Chapter 13: The Transformation
Peggy Carter and Steve Rogers walked side by side through the streets of Manhattan. After a long moment of silence, Peggy finally broke the tension.
"Steve, I think you have a lot more to tell me about this situation."
Steve rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of everything he couldn't explain. "Peggy, it's incredibly complicated. I'm not sure where to begin."
"That's alright. I have all the time in the world."
Steve considered his words carefully. "The best way I can put it is this: assume that Rory is conducting extremely dangerous experiments—the kind that could threaten innocent people. But I have no concrete evidence, and I don't know what other threats he might be developing."
"Who exactly is Rory? Why is there no record of him in any of our databases?" Peggy had a dozen more questions, but she trusted Steve's judgment above all else.
"Honestly, I don't know much about his background. All I know is that he represents a clear and present danger."
Steve couldn't explain that Rory had appeared from the future, shown him a world of advanced technology and superhuman conflicts, then somehow brought him back to 1970. The truth was, Steve was beginning to regret his decision to return to this time period. It might have been safer to leave Rory in the future, under the supervision of the Avengers.
"If you believe he's that dangerous, then we should arrest him immediately."
Peggy was still uncertain about the specifics, but she had learned to trust Steve's instincts during their time together in the war.
Just as she was about to contact her SSR operatives to coordinate Rory's capture, every light in the house suddenly went dark.
Confused, she flipped the light switch several times, but nothing happened. "Strange. Is this just our building?"
Steve moved to the window and looked out over the city. "I'll check outside."
A few moments later, they both realized the scope of the problem. It wasn't just Peggy's apartment—it was a city-wide blackout affecting all of Manhattan.
Peggy immediately opened an emergency cabinet and activated her backup power generator, then placed a call to SSR headquarters.
"This is Agent Carter. We have a massive power outage across Manhattan. I need a full investigation, immediately."
A few minutes later, her contact called back with information.
"Agent Carter, we just received word from Consolidated Edison. They're reporting a massive power drain originating from the South Street Seaport area in Lower Manhattan. They're dispatching emergency repair crews now."
Both Peggy and Steve went rigid with recognition. The last time they'd witnessed a power drain this severe was during Steve's super-soldier transformation at the SSR facility.
"Oh God. It's Rory."
Peggy immediately ordered a complete tactical blockade of the South Street Seaport, then both of them quickly dressed and raced toward the docks in her car.
Meanwhile, just as Peggy was mobilizing to arrest him, Rory had completed his final test on the laboratory mouse.
Compared to the violent, unstable creature from his previous experiment, this mouse was remarkably calm and controlled. While it had grown slightly larger, it remained docile and the transformation appeared completely stable.
"Alright," Rory said to himself, staring at the perfected serum. "It's my turn now."
He was confident in his calculations. There were only two possible outcomes: either the integration of Thanos's genetic material would enhance his body beyond human limits, or nothing would happen at all. There was no third possibility—no catastrophic failure or monstrous mutation.
After making final adjustments to his bioelectric enhancement chamber, Rory stripped down to his underwear and approached the energy-conversion apparatus. Holding the syringe containing his life's work, he smiled at the successfully enhanced mouse in its containment unit.
"Wish me luck, little guy."
Without hesitation, he injected the serum directly into his carotid artery.
The electrical energy conversion system immediately activated, and every power line in Lower Manhattan began channeling electricity toward the abandoned factory at South Street Seaport. High-voltage transformers throughout the area sparked and overloaded as the massive energy drain began.
At that exact moment, Peggy Carter arrived at the pier with Steve Rogers and a team of SSR agents.
"Any idea which building he might be using?" Peggy asked, hands on her hips as she surveyed the sprawling industrial complex.
SSR operatives who had arrived earlier were conducting a systematic search of every warehouse and factory.
Steve shook his head grimly. "I don't know. We'll have to check them all."
As they moved deeper into the pier, a high-voltage power line overhead suddenly exploded with a deafening crack, sending a shower of sparks raining down around them.
The severed cable whipped through the air directly toward Peggy. Steve instantly grabbed her and dove clear of the dangerous electrical hazard.
Following the trail of overloaded power lines, Steve spotted an eerie blue glow emanating from an abandoned factory building in the distance.
"There! He's in that building!"
Steve broke into a full sprint toward the source of the light. Peggy, unable to match his enhanced speed, ran behind him while calling for tactical support over her radio.
"AHHHHHHHHH!"
Just as Steve reached the factory entrance, Rory's agonized screams echoed from inside the building. Without hesitation, Steve kicked the reinforced steel door with enough force to tear it off its hinges.
He immediately pried open the energy chamber with his bare hands. Thick white vapor billowed out, temporarily obscuring his vision.
Suddenly, a foot shot out from within the chamber—moving so fast that even Steve's enhanced reflexes couldn't react in time.
The kick connected with devastating force, sending Steve's body flying backward like a launched projectile. He sailed seven or eight meters through the air before hitting the concrete floor hard, then skidded another two or three meters before coming to a stop.
"Steve!" Peggy rushed over to help him to his feet.
Steve stared intently at the energy chamber as he stood up, shield ready.
A few seconds later, Rory emerged from the apparatus wearing only his underwear, his expression dark and dangerous.
"Steve," Rory said coldly, "why do you insist on stalking me?"
"Rory, I'm trying to help you. I don't want to see you go any further down this destructive path."
"How do you know it's destructive? Why don't you question whether Dr. Erskine was wrong when he created you? Yet here you stand, lecturing me about right and wrong. Is this your idea of justice?"
Rory moved closer until he was standing directly in front of Steve, close enough that his enhanced presence was almost overwhelming.
Pointing an accusing finger at Steve's face, he roared, "You're just a soldier, Rogers—not a scientist! This is my research, my life's work. You have no right to interfere!"
"I can't let you continue. I won't let you hurt innocent people."
"BANG!"
Rory's foot connected with Steve's abdomen, sending Captain America flying backward once again. He crashed into the brick wall with enough force to shake dust from the ceiling.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Rory advanced on Steve with predatory grace. "You keep talking about freedom and justice, but what gives you the right to restrict my freedom?"
Rory suddenly lunged forward, grabbed Steve by the throat, and lifted him off the ground with one hand.
"I understand now," he sneered. "This isn't about protecting people. You just want to maintain your image as the perfect superhero, don't you? The righteous Captain America who always knows what's best for everyone else."
"That's not true!" Steve gasped.
"BOOM!"
Captain America counterattacked with a powerful knee strike to Rory's ribs, breaking free from his grip. Following up immediately, Steve landed a devastating right cross to Rory's jaw.
But to Steve's horror, Rory barely staggered from the blow that should have dropped any normal human.
The transformation had worked. Rory now possessed strength that rivaled Steve's own—and possibly exceeded it.
End of Chapter 13
join patreon for update and advance chapters
https://www.p-atreon.com/c/Soulforger
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
"If you're enjoying this story, don't forget to drop a Power Stone! Your support keeps me motivated and helps the novel reach more readers."
"100 Power Stones this week = 1 extra chapter release!"
"500 Power Stones = 2 extra chapter release ."