Smoke still clung to the wind as the last echo of the blast faded across the ruined village.
"Run!"
Pentagon's voice tore through the air like a command from the heavens.
Xavier and Darling didn't wait. Without hesitation, they rushed forward — Xavier scooping Vargara into his arms, Darling grabbing Rouxie as she stumbled. With a flash of blue, their suits deployed plasma shields, casting glowing domes around them as they slid behind the half-destroyed stone wall.
Above, fire streaked downward — a missile, long and sharp like a blade of vengeance.
Pentagon's eyes narrowed. He was already in the air before the missile could cry out its doom.
With a massive leap, almost like flight, he launched himself skyward. The clouds broke around him. Midair, he gripped the missile with both hands, spinning it around, then pulled it tight into his chest. His armored body groaned under the force, but he didn't let go.
"This ends here," he growled.
Then, impact.
The blast compressed against his suit, flames licking at his back as he forced the explosion to collapse inward. His body took the fury of it — and he dropped from the sky like a meteor, crashing into the muddy yard behind Vargara's home.
The shockwave trembled through the entire village.
Villagers ran in, screaming and gasping, a few falling in panic. Smoke billowed from the impact crater as curious eyes flooded the area.
Xavier and Darling stepped forward, flashing their Founders Inc. IDs, trying to calm the rising chaos.
"It was a malfunction," said Darling loudly.
"A military jet, nothing to worry about. Please stay back."
No one seemed convinced. But fear outweighed curiosity. Most villagers nodded and murmured among themselves.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the crater, Pentagon groaned, his body locked in debris and flame. Just as he tried to push himself out — a hand appeared.
Delicate. Familiar.
He looked up.
Rosey.
His breath caught in his throat.
Their eyes met — not just with surprise, but with the weight of years passed. A love unfinished.
She said nothing.
She simply helped him climb.
As he stood, Vargara and Rouxie broke through the crowd and ran forward.
"Grandma!" Vargara cried.
Rosey smiled and opened her arms. The girls embraced her tightly.
In that moment, Rosey let go of Pentagon's hand — and he slipped slightly, falling back onto one knee into the crash hole. No one noticed.
"Grandma, that man," Vargara said, pointing toward Pentagon as he dusted himself off, "he saved us. I think… I think he's my grandfather."
Rosey chuckled. Light and gentle.
"Oh, dear… No. That's not your grandfather. You must be mistaken."
But her eyes flickered toward Pentagon. They both knew the truth.
The villagers gathered the girls and led them to the square, questioning them in hushed tones — confused how they had suddenly appeared here after being in China.
Back in the yard, the air quieted.
Pentagon and Rosey stood alone.
The silence stretched like an old song neither had finished singing.
"You haven't aged a day," Pentagon said.
"You've aged enough for both of us," Rosey replied with a half-smile.
They stood close, not touching. Words filled with warmth and history passed quietly between them. Forgiveness. Regret. Questions left unspoken.
Then, from the far side of the yard:
"Pentagon!"
Darling's voice cut through their silence.
The moment shattered.
Pentagon turned. Alongside Xavier, Darling stood near the blackened remains of the missile.
He approached.
One of the metal panels had survived.
On it, burned but visible, a single name:
BULLET INDUSTRIES
Pentagon froze.
Xavier looked at him, calm as ever.
"Isn't that the name of the new prisoner?"
Pentagon's mind flashed — the interrogation chamber, the whispering file, the mask—
He snapped.
With a roar, he turned and slammed AgentZombie — Xavier — to the ground, hand gripped tight around his collar. For a moment, everyone stood in silence.
Breathing hard, Pentagon looked into Xavier's eyes.
"You don't know what you've just said," he hissed.
Xavier didn't fight back.
"Then tell me."
A long pause.
Then Pentagon let go. Stepped back.
"We're leaving."
He pressed a button on his wrist. A beam of light surged upward, opening the space gate — a shimmering tunnel of warping air and light.
Darling and Xavier entered first.
Vargara and Rouxie stepped forward, uncertain — eyes flickering between the gate and Pentagon.
He held out his hand.
Then slowly pulled it back.
"No."
"You two stay here."
"W-what? But—"
"This is where you belong."
The gate buzzed behind him. The girls stood still. Confused. Disappointed. Wondering.
And in both their minds, a silent question rose:
Is this… the end of the mystery?
To Be Continued