David hovered high above the city, the wind rushing past him as he adjusted the Iron Man suit's thrusters. Below, New York sprawled in its usual chaotic brilliance—taxis honking, people bustling along crowded streets, neon lights flashing. It all seemed so insignificant from this height. His senses were heightened, far beyond any normal human's capabilities. The city's every sound, every movement, seemed to slow down in his mind, each element stretching out before him like a map. The heartbeat of the city, the flow of energy—it was all in his grasp.
And yet, as he hovered in the air, the power of the Hulk, Captain America, and Tony Stark within him, a new feeling bubbled up inside David. A sense of impatience. It wasn't enough to just observe anymore. He had already absorbed the abilities of some of the most powerful beings in the universe—now, he wanted to make his move. To shape this world to his will.
He wasn't like the heroes he had once admired in his previous life, the man he used to be. Those people fought for justice. They fought for others. David's motivations had shifted dramatically. He wasn't here to save anyone. He wasn't here to uphold the law. He was here to rule.
David's mind turned to the Avengers. They had gathered—Natasha Romanoff, Clint Barton, Wanda Maximoff. It was only a matter of time before the others would join. And when they did, it would be an all-out war. He had already prepared for that. His powers, his intellect, his control over Tony Stark's tech were growing by the day. But it wasn't just about defeating them. He had a new goal in mind.
What if, instead of simply fighting, he could manipulate them? Turn their strengths into his own, draw them in to be a part of his new world order? He had the power to absorb their abilities—why not take that to its logical extreme?
His attention returned to the building he had been observing earlier, where the Avengers had gathered. The sense of urgency in him grew. He had to get closer. He needed to see them up close, to gauge their weaknesses, their insecurities. They were powerful, yes—but were they invincible? David wasn't so sure.
With a flick of his wrist, David steered the Iron Man suit toward the ground. His thrusters slowed his descent as he landed silently on the rooftop across from the Avengers' meeting location. He could see the lights through the windows. They were still there, still planning something—something important. The thought of what might be inside made his pulse quicken. Every moment spent waiting was a moment wasted.
As he approached, he didn't need to force his way in. His enhanced senses allowed him to easily track their conversation, even from this distance. Wanda's voice came first, her tone filled with concern.
"We can't keep running from this. If we don't act soon, the world will fall apart. We need a leader, someone who can unite us."
Clint's voice followed, tinged with skepticism. "We've had leaders before, Wanda. And they've all ended up being just as human as the rest of us. We can't afford another mistake."
David's lips curled into a smirk. They didn't even realize it, but they were already questioning their leadership. Wanda, ever the idealist, was looking for a unifying figure. And Clint? He had doubts. That was what David needed—doubt. A weakness to exploit.
From the small gap in the window, David saw them clearly now, their faces illuminated by the dim light inside. He could feel the tension in the air. Natasha was sitting cross-legged on a chair, her arms folded, her face unreadable. Wanda stood near the window, gazing outside, while Clint leaned against the wall, his bow slung over his shoulder.
David's mind raced as he carefully assessed each of them. The Avengers were fractured, and they didn't even know it. Wanda's powers were volatile and unpredictable, but if used correctly, they could be a valuable asset. Natasha's tactical genius and physical prowess were formidable, but she didn't possess the same level of raw strength. Clint, the same. But their real strength was in unity—and that was what David planned to tear apart.
His fingers twitched in anticipation. With his combination of the Hulk's brute force, Cap's leadership skills, and Iron Man's technology, he was ready to make his next move. It wouldn't be just about fighting anymore. No, he was going to weave a web of manipulation, drawing them closer to his cause, turning them into pieces on his chessboard.
But first, he needed to make his presence known.
David leaned forward, activating the communication system in the suit. A low hum filled the air, followed by a sudden voice crackling through. He wasn't in the building—he was still on the rooftop, but his voice would carry. He'd had enough of waiting.
"Wanda, Clint, Natasha," David's voice boomed, seemingly coming from nowhere. "You're wasting time."
The trio froze, looking around in confusion. Natasha's eyes narrowed. Clint instinctively reached for his bow, but Wanda raised her hand to stop him. They were all listening now, each waiting for more.
"You've been debating leadership, power, what's best for the world," David continued, his voice smooth, calm. "But you've been looking in the wrong place. What if I told you that I already have the solution?"
Wanda stepped forward, her eyes searching the space around her as though trying to locate the source of the voice. "Who is this?"
David chuckled softly, the sound carrying through the night air. "It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is that I have the power to give you what you all need. Control. Unity. A future."
Clint's voice came next, his tone skeptical, but wary. "You think we need you? You think you can just show up and claim control?"
David's smirk widened. "That's exactly what I'm doing. And you know it. Wanda, you can reshape reality, manipulate it. But you can't hold it together forever. You need someone to focus that power. Someone who can show you how to harness it."
Wanda's eyes flickered with a hint of interest. But Natasha, ever the realist, cut in, her voice cold and firm. "And what do you want in return? Power doesn't come free."
David's laughter was rich with confidence. "I don't want your power, Romanoff. I want you. All of you. Together. Imagine the strength we could wield if we united our forces. No more infighting. No more waiting for the next threat to tear us apart. You don't need to fight each other anymore. You just need to follow me."
There was a long pause. Natasha's gaze hardened as she crossed her arms, clearly not buying into his offer. Clint looked uncomfortable, but he was quiet, his expression thoughtful. Wanda's face was harder to read.
"What's stopping me from rejecting you right now?" Natasha asked, her voice dangerous.
David's eyes glinted. "Nothing, if you're foolish enough to try. But I'm offering you something more. Power. Protection. Control over your own destiny. It's a tempting offer, Romanoff. All you have to do is accept it."
Wanda looked torn, her expression shifting between uncertainty and the allure of his words. Clint finally spoke, his voice quiet.
"We don't trust you. And we don't follow anyone just because they have power."
David's smirk faltered for just a moment, but he quickly recovered. He was no fool. He knew that convincing them wouldn't be easy. But he also knew they were vulnerable—perhaps more than they realized.
"I didn't expect you to trust me," he said smoothly. "Trust isn't necessary. I have something much more valuable. I have what you need to win."
Clint's eyes flickered toward Wanda, who was now looking back at him. She was listening. David could feel it.
"Think about it," David continued, his voice lowering. "What's the alternative? Another war? Another betrayal? Another leader who can't protect you? I have the strength to make you invincible. Together, we can rule this world."
Wanda seemed to hesitate, her hand clenched in front of her as if she was struggling with an inner battle. Natasha's eyes were sharp, calculating.
Finally, Natasha spoke again. "And what happens if we refuse? What happens if we stand in your way?"
David's voice grew colder, more assured. "Then you'll be in my way."
The words hung in the air for a moment, heavy with meaning. The Avengers had a choice—join him or face him. David knew they were close to breaking. All he had to do was push them just a little further.
From above, the city stretched endlessly beneath him. His power, his plan—it was all within reach. It wasn't just about fighting for power. It was about controlling the future.
And David wasn't going to stop until he had it all.