while holograms refreshed, yet his gaze was unfocused.
The hair at his temples was messier than usual, a few strands sticking up—something almost unthinkable.
After all, he was the ever-calm, ever-rational Mister Fantastic, and now his son was missing.
"Still no signal."
Reed's voice was hoarse as he swiped to bring up the final record.
It was the energy spike left the instant the Inter-universal Transporter activated.
Invisible Woman stood beside him, a gentle hand on his shoulder for comfort.
Yet her trembling fingers betrayed her own unease.
"Reed…" she began softly, unsure what to say.
Words of comfort had been exhausted, but reality remained cruel.
Their son Franklin had simply vanished into thin air.
"We have to do something."
This time Human Torch wasn't joking; he leaned against a console, fists clenched.
"We can't just sit here!"
"Easy, Matchstick—we're already doing everything we can," The Thing rumbled, his rock face tense.
"Everything?" Johnny straightened up, voice rising.
"We don't even know who took him—Doctor Doom or some enemy from another Universe we've never heard of!"
"Johnny!" Invisible Woman frowned, voice sharpening.
"No, Storm, he's right."
Reed suddenly spoke, fingers freezing over the keyboard, eyes focusing.
"We've missed something."
He stood abruptly, moving to another console and pulling up a new data set.
"Look: when the transporter was stolen the tower's defenses never triggered and the cameras were jammed."
Reed's words came faster as his mind raced.
"That means whoever did this knows our tech inside out and can bypass our security protocols."
"You're saying…" Invisible Woman's pupils narrowed.
"It was an inside job?"
Chapter 283
"Or someone we've fought before."
Reed's hands swept across the hologram, pulling up a roster.
It listed everyone who had ever accessed Fantastic Four tech or had the skill to crack their systems.
Doctor Doom's name blazed in red at the top.
"Victor!"
Invisible Woman whispered the name, her body trembling.
"Impossible," The Thing—Ben—grunted, shaking his head.
"Last we checked, he'd locked himself inside Latveria's capital."
"Unless he changed his mind," Human Torch said coldly.
Reed didn't answer; he brought up another data set.
Real-time satellite feed of Latveria.
The castle sat empty—no sign of the usual robot guards.
"Damn it!"
Human Torch's fist slammed into the wall, flames spraying everywhere.
Chapter 405 – Spacetime Disarray, Coordinates Lost
Reed's breathing quickened, but he forced himself to stay calm.
"If it really is him," Reed said, voice steady.
"Then he took Franklin for one reason only—to use his power."
Invisible Woman cut in, voice shaking: "But Franklin's just a child."
"Then we find him—fast."
Reed's fingers danced across the keyboard, launching the cross-Universe tracker.
"He stole our teleporter; we'll trace where he went."
"How long?" The Thing—Ben—rumbled.
"Uncertain."
Reed's brow furrowed as he stared at the data.
"If he's jumped to a specific Universe, the energy ripple will leave a trail."
Invisible Woman stepped close and squeezed his hand. "We'll find him, Reed."
Reed said nothing; he only squeezed back.
The four turned again to the coordinates.
Reed tapped a key.
Machine 627's hum rose, the core's glow brightening.
Blinding blue-white streams wove above the platform, twisting into a spatial vortex.
Reed stood at the front, uniform on, stabilizers on his arms flickering.
He watched the jumping coordinates and declared: "Coordinates locked—Earth-199999!"
Invisible Woman stood beside him, worry in her eyes but steel in her voice. "This time we bring Franklinhome."
Human Torch grinned. "Finally, some action."
The Thing clenched his fists. "Whoever took the kid goes through me first."
"Positions."
Reed drew a breath and triggered the final sequence.
The machine's roar peaked; the portal yawned wide like torn fabric, revealing churning dimensional chaos.
"Go!"
The four stepped through without hesitation.
But as the light was about to swallow them—'Warning! Energy spike anomalous! Coordinates shifting!'
The lab AI shrieked.
Reed spun around, pupils shrinking. "What?! No!"
Too late.
The tunnel twisted; stable blue turned violent, like invisible fists churning water.
Their silhouettes flickered—then vanished.
