Aftermath

The streets surrounding the Baxter Building were in chaos. Littered with broken glass, the wreckage from the explosion had cascaded down from the shattered windows, spreading across the pavement. Sirens blared in the distance, growing louder as emergency responders rushed to the scene. Smoke still curled from the building's upper levels, casting a haze over the normally bustling city block. Power was out for blocks, plunging the area into darkness, with only the flashing lights of fire trucks and ambulances illuminating the streets.

Forty-five minutes after the explosion

The first responders arrived. Firefighters, paramedics, and police officers poured into the area, immediately setting barricades and attempting to restore order. A fire captain, wearing a thick coat emblazoned with his unit's number, barked orders to his team. "We must get inside, check for survivors, and secure the fire exits. This building could collapse at any moment."

Firefighters, wearing oxygen masks and carrying thermal imaging cameras, moved toward the main entrance. "Watch your footing!" one of them warned as they approached the structure. The ground around the Baxter Building was cracked, and the tremors from the explosion had caused the foundation to shift slightly. Inside, debris lay scattered across the lobby—overturned furniture, shattered glass, and the remnants of a state-of-the-art research facility now reduced to rubble.

The paramedics wheeled gurneys toward the building, waiting for any sign of survivors. In the distance, a group of concerned onlookers whispered to each other, the glow of their phones casting ghostly lights on their faces as they captured footage of the event.

"I heard it was some kind of experiment gone wrong,"

a woman murmured to a nearby man.

"What kind of explosion could cause a citywide blackout?"

"I don't know, but this isn't normal,"

he responded, keeping his eyes fixed on the chaos ahead.

"The news is already calling it a 'mysterious incident.'

Inside the Baxter Building

 Two firefighters carefully moved through the dense smoke, their flashlights cutting through the thick air.

"I'm not picking up anything on the cameras. Are we sure there are survivors?"

one asked, his voice muffled by his breathing apparatus.

"Keep looking,"

the other firefighter replied, scanning the area.

 "This place is too big not to check every corner."

Suddenly, the thermal camera blinked to life.

 "Wait—got something!"

The firefighter moved closer to a collapsed section of the lab, and the outline of four figures appeared faintly on the screen, lying still amid the wreckage.

"Here! We've got people!"

The firefighters quickly called in paramedics, who rushed inside with stretchers. As they approached the four unconscious scientists, something strange caught their attention. The scientists' bodies emitted a faint, unnatural glow, as if their skin was radiating energy.

"Jesus… what is this?"

one of the paramedics muttered as they knelt beside Reed Richards. His arm had stretched unnaturally long, almost like rubber, sprawled across the debris.

"We need to get them to the hospital, but this… this isn't normal."

Still, with no time to waste, they carefully placed Reed, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm onto the gurneys. The paramedics exchanged uneasy glances, but their priority was clear: get the survivors out and stabilize them.

An hour later, at the nearest hospital

The four scientists lay in intensive care, hooked up to monitoring equipment. Doctors and nurses buzzed around the room, taking vitals, and reviewing the damage. Each patient was stable but exhibited unusual signs. Reed's body temperature fluctuated wildly, and Sue's vitals were difficult to read, her form occasionally flickering, disappearing for brief moments, leaving nurses scrambling. Johnny's temperature was off the charts, his body heat so high that it set off the alarms on the machines. Meanwhile, Ben Grimm's condition was the most dramatic—his entire body had begun to harden, skin transforming into rocky plates.

In the hallway outside, a group of doctors gathered to discuss the bizarre situation.

"I've never seen anything like this,"

one doctor said, flipping through medical charts.

"Their DNA is off the charts. It's as if their cells are mutating, but this kind of transformation should be impossible."

 The lead physician, rubbing his temples in disbelief, added,

"This isn't just an explosion injury. Whatever happened in that lab changed them at the core. We're dealing with something we don't understand."

Before they could debate further, the doors to the hospital swung open and in walked a team of black-clad SHIELD agents. Leading them was Director Nick Fury, his expression as unreadable as ever. The hospital staff paused, watching in silence as Fury and his agents approached the intensive care unit.

