Location: Skywatch Station Command Center Time: 00:30 GMT
The atmosphere in the command center felt razor-sharp.
Six new figures had just appeared, system sync signatures pulsing bright crimson. They stood without raising weapons, but their presence alone made Spider-Man shift into a defensive stance and Doctor Strange murmur under his breath.
Henri held up a hand. "Hold. No attacks."
The tallest figure among the newcomers stepped forward. His face was pale, marked by an old scar along his left cheek. His voice carried authority.
"My name is Alaric. We're Shadow Team. Rogue System Enforcers."
T'Challa stepped up beside Henri, arms crossed. "Rogue, yet you teleport into my allies' command center uninvited?"
Alaric gave a faint smile. "Had we meant harm, there would be no need for introductions."
---
Understanding the Shadow Team
Henri activated his system scan:
> Faction Scan: Shadow Team: Classified Origin: Pre-Admin Rebellion Sync Tier: VI Alignment: Unknown
"Pre-Admin..." Eyla whispered. "Before the system as we know it."
Alaric nodded. "The Admins you fight now? They didn't build the system. They simply took control of it after wiping out the first users."
Silence stretched across the room.
Sorin narrowed his eyes. "You expect us to believe that?"
Alaric gestured, and a hologram projection appeared mid-air. A war scene. Cities burning. System users locked in battle against Admin Avatars ten times larger than anything Henri's team had faced.
"We fought them once," Alaric said. "We failed. And now, we're here to offer an accord. Join forces. Stop Root Protocol. Together."
---
Alliance Conditions
Henri didn't answer immediately. He called a private conference with his core team in the adjacent strategy room.
Eyla leaned in. "They're strong. Too strong. That Tier VI rating... even Strange couldn't match that."
Sorin spoke plainly. "But we can't fight Admins and Root Protocol without help."
Henri considered carefully. "If we join them, we need safeguards. No blind trust. We work together, but keep separate systems."
When they returned to the command center, Henri faced Alaric.
"We accept. Shadow Accord. Mutual alliance. But with conditions: no overriding our systems. No hidden sync locks. Clear data sharing."
Alaric inclined his head. "Agreed."
The Shadow Accord was sealed with system sync confirmation.
---
Preparation for the Ural Assault
The next 48 hours were spent in combined training sessions.
Shadow Team sparring with Avengers.
System data encryption upgrades.
Dimensional anchor setups with Doctor Strange and Wong.
Henri practiced Genesis Overdrive II against Alaric himself. The duel lasted twenty minutes and ended with both on the floor, grinning.
"You've got power, Voss," Alaric admitted. "Don't let it control you."
Henri nodded. "Same to you."
---
Final Intel: Root Core Confirmation
Two days later, full confirmation came.
> System Notice: Root Core Signature Located Coordinates: Ural Mountains, Grid 091X Protection Level: Absolute Lockdown
The map updated. A vast underground facility surrounded by anti-reality fields.
Henri called a full council.
"We move in twelve hours. Shadow Team, Avengers, S.W.O.R.D., Wakandan forces. Everyone."
T'Challa stepped forward. "We stand ready."
Doctor Strange added, "And the multiverse anchors are locked. No one escapes through other dimensions."
---
Unexpected Betrayal
Just as final preparations locked in, Henri's system flared with a warning.
> System Alert: Shadow Team Sync Violation Detected.
Henri spun toward Alaric, eyes narrowing. "What did you do?!"
Alaric didn't move. But another of his team—a younger woman named Mira—suddenly dropped her armor to reveal an Admin core embedded in her chest.
Sorin drew his sword instantly.
"It wasn't all of them," Alaric snapped. "She's been hiding among us. Admin plant."
Mira grinned. "Root Protocol isn't for you to save. It's already begun."
She self-destructed a moment later, taking half the lower decks with her.
---
The War Truly Begins
As alarms blared and fire teams scrambled to contain the damage, Henri made a choice.
"Everyone. Emergency deploy. We attack now. No more waiting."
Eyla, Sorin, Strange, Alaric—they all nodded.
T'Challa spoke last: "For Earth."
Henri clenched his gauntlet and stared toward the holographic projection of the Ural facility.
"For everyone."