24. The Final Stand

Liam

They stumbled into the DMA headquarters, his heart pounding and his mind reeling from the horrors he had just witnessed. The image of Ethan being dragged away, his cries of pain echoing in Liam's ears, was seared into his memory like a brand.

He couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of dread that threatened to consume him, the fear that he might never see Ethan again, never hold him in his arms or hear his cocky laughter.

"Fuck," he muttered, slamming his fist against the wall in frustration. "Fuck, fuck, fuck."

Zoe and Marcus were right behind him, their faces grim and their eyes haunted. They looked as shaken as Liam felt, their clothes torn and their skin bruised from the desperate battle they had just fought.

"We have to get him back," Liam said, his voice rough with emotion. "We can't leave Ethan in that psycho bitch's hands. Who knows what she's doing to him right now?"

Zoe nodded, her expression fierce. "We will, Liam. We'll find him, and we'll make Novak pay for what she's done. But first, we need to regroup, come up with a plan."

Marcus grunted in agreement, his massive frame still tense with adrenaline. "Zoe's right. We can't just go charging in blind. We need intel, resources. And we need to figure out who we can trust in this fucking snake pit of an agency."

Liam knew they were right, but it didn't make the waiting any easier. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to act, to do something, anything to bring Ethan back.

But he forced himself to take a deep breath, to push down the panic and the rage that threatened to overwhelm him. He had to be strong, had to keep his head in the game.

For Ethan's sake.

"Alright," he said, his voice hard with determination. "Let's go see Thorne. It's time for her to give us some goddamn answers."

They burst into Thorne's office like a hurricane, Liam's eyes blazing with a fire that had nothing to do with his mutant abilities. Thorne looked up from her desk, her expression startled and wary.

"What the hell is going on?" she demanded, rising to her feet. "Where's Hawke?"

Liam slammed his hands down on her desk, his face inches from hers. "Ethan's gone," he snarled, his voice shaking with barely-controlled fury. "Novak took him. And she had help, Thorne. From your fucking agents."

Thorne's eyes widened, a flicker of shock and confusion passing over her face. "What? That's impossible. My agents are loyal, they would never-"

"Well, they did," Zoe cut in, her voice cold as ice. "They turned on us, Thorne. Sided with Novak and her band of merry mutant freaks. And now Ethan is paying the price."

Thorne shook her head, her expression troubled. "I don't understand. I had no idea, I swear. I've been kept in the dark about so much, ever since this whole Prometheus mess started."

Liam scoffed, his lip curling in disgust. "Bullshit. You expect us to believe that you, the director of the fucking DMA, had no clue what was going on under your own nose?"

He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a low, menacing growl. "How do we know you're not part of this, Thorne? How do we know you're not working with Novak, helping her create her little mutant army?"

Thorne's eyes flashed with anger, her jaw clenching. "How dare you," she hissed, her voice tight with indignation. "I have dedicated my life to protecting the mutant community, to fighting against the very kind of bigotry and hatred that Novak represents."

She reached into her desk drawer, pulling out a small, black device. "If you don't believe me, then perhaps this will convince you."

Liam eyed the device warily, his muscles tensing. "What the fuck is that?"

Thorne held it up, her expression grim. "A failsafe. A remote kill-switch that can neutralize any DMA agent who turns against us. If my people have truly betrayed us, then I will not hesitate to use it."

Liam's eyes widened, a flicker of hope sparking in his chest. "Wait, so you're saying you can shut them down? Just like that?"

Thorne nodded, her gaze unflinching. "Yes. It's a last resort, one I hoped I would never have to use. But if it means stopping Novak and saving Ethan? I'll do whatever it takes."

"How do I know you won't just use us like you used those rogue agents?" he asked, his voice tight with suspicion. "How do I know you won't just toss us aside when we're no longer useful to you?"

Thorne sighed, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "Liam, listen to me. You and your team are not like those agents. Your skills, your expertise… they're invaluable. I would never discard assets like that."

She stepped closer, her gaze intense and unwavering. "I know I've made mistakes. I know I've kept things from you, things that maybe I shouldn't have. But I swear to you, on everything I hold dear, that I am not your enemy. I want to stop Novak just as much as you do."

