Chapter 37: Chapter 37
"That's certainly interesting," Logan mused, his gaze fixed on Kitty and Kurt. "But what I'm more curious about is whether we can return our colleagues to their universe."
My eyes moved to Ororo Munroe, Kitty Pryde, and Kurt Wagner. Kitty, her face half-shadowed, looked more like a lost soul than a girl; Kurt stared at us with a wild, almost animalistic wariness, his usual humanity hidden under a layer of magically scarred skin.
"I'm confident we can solve that problem without much difficulty," I began, trying to sound assured despite my internal unease. "However, we have a more urgent matter at hand right now."
Wolverine raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp and questioning.
"First and foremost, we need to heal Kitty and Kurt, and of course, await my teacher's arrival," I continued, noting every detail of their condition, trying to anticipate what resources would be needed for their recovery.
Ororo Munroe, hearing my words, looked at me with hope in her eyes:
"Dr. Richards, can you help my students?"
Her voice trembled slightly, reflecting the depth of her concern; returning to their universe was not her top priority.
"Are you familiar with my counterpart in your world?" I smiled, noticing the confidence in her gaze.
Ororo nodded:
"Dr. Reed Richards is known in our universe as one of the greatest minds, particularly for his work in space programs."
"Hah," I chuckled, noting the irony. "It seems some things are indeed universal. But don't worry, I will help your students. I've had the fortune of studying the mystical arts under the Ancient One."
Her face lit up with relief, and I felt my own anxiety give way to a determined resolve to help.
As soon as I sensed the familiar vibration in the air, my eyes instantly turned towards the forming portal. The luminous swirls of Yao's portal began to glow brightly, drawing the attention of everyone present.
"There he is," I said, watching as Yao stepped through the shimmering gateway, his attire sparkling with residual magic from the transition. He was an imposing figure, and not someone you encounter every day.
"Hello, Reed," he said with a smile, approaching me.
"Hello, Yao. Glad to see you," I replied, trying to hide my relief.
---= Some Time Later =---
Thanks to Yao's help, we quickly managed to address the issues with Kurt Wagner and Kitty Pryde.
However, Illyana's problem was more severe, as it involved her very soul, requiring a more delicate approach.
"Hmm, young lady, you have two paths before you," Yao began, his voice calm but each word carrying the weight of eternity.
Piotr's younger sister looked at Yao, her eyes burning with determination:
"What are my options?"
The mage's smile was genuine, but it carried the weight of the difficult choice ahead of Illyana.
"We can restore the integrity of your soul," Yao continued, pointing to one of the glowing symbols that shimmered in the air like stars. "But this will sever your connection to Limbo."
He paused, giving Illyana time to consider, before presenting the second option.
"Or we can strengthen your bond with Limbo through this blade," Yao nodded towards the weapon lying before her. "The choice is yours."
Illyana slowly lifted the blade, weighing it in her hand. The reflection of the sunset danced on its edge, as if in flames. Her eyes, fixed on the blade, studied every detail, and I saw thoughts racing through her mind, weighing each possible outcome.
Her decision was clear even before she voiced it. Illyana was a warrior by name and by nature. Retreat was not in her vocabulary, and the choice she made showed she was ready to see it through, no matter where it led.
"I choose the bond with Limbo," she said firmly, the fire of determination flickering in her eyes. "Let this blade be my guide."
Yao nodded, acknowledging her choice, and the magical symbols around began to spin faster, gathering around the blade, preparing for the ritual that would change her life forever.
Piotr Rasputin sighed heavily.
"Then let's begin."
---= Some Time Later =---
When Yao completed the ritual with Illyana, we finally found a moment to speak privately. The air around us was thick with magical energy, slowly dissipating after his powerful spells.
"I assume," I began, looking deeply at him, "that you not only saved the girl but also gained something for yourself?"
Yao smiled, his eyes sparkling with skill and mystery:
"Two birds with one stone, as they say."
"What did you gain in addition?" My curiosity flared, knowing Yao rarely acted without a hidden agenda.
"Apart from giving our universe a new heroine," he continued enigmatically, "we now have a remarkably direct access to Limbo."
