Due to the urgency of their missions, the teams departed on separate planes immediately after division.
On the flight, everyone prepared seriously. The situation they would face was no longer the minor skirmishes they'd previously encountered—this would be a genuine life-or-death confrontation.
In this tense atmosphere, the plane soon touched down in Port St. Lucie.
"Let's see what surprises the Hellfire Club has in store for us!"
Marcus smiled as he disembarked first. His relaxed demeanor helped ease everyone's nerves.
Though their powers varied in effectiveness, his combat abilities were formidable, as were those of Logan, codenamed Wolverine. This reassurance helped calm the group as they approached the Hellfire Club together.
Hellfire Club
"Azazel, how is our plan progressing?" Shaw asked while flexing his recently healed arm.
Though his arm had only partially recovered, it was sufficient for Shaw. His ability wouldn't be affected by the injury.
However, when he moved too vigorously, he accidentally pulled at the wound on his back. The sharp pain made him wince.
"That damn man... if I see him again, I'll kill him myself!"
The pain reminded him bitterly of Marcus. He wouldn't forget the man who had injured him so severely.
Still, he harbored genuine fear of Marcus's ability. Shaw had always relied on his mutant power to dominate others. Suddenly encountering someone who could nullify that power forced him to be cautious. After all, no one wanted to taste defeat again.
"The plan proceeds as scheduled. The warships are being deployed as we speak," Azazel replied.
He had recently visited the Caribbean and knew the situation there better than anyone.
This report relieved Shaw somewhat. If things continued according to plan, he would soon usher in a new era.
As they spoke, an unfamiliar vehicle suddenly appeared on the surveillance monitor. Through the screen, Erik's figure was faintly visible.
"Ah, our little friends have arrived!" He turned to Riptide: "Let the new recruits entertain them."
With his plan nearing completion, Shaw had no interest in personally dealing with these mutants.
Watching Riptide use the communicator to alert the club's newest members, Shaw straightened his suit and descended the stairs to the basement.
The basement connected to a dark waterway where a submarine waited.
"Time to welcome our future!"
Shaw boarded the submarine, followed by Azazel and Riptide. The vessel gradually submerged and departed along the hidden channel.
Meanwhile, the new recruits—completely unaware of what was truly happening—emerged from the club one by one, eyeing the approaching vehicles with menacing smiles.
"Well, seems we're not very welcome!"
Marcus raised his eyebrows and nudged Logan, who was smoking a cigar beside him.
Neither felt concerned about these mutants, regardless of their strength. After all, their own safety wasn't in question.
Suddenly, a muscular mutant with bulging physique charged forward, rushing straight at the team's vehicle.
"Get down!!!"
BOOM!!!
The front of the car crumpled under the impact. Fortunately, Erik used his magnetism to halt the vehicle's momentum, preventing a more serious accident.
After this attack, everyone leapt from the car, unleashing their abilities as they rushed toward their assailant and the mutants lined up behind him.
Even Marcus joined in, curious to see these opponents' powers.
Void energy flowed beneath his feet as he stomped the ground, propelling himself toward one of the mutants.
"I'll take you on!"
With those words, he delivered a devastating punch.
The blow was so powerful that his opponent couldn't stop his backward momentum, blood immediately seeping from the impact point.
Marcus took a combat stance and moved to attack again.
This time, the mutant didn't hesitate. He immediately activated his power, lifting his leg and stomping hard on the ground.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
One after another, heavy rocks erupted from the earth, flying toward Marcus.
This mutant could control stone, manipulating the rocks to strike at Marcus.
Facing the barrage, Marcus reached to his waist. An energy blade instantly materialized, slicing through the attacking stones with precise force.
Swish! Swish!
Every flying projectile was cut apart by the blade. The void energy infused in the weapon also neutralized the mutant's control over the fragments.
Marcus moved with incredible speed. In moments, he had destroyed all the stones, and the energy blade now rested against the mutant's throat.
His overwhelming combat prowess made his opponent break into a cold sweat. Feeling the blade against his neck, the man raised his hands in immediate surrender.
Though he had been enticed by Shaw's vision, he valued his life more. He wouldn't sacrifice himself for an unrealized ideal.
"Well, while it might be unethical, that was certainly practical. Unlike those other guys who preferred being beaten senseless!"
Marcus was satisfied with the mutant's sensible surrender. It made things easier for everyone.
Looking around, he saw the others performing well. Erik and Alex were particularly impressive, working together to control the battlefield.
The two had used their formidable powers to create a situation where they effectively surrounded multiple opponents.
Faced with their combined assault, many mutants didn't even consider resistance. The joint attack was simply too overwhelming.
One controlled countless metal objects that encircled them, while the other fired beams that could melt through metal. Even the most reckless among them recognized this was a fight they couldn't win.
Elsewhere, Logan was engaged against three opponents simultaneously, while Hank and Darwin's confrontation seemed almost comical by comparison.
Hank was applying the fighting techniques he'd learned, but Darwin had turned into what could only be described as a brawler, relying on his adaptability as he fought the super-strong mutant who had damaged their vehicle.
It was the first time Marcus had seen someone literally fighting with their head. The two combatants had locked arms and were repeatedly smashing their foreheads together.
Darwin, transformed into metal, battered his opponent with his metallic skull, while the strongman grinned maniacally, returning each headbutt with equal force.
Even after everyone else had subdued their opponents, these two continued their bizarre duel, apparently determined to continue until one of them fell unconscious.
"Are you two addicted to this or something?"
Marcus's voice cut through their concentration. Their abilities suddenly vanished, and he kicked them apart.
"Darwin, use your abilities intelligently. Don't just be a mindless brawler, okay?"
Shaking his head, Marcus turned and walked toward the entrance of the Hellfire Club. He was eager to confront Shaw and his inner circle once again.