A surge of psionic energy struck Su Zhan, the force so tremendous that it sent him staggering back several steps, his body trembling as if it might be torn apart by the sheer power of the attack. He gritted his teeth, feeling the impact deep in his bones. "So, this is a psionic attack?" he muttered, forcing a grin. Even with his body strengthened by the Extremis virus, Susan's telepathic assault hurt-though it didn't actually injure him.
"Hey, that's enough! I'm not with any Puppet Master. I just saw you were in trouble and wanted to help!" Su Zhan shouted, watching as Susan prepared to attack again.
She sneered; her words slurred from drink. "You think I'll believe that? First you try to chat me up, now you're with the Puppet Master? You think I need your help? Do I look like I need saving?" Her tone was sharp, her glare icy.
Su Zhan could see that Susan was thoroughly drunk, her words muddled, and her anger misplaced. There was no way to reason with her in this state. He sighed. "There's no point arguing with a drunk woman-especially one who won't listen to reason. Since you're determined to misunderstand me, I'll just leave."
He turned to go, but Susan wasn't finished. "Trying to run away after being exposed? Not a chance!" she snapped, unleashing another wave of psionic force.
The invisible blast slammed into Su Zhan, sending him skidding sideways. The ground cracked and split beneath the impact. "She's really trying to kill me," Su Zhan thought, irritation flaring. "I thought meeting Susan would be lucky, but maybe not when she's drunk."
Steadying himself, his eyes narrowed. "You're forcing my hand. I guess I'll have to sober you up the hard way."
Susan, still weaving slightly, began to gather her psionic energy, forming an invisible magnetic field around herself. The air shimmered with transparent ripples, and the accumulated psychic force made a faint buzzing sound. Su Zhan flicked his lighter, conjuring a flame that grew larger and larger, swirling around him like a living inferno. He strode forward, looking every bit, like the god of war emerging from fire, a cold smile on his lips.
"You underestimate me? Let's see if I have the strength to sober you up!" Su Zhan sneered, hurling the flames at Susan, engulfing her in a sea of fire.
Susan smirked; her confidence unshaken. "So, you can control fire. That's not enough-" she began, but suddenly, her clothes shimmered and transformed into the tight uniform of the Fantastic Four. Su Zhan couldn't help but notice-Susan's figure looked incredible in that suit.
The sea of fire crashed into Susan's mental magnetic field. She looked proud, confident in her shield's strength. "That's it? I told you, it's not enough. What's worse is…" Before she could finish, Susan's expression changed. Su Zhan had already appeared in front of her, reaching out as if to grasp the magnetic field itself. Flames wrapped around his hands, turning them red-hot, like molten magma. The intense heat made Susan feel her mental shield melting, being squeezed away bit by bit.
"This is impossible!" Susan cried, pouring more psionic energy into her shield, but the flames kept battering it, the transparent barrier flickering and weakening.
"Did you really think your magnetic field was invincible? I was too lazy to argue with a drunk woman, but you think I'm just here to be pushed around. Now, I'll show you what it means to wake up…" Su Zhan raised his other hand. Power gathered, and the distant sea of fire rushed to him, swirling around his fists. The air itself seemed to burn away.
The power was overwhelming. Susan realized that if he landed a punch, her shield would collapse. She had already used all her strength.
"Break!" Su Zhan shouted, punching the magnetic field with a fiery fist.
Bang! Bang! The invisible shield cracked and shattered like ice, breaking apart instantly. The combined force of the fire fist and the collapsing shield sent Susan flying. She crashed into a wall, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.
"Maybe I went a little too hard…" Su Zhan muttered, seeing Susan collapse to the ground, unable to get up. His anger and frustration faded, replaced by a bit of guilt. Sometimes, the only way to solve a problem is to prove your strength.
He stepped closer, kneeling beside her. "Are you awake now?" he asked, his tone low and steady.
Susan looked at him as if to speak, but then her head rolled to the side, and she fainted.
Su Zhan stared, speechless. "Seriously? She passed out?"
He checked her over-she was bruised and battered, but not seriously hurt. The real reason she'd fainted was simple: she was dead drunk.
Su Zhan's expression darkened. "Great. Guess I'll have to wait until you wake up."
He picked Susan up and carried her to a nearby hotel to let her rest. As he was about to leave the alley with the unconscious Susan Storm (Invisible Woman) in his arms, a voice echoed from above.
"Hey, buddy, you'd better put her down, or I might not be so polite."
Su Zhan paused, glancing up to see who had spoken, ready for whatever the night might bring next.