It has been a full week since broke Riri out of her prison and things had started to look up. Laura woke up finally and was slowly recovering while you and Cindy worked endlessly to help Riri come up with a plan. You still weren't certain about the odds of successfully beating the Emperor, but Riri had inspired hope among the group.

You looked up from your spot on the floor as the door opened. You found it was Riri and Cindy who had returned from the market. For the past few days, Riri had been working to gather up people willing to fight. So far she has had some luck.

Y/N: How's it looking out there?

Cindy: Better. It seems like the Emperor has been pulling back guards and the patrols aren't nearly as bad.

You would smile if you didn't know why. He was preparing an army. The final fight really was approaching.

Riri: How are you feeling?

You shrugged.

Y/N: As good as I can get.

You didn't know if you were ready to face the Emperor. He was leagues ahead of you in terms of power and had at least 15 years of experience behind him. If there was one constant part of the ever changing plan, it was you having to fight your future self.

Cindy tossed you and apple before taking a seat next to you. It was weird that you had gotten closer to her in this time than back in the present. She was your best friend's girlfriend yet you hardly had a chance to talk to her. You bit down on the juciy apple and closed your eyes. You were hiding out in some old abandoned warehouse without any of the tech your had in the former base.

Riri: I asked around the market and everyone said the same thing. The Emperor had called in his troops. He's ready for an attack. If there was any time to attack, it's now.

You looked up at her but she saw the bags under your eyes.

Riri: Are you sure you're ok? When was the last time you slept?

You shrugged. Things had become hard ever since you lost control and killed Katie. The sound of it echoed through your head. Between Vietnam and this, you weren't sure you'd ever sleep.

Y/N: I'll be fine. I'll get some rest before the plan. Do, do we even have a plan?

Riri nodded with a smirk.

Riri: And I think you might like it.

???: I hope you have enough information to have one.

You and Cindy stood up at the new voice. Everyone turned and saw Robbie walking through the door with his hands in his pockets. You ignited your hands while Riri picked up a nearby rifle. Robbie stopped and held up his hands.

Robbie: I come in peace. Oddly enough.

You looked into his eyes and realized he was telling the truth. You got rid of your flames.

Y/N: And why are you here?

The two girls looked at you surpsied.

Riri: He's here to kill us.

Robbie: I'm here to help.

And now everyone was surpised.

Cindy: Help us?

Robbie nodded.

Robbie: I've decided, I missed being a Hero.
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The Emperor stared out the window as he overlooked his city. To think that he used to live in these streets. Used to fight just to live to see another day. Struggled to stay warm. Those days were long behind him.

Tandy: Your Highness....

Y/N: Shut up.

He grabbed her and slammed her against the wall before connecting his lips to hers. Primal instinct took over as he began to tear away Tandy's uniform. He moved his hand against exposed skin as she returned the aggression. It didn't take long before he was inside if her. Pure raw emotion pushed them over the edged as they grabbed, scratched, and fucked.

Just knowing there was someone out there that could beat him made him restless. He desired to finally fight you and defeat you. Animalistic behavior pushed him to want to breed. He blamed his father for this. As he continued his actions, he looked out the window. His city. His home. It was all his. And he would be damned before he let a couple of rebels take it from him.
--------
Robbie leaned against the wall as you huddled around with Riri and Cindy. You trusted Robbie but you knew that they weren't convinced. You couldn't blame them. After everything you saw, it would be hard for you to believe a word he said.

Riri: I don't know about this. He's the Emperor's right hand man.

Y/N: If he wanted to kill us he would've done so already.

Cindy: Maybe he's waiting for an opening?

Y/N: This is an opening.

Riri shook her head. She then looked to you.

Riri: Do you really think we can trust him?

You hesitated. You had read his mind and he wasn't lying. You nodded.

Y/N: I do.

Riri sighed.

Riri: So be it.

You all turned towards him to see him tapping his foot. He was waiting. He looked up at all of you and frowned.

Robbie: So what's the verdict?

Riri: We'll belive you for now.

Robbie: Good because we're running out of time.

You raised a brow.

Y/N: Running out of time? What do you mean?

Robbie: The Emperor is planning an attack on the slums. Tomorrow. Whatever your plan is, it better take that into account.

You all looked at each other. Tomorrow? You were no where near prepared for tomorrow. You were still weak compared to the Emperor and Laura was still recovering. You didn't even have troops yet.

Riri: That's too soon.

Robbie: Then you need all the help you can get. I can help with that.

Cindy: You can?

Robbie nodded. He whistled and in came a group of soldiers.

Robbie: I was a general. I have the troops you need. I have the weapons your people need. And I have this.

His body ignighted into flames as the Rider took over. He whipped out his chain as you smiled.

Y/N: Alright then. Looks like we have some fire power.

Ghost Rider: Looks like it. Now let's take that son of a bitch down.
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You stood on top of a roof as you looked at Avengers Tower. Tomorrow was the day you were going to end this all. Tomorrow you'll either turn victorious, or you will be killed. This was a fight that had more weight to it than ever before. Tomorrow you face the strongest opponent you had ever faced before.

Laura: You look sick.

You turned around and saw that she was walking towards you. Her body was still wrapped in bandages but she looked much better.

Y/N: What are you doing out of bed?

Laura: I could ask the same. Shouldn't you be resting?

You nodded. You turned your attention back to the tower.

Y/N: Do you think I can do it?

Laura: Beat the Emperor? Maybe. Maybe not.

You sighed.

Y/N: For as long as I've known you, you always like to make me the butt end of your jokes. Did you hate me before everything happened?

Laura punched your shoulder.

Laura: You want go know the truth?

You nodded. Laura sat down next ro you and looked out at the tower.

Laura: I was jealous. Before you came along to the Program, we were on a mission helping the X-Men. My dad had heard about you and he was immediately interested. I hated that. It took me years before he accepted me.

Laura is jealous? That would make sense.

Laura: I never hated you though. I kinda saw you like a little brother. It was, nice.

You placed a hand on her shoulder and sighed.

Y/N: You know after we win tomorrow and I leave back to my own timeline, I think I'll sit down and have a nice chat with you. Just the two of us.

Laura laughed a bit.

Laura: I'm sure that I would've appreciated that.

The two of you watched as the sun began to set. Tomorrow was the day, everything changed.