MARVEL: TOAA

"A bunch of trash."

Iron Mandrill, perched atop the battlefield, sneered at his defeated subordinates. His eyes glinted with disdain, showing no sympathy for the ape-like mutants falling one by one under the relentless attacks.

"Boom, boom, boom!"

Without hesitation, Iron Mandrill launched several rockets toward the center of the melee. The projectiles exploded indiscriminately, their shockwaves tearing through both allies and enemies alike.

He smirked. That sentinel robot... it's prioritizing protecting John and Reina. A cruel calculation formed in his mind. With Reina clearly injured, Iron Mandrill was sure Ravion would act as their shield.

As anticipated, Ravion crouched, shielding John and Reina from the assault. His mechanical frame absorbed the brunt of the artillery, sparks flying as the explosions engulfed him.

"Hahaha! I've found your weakness!" Iron Mandrill bellowed, his laughter echoing across the battlefield.

Though his barrage failed to harm Ravion directly, Iron Mandrill was brimming with confidence. He had identified a strategy—exploit Ravion's protective instincts.

"You're insane! You don't even care about the lives of your comrades!" John shouted.

"Comrades?" Iron Mandrill scoffed, his tone dripping with mockery. He gestured toward the injured ape-mutants writhing on the ground. "These weaklings? They're just fodder. Cannon fodder. If they're lucky, they might prove useful enough to keep around a bit longer. But most of them?" He chuckled darkly. "Just reserves. Food for the strong."

John stared, horrified, as the ape-mutants, many on the brink of death, continued dragging themselves toward their enemies. Their determination was chilling, even in the face of their leader's ruthless disdain.

"Father... have I made you proud?" one dying ape-mutant whispered weakly. Half his body was blown apart, yet he gazed toward Iron Mandrill with desperate reverence. His outstretched arm fell limp as life left his body.

"That's your child?" Reina's voice quivered with shock and disbelief.

Iron Mandrill's metallic armor reflected the coldness in his eyes. "Child? Sure. As a part of me, he's fulfilled his role brilliantly. When his body's returned, he'll serve as nourishment for others. Efficient, isn't it?"

"You... you're more heartless and cruel than any beast!" Reina spat.

"Hah! Did you know there's no reproductive barrier between us apes and humans?" Iron Mandrill jeered. "You're pretty enough, Crazy Pepper. If you survive this, you might just find yourself... useful."

"Ravion," John growled, anger surging through him. "Forget the plan. Take him down."

Ravion straightened, his mechanical body glowing faintly as he absorbed the energy from the explosions. His red eyes locked onto Iron Mandrill.

The mutant warlord's confidence faltered momentarily. "Sebastian's mutant ability... he copied it?"

Ravion didn't respond. Instead, he charged forward, his body a blur as he absorbed and redirected the energy around him.

Iron Mandrill gritted his teeth. "So what? I've got plenty of tricks left!" His armor reconfigured, a cannon emerging from his chest reactor. A blazing red energy beam erupted toward Ravion.

Ravion stood firm, chest out, taking the full brunt of the beam. The energy surged through him, his body absorbing its destructive force.

"Hah! Even if I can't kill you, your little friends won't survive this!" Iron Mandrill taunted, motioning to the ape-mutants. "What are you waiting for? Kill the brats!"

The ape-mutant Avengers charged, their fangs bared and claws outstretched.

John stepped forward, his divine aura flaring. "Didn't anyone tell you? You don't mess with old people, women, or kids."

With a raised hand, John unleashed a telepathic wave that froze the ape-mutants mid-attack. The air around them shimmered as invisible chains bound them in place.

"Emma," John smirked, addressing the White Queen. "Watch carefully. This is how you wield telepathy."

He clenched his fist. A loud boom reverberated as his mental hold tightened. Blood spurted from the mutants' noses and ears. One by one, they collapsed, lifeless.

Emma Frost's diamond form gleamed in the chaotic light, her expression betraying awe. "How... how did you do that? Even with telepathy suppressed, you—"

John swayed slightly, sweat beading on his forehead. Reina rushed to support him.

"Are you okay?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

"I'll be fine," John panted, forcing a grin. "Just... overdid it." His body, still adjusting to divine power, hadn't yet reached its full potential.

A thunderous roar shattered the momentary quiet. The mechanical giant ape, looming over the battlefield, let out a deafening cry. The ground quaked under its weight, and its fiery eyes glowed with fury.

Iron Mandrill stopped his attack, a wicked grin spreading across his face. Thor Ape and Sebastian, locked in their own brutal clash, paused and turned.

"You're finished now," Iron Mandrill sneered. "You've gone and made him angry. And when he's angry... you die."