Part 1: Awakening in the Kingdom
Kael opened his eyes not to the ceiling of his room at the Xavier Mansion, but to the eternally sunny sky of his spiritual kingdom. The air smelled of fresh wood, worked metal, and the distant odor of gunpowder. Old habits really do die hard, he thought, as his boots echoed on the stones of his village's main path.
His feet took him to the very center of the community, where the final construction of level 5 was about to be completed. With a final roar of machinery, an Air Bomb emerged completely from the ground, its sharp blades and robust structure ready to defend his village's skies against any flying threat. A sigh of satisfaction escaped his lips. Finally, all the defenses were in place.
His gaze swept across the territory. His Army Camps now housed new residents: the imposing Wizards, dressed in their blue robes, now mingling with the Barbarians and Archers. A little further away, his Spell Factory emanated a raw and powerful energy - he could feel the Lightning Spell from Clash of Clans contained within the structure, waiting to be released.
But it was towards the Arena that his attention turned. Located on a distant plateau, it glowed intensely as he concentrated his will, evolving to Arena 5. An irony didn't escape him: while in the Village he had access to the full, powerful Lightning Spell, the Arena gifted him with its smaller, more focused version, the Zap.
He mentally scanned the new unlocked cards. Aside from the Zap, only the Rocket seemed truly interesting in terms of pure power. However, he had learned that his prior knowledge of the game was a guideline, not gospel. The Musketeer, for example, had proven to be infinitely more precise and lethal in real life than he had ever imagined. He couldn't underestimate any of the cards, especially when used against human opponents unprepared for the twisted logic of his power. One thought made him smile to himself: he was genuinely excited to see the Hog Rider in action. At the very least, it would be hilarious.
He remembered how, in the beginning, his progression had been unbalanced. While his Town Hall reached level 3, his Arena was still stuck in the Training Camp. The question of how to move up in arena echoed in his mind, and his own powers answered instinctively. He knew how they worked innately, but he needed to think consciously to access that knowledge. The answer was simple: after the Town Hall was upgraded, he just needed to concentrate, and the Arena would evolve in concert.
Another old frustration surfaced: the inability to attack other villages to loot resources. He had tried, but there was simply no mechanism for it. He would have to be content with the slow but steady production of his Elixir Collectors and Gold Mines.
Stopping atop a hill, he watched his village. The Villagers strolled among the buildings, carrying resources and overseeing production. It was then that the memory hit him like a lightning bolt: the tutorial. That initial Goblin attack, the desperate defense, and then the counter-attack on the Goblin village.
"Wait a minute," he whispered to himself.
What about the campaign mode? And the training mode?
A wave of disbelief and self-loathing hit him. He felt like the biggest idiot in the world. So fascinated was he with the manifestation of his powers and the novelty of this new world, that he had neglected the foundation of all his potential. He had forgotten the campaign.
Without wasting a second, he mentally gathered his army. In moments, a portal opened before him, and he entered, finding himself in that state of elevated consciousness, with a top-down view of the battlefield. Before him, a crudely fortified Goblin village sprawled out.
He could choose where to release each troop, which emerged from the forest surrounding the map. The logic of the real world still applied, fortunately. His Giants drew fire from the defenses while the Barbarians and Goblins wreaked havoc on the buildings. The Archers attacked from a distance. He saw some of his Goblins being taken down by a well-placed bomb. Things followed the pattern of the real world, so weaker troops couldn't handle stronger ones.
Within minutes, the village was overwhelmed, and the three crowns glittered above it, indicating a perfect victory. Upon returning to his village, he saw the looted resources added to his treasuries. Again, the urge to slap himself was strong. How many weeks of production had he lost through simple forgetfulness?
But after a few moments of deep breathing, he calmed down. On the bright side, his evolution from here on out would be much faster. He took one last look at his flourishing kingdom before allowing his consciousness to return to the material world.
---
His muscles stretched beneath the sheets. He turned his head and saw Ororo beside him, still deep in sleep, her breathing a soft, calming rhythm. Carefully, so as not to wake her, he got out of bed and began his morning rituals.
When he returned from the bathroom, already showered and with the minty taste of toothpaste in his mouth, he found Ororo standing, wrapped in a robe, watching him with a perceptive gaze.
"Why are you angry?" she asked, her voice still husky from sleep.
He couldn't help but smile. She knew him far too well.
"It's just... something about my powers," he explained, approaching her. "Remember when I said I thought it was strange to have a fortified village and an army, but not be able to attack other villages? That it seemed illogical?"