Only dying machine noise and blinking fault lights remained.
Inside the dimensional maelstrom—snatched by savage spatial energy—the four spun like autumn leaves between the walls of countless Worlds.
Reed fought to adjust the stabilizers, but every attempt was shattered by stronger turbulence.
"Reed! We're being torn apart!" Invisible Woman's voice crackled over the comm.
"Hold on! I'm trying to—" A burst of blue swallowed them. [Earth-10005]
Mutant Academy
Sunlight washed over emerald lawns; a breeze carried the scent of grass and wildflowers.
Students trained in the distance, laughter drifting on the air.
Monica Rambeau—Spectrum—sat beneath an oak, staring at the sky.
A soft blue glow pulsed from her skin—her power leaking.
"Homesick again?"
Beast Hank approached with two coffees and sat beside her.
Monica took a cup, sighing. "Yeah. This place is great, but it's not my World."
Hank adjusted his glasses. "We're working on a way back—cross-Universe travel isn't simple."
"I know." She gave a small, sad smile. "I just wonder how my friends are doing…"
BOOM!!
A blue rift tore the sky; four figures slammed into the back lawn like meteors.
Dust exploded; students screamed and scattered; the X-Men snapped into combat stance.
Monica and Hank sprang up, staring at the crater.
Smoke cleared, revealing four battered shapes.
A rock-skinned giant shook his head and rose.
A blond youth still crackled with dying embers.
A golden-haired woman wobbled to her feet, clutching her forehead.
The last man's arms snapped back to normal length like rubber.
"Ugh—this jump was worse than Johnny's driving," The Thing muttered, climbing out.
"Hey! My driving is flawless!" Human Torch shot back.
Invisible Woman steadied herself, her invisible Force Field flaring instinctively. "Where are we?"
Reed scooped up the fallen stabilizer, face grim. "Coordinates are way off—this isn't our target Universe."
Then Monica and Hank led a circle of X-Men closing in.
"Mutants like us?"
Storm hovered, wind swirling around her, ready to strike.
"No—wait!" Reed raised his hands quickly. "We're not hostile!"
"We were thrown here by spatial turbulence!"
"Who are you?" Cyclops stepped forward.
Reed lifted his hands in peace. "No aggression. We're the Fantastic Four from another Universe—searching for our son."
"I'm Reed Richards."
He brushed dust from his uniform. "This is Susan, Johnny, and Ben. We're definitely not from around here."
The X-Men weren't convinced; Colossus's metallic fists stayed clenched. "Prove you're not Brotherhood."
"Brotherhood?"
Human Torch snorted. "No idea who they are, but if we were attackers, we'd have leveled this place on impact."
"Johnny!" Invisible Woman snapped, then turned to the X-Men apologetically. "Sorry for the crash-landing—our trans-dimensional drive malfunctioned."
Hank's nostrils flared; he stepped closer and sniffed. "Quantum tunneling residue."
He glanced at Storm. "Not Mutant ability."
Behind them, the whir of a wheelchair approached.
Chapter 284
Charles Xavier slowly rolled into the center of the crowd, long fingers pressed to his temple—he'd clearly finished his telepathic sweep.
"They're telling the truth." Professor X looked up, meeting Reed's gaze.
"But deeper anxiety hides in your thoughts—you're searching for a child."
Reed blinked, unsurprised; he'd seen this before. He nodded.
"Yes. My son—he was stolen."
Invisible Woman and the others sighed.
At that moment Monica stepped forward, eyes bright with curiosity.
"You just mentioned cross-dimensional transport—you can travel between Universes?"
Reed fiddled with the smoking device in his hand and shook his head. "We could—until now…"
He displayed the sparking core; it was completely fried.
"Unless we find a replacement power source, we're all stuck here."
Everyone fell silent; they still didn't know what had happened.
But these people had leapt Universes for a child—something they'd never dared imagine.
"Look—chess / stroll—come…"
Professor X turned to Reed's group, smiling gently. "Your malfunction was no accident."
"Why?!"
Invisible Woman frowned, puzzled.
Professor X said nothing, but the X-Men understood; they looked toward the other inter-dimensional visitor.
