By now, Bruce Banner understood the truth. Even if he somehow became fully human again, there would be no ordinary life waiting for him.
Aboard the helicopter earlier, General Thaddeus Ross had made it clear. Without the Hulk inside him, Banner's future would be a prison cell. And in reality, the serum hadn't even worked. Sterns' formula couldn't erase the green gene at all.
There was no escape.
Joining Rowan Mercer's academy was the only path that didn't end in a cage or a lab.
"Good," Rowan said with a nod. "Then let's head back. You'll be teaching physics. Charles will finally get a lighter workload."
He turned toward the unconscious Abomination.
"Wingardium Leviosa."
The massive body lifted slowly into the air. Rowan could Apparate with passengers, but not multiple people at once, and certainly not with something that large. Flying was simpler.
"Wait. You're not going anywhere."
The helicopter touched down. Ross strode forward with Betty and a squad of soldiers. The troops who had withdrawn earlier quickly regrouped, weapons raised.
Rowan glanced at him calmly. "You must be General Ross. What seems to be the problem?"
"This entire incident is under military jurisdiction," Ross snapped. "You're not taking them anywhere. And you're coming with us for questioning."
More than a hundred rifles leveled toward Rowan and Banner.
In Ross' eyes, this was an opportunity. The Hulk. Abomination. And now this strange young man with impossible abilities. If he could secure them, he could build an army far beyond anything Captain America had ever been.
"Dad, what are you doing?" Betty burst out, pushing past a soldier and rushing to Banner's side. "He saved everyone. And you're still trying to take him?"
Rowan ignored Ross and looked instead at Betty.
"Dr. Ross," he said mildly, "we're short a biology teacher. Interested?"
"Yes," she answered without hesitation, gripping Banner's arm. "I'll go with you."
Ross' expression darkened. He signaled sharply.
"Escort Betty home," he ordered. "Take the rest of them into custody."
Soldiers advanced. Fingers tightened on triggers.
Rowan sighed.
"You people never understand where you stand," he said, shaking his head. "Nick Fury at least knows better than to threaten me without certainty. You see me handle things your entire force couldn't, and you still think this will work."
He raised one hand.
Every rifle tore itself free from its owner's grip. In a single motion, the weapons spun around and pointed back at the soldiers' own heads.
"On the ground," Rowan said coldly. "Hands over your heads. Move, and you'll regret it."
The soldiers froze, then slowly complied.
Rowan looked straight at Ross. "If you weren't the father of one of my future teachers, I'd hang you upside down in the air for a day and let the world laugh. Consider this mercy."
Ross had built his career on authority and intimidation. Neither mattered here.
"This will get you hunted," Ross said stiffly. "Even if you don't care, your family and friends will pay the price. Leave alone, and I'll let this go."
Rowan waved a hand.
"Dentifrice Maxima."
Ross' front teeth elongated grotesquely, jutting down to his collar. His threat died mid-sentence.
"You're welcome to put my name on any list you like," Rowan said calmly. "Anyone who signs the order can explain it to me in person that same night. I promise the conversation will be… memorable."
With SHIELD tied up fighting its own internal war, no one else had the reach to find the academy anyway.
"Time to go."
Rowan cast a concealment charm over himself, Banner, Betty, and Abomination. Wings spread, and he lifted them into the night sky.
As they rose, Betty looked down at her father. "If you care about me at all," she called out, "don't come after us."
Ross stood alone beneath the empty sky, jaw clenched, expression unreadable.
A minute later, the suspended rifles clattered harmlessly to the ground. Ross straightened, silent for a long moment, then turned to his communications officer.
"Get me Nick Fury," he said grimly. "And get me a dentist."