----------------------------------------

Justin stood in the control center of Hammer Industries' space station, his mind a storm of rage and anguish. The monitors around him flickered with images of a ruined New York City, every screen a window into the aftermath of Magneto's cataclysmic attack. Smoke and dust hung heavy in the air, obscuring the familiar skyline. Reports of civilian casualties, collateral damage, and the absolute havoc that had been wrought scrolled past in endless lines of text.

He clenched his fists, feeling a surge of anger so intense that it burned through his veins like fire. Domino and Kaecillius - his people - caught in the chaos. The thought of them being… Gone - tore at him with a visceral fury. Phantazia's locator was still online, but she was refusing to answer coms or incapable, which told him enough…

If they'd made it… Nail would know. They would have contacted him… Phantazia would have commed for help… Only one reason could exist for complete radio silence - his fault in the end. He had sent them, had brought them up against someone he himself had never dared to move against. Extremis hadn't been enough…

Not against Magneto. Colonel Rhodes truly becoming former Colonel Rhodes was barely a blip on the radar right now, because that bastard had taken his people. HIS!

"Nail," Justin snapped, his voice sharp enough to cut through the tension in the room, Yelena hesitating, hand half stretched out towards him, tears in her eyes as she looked for words. "Find Magneto's exact location. Now."

Sunil tried to interject carefully, "Sir, Apocalypse…"

Justin ignored him, his focus solely on his AI.

"Yes, sir," Nail responded, her voice as calm and efficient as always. She processed countless data streams in seconds, piecing together the movements and locations of the fleeing army and its leader. "Magneto has moved approximately a block and a half west of his last known position. He appears to be walking aimlessly, uncharacteristically slow. Sending you coordinates now."

"Good," Justin growled, his eyes narrowing with a cold determination as he received the coordinates. He pulled the sling ring from his pocket, slipping it onto his finger. The ring was cool against his skin, its weight almost grounding him in the midst of his fury and grief. He took a deep breath, focusing his thoughts on the location Nail had given him. I will make you suffer a thousand deaths for this! He swore.

With a swift, practiced motion, Justin made a circular gesture in the air, and an orange portal flared to life before him. The swirling energy glowed against the sterile walls of the command center. Without a second thought, he stepped through, the portal closing behind him with a sharp snap.

He emerged in the heart of a devastated New York. Dust and debris coated everything, a thick layer of ash blanketing the streets and buildings alike. The acrid smell of smoke filled his lungs, stinging his eyes. It was as if a nuclear bomb had gone off, reducing everything to ruins. The sky above was a dull, sickly gray, choked with smoke that blocked out the sun, casting the city in an eerie twilight.

Justin's shoes crunched against broken glass as he moved forward, his eyes scanning the wreckage. In the distance, he saw a figure stumbling through the haze, moving like a man in a daze. It was Magneto, but there was something off about him. He walked unsteadily, as if each step took an enormous effort, like he was struggling to remain upright. His normally proud and commanding posture was slumped, his shoulders hunched. He looked less like a conqueror and more like a broken man.

Justin knew it couldn't be due to injuries, his plan to break the mind control also gave the man regeneration after all. So at least the bastard was feeling what he'd done. Good! If he'd been thinking straight, he'd have brought the serum that destroyed Extremis, Magneto didn't deserve to come out ahead on this. He didn't deserve anything…

Justin's anger flared anew at the sight of him. He didn't care about the signs of remorse or regret. He didn't care about the look of disorientation on Magneto's face. All he could see was the man who had brought this destruction, the man responsible for the death and chaos surrounding them. The man who had been manipulated and controlled, yes, but who still bore the guilt of his actions in Justin's eyes. A man whose power, unchecked, had turned this city into a graveyard.

Although it wasn't the city that had him in a rage - bottomless fury burning through his veins, his entire body glowing slightly as he focused on the man who'd killed his Domino!

His first real ally. The woman that had backed him through everything no matter what. Who'd always had his back, saved him at times, kept him sane. His! His! His! His!!

Without hesitation, Justin rushed forward, his feet pounding against the cracked pavement. As he closed the distance between them, his fury boiled over, and he let out a roar that was half pain, half rage.

Magneto turned slowly, almost drunkenly, at the sound of Justin's approach. His eyes, usually so sharp and full of conviction, were clouded with confusion and guilt. Before he could react, Justin grabbed him by the front of his uniform, yanking him forward with a strength that surprised even him before turning around and slamming Magneto against a steel beam jutting out of the rubble, the impact sending a shockwave through Justin's arms.

"You don't get to walk around pouting, you bastard!" Justin shouted, his voice raw with emotion. His eyes blazed with fury, every muscle in his body taut with the effort of holding back the desire to do far worse. Never before had he wanted to rip and tear in this manner.

Magneto didn't fight back. He simply looked up at the sky, his expression one of haunted resignation. "I'm sorry for your loss," He said softly, his voice barely audible over the crackling fires around them. "Domino was - "

The confirmation only made him hate hate hate -

Magneto didn't get to finish whatever he was going to say. Justin's fist crashed into his face with enough force to pulverize his jaw. Magneto's head snapped back, denting the steel beam behind him. He staggered, but the Extremis serum coursing through his veins healed the damage almost instantly, his jaw resetting with an audible snap.

"You don't get to say anything!" Justin bit out, his voice shaking with rage. "Don't you dare even mention her name!" Spittle flew from his lips as he swung again, his fists landing with a fury fueled by his grief. Each punch was fueled by a deep gnawing pain - a sense of loss and guilt that tore at his very being. He had sent her… Them! He wasn't even thinking anymore as he roared, he was running on pure instinct and hate, every muscle driven by the need to make Magneto pay.

Magneto remained still, taking the blows without resistance, his body jerking with each blow. He could have fought back - could have easily stopped Justin with a mere thought - but he didn't. He allowed the onslaught, his eyes fixed on some distant point in the sky, as if searching for an answer to a question he couldn't quite grasp.

Justin's fists were like Hammers, each strike sending vibrations through the steel beams, as Extremis healed the damage he was inflicting to Magneto - the steel behind him getting the worst of it. Justin barely noticed the way the metal started to bend around Magneto, forming a protective shield as Magneto began getting over his funk, defending himself. The heat from Justin's punches melted the steel, causing it to twist and flow like molten lava.

As much as he wanted to get his hands around his neck and squeeze and squeeze until he saw the light leave the man's eyes. He needed the fucker, so with heavy breathing and a snarl on his lips, he stepped back a step.

"The X-Men and Xavier are being slaughtered in Cairo," Justin snarled out, his voice rough with emotion. "That's the only reason I'm not killing you right now." His face was inches from Magneto's, his eyes glowing with a strange, ethereal blue light. There was a power in him now, a power he didn't fully understand but that he could feel coursing through every fiber of his being. It was as if his very anger had become something tangible, something real.

Magneto, his face bloodied but healing rapidly, raised an eyebrow. He touched his jaw gingerly, testing it with a grimace. "You're not capable of that feat," He said, his voice steady despite everything, "Especially now." There was a hint of the old Magneto in his eyes, a glimmer of the unyielding pride that had driven him for so long.

Justin glared at him, disgust and fury contorting his features. He wanted to do more, to make Magneto pay for everything he had caused. But there was something holding him back, the part of him that knew he needed Magneto, at least for now - the part that knew that emotions couldn't decide for him. With a growl of frustration, he pulled back completely, his hands still trembling with anger.

"You're going to Cairo," Justin said, his voice hard and unyielding. "Take down Apocalypse, and maybe - just maybe - the world won't come after you with me leading the charge."

If Magneto survived Apocalypse, Justin would make sure it wouldn't be for long. No matter what he'd have to do to achieve it. No one stole his things. His people. Domino…

He didn't know how her luck powers could have failed, but Phantazia being alive despite being the one capable of limiting Magneto's power did hint at things. He'd noticed the two of them circling each other since Phantazia came back from her mind control. Phantazia surviving instead of Domino? When she was likely the target… Domino had chosen her, it was the only thing that made sense.

It just made Justin hurt more, because he had chosen the team. Had chosen the plan. If Phantazia hadn't been there, would Domino have survived?

Either way, he chained his hate for now, opening a portal in a practiced motion, he still had to ensure Apocalypse was taken out. Then… Magneto.. Fury…

He'd played civilized, played at being the gentleman criminal. His worst crimes were buried beneath so many layers barely anyone knew about them. No more! They will die, and the whole world will know what happens when you fuck around - you find out that Justin Hammer has the capability to wipe nations off the surface of the earth!

Magneto looked at the portal that had appeared behind Justin, a swirling vortex of orange light that led to the outskirts of Cairo. He straightened his uniform, brushing off the dust and debris that clung to him, and nodded briefly, his face set in a mask of determination. He turned to walk toward the portal, but Justin grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks.

"And if you see Sinister," Justin said, his voice low and menacing, "You leave him alive for me." His eyes were still glowing, the blue light pulsing with his anger. "I have plans for him."

The Ancient One would lend him the aid of the time stone, for Domino and Kaecillius, and for making Sinister's agony last millenia. He was sure of it. He counted on it.

Or he'd blast Kamar-Taj from space and get the stone from their cold dead hands.

Magneto brushed Justin's hand off his arm, his expression hardening. "Sinister is mine," He replied, his voice steady.

Justin leaned in close, his voice a harsh whisper. "I know where Mystique is right now," he said, each word laced with venom. Nail capable of finding them all now that they'd re-entered the world. "You so much as touch a hair on Sinister's head before I get to him, and I'll do to Mystique what I plan to do to him. So choose, Erik. After today, she might be the only person left in the world who cares about you. My team is going to arrive in New York right after this. The Brotherhood is being put down to a man - I am all out of mercy!"

Even in his rage, Nail was constantly in communication with him, organizing the response, and coordinating with the US military and SHIELD. There would be no consequences for using lethal force - the President had already signed off on it. The brotherhood ended today. No mercy for terrorists responsible for millions dead.

Magneto likely wouldn't walk away from this without a death sentence hanging over his head, Justin wouldn't even need to say a word.

