Now was a critical moment in Ross's presidential campaign, and he obviously couldn't run for office in his Red Hulk form. After much hesitation, Ross ultimately chose power.
There were many superpowered beings, but only one president.
Fortunately, no one knew Ross was the Red Hulk.
Rory loaded the suppressant into a vibranium injection gun, then selected a relatively thin patch of skin to administer it.
"Ugh…!"
The moment the serum entered his bloodstream, Ross felt a tingling numbness all over. His red skin began to fade, and gradually returned to its original tone.
His enormous body shrank as his bones reshaped and his muscles atrophied. Within seconds, he had reverted to human form.
"I only have lab coats here. You'll have to make do."
Now back in human form, Ross looked visibly exhausted. He put on the lab coat Rory handed him and asked, "Will I transform again unexpectedly? Is there a way to control it voluntarily?"
Rory shook his head. "I don't know. That's something you'll have to figure out yourself. If you're desperate, you could try asking Bruce Banner. I've got one more dose of the suppressant, take it with you in case anything goes wrong."
"Thanks."
The lab's power had been restored. Rory and Ross rode the elevator to the surface. By now, military cleanup crews had arrived and were clearing the battlefield.
"This can't go unanswered," Ross growled. "Attacking a military base is a serious crime. Even superheroes aren't above the law."
Rory warned, "Don't go after all the Avengers at once. Start with the weaker ones."
As he spoke, he waved over to the distance. Seventeen super soldiers immediately lined up and marched over.
Snap!
"Good day, sir!"
Rory nodded. "Numbers 4 and 7, you're assigned to accompany Mr. Ross. You'll be responsible for his personal safety."
"Yes, sir!"
The seventeen super soldiers obeyed Rory without question. Ross, standing to the side, frowned slightly.
These soldiers admired strength. Before, they hadn't fully grasped how powerful Rory was. But after today, they understood just how far above them he really stood.
It took all seventeen of them to hold off a few average superheroes, but Rory had gone toe-to-toe with the strongest Avengers alone. He was on a completely different level.
Rory turned to Ross. "The rest will stay here for now. I still need them for a few more experiments. When it's time to go after the Avengers, let me know, I'll bring reinforcements."
Ross nodded. "Fine. We'll need more of these soldiers anyway, just in case we end up facing the Avengers again."
Rory simply smiled, saying nothing more.
The Avengers' attack had destroyed a military base. It was no different from terrorism, a direct provocation against the government.
There would be consequences. Official sanctions. Arrests.
Ross's car arrived. Before getting in, he turned back and said, "Rory, I'm thinking of naming the super soldier squad the Knights Corps. What do you think?"
"That's your prerogative," Rory said coolly.
Knights Corps? So who's the king?
Back at S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ, the team had returned from the base and were now in a heated argument.
The first to speak up was someone who should've been paralyzed and bedridden for life, James Rhodes. Not only had War Machine recovered quickly, but he was back in action.
"Thor, no offense, but I think you bear at least half the responsibility for this mess."
Thor hated being blamed. He snapped back immediately, "You lot just weren't strong enough. If we're pointing fingers, look inward."
"But you were late! You can't deny that."
Danny Rand, with his broken arm in a cast, growled, "Did no one assess the enemy beforehand? Seventeen enhanced soldiers! Now Matt's dead, someone has to answer for that!"
Of the Defenders, only Jessica Jones had gotten off relatively easy. The others had been battered.
Especially Luke Cage. If not for the teleportation portal, he'd probably still be pinned under that tank.
"Don't blame your weakness on others. It just makes you sound pathetic."
Peter Parker chimed in, "They were like seventeen Captain Americas! Faster, meaner, and Fury told us not to hurt soldiers. That's nearly impossible."
"He's right. Nick Fury should take the blame."
"Someone has to be held accountable for this failure. I'm not dying next time!"
"Yelena's dead," Bruce Banner said grimly. "Think about how we'll face Clint Barton."
"And that red Hulk guy, he tied me up and cut our power. If we didn't lose so much support, maybe we could've won."
Without Hawkeye's lucky streak, team fights were hopeless.
The atmosphere was thick with tension. Everyone was looking to shift blame, and with two heroes down, the loss was significant.
Nick Fury remained silent, his face dark. Doctor Strange sighed heavily.
Maria Hill whispered, "This reminds me of the early days of the Avengers… back when we had Cap and Tony to guide us."
Fury knew it too. Without capable leadership, chaos was inevitable.
Doctor Strange told Fury, "We need better preparation. Everyone has to be united. We should bring in more heroes to deal with Rory's soldiers. I believe we can beat him next time."
Thor nodded, he'd decapitated Thanos before. He had full confidence he could defeat Rory next time. Today was just a fluke.
An hour later…
The federal government issued restrictions on all S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and members of the new Avengers. They were banned from leaving the country, barred from using powers, and some, like the Winter Soldier, were ordered to surrender within a set time.
Not only had the operation failed, but now they were labeled threats and fugitives.
After the meeting, Thor cornered Strange.
"Doctor Strange, tell me, why do we have to go after this Rory guy? Can't we just recruit him into the Avengers?"
Strange shook his head. "Impossible. He's a World-Ender. Like Ragnarok for Earth. As long as he's alive, the end is inevitable."
Thor still remembered the fall of Asgard vividly.
Surtur defeated Hela, destroyed the palace, and brought Asgard to ruin.
Thor wasn't sure how Strange had come to that conclusion, but he didn't press the issue.
He left the building with Korg, raised Stormbreaker, and summoned the Bifrost.
A rainbow beam of light engulfed them, and they were gone.
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