Saturday - November 26th, 2010 (2 AM)
The hospital room was full with a quiet intensity, the sterile smell of life lingering in the air as soft whispers of distant conversation seeped through the walls. The muffled cries of a newborn filled the air after, cutting through the stillness with a piercing, nagging sound. It's heartwarming, despite how insufferable it sounds. A gentle and peaceful crying sound which despite the noise, had a nostalgic feeling. Like the beginning of something great yet tragic was upon us.
A nurse gently handed the infant, wrapped snugly in a white blanket, to the woman lying on the bed. Her dark hair clung to her damp forehead, her eyes red and tired but shining with a mix of exhaustion and joy. She pulled her bundle of joy close to her chest, her trembling hands brushing over the baby’s small, cute and delicate face. The baby looked like a mix of her and her husband, with his light complexion and red eyes.
“Tyson,” she whispered, her voice cracking with sadness. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she kissed his forehead, her lips lingering as if trying to shield him from the world beyond the room. A dark and unforgiving place, especially to the young. “You’ll be Tyson. Named after my brother, he would’ve loved you.” Her sobs grew louder, but they carried a strange softness, a catharsis that filled the room with its weight.
Standing a few steps away, her husband, a tall man with graying hair at his temples and weary eyes that stand out from his otherwise stoic expression… watched in silence. His hands were clasped behind his back, fingers curling and uncurling like they were searching for something to hold onto. He took a hesitant step closer, his gaze fixed on the tiny boy resting in his wife’s arms. For a moment, he didn’t speak, his throat constricting as he swallowed words that refused to form.
“He looks like him, doesn’t he?” she asked, turning her head slightly to meet her husband’s eyes. The question was simple, but her voice carried layers of grief, her face one of sadness and regret. He nodded once, stiffly, his jaw tightening. “He does,” he murmured, his voice quiet and almost inaudible. His gaze latched on the baby’s face, tiny, brown, and wrinkled, with a shock of dark hair that mirrored his mother’s.
The man’s name was Thunderbolt. A scientist of some renown, his career built on logic, precision, and the pursuit of knowledge. But in that moment, as he stood beside his wife and son, he found himself resting in a sea of emotions he couldn’t recognize.
He thought of the brother-in-law he had lost years ago. A man he had respected, perhaps even admired, though their personalities had clashed like oil and water. Tyson had been everything Thunderbolt wasn’t: outgoing, impulsive, the kind of man who lived with reckless abandon. And now, here was this child, bearing his name, as if some part of him had returned to the world. Thunderbolt didn’t believe in fate or a god, but the thought still lingered in the back of his mind, unwelcomed.
“Thunderbolt,” his wife’s voice broke through his thoughts. He looked down at her, startled by the way she was watching him. Her eyes, though tired, held a clarity that cut through his inner turmoil. “Come hold him.”
He hesitated, his hands flexing at his sides. “I might drop him,” he said, the words coming out more soft than he intended. She smiled faintly, shaking her head. “You won’t.”
With a deep breath, Thunderbolt stepped forward and slowly reached out, his hands trembling slightly as he took the baby from her arms. Tyson’s cries had calmed down, replaced by soft whimpers, and as Thunderbolt held him close, the child’s tiny fingers curled instinctively around his thumb. The touch was so light, so fragile, that Thunderbolt’s breath was stuck in his chest, the sight of his new child made him feel like a new man.
“Tyson,” he said, testing the name on his tongue. It felt strange but familiar, like an old song half-forgotten. The baby moved around in his arms, letting out a small sigh that made Thunderbolt’s face twitch into a faint, fleeting smile. “He’s going to be something special,” his wife said, her voice filled with a quiet certainty that scared him. Thunderbolt looked down at his son, his brow furrowing. He wasn’t a man given to sentimentality, but something about this moment… about this tiny, fragile life in his hands, made his chest tighten with a strange mixture of fear and hope.
“We’ll see,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. But deep down, as much as he tried to deny it, a part of him believed her. A part of him knew that this child—named for a man who had lived fiercely and died too young, was destined to leave his mark on the world.
Thursday - November 30th, 2017 (6:55 PM)
“Boom!”
The noise echoed through the park, buzzing with life as kids darted across the open field, their laughter and shouts carried on the warm summer breeze. Tyson stood in the middle of a makeshift soccer pitch, his sneakers scuffed and his face glowing with excitement. His dark hair clung to his forehead, damp with sweat, but his grin was electric, showing off his boundless energy.
“Alright, one more round! We’ve got this,” he called to his team, his voice ringing with confidence. His friends, Troy, Leo, and Gwen, exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of determination and mild exasperation. “Ty, we’ve been playing for an hour,” Troy said, panting slightly as he leaned on his knees. “It’s Tyson,” he snapped, his grin faltering for a moment. “And stop calling me that.”
Gwen rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the small smile hinted at her lips. “Fine, Tyson. But maybe don’t take it so seriously?”
“Not taking it seriously is how you lose,” Tyson shot back, his eyes blazing with competitive fire. He adjusted the ball under his foot and signaled for the game to start.
As soon as the whistle, a loud shout from Leo sounded, Tyson jumped into action. He ducked past Troy with a quick maneuver, his movements sharp and fluid. The ball seemed glued to his feet as he weaved through the opposition, his focus razor-sharp. When he saw an opening, he planted his foot, kicking the ball into the air and landing another strike while in the air.
“Kaiser Impact!” he yelled as the ball zoomed past Leo and slammed into the makeshift goal, a pair of jackets laid on the ground. The sound of impact echoed, and for a moment, the field was silent. Then Tyson threw his hands in the air, his grin wide and triumphant. “Yes! And the crowd goes WILDDDDD!” he geeked, turning to face his friends. But instead of celebrating, they stood with crossed arms and frowns.
“Seriously?” Troy muttered. “You don’t have to try that hard. It’s just a game.”
“Yeah,” Leo chimed in. “You’re always going overboard. It’s not fun anymore.”
Tyson’s grin vanished, replaced with his clear anger. “Going overboard? I’m trying to win. Isn’t that the point?” Gwen stepped forward, her voice softer but firm. “You’re supposed to win, Tyson. But you’re making it about you, not the team, that's not fun for anyone.”
His chest tightened, anger bubbling beneath the surface. “Fine! If you don’t like how I play, maybe we shouldn’t play together anymore.”
“Ty, come on,” Troy started, but Tyson cut him off.
“Stop calling me that! It’s stupid. You’re all stupid,” he snapped, his voice louder than he intended. His friends recoiled, their faces falling. Gwen opened her mouth to say something, but Tyson didn’t wait to hear it. He turned back and stormed off, leaving his ball behind as he disappeared,
The riverbank was quiet, the gentle flow of water providing a soothing rhythm that contrasted with the sadness and confusion in Tyson’s chest. He sat with his knees drawn up, the soccer ball resting beside him as he stared at the rippling surface. His thoughts churned, a mix of frustration, guilt, and confusion. “I just wanted to have fun… Why’s that such a big deal..? But…”
“Tyson?”
He turned sharply, startled by the voice. Gwen stood a few feet away, her hands clasped in front of her. She hesitated for a moment before stepping closer and sitting down beside him in the grass near the riverbank. The view was nice, complementing Gwen’s nice blonde hair. Tyson couldn’t help but notice, looking away as soon as she sat next to him.
“What do you want?” he muttered, not meeting her gaze.
“I wanted to check on you,” she said simply. Her voice was calm, unbothered by his brash tone.
Tyson scoffed. “Why? The others are probably glad I’m gone.”
“That’s not true,” Gwen said firmly. “They’re just upset. But I’m not here to talk about them. I’m here because I like being around you.”
Her words caught him off guard, and he turned to look at her. Her expression was sincere, her eyes steady as they met his. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say. “You like being around me?” he asked, his voice quieter. Gwen nodded. “Yeah. Even when you’re being a little intense.” She smiled, a small, teasing curve of her lips that made his chest feel lighter.
Tyson looked away, a faint blush creeping into his cheeks. “Sorry for yelling,” he mumbled.