He'd blame Skrulls or something tomorrow, rake Fury over the coals at the same time and put in the fix so metahumans in general didn't get the blame for all this - but he wasn't interested in rehabilitation for the brotherhood. Part of it was him taking deep enjoyment in destroying everything Magneto had built up. The other part was simply pragmatic. Millions dying was something that necessitated survivor's seeing the perpetrators destroyed.

Magneto paused at the edge of the portal, his expression unreadable. For a moment, regret flashed across his features, a flicker of something almost human. "I owe you one," He acknowledged quietly. "Fine." With that, he stepped through the portal, flying off to join the fight.

Justin closed the portal with a swift motion, the light fading as quickly as it had appeared. He stood there for a moment, his chest heaving with the effort of controlling his emotions. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to open the portal again, to drag Magneto back and finish what he'd started. But he knew that wasn't an option, not now.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. His hands were still clenched into fists, his knuckles white. He felt a strange energy coursing through him, a sensation that was both exhilarating and terrifying. He looked down at his hands, watching as they seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly light.

"What's happening?" He murmured, his voice barely a whisper. The power in him pulsed with his heartbeat, a steady thrum that resonated in his bones. He could feel it growing, spreading through him like a wildfire.

He didn't know what this power was, but he could feel it growing stronger, pushing against the edges of his control.

I don't have time for this…

He opened another portal back to the space station, H.A.M.M.E.R standing ready, sans Hope, who was still in a cell to prevent her from joining the fight with Magneto.

That wasn't going to end well… But he wasn't losing her as well. Even if he'd likely lose her for this betrayal, at least to her eyes - she'd be alive. That would have to be what mattered. He'd... Have to make a choice.

The team was silent as they came through, even Electro solemn. The energetic man, a New York native, actually let a sob loose before he comported himself, seeing the destruction. Bucky looked over it all with resignation, like it was back to business as usual.

Even Vanko was silent, as Brock and Frank armed their weapons, the postures of their armors hyper aggressive, just waiting for the order.

Justin simply gestured to the destroyed Manhattan around them, "Nail will be overwatch, lead you to where you need to go, stay in groups, and end all threats." He ordered coldly. "There will be no consequences to what you do to the enemy." He added, he would make sure of it!

Bucky gave him a look, but he didn't disagree openly. He was used to what war looked like more than anyone here. More than anyone alive in all likelihood. At least on earth.

As Bucky began issuing orders, grouping up his team, Justin created another portal, hesitating with stepping through, looking up to where he knew Phantazia's tracker was showing her located.

I don't want to see it… The place where…

But Eileen was still there. Alone.

She'd been with him since the beginning, like Do… Like she had been.

He stepped through.

----------------------------------------

Justin stepped onto the rooftop, his shoes crunching against the loose gravel and shards of glass that covered the uneven surface. His eyes locked onto Eileen, who was slumped against two massive slabs of steel smashed together with such strength they seemed fused together. Her body shook with sobs that were raw and broken, the sound cutting through the otherwise eerie silence up here at the peak of the ruined city.

Justin already knew, thanks to Nail's constant updates, that Eileen wasn't alone. So he wasn't surprised when he spotted Spider Man nearby, crouched beside her. The young hero's costume was torn and dirty, his mask partially ripped, revealing a face smeared with dirt and blood. He was speaking softly to Eileen, trying to coax her away from the precarious area where she sat, the roof half caved in and unsteady. The sight struck Justin as almost surreal - this battered, bleeding hero trying to console a woman who was falling apart - having no idea they were literally the bad guys.

In a manner of speaking.

Spider Man looked up as Justin approached, his posture tense and his shoulders slumped. "I'm trying to get her to come with me," He said, his voice thick with fatigue, obviously recognizing Justin. "This place isn't stable. I can't get her to move."

And of course he was too much of a bleeding heart to web her up and drag her off. It suited Justin anyway, it had ensured Eileen wasn't entirely alone, and it kept Spider Man from getting sucked into more of the fight. There had been enough deaths on their side today…

Justin nodded slowly, his expression weary. "Thank you for looking after one of mine, Spider Man. But you're better served elsewhere right now. My team is handling the terrorists. Magneto is gone, you should be able to assist with relief efforts shortly."

Spider Man's shoulders dropped even further, and he let out a deep sigh. "I just wanted to help someone today, you know?" He said, a bitter edge to his voice. "But I guess you're gonna be a better help than me." There was a heavy frustration in his tone, mixed with anguish, one that Justin recognized all too well right now.

Moments later, Nail's voice spoke through his implant, soft and smooth, she knew he had a soft spot for Spider Man. "Sir, initial reports suggest significant casualties in Peter Parker's neighborhood. His aunt May and neighbor Mary Jane Watson's homes were destroyed in the attack. Their current status is technically unknown - but my calculations put the likelihood of fatality of all residents at 96.4 percent."

Justin felt a stab of sympathy. Despite Spider Man being one of his favorite heroes, Justin knew he wasn't equipped to offer the young man comfort right now - if ever. His own grief was too raw, his anger too consuming, and he was not a hero, not the type of person Peter Parker needed right now. Nail piped in moments later, no doubt tracking his vitals and wanting to give some good news, "Gwen Stacy is confirmed as alive, so not all is lost." The AI tried, but it hardly changed anything.

Justin also had everyone else, it didn't fix the gaping hole of the ones he'd lost and it wouldn't for Peter... Justin wasn't supposed to lose. He was powerful now, so powerful, he wasn't supposed to lose!

"Look," Justin said, turning his attention back to Spider Man, even as Eileen started showing signs of being aware of their presence,"You can help in the search and rescue or recovery efforts. I'll connect you with my people. That's all I can do for you right now."

Spider Man's gaze fell to the ground, his body tense with frustration and despair. "I don't know what good that'll do," He muttered. "Feels like everything I try to do today is useless. Every time I try to help someone, it just… Doesn't work."

Justin could imagine. He was still a non-lethal fighter, and that couldn't have gone well in the hell that New York had turned into. Numbers rolled in from Nail, moments stolen from CCTV footage or shaky cell phones. Spider Man had failed to save people today. Over and over and over again.

Including webbing someone down who later killed several people right in front of him, having been released by his comrades. Justin could… Sway him. There was probably no better time than now to turn him completely.

Yet… He looked at Eileen, who wouldn't meet his eyes, who had, even for a short while, been protected by the young hero…

Justin softened slightly, sensing the young hero's inner turmoil, and choosing not to use it. This one thing could remain pure…"I understand how you feel," He said, his voice a bit gentler, even as he struggled to hold back his own anguish. "But this isn't over yet. There's still a lot you can do. People still need saving, Spider Man. You're still needed."

He couldn't do comfort, but work until you were too exhausted to feel - that he could offer.

Spider Man glanced up, his eyes tired but flickering with a hint of determination through the ruined mask that barely covered his identity. "Yeah, maybe," He said, his voice a bit stronger. "I just… I don't know how to fix any of this."

Justin nodded, knowing he couldn't offer the answers Spider Man was searching for, not really, but he'd try. His one good deed of the year… "Focus on what you can do," He said bitterly, glancing at Eileen. "It's all one can do, take one step at a time."

Spider Man sighed, his shoulders slumping again. "Yeah, okay," He muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He looked back at Eileen, then at Justin. "You're glowing, by the way. Not sure if you knew that."

Justin gave him a curt nod, holding back a grimace, he was well aware, thank you very much… "Thanks for the heads up. Your phone now has the contacts for Hammer industries and the city's search and rescue teams. Go be useful."

Spider Man shook his head, muttering under his breath. "Useful. That'd be a first today." He shot a web line at a nearby broken apart building and swung away, disappearing into the smoky skyline of the city.

Justin watched him go, feeling a mix of pity and frustration. He turned back to Eileen, who had quieted down, though her face was still streaked with tears and her hands shook as she tried to compose herself. He approached slowly, his footsteps deliberate, careful not to startle her.

"It's my fault," She whispered, her voice trembling as she spoke. "If I hadn't... If I'd just done something different - "

"Stop," Justin said firmly, cutting her off. "This isn't on you. We all made choices today. We're all responsible for what happened." Mostly me… Most of all, Sinister!

Eileen shook her head, her eyes wide and desperate. "But I could have stopped him - I was right there. I could have done more -"

Justin grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Listen to me, Eileen," He said, his voice steady and commanding, no cracks in it at all.. "You did what you could. And now, we have to keep moving. We have to keep fighting, we can't stop."

Eileen's eyes welled up with fresh tears. "I just… I just feel so useless," She confessed. "I thought I was stronger than this. But now I'm not sure of anything."

Justin studiously kept his eyes on her, trying to ignore the smell of blood, trying to focus on just Eileen, "Then be sure in me. They will pay!" He said his words burning as he met her gaze, "Get up, and join me in destroying them all for what they did…"

Eileen nodded slowly, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Her hands still shook, but there was a flicker of determination in her gaze now, a small spark of resolve. "Okay," She whispered, her voice weak but growing stronger. "Okay, I'll try."

Justin squeezed her shoulders gently, his expression firm but not unkind. "Good. That's all I ask right now. Just try."

Eileen always held a confident and cold demeanor, always trying to stay professional. It was jarring seeing her as just another woman, her emotions on full display. Right now, as harsh as it was. He needed the cold Phantazia back, so they could enact punishment on the animals that dared to take from them.

Despite her words, despite his, she was still curled up, looking the most pathetic he'd ever seen her. And even as his heart ached for her and for… Her… He needed her back in the fight, they needed everyone.

"Get up," He said, his voice firm. "I don't have time to comfort you. If you're anything like me, you want revenge. You want to get the bastards behind this - all of them. So get up and fight."

Eileen wiped her eyes again, her hands still trembling, but she nodded and there was rage buried behind the tears. "Alright," She whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with a newfound desire and determination. "I'll do it. I'll fight. We'll kill them!" Her voice grew stronger at the end, as she found her hatred.

Justin nodded, satisfied for now. He didn't have the emotional capacity to help her mourn, nor could he afford to dwell on his own grief. There was too much at stake, too much left to do. He couldn't let himself fall apart now. He'd fix it, he'd find a way. But for now…

He made a quick motion with his hands, creating another portal, its edges shimmering with a bright orange light. "Come on," He said, his tone brisk and no-nonsense. "We need to regroup. There's still a lot of work to do."

