Thor's attempt to forge a bond with his "nephew" Tony hadn't gone as planned.
In Tony's eyes, Thor seemed like an opportunistic relative trying to cozy up now that he was back in the spotlight. Given Thor's youthful appearance, Tony had even joked that the odds of him being Howard's illegitimate child seemed more believable than his "uncle" claim.
...
In Nick Fury's office at S.H.I.E.L.D., the director was not pleased.
"You're really stirring things up, aren't you?" Fury said, glaring. "Do you realize you almost upstaged Stark with your grand entrance? Suddenly, a living legend from decades ago just reappears, and Peggy Carter herself verifies your identity. You're causing me a headache."
"Calm down," Thor replied, unfazed. "With Tony Stark back from Afghanistan, people will see far stranger things soon enough. They'll adapt."
Fury's expression shifted as he pondered Thor's words. "You mean… more super-powered individuals? So, it's time to initiate my plan?"
Thor nodded. "Notice how the military left in a hurry this afternoon?"
Fury's eyes narrowed. "Hulk. They must have tracked him down!"
He shot up from his seat, eyes blazing. "What's the move, then?"
Thor waved him down. "Nothing. They won't be able to capture the Hulk."
"Even if you brought him into S.H.I.E.L.D. now, the military wouldn't leave him alone. They have to learn firsthand that they can't control him. Only then will you have a chance."
Fury nodded slowly, understanding. "All right. And as for the public response to your dramatic reappearance… how do we explain that?"
"No explanation needed. They'll get used to it soon enough. More 'antiques' are about to resurface."
Fury raised an eyebrow. "Steve Rogers?"
"He's just one of them," Thor replied, a smirk hinting at more surprises to come.
…
In a run-down neighborhood somewhere in Brazil, a shirtless, middle-aged man sat cross-legged, breathing steadily as he meditated.
Bruce Banner hadn't transformed in over six months—his longest period of peace yet. While living in hiding, he'd searched relentlessly for ways to keep himself calm and in control.
Suddenly, a dog barked outside, sharp and urgent. In the slums, barking at night was common enough that most people ignored it, but Banner's instincts flared, and he listened carefully.
Moving quietly to the window, he opened it just a crack, scanning the street outside.
Nothing but silence. Still, his instincts, honed by years on the run, urged him to move.
He quickly arranged a decoy under the bedsheets, rigging up a rough silhouette, then lowered a rope out the window and climbed down slowly, landing silently in the street below.
But something felt off. The night was too quiet, too still. Every instinct screamed for him to keep moving, so he started toward the outskirts of the neighborhood, careful to stay out of sight.
"Leaving so soon?" a voice jeered, and Banner froze. A heavily armed officer stepped into view, grinning. With a wave of his hand, a team of special forces emerged, surrounding him, all aiming tranquilizer guns.
"Bruce Banner," the officer sneered, "the military's most wanted. A genius like you hiding in a dump like this—such a waste. I'm afraid your little vacation is over."
Banner sighed, raising his hands. "I'm warning you… don't do this. Don't make me… lose control."
But the officer, Emil Blonsky, smirked, unfazed. "Save it. You can explain it to General Ross." He gestured to his men. "Take him alive!"
The tranquilizers hit Banner, and his heart sank.
The soldiers barely had time to react as Banner's body began to change, transforming into a creature beyond their worst nightmares—the Hulk.
The most terrifying scene of their lives was about to unfold.
[Read up to 80+ chapter more on p@treon.com/goldengaruda]