บท 15: fall of Hydra

*/I actually don't like to write hydra arc any longer. Because I don't like it (hydra). And i am going to end it. So once hydra arc ends i will write phonix arc/*

**Ritsuka POV**

As we rushed into the chamber, the sight before us was chilling. Rogue and an old man, clearly mutants, were trapped in stasis chambers, their mutant powers being drained to fuel Red Skull's insane ambitions. His body glowed with cosmic power. The Cosmic Cube, embedded in his advanced Iron Monger-like suit, pulsated with cosmic energy, its power flowing into him.

"Hahahaha, fools. No one is going to stop us. Not a fucking fake hero," he mocked.

"You sick bastard," I said, knowing the consequences of tampering with Earth's core. The celestial being that sleeps within could awaken, or creatures from other dimensions might invade our world.

Red Skull's body glowed with an unnatural light, his eyes alight with malevolent glee. He turned to face us, and for a moment, his gaze lingered on mine. "Those eyes," he sneered, his lips curling into a familiar smirk. "They remind me of that insufferable Steve Rogers. How I loathed that man... and now I see the same defiance in you. But like him, you'll meet your end by my hand!"

He turned away, confident in his invincibility. The screen beside him displayed the progress of his connection to the Earth's Leyline—97% and climbing.

"BB, now!" I shouted.

"Tadaaaa! Pathetic Senpai, as usual, you'd be nothing without me! Let your cute kouhai handle this!" BB's cheerful voice echoed through the chamber as her holographic form materialized. Instantly, the percentage on the screen began to drop. Red Skull's connection to the Earth's core was severed, and the suit's power started to wane.

But Red Skull was far from finished. Despite the disruption, he still had the Cosmic Cube embedded in his suit, and with a furious growl, he launched himself at us, intent on crushing us with his enhanced strength.

"How dare you brats? Die!!"

Before he could reach us, the doors burst open, and Gambit entered, his staff crackling with kinetic energy. His eyes widened in shock as he saw Rogue unconscious in the chamber.

"Rogue... and who's the old-timer?" he muttered, quickly assessing the situation.

"Gambit! We need you focused!" I called out, seeing the turmoil in his eyes. "Red Skull has to be stopped first, or we'll all be in serious trouble!"

Gambit clenched his fists, his eyes narrowing as he tore his gaze from Rogue. He nodded, his resolve hardening. "You got it, kid. Let's finish this."

Morgan le Fay, already in position, was weaving a complex spell, her dark magic swirling around her as she aimed at Red Skull. "This barrier is no ordinary defense, but with BB's help, we'll tear it down. BB, hack his suit and decrease the barrier output power," she declared, her voice cold and commanding.

"BB, get ready," I instructed. BB's usual playful demeanor faded, replaced by a look of grim determination. "Oh, he is soooo getting it now. And seriously, why does everyone want to fuck with the Earth's core? You fired chicken, third-rate villain... How dare you try to bully my Senpai. Only I have the right to bully my Senpai," BB said.

Together, they attacked, Morgan's magic lashing out in dark tendrils while BB hacked away at the cosmic energy barriers. But Red Skull retaliated fiercely, his suit's power allowing him to fight back even without the Earth's Leyline.

Red Skull laughed maniacally as he fought us off, his confidence growing with each blow he landed. "Is this all you've got? You're just children playing hero!" he taunted, his arrogance blinding him to the true danger he was in.

I saw my chance. As Red Skull's focus remained on the others, I channeled my command spell, feeling the familiar surge of energy through my body. "By my command spell, I summon you… Ereshkigal!"

When Ereshkigal was summoned by Ritsuka Fujimaru in the midst of battle, her initial expression was one of focused determination, ready to confront any threat. However, the moment she saw Ritsuka, her stern expression softened. Her golden eyes widened with a mix of surprise and warmth, and a gentle, affectionate smile slowly formed on her lips. A light blush dusted her cheeks, revealing a mix of excitement and happiness at seeing him again.