"What's going on here?"

the lead doctor asked, stepping forward to block Fury's path.

"This is above your pay grade now,"

Fury said coolly.

"We'll be taking over from here."

The doctor bristled.

"These are our patients. They need medical attention. You can't just—"

Fury cut him off, flashing his SHIELD credentials.

 "I can, and I will. You don't understand the gravity of the situation. Whatever happened to these people, it's not just a medical issue anymore. It's national security." 

The four scientists were loaded into SHIELD's containment units, designed for highly classified cases, and transferred to SHIELD's advanced medical facility. Along the ride, Fury received constant updates from his agents.

 "We're seeing energy fluctuations coming from the subjects,"

one agent said, eyeing the containment pods nervously.

"If we're not careful, this could turn volatile."

Fury glanced at the readouts.

 "Keep monitoring them. I don't want any surprises when they wake up."

As the transport moved through the city under the cover of darkness, Agent Hill turned to Fury.

"Sir, should we bring in Stark and Banner? They're the best at handling this kind of situation."

Fury's eye narrowed as he considered the suggestion.

"Yeah. We're going to need all hands on deck for this. Call Stark. And get Banner on standby."

Meanwhile with Tony

the dim lighting of Tony Stark's lab contrasted sharply with the bright, flickering holograms that filled the space. Floating blueprints and complex code surrounded him as he worked meticulously on his latest project—a cutting-edge suit that would push the boundaries of both nanotechnology and Synthetic Vibranium. His workbench was littered with tools, but Tony barely noticed, his focus locked on the nearly complete model hovering in front of him.

"Alright, JARVIS,"

Tony said, his voice carrying a tone of finality.

"Let's run the final diagnostic on the suit. I want to make sure we're 100% before I take this thing for a spin."

JARVIS's calm, measured voice responded immediately.

"Of course, sir. I have completed the molecular integrity tests on the synthetic Vibranium weave. The nanites are holding under extreme pressure simulations, but I have some minor concerns regarding heat dissipation during prolonged energy output."

Tony frowned slightly as he swiped through the floating data in front of him. "Yeah, I've been thinking about that too. With the Vibranium base, we've solved most of the kinetic energy absorption issues, but if we overclock the repulsor or push the arc reactor to its upper limits, heat buildup could still be a problem."

"Indeed, sir,"

 JARVIS agreed.

"I suggest enhancing the internal cooling systems by integrating microfluidic channels throughout the suit. This will allow for more efficient thermal management without compromising the suit's structural integrity."

Tony raised an eyebrow, impressed.

"Microfluidic channels, huh? Not bad. We can route them between the Vibranium layers to keep the nanites functioning optimally without frying them. And while we're at it, let's add a feedback loop to the arc reactor that diverts excess heat into energy for the suit's power reserves. Double the efficiency, cut the risk."

"Already integrating the modification into the design, sir,"

JARVIS replied smoothly.

"However, I should mention that diverting too much energy back into the reactor could lead to a minor risk of overload under extreme stress scenarios."

Tony smirked, his hands flying across the holo-interface as he fine-tuned the suit's specs.

"Nothing's fun without a little risk, JARVIS. Besides, if it gets too hot to handle, that's what emergency shutdown protocols are for. We can build in an automatic reset that shuts down non-essential systems if the core temperature spikes beyond safe limits."

JARVIS responded with his usual dry humor.

"A most prudent failsafe, sir. However, I should remind you that relying too heavily on emergency systems may lead to undesirable consequences—such as not being able to fly home if the suit overheats during flight."

"Noted,"

Tony replied with a grin.

"I'll make sure to stay below the redline. But come on, we're in the endgame now. We've got synthetic Vibranium nanotech that can self-repair, adjust to gamma spikes, and now a cooling system that runs itself. This is the best suit ever."

Tony spun the floating model of the suit around, admiring the sleek, adaptive design.

"And don't get me started on the flexibility of the nanites. It's like the Hulk buster, but on a molecular level. This thing is going to handle anything the world throws at it."

