Chapter 9
The wind whipped across the helipad atop Castle Doom as Albedo and his team stood in formation, ready for their mission. The air was thick with anticipation, the weight of what they were about to do settling over them like a storm cloud. The hum of arcane energy surrounded them as Dr. Doom prepared the portal that would transport them directly to the gamma testing site.
Polaris adjusted her gloves, the faint glow of her magnetic field flickering briefly. "So, just to recap—get the evidence, smash everything else, and get out before reinforcements arrive?"
"Sounds simple when you say it like that," A-Bomb muttered, rolling his crystalline shoulders as he stretched. "Let's just hope it actually goes that way."
"It won't," Albedo said bluntly, his crimson eyes scanning the team. "Stay sharp. Stick to the plan. We're not here to be heroes—we're here to send a message."
Thor rested his training mace on his shoulder, his expression calm but resolute. "Aye, this mission is a test not only of strength but of resolve. Let us ensure we do not falter."
The portal began to take shape in front of them, its swirling energy casting an eerie green glow over the helipad. Dr. Doom stepped forward, his imposing figure silhouetted against the magical construct.
"The portal will place you directly at the facility's perimeter," Doom said, his voice steady and commanding. "From there, you must act quickly. The Maker's agents will not hesitate to retaliate, and reinforcements will not be far behind."
Albedo nodded, stepping closer to the team. "Once we're inside, we split into pairs. Polaris, you're with me. Thor and A-Bomb, you two will handle crowd control and secure any physical evidence you find."
A-Bomb smirked. "So, we're the distraction?"
"You're the hammer," Albedo corrected. "Smash anything that looks important, but keep your eyes open for data storage units or anything related to the A-Bomb incident. We can't miss anything."
"And if the Maker himself is there?" Polaris asked, her voice level but her eyes sharp.
"We avoid him," Albedo said firmly. "This isn't about taking him down directly. If we see him, we retreat. The mission comes first."
Doom raised a hand, the portal stabilizing with a loud hum. "Time is of the essence. Your path is clear. Go now, and remember: failure is not an option."
Without another word, Albedo stepped through the portal, the rest of the team close behind. The world twisted and blurred around them, the sensation of magic and energy pulling them through space almost overwhelming. Then, as suddenly as it began, the portal spit them out onto the rocky desert terrain surrounding the gamma testing facility.
The air was heavy with heat, the faint hum of machinery audible even from their position outside the facility's outer perimeter. The massive structure loomed ahead, its walls reinforced with layers of concrete and steel. Guards patrolled the perimeter, armed to the teeth and clearly on high alert.
Albedo crouched low, motioning for the team to follow suit. "We're moving in fast and hard," he whispered. "Stick to the plan, and don't get sloppy."
Polaris nodded, her hands already glowing faintly as she prepared to disrupt the guards' weapons. Thor and A-Bomb exchanged a glance, both of them tensing as they readied themselves for the assault.
"On my mark," Albedo said, his voice low but firm. He shifted into his XLR8 form, his lithe frame vibrating with barely contained energy. "Three… two… one… go!"
The team launched forward, the assault on the gamma testing site beginning in a blur of motion and determination.
The chaos began the moment Albedo dashed into the gamma testing site. In his XLR8 form, he moved faster than the guards could react, disarming several of them in a blur of motion and tossing their weapons into a growing pile. The alarm blared to life, a sharp, piercing sound that echoed through the facility and sent the guards scrambling for their stations.
Polaris was right behind him, her magnetic field flaring as she yanked metal reinforcements from the walls, creating barriers that blocked off the guards' movements. "Alarms are up," she said, her voice steady but focused. "We've got about three minutes before they regroup."
"Plenty of time," Albedo replied, his voice relayed through the team's comms. His AI interface flickered to life in his visor. "Status check—Thor, A-Bomb, you in position?"
"Smashing their resistance as thou commandest," Thor's voice came through, punctuated by the loud clang of his mace striking metal.
