"F.R.I.D.A.Y. has located Apocalypse's lair!"
Raven and Psylocke arrived at Vincent's office, fully armed.
Domino, Inez, and Sandy looked excited.
"This will be the first joint operation of the 'Oscorp Five Golden Flowers.' Just thinking about it makes me thrill with excitement," Inez laughed wildly.
Domino revealed a crescent-like smile. "That's right, it's Apocalypse. I've heard his legends—the First Mutant, the ancestor of all mutants. Ha, this time our mission is to kill him."
Sandy looked helplessly at Vincent. "Boss, I wanted to stop them, but they were too excited. I couldn't hold them back."
Raven frowned slightly but said nothing. In her eyes, there was strength in numbers. Old traditional thinking, Vincent thought, glancing at her.
Psylocke's face was filled with battle intent. "Since we found the old guy's nest, let's storm it. I'm going to chop his head off with my psychic katana."
As a former Horseman, Apocalypse's reappearance affected Psylocke deeply. Angel (Warren) likely met a bad end. Magneto, a mutant leader recognized globally as one of the most dangerous, had died silently at Apocalypse's hands.
If not for the Ice Demon's widespread fame and Apocalypse's uncertainty about Jean's death, he would have already moved against humanity—destroying governments, enslaving humans, and establishing a mutant world order.
Even after paying a heavy price last time, his goal remained unchanged upon return.
Psylocke had protected this world for a long time. She wouldn't allow humanity to face apocalyptic crisis again.
Raven's gaze fell on Vincent's handsome, resolute face. The Ice Demon remained silent.
"Boss, aren't you planning to move against Apocalypse?"
"No, I will. But I'm considering another question—why bring you along?"
A trace of displeasure flashed across Vincent's face.
The five beauties looked at their boss carefully, like children who had done something wrong.
"I won't drag you down," Psylocke said proudly. "Staying at Oscorp too long has rusted my limbs. No matter what, you must take me on this mission."
"This battle is a duel between me and Apocalypse. If you follow, you'll divide my focus, potentially giving that old fox a chance to escape," Vincent shrugged helplessly.
"If possible, I want to cut off his head myself," Raven said stubbornly.
Inez, the outlaw, chimed in excitedly, "Boss, trust our power. We might not handle Apocalypse, but what about the mutants he's recruited? You need someone to watch your back and sweep up his minions."
Domino laughed. "Boss, trust my luck. Even facing Apocalypse, my luck holds!"
Sandy smiled bitterly. Only she didn't want to participate.
"No. You stay in New York. The U.S. isn't peaceful right now, and Hydra is eyeing Oscorp's gene technology." Vincent refused firmly. "Understand your duties. Guarding Oscorp is the greatest support you can give me."
Vincent's mind was made up.
"Psylocke, I don't mean to underestimate you. Hydra has initiated Project Insight. SHIELD is in chaos. I worry that when Hydra retreats, they'll organize an attack on Oscorp to steal our tech."
"With you at Oscorp, I have no worries."
Vincent's tone was firm. Psylocke looked at him with disappointment.
"Also, be prepared for the possibility of Apocalypse launching a surprise attack here."
Vincent pondered. "I suspect that the moment I move against him, he'll open a portal to flee. He might even use those few seconds to ambush Oscorp just to send me a warning."
Raven sighed. "Company security is sufficient. If Apocalypse attacks, I'll notify you immediately. You should be able to return in time."
"Yes, but that takes seconds. In seconds, many big things can happen."
Vincent checked his watch. "It's getting late. The more time we give him, the more his advantage grows."
Vincent sliced open a portal with his Sling Ring, transporting himself directly outside Apocalypse's pyramid lair. He closed the portal before the women could react.
Sandstorms obscured the sky—a magnificent sight.
"Did I pick a good day?" Vincent chuckled.
He fixed his gaze on the small pyramid at the center of the hurricane. It was likely a solar energy collector for the massive underground structure—his true target.
Suddenly, the storm ceased.
Terrifying ice emerged from the desert, freezing the entire area.
Apocalypse descended from the altar.
"Success at last," he said calmly.
Feeling the changes in his body, strange light bloomed in his eyes.
"Indeed, his power holds infinite potential. It was wasted on you."
Apocalypse stood up, looking at Robert (Iceman), whose body now housed Apocalypse's original, discarded consciousness. Robert was now a cripple, stripped of all ability.
"Kill me!" Robert looked at Apocalypse weakly.
"I intended to. But your existence seems useful for attracting Charles. So, I'll let you live for now."
Robert revealed a cruel smile. "I want to die, and you can't stop me!!!"
He bit through his own tongue, blood spewing from his mouth.
Apocalypse shook his head. He could save Robert, but it seemed unnecessary.
"Then I'll send you on your way."
With a wave of his hand, Robert's body turned into a dried husk and merged into the earth with the altar. He had given Robert a chance. Since he chose death, Apocalypse wouldn't force him.
"The blizzard clears. Apocalypse has completed the transfer. One step too late."
Vincent smiled helplessly outside.
The sky suddenly clouded over. A jet flew in from the distance.
Like a goddess walking through a storm, Storm descended, wielding heavenly might. She had finally found Apocalypse's trail.
"Ororo, leave the rest to me," Vincent sighed.
Inside the pyramid, Apocalypse's expression changed drastically as he looked up. Storm finding him was unexpected.
