Marvel: The Gene Collector

Ben was confronted with a pistol and instinctively raised his hands, backing away in fear. Just then, Alex and the others appeared at the edge of the Brooklyn Bridge.

The sudden appearance of the four startled one of the policemen, causing him to fire a shot in surprise. The bullet struck Ben's stone form but had little effect due to his hard, rocky skin.

Seeing Alex and the others, Ben's fear eased. He quickly shifted back to his human form and raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

Nearby, Johnny noticed a little girl sitting helplessly on the ground, calling out for her mother. He also spotted a natural gas tank dangerously close to exploding. Johnny's face grew serious as he realized the impending danger. Without hesitation, he ran towards the girl.

Just as Johnny reached her, the gas tank exploded with a deafening roar. The shockwave from the blast sent cars tumbling and debris flying. Johnny threw himself around the girl, shielding her with his body as the flames roared around them.

The fire truck, racing towards the scene, was forced to swerve violently to avoid the explosion, causing further chaos.

As the flames began to spread towards Alex and the others, Susan acted quickly. She extended her hand, and a wave of blue energy emanated from her, forming a barrier that contained and gradually extinguished the flames.

Susan looked at her hand, amazed. She hadn't expected her powers to be used in this way.

Alex observed with a slight smile. It was clear that Susan was coming to terms with her new abilities, and he was pleased to see her adapt so well.

As soon as Alex raised his hand, all the flames dissipated instantly, and the chaotic roads were quickly restored to order. Fortunately, no one had died; otherwise, it would have been a major disaster.

Ahead, the front half of a fire truck had broken away from the bridge deck, and a firefighter onboard had also been shaken down. The situation was dire.

Without hesitation, Ben transformed into his stone form and grabbed the front of the fire truck, trying to prevent it from falling.

The firefighter desperately clung to a rope on the fire truck, trying to avoid falling. The rest of the firefighters inside the truck were also trapped at the front, shouting anxiously, "Hold on!"

Seeing Ben struggling with the fire truck and the firefighter below about to fall into the water, Alex raised his hand slightly. An invisible force lifted the firefighter, making it easier for Ben to manage the fire truck.

Ben noticed the change, glanced at Alex, and gave him a nod of appreciation. With renewed strength, Ben managed to pull the fire truck back onto the bridge. The surrounding crowd erupted into cheers, celebrating the successful rescue.

A group of police officers arrived, their pistols drawn and aimed at Ben, creating a tense standoff. The firefighters who had been rescued hurried over to intervene, trying to de-escalate the situation.

As the firefighters worked to diffuse the tension, Reed approached Ben with a reassuring smile. Ben, despite the applause from the crowd, felt a pang of loneliness as he noticed his lover Debbie among the spectators.

Debbie looked at Ben with a mix of sorrow and resignation. She shook her head, tears in her eyes, removed the ring from her finger, and placed it on the ground before quickly retreating from the crowd.

Ben's heart sank as he watched her leave. He transformed back into his human form, picked up the ring, and held it in his palm, feeling the weight of her rejection.

Alex approached and placed a comforting hand on Ben's shoulder. "Why cling to someone who doesn't love you for who you are? She only cared about your appearance, not your heart. Trust me, you'll find someone who truly values you."

Alex's words were more than mere comfort. He knew from the original stories that Ben would eventually meet someone who loved him for his true self, despite his appearance.

Ben's appearance as a stone man was not as grotesque as it might have seemed; he looked more honest and straightforward. The woman Alex referenced, who would love Ben despite his appearance, was someone who truly mattered.

With a thoughtful expression, Ben replied, "Thank you. I will find someone who appreciates me for who I am." He recalled a night spent with a blind woman who accepted him without prejudice, contrasting sharply with Debbie's reaction.

(End of this chapter)