Banner turned, confused, as James waved, opening a portal beneath Ross. "What?!" Ross yelled, plummeting into the golden vortex.
Banner gaped. "James, what's that?"
The portal briefly showed a scorching African desert, a decrepit mine, workers toiling under whips. It closed, Ross gone. James faced Banner. "You wouldn't kill him. I respect that. But I didn't like his attitude."
Wanda laughed. "So Ross is a miner now?"
Kara raised an eyebrow. "Where's that?"
"West African blood diamond mine," James said. "No comms, no army, just 16-hour labor." He looked at Banner. "Merciful enough."
Banner shook his head, smiling wryly. "You're scary to cross."
"Thanks," James said, opening a portal. "Home."
Wanda followed, Kara glancing at Ross's exit, muttering, "This world's rules are… interesting."
S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters
A golden portal opened in the command center. James, Wanda, Kara, and Banner stepped out. Tony Stark, at a hologram console, looked up, startled, then grinned. "Your entrances keep getting flashier."
He eyed Banner. "You look… better than expected."
Banner adjusted his cracked glasses. "Nearly a lab rat again. I'm done."
Tony clapped his shoulder. "Welcome back, science bro."
James cut in, "Tony, step up."
Tony blinked. "Huh?"
"You run S.H.I.E.L.D. now," James said. "Banner's safety is on you. If anyone threatens him, let Hulk and Adam teach them."
Tony shrugged. "Ross won't be easy."
"He's gone," James said. "Video's out. The world knows they're hunting a hero."
Tony's jaw dropped. "Wait, what video? Jarvis, you didn't tell me!"
Jarvis projected James's global broadcast. Tony's mouth twitched. "You're turning into a villain, James."
James shrugged. "Just setting things straight."
Kara scanned the high-tech setup. "This your Justice League?"
"Kinda," Tony said. "Cooler, though. No turncoat teammates."
Banner sighed. "Now what?"
Tony grinned. "You join S.H.I.E.L.D.'s science division. Top-clearance lab. We'll work on Anti-Hulk Armor 1.0—for you."
Banner chuckled. "You're relentless."
James said to Tony, "If the government moves, I'm ready to send them to God."
Tony rolled his eyes. "I'm director, you know. If they try anything, I'll leak their shady experiments."
James nodded. "Good." He turned to leave.
Tony called, "Wait! No intro for the new girl?"
Kara smiled. "Kara Zor-El, Kryptonian."
Tony clutched his chest. "Another Superman? Jarvis, prep Kryptonite!"
James ignored him, opening a portal. Wanda waved. "You owe us dinner, Stark!"
Kara eyed Tony. "You look 40 but act 20."
They vanished, leaving Tony and Banner. Tony exhaled. "I got roasted. This is big."
Banner adjusted his glasses. "The military threat or the new Supergirl?"
Tony grinned. "Both. Exciting, right?"
Washington, White House Bunker
President Trump, face grim, flipped through a file, tapping the table. Across him sat shadowy figures in black robes, their eyes cold in the dim light.
"The Superhuman Registration Act?" he asked, frowning. "You know the chaos this'll cause?"
The lead figure spoke, voice raspy. "Chaos? The world's already out of control. Superman, Hulk, mutants—their power threatens national security."
Trump scoffed. "So you want me to sign this, force all superhumans to register? Non-compliers are criminals? Then what? You handle arrests?"
"Exactly," the figure leaned forward, smiling. "We'll ensure order."
Trump slammed the table. "Who are you to order the government?"
The figure's eyes glowed red, an oppressive force hitting Trump. His breath caught, certain death loomed if he spoke again. "Because we know the real threats," the figure said, voice echoing.
Trump paled, sweating, collapsing into his chair. "Fine. The Act will pass."
The red glow faded. "Wise choice, Mr. President."
They left silently, Trump alone, file soaked in sweat. He pressed a comm, voice hoarse. "Prep a meeting. We're pushing the Act."
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