"Yes," she replied, tilting her head. "And? Did you find other villages?"
"Yes and no," he said, making a face of contained frustration. "When all this started, one of the villagers in my village taught me the basics. She took me to help attack a Goblin village. And today I remembered that. I discovered there are countless Goblin villages out there, waiting to be looted. And I spent all this time without remembering. It's... frustrating."
Ororo couldn't contain a low, melodious laugh. She approached, pulling him into a cozy hug and burying his face between her soft breasts, stroking his hair.
"Stop thinking about it, my dear strategist," she whispered, her voice muffled. "You found out now. That's what matters. And stop smiling."
He laughed, the sound muffled against her body. "How did you know I was smiling?"
"Because I know you," she replied, pushing him away playfully. "Now go to the mess hall. I'll get ready and meet you there."
Kael watched her for a moment, admiringly. "I'll be waiting for you," he said, with a smile that promised the wait would be worth it, before leaving the room.
Part 2: Tests and Tensions
After breakfast, Kael headed to the Danger Room. The vast underground training arena was the perfect place to test his new acquisitions without drawing unwanted attention. He spent the next hour putting his new cards to the test, and the results, once again, surprised him.
The Bats, small and seemingly fragile creatures, proved to be a lethal aerial force. Their swarm was capable of shredding a human-level test dummy to pieces in seconds. To his surprise, each individual bat could withstand the impact of a super-powered punch without being immediately neutralized, a remarkable resilience for their body mass.
The Flying Machine was, indeed, a bit slow and one of his more fragile summons. However, its long-range projectiles caused consistent and precise damage, perfect for attacking fixed defenses from a safe distance.
The Mortar was brutal. Its range was gigantic, nearing a kilometer, and the attacks, although slow to hit the target, created significant craters in the reinforced steel floor of the room. The destructive power was overwhelming.
In terms of spells, ZAP proved exceptionally versatile. Unlike the game, he didn't need to choose a specific target; a bolt of pure, concentrated energy shot from his hand, capable of instantly knocking out an ordinary man. Even a physically enhanced target would suffer from the powerful stun and burning shock. The Rocket, on the other hand, was exactly what he expected: a mini-nuke that vaporized everything at the epicenter of its explosion. He realized he would have to use it with extreme care to avoid hitting allies.
The biggest comedic surprise, however, came with the Hog Rider. The hog was disproportionately large, a muscular and robust animal strong enough to carry the armed man on its back. The speed of the pair was impressive, and the hog's jump covered a great distance. The rider's hammer attack was devastating against structures. And then, as predicted, all the aura of menace dissolved the moment the Hog Rider opened his mouth, with his high-pitched voice and eccentric personality, telling absurd stories about his "amazing hog." Kael summoned him outside of battle just to laugh at his antics.
With the tests concluded, he returned to the mansion's common areas. He found a group of young novices gathered in front of the large television in the living room. The afternoon news was on, and Kael sat down, watching. His mind wandered, reflecting on the crazy world he now lived in: a mix of everything. The X-Men were already fighting Sentinels, he had heard of Genosha. There was Spider-Man and other heroes in New York, and the Fantastic Four were already established. However, the events involving the Avengers seemed to follow the MCU script – Tony Stark had been rescued from captivity and had already faced the Iron Monger.
As evening approached, a deep, almost primal instinct alerted him. Something was about to happen. He tried to remember what it could be, considering an attack on the mansion – always a possibility. He was passing by the TV room again when the images on the screen changed abruptly. Scenes of chaos in Harlem. A gigantic, greenish-gray skinned monster was crushing cars and destroying buildings with evident sadism.
Kael recognized it instantly: the Abomination.
"The destruction has started now," he murmured to himself. "So Hulk hasn't faced him yet."
He watched with growing disgust as the creature not only caused destruction but seemed to deliberately target innocent people, howling challenges for the Hulk to appear.
He turned to the group, his voice laden with indignation. "Professor? And we... are we just going to sit here and watch?"
Cyclops, who was also watching the scene, responded with his usual practical stance. "Kael, that's not our function. It's not a mutant threat."
"So that's it?" Kael retorted, his voice growing firmer. "Just because they're ordinary humans, we won't do anything? We'll watch a massacre live?"
A heavy silence fell over the room. All eyes were on him now.
"Fine," he said, his decision made. "If that's your position, then take me there. I'll handle it myself."
