Chereads / Power Ascendant: Reborn in the Marvel / Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: A Game of Shadows

Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: A Game of Shadows

David stood on the rooftop, gazing down at the streets of New York below. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the city, and the ever-present hum of the city's heartbeat vibrated through the ground beneath his feet. It was a city of chaos, where every corner held a story, every alley a secret. And now, it was his playground.

Since absorbing the mutant's energy, David had felt the power grow within him, a subtle yet profound shift in his very being. The energy manipulation ability he had acquired was still foreign to him, but he could already feel the beginnings of mastery—he could sense the currents of power around him, like the pulsing veins of a living creature. The world was full of invisible forces, and with just a thought, David could tap into them.

But that was just one piece of the puzzle. As much as he reveled in his new abilities, he knew he couldn't stop here. The MCU was a vast world of possibilities, filled with countless heroes, villains, and powerhouses—each with their own unique gifts. David had only just begun to scratch the surface, and if he was going to achieve the level of power he envisioned, he would need more.

The voice in his mind, the one that had first introduced him to his cheat, had made it clear: "You must observe. Study. Learn. Only then will you be able to absorb the true power that will make you unstoppable."

David wasn't one to take risks, but the idea of becoming the most powerful being in this world—of controlling it all—was too tempting. He had to learn everything, master every power. He couldn't let his opportunity slip through his fingers.

Tonight, as darkness fell over the city, David had a plan.

He would seek out the heroes. The most powerful among them. The Avengers, the ones who had saved the world countless times. They were the key to unlocking his potential, and he knew that if he played his cards right, he could absorb their abilities, one by one.

David's eyes narrowed as he focused on his next move. He had heard whispers of a special mission taking place—something that involved the Avengers. He didn't know the full details, but he knew that this could be his chance. There was a particular hero he had in mind. A hero who wielded power beyond anything he had yet encountered.

The Hulk.

Bruce Banner. A man whose alter ego, the Hulk, was the embodiment of raw, uncontrollable power. David had always been fascinated by the Hulk, even before his reincarnation. The sheer might and rage of the green giant were unmatched. If he could absorb the Hulk's strength, he would be unstoppable. His body would become a weapon, capable of crushing anyone who dared stand in his way.

But David knew it wouldn't be easy. The Hulk was a force of nature, a being that was as unpredictable as he was powerful. Bruce Banner was a scientist, a brilliant mind who had struggled for years to control the beast inside him. If David was going to learn from the Hulk, he needed to be cautious.

After all, the Hulk wasn't something to be trifled with.

David made his way through the city, keeping to the shadows. His mind was sharp, focused. He could feel the presence of powerful beings in the distance, but he didn't want to make his move too soon. He needed to find a way to encounter the Hulk without attracting attention. He needed to observe first.

Hours passed as David moved through the city, searching for any sign of the Avengers. Finally, he found himself near a quiet research facility on the outskirts of the city. His instincts told him this was where he would find Bruce Banner. The facility was surrounded by high-tech security, but David was confident. With his newly acquired power, he could bypass anything. He was no longer just an observer—he was part of this world now.

David slipped through the shadows, effortlessly avoiding the security measures. His mind reached out, sensing the energy within the building. It wasn't long before he found what he was looking for. In a small, dimly lit lab, David spotted Bruce Banner, hunched over a table, working tirelessly on his experiments. The scientist's face was a mix of exhaustion and determination. But David could see the fear in his eyes, the constant battle within him. The Hulk was always lurking, always just beneath the surface.

David stepped forward, feeling the pull of the man's unique energy. He had been observing for hours, but now it was time. He couldn't wait any longer.

He made his presence known, stepping out from the shadows. "Bruce Banner," David said, his voice calm and measured.

Bruce startled, his eyes darting to David. For a brief moment, the fear and tension in his expression were palpable. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice shaky. "What do you want?"

David smiled, sensing the deep inner conflict within Banner. "I'm not here to hurt you, Bruce," he said, his tone soothing. "I'm here because I need your help."

Bruce's eyes narrowed. "Help? From someone like you?" He stood up, his body tensing. "I don't know who you are, but if you're here to cause trouble…"

David cut him off, his voice steady. "No trouble, I promise. I'm here because I've been given something... something that I believe you can help me understand."

Bruce didn't seem convinced, but he didn't immediately attack either. David could feel the pull of the Hulk, the latent power beneath Bruce's calm exterior. It was there, just waiting to be unleashed.

David stepped closer, his mind focused. "I have an ability," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "An ability to absorb the powers of others. I've already gained some control over energy manipulation, but I know that your strength—your transformation—is something beyond anything I've encountered."

Bruce's eyes widened in recognition, but before he could speak, David raised his hand, a gesture of peace. "I don't want to fight you, Bruce. I want to understand. I want to know what it's like to be... to be the Hulk."

There was a long pause as Bruce processed David's words. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders slumping. "You don't know what you're asking," he muttered. "The Hulk isn't something you can just... control. He's a beast. A monster. And if you're not careful, he'll consume you."

David nodded. He had expected this, but it didn't deter him. "I'm not afraid. I can handle it."

Bruce looked at him skeptically, but there was something in his eyes—a flicker of curiosity. "You really think you can control that power? You think you can just... take it?"

David smiled, his confidence unwavering. "I don't think. I know."

Bruce hesitated for a moment, then gave a slow nod. "Alright," he said, his voice resigned. "But don't say I didn't warn you."

David's heart raced. This was it—the moment he had been waiting for. He could feel the energy building, surging around him as he reached out, focusing on Bruce's essence. The power, the rage, the raw strength of the Hulk.

And then it happened.

The transformation was violent. Bruce's body trembled as the green beast inside him began to stir, threatening to break free. But David wasn't deterred. He pressed forward, focusing all his energy on the Hulk's power. It was overwhelming, like a tidal wave of fury crashing into him. But David welcomed it. He allowed the energy to flood him, to fuse with him.

And then, just as quickly as it had come, the energy was his.

David stood, breathing heavily, feeling the power course through him. He had done it. He had absorbed the Hulk's strength.

But it wasn't just the raw power that he had taken. He could feel the anger, the rage, and the uncontrollable force that came with it. The Hulk was not a gift—it was a curse. But now, it was his.

David turned to Bruce, who had fallen to his knees, visibly drained. "I told you," he said, a sense of triumph in his voice.

Bruce looked up at him, his face a mixture of awe and fear. "You... you really did it. You actually absorbed it."

David smiled. "This is just the beginning."

With the Hulk's power now at his command, David knew one thing for certain: the MCU was his to control. No one, not even the Avengers, would stand in his way.