A-Bomb's laugh followed. "Yeah, they're not ready for this. These guys are going down like paperweights. What's next, boss?"
Albedo turned back to Polaris. "Keep cutting off their routes. Don't let them pin us down. Thor, A-Bomb, clear the central lab and grab any physical evidence you can find—computers, hard drives, whatever looks useful."
"Got it," A-Bomb replied. Another loud crash echoed through the comms, followed by A-Bomb's voice. "Uh, you're not gonna believe this—found a prototype Hulk serum in one of the crates."
"Secure it," Albedo ordered. "We'll deal with it later."
"Understood," Thor said. "Moving to the next section."
Doom's voice cut in, calm and precise. "Albedo, your team is ahead of schedule. However, you must move quickly. Reinforcements are en route, and I am detecting elevated energy readings from the facility's core."
Albedo gritted his teeth. "Understood. Polaris, let's move."
The two sprinted deeper into the facility, Albedo switching to his Swampfire form to deal with a group of guards blocking their path. He unleashed a burst of vines, tangling their legs and yanking them to the ground. Polaris followed up, disabling their weapons with a magnetic pulse before creating another barrier to block the hallway behind them.
As they moved, Albedo's AI fed him constant updates. Maps of the facility, guard movements, and energy readings from the core all streamed into his visor. "We're nearing the data center," Albedo said. "Doom, do you have a read on the security measures?"
"Predictable," Doom replied. "Encrypted firewalls and biometric locks. Your AI should suffice to breach the digital systems. Polaris will handle the physical barriers."
Polaris smirked faintly as she caught the tail end of Doom's comment. "Nice to know the tin man has faith in me."
Albedo didn't respond, too focused on the terminal in front of him as he initiated the AI's breach protocol. The holographic interface lit up, lines of code streaming rapidly as the AI worked to bypass the system.
"Breaching now," Albedo said. "Thor, A-Bomb, how's the central lab looking?"
"Messy," A-Bomb replied. "We've got a ton of research data—serum samples, schematics, even some notes from Banner himself."
"Anything on A-Bomb's incident?" Albedo asked.
"Still looking," Thor said. "But we'll find it."
Albedo glanced at Polaris, who was holding off another group of guards with a series of magnetic pulses. "We're almost in," he told her. "Hold them off a little longer."
"Don't worry about me," Polaris said, her voice firm. "Just get the data."
The AI's voice chimed in his ear. "System breach complete. Data transfer initiated."
Albedo watched as files began downloading to his suit's internal storage. "We've got it," he said, his tone sharp. "Doom, the data is secure. What's the status on those energy readings?"
"Unstable," Doom replied. "Whatever is powering their experiments, it is nearing critical levels. You must locate the source and neutralize it before extraction."
"Copy that," Albedo said, turning to Polaris. "Let's move. Thor, A-Bomb, meet us at the core."
"On our way," Thor replied.
The team converged on the facility's core, ready to take the next step in dismantling Project SMASH. The chaos they had created was spreading, but Albedo knew the hardest part was still ahead.
The core room was a massive, circular chamber bathed in an eerie green light emanating from the reactor at its center. The walls were lined with control panels and monitors displaying incomprehensible streams of data, and the air was thick with the low hum of energy surging through the facility. As Albedo and his team stepped inside, the scene before them made them freeze.
Dr. Bruce Banner stood at one of the control consoles, his brow furrowed as he meticulously entered commands. Around the room were several testing beds, each holding a restrained figure—ordinary people, their faces pale and contorted in fear. They were hooked up to various machines, their bodies glowing faintly as if irradiated by the energy coursing through the core. Banner glanced up briefly as the team entered, but his focus quickly returned to his work.
Standing between Banner and the intruders was the Red Hulk, Theodore Ross. His massive frame was impossible to ignore, the red glow of his overheated body casting flickering shadows on the walls. His piercing gaze locked onto the team, and a predatory grin spread across his face.
