----
A sound echoed ethereal, hollow like it didn't belong in this world.
Everyone turned.
Behind the towering form of Red Hulk, a strange figure shimmered into view.
General Ross. In full military dress uniform. Drowning in invisible water, his limbs moved in slow desperation like he was being pulled from another plane of existence.
And Red Hulk?
He was frozen in place. Immobilized. Controlled.
All eyes widened. Even Tony, inside the bleeding-edge Hulkbuster armor, froze.
He'd been fighting tooth and nail deploying experimental tech, adapting mid-battle, and now?
Ross was paralyzed after a single strike from Nolan.
And not just physically. Spiritually.
Tony stared at the screens. "What the hell did he just do?"
Johnny looked around. "Was that… magic?"
"No," Rogers murmured. "That was something beyond magic."
He remembered the last time he saw Nolan warp reality like a sculptor molding clay. That time had shattered Steve's perception of power. This wasn't an illusion. This was soul manipulation.
"You wanted to fight like a superhuman?" Nolan said with a calm smile. "You don't seem qualified."
He raised his hand and pulled.
Ross's ethereal form, the soul version, was yanked backward like a puppet on strings. With a sharp slam, it re-entered Red Hulk's body.
The red titan collapsed to his knees, panting, the rage extinguished like a snuffed flame.
Ross blinked, dazed. "What… what did you do to me?"
"For a moment," Nolan said coolly, "you died. I'll let you see what that felt like."
Ross gritted his teeth, genuinely shaken.
Nolan turned to the others. "So… MODOK, Leader what's your answer? You coming with me?"
---
MODOK and Leader exchanged glances two oversized craniums pulsing with conflicted thoughts.
MODOK, ever prideful, said nothing at first. But deep down, something disturbed him.
That attack just now wasn't strength. It was precision. For a second, he hadn't sensed Ross's brain activity. Not at all. Medical death.
MODOK prided himself on knowing every mental signature in a five-mile radius. But Nolan had erased Ross… and brought him back.
This wasn't psionics. This was something else.
"I'm in," the Leader said at last.
Unlike MODOK, he didn't crave control only knowledge. His mutation had gifted him godlike intellect, yes but at a monstrous cost. He longed to be whole again. Nolan's offer? Too good to pass up.
MODOK scowled. "I'll pass."
Nolan didn't push. "That's fine. But one day, you'll wish you chose differently."
Behind his calm, he was already thinking three steps ahead. AIM, now under MODOK, could be… acquired.
If not today, then tomorrow.
Osborn Industries was already expanding rapidly under Norman. With Claw's acquisitions consolidated Nolan was waiting for the right moment to fold AIM into the portfolio legally or otherwise.
Buying an island for research purposes was next on the list.
---
The Leader stepped forward, ignoring Ross's glare, and joined Nolan's side.
Nolan's eyes then fell on Johnny Storm.
"I want a sample of your blood. We can make a trade."
Johnny blinked. "Wait… what?"
"I'm not here to steal anything. Those days are over," Nolan said. "I can offer resources, power upgrades, tech. You name it. One drop of blood in exchange."
Susan Storm immediately stepped forward. Her expression was protective and hostile. "What for?"
"No dark motives," Nolan replied. "I like to study. Your powers are fascinating. I'm curious. That's all."
"I said no," Johnny muttered, shaking his head. "My sister told me not to trust you."
Susan stood beside him, arms crossed, not backing down. Reed stepped forward too, quietly placing himself between Nolan and Susan.
Nolan raised an eyebrow. "Fine. No harm meant. But if you're not interested in improving your powers—how about I help her instead?"
He looked straight at Susan. "You know… maybe teach her to turn invisible without needing to undress."
Susan's cheeks turned red.
Reed's face darkened. "That's enough."
"I'm just saying," Nolan said with a shrug. "You don't need to suffer limitations when I can help."
Johnny bit his lip. "Alright, deal. But only if you promise to help her control her powers."
Susan looked at her brother in disbelief.
But Johnny nodded with certainty.
He didn't want her to keep struggling with a gift that could become a curse.
----
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