Professor Xavier, who was watching the scene through his monitor, was silent for a few long seconds, feeling the unshakable determination in the young man's mind. Finally, his calm voice filled the room through the speakers.
"You are right, Kael. Our mission is to protect everyone, not just our own. But that monster... is a force of nature. We can't face it directly."
Kael was already moving towards the exit, his red cloak swaying.
"Then focus on rescue," he said, without looking back. "Save as many people as you can. Leave the Abomination to me."
He stopped at the door, and a confident, almost challenging smile appeared on his face.
"After all, they don't call me 'One-Man Army' for nothing."
Part 3: The Army Versus the Abomination
The X-Jet sliced through the night skies of New York like a silver bird, its turbines whispering a melody of urgency. Inside, the atmosphere was tense, charged by the weight of the images that had brought them there. Kael remained silent, his back against the cold fuselage, his eyes closed. To the others, he seemed like a young man gathering his strength before battle. But his consciousness was no longer in the plane.
He was in his kingdom.
The Village, once a peaceful refuge, now pulsed with a feverish energy. Every stone, every structure, seemed to feel the imminence of the conflict. Kael walked to the heart of the settlement, where the Great Hall, his Town Hall, stood. Looking at it pained him. It pained him as a player, it pained him as a strategist. He was about to commit what any Clash of Clans veteran would consider heresy: upgrading the Town Hall to level 6 without first maximizing all other defenses and buildings. It was a risky decision that would leave blind spots in his defenses for a while, but the potential reward – new troops, structures, and an overall increase in power – was a temptation the desperate situation demanded.
With a mental command, he initiated the upgrade. The walls of the Great Hall began to glow, enveloping themselves in a white and gold light as the architecture remodeled itself, becoming more imposing and complex. The process consumed a colossal amount of resources, but he didn't stop there.
Next, he did something that cost him even more: he spent his precious Gems. He had been hoarding them religiously, dreaming of the day he could buy a fifth Builder, exponentially accelerating his progress. Now, that dream was sacrificed on the altar of immediate need. He used the Gems to instantly speed up the Town Hall upgrade and then directed all the village's production towards war.
His Village, now at level 6, was ready. The next step was the Barracks. With more Gems spent, the structure was upgraded, unlocking the training of more specialized units. He then focused on the Army Camps, expanding their troop capacity. The upgrade, accelerated by the power of the Gems, was almost instantaneous. He had no time to wait.
With the new capacity, he made a tactical decision. He mentally dismissed a group of Barbarians. They were brave and strong, but against a creature like the Abomination, their usefulness would be limited, serving only as cannon fodder. In their place, he ordered the immediate and continuous production of Healers. There were two main reasons for this: first, to treat the countless injured they would certainly find in Harlem; second, and equally crucial, to keep him and his other troops in top form during the clash. The ability to regenerate in battle was a game-changer he could not ignore.
He then concentrated, his will projecting towards the distant Arena. It glowed and evolved, and the flow of knowledge about new cards flooded his mind. And then, he saw. He saw the true reason for all that madness, the prize that justified the strategic heresy.
He saw the Witch.
A powerful necromancer who walked in an ethereal manner, summoning an endless horde of Skeletons from a pulsating cauldron. The warrior troops of Clash Royale were formidable, but the magical ones... the magical ones operated on another level. The Wizard was already a living example of this, a lobber of fire bombs who could change the course of a confrontation. The Witch promised to be an invaluable crowd-control force.
He saw the Baby Dragon, an aerial creature that spat fire over a wide area, perfect for clearing groups of enemies or causing consistent damage to a large target like the Abomination.
And then, he saw the real reason for it all. The P.E.K.K.A.
A colossal figure of bluish steel, with glowing magenta eyes and a sword as large as a man. She emanated an aura of absolute power, of relentless destruction. She was the perfect war machine, the ultimate weapon against a biological tank.
"We're arriving," Cyclops's voice announced, pulling Kael back to reality.
He opened his eyes and approached the cockpit. Down below, the Harlem neighborhood was a living nightmare. Smoldering buildings, overturned and burning cars, and the distant sound of screams and machine guns. In the center of the chaos, the Abomination, a mass of green and gray muscles, roared and destroyed everything with sadistic pleasure, throwing trucks against buildings and crushing any resistance with its fists. The army soldiers, brave but pathetically inadequate, tried to contain the monster with light weapons and rocket launchers, their attacks seeming like insect stings on the creature's resistant skin.
