DC HERO AT MARVEL

Stan Pizza Parlor.

Inside the cozy establishment, Stan the owner had vacated the space for Anton, Batman, and Bruce Banner to have a private conversation.

Out of trust in Batman reputation, Stan chose not to involve himself.

After all, in the Daily Bugle superhero poll, he had cast his vote for none other than Batman.

"You're here to help me—what do you want from me in return?"

Banner voice was cautious as he looked at the two men before him.

Despite his initial excitement at meeting Batman, now that the adrenaline had faded, his skepticism returned.

He added, "You must know who hunting me down, right?"

"Thaddeus Ross, a United States Air Force Lieutenant General," Batman said calmly. "But you don't have to worry about him anymore. He'll never be a threat to you again."

"What do you mean?"

Banner furrowed his brows, a sense of disbelief creeping into his thoughts.

"He dead," Anton replied on behalf of Batman. "He died at a flight base in Brazil."

"Ross is dead?!"

Banner eyes widened in shock, his disbelief evident.

He muttered to himself, "Ross is… dead?" Then, snapping out of his stupor, he asked, "How did he die?"

"Ross death was the result of his own arrogance and recklessness," Anton said, his tone measured.

"And you know exactly how you got back to the U.S., don't you, Dr. Banner?"

"Teleportation," Banner murmured, his thoughts briefly flashing back to that unforgettable moment.

He vividly recalled being pursued by the military, transforming into the Hulk, and accidentally encountering a group of people who inadvertently activated a device that transported him back to the United States.

Banner, being the brilliant scientist he was, had since identified the technology used—a revolutionary and almost mythical form of science.

Teleportation Beacon.

"The Teleportation Beacon relies on a specific device, which is composed of three separate components.

These three parts must be assembled together to create a stable system capable of Teleportation Beacon—or, as you might call it, targeted teleportation."

Anton words resonated in the room.

Banner leaned back slightly, processing the information, his scientist curiosity visibly piqued even amidst the weight of his situation.

He asked, "And Ross death… was connected to this technology?"

Batman stepped forward, his dark figure casting long shadows across the room.

"Let just say Ross obsession led him to pursue this technology. But he wasn't the only one…"

Anton added, "The technology in question was compromised. Ross actions, paired with a volatile situation, created chaos. That chaos claimed his life."

Banner looked between the two men, his mind racing.

The implications were staggering.

"So you're saying… Ross got caught in his own trap?"

"In a way, yes," Anton replied, his tone calm but firm. "And you being teleported back here wasn't a coincidence. It was the result of that chaos."

Batman crossed his arms, his voice low and steady.

"Now, Banner, the question is: will you continue running, or will you stand and fight? Because this isn't just about you anymore. It about ensuring this technology doesn't fall into the wrong hands."

Banner took a deep breath, the weight of the situation settling over him.

For the first time in years, he felt like he wasn't alone.

"I'm listening," he said finally, his voice steady.

Anton had carefully prepared his explanation.

"The device that teleported you was one of the three components of the Teleportation Beacon," he began. "At the time, as the Hulk, you encountered a group of people—the remnants of the Foot Clan—who were in the rainforest searching for this very technology. They weren't with the military."

"So, I unintentionally took the Teleportation Beacon from them…" Banner expression cleared up slightly.

"Exactly." Anton nodded. "You now have one part of the device, and that one of the reasons I'm here to find you."

He paused for effect before continuing, "The Foot Clan still controls the other two components. After you escaped using the Teleportation Beacon fragment, Ross discovered the Foot Clan, captured them, and interrogated them. That how he learned about the technology."

At this, Anton turned to Banner with a slight smile. "You know as well as I do—Ross was a greedy man."

"Yes," Banner admitted with a grim nod. "He would never let go of something like this."

"Ross conducted an experimental activation of the device," Anton explained, "but an accident occurred. The entire flight base was destroyed, and neither Ross nor his troops survived."

"An accident?" Banner confusion deepened. He struggled to fathom what kind of accident could wipe out an entire base, Ross included.

"What kind of accident could destroy a base like that and leave no survivors?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Aliens," Anton replied bluntly, delivering the shocking revelation. "Do you really believe Earth current level of technology is advanced enough to create something like Teleportation Beacon?"

Banner sat silent, his thoughts racing.

Anton words hit like a sledgehammer, leaving him reeling. As a scientist, the idea of extraterrestrial involvement was difficult to swallow—outside the realm of empirical science, the explanation felt almost absurd.

Aliens?

Was Anton suggesting that the Teleportation Beacon was extraterrestrial in origin?

