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Chapter 58 – Firestorm
The world watched.
Across every screen — from living rooms to war rooms — a single feed dominated the airwaves.
The President of the United States knelt on scorched metal, wrists bound, a trembling light above him.
Behind him, the Mandarin walked forward in black armor, a massive sword dragging against the floor, sparks hissing where it scraped.
> "America built its throne upon fire and lies," Mandarin's voice echoed, calm and merciless. "Today, it burns. Not by war… but by truth."
The blade screeched as it trailed along the path toward its mark.
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Queens – Ned's Room
Ned leaned toward his laptop, eyes wide. "No way. No way—this is real?!"
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Midtown High – Basketball Court
Flash and his teammates crowded around a phone, watching the live feed.
Flash muttered, "Don't worry. Spider-Man'll save him."
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Oscorp Tower – Norman Osborn's Office
Norman's eyes glinted in the dim light. "So A.I.M. was bold enough to go through with it," he murmured, tapping a finger against his desk.
"Maybe I should've joined them… but it doesn't matter. There'll be plenty of opportunities ahead."
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Manhattan – Dupain Bakery
Marinette stood frozen, flour still on her hands.
Her mother whispered, "He's going to kill the President…"
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S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier – Command Center
Nick Fury stood surrounded by screens, each showing the same broadcast. Behind him, Spider-Man, Nova, and the other young heroes watched in silence.
Nova clenched his fists. "We can make it there—"
Fury cut him off. "No, you can't. Believe in the Avengers, kid. They're already moving."
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Miami – Dockside Facility
From a distance, Aldrich Killian watched the chaos unfold live. The glow from nearby fires painted his face in shades of orange and red.
Pepper Potts was bound beside him, her expression pale but defiant.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Killian murmured. "How simple the plan is — one execution, broadcasted worldwide. A symbol of change."
Pepper's voice was steady. "You think killing the President will change anything?"
He smiled faintly. "Killing the President is just the start. Once he's gone, who takes charge? The Vice President. And all he needs to secure his power is a single, convenient enemy for the world to hate."
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Broadcast Site – Near Miami
Mandarin raised his sword high, the metal humming with energy.
"Kneel before the truth," he intoned, stepping forward.
All around the world, people held their breath.
The sword swung down —
and a flash of blue light ripped through the air.
A portal burst open in front of Mandarin and his victim.
A single figure leapt through — cloaked in a blue-black suit.
Guardian.
His fist shimmered black as he shouted, "Cataclysm!"
Mandarin's eyes widened — then Guardian punched forward.
The blow hit like thunder.
The impact caved part of Mandarin's chestplate and sent him flying back. Energy crackled along his armor, distorting the broadcast feed.
He coughed once, then snarled. The second ring on his finger flared, slowing the destructive cataclysmic energy that was eating through him.
The first ring pulsed next — teleporting the decayed flesh clean off his body.
Mandarin's glare burned with hatred and disbelief.
"The power of the Black Cat," he hissed.
The air between them trembled with energy.
Before either could move again, another figure emerged from the fading portal —
Captain America.
But his suit wasn't the same. The blue had deepened to a jade hue, glowing faintly with protective runes across his chest.
He slammed his shield into the ground and shouted, "Shellter!"
A green dome of energy erupted, encasing the President.
Behind him, Mayura appeared, crouching beside the shielded dome. She touched her brooch, whispered a command, and both she and the President vanished in a swirl of light.
The last figure to step through was the most striking.
A woman in crimson armor and a flowing dress, her sword gleaming silver with streaks of blue.
The emblem on her chest bore three symbols — water, wind, and lightning.
She lifted her sword. "Let's see what this can do — Water Dragon!"
Her body shimmered, dissolving into liquid form.
Streams of water coiled like serpents as she rushed forward, crashing into the Extremis soldiers swarming the platform.
Each strike froze, cut, or shocked them down in fluid motion.
Natasha Romanoff — the Dragon Miraculous wielder.
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Flashback – Guardian's Base, Earlier
The broadcast played in the corner, Mandarin's voice echoing through static.
Guardian watched in silence, his hand clenched at his side.
His body still ached — the last battle had left cracks deep in his body.
Steve and Natasha stood nearby, tense and waiting.
Finally, Natasha said, "I don't think we can save him. Not like this."
Guardian nodded slowly. "At least… not as we are."
He reached into his coat and pulled out two small, ornate boxes.
"Steve Rogers. Natasha Romanoff. You both said you wanted to stop them."
They both nodded.
"Then take these."
He handed the first box to Steve. "The Miraculous of the Turtle — it grants the power of protection."
Then to Natasha. "The Miraculous of the Dragon — the power of elements."
As the boxes opened, two tiny figures floated out, glowing softly in the low light.
A green kwami bowed politely. "I am Wayzz, kwami of Protection. To transform, say 'Wayzz, Shell On!'"
A serpentine red kwami smiled at Natasha. "And I am Longg, kwami of Perfection. To transform, say 'Longg, Bring the Storm.'"
Steve glanced at Guardian, hesitant. "You sure about this?"
Guardian smiled faintly. "As sure as I can be. We do this together."
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Present – Broadcast Site
The camera drones caught it all —
three heroes stepping from the portal like ghosts from legend.
Guardian stood before the Mandarin.
Captain America glowed with a green aura.
Natasha moved like a living storm.
The world watched — stunned.
Then, a streak of gold cut through the clouds above.
Iron Man slammed into the ground between Killian's forces and the others, metal scraping as he stood.
"Hope I'm not late," Tony said through the comm, eyes on Pepper.
Steve smirked behind his shield. "Not at all."
The battle for Miami had begun.
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End of Chapter 58 – Firestorm
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