Liam stared at her for a long moment, his mind whirling with conflicting emotions. He wanted to believe her, wanted to trust that she was telling the truth. But the memory of Ethan's cries, of the betrayal that had led to his capture…

"Fuck," he muttered, running a hand over his face in frustration. "I don't like this, Thorne. I don't like it one goddamn bit. But you're right. We need to work together, for Ethan's sake."

He fixed her with a hard, unyielding stare. "But let me make one thing crystal fucking clear. If you double-cross us, if you do anything to jeopardize Ethan's life or the lives of my team? I will personally make sure you regret it for the rest of your miserable existence."

Thorne nodded, her expression grim. "Understood, Liam. You have my word."

With that, they set to work, a ragtag alliance forged in the fires of desperation and necessity. Liam, Zoe, Marcus, and a handpicked team of loyal DMA agents pored over every scrap of intelligence they could find, analyzing data and chasing down leads with a frenzied intensity.

Time was running out, and they all knew it. Every second that ticked by was another second that Ethan was in Novak's clutches, another second that he was being subjected to God knows what kind of twisted experiments.

Liam's mind raced as he worked, his thoughts consumed by images of Ethan strapped to a table, his body wracked with pain as Novak's machines tore into him. He couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness, the fear that he might already be too late.

But he pushed those thoughts aside, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand. He couldn't afford to let his emotions cloud his judgment, not now. Not when Ethan's life hung in the balance.

As he sifted through a stack of files, a familiar name caught Liam's eye. His heart clenched, a wave of grief and anger washing over him as he read the details.

It was the boy, the young mutant he had rescued from a fire all those months ago. The one whose face had haunted his dreams, whose innocent smile had reminded him of why he did what he did.

And there, in stark black and white, was the truth of what had happened to him. Novak had taken him, had experimented on him like a fucking lab rat. Had twisted and warped his body and mind until there was nothing left but a shell, a husk of the bright, vibrant child he had once been.

Liam's vision blurred, hot tears of rage and sorrow pricking at the corners of his eyes. He thought of all the other names on that list, all the other mutants who had suffered and died at Novak's hands.

And he knew, with a sudden, fierce certainty, that he would make her pay for every last one of them.

"Liam?" Zoe's voice cut through his thoughts, her tone sharp with concern. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Liam shook his head, his jaw clenching with barely-contained fury. "I'm fine," he bit out, his voice rough with emotion. "Just found something that reminded me why we're doing this. Why we have to stop that bitch Novak before she can hurt anyone else."

Zoe's eyes widened, understanding dawning on her face. "The boy," she said softly, her voice heavy with sympathy. "The one you rescued from the fire. He was one of Novak's victims, wasn't he?"

Liam nodded, his throat tight with grief. "He was just a kid, Zoe. A fucking kid. And she… she destroyed him. Like he was nothing, like his life didn't matter."

Zoe placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch warm and comforting. "We'll make her pay, Liam. For him, and for all the others. I promise you that."

Liam took a deep, shuddering breath, forcing himself to push down the rage and the pain. He couldn't afford to lose focus, not now. Not when they were so close to finding Ethan.

"Guys," Marcus called out, his voice tight with excitement. "I think I might have something."

Liam's head snapped up, his heart pounding with sudden hope. "What is it, Marcus? What did you find?"

Marcus gestured to his screen, where a map of the city was displayed. "I was going through the data from Ethan's tracking device, trying to pinpoint his location. And I noticed something weird."

He zoomed in on a specific area, his finger tracing a pattern of red dots. "See these energy spikes? They're coming from a remote location outside the city, a place that shouldn't have any power signatures at all."

Liam's eyes widened, realization dawning. "Novak's facility. It has to be."

Zoe nodded, her fingers flying over her keyboard as she pulled up more information. "It makes sense. A hidden lab, off the grid, where she can conduct her experiments without anyone knowing."

Liam felt a surge of adrenaline, a fierce, unshakable determination. They had a location. They had a target.

Now all they needed was a plan.

"Thorne," he barked, his voice ringing out with authority. "Gather your best agents. We're going in, and we're going in hard. Ethan's life depends on it."

Thorne nodded, her expression grim. "Understood. We'll be ready to move out in thirty minutes."

As the team scrambled to prepare, Liam took a moment to himself, his eyes closing as he pictured Ethan's face.

