Chapter 32: The Prelude to the Birth of Hulk

In the end, Odin chose to compromise.

While he still couldn't fully embrace Thor's views, he recognized that Thor's balanced approach might resonate better with the people than either his or Hela's ideals. Thor's vision was pragmatic, a blend of strength and protection that held promise for Asgard's future.

But, more than anything, Odin knew he had no other choice. Loki was far from fit to rule, and Hela… she was out of the question. With his own strength waning, Odin simply didn't have the time or energy to mold another successor.

"His Majesty didn't make things too difficult for you, did he?" Sif asked as she, Maya, and Nebula crowded around Thor back at his palace. Though she hadn't heard all the details, she'd caught Odin's raised voice echoing through the halls.

Sif's concern was genuine. As one of Asgard's warriors, her loyalty is to the king, yet her close relationship with Thor always placed her in a delicate position.

Thor gave her a reassuring smile. "No worries. He just wanted to remind me who's boss, you know?"

Sif chuckled, giving him a playful smack on the arm, and the tension in the room melted.

Thor knew that after today's confrontation, Odin would likely refrain from interfering. However, he also understood that any guidance Odin had once offered was now gone. If Thor succeeded to the throne, it would be as a king forging his own path, no longer bound to Odin's policies.

So… the era of "missing father" mode is over? he thought, amused. Shaking the thought from his mind, he turned to Nebula, who was still taking in her grand surroundings.

"Well, how are you finding Asgard?"

Nebula gave a small nod. "It's… good. But honestly, it feels so extravagant." She glanced around, still in awe. She'd thought the mansion with a pool back on Sakaar was luxurious, but Asgard's grandeur made even that look modest. She was finally beginning to understand how Thor could have once weighed four hundred pounds.

Thor laughed heartily. "Asgard has the best standard of living in the universe. Just wait for the banquet tonight; you'll see real luxury."

A life of luxury might not be for everyone, but… it certainly had its perks.

Watching Nebula's curious expression, Thor couldn't help but grin at the contrast. Here she was, the once fiercely independent Nebula, transformed into a wide-eyed newcomer in Asgard's splendor.

Turning to Maya Hansen, he added, "In a few days, I'm planning to visit Earth. Want to come along? Maybe see home?"

He'd just realized it had been nearly ten years since he'd brought Maya from Earth to Asgard. Although she had few ties to her old life, it was still her home.

Maya hesitated briefly, then smiled warmly. "If you need my company, I'm in. As for going home… my home is here in Asgard now."

A few days later, on Earth, Thor and Maya were sitting in a quaint café. Thor held an old newspaper, glancing over it as he spoke. "Did you see this? General Ross is working on a super-soldier project. They've hit a dead end. Interested? You might get some inspiration from the super-soldier serum to refine Extremis."

Thor knew, of course, that Ross's project wouldn't end in success, but it would lead to something even bigger—the birth of the Hulk and Abomination.

Maya took the newspaper, giving it a once-over. "You know, I considered looking into super-soldier research over ten years ago, but the serum is long gone. Even if a formula exists, I wouldn't have had access to it." She glanced up at Thor, smiling slyly. "But come on, admit it—you've taken an interest in someone else's daughter, haven't you?"

Thor rolled his eyes, though Maya's words sparked an idea. He knew that Ross took his project very seriously, so getting direct access wouldn't be easy. But Betty Ross, Ross's daughter, was about to graduate and would soon join her father's research team.

Approaching General Ross directly would be tricky… but maybe starting with Betty was the way in.

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