"Well, well," Ross rumbled, his voice dripping with menace. "Look what the rats dragged in."
"Dr. Banner," Albedo said, his voice sharp and cutting. "You've sunk pretty low, haven't you?"
Banner didn't look up from his work, his voice calm but distant. "This isn't your concern. Leave now, and I might consider letting you live."
"Not happening," Polaris said, her hands glowing with magnetic energy as she stepped forward. "Whatever you're doing to those people stops now."
Ross took a step forward, his sheer size and heat making the air ripple. "I don't think you understand the situation you're in, little girl. I'm here to make sure nothing stops."
Thor gripped his mace tightly, stepping to Polaris's side. "This madness ends here, Ross. Thou canst not stand against us all."
Ross laughed, a deep, guttural sound that reverberated through the chamber. "You think numbers are enough to stop me? I was built for war, and you're just a bunch of rebels playing dress-up."
Albedo took a step forward, his crimson eyes locked on Banner. "You're just going to keep hiding behind Ross, Banner? Is this what you wanted your legacy to be? A lackey for the Maker?"
Banner finally looked up, his gaze cold and calculating. "You have no idea what you're talking about. This isn't about the Maker—it's about progress. What we're doing here will change the future."
"You mean by torturing innocent people?" A-Bomb growled, stepping forward with his fists clenched. "You think that's progress?"
Banner's expression didn't waver. "Sacrifices are necessary for advancement. You wouldn't understand."
"Try me," Albedo snapped, his hands glowing faintly as he prepared for a fight. "But first, let those people go."
Ross took another step forward, the heat from his body making the team instinctively step back. "Not happening, kid. If you want them, you're going to have to go through me."
Albedo's voice crackled over the team's comms. "Stick to the plan. Polaris, focus on the machines and get those people out of here. Thor, A-Bomb, take Ross. I'll handle Banner."
"Understood," Polaris said, already moving toward the control panels.
Ross roared, his massive fists slamming into the ground and shaking the chamber. "You're not going anywhere!" He lunged forward, and the room erupted into chaos.
Ross lunged forward, his massive frame barreling toward the team like an unstoppable freight train. The heat radiating from his body intensified, distorting the air and forcing Polaris to shield her face as she focused on the control panels.
"Thor! A-Bomb! Keep him off Polaris!" Albedo barked through the comms as he transformed into Four Arms. He met Ross's charge head-on, slamming all four fists into the Red Hulk's chest. The impact echoed through the chamber, forcing Ross to skid back slightly, but he quickly regained his footing and swung a fiery fist at Albedo.
Albedo ducked and rolled, his voice steady over the comms. "A-Bomb, flank him! Thor, keep the pressure on his upper body. Make him focus on you."
Thor charged in, his mace crackling with energy as he swung it toward Ross's shoulder. The blow connected, making Ross stagger slightly. A-Bomb took the opportunity to close in, landing a powerful punch to Ross's side that sent the giant stumbling to the left.
Ross roared in frustration, his body glowing brighter as his heat increased. "You think this is enough to stop me? I'll crush you all!"
Albedo shifted into XLR8, darting around Ross with blinding speed. He launched a series of quick strikes to Ross's legs, forcing him to shift his stance and lose balance. "Keep at it!" Albedo called out. "He's powerful, but he's predictable. Stay coordinated!"
Polaris glanced back from the control panels, her hands glowing as she redirected a falling piece of debris away from the team. "I'm almost through their security—keep him off me!"
Thor and A-Bomb nodded, doubling down on their attacks. Thor swung his mace with precision, aiming for Ross's joints, while A-Bomb focused on destabilizing his footing with low strikes. Ross lashed out wildly, his fists and heat creating shockwaves, but the team moved in perfect sync, dodging and countering his every move.
Albedo transformed again, this time into Chromastone. His crystalline body shimmered as he absorbed a fiery blast from Ross and redirected it back, creating a momentary explosion that forced Ross to his knees.
