Chapter 16

—= Some Time Ago =—

The room was filled with an atmosphere of tense anticipation and uncertainty. The light from the ceiling lamps cast soft shadows on the walls, creating a calm but uneasy glow.

Bruce stared at the device on his wrist, shock clearly etched on his face. His wide eyes shifted between the device and my face, searching for answers to the many questions swirling in his mind.

"Yes," he finally nodded, his voice trembling, reflecting the anxiety that gripped him.

He was prepared to be taken to the SHIELD prison, only to be quickly extracted via teleportation. This plan sounded insane even to us, but under the current circumstances, it seemed like the only viable option.

"Do you really want to fall into the hands of the government?" My question was almost rhetorical. I raised an eyebrow, highlighting the absurdity of the alternative, which would be far worse for him.

Bruce Banner shook his head sharply, his gaze becoming more resolute, his voice gaining firmness.

"No, of course not," he replied, finally accepting the reality of the situation. His face, though filled with apprehension, now showed readiness to follow the plan, which, despite its risks, offered him a chance at salvation.

After that, Bruce stopped asking strange questions, seemingly fully focused on the upcoming actions, preparing himself for the inevitable. Determination was reflected in his eyes, and he gripped the teleportation device tightly, as if it were his last anchor in this stormy sea of uncertainty.

—= Present Time =—

The conversation with Fury didn't go as I had planned... And judging by his look, he understood perfectly well that it was my doing. However, my attempt to play dumb had already begun, which meant I had to continue, even though we both knew the truth.

About five minutes after the call, I was finally able to get back to work.

The lab was filled with an atmosphere of concentration and scientific inquiry. The bright light from the LED lamps illuminated the spacious room, packed with high-tech equipment, glass beakers, and numerous screens displaying various data and analytical graphs.

"Haaaah..." my sigh broke the silence as I prepared to delve into Bruce Banner's genetic code.

Sue and Johnny were with their father. Ben and Alicia had gone on a date. Having warned everyone in advance, I headed to the lab to work with Bruce Banner's samples.

"Chronos, perform a full DNA analysis of Bruce Banner," I said.

I had enough of his DNA samples to trust the AI with the task.

"Commencing analysis..." Chronos responded, its digital voice calm and emotionless, yet exuding reliability.

Thanks to its enhancements, Chronos operated at impressive speeds. Soon, an incredibly detailed breakdown of Bruce Banner's DNA was before my eyes.

My gaze swept over the data, and I once again confirmed what I had seen before.

———

Introduction: Conducting a comprehensive genetic analysis of Dr. Bruce Banner's DNA was driven by the necessity to understand the unique genetic mechanism underlying his transformations into the Hulk. This study aims to identify specific genetic markers and mutations activated by gamma radiation, leading to the transformation.

Methodology: Advanced DNA sequencing technologies and CRISPR-Cas9 were used for a detailed analysis of Banner's genome. Parallel comparisons were conducted with DNA samples from other subjects exposed to gamma radiation to identify unique patterns.

Main Results: The analysis revealed the presence of a unique mutation in Banner's genome not observed in other individuals. This mutation, localized in a specific DNA locus, regulates the cellular response to stress and damage. Interestingly, the activation of this mutation by gamma radiation leads to a radical restructuring of cellular structure, increased body mass and tissue density, and a significant boost in physical strength and regenerative capacity.

———

The lab flickered softly from the myriad screens and indicators, each displaying complex processes within the modern analytical devices. The sounds of the equipment created a familiar background for anyone who spent most of their time here. In the center of this technological arena, I stood, watching the main monitor, which was about to display the results of the next crucial step in my research.

"Chronos, run the norepinephrine simulation," I instructed, focusing on the details of the procedure.

Thanks to the data from Hulk's battles with Ben and us, we had a fairly complete picture of what happens to Hulk's body.

Chronos, the core of the lab, responded instantly:

"Commencing simulation..." Its voice, an emblem of modern science's wonders, sounded confident and impeccably clear.

Data began streaming across the screens, creating a detailed picture of how norepinephrine might interact with Bruce Banner's unique genetic structure. This hormone, playing a key role in the fight-or-flight response, could provide new insights into the mechanisms of Banner's transformations into the Hulk.

The experiment's parameters were meticulously set to recreate situations where Banner's norepinephrine levels would reach critical levels. The simulation was to show if this peak would activate the specific genetic markers responsible for the transformation.

The air in the lab seemed to still in anticipation. The monitors around me came to life, displaying flashing graphs and numbers that danced in the swift rhythm of data collection. Each second of the simulation brought me closer to understanding how Bruce Banner's body functioned.

"The results are ready, Dr. Richards," Chronos announced.

The displayed data confirmed my thoughts.

"Just as expected," I whispered.

The nature of gamma mutants horrified me.

Norepinephrine, working in Bruce Banner's body, caused cells to open a gateway to another realm, from where he drew a massive amount of gamma energy. I wouldn't have noticed this if I didn't know about this fact. I would have thought that Hulk's body absorbed an incredible amount of energy from the surrounding space... However, the absorption accounted for only 10% of what he drew from the underworld.

The One Below All indeed had a connection to the Hulk, and that was very bad news... I could easily introduce a similar mutation into my body so that gamma rays would affect me just like Bruce, but now that path was only for extreme cases.

Having a direct link with The One Below All wasn't something I desired. According to my memories, those who borrow power from this entity tend to end up in a very grim place and often become avatars of The One Below All.

