Location: Manhattan, New York — Stark Tower Underlevel Archives
Time: 1:00 AM
The night sky over Manhattan was quiet. Too quiet.
Henri adjusted his combat jacket as he stepped off the cloaked Quinjet, landing directly on the upper balcony of Stark Tower. Eyla and Sorin followed behind him, eyes sharp.
This wasn't just another break-in. It was a classified level-zero infiltration.
And the clock was ticking.
> System Mission:
Retrieve: Genesis Override Files
Host Archive: Stark Tower Secret Vault
Risk Level: Tier IV
Admin Monitoring Active: Yes
---
Why Stark Tower?
Henri's system had flagged Stark's archives after recovering the corrupted Node-X fragment. According to system memory logs, Tony Stark had once built an anti-system countermeasure: Project Genesis Override.
A blueprint Stark had created after Ultron. A failsafe he swore never to activate.
But now, Henri needed it.
Only problem: getting in without triggering every SHIELD, Avengers, and Admin alarm system.
---
Eyla whispered through the comms:
"Security grid is rotating every six seconds. Motion lasers, Stark drones on standby."
Sorin added calmly:
"And someone else is already inside. Footprint markers. Recently disturbed dust."
Henri frowned.
"Could be SHIELD... or worse."
They slid down a maintenance shaft. Quiet as shadows.
---
Inside Stark Archives
Rows of armored vaults stretched before them, holographic walls shimmering faintly. At the center was the main server hub:
Project Genesis Override.
Henri's system pulsed:
> "Root Core Detected. Authorization Code Required."
"Voice Print: Anthony Edward Stark."
"Bypass Options: System Override / Physical Access."
Henri raised an eyebrow.
"Looks like we're forcing it open."
Eyla nodded, already planting system-crafted charges on the vault door.
Just as the timer hit zero—
BOOM.
---
Unexpected Guest
Before the dust cleared, a familiar voice echoed through the smoke:
"Whoa, easy there, amigo. You almost blew my mask off."
Henri's eyes widened as a red figure stepped from the shadows—
Deadpool.
Dual katanas on his back, two handguns on his sides, mask slightly scorched.
"Wait… seriously?" Henri muttered. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Deadpool waved cheerfully.
"Me? Oh, you know. Little side gig. Someone paid me to steal your shiny toy first."
Eyla frowned. "Who?"
Deadpool shrugged.
"Didn't ask. Paid in cash and chimichangas."
---
Stand-Off
Sorin stepped forward.
"We don't have time for this."
Deadpool's tone turned serious—rare for him.
"Trust me, kids, neither do I. But orders are orders."
His system pulsed unexpectedly. Henri saw it clear as day.
Deadpool had a system signature. A fragmented one.
> System Fragment Detected: Mercenary-Class Sync
Status: Partial Sync | Unstable
Henri's gut twisted.
"You're a system user?!"
Deadpool winked beneath the mask.
"Long story. Very fourth-wall-breaking."
---
Fight: System User vs. System User
The battle kicked off fast.
Deadpool charged with twin katanas glowing faintly. Not just steel — system-enhanced.
Henri activated his Genesis Gauntlet, blocking the first strike. Sparks flew as code and steel clashed.
Eyla circled wide, launching sonic daggers from her wrist. Deadpool bent unnaturally, dodging with inhuman flexibility.
"Come on, Eyla," he joked mid-fight, "I thought we had a thing."
Eyla deadpanned: "Not my type."
Sorin cut next, blade glowing with shadow energy. Deadpool blocked—but winced.
"Okay, that hurt a little."
---
The Real Objective
While the fight raged, Henri's system hacked the vault. His mind raced.
> System Access Level: Tier III Required
Confirmed. Opening Genesis Override Files...
A hologram of Tony Stark appeared in front of him.
> "If you're seeing this… it means things have gone sideways. Genesis Override is not a weapon. It's a rewrite protocol. It can delete a system core permanently. Including the user."
Henri's hands froze.
> "Be smart. Don't use it unless there's no other way."
---
Deadpool's Final Move
Deadpool suddenly disengaged, flipping backward.
"Okay, you win. Fun's over."
He threw a small black orb — Admin disruptor charge.
Henri's system screamed:
> Warning! System Freeze Attempt Detected!
Before Henri could counter, Deadpool grinned:
"See ya around, hero."
And teleported out, leaving only smoke behind.
---
Aftermath
The vault secured. Files downloaded.
Henri looked down at the Genesis Override schematic floating before him.
A digital sword. A final delete command for any system. His, Sorin's, Eyla's... or whoever turned corrupted.
Eyla stepped beside him.
"So... what now?"
Henri closed his hand into a fist.
"Now we get ready for the next fight."
---
✅ End of Chapter 12