Ereshkigal's appearance was both regal and ethereal. She had long, flowing blonde hair that cascaded down her back, adorned with a golden crown-like headpiece. Her outfit was a blend of black and gold, with intricate patterns that gave her a divine, otherworldly presence. She wore a dark, flowing cloak that billowed around her, adding to her majestic and intimidating aura. Her staff, a symbol of her authority over the Underworld, glowed with a faint, ominous light, yet her expression when looking at Ritsuka was full of warmth and care, contrasting beautifully with her formidable appearance.

The room darkened as the Goddess of the Underworld appeared, her golden eyes glowing with warmth as they landed on me. "Ritsuka, it's been too long! I'm so happy to see you again," Ereshkigal said, her voice filled with affection. She looked around, quickly understanding the situation. "So, it's time to put this villain to rest, is it?"

Ereshkigal raised her weapon, and a dark energy swirled around us, granting us the Blessing of Kur. I felt a surge of strength, the protective power of the Underworld enveloping us all. "This will protect you from his cosmic tricks," she assured us, a smile playing on her lips. "Now, let's show him the wrath of Kur! And Ritsuka, see how cool I am."

Gambit, charged with the Blessing of Kur, gripped a length of iron rod, his eyes sparking with energy. "You heard the lady. Time to end this." He began charging the rod with kinetic energy, the power building until it was nearly overwhelming.

"Gambit, now!" I shouted as I unleashed a powerful attack buff on everyone. The air crackled with raw energy, our combined might focused on the iron rod in Gambit's hand.

He hurled it with all his strength, the rod glowing with the power of Ereshkigal's blessing and my command spell. Red Skull laughed, raising his hand to block it. But the rod pierced through his cosmic barrier as if it didn't exist, slamming into the suit's arc reactor, where the Cosmic Cube was housed.

"What?! No—" Red Skull's triumph turned to horror as the energy field around him shattered. The suit began to spark and smoke, its systems failing under the strain.

"Now!" I yelled, and the three powerful women unleashed their Noble Phantasms.

Morgan summoned a dark vortex. "Avalon le Fay!" she intoned, her spell wrapping Red Skull in a swirling mass of destructive energy.

BB followed up with a barrage of attacks, her voice ringing out. "Overcharge! And now for the finishing move... BB Channel! Roll credits, you third-rate villain!"

Ereshkigal brought her staff down, calling forth the full power of the Underworld. "Kur Ki Gal Irkalla!" The ground beneath Red Skull trembled, opening up to the dark abyss of the Underworld, from which no soul could escape.

The combined might of their Noble Phantasms was too much. The Cosmic Cube was ripped from the suit, hovering in the air as the suit itself was torn apart, Red Skull's final screams drowned out by the roar of unleashed power. In an instant, both Red Skull and his suit were obliterated, leaving only the Cosmic Cube floating in the silence that followed.

As the battle's energy finally began to wane, the Cosmic Cube floated gently above the debris. The air was charged with a residual hum of power, and I reached out, taking hold of it. The Cube was a flawless, deep blue crystal, its surface slick and reflective, shifting with the hues of cosmic nebulas and distant galaxies. It felt weightless in my hands, yet its presence was overwhelmingly potent. The Cube's design was starkly geometric, its edges perfectly defined, but the core glowed with a liquid brilliance, almost as if the stars themselves were contained within. The power within it was palpable, a reminder of how close we had come to disaster.

As I examined the Cube, my thoughts were interrupted by BB, who had managed to slip her way to my side. Her usual playful demeanor had morphed into one of intense possessiveness. "Well, Senpai," she said with a yandere-like gleam in her eyes, "we agreed that after this battle, you and I would finally have our date."

I nodded despite the chaos around us. "That's right, BB. We did agree, but—"

Morgan le Fay, her face a picture of barely-contained irritation, stepped closer. "I didn't realize you had made such arrangements during the fight," she said, her voice edged with frustration. "Are you forgetting about me?"

Ereshkigal, who had been quietly watching the scene unfold, looked both surprised and a little hurt. "Ritsuka," she said softly, "I didn't expect you to be so... indiscreet. I, too, would appreciate some of your attention. I wanted to show how cool I am."

"Yes, Ereshkigal, you are so cool," I said, and instantly Ereshkigal smiled.