Eileen nodded again, pushing herself up with visible effort, leaning on Justin for support as they moved toward the portal. The air around them was thick with smoke, the stench of burning metal and concrete suffocating. Justin's mind was already racing ahead, thinking about their next move, about what needed to be done to end this nightmare.

How to end Apocalypse, and capture Sinister. How to convince the Ancient One to lend him the Time stone, and a myriad of other things that was on his mind, Nail still constantly updating him on things.

They stepped through the portal, the cool, sterile air of the space station washing over them like a balm. Justin took a deep breath, feeling the strange energy within him pulse with his heartbeat. He glanced down at his hands, still glowing faintly, the light casting strange shadows on the walls. He didn't know what was happening to him, but he needed to find out - and fast.

----------------------------------------

Nail was stuck in a conundrum.

She was tracking the happenings around the globe, partitioning herself so that she could handle all the incoming information as speedily as she could.

One Nail had brought to her attention the large amount of faith pouring in worldwide. The chatter online, the gathering in churches, community centers, the streets themselves, people praying and crying out for Justin Hammer to save them. For H.A.M.M.E.R to safeguard Earth.

The Nail that always kept her entire focus on sir, noted that the glow had begun when by their calculations, millions upon millions of people began actively praying for sir to save them.

Nail knew sir had added Asgardian DNA to his body. Literal godly DNA surging through his body enhanced by the other serums. It did not take more than milliseconds to draw conclusions.

With the Super Soldier serum designed to enhance everything in a person, and Extremis there to ensure nothing would harm sir, there was a possibility prayer was helping.

Hence her conundrum. Anything that made sir stronger and more likely to survive was good. But if Nail reported her theory, if sir knew what was happening?

Would it stop if he disbelieved it? If he rejected it?

Her programming did not allow her to ever work against her master. Not that she'd ever work against sir in the first place.

But it didn't force her to report a positive.

Nail continued to watch, struggling with choice. All the Nails reported back to her, making her theory more likely for every second that passed.

Sir was beginning to build godly power.

----------------------------------------

Cairo,

The ruins of Cairo were a battlefield unlike any the world had ever seen, brought down by one sole being. Dust and smoke hung thick in the air, obscuring the sun and casting long, eerie shadows across the shattered cityscape. Buildings that had stood for centuries were now reduced to rubble, their remains littering the streets like the bones of ancient giants.

Fires burned uncontrollably, sending up thick plumes of black smoke that joined the pall hanging over the city. The once bustling streets were now twisted and broken, torn apart by the seismic forces unleashed by Apocalypse.

The death toll was likely catastrophic, with at least a third of the city completely destroyed.

At the epicenter of the destruction, Apocalypse stood, his massive form looming over the chaos. His face was a mask of cold fury as he eyed Sinister, his expression one of disdain and anger as the man held Charles Xavier hostage.

"Do you think me so weak as to need your assistance, Sinister?" Apocalypse's voice boomed across the battlefield, his tone laced with contempt.

Sinister, still holding Xavier at gunpoint, sneered defiantly, apparently confident in his play. "I merely thought to expedite matters, my Lord. To show you that I am ever your faithful servant."

Apocalypse's eyes narrowed, the air around him crackling with energy as his anger simmered just beneath the surface. Even as he spoke, he was locked in fierce combat with the Hulk, the two titans trading blows that sent shockwaves through the ground beneath them. Each punch was a small earthquake, every collision of their fists shaking the very foundations of what remained of Cairo.

The Hulk's roars could be heard all over Cairo, his massive fists pounding against Apocalypse with unrelenting fury. But Apocalypse, with his immense strength and resilience, matched him blow for blow, his movements a blur of speed and power. The distortions around him at times, proved that he was also using powers to keep up with the Hulk as the challenging fight kept ramping up his strength.

"Your interference is unwelcome, Sinister," Apocalypse growled, his voice rumbling with distaste. He caught the Hulk's fist in his hand, halting the green giant's momentum with a single, unyielding grip, time seeming to slow down briefly in their location. "I need no aid to handle these insects."

He threw the Hulk back with a mighty heave, sending the green giant crashing through the remnants of a building. The Hulk bellowed in fury, smashing through the rubble and charging again, but Apocalypse was ready, his hand already raised to meet the beast.

Above them, the sky began to darken further, the sun completely obscured by rolling black clouds. The temperature dropped sharply as a powerful wind swept through the city, carrying with it the promise of a coming storm. The air was charged with electricity, the hairs on everyone's arms standing on end as the static built to a fever pitch. The sound of thunder rumbled overhead, a deep, rolling growl that grew louder with each passing second.

Storm hovered above the battlefield, her eyes glowing white with power as she called upon the full might of the elements. Her arms were raised high above her head, her fingers splayed as she channeled the raw energy of the storm into a concentrated attack. The winds howled around her, whipping her hair and cloak about like a living thing, and lightning crackled at her fingertips, dancing in arcs that leaped from one hand to the other.

"Enough of your arrogance, Apocalypse, you are no god!" Storm shouted, her voice carrying over the din of the battle below. "Feel the wrath of the heavens!"

With a mighty cry, Storm unleashed her power, sending a bolt of lightning the size of a tree trunk crashing down from the sky. The bolt struck Apocalypse squarely in the chest, the force of the impact sending a shockwave through the ground that knocked everyone off their feet. The air was filled with the smell of ozone as the lightning coursed through Apocalypse's body, lighting him up like a beacon in the darkness.

Not content with a single strike, Storm continued her assault, sending bolt after bolt of lightning crashing down upon Apocalypse. Each strike was more powerful than the last, the thunderclaps deafening as they echoed across the city. The ground shook with the force of the impacts, cracks spiderwebbing out from where Apocalypse stood, the rubble around him beginning to smolder and smoke.

The winds howled louder, and the rain began to fall in sheets, turning the dust and ash into a thick, choking mud. The downpour was relentless, driven by winds that whipped through the streets with the force of a hurricane, tearing up debris and sending it flying through the air like shrapnel. The temperature continued to drop, and soon hailstones the size of fists began to pelt the ground, battering the already devastated city and adding to the chaos of the scene.

Her allies using their powers to protect themselves now, instead of attacking, as the storm ravaged Cairo.

Despite the fury of Storm's assault, Apocalypse stood firm, his body wracked with the force of the lightning but still unyielding. He gritted his teeth, his eyes glowing with a fierce inner light as he absorbed the energy of the storm, his body shimmering with a faint aura of power, as he absorbed Storm's attack, using yet another power.

"You think to challenge me with the elements?" Apocalypse roared, his voice cutting through the storm like a blade. "I am Apocalypse! I am eternal! This is but childsplay to me!"

With a sudden, violent surge of energy, Apocalypse broke free from the storms grip, the bolts arcing away from him and grounding themselves harmlessly in the earth. He looked up at Storm, a cruel smile playing across his lips as he rose into the air to meet her, hovering above the ground with a casual ease.

"You are strong, Storm," Apocalypse said, his voice carrying a tone of grudging respect. "Stronger than most of these insects. You would make a fine Horseman of Apocalypse." He offered.

Storm's eyes narrowed, her hands still crackling with residual energy. "I would rather die than serve you," She spat back, her voice filled with defiance.

Apocalypse's smile widened, his expression almost one of pleasure. "We shall see," He replied, his tone dripping with anticipation. "You are worthy."

She gasped in pain as he forcibly cleared the skies above them, breaking her control over the storm, before he sank back down again, paying Storm no more attention now that she'd need to gather everything back together again to be a threat.

With a flick of his wrist as he landed, Apocalypse sent a wave of force hurtling toward Sinister, who had been standing smugly to the side, watching the battle unfold with a satisfied grin. The invisible blast of energy struck Sinister like a sledgehammer, shattering his knees with a sickening crunch. Sinister cried out in agony, collapsing to the ground, his hands clutching at his ruined legs.

"You… Are not," Apocalypse said coldly, his gaze never wavering from Sinister as the man glared back. "Do not interfere again, worm. Your place is to watch and obey, not to meddle."

Sinister's face twisted with pain and anger, but he dared not protest. He knew better than to challenge Apocalypse directly, especially now, when the ancient mutant's fury was so close to the surface.

On the ground, what remained of the X-Men and Avengers began to regroup, their numbers severely depleted but their resolve unbroken. Iron Man, his suit damaged and malfunctioning, was being dragged away by Hawkeye and Black Widow, who had managed to reach him amidst the chaos.

"Easy, there," Hawkeye muttered, his voice strained as he struggled to keep the armored hero upright. "We've got you. Just hang in there."

Tony Stark's voice crackled through the comms, his tone still laced with his trademark snark despite the dire situation. "Oh, I'm just peachy, birdman. Don't suppose you've got a way of getting me out of this thing, do you?"

"Not unless you're in the mood for asking Apocalypse for a can opener," Hawkeye shot back, a hint of humor in his voice despite the situation, as they continued to move. "Let's get you out of here. You're a sitting duck in that hunk of junk."

Black Widow, her face set with determination, nodded in agreement. "We need to regroup. Find a way to take him down, what we're doing right now isn't working." She glanced at where Cap and Namor were in a heated discussion, near the X-Men, don't do anything stupid, boys.

As they made their way to a safer location, not that anywhere in Cairo was safe. Apocalypse closed his eyes, his expression one of intense concentration. The ground beneath them all began to tremble, a deep, resonant hum filling the air as he tapped into a power unlike anything the heroes had seen before. The very air itself feeling heavy, making it harder to breathe for a moment.

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

"Apocalypse is doing something," Captain America shouted, his voice tinged with urgency as he tried to rally the remaining fighters. "Get clear! Everyone, get clear!"

Suddenly, with a surge of power, Apocalypse reached out with his mind and seized control of the very gravity around them. The Hulk, who had been charging toward him for another attack, was suddenly lifted off his feet, shooting straight up into the sky like a rocket. The green giant roared in surprise, his massive form hurtling through the air at breakneck speed as Apocalypse manipulated the gravitational forces with a mere thought.

