Acceptable

The imperial gardens stretched for miles with silver-leafed trees with trunks of deep purple swaying gently in the breeze,.

Sukuna sat alone at the water's edge, his reflection rippling in the crystal-clear current. The river with its waters a shade of blue so intense it seemed brought immense peace to look at directly.

But Sukuna's thoughts were far from appreciating the beauty around him. His mind circled relentlessly around the violation of the Imperial Tomb, the theft of his previous self's corpse.

"Who would take it?" he murmured, picking up a smooth stone and turning it over in his fingers. "And more importantly, why?"

The Emperor had been devastated, his rage giving way to a cold, focused determination that was somehow more frightening than his initial fury.

The entire empire had been mobilized to search for the culprits, but so far, nothing had been found.

Sukuna's thoughts kept returning to a name, a face from the dimensional merger - Angstrom Levy.

The man the Emperor told him was contacted apparently by another version of himself,one who had seemed to recognize him, to fear him with an intensity that went beyond rational concern.

"He fears and hates me." Sukuna muttered, as if establishing a fact to reason from henceforth, "But why would he target me my corpse specifically?" Sukuna wondered aloud, skipping the stone across the impossible river.

It bounced seven times before disappearing beneath the surface. "What could he possibly gain from it? Is it simply blind hatred wishing to defile my previous self?"

The questions had no answers, only leading to more questions, more possibilities, each more troubling than the last. Ritual components? Genetic material? Some form of dimensional leverage?

Suddenly, a sharp pain lanced through Sukuna's chest, so intense and unexpected that he gasped aloud. His hand flew to his heart, pressing against it as if to contain something trying to escape.

"What is this?" he hissed through clenched teeth, doubling over as the sensation intensified.

It wasn't a physical wound - his enhanced body would have already begun healing such an injury.

This was something else, something deeper, more fundamental. A constriction around his heart, a primal fear that had no obvious source.

Sukuna looked down at his chest in confusion, his palm pressed flat against it. The pain had no visible cause, no external trigger.

It simply existed, a phantom agony that seemed to reach across dimensions.

"A connection," he whispered, realization dawning. "Someone is... pulling on me. Calling to me."

But who? Who in this universe or any other had such a profound connection to his soul that they could reach him across the void?

The answer came in a whisper so faint he almost missed it, a name that seemed to form directly in his mind rather than reaching his ears:

Kenji.

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In the merged world, the GDA facility was in chaos. Alarms blared, personnel rushed through corridors, and at the center of it all, Mark Grayson stood facing both versions of Cecil Stedman, his expression a mask of barely contained fury.

"I warned you," Mark said, his voice dangerously quiet despite the chaos around them. "I told you Kenji needed 24/7 protection. I told you those lunatics would target him to get to Megumi."

Behind him, Nolan and Eve stood in grim solidarity, their presence adding weight to Mark's accusation.

Original Cecil winced, his usual composure cracking under the weight of Mark's justified anger. "I understand your frustration, Mark. But you couldn't have maintained constant vigilance over Mr. Fushiguro indefinitely."

"Why not?" Mark demanded, his fists clenching at his sides. "The crime rate has dropped significantly since the merger announcement.

Villains are laying low, waiting to see what happens with the Viltrumites. All I needed to do was keep Kenji at the facility where I train anyway!"

"The world needed to see you," alternate Cecil countered, though his voice lacked conviction. "People needed reassurance that their heroes were still protecting them, especially with Sukuna gone."

"And look where that got us," Mark shot back, gesturing to the empty room where Kenji had been kept. "A good man kidnapped by dimensional psychopaths who have some vendetta against his nephew."

Mark turned away, struggling to contain his emotions.

Over the past weeks, he had spent considerable time with Kenji, trying to understand more about the alternate version of himself and the life he had shared with Megumi.

What he had found was a kind, patient man who had raised Megumi alone after his parents' deaths, who had supported him through difficulties Mark could only imagine.

In Kenji, Mark had found something unexpected - a connection to a life he might have lived, a friendship he might have valued above all others.

And now, that connection was in danger because he hadn't been there to protect him.

"I should have been here," Mark said quietly, more to himself than the others.

Nolan stepped forward, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. "This isn't your fault, Mark." His gaze shifted to the Cecils, hardening slightly. "The responsibility lies elsewhere."

Though their relationship was still evolving, still complicated by the knowledge that this Nolan was not his father, Mark found comfort in the gesture.

Nolan had also formed a tentative friendship with Kenji during his time at the GDA -

the two men beginning to know each other during their time here, both before never having had the time to meet each other, but connected through their sons.

"There may be a way to save him," original Cecil said suddenly.