"Now!" Albedo shouted. "Thor, A-Bomb—hit him hard!"
Thor leaped forward, bringing his mace down with all his strength onto Ross's back, while A-Bomb followed with a crushing uppercut to his jaw. The combined force sent Ross sprawling to the ground, his body finally going still as the heat around him began to dissipate.
"He's down," Albedo said, shifting back to his base form. His breathing was heavy, but his focus remained sharp. "Polaris, status?"
Polaris turned to face him, her expression grim. "Bad news. Banner's almost done with whatever he's doing."
Albedo's head snapped toward the center of the room. Banner stood by the core, his fingers flying across the control console. The machinery around him whirred to life, syringes descending from the ceiling toward the restrained individuals on the testing beds.
"Banner!" Albedo shouted, sprinting toward him, but it was too late.
The syringes injected the glowing green serum into each of the restrained subjects. Banner turned, his face calm but triumphant. "You think you've won?" he said, his voice low and cold. "You've done nothing but accelerate the future."
The testing beds began to shake violently as the restrained figures screamed, their bodies convulsing as the serum took effect. Albedo and the team watched in horror as the experiment reached its conclusion.
The room
The chamber erupted into chaos as the transformation took hold of the eight restrained individuals. Their bodies expanded grotesquely, muscles tearing and regrowing, their skin shifting into sickly shades of green and red. Bones cracked and elongated, their faces twisting into monstrous visages. The testing beds shattered under the strain, sending shards of metal flying as the newly created Hulk monsters roared in pain and fury, their minds clearly lost to the serum's effects.
"Stay focused!" Albedo shouted, his voice cutting through the cacophony. "These people didn't choose this—take them down without killing them. We're not leaving anyone behind!"
Thor stepped forward, raising his mace as one of the rampaging Hulks charged at him. "Aye, let us end their suffering swiftly!" He swung the weapon with a thunderous crash, connecting with the creature's chest and forcing it back several feet, though it barely seemed fazed.
Polaris raised her hands, creating a magnetic barrier to hold another Hulk at bay as it lunged toward A-Bomb. "They're too strong for brute force alone!" she shouted. "We need to separate them!"
"A-Bomb, focus on that one!" Albedo ordered, pointing to a Hulk that had begun ripping apart the machinery surrounding the core. "Thor, keep the others occupied! Polaris, try to contain as many as you can—I'll handle the rest!"
Albedo transformed into Chromastone, his crystalline body glowing as he absorbed a blast of energy one of the Hulks inadvertently released by smashing into the core machinery. Redirecting the energy, he fired a concentrated beam at the creature's legs, forcing it to collapse. He shifted again, this time into Swampfire, and ensnared the fallen Hulk in a web of vines.
"Thor, A-Bomb—hit this one while it's down!" Albedo shouted.
Thor and A-Bomb moved in tandem, delivering powerful strikes that rendered the Hulk unconscious. Albedo quickly activated the rune on his arm, opening a portal to Latveria. The unconscious Hulk was sucked through, disappearing in a flash of light.
"That's one!" Albedo called, already moving toward the next.
Polaris gritted her teeth, her hands glowing as she used her magnetic field to disarm a Hulk of a massive piece of machinery it had picked up as a weapon. "We're not going to last long at this rate! They're too strong!"
"We don't need to last long," Albedo replied, transforming into XLR8. He darted around another Hulk, dodging its wild swings as he targeted its legs, tripping it and sending it crashing to the ground. Shifting into Four Arms, he delivered a series of heavy blows, knocking the creature out.
Another portal opened, and the second Hulk was sent to Latveria. "Doom, that's two. Contain them," Albedo said through his comms.
"I am already preparing holding cells," Doom replied, his voice calm despite the chaos. "Continue your work."