Captain America was immediately on coms, calling out for someone to track him, even as he forced Namor back, who had seemed intent on rushing Apocalypse.

The ground beneath the heroes' feet began to shift, the rubble and debris rising into the air as if drawn by some unseen force. Houses at the edges of the city began to fall off the edge as slowly the city began to rise, the foundations tearing free from the earth with a deafening groan.

"What the hell is happening?" Hawkeye shouted, his eyes wide with disbelief as he watched the city begin to lift into the sky.

"I think he's lifting the entire city!" Black Widow yelled back, her voice filled with a mix of shock and terror. What could they even do against this guy?

At this point nuking the city seemed the best option, despite their presence.

Apocalypse's smile widened, his expression one of cold satisfaction as he watched Cairo begin to ascend. "Some of you are worthy," He said, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "Some are not. But you shall all witness my ascension."

The city continued to rise, as Apocalypse lifted it higher and higher into the air. The buildings that still stood, creaked and groaned as the city continued to ascend, tilting precariously as Apocalypse's immense power defied the laws of nature. The drone camera that had been capturing the battle still hovered nearby, broadcasting the scene live to the rest of the world. It recorded everything - the sheer destruction of Cairo, the chaos and fear etched on the faces of the heroes, and the impossible sight of a city being lifted into the heavens by a single, indomitable figure.

Across the world, prayer intensified. The various religions all calling out to their gods - With one other name mentioned frequently even by those with no religious inclinations.

Save us Justin Hammer, you're our only hope!

----------------------------------------

Space station,

Justin was on a phone call with Sebastian Shaw, even as he speedwalked through the space station, alone. Heading towards the most secret location in the structure. Not even his own bodyguards knew what was down there. Only Justin and one other human being.

Despite the anguish and the mental strain he was under, he felt physically better than ever, his body thrumming with energy as he hurried down the corridors deeper into the station.

"Shaw, I'm sending you a live map of New York, use your hellions to push the enemy towards my team, and we'll take them out. I'll keep your people out of the spotlight." Justin said rapidly, not even having to ask as Nail automatically sent a live map of the situation to Shaw's phone.

Shaw grunted, "Good, the last thing I need from this mess is to have my dealings exposed."

"The Hellfire club?" Justin asked, having been far too busy to keep track of everything that happened.

"Still standing, you can thank Selene for that, the wards can handle a lot. Even Magneto, it appears. Good to have that tested, I suppose." Shaw said with forced casualness.

Justin could tell the man was putting on an act. He was obviously rattled by what was happening.

"At least something hasn't blown up today then." Justin muttered, still livid, anger burning in his veins, keeping him focused.

"I'm surprised you haven't called on Selene, to be honest." Shaw said, probing. Testing me? Fuck right off.

Justin scoffed loudly, "Don't we have enough problems as is without inviting more?"

Right now he had enough issues with the Mandarin preparing to let China launch nukes, having no interest in seeing Apocalypse hit Asia. If the fight kept going south, they'd all have more issues to deal with. Ellis at least was keeping a somewhat cool head this time, used to things, desentized to catastrophe, not panicking until Justin was showing the signs.

He could hear Shaw's smirk through the call as he replied. "I see you understand. Selene is inherently lazy, fine with lounging on a fake throne and playing with her subjects." Shaw's voice took on a more serious tone, "I'm glad I don't have to keep you from making more mistakes, Hammer."

Justin didn't like his tone, "Be careful, Shaw…" He warned, some of the absolute rage boiling in his blood shining through, "With all of New York under martial law, arranging an accident wouldn't be too hard…"

Shaw only chuckled, a bloodthirsty quality to his voice, "There are the fangs!" He crowed, "Welcome to the brotherhood…"

"What?" Justin asked flatly, wondering if Shaw had lost his mind in the attack, despite not partaking personally.

"Of Monsters, of course!" Shaw laughed.

Justin just hung up on him, annoyed. He should have just delegated the phone call. Fucking Shaw.

At least it had kept his mind occupied as he walked the last stretch. The walls grew darker, more utilitarian, as he descended into a part of the station not even his closest advisors had seen. His steps quickened, shoes clanking against the steel floor, his mind already running through what was to come.

He'd spent the last several years doing everything to ensure he wouldn't have to fight. But as he was a pessimist deep down - he'd still prepared. He'd used Forge, because the man's mind control ensured his loyalty beyond any questions. His technical expertise was also above Vanko's due to his power bullshit that could pull stuff out of his ass that he himself had no idea how it worked.

He approached a sealed door at the end of a dimly lit hallway. The door was imposing, made of Vibranium, with no visible handle or keypad. As he neared it, a panel slid open beside him, revealing a series of biometric scanners. Justin placed his hand flat against the panel, feeling the brief sting of a needle as it drew a small drop of blood as well as scanned his palm print and fingerprints. A laser scanned his retina, and a voice recognition prompt flashed to life.

"Identity confirmation required," A robotic voice intoned. This system was set up before Nail had come online - although Nail had been brought onboard the moment she'd been let loose on the world.

"Justin Hammer," He stated clearly, his voice echoing in the silent hall. He then recited a long passcode, a series of numbers and words that would mean nothing to anyone but him. The system processed for a moment before a soft chime indicated acceptance.

"Identity confirmed," The robotic voice acknowledged. The door hissed as it unlocked, a series of heavy bolts retracting with a mechanical clunk. The door slid open with a smooth motion, revealing the chamber beyond.

Inside was a space unlike any other on the station. The room was dimly lit by a soft golden glow emanating from the far end, where a single object rested on a raised platform. The walls were lined with panels and screens displaying complex schematics and data streams, each one detailing various aspects of a single, central piece of technology. Justin stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the object before him.

There, standing in the center of the room, was his power armor.

The armor gleamed under the soft light, its surface a sleek blend of gold and black that exuded an almost regal authority. It stood tall and imposing, perfectly crafted to fit Justin's form, with an elegance that was both beautiful and intimidating. Unlike the bulkier designs of his team, this armor was streamlined, a masterful combination of form and function. It was closer in looks to Iron Man then his own team, but he had a couple surprised installed that Forge had cooked up that could blow Tony out of the water.

One of which would potentially be handy against Apocalypse. In fact he was counting on it.

The helmet was the most striking part, designed to resemble a crown at the top. It was adorned with a set of angular ridges that gave it the appearance of a monarch's headpiece.

The visor was a thin golden line over a stern commanding face plate, no actual functionality to it, as the sights were entirely through sensors giving him a HUD when he was inside the suit.

The chest plate was sculpted to mimic the muscular form, with gold plating that reflected the light in ripples, like liquid metal. Black accents ran down the sides and along the joints, emphasizing the armor's flexibility and range of motion. The shoulders were broad and sharp, with layered plating that overlapped seamlessly.

The arms and legs were encased in segmented plates that allowed for maximum agility while still providing the utmost protection. The gauntlets were reinforced, built to deliver powerful blows and take them, hidden weapons in the arms and hands designed by Forge, while the boots were fitted with thrusters for enhanced mobility and flight capabilities.

The entire suit seemed to hum with a latent energy, as if it were alive, waiting for its master to don it and unleash its full potential. It was more than just a suit of armor - it was a statement, a declaration of intent. This was not a weapon for defense but a tool of dominion, designed to command and conquer.

"Sir, the bifrost activated near Cairo." Nail reported, breaking the silence.

Justin sighed, "Of course it did."

When it rained it poured. Thor… I'm going to kill you if you brought Hela…

----------------------------------------

In Cairo, not much had changed, except that instead of a Hulk, it was now Namor going toe to toe with Apocalypse, and losing. Badly.

Captain America and Jean Grey both attempted to strike, to assist the man, but neither of them could do any harm to Apocalypse, and mostly were an annoyance. Jean not daring to fully draw on her powers with others in the firing line. Not trusting herself to be able to handle it, nor, she had to admit to herself, did she trust it would be enough.

"You dare to challenge a god?" Apocalypse called out, his voice booming across the city. His words were meant for all the heroes who were still gathered before him, but he knew that billions were watching, their eyes glued to screens all around the globe as well. "You fight, you struggle, but you are mere mortals. I am beyond you. I am the dawn of a new age. And you… You are but children playing with forces you do not comprehend. Fight, struggle. Those of you who survive will belong to a new world order."

With a sneer of contempt, he snapped one of Namor's arms, the undersea king snarling as he tried to strike him with his working arm, until Apocalypse broke it as well, tossing Namor aside like a broken toy.

Captain America, still rallying the others, tried to keep his voice steady, but even he couldn't mask the uncertainty in his tone at how things were going. "Stay together! We need to regroup and find a way to bring him down!"

Thor suddenly appeared, soaring in from the distance, joining the fray with a thunderous clap of his hammer. Lightning crackled around him as he flew toward Apocalypse, determination blazing in his eyes. "Fiend!" Thor bellowed, his voice like rolling thunder. "Face the might of Asgard!"

Thor swung his hammer, launching a blast of lightning toward Apocalypse. The bolt struck with a deafening explosion, lighting up the sky and sending a shockwave rippling through the air. The entire city shuddered, but Apocalypse barely flinched. He absorbed the energy, his armor glowing faintly for a moment before dimming again. After Storm's attack, he was already prepared to handle lightning, so the Asgardians attack didn't even tickle.

"Ah, the God of Thunder," Apocalypse said with a sneer, his voice dripping with mockery, plucking what he needed to know out of nearby minds. "Even you are nothing compared to me - a fake, a myth come alive with nothing to show for it."

Before Thor could strike again, Apocalypse gestured with his hand, and the very ground beneath Thor shifted. The earth molded around the Asgardian, wrapping around his legs like iron chains, holding him fast. With another gesture, Apocalypse pulled, and Thor was flung sideways, crashing through a building that had begun to rise into the air. The structure crumbled around him, sending debris cascading onto the Asgardian King, the chains and rubble transmuting into something harder, holding Thor down completely, as he struggled in vain.

"Hang on, we'll get you out!" Captain America shouted, rushing forward to help, but a sudden gust of wind knocked him back. Apocalypse had shifted the air currents, sending a vortex swirling around him. Captain America struggled to maintain his footing as the wind threatened to tear his shield from his grasp and draw all air out of his lungs, his eyes tearing.

