"I apologize, Mr. Deadpool..." Nick Fury's single eye sized up the guy who had suddenly appeared, his tone slightly helpless.
"This is a top-level security meeting, not a burrito party. I must ask you to..."
"Oh, come on, don't be a stranger, Cyclops."
Deadpool shoved Tel-Rol's feet aside and sat directly on the conference table, crossing his legs with a flourish.
"What's the situation now? Aliens are knocking, Earth is screwed, and everyone is panicking."
He pointed at Tel-Rol. "Didn't this guy start the whole mess?"
Tel-Rol raised an eyebrow, just about to speak.
Deadpool pointed at himself again, thumping his chest.
"Now, I, a mercenary with super healing powers, mastery of all eighteen types of martial arts, and a handsome face, am volunteering to fight for free! Shouldn't you all be moved to tears and give me a pure gold medal?"
Everyone in the conference room fell silent.
They were all looking at him as if he were insane.
Barry Allen leaned into Hal Jordan's ear and whispered, "Which asylum did this guy escape from?"
Hal shook his head, indicating he didn't know either.
Tony Stark stroked his chin, actually finding the newcomer somewhat interesting.
"So, your superpower is... running your mouth?"
"NONONO!" Deadpool wagged his finger. "My superpowers are being unkillable, and breaking the fourth wall to say hello to all the handsome guys and beautiful ladies watching!"
He then turned to Tel-Rol.
"Hey, buddy, I heard the whole universe is hunting you? How does that feel? Pretty exciting, right?"
Tel-Rol grinned, flashing a mouthful of white teeth.
"It's alright. I just think they're inefficient. They haven't attacked yet, and I'm getting hungry."
"Good point!" Deadpool slapped his thigh. "How can you fight on an empty stomach? I've got a collector's edition spicy chicken chimichanga here. Want one?"
As he spoke, he actually pulled a slightly squashed, body-temperature burrito from his pants pocket.
The atmosphere in the entire conference room immediately shifted uncomfortably.
"Enough!"
Bruce Wayne finally lost his patience and abruptly stood up.
He walked up to Deadpool, staring at him with hostile eyes.
"You are not welcome here. Leave."
"Don't be like that, Big Brother Batman." Deadpool looked up at him with a cheeky smile. "I know you, the Dark Knight of Gotham. I've bought tons of your merchandise."
Bruce was unmoved, simply glaring at him.
"Alright, alright, I'm leaving then." Deadpool raised his hands and jumped off the table. "But remember to call me when the fighting starts! My appearance fee is really cheap—just keep me fed!"
With that, he whistled and swaggered toward the door.
As he passed Diana, he paused and greeted her.
"Whoa, Goddess, single and ready to mingle~"
Diana frowned and moved her chair slightly away.
Deadpool shrugged, walked to the door, opened it, and poked his head back in.
"Oh, right, I forgot to tell you guys. When I was coming in, I saw that Kryptonian Spaceship up north seemed to have sent some little things down too."
"Bye-bye now!"
The door slammed shut.
The entire conference room fell silent once more.
Everyone turned their attention to Nick Fury.
Fury's expression was grim.
"What he said is true."
Fury pointed to the screen, which showed a new tracking signal, the target of which was also the Kent Farm in Kansas.
Clark's face changed drastically.
"They're going after my parents!"
"Calm down, Clark," Bruce Wayne immediately spoke. "I have already had Alfred activate the farm's defense system. They are safe for now."
"For now?" Tel-Rol scoffed. "Which means they still won't be safe."
He stood up and stretched, his bones cracking.
"Alright, stop the meeting. It's a waste of time."
He looked at the heroes seated around the table one by one.
"Tin Can." He looked at Tony first.
"Are those armored toys of yours enough?"
"Don't let the sky be filled with your scrap metal later."
Upon hearing this, Tony Stark didn't get angry; instead, he laughed.
He raised his armored gauntlet, and the energy light on it flashed.
"I'll let you witness the power of money anytime."
Tel-Rol turned his head to look at Steve.
"Old Man. Can you still handle the ground fight?"
"Don't fall apart the moment an alien grunt touches you."
Steve Rogers didn't speak, he just gripped the shield in his hand tighter.
His eyes said it all.
"You can try me anytime."
Finally, his gaze landed on Bruce Wayne, his words carrying a hint of amusement.
"Batman."
"I know you Old Man have a lot of tricks up your sleeve, and you have issues with me."
"But I'm only responsible for killing their leader."
"The rest is up to you guys. Don't embarrass the people of Earth."
Bruce Wayne's face was hidden behind his mask, and his voice sounded icy.
"Mind your own business."
Despite his words, the readiness for a fight in his eyes was unmistakable.
Only then did Tel-Rol turn his head away contentedly, looking at Clark and Kara.
The levity vanished from his face.
"As for the Kryptonians..."
"This is family business."
"That woman named Faora, she's yours."
He paused, his eyes becoming somewhat frightening.
"Zod, and that Ronan... they are mine."
"No one tries to steal my kills."
Clark nodded solemnly, not saying another word.
"No problem."
Tel-Rol walked up to Kara and looked down at her.
The noisy conference room seemed to quiet down instantly.
"You stick with Clark and deal with Faora."
"What about you?"
Kara's voice held a worry she hadn't even realized was there.
Tel-Rol smiled, his teeth dazzlingly white.
He didn't answer. Instead, he reached out and gently brushed a stray lock of her golden hair from her forehead, tucking it behind her ear.
"Wait for me to come back."
His voice was soft, but it was reassuring to hear.
The moment he finished speaking.
He suddenly took a step back and turned around.
In that instant, all the tenderness vanished from his face, replaced only by the excitement of a coming fight.
"Bang!"
A tremendous crash.
The incredibly expensive specialized glass wall of the conference room was shattered by his body, leaving a massive hole.
Shards of glass flew everywhere, and the wind outside roared into the room.
Tel-Rol shot into the sky like a reverse-flying cannonball, heading straight for the kree warship that was blocking the sun.
Everyone inside was stunned by his action.
Kara stood rooted to the spot, unconsciously touching her ear where the sensation of his fingers still lingered.
She looked at the large hole he had created, and her expression slowly changed.
Only Tony Stark looked at the hole with an expression of helplessness.
"Hey!"
"The door was right next to you, buddy!"
At the same time.
On the other side, inside the Krypton warship.
General Zod stood before the massive viewport, watching the streak of light heading toward the kree warship.
He pulled at the corner of his mouth, letting out a cold sneer.
"A mongrel who doesn't know his place."
"Good. Let him consume some of the kree's strength."
Faora stood behind him, her posture rigid.
"General, the personnel we dispatched are in position."
"Very good."
Zod did not turn around, his voice like ice.
"Faora, I have changed my mind."
He slowly turned around, his dark, cavernous eyes fixed on Faora.
"The Codex is certainly important."
"But rebuilding Krypton does not require two Sun Gods, and certainly not a disgrace with impure blood."
"I want you to go yourself."
"In front of Kal-El, break the necks of his Earth parents."
"Then, bring back their bodies and the head of that half-breed."
His voice was calm, but the content was chilling.
"I want Jor-El's son to die in despair and regret."
Faora's face was devoid of expression, showing only absolute obedience.
"As you command, General."