Max clone jumped back as Shazam crashed into the ground where he had just been, then leaped to the side as a blast from Cyborg barely missed him. He quickly activated his Susanoo, and as soon as he did, punches rained down on the armored giant from Barry, who kept zooming around in blinding speed.
Max clone grew fed up. The Susanoo raised its two blades and struck them down, creating a shockwave that blasted Barry back. Shazam jumped and caught him, then set him down before glaring at Max clone, who was still surrounded by Susanoo. Cyborg came to Shazam's side, his mechanical eye glowing as he scanned the ruined island before locking onto Max clone.
"Did you have to kill everyone?" Cyborg demanded
"Yes, they deserved that much for what they were doing here," Max clone replied.
"How can you even say something like that? Did it ever occur to you that some of those people may have been forced into what they were doing?" Flash shouted angrily at Max clone.
"If you saw what I saw and felt what I felt, you would be more understanding," Max clone replied.
"So what now? You are the judge, jury, and executioner? Deciding who lives and who dies? Some of those people didn't even know what they were doing, and you just killed them! There were many ways you could have handled things, and you chose the easiest way!" Flash shouted.
"Do I look like I care?" Max clone asked, raising an eyebrow.
Flash's next words caught in his throat.
"And what about her?" Shazam said, arcs of lightning dancing around his body. "What had she done to deserve what you did to her?"
"Well, I just couldn't allow something like her to exist. There can only be one version of Max, and no cheap rip-off. Besides, I might as well have done her a huge favor and saved her from this cruel world you are so desperately trying to fix… and failing dismally at," Max clone replied.
"She had her own life, goddamnit! And you took that away from her! Maybe it would have been better having her around than a monster like you who kills just because he can," Flash said.
"Too bad. That is something that can never happen now," Max clone said, shrugging. His eyes narrowed suddenly as he looked to the left without turning his head, spotting movement in the distance, before quickly returning his gaze to the heroes.
Cyborg then stepped forward. "Honestly, when Batman said you were going to kill everyone here, I almost defended you. And now I'm glad I didn't, because I would have been defending a monster." His hand transformed into a cannon, which he aimed at Max clone, still encased in his Susanoo.
Max clone raised an eyebrow. "So what now? You are going to bring me to justice? Even if I surrender now—which I would never do—it wouldn't really matter, because I am just a clone."
"Yes, it wouldn't… but it would be a start," Cyborg said, before firing at Max's Susanoo.
At the same time, Shazam moved in a blur of speed and punched Max's Susanoo. The impact cracked the construct, threatening to shatter it, and forced it to stumble back.
Max clone quickly formed one-handed hand seals while still holding the girl's body with his other arm, before shouting:
"Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees!"
The ground trembled violently as Flash and Shazam abandoned their attack and regrouped with Cyborg. Huge vines burst from the earth, rushing toward them. Flash started zooming around, dodging, while Cyborg and Shazam cut the vines down. The onslaught only stopped when massive flower buds bloomed, opening up to release waves of pollen.
"You think this will stop us?" Shazam shouted as he flew straight at Max clone.
"Shazam, wait—don't breathe it in!" Cyborg yelled.
But it was too late. Shazam had already inhaled the pollen. His body grew dizzy, his flight faltered, and he crashed into the ground in front of Max clone.
Barry held his breath, sped forward, and grabbed Shazam before Max clone could react. He carried him back to Cyborg's side.
Max clone raised his hand, formed another seal, and muttered:
"Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags."
The ground rumbled again as multiple explosive tags erupted from beneath the battlefield.
Seeing the danger, Cyborg picked up the unconscious Shazam and blasted upward into the sky, while Barry sped away just as the explosions surged closer.
Max clone stood firm inside his fully recovered Susanoo, refusing to move, as the detonations engulfed him in fire and thunder.
At that same moment, a pale-white Dr. Benjamin emerged from the ground like it was liquid. He staggered awkwardly toward the shore, cursing under his breath.
"Phew, that was close. I almost—"
His words were cut off when a hand shot out from the smoke and clamped tightly around his throat. He then disappeared along with the hand in a woosh.
As the dust cleared, the ruined land came into view—massive craters, broken concrete, and twisted metal everywhere. A single document, its edges burning, drifted through the air before falling into the sea. The waves quickly smothered the flames.
[Project X]
File Classification: Omega-Level — Eyes Only
Lead Geneticist: Dr. Benjamin Cross
Subject Designation: THENA
Specimen ID: X-001
Objective:
Primary aim: to create a stable genetic duplicate of Subject P (Pietro Maximoff).
Attempts: 300 specimens cultivated.