Before JARVIS could reply, A sharp ping interrupted their conversation. The holographic interface shimmered, and Tony turned to see Nick Fury's name pop up on the transparent display. He sighed, already guessing that whatever Fury had to say would not be good news.

"Of course,"

Tony muttered to himself, waving a hand to accept the call.

"Because why wouldn't Fury call right when I'm about to finish this masterpiece?"

Nick Fury's stern face appeared on the screen.

"Stark, I need you at SHIELD headquarters now."

Tony leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.

"And here I thought you were calling to congratulate me on my latest achievement. What's going on, Fury?"

Fury's expression didn't waver.

"I don't have time for small talk, Stark. There's been an incident at the Baxter Building. Four scientists—Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm—were exposed to something in an experiment gone wrong. We need you to take a look at this."

Tony straightened up, suddenly more serious.

"What kind of exposure are we talking about here? Radiation? Some kind of chemical? Wait—Baxter Building? Isn't that where they were working on high-energy experiments?"

Fury nodded.

"Exactly. Whatever they were playing with went off the rails. They've been in medical isolation for a few hours now, and their bodies are showing… changes."

Tony raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Changes? Like mutation?"

"Something like that,"

Fury replied, his tone heavy.

"I need you and Banner to look into it. This isn't just a scientific curiosity, Stark. We're dealing with something that could be a major threat if we don't get ahead of it."

Tony stood up, pacing as his mind raced through the possibilities.

"Alright, I'm in. I'll bring the new suit—it might be useful if things go sideways. I'll grab Banner and meet you at SHIELD."

Fury nodded curtly.

"Good. And Stark, whatever you think you're about to see—it's worse. Be ready."

The screen went dark, and Tony stared at the holographic interface for a moment before turning to JARVIS.

"JARVIS, make a note,"

 Tony said, his voice quieter now.

"None of this happened before. We're in new waters."

"Noted, sir,"

JARVIS replied smoothly, understanding the weight behind the statement.

"Well, looks like the suit's debut is getting bumped up a few weeks,"

 Tony said, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Prep the new design for field testing. Looks like we're about to find out just how much heat this thing can handle."

JARVIS, ever the professional, responded calmly.

"Understood, sir. I'll finalize the modifications and initiate the suit's startup sequence."

Tony flexed his hands, already feeling the thrill of what lay ahead.

"Alright, Fury. Let's see what kind of mess you've gotten us into this time."

After a few hours at SHIELD HQ

The Stark jet descended gracefully over the SHIELD HQ, its sleek silver exterior gleaming in the sunlight. Unlike anything seen before, the jet was powered by an arc reactor, the hum of its energy barely audible as it glided in for a landing. As the aircraft touched down on the designated landing pad, Tony and Bruce exchanged a glance, both aware of the gravity of the situation.

Tony, dressed in his signature sunglasses and a sharp suit, powered down the jet. The cockpit's interface blinked with holographic displays, JARVIS providing a smooth exit sequence as the engines powered off.

"This jet is flawless,"

Tony commented, admiring his creation.

"Clean energy, zero emissions. It's about time I got flying right without all the noise."

Bruce smiled lightly, though his mind seemed preoccupied.

"You always did have a knack for one-upping yourself. But I think Fury's more interested in what we're about to deal with."

As they exchanged a brief look of understanding, Maria Hill, always the epitome of professionalism, appeared at the entrance. She gave them a sharp nod.

"Stark. Banner. Follow me."

Tony exchanged a quick glance with Bruce as they both fell in line behind Hill. Inside the SHIELD headquarters, the atmosphere was sterile yet bustling, a blend of high-tech efficiency and cold, calculated operations. Agents in black tactical gear lined the halls, discussing protocols and receiving updates through their earpieces. Flickers of holographic displays cast a blue hue across the walls, showing surveillance feeds from the Baxter Building and diagnostics of the containment pods housing the scientists.

"You should know,"

Hill began as they walked,

"we've contained the four scientists in the medical ward. They're stable for now, but they've been unconscious since the incident. Director Fury wants you both to evaluate their condition. There's... something strange about their vitals, but we can't figure it out."

