The scorching pillar of fire unleashed a rolling wave of heat, its ultra-high temperatures capable of melting metal striking the who was Hulk standing at the center of the street...
The massive fireball expanded outward, transforming into a raging sea of flames.
The violent shockwaves triggered explosions that shook the towering skyscrapers lining the street. The flames surged outward, covering half the block with terrifying destructive force.
Streetlights melted like candles, and cars erupted in a chain of explosions.
"See that? The Human Torch is about to show off!" Aside from Johnny Storm of the Fantastic Four, the other three members had also arrived...
The Hulk's rampage had been so massive that it had already alerted S.H.I.E.L.D...
Seeing that General Ross' National Guard couldn't subdue the green beast, Nick Fury had ordered Iron Man to intervene while also calling in New York's only superhero team.
The spreading flames were blocked by an invisible barrier, concentrating the intense heat on the Hulk's massive body. This move had once nearly melted the indestructible Doctor Doom. The thousand-degree inferno raged, distorting the air with its blistering heat and creating surreal mirages.
Amid the heat and smoke, Johnny Storm, wreathed in flames, charged in to check if the big guy had been reduced to charcoal. As a superhero, the thought of solving a crisis even Iron Man couldn't handle filled him with smug satisfaction.
Tomorrow's headlines would undoubtedly read 'Fantastic Four Saves New York', with his name front and center. Everyone would know the legend of the Human Torch.
"Hey, big green and ugly– AHH!" Johnny's recklessness cost him dearly.
A green, snarling face emerged from the smoke, and a massive hand seized his flaming form. The searing heat didn't seem to bother the Hulk much... aside from making his already tattered pants even more ragged.
With a furious roar, the Hulk swung Johnny around like a ragdoll before slamming him into the concrete pavement, embedding him into the road. Smoke curled from Johnny's mouth as his body screamed in agony, every bone feeling shattered.
"Johnny you little punk, serves you right!" The Thing, Ben Grimm, stomped onto the battlefield, his 500-pound frame shaking the ground.
Though slightly "smaller" than the Hulk, his rock-like body and crushing strength made him a worthy opponent.
While Ben tangled with the Hulk, Iron Man hauled Johnny out of the pavement and tossed him to Mr. Fantastic, Reed Richards. A quick assessment confirmed Johnny had multiple fractures but would survive...
"HULK!" The green giant bellowed his own name, his fist crashing into Ben's head like a wrecking ball.
A powerful followup kick sent the Thing flying in a straight line, flipping through the air before smashing through a skyscraper and vanishing under rubble.
Nearby, Reed and the Invisible Woman hesitated to intervene. They had witnessed the Hulk's terrifying power firsthand and lacked effective offensive capabilities, leaving them to support from the periphery.
Iron Man answered General Ross' call... the military was preparing a carpet bombing with cruise missiles and needed civilians evacuated immediately.
Just then, Tony's friend Colonel Rhodes arrived in the War Machine armor. His overwhelming firepower briefly stalled the Hulk's advance, but every attack only fueled the beast's rage, pushing his strength to ever-greater heights...
...
While New York's superheroes battled the Hulk, back at the harbor, Sean had just escorted the shaken women onto an Umbrella helicopter...
Blonsky, now back to normal and dripping wet, stared toward the flaming city with frustration.
"Boss, I can still stop him–" He wanted to finish his fight with the Hulk.
Sean waved him off, "There'll be other chances. Don't fixate on the Hulk, you'll have more opponents in the future."
The young man boarded another helicopter, with Blonsky piloting toward the battlefield...
...
By now, General Ross had evacuated several blocks...
Iron Man unleashed a devastating missile barrage, reducing entire streets to rubble. Nearby skyscrapers trembled, their windows shattering from the shockwaves as dust clouds billowed skyward.
Even the Hulk's near-invulnerable hide couldn't withstand the onslaught. He staggered back, a deep gash on his chest from War Machine's surprise laser attack.
But Rhodes had paid dearly... his armor was dismantled piece by piece. Had Mr. Fantastic not risked his life to save him, the colonel would've been pulped under the Hulk's foot.
Panting heavily, the Hulk's chest heaved like a roaring furnace...
From the helicopter, Sean observed the swirling green energy within the beast... It was a dormant force ready to erupt.
A monster like the Hulk only grew stronger with battle. Unless killed instantly, he would unleash an endless wave of destruction.
In his fury, the Hulk tore a thick steel rebar from the ruins and hurled it skyward like a javelin.
~..Sir..~
JARVIS' warning came too late.
The glowing red-hot rebar pierced the air like lightning, spearing through Iron Man's armor.
Tony's right arm exploded in pain as consciousness faded.
JARVIS' voice crackled:
~..Emergency protocols activated… severe blood loss detected..~
The arc reactor flickered as the suit plummeted like a wounded bird.
Dust settled over the ruined streets. The flames still flickered, but as the last rays of sunset vanished, night fell silently.
The Hulk stood triumphant amidst the wreckage, his scarred muscles gleaming under the dim light. His emerald eyes burned brighter than ever, his rage unquenched.
Around him lay the fallen defenders of New York... Iron Man, War Machine, and the Fantastic Four... all defeated by the green goliath.
With a final earth-shaking roar, he pounded his chest and declared to the world:
"HULK STRONGEST THERE IS!"