Result: All failed except one—stabilization occurred only when Amazonian DNA (Source: Diana Prince) was introduced into the sequence.
Procedure Summary:
Hybridization protocols combined Pietro's DNA with Amazonian markers.
Out of 300 trials, 299 terminated during gestation.
Specimen X-001 achieved full stabilization and maturation.
Abilities Observed:
Chlorokinesis: capacity to manipulate and accelerate plant growth at will.
Regenerative Adaptation: rapid tissue regeneration exceeding baseline metahuman recovery rates.
Progressive Enhancement: physical strength, speed, and durability increase incrementally each day.
Behavioral Notes:
Subject demonstrates independence and accelerated cognitive growth.
Retains fragments of Amazonian resilience and discipline.
Conclusion:
Specimen X-001 is the sole success of Project X. Potentially classified as a Prime Hybrid.
Replication attempts even with Amazonian genetic code have proven infeasible.
Status:
Specimen X-001 terminated.
[End of Document]
Meanwhile, in Belle Reve…
The last remnants of Susanoo faded around Max as he breathed hard. His clothes were burned in several places, and his mask was slightly deformed. He pulled it off, gagged, then vomited blood. His vision blurred for a moment before he closed his eyes and rubbed them. Slowly, it returned to normal.
He lifted his head, staring at the apocalypse in the distance. A mushroom-shaped cloud swirled in the sky. Where the penitentiary had once stood was now a massive crater, stripped of all vegetation for a hundred meters around. Wildfires burned across the surrounding forest, devouring everything within a kilometer radius.
Max chuckled bitterly.
"Waller, you bastard… to think you'd go this far to take me down."
She had kept a warhead tucked away in her arsenal, counting down. Max had spotted it just in time, teleporting out of the prison to a Thunder God marker he had placed kilometers away—just in case the heroes came for him during his massacre.
Yes, he had managed to recreate the Flying Thunder God to a degree, though it still had limitations. He could only teleport within a few kilometers, couldn't spam the technique, and there was a short delay each time he activated it. It wasn't combat-ready yet, but it had its uses.
The moment he teleported, he had summoned his Susanoo. He hadn't fully formed it before the explosion reached him, nearly shattering the construct. But it had absorbed most of the blast—that was what mattered.
And truthfully, with his new template, he might have survived anyway. Radiation was less of a threat to him now. The worst it could give him was a mild flu. Beyond that, he'd be fine.
Max slammed his hand onto the ground. Sealing marks spread outward, and with a puff of smoke, he was suddenly standing atop his massive bird. Its wings flapped powerfully, carrying him into the sky.
Two beams of light struck the bird, instantly dispelling it into smoke. Max plummeted.
"Fast," he muttered, just as a sonic boom split the air.
Something slammed into him. He was driven into the ground with a deafening crash. Smoke billowed, then cleared, revealing Max pinned to the dirt.
Superman's hand was clamped around his throat. Wonder Woman stood above him, sword poised at his face. Green Lantern hovered in the air, a massive construct gun leveled at his head.
Max's lips curled in a smirk.
"Took you long enough."
"You've killed enough people. It ends here," Superman said.
"As long as I breathe, nothing is over. I was just setting an example with Waller," Max replied.
"Then it would be better to just end you right here," Wonder Woman said.
Max chuckled bitterly. "Coming from your mouth, those words actually seem believable. After all, you do kill. But when I do it, I'm labeled a murderer. Oh, how the hypocrisy runs deep."
"Enough, Max. Just come with us quietly and answer for your crimes," Green Lantern said firmly.
"Do I even have a choice in the position I'm in?" Max asked, shifting slightly.
The movement made Wonder Woman press her sword closer to his face.
"New sword. Looks sharp too," Max muttered, smirking. "Too bad it ain't gonna do shit."
His body suddenly twisted and splintered, turning into wood.
"Dammit—it was a clone!" Green Lantern shouted.
Superman released his grip, the wooden decoy crumbling apart in his hand. His eyes swept the battlefield, narrowing as he spotted the real Max perched calmly on a boulder, hands clasped in front of him.
Max rose to his feet. His voice carried across the ruined ground, cold and steady.
"I knew this day would come—it was only a matter of when. Normally, I wouldn't fight you head-on, especially in a place that doesn't restrict you… but I have a few things I need to test."
He spread his arms slightly, eyes glinting.
"So here's how it'll be: I'll give you three minutes to try and take me down by any means necessary. But I advise you to—come at me with the intent to kill. Because that's the only chance you'll have of actually succeeding."
His expression hardened.
"Otherwise… one of you might just get killed. Because I won't be holding back." max said as his hands turned black.
End of chapter.
Sorry guys for the delay,been busy lately.