Action over hesitation.
Phoenix only needed two more stars. It was just a matter of time.
Even if he never fought again, with his routine of ten thousand punches a day, in three months at most the constellation would be complete.
But the Saint Cloth… that was still a mystery.
More precisely—without Gammanium, he had nothing.
The other two components weren't such a problem.
With enough money, meteors could be bought. Collectors across America, even just in New York, hoarded them, and meteor trade fairs weren't rare.
And Vibranium—while technically priceless—Hawk knew where to find it.
If it came down to it, and diplomacy failed, he'd simply take it.
I want Vibranium. What does that have to do with you?
That left only one roadblock:
Gammanium.
Lately, after school, Hawk spent hours in the library—checking out books on gamma rays and scouring the shared computers for any related research.
That's how he also discovered which New Yorker owned the largest meteor collection.
Norman Osborn.
Yes—that Norman Osborn. Founder of Oscorp. Spider-Man's future nemesis.
A forum post from a month earlier mentioned that Osborn's mansion housed an entire room dedicated to his meteorite collection.
And as for Vibranium, Hawk had even pulled up info on Wakanda's ambassador to the UN—conveniently based in New York.
Meteors? Check.
Vibranium? Check.
But Gammanium… still nothing.
Today, hunched at a library terminal, Hawk clicked through another academic paper.
"If anyone knows gamma rays, it's Bruce Banner," he thought.
Too bad Banner had vanished after the Battle of New York—riding off on a scooter into the unknown.
Maybe S.H.I.E.L.D. knew.
But Hawk wasn't about to get entangled with heroes, much less S.H.I.E.L.D.—the walking definition of "trouble."
Still, there were other researchers. Not as brilliant as Banner, but still working the field.
Like this paper.
"The Application of Gamma Rays in Biological Therapy," by Dr. Curt Connors.
Oscorp Industries.
"…."
The Lizard.
Just then—
"Hey, you're reading Dr. Connors' work?"
A familiar voice.
Hawk turned.
Golden hair fell loose over a smooth forehead. Gwen stood behind him, a book in hand, leaning slightly to glance at the screen.
"Gamma rays in bio-therapy?" She tilted her head curiously. "I thought you wanted to study law at NYU. Why research gamma rays?"
Not law. Money, Hawk thought.
Before awakening his Microcosmos, he had set a life plan.
Study law.
At first he'd considered medicine.
Back in the East, being told to "study medicine" was a curse. Doctors with mansions and luxury cars were assumed to be corrupt.
Here? It was the opposite.
If a doctor didn't have a mansion and sports car, people assumed they weren't any good.
Especially surgeons.
But Hawk had realized he lacked the talent for medicine.
So, law it was.
Lawyers weren't worse than doctors. And law opened paths: private practice, prosecutor, even judge someday.
That was his old plan—a future of stability.
Now? With his Microcosmos awakened, he didn't need that path anymore.
But college wasn't something he'd skip either.
He smiled faintly at Gwen. "Just browsing. Came across it by accident."
He closed the tab, stood, and yielded the seat. Training was waiting.
Two years of routine meant if he skipped his punches, something always felt missing.
Gwen blinked as he left, then let herself be pulled along by a classmate to find a spot for study. Exams loomed next week, and even the laziest students had started cramming.
Hawk didn't need to cram. He hadn't before awakening, and now he certainly didn't.
His future had narrowed down to two options: comfort, or even more comfort.
So—
He kept to his rhythm.
Back in the old gym, Hawk struck the bag with focused rhythm.
Then—
The door creaked open.
A slender figure stepped inside.
"The board decided—they're tearing this old place down after break. Turning it into a swimming pool."
"…Thud!"
Hawk's fist slammed the heavy bag.
The suspended sandbag didn't even sway—but the surface rippled, dust bursting loose under the force.
The midday sun streamed through cracked windows, catching the floating particles in its glow.
…
(End of Chapter)
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