The team pressed on, slowly but steadily taking down the remaining Hulks. Polaris used her magnetic powers to redirect projectiles and disable machinery that the creatures tried to use as weapons, while A-Bomb and Thor worked in tandem to subdue them with brute force. Albedo continued to switch forms, using each transformation's strengths to keep the monsters off-balance and vulnerable.
By the time the last Hulk fell, the team was battered and exhausted. Albedo opened one final portal, sending the unconscious creature to Latveria before collapsing to one knee, breathing heavily. "That's all of them," he said, his voice strained but resolute. "Is everyone okay?"
Thor leaned on his mace, his breathing labored but steady. "Aye, though I find myself longing for less… chaotic foes."
Polaris brushed her hair back, sweat dripping down her face. "Define 'okay.' That was insane."
A-Bomb slumped against a wall, his crystalline form chipped and cracked. "Remind me not to sign up for Hulk-smashing duty again."
Albedo straightened, his gaze turning to Banner, who had remained eerily calm throughout the entire ordeal. The scientist stood near the control console, his expression unreadable as he held several syringes of the SMASH serum in his hands.
"Banner," Albedo said, his voice low and dangerous. "It's over. Step away from the console."
Banner chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Oh, no. It's not over. It's just beginning."
Before anyone could react, Banner plunged the syringes into his arm, injecting himself with the serum. His body convulsed violently, his eyes glowing with an unnatural light as the transformation began.
Bruce Banner's body convulsed violently as the serum coursed through his veins. His skin began to darken, shifting to a mottled, uneven grey as his muscles expanded grotesquely, splitting his lab coat and tearing through his clothes. Veins bulged unnaturally, pulsating with raw energy as his bones cracked and reformed, elongating his limbs into something monstrous. His face twisted, his jaw widening into a horrifying grimace, teeth sharp and jagged, while his eyes glowed with an otherworldly yellow light.
The transformation wasn't smooth—it was violent, chaotic, like a body fighting against itself to hold this unnatural form. The sound of skin stretching and muscle tearing filled the air as Banner's screams turned into guttural roars. When the transformation was complete, he stood over twelve feet tall, his massive frame emanating sheer power and terror. The Grey Hulk radiated primal fury, his body quaking as he snarled, drool dripping from his elongated fangs.
"What… is that?" Polaris whispered, her voice trembling as she took a step back, her powers flaring instinctively.
"It's worse than anything I've seen before," Thor muttered, gripping his mace tightly. "This is no ordinary Hulk."
A-Bomb growled, his crystalline fists clenched. "We've taken down Hulks before. We can—"
Before he could finish, the Grey Hulk lunged forward with terrifying speed. His massive fist slammed into A-Bomb, sending him flying across the chamber and into a reinforced wall, which buckled under the impact. A-Bomb crumpled to the ground, groaning in pain, his crystalline armor cracked and splintered.
"Spread out!" Albedo shouted, transforming into XLR8 to evade the monster's next attack. "Thor, Polaris—keep him busy while I figure out a strategy!"
Polaris unleashed a magnetic pulse, attempting to pin the Grey Hulk's limbs with the metal debris scattered around the room. For a moment, it seemed to work—the metal wrapped around the monster's arms and legs, holding him in place. But the Hulk roared, flexing his muscles with such force that the restraints snapped like twigs.
"Impossible!" Polaris gasped, stumbling back as the monster's glowing eyes locked onto her.
Thor charged, swinging his mace with all his might, aiming for the creature's exposed ribs. The blow connected, sending a resounding crack through the room, but the Grey Hulk barely flinched. Instead, he swatted Thor aside like an insect, sending the Asgardian crashing into a console that exploded in a shower of sparks.
Albedo zipped around the battlefield in his XLR8 form, trying to distract the creature. "He's too strong! We're not going to overpower him—we need to outsmart him!"
But the Grey Hulk was relentless, his movements almost animalistic as he swung wildly, forcing Polaris to dodge frantically while her magnetic fields struggled to contain him. The air around the monster shimmered with raw heat, his roars shaking the very foundation of the chamber.