Alternate Cecil's head snapped toward his counterpart. "You can't be serious. The risks are-"

"Acceptable," original Cecil interrupted firmly. "Unlike you, I understand how bonds between people can truly shape someone's path.

I've seen Nolan betray Earth in one timeline and choose to protect it in another - all because of his love for his family."

He adjusted his glasses, a gesture that seemed to center him. "I've witnessed firsthand what a being of Sukuna's power level would be like if he turned against us.

If Kenji's safety is what keeps him on our side, then Kenji must be saved, no matter the risk."

Mark barely registered Cecil's reasoning, focusing only on the possibility of rescue. "What way? How can we reach him?"

Cecil activated a holographic display, showing a complex device that resembled a circular archway filled with intricate technological components.

"A dimensional portal opener," he explained. "Still in prototype phase, but functional.

The energy signature from wherever Kenji was taken is massive - easy to lock onto. We should be able to create a direct portal to his location."

"Should?" Eve questioned, stepping forward.

"The technology is experimental," Cecil admitted. "There are risks. The portal could collapse while you're inside, trapping you. Or it might not open at the correct coordinates."

"It doesn't matter," Mark said immediately. "I'm going."

"I'm coming with you," Eve declared, moving to stand beside him.

Mark turned to her, his expression softening but remaining resolute. "No. You're not."

"Mark-" she began to protest.

"I need to focus completely on getting Kenji back," Mark explained, taking her hands in his. "I love you, Eve. And I know how capable you are. But right now, I can't risk being distracted by worrying about your safety too."

Eve wanted to argue further, but something in Mark's expression stopped her. This wasn't about doubting her abilities - it was about his own emotional state, his need to concentrate solely on the mission.

"I'll go with him," Nolan volunteered, stepping forward.

Alternate Cecil immediately objected. "We can't leave Earth defenseless! You and Mark are our two strongest defenders. If the Viltrumites choose this moment to attack-"

"We have plenty of capable defenders," Nolan countered, raising an eyebrow. "And you should understand the stakes better than anyone.

You've heard what the demon Penemue said about Megumi - that he's some kind of messiah, a potential savior or destroyer."

His voice lowered, taking on a gravity that silenced everyone in the room. "Do you really want to risk him choosing the latter? Becoming a destroyer through grief over losing the closest thing he has to a father?"

Alternate Cecil held Nolan's gaze for a long moment, then finally nodded. "Activate the prototype," he ordered a nearby technician. "Full power."

The circular device hummed to life, energy building within its frame until a swirling vortex of blue-green light filled the center. The portal stabilized, showing a glimpse of a sterile laboratory beyond.

"Remember," original Cecil warned, "this is a rescue mission only. Get Kenji and get out. Don't engage unless absolutely necessary."

Mark and Nolan exchanged a glance, both knowing that such restraint might not be possible given what they might find.

"We'll bring him back," Mark promised Eve, squeezing her hand one last time before stepping toward the portal.

"Be careful," she whispered, reluctantly letting go.

Without further hesitation, Mark and Nolan stepped through the dimensional gateway, disappearing into the swirling energy.

The laboratory on the other side was a nightmare of clinical efficiency and arcane technology.

Equipment that seemed to blend advanced science with something darker, more mystical, lined the walls. In the center of the room, strapped to a chair with restraints that phased in and out of visibility, was Kenji.

A crown of thorns sat upon his head, each needle-like protrusion glowing with sickly green energy that pulsed in rhythm with his agonized screams.

Blood trickled from where the needles pierced his skin, mingling with sweat that soaked his hospital gown.

Two versions of Angstrom Levy stood nearby - one with an exposed, pulsating brain, the other with a more intact skull but the same manic gleam in his eyes.

Around them, white-coated figures with shifting, indistinct faces monitored equipment and adjusted dials.

"Increase the amplitude," Mad Levy ordered, his voice high with excitement. "The beacon must be stronger to reach across the planes!"

The scene froze as Mark and Nolan materialized in the laboratory, the portal closing behind them with a sound like tearing fabric.

"What-" Mad Levy began, his eyes widening in shock.

"Invincible!" Scarred Levy shrieked, his exposed brain pulsing faster with rage and fear. "How did you find us? How did you breach our defenses?"

Mark didn't waste time with explanations. "Let him go," he demanded, his voice cold with fury as he took in Kenji's tortured state.

"You don't understand what you're interfering with!" Mad Levy shouted, spittle flying from his lips. "This is necessary! The beacon must reach the purifier! He must be called for the end of the devil!"

"I don't care about your insane vendetta," Mark replied, taking a step forward. "That man is innocent."

