Nightcrawler used to work in a circus—he knew how to create a vibe. Together with a bunch of hormone-fueled teens, he came up with a bunch of ideas. Liu A'dou wrote them all down, planning to have Tony prepare them later.
None of them had any idea that something terrifying was unfolding near the Mexican border. The Hulk, wreaking havoc with sparks, lightning, wind, and rain, had already destroyed several towns and killed three or four mutants. He was now rushing toward the United States at full speed.
S.H.I.E.L.D. got the alert immediately. But they were dealing with the Hulk. Iron Man was out of the country, Spider-Man was still in school, and Captain America had been offline for a while. Director Nick Fury realized he didn't have anyone good enough on hand to handle this mess. "Looks like it's time to call in a favor from Professor X."
Black Widow just hoped she wouldn't be sent to deal with the Hulk herself. "Director, you're thinking of asking the X-Men?" S.H.I.E.L.D. still believed the Hulk was just enraged by a helicopter crash. They had no idea he was being controlled and programmed to wipe out all mutants. Sending the X-Men was basically sending sheep into a lion's den.
No time to waste. The Director personally boarded a helicopter and flew straight to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, landing on the sports field. Just this alone was enough to remind anyone of Professor X's extravagant lifestyle—his massive estate, the field, the woods, and the lawns combined were the size of a full stadium.
At that moment, everyone at the school was discussing ways to make the concert more impactful. When they saw Director Fury himself arriving, Professor X immediately knew this couldn't be good.
The Professor and Director met privately.
"Nick, you wouldn't drop by without a reason," said the Professor.
Fury nodded. "This is serious. I need your help."
"I find it hard to believe there's something S.H.I.E.L.D. can't handle." S.H.I.E.L.D. had access to the best resources in the country. Even though Nick was just a tactical commander, he still had the power to mobilize enormous manpower and material support. S.H.I.E.L.D. could practically do anything.
"Hulk. The Hulk," Fury replied with just one name.
Professor X's expression changed. So it really wasn't anything good. He knew about the Hulk—a poor scientist who, after being exposed to gamma radiation, turned green all over. He became immensely strong and developed a second personality full of uncontrollable rage. Hulk had once torn through all of Manhattan. "But I know Banner has been trying to control his other side. The Hulk hasn't appeared in a long time."
"Yes, but this time was unexpected. A S.H.I.E.L.D. helicopter crashed in the Mexican desert. He must've turned into the Hulk to defend himself. We don't have anyone who can stop him right now. So I'm asking for your help—the help of the X-Men. We have to stop him before he crosses into the U.S."
The Professor went quiet. Taking on the Hulk was extremely dangerous. Besides, the Hulk wasn't even a mutant. There was nothing to gain from getting involved. But Fury had come in person to ask. It would be irresponsible to sit on the sidelines.
It was a tough call. In the end, the Professor decided to help. Building a good relationship with S.H.I.E.L.D. was important. More importantly, the public didn't know the Hulk wasn't a mutant. If they didn't do something and there were casualties, it might ruin the fragile reputation mutants had just begun to rebuild. "We'll need coordinates."
Fury knew that meant yes. He immediately contacted the Helicarrier. "Maria, where's our big green friend?"
"He's closing in fast on our southern border. I'll transmit the coordinates now."
A map popped up on Fury's phone screen, a green dot racing across the landscape. "You don't have much time."
"It's our time that's running out," Professor X muttered. He wasn't about to take the fall for this.
Liu A'dou had already sensed something was off the moment he saw Fury show up. Now that the X-Men were suiting up, he knew he was right. Time for him to pilot the plane again.
While the X-Men were getting changed, Liu A'dou was already in the cockpit. There were five of them this time, including Nightcrawler. The full team: Wolverine, Storm, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, and Jean Grey. Professor X wouldn't go himself. He'd assist from behind the scenes with the Cerebro amplifier.
"You're too slow."
"Liu? What are you doing here?"
"Flying the plane, obviously." Liu A'dou had no intention of giving up the pilot seat. "Strap in, I'm taking off."
"Liu, take it easy," Wolverine warned. He didn't want Liu crashing another plane.
"That last time wasn't my fault. I was dodging a missile," Liu A'dou replied after launching the jet into the sky.
"We need to locate the green dot on the map," Storm said, syncing her phone with the jet's navigation. "This enemy is extremely dangerous. Liu, as soon as we land, you leave immediately."
"Relax. I know how to take care of myself." Liu A'dou kicked up the speed and sent the X-Jet soaring.
ROAR—
The Hulk's bellow shook the desert. He sprinted forward faster than an Olympic sprinter. From a distance, he looked like a roaring convoy barreling through the sand.
Up ahead was another small town, barely twenty-something households. The tallest structure was a telephone pole.
The townspeople felt the ground shake. When they ran outside, they saw a dust storm racing toward them—and in the blink of an eye, the nightmare began. A massive green monster tore through everything in sight. Anything intact in his vision was reduced to rubble. The destructive urge was overwhelming.
ROAR— The Hulk slammed his fists into the ground, back arched and muscles bulging.
One strike. Two strikes...
The impact built up power with every blow. The ground caved inward at the center. Around it, the dirt rippled outward like a plowed field. Buildings lost their footing and collapsed in every direction. Total devastation.
"Holy crap... are we really supposed to fight that thing?" Nightcrawler was already freaking out. The Hulk was terrifying. Newbies would be newbies—he still lacked the experience.
He looked at the other X-Men. Their faces were stone cold, showing not a flicker of fear.
Cyclops said, "Landing's too dangerous. We go straight down."
"How?" Wolverine blinked. "We didn't bring parachutes, did we?"
"Just jump," Cyclops replied. "Jean and Storm can fly down. Nightcrawler will teleport me. Logan, you jump. Your adamantium skeleton and healing factor will keep you alive."
Basically, he was saying even if Wolverine's bones shattered on impact, he'd still be fine. That didn't exactly sound like protection. Wolverine wondered if Cyclops was deliberately messing with him.
"Liu, open the hatch."
"Roger that."
The hatch slid open. Wind howled into the cabin.
"Let's go." As team leader, Cyclops went first with Nightcrawler, who teleported them both down in a puff of blue smoke.
Looking up, Storm and Jean Grey were already airborne. Storm used the wind to slow her descent, while Jean used her telekinesis to guide herself down.
Only Wolverine was left.
"Logan, are you jumping or not? I'm about to shut the door," Liu A'dou shouted, totally unbothered.
"Stop rushing me!" Wolverine was taking deep breaths to brace himself. It wasn't like he couldn't feel pain. This was going to suck.
"I hate you. I hate this job," he growled, gritted his teeth, and leapt out.
In just a few seconds, before he could even spin in the air, his legs hit the ground like stakes.
Pain tore through him like a speeding car crashing straight into his nervous system. It hurt. From a height of around one hundred meters, any regular person would've died instantly. But Wolverine only felt pain. That alone showed how tough his body was. Both legs were buried to the knees. He groaned and finally yanked them free. "Ugh." Still hurt like hell.
The X-gene tracker embedded in the Hulk's neck started beeping rapidly. He had detected a new mutant. The extermination signal flooded his mind like a tidal wave.
ROAR!
The X-Men instantly felt the incoming danger. Each one readied for battle.