The reinforced doors of the S.H.I.E.L.D. briefing chamber opened with a hydraulic hiss, and silence swept the room.
The X-Men entered first — Isolde's metallic form gleaming under the lights, Mausgrau and Delilah walking alongside her, flanked by Cyclops, Storm, and Wolverine. Behind them rolled Professor Charles Xavier, calm and unreadable in his chair.
At the far side of the table, the Fantastic Four were already seated: Reed Richards, scribbling equations across a digital tablet; Sue Storm, arms folded as she studied the newcomers; Johnny Storm leaning back, ever restless; and Ben Grimm, his rocky fists drumming a steady rhythm on the metal table.
Near them stood Greta, Candy, and Louis, their expressions cautious but hopeful. And finally, drawing every wary eye in the room, Mona stepped through the door — her dark aura subtle yet undeniable, with two demons trailing her like shadows.
The atmosphere thickened instantly. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents raised weapons, only lowering them when Fury himself snapped, "Stand down." His single eye never left Mona.
Reed leaned forward, voice measured. "We're supposed to plan strategy, and you brought demons into S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters?"
Mona's gaze didn't waver. "They answer to me. Not to your enemies. If you want to stop the Black Serpents, you'll need every kind of ally — even the ones you don't trust."
Ben Grimm muttered under his breath, "Great. From bad guys to worse guys…" but fell silent when Greta placed a hand on the table, her voice firm.
"She's right. We can't afford divisions. The Serpents are already moving faster than us."
Professor Xavier cleared his throat, his presence drawing every eye. His voice was calm, but the weight of his words was undeniable.
"Then let us put aside suspicion. Today, we stand as one. Mutants, scientists, mystics, humans… and yes, even demons. The Black Serpents are no longer a threat confined to shadows. They move openly, and they gather strength. If we do not act in unison, we will all fall."
A holo-projection flickered to life above the table: cities under attack, keystones marked in red, Serpent movement traced in jagged lines across continents.
Storm's eyes narrowed. "We've identified concentrations in Europe and Asia. They're spreading faster than before."
Reed adjusted the projection. "Our calculations suggest they're triangulating. Building toward something catastrophic. If we can cut off their keystone supply, we slow — maybe even stop — their progress."
Fury's voice cut through. "So where do we hit first?"
For a moment, no one spoke. Then Xavier's mind touched the room like a soft breeze, his words echoing both in their ears and their thoughts.
"Two of the keystone bearers have revealed themselves. Varisa and Jessica are alive — and they have joined forces with a team known as Big Hero 6 in San Fransokyo. Their protection, for now, is assured."
Murmurs rippled through the room. Candy exchanged a relieved glance with Louis, while Sue Storm raised a brow. "Big Hero 6? Never thought I'd hear that name in this war."
Xavier's expression darkened. "But another bearer has been confirmed. Vanessa."
Delilah leaned forward. "Where is she?"
Xavier's voice was low, heavy. "Korea. And she is not alone. She has aligned herself with… the Juggernaut."
A stunned silence filled the chamber, the words landing like a thunderclap.
Wolverine growled, claws half-extended. "Great. Just what we needed. Cain Marko with a keystone? That's a walking apocalypse."
Mausgrau's fists clenched, Isolde's blades shimmered faintly from her arms, and Greta's face tightened.
Professor Xavier closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again, his tone both grim and resolute.
"The Black Serpents are moving their pieces onto the board. Now it is our turn. We plan. We strike. And we take back the keystones… before the world itself becomes their sacrifice."
The projection flickered, highlighting San Fransokyo and Korea in sharp red light.
The war was converging, and the heroes of Earth — no matter how strange their alliances — had only just begun to fight back.