The lab was quiet except for the hum of Reed's instruments and the faint flutter of Louis's golden butterflies dissolving into the air. Reed adjusted his glasses, his gaze steady on Candy.
"You mentioned your other friend," Reed said. "Mona. Are you certain it's safe to leave her behind? If the Black Serpents are truly mobilizing, any ally left exposed is a liability."
Candy twirled her lollipop, eyes sharp despite her casual tone. "Don't worry about Mona. She's not exactly… easy prey."
Sue tilted her head. "And why's that?"
Candy's grin faded. For once, she spoke without the sugarcoated edge.
"Because Mona is stronger than both of us put together. Maybe stronger than all of us in this room."
Louis's glowing eyes dimmed slightly as she nodded in agreement, though unease crept across her features.
Johnny laughed nervously, leaning against the wall. "Stronger than the Fantastic Four? That's a bold claim."
Candy turned, meeting his gaze without flinching. "She's Mephisto's daughter."
The room stilled. Even Reed froze, his device lowering. Ben muttered under his breath, "Aw, hell…"
Sue's expression hardened, protective instincts flashing in her eyes. "Candy, do you realize what you just said? Mephisto is one of the most dangerous beings in existence."
Candy shrugged, a rare seriousness in her voice. "Yeah. And Mona's his kid. But she doesn't serve him. She doesn't want his throne, or his chains. She wants her own life. That's why we trust her."
Reed exchanged a glance with Sue, then asked carefully, "And how long before she arrives?"
"Two days," Candy replied, tapping the candy stick against her teeth. "Three at most. She said she had… work to finish before she could come."
Greta's tentacles twitched with unease. She'd fought monsters in human skin, seen shadows devour lives, but the thought of Mephisto's blood walking the Earth unsettled her in a way no battlefield ever had.
Louis whispered softly, her butterflies scattering again, "If Mona is late, it won't be because she couldn't fight. It'll be because she chose to."
The Fantastic Four exchanged uneasy looks.
For the first time, Greta wondered whether Candy's friend was an ally they desperately needed—
—or a storm they weren't ready to face.