Hero Alliance Headquarters — Chairman's Office.
Aiden Cross and Aizen were mid-discussion—
When suddenly—
A wave of mental energy swept across the entire planet.
Everything—
Stopped.
They exchanged a glance.
"…That's powerful."
The energy didn't enter the headquarters.
It bent around it—
As if avoiding something.
"…Professor X."
Aiden Cross narrowed his eyes.
"If he's using Cerebro…"
Then—
This wasn't normal.
Professor X:
Base: High A-Class (mental)
With Cerebro: Quasi S-Class
Global mind-link capability
He would never use it lightly.
"…Unless…"
"Apocalypse."
Aizen finished the thought.
The ancient mutant.
The strongest.
And then—
Aiden Cross looked up.
"…We've got a problem."
In the sky—
Missiles.
Hundreds of them.
Nuclear.
Global Crisis
Apocalypse had taken control of Professor X—
And used him—
To launch the world's nuclear arsenal.
If they all detonated—
Earth ends.
Immediate Response
"Alert all branches."
"Intercept everything."
"Understood."
The Hero Alliance—
Mobilized instantly.
New York — Ground Zero
Citizens flooded the streets—
Looking up.
Fear.
Panic.
Despair.
"What the hell is happening?!"
"Is this the end?!"
But then—
A voice.
"No!"
"We have the Hero Alliance!"
"This is their headquarters!"
Hope.
Even in the face of annihilation—
They believed.
New York Sanctum
Inside—
Ancient One watched quietly.
"…As expected."
She didn't intervene.
Because she knew—
They could handle it.
Behind her—
Students trained.
Doctor Strange struggled.
"…This is unfair."
"You're comparing me to a prodigy."
She smiled faintly.
"…You'll surpass expectations."
Though—
The future—
Was no longer clear.
The Shield of Humanity
"Aiden… I'm in position."
"Good."
Aiden Cross's voice came through calmly.
"Protect New York."
"…I'll try."
Standing atop a clock tower—
Mash Shieldheart gripped her shield.
Hundreds of nuclear missiles—
Closing in.
Even she—
Was nervous.
But Aiden Cross's voice steadied her.
"As long as your heart doesn't falter—"
"The wall will never fall."
"…Yes."
She took a breath.
Behind her—
The people of New York.
Not running.
Not screaming.
Calling out—
"Hero Alliance!"
"Protect us!"
Faith.
Belief.
Hope.
It gathered—
Flowing into her.
Into her shield.
Noble Phantasm
Mash closed her eyes.
And spoke—
"The place that heals all wounds…"
"The land that shelters all souls…"
"Our home."
She raised her shield—
"Manifest!"
Lord Camelot.
The Absolute Fortress
Light—
Exploded.
A massive six-pointed barrier formed.
And then—
A city.
Ancient.
Majestic.
Unbreakable.
Camelot.
Appeared above New York—
Transforming into a colossal fortress wall.
A perfect defense.
A sanctuary.
Impact
Seconds later—
The missiles struck.
"BOOOOOOM—!!!"
Hundreds of nuclear warheads—
Detonated simultaneously.
Mushroom clouds rose.
Shockwaves tore through the sky.
Energy—
Enough to erase continents—
Crashed against the barrier.
And—
Stopped.
The wall—
Did not break.
Did not crack.
Did not move.
Because it was not just a shield—
It was—
The embodiment of humanity's will to survive.
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