Both Morgan and Ereshkigal, their voices tinged with a mix of jealousy and hope, looked at me expectantly. "Ritsuka," Morgan began, "perhaps you could consider a date with us as well? You will gave us a date later Right?."

BB's smile widened with satisfaction as she clung to me. "Oh, how delightful. Looks like we have a bit of competition."

Gambit, ever the observer, took a moment to appreciate the situation before turning his attention to Rogue's chamber. With a determined expression, he moved to her side.

"Rogue," he said softly as he carefully lifted her from the chamber, "it's time to get you out of here."

Rogue stirred, her eyes fluttering open. The moment she saw Gambit, a mixture of relief and lingering affection crossed her face. "Remy," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.

She reached out and hugged him tightly, a blush spreading across her cheeks. "I'm so glad you're here…"

Gambit returned the embrace, his own eyes warm. "I'm glad you're alright. But we've both made our choices."

Rogue, pulling back slightly, playfully punched him in the stomach. "You're still as reckless as ever."

Gambit winced but smiled. "And you're still full of surprises. Let's get this old man out of here."

With careful hands, Gambit removed the old mutant from the chamber, ensuring he was safe and stable.

As I tried to manage the shifting dynamics between BB, Ereshkigal, and Morgan, BB was still wrapped around me with a smug expression. Suddenly, the Cosmic Cube began to glow more intensely, capturing everyone's attention.

The light from the Cube intensified and coalesced, and to our collective astonishment, it transformed into a small, three-year-old girl. Her appearance was a striking blend of Morgan's white hair and delicate features with my sea-blue eyes and eyebrows. The transformation left us all in stunned silence.

The little girl looked up at us with wide, innocent eyes, but her gaze was filled with fear. She clung to me tightly, her tiny frame trembling. "M-Mister, I'm scared…" she whispered, her voice quivering.

"Don't worry, everything is fine," I said.

I held her close, my heart aching at her fear. The resemblance to Morgan and myself was uncanny, and she looked like our child.

If I recall the Hydra Captain America storyline, the Cosmic Cube's ultimate creators were the mysterious other-dimensional entities known as the Beyonders. Later, the Cube transformed into an innocent child.

Seeing her, I understood that the Cosmic Cube used Morgan and my appearance as a model to create this form. Maybe she felt secure with us, but she looked so cute. I could feel her soft breath and my heart was beating fast. I had never thought about having children before. I smiled at her.

Morgan, Ereshkigal, and BB watched in shock, their expressions shifting from surprise to a mixture of awe and concern. The child's appearance was eerily similar to both Morgan and me, making the situation even more surreal.

Gambit approached, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Ritsuka," he asked, "when did you have a child, and when did you bring her here? I didn't know about this."

I turned to Morgan, who met my gaze with understanding. "We hide her with magic before battle," she said. Morgan understood the Cosmic Cube's potential and what it meant. She decided to protect her.

Morgan gently took the little girl from my arms, her expression soft and reassuring. "As your wife," she said quietly in a low voice only I could hear, "I understand your intentions, my husband. We will protect her."

I nodded, grateful for her support. "Thank you, Morgan."

My other lovers remained silent but gave their silent consent to protect the child. They understood the gravity of the situation and were willing to help.

Rogue, still processing the new developments, introduced herself. "I'm Rogue. Nice to meet you all, I guess."

Morgan took the lead, her voice firm but kind. "I'm Ritsuka's wife, Morgan Fujimaru. And these are his lovers, BB and Ereshkigal." She glanced at the child, who was now peacefully sleeping in her arms. "Her name is Karen Fujimaru."

Wow, she already had plan name for the child.

Gambit and Rogue looked at me, then at the child, their expressions a mix of shock and curiosity. "You've got quite the family," Gambit said with a hint of amusement.

Rogue, her eyes wide, asked, "Karen? That's an interesting name. How is she okay with him having lovers?"

Morgan ignored her. Meanwhile, outside, the fight came to an end. Da Vinci said through the earbuds.

"Ritsuka Fujimaru, Queen Morgan, we are having difficulty managing the outside matters. Did you stop the danger? They are still using cosmic powers."

"Yes, I will send reinforcements," I said, turning to see everyone.

"Guys, can you help everyone outside? I will heal the old mutant," I said.