Ahead, Monica's body began glowing blue, her gaze turning resolute.
"Count me in. The way home might lie in the direction you're heading."
Reed and his teammates exchanged knowing smiles.
The atmosphere relaxed. Hank watched the two groups suddenly become allies and quipped,
"Now this is a cross-Universe level of trouble."
…[Earth-199999]
Avengers Base
The hall's silence shattered as space rippled without warning.
Air tore like paper, golden energy spreading outward as reality twisted into a spiraling vortex.
The Avengers snapped to battle-ready; Tony's nano armor enveloped him.
Steve's shield snapped to his chest, Thor's axe crackled with lightning, Banner poised to tear his shirt.
The Thunderbolts fanned out, guns and weapons trained on the vortex's center.
The next instant, six figures appeared from thin air.
Bai Ye stood at the fore, violet irises glowing in the dim hall.
Behind him, four women who looked like sightseers—yet no one dared underestimate them.
Doctor Strange stood to one side, expression grave.
"Stand down!"
Tony's voice rang out; his helmet folded back, revealing a surprised but grinning face.
Steve relaxed, lowering his shield slightly.
"It's Bai Ye!"
Thor raised a brow; the lightning on Stormbreaker faded.
"So Strange found our ace in the hole."
The Thunderbolts hesitated—they didn't know Bai Ye.
But seeing the veteran Avengers lower their guard, they slowly holstered their weapons.
Yelena narrowed her eyes, sizing up the newcomers, while John Walker muttered to Bucky.
"Who are they?"
Bucky gave no answer, his gaze fixed on Bai Ye, complicated.
Bai Ye swept his gaze around and chuckled. "Long time no see, everyone. So, you need the power of a god?"
Tony stepped forward, palms open. "If you mean the kind of god who can punch a planet to dust—then yes, we really do."
Bai Ye smiled, eyes scanning every face in the room.
The weariness and fighting spirit of the old Avengers, the vigilance and doubt of the Thunderbolts.
This was probably the most complete assembly of superheroes in the current cinematic Universe.
Except, of course, for the chronically late Captain Marvel.
"Doctor Doom and Franklin Richards—you can't beat them?"
Bai Ye cut straight to the chase, no small talk.
"It's not that we can't win."
Banner adjusted his glasses, voice resigned.
"We can't even fight. One stray thought from the kid turns reality into a picture book."
"That's why we came to you." Strange stepped forward, deadly serious.
"His power is too dangerous. Left unchecked, the Universe will collapse."
Wanda stepped forward and quietly added,
"The resonance of Chaos Magic tells me his power is spiraling out of control."
"If we don't stop it, this Universe will be finished—soon."
Wanda's words silenced the room again.
The film-Universe crowd froze; only now, from the Chaos Magic and the red hair, did they realize—this woman was Wanda!
Only she was younger and far more beautiful than the Wanda they knew.
Put the two side by side and, beyond the identical crimson hair and Chaos Magic, they'd swear they weren't the same person.
But that was inevitable; the white night universe belongs to the comic-book Multiverse, so its faces are naturally more perfect than live-action.
"That's right, I'm Wanda—but not the one you know."
Feeling every stare, Wanda spoke slowly.
Tony glanced at Bai Ye, then at the four women behind him, and suddenly grinned. "Three-one-seven."
"So, how exactly are you planning to help? Charge straight in and beat up Doctor Doom—or…?"
"Beat him up?"
Martina blinked, brimming with confidence.
"Far too easy."
Susan smiled just as confidently, flexed her wrist, and said flat-out:
"The real problem isn't defeating them—it's saving that child without hurting him."
Ju Ziyun tilted her head toward Bai Ye. "Oppa, do we go straight to them?"
Bai Ye didn't answer at once; instead he looked at Tony. "Have you tried negotiating?"
"We tried." Steve shook his head. "Doctor Doom won't even deign to talk; his goal is clear—rule every Universe."
"And that kid doesn't even realize he's being used."
Bai Ye nodded, then turned his gaze to the window.
Far away the sky flickered with unnatural energy ripples—signs of reality being twisted.
"Then…"
He drew his gaze back, calm and decisive.
"We go straight to them."