“It’s okay,” she said. “You’re passionate, Ty! That’s not a bad thing. You just have to remember that we’re all in this together.” They sat in silence for a while, the tension between them easing as the river flowed on. Eventually, Tyson picked up his soccer ball and stood, brushing off his pants.
“Thanks, Gwen,” he said, his voice quiet and sincere.
She stood too, smiling at him. “Anytime. Let’s head back.”
Together, they walked away from the riverbank, the earlier argument already beginning to fade into memory.
The dim light of the living room cast long shadows across the walls as Tyson's parents sat opposite each other. His mother, Elizabeth, leaned forward on the couch, her hands clasped tightly, knuckles white against her brown skin. Thunderbolt sat stiffly in an armchair, his usual composed demeanor cracking under her intense gaze. “This job, Ross, it’s tearing us apart,” Elizabeth said, her voice trembling with both fear and frustration. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to sleep with one eye open, wondering if someone will show up at our doorstep? You work for H.Y.D.R.A. For God’s sake, they’re not just scientists—they’re—”
“They’re changing the world, Liz,” Thunderbolt interrupted, his tone sharp. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest. “We’re on the cusp of breakthroughs that will redefine humanity’s future. Me and Eddie have been in the lab every night working on something big.”
“Redefine it at what cost?” Elizabeth shot back, standing up abruptly. “You don’t see what it’s doing to Tyson! He’s seven years old and he’s already asking questions I can’t answer! ‘Why do you look so scared, Mom?’ ‘Why is Dad always gone?’ What do you want me to tell him?”
Thunderbolt flinched but kept his gaze steady, keeping his stoic demeanor “You tell him that his father is working to make the world a better place. Kids like hearing that kinda’ bullshit.”
Elizabeth scoffed, shaking her head. “Better for who? For us? For him? Or for those shadowy people funding your ‘breakthroughs’? You think I don’t know how dangerous this is?”
Before Thunderbolt could respond, the sound of the front door creaking open echoed through the house. Both parents froze for a moment, their argument suspended in midair. “Mom? Dad? I’m home!” Tyson’s voice rang out, bright and innocent, shattering the tension like glass.
Elizabeth quickly composed herself, smoothing the wrinkles from her skirt as she hurried to the hallway. Tyson stood there with his soccer ball under his arm, his face flushed from the evening chill and the remnants of excitement from the game.
“Hi, sweetheart!” Elizabeth said, her voice warm and welcoming as she crouched down to give him a hug. “How was soccer?”
Tyson grinned ear to ear, the earlier squabble with his friends momentarily forgotten. “It was awesome! I scored this crazy goal, Kaiser Impact! You should’ve seen it!” His eyes sparkled with excitement as he mimicked the motion with his free hand. Elizabeth smiled, ruffling his hair. “That sounds amazing. Go wash up, and I’ll get dinner ready.”
As Tyson headed toward the stairs, his father rose from the armchair and adjusted his coat. “I have to get back to the lab,” Thunderbolt said, his voice calm but distant.
Tyson stopped halfway up the stairs and looked over his shoulder. “Already? I just got home.” Thunderbolt hesitated, his eyes meeting his son’s. “There’s still work to be done, Ty. You’ll understand when you’re older.”
Tyson frowned but nodded, his enthusiasm visibly gone. “Okay. See you later, Dad.”
Elizabeth watched her husband grab his briefcase and head toward the door, her lips pressed into a thin line. As the door clicked shut, she sighed and turned back toward the kitchen, her smile returning for Tyson’s sake. Tyson lingered at the top of the stairs, staring at the closed door. “Why does he always leave?” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
Elizabeth paused, her hand resting on the edge of the counter. “Because he thinks he’s doing what’s best for us,” she said softly, though her eyes betrayed her doubt. Tyson didn’t respond. Instead, he went to his room, clutching his soccer ball as if it were the only solid thing in a world that felt increasingly unpredictable.
Elizabeth sat at the small dining table, the soft clinking of utensils on plates filling the quiet space left after her husband's sudden disappearance. The tension that had gripped the room earlier seemed to disappear as she glanced into the living room, where Tyson jumped off the couch, continuously spinning his soccer ball on the floor with his foot. “Oh yeah! I’m TOO nice!”
“Ty, dinner’s ready!” she yelled out, her voice warm yet showing her authority. Tyson perked up, bouncing the ball once before setting it aside. He trotted over to the table, pulling out his chair and sitting down with all the energy of a seven year old who felt like they could run around the world like flash and still have enough energy to play some soccer after.
“Smells good, Mom! Your cookin’s the best!” he said, drooling over the plate of spaghetti in front of him. Elizabeth smiled as she sat across from him, watching him dig in with a warm feeling. “You really worked up an appetite out there, huh?”
Tyson nodded rapidly, swallowing a mouthful of spaghetti before speaking. “Yeah! I scored this crazy goal today. It was so cool, Mom. I called it a Kaiser Impact! Or did I tell you that already..?” His eyes lit up as he mimicked the hit with his fork, nearly knocking his glass of water over by launching a meatball off the plate with it.
Elizabeth laughed, carefully fixing the glass before it tipped. “Kaiser Impact, huh? That sounds impressive. You’ll have to show me sometime.” Tyson beamed. “I will! But…” His smile faltered slightly, and he poked at his meatball with his fork. “The others got mad at me. They said I was trying too hard.”
His mom couldn’t help but feel bad at his sad tone. “Why would they say that?” Tyson shrugged, his gaze dropping to his plate. “I dunno. I was just playing. I thought they’d be happy I won, but they got mad instead. Even Troy and Leo…” He hesitated. “And Gwen.”
Elizabeth leaned forward, her hands resting on the table. “Ty, sometimes people don’t know how to handle it when someone else shines a little brighter. It’s not your fault. You have a spark, and that’s a good thing.” Tyson glanced up at her, his red eyes searching hers for reassurance. “But what if they don’t wanna be my friends anymore? I told them I didn’t care, but…” He trailed off, biting his lip.
Elizabeth reached across the table, placing her hand over his. “Real friends will come around, sweetheart. Sometimes people need a little time to understand how they’re feeling. And if they don’t, you’ll find others who see how special you are.”
Tyson nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. “You think so?”
“I know so,” Elizabeth said firmly. “And Gwen… She followed you, didn’t she?”
Tyson’s cheeks flushed slightly, and he looked away. “Yeah, she did. She said she likes being around me. But…” He hesitated again. “What if she gets mad too?”
Elizabeth smiled knowingly. “If she stayed with you today, even when the others were upset, that says a lot about the kind of friend she is. Sometimes, the people who matter most are the ones who stick by you when things get tough.” Tyson considered her words, his face softening. “I guess you’re right, Mom.”
“I’m always right,” she teased gently, russling his hair.
Tyson laughed, the sound light and carefree, a balm to Elizabeth’s weary heart. They continued eating, the conversation drifting to lighter topics—his favorite players, the tricks he wanted to try, and the idea of teaching her soccer one day.
After dinner, Elizabeth cleared the plates while Tyson flopped back onto the couch. “Can we watch something, Mom?” he called.
“Sure, honey,” she replied, wiping her hands on a dish towel and joining him in the living room. She sat down beside him as he scrolled through the channels, finally settling on an old superhero cartoon. It was an episode of the Static Shock TV show.
As the show played, Tyson leaned against her, his head resting on her shoulder. Elizabeth wrapped an arm around him, holding him close. “Thanks for talking to me, Mom,” he murmured, his voice drowsy, sleep very obvious to her.
“Always, Ty,” she whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “I’ll always be here for you.”
Tyson didn’t respond, his slow, steady breathing told her he’d already fallen asleep. Elizabeth smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. The room was quiet except for the hum of the TV, and for the first time that day, she felt a sense of peace…
Friday - May 21st, 2021 (5:45 PM)
Hey! Sorry for not writing as much, Middle school has been sooo weird. Everything’s diffrent, but also some things feel the same. I’m still all about soccer. It's the one thing that makes me feel like I really belong. Even tho a lot’s changed since that whole Kaiser Impact thing, soccer’s still my jam. I still have tons of energy, but I’ve learned how to chill out a little more, most of the time. I can’t just blow up every second like I used to.
