Chapter 38: Birth of Hope
**A few weeks later**
At the heart of the Hydra base, the cold, metallic walls reflected the dim glow of machinery designed for one purpose: the creation of a living weapon.
Many scientists moved with purpose, preparing for the experiment they were about to conduct. In the monitoring room, two men stood, their gazes cold and calculated. They watched with clinical detachment as Victor Creed, codename Sabretooth, was prepped for the next phase of the Weapon X program.
"Finally, the time has come," Stryker murmured.
Another man, one of the sinister mastermind behind it all, stood tall beside him. "Indeed, Stryker. But remember, this is just the beginning. We will conduct more experiments and create more soldiers."
Stryker nodded. "Of course, but none of this would have been possible without your help, Romulus."
Victor's body was strapped to a metal table, his muscles coiled with anticipation. "Let's get this over with. I've waited long enough," Victor growled, his voice laced with violence.
Stryker, always a tactician, ignored Victor's impatience. "This is no simple procedure, Victor. The infusion of adamantium will make you nearly indestructible, but it's going to hurt—a lot."
Romulus, standing imposing as ever, added, "Pain is temporary, Victor. What matters is what comes after. Once the adamantium is bonded to your skeleton and Agatha's runes are in place, you'll be ready to face Logan. You'll take your rightful place as the apex predator—the ultimate Weapon X."
Agatha, the powerful sorceress, was nearby, whispering ancient incantations in a forgotten tongue as she prepared the mystical side of the experiment.
Ancient runes were carefully carved into Victor's skin, glowing faintly as dark energy coursed through them.
These runes would not only enhance his physical abilities but also protect him from certain supernatural forces, including Logan's Alpha abilities and energy blasts.
"These runes," Agatha whispered softly, "will bind the adamantium to your bones more efficiently without affecting your healing factor. They will shield you from magic and mind control while amplifying your strength beyond what any man or mutant can achieve."
Victor grinned, baring sharp, gleaming teeth. "Good. I'll enjoy tearing him apart."
Stryker signaled to the scientists, and the infusion process began. A massive needle, filled with molten adamantium, pierced Victor's skin, flooding his body with the nearly indestructible metal. He grunted in pain, but his eyes remained fixed on Romulus.
His hatred for Logan was the only thing that fueled him now. James Logan Howlett—his little brother. They shared the same father and had once even been close, but Logan had abandoned him, choosing to build his own powerful empire without him.
That betrayal made Victor's blood boil and he'll make sure Logan pays for that. He knows Logan got more power than him, that's why he joined hands with Romulus, Agatha and the blood sucker to gain power.
Agatha's dark magic continued to weave through Victor's very essence, binding the ancient runes into his flesh.
His skin glowed with a sinister, purple light as the magic took hold, amplifying his strength, resilience, and ferocity.
With every passing moment, Victor Creed transformed into more than just a man—he was becoming the ultimate weapon designed to hunt and kill the True Alpha.
"Once this is over," Romulus said with a dark smile, "Victor will be ready to face off an Alpha."
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Meanwhile, in a distant military facility, another experiment was underway—one that would change the course of history forever.
Inside a secret government lab overseen by General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, a team of scientists worked tirelessly on the gamma radiation project.
This experiment was unlike Weapon X—it aimed to create something new, something that could rival the raw power of beings like Logan and Captain America.
Bruce Banner, a brilliant physicist, stood at the helm of the project. Beside him was Betty Ross, Thaddeus's daughter and a genius in her own right.
Together, they had developed a method to harness gamma radiation in hopes of creating the next generation of super-soldiers.
However, a growing sense of unease filled the room. As the experiment neared its start, Banner studied the readings and noticed something was off.
"General Ross, this is dangerous. The gamma rays are becoming unstable—unpredictable. We're dealing with forces that could spiral out of control," Banner warned.
Ross, the stubborn military man, brushed aside Banner's concerns. "We need results, Banner. We need something that can rival Logan's pack, the super-soldiers, and anything else out there. If this works, we'll have the most powerful weapon on Earth."
As Banner tried to stop the experiment, he was thrown out of the lab by Ross's guards.
Despite his protests, the experiment continued. Desperate, Banner broke into the containment chamber in a last-ditch effort to stop the gamma generator from the inside.
But that was a mistake as the Gamma rays hit him.
The room filled with an eerie greenish glow as the gamma generator hummed to life. Energy surged, enveloping Banner in a torrent of raw, uncontrollable power.
Betty watched in horror as her father's ambition led Bruce into a realm of unknown danger.