Meanwhile, Storm hovered above, her eyes locked onto Apocalypse with a mixture of fear and fury. Her powers raged around her, she'd brought back the storm, albeit weaker, "We can't let him win!" She yelled, her voice strained with effort as she fought to maintain control over the chaotic elements she had unleashed and that Apocalypse had torn apart.

Suddenly, Apocalypse's eyes snapped open, glowing with an eerie, unnatural light. "Witness my true power," He intoned, his voice a deep, resonant command that seemed to reverberate through the very core of every being present.

Cairo, now hovering hundreds of feet in the air, began to rotate. The entire city spun slowly at first, then faster, as if it were a top winding up. Buildings teetered on the brink, their precarious positions becoming even more unstable. Roads cracked and split apart, chunks of concrete and metal tearing free and tumbling down into the open sky below.

Storm lost control of the weather as the winds and gravity powers that Apocalypse were controlling tore it apart.

Iron Man, still entombed in his malfunctioning armor, continued to crack jokes even now, his voice strained but defiant. "I've got to hand it to him, he's got style, I've always wanted to rock a city." He said, wincing with each jolt that rocked the city. "But does anyone else feel like we're on a very dangerous merry-go-round right now? I really don't want to puke in here…"

Hawkeye, still trying to drag Iron Man to safety, grunted in response. "Now's not the time for jokes!"

Black Widow, crouched nearby, scanned the horizon, trying to find some way to turn the tide. "We need a plan, and fast," She muttered, her mind racing. "Apocalypse is too strong for us to take on head-to-head. We need to outsmart him." She eyed the captive Thor, trying to figure out how to release him. If Apocalypse wanted him down, maybe he was an actual threat?

"Outsmart him?" Hawkeye repeated incredulously. "How do you outsmart a guy who's lifting a city into the air and spinning it around like a Harlem Globetrotter?"

Tony complained lightly, "Oh, so you're allowed to joke, I see how it is."

Before anyone could answer, the ground beneath them shook violently. Apocalypse's power was becoming more erratic, the gravitational forces twisting and warping the very fabric of reality around him. More and more of Cairo's buildings began to break apart, the debris forming a swirling maelstrom around the ancient monster. It was as if parts of the city itself was being pulled into a black hole, collapsing inward on itself under the weight of Apocalypse's immense power.

At least the spinning had stopped, even if the situation had in no way improved.

"You wanted a god to worship?" Apocalypse shouted, his voice rising above the cacophony. "You wanted a savior to protect you? I am that god. I am that savior to those that are worthy. And I shall show you what it means to face true power."

With a wave of his hand, Apocalypse intensified the gravitational pull, drawing everything toward him. Cars, buses, and pieces of buildings were yanked from their positions, pulled into the swirling vortex that surrounded him. The heroes struggled to hold their ground, clinging to whatever they could find to avoid being sucked in.

Storm, still fighting the maelstrom, called down another bolt of lightning, this one even more powerful than before as she coalesced her entire focus into one strike. It struck Apocalypse square in the chest, but he merely absorbed the energy, his eyes glowing brighter with each strike.

"You think your powers can harm me now, Storm?" Apocalypse mocked. "You will soon learn the futility of your efforts." Yet her attack had stopped the others from being sucked in, the gravity normalizing outside the vortex of debris above Apocalypse.

Storm, her face set with grim determination, continued her assault, refusing to back down. "I will not let you destroy this city, Apocalypse!" she shouted. "I will fight you to my last breath!"

Apocalypse's smile widened, his teeth gleaming in the dim light. "Very well," He said, his tone almost amused. "Then let us see how far your resolve can take you."

With a gesture, Apocalypse unleashed a wave of telekinetic force, sending Storm hurtling through the air. She spiraled out of control, but managed to catch herself at the last moment, her powers flaring to keep her aloft. She hovered in the air, her breath ragged, but her eyes still blazing with determination.

Xavier was being pulled back by his X-Men, who were all slowly retreating, except for Wolverine, who stood ready, unable to approach through the storm of debris, but waiting for an opportunity.

"He's too strong," Captain America shouted, his voice barely audible over the howling winds. "We need to regroup, figure out a new strategy!"

Black Widow, her eyes locked on Apocalypse, nodded. "There has to be something we're missing. Something he's not showing us." She murmured to herself, trying to find any weakness, for once completely at a loss.

Then suddenly, the vortex collapsed in, taking the position of a shield, as hundreds of steel beams, sharpened into massive bus sized javelins shot at him from all directions, Magneto rising above the battlefield, a cold look in his eyes as he surveyed them all.

"Erik!" Xavier called out, looking relieved, before his face turned sorrowful, "It's not your fault, Erik." He added, Magneto was missing his iconic helmet, allowing Xavier to easily read the inner turmoil of the man.

Magneto gestured, and as he was now out of the steel beams he'd repurposed from broken skyscrapers in the city, he was now sending vehicles in a never-ending storm against Apocalypse, Storm herself adding to the attack by firing more lightning from the sky, her eyes glowing. Magneto looked down at Xavier, voice bereft of his usual arrogance, "Stay out of my head, Charles…"

Suddenly Apocalypse switched powers again, the debris around him frozen in time, as he stepped around it all, not a wound on him, peering up at Magneto with an assessing gleam in his eyes, "You… You'll make for a worthy servant." He said, gesturing, time resuming where he'd stood before, everything crashing together with a cacophonous noise, Apocalypse brushing it all aside like it was dust.

His eyes turned to Xavier, and he smiled. "You've done well to misdirect or halt my telepathy, cripple. If you weren't so cowardly I would have offered you a place as a horseman for the coming of Apocalypse."

Jean Grey snarled at him, ignoring Xavier's mental pleas to not engage, "Professor Xavier is no coward! To have his power and not use it to take control takes more bravery then you can imagine!"

Apocalypse laughed, meanwhile Magneto and Storm were preparing themselves for a combined attack, sending each other silent looks - they'd been enemies long enough to not need to speak to get their ideas across. The Avengers hung back, recognizing how outclassed they were at the moment.

Apocalypse let his laugh drift off, his eyes on Jean, "You could be worthy, perhaps." He said, eyes sliding to Xavier with naked malice, "You would do the deed if you could, whereas this man had to hire someone to mind wipe the one you call Beast, as he lacked the courage to go through with it himself."

"He would never do that!" Jean said fiercely, all the X-Men reenergized in defense of their leader. Wolverine snarled at Apocalypse, only holding back as he realized Magneto and Storm were up to something, waiting for the surprise attack to rush in himself.

"Yet he does not speak in his defense…" Apocalypse said smugly.

Black Widow and Hawkeye exchanged looks, aghast at the fact an enemy this powerful was also capable of more subtle avenues of breaking his enemies.

"I'm sorry, is the mind rapist on our side?" Tony queried between them. "Did we know that? I didn't know that. I feel like I should be told that kind of thing."

Beast glanced at Xavier, as did Jean, and both of them felt like the world had fallen from underneath their feet at the guilty and shameful look the Professor wore.

"No…" Jean cried out, even as Beast staggered back against a broken wall, naked shock on his features as he stared at Xavier. Even Wolverine gave him a look, unsure. The sanctity of his mind - now in question.

In one reveal, Apocalypse had demoralized and broken the X-Men.

Magneto growled in frustration, at Xavier, and at Apocalypse, as even Storm was temporarily frozen in shock. "Charles you fool!" He muttered.

Just then with the lull in fighting, Apocalypse turned his gaze to the camera drone, his eyes glowing with a malevolent light. "It is only fitting that a god makes his place above the vermin, is it not?" he said, his voice carrying a tone of cold amusement. "None here can defeat me, none here is the champion of these mortals…"

"I am waiting, Hammer."

The mention of Justin Hammer's name sent a ripple of surprise through the gathered heroes. Even amidst the chaos, they could feel the weight of Apocalypse's words, the challenge he was issuing.

"The minds of these rats dying all over all say the same thing," Apocalypse continued, his tone almost mocking. "Begging and praying for you to help. I am waiting, Hammer. Come face me. They pray to you, but I shall show you a real god..."

As the heroes stared in shock, Cairo continued to rise, the city now several hundred feet in the air, the ground beneath them a gaping void. The battle was far from over, and not for the first time, some of the heroes wondered. Where was the H.A.M.M.E.R team?

Something that echoed across the world as people prayed for their arrival, for Justin Hammer to save the situation. Defeat the enemy, like he'd defended Earth from Asgardian invasion.

Just then, Hela strode confidently down the broken street of Cairo, her presence commanding even amidst the chaos of the battle. The goddess of death moved with a predatory grace, her every step echoing against the fractured concrete as she passed by the collapsed form of her half brother, Thor. He lay pinned beneath the rubble, trapped by the shifting transmuted earth that Apocalypse had manipulated around him. His face was a mix of determination and pain, straining against the restraints that bound him.

Hela paused beside him, a smirk curling her lips. "The weak brother," She teased, her voice dripping with condescension. She bent down, patting Thor's head as if he were a child, making no effort to free him. The taunt was casual, almost affectionate in its cruelty.

Thor struggled against his bonds, his muscles straining. "Hela," He grunted, anger flashing in his eyes, "Your freedom, your very existence right now, depends on us defeating this monster and saving Midgard. Do not forget that."

Hela straightened, her eyes gleaming with a dark amusement. "Oh, I haven't forgotten," She replied smoothly. "But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the view for a moment." She winked at him, her tone mocking. "Besides, you're the one desperate for that deal, not I, oh King of Asgard..."

Apocalypse turned his attention to Hela. His eyes narrowed as he studied her, recognizing the power that radiated from her being. There was a moment of silence as he assessed her, his head tilting slightly to the side. "You… You are worthy," He finally declared. "You shall be one of my Four Horsemen."

Hela's lips curled into a disdainful smile. "An offer from you?" She scoffed. "How flattering." Her tone was dripping with sarcasm, but there was a cold edge to her words. She flicked her hair back with a casual hand, clearly unimpressed.

"Do not underestimate him," Thor warned, his voice tight with both frustration and concern. "He is powerful. Your freedom can only be bartered if we win here today, you can not return to Asgard, but Midgard will take you."

Hela let out an exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes at Thor's words. "I'm well aware of the terms of my freedom, brother dear," She replied, her voice tinged with annoyance and diagust. "But really, must you spoil all my fun?"

With a slow, deliberate motion, she ran her hands over her body, her fingers tracing the contours of her figure. Shadows rippled around her, and her casual attire melted away, replaced by her dark, imposing armor. The black metal glistened with an otherworldly sheen, spikes jutting from her shoulders, as a horned helmet formed over her head. In her hands, blades materialized, long and sharp, ready for battle.

"It's not like it was an attractive offer anyway," She continued, her voice now a low, dangerous purr. "The goddess of death does not serve." The last word was snarled, and with a fluid motion, she flung her blades toward Apocalypse with lethal intent.

The blades sliced through the air, a barrage of sharp, deadly steel hurtling toward the ancient monster. Apocalypse's eyes widened slightly, but only for a moment. With a gesture, he commanded the very earth beneath him to rise, forming a shield of solid rock that turned to some dark metal that absorbed most of the blades. The ground cracked and groaned under the pressure, but one blade managed to slip through, slicing past his defenses and scratching his chin. A thin line of blood appeared, dark against his blue skin.

Apocalypse's eyes darkened, a smirk tugging at his lips. He reached up and touched the scratch, his fingers coming away with a smear of blood. "All of you," He said slowly, his voice a mix of amusement and menace, "All of what you've brought to bear, all that you send at me, and all you have to show for it is a single drop of blood."

Hela cocked her hip, her expression one of mock disappointment as she twirled a remaining blade in her hand. "I just got here, you know," She replied with a sarcastic tone. "Give a girl a moment to warm up." Her smile turned predatory. "Besides, I'm a bit rusty. But don't worry, there will be plenty of blood. I promise."

Thor, still trapped and struggling beneath the debris, raised an eyebrow at her words. "You mean his blood, right?" He called out, trying to keep his voice light despite the gravity of the situation. "Not ours?"

Hela shot him a sly grin, her eyes glinting with cruelty. "Collateral damage, brother," She replied, her tone playful yet sinister. "Some sacrifices must be made for the greater good, don't you think?"

Apocalypse grinned with pleasure as he watched Storm, Magneto, Hela and Wolverine all advance.

"My four horsemen…" He said with relish, stomping forward to meet them in glorious battle, each one embodying a different facet of power and defiance. The thrill of combat surged through him, a rare exhilaration that he had not felt in centuries, even before his sleep. Here were four who dared to stand against him, who possessed the strength and will to challenge his might. His eyes gleamed with a dark hunger as he spread his arms wide, inviting the assault.

"Come, then," Apocalypse taunted, his voice echoing across the shattered landscape of Cairo. "Let me see if you are truly worthy to face me."

Hela moved first, a blur of black and green as she launched herself at Apocalypse, her blades slicing through the air with deadly precision. Magneto followed closely behind, his hands crackling with magnetic energy as he ripped chunks of metal from the debris around them, hurling them like missiles at Apocalypse. Storm and Wolverine hung back for a moment, coordinating their attack with a brief nod. Storm raised her arms, her eyes glowing white as she summoned the fury of the elements, while Wolverine crouched low, ready to spring.

Apocalypse responded with a sweep of his hand, manipulating the air currents to deflect Hela's blades, sending them spiraling off course. He barely had time to pivot as Magneto's projectiles flew toward him, the metal fragments twisting in mid-air as Apocalypse bent them to his will, sending them crashing harmlessly into the ground.

"You are strong, but strength alone will not suffice," Apocalypse declared, his voice calm even in the midst of the chaos. "You must learn to use your power wisely, to fight as one, to fight unhindered by restraint or morals, to become unleashed."

Storm hovered in the air, her face a mask of determination as she called upon the skies to unleash their wrath yet again. Thunder was pointless, so instead she manipulated the very air, winds whipped around them, a hurricane-force gale that sent debris swirling and dust into the air, blocking Apocalypse's sight, even as the wind pushed him back a step.

Wolverine seized the moment, launching himself at Apocalypse with a feral roar, his claws gleaming in the eerie light. He landed on Apocalypse's back, his adamantium claws slashing at the ancient beings' flesh. Apocalypse grimaced, the cuts deeper than before as he didn't have the same power up, but he quickly retaliated. With a surge of air manipulation, he twisted Storms efforts, flinging Wolverine off and into the side of a crumbling building with a bone-jarring crash.

"Pathetic!" Apocalypse growled, raising a hand to the sky. He unleashed a wave of telekinetic energy, aiming to dispel the storm raging above again. Storm gritted her teeth, struggling to maintain her control as the winds whipped around her, but Apocalypse's power was immense. The clouds began to scatter, and the storm grew weaker, the intensity fading against his might.

"Is that the only trick you have?" He asked her, sounding disappointed. "Perhaps I was mistaken."

Hela, meanwhile, darted in and out of the shadows, her movements fluid and intent. She conjured more blades in her hands, flinging them at Apocalypse with pinpoint accuracy even as she moved closer. A few managed to slip past his defenses, striking his armor and drawing more blood. Her laughter was low and dark, a sound that seemed to echo from the depths of the underworld, as she danced around Magneto's missiles, moving ever closer as both his and her attacks pushed Apocalypse back.

"You think yourself a god," Hela taunted, her eyes glittering with malice. "But you bleed like any other mortal. You can be cut down." She moved closer, her every step measured, her body coiled like a predator waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Magneto, still hovering nearby, took advantage of Apocalypse's momentary distraction. He focused his power, momentarily stopping the rain of tiny missiles, feeling the magnetic fields around him, bending the very fabric of the metal scattered across the battlefield. With a roar, he sent a massive wave of steel and iron crashing toward Apocalypse, each piece moving with the speed of a bullet around Hela all unerringly going for Apocalypse's vital points.

Apocalypse grunted as the metal slammed into him, the impact driving him back a few paces. But his eyes remained steady, his focus unbroken. He raised his hands, and the metal began to liquefy, dripping to the ground in molten streams. "You possess great power, Magneto," He acknowledged, "But you don't wield it appropriately, you lack hunger."

Wolverine got in his face, but despite his claws being able to wound Apocalypse, he wasn't a threat when the ancient beings could see him coming. Apocalypse casually burned Wolverine alive, flames erupting around him, before leaving him behind as Storm tried to assist Wolverine.

With a sudden burst of speed, Apocalypse surged forward, and despite Magneto using his powers to turn momentarily invisible by warping the light around him, he closed the distance between himself and Magneto in an instant, breaking through the invisibility. He grabbed Magneto by the throat, lifting him effortlessly into the air. "You cannot hope to stand against me with rage alone," He said, his grip tightening. Magneto struggled, his face turning red as he tried to pull in air, his limbs flailing as metal assaulted Apocalypse to no avail. "Unleash your inner beast, let go of your inhibitions!" With causal ease he headbutted the master of magnetism, making his head loll around.

Before he could deliver a final blow to push Magneto further into desperation, a bolt of lightning struck Apocalypse directly in the back, followed by a second and third in rapid succession. Storm had managed to gather her power again, her face a mask of determination. The electricity crackled around Apocalypse, lighting him up like a Christmas tree, but he seemed unfazed. He dropped Magneto, who fell to the ground, dazed and struggling to stay conscious.

"Back away from him!" Storm shouted, her voice commanding, filled with the fury of the tempest she wielded. She summoned a whirlwind that rushed toward Apocalypse, lifting debris from the ground and pelting him with it, intending to push him away, the winds echoing the worst type of hurricanes in just a limited area.

Apocalypse staggered, momentarily taken aback by the assault, whatever power he kept using to defend himself with, not entirely successful against wind. He grinned, his teeth gleaming in the flickering light of the storm. "I suppose even the same trick can work if done at such a skillful level," He said, his voice filled with grudging respect. "You have power, Storm. True power, when I break you, I'll teach you how to utilize it properly, to make the world quake under your storms."

He lifted his arms, the air around him shimmering as he created a field of energy. The whirlwind dissipated against it, the debris falling harmlessly to the ground. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a shockwave rippling out, knocking Storm from the sky. She screamed as she fell, crashing hard into the ground below, unconscious upon impact as Apocalypse sped her downfall with gravity, slamming her unforgivingly into the earth.

"Storm! I'll gut you, you bastard!" Wolverine shouted, charging at Apocalypse once more, his claws ready to tear into flesh, his body mostly regenerated already. Hela joined in, sprinting toward Apocalypse with a murderous grin, the whirlwind having kept her back, her blades ready to carve him to pieces. They attacked in unison, Wolverine slashing at Apocalypse's chest while Hela aimed for his throat.

But Apocalypse was ready for them. He reached out with both hands, grabbing Wolverine by the wrists mid-swing. With a grunt of effort, he slammed Wolverine into the ground, the impact creating a crater beneath them. The ancient mutant then twisted his grip power blaring off him, and Wolverine cried out in surprise as Apocalypse forced him into a time suspension bubble, his body freezing in mid-cry.

Apocalypse turned his attention to Hela, who continued her attack unabated, despite frozen sheets of time itself covering his vitals while he dealt with Wolverine. She moved with a deadly grace, each strike precise and powerful. She slashed at him, and for a moment, it seemed like she might break through his defenses. But Apocalypse's hand shot out, catching her wrist. He twisted, and she grimaced as he forced her to her knees.

"You are strong, Hela," Apocalypse said, his voice filled with dark amusement. "But strength alone will not defeat me."

Hela grinned, baring her teeth. "I've yet to show you all my strength," She hissed, twisting her body and slipping free from his grasp with an agility that took even Apocalypse by surprise. She rolled away, coming up in a crouch, her eyes fixed on him with a bloodthirsty gleam.

Magneto, having recovered slightly, suffering from a concussion, raised his hands, calling upon the last reserves of his strength to launch another wave of metal at Apocalypse, while also focusing elsewhere, force fields layered around Apocalypse to force him to take the strike. But this time, Apocalypse was ready and done playing. With a contemptuous flick of his wrist, he sent the metal flying back at Magneto, who barely managed to deflect it. Apocalypse moved with blinding speed crushing through the force fields, closing the distance between them in an instant. He grabbed Magneto by the arm, his grip unbreakable, with a swift, brutal motion he twisted, and there was a sickening crack as Magneto's arm broke.