Without hesitation, Kael opened the rear hatch of the low-flying X-Jet. The wind howled, pulling him into the night.
"Kael!" shouted Rogue.
He didn't answer. He simply jumped into the void.
The fall was fast and controlled. His red cape whipped behind him like a standard. He oriented himself like a comet, concentrating all his mass and the force of the impact into his foot. With a deafening crash, he struck the Abomination's back like a human missile, a powerful kick that made the monster cry out in surprise and pain, hurling it dozens of meters through the storefront of a shop.
Kael landed agilely, dust and debris rising around him. He didn't waste a second. The Pink Elixir was already flowing in his veins, answering his call.
With a broad gesture of both arms, he summoned his first wave.
Two Giants materialized with heavy thuds, their massive bodies blocking the street. They roared in unison, their presence immediately attracting the fury of the Abomination, which emerged from the rubble, still stunned. As the Giants advanced, absorbing the creature's brutal blows with superhuman resilience, Kael summoned a Healer. The angelic figure, with its shining wings and fluid robes, hovered in the air, casting a beam of golden, healing light over the Giants. Despite the violence of the attacks, the Giants' skin regenerated almost instantly, keeping them steady.
But Kael didn't stop there. The Elixir for this summon was spent on a Wizard, who immediately began launching arcane fire bombs that exploded on the Abomination's torso, and on the Witch.
The Witch's appearance was sinister. She floated onto the scene with a low, echoing laugh, her cauldron bubbling. With a movement of her arms, four Skeletons armed with bony swords rose from the ground, running towards the monster, distracting it and causing small, but incessant, cuts. The skeleton horde was disposable, but infinite, a constant nuisance that prevented the Abomination from focusing fully on the Giants or on Kael.
Out of the corner of his eye, Kael saw the X-Jet land in a safer square. The X-Men emerged in formation, led by Cyclops, who immediately began coordinating rescue efforts. Jean Grey used her telekinesis to lift steel beams and concrete, freeing trapped civilians. Nightcrawler, enveloped in a cloud of blue smoke, teleported the injured to safe zones. Shadowcat walked through walls, locating survivors in impossible air pockets.
Kael summoned a second Healer and mentally directed her to join the X-Men. The team's efficiency increased exponentially. A man with a horrific chest wound, about to succumb, was bathed in the Healer's light. Within seconds, the wound closed, color returned to his face, and he gasped, saved. It was a visible miracle, witnessed by dozens. The Healer hovered over the rescue area, her power not only healing critical injuries but also revitalizing the X-Men themselves, who could now operate at their absolute limit without fear of fatigue or incapacitating injuries.
Satisfied to see the rear guard was secure, Kael turned his full attention back to the battle. His troops were holding the line. The Giants, sustained by the first Healer, were immovable rocks. The Wizard and the Witch provided constant suppressive fire. The Abomination roared in frustration, unable to advance.
Kael stepped back a few paces, allowing his Elixir to regenerate. When the bar was full again, he raised his hands once more. This time, structures appeared on the battlefield. A Goblin Hut landed with a heavy thud, its internal racket echoing strangely in the chaos. Immediately, Spear Goblins began to emerge, throwing their spears at the monster from a safe distance. A Tombstone also appeared, generating a slow but steady flow of Skeletons that joined the Witch's horde.
The battlefield was becoming a maelstrom of forces against the Abomination. He was being surrounded, distracted, bombarded, and healed all at once.
And then, Kael gathered 7 Elixir. The moment had arrived.
With a final thought, he summoned the P.E.K.K.A.
The sound was the first thing to draw attention: a electrifying "ZAP" followed by a robotic, metallic shriek, "BUTTERFLY!" that cut through the noise of the battle. Then, she materialized. The P.E.K.K.A. was even more impressive in person. Her nearly three meters of polished bluish steel reflected the fire and the spotlights, her magenta eyes blazing with pure destructive determination. She didn't run; she advanced, each step making the ground shake.
The Abomination, sensing a truly new threat, turned to face her, ignoring the Giants and the skeletons. It was a mistake. The P.E.K.K.A. raised her colossal sword and swung it with the force of a freight train. The blow hit the monster in the flank with a crack of breaking bones that was heard throughout the block. The Abomination roared, this time in genuine pain, being thrown sideways through another storefront.
It was at that moment that Kael saw a military helicopter approaching, landing on an improvised helipad. He recognized General Thaddeus Ross descending, his face a mask of anger and concern. And, falling from the sky like a shooting star, a smaller figure: Bruce Banner, who hit the ground with a thud and, in an incredible transformation of flesh and bone, emerged as the Hulk.