And he made a silent promise, a vow that he would not rest until Ethan was safe in his arms once more.

"Hold on, babe," he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I'm coming for you. Just hold on a little longer."

It was time to bring the fucking thunder, to rain down hell on Novak and her twisted empire.

And heaven help anyone who got in his way.

* * *

The journey to Novak's hidden facility was a blur of tense silence and barely-contained fury. Liam could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins, his muscles coiled tight with the need to act, to fight, to save the man he loved.

As they approached the nondescript building, tucked away in the heart of an abandoned industrial complex, Liam couldn't shake the sense of unease that prickled at the back of his neck. It was too quiet, too still. Like the calm before the storm.

"I don't like this," he muttered, his eyes scanning the perimeter for any sign of movement. "It's too easy. Where are the guards, the security measures?"

Thorne frowned, her hand tightening on the grip of her weapon. "You're right. Something's off. Everyone, stay alert. This could be a trap."

But even as the words left her mouth, all hell broke loose. The doors of the facility burst open, and a horde of Purifiers and mutant hybrids poured out, their weapons blazing and their eyes filled with mindless rage.

"Fuck!" Liam yelled, diving for cover behind a rusted-out shipping container. "It's an ambush!"

The air erupted with the sound of gunfire and the crackle of energy weapons, the ground shaking with the force of the explosions. Liam could feel the heat of the blasts, could smell the acrid tang of smoke and ozone.

But he didn't have time to dwell on the chaos around him. He had a job to do, and he was going to see it through, no matter the cost.

With a roar of fury, Liam unleashed his pyrokinesis, his eyes blazing with an inner fire as he channeled the flames that burned within him. The air shimmered with heat, the very molecules seeming to bend and warp under the force of his power.

He carved a path through the enemy forces, his flames consuming all in their wake. Purifiers screamed as their flesh blistered and charred, their weapons melting in their hands. Mutant hybrids howled in agony as the fire seared their twisted flesh, their enhancements no match for the sheer, raw power of Liam's rage.

"Holy shit," Marcus breathed, his eyes wide with awe as he watched Liam work. "Remind me never to piss him off."

Zoe grinned, her own powers crackling at her fingertips as she sent bolts of lightning arcing through the air. "You and me both, big guy. Our boy is on a mission, and heaven help anyone who gets in his way."

Together, they fought their way into the facility, the loyal DMA agents providing cover fire as they advanced. The halls were a maze of twisting corridors and sealed doors, each one leading deeper into the heart of Novak's lair.

But Liam didn't falter, didn't hesitate. He could feel Ethan's presence, could sense him like a beacon in the darkness. And he would not rest until he had him safe in his arms once more.

Finally, they reached the inner sanctum, a cavernous chamber filled with the hum of machinery and the sickly-sweet stench of chemicals. And there, in the center of it all, was Ethan.

He was strapped to a table, his body writhing in agony as a tangle of tubes and wires pumped God knows what into his veins. His face was pale, his eyes glazed with pain, but when he saw Liam, a flicker of hope sparked to life in their depths.

"Liam," he rasped, his voice hoarse and broken. "You came for me."

Liam's heart clenched, a wave of love and relief washing over him. "Of course I did, you idiot," he said softly, his hands shaking as he tore at the restraints that held Ethan down. "I'll always come for you."

But before he could free him, a cold, mocking laugh echoed through the chamber. Liam spun around, his eyes widening in horror as he saw Novak stepping out of the shadows.

But it was not the Novak he remembered. Gone was the cool, clinical scientist, the woman who had played them all for fools. In her place was a monster, a twisted abomination of flesh and metal and pulsing, sickly-green energy.

"You fools," she hissed, her voice layered with the echoes of a thousand stolen powers. "You think you can stop me? I am the future, the next step in evolution. And you… you are nothing but relics of a bygone age, fit only to be ground beneath my heel."

Liam snarled, his fists clenching at his sides as he stepped forward to face her. "You're insane, Novak. All this suffering, all this death… and for what? Some twisted fantasy of mutant supremacy?"

Novak laughed, the sound grating and inhuman. "Insane? No, Liam. I am the only one who sees clearly. The only one who understands the true potential of our kind."