"Since you delivered yourself, I won't need to run to New York."
Killing intent rose in him. He had placed high hopes on Storm, but she betrayed him. That was unforgivable.
He opened a portal, appearing directly on the desert sands.
Watching the lightning in the sky, Apocalypse sneered. "You think you can defeat me? Naive!"
But a figure walked lightly across the sand toward him.
An upright posture, a sky-blue suit—like the perfect model on a runway, or the Son of the Sun. After Apocalypse spoke, Vincent released his aura.
"You're right. They can't defeat you. In my eyes, the best thing for them to do is stand aside and applaud for me."
Vincent smiled faintly at Apocalypse.
Apocalypse looked sharply at Vincent, his face turning serious.
"Ice Demon? You must be him. Yet I sense heat from you like the sun in the sky. You shouldn't be called Ice Demon, but Son of the Sun!"
Apocalypse tried to see through this human. But the man was as dazzling as the sun, blinding him.
Retreat blossomed in his heart.
"Don't think about opening a portal. You can't escape. Once I lock onto you, your only chance is to defeat me. Attempting to flee will only make your death more painful."
Vincent seemed to read his mind.
Apocalypse was horrified. Such powerful telepathy. Did he hide his strength last night?
But Apocalypse didn't listen. He abruptly activated his teleportation.
But in the next second, his body stiffened.
The world went silent.
Everything froze. Time stood still.
Mahapadma!
He only heard Vincent say this one phrase.
Apocalypse's consciousness remained, but his body was frozen. Even with stolen ice powers, he felt the terror of this freezing force. It froze no matter—it froze spacetime itself.
Fear surged, but Apocalypse reacted quickly. He slammed his consciousness into Vincent's mind.
A demonic, god-like avatar descended into Vincent's psychic world.
"Since failing to transfer into Charles, I realized my ritual had flaws," Apocalypse spoke.
Entering Vincent's mind, he sighed in relief. He knew this war was a battle of higher dimensions. A true psychic war. Upon victory, he would seize Vincent's body and control all his powers. Then, he would truly be invincible.
"You glimpsed the method of invasion from Charles, even stealing a sliver of his power. But you lack his perverted ability to roam all human minds!"
Vincent's consciousness avatar appeared, unpanicked.
"Did you think just anyone could enter my mind?"
"I just hate leaving a job unfinished."
"Your consciousness transfer is tricky. I didn't know how to defend against your escape methods. So, I let you descend into my mind. Without my permission, you can never leave."
Vincent laughed wildly.
His psychic power had just upgraded. For someone to invade now? It was laughable. Even his first stage was Psychic Immunity.
In his inner world, he was the Ruler.
"I don't believe it! I've lived three thousand years! I won't lose to a brat!!!"
Apocalypse raged. Terrifying purple psychic energy dyed the surroundings.
But endless golden light shone, suppressing his power. A giant composed of divine golden light grabbed Apocalypse's avatar and crushed it.
Flames consumed the psychic world. The fragments of consciousness had nowhere to run and burned to ash.
Vincent opened his eyes.
He looked at the frozen world. Storm and the X-Men watched in horror, unable to move. The X-Jet was frozen in mid-air.
He saw the light fade from Apocalypse's eyes.
The next second, the man known as the Ice Demon fired golden beams from his eyes.
Omega Beams.
They pierced Apocalypse's brain, then flew into the pyramid, slaughtering the Twelve Apostles without pause. Vincent didn't care who they were.
The beams carried world-ending energy, incinerating Apocalypse's corpse to ash. The Apostles met the same fate.
Finally, the Omega Beams looped back, merging into Vincent's eyes.
How terrifying were the current Omega Beams? Not necessarily surpassing Darkseid, but certainly on par.
Vincent waved his hand, canceling Mahapadma.
A trace of fatigue hit him. Even with his Superman physique, the consumption was massive.
This move costs too much energy. But I finally created it.
Looking at the system panel: [Mahapadma: Entry+].
"Did I just master the Japanese 'Pause Button' remote?" Vincent smiled knowingly.
This was a god-tier skill. Absolutely not inferior to Omega Beams.
He thought of the TVA. Of Kang the Conqueror. If anyone playing with time dared appear, Vincent would teach them a lesson.
In the sky, the X-Jet spun. Going from static to sudden thrust nearly crashed it. Vincent stabilized it with a thought.
Storm floated down gently before him.
"I thought it would be a life-and-death battle!" Storm finally smiled.
"Fighting for three days and nights isn't a life-and-death battle. Real battles happen in an instant. Apocalypse invaded my mind... sorry, I was a bit stronger than him."
Vincent smiled.
"Robert is dead. I'm sorry, I was too late. But the Professor's clone won't be ready so quickly. As for your promise... it depends on when you're free."
Vincent turned, a portal opening behind him. No Sling Ring needed—the Space Stone was on his finger.
"I will keep my promise," Storm said seriously.
"Haha, no need to be so serious. As Psylocke said, perhaps it will be a wonderful encounter in your life."
Vincent stepped into the portal.
Wolverine and Beast walked out of the jet.
"He is the Ice Demon?" Wolverine puffed his cigar, eyes flickering.
"Logan, a warning. Stay far away from him," Storm warned. "He is different from any opponent we've met. Even God would weep before him."
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