Marvel: Umbrella Corporation

The distant sound of sirens echoed through the air.

A fleet of police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances arrived at the scene of Hammer Industries' press conference. Even an anti-terrorist special forces unit arrived in helicopters, surrounding the chaos.

Justin Hammer, caught in a web of officers, desperately tried to absolve himself of any involvement.

"This has nothing to do with me! It's all the fault of the weapons design team, especially that Russian Ivan! And Obadiah! He's the one in charge of this press conference!"

No matter how much he explained or shifted blame, the police escorted him to a waiting vehicle for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the officers surveyed the ongoing battle in the distance but hesitated, unwilling to approach.

.....

At S.H.I.E.L.D.'s headquarters in New York, Maria Hill had just received word of Tony Stark and Ivan's clash.

She was weighing whether to deploy agents to assist Tony when the door suddenly slammed open. Nick Fury stormed in, his face grim.

"Tony is in danger. Dispatch a team immediately to support him."

Maria remained seated, her expression conflicted. "I want to, but S.H.I.E.L.D. is under heavy internal scrutiny right now. Everyone's being monitored. If we act rashly, critical intel might leak."

Nick wasn't having it. "Now. Immediately. Send someone to back Tony up!"

As a S.H.I.E.L.D. veteran, Nick had a close friendship with Tony's father, Howard Stark. Howard's deep connections in Washington had long shielded Tony, no matter how reckless he became.

Even now, Nick felt saving Tony was paramount, more so than dealing with internal S.H.I.E.L.D. matters. But Maria stood firm, refusing to back down. It was their first major ideological clash.

The stalemate was broken when Natasha Romanoff entered, striding in her black tactical suit and heels. She hesitated momentarily upon seeing Fury but quickly delivered her report.

"Director, Umbrella Corporation has deployed helicopters to the scene and sent bioweapons to assist Tony."

The ambiguous "Director" left both Nick and Maria assuming she addressed them, a strategic move by Natasha to avoid offending either side.

Nick reacted first. "What's Tony's current status?"

"Tony is engaged in a standoff with Ivan. Both are using adamantium armor, so neither has gained the upper hand."

Before Nick could press further, Maria interjected, "Any unusual activity within S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

"One agent recently disabled concealed surveillance in the restroom. It's unclear what they were doing."

Nick turned incredulous. "You're bugging the bathrooms? Are you insane?"

Maria and Natasha exchanged a brief, embarrassed glance. Indeed, monitoring such areas was controversial, even against their own agents.

Maria cleared her throat to dispel the awkward tension. "That's not the issue right now. Natasha, come with me to investigate."

"Yes, ma'am."

As the two women left, Nick opted not to follow. S.H.I.E.L.D. was no longer his responsibility, and he saw no need to meddle further.

....

At the press conference site, Tony and Ivan continued their fierce standoff.

However, as Ivan ramped up the electricity coursing through the plasma whip restraining Hulk, the green giant began to change.

"Hulk!"

With a roar, Hulk's skin darkened to a deeper green. His body swelled further, muscles bulging grotesquely. Faint gamma radiation rippled off his form, visible to the naked eye.

Ivan noticed the change immediately. Something was wrong. His arc reactor seemed to be draining rapidly.

Before he could react, Hulk yanked hard on the plasma whip, snapping it with ease. Grabbing the other end, Hulk swung Ivan like a ragdoll and slammed him into the ground.

*Boom!*

The impact left a massive crater, cracks radiating outward from the point of collision.

"Hulk!"

Hulk's deafening roar shattered the clouds above, revealing the bright moon.

The next moment, Hulk tugged Ivan close via the severed whip and clamped a massive hand around his throat.

"What… are you?" Ivan croaked.

*Crack!*

Hulk answered by twisting Ivan's neck with a slight squeeze, snapping it effortlessly. He discarded the limp body without a second thought.

Tony, witnessing the scene, felt a chill run down his spine.

"Hey, buddy, you okay there?"

Hulk turned his gaze toward Tony, his eyes radiating bloodlust and chaos.

That look sent shivers down Tony's spine. It wasn't the Hulk he knew—this was something far more savage and terrifying.

Over the years, Bruce Banner's consciousness had managed to influence Hulk, taming his more destructive tendencies. But now, Tony saw no trace of Banner in Hulk's eyes—only an unrelenting predator.

And the strength… how had Hulk snapped adamantium so easily?

Before Tony could process further, Hulk appeared before him in an instant, fist raised.

*Boom!*

The punch sent Tony flying like a meteor, crashing into the distance.

As Hulk prepared to pursue, the remaining Lickers swarmed around him, attempting to stop him.

"Hulk!"

With another roar, Hulk charged into the fray. Despite their enhanced abilities, the second-generation Lickers were no match for the berserk Hulk. They were torn apart like paper.

....

In a military base on the outskirts of Washington, General Ross stared at the footage of Hulk's rampage.

After multiple failed attempts to capture Hulk, resulting in civilian casualties, Ross had been reassigned to a more obscure post.

Now, watching the screen, Ross stood abruptly from his chair.

"Savage Hulk!"

This was the Hulk he had been chasing—the ultimate weapon.

Years ago, Ross had nearly cornered Hulk during a massive operation. But just when victory seemed within reach, Hulk transformed, growing stronger and greener. With a single punch, he obliterated a mountain and escaped, leaving Ross's forces in shambles.

Today, that nightmare had returned.

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