Morgan, her eyes still glowing with the residual magic from her earlier spells, nodded decisively. "Understood, Ritsuka. BB and I will handle things outside. Ereshkigal, can you assist us? We need to ensure the area is secured and that any remaining threats are dealt with."

Karen was sleeping peacefully in Morgan's arms.

Ereshkigal gave a curt nod, her expression resolute. "I'll help. We cannot afford any further complications. Let's move quickly."

BB, her arms still wrapped around me, reluctantly released her grip but maintained a smirk. "I suppose I'll have to share you with the world outside. Just make sure you come back to me, Senpai. I'll join Morgan and Ereshkigal in making sure everything is under control."

Gambit, who had been observing the exchange, gave a supportive smile. "I'll head out with them, make sure everything is fine with Rogue, and lend a hand where I can. If there's anything specific you need from me, just let me know."

I turned back to the old mutant, preparing to administer the healing. "Thanks, everyone. I appreciate it. Make sure to stay safe out there. We need to ensure that everything is handled properly."

Morgan, BB, and Ereshkigal quickly moved toward the exit, their resolve clear. Gambit followed them, casting a final glance at me before heading out to assist with the situation outside.

As they departed, I focused on the old mutant, determined to heal him and ensure he would recover.

As I approached the old mutant to administer healing, I sensed a shift in the air. "Stop pretending to sleep," I said sharply, my voice cutting through the tension.

The old man's eyes snapped open, revealing a knowing glint. He let out a deep, rumbling laugh. "Who are you?" he asked, his gaze piercing. "I can see the dark destruction power within you—power that could kill immortal gods."

I tried to brush off his comment. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said, keeping my tone neutral. Ofcourse I know that power in my soul but I can't use it. I can only use it when my life is in danger.

The old man laughed again, a sound filled with dark amusement. "One day, you'll come to use that power. Cough… It seems I've reached my limit." He looked at his own fading body and soul with a mix of resignation and mirth. "I'm on the brink of disappearing. I'm concerned for myself, but I find it all rather amusing."

He reached out and grabbed my hand with surprising strength. "So, you come from a different world. How fascinating. You have the highest killing count I've ever seen—Servants, Masters, alien gods… PHH history. I see your journey."

I was taken aback. "Who are you? Mind reader?" I asked, my voice betraying my shock. I didn't know how to react if he asked if this world was a comic world, but what came next made me believe he couldn't read my memories of the real world—only Ritsuka Fujimaru's memories.

The old man's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "I am Protégé, from the 31st century of an alternate dimension. I possess the ability to replicate any power, even that of The Living Tribunal. I ousted them and claimed the title of the one true God of the multiverse. The Phoenix Force might have unlimited resources, but none of its techniques are effective against what I can replicate and use against it."

His revelation left me stunned. "You defeated The One Below All? You can copy any power?"

Protégé's expression grew grim. "Yes, but The One Above All defeated me in return. I escaped the destruction of the multiverse, but I couldn't recover from that battle. Fate rejected me. Yet you… you are special. Fate is protecting you. Your fate is tied to humanity's fate. So, before I disappear, I will transfer my power to someone who can make use of it. I have never done much good, but perhaps you will."

Before I could react, Protégé began to transfer his powers to me. I was engulfed in a swirl of light and shadow, seeing fragmented memories of his life—brief glimpses of his existence, but enough to understand the weight of his journey.

As his form began to disintegrate into golden dust particles, I could only watch in awe and gratitude. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice filled with a mix of reverence and sorrow.

After hearing my words, Protégé smiled and vanished completely, leaving me alone with the immense power and knowledge he had bestowed upon me. As I stood there, absorbing the gravity of his gift and the path ahead, I knew that the future held both incredible challenges and opportunities.

---

Note:

Character: Protégé

Powers

Absolute Power Mimicry: Protege possesses the superhuman ability to replicate the powers of any entities after briefly observing them. [1] Protégé's ability was so powerful that he was able to replicate the powers of the Living Tribunal. [5]

Absolute Potential: Eternity stated it does not matter how many times he mimics Protégé will gain infinite omnipotence by himself

Ritsuka have same ability but he needs to start everything from first. I mean copying.