"Chronos, shut down for the next five days," I commanded before starting work on a project unknown to the AI.

—//—

I didn't entertain any illusions that everything in this world would go according to my plan. I was well aware that, no matter how incredible it was, Chronos could be hacked. That's why the Dome had a manual override option, and why Chronos had no knowledge of the Dome's structure or the internal workings of the portal to the Negative Zone.

Now, another item was added to the list of inaccessible knowledge. My gaze fell on the vial in my hands, glowing with a toxic green light from within. This serum would turn me into a Hulk if activated.

Identifying the necessary markers in Bruce Banner's genes wasn't too difficult, and importing this feature to suit my own genetic makeup was even easier.

The vial in my hands radiated not only a toxic green light but also the promise of power equal to that of the Hulk. This small container held the results of extensive research, theories, and experiments. The light reflecting off the vial played across the glass surfaces, creating an enigmatic atmosphere.

I understood the risks associated with such power. The thought that the serum might activate filled me not only with excitement but also deep concern. What consequences could follow such a transformation? Would I be able to control power equal to the Hulk's, or would it consume my essence, leaving only destruction in its wake?

Could I resist what The One Below All might impose on me? I didn't know, but I knew the future could present numerous challenges, and this serum would be my answer to a threat I couldn't otherwise handle.

I opened the compartment where all my secret projects were stored and placed the serum inside. Then I reactivated the AI.

"Chronos, resume normal time flow," I commanded.

The AI executed my order immediately.

"Time flow normalized," Chronos responded.

"Thank you," I muttered.

—= Esteban de Ablo =—

Esteban de Ablo, an alchemist from ancient times, stood on the edge of modernity, looking at the sparkling lights of the metropolis, so far removed from the dark, narrow streets of his native era. He was dressed in his traditional robes, which marked him as a man from another time, but his gaze burned with not only curiosity but also a thirst for power, promised to him by Victor von Doom.

Victor, with his characteristic cold calculation and insight, had explained the task to Esteban simply and clearly, emphasizing that Esteban could gain incredible power. This conversation awakened in the alchemist an old excitement, forgotten through centuries of pursuing knowledge and magic.

The old alchemist, inspired by the prospect, directed his gaze at the building of the Fantastic Four, a majestic structure symbolizing all of humanity's progress. The building stood out against the night cityscape with its unique architectural solutions and advanced technologies, which seemed like wonders to Esteban, rivaling even the most powerful spells of his time.

However, deep down, Esteban harbored doubts. Should he trust Doom, a man filled with betrayals and machinations? His thoughts swirled in a vortex, torn between the possibility of gaining immense power and the risk of becoming just a pawn in someone else's game.

At the same time, the realization that he stood on the threshold of something great gave Esteban no peace. He knew that before him lay a rare opportunity to redefine the forces he could wield, perhaps even rewriting the laws of reality to which he had been bound for centuries.

Thus, weighing all the pros and cons, Esteban de Ablo, an alchemist from the past, stood on the brink of a new world, ready to take a step that could change not only his fate but the fate of the entire world he was just beginning to understand.

"What foolish thoughts," Esteban whispered with a greedy smile.

At that moment, he made his decision. The magic in Esteban's body stirred.

Freeing himself from hesitation, Esteban de Ablo allowed the ancient magic within his veins to come alive and pulse with renewed vigor. Sparks of energy began to gather in the air around him, shimmering with green and gold light, symbolizing the collision of the worlds of science and alchemy. Spells, forgotten by most but preserved deep within his memory, once again found their way into reality, awakening under the influence of his indomitable will.

Esteban watched as his hands filled with ancient energy, crowned with a halo of magical light. Each movement of his fingers caused vibrations in the air, as if the very fabric of reality bent around him, responding to the long-forgotten incantations.

After all, he was not called the Devil's pawn, but the Devil's alchemist.

—= Reed Richards =—

As I stepped out of the Dome, the cold evening air hit my face, reminding me of the reality outside my scientific sanctuary. At that moment, my personal communicator vibrated insistently, breaking the silence. The screen lit up red, signaling the urgency of the notification.

"What the hell?" I muttered into the void, addressing both the AI and myself. My fingers instinctively glided over the smooth screen, pulling up detailed information on the situation.

Before my eyes, an image from one of the security cameras appeared, capturing the figure responsible for breaching the first three levels of the Fantastic Four's building. The image was surprisingly clear, allowing me to discern the details.

Esteban de Ablo, or Diablo. Magical energies swirled around him, creating a blur effect around his figure. His face displayed concentration and unwavering confidence in his actions, and a predatory smile, burning with greed, clearly conveyed his intentions.

My gaze fell on the map showing the locations of my friends.

"Haaaah..." I sighed, realizing I would have to deal with this alchemist myself.

Focusing, I turned my attention to the data from my scanners. These devices, usually so reliable in scientific analysis, encountered unexpected difficulties when dealing with Esteban de Ablo's magical energies. The screen was filled with a variety of graphs and algorithms, but every analysis attempt ended in failure, leaving only unanswered questions.

The energy attacks from Esteban, as preliminary results showed, were something entirely different from anything encountered before. The scanners detected anomalies that changed so quickly and unpredictably that even the most advanced analysis algorithms couldn't keep up. The magical energy permeating these attacks was beyond the boundaries of modern scientific understanding, adding an extra layer of complexity to my research.

However, what the scanners couldn't see... I could see myself.

Deep in thought, I began sketching the initial designs of a new device that might become the key to understanding and possibly neutralizing the threat posed by the alchemist.