General Ross knew that Bruce had come to Grayburn College to find a cure for the big green giant. If Bruce succeeded, the invincible Hulk that Ross had been obsessed with would disappear from the world, and all of his efforts would be ruined.
Ross ordered his men to put Bruce on a helicopter under strict supervision. Then, he stopped his daughter, Betty.
Unfortunately, Betty already knew the truth—that it was her father's desire to study Bruce's body and replicate the Hulk as a military weapon that had forced Bruce to be on the run for so long. Their already strained father-daughter relationship completely broke apart in that moment.
---
Inside the lab, Blonsky was furious. He had injected himself with the super soldier serum just to have another fight with Bruce Banner—but Bruce couldn't even transform.
Blonsky turned his gaze to "Mr. Blue," Dr. Samuel Sterns, who was helping Bruce research a cure, and pulled out a handgun, aiming it at him.
"I want you to turn me into Banner! Otherwise…" Blonsky pulled back the hammer on the gun.
The sharp click echoed in Sterns' ears, but his attention was fixed on Blonsky's slightly abnormal body.
"It looks like you've already been injected with something, haven't you?" Sterns seemed a bit excited.
"Not enough! I want more! I want to be like Banner!"
"I don't know what's happening in your body right now. If I inject you again, the combination might turn you into a hideous monster."
Blonsky grabbed Sterns with one hand and lifted him off the ground. He thought Sterns was refusing, so he planned to teach him a lesson.
"I didn't say I wouldn't help you. I was just explaining the risks first."
---
Captain George Stacy watched as the target of the operation was escorted onto the helicopter and taken away. Though he was dissatisfied with Ross's attitude, at least the mission was successfully completed.
However, just as he was helping the remaining soldiers clean up the scene, a sudden burst of shouting and intense gunfire erupted from the lab building.
Boom!
A hospital bed was thrown from the lab's window, slamming into the wall of a building across the street before crashing to the ground.
Then, a massive figure leaped out from the shattered window.
George Stacy and his officers were shocked as they saw a hulking, naked, green monster. In that moment, they finally understood what Ross had meant earlier.
The soldiers around them, however, seemed to have seen this kind of thing before. Though surprised, they immediately opened fire on the creature.
Blonsky—no, he should be called Abomination now—looked down at the weak soldiers shooting at him, just like he used to be. A cruel smile curved at the corners of his mouth.
The serum, combined with gamma radiation, had amplified his negative emotions. All he wanted now was destruction and slaughter!
---
Even though Ross had completely fallen out with Betty, he was satisfied that Bruce Banner had been successfully captured. Now, he could begin his research on replicating the super soldier. As for his daughter? That could wait.
But when his men suddenly reported that the Hulk had appeared on the streets, he turned his head in confusion toward the helicopter cabin, where Bruce Banner was still sitting—calmly, next to Betty.
Huh?
What was going on?
If the Hulk was out there, then who was this? Since when could he split himself?
"Impossible! Hold your positions and report your location immediately!" Ross barked into his radio. At the same time, he ordered the pilot to turn around. He needed to see this for himself.
When he saw the live feed from the soldiers' body cams, he immediately realized the truth.
Abomination was already rampaging onto Broadway. He was wreaking havoc, picking up nearby cars and either throwing or smashing them. Anything that stood in his way was destroyed. Innocent civilians were either dead or severely injured.
The once-sturdy cars crumpled like toys under his fists. The streets were filled with panicked people, ear-piercing screams, and the fiery explosions of wrecked vehicles.
Whoosh!
A rocket-propelled grenade shot straight toward Abomination's face. The soldiers thought it would deal some serious damage—only to watch in horror as he caught the rocket mid-air with one hand.
Holding the still-propelling rocket, Abomination slammed it against his own body.
Boom!
The explosion engulfed him in smoke and fire. When the dust settled, the lingering flames clung to his monstrous form, making him look like a demon straight out of hell. His eerie, cruel smirk sent a chill down the soldiers' spines.
---
Bruce Banner stared at the screen, watching Abomination rampage unchecked. He knew that only the Hulk could stop him.
Ignoring Betty's attempts to stop him, he prepared to jump from the helicopter, forcing the Hulk to emerge but…
"Shit!"
Mid-air, Bruce opened his eyes—only to realize he was still himself.
The next second, he crashed into the ground, his fate unknown while making a soft squealing noise.
---
Meanwhile, Tony Stark was having the time of his life—and also the most annoying time of his life.
In the past, it was always women who wanted to climb into his bed. But ever since Tony Stark revealed himself as Iron Man, even men were trying to do the same.
That said, he hadn't been spending all his time indulging in pleasure. Since he had chosen to be a superhero, he was naturally swamped with responsibilities. On top of that, he was also planning to relaunch the Stark Expo.
Of course, whether he was the one actually worrying about these things or if Pepper was the one handling them—only the two of them knew.
Right now, Tony was at home working on his suit when Jarvis's gentle voice chimed in.
[Sir, I believe you should take a look at this.]
A virtual screen appeared before Tony, displaying footage of Abomination wreaking havoc in New York.
Tony's eyes gleamed as he stared at the demon-like creature.
"Time to get to work, Jarvis!"
---
Queens, New York.
Shane had just gotten home from work. Natalie had been on a business trip recently so he hadn't seen her in days.
"Oh! Shane, you're finally back! Oh my god!"
May, who had been anxiously pacing in the hallway, rushed forward the moment she saw Shane, throwing her arms around him and bursting into tears.
"Hey, calm down, May. What's wrong?!"
Hearing Shane's concerned voice, May finally managed to explain between sobs.
It turned out that Peter's school had organized a field trip that day—to Grayburn College. When May saw the disaster unfolding on TV, she feared for Peter's safety but had no idea what to do. So, she had been waiting in the hallway, hoping Shane would come back.
The moment Shane heard her story, he quickly pieced together the situation through the chaotic news reports. He even managed to catch Peter's voice amidst the noise— The kid sounded excited, chatting away with his classmates about the dramatic events at the Grayburn College lab.
Knowing that Peter was safe for now, Shane led May into his apartment and helped her sit down.
"Shane, I know you used to be a bodyguard. You're really strong. Please… can you go get Peter for me? Please?!" May pleaded, tears streaming down her face.
Shane gently wiped away her tears and caressed her delicate face, his voice soothing.
"Don't worry. Didn't the news just say that the monster only wrecked the lab and has already left the academy? Peter and his classmates should be safe for now. You stay here and rest—I'll go to Grayburn College and bring him back. Alright?"
Feeling the warmth of Shane's touch and hearing his promise to step into danger for her, May could no longer hold back the emotions she had been suppressing. And then…
---
And at this moment—
Iron Man was on his way.