Chapter 517
Shirley’s army surged toward Judy’s palace.
Summerbank’s defenses were thin. Most troops were stationed in border cities, guarding against mutants.
Apocalypse remained in Summerbank, its pilot recovering from the strain of prolonged battles.
The moon hung like a scimitar in the sky. Below, flames engulfed the opulent palace, the air thick with blood and gunpowder. Petals, stained crimson, trembled in the wind.
Judy stood atop the tower, watching the carnage—fallen soldiers, smoldering fighter jets. Her face was contorted with rage.
Judy cursed inwardly, “Shermaine, that bitch! Damn Ivy. I trusted her, promoted her, but she betrayed me with just a few sweet words from Shermaine!"
Judy’s screams of fury echoed across the battlefield. If words could kill, Shermaine would’ve died a thousand times.
Harry found Judy. “Princess Judy, anger won’t help now. We have Apocalypse. The fight isn’t over.”
Judy forced calm, her voice icy. “Take me to Apocalypse.”
From the vantage point, Shermaine watched the slaughter with sorrow. But a fractured nation could only be reunited through blood.
Judy was no true ruler. She was petty, shortsighted, and arrogant. Without Harry, she would have fallen long ago.
This war would birth a new empire. No more civil strife.
Suddenly, the ground shook. Apocalypse ascended, its shadow swallowing the moon.
Shirley’s soldiers froze, dread clawing at their throats. A single strike from this superweapon could vaporize tanks, jets, and battalions.
But tonight, its target wasn’t them. It had locked onto a figure atop a distant rooftop. Shirley followed its gaze. It was Shermaine.
With a whoosh, Apocalypse shot forward, its wake sending gusts of wind so strong that people below nearly lost their footing.
Shermaine sensed the danger and leapt from the rooftop just as Apocalypse lunged. A red fighter jet swooped in, catching her mid-air before seamlessly transforming into its mecha form.
Two towering mechas stood face-to-face.
Inside Apocalypse, Judy snarled. “Kill her. At any cost.”
The red mecha belonged to Joshua. He had just saved Shermaine. He handed control over to her, his voice steady. “Sheary, be careful.”
Judy was no threat, but Apocalypse’s power was undeniable. Shermaine and Joshua had studied footage of its battles. This modified mecha might not stand a chance.
Shermaine nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll buy you time to seize control of Apocalypse.”
Joshua kissed her, lingering. “Your safety comes first.” He could see Judy’s hatred burning white-hot. She would fight like a cornered beast.
Meanwhile, on the mountain, Dave sensed the chaos in Summerbank but couldn’t help. Its energy reserves were depleted. Instead, it sat amidst a mountain of aura stones Shermaine had prepared, forcing itself to chew through them.
At this point, the sight of aura stones made Dave nauseous. It imagined them as fried chicken, swallowing hard.
In Summerbank, Shermaine’s mecha clashed with Apocalypse, their blows sending shockwaves that crumbled buildings. Civilians fled in terror.
Shirley barked orders, “Send fighter jets to support Boa.”
But after just minutes of combat, Shermaine understood why no mecha could defeat Apocalypse.
Apocalypse’s armor was indestructible, impervious to every weapon. Shermaine’s mecha and the supporting jets, though advanced, were no match. A single misstep against Apocalypse’s attacks meant devastation.
Joshua stood atop the mecha’s shoulder, the wind whipping through his hair. The wound on his arm had nearly healed in just a week.
With a leap, he launched a grappling hook onto Apocalypse, swinging himself onto its massive frame before slipping inside.
Meanwhile, Shermaine’s mecha was sent flying by a brutal punch from Apocalypse. The impact rattled her to the core, but she managed to stabilize quickly.
She gasped. One more hit like that, and this mecha would be destroyed.
Confrontation was futile. As Judy prepared another strike, Shermaine dodged, buying time for Joshua.
Inside Apocalypse, Joshua faced a squad of armed soldiers. His eyes gleamed with icy resolve. Tonight, Judy would fall. He and Shermaine would finally return to Wallington.
In Baykeep, Jasmine, the city lord, took care of Gracie by herself. She was bathing Gracie.
Though aware of the fierce battle in Summerbank, Jasmine wasn’t worried about Shermaine and Joshua losing. Instead, she felt sad. Their departure was inevitable.
Jasmine thought, “Wallington must be far more interesting than the Kingdom of Xyperia.”
Gracie splashed water, soaking Jasmine’s clothes. Jasmine chuckled, tapping her nose, “Little brat.”
Gracie burst into giggles.
After drying and powdering Gracie, Jasmine placed her in the crib and stepped into the shower. She didn’t notice the shadow slipping across the balcony.
Jasmine just rinsed off quickly. When she emerged, her blood ran cold. A man was cradling Gracie, about to vanish into the night. Jasmine screamed, “Damien!”
Damien burst through the door at Jasmine’s scream, his aura radiating lethal intent. He lunged at the intruder, engaging in a brutal fight while more figures poured in from the balcony.
After swiftly dispatching the first man, Damien snatched Gracie back and shoved her into Jasmine’s arms. “Run.”
Jasmine clutched Gracie tightly. “Be careful.”
The assassins tried to pursue Jasmine, but Damien blocked their path, though a few still slipped past.
Jasmine sprinted down the hall, heart pounding. Fortunately, Eagle Assassins stationed nearby intercepted the pursuers, cutting them down without hesitation.
Gracie, oblivious to the danger, giggled with delight as Jasmine ran faster.
The assassins adored Gracie. Anyone threatening her met instant death.
By the time Damien finished inside, his clothes were spotless, but the murderous glint in his eyes betrayed the carnage he had wrought.
Jasmine’s legs gave out, her breath ragged from exhaustion.
Damien approached, his voice steel. “Until Mr. York sends word, you and Gracie stay in my room.”
Nodding weakly, Jasmine carried Gracie to his quarters. After laying Gracie gently on the bed, she collapsed onto it herself, forgetting that she was only wrapped in a towel.