"Strange?"

 Bruce echoed, concern flashing in his eyes.

"How strange are we talking?"

Hill glanced back at them.

"All four are giving off radiation. Not gamma, but something similar in nature. Their bodies aren't responding to normal scans. We've never seen anything like it. That's why Fury called you both in. He thinks you might be able to make sense of it."

"Radiation, huh?"

Tony mused, his tone dropping.

"Sounds familiar. But not gamma. Interesting…"

They reached the elevator, and Hill keyed in her access code. The doors slid open, and they stepped in, descending deep into the heart of the SHIELD complex. As the numbers ticked down, Bruce shifted uneasily.

"You think they were exposed to something during the explosion?"

 Bruce asked, already running possibilities through his mind.

"If I had to guess,"

Tony responded, his mind whirring through scenarios,

"probably. But what kind of energy hits you so hard that it knocks you out and leaves radiation markers on your body? Could be cosmic energy... or something even weirder."

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open to reveal the SHIELD medical ward. The air was sterile, with the low hum of machines keeping track of the scientists' vitals. The ward was heavily guarded, with agents stationed at every entrance. Inside, the lighting was dimmer, a soft glow illuminating the containment pods where Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm lay unconscious.

Hill led them through the main area, past rows of SHIELD doctors and scientists who were poring over their tablets, analyzing the strange readings coming from the patients. Each containment pod was equipped with monitors displaying unusual data—brain waves spiking erratically, body temperatures fluctuating, and strange radiation signatures glowing faintly around their bodies.

"They've been like this since we brought them in,"

 Hill explained as they approached the pods.

"No change in condition, but their vitals remain stable—if you can call these readings stable."

Tony leaned in closer, his brow furrowed as he examined the readings on Reed Richards' pod. The data was abnormal, even by his standards.

"These readings don't make sense. It's almost like their bodies are... mutating. And that radiation—it's off the charts, but not in any category we know."

Bruce was already running his own scans, frowning as he checked the vitals.

"This isn't just exposure. Whatever they were working on, their bodies are adapting—changing, even. Look at this,"

 he pointed to Reed's readings.

"His brain activity is through the roof. And Johnny's temperature..."

Tony glanced at Johnny's pod, noticing the heat readings, which were far beyond what any human body should be capable of.

"It's like he's generating fire... from within."

Hill crossed her arms, glancing between them.

"What's your take on this?"

Tony stepped back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Best case? They've somehow absorbed an energy signature we've never seen before. Worst case? They're ticking time bombs, and whatever's happening to them is only going to escalate. Either way, this is unprecedented."

Bruce nodded.

"We need to run more tests. See if we can stabilize their conditions before it gets worse."

Just then, the doors to the medical ward slid open, and Director Fury strode in. His usual commanding presence filled the room as he joined the trio.

"Stark. Banner. What's your read on this?"

Tony turned to Fury, glancing back at the pods.

"Fury, these people are walking anomalies. Whatever hit them wasn't just an explosion—it changed them. We're looking at four individuals who might not even be fully human anymore."

Fury's expression hardened, but he nodded.

"Then it's time we figure out what we're dealing with. I want solutions, fast."

As Tony looked back at the unconscious scientists, the thought returned. This wasn't how things had gone before. The explosion, the radiation, these transformations... none of it had happened in the previous timeline. The butterfly effect was in full swing, and Tony knew that whatever had been set in motion now, it was bigger than all of them.

"Guess the timeline's changing faster than I thought," he thought.

"We're officially in unknown territory."

Tony Stark and Bruce Banner stood in the SHIELD medical ward, the sterile scent of antiseptics mixing with the low hum of machinery. The four containment pods housing Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm were lined up in a row, each glowing faintly from the strange radiation emanating from the bodies of the unconscious scientists. Despite the chaos outside and the SHIELD agents monitoring every corner, the ward was eerily quiet.

"Alright, let's get started,"

Tony said, stepping up to one of the nearby terminals and beginning to input commands. JARVIS' interface flickered to life on the monitor, pulling up detailed scans of the four patients.