Me and Gwen have gotten a lot closer this year, which is pretty cool. We’re still the same, like we’ve always been, but now we have a ton of inside jokes that make me laugh so much. It’s like we’re a team, not just friends.
Troy and Leo... ugh, still the same. It’s a little better between us, but we’re still always trying to outdo each other. It’s kinda funny now, but also still annoying sometimes. We’re like rival teammates, if that makes sense.
Middle school in general is a lot harder tho. Classes are WAY tougher, and the hallways are packed with people bumping into you all the time. And the soccer games? WAY more pressure. The stakes feel huge now, which is super scary sometimes, but also makes me try harder.
I don’t even know how it happened, but I’m kinda good at math now? I never thought I’d say that. But it actually helps with soccer because now I’m the guy who helps everyone figure out the angles for corner kicks. I didn’t even know I was good at math until I started doing it for the team. Weird, huh?
Okay, and I have to write down this prank we did on Coach. It was TOO funny. So we swapped out his whistle for one that made this loud, high-pitched sound, like a dying bird or something. He blew it once, looked at us like he was about to explode, then just handed it back and was like, “You little punks.” We couldn’t even look at him for a week without laughing. He made us run like 5 miles, but it was totally worth it.
But yeah, soccer’s still my thing. It’s the one place where I can just be me and forget about everything else. Middle school’s a mess, but when I’m on the field, it feels like nothing else matters.
But for now, all those pages of his journal seemed to fade into the background as Ty stood on the field, sweat dripping down his face under the harsh glare of the stadium lights. It was the finals of the Little League Championship, and the entire town seemed to have shown up to cheer on the teams. Ty’s school, Crestwood Falcons, was locked in a fierce battle against their long-time rivals, the Ridgeway Titans. The score was 26–26, with just seconds left on the clock.
The Falcons’ coach paced nervously on the sidelines, shouting last-minute instructions. “We need one more goal! Keep the pressure on them!” His voice was nearly drowned out by the roar of the crowd.
Ty’s heart pounded in his chest as he jogged back to his position. The grass under his cleats felt springy but slick with dew, and the air was high with anticipation. He glanced around at his teammates, their faces a mix of exhaustion and determination. Gwen, who had joined the team this year, gave him a small nod. The male and female sports teams had merged due to some issues going around in Chestwood with gender roles, and Gwen made sure to play her part. She was playing left wing, her usual spot, and had been crucial in setting up two of their goals tonight.
Ty wiped his head and turned his focus back to the game. The referee blew the whistle, signaling the restart. The Titans immediately tried to stall, passing the ball among their defenders, but the Falcons weren’t about to let them run out the clock. Gwen intercepted a pass with a perfectly timed slide tackle and sent the ball upfield with a sharp kick.
“Ty! It’s coming to you!” she shouted.
The ball soared through the air, and Ty sprinted to meet it. His legs burned with the effort, but he pushed through, his mind focused. He controlled the ball with his chest, letting it drop to his feet, and began weaving through the Titans’ defenders with practiced ease. The clock was ticking down. Ten seconds left.
The Titans’ goalkeeper shouted orders, their defense scrambling to close the gaps. Ty faked a pass to the right, drawing two defenders out of position, then cut left, leaving them trailing behind. “Pass it, Ty!” Troy yelled, running alongside him. “Just TRUST ME!” Ty yelled for the whole stadium to hear, “If you’ve never done it before just TRUST ME!” He was too close now, and he could see the opening he’d been waiting for. Five seconds left.
Gwen darted forward on the left flank, drawing another defender away from the goal. Ty seized the moment. He planted his foot, leaned back, and swung his leg forward with all the power he could muster.
“Kaiser Impact!” he shouted, not caring how ridiculous it sounded. The ball rocketed off his foot, curving slightly as it soared through the air. The crowd held its collective breath as it streaked past the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper and slammed into the back of the net with a massive THWOMP.
The stadium erupted into chaos. The final whistle blew, signaling the end of the game: 27–26. The Falcons had done it.
Ty barely had time to process what had happened before his teammates swarmed him, shouting and cheering. Gwen reached him first, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. “You did it, Ty!” she laughed, her voice barely audible over the noise. The hot headed boy grinned, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. “We did it,” he corrected, looking around at his team. This wasn’t just his victory, it was theirs. Every tackle, every pass, every goal had led to this moment.
Coach Banner, a broad-shouldered man with a booming voice and a heart of gold, strode onto the field with a grin wide enough to light up the entire planet. He clapped Ty on the shoulder, nearly knocking him forward. “You earned this, kid,” he said, his deep voice cutting through the chaos. “All of you did. You fought hard, and you played as a team. This is what it’s all about.”
Ty looked up at him, still catching his breath from the draining match but also his genuine and pure excitement. “Thanks, Coach.”
“Now go grab that trophy,” Coach said, jerking his thumb toward the shiny prize sitting on a pedestal at midfield. “You deserve this moment.” Ty hesitated for a second, glancing at his teammates, who were already ushering him forward. “Go on, Ty!” Gwen called, her voice full of encouragement. “You scored the winning goal!”
“Yeah!” Troy chimed in. “You’re the MVP tonight.”
Ty finally relented, jogging over to the pedestal with the team following close behind. He lifted the trophy high above his head, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Cameras flashed, immortalizing the moment, and Ty felt a swell of pride unlike anything he’d ever experienced before.
As the team hoisted their championship trophy into the air, Ty looked toward the stands where his mom sat, clapping and cheering with tears in her eyes. Thunderbolt wasn’t there… he never made it to the games. But for now, Ty didn’t let it bother him. The victory celebrations kicked into full swing as soon as the final whistle blew. Ty’s team swarmed the field, cheering and shouting, their voices blending into a symphony of victory. Gwen and Troy tackled Ty in a playful group hug, nearly knocking him off his feet as they laughed in the electric glow of the stadium lights. Leo joined in, shouting, “We’re the champions!” so loudly that his voice cracked, sending everyone into hysterics.
“Alright, team, gather ’round!” Coach called, waving his phone. “Let’s get a picture.”
Ty held the trophy steady as his teammates crowded around him, their grins wide and their arms slung over each other’s shoulders. Gwen stood to his left, flashing a peace sign, while Troy and Leo flanked him on the right, both of them making dumb expressions. The camera clicked, capturing the joy and camaraderie of the moment.
As the excitement began to settle, Ty spotted his mom making her way onto the field. Elizabeth’s face was lit up with pride, and she didn’t bother hiding the tears in her eyes. “That was incredible, Tyson!” she said, pulling him into a hug. “Thanks, Mom,” Ty said, his voice muffled against her shoulder.
Elizabeth pulled back, wiping her eyes. “Alright, everyone,” she announced, addressing the team with a warm smile. “Who’s up for a celebratory dinner? My treat!”
A chorus of excited cheers erupted from the kids, and Elizabeth laughed. “Okay, okay, let’s get packed up and head out.”
The team quickly gathered their gear, their energy still buzzing from the win. They piled into a few cars, with Ty and a handful of teammates riding with his mom. Elizabeth drove them to a local pizza parlor, Pat’s Pizza, that was well-known for hosting post-game celebrations. The place was alive with activity when they arrived, but the Falcons didn’t care. They claimed a long table near the back, and Elizabeth ordered enough pizza to feed a small army.
The celebration was loud and chaotic in the best way possible. Slices of pizza disappeared in record time, and cups of soda clinked together as the kids toasted their victory. Troy attempted to juggle breadsticks, only to drop one on the floor, much to everyone’s amusement. Leo and Gwen debated over who had the best assists during the game, with Ty chiming in once in a while to give his obviously biased thoughts to them.
One by one, the parents of Ty’s teammates began to arrive, pulling them away from the festivities. Each departure was marked with hugs and high-fives, and by the end of the night, only Ty and Elizabeth remained. The table was littered with empty plates and napkins, and the energy in the air had settled into a comfortable lull.
Elizabeth glanced at the clock. “Ready to head home, champ?” she asked, her voice gentle. Ty nodded, stifling a yawn. “Yeah.” The ride home was quiet, the hum of the car engine the only sound for a while. Ty stared out the window, watching the darkened streets pass by. Finally, he broke the silence. “Mom?”
