Conquest Points Surge and Red Tank

"It's not too late, Uncle."

Russell's voice was steady, but his eyes were firm and serious.

Nolan turned away, his jaw clenched. Mark looked at him with desperate hope, silently begging for surrender.

"No… No." Nolan shook his head, his voice cracked with pain.

"Why?" Mark's heart pounded. Would his father truly rather vanish—or die—than return to them?

"I can't give up." Nolan's voice was low but resolute. "To surrender would be worse than defeat. A Viltrumite who once struck fear across the galaxy… becoming a prisoner? That would only provoke the Empire's fury. If the army comes, Earth may be reduced to nothing. Not even dust will remain."

He gritted his teeth.

"I have to leave. If I go now, maybe the Empire will grant me another chance—let me prove myself again. It might buy Earth some time."

Nolan turned to the two young men in front of him—his son and his nephew.

"Mark, your potential as a Viltrumite hasn't even begun to show. And you, Russell… I've never seen a power like yours. You've grown several times stronger since your awakening. With time, maybe you—"

"Cousin…" Mark looked to Russell, seeking guidance. Nolan had deceived them for years. Could they trust him now?

"Go, Uncle." Russell's voice was calm but tight.

It was a dilemma. He could take Nolan down now—but it might do more harm than good. A captured Viltrumite posed a clear threat. But a fugitive Viltrumite… one who could return at any moment? That kind of uncertainty inspired even greater fear.

And in that fear, people would inevitably look to the one person strong enough to protect them.

"I'm sorry… Russell. Mark…" Nolan's voice faltered, blood trailing from his mouth. "I should've… found a better way."

"Tell your mother and aunt I'm sorry."

Dragging his broken body, Nolan lifted off, disappearing into the sky.

The world watched live.

Omni-man had fallen. Defeated by Infinitoid. And then fled.

A collective breath was released. Around the world, people wept with relief, collapsing in front of screens, hugging strangers on the street.

"He saved us!"

"Infinitoid! Infinitoid!"

Waves of cheers echoed through the cities. The symbol of a white cape flooded social media, and the hashtag #InfinitoidSavedTheWorld surged to the top.

Yet beneath the celebration, questions exploded.

Why did Omniman betray us?

Old footage was unearthed—twenty years of rescues, speeches, and hope. Was it all a lie?

Some cried for justice:

"He killed his teammates.""The truth about the Global Guard tragedy must be made public!"

Others hesitated:

"He protected us for decades. Could it all really have been fake?""Even if he failed us now, he gave so much."

Psychologists dissected the footage: "His body language—he was torn apart inside."

The world split. Villain or victim?

Russell made a decision. The Global Defense Agency would reveal selected information—enough for transparency, but not enough to spark mass panic. Nolan's betrayal would be known. But there would be a path left open—for peace, and for the Earth's safety.

The bigger threat still loomed.

If Omni-man—nearly unmatched on Earth—was only a soldier… what would happen when the Empire sent more?

"Can Infinitoid really protect us?"

Across the globe, people clung to that figure in white.

That night, the dinner table was somber.

Debbie stared at the screen, pale and silent.

"I'm sorry, Aunt," Russell said gently. "I couldn't bring him back."

"You did what you could." Her hand rested on his head. "Now… the world depends on you. When the Viltrum Empire comes, I hope you'll be ready to fight."

[Conquest Points: 91,600]

"This is nothing," Russell murmured, seeing the massive point increase.

"Mark, from tomorrow on, we train hard."

Debbie looked at her son, her face steely.

Mark nodded, startled by her seriousness. He glanced at the empty seat at the table.

"Yes… I will."

His father was gone. Now it was up to him—and Russell.

No more leaning on others.

Later that night.

Beep, beep.

Russell's phone alarm blared.

"What's up, cousin?" Mark asked.

"That Alien. He's back—and fast. Looks urgent."

Mark stiffened. "You think he brought reinforcements?"

"Doubt it. Let's check it out."

They soared into the sky.

From the edge of space, an orange streak hurtled toward them—Allen, the alien.

"Thank God! You're still alive!" Allen gasped. "I'm not too late!"

"You came to warn us?" Mark asked, confused.

"Yes! When I told the Interstellar Alliance I'd been to Earth, they went berserk. Earth's a forbidden zone. A Viltrumite lives here!"

"That's it?" Mark blinked.

"That's it?! My homeworld was annihilated by the Viltrum Empire!" Allen was practically shouting.

Russell placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You're late. That Viltrumite? He's my father. He tried to take Earth. We stopped him."

"You… defeated a Viltrumite?"

Allen stared at Russell like he was some rare alien species.

"No world has ever done that! This'll shake the galaxy!"

"I have to tell the Alliance! They're rallying planets to fight the Viltrum Empire. This changes everything!"

"Wait, not so fast," Russell said. "Don't mention Earth joining. Not yet."

If the Empire got wind that Earth aligned with the Alliance, it would paint a bigger target on them.

"Spread the word. Inspire others. But Earth stays neutral for now."

"Got it." Allen saluted and blasted off.

Mark watched him go, then turned to Russell. "Cousin… can we really stand against the Viltrum Empire?"

Russell met his gaze, unwavering.

"Yes."

He placed a firm hand on Mark's shoulder.

"We can. And we will."

Meanwhile, in the X-Men Universe…

The once grand Genoshan presidential palace was stripped of extravagance. In its place: a no-nonsense office, cluttered with policy documents and reports.

Magneto sat behind the desk, weary and buried in paperwork.

"Father, Russell's here," Wanda said, leading him in.

Russell glanced around at the newly renovated space—the wall he'd once smashed through now repaired.

"What do you want to talk about?" he asked, sinking into the sofa.

Magneto grumbled. "You're Left Consul. Head of State. Yet all this government mess is dumped on me."

"I gave you the gold for Genosha's reconstruction. Doesn't that count?" Russell shrugged.

It was true—he'd bankrolled the nation.

But governance required more than money.

Magneto tossed a folder at him—photos of overturned trucks, shattered roads, broken escorts.

"At first, he robbed a gold shipment. Then he started targeting every convoy carrying our resources. If it wasn't gold, he destroyed it out of rage. If it was, he stole it."

"A mutant?" Wanda asked.

"Unquestionably," Magneto said. "Two to three meters tall. Super strength. Wears a red metal helmet. I sent Fireman, Landslide, and Meatball. All failed."

"Even Meatball?" Russell raised a brow.

"Thrown like a rag doll."

Wanda frowned. "I should've known—I'm the Minister of Security."

"You've been too busy gardening," Magneto muttered.

Wanda gave an embarrassed smile. "I just… never had a place of my own before."

Magneto sighed. He had few capable people. Even Quicksilver was unreliable. In truth, he had no choice but to lean on them.

"Red helmet, unstoppable strength…" Russell's expression turned thoughtful.

"Juggernaut."

No wonder the others lost.

"He's yours," Magneto said. "Or we trade roles—you do the paperwork."

Russell stood. "No thanks. I'll handle Juggernaut."

"Good. Take Wanda with you. She needs field time, and you can watch each other's backs."

Magneto hesitated, then added with a father's subtle scheming:

"If you can, don't kill him. Convince him to join us. A man like that would be a powerful ally."

He looked between them—young, powerful, and full of potential.

A future.

Russell smiled. "No objections."

(End of chapter)