The Jade Giant needed no introductions. His eyes met Kael's for a split second, a silent understanding passing between them. Then, Hulk roared, a challenge that echoed louder than any explosion, and launched himself at the Abomination, who had just gotten up from the rubble.
The battle changed completely. Now, it was a fight of titans. Hulk, with his inexhaustible rage, delivered devastating blows. The P.E.K.K.A., with her brutal precision and power, attacked with calculated slashes from her massive sword that cracked the Abomination's resistant skin. Kael's two Giants continued to grab and pummel, the Witch's skeleton horde climbed up the monster's legs, the Wizard lobbed his fire bombs, and the Spear Goblins and Archers (which Kael continued to summon with his regenerated Elixir) rained down projectiles.
Kael wasn't content to just watch. He closed his eyes again, and for an instant, returned to his Village. There, he gave the final order: he started the upgrade of the Spell Factory. He needed to unlock the Healing Spell. While the builders began their work, he ordered his entire permanent village army to be summoned to Harlem. It was a risky move, leaving his kingdom undefended, but he needed the numbers to continue training more Healers on the battlefield and to assist with the rescue.
Kael's grand army, combined with Hulk's primordial fury, was more than the Abomination could withstand. The creature, once a symbol of invincible destruction, was being overwhelmed, contained, and beaten. Its movements became slower, its roars weaker. Hulk, seeing an opening, grabbed the Abomination by the arms, immobilizing it for a precious second. It was the cue the P.E.K.K.A. needed. She charged, her sword gleaming under the moonlight, and delivered a final, slashing blow to the monster's jaw, shattering it with a decisive crack. The Abomination staggered, its eyes rolling back. Hulk gave no quarter. Releasing the creature's arms, he delivered a single, powerful punch to its torso, an impact that created an audible shockwave. The Abomination flew backward, smashing against the side of a building and sliding to the ground, unconscious.
The silence that followed was almost as deafening as the battle.
Kael immediately directed his troops to assist with the rescue. His Barbarians, with their immense strength, helped lift heavy beams and rubble that even Jean's powers couldn't move easily. The Giants were living cranes, moving concrete blocks with ease. The Archers, with their superhuman senses, scanned the ruins, whispering locations of survivors to Shadowcat and Nightcrawler. The Goblins, with their innate speed, ran through the streets, reuniting separated families and guiding people in shock towards the Healers.
And the Healers... their work was obvious and divine. Three of them now hovered over the rescue zone, their golden lights bathing the injured, closing wounds, welding bones, and pushing back death. Kael couldn't help but smile at the people's expressions – shock, disbelief, and reborn hope – upon seeing those angelic figures performing miracles.
The Wizard was helping the firefighters, using small, controlled fire blasts to cut through twisted metal. But it was the Witch who performed the most unexpected and touching function. She was no longer on the battlefield, but on the periphery, where desperate families gathered. She floated among them, her sinister presence now a harbor of serenity. She whispered to the air, listening to voices no one else could hear – the souls of the dead. Sometimes, she would point to a pile of rubble. A rescue team would run over and, minutes later, retrieve a body, allowing loved ones to mourn their loss or, in rare and miraculous cases, breathe a sigh of relief upon finding someone alive. It was a macabre service, but deeply human, bringing necessary closure amidst the chaos.
It was then that Kael felt the upgrade to the Spell Factory complete. The Healing Spell was now at his disposal. He looked around. The injured kept coming. Many were already being treated, but the scale was colossal.
"Jean! Scott!" he yelled. "Gather all the injured you can near me! Now!"
Without question, moved by the trust he had earned, the X-Men used their powers to move dozens of injured people to a central clearing near Kael. When a critical mass had formed, Kael raised his hand. A golden-yellow, glowing vial, the Healing Spell, materialized above the crowd and shattered.
A wave of greenish-gold healing energy exploded outwards, bathing everyone within a radius of several meters. Broken bones instantly knit together. Open wounds closed as if by magic. Pain disappeared from contorted faces, replaced by stunned relief. Combined with the ongoing work of the Healers, the effect was so miraculous it left everyone in silence. People who had been on the verge of death minutes before were now standing up, touching their own bodies in disbelief.
