Su Zhan had just clarified the cause of the disturbance and was about to leave to continue his quest. Unexpectedly, the door was shoved open with force. Sharon, ever vigilant, strode in, her eyes scanning the room. She paused, spotting Su Zhan standing beside Toad, who was sprawled awkwardly on the floor.
Sharon's brow furrowed in concern. "What happened? I heard a gunshot just now, and then I saw Steve running out in a hurry."
Su Zhan offered a reassuring smile. "Just a minor accident. Nothing to worry about."
Sharon didn't look convinced. Her gaze flickered between Su Zhan and the dazed Toad, clearly trying to piece together what had occurred. "Are you sure? Who's that on the floor?"
"Don't trouble yourself," Su Zhan replied gently, his tone calm and confident. "I'll handle things here. What you need to do is return to your family and take care of your own matters."
Sharon hesitated, torn between skepticism and the strange sense of reassurance Su Zhan's presence gave her. There was something about his voice—steady, unwavering—that made her feel, despite her doubts, that everything would be alright.
"Well… alright then. Just… be careful, okay?" Unable to press further without risking her own position, Sharon offered a final look of concern before turning and leaving the room.
As the door closed behind her, Su Zhan prepared to leave as well. But before he could take a step, Toad scrambled to his feet, his voice trembling with uncertainty. "Wait! What about me? What am I supposed to do?"
Su Zhan regarded Toad with a mix of exasperation and pity. He hadn't expected this pitiful creature to ask for guidance. Toad, with his grotesque appearance and unimpressive powers, had always been something of an outcast—even among mutants. Magneto had only kept him around out of a twisted sense of loyalty, knowing that Toad would do anything for a shred of attention.
"You're coming with me," Su Zhan decided. "Maybe I can trade you for Nick Fury."
Before Toad could protest, Su Zhan reached out and grabbed him. In an instant, the world blurred and shifted. The familiar surroundings of Captain America's home vanished, replaced by the cold, echoing emptiness of an abandoned factory. Toad blinked in confusion, recognizing the place as one of their old hideouts. But before he could speak, he realized he was trapped—locked inside what felt like a makeshift prison cell, unable to utter a sound.
Su Zhan took two steps forward and looked across the floor at the group waiting for him. There were four mutants standing together. Callisto, fierce and sharp-eyed, stood at one end. Next to her was Quill, his face and arms covered with sharp quills, his posture tense and ready for violence. Beside Quill stood Juggernaut, towering above the others in his crimson armor and heavy helmet, his massive frame radiating brute strength. The last was Multiple Man, Jamie Madrox, his form already shimmering as duplicates split from him and circled the group.
Behind them, not far off, stood the Winter Soldier, keeping a watchful eye on Nick Fury, who was bound to a nearby pipe. The Winter Soldier's face was pale, betraying signs of recent injury or exhaustion.
"Where's Magneto?" Su Zhan asked, scanning the room.
Callisto was the first to speak. Her voice was steady and cold. "Magneto's message is clear. He does not want to fight you now. You have already killed Arclight. If you leave, Magneto will not pursue you."
Su Zhan's eyes narrowed. "Ever since you rescued the Winter Soldier, this has involved me. Even if it did not, I would still come for Magneto. Our last fight was unfinished, and I do not intend to let it go. You have two choices. First, release Fury and disappear, then tell Magneto I am waiting for him. Second, I defeat you all and take Fury myself."
Quill sneered, his quills bristling. "You think you can win against all of us? Four against one—you are dreaming."
Multiple Man's duplicates fanned out, encircling Su Zhan. "Give up now. You cannot win," they said in unison.
Su Zhan glanced at Toad, still trapped in silence. "You are really willing to abandon him?" he asked the group.
Callisto shrugged, her tone dismissive. "He failed. He is worthless to us. If you want to use him as a hostage, go ahead. You would be doing us a favor."
Multiple Man interrupted, his tone impatient. "Magneto gave strict orders. Do not try to trade Toad for Fury. If you want to kill him, go ahead."
The words hit Toad like a physical blow. Hearing that Magneto himself had given up on him, Toad's hope crumbled. He sank to the ground, despair etched across his face.
Su Zhan felt a pang of sympathy. He'd planned to use Toad as a bargaining chip, but now he wondered if it was even worth it. The betrayal was too much for Toad to bear.
Su Zhan shook his head. "You are all just pawns to Magneto. If he truly cared, he would be here himself, not sending you to do his dirty work."
He let the Aether War Suit cover his body, crimson and black energy swirling around him. He hooked his finger at the four mutants. "You can make the first move. Otherwise, you may not even get the chance."
The challenge was too much for them to ignore. Multiple Man split into a dozen copies, all charging at Su Zhan at once. Quill bristled, launching a volley of sharp quills. Juggernaut cracked his knuckles and lumbered forward, the ground trembling beneath his feet. Callisto hung back, her eyes darting, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"You are not even worth the effort," Su Zhan taunted, his voice echoing through the factory. "If Magneto wants a real fight, he should come himself."
Callisto lunged, her speed impressive, but Su Zhan caught her wrist and spun her aside. She crashed into Quill, sending them both sprawling.