Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Hulk vs. Aquaman
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The Setup
The atmosphere under the World Tree shifted as the next pair of combatants stepped forward. On one side was the Hulk, Bruce Banner's monstrous green alter ego, radiating pure, raw power. On the other was Aquaman, the Atlantean king, his trident gleaming in the sunlight, his golden armor catching everyone's eye.
The tension was palpable. This wasn't just a clash of strength—it was a battle between two titans from entirely different worlds.
"Are you sure about this?" Bruce muttered, his voice still human as he looked at Nick Fury.
"Positive," Fury replied, his arms crossed. "Let the big guy loose. We need to know what both of you are capable of."
Bruce sighed and took a deep breath. His skin began to ripple and turn green as his body expanded. With a guttural roar, the Hulk emerged, standing tall and glaring at Aquaman.
Aquaman stood unfazed, spinning his trident with practiced ease. "Alright, big guy," he said, his tone even. "Let's see what you've got."
Nick Fury raised his hand. "You know the rules—no killing, no crippling, and try not to level the planet. Begin!"
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The Fight Begins
The Hulk charged first, his massive footsteps shaking the ground as he closed the distance in seconds. He swung a fist the size of a boulder at Aquaman, who leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding the strike. The ground cracked under the force of Hulk's blow, sending chunks of earth flying.
Aquaman landed gracefully, using his trident to vault forward and aim a precise strike at Hulk's midsection. The trident's blade connected, but it barely scratched Hulk's thick green skin.
"Sharp stick won't work!" Hulk roared, swiping at Aquaman with his other hand. This time, the Atlantean king couldn't dodge, and Hulk's fist caught him squarely, sending him flying into a tree.
Aquaman groaned as he got to his feet, shaking off the impact. "Alright, let's see how you handle this."
He thrust his trident into the ground, summoning a massive geyser of water that engulfed the Hulk. The torrent pushed Hulk back several steps, but his feet dug into the ground, and he roared in defiance.
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Strength vs. Precision
Hulk retaliated by grabbing a massive boulder and hurling it at Aquaman with terrifying speed. Aquaman spun his trident, shattering the boulder into pieces before it could hit him. He then rushed forward, using the water still swirling around him to propel himself at incredible speed.
The two clashed in a flurry of strength and precision. Hulk's punches created shockwaves that shook the ground, while Aquaman's trident strikes were fast and calculated, aiming for weak points in Hulk's defenses.
Aquaman managed to drive the butt of his trident into Hulk's knee, forcing the green giant to stagger. Taking advantage of the opening, Aquaman delivered a spinning kick to Hulk's chest, pushing him back several feet.
Hulk roared in frustration, slamming both fists into the ground and creating a massive crater. The shockwave knocked Aquaman off balance, and Hulk seized the moment, charging forward and grabbing Aquaman in a crushing bear hug.
"You not so tough now!" Hulk growled, squeezing with enough force to crack steel.
Aquaman gritted his teeth, struggling against Hulk's immense strength. His armor groaned under the pressure, but he managed to twist his trident and jab it into Hulk's side. The blade didn't pierce the skin, but it was enough to make Hulk loosen his grip.
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The Turning Point
Aquaman broke free and leapt back, his breathing heavy. "You're strong, I'll give you that," he said. "But let's see how you handle this."
He raised his trident and slammed it into the ground, summoning a massive wave of water that surged toward Hulk. The wave engulfed the green giant, carrying him several feet before slamming him into a tree.
Hulk emerged from the water, his green skin glistening and his anger boiling over. "Hulk smash water man!"
He lunged at Aquaman with incredible speed, but this time Aquaman was ready. He spun his trident, deflecting Hulk's strikes and using his own momentum to maneuver around the giant. Aquaman's precision and agility began to show as he landed multiple strikes on Hulk's arms and legs, slowing him down.
Hulk, however, wasn't done. With a massive roar, he slammed his fists into the ground, creating a shockwave that sent Aquaman flying. Hulk followed up with a leap, landing directly in front of Aquaman and raising both fists for a final, devastating blow.
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The Winner
Before Hulk could bring his fists down, Aquaman thrust his trident upward, catching Hulk in the chest. The force of the strike, combined with the trident's enhanced Atlantean power, stopped Hulk's attack mid-swing. Hulk stumbled back, his momentum broken.
Taking advantage of the moment, Aquaman surged forward, using his trident to sweep Hulk's legs out from under him. The giant fell to the ground with a resounding crash, and Aquaman placed the tip of his trident against Hulk's throat.
"Yield," Aquaman said, his voice calm but firm.
Hulk growled, his massive chest heaving with effort. After a moment, the green giant's fists unclenched, and his anger began to subside. "Hulk... yield," he rumbled.
Aquaman stepped back, lowering his trident as Hulk began to shrink back into Bruce Banner. The fight was over.
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The Aftermath
Aquaman returned to the Justice League, standing tall but clearly winded. His teammates nodded approvingly, particularly Wonder Woman.
"You fought well," she said. "Hulk is no easy opponent."
Bruce Banner, now back in human form, staggered over to the Avengers. "Remind me not to fight a guy with a magic trident again."
Thor laughed heartily. "A worthy match, Banner! You showed great strength."
Nick Fury stepped forward, his expression neutral. "Alright, we've seen enough. Next fight: Goku versus Superman."
The announcement sent a ripple of anticipation through both teams. The two powerhouses stepped forward, their gazes locking as the ground beneath the World Tree seemed to hold its breath.
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Daniel POV
From his cosmic seat, Daniel leaned forward, his excitement palpable. "Hulk and Aquaman put on a good show, but this next one... this is the main event."
Beside him, the Ancient One observed silently, her expression unreadable. "This battle will test more than strength. It will test their ideals."
Daniel grinned. "Exactly."
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