"And you need Hulk on this team?" Bruce asked, glancing between Fury and the others. His tone was cautious, but there was a trace of curiosity beneath the calm.
Fury nodded. "Exactly. We're gathering people who can handle things no one else can. We're calling it the Avengers Initiative."
Bruce gave a faint, skeptical smile. "Avengers, huh? Sounds… dramatic. You sure you want me involved? You've read the reports. I'm not exactly the best guy to have around delicate machinery—or cities."
Steve stepped forward, his tone calm and sincere. "We're not asking you to fight all the time, Doctor. We're asking for your mind—and when it comes to situations where strength is the only answer, well, you already have that covered."
Bruce studied Steve for a moment. "Captain America, right? The guy from the museum exhibits."
Steve nodded slightly. "That's me. And you're the guy who can turn into a one-man army. Sounds like we both woke up in strange times."
That made Bruce chuckle softly. "You're not wrong."
Olivia folded her arms, watching the exchange with a faint smile. "Bruce, they're not here to use Hulk like a weapon. They need your science just as much as his strength. If this alien energy source is what they think it is, you're one of the few people who can study it safely."
Bruce sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You make it sound so simple." He looked to Fury. "Where exactly would I be working? I can't just move Hulk around without preparation. If he gets agitated—"
Fury raised a hand. "We'll handle that. You'll have all the containment equipment you need, and a lab that's shielded top to bottom. We just need you to analyze the Tesseract readings and help us track its energy signature."
Bruce exhaled slowly, thinking it over. "So basically, you need a gamma scientist who can also turn into a green insurance policy if things go wrong."
Clint smirked. "That's one way to put it."
Bruce shook his head, half-smiling. "Alright… fine. I'll take a look. But let's hope you never actually need the other guy."
Fury gave a satisfied nod. "Good enough. We're heading to the Helicarrier soon. I'll have transport arranged."
Bruce glanced at Olivia, who gave him an encouraging nod. "Guess I should pack a few test kits and extra stretchable pants," he muttered, earning a small laugh from Clint and Hill.
Steve extended a hand toward him. "Welcome to the team, Doctor Banner."
Bruce looked at the hand for a second, then shook it. "Let's just hope this team doesn't end with me breaking everything you build."
Fury smiled. "That's why we called you—to make sure it doesn't."
As they turned to leave, Olivia watched them go, then returned to Bruce's side.
"Dr. Banner, are you ready for it?" she asked softly.
Bruce looked up from his notes. "Well, you've seen it yourself—Hulk doesn't argue anymore. He just… sits back when his time is over. So I guess it's better this way. I'll let him loose when it's needed and let him fight to his heart's content."
"You say that as if the one stealing the Tesseract will see it coming," Olivia remarked, raising a brow.
Bruce nodded. "Yes. After all, we're in the dark while he's out there doing whatever experiments he wants."
"I'm afraid by the time we find him, he'll be done with whatever he's planning," Bruce added quietly as he began packing his things.
"Can I come?" Olivia asked eagerly. She had heard of S.H.I.E.L.D. before but had never been part of anything like this.
Bruce gave her a faint smile. "Yeah, you can come—as my assistant."
She beamed at that, quickly grabbing her bag as Bruce finished collecting his equipment. Together, they headed out, ready to join Fury and the rest on the Helicarrier.
The transport was waiting outside the lab, a sleek, angular S.H.I.E.L.D. vehicle that hummed quietly as it idled. Bruce and Olivia climbed in, the doors sliding shut with a soft hiss. Clint, Hill, and Steve followed, taking their seats, while Fury stayed behind briefly to make a quick call.
The interior was functional, all sharp lines and reinforced panels, designed for both speed and protection. Bruce glanced around, taking in the displays showing orbital maps, flight trajectory, and various readouts of energy signatures—some labeled as potentially Tesseract-related.
"Looks like things got busy while I was… out," Bruce muttered, adjusting his bag on his lap.
"You have no idea," Hill replied, while Steve added, "It's your own fault."
"Can you stop this now?" Hill said, rolling her eyes as he continued to jab at them.
Soon, they were at the Helicarrier. Fury asked, "Where's Tony?"
"He and Coulson are on their way," another agent replied as he nodded.
***
An hour ago, at the new Stark Tower, Tony Stark leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin as he surveyed the sleek, high-tech office. Holographic displays flickered softly, showing energy readings, blueprints, and streams of data. The tower itself hummed quietly, alive with Stark's inventions, each piece resting in dormant readiness.
"Jarvis, status report on the new power grid?" Tony asked casually, his tone relaxed but precise.
"All systems are stable, sir. Energy flow is within expected parameters. All security protocols active," the AI replied smoothly.
Tony smirked, spinning a small model of one of his Iron Man suits between his fingers. "Good. Nothing like having everything under control."
He tapped a few controls, and the latest Iron Man suit began to assemble piece by piece, hovering and clicking into place with mechanical precision.
From the corner of the room, Pepper Potts entered quietly, carrying a tablet. "Everything running smoothly, Tony?" she asked, glancing at the glowing displays.
"Smooth as silk, Pepper. Now I just need someone to walk in and break the monotony," Tony replied with a grin.
The door opened, and Phil Coulson stepped in, walking with calm purpose. "Mr. Stark. You've been called to discuss some new operational matters."
Tony raised an eyebrow. "Coulson. Finally. I was beginning to think I'd have to entertain myself for the rest of the day."
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