Tony raised an eyebrow. "Right now?"
"Right now." Bai Ye smiled faintly. "After all, you've waited long enough."
The instant the words left his mouth he dissolved into a violet-gold streak and vanished on the spot!
Wanda, Susan, Martina and Ju Ziyun shot after him.
Scarlet, blue, gold and silver flashed once, leaving only faintly rippling air.
Strange exhaled and looked at the stunned Avengers.
"Move—they won't wait for us."
Tony smiled as his mask snapped shut.
"Friday, bring every backup reactor online—we follow!"
Thor laughed, whirling Stormbreaker. "Finally, some fun!"
The Thunderbolts were still bewildered, but when the old-guard Avengers sprang into action they rushed to keep up.
Steve Rogers gave one last glance where Bai Ye had vanished and murmured,
"Will everything change this time?"
…Outskirts of the city
A towering black castle stood on the cliff's edge, its spires piercing the clouds; viridian runes flickered across the stonework, the whole structure exuding ominous oppression.
On the highest parapet Doctor Doom stood with hands behind his back, eyes as cold as ever behind the metal mask.
Beside him Franklin Richards sat on the stone balustrade, legs swinging, a chocolate ice-cream in hand, face smeared with it.
"Uncle Victor, did you build this castle?" Franklin asked, looking up innocently.
Doom glanced down; behind the mask his mouth curved gently. "I did, Franklin."
"So cool!" Franklin's eyes sparkled.
"Way cooler than Dad's lab!"
Doom made no reply, turning his gaze to the distant horizon.
Between them on the stone parapet lay an ancient parchment scroll covered in cryptic spells.
Franklin's left hand rested casually upon it; Doom's right hand covered the other end.
The scroll glowed sickly green as invisible energy flowed from Franklin's fingertips into the parchment, through the runes, and finally into Doom himself.
It was an energy transfer.
Feeling the power swelling within, Doom's thoughts drifted back to yesterday—when the Avengers had assembled yet again, trying to reclaim Franklin.
They had fought with everything, even turning all New York into a battlefield.
But Franklin had merely waved a hand—and reality twisted.
Iron Man's armor became a toy model, Captain America's shield softened into rubber.
Chapter 285
Thor's lightning turned into drifting streamers, and Strange's magic became children's doodles.
The Avengers stood frozen while Doctor Doom merely sneered.
"You will never understand what true power is."
At that very moment, however, Doom noticed Franklin's gaze.
The child looked at the defeated Avengers—especially Iron Man.
When Franklin saw Tony Stark's stunned face, hesitation flickered in his eyes.
"Uncle Victor, did we go too far?"
Hearing Franklin's words, Doom's heart sank.
Franklin was too innocent; his power was immense, yet his mind was still a child's.
He could be swayed, persuaded—he might even leave me in the end.
That was something Doom would never allow.
So he returned to the castle and unearthed the Forbidden Grimoire.
The Eternal Covenant
An ancient spell that could permanently transfer another's power.
And right now, it was 3.9 seconds from completion.
Franklin yawned and rubbed his eyes. "Uncle Victor, I'm a little sleepy."
Doom looked down at him, voice still gentle. "Sleep, child."
Franklin nodded drowsily, his little head drooping against Doom's leg; the ice cream in his hand slowly melted, dripping onto the stone.
The scroll's glow intensified as the transfer of power accelerated.
Doom quietly watched the defenseless child, the gaze behind his mask turning complex.
"When you wake, everything will be different."
"You'll never have to bear this power again."
You can simply be a child—an ordinary, carefree little boy."
Just as Doom anticipated the transfer's completion—
BOOM!!!
A blinding white energy cannon blasted from afar, shattering half the castle.
Doom jerked his head up, pupils shrinking behind the mask.
In the distant sky several figures were streaking closer.
Leading the charge was a figure wreathed in violet-gold light.
Doom didn't recognize most of them, but one stood out at a glance.
Wanda Maximoff, her features unmistakable.
As for why he failed to spot Susan?
Because the Susan of the white night universe far surpassed her movie counterpart in presence and looks.
Having become a close-quarters berserker, she was nothing like the fragile Invisible Woman of the films.
