There was nothing inherently wrong with craving power.
Humanity had admired strength since the dawn of civilization.
The tragedy began when someone stopped seeking power and started worshipping it. Once that happened, the person no longer controlled their strength. The strength controlled them. They became nothing more than a vessel.
Emil Blonsky had crossed that line.
The humiliating defeat in Brazil had left him hollow, and the sudden gift of enhanced abilities had filled that void almost instantly.
He reveled in it.
He sprinted far ahead of his own squad, performed impossible combat maneuvers while other soldiers stared in awe, and basked in the intoxicating realization that he had become something beyond ordinary men.
Then he fought the Hulk again.
And lost.
The defeat left behind a poisonous mix of frustration, envy... and contempt.
Blonsky genuinely believed Bruce Banner was unworthy of the Hulk’s strength.
Banner had stumbled into unimaginable power through blind luck. He hadn’t earned it through hardship. He didn’t know how to wield it.
That power belonged to someone else.
To someone who deserved it.
To him.
Eventually, opportunity knocked.
With help from his girlfriend, General Ross’s daughter, Bruce Banner located an eccentric scientist who claimed he could cure the Hulk.
The laboratory looked less like a cutting-edge research facility and more like a veterinarian’s clinic assembled from scrap parts.
Still desperate enough to try anything, Banner agreed.
After what felt like gallons of blood were drawn, the procedure achieved... something.
It wasn’t a cure.
But it raised the threshold required for him to transform.
For the first time in years, there was hope.
It lasted only minutes.
Ross arrived with an entire military task force before Bruce and Betty even had the chance to celebrate.
Blonsky came with them.
After Ross departed with Banner and his daughter in custody, Blonsky stayed behind.
By then, reason had completely abandoned him.
Ignoring the scientist’s frantic protests, he forced the man to inject him with Banner’s blood.
The result was immediate.
Blonsky became something new.
Something monstrous.
The Abomination.
He rampaged through the city, smashing buildings and slaughtering the American soldiers sent to stop him.
Not out of necessity.
Out of pride.
He even caught an anti-tank rocket with one hand, pressed it against his forehead, and laughed.
"Come on."
"Hit me with something bigger!"
A furious roar answered him.
To stop the carnage, Bruce Banner threw himself from a military aircraft.
Because of the procedure he’d just undergone, he didn’t transform until after impact.
Then...
The Hulk returned.
The instant Blonsky saw him, every trace of reason disappeared.
The two giants crashed together like freight trains.
"They’re really going at it."
Sarah watched the live television broadcast with wide eyes.
Despite the unbelievable danger, news helicopters and reporters continued covering the battle from every angle.
Either they possessed astonishing professional dedication...
...or an equally astonishing disregard for self-preservation.
"They can punch each other all day."
Evenson didn’t even look up.
"They’re wrecking the next district over. Doesn’t concern me."
He was in an excellent mood.
Today was payday.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had deposited his monthly salary that morning.
Officially, he’d only joined the organization a few days ago.
Unofficially, Nick Fury had apparently decided to count the month as full attendance anyway.
Whether that was generosity or an elaborate poverty-relief program was anyone’s guess.
Either way...
A five-figure paycheck was a beautiful sight.
As long as Hulk and the Abomination stayed a few neighborhoods away, Evenson intended to continue enjoying his peaceful afternoon.
Unfortunately...
Neither combatant believed in staying in one place.
They preferred solving disagreements the way rocket-propelled gorillas might.
By launching themselves across entire city blocks.
"Boss."
Sarah pointed at the television.
"They’re moving."
The camera shook wildly as two enormous figures bounded over rooftops.
"...And they’re heading this way."
"They’re welcome to."
Evenson folded his arms.
"I have absolutely no intention of fighting two raid bosses with health bars longer than my lifespan."
A tremendous crash shook the entire neighborhood.
Boom!
The Hulk and the Abomination had landed in Fifth District.
"...Damn it."
Evenson shot to his feet.
"Out of all the places in New York..."
"They had to pick this one."
He hurried toward the door.
"Sarah, get my car into the warehouse."
He treasured that vehicle.
It was the first car he’d ever owned.
It was also completely one of a kind.
He had barely pulled the keys from his pocket when disaster arrived.
A taxi came hurtling out of the sky.
It landed squarely on the hood of his car.
Metal folded like paper.
The front end collapsed into an unrecognizable heap.
One wheel tore free, smashed through the shop’s display window, bounced cheerfully across the floor...
...rolled two lazy circles around Evenson’s feet...
...and finally flopped onto its side.
The keys slipped from his trembling fingers.
Clink.
He stared blankly at what had once been his beloved car.
His mouth opened.
Closed.
Opened again.
For several long seconds, no sound emerged.
Then...
A howl echoed through the entire street.
"NOOOOOOO!"
"MY CAR!!"
His blond hair practically stood on end.
For one terrifying moment, he looked ready to ascend into a Super Saiyan.
Purple fel energy surged across his body.
With a single thought, his equipment materialized from his personal storage.
The Skull of the Man’ari appeared in his hand.
His robes settled over his shoulders.
Armor, weapon, accessories...
Everything snapped into place instantly.
Evenson privately referred to the technique as Macro: One-Click Equipment Swap.
He raised the staff toward the street.
"Taylor!"
"Grab your weapon."
"We’re going hunting."
The Demon Guard’s eyes lit up with savage excitement.
Finally.
Something worth hitting.
"Boss."
"Who are we killing?"
Evenson’s face twitched with murderous fury.
"The one without pants."
He had no idea whether Hulk or the Abomination had thrown the taxi.
But he wasn’t stupid enough to fight both of them at once.
Even blinding rage had limits.
Taking on two monsters of that caliber simultaneously would end with him being pounded into decorative pavement.
The choice was obvious.
The Abomination had completely surrendered himself to power.
He was the greater threat.
Besides...
The monster still refused to wear pants.
Frankly, that was unacceptable.
People always blamed transformations for shredded clothing.
Yet somehow the Hulk managed to keep his purple shorts every single time.
No excuses.
The instant Evenson stormed out of his shop, the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents monitoring him reached for their phones.
"Director!"
One of them nearly shouted into the receiver.
"We’ve got a problem!"
"Evenson just went outside looking for those two monsters!"
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