The battle suit transformed into a sleek backpack, and the mechanical sword shifted into a skateboard, landing at Merlin's feet like a futuristic drone. With his youthful energy, Merlin now resembled a street-savvy kid mixed with a sci-fi superhero vibe.
"What a cool outfit you have! Did you make it yourself?" Coulson asked, clearly impressed by the practical yet stylish suit.
"Of course, but I have to thank Mr. Stark's Ark Reactor for powering it," Merlin replied, shaking Coulson's hand. They both entered a briefing room as Coulson nodded, intrigued.
"Tell me about your mission. What are these alien species?" Coulson asked, his tone now serious.
Merlin pulled out his phone and displayed the details. "This is it. The mission was posted by a man named Green Goblin."
The Green Goblin was none other than Norman Osborn, president of the Osborn Group. Though he hadn't yet fully assumed the Green Goblin persona, he had been obsessively studying the lizard potion ever since the Osborn Building was restored. Now, hearing rumors of immortality and genetic reincarnation, he was bound to be involved. Merlin had intercepted the mission details as soon as it was posted.
*[Mission: Capture Alien Creature]*
A group of vampires broke into the lair of alien creatures and were parasitized by facehuggers. Guided mysteriously, they escaped to a town near the Wonderland in New Mexico. When the alien is born, it will inherit the genes of the host.
*[Posted by: Green Goblin]*
*[Objective: Capture the alien creature and transport it to a designated address in Apple City. Contact will handle it.]*
*[Reward: $30 million]*
Coulson handed the phone back to Merlin with a frown. "How many players accepted this mission?"
"Three in total, including me," Merlin replied. "There are six spots, but most people aren't interested. The mission is far from the city, and it's pretty dangerous."
"Who are the other two?" Coulson asked.
"Not sure. They use code names, so I haven't met them."
Coulson nodded. "Come with me. But these creatures are too dangerous. I can't let you take them."
Before Merlin could respond, the blaring of alarms filled the base. A panicked voice came over the intercom.
"Intruder alert! Someone's broken into the base—tall, long blonde hair, gray robe..."
"We need immediate support!"
Coulson's expression turned grim as he processed the sudden intrusion. "What now?" he muttered in frustration. "This night just keeps getting worse!"
"Hawkeye, what's happening?" Coulson asked, holding his headset as he hurried down the corridor.
Above the base, perched in the hoist's basket, Hawkeye sat with his recurve bow, scanning the area vigilantly. Faint figures moved behind the transparent tarpaulin below him.
"A tall guy with long blond hair broke in. He's strong—really strong. Took down a lot of our people barehanded," Hawkeye reported, watching the action unfold.
"Any idea what he's after?" Coulson asked.
"He's heading straight for the mysterious hammer," Hawkeye confirmed, his voice tense.
"Sir, there's activity in the hammer's wavelength!" a scientist monitoring the strange artifact reported with surprise.
Coulson's face brightened with urgency. "Try to capture him alive!" he ordered, rushing out of the room and toward the hammer's location.
Boom!
The sky rumbled, thunder cracked overhead, and the heavens unleashed a torrential downpour. Coulson, along with everyone at the base, turned their attention to Thor, who had barged into the facility. He was a force of nature, plowing through agents like an unstoppable juggernaut.
Meanwhile, in the laboratory, the six unconscious vampires' chests suddenly burst open. A terrifying worm-like creature, drenched in mucus and blood, erupted from their bodies. These creatures—facehugger-born xenomorphs—quickly began to sprout limbs, their mouths filled with ferocious, razor-sharp fangs.
Bang!
Thor knocked out the last agent in his path with a single punch and, drenched in rain and mud, stood up, his gaze fixed on Mjolnir, his beloved hammer. With determined steps, he moved closer to it, but then suddenly stopped, his expression darkening.
Splash!
In the rain-soaked mud, footprints quietly appeared. Thor's eyes narrowed as he saw the vague outline of a tall, sturdy figure approaching through the downpour.
"That's it!" Hawkeye muttered from his vantage point, eyes locked on the newcomer. Emerging from the shadows was a towering humanoid creature with long dreadlocks, wearing a bizarre mask and radiating the aura of a savage jungle predator.
"Another one?" Coulson muttered in disbelief, staring at the scene. "Mysterious hammers, vampires, aliens, now a Predator? Is this some kind of cosmic meet-up?"
Thor stood firm, glaring at the Predator that had now entered his path. "Move aside!" he said sternly, recognizing the creature's alien origin. While he had seen many beings in Midgard, this particular predator reminded him of something akin to those from Vanaheim.
Roar!!!
The Predator removed its scarred mask and growled, revealing its terrifying worm-like fangs and mottled green skin.
Looking at the unarmed Thor, the Predator tossed the long knife toward him, signaling a challenge. He then ejected his wrist-mounted hook and took a combat stance, ready for a duel.
"Oh, you're hideous, but I don't have time to fight with you!" Thor remarked, eyeing the long knife at his feet. He understood what the Predator wanted, but all he cared about was retrieving Mjolnir and returning to Asgard.
The Predator didn't respond with words. Instead, he adjusted his stance and took a few steps forward, preparing to attack. He could sense that the man before him was worthy prey, a real challenge.
"Alright..." Thor sighed, bending down to pick up the long knife with his foot. He twirled the blade twice, getting a feel for it, then assumed a fighting posture. "Come on!" He motioned with his hand, inviting the Predator to attack. Thor had fought countless duels in his lifetime, but this was the first time someone had thrown him a weapon in such a manner.
Despite his powers being sealed, Thor was confident the Predator wouldn't be able to best him.
From above, Hawkeye watched intently, bow at the ready, waiting for orders as the two combatants sized each other up.
Suddenly, the Predator leapt into action, his sharp steel claws gleaming ominously in the rain.
Clang!
Thor met the attack with the long knife, and sparks flew as the blade clashed with the Predator's steel claws, lighting up the stormy night.
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