"Innocent?" Mad Levy's laugh was brittle, unhinged. "He raised the King of Curses! Nurtured him! Loved him! His very existence enables the destroyer of worlds!"

Nolan moved with superhuman speed, targeting the white-coated figures first. They offered no resistance as he dispatched them with clinical efficiency, their bodies crumpling to the floor before they could react.

"No!" Scarred Levy shouted as Nolan reached Kenji, carefully examining the crown device.

"Don't touch that!" Mad Levy screamed. "You have no idea what you're doing! The dimensional beacon is delicate - if disrupted improperly, it could tear his mind apart!"

"I don't care about your beacon," Mark growled, advancing on Mad Levy with murderous intent. "All I care about is getting Kenji home safely."

Nolan, who had the most experience with advanced technology among them, carefully studied the connections between the crown and the monitoring equipment. "The neural interfaces are complex, but the power source is simple," he observed. "If I disconnect it in sequence..."

His fingers moved with surprising delicacy for such a powerful being, detaching connections one by one in a specific order. The green glow dimmed gradually until, with a final click, the crown went dark.

"NO!" Mad Levy roared, lunging forward only to be intercepted by Mark.

With cold precision, Mark grabbed Mad Levy's arm and twisted, the sound of breaking bone followed by a wet tearing as the limb separated from the body. Mad Levy screamed, collapsing to his knees as blood poured from the wound.

Mark advanced further towards Mad Levy, his hand poised to strike directly through the man's chest. "This ends now," he stated, his voice devoid of mercy.

"You don't understand!" Mad Levy gasped, backing away. "He's coming! The devil is coming, and when he arrives, he'll devour this world as he has so many others!"

"I. Don't. Care." Mark enunciated each word clearly, his hand inches from Mad Levy's heart - having seen the disaster these two monsters nearly bring, how they nearly ended the lives of trillions, nearly destroying the universe.

Before the fatal blow could land, Scarred Levy activated some kind of device. Green energy enveloped both Levys, and they vanished with a sound like shattering glass, teleporting away.

Mark cursed, then turned his attention back to Kenji. Nolan had removed the crown completely and was gently lifting the unconscious man from the chair.

"Is he...?" Mark couldn't finish the question.

"Alive," Nolan confirmed, checking Kenji's pulse. "But badly injured. We need to get him back immediately."

The portal behind them flickered, beginning to destabilize. Without another word, both men moved toward it, Nolan carrying Kenji's limp form with careful strength.

They stepped through just as the dimensional gateway began to collapse, emerging back into the GDA facility amid flashing warning lights and blaring alarms.

"Medical team, now!" original Cecil barked into a communicator as the portal winked out of existence behind them.

Mark knelt beside Kenji as Nolan gently laid him on the floor, medical personnel already rushing forward with equipment.

"Kenji," Mark called, his voice breaking slightly as he took in the older man's pale, blood-streaked face. "Kenji, can you hear me? You're safe now. You're home."

But Kenji remained unresponsive, his breathing shallow, his pulse weak but present. Whatever the Levys had done to him had taken a terrible toll.

As the medical team worked to stabilize him, Mark stood back, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. The rescue had been successful, but the cost remained to be seen.

And somewhere out there, two versions of Angstrom Levy were still plotting, still obsessed with drawing Sukuna out, still convinced he represented some existential threat.

What troubled Mark most wasn't their escape, but what they said. Not about Megumi - Mark refused to believe the guy - how little he may know him - could be the monster they described - but about what they meant with reaching across the planes.

If they could kidnap Kenji from under the GDA's nose, if they could create a "beacon" designed to call whatever they were calling... what else might they be capable of?

And besides all this, if Sukuna did somehow sense Kenji's peril - something he himself for some reason instinctively was drawn to him being able to,

if he did find a way to breach the Emperor's dimension to return... what would he do when he discovered what had been done to the man he considered family?

Mark didn't want to contemplate the answer. For now, all that mattered was that Kenji was back, alive if not well. The rest would have to wait.

But as he watched the medical team work, a cold certainty settled in his gut: this was far from over. The Levys would try again. And next time, he would be ready.

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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all liked the chapter!

Don't worry, this is not me backing out of what I did last chapter, I'm not a coward in writing. What the Levys did will have the impact that I want it to have alongside the consequences I wish it to have as well.

I simply found it logical that this happens now, since there must already be some device made with how familiar the world is with dimensional portals now, especially since there are two GDAs now, and Angstrom's research before his madness.

Also, Canon Mark is awesome, do tell me how you found him this chapter.

So yeah, do tell me how you found it and I hope to see you all later,

Bye!)