"Hey, big guy… what are you planning to do now?" Karl asked.
He watched Cain Marko carefully, curiosity growing. If the Juggernaut could be guided — if he learned to consciously harness Cyttorak's power instead of relying on instinct — his potential might surpass even the Hulk in certain circumstances.
And if that happened…
Even someone like Captain Marvel would no longer be an insurmountable threat.
Juggernaut swallowed another mouthful of food and shrugged.
"Dunno. I'll figure it out. No family. No home. Doesn't matter."
He grinned.
"And I don't die."
That part, at least, wasn't an exaggeration.
As Cyttorak's avatar, Cain Marko possessed mystical empowerment that made him nearly unstoppable once he built momentum. His stamina was limitless, his durability supernatural, and conventional force meant little to him.
Karl took a chicken leg from the food pile and spoke casually.
"How about joining me? You'll have food, money, fights… and a chance to become stronger."
Juggernaut paused mid-bite.
Karl observed him carefully.
Aside from his tattered pants, the man possessed nothing. No possessions. No direction. No attachments.
But he loved combat.
That much was obvious.
After a moment of thought, Juggernaut nodded.
"…Okay. But I need to fight."
Karl smiled faintly.
"There will be plenty of fights."
And he meant it.
Asgardians. Gamma monsters. Alien invasions. Dimensional threats.
This world never lacked opponents.
"I'll fight aliens too?" Juggernaut asked, eyes lighting up.
Karl chuckled.
"You'll fight things you never imagined."
Juggernaut laughed loudly and returned to eating.
Return to the Manor
Karl brought him back through the Shadow World.
There was no other way — Juggernaut would not fit inside a Lamborghini, nor would New York traffic survive the attempt.
By the time they arrived, it was well past midnight.
Karl arranged for Juggernaut to stay in a detached guest building within the manor grounds. The structure had reinforced flooring and wide corridors — necessary precautions given the destructive force Cain Marko could exert even by walking carelessly.
The main house remained reserved for family.
Juggernaut didn't object.
He only asked one question:
"When's the next fight?"
Karl answered:
"Soon."
Satisfied, Juggernaut fell asleep almost immediately.
Late Night
Karl returned to his room.
He stopped at the doorway.
Two figures lay asleep in his bed.
Aunt May and Raven.
He raised an eyebrow in surprise.
After showering, he slipped beneath the covers and wrapped an arm around both women, pulling them closer.
For once, the world outside could wait.
The Next Morning
The television broadcast cut through the quiet of the living room.
"Last night, New York Police Commissioner George Stacy has come under severe criticism after deploying large numbers of officers to search for his daughter, who had only been missing for several hours."
"During this time, a gang firefight erupted in Clinton District involving military-grade weapons, leaving five civilians dead and seven injured."
"Witnesses report that emergency calls went unanswered."
Karl leaned back on the sofa, expression unreadable.
The broadcast continued.
"Iron Man, Tony Stark, released a public statement condemning the incident."
'Instead of protecting civilians, officers were deployed to aim weapons at a Stark Industries shareholder who had just saved the commissioner's daughter. This represents a catastrophic misuse of public resources.'
"Mr. Stark also released video footage showing officers aiming firearms at the individual in question."
"City Hall has announced that George Stacy has been relieved of his position as Police Commissioner. He has been demoted and suspended pending investigation."
Karl let out a quiet scoff.
Tony moved fast.
Faster than most politicians.
Public Reaction
Footage cut to a grieving father shouting outside a hospital.
"To hell with George Stacy! My five-year-old daughter died last night! Where were the police when rockets were fired?! You aim guns at a rich man but ignore ordinary citizens? Damn you!"
Karl muted the television.
He understood exactly what had happened.
Heavy weapons were rarely deployed openly in New York. Even in Hell's Kitchen, police and gangs maintained an unspoken equilibrium.
But last night, officers had abandoned their precinct.
Emergency lines went unanswered.
And when chaos erupted, no one responded.
Not out of cruelty.
Out of fear.
They had offended Stark Industries.
And no one wanted to be the next casualty — politically or professionally.
George Stacy's Home
George returned home before dawn.
His wife looked at him with quiet concern but said nothing.
She knew him well.
Even if given another chance…
He would make the same choice.
Because he was a father before he was a commissioner.
Midtown High School
Gwen watched the news in stunned silence from the teachers' office television.
Her stomach tightened.
This was her fault.
All of it.
If she hadn't fought the Abomination…
She wouldn't have been injured.
She would have returned home on time.
Her father wouldn't have mobilized the police.
He wouldn't have confronted Karl.
Stark Industries wouldn't have intervened.
Emergency lines wouldn't have gone unanswered.
Five civilians might still be alive.
Karl's words echoed in her mind.
Think about your family before you act.
Her father had lost his position.
Her mother's health was fragile.
Her two younger brothers depended on stability.
Savings might carry them for a while…
…but hospital bills would not wait.
Gwen swallowed hard.
She wanted to ask Karl for help.
But after everything…
Would he even see her?
She wasn't sure she deserved it.
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