"Heh… so he's finally come. Ryuuto—let's see where you run this time!"
Heimdall's golden eyes glimmered with manic excitement. His voice trembled like a zealot's prayer, words tripping over themselves as if salvation had just fallen from the sky.
Beside him, Ultron's crimson optics flickered with wicked amusement. "Indeed. This time, the brat's finished. Our grand plan will unfold flawlessly… no one can stop us."
"Hah! Just make sure I get to twist his head off first!" Lauf snarled, baring his teeth like a beast unchained. For once, his frozen heart felt light—victory was close enough to taste.
Then—
BOOM!
The heavens cracked open as a meteor slammed into the ground. Shockwaves tore through the forest, clouds of ash and smoke swirling into the night. The air burned, heavy and electric.
And from within the smoke, a towering figure stepped forth. Metal feet struck the earth like war drums. Invisible pressure rippled outward—an aura so intense it shattered the mist, revealing eyes that glowed like twin stars.
"Ha! My comrade, you've finally arrived!" Heimdall's grin widened. Ultron and Lauf joined him, moving forward with forced smiles and false reverence.
But the newcomer didn't even glance their way. His voice was cold, mechanical—like iron grinding against frost.
"Heimdall. Don't flatter yourself. I didn't come here to help you. I was ordered to visit this backwater planet—and eliminate the target opposing us."
The words hit like blades. Heimdall's smile froze; Lauf's arrogant smirk twitched and died. Even Ultron's sensors flickered in silent irritation.
Heimdall forced a laugh through gritted teeth. "Ah—of course. No offense taken! We're all here for one reason—to finish off that nuisance, Ryuuto. Once he's gone, nothing stands in our way."
"That's the spirit."
"Then enough talk!" Lauf's massive frame trembled with bloodlust. "Let's end this tonight! I'll crush him myself, make him crawl and beg for mercy!"
"Fine," Ultron said, eyes glinting. "Tonight it is."
The four exchanged a glance—an unholy pact sealed in silence.
But before they could take a single step—
"FREEZE! HANDS UP! You're surrounded!"
"If anyone moves, I'll blast him first!"
Tony Stark's metallic voice echoed across the clearing as Iron Man dropped from the sky, landing beside Wolverine. Behind them, dozens of armed soldiers stormed in, rifles raised.
Helicopters blared their searchlights overhead, flooding the night in blinding white.
Heimdall's lip curled. "Heh. I thought it might be someone interesting—but it's just the local cops."
He turned toward Ultron. "You handle them. This shouldn't take long."
Ultron's grin was razor-sharp. "Consider it done."
He raised his hand. "Come out and play, my friends!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Dozens of hidden cannons erupted at once, tearing through the night sky. Explosions lit the battlefield, sending several fighter jets crashing in flames.
"Damn it, Tony! It's an ambush!"
"Stay calm! We hold the line!" Wolverine growled, extending his claws.
But it was too late—Ultron's mechanical army surged from the shadows, followed by Jotunheim's ice giants, roaring with fury. The earth trembled under their march.
Tony cursed, jets of flame bursting from his boots as he soared into combat. Wolverine charged ahead, claws gleaming, eyes wild with defiance.
The night exploded into chaos.
Meanwhile, Ultron and the others slipped away amidst the carnage.
"Heh, let them tire themselves out," Ultron said darkly. "We'll finish the real job."
Heimdall nodded. "Ryuuto dies tonight."
They vanished into the dark.
[Ding! New Mission Released: Eliminate the invading forces and defeat a new powerful enemy! Rewards: ???]
At that exact moment, Ryuuto was lounging on his couch, lazily sipping tea with Katie Dee and Susan when the system alert chimed in his head.
He froze, eyes narrowing, lips curving into a grin.
"So… they've finally come knocking, huh?"
Shion's teasing voice purred in his mind.
[Oho~ Looks like your beauty sleep's over, Host.]
"Heh, guess so. Can't let the guests wreck my house."
He stood, cracking his neck, the air around him shifting with quiet intensity.
"Brother, you're going out again?" Katie Dee's eyes were wide with worry.
"Do you have to go tonight?" Susan asked softly.
Ryuuto smiled, brushing Katie's hair gently. "Don't worry. Just heading out to grab us supper. I'll be right back."
He turned, slipping out the door as the wind stirred. His shadow stretched long across the moonlit street—one man walking toward an army.
The Red Mirage was back in motion.