Elizabeth glanced at him in the rearview mirror. “Yeah, sweetheart?” “Where was Dad tonight?” he asked, his voice soft. Elizabeth’s grip on the steering wheel tightened ever so slightly, and she let out a quiet yet obviously audible sigh. “He had to work late,” she said, choosing her words carefully. “There’s a lot going on at the lab.”
Ty frowned, looking out the raining window sad. “But he never comes to my games.” Elizabeth hesitated, her heart aching at the disappointment in his voice. “Your dad… he loves you, Ty,” she said softly. “He just has a lot on his plate. His job is important, and sometimes it means he can’t be here the way we want him to be.”
“Doesn’t feel like he loves me,” Ty muttered, slouching in his seat.
Elizabeth’s chest tightened. “I know it’s hard, sweetheart,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “But your dad… he’s trying to make the world a better place in his own way. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about you.” Ty didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on the passing streetlights. Elizabeth reached over and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “You’re amazing, Ty. And I’m so proud of you. Never forget that.”
As they drove down the dimly lit streets, Ty fidgeted in his seat, the gears in his mind turning. The conversation about his father lingered in the air like a shadow, and finally, he couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“Mom,” Ty began hesitantly, “can we go see him?”
Elizabeth glanced at him, her brow furrowing in confusion. But she knew what he meant. “See who?” “Dad,” Ty said, sitting up straighter. “At the lab. I just… I want to see what he’s working on. Maybe if I see it, I’ll understand why he’s never around.”
Elizabeth’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Ty, it’s late, and your dad’s work is… complicated. I don’t think it’s a good idea.” “Please, Mom,” Ty pleaded, his voice earnest. “I just want to see him. Just for a little while. I promise I’ll be quiet.”
Elizabeth sighed, her heart torn. She knew the lab wasn’t exactly a welcoming place for visitors, but the look in Ty’s eyes was impossible to ignore. He rarely asked for much, and she couldn’t bring herself to deny him this. “Alright,” she said reluctantly. “But just for a few minutes.”
Ty’s face lit up, and he leaned forward eagerly. “Thanks, Mom!”
Friday - May 21st, 2021 (11:33 PM)
The drive to the H.Y.D.R.A. facility took them out of the residential area and into the industrial district. The building came into view as they turned onto a wide boulevard lined with towering streetlights. It was an imposing structure, a stark blend of modern architecture and cutting-edge design. The main building was a gleaming monolith of steel and glass, with the letters H.Y.D.R.A. prominently displayed on the side in sleek, metallic font, glowing in the dark night sky. The logo, a minimalist depiction of a hydra’s head with multiple curling necks, seemed to stare down at them ominously.
H.Y.D.R.A. wasn’t just any science organization. It was the largest and most influential research institution in the world, with branches in nearly every major country. Known for its groundbreaking advancements in technology, medicine, and energy, it had earned a reputation as a pioneer in innovation. However, whispers of controversy occasionally surrounded the organization. Some claimed its reach was too extensive, its goals too ambitious. But to most, H.Y.D.R.A. represented progress and the promise of a brighter future.
As Elizabeth pulled into the visitor parking lot, Ty craned his neck to take in the building’s sheer size. “It’s huge,” he murmured, his voice tinged with awe. Elizabeth parked the car and reached into her purse, pulling out a sleek black keycard with the H.Y.D.R.A. logo embossed on it. “This is the only way we’re getting in,” she said, holding it up. “Your dad gave me this in case of emergencies.”
Ty nodded, his excitement bubbling just beneath the surface. They approached the main entrance, where a pair of security guards stood watch. Elizabeth showed them the keycard, and after a moment of surprise, they stepped aside to let her through. They glanced down at Ty, their faces showing slight worry, but the boy didn’t think much of it.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
The lobby was a omminous space bathed in cool, white light. The floors were polished to a mirror-like sheen, reflecting the intricate geometric patterns etched into the ceiling above. A massive digital screen dominated one wall, displaying a rotating slideshow of H.Y.D.R.A.’s achievements:
A new renewable energy source.
Breakthroughs in biotechnology.
Advanced robotics.
The air was filled with a faint hum, as if the building itself was alive with activity. Ty’s eyes darted around, trying to take it all in. Scientists in lab coats hurried past, their arms laden with tablets and documents. Security cameras tracked every movement, their lenses blinking red in the corners of the room. “This place is crazyy,” Ty whispered, feeling both awe and intimidation creeping over him.
Elizabeth placed a hand on his shoulder. “Stay close, okay?” she said, her voice firm. “This isn’t exactly a playground.”
They approached the reception desk, where a stern-looking woman glanced up from her computer. Elizabeth showed the keycard again and explained that they were there to see her husband. After a brief moment of typing, the woman nodded. “Dr. Thunderbolt is in Lab 7 on the fourth floor,” she said curtly.
Elizabeth guided Ty toward the elevators, her hand still on his shoulder. The ride up was silent, save for the faint whirring of the elevator’s mechanisms. When the doors slid open, they were greeted by a long hallway lined with frosted glass walls, each one revealing glimpses of the labs beyond. The small boy would’ve thought the floor would be brewing the scientists, but it was virtually empty, showing off tons of scientific accomplishments of the Doctor, his father.
Ty’s curiosity was at its peak. He spotted robotic arms assembling intricate machinery in one lab, while another contained what looked like glowing blue liquid suspended in midair. “What is all this?” he asked in awe. “Things you’re too young to understand,” Elizabeth said, though there was a hint of a smile in her voice. “Your dad works on projects that could change the world.”
Finally, they reached the main door of Lab 7. Elizabeth swiped the keycard again, and the door unlocked with a soft beep. They stepped inside, and Ty’s eyes widened. The lab was massive, filled with advanced equipment that looked like it belonged in a science fiction movie. Holographic displays floated above workstations, and the walls were lined with shelves of vials, tools, and other special things he was too young to comprehend.
In the center of the room stood Thunderbolt, his back to them as he studied a holographic model of what appeared to be a molecule. He wore his usual white lab coat, his dark hair slightly disheveled. At the sound of the door opening, he turned, his expression shifting from surprise to a faint frown.
“Liz. Ty?” he said, his tone confused, but cold. “What are you doing here?”
As soon as the door clicked shut behind them, the tension in the lab was palpable. Thunderbolt’s sharp eyes looked in on Elizabeth and Ty, and his jaw clenched, the muscles in his face visibly tightening. He didn’t even flinch as he turned his gaze back to the holographic model of the molecule he’d been studying.
“This is exactly why I told you not to come here,” Thunderbolt said, his voice cold and sharp. He didn’t even look at his son or wife as he spoke, focusing instead on the model as if it was the only thing that mattered. “This is a place of work, not a playground for family visits.”
Ty stood frozen for a moment, confusion and anger warring within him. He wanted to reach out to his father, to make him understand how much he missed him, how much he wanted to connect. But the words stuck in his throat. “What’s so important, Dad?” Ty blurted out, his voice rising with frustration. “You’re always here, always working. You never have time for us! What’s so important that you can’t even spend one evening with your own family?”
Thunderbolt’s eyes flashed with something Ty couldn’t quite read. For a brief moment, he looked as though he might respond, but his focus was already drifting back to the work at hand. He sighed, his breath heavy with the weight of a thousand unspoken words. “The US government sent us a task. This isn’t just some project, it’s something that could change the future of energy, of technology. People are relying on us, Ty. I can’t afford to waste time with… distractions. Good job on winning your championship match though, is that what you wanted to hear?”
Ty felt his stomach drop. He had always known that his father’s work came first, but hearing him say it so plainly, as if his own family was just a mere inconvenience, hurt more than he thought it would. His fists clenched beside him, the anger of years of missed birthdays, holidays, and simple moments of connection boiling to the surface.
“Dad, you—”
Elizabeth’s voice cut through the air, shaking with anger. “Don’t you dare use your work as an excuse! You haven’t been home in months! You promised you’d be there for us, for me, and yet here you are, still trapped in this place, obsessed with projects and government contracts!”
