Marvel: Death Knight

Garus had barely stepped out of the Death Gate when he saw Logan already waiting in his office.

"Logan, quick, I need your help. Follow me," Garus said urgently.

Logan set down the cigar he was halfway through and followed him into the Death Gate.

Though they had known each other for less than two months, Logan trusted Garus. Without questioning the request, he nodded in agreement.

They stepped through the Death Gate and arrived in downtown New York. The battle between the Hulk and Abomination was raging less than fifty meters away.

"Get down!" Logan growled as he shoved Garus's head down just in time. A deafening whoosh passed overhead.

Turning his head, Garus saw a massive billboard—used by Emil Blonsky as a weapon against the Hulk. The Hulk dodged, sending the billboard hurtling toward them, crashing into a nearby building.

Garus's heart pounded. That was too close.

"Garus, are they mutants?" Logan asked, eyeing the two monstrous figures in the distance. Assuming Garus intended to bring them to the mutant school, Logan continued, "If so, I don't think it's a good idea to take them. Those two are too unstable. They could hurt the other kids."

"No, they're not mutants," Garus explained. "They were turned into this through experiments. I don't intend to take them anywhere. I just need a blood sample from the green one. Azeroth Technologies is preparing to establish a biological research lab, and their blood would make excellent study material. But only your Adamantium claws can cut through his skin."

In some parallel universes, Logan had indeed injured the Hulk. Garus could only hope this Logan was capable of the same.

"All right," Logan agreed.

"Wait." Garus held Logan back. "Let them fight a bit longer. I don't want to rush in and take a beating."

On a nearby helicopter, General Ross was fuming as he watched the tanks he'd poured so much money into being destroyed one after another in the chaos. Advanced weaponry was proving useless against those two monsters.

"Focus fire on Blonsky! Support Banner!" Ross ordered.

The soldiers manning the helicopter guns obeyed, but their efforts were in vain. The bullets barely scratched Blonsky, who seized the opportunity to grab the helicopter, sending it spiraling downward.

Boom! The helicopter crashed into a pile of rubble, reduced to nothing more than twisted metal.

"Father, are you all right?" Betty Ross asked anxiously, relieved that they had survived thanks to others cushioning their fall.

Blonsky, with a twisted grin, leaned into the wreckage, his guttural voice echoing ominously. "General, do you see my power now? Not even the Hulk is my equal. I will crush him—and you will die here today."

Grabbing a massive chain from somewhere, Blonsky began to beat the Hulk into submission.

But taunting the Hulk was a mistake. His anger surged, fueling his strength. Blonsky, even with his monstrous form, was no match for a Hulk at peak rage. In a flurry of blows, the Hulk broke Blonsky's spine, leaving his lifeless body in the dust.

"Banner, stop! It's me, Betty!" Banner's girlfriend rushed forward, placing herself between him and her father just as the Hulk advanced toward General Ross.

The moment gave the Hulk pause. Betty's soothing presence began to calm his fury.

Garus, clad in armor to conceal his identity, summoned his Deathcharger and turned to Logan. "Logan, it's time."

"Oh, and Logan," Garus added, tossing him a crystal vial. "If I immobilize the Hulk, collect his blood as quickly as you can."

These crystal vials were high-grade items Garus had exchanged through the system, capable of preserving substances at maximum potency.

Garus charged forward, wielding a longsword made of standard alloy steel. Using every ounce of his strength, he employed Death Grip, hurling the massive Hulk into a pile of rubble.

"Banner!" Betty screamed, horrified by the sudden intrusion. She didn't understand who this armored figure was or why he was attacking Banner.

"Roar!"

Garus felt the Hulk's rage rekindle, burning hotter than ever.

By now, soldiers had arrived, encircling General Ross. They raised sonic palm cannons, aiming at both Garus and the Hulk's last known position.

The Hulk landed on his feet, his bloodshot eyes locking onto Garus. Like a juggernaut, he charged forward.

Chains of Ice!

Frosty chains materialized, halting the Hulk in his tracks. But they wouldn't hold for long; the Hulk was already beginning to break free.

Foul Plague!

A cloud of noxious energy engulfed the Hulk's head, dulling his movements. His strength waned, and he began to stagger, his body seemingly growing drowsy.

"Logan, now!" Garus shouted.

Logan lunged, slashing at the Hulk's skin with his Adamantium claws. For the first time, Logan encountered skin so tough it required all his effort to leave even a shallow cut.

Just as Logan prepared to collect the blood, the Hulk snapped out of his daze. Roaring in pain, he swung wildly, sending Logan flying. The blow hurled Logan through several walls, leaving him buried and out of sight.

Touching the bleeding wound on his leg, the Hulk roared furiously, "A puny insect made Hulk bleed. Hulk will smash you into pulp!"

Garus gulped. The Hulk's anger was now off the charts.

Abandoning the effort to collect the spilled blood, Garus mounted his Deathcharger and fled, tossing slowing spells behind him.

Boom, boom, boom! The Hulk leapt after him, covering dozens of meters in a single bound. The spells had little effect; the enraged behemoth was unstoppable.

Garus cursed himself for not waiting until the Hulk reverted to Banner to draw his blood. This entire plan had been a colossal mistake.

Then he noticed the Hulk wasn't chasing him anymore. Instead, the green giant seemed intent on finding Logan.

As he passed Blonsky's corpse, Garus instinctively activated the Death Gate, transporting the body to the secret underground lab at Azeroth Technologies.

When Garus finally caught up to Logan, he found the Hulk relentlessly pummeling him. Luckily, Logan's regenerative powers were keeping him alive. Anyone else would've died many times over by now.

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