Dante's POV
I chose the catalysts for Magneto's metamorphosis carefully and performed it deep in the desert—far from the prying eyes of satellites, spies, or distractions. Even then, the energy output would spike on sensors across half the globe. Let them wonder.
Wolverine's blood was the first component. It granted a remarkably long life and near-limitless regeneration. The prickly veteran hadn't wanted to part with it, of course, but he understood the vision of a homeland better than most. In a world that grew more hostile by the day, a safe haven was worth a few drops of blood.
The second component was the Eagle Variant of the Super Soldier Serum. It apparently heightened your senses, especially your eyes.
Next, I added in some Adamantium and Vibranium--in equal parts--to make him extra durable.
I kept the Extremis off the ingredient list for obvious reasons. Magneto was dangerous enough as is. I didn't need to add heat-generation to his list of overpowered abilities.
I arranged the catalysts in a broad circle etched into the sand. The desert night was still and silent, stars glinting overhead like curious eyes. Rebellion materialized in my hand, its silver edge gleaming under moonlight. It had always been my strongest weapon—though I rarely gave it the love it deserved.
"Off with the shirt," I said. "Let's get this over with."
Magneto hesitated, then complied. For a man pushing seventy, he was built like a soldier—lean, scarred, and steady. He knelt in the circle without a word. I floated upward, summoning my power. Devil Trigger ignited within me, flooding the air with a storm of red, white, and black. The world distorted around me, space bending as my aura expanded.
Rebellion drank deep of my energy until its blade pulsed like a dying star. Then, with a single exhale, I switched to Angelic Ascension. Radiant wings of astral light burst from my back, their feathers shedding motes of power. The air warped again, as if reality was collapsing in on itself.
I summoned Sentinel II and the Time Stone. The armor shimmered, its runes glowing as it absorbed the Stone's power. I then fed the power to Rebellion. feeding the power into Rebellion. It was a strange time to be powering up my Sentinel armor, but I was heading into Limbo in the morning, so I was taking every chance I got.
Minutes passed before the blade was ready.
With Magneto's back turned to me, I produced the final piece of the ritual--a strip of parchment made from monster hide, etched with refined Mind runes I used on the ring I showed Magneto.
Sure as the sun rises, I know Magneto will try to circumvent the ring's bindings the first chance he gets. This would make sure he wouldn't be able to. The sigils flared once, sinking into his skin as invisible threads of control.
Then, the sky tore open.
A rainbow beam lanced down from the clouds, carving into the dunes a few hundred yards away.
The Bifrost. Asgard.
I glared up at the sky. Couldn't you have waited another fucking second? This had to be deliberate on Odn's part.
I didn't hesitate. The longer I delayed, the more likely they'd interfere. I thrust Rebellion through Magneto's chest. Energy detonated like thunder.
The circle vanished in a burst of color and heat. When the smoke cleared, Magneto was reborn—hair still white, but his body gleamed like polished steel. He looked younger, stronger, and dangerous.
I pulled the blade free just as a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Step away from him!"
A tall, dark-haired Asgardian woman advanced, sword and shield raised. Her armor was a mix of leather and gold-trimmed metal, ending in a short combat skirt.
Behind her came the rest of the Asgardians—the Warrior Three, Loki in his horned crown, and Thor himself, crackling with restrained power.
Even after everything I'd seen, it still gave me whiplash, seeing movie stars actually become the characters you saw on the screen.
"He's alive," I said, dismissing Rebellion. "Better than ever, actually. He's just… evolving. You're welcome to wait, though I'd prefer we take this somewhere else."
Thor stepped forward, hammer ready. "You would bargain with Asgard as though we were merchants?"
"Would you rather I treat you like enemies?" I asked dryly. "Relax, Thunderboy. If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead."
That drew a faint smirk from Loki. "He knows us."
"Of course, I do," I said, considering everything I've accomplished, it'd be strange if I didn't."
Sif's voice was sharp. "What did you do to him?"
"Trade secret." I winked. Her glare could've cut a diamond. "You didn't come here to scold me, though. What does Odin want?"
Volstagg stepped forward, hefting his axe. "To fight! The All-Father has commanded that we aid you in your invasion of Limbo. We shall not suffer another Demon Kingdom live."
I blinked, raising a brow. "Odin wants to help me?"
"He does not much like demons," Fandral offered. "No civilized race does."
"I'm half-demon," I said. "Is that going to be a problem?"
"Not if you fight half as well as we've heard," Volstagg grinned.
I ignored the evasion and circled back to Odin.
"But tell me something—why now? Heimdall has had his eyes on Earth for centuries. Odin could've stopped any of this long before it got out of hand. Why send you now? We could've used you like three world crises ago?"
The question silenced them. Even Thor paused, thoughtful. Loki, ever the opportunist, was first to speak.
"We do not presume to know the All-Father's full mind," he said carefully. "But your Sorcerer Supreme—he respected her greatly. With her passing, and none yet to take her mantle, perhaps Odin felt… compelled to act."
I nodded slowly. "To offer aid—or to keep an eye on me."
No one corrected me, which said enough.
If Odin truly meant to help, he'd have sent a company of Einherjar, not half a dozen warriors. No, this was surveillance wrapped in diplomacy. He likely wanted to see what I could do up close. Perhaps he wanted the Space Stone back.
Then again, I could be wrong. He did send his own sons.
In any case, refusing them would've been political suicide—and besides, if they wanted a show, I was more than capable of giving them one.
I forced a grin. "Well, in that case, I'll extend the same courtesy my master would've if she were here." I waved a hand, tearing open a portal to my personal dimension. Without sparing Magneto a look, I floated him telekinetically. "How do you feel about barbecue?"
Thor's eyes lit up. "Is that a weapon?"
"It's food," I said. "Cooked over fire."
"Ah!" Thor bellowed, clapping Loki on the back. "A feast! Now that is a welcome I can appreciate!"
I smiled faintly as they filed in, one by one. Odin's watchdogs, thinking themselves my guests.
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If they were going to spy on me, I'd make damn sure they enjoyed the show.