Thunderbolt’s face twisted into an expression Ty had never seen before, a mix of rage and contempt. His eyes flashed with fury as he straightened up, his shoulders rigid, his posture imposing. “Elizabeth, don’t you ever speak to me like that again,” he growled, his voice low and threatening. “You don’t understand what’s at stake here.”
His words were a threat, but before Elizabeth could respond, the scene escalated. In one swift movement, Thunderbolt’s hand shot out, connecting sharply with Elizabeth’s cheek. The sound of the slap echoed through the quiet lab, and Ty’s breath caught in his throat as he watched his mother stumble back, her hand instinctively reaching to her face.
“Don’t ever talk to me like that again!” Thunderbolt shouted, his voice cracking with raw anger. “You think this is EASY? You think I ENJOY being away from you?! THIS is the price of progress. You should be grateful I’m doing this for the future!”
Ty’s blood ran cold. For a moment, the lab seemed to spin around him, the overwhelming weight of what had just happened pressing down on his chest. The sight of his father’s fist raised against his mother was too much, his mind couldn’t process it. It was like a film reel spinning too fast, too broken to comprehend.
His heart pounded in his chest as he felt the blood rush to his head, a dizzying mix of emotions colliding in a whirlwind. Anger. Hurt. Betrayal. Confusion.
In a blur, Ty turned on his heel and dashed out of the door. He didn’t care where he was going, he just needed to get away from the insane tension, from the chaotic mess of emotions that had randomly overwhelmed him. His footsteps echoed through the corridors, but they barely reached his ears. His mind was a storm, a jumble of thoughts, images, and feelings that he couldn’t quite organize. Why did this happen? Why didn’t he care? His chest tightened with the ache of loss, the realization that his father had never really been there for him, that no matter how much he tried to reach out, it was never enough.
Ty rounded a corner too sharply, his shoulder colliding with a metal shelf, sending a glass container clattering to the ground. The sound of shattering glass was like a punch to his gut, and for a moment, he just stood there, staring at the mess, his mind spiraling even further.
“What’s the point?”
Ty stared at the pieces of broken glass scattered on the floor. He wanted to scream, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, he fell to his knees, his hands trembling as he reached for the largest shard of glass. His reflection stared back at him from the jagged glass, a distorted version of himself. His eyes were wide, the fear and confusion visible in every corner of his face. “What have I done?” The thought twisted in his chest, the panic settling like a weight in his stomach. He wanted to smash it all, to make the world break as he felt it had broken him.
Tears stung at the corners of his eyes, but Ty blinked them back with nothing but anger and sadness on his mind. He was not going to cry. He wouldn’t give in to the helplessness that threatened to swallow him whole.
“Why is everything falling apart?”
A voice snapped him back to reality. Eddie Brock appeared at the end of the hallway, his face tense, his posture rigid but trying to keep calm. Eddie Brock was a regular at his house, his fathers science assistant since he left high school back in 2016, the 2 work together like brothers. Eddie’s yellow eyes glow, looking at the kid he viewed like a little brother “Ty, hey… take it easy. This isn’t helping anyone.”
Ty’s chest got heavier as he stood, glaring at Eddie with fire in his eyes. “You don’t get it, do you?” he yelled, his voice full of sadness and anger. “He- he just hit her. My mom. And all because we wanted a little time together. What kind of father does that?! No father of mine!”
Eddie took a cautious step forward, holding his hands out in a gesture of peace. “I know it’s messed up, Ty. But you gotta understand, your dad… he’s not like you or me. His whole life is this work. He doesn’t see things the same way.”
Ty shook his head violently, his fists clenched at his sides. “That doesn’t explain shit! He overreacted! Putting his hands on her like that… how many times has that happened!?” His voice cracked, and for the first time, the reality of the situation hit him all at once. He didn’t just feel betrayed. He felt utterly, inexplicably… alone.
Eddie stood there, watching him for a moment, before he spoke again, quieter now. “I can’t fix this for you, Ty. But I can tell you, your dad… he’s lost too. Don’t think you’re the only one hurting here.” Ty’s throat tightened, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he turned away, the world around him feeling like it was closing in, the walls of the lab pressing down on him as if they were the walls of a cage.
“I don’t know who I am anymore.”
Ty staggered backward, his body trembling from the shock of a bite. His breath came in quick gasps, and his hand shot to the spot on his arm where the sharp pain throbbed. “What was that?” He stared at the small, spider bite in his hand, with the spider nowhere to be found.
The bite burned, a searing, unbearable heat spreading up his arm like fire racing through his veins. Ty screamed, a sharp, loud cry of pain that echoed down the hallway. His vision blurred, the world around him spinning as the sensation intensified. His head felt light, his limbs heavy, as if the weight of the world had suddenly been pressed onto him. The burn in his arm shifted, spreading like an infection, coursing through his entire body. The pain wasn’t just physical, it was something deeper, something primal. His chest tightened, his breath shallow as the feeling became too much to bear. He stumbled, falling to one knee as the world swirled before him in a sickening dance of color, everything was just a mush of random hallucinations.
The spider had disappeared, but Ty felt something else creeping inside him, a strange, invasive energy that wasn’t his own. Before he could gather his bearings, he heard footsteps approaching. Eddie Brock appeared in his line of sight, his eyes wide with alarm. Without a word, Eddie dropped to one knee, grabbing Ty by the shoulders and lifting him up, his muscles straining with the effort.
“Come on, kid, stay with me,” Eddie growled, his voice urgent. He hoisted Ty into his arms with surprising strength, running down the hallway with reckless abandon. Ty’s head spun, and he could barely make sense of what was happening. The world was a blur of flashing lights and distorted images as Eddie carried him, his feet pounding against the polished floors of the lab.
“What’s happening to me?” Ty gasped, his voice weak, barely a whisper against the chaos in his mind. The fire inside him still burned, and his veins felt like they were on fire. Eddie’s face was grim, his face focused in concentration. “You got bit by a radioactive spider, Ty. I don’t know what it’s doing to you, but you need to calm down. I’m taking you to your mom, alright? She’s gonna help you. She’ll make everything okay, trus’ me.”
Ty’s head dragged against Eddie’s shoulder, his body too weak to move. His mind was a whirlwind of confusion and fear as the words sunk in.
“Radioactive spider? That doesn’t make sense..? How could a tiny spider do… this?”
Meanwhile, inside the lab, the parents were locked in a heated argument, their voices rising above the frantic chatter of security personnel in the background.
“You never listen to me, Ross!” Elizabeth yelled, her voice trembling with the weight of years of frustration. “We’ve been through this before! You’re always so focused on your precious work that you forget about your family, about me and Ty!”
Thunderbolt’s face reddened as he glared at his wife. “I’m doing this for you! For us! You think this is easy for me? You think I want to spend my life in this lab?” His voice was harsh, and his words cut through the air like knives. “This is the price of progress. You’ll understand one day!”
From the corner of the room, a small container, originally forgotten in the chaos slid open slightly on its own. The radioactive spider, which had vanished in a second, had crawled its way into the container. It was small, but something about the way it moved seemed... wrong. It seemed to be searching, its tiny legs jittering uncontrollably.
The container, meant to house dangerous substances, was positioned next to a larger, more ominous one. A glass barrier separated it from a device inside… that, unbeknownst to most in the lab, was holding an alien symbiote.
The spider’s erratic movements led it toward the second container, the soft silence of the facility’s machinery growing louder in the background. The radioactive spider, disoriented and altered by the bite it had delivered to Ty, made contact with the symbiote’s casing. A strange, electric pulse rippled through the air as the spider's body was corrupted, infused with the symbiote's dark energy. The spider’s form began to warp and twist, its legs elongating unnaturally, its body changing shape in terrifying ways. The symbiote, once dormant, was awakening.
“Progress!?” Elizabeth snapped. “This isn’t progress! You’re losing your humanity, Ross! You’re so caught up in your work that you’ve forgotten what’s important! Your son needs you, and you’re nowhere to be found! His game today was amazing and you were NOWHERE to be found!” Thunderbolt’s eyes flickered with something dark, his fists tightening at his sides. “I do what I must! For the-”
Before he could finish, a loud scream echoed through the lab, and a few seconds later, the rapid sound of footsteps. Eddie Brock ran into the room with Ty on his back, shocking both parents. Elizabeth ran toward him, taking her son from the boys back and holding him close. Right at that moment, before she could even speak, the group heard a sharp crash from the corner of the lab.