"We need to break down what kind of energy we're dealing with here, and more importantly, why their bodies are reacting like this."

Bruce Banner walked over to another terminal, reviewing the bio-scans Tony had ordered earlier. His eyes flicked through the data, his brow furrowed with concentration.

"I've never seen anything like this,"

he muttered.

"Their bodies aren't rejecting the radiation... they're integrating it."

"Exactly,"

 Tony replied, quickly cycling through the readouts.

"We're dealing with more than just energy absorption. Reed's cellular structure, for example, is showing rapid, controlled elongation. His DNA is mutating at a rate we can't even begin to predict."

Tony pulled up a 3D model of Reed's cellular makeup on the screen, the projection showing the molecular structure shifting in real time.

"This isn't just cellular adaptation—it's active transformation. His cells are... flexible. They're responding to the energy by completely altering their function."

Bruce peered closer, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of the phenomenon.

"But the mutation is controlled. His body isn't falling apart; it's reorganizing. This kind of change would normally cause massive cellular degradation, but here... it's like his DNA is rewriting itself with a new set of instructions."

Tony glanced over at the adjacent pod housing Johnny Storm, his heat signatures continuing to spike.

"And this guy over here—he's practically a walking furnace. If I'm reading these numbers correctly, he's generating temperatures in the range of two thousand degrees Fahrenheit. Not to mention the electromagnetic interference around him—it's almost like he's building plasma."

"Plasma?"

 Bruce raised an eyebrow, looking over Johnny's readings.

"Are you saying his body is creating the conditions necessary for ionization?"

Tony nodded, pulling up the heat index.

"His core temperature is beyond anything a human should be able to survive, but it's stable. Not burning him alive. If I didn't know better, I'd say he's on the verge of igniting."

"Controlled ignition,"

 Bruce mused.

"But the energy source… could it be cosmic radiation? We know the universe has energy signatures we haven't fully mapped yet."

"Cosmic radiation makes sense,"

Tony agreed.

"That level of exposure would explain the intensity of their changes. If they were hit with some kind of cosmic storm, it could've introduced energy at a subatomic level, forcing their cells to mutate. But why these specific changes?"

Bruce walked over to Sue Storm's pod, where her vitals were stable, but the readings suggested something entirely different.

"Sue's readings are the hardest to decipher. Her molecular structure isn't showing the same physical alterations as Reed or Johnny, but her energy output is off the charts. Her body's interaction with light waves is... wrong. It's almost like she's absorbing and refracting them." 

Tony tapped a few keys and brought up Sue's holographic profile.

"You're right. Her body is bending the electromagnetic spectrum—light, specifically. There's some sort of phased distortion happening. She's able to manipulate her visibility at a quantum level. She could turn invisible, for all we know."

Bruce leaned in closer, fascinated.

"If she's able to manipulate the electromagnetic field, she could be capable of more than just invisibility. That kind of control could affect force fields, creating barriers of pure energy."

Tony whistled low under his breath.

"Force fields, invisibility... She's essentially a human cloaking device."

Bruce frowned, his thoughts still racing.

"But the energy source—it still doesn't make sense. It has to be something beyond normal cosmic radiation. The scale of these changes... it's too extreme. What about Ben?" He moved toward the containment pod where Ben Grimm lay, the readings showing his skin had taken on a dense, rock-like quality.

Tony pulled up Ben's vitals.

"Ben's physiology has undergone the most radical transformation. His muscle mass, density, and overall structure have been completely altered. His skin isn't just hardened, it's been replaced by something that resembles a composite mineral. His bone density's increased fivefold, and his strength levels are off the charts. Whatever hit him, it turned his body into living stone."

Bruce studied Ben's readings, his voice low.

"It's like his body responded to the radiation by fortifying itself, creating an external armor to survive the energy. It's almost as if his cells reacted to protect him from the storm. But why stone? Why this specific form?"

Tony crossed his arms, leaning against the console.

