"The Fantastic Three really aren't equipped to handle the Deep Sea King," Zod mused, watching the battle unfold from a hidden vantage point. Manipulating the surrounding magnetic field, he ensured no human or technological surveillance could detect him.
This monstrous Deep Sea King was Zod's own creation, based on the ghost-level villain from One Punch Man. He'd designed it to test the combat abilities of the Fantastic Three and curb any budding arrogance. Though Zod wasn't certain he'd perfectly recreated the Deep Sea King, he'd simulated the creature's known destructive capabilities closely. Its brute power and combat instincts were impressive, outmatching the Fantastic Three with ease. However, he noted the absence of their usual teammate, the Thing, left them at a disadvantage. Without Ben Grimm's strength, they were clearly struggling.
Meanwhile, S.H.I.E.L.D. had been observing the battle closely. Assessing that the Fantastic Three couldn't handle the creature alone, they sought support from the U.S. military. While they had War Machine technology on hand, the Deep Sea King's unique abilities sparked interest; if captured, it might hold secrets akin to a super-soldier serum.
However, S.H.I.E.L.D. also reached out to Zod's headquarters, only to be told by his assistant Uuld that Zod was engaged in a private project and could not be disturbed. With little choice, Nick Fury watched the battle anxiously from afar, hoping the military could turn the tide.
The military response was swift. Over the past year, Blade Tech Industries had supplied them with a fleet of War Machines, some of which were now airborne and en route to the battle. The military had made "unofficial" modifications to these War Machines, adding heavy-duty weaponry that transformed them into veritable flying armories.
"It's the War Machines!" Reed Richards sighed in relief as he saw the aircraft painted with stars and stripes approaching.
The Deep Sea King eyed the incoming machines with a blank expression, its only objective being to eliminate all land dwellers and ensure the Deep Sea Tribe's rule.
"No missiles; we want it alive!" barked the Air Force colonel in charge. The War Machines retracted their missile bays, exposing their shoulder-mounted machine guns.
"Da-da-da-da-da!" The machine guns unleashed a fierce hail of bullets, catching the Deep Sea King off guard. Though peppered with holes, the monster's dense musculature—a simulation of the deep-sea high-pressure environment—meant these bullets only caused superficial wounds.
Recovering quickly, the Deep Sea King assessed the War Machines' limitations: their speed was impressive, but their attacks were linear, relying on shoulder thrusters for directional control. In a blur of movement, the Deep Sea King leapt at one of the machines, tearing through its steel armor and sending it crashing into an office building.
The scene turned into a massacre as the creature tore through the fleet, its strength easily overwhelming the War Machines. The Air Force colonel, watching in disbelief, made the call: "Fire the missiles. Destroy it!"
The losses were mounting, with billions in hardware scrapped. Blade Tech had not offered after-sales service for these combat machines; any failures due to misuse would not be covered. As the missiles launched, the pilots realized with dread that the Deep Sea King, a cold-blooded creature, was immune to traditional targeting locks.
It became clear that the palm energy cannon, an energy weapon that Zod had originally designed for the War Machine, would have been far more effective. This cannon could penetrate 20mm of steel with ease, enough to threaten the Deep Sea King's defenses. As the War Machines regrouped, they attempted to deploy the palm cannon, successfully pinning the Deep Sea King down momentarily. Just as they thought they were gaining ground, dark clouds gathered overhead, and a heavy rain began to fall.
"Rain?" Zod muttered in surprise. He hadn't initiated a storm.
The Deep Sea King's body absorbed the rain, swelling as it transformed into its ultimate form, its face now resembling that of a monstrous fish. With renewed strength, it tore through the War Machines with devastating speed and precision. The AI on board couldn't keep up, and the War Machines were dismantled before they could react.
The Fantastic Three were equally stunned, their faces pale as the creature laughed. "I am the Deep Sea King of the Deep Sea Tribe. This is my true power!"
Fury's eyes narrowed at the term "Deep Sea Tribe." If the Deep Sea King was part of a race, who knew how many other creatures like it lay hidden beneath the ocean?
The Fantastic Three barely had a moment to recover before the Deep Sea King lunged at Susan, grabbing her and preparing to devour her. Just as its fangs closed in, a figure in dark armor appeared, his chest glowing with a blue energy core: the Dark Knight, Zod.
"He finally showed up," Fury breathed, leaning forward. Given Zod's ingenuity, surely he had the means to neutralize this threat.
Hovering in the air, Zod raised his hand, folding his fingers into a fist. Before the Deep Sea King could react, it was crushed mid-air by an unseen force, imploding as if under unimaginable pressure.
On the screen, Fury's jaw dropped as Zod turned to the Fantastic Three. "It's over," he said simply, then vanished as swiftly as he had appeared.