Kael looked around. He saw in the eyes of those people, in the eyes of the New Yorkers watching from windows, something he didn't expect to see so soon: gratitude. It wasn't just relief; it was a reassessment. The sight of mutants – the X-Men with their diverse powers, and his own army of fantastic creatures – risking their lives, saving, healing... was changing something fundamental. And even if it wasn't the main reason, Kael felt a pang of happiness. He could hardly wait to imagine the rage on the faces of people like Senator Kelly or the owners of anti-mutant news channels.
His amusement was interrupted by a sudden movement. One of his Giants, which was helping prop up a building, moved its hand with surprising speed, intercepting something in the air behind Kael. The sound of a sniper rifle shot echoed a moment later. The Giant opened its hand, and Kael saw a high-caliber bullet shallowly embedded in the colossal being's palm. The bullet had penetrated but barely gone through the dense skin. It was enough.
The power and speed required for the Giant to intercept such a fast projectile were frightening. But the message was even clearer.
His true enemies, those who hated his race not out of fear, but pure ideology, were already on the move.
Immediately, the sound of bows being loosed and muskets firing filled the air. His enhanced hearing caught a muffled groan and the sound of a body falling from a distant rooftop. His Archers and his Musketeer hadn't been caught off guard. They had already located and neutralized the threat.
He looked in the direction the shot had come from, his expression serious. They could hide. They could attack from the shadows. But it didn't matter.
It was then that General Ross, his face a thundercloud, strode towards the unconscious form of the Abomination, his soldiers following. As they moved to secure the creature, Ross's eyes fell on Kael, who stood surrounded by his fantastical troops.
"Keep that thing in a cell, General," Kael said, his voice cutting through the post-battle quiet. "Not on a lab table. It will be better for your health."
Ross stopped, his jaw tightening. He turned his glare from the Abomination to Kael. "Is that a threat?"
Kael's own anger and disgust, held back during the fight, surfaced. "If I find a second Abomination like this one," he stated coldly, "I'll know who to blame."
The General's face flushed with anger. "You have no authority here, mutant." He gestured sharply, and a dozen of his soldiers raised their weapons, aiming at Kael and his nearby troops.
In an instant, the atmosphere shifted from tense to explosive. Kael's troops—Barbarians, Archers, the P.E.K.K.A.—immediately turned, their weapons raised, forming a protective semicircle around him. The low growl of the P.E.K.K.A. and the drawing of bowstrings was a stark answer.
"It seems having an army at your back gives you courage, General," Kael said, his voice deceptively calm. "But I understand a thing or two about armies."
As he spoke, he issued a mental command. The space around them began to shimmer. With a series of distinct sounds—the thud of Giants, the war cries of Barbarians, the ethereal hum of the Witch—his new army, the one he had just trained and summoned from his upgraded village, materialized en masse. The street, the square, the surrounding ruins were suddenly filled with hundreds of troops, completely surrounding Ross and his men. The soldiers, now vastly outnumbered and facing creatures that defied logic, looked around nervously, their confidence shattered.
A young soldier, his nerves frayed, flinched. His finger tightened on the trigger involuntarily. A single shot rang out.
Kael didn't even flinch. His hand moved in a blur, snatching the bullet out of the air mere feet from his face. He held it up between his thumb and forefinger, his eyes cold as they locked onto the terrified soldier.
He perceived the soldier hadn't fired out of malice, but pure panic.
"He's spared," Kael thought, and the order was relayed.
Before the soldier could process what had happened, a volley of arrows and a single musket shot rang out from his own lines. The arrows thwipped past the soldier, expertly pinning his uniform sleeves and pant legs to the wall behind him, lifting him off his feet and immobilizing him without drawing a drop of blood. The musket ball disintegrated the rifle in his hands. He hung there, stunned and unharmed but utterly neutralized.
General Ross looked from his helpless soldier to the overwhelming force surrounding him. He saw the looks on the faces of the civilians and the X-Men—not fear of the mutants, but condemnation directed at him. He realized in that moment he would gain nothing here. His jaw worked silently for a moment before he barked an order.
"Stand down! Secure the asset! Now!" he snarled at his men, pointing at the Abomination.
As his soldiers hurried to comply, Ross turned his back on Kael, a final act of defiance. But the message had been received.
"Remember my warning, General," Kael called after him. "A cell. Not a lab. For everyone's sake."
His army stood ready, a silent, formidable promise. They could move. They could hide. They could try anything.
"But it doesn't matter what they send," he whispered to himself, his eyes scanning the city's shadows, his grand army standing firm behind him. "We will be ready."