A-Bomb staggered to his feet, clutching his side. "This guy's on another level. We need to regroup!"
Albedo cursed under his breath, realizing the truth. This wasn't a fight they could win as a team—not like this. He activated the rune on his arm, summoning a portal behind Polaris. "Polaris, fall back to Doom! I'll handle this!"
Polaris hesitated, her eyes wide with fear and concern. "You can't fight that thing alone!"
"Go!" Albedo barked, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Reluctantly, Polaris stepped through the portal, disappearing in a flash of light. Albedo turned his attention to Thor, who was pulling himself from the wreckage of the console. "Thor, you're next. Get out of here and regroup with Doom!"
Thor gritted his teeth, his pride clearly wounded, but he nodded. "Do not tarry, Albedo. We shall return to aid thee." He stepped through the next portal as Albedo created one more for A-Bomb.
A-Bomb stumbled toward it, glancing back at Albedo. "You better make it out of this, boss. Don't do anything stupid."
Albedo smirked faintly, his eyes narrowing as he turned to face the rampaging Hulk. "Stupid's kind of my thing. Now go."
Once A-Bomb vanished through the portal, the room fell silent for a brief moment, save for the Grey Hulk's heavy breathing. Albedo stood alone, shifting into his Four Arms form, his massive frame dwarfed by the monstrous figure before him.
"Alright, big guy," Albedo muttered, his four fists clenching. "Let's see what you've got."
The Grey Hulk roared, and the battle began anew.
The Grey Hulk lunged at Albedo with terrifying speed, its massive fist crashing down like a meteor. Albedo barely had time to react, shifting into XLR8 and darting out of the way just as the ground exploded beneath the Hulk's blow, sending shards of concrete flying.
"AI, analyze his movements!" Albedo shouted as he zipped around the chamber, dodging another swing that nearly caught his tail.
"Analysis complete," the AI's calm voice replied in his ear. "The subject's speed and strength exceed predicted Hulk parameters. Tactical recommendation: avoid direct confrontation."
"Yeah, I figured that part out!" Albedo growled, shifting into Four Arms mid-sprint and grabbing onto a hanging metal beam for cover. The Hulk roared, its glowing yellow eyes scanning the room before smashing the beam to pieces with a single blow. Albedo fell but managed to land on his feet, his four fists slamming the ground to steady himself.
He transformed into Diamondhead next, his crystalline body glinting in the eerie green light. "Let's see if this slows you down!" Albedo created sharp spikes along his arms and launched them like missiles at the monster. They shattered on impact, barely scratching the Hulk's skin.
The Grey Hulk turned, his snarl deepening as he charged again, his steps shaking the entire room. Albedo braced himself, creating a crystalline shield in front of him just as the Hulk slammed into him. The force sent Albedo skidding across the room, his shield cracking before shattering entirely.
"Direct attacks are ineffective," the AI chimed in. "Recommend evasive maneuvers to gather additional data."
"Brilliant advice," Albedo muttered under his breath, shifting into Swampfire. Vines shot out from his hands, wrapping around the Hulk's arms and legs in a desperate attempt to hold him back. The Hulk flexed once, and the vines tore apart instantly, leaving Albedo wide open for a brutal backhand that sent him crashing into a wall.
Gasping for air, Albedo staggered to his feet, already feeling the toll of the fight. The Hulk's raw power was unmatched, and none of his forms could hold their ground for more than a few seconds. His mind raced as he searched for a solution, his AI feeding him constant updates on the Hulk's movements and weaknesses—or lack thereof.
"AI," Albedo said, his voice tight with frustration, "there has to be something we can use against him. Give me a breakdown!"
"Subject displays no significant weaknesses. Regenerative capabilities detected. Physical resistance is beyond expected parameters. Recommendation: avoid prolonged engagement."
