"So, after all that talk, S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't actually have a Gaia Memory for me to study?" Tony said, his voice dripping with disdain.
"In that case, where did the Gaia Memory Frank was holding come from?"
Nick Fury hesitated, remaining silent until Tony grew impatient. Finally, he spoke: "According to Frank, it was given to him by a mysterious individual calling himself 'Eternal'."
"A mysterious individual?" Tony's tone was mockingly exaggerated. "So what you're saying is S.H.I.E.L.D. is completely clueless?"
Nick's eye twitched, but his voice remained flat and professional. "We will find the organization selling these Gaia Memories sooner or later."
"Well, it sounds like I can't count on you lot. This Magma... Dopant? That's what they're called, right? I'll just have to deal with it myself." Tony was already mentally drafting weapon systems specifically designed to counter Wald's abilities.
"Based on surveillance footage from the area, the attacker's identity has been confirmed: Bundy Wald, a former engineer in the weapons manufacturing department of Stark Industries."
George Stacy nodded thoughtfully as he looked at the file technical staff had pulled up on the screen. "So, because Tony Stark shut down the weapons division, Wald lost his job and grew resentful. After obtaining a Gaia Memory, he began attacking Stark Industries' buildings. And this time, he went straight for the headquarters?"
"Highly likely," a nearby police captain agreed.
"Regardless, issue a warrant for this Wald immediately. We need to find him first. Can we track his address?" George asked the technician.
"Since he was fired, he hasn't held a steady job, so there's no paper trail there. He moved out of his previous apartment two days ago and went off the grid. However, a woman did file a missing person's report for him at a Brooklyn precinct," the technician answered.
George frowned. "It looks like we need a wide-scale search. But this man is extremely dangerous. Notify all officers: if they spot him, they are not to engage. We want to avoid pointless sacrifices; they must report his location immediately. Also, the power of his Gaia Memory is difficult to handle and could easily cause mass civilian casualties. To deal with those ultra-high temperatures, we'll need assistance from the Fire Department. Get them on the line now."
Currently, George didn't have a perfect solution for the Magma Memory's power. He could only treat Wald as a mobile, sentient fire hazard and plan to use firefighting methods to combat the heat.
"Also, keep the remaining two G3 units on standby at all times."
After fleeing the scene, Wald found a secluded spot to cancel his transformation. Knowing his identity was likely compromised, he planned to return to his temporary rental to pack his things and leave New York for a while.
Once he mastered the true depths of the Magma Memory's power, he would return for his revenge—against Stark, and against that man who had dared to stand in his way.
"Mr. Wald?!"
Before he could reach his door, he ran right into Jessica Jones and Luke Cage.
Hearing Jessica call his name, Wald's heart skipped a beat. His hand instinctively went for the Magma Memory to transform. However, seeing that they didn't look like police and weren't making a move to attack, he relaxed slightly. "Who are you people?"
Luke Cage noticed the instant flare of alarm and suspicion in Wald's eyes. He grew wary, though he kept his expression neutral.
Jessica smiled. "We're private investigators. We were hired by Ms. Kate O'Hara to find you."
Wald's expression softened into something more complex. "What does she want with me?"
"She's worried about you, obviously. Kate O'Hara hasn't been able to reach you for two days, so she hired us to track you down," Jessica said, her eyes searching his. She didn't ask right away if he was involved in the Stark Industries attacks.
Wald snorted. "It's over between us. What happens to me is none of her business."
Jessica shook her head. "Ms. O'Hara told us about your situation. The main reason you're in this mess is that you couldn't accept reality after being laid off. You were too proud for entry-level work, so you couldn't find a job, and then you just let yourself spiral..."
"Shut up!" Wald roared, glaring at Jessica. Faint waves of heat began to radiate from his body.
"This is all Tony Stark's fault! He shut down the weapons department for his own vanity and cost me my career! And Kate... she didn't understand me at all! I'm a top-tier weapons engineer, and she wanted me to take some low-life job!"
Jessica's temper flared. "You really are ungrateful. Kate O'Hara is worried sick about you, and you treat her kindness like garbage. People like you deserve exactly what they get."
"You bitch! Even a two-bit detective thinks she can mock me? Die!" The rage simmering within Wald, fueled by the Memory, instantly overrode his reason.
He clicked the Magma Memory, transformed into the Dopant in a flash of heat, and threw a molten punch straight at Jessica's face.
Luke Cage, who had been on guard the entire time, stepped in front of her to take the hit. Although Luke had skin as tough as titanium, the Magma Memory's power was designed to melt and pierce through reinforced steel.
As he blocked the punch, Luke let out a cry of pain and stumbled back, dropping to one knee. The skin where Wald's fist had connected was burned clean through, exposing the muscle beneath. The wound was instantly cauterized by the heat, so there was no blood, but the damage was severe.
"So, you're not ordinary either, being able to stop a punch from me," Wald said, somewhat surprised that his strike—which could melt through armor plating—hadn't gone right through the man.
"But it's useless. I wasn't even using my real power. Now, I'm going to turn both of you into ash with the heat of the earth. Even if you beg for mercy, it's too late! You can repent in hell for your partner's big mouth."
"A Gaia Memory..." Jessica muttered, her face grim as she watched a fireball of lava form in Wald's hand.
Luke Cage clearly wasn't a match for this Dopant.
Jessica stepped forward, shielding Luke, and pulled out the ClayDoll Memory.
"CLAYDOLL!"
The Memory slid into the slot of her Earth Driver, and Jessica's transformation was instantaneous.