The Way Forward

2 days later

Egypt, Cairo

Nicholas's apartment

After enduring through a gruesome spectacle at work, Nina stepped into his apartment debilitated and strained nearly to death.

Upon her entry something beyond context took place, for  instance the kitchen and dinning room lights were still on, illuminating the entire household.

The very moment that she closed the door from behind her, a sensational odur graced her nose as if hauling her with excitement much like a magnetic force would repel a metallic object.

What's this you may ask, a stash of rose petals were lying on the floor and were neatly placed in such a way that they formed a path-like way leading to the kitchen.

As usual Nina followed the trail to the kitchen and what her eyes bore witness off really startled her. As if her heart was severely attacked by some kind of internal force.

She dropped her bag and cupped her mouth with her hands while her eyeballs nearly sprung out from her sockets.

"Nicholas?!"

He turned around from where he stood and grinned at her. She ran to him with undeniable speed and enveloped him with an embrace. In doing so his rock hard biceps came in contact with her body, nearly piercing through his shirt only because of how tight his shirt hugged him.

"Oh my god your back! I didn't think that you would..."

"Return," He answered, thus finishing her sentence as his deep voice vibrated through her chest, making her slightly weak as if some one had pressed hard against the nerve on her hand. Turned on by the touch of his manly voice.

"I told you that I would," he said as she released him from her grip while he placed his hands around her shoulders and firmly held onto her acromions.

"Listen Nina I love you. I cannot imagine a world without you. That being said I will always be by your side. Never to leave because you took something from me."

"And what would that be?" She inquired as a tear drop stained her right cheek.

"My heart. Now that you have taken it I'd more than happy to take yours."

She then wrapped her hands around his neck and smiled back at him. "I'll be more than happy to."

And from then on the 2 sealed an enchanted kiss.

Paris

Viper's mansion

A dark, silver Royce-Roll Phantom parked within close proximity to Viper's mansion. A beast so fabulous that it has been handcrafted by the gods of the automotive industry.

Clouseau speed towards the vehicle and opened its boot, therein he took out her luggage and when madam Bloom stepped out of the vehicle something of interest had caught him by the eyes. By her side she was accompanied by a lovely young girl named Helena.

Now Helena was a fine brunette with milk chocolate brown hair, beautifully tied in a twin tail style and almond shaped eyes with a  shade of sapphire blue.

"Bonjour Madame Bloom. Oh it is nice to see you."

"Good morning Clouseau it has been a while,"she replied with a smile tugged around her lips.

"Oh it looks like you've brought a lovely young lady with you," he said as he gently pulled his moustache to the side, only with a playful intent.

"Ah yes, I'd like you to meet Helena. She will be staying with us from now on."

"That is so sweet of you madame. But if I may ask whatever reason do you have for doing this?"

"You see Clouseau I adopted Helena. She has no parents, and just recently she lost her father to a tragic event. Wherein he was brutally murdered. Therefore I made my responsibility to look after her until she can stand on her own feet."

As soon as she had done away with the arrogant troopers she jumped off  the vehicle and enveloped Helena with a warm embrace.

"Please help me kind stranger! My dad has been killed."

Viper rubbed her back with sympathy and answered her plea. "My deepest condolences. But there is nothing that I can do to save him."

She crouched and placed her hands on her cheeks. "But I promise you this. Once I've returned I'll see it to the end that I take care of you" She embraced her once more. "Whats your name dear?" "It's Helena," "Return to the building Helena. I have a duty to uphold." She nodded and returned to the building.

When she escaped her trend of thoughts, Clouseau smile at her  with delight.

"It is a magnifique thing that you've done. Taking zhis poor girl under you wings it's very touching. You are one of zhe most special people I've met and I am proud to be your butler."

"Thank you Clouseau."

Clouseau then stretched his hand towards her, allowing Helena to take hold of it. And when she did he said, "Come Helena. Let me show you around the house. There is so much for you to see."

"Oh really thank your uncle Clouseau," she responded with a smile as Clouseau hauled her away while Viper looked up to face the roof of her mansion.

"It's good to be back home," she said as she took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh aroma around her.

Anchorage Alaska

Max returned the military base, he made way to the control room and found General Petersen sipping through a cup of coffee while holding a tablet at his disposal.

When Max stood aside him, Peterson switched off the device and put it on a desk.

"Good to have you back soldier."

Max placed his hand on his forehead in salute as Petersen addressed him.

"How was your experience at Singapore?"

He sighed in response to his questions but eventually spoke, "it was one hell of a battle General. I'm not gonna lie, I didn't think I'd make it out alive. We threw everything at Slicer but nothing seemed to work, fortunately Pete was able to discover some legit power or something and was able to give Slicer a run for his money."

