Marvel: Death Knight

In a parallel universe within China, the X-Men's Blackbird jet pierced through thick clouds, heading toward a towering mountain.

"Professor, have you located them?"

Storm, known as Ororo Munroe, piloted the jet, her focus unwavering. They were on a mission to find the remaining mutant survivors.

Professor Xavier removed the Cerebro helmet, nodding in confirmation. With a slight gesture, he transmitted the coordinates directly to Ororo's mind.

The Blackbird altered its course, veering toward the distant peak.

The Earth of the future was a desolate wasteland. Eternal black clouds choked the skies, veiling the sun. War raged across the globe as humanity and mutants alike clung to survival under the relentless assault of rogue Sentinel robots.

Within a hidden monastery, the X-Men found the last group of mutant survivors. Together, they devised a desperate plan to save their world.

"We have no other choice—this is our final hope," Professor Xavier said with composed resolve. Throughout the years, his leadership had guided them through countless critical junctures, and he believed this moment would be no different.

"Ready?" Kitty Pryde, known as Shadowcat, placed her hands on Logan's temples, white electrical sparks dancing around her fingers. "This might sting a little."

"Argh!" Logan gritted his teeth as the energy coursed into his brain. Kitty's power was destabilizing his neural pathways, pushing his regenerative abilities to their limits. The searing pain forced a guttural cry from even someone as resilient as Wolverine.

Shnk!

Logan's Adamantium claws extended instinctively, startling Kitty. She recoiled but steeled herself, knowing the mission's success depended on her resolve.

Suddenly, a black vortex spiraled into existence above them. Everyone stared in stunned silence as an object tumbled out of the anomaly, striking Kitty squarely on the head with a loud thud and knocking her unconscious.

The intense pain in Logan's mind vanished. Panting heavily, he sat up, scanning the room. The grim reality of their hopeless future greeted him once more.

"Professor... did we fail?" Logan asked in a hoarse voice.

Xavier, his expression unreadable, maneuvered his wheelchair to Kitty's side and checked her pulse. "She's only unconscious," he assured the team.

Their attention turned to the object on the floor—a peculiar helmet with an unfamiliar design. Magneto attempted to lift it with his magnetic powers, but it remained inert.

If Garus had been present, he would have recognized it as the Judgement Helm—a relic from his days as a Paladin. But why it had appeared in this world was a mystery. Perhaps only the system bound to Garus's soul knew the answer.

"Logan, look out!" Xavier suddenly warned.

"What?" Logan glanced upward but saw only the void left by the black vortex.

Before he could move, a powerful suction force erupted, pulling everything in the room toward the rift. Logan, being closest, was the first to be dragged in. The vortex vanished just as abruptly, leaving the remaining X-Men stunned and without a plan. Kitty was still unconscious, making any further time jumps impossible.

Suspended in a void of utter nothingness, Logan floated helplessly. His breathing quickened as panic set in. There was no sound, no air, no matter—only a vast, oppressive emptiness. His enhanced physiology and regenerative powers kept him alive, but even he wasn't sure for how long.

Time had no meaning in this space. Hours or days might have passed. Alone in the silence, Logan felt his sanity begin to fray. He even wished for death, but his body would not grant him the release.

A pinprick of light suddenly appeared in the void. Before Logan could react, he was sucked toward it at breakneck speed.

"Argh!"

The next thing he knew, violent winds battered his body. He screamed as he plummeted uncontrollably from the sky.

Crash!

Logan landed face-first in a patch of soft earth, leaving a humanoid crater in the ground.

Spitting out dirt, he groaned, "Ugh... that hurt like hell." Climbing out of the hole, he surveyed his surroundings. He was on a lush, green field under a clear, blue sky—a sight he hadn't seen in years.

"How long has it been since I've seen grass this green... or a sky this blue?" he muttered, almost in disbelief.

The future world he'd left behind was a wasteland of Sentinel factories, corpses, ruins, and endless fires. The skies were blackened with smoke, and the ground was scarred by war.

"Did I actually make it back to the past?"

Spotting a familiar silhouette in the distance, Logan's heart skipped a beat. It was the Statue of Liberty. But something felt off. Extending his Adamantium claws, he confirmed his suspicions—this wasn't the 1973 version of himself. At that time, he hadn't yet undergone Colonel Stryker's experiments to reinforce his skeleton with Adamantium.

Meanwhile, Garus decided to avoid the chaos surrounding Tony Stark and the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. He disliked dealing with the calculating Director Fury and preferred to stay under the radar. But he suspected it wouldn't be long before S.H.I.E.L.D. came knocking at his door.

After all, ever since he'd taken down the Kingpin, he'd been on their radar.

Garus wandered the streets of New York City, taking in the sights and sounds of this iconic metropolis. Around him, people buzzed with stories of the dramatic battle at Stark Tower earlier that day. Survivors recounted the clash with awe and embellishment.

Suddenly, a figure caught his eye—someone strikingly familiar.

"Wait... is that who I think it is?" Garus muttered, squinting. Realization dawned.

It was Wolverine.

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