Scene 1: Lights from the Rift
The world had changed while Zafira ruled in shadows.
A decade had passed since the world believed her lost—swallowed by the failed Baxter experiment. Now, stories of her return, of the woman in armor who walked through walls and spoke in thunder, danced in secret corridors of science and sorcery.
But today, Zafira did not hide.
Above the Arabian Peninsula, her Sky Citadel shimmered like a myth reborn. Below, the world pulsed with conflict and curiosity.
In New York, inside the restructured Baxter Foundation, Reedah Richards stared at the simulation screen in silence. The rift they'd once created—years ago with Zafira by her side—had flickered back to life.
The data matched.
"No," she whispered. "It can't be."
But there it was: a unique signature of techno-mystic energy... Zafira's energy.
Reedah stood slowly. "Prepare the team. I want eyes on Damascus. Now."
Meanwhile, in the citadel's throne chamber—silent save for humming arcane gears—Waseem Maximoff approached.
"She's tracking you again," he said softly. His crimson cloak brushed the obsidian tiles.
Zafira didn't look up from her projection map. "Let her. She fears me now... not because of what I am, but what she wasn't brave enough to become."
He moved closer. "And if she reaches you?"
Zafira smirked. "Then the Fantastic Four will finally realize... the fifth was never theirs to begin with."
Outside, the sky cracked open briefly—a pulse of rift energy, surging across dimensions.
The war was coming. And the past was clawing its way back.
--
Scene 2: The Fifth and the Forgotten
Johnny Storm leaned against the wall of the Baxter aircraft, flame-flickering thumb lighting and dimming, lighting and dimming.
"Remind me again why we're flying into a country ruled by someone who can bend time and punch holes through reality?"
Sue Storm tightened her grip on the console. "Because she used to be one of us."
Ben Grimm cracked his knuckles. "Used to be don't mean nothin'. If she's threatening global security—"
"She's not," said Reedah sharply.
Silence.
"She's not threatening the world," she continued, eyes locked on the readouts. "She's trying to protect something. I don't know what it is yet… but Zafira never acted without reason."
Johnny raised a brow. "The metal suit, the fortress in the clouds, the army of mystic drones?"
"That's armor," Reedah said. "People build walls when they've been broken."
Meanwhile, in the citadel's inner chambers, Zafira moved through her workshop—more shrine than lab. Floating shards of glowing silver orbited around her like silent guardians. In the center, a blueprint hovered: Sovereign Spark – Mk II.
Waseem entered quietly, his presence always felt before seen.
"You're watching them," he said.
Zafira nodded. "They're arrogant. They think this is just about me... but the Veil is thinning again. The rift is reawakening."
He stepped beside her, watching the projections shift. "Will you let them in?"
"They never let me in," she whispered.
Waseem gently touched her arm. "You're not who they lost, Zafira. You're what this world needs now."
For a moment, her hand hovered near his. Sparks—literal sparks—danced where their fingers brushed.
Then a siren pulsed.
A ship breached the citadel's perimeter.
Zafira turned, voice like steel: "Activate shields. Do not fire... unless they force my hand."
Outside, the Fantastic Four's ship hovered beneath Damascus' golden skyline, facing the legendary fortress of Doctor Doom.
The storm of reunions was just beginning.
---
Absolutely, Duha. Here's the next piece:
---
Scene 3: The Doom and the Four
The landing ramp hissed open.
Sand-laced winds swept through the metallic silence as the Fantastic Four stepped out, weapons inactive—but caution sharp in every glance.
Ahead of them, the grand staircase to the Sky Citadel stretched wide, flanked by pillars of bronze and arcane energy. And at its peak, cloaked in silver and emerald, stood Zafira bint Hakib—Doctor Doom.
Her eyes met Reedah's first.
Not anger. Not even resentment.
Only an ancient kind of pain.
"You brought all of them," Zafira said coolly. "Is that how you greet a ghost, Reedah?"
Johnny flared slightly. "We came in peace."
Zafira descended slowly, each step echoing like a drumbeat. "Funny. I remember peace being what you promised before the Rift exploded in my face."
Reedah stepped forward, voice trembling. "Zafira, we didn't know it would destabilize. Victor—"
"Victor left me," Zafira cut in, her voice sharper than her armor. "But you... you let me fall."
Behind her, Waseem appeared, crimson runes swirling at his palms. The Scarlet Wizard, silent but ready.
Sue raised a hand. "We're not here to fight."
Zafira stopped two steps away from Reedah. "Then why are your weapons primed? Why does your heart tremble?"
Reedah's throat tightened. "Because I'm standing before the friend I buried. And I don't know if I'm speaking to her… or to her ghost."
For the first time, Zafira's mask softened.
"I was your friend. Until friendship meant choosing between truth and comfort."
She turned slightly to Waseem. "Escort them to the Hall of Echoes. They'll dine before they question. That's the old way."
Johnny blinked. "Wait, we're—what?"
Waseem smirked faintly. "It's either lamb and wine or fire and lightning. I'd recommend the lamb."
As they followed, Zafira remained behind for a moment, her gaze turned skyward.
Something stirred beyond Earth's veil. The Rift... was not done.
But neither was she.
---
To be continued...