A black stretched Lincoln, flanked by two imposing off-road vehicles, cut through the traffic on its way to Paris's international airport.
Inside, Emma Frost sat silently in the plush back seat. She wore a thin white jacket, her posture elegant and composed. A glass of golden champagne rested untouched on the small table before her. She wasn't celebrating. She was thinking.
After her confrontation with Sebastian Shaw, he had finally offered an "explanation" for the disaster at the Svalbard base.
If he hadn't, their fragile alliance would have shattered on the spot.
Emma was more than just a powerful mutant; she was the CEO of Norwich Energy, a multi-billion-dollar corporation. Running a company of that size required more than psychic abilities—it took sharp intellect, a deep understanding of people, and the will to make difficult decisions.
Her life wasn't just her own; she was responsible for tens of thousands of employees. While her adoptive mother was the company's official chairman, she had long since retired, leaving Emma in complete control. When her mother passed, the vast majority of the company shares would transfer to her.
This company was her empire.
Shaw's actions—meddling with the base, targeting her people—were a direct attack on her foundation.
He claimed he was trying to "protect" her by eliminating a hidden danger he'd discovered. He said he'd sent the Red Devil to clean up the base, only to find someone had gotten there first, ambushing his forces and wiping out the entire facility.
Emma knew it was a lie. A poorly constructed one at that.
But for now, for the sake of her own long-term plans, she pretended to accept it. She would play her part, return to the United States, and cooperate—on the surface.
Her real move would come later.
The convoy bypassed the public terminals, driving directly onto the tarmac where a luxurious white private jet awaited. It was a state-of-the-art aircraft, worth tens of millions—more advanced than even the Quinjets S.H.I.E.L.D. used, though perhaps not as versatile as the X-Men's custom plane.
Once airborne, Emma made a few brief calls, then retreated to her private lounge. The room was small but comfortable, a quiet space to rest and think.
But rest wasn't on her mind. The recent events were shifting the balance of power. Magneto was already hunting Shaw. Was Professor Charles involved too? Had they formed a silent pact to take Shaw down?
Shaw certainly thought so—that's why he'd reached out to Colonel Stryker, the infamous mutant-hunting executioner. The game was escalating. And her next move…
A flicker. A subtle shift in the air.
"Who's there?" Emma snapped, her psychic senses flaring. A powerful mental storm erupted from her, ready to incapacitate any intruder.
But it was too late.
From the frame of the bed behind her, metal railings shot out like striking snakes. They wrapped around her neck, her arms, her legs, her waist—binding her completely in a matter of seconds.
She was trapped. But not helpless.
In the instant she sensed the attack, Emma's body had already transformed, her skin, hair, and clothes hardening into flawless, glittering diamond. The metal restraints held her, but they couldn't harm her.
Still, the attack was not over.
With a groan of straining metal, the railings tightened, pulling her limbs apart as if preparing to quarter her. Even in diamond form, the pressure was immense. But her transformed body wasn't just defensive; it granted her incredible strength. She fought back, resisting the pull, the diamond structure of her body holding firm against the crushing force.
This was no ordinary assailant.
From the shadows of the room, a figure emerged. He wore a black military uniform, a matching cap, and a mask that obscured his face. Black gloves covered his hands. He walked slowly toward her, his eyes studying her diamond form with a detached curiosity.
Under the bright cabin lights, her body shimmered like a living jewel, every facet reflecting a rainbow of colors. The edges of her form were razor-sharp; even her hair had become diamond strands, each one a potential weapon.
"So beautiful," the man's voice echoed, cold and calm. "I wonder how much you'd fetch at an auction." He ran a gloved finger lightly along her diamond skin, not touching her directly, but the gesture was a clear violation.
Emma felt a surge of rage. He was trying to provoke her, to taunt her into dropping her diamond form. Without it, she would be vulnerable.
She remained still, her diamond eyes glaring with silent defiance.
She knew how strong her diamond state was. It deflected physical attacks, and it was nearly impervious to psychic and energy assaults. Nothing could penetrate it easily.
"You're stronger than I imagined," the man said, his voice betraying a hint of analytical surprise.
He was right. Daniel knew his own psionic power couldn't breach her diamond shell. To break through, he'd need to unleash something more—something like the raw power of Mjolnir. But that would expose his identity, and he wasn't ready for that.
He would have to try something else.
The steel pipes tightened again, but Daniel could feel her resisting, her diamond form adapting and reinforcing itself against the pressure. He had underestimated her true strength. In front of Shaw, she had hidden it well. She wasn't just a powerful psychic; she was physically on a level that could challenge legendary beings.
His time was limited. He had hours before the plane landed, but he couldn't afford a prolonged struggle.
He changed his approach.
His left hand swung forward, and a black dagger flew from his sleeve.
At the same time, the steel pipe around Emma's neck loosened just enough for the dagger to slip between the metal and her skin. The tip pressed firmly against the back of her diamond neck. Then, the steel pipes coiled around the dagger's hilt, one on each side, creating a new point of leverage.
With a sudden, focused force, the pipes pressed inward.
This time, the result was different. The concentrated pressure began to create fractures. Tiny, web-like cracks spread across the surface of her diamond skin.
It was working.
Daniel stared into her eyes, their gazes locked in a silent battle. No words were exchanged, but their wills clashed in the space between them. His mental power couldn't break her diamond shell, and her psychic attacks couldn't reach him.