At the Avengers Tower
"Let me get this straight," said Rhodes, frowning as he looked at Tony, "you tried to create an artificial intelligence to protect the world... and accidentally ended up creating a new form of life?"
"That's right," Tony replied, puffing out his chest with pride, "granted, with a little chaos magic mixed in, but yeah. What can I say? I'm a genius."
Rhodes glanced over at Wanda, who was sitting not too far away. She shrugged, wearing a neutral expression.
"It was either that, or a homicidal robot trying to take over the world."
"Haha, good one," he laughed, but stopped when he saw everyone else's serious faces, "wait, you're serious?"
The silence from the rest of the team was the only answer. They all wore grave expressions. Rhodes looked around, incredulous.
"And I'm the only one who didn't know this?"
Before anyone could reply, Natasha stepped in.
"If we worried about every disaster that would've happened if Leonardo hadn't stepped in, we'd all be living in constant panic attacks."
"It couldn't have been that bad..."
"There's a file on it in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s system. Read it if you want to traumatize yourself a bit," Natasha answered flatly.
But the conversation was abruptly interrupted by the sound of an automatic door opening and the firm steps of a man who needed no introduction.
Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., entered the room with a grim look.
"Fury," said Thor upon seeing him, "shouldn't we wait for Hulk?"
"Hulk is the reason you're all here."
Fury held up a remote and pointed it at the main screen. It lit up instantly and began playing a recording.
It was Banner. Captured by a security camera in a restaurant, he was seen walking in calmly, ordering something, and sitting down. Everything seemed normal… until it wasn't.
Within seconds, his body started trembling and transforming. But something was wrong. Though he had already turned into Hulk, his body kept growing, grotesquely distorting. Muscles over muscles, disproportionate parts, an unstable mass... until he exploded.
Chaos erupted in the footage: screams, people fleeing, destruction. The video stopped.
Tony and Thor were the first to react.
"Hulk is dead? And we're only finding out now?" Stark shouted.
"Who dares slay one of my comrades? I shall rain down Asgard's fury upon them!" Thor roared.
Even Clint, usually the calmest of the group, raised his voice.
"Explain this, Fury."
"Let me finish," the director said firmly, "Hulk isn't dead. His regeneration is incredible—he's already recovering. And the reason you didn't know is simple: S.H.I.E.L.D. made sure no one else did. We handled the witnesses, scrubbed the records. That footage is the only copy that exists."
"So who did this?" Tony asked. "And why?"
"We don't know yet. But we do know how they did it."
The screen switched to a medical image of Hulk's body, revealing a complex, altered molecular structure.
Tony was the first to speak, fascinated.
"Fascinating," seeing everyone's attention on him, he began to explain, "this… this is insane. As you all know, our bodies are made of atoms and molecules. And yes, Banner's body was already strange. But this..."
He pointed at the image with disbelief.
"This isn't natural. Someone tampered with his molecules to make him self-destruct from the inside out. They tried to kill Hulk at a molecular level."
Fury nodded.
"That's why we need outside help. There's an expert who can give us answers: Hank Pym. Former high-ranking S.H.I.E.L.D. member, co-founder, and absolute authority on miniaturization technology, molecular structures, and anything small."
"I know him," Tony chimed in, "if I recognize a scientist, it's because he's really good. And honestly, Fury... calling him 'an expert in anything small' doesn't do him justice. I take it you didn't part on good terms."
"Let's not get into that," Fury said, dodging the subject, "I'll send you everything you need. Do what you do best: find the culprit and save the world."
---
Hank Pym's House
"Sorry for dropping by unannounced, Dr. Pym," said Steve as they were greeted.
The old man smiled kindly.
"Don't worry about that. Always a pleasure to help. Though... I expected more of you."
"Some chose to stay behind," Natasha clarified.
The only ones present were Steve, Natasha, Clint, and Tony. Thor, Wanda, Bucky, Pietro, Loki, Rhodes, and Sam had remained behind.
Rhodes, originally sent by the government to keep an eye on the Avengers, had been convinced by Tony to join the team. Despite still being part of the military, he now prioritized the group.
Sam, on the other hand, had met Steve during his training routines. After learning that Sam offered psychological support to veterans, Steve decided to take Bucky there, which led to a new friendship. When Steve found out Sam had piloted an experimental exo-suit, he didn't hesitate to bring him in when they needed more aerial support during a mission.
"Not everyone is suited for infiltration and analysis missions," Natasha explained, "so they chose not to come and get in the way."
"I understand. Have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?"
"Water's fine."
"Same for me."
"I'm good," Clint said.
"Perfect. Everything I've researched is on the table. I doubt you'll understand much, but feel free to take a look while I get the drinks."
Pym went off to the kitchen. The Avengers began reviewing the documents.
As he said, they didn't understand much, but they managed to grasp the essentials.
Hulk's transformation wasn't natural. It had been forced from within. And more than that: someone had altered his molecules with surgical precision. It wasn't an accident—it was intentional. And not just anyone could pull that off.
The first theory was the most logical: someone with specific technology. The second, however, was far more unsettling.
"What did he mean by 'someone attacked his molecules manually'?" Tony asked just as Pym returned with the glasses of water.
The scientist set the glasses on the table with a smile.
"That, Mr. Stark, is the most disturbing part."
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