142

Chapter 142: Hulk, The Sun Is Setting

Thor knew Loki's complete plan and even considered whether to turn him in now to prevent the portal from opening. After much thought, he decided against it. Earth needed a genuine conflict to make its people accept the existence of aliens, which was crucial.

In a sense, the rise of superheroes in the coming years was largely due to the impact of the Chitauri invasion. It also helped underscore the importance of the Avengers. Besides, the battle was set to occur in Manhattan, which meant any damage might lower property values—a small consolation. Thor was quite the philanthropist!

"Huh? There seems to be a commotion over there."

"Director Nick, I think there's something more you need to explain about the Tesseract," Stark interrupted Nick Fury abruptly, pointing at the computer screen. "Clearly, you didn't tell me the whole truth about the Tesseract. What's the other purpose it's being used for?"

The data on the computer, initially encrypted, was now accessible thanks to the efforts of Stark and Bruce Banner, rendering the so-called firewall useless.

"Kangdang—"

Steve Rogers entered quickly, placing a box on the table and stating bluntly, "The secondary use of the Tesseract's energy is to create weapons, much like what HYDRA did back then. It turns out nothing has changed!"

Stark sneered, "No wonder, after Stark Industries stopped developing weapons, S.H.I.E.L.D. didn't react. It turns out there were already alternatives!"

Bruce Banner also looked dismayed and shook his head. "I thought S.H.I.E.L.D. had some significant purpose for involving me, but it's just the same as those who turned me into the Hulk back then."

Nick Fury, realizing he couldn't avoid it, spoke solemnly, "Because of him."

He pointed to Thor. "Thor Odinson was the first person to make me aware of alien civilizations and show me that not all aliens are friendly. Once they try to invade Earth, what do we use to defend ourselves?"

Stark turned to Thor, "Did you know S.H.I.E.L.D. was making weapons? As far as I recall, the Tesseract was always with you."

Thor shrugged. "I knew and warned them that humanity wasn't ready to wield such power. No one believed me. The misuse of the Tesseract's power attracted unwanted attention from across the universe. Otherwise, the Tesseract's transmission wouldn't have been unilaterally opened."

Technically, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s weaponization of the Tesseract made Thor an accomplice, but now their main dispute was not about the Tesseract's energy. The influence of the Mind Stone had altered their minds, shifting from condemning S.H.I.E.L.D. to attacking each other personally.

"You're nothing without my father's shield."

"Really? If you have the ability, take off your armor and let's fight," Stark retorted.

Natalia watched the two with a sense of exasperation, feeling the urge to intervene. Meanwhile, Bruce Banner was blushing, his heart racing as he felt it might leap out of his chest.

"Wait, I might have found the Tesseract!" Banner suddenly said, eyes glued to the flashing red dots on the screen. "My God, it's right next to us!"

"I'm going to find the Tesseract," Stark said as he turned to leave, but Steve stopped him.

"Wait, put on the armor!"

Stark brushed him off. "None of your business!"

"Boom—"

A massive explosion rocked the entire Helicarrier, causing it to tremble. A multitude of hidden bombs detonated simultaneously, setting the Helicarrier ablaze. An alarm sounded, alerting everyone in the cabin.

A barrage of beams targeted Natalia, but Thor quickly intervened, deflecting the beams with one hand.

On the other side, Banner was less fortunate. He dodged clumsily, swaying and falling backward, his head striking the Mind Stone scepter on the table.

"Boss, our engine is broken!" Maria Hill reported urgently. "If we suffer one more hit, we'll crash!"

"Can it be repaired?" Nick Fury asked.

"Only if we're in flight. We can't enter maintenance unless someone goes out and works on it in the air!" Maria Hill answered.

Nick Fury looked at Thor, who shrugged. "Why do you think I can fix machines?"

Nick Fury:

Stark rushed to the door. "I'll go! Steve, you help!"

Steve, the Captain, stopped him. "Wait, put on the battle armor!"

"Okay!"

Thor sighed as he watched the two brothers who had just made up run out together. "What a disaster!"

"What's wrong?" Natalia, who had just been rescued, asked.

Thor shook his head. "It's fine for Steve, but Stark has a legacy to pass on, and I'd rather not see it spoiled by the Captain!"

Natalia looked confused. "???"

Thor thought to himself that he should find a way to reunite the Captain with the Winter Soldier to keep Iron Man out of trouble. He patted Natalia on the shoulder. "Go help maintain order. I'll handle this!"

He looked at Bruce Banner, whose eyes were turning green...

"189—190—191…"

The device on his wrist continued to count, and Banner, whose eyes were glazed over, felt his heartbeat quicken uncontrollably. He was on the verge of losing control.

"200!"

With a powerful transformation, thick green muscles erupted from Banner, turning him into the Hulk, a titan standing over two meters tall.

"Hulk, attack!"

"Boom—"

With a single punch, Hulk sent debris flying, smashing the table into the wall.

"Roar!!" Hulk roared, ready to continue his rampage, when a small figure appeared before him, smiling and extending a hand.

"Hulk, go back to sleep. The sun is setting!"