"Aren't there enough places for the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj to explore?" I asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
Yao's smile widened, his teeth gleaming in the dim light:
"Having more options is always better than having few. Limbo opens up new perspectives, and every additional route could prove critical."
---= Ten Minutes Later =---
When Yao finished his business with Illyana, he stepped through the shimmering portal once more, which closed instantly behind him, leaving only a faint breeze filled with the scent of ancient magic.
At that time, I was engrossed in studying the alternate X-Men. My task was to find their home universe among the countless streams of the Multiverse—a task that turned out to be far more complex than I had anticipated. Genetic analysis showed that their DNA was almost identical to that of our Ororo, Kurt, and Kitty. This was both surprising and complicating: I needed to find a different, more unique marker that could accurately indicate their origin.
With each hour spent scanning, it became clear that simple genetic analysis was insufficient. I needed to delve deeper into the very essence of the multiversal laws that could lead to the discovery of their world.
Standing at the control panel of my lab, I sifted through various theories and methods, each time getting closer to the solution. The vision of countless worlds blending into one ocean of possibilities required not only knowledge but also intuition.
"We need something else, something that will be the key to their world," I thought, contemplating the next steps.
As my instruments scanned the latest set of data, something unusual happened. The screens flickered, and the energy analyzers buzzed until they revealed a unique energy signature, distinctly different from anything we had seen before in our universe. This trace was subtle but definitive—a beacon in the dark ocean.
"Fundamental constants of the universe..." I whispered almost inaudibly, nearly to myself. This discovery was a true breakthrough. Each universe has its unique fundamental constants, like fingerprints, unique and unrepeatable. These "numbers" determine the physical properties of the universe: the strength of gravity, the speed of light, the charge of an electron.
And these very "numbers" created their inhabitants... differently. And being in Limbo, which is a crossroads in the Multiverse, gave me a much better understanding of this.
After identifying their home world, I immediately began working on the portal. Having experience in creating portals, making the necessary one was only a matter of time, which I also resolved.
And now, before Ororo, Kitty, and Kurt, stood a portal to their universe.
The farewell was quite emotional. Illyana had grown attached to Ororo and Kitty, as they had raised her in this very world.
"We will definitely meet again," said Ororo.
"Exactly!" Kitty said firmly. "Besides, if anything, you can always turn to Reed Richards."
Illyana Rasputin gave a short nod and, after hugging her "parents," let them go.
The adults simply nodded in gratitude.
"Now that this is done, I think it's time to go home," I said.
"I'm also tired of this Divine Comedy," Sue whispered.
---= New York =---
Peter Parker wasn't the luckiest person in this world, but he didn't expect it to be this bad!
BAM
A fireball flew past his head from a green monster.
"...KILL..."
"Man, you're as creepy as a goblin!" Spider-Man exclaimed just a moment before something exploded nearby.
—\\—
"Returning to our universe, a light breeze of autumn air greeted us at the entrance of the lab where Hank and Charles were waiting. Hank seemed to be there to ensure the portal remained stable, while Charles, with worry in his eyes, had been anxious about us the entire time.
"Welcome back," said Charles, his voice filled with relief and weary joy.
Judging by the readings from my devices, he had communicated with the X-Men and thus wasn't surprised to see Illyana looking so mature.
"Thank you for the support," I replied, smiling through my exhaustion. "This trip was truly exhilarating."
"Who would have thought I'd be taking a stroll through Hell at my age," Johnny said, stretching and grinning playfully.
Johnny's words elicited laughter, and for a moment, the hardships of our journey faded, replaced by a warm, homely atmosphere and a sense of gratitude for being together again.
"By the way, Professor Xavier..." I began, but didn't finish.
"Just call me Charles," Xavier interrupted gently, his voice carrying warm sincerity. "Considering everything you've done for us, it's the least I can do."
"In that case, please call me Reed," I responded.
---= Ten Minutes Later =---
What do heroes do after a successful mission? Of course, they throw a celebration.
The light from the stars and twinkling fairy lights created a magical atmosphere in our backyard, where we decided to celebrate our victory. Despite our relatively young team, the energy and unrestrained joy never left us.
"So, you're saying you found their universe based solely on this data?" Hank asked, disbelief and amazement evident in his voice as he stared at the flickering monitors.