Moments later, a massive explosion of green light shook the facility, and the containment chamber was blown apart.
Out of the smoke and debris emerged a monstrous figure—Bruce Banner was gone, replaced by something far more terrifying. The Hulk was born.
General Ross stood frozen in shock as the green-skinned titan roared, tearing through the walls of the facility with ease.
His daughter screamed for her father to call off the experiment, but it was too late. The Hulk was a creature of rage, driven by pure instinct, and nothing could control it.
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Back at the Hydra base, Romulus observed as the final phase of Victor Creed's transformation completed.
The adamantium had fully bonded to his skeleton, and the dark magic of the runes pulsed within his body. Sabretooth stood up from the table, flexing his newly enhanced form.
"How do you feel?" Romulus asked, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Victor grinned, his claws now gleaming with adamantium. "Stronger than ever. Logan won't know what hit him."
Romulus, Agatha, and Dracula, who had been watching from the shadows, exchanged knowing glances.
The pieces were falling into place. Logan's child—the first Tribrid in history—would soon be born. With that, a new power would emerge, capable of reshaping the world.
But now, they had another weapon at their disposal: Sabretooth. And across the globe, a force just as uncontrollable—the Hulk—had been unleashed.
But this is not the end, they'll infuse more mutants DNA into him and turn him into the ultimate killing machine.
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A few months had passed, and the day finally arrived inside Logan's home. Laura was giving birth, and her screams pierced through the silence, powerful enough to be heard across the entire town if not for the soundproofing spells cast on the room.
Outside the room, Emily sat, her eyes ringed with dark circles, a manic smile stretched across her face. She looked exhausted yet strangely relieved.
Jean, who had arrived after hearing about Laura's labor, noticed Emily's state and asked, "What happened to you?"
Emily turned toward Jean with a crazed grin. "I'm done being the nanny of a pregnant woman! Laura is finally giving birth, and I'm almost free."
Jean raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Emily shuddered, the memories flooding back. "You don't understand. I knew pregnant women could be sensitive, but Laura? She's on another level. If it wasn't for Logan helping me, I swear I'd be dead by now. This has been a nightmare."
Jean gave a nervous smile, unsure how to respond to Emily's outburst.
Inside the room, the atmosphere was far more intense. Several nurses, guided by Selene, were helping Laura through her labor. Logan stood by Laura's side, holding her hand tightly.
"You can do it," he whispered softly, trying to comfort her.
Laura glared at him through her pain, screaming, "Next time, you're the one giving birth! This is insane—it hurts so much!"
Logan winced, but held her hand even tighter. "It's going to be alright, Laura. You're almost there."
Moments later, the sound of a baby's cry filled the room. Selene was the first to hold the newborn, her magical touch gently cleaning the child in a matter of moments. The baby cried loudly, her voice echoing through the room, as the nurses tended to Laura, who was weak but recovering rapidly, her healing factor kicking in.
Selene stood there, staring at the baby with wide eyes, as if something had shocked her to the core.
Logan approached her, his voice gentle but firm. "Selene, is everything alright? Can I hold her?"
Selene didn't respond right away, her gaze still fixed on the infant. Logan raised his voice, snapping her out of her daze. She handed the baby to him, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Congratulations, Logan. It's a girl," Selene said, though her expression remained thoughtful, almost as if she knew something no one else did.
Logan took his newborn daughter into his arms, and as if by magic, the baby's cries quieted. She nestled into his chest and quickly fell asleep.
As soon as he took her, a warm feeling came to him, a smile along with tears welled up in Logan's eyes—tears he hadn't shed since coming to this world. For the first time, he cried, overwhelmed by the moment. He knew he would remember this day for the rest of his life.
Laura, now recovered, came over to join him. She looked down at their daughter with a soft smile on her lips.
"We talked about this, Logan," Laura said softly. "Since it's a girl, you can name her."
Logan looked at his daughter, peaceful and asleep in his arms. "Hope," he whispered. "Her name will be Hope Howlett."
Everyone in the room smiled, but Selene's smile carried an additional weight.
She glanced at the baby knowingly, as if there was more to this child than anyone realized. Yet, for now, she kept her thoughts to herself.
Hope Howlett, the first Tribrid in history, had arrived.
After sensing the baby's birth, Jean quietly entered the room, her soft footsteps almost inaudible amidst the joy and relief that filled the space.
She had heard Hope's first cries from the hallway, and as she stepped inside, she was greeted by the sight of Logan and Laura cradling their newborn daughter.
