Marvel: The Ultimate Superman

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Charles, Reed, and Tony exchanged uneasy looks as Nolan finally explained what they were about to face an entity that had spent countless eons trying to consume Earth. This time, he needed their help.

"Wait… you mean something like that Knull guy from last time?" Tony asked. If it was enough to make Nolan call for backup, then it definitely wasn't some dime-store villain.

"Stronger," Nolan replied without hesitation. "This time it'll be me, my master, Odin Thor's father, and Wanda. The four of us will enter the Dark Dimension directly and eliminate Dormammu. But his followers and dark puppets will try to pour out onto Earth. That's where you come in.

"Stop them at Hell's Gate."

As he spoke, the arcane markings on his skin slowly faded. Unlike when absorbing living beings, this energy was completely under control the only real risk would be the Space Stone.

Tony glanced at Charles and Reed. Odin… the Ancient One… Wanda… and Nolan. That was basically an all-star hit squad.

"Okay. So… how strong exactly is this Dormammu?" Reed asked.

"Once a dark sorcerer," Nolan explained. "The Dark Dimension itself granted him lordship. He's coveted Earth since the beginning of time. The only reason he hasn't consumed it yet is because Kamar-Taj has been holding the line."

He paused, then added, "If we were staying on defense, I could hold him at bay by myself. But we're going into his home. Inside the Dark Dimension, he'll be close to peak Skyfather level, drawing from an endless source of dark energy."

By now, the last of the glowing sigils vanished from his skin. Nolan handed the remaining crystal shard of cosmic power to Wanda.

"It's just a precaution. Osborn's super-enhanced unit is mobilizing too. You guys are always saying you 'exist to protect Earth'. Well… now's the time. And before you complain, at least I'm inviting you this time."

Reed simply nodded he worked for Osborn anyway. Tony and Charles, however, shared a heavier look.

"Our battlefield will be Hell's Gate. If everything goes as planned, Magik should be able to reemerge from there as well…"

Charles's expression softened. "If that's the case, the Mutant forces will assist."

Illyana Rasputin, Colossus's sister, had been trapped in Limbo for years. If this gave her a route home, Charles would absolutely fight for it.

"Good. Then make preparations," Nolan said.

Tony took a deep breath and nodded. "Keeping the war off Earth's doorstep is fine by me. If Dormammu's been stalking Earth, then yeah — better to punch first."

"'Skyfather'?" Tony muttered as they headed for the elevator. "So… that's a level above Sorcerer Supreme?"

"It's the highest-tier beings in this universe," Nolan replied. "Thanos, for example."

Tony blinked. "Wait Thanos is that strong? Then why didn't he just come grab the Space Stone himself when it was on Earth?"

"Because the Ancient One and Odin were both watching," Nolan said flatly. "Even Thanos isn't stupid enough to face two Skyfathers at the same time."

He waved a hand. "Anyway, let's move. Everyone has work to do."

"Understood."

…

Nolan swiftly briefed the Osborn employees.

"This time Wanda and I will enter the Dark Dimension. The Defenders will contain the dark sorcerers and corrupted puppets that breach through. Otto, your team provides tech support and containment."

Orders were handed out one after another.

"Any issues?"

"Boss…" Norman said, stepping forward. "S.H.I.E.L.D. traded most of the Inhuman samples and a portion of our Vibranium reserves in exchange for Carol Danvers's and Sebastian Shaw's gene samples. General Ross used Darwin's sample and also traded for Vibranium."

"…Good," Nolan nodded. "Send the samples to my lab."

Carol, in her Binary form, was comparable to a Skyfather. Like Wanda, her power was triggered by an Infinity Stone in her case, the Space Stone. Combined with Kree DNA, quantum tech, and sheer cosmic luck… it had produced a one-in-a-trillion mutation.

Most beings spent entire lifetimes chasing that kind of power and she got it in one explosion. If the rest of the universe knew, they'd go insane with jealousy.

Shame she preferred playing intergalactic cop. Otherwise Tony wouldn't have needed to die fighting Thanos…

Speaking of Thanos, in the MCU, Thanos wasn't the strongest being around. He just had a big reputation.

If he were truly fearless, he would've attacked Earth himself instead of sending the Chitauri like disposable pawns.

After all, he personally wiped out Xandar to fetch the Power Stone so fear clearly wasn't an issue.

He simply didn't want to face Odin and the Ancient One at the same time.

"Xandar…" Nolan paused as he walked back into his lab. "If Ragnarok hasn't happened yet, then the Power Stone is still on Xandar…"

Looks like there'd be another trip after Dormammu.

He stepped into the lab and stared at the three test tubes already placed on the workstation.

Who knew how S.H.I.E.L.D. even got Carol's sample then again, with Nick Fury's personality and their relationship, it wasn't hard to imagine.

"Absorption and autonomous evolution have basically reached their limit in this universe," Nolan muttered.

A.I.L. immediately began analyzing Shaw's and Darwin's genetic codes both of which showed Omega-level potential, comparable to Magneto or Bobby.

"Not bad," Nolan breathed.

At this point… mutants had nothing left to offer him.

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