"You'll come to believe it," Anton said confidently, cutting through Banner mental whirlwind. "But right now, the critical issue isn't aliens—it you, Banner."

"Me?"

"Ross death and the destruction of the military force—who do you think they're going to blame for it?" Anton asked, shrugging slightly.

He continued, "The base was obliterated, and if aliens truly wiped out all evidence, there are no leads or clues left to uncover the truth. Now, think about it: Will the military chase some abstract concept like aliens, or will they target you—a known fugitive who Ross was already hunting and who poses an undeniable threat?"

Banner face twitched involuntarily.

He instantly grasped the truth in Anton words.

The military wouldn't bother investigating aliens. They'd conclude that he, the Hulk, was responsible for the base destruction and Ross death.

This put Banner in a far worse position than ever before.

Killing an Air Force Lieutenant General wasn't the same as harming an ordinary soldier—or even several soldiers.

And Ross wasn't just any officer; he was one of the few high-ranking officials with actual power.

His death was a slap in the face to the U.S. military, and they wouldn't take it lightly.

The result? A relentless pursuit of Banner with intensified efforts.

His life was about to become an even greater nightmare.

"You're not telling me all this just to rub it in, are you?" Banner asked wryly, his voice tinged with bitter humor.

Banner took a deep breath, his gaze intense as he stared at Anton and the Batman standing beside him.

"You must have a way!"

His tone was resolute.

"That right."

As expected, seeing Banner calm down so quickly, Anton smiled and said, "The matter is simple. Since they refuse to believe that it was aliens who killed Ross, then let aliens become an undeniable fact in front of them."

"The key lies in... the mind transfer device!"

Banner eyes lit up, faintly grasping Anton idea.

"If we can reenact Ross experience, people will naturally believe the truth. And you, Bruce Banner, can clear your name and even shake off the label of a fugitive."

Anton nodded, his expression meaningful. "But first, once the truth is revealed, you'll need to find someone powerful enough to make the military back down—or rather, acknowledge your identity. Otherwise, even if you're proven innocent, the value you hold won't compel the military to admit their mistake."

"What do you mean?"

Banner intense gaze shifted between Anton and Batman.

This time, however, his focus was primarily on the latter.

Batman—mysterious, with an enigmatic origin.

Mystery often signifies strength.

"I can help you."

Finally, Batman spoke again, his voice calm and deliberate. "Banner, I am currently forming a superhero team. Regardless of whether you choose to join or not, I will help you regain your freedom. Additionally, I have a request... your brilliant mind is needed by someone."

"Say no more, I agree!"

Banner answer was decisive, leaving no room for hesitation.

To him, finding a reliable lifeline was a rare opportunity he wouldn't waste.

Anton smiled at his response.

The next step was to find a suitable scapegoat to prove that aliens were indeed behind Ross death and force the military to accept the truth.

Anton already had a nearly perfect plan in mind.

Two days later, through the High Table channels, Phil, who had just managed to smuggle back to Brooklyn docks in New York, was swiftly and effortlessly captured by George and his NYPD Special Task Force.

As for the two individuals who were supposed to be with Phil—Stockman and the female ninja Karai—they were nowhere to be found.

The discovery of gear resembling that of the Green Goblin on Phil gave George Stacy immense satisfaction.

This was a lead on the Green Goblin!

Hearing the news, Oscorp current head, Harry Osborn, would undoubtedly provide the police with significant "sponsorship."

The four turtles were so moved they wept.

Joining the Task Force had finally brought them a mission beyond mere clean-up duties. For once, they had executed a complete operation!

What they couldn't have guessed, however, was that this was all part of Anton carefully orchestrated play.

Thanks to the timing of the Turtles' encounters with Anton, Phil had been busy familiarizing himself with his new gear and hadn't met the Turtles, ensuring no risk of exposing the plan and allowing the Turtles to deliver their genuine reactions.

However, just as the Task Force was basking in their success, S.H.I.E.L.D. made a timely entrance.

A convoy of black cars surrounded the docks.

Director Nick Fury led a battalion of agents, his presence as imposing as that of a villain.

Fury expression was stern and commanding. "Captain Stacy, hand over the suspect. This case is now under S.H.I.E.L.D. jurisdiction."

At these words, every member of the NYPD Task Force directed hostile glares at the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.

The last time, Tony Stark was handed over to them. Now, it was happening again.

Was S.H.I.E.L.D. specialty stealing cases from the Task Force?

George was furious.

But shortly after, a phone call from New York City Hall forced him to comply and transfer Phil to S.H.I.E.L.D. custody.