"Great. Run and hide," Albedo muttered, shifting into XLR8 again. He darted around the room, his speed keeping him just ahead of the Hulk's furious swings. Each miss left craters in the walls and floor, the room quickly becoming a maze of destruction.
"Time to rethink everything," Albedo said to himself, his voice steady despite the chaos. His mind worked furiously, weighing every option, every potential strategy. He couldn't brute-force his way through this fight, and even his most powerful forms barely made a dent.
He leaped onto a high ledge, watching the Hulk thrash wildly below. "Okay, AI," Albedo said, his voice calmer now, "I need ideas. Anything."
"Analyzing the environment," the AI replied. "Potential use of reactor instability to create a diversion. Suggestion: redirect subject's attention to the core's energy output."
Albedo's eyes narrowed as the beginnings of a plan formed in his mind. He couldn't defeat the Hulk in a straight fight—but maybe, just maybe, he could outsmart him.
The Grey Hulk roared in frustration, the sound reverberating through the destroyed chamber as it searched for Albedo, who zipped between the debris in his XLR8 form. His movements were calculated now, no longer just running but actively scouting for openings.
"AI," Albedo muttered as he skidded to a stop behind a shattered console, "give me a plan that lets me use multiple forms effectively. I'm going to need everything I've got to bring this thing down."
"Combining forms tactically will maximize efficiency," the AI replied. "Suggestions: disable mobility with Swampfire's vines, create structural advantages with Diamondhead's constructs, and utilize Echo Echo for amplified attacks."
Albedo nodded, his mind locking onto the strategy. "Alright, let's do this."
He transformed into Swampfire, his vines shooting out to wrap around the Grey Hulk's legs. The beast roared, swiping at the ground as it struggled against the restraints. Albedo gritted his teeth, using every ounce of Swampfire's strength to tighten the hold. "Not so fast, big guy!"
The Hulk flexed and broke free with a deafening snap, but Albedo had already switched to Diamondhead. He slammed his crystalline fists into the ground, forming jagged spikes that forced the Hulk to stumble as he charged. The spikes slowed the monster just enough for Albedo to shift into XLR8 again, darting around him and landing precise strikes to his exposed sides.
The Grey Hulk roared in frustration, swinging wildly, but Albedo was already gone, moving too fast for the creature to land a hit. He dashed up a nearby wall, transforming mid-air into Four Arms, and slammed all four fists into the Hulk's back as he landed. The blow sent the Hulk stumbling forward, but it still wasn't enough to keep him down.
"AI, what's the status of his endurance?" Albedo asked, leaping back as the Hulk retaliated with a ground-shaking punch.
"Subject's stamina remains high. Suggest immediate use of Echo Echo for focused incapacitation."
Albedo nodded, stepping back as he shifted into Echo Echo. Dozens of identical clones appeared in the chamber, their glowing bodies humming with energy as they spread out, surrounding the Hulk. Each clone planted itself firmly, amplifiers glowing brighter as they prepared to unleash a concentrated sonic assault.
"This ends now!" Albedo shouted, his voice echoed by every clone. The Grey Hulk turned, his glowing yellow eyes narrowing as he sensed the impending attack.
"Wall of Sound!" the Echo Echo clones screamed in unison, their voices merging into a single, devastating blast of sonic energy. The sound waves rippled through the air, shaking the entire chamber as they converged on the Hulk. The force of the attack sent the creature to its knees, its roars drowned out by the unrelenting noise.
The clones pressed on, increasing the intensity of the sonic barrage. The Hulk clutched its head, its monstrous form trembling under the overwhelming assault. Albedo pushed harder, his clones synchronizing perfectly as the wall of sound grew stronger and stronger.
Finally, with one last roar, the Grey Hulk collapsed to the ground, the sonic energy subsiding as the clones vanished. Albedo stood alone in the center of the room, his breathing heavy, his body battered but still standing. The Hulk lay unconscious, its massive frame heaving with labored breaths.