She spread her arms wide, her body crackling with stolen power. "Behold the glory of the Prometheus Splice, the true and perfect blend of science and mutation. With the powers of a thousand mutants at my command, I will remake this world in my image. And you… you will be the first to fall before my might."

Liam's jaw clenched, a white-hot rage boiling up inside him. "Like hell," he spat, his eyes blazing with an inner fire. "Bring it on, bitch. Let's see what you're made of."

And with that, the battle was joined. Novak unleashed a barrage of powers, her body shifting and warping like some nightmarish kaleidoscope. Energy blasts and force fields, telekinetic waves and psionic lances, all of them aimed squarely at Liam and his team.

But Liam was ready for her. He met her powers with his own, his flames roaring to life as he poured every ounce of his strength, every ounce of his love and his rage, into the fight.

It was a battle unlike any he had ever known, a clash of wills and powers that shook the very foundations of the facility. The ground cracked and buckled beneath their feet, the walls crumbling and shattering under the onslaught of their unleashed abilities.

And through it all, Liam never wavered, never faltered. He fought with a fierce, unyielding determination, his mind focused on one thing and one thing only.

Saving Ethan. Stopping Novak. No matter the cost.

"Liam!" Zoe yelled, her voice barely audible over the din of battle. "We can't hold her off much longer! We need to end this, now!"

Liam gritted his teeth, his mind racing as he tried to find a way to turn the tide. And then, with a sudden, blinding clarity, he knew what he had to do.

"Novak!" he shouted, his voice ringing out like a clarion call. "You think you're so powerful, so evolved? Prove it. Face me, one on one. No powers, no tricks. Just you and me, in a test of wills."

Novak paused, her head cocked to the side as she considered his challenge. "And why should I bother with such a pointless exercise?" she sneered, her lips curling in disdain.

Liam grinned, a fierce, feral thing. "Because if you win, I'll surrender. I'll let you do whatever you want with me, no resistance. But if I win… you let Ethan go, and you come quietly. No more fighting, no more bloodshed."

For a long, tense moment, Novak stared at him, her eyes glittering with a mad, calculating light. And then, slowly, she nodded.

"Very well, Liam Quinn. I accept your challenge. Let us see who is truly the stronger, the more evolved. And when I crush you beneath my heel… I will savor the look of despair on your face as I tear your precious Ethan apart, piece by piece."

"Let's do this," he growled, his eyes locked on Novak's in a silent challenge. "Let's finish this, once and for all."

The battle was fierce, a whirlwind of fists and fury as Liam and Novak clashed in the center of the chamber. Novak was strong, her body enhanced by the countless powers she had stolen, but Liam was fueled by something even greater - the love and the rage that burned in his heart, the unbreakable bond that tied him to Ethan.

They traded blows like titans, their limbs a blur of motion as they struck and parried and dodged. Liam could feel the impact of each hit, the jarring force that rattled his bones and set his teeth on edge.

But he didn't falter, didn't waver. He poured every ounce of his strength, every ounce of his will, into the fight. He would not let Novak win, would not let her twisted vision become a reality.

And then, just when it seemed like the battle would go on forever, a cry rang out from across the chamber. Liam's head snapped around, his eyes widening in shock and horror as he saw Ethan struggling to his feet, his body weak and trembling but his eyes blazing with determination.

"Ethan!" Liam yelled, his heart in his throat. "What the fuck are you doing? Get out of here, now!"

But Ethan just shook his head, a grim smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Not a chance, babe. You think I'm just going to sit back and watch you have all the fun? You should know me better than that by now."

With a grunt of effort, he summoned The Judgment card, his ultimate and most powerful arcana. The ethereal construct shimmered in the air before him, a being of pure light and energy that seemed to radiate an aura of divine retribution.

Novak's eyes widened, a flicker of fear passing over her face. "No," she hissed, her voice tight with strain as she struggled against Liam's hold. "You can't… you don't have the strength…"

But Ethan just grinned, a fierce, feral thing that sent shivers down Liam's spine. "Watch me, bitch."

And with that, he channeled every last ounce of his power into The Judgment card, pouring his very life force into the construct. The air crackled with energy, the ground shaking beneath their feet as the arcana swelled and grew, its light burning brighter and hotter with each passing second.