Her heart swelled with emotion as she took in the scene before her. The glow of happiness on Logan's face, the peaceful expression on Laura's as she held Hope close—Jean could feel the weight of the moment. A mixture of happiness, nostalgia, and awe washed over her.
"Congratulations," Jean whispered softly, moving closer to the new parents and as she gazed at the baby. "She's beautiful."
Logan turned toward Jean, his eyes still glistening with emotion, and smiled. "Meet Hope," he said, his voice filled with pride. "Our daughter."
Jean turned to Laura, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You did amazing, Laura," she said warmly.
Laura smiled at Jean. "Thank you, Jean. You know, it wasn't easy, but looking at her... it's all worth it."
Jean gently reached out, asking with her eyes if she could hold Hope. Logan nodded, carefully passing the sleeping baby into Jean's arms.
The moment Hope was placed in her embrace, Jean felt an unexpected warmth spread through her.
As she cradled Hope, Jean's telepathic senses lightly brushed against the baby's mind.
What she felt was a mix of pure innocence, untapped strength, and an aura of something ancient, something beyond even her own understanding. She blinked, trying to process the strange sensation.
Jean glanced at Selene, who stood off to the side with a knowing look.
After a few moments, Jean reluctantly handed Hope back to Laura, who smiled gratefully.
As Jean stepped back, She knew, deep down, that Hope's life was going to be anything but ordinary, and somehow, she would have a part to play in it.
"Welcome to the world, Hope," Jean whispered, a smile tugging at her lips. "I can't wait to see what you become."
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A women moved carefully through the dense woods, with a camera in her hand, recording every step.
The forest seemed unnaturally quiet, the only sounds being the occasional rustle of leaves or distant animal calls. She paused for a moment, wiping the sweat from her brow, and spoke into her camera.
"I am Daisy Johnson, currently investigating the mysterious disappearance of Whitehaven. The entire town vanished without a trace a few years ago."
The words felt heavy as she continued through the underbrush.
Whitehaven, once a thriving town, had seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth.
What intrigued her most were the reports of strange fog, the same fog that blocked out anyone who attempted to enter. Those who had returned were few, their minds shattered, speaking of incomprehensible horrors that lurked within.
Daisy paused for a moment, scanning the area. Her drones were flying high above, sending back frequency readings.
She looked down at her tablet, frowning at the data. The readings were consistent, matching what she had seen in other locations. The same strange frequency, an anomaly that science couldn't quite explain.
"The fog... it's like nothing we've ever seen," she murmured. "The readings here match something else we've seen before."
Daisy had cross-referenced the frequencies with another location—the town of Mystic Falls.
She had found the same energy signature, the same unnatural distortions, originating from a place closely connected to James Howlett, also known as Logan. A town with little history, shrouded in secrecy, located just outside of New York.
Daisy frowned as she reviewed the data again. "Mystic Falls... not much is known about it. But if these frequencies are linked, then the answers might be there."
Her curiosity was piqued, and she made a mental note to investigate further.
She had heard rumors of Logan and had her suspension, but nothing concrete enough to explain the mysteries surrounding him or the town. But this... this felt like something deeper. Something more dangerous.
She continued recording, stepping further into the woods. The deeper she went, the thicker the fog became, creeping in from the edges of her vision, like a living thing.
"There's something... watching us," she whispered, her instincts flaring.
Her tablet began to glitch, the drones' feeds flickering as static overtook the screen. Daisy frowned and tapped it, but nothing cleared the interference.
Suddenly, her body tensed, a chill running down her spine. She slowly turned, feeling the weight of unseen eyes on her.
Standing at the edge of the treeline, half-obscured by the fog, was a shadowy figure. Its eyes glowed a deep yellow, cutting through the mist like twin embers.
Daisy's breath caught in her throat. She couldn't move, her instincts telling her that whoever—or whatever—this figure was, it was far from human.
The figure remained still, watching her in silence.
After a moment that felt like an eternity, Daisy reached for her camera and recorded the mysterious figure. But as soon as she blinked, the figure was gone, swallowed by the fog.
Her heart raced, and she hurriedly packed up her gear. She needed to get out, regroup, and figure out what exactly was lurking in these woods. As she backed away, the fog seemed to shift around her, almost as if it were alive, closing in.
Daisy took one last glance at the spot where the yellow-eyed figure had stood before she turned and sprinted out of the woods, her breath heavy with fear and excitement.
She would return. She had to. There were secrets in Whitehaven and Mystic Falls that were begging to be uncovered. But whatever was guarding them... wasn't going to let her in easily.
As she disappeared into the trees, the yellow eyes blinked back into existence, watching her leave.