“Reparo!”
Hawking used the Repair Charm to fix the camera, allowing the global live broadcast to continue. He also had his previous shadow clones bring back Storm and the others, removing the inhibitor collars from their necks and placing them on the captured members of the Brotherhood.
The viewers in front of their TVs were once again able to see the scene in Cairo. They had just witnessed Mr. Flash’s incredible transformation into a giant ape to defeat Apocalypse, but the screen had gone dark before they could fully celebrate. Now, the broadcast was back.
“Dear viewers, this is Eddie Brock from the Daily Bugle. There was a bit of a hiccup just now, but everything has been resolved under Mr. Flash’s leadership. The crisis that could have wiped out humanity has been averted. Let’s now interview Mr. Flash. Mr. Flash, who exactly is this Apocalypse that threatened humanity?”
Returning to his role as a reporter, Eddie extended the microphone toward Hawking, who was now clad once again in his golden armor.
Having fought as Venom and watching other reporters scoop the biggest news had been torturous for Eddie. But now, with Hawking’s permission, he could resume his reporting role and conduct a post-battle interview.
“Apocalypse, according to our investigation, was an evil god who ruled Egypt five thousand years ago. He woke up intending to destroy human civilization and reinstate his slave rule,” Hawking replied calmly.
He aimed to set the narrative now while the event was fresh, making future public relations easier. Labeling Apocalypse as a god rather than a mutant would mitigate the negative impact on the perception of mutants.
“A god? Does this mean gods truly exist in our world?” Eddie asked as planned.
Hawking nodded. “Yes, but gods are not as mystical as people imagine. They could be ancient, powerful beings, products of genetic mutation, or even aliens from other planets. In ancient times, human civilization was underdeveloped, and such beings were revered as gods. Some may be dormant on Earth, others live on distant planets, and some might blend in among humans.”
He explained this to emphasize that beings like Apocalypse could reappear and that humanity’s current weapons were ineffective against them, underscoring the necessity of superheroes like those in the Hero Alliance.
“So, for the sake of Earth, I urge those with special abilities to join us in fighting to protect our planet. Our company will establish a Hero Alliance ranking system, evaluating abilities to classify superheroes from F-rank to S-rank. This system will help us better assign missions and safeguard everyone’s safety.”
“With you leading the superheroes to protect Earth, I believe even these so-called gods won’t be a problem. But I have to ask, Mr. Flash, where do your abilities come from? Are they from an accident like Spider-Man and Sky Knight, or are you a mutant like Storm and Cyclops, born with them? I’m sure our viewers are eager to know.”
Eddie’s question resonated with viewers, who nodded in agreement. They were curious about Hawking’s immense power source, especially his ability to transform into a giant ape.
“Actually, neither. I am neither a mutant nor did I gain my powers from an accident. I possess these abilities because I am not human; I am a Saiyan from a distant planet called Vegeta. My planet was destroyed due to special circumstances, and I was sent to Earth as a newborn in a spaceship, where I’ve lived ever since,” Hawking said with a smile.
His identity had always been a mystery. By claiming to be an alien, he could explain his extraordinary powers. Besides, no one could verify his story by going to another planet, making his cover unassailable. Moreover, this setup prepared the ground for future developments.
“Mr. Flash, your story reminds me of Superman. You both come from other planets, grew up on Earth, and fight to protect it. I always thought Superman was just a comic book character, but now it seems we have a real-life Saiyan Superman!” Eddie said excitedly.
Hawking modestly waved his hand. “I’m not as strong as Superman yet, but I will do my best to lead all superheroes in protecting Earth and humanity. As I mentioned, many beings considered gods in human mythology are actually aliens. For instance, Odin, Thor, and Loki from Norse mythology are real. They reside in Asgard and have visited Earth, leaving behind legends that became human myths.”
Thor and Loki would come to Earth in a few years, confirming his words and increasing trust in him and the Hero Alliance.
“I didn’t expect that! Mr. Flash, can you share more information about this?”
Eddie extended the microphone again.
Hawking smiled. “These are basic common knowledge from my memories. If there’s interest, we can have a special interview to share more details. But don’t worry, not all gods are as evil as Apocalypse. Trust that the superheroes of the Hero Alliance fear no god. That’s all for now. Merry Christmas, everyone!”
Hawking ended the global broadcast with this final blessing and took everyone back to New York on the X-Jet. He left the cleanup in Cairo to S.H.I.E.L.D. and the local government, as he had to get back to his family for Christmas dinner and prepare for the company’s post-Christmas expansion.
Before the jet took off, Nightcrawler, who had been hiding with Professor X in the ruins, brought the Professor back onboard. Thus, the mission was considered a success: they rescued Professor X, killed Apocalypse, captured Magneto, and elevated the Hero Alliance’s status from a New York-based group to a global entity.
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