Eddie turned sharply, his gaze darting toward the commotion. “You need to get out of here now,” he barked, his voice filled with urgency. “Something’s wrong. This is no longer just about Ty, there’s something else in play here.” Ty’s gaze lifted from his mother’s trembling hands, his vision blurry but full of agony. The lab was no longer the sterile, controlled environment it once was. At that moment, Eddie Brock gets a bite in his neck from some black creature, surprising everyone else in the room.
Ty's mother, Elizabeth, barely had time to react as the monstrous form of Eddie Brock manifesting in front of her, leaping toward her. The transformation was grotesque. Half-human, half… what could only be described as symbiote, its sinewy black tendrils writhing like serpents. Its eyes, now gleaming with a predatory hunger, locked onto Elizabeth, and before she could even scream, it was upon her.
“Mom!” Ty screamed, his voice cracking as he watched in horror. She dropped him, getting grabbed by the monstrous beast.
The creature slammed into her with a force that sent her sprawling across the cold metal floor. Elizabeth gasped, blood already pooling beneath her as razor-sharp claws tore into her side. She yelled in agony and despair, haunting her son and husband in the room. Yet, even as the pain coursed through her, she turned her gaze to Ty. Her trembling hand reached out toward him, her fingers shaking as tears welled in her eyes.
“Ty…baby,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the snarls of the beast and the chaos of the lab. “You’re so much stronger than you think. No matter what happens…remember…I love you.”
Ty fell to his knees, his entire body trembling as he watched the life drain from her eyes. He wanted to move, to run to her, to pull her away from the nightmare unfolding before him. But his legs felt like lead, frozen by fear and grief. “Mom! No! Get away from her!” Ty screamed, his voice breaking as tears streamed down his face.
Dr. Thunderbolt, standing nearby, grabbed Ty by the arm and yanked him back as the creature turned its attention to them. The beast roared, its monstrous voice echoing off the lab’s walls as it crouched, ready to pounce again. “We have to move!” Dr. Thunderbolt shouted, his usually composed demeanor shattered. He tightened his grip on Ty and began to backpedal toward the rear of the lab, his eyes darting frantically for any means of escape.
The lab was a maze of machinery, glowing monitors, and experimental equipment, but there was no clear path to safety. The creature stalked toward them, each step deliberate, its claws clicking against the floor like the ticking of a countdown. “Dad…” Ty whimpered, his voice small and broken. “What’s happening? Why- why did it—?”
“Focus, Ty!” Dr. Thunderbolt yelled, his voice harsh but edged with panic. “I need you to stay with me. Just stay with me!”
The beast let out a guttural snarl, and suddenly, it lunged. Thunderbolt ducked into a side corridor, dragging Ty with him as the monstrous Eddie Brock’s claws raked against the wall, tearing through metal like paper. Sparks showered down as conduits snapped, casting eerie flashes of light and shadow across the chaos.
“We can’t outrun it…” Thunderbolt muttered under his breath, his mind racing as he clutched Ty to his chest. His eyes landed on a cabinet at the far end of the room, where rows of vials and syringes were stored. His pulse quickened as a desperate plan began to form. He realized what he needed to do.
The beast roared again, and Thunderbolt sprinted toward the cabinet, his footsteps pounding against the floor. The creature was relentless, smashing through equipment and sending shards of glass and debris flying. Thunderbolt shoved Ty behind him, shielding his son with his body as he fumbled with the cabinet lock. “Come on, come on,” he muttered, his fingers shaking as the beast closed in.
Finally, the cabinet door swung open, revealing rows of labeled syringes filled with glowing, volatile substances. Thunderbolt’s eyes scanned the labels until he found it: Gamma-Enhanced DNA Serum—Prototype.
“Dad, what are you doing?” Ty asked, his voice rising in alarm as he watched his father pull the syringe from the cabinet.
“Something I swore I’d never do,” Thunderbolt said, his voice grim. “But I don’t have a choice.” The beast lunged again, and Thunderbolt barely managed to dodge, shoving Ty to the floor and stepping between his son and the creature. With no time to think, he jammed the syringe into his own arm and depressed the plunger.
The serum burned as it coursed through his veins, his muscles convulsing violently. He fell to his knees, clutching his chest as a primal roar tore from his throat. His body began to change, swelling with raw power as his skin flushed a deep, angry red. “Stay back, Ty!” Thunderbolt growled, his voice now a guttural rumble as his transformation completed. He rose to his feet, his massive form towering over the beast. His eyes glowed with an intense, fiery rage as he stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.
Thunderbolt’s transformation into the Red Hulk was nothing short of terrifying. His once lean, sharp frame had expanded into a mass of sheer muscle, his skin glowing an intense crimson like molten lava. His eyes burned with an almost supernatural fire, twin embers of rage that radiated heat. Veins pulsed visibly along his massive arms and neck, glowing faintly orange, as though the inferno within him was barely contained. His clothes had shredded during the transformation, leaving only the tattered remains of his lab coat draped over his massive shoulders. The ground beneath him cracked as he took a step forward, his weight and power rippling through the room.
The creature, a venomly-beast, hesitated for the first time, its predatory instincts sensing the shift in power. Thunderbolt didn’t wait for it to make the first move. With a roar that shook the walls, he charged, colliding with the beast in an explosion of force that sent shockwaves rippling through the lab. Ty could only watch in stunned silence, his heart pounding as his father, now a towering red juggernaut, fought to protect him.
The Venom-beast snarled, its black tendrils writhing wildly as if sensing the challenge. Half of Eddie Brock’s face was still visible, contorted in a grotesque mix of human emotion and monstrous hunger. The other half was a gaping maw of razor-sharp teeth and a tongue that flicked out hungrily, tasting the air. The creature loomed menacingly, its form towering, muscles bulging, and claws glinting under the flickering lab lights.
The two forces of nature stood mere feet apart, the tension so thick it seemed to crush the air between them. “You… KILL WIFE!,” Red Hulk growled, his voice a deep, rumbling snarl that echoed through the room. His fists clenched tightly, flames licking faintly at his knuckles. “You regret… EVERYTHING! Venom let out a guttural laugh, a sickening sound that sent chills down Ty’s spine as he huddled behind a toppled console. “Regret?” the beast growled, its voice a nightmarish combo of Eddie’s and something far darker. “I only regret not taking such a host sooner.”
Red Hulk roared in fury and launched himself forward, the ground beneath him cracking from the force. His massive fist collided with Venom’s chest, sending the creature hurtling backward into a row of machinery. The impact crushed steel and shattered glass, sparks flying everywhere as Venom let out a pained snarl. But the beast was far from done. Before Red Hulk could follow up, Venom lashed out with a black tendril, wrapping it around Hulk’s ankle and yanking him off balance. Red Hulk slammed into the floor with a deafening crash, but he quickly retaliated, grabbing the tendril and pulling hard. Venom was dragged forward, its claws screeching against the floor as Hulk swung his massive arm, landing a devastating blow that sent Venom spinning through the air.
Venom landed on all fours, its inky black form shifting and pulsating as it rose. “Is that all you’ve got, old man?” it hissed, its grin widening unnaturally. Red Hulk didn’t respond with words. Instead, he slammed both fists into the ground, creating a shockwave that shook the lab. The force destabilized Venom, sending the creature sprawling, but it quickly recovered, lunging at Hulk with terrifying speed. On the floors, the people below began to panic, evacuating the building with some people deciding to go upstairs to check what's going on.
The two clashed in a brutal exchange of blows. Red Hulk’s punches were like meteors, each one landing with enough force to shatter concrete. Venom, however, was agile, using its tendrils to evade and counter, slashing at Thunderbolt with claws that left deep gashes across his crimson skin. Red Hulk grabs one of Venom’s tendrils, pulling him towards himself then elbowing him full throttle into the group with a devastating impact, denting the floor.