"The key has to be in what they were exposed to. Cosmic radiation could explain some of this, but their mutations are far too tailored. Each one of them has developed a specific ability, almost as if it's a direct response to their individual physiology. Reed's elasticity, Johnny's plasma generation, Sue's invisibility, Ben's stone form—it's like their bodies were designed to survive this transformation."

Bruce nodded slowly, deep in thought.

"It's as if the radiation didn't just alter them—it evolved them. But we still don't know how or why. What was the nature of that explosion? What kind of energy could create these specific mutations?"

Tony sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"That's the billion-dollar question. We're missing a piece of the puzzle here. JARVIS, run a cross-spectrum analysis of the radiation signatures we've detected. Let's see if we can pinpoint the source of the energy."

JARVIS's calm voice responded instantly.

"Running analysis now, sir. Estimating results in approximately five minutes."

Bruce looked over at Tony, his brow furrowed.

"This is dangerous. Whatever caused this—it's beyond anything we've seen. We need to figure out how to help them control their powers before it gets worse."

Tony glanced at the containment pods, a flicker of unease in his eyes.

"Yeah. If we don't, the next time something like this happens, we might not be so lucky. This is new territory, Bruce. A whole different level of unknown."

He stared at the pods, his mind drifting back to the timeline divergence. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not here, not now. The butterfly effect was rippling further than he'd ever anticipated, and the consequences were already starting to unfold.

"None of this was supposed to happen," Tony thought to himself.

"Not in the previous timeline."

A week later

The first flickers of consciousness stirred within the four scientists. As Reed Richards blinked awake, his initial confusion was quickly overtaken by a wave of panic. The sensation of stretching limbs felt foreign, and he instinctively reached out for the sides of the containment pod, only to feel his fingers elongate unnaturally, stretching well beyond their normal limits.

"What the hell?"

 He gasped, his voice a mixture of disbelief and horror. He stared at his hands as they flexed and curled, exploring this new, unsettling reality. His heart raced, the familiar rush of intellect racing through his mind, but this time mingled with fear.

"What's happening to me?"

Across the room, Johnny Storm awoke with a jolt, his body erupting in flames as he instinctively reacted to the shock.

"I'm on fire!"

he yelled, his voice panicked but the heat surprisingly comfortable against his skin. He darted his gaze around, searching for a source of danger, but found only confused faces.

"Someone put it out! Wait… I'm not burning!"

With sheer concentration, he forced the flames to recede, his skin returning to its normal color. However, the sense of control was unnerving.

"What's happening? This can't be real."

Ben Grimm groaned as he slowly regained consciousness. The sensation of weight pressed down on him—his entire body felt heavy and unfamiliar. He sat up, clenching his massive stone fists, feeling the rough texture of his skin.

"What the hell?"

he muttered, bewilderment etched across his rugged features.

"Am I made of rock? Someone tell me I'm dreaming!"

Sue Storm was next, her eyes flying open as she materialized from invisibility, reappearing in the middle of the room. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked at her friends, their altered forms evident.

"Oh my god! What happened to you all?"

 she exclaimed, her heart racing. She instinctively reached out to comfort Reed, only to find herself flickering in and out of view, her body not yet fully understanding her powers.

"No! Stop it!"

she cried, panic rising in her voice.

"What's wrong with me?"

Amidst the chaos, the atmosphere crackled with uncertainty as the metallic doors slid open, revealing a figure silhouetted against the bright lights of the room. The sound of his footsteps echoed like a drum, rhythmic and confident, drawing the attention of the four scientists.

Tony Stark entered, clad in his sleek, high-tech armor, its polished surface reflecting the sterile lights overhead. The suit, a masterpiece of nanotechnology, glimmered with the promise of innovation, embodying the genius and flair that defined him. With a wide grin breaking across his face, he surveyed the scene, taking in the mixture of fear and confusion that hung in the air.

"Hey, guys!"

he said his voice light and teasing despite the gravity of the moment.

"Looks like I missed the welcome party."

Susan Storm (Jessica Alba)

Reed Richards (Loan Gruffudd)

Johnny Storm (Michael B Jordan)

Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis)