"You really think an explosion like this can stop the Red Devil?" Daniel scoffed, his eyes cold as he looked at Didier. "Back in World War II, he faced far worse situations—thrilling ones even. Give him some time, and he'll slip away without a scratch. People say you're weak now, but even at your best, you couldn't hold him for a moment. With just a thought, he could be thousands of miles away, while you're still standing here."
Daniel's harsh words cut through the air. "When the time comes, Sebastian Shaw will capture you, study you, and it'll be your end. Don't even think about survival."
Shamed, Didier on the hospital bed blushed and stammered, "I'm not..."
For years, Didier had given his all to protect the base. His body was worn out from constant battles and strain. Without Daniel's return, he might have lasted three to five more years at best, if nothing else went wrong.
But Sebastian Shaw's eyes were already set on this base, planning a complete wipeout—and that was why Magneto was in pursuit, and why Emma Frost held such control.
"Enough," Daniel said sharply. "Someone will move you soon. I'm going down to check things out. Even if the artifacts are long gone, this place is still important.
Didier shook his head gloomily. "I don't know where those things are. Our people searched every Norwich Energy property outside, but no clues—no trace at all. Sorry, sir, I failed to keep the base secure."
Daniel waved off the apology. "The company's recent developments show they haven't studied anything truly valuable here. Their tech may be more advanced than Earth's standard, but it has limits. The technology isn't unique anymore. Alien invasions keep leveling the field. Maybe Sebastian's here for those reasons."
Daniel frowned deeply. If that was true, Sebastian Shaw really was cornered—and only Magneto could push him to this level.
Magneto had been imprisoned by the U.S. government for years in a special high-security facility. In that time, his power grew, and he seemed to have uncovered something about Sebastian Shaw's movements. Daniel knew he'd have to stay alert and keep looking for advantage
The base's lowest floor was massive and empty—stripped bare. Not a nail left.
Daniel pictured the dozens who'd once worked there—scientists and soldiers pouring over advanced research. True, Norwich Energy had made some breakthroughs, but the base held their foundation—the technology driving their growth.
As long as that technology existed, no matter how bad things got, there might be a comeback.
But now the most critical asset was targeted—and Emma Frost probably had no idea.
Later, Daniel stood aboard a large submarine moving away from the island.
The vessel could hold hundreds and was their standard transport—quiet, steady. Despite the dozens who'd evacuated, all the essentials for the base's continued function remained intact.
Whirlwind, Nightwalker, Hedgehog, and Callisto—mutants Daniel had tamed—were with them, silent and watchful.
On the radar display, Daniel watched the base fade into the distance.
He had spent three years here once, before being sent to Jotunheim. Back then, he longed to return. To see familiar faces, familiar places.
But fifty years later, everything and everyone had changed. Especially the people. How much could the new generations truly understand? How much of the past could they accept?
Still, Daniel's first step back had gone smoothly. He had retaken control—but he had to abandon the base once again.
His return was known. The risk was too great.
He'd removed everything valuable—only leaving the base as bait for the Red Devil.
But the Red Devil's mastery over space was unrivaled. The Ancient One and the Karma Taj Mage were his only true equals. Compared to him, Casillas was a child, and Daniel only slightly stronger than Casillas.
This was just a warning—a slap on the face. Sebastian Shaw dared to snoop here, but he would pay a price.
Daniel wanted Shaw terrified and suspicious. When Magneto came knocking, Shaw would be cornered, blamed, and tied to every move.
He wasn't certain about killing Sebastian Shaw outright. Shaw was calculated and cautious—more than Daniel in some ways. Daniel had no one hunting him with the hate Magneto carried for Shaw.
Magneto was a Jewish survivor of concentration camps. After the war, he worked for Israeli Mossad, hunting escaped Nazi officers, killing countless targets. Though he later parted ways with Mossad and strained relations with the U.S. government, he still had secret allies. And the Jews were key in stopping imperial remnants.
If Shaw's identity leaked, Magneto, Mossad, CIA, and even S.H.I.E.L.D. would hunt him to erase the threat.
Shaw, as the Black King of the Hellfire Club, was backed by wealthy elites globally. His fall would shake power structures worldwide.
So Daniel planned severe suppression—to make Shaw panic, cut him off fast, and keep the base's secrets buried from outside eyes.
At critical moments, Daniel might end Shaw himself—or let Emma Frost finish the job.
Time passed.
Before dawn, the submarine reached a quiet town along Norway's North Sea coast.
Bypassing chaotic magnetic interference, it slipped underwater into a hidden cave.
The cave was bare—no beds, no food, just fresh water. Cold and empty.
"Rest here for 24 hours," Daniel told the others. "Food and water are on board. Move cautiously. I'll pick you up tomorrow and move you to a permanent secret base."
He then took the sub back to Svalbard, bringing only Cyclone and essential crew.
Meanwhile, the cruise ship Daniel and Elektra traveled on was stuck in Longyearbyen due to engine trouble.
Though it was daytime, it was the polar night, so darkness and light were relative. They roamed the city around the auroras, admiring the never-sleeping city's bright stars and lasers.
But night came early, and they rested.
Suddenly, a figure appeared atop the highest icy peak overlooking the archipelago.
A flash of light—then the figure vanished.
The Red Devil had appeared on Earth centuries ago, always elusive. Now, he surfaced on the ice near the archipelago.
He didn't enter the submarine beneath him.
Waiting on the sub's deck was Nightwalker.
"How's the situation?" the Red Devil asked, his expression unreadable.
Though not a pervert, the Red Devil was ruthless. Born from a forced union with Mystique, he cared little for appearances.
Nightwalker, would normally be detained by him if not for her loyalty and usefulness. Her rebellious looks betrayed her true value.
"Everyone's still in place," she said. "Whirlwind is stabilizing the central control. Callisto watches all movements. I'll guide you in."
The Red Devil nodded. "Good. Let's begin."
He extracted two sharp knives from dimensional space, and in a flash, disappeared onto the submarine.
Nightwalker smirked.
A sudden explosion erupted far below—loud in the base, but in the city beyond, only a slight tremor was felt. The blast was contained within the magical field.