At that moment, security rushed into the room, seeing the 2 beasts and the distraught Tyson in the group, tears in his eyes, crawling back slowly watching the battle. The security tries shooting at Venom, but the bullets dont even harm the beast. It launches tendrils at them, shooting at the security, almost connecting. But Red Hulk intercepts, looking back at his colleagues, a look of pity. The security rushed out, “Focus on saving people!” The main woman says to her other 6 subordinates.”
Venom rushes toward Red Hulk, who manages to grab Venom by the throat, lifting the beast into the air with one massive hand. He hurled it across the lab, and Venom smashed into a wall with enough force to leave a crater. Hulk charged, aiming to finish it, but Venom was ready. The creature lashed out with multiple tendrils, wrapping them around Thunderbolt’s arms, legs, and torso, immobilizing him.
“You think your strength will save you?” Venom snarled, tightening its grip as it pulled the beast that used to be the Doctor, closer. “You’re nothing compared to us.”
Dr. Thunderbolt roared in defiance, flexing his immense muscles and breaking free of the tendrils with a burst of raw power. He lunged at Venom again, landing a powerful uppercut that sent the creature flying upward, smashing through the lab’s ceiling. Venom crashed back down, landing with a sickening thud. But instead of staying down, it laughed… a chilling, hollow sound. “You fight like a man trying to save a life you already lost,” it taunted, its grin widening as it stood.
Fueled by rage, Red Hulk charged again, but this time, Venom was ready. The creature sidestepped his attack with inhuman speed, countering with a flurry of tendrils and slashes. Red Hulk swung wildly, his anger clouding his judgment, and Venom exploited every opening. Finally, Venom seized its moment. Using its tendrils, it vaulted over Hulk, landing behind him and delivering a powerful blow to the back of his knee. Red Hulk faltered, and Venom capitalized, wrapping a massive tendril around his waist and slamming him into the ground with earth-shaking force.
Hulk groaned, struggling to push himself up, but Venom loomed over him, its monstrous grin splitting its face. It placed one clawed foot on his chest, pinning him down. “Look at you,” Venom hissed, leaning closer. “All that power, and you couldn’t even save her.” It chuckled darkly, its voice dripping with malice. “I’m going to tear you to pieces…just like I did to your wife.”
Thunderbolt’s eyes burned with fury and pain as he stared up at the creature, his body battered and broken. Tyson looks at his father, screaming out to him, “PLEASE! DON’T GIVE UP NOW!” Thunderbolt layed on the ground, Venom’s foot pressing against his chest, the weight of defeat settling over him like a smothering blanket. His fiery eyes dimmed slightly, but as the words echoed in his ears…
“ just like I did to your wife”
“PLEASE! DON’T GIVE UP!”
A guttural roar erupted from his throat, shaking the very walls of the building. His eyes flared brighter than ever, glowing an intense, molten red, as tears streamed down his face. But these weren’t ordinary tears, they were a lava-like substance, thick and glowing, carving small, smoldering trails down his cheeks. His massive arms began to bulge grotesquely, veins throbbing and pulsating with the same molten glow. His skin cracked in places, glowing fissures forming along his arms and chest like magma seeping through a volcano.
Thunderbolt was no longer capable of coherent speech. All that escaped his mouth were primal, rage-filled screams that reverberated through the lab. Venom hesitated, momentarily thrown off by the sheer ferocity emanating from Red Hulk. “What...what are you?” the beast hissed, recoiling slightly.
But Red Hulk was beyond reason. He grabbed Venom’s leg in one massive hand and hurled the creature across the lab like a ragdoll. Venom smashed into a steel support beam, bending it inward from the force, and before it could recover, Hulk was already upon it. With a roar, he swung a flaming fist into Venom’s chest, sending the beast skidding across the floor. The heat from his punches left blackened scorch marks on the creature’s inky surface, and each blow landed with a deafening crack that shook the entire building.
Venom lashed out with its tendrils, trying to regain the upper hand, but Hulk caught them mid-air, gripping them with such force that they disintegrated into ash. He yanked Venom forward and delivered a devastating headbutt, the impact causing a shockwave that shattered nearby glass panels.
“NO ESCAPE!” Hulk roared, his voice barely human.
He grabbed Venom by the neck with both hands, lifting the beast off the ground and slamming it into a nearby console. Sparks flew as equipment shattered, and Venom struggled to free itself, clawing at Hulk’s arms. But Red Hulk was relentless, slamming the creature repeatedly into the ground, each impact creating a small crater in the reinforced lab floor. Venom let out a pained screech, its form flickering as it struggled to maintain cohesion. It slashed desperately at Thunderbolt’s face, leaving deep gashes, but the red demon didn’t even flinch. Instead, he grabbed Venom by the arm and swung it around like a wrecking ball, smashing it into walls, machinery, and anything else in his path.
The lab was in chaos, fires breaking out as equipment exploded from the sheer destruction. Hulk’s glowing tears hissed as they dripped onto the ground, evaporating instantly, his rage fueling him to new heights of brutality. Venom, now visibly weakened, attempted to crawl away, its form unstable and writhing, wrapped around Eddie Brock’s body. But Red Hulk wasn’t done. He grabbed the creature by the back and lifted it high above his head, roaring as he hurled it toward a large gas chamber at the far end of the lab.
Venom crashed through the reinforced glass, landing inside the chamber with a sickening thud. Red Hulk stalked forward, his massive fists clenched, and with a single motion, he slammed his fist onto a control panel, igniting the gas within. The chamber erupted into a fiery inferno, the flames consuming Venom’s form as it let out a final, bloodcurdling scream. The fire spread rapidly, licking at the walls and ceilings, turning the lab into a hellscape.
Hulk stood amidst the chaos and destruction, his chest heaving, his molten eyes fixed on the flames. His massive frame trembled, the adrenaline of his rage beginning to wane, but the sorrow and loss still burned within him. The lab crumbled around him, the weight of his actions, and his failure, pressing heavily on his massive shoulders.
For a moment, Red Hulk stood still, staring into the consuming fire as if searching for something…. maybe redemption, maybe closure, or perhaps just silence. The molten tears that had streaked down his face earlier had dried, leaving dark, cracked trails on his crimson skin. His hands twitched involuntarily, still stained with the remnants of the battle, his knuckles charred and cracked from the ferocity of his strikes.
Then, faintly, cutting through the roar of the flames and the crumbling of metal, a small voice reached him.
“Dad?”
Red Hulk’s head jerked toward the sound, his molten eyes flickering with recognition. Ty’s voice echoed through the chaos, tinged with fear and desperation. It was a tether, pulling him back from the edge of his rage. The massive figure turned, his steps causing the ground beneath him to groan, as he followed the faint calls through the wreckage.
“Dad, where are you?” Ty shouted again, his voice breaking.
Red Hulk’s chest tightened—not from anger, but from the realization of what he had just done and what his son had just witnessed. His hulking form moved with purpose now, the flames and collapsing debris barely registering as obstacles. Ty needed him.
“Tyyyy.” Red Hulk rumbled, his voice deep and guttural, barely above a whisper but carrying immense weight. The sound of it startled even himself, the remnants of humanity in his voice struggling to break free from the monstrous growl. Through the haze of smoke and fire, Red Hulk finally spotted him, Ty, huddled near a corner, clutching his injured arm. The boy’s wide eyes locked onto the massive figure approaching him, a mix of relief and fear flashing across his face.
“Dad?” Ty’s voice trembled, his body frozen in place.
Red Hulk dropped to one knee, the ground cracking beneath his massive weight, and extended a massive, busted hand toward his son. For a moment, Ty heistated, staring down the monstrous figure before him. But then, he saw it, the faint flicker of familiarity in those molten eyes, the same protective gaze his father had always given him, even now, buried beneath layers of rage and sorrow.
“Child… mine.”
Ty didn’t need to be told twice. He scrambled forward, throwing himself into the massive arms of the crimson beast. Red Hulk enveloped him carefully, his movements deliberate, as if afraid his monstrous strength would harm the boy.
“Got… child.” Red Hulk muttered, his voice thick with emotion.