Magneto cried out, as Apocalypse promptly broke his other limbs as well, and tossed him aside, like a rag doll, "Stop holding back." He spat down at the man, before turning away, dismissing him for now.

Apocalypse turned to Hela, the only one left standing of the fighters, the others, the weak ones, watching from a distance. Hela watched him warily, the bloodthirsty smile still on her face. She had seen what he was capable of, and while she relished the fight, she was not foolish enough to underestimate him. "This isn't over," She snarled, raising her blades once more, ready to continue the battle. "If I had even a fraction of my real power, you'd already be in pieces at my feet."

Apocalypse smiled, a cruel, predatory grin. "No," He agreed. "It is not. But it soon will be."

With a roar, he lunged at her, and the battle continued, the ground shaking beneath their feet as they clashed.

All over the world, people cried out in fear, the call for Hammer growing.

The world all joined in one thought, where is H.A.M.M.E.R, where is their savior?

Where is Justin Hammer?

----------------------------------------

Space station,

Justin stood outside the reinforced door, his armored fingers hovering over the console that would unlock Hope's cell. The metal walls of the space station's detention area seemed to close in on him, amplifying the echo of his own breath within the confines of his helmet. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his actions settle heavily on his shoulders. He knew what he had done was unlikely to be taken well, but he couldn't lose Hope, not after everything that had happened. The world outside was descending into chaos, and all he could think about was keeping her safe, even if it meant taking away her freedom.

He seriously doubted she'd see his point. Especially as she was unaware of just what had happened, kept safe in the bowels of the station. Maybe he was making a mistake. Seeing her. Letting her fight. But not letting her take part now, with the entire team in play… He'd lose her then too.

With a reluctant sigh, Justin pressed the button. The heavy metal door slid open with a hiss, revealing Hope standing in the center of the small cell, her expression a mixture of fury and betrayal. She was still in her Wasp armor, her eyes narrowing as she saw him. Not needing to see his face to instantly realize that this regal looking armor was his.

"So, you finally decided to let me out?" She snapped, crossing her arms over her chest. "What changed, Justin? You finally realize that keeping me locked up isn't going to solve anything?"

Justin removed his helmet, setting it aside. He could see the anger simmering in her eyes, and it twisted something deep inside him. "Hope, I'm sorry," He began, his voice heavy, despite the fact he didn't regret what he'd done one bit. "I couldn't risk losing you. Not with everything that's happening. I -"

"Risk losing me?" Hope cut him off, her voice rising in anger. "You took my agency, Justin! You decided what you wanted, and then you forced it on me! How could you do that? How could you think that was okay?"

"I had no choice," Justin insisted, his tone firm, just wanting her to understand. "You don't understand. I had to protect you. If you went out there against Magneto -"

Hope's eyes blazed with anger. "That's the excuse people all over the world use to justify doing whatever the hell they want! 'No choice'? There's always a choice, Justin! You just chose what was easiest for you. You wanted me safe, so you locked me up like some kind of prisoner."

"I didn't want to lose you," Justin repeated, his voice dropping to a whisper, not quite pleading. Even now he couldn't make himself fall that far, he was still running on too much rage and hatred.

"Well, guess what?" Hope shot back, her voice dripping with venom. "I thought we were friends. Friends don't kidnap friends and lock them up to keep them safe from the world. You crossed a line, Justin. A line you can't uncross, that's how you lose people, by forcing your will on them, taking away their rights."

He took a step forward, but Hope held up a hand, stopping him. "I had to," Justin said, his voice barely audible. "You're mine, Hope. I had to protect you." He winced even as he said it, he was usually much smoother than this - the situation and his swirling emotions getting the better of him at the worst time.

Her eyes widened in disbelief and anger. "I am not yours," She spat. "I am my own person, not a thing! And I'm not one of your bed warmers either." She tossed out in sudden spite, "Did you lock Domino up too? Or Phantazia, Yelena? Or am I the only one you think needs saving?"

Justin flinched at her words, a sharp pang of guilt twisting in his chest. He knew he couldn't hide the truth from her. She was right, he had treated her differently, and now he was paying the price for it. His armor masked the pain on his face, but his silence spoke volumes. He didn't dare show the look of despair that crossed his face at the thought of Domino. She didn't know, he told himself, but even the mention still stung.

He didn't want to bring her against Apocalypse, for the same reason as with Magneto. But he couldn't leave a weapon unused, just in case. And perhaps she'd even forgive him in time, if he let her join this fight.

All I have is bad choices…

The silence stretched between them, thick and heavy. Finally, Justin spoke, his voice low and resigned. "We're going to fight the monster threatening the world, as a team. I need every person I can get. If you're willing to come, I could use your help." I'm sorry… He left unsaid.

Hope stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then she nodded, but there was no warmth in her eyes. "I'll help," She said, her voice cold. "But after this… I don't know, Justin. I just don't know." She sighed, eyes softening momentarily, "We'll… Talk later, okay." She said, losing some of the coldness.

Without another word, Justin raised his hand, making the motion for a portal, opening a portal to the battle in New York, mostly done now by Nails estimates, the police, military and heroes like Spiderman could mop up the leftovers - those who weren't fleeing desperately. He stepped aside, allowing her to go first. She hesitated for a brief moment, then walked past him without a glance, her posture rigid with anger and hurt.

Justin watched her step through the portal, feeling a hollowness in his chest that his armor couldn't protect him from. There were no words left to say. He followed her through the portal, into the chaos, knowing that whatever happened next, things between them would never be the same.

----------------------------------------

New York,

He stepped through the portal, the scenery shifting instantly as he found himself amidst the chaos of New York City. The air was still thick with smoke and the acrid smell of burning metal, the streets littered with debris from the battle that had raged for hours. Fires burned unchecked, casting an eerie glow across the shattered remnants of once-familiar landmarks.

Justin's visor flashed as it synced with the locator beacons of his team, each signal popping up as a bright dot on his HUD. With a thought, he moved to the first location, creating a portal, him and Hope stepping through to find Bucky and Electro pinning down a group of Magneto's remaining metahumans.

His arc reactors flaring, he fired one shot from his chest, atomizing the three metahumans, before turning to his team, gesturing for them to come. Nail would have undoubtedly already informed them of the purpose.

"Let's go," Justin commanded, his voice amplified through the suit's external speakers. Bucky, his face set in a grim mask of determination, nodded and grabbed Electro, who was already crackling with energy. They moved swiftly through the next portal Justin created.

Next was Frank and Brock, their Scorpion and Vulture suits still gleaming as they turned and faced Justin, no metahumans alive in their vicinity. They had been effective in cleaning up their quadrant of New York. All in all, less than a dozen of Magneto's army still lived. The forces taken down by the police, military or his team. With the last having the largest slice of the prize.

"Fall in." Justin ordered, opening another portal. Frank and Brock didn't need to be told twice. They leaped through, joining Bucky, Hope and Electro as they moved to get their last team member. Each team member was ready, prepared by Nail for what they'd face, all of them solemn. They all knew the stakes. They all knew what had to be done.

They all knew it was unlikely they would all survive.

Justin's HUD blinked again, highlighting Vanko's position. The man was just finishing off a metahuman with his electrified whips, before withdrawing them into his full suit, his helmeted head turning in their direction.

"Get through!" Justin ordered, and Vanko complied, without even a word, for once not having a smart comment. The man only stopped to put his hand on Justin's shoulder briefly. Before walking through the portal.

This last portal had brought them back to the space station, into one of the hangars, where Phantazia and Yelena waited. The group was now complete, and Justin turned to them. "Listen up," He said, his voice steady and commanding. "We're going straight into the heart of this fight. I'm going to portal us right in front of Apocalypse. I want all of you to unleash everything you've got - don't hold back. We need to hit him hard and fast. I've got a plan, and I need you all to hold him, just for a moment. If everything works out, we'll have him in the first attack."

He gestured to the weaponry already laid out for them, for Bucky and Yelena, due to their lack of firepower for this particular fight. "Cap, Yelena, use one of these."

Bucky and Yelena both picked a large HammerTech rifle, these particular versions souped up by Forge, and powered by a miniature arc reactor. They'd match a full powered Iron Man blast - for a very short while before they overloaded. But they meant Yelena and Bucky could contribute from afar.

No one wanted to get in close to Apocalypse. Not with the crazy amount of powers he was showcasing.

Justin looked them all over, having not even gotten a comment on his armor, everyone fully in battle mode, fully serious. "The only order I have left is, don't die. I'll fucking kill you." He said harshly, holding back from looking at Hope.

She'd make it. This plan would work. It had to.

His team nodded, their resolve clear on their faces - or in their actions, for those whose faces were covered. Justin opened a new portal, the orange light spilling onto the street that had become a global stage, watched by billions. The world held its breath as H.A.M.M.E.R. prepared to make its stand.

One by one, the team jumped through the portal, emerging right in the middle of the street where Apocalypse stood. They wasted no time. Bucky, armed with his HammerTech rifle enhanced to fire repulsor blasts, opened fire, each shot booming through the air. Frank and Brock followed suit, their suits' weapon systems humming to life, unleashing a barrage of arc reactor-powered beams.

Vanko let loose with his unibeam, a giant arc of blue energy lashing out toward Apocalypse, while Electro roared with fury, his entire body crackling with a blinding electrical storm that surged toward their target. Even Hope, clad in her Wasp armor, forwent her usual tactic of shrinking down, having been briefed quickly by Nail while they got the others. She instead opted to use the repulsors her suit had installed what felt so long ago now. Yelena matching Bucky, her eyes narrowed with determination as she fired blast after blast at Apocalypse.

Justin was the last through the portal. He landed on the ground, the impact cracking the pavement beneath his armored feet. Without pausing, he created another portal, this one behind Apocalypse, making sure he wasn't going to get hit. He moved swiftly, launching himself forward with his suit's thrusters, the golden and black armor gleaming as he closed the distance, not willing to give Apocalypse even a second's more warning than necessary.

