The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, hovering above New York, pulsed with quiet urgency. Henri stood on the observation deck, his gaze focused on the shifting skyline. The system interface floated before him, translucent and waiting.
[Mission Update: Secure the Dimensional Anchor] [Time Remaining: 48 Hours]
Nick Fury approached, his presence as steady as ever. "Stark and Banner are working on stabilizing that anchor you mentioned. But you need to give us more, Henri. Who else is coming through?"
Henri's jaw tightened. "It's not just Ultron. There's another system-user. Someone like me, but their objective is total dimensional collapse."
Fury's eye narrowed. "Then we need to accelerate."
Suddenly, a loud klaxon echoed through the Helicarrier. Red lights flashed as Maria Hill's voice boomed through the comms. "Unidentified aircraft approaching fast. No IFF signal. Possible hostile."
Henri's interface displayed a new notification: [Event Triggered: Dimensional Rift Combat Scenario]
Henri tapped his comm. "Everyone, brace yourselves!"
---
Location: Helicarrier Flight Deck
The sky tore open above them like a curtain shredded by invisible claws. From within the rift emerged a fleet of black drones, sleeker and deadlier than anything Stark Tech had built. At their center floated a figure in black-and-red armor, glowing with ominous power.
[System Alert: Dimensional Warden Detected] [Level: SSS-Class Threat]
Henri didn't hesitate. His system's holographic console expanded, and he activated a new upgrade path he'd been saving:
[Upgrade Initiated: Quantum Drive Combat Mode]
His entire body shimmered with golden hexagonal patterns, armor layering itself over his form. The other Avengers gathered: Captain America with his shield, Thor crackling with lightning, Wanda floating beside Vision.
"We hold them here," Henri said, voice transformed by his armor's modulation. "No fallback."
Thor grinned. "Finally, a real fight."
The two sides clashed.
---
Location: Manhattan Streets Below
While the Helicarrier fought above, chaos spread across the city. Civilians ran as rift portals opened randomly, spewing creatures that looked like metallic shadows.
In the middle of it, Peter Parker — Spider-Man — swung between buildings, webbing up as many civilians as he could to keep them safe.
His Spider-Sense blared.
"Oh man, not now—!"
A shadow-beast pounced from the rift. But before it could touch him, a bolt of crimson energy blasted it away. Wanda Maximoff landed beside Peter.
"You shouldn't be out here alone," she said, her hands glowing.
Peter exhaled in relief. "Believe me, I didn't exactly plan this."
---
Location: Helicarrier Command Deck
Fury watched the battle unfold on the main screen. Hill kept feeding him updates.
"Sir, dimensional instability increasing. Earth's reality boundary is degrading."
Fury muttered, "Henri better have a plan."
As if summoned by the words, Henri's voice came through comms.
"I'm heading into the rift. Cover me. If I can destroy their anchor from the inside, the invasion stops."
---
Location: Rift Interior
The void inside the rift wasn't empty. It was a swirling maelstrom of fractured realities. Henri hovered in Quantum Drive Mode, scanning.
[Target Located: Anchor Core]
But as he charged toward it, the Dimensional Warden intercepted him.
A voice echoed, robotic yet malevolent: "You cannot stop entropy."
Henri's eyes narrowed. "Watch me."
Their battle was a blur of light and force. Quantum-blades clashing against energy scythes. Henri pushed past limits he didn't know he had.
The system spoke calmly:
[Skill Acquired: Reality Breaker]
He channeled all his remaining system energy, focusing it into a single strike. His blade extended like a comet.
With a final roar, Henri struck the Anchor Core, shattering it into nothingness.
---
Location: Earth
As the rift sealed itself, the sky returned to calm. The Avengers, battered but standing, watched as Henri reappeared from thin air, collapsing onto the Helicarrier deck.
Wanda rushed to his side. "Henri!"
His system's voice echoed quietly in his mind:
[Dimensional Threat Neutralized] [System Evolution Ready]
Henri managed a tired smile. "Told you. Upgrading."
---
End of Chapter 23.