Novak screamed, her body convulsing as The Judgment card's power tore through her defenses like tissue paper. Stolen abilities and twisted enhancements alike were stripped away, leaving her naked and powerless before the onslaught of Ethan's will.

And then, with a final, blinding flash of light, it was over. Novak collapsed to the ground, her body broken and her mind shattered. The threat was ended, the world saved from her mad ambitions.

But the cost had been high. Too high.

Liam watched in horror as Ethan slumped to the ground, his body drained and his eyes fluttering closed. He was at his side in an instant, gathering his lover into his arms and cradling him close.

"Ethan," he whispered, his voice hoarse with fear and desperation. "Ethan, baby, please. Open your eyes, look at me."

But Ethan was still, his face pale and his breathing shallow. Liam could feel the life force ebbing from his body, could sense the spark of his spirit growing weaker with each passing moment.

Around them, the loyal DMA agents sprang into action, securing Novak and rounding up the last of her minions. But Liam barely noticed, his entire world narrowed down to the man in his arms, the man he loved more than life itself.

"Don't you fucking dare, Ethan Hawke," he growled, his voice raw with emotion. "Don't you dare leave me, not now. Not after everything we've been through."

Tears streamed down his face, hot and bitter as he pressed his forehead against Ethan's. "I love you," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I love you so goddamn much. Please, baby. Please come back to me."

But Ethan was silent, his body still and his breath fading. And Liam felt a part of himself breaking, shattering into a million jagged pieces.

It couldn't end like this. It couldn't. Not after everything they had endured, everything they had sacrificed. Ethan was a fighter, a survivor. He had to come back, had to open his eyes and flash that cocky, infuriating grin that Liam loved so much.

But the seconds ticked by, and Ethan remained still, his life force flickering like a guttering candle. Liam's heart clenched, a wave of despair washing over him like a tide.

And then, just when all hope seemed lost, a miracle happened.

Ethan's eyes fluttered open, hazy and unfocused but alive. Alive.

"Liam?" he rasped, his voice weak and thready. "What… what happened? Did we… did we win?"

Liam let out a sob of relief, his arms tightening around Ethan as he pressed a fierce, desperate kiss to his lips. "Yeah, baby. We won. You won. You saved us all."

Ethan smiled, a tired, triumphant thing that made Liam's heart ache with love. "I had a little help," he murmured, his hand coming up to cup Liam's cheek. "Couldn't have done it without my knight in shining armor."

Liam laughed, the sound watery and choked with emotion. "You're a fucking idiot, you know that? Don't ever scare me like that again."

Ethan's grin widened, a spark of his old mischief glinting in his eyes. "No promises, babe. You know me, always looking for new ways to keep you on your toes."

Before Liam could retort, a commotion drew their attention. They looked up to see Novak being dragged away in chains, her face a mask of hatred and defeat.

But even in her lowest moment, she couldn't resist one final barb. "You think this is over?" she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "You think you've won? I'm just the beginning, the first of many who will rise up to claim our rightful place in the world. You can't stop the future, Liam Quinn. Sooner or later, the mutants will rule, and the humans will be nothing but cattle for us to use and discard as we see fit."

Liam's jaw clenched, his eyes hardening with resolve. "We'll see about that, Novak. We'll see."

As the DMA agents dragged her away, Liam turned back to Ethan, his expression softening with love and concern. "Come on, baby. Let's get you out of here, get you checked out by a doctor."

Ethan groaned, his nose wrinkling in distaste. "Do I have to? You know how I feel about hospitals, Liam."

Liam rolled his eyes, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "Tough shit, Hawke. You're going, and that's final. I'm not taking any chances with your stubborn ass."

Ethan sighed, but there was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "Fine. But only if you promise to stay with me the whole time, hold my hand and tell me what a brave little soldier I am."

Liam snorted, shaking his head in exasperation. "You're impossible, you know that?"

But even as he said it, he was already gathering Ethan into his arms, his heart swelling with love and gratitude. They had won, against all odds. They had saved the world, and each other.

And as they made their way out of the facility, battered and bruised but alive, Liam knew that he would never take a single moment for granted again. Because life was precious, and love was a gift, and every second that he had with Ethan was a treasure beyond measure.

They had fought the darkness and emerged victorious. And whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever threats might rise to face them in the future, Liam knew that they would face them together.

Always together, until the very end.