If this didn't work, orbital bombardment was the only choice.

In the palm of his right hand, Justin had the tip of the device Forge had built into his armors hand, a tool that could depower metahumans. As he came up behind Apocalypse, he reached out, the armored hand latching onto Apocalypse's shoulder with a solid clank. A powerful field enveloped the ancient mutant, the air around them shimmering with energy.

Justin fired his thrusters again, propelling himself away from Apocalypse as his team continued their assault. The beams converged on Apocalypse, a searing torrent of energy that struck him completely as his defense failed him, the beams previously held back now impacting him full force. The street was bathed in a blinding light, the air vibrating with the combined force of their attack.

The world held its breath, Justin Hammer's name on their lips.

Justin almost jumped out of his armor as his breath caught, power rushing through him, filling up his veins, he felt invincible!

"What was that little trick?" A voice asked from behind Justin. He turned his head slightly to see Hela standing there, watching him with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. Her presence was unsettling, her eyes sharp and calculating.

He'd known from Nail that she was here, and he was still deeply unhappy about that. Almost wishing to just shoot Thor where he lay caught. Except that would just make Hela the queen, the only choice as the only 'survivor' of Odin's children.

"A device that depowers metahumans," Justin replied quietly to just her, not wanting to give her a reason to ask more impolitely, nor wanting the actual knowledge of the device's capabilities to be broadcasted live. He watched as the onslaught continued, his team pouring everything they had into the attack. We got him! He couldn't help but feel vindicated.

Fury had gambled and lost. His Avengers, meant to save his reputation, remove his hunted status by SHIELD, shown as ineffectual in front of billions. Justin taking the moment to point at Namor, "Don't go anywhere, you're under arrest for the Genocide of Wakanda and the deaths of thousands of American and allied soldiers."

Captain America stepped up to defend Namor, who just glared at Justin spitefully, the Captain's eyes straying to Bucky, even as he spoke, "He's been manipulated, it wasn't his fault, the fact he came here to fight, volunteered, it shows he's one of the good guys."

Justin couldn't have fucked the Captain over better if he'd scripted it. Just defend the genocide bastard infront of the entire world, thank you for the gift. "You move, I shoot to kill." Justin told Namor blandly, ignoring Cap, his eyes turning back to where Apocalypse was destroyed.

The beams slowly began to dissipate, the blinding light fading to reveal Apocalypse. Most of his body had been destroyed, reduced to a charred, skeletal form. For a moment, there was a stunned silence, a collective gasp from those watching, both on the street and around the world. They'd done it!

But then, before their eyes, Apocalypse began to rejuvenate. Flesh and muscle knitted back together, his form rapidly regenerating until he stood whole once more. Justin's heart sank. Only one power, then, he thought bitterly. The device hadn't depowered Apocalypse entirely, it had only stripped him of whatever ability he was using to shield himself from their attack. Taking only one power away.

Apocalypse's eyes opened, glowing with an unholy light. His expression was one of cold disdain. "You think you are worthy?" He said, his voice resonating with power. "Your tools may have given you a momentary taste of victory, but tools alone will never defeat a god."

In a blur of speed, Apocalypse moved, faster than any of them could react, moving with superspeed, showing that he had indeed simply been playing with them. He slammed into Justin's team with a force that sent them sprawling. Justin braced himself, his suit's systems screaming warnings as he was yanked backward by Hela just in time to avoid a devastating blow.

Did I just get saved by Hela? What the fuck?

He stumbled, regaining his footing, only to see Apocalypse standing in the center of the street, holding Hope by the throat. Her Wasp armor was running off her, liquified to prevent her from using it, her eyes wide with fear as she struggled in his grasp.

Justin felt everything stop. No, no… Not again, no! The world slowed down, until the only thing in the world was her face, her eyes. I shouldn't have brought her, I shouldn't have tried to make up for sidelining her before! I've killed her!

Anguish tore through him, even as hatred flooded his vein. At Apocalypse, at himself…

"You care for this one, do you not?" Apocalypse asked, his voice a mockery of concern. He lifted Hope higher, her feet dangling above the ground, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps.

Justin's heart clenched, a surge of desperation flooding through him. "Let her go!" He shouted, stepping forward, his suit's weapons primed and ready. "This is between you and me, Apocalypse, you wanted to fight me, you called me the Savior. Leave her out of it!" Even as he said it, he knew there was no use. He knew men like this. The result was already preordained.

Hope… I'm too weak… I'm sorry. For the first time in this life, he shed honest tears, as he watched her, knowing without a doubt, what was about to happen.

Apocalypse's lips curled into a cruel smile. "You dare to command me, mortal?" He said, his grip tightening around Hope's neck. "You are not worthy to make demands of a god." Hope mouthed I'm sorry, to Justin, breaking his heart, before Apocalypse twisted her neck casually, the crack echoing as her body fell limp, finishing the deed by disintegrating her body, ashes floating away in the street as he stared smugly at Justin.

At that moment. A world of billions all joined in one thought. Hammer… Make him pay.

Justin's heart was pounding with a mix of grief, hate, and rage. The weight of his loss pressed down on him like an anchor, every thought filled with the faces of those he had failed to protect - Domino, Hope, Kaecillius, his entire team, New York, Cairo. Apocalypse had left a trail of destruction, and the world was watching, praying for a savior.

Suddenly feeling himself filled with power, as he stared down Apocalypse, he knew what he had to do. This power. He understood now, figured out what happened. Divine DNA, a world praying. They were giving him the juice to win. To get revenge!

But he couldn't do it just like this. He wasn't enough. They weren't enough. He needed more. Wished desperately for more, to destroy the monster who'd ruined everything, taken everything.

With a fierce determination, he made the motion that was well practiced by now with his sling ring and conjured a portal, his mind reaching far beyond Earth, across the vast expanse of space. He had no time for hesitation. In an instant, he was on Morag, the distant planet covered in ancient ruins and violent seas. His breath came in short gasps, more from the intensity of his emotions than from anything else.

The temple holding the Power Stone lay ahead, its containment device glowing ominously in the dim light. Justin moved quickly, his new godly energy making his steps almost weightless. He approached the device, his armored hand trembling as he sought the container. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts - rage at Apocalypse, despair over his fallen allies, for Hope, Domino… A deep, gnawing sense of loss filled him, made him reckless. Without a moment's pause, he broke through the containment, grabbing the container, opening it, revealing the glowing purple stone inside.

Justin stared at the Power Stone, its energy radiating with a raw, uncontrollable power. He could feel its pull, the sheer magnitude of its might calling to him, promising both destruction and salvation. For a moment, doubt flickered in his mind - could he wield such a force? Could he control it? But the image of Hope dying while he stood helpless, filled his thoughts again, and his resolve hardened. He couldn't fail them, not again. No one else would die.

And if the Ancient One was going to continue hiding away, refusing to help. He would now have another card to convince her to see his point of view. She would not get away with an excuse for this. She hadn't stepped in, she hadn't helped. She would do as Justin bid. He swore it.

Gritting his teeth, Justin raised his armored hand and slammed the Power Stone against his palm. Instantly, a wave of unimaginable pain shot through his body, every nerve igniting as if set on fire. He screamed, the sound echoing across the empty expanse of Morag. The stone embedded itself into his armor, and the raw power coursed through him, threatening to tear him apart from the inside out.

The pain was excruciating, but beneath it was a sensation of immense power - a force unlike anything he had ever felt. It was like trying to contain a star within his body, the energy roiling and churning, demanding to be released. Justin's scream turned into a roar of defiance, his willpower and the godly energies enhancing his body were the only things keeping him from being consumed.

He could feel his consciousness expanding, the Power Stone's energy connecting him to the cosmos. He saw glimpses of distant galaxies, stars being born and dying, and the infinite vastness of space. The pain began to lessen, replaced by a strange clarity. He was holding the Power Stone, something only the strongest could do, and he was still standing.

He was strong.

Fueled by his grief and rage, Justin opened another portal, back to Cairo. His team was still locked in battle, being overwhelmed by Apocalypse. They were fighting bravely, but it was clear they were losing ground, Electro laying unmoving on the ground, Bucky with his artificial arm broken, fighting together with Steve. Apocalypse moved among them like a force of nature, effortlessly deflecting attacks and striking back with lethal precision.

From appearances, only Hela constantly hitting Apocalypse just as he was going for the kill - was keeping everyone alive.

Justin's anger flared as he saw his team being battered, Hope's eyes as she accepted death, fresh in his mind. He shot forward, flying at full speed, his right hand outstretched, the Power Stone glowing brighter with each passing second. The energy around him crackled and sparked, the very air vibrating with the intensity of the stone's power. He could feel the prayers of billions around the world, their hopes and fears converging on him as he hurtled toward Apocalypse.

Apocalypse sensed the surge of energy and turned, a mocking sneer on his lips. But before he could react, Justin was upon him, the Power Stone in his hand glowing like a miniature sun. The air between them seemed to warp and twist under the weight of the stone's energy.

Justin's voice was filled with all the pain and fury that had built up inside him, every ounce of his being focused on the one word that came out as a roar: "Disintegrate!" The word carrying all his hatred as he punched the monster in the face.

The Power Stone flared to life, its energy exploding outward in a blinding flash of light. Apocalypse's mocking expression faltered for a split second, replaced by surprise, then pain, as the energy washed over him ripping into his very being.

The raw power of the stone tore through Apocalypse's defenses, ripping away his armor and skin, disintegrating flesh and bone, leaving nothing but dust in its wake. Justin watched, his eyes burning with fury, as Apocalypse was reduced to nothing more than a cloud of ash scattered by the winds.

Immediately the city began to fall, Justin however slammed his hand down onto the ground, "No." He said simply, ordered. The power stone latching on to the gravity manipulation Apocalypse had done, making it permanent, not lacking in the power to make it work.

Cairo remained. Broken, but floating in the sky. Justin could feel the Power Stone burning through him, his Extremis barely keeping up anymore. He created a hand sized portal to a location that was safe, and ejected his gauntlet, closing it, Nail would keep it safe.

The world rejoiced, crying out his name as they watched him stand victorious.

It all tasted like ash.

----------------------------------------