As S.H.I.E.L.D. agents escorted Phil away, George sneered, watching their vehicles disappear into the distance. His gaze was cold.

"Captain, are we really just going to hand him over like that?"

Michelangelo, visibly agitated, waved his nunchaku as he whispered conspiratorially to George, "This is ridiculous! Aren't they a super-secretive organization dealing with special cases? How is it that they're involved in everything?"

"Don't rush," George replied.

George suddenly restrained his anger and began to smile.

For the NYPD, arresting the remnants of the Foot Clan at the Brooklyn docks was already a significant accomplishment.

Now that S.H.I.E.L.D. had taken the case from them, the subsequent developments were no longer the NYPD concern.

After all, the department had already gained some credit. George frustration stemmed more from S.H.I.E.L.D. attitude and their repeated habit of taking over NYPD cases than from losing the case itself.

Moreover, based on his sources—particularly Eddie, the editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle, who had hinted at the complexity of the situation—George understood that this case was far from ordinary.

If the NYPD were to become deeply involved, it could spell disaster, making it almost impossible to extricate themselves unscathed.

"Let go when it time to let go."

George recalled Eddie advice and realized Eddie might have foreseen this outcome.

In that case, S.H.I.E.L.D. taking the remnants of the Foot Clan might actually be a good thing.

Meanwhile...

Nick Fury brought Phil to a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility in downtown Manhattan.

Phil was confined to a temporary holding room.

Agents were stationed outside the room, ensuring airtight security.

Not even a fly could get in.

After stepping out of the car, Nick Fury didn't immediately interrogate Phil. Instead, he examined Phil equipment and fell into deep thought.

"Ross died from his own stupidity—he actively lured the aliens in!"

Narrowing his eyes, Fury recalled Anton warning.

Aliens!

Ross death and the destruction of his military unit were due to an alien attack!

This information shocked Fury to his core.

S.H.I.E.L.D. had been monitoring the globe for years, but they never expected such a sudden incident.

A high-ranking military official like Ross, killed by aliens?

Fury was skeptical about the intelligence, but he also knew that Anton, backed by Batman, likely had no reason to deceive him.

Besides, S.H.I.E.L.D. still held significant value for Batman, particularly as a bridge to the World Security Council. This connection could help the Justice League emerge as a legitimate organization without facing undue criticism.

Nick Fury understood that this was Batman current goal.

Anton proactive warning represented a gesture of goodwill from Batman.

For S.H.I.E.L.D., this presented an opportunity to achieve certain political objectives and even gain considerable practical benefits.

After all, news of Ross death and the military annihilation at the Brazilian flight base had only been out for two days, but it had already caused a massive uproar within the U.S. military. High-ranking officials were furious.

In just two days, countless meetings had been held to discuss the matter.

It was important to note that Ross position was on par with these officials—nearly everyone was equally significant.

And now Ross was dead!

Did this mean they could be next?

But with the flight base reduced to ruins, there was no evidence to explain the cause of the incident. No culprit could be found.

Just as Anton had anticipated, Bruce Banner became the prime suspect.

S.H.I.E.L.D., following protocol, had also sent agents to investigate the case but, like the military, found no leads.

Initially, Nick Fury hadn't paid much attention to the matter.

After all, it was primarily a military issue, seemingly unrelated to S.H.I.E.L.D.

However, Batman reminder made Fury realize that the situation held significant opportunities for S.H.I.E.L.D.

The Room.

Natasha opened the door to Phil holding room.

"Phil, long time no see!"

Seeing her former colleague, Natasha was surprised to find that he was now part of the Justice League.

She smiled and said, "Don't worry, we know you're innocent. However, you can't leave just yet. We have a few things to clarify before letting you go."

"Natasha?"

Phil stared at Natasha in astonishment.

After all, during Natasha tenure as Anton personal assistant, she had frequently accompanied Anton to the Daily Bugle.

DC Enterprises and the Daily Bugle were only a floor apart.

Although Phil had been sent undercover by Anton shortly after Natasha joined, the two had crossed paths before.

"You—you—what are you doing here?"

Phil was shocked, and as he connected the dots, realization dawned upon him. "You're undercover too?"

"Undercover?"

Natasha raised an eyebrow at the suggestion and chuckled. "You could say that."

Then her expression turned serious.

"Let cut to the chase, Phil. What going on? How did Batman know that Ross and the military downfall was caused by aliens? What exactly happened in Brazil?"

"It all starts... with the Foot Clan!"

Phil fell into a moment of reflection before recalling Anton instructions.

Drawing on every ounce of his acting skills, he began to recount the story with dramatic fervor.