Albedo staggered over to the nearest control console, his body aching from the grueling battle with the Grey Hulk. His Echo Echo form had pushed him to his limit, and every muscle in his body screamed in protest as he reverted to his base form. He leaned heavily against the console, his fingers trembling as he brought up the system interface.
"AI," Albedo said through gritted teeth, his voice strained, "patch into the facility's system and start extracting all data related to Project SMASH. I want everything—logs, experiments, video footage. Doom needs to see it all."
The holographic interface flickered to life, the AI's calm voice breaking through the haze of pain clouding his thoughts. "Initiating system breach. Estimated time to complete: three minutes."
"Make it faster," Albedo muttered, his crimson eyes scanning the chaotic remnants of the lab. He glanced back at the unconscious Grey Hulk, his massive form still heaving with shallow breaths. There was no telling how long Banner would stay down.
As the AI worked, files and footage began streaming onto Albedo's visor. Clips of experiments, notes from Ross and Banner, and damning evidence of the Maker's oversight filled the display. Albedo's lip curled in disgust as he saw the monstrous transformations inflicted on innocent people.
"AI, send it to Doom," Albedo commanded. "Let him handle the distribution. The world needs to see this."
"Transmission in progress," the AI replied. "Secure upload to Latveria initiated."
Albedo straightened slightly, his body still screaming in protest as he pushed himself away from the console. The room was eerily silent now, save for the faint hum of the reactor. He knew he couldn't linger—reinforcements would be on their way, and he was in no shape for another fight.
Before he could move, a faint ripple of energy shimmered in the air, and a figure stepped through the portal it created. Albedo's heart sank as he recognized the imposing form of Blue Marvel, his regal bearing and glowing aura of power unmistakable.
"You've caused quite the mess," Blue Marvel said, his deep voice calm but laced with authority. His eyes scanned the destroyed lab, landing on the unconscious Grey Hulk before returning to Albedo. "Surrender now, and I might consider letting Doom's little rebellion survive."
Albedo straightened, doing his best to hide the exhaustion weighing him down. "Surrender? After what you've seen here, you're still working for the Maker?"
Blue Marvel's gaze hardened. "What I've seen is a rogue group attacking a sanctioned facility and putting lives at risk. You've made your point, but your methods are reckless."
Albedo smirked, though it lacked his usual confidence. "Reckless? That's rich coming from someone who turns a blind eye to the atrocities happening under their nose. Open your eyes, Blue Marvel. The Maker isn't a hero—he's a tyrant."
"You're trying to justify chaos," Blue Marvel countered, his tone unyielding. "And I won't allow it."
The air between them grew tense, the energy crackling faintly as Blue Marvel prepared to act. Albedo raised his hand, activating the rune Doom had inscribed on his arm. A portal shimmered to life beside him.
"Sorry, but I'm not sticking around for another lecture," Albedo said, his voice sharp. "You'll see the truth soon enough."
Blue Marvel lunged, his glowing hand outstretched to grab Albedo, but the portal activated just in time. The world twisted around Albedo as he vanished from the facility, leaving Blue Marvel behind with the wreckage and the unconscious Hulk.
Albedo stumbled as he arrived in Latveria's war room, his legs nearly giving out beneath him. Doom was already waiting, his expression unreadable as he strode forward.
"I assume the mission was a success?" Doom asked, his tone as calm as ever, though his eyes briefly scanned Albedo's battered form.
Albedo nodded, forcing himself upright. "Data's on its way to you. The world's going to see what the Maker's been up to."
Doom gestured for Albedo to follow, his movements precise. "Good. The first strike has been dealt. But you are in no condition to continue. Come, to the med bay."
Albedo grunted, leaning slightly on Doom as they exited the war room. The exhaustion was finally catching up to him, but a faint sense of satisfaction lingered. For the first time in a long while, he felt like they'd gained some ground. As Doom led him through the halls of the castle, Albedo allowed himself a moment of reprieve, knowing the fight was far from over.