chapter 1

The portal crackled and fizzled, depositing Rick Sanchez onto a grimy New York sidewalk. A yellow cab nearly clipped him, its driver bellowing obscenities that made even Rick wince. Ignoring the commotion, he straightened his lab coat and adjusted his portal gun. This wasn't Dimension C-137, that was for damn sure.

Squinting, Rick scanned the towering skyscrapers and bustling crowds. Neon signs flickered, advertising products and services he couldn't comprehend. A news ticker on a nearby building flashed headlines about a "Hulk rampage" and an "Avengers initiative."

"Huh," Rick muttered, a slow smirk spreading across his face. "Looks like I landed in a comic book." He took a swig of his flask, the familiar burn warming his throat. "Alright, Marvel Universe, let's see what you got."

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Rick ambled down the street, taking in the sights and sounds. He passed a hot dog vendor dressed as Captain America, a street magician claiming to be Doctor Strange, and a group of teenagers arguing over the best Spider-Man movie.

Rick chuckled to himself. "This place is nuts. But hey, who am I to judge?"

As he wandered, a sense of excitement bubbled within him. This universe, with its superheroes, villains, and bizarre technology, was a scientist's playground. He could study new energy sources, experiment with genetic mutations, and maybe even build a better portal gun.

He ducked into a dingy alleyway, seeking refuge from the sensory overload of the city. Leaning against a brick wall, he pulled out his trusty notebook and began jotting down observations.

"Superhuman abilities seem to be commonplace," he scribbled. "Gamma radiation, super soldier serum, spider bites... interesting." He paused, tapping his pen against his chin. "But where's the real science? The cutting-edge technology?"

Suddenly, a loud explosion echoed through the streets. A giant robot emerged from a nearby building, wreaking havoc and causing panic. People screamed and ran for cover, but Rick stood his ground, eyes fixed on the chaos.

"Now that's what I call entertainment," he muttered, tapping his portal gun. "Let's see if I can't spice things up a bit."

He raised the portal gun and fired a concentrated beam of energy at the robot's leg. The metal buckled and groaned, sending the behemoth crashing to the ground. The crowd cheered, but Rick simply rolled his eyes.

"Amateurs," he muttered. "They need a real genius to show them how it's done."

With a renewed sense of purpose, Rick strode towards the fallen robot, his mind racing with possibilities. This was just the beginning of his adventure in the Marvel Universe. And he had a feeling it was going to be a wild ride.