The lab continued to collapse around them, the flames spreading rapidly, but for that moment, it didn’t matter. Red Hulk held his son close, trying to protect as much as he could, knowing exactly what was to come. “Love… child.” he said, his voice filled with determination. The explosion ripped through the building like a tidal wave of fire and shrapnel. The world turned to chaos—an unbearable roar, blinding light, and then an all-consuming silence.
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Saturday - May 22nd, 2021 (4:50 AM)
I… opened my eyes slowly, everything around me spinning, my ears ringing from the deafening blast. The first thing I saw was my father, or at least, what he had become. He cradled me in his massive arms, his molten-red skin glowing faintly, cracked and scorched like a living volcano. His eyes, once filled with warmth and intelligence, now burned like molten pits, and his chest heaved with a mix of exertion and rage.
Somehow, I was unharmed. Not a single scratch, not even from the explosion. I blinked, struggling to process what was happening. The building, or what was left of it… was in ruins. Flames licked at the sky, and debris lay scattered everywhere. The air smelled of smoke, ash, and something metallic I couldn’t quite place.
And then I saw them, the bodies. Scattered across the rubble, their faces twisted in agony, burnt and broken. Scientists, security guards, lab assistants, everyone who had been left inn the building was either dead or barely clinging to life. A few people were crawling away from the wreckage, coughing and choking on the thick smoke, their clothes tattered and singed. Some people had already escaped, but none of that mattered to me in that moment.
I looked up at my father, at Red Hulk, and for a moment, I thought I saw something human in his molten eyes. But then his body tensed, and a guttural growl rumbled from deep within him.
“Dad?” I croaked, my voice barely audible over the crackling flames.
He tried to respond. His massive jaw moved, his throat convulsing as he forced out a sound. But instead of words, all that came out was a horrifying roar, primal and guttural, filled with rage and pain.
The sound startled me, and I wasn’t the only one. Red and blue lights flickered in the distance, growing brighter with every passing second. The whine of police sirens pierced the air, and soon, a line of squad cars screeched to a halt just outside the wreckage. Officers poured out, guns drawn, their faces hard with determination and fear. “Put the kid down!” one of them shouted, his voice amplified by a megaphone. “We don’t want to hurt you!”
Red Hulk’s breathing quickened, his chest rising and falling like a bellows. He took a step forward, and the ground beneath him cracked under his immense weight.
“Stop resisting!” another officer yelled.
But my father, Red Hulk, wasn’t resisting. He was trying to explain, trying to speak, but all that came out were more enraged screams. I could feel his body trembling, not just with anger but with frustration. He was trapped in his own monstrous form, unable to communicate, unable to explain that he wasn’t trying to hurt anyone.
Then, they started shooting.
The first bullet hit his shoulder, ricocheting off his hardened skin with a faint spark. More followed, a barrage of gunfire lighting up the night. The bullets didn’t pierce him, but they enraged him further. He roared, his voice shaking the ground, and before I could even comprehend what was happening, he moved.
Faster than I thought possible for someone his size, he lunged toward the nearest officer—a man in his forties with a stern face and blonde hair, his badge glinting in the firelight. I recognized him immediately. Officer George Stacy. Gwen’s dad.
“NO!” I screamed, but it was too late.
Red Hulk’s massive fist swung down, connecting with Trevor’s chest and sending him flying into the hood of a squad car. The metal crumpled under the impact, and Trevor slid to the ground, groaning in pain.
The other officers opened fire, unloading their clips into Red Hulk, but it was like shooting at a tank. The bullets bounced off harmlessly, and he roared again, clutching me tightly in one arm as he charged at the squad cars.
“Stop! Please!” I shouted, my voice breaking.
But he couldn’t hear me... or maybe he could, and the monster he’d become simply couldn’t process it. All I could do was cling to him as he wreaked havoc, flipping cars and smashing through barricades, his rage consuming him.
The world around us dissolved into chaos. Flames roared, sirens wailed, and the ground shook with every step my father took. I could feel the heat radiating from his body, the power coursing through him. And as I looked up at his monstrous form, part of me wondered if I’d ever get my dad back, or if the Red Hulk was all that was left.
The ground shook beneath me as the air around us grew heavy with tension. My knees wobbled, and I clenched my fists, trying to keep myself upright. Captain Marvel had landed, her aura glowing bright enough to cut through the smoke and chaos that surrounded us. For a moment, her eyes softened when she looked at me, but her gaze quickly shifted to my father, or whatever he had become.
“Thunderbolt, you’ve lost your mind,” she said, her voice sharp but filled with pity. “Look at what you’ve done. This isn’t you.”
I froze, the sound of her words ringing in my ears. My dad—Red Hulk—turned his glowing eyes toward me for a brief second. His molten-red body pulsed with heat, veins of lava-like energy glowing brighter with every labored breath he took. For a moment, I thought he might listen to her.
But then he dropped me. Hard.
I landed on my back with a painful thud, the wind knocked out of me. I scrambled to sit up, but the look he gave me—the twisted, toothy smile that barely resembled my father—sent chills down my spine.
“Put the boy down,” Captain Marvel said, her tone softening for just a moment. “You don’t have to do this.”
That’s when he roared, the sound so guttural and primal it made my heart leap into my throat. And then he lunged at her.
“No!” I shouted, my voice cracking, but it was too late.
The ground cracked beneath his feet as he launched himself into the air. Captain Marvel barely had time to brace herself before his massive fists slammed into her with a deafening boom. The force sent shockwaves rippling outward, shaking the few buildings still standing.
She staggered but stood her ground, her glowing arms crossed in front of her to absorb the impact. “Fine,” she muttered, her voice grim. “The hard way it is.”
I could barely follow what happened next. They were a blur of motion—Red Hulk swinging his massive arms, Captain Marvel dodging and countering with precision. Every punch, every blast of energy seemed to make the air itself tremble.
I crawled backward, pressing myself against the wreckage of a car for cover. My chest heaved, and my vision blurred with tears. This couldn’t be happening. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Red Hulk roared again, grabbing a chunk of the ground and hurling it at her with terrifying strength. Captain Marvel dodged, the debris smashing into pieces behind her, sending shards flying. She retaliated with a concentrated blast of energy, hitting him square in the chest and forcing him back several feet.
But he didn’t stop. He couldn’t stop.
He slammed his fists into the ground, creating a shockwave that sent her flying back. She recovered mid-air, hovering for a moment before diving toward him. Her punches were like lightning, quick and precise, but they barely seemed to faze him.
I could see it in her face—she was holding back.
“Dad, stop!” I screamed, my voice cracking. “Please! You don’t have to do this!”
But he didn’t even look at me.
Captain Marvel dodged another wild swing and delivered a powerful uppercut to his jaw. His head snapped back, and for a moment, I thought she might have the upper hand. But then he grabbed her mid-air, slamming her into the ground with enough force to make the earth shake. She groaned, struggling to push herself up as he loomed over her. His molten skin glowed brighter, and I could feel the heat radiating off him even from where I was.
“You’re strong,” she said, her voice strained. “But strength alone isn’t enough.”
She flew upward, putting some distance between them before unleashing a barrage of energy blasts. Each one exploded against his skin, creating small bursts of fire and smoke. But he just kept coming, his movements growing more erratic and frenzied. He leaped into the air again, meeting her mid-flight. Their collision sent another shockwave rippling outward, and I had to shield my eyes from the debris. They were locked in a brutal exchange of blows, their movements almost too fast to follow.
And then, it happened.
Captain Marvel floated a few feet away, her body glowing brighter than ever as she prepared for her final move. “This ends now,” she said, her voice filled with resolve.
Red Hulk roared, charging at her with everything he had left. The explosion of light was blinding, the heat so intense it felt like my skin was burning. I couldn’t see anything, couldn’t hear anything except the deafening roar of energy. When the light finally faded, I opened my eyes to a scene of utter devastation.
Red Hulk lay in the center of a massive crater, his glowing veins dimmed, his body motionless. Captain Marvel hovered above him, her expression a mix of relief and sorrow. I tried to move, to run to him, but my legs wouldn’t cooperate. All I could do was sit there, tears streaming down my face as I stared at the broken figure of the man who was once my father.
“It’s over,” Captain Marvel said softly, her voice barely audible over the sound of my own sobs.