"What about Slicer, where is he now?"

"It turns Slicer has an older brother and he bailed him out just when we were about to switch his light's off."

"Older brother?" Inquired Petersen as his brows narrowed, expressing a sense of curiosity.

"Yep he said that his name is Killertron, and he's some Overlord from some universe."

Peterson turned to face the screens up ahead, his facial features were none other than stoic, it's as if the news that Max brought were nothing but troubling. And it's the kind of trouble that he least needed nor desired.

"I think we just started a war with a powerful force and at the sound of it the lives of many earthlings are at stake."

Max then crossed his arms as Peterson continued, "You think that a war is coming?"

Peterson's expression became more stoic at the sound of his inquiry, "No doubt about it. We've messed with forces that are far beyond our comprehension. It is frightening to imagine what could happen if Slicer's superiors do chose to come for Earth."

Max looked down for brief moment, troubled by the depth of his words, his stomach churned in protest inregards to his unshakeable fear. However as a soldier he knew that allowing his emotions to get the better of him was not wise, for this reason he curbed his fears with much ease. Executing a technique so proficient that no many would.

"Then Earth will be prepared at what they will throw at us " Max said as his voice deepened, boosting of his now growing conviction.

The following day

The birds were chirping as their splendid melody graced ones ears with a beautiful tune. The sun took over the mantle to govern the early day, spreading its rays across the globe like a sparrow spreading its wings for take off.

The Siheyuan

Kuhn Lau, Yung Fu and Pete were at the gate, the 3 were conversing with Ace whom carried his sack over his shoulder.

"Now that we have defeated Slicer what are you going to do next?" Inquired Kuhn Lau as Ace glanced towards the sky and smiled.

"I will join mother nature."

"You mean like you will live in the forest or something?" Inquired Pete as responded to him.

"Yes of course, I've always lived in the forest since I've arrived on Earth. I fell in love with it, protecting different species of animals from poaching, cutting woods and planting new trees. You should come visit once in a while Pete. Who knows you might even get stronger?"

Pete raised his hands in protest, "No way  I'm not gonna experience that bull shit again."

Ace laughed in response to his protest. Kuhn Lau had  a different view from that of Pete's.

"It sounds like an excellent idea if you asked me I will visit from time to time sir Ace. It's a perfect place for one to separate themselves from the industrial life time."

"That said my fellow Guardians farewell and enjoy yourselves," Ace said as he waved at them, they to did the same and made their way back to the inner courtyard of the Siheyuan while Ace bode his departure.

As the 3 approached a nearby fountain, Pete broke the moment of silence that had eclipsed the mood around them.

"Look man I'm grateful for your offer but I have to decline."

"Oh and why would you do that?"

"I am a changed man Yung Fu. I no longer want to depend on someone nor burden them my luggage. Allow me to explore whatever is left of my life."

Yung Fu then placed his finger under his chin, "But Pete if I were to do that you will become incompetent in terms of your training. And when Killertron comes back to Earth what will happen then. You won't be able to defend yourself."

"Relax amigo I got this, have you forgotten that I got the Golden Phoenix on my side. I will send Killetron and his goons packing."

Kuhn Lau rubbed his eyelids and sighed, "Pete you've got to learn to stop trivialising  serious matters."

"I agree Killertron took out Ace without laying a finger on him. I don't think that you can take him on even with the Golden Phoenix. You will have to get stronger. That is why I have to  keep you here and train you so that you can be stronger than ever." Yung Fu said as he perched his hand on the upper tier of the fountain.

He nodded in agreement with him, "Your right. I have to keep on training."

He glanced at the flow of the water as the current sprung from the water distribution and filled the basin to a brim.

"You know for the first time in my life I face the future with optimism. And I thank you all of you. Now I want the rest of the world to have what I have and that is peace and joy."

Kuhn Lau and Yung Fu smiled at him as he looked up.

"We are certain that the world will be overjoyed to receive what you have. That said let us go inside and watch a movie," said Kuhn Lau.

"Wait Kuhn you watch movies?" Inquired Pete.

"Most certainly slthough it isn't something that I do on a regular basis. But an action movie wouldn't hurt. Any one's up for Bruce Lee."

"Nah we've been exposed to a whole bunch  of Kung fu stuff let's try something a bit more fast and probably furious. So anybody up for Fast and Furious 9?"

Yung Fu then added upon what they had said,

"Not a bad idea plus I love cars. But I was hoping for some spidey sense. Spiderman No Way Home perhaps?"

The 3 glanced at one another and shrugged, "I can work with that, I'll get the popcorn ready," stated Pete as he rushed into the main hall.

"Huh Pete, food is always the first thing in your mind," chuckled Kuhn Lau as he and Yung Fu trailed after him.