The system's prompt sound continued.
Russell didn't pay much attention to it.
Initially, he thought it was Professor X in the brainwave room, but upon investigation, he found it was an evil version of Cable. That discovery quickly lost its novelty.
After eliminating numerous mutants, very few new abilities caught his interest.
Discarding the less appealing ones that could corrupt him, nine remained:
[X-Force - Elf (Blue)]
Enhances agility, allows flight, and excels in reconnaissance.
[X-Force - Plant Growth (Green)]
Controls plant growth, enabling rapid expansion, attacks, or defensive measures. Offers telepathic communication with plants to perceive the environment.
[X-Force - Cannon (Blue)]
Releases powerful energy shockwaves with significant offensive and destructive capabilities.
[X-Force - Cloak (Blue)]
Generates darkness to disorient enemies.
[X-Force - Zero (Blue)]
Creates an acidic enzyme that inhibits the enemy's healing ability.
[X-Force - Poison (Green-Blue)]
Produces toxic fog with effects like dizziness, nausea, unconsciousness, or blood protein breakdown.
[X-Force - Psychic Power (Blue)]
Derives from Cable's abilities, including general telepathy and telekinesis. Slightly enhances existing psychic capabilities.
[X-Force - Rockfall (Blue)]
Manipulates rocks and soil to form barriers or launch attacks.
[X-Force - Arc (Blue-Purple)]
Boosts physical strength and endurance, emits vibrational energy from the hands, and generates shockwaves or earthquakes.
For Russell, these abilities were merely additional tools—useful but not transformative.
The X-Force abilities he truly sought, akin to Quicksilver's speed or Phoenix's immense psychic power, weren't here.
Moss Plain, Underground Cave
A green vortex shimmered as Russell emerged, holding an unconscious girl with green hair and pale skin.
Behind him, the little wolf girl trailed quietly, her head bowed and fingers fidgeting nervously—like a guilty puppy.
If she had a tail, it would undoubtedly be tucked between her legs.
Though initially relieved to be rescued, she felt anxious seeing Russell's grim expression. She understood he was angry because he cared about her, and she acknowledged her mistake.
Russell gently placed the frail girl on a bed, then turned to the wolf girl with a stern gaze.
"Do you realize staying on that timeline two days longer could've been disastrous?"
The wolf girl looked down, whispering softly, "I didn't expect that after three years, X Academy would turn into a Brotherhood haven."
Russell's eyes narrowed.
"Don't trust comic book fantasies. The Brotherhood opposes humans but wouldn't attack mutants. And that's no excuse. If you wanted someone saved, you should've asked me."
She hesitated before admitting:
"It's not that I couldn't handle it alone… I just couldn't bear seeing you in so much pain."
Her ears reddened as she spoke.
Russell was momentarily stunned. He thought she acted out of boredom or nostalgia for her mutant companions. Instead, it turned out she wanted to help him cope with the struggle.
Sighing, he softened. Reaching out, he pulled the wolf girl into an embrace.
"If we care about each other, there's no need for repayment. This isn't business. And besides…"
She looked up curiously.
"Besides what?"
He glanced at the unconscious girl, then smirked.
"If you can't beat me, you could always call for reinforcements. That might give you a chance."
She froze, then flushed, stomping her feet before running off.
"That's ridiculous! Teach that trick to someone else—I don't need it!"
The Next Day
Russell left food, supplies, and Mjolnir with a soul mark before disappearing to another time point: July 8, 2011—Asgard.
Thor was exiled. Odin slept. Loki ruled with the Eternal Spear.
Perfect timing.
Russell appeared unseen in an Asgardian alley. Turning toward the temple, he smirked as though greeting Loki from afar.
"Oh, the great God of Mischief, master sorcerer of the Nine Realms, and future king of Jotunheim—Loki Laufeyson.
We'll meet again."
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