Bruce's lab was a chaotic mix of science and controlled chaos. Monitors flickered with scans of gamma readings, robotic arms moved with precise mechanical rhythm, and vials of glowing green compounds lined the counters. The faint hum of machinery filled the air, punctuated by occasional low rumbles from deep within the facility.
Olivia stepped aside. "He's over here," she said, gesturing toward a reinforced section of the lab. Through the transparent walls, a massive green figure sat cross-legged, seemingly calm but radiating immense power. Bruce Banner—in Hulk Phase.
"Is he… eating pizza and watching TV?" Hawkeye asked, looking at the Hulk seated on the floor, one hand on a massive pile of pizza boxes and the other resting on the edge of the TV console. "What's going on here?"
"Smash!" the Hulk rumbled, barely looking up from his food, as the wrestler gave another one a suplex.
"This is…?" Fury asked, glancing to Olivia.
"Right now, Dr. Banner is in his Hulk Phase," Olivia explained.
"Hulk Phase?" someone else asked.
Olivia nodded. "You see, Dr. Banner has developed a way to coexist with the Hulk. In this phase, Hulk essentially takes over his body for a controlled period—usually six hours a day—while Dr. Banner rests. During this time, Hulk can perform tasks, interact safely, and even watch TV or eat… without rampaging. After his shift, Dr. Banner regains control. Thanks to this, even if Dr. Banner gets angry he never goes into hulk mode."
She gestured toward a console. "You can see the countdown—about 45 minutes left of Hulk time. After that, you can talk to him if you want."
"Or would you like to talk to Hulk now?" she asked.
Steve hesitated. "Can we even talk to him?" he asked, recalling the files he'd read on the way—none of them left a favorable impression.
"Yes, Hulk can talk, actually," she said, smiling as she led them closer. "He has time now," she added, glancing at the clock.
Steve shook his head. "Is that… safe? I mean, he won't go on a rampage?"
"If you are Dr. Banner's friend, you are Hulk's friend by his logic," she said patiently. "And you can… interact with him. He is really polite."
Hulk looked up from the TV, his deep green eyes scanning them as they entered the room.
Steve and Clint exchanged glances.
Clint stepped forward cautiously. "Yo, big guy, my name's Clint. Hero name, Hawkeye. How about you?"
"Hulk," he replied simply.
"They are Bruce's friends, meaning your friends," Olivia added. Hulk nodded and picked up a pizza box, offering it to them. "Pizza?"
"I'll take one," Clint said, grabbing a slice, and Olivia took one too. The others followed, each taking a slice. Steve sat back, fascinated by the enormous green giant in front of him.
"So, we are here… as we might need your help," Fury said.
"Hulk still have time. Bruce talk later," Hulk replied in his broken language.
"No, they need Hulk's help," Olivia translated.
"We need you to smash something," Fury said, looking at the green giant. Hulk stood up, glancing at the clock.
"What smash? Hulk less time," he said, pointing at the countdown.
"Not now, but soon," Fury replied. "When we need it, we'll call you. And if it's not your time of day, Bruce will just let you come out." Hulk sat back, nodding slowly.
Clint shifted, still holding his slice of pizza. "So… we can actually count on him when it matters?"
Olivia nodded. "Yes. Hulk may seem unpredictable, but Banner has a system. He knows when it's his turn to act."
Hill leaned forward. "And when he does… he just smashes?"
"Smash is how he handles things," Olivia said with a small smile. "But it's controlled. When Banner guides him, Hulk can follow complex instructions—more than most people realize."
Hulk, meanwhile, picked up another slice of pizza, chewing slowly. He looked at Steve and Clint and said, "Friends… help?"
Steve nodded. "Yeah, Hulk. We need you to help us. But only when you can."
Hulk's massive shoulders relaxed slightly. He set the pizza down. "Hulk help," he said, his deep voice rumbling through the room.
Fury exhaled, relieved. "Good. That's all I needed to hear. For now, just eat and rest. We'll call you when the real work begins."
Clint muttered, "Man… having a giant green bodyguard who talks is still weird."
Hill laughed. "We'll get used to it."
Hulk went back to sitting cross-legged, picking up the TV remote. He kept an eye on them, alert but calm.
Some time passed. The room had grown quieter, the glow from the TV casting long shadows across the lab. Suddenly, the countdown alarm beeped softly. Hulk's massive form tensed, and he let out a low rumble.
"Okay… Hulk, time's up," Olivia said calmly.
Hulk grunted, his shoulders shifting as he began to shrink. Muscles rippled and compressed; the immense green bulk condensed slowly. The familiar grunts of Hulk transformed into quieter, controlled movements as the massive frame began to revert.
Steve, Clint, and Hill watched as the enormous green figure shrank down, his oversized pants folding awkwardly as his body returned to its human proportions.
Finally, standing where Hulk had been, Bruce Banner appeared—slightly disheveled, but alert. He straightened, running a hand through his hair, and gave a small, wry smile. "Well… I'm back," he said softly, holding his once-oversized pants that had shrunk back to normal.
"Huh? Director Fury and… others?" Bruce asked, blinking as Olivia reminded him of their visit when he was in Hulk phase.
"So… what do you need help with?" Bruce added, looking around the lab as Olivia gave him his lab coat.
Fury explained the gist of the situation as Bruce listened carefully.
"So, let me get this straight," Bruce said slowly. "You guys found some alien tech which got stolen by the some god, and now he might be bringing… I don't know, some kind of weapon or problem, and you need help?" He glanced at Fury for confirmation.
"Yes," Fury nodded. "Some of our team members are building a specialized squad—people who can handle the most extreme threats."
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