I nodded, not hiding my satisfaction, and smiled, feeling the adrenaline still coursing through me from the excitement of the discovery.
"Yes, Hank," I said, moving closer to the screen displaying numbers and graphs. "After running numerous simulations and comparing various cosmic parameters, I finally managed to pinpoint the coordinates of their universe in this vast multiversal ocean."
Hank was silent for a moment, his eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and admiration.
"That's truly impressive, Reed," he finally acknowledged. "You've outdone yourself."
I was about to say more when an alert from our monitoring system grabbed my attention: Peter Parker had sustained severe, potentially critical injuries.
"What the...?" I thought, feeling my heart skip a beat in shock.
But there was no time for doubt or hesitation. I needed to act immediately.
I quickly scanned my team. They all looked exhausted, their strength nearly spent, and this forced me to make the only viable decision.
"I'll go alone," I resolved, feeling determination fill every fiber of my being. They needed rest, and I had to help Peter.
"Reed?" Susan's concerned voice reached me.
She was looking at me with evident worry. I smiled softly, trying to reassure her.
"I have an important task to finish," I replied.
Her expression grew more anxious, and she gazed intently into my eyes.
"What exactly are you going to do?"
I was faced with a choice: to tell the truth, evade, or outright lie. But I chose honesty.
"I need to help a brave young man," I said slowly. "It might be dangerous, but if I don't intervene, he could die."
Susan opened her mouth to argue, but I raised my hand to stop her.
"You and the others are in no condition to join this fight. It's too risky for you," I said firmly, meeting her gaze filled with worry and care.
Susan nodded, and in her eyes, I saw a deep understanding of the danger looming not only over Peter but the entire city. Her look was full of concern but also faith. I hugged her gently, trying to convey my confidence through this simple gesture.
"Don't worry, it won't take long," I said, hoping to reassure her.
Susan nodded again, and I felt her silent support in that gesture.
Activating the teleportation device, I instantly found myself in the headquarters of the Fantastic Four. The surroundings changed in a fraction of a second, and I stepped onto the cold metal floor, heading straight for the main control panel to gather information on the current situation.
On the streets of New York, a real battle was unfolding. Norman Osborn, having lost control and transformed into the Green Goblin, was in a full-blown rage. I watched on the screens as his massive form smashed Peter Parker into the pavement.
Every strike from the Goblin sent shockwaves rippling hundreds of meters around. The surrounding area was devastated, store signs and nearby building windows shattered from the force of his blows. Norman, consumed by his frenzied anger, paid no heed to the destruction he caused.
Spider-Man seemed to have lost his usual agility and speed. He tried to dodge, but each new blow from the Goblin struck him with relentless force, and Peter seemed too weak to fight back.
Realizing that every second counted, I took a deep breath and focused on the upcoming confrontation. There was no time to waste—I needed to act, and I knew that with each passing moment, Peter's chances of survival were rapidly diminishing.
"Cronos, activate the Anti-Goblin program," I commanded.
I had specific plans against Norman, including a serum that should calm this monster down.
"Ready, Dr. Richards," my assistant replied.
At that moment, an ampoule appeared before me, designed to neutralize the OZ's influence on Norman's system.
I grabbed the ampoule and took off.
---= Peter Parker =---
Spider-Man, with a heavy heart, could confidently say this day had become one of the worst in his life. And the lack of burritos at the nearest stand before starting his shift was just a small part of the problems. But real trouble was brewing, and his spider-sense screamed, warning of the imminent danger.
As soon as his sensors went off, Peter instinctively raised his arms, taking a defensive stance. He barely managed to brace himself when the Goblin's powerful blow crashed down on him.
BAM
A searing pain shot through his arms, and he felt his bones creak under the force of the impact. Trying to parry the Goblin's relentless blows was a desperate but clearly ineffective strategy. Each subsequent strike was filled not only with physical power but also with the Green Goblin's sinister determination to destroy his foe.
Sharp flashes of pain pierced his body, but Peter gritted his teeth, trying to muster the strength to continue fighting.
"...Kill..." Peter heard the muttering before his spider-sense screamed louder than ever.
The Goblin raised his monstrous fists for the final blow.
BAM
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