Marvel: Protagonists Template

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"Impressive. It appears that Charles isn't the only intelligent mind among your ranks," Magneto remarked with a thin smile, casting an increasingly appreciative gaze in Mark's direction.

The compliment wasn't merely rhetorical. Magneto's assessment of Mark had clearly shifted. This boy, who moments ago had seemed like little more than a precocious child, was proving himself to be an astute tactician.

Without wasting time, Jean Grey rose from her seat and approached Nightcrawler. Offering him a few words of gentle reassurance, she began to focus her telepathic powers, delving into the deeply suppressed recesses of his memory.

Moments later, she looked up, her eyes wide with revelation.

"The base is located within the industrial complex at Wenclyffe in the Canadian Rockies."

Logan's reaction was immediate and emphatic. "That's impossible," he said, visibly taken aback.

"I just came from there. The place is deserted. Abandoned. There's nothing left but a few wolves and rusted buildings."

Jean responded calmly but firmly.

"Logan, the base isn't above ground. It's hidden beneath the surface, built into the dam at Alkali Lake. What you saw was merely a facade. The real facility lies buried below."

With the precise location now confirmed, the next item on the agenda was assembling the strike team. The initial roster was set: Magneto, Mystique, Wolverine, Storm, Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, and Mark. Colossus would remain behind to safeguard the students in the mansion.

Yet just as the meeting was about to conclude, Mark raised a significant objection.

"My recommendation," he said, speaking with firm resolve,

"is that Professor Jean remain here to protect the students, and that Piotr, Colossus accompany us on the mission instead."

This suggestion was not made on a whim. In truth, Mark was deeply concerned about Jean's involvement in the rescue operation. Her presence at the enemy base posed a latent but significant threat, not to the team, but to the world.

Jean Grey, unbeknownst to many, was not just a powerful mutant. She was a Class Five mutant who bore within her the immense and ancient power known as the Phoenix Force. Unleashed, she could rival, if not exceed, the destructive potential of Wanda Maximoff, even in her Chaos-enhanced form that spanned the multiverse.

But Jean's past was fraught with psychological trauma. As a child, her inability to control her powers had resulted in a tragic accident that claimed her mother's life, splintering her psyche. The trauma birthed a secondary persona, dark, primal, twisted with the phoenix force and driven by destructive impulses. In order to prevent this darker self from emerging, Professor Xavier had constructed a psychic barrier within her mind to suppress the Phoenix's full awakening.

Thus, while Jean's classification was officially at level five, the reality was that her accessible power was limited to the strength of a level three mutant. If exposed to significant stress or provocation, especially in a high-risk combat scenario, there existed a real danger that the psychic barrier could collapse, allowing the Phoenix to rise in full fury.

If that happened, Mark thought grimly, this mission wouldn't end with rescuing the Professor. It would end with the annihilation of everything.

Storm, however, was quick to raise objections. "Piotr has only recently begun combat training,"

she pointed out with a concerned frown. "He still struggles with coordination and field dynamics. Jean is far more experienced. She's crucial to the mission."

But Mark didn't retreat. His demeanor remained calm, his tone respectful but assertive.

"That is precisely why I recommend Jean stay behind," he explained.

"The safety of the students must remain our top priority. Last night's attack undoubtedly alerted local authorities. There's a high probability that the entire area is now under surveillance, perhaps even under covert occupation by Stryker's men. If the emergency shelter is discovered, the students will be in immediate danger."

He looked directly at Storm and Jean. "Professor Jean's telepathic abilities are second only to Charles Xavier. She can manage crowd control, alter perceptions, and deflect suspicion. She is uniquely qualified to ensure the students remain safe and undetected."

Magneto, who had been observing quietly, immediately seized the opportunity.

"I must say, the young Mr. Mark makes an excellent point," he said, nodding sagely.

Of course, his agreement had little to do with student safety. From his perspective, Jean's absence would simply reduce the number of powerful obstacles to his own objectives. Colossus, whose metallic body rendered him vulnerable to Magneto's abilities, posed little threat.

Wolverine also supported Mark's suggestion, though his reasoning was more emotional than strategic. His affection for Jean was no secret, and despite her complicated relationship with Scott Summers, he couldn't help but worry for her safety. If leaving her behind meant protecting her, he was all for it.

Eventually, Storm also relented. While she still harbored doubts about Colossus's readiness, she could not deny the logic of Mark's argument.

With the team settled, Jean looked at Logan and softly said,

"Promise me… bring Scott back."

Her voice was fragile but filled with emotion. With Xavier captured, it was all but certain that Cyclops, who had been charged with protecting him had also been taken.

Logan nodded solemnly. "I will."

Magneto then outlined the tactical plan.

"Stryker only just acquired the Cerebro core last night. He'll need time to transport, install, and calibrate the system. That gives us a brief window."

He looked around the room. "We rest now. At midnight, when their guards are at their most complacent, we strike."

The logic was sound. Most of the team had been operating without sleep. Magneto had only recently escaped from incarceration, and Storm had traveled through the night to retrieve Nightcrawler. Rest was not a luxury. It was a necessity.

Mark, for his part, had no objections. His Saiyan template had yet to finish recharging, and the downtime would give him the opportunity to restore his full power.

Later, in the basement of the mansion, Mark returned alone.

Aside from long-lasting food supplies and emergency water, the shelter also contained various household items, spare clothing, toiletries, medical kits, and more.

"Found it!" he exclaimed after rifling through several boxes.

He held up his prize, sunglasses.

"Too bad they're all in kid sizes…"

He selected a pair shaped like Mickey Mouse ears and tucked them into his pocket.

Why sunglasses?

Because tonight was the full moon.

For most people, the moon was an ordinary celestial body. But for Mark, now part Saiyan, it was a potential trigger for catastrophe. If he looked at it directly, even by accident, his body would transform into the primal, uncontrollable Great Ape. This form amplified his strength tenfold but stripped him of rationality.

It was a last resort, a trump card.

If worst came to worst, if even his protagonist template failed and death seemed inevitable, he would unleash the Great Ape. If that happened, everyone around him would have to fend for themselves.

Moments after he exited the basement, Mark happened upon an emotionally charged scene, Wolverine and Jean Grey, locked in a passionate embrace.

He watched in silence as Jean pulled away and said, "Logan… I'm sorry. You're wonderful, and I do care about you. But I've made my choice. I'm with Scott."

It was a heartfelt declaration, one that sealed a love triangle long simmering. Jean's heart, in the end, belonged to the man she had trained beside for over a decade.

"Well," Mark said nonchalantly as he approached. "Looks like you've been dumped. Want a cigar?"

He held one out from a small box tucked into his pocket.

Wolverine took it with a dry chuckle.

"Thanks. Maybe she's right. Maybe Scott's better for her. I'm just a stray dog with no past, always wandering from one place to another."

He lit the cigar slowly.

"Hey… that cigar box looks familiar."

"Does it? I found it on the ground," Mark replied, feigning innocence.

"Found it?" Wolverine squinted. "That's my last box. I dropped it last night!"

"Well, then it's mine now," Mark grinned.

"Give it back. That's the last of my stash!"

"Logan, come on. Aren't you a little old to be stealing from a kid?"

"Fine, fine. Take it. It's all yours," Mark relented, theatrically handing over the box.

Wolverine opened it cautiously, muttering,

"You're too young for this stuff anyway. I'll keep it for you. Just in case."

"Relax, I was kidding," Mark said with a laugh. "I don't even smoke."

Wolverine blinked, momentarily baffled. For all his bluster, the boy had managed to outwit him again.