Scarlet eyes ablaze, Wanda's Chaos Magic burned like flame as her voice rang across the sky.
"Victor Von Doom, your end has come!"
A cold snort sounded from behind Doom's mask.
He raised his hand; the castle's defensive runes ignited, green spell-lines chaining into a net.
"Too late, Scarlet Witch."
In his hands gathered reality-rewriting, tech-fused energy—Franklin's power.
"Now it's my turn to rewrite reality."
Before the words faded, the World began collapsing before Bai Ye's group's eyes!
Reality twisted.
Susan's energy ray turned into harmless colored ribbons that fluttered down.
Martina's energy cannon became clusters of iridescent bubbles.
Ju Ziyun's silver-white slash morphed into a paper butterfly.
Bai Ye, unruffled, glanced at Wanda beside him; she understood instantly.
The next second Wanda vanished from his side.
"Playing with reality in front of me?"
A cool voice sounded near Doom, laced with disdain.
Wanda hovered, needing no gesture—her crimson eyes merely narrowed.
"How childish."
BUZZ!
A vaster, more primal Chaos Energy swept the field.
The ribbons reverted to savage beams, the bubbles re-condensed into devastating cannons, the butterfly re-became silver-white light… All warped reality was not only restored but amplified.
BOOM!!!
Every attack struck Doom's barrier at once.
The barrier—woven of forbidden spells and cosmic force—shattered like paper.
Doom was hurled backward, smashing into the castle wall, shock flashing behind his mask.
"Impossible! How can your Chaos Magic be this strong?!"
With a roar Doom lurched from the rubble.
"Then witness true despair!"
He stamped the ground; the whole castle quaked.
Stone, steel and sorcery tore free, converging into a hundred-metre golem in mid-air.
Franklin's power was crudely channeled to breathe life into the titan.
Yet before the colossus could fully form—
A golden streak, a crimson-gold flash, and a silver bolt arrived together!
BOOM!
Susan's fist, wrapped in a Force Field, blasted the golem's head into rubble.
CLANG!
Martina's colossal sword, infused with AllSpark fire, followed.
A single slash severed the giant arm.
"Too slow."
Ju Ziyun appeared at the core in the golem's chest.
Her right hand condensed a silver-white blade that stabbed deep; rampant energy blew the core apart.
From completion to destruction: less than two seconds.
"No!"
Doom howled in unwillingness, struggling to summon more power.
A black silhouette flickered into place before him.
Bai Ye stood quietly, eyes calm as still water.
"Game over, Victor."
With a casual wave of his hand—
BOOM!!
Doom's vaunted armor cracked like fragile porcelain.
He was slammed into the flagstones, leaving a man-shaped crater.
Pinned by Bai Ye's foot, he could not move.
The newly arrived Avengers stared, minds blank.
The battle they'd thought World-ending… was simply over?
Bai Ye crouched, looking down at the battered Doom.
"Time to show everyone your face."
He flicked a finger across the mask.
CRACK!
The cold metal mask that had cloaked Doom for half his life split and slid away.
But beneath it was not the fire-scarred monstrosity of legend.
Instead, a face every one of them knew too well appeared.
Half handsome as ever, half mangled flesh—but those eyes, that trademark moustache.
Undeniably: Tony Stark's visage!
The Avengers froze, unable to believe their eyes.
"What… is going on?"
Yelena murmured, stunned and bewildered.
Wanda, Susan, Ju Ziyun and Martina exchanged glances; they had long since seen through Doom's disguise.
"Tony?!"
Rhodes—his legs restored—staggered forward in disbelief.
"No, impossible!"
The native Tony took a stumbling step, face full of disbelief.
At that moment the Tony in the pit coughed in pain.
His eyes snapped open, pupils flashing with Doctor Doom's cold, arrogant light.
Doom surveyed the shocked faces and laughed low, a tinge of madness and defiance in the sound.
"That's right. It's me."
The voice was Tony's, but the tone was pure Doom.
"You think defeating me ends it? Fools! I've merely adopted a more perfect form!"
Doom struggled to rise, but Bai Ye's invisible force kept him pinned.
"Shut up," Bai Ye said, voice calm and flat.