(Zayne's POV)
FWOOSH!
A red flash shimmered through the empty living room of my apartment.
I reappeared, stumbling slightly before catching myself. My entire body ached, not from wounds, but pure fatigue. The kind that settles into your bones and makes even standing feel like a chore.
I demorphed instantly with a flick of the wrist. The Omni-suit dissipated into light particles, fading into my Omni-morpher with a satisfying click.
Still fully dressed in casual clothes under the armor, I collapsed face-first onto my couch like a tired grandpa who just finished mowing the lawn.
"Ughhh…" I groaned, flipping over lazily and tossing one leg over the couch arm.
"The Overdrive mode really drained me afterwards."
I stared up at the ceiling, my chest slowly rising and falling. That feeling… that raw power and limitless energy from earlier—it was already gone. My body was screaming for sleep, and honestly, I didn't care if the world exploded tomorrow.
I felt a slight ding in my mind.
[Mission Completed. Calculating Reward…]
But before I could even focus on the display… my eyes fluttered shut.
Yeah, sleep first. Rewards later.
--- ✦ ---
(Bruce Banner POV)
Warm.
That was the first thing I noticed.
My eyes fluttered open slowly, greeted by a ceiling that was unfamiliar. Soft lights. White tiles. A mechanical hum somewhere near my ears. It wasn't a hospital I recognized.
I blinked a few times.
My limbs felt heavy, but I quickly realized why—IV drips were connected to both arms, feeding nutrients into my tired body. I lifted one hand and observed the trembling fingers.
"Where… am I?" I murmured, my voice raspy.
I tried to sit up but was met with a mild resistance in my muscles. It felt like I'd run through several brick walls. And maybe I had.
Bits and pieces returned in a flash.
The pain… the fear… the roar.
"Hulk…" I whispered.
I closed my eyes again and saw flickers. Destruction. Explosions. Military units. Something bright red… something strong. A red figure. A ranger?
Before I could piece more together—
CLUNK.
The door to the medical bay opened, and my eyes shot open at the sound.
I turned my head and immediately froze.
Standing there, towering near the doorframe, was what looked like an alien dog, upright and wearing some kind of futuristic uniform.
Deep blue fur. Glowing eyes. A presence that screamed "authority."
I tensed immediately, the old part of me ready to shout "HULK SMASH"—but I bit it back. I wasn't the Hulk right now.
"I assure you," the creature said calmly, "there's no need to panic, Dr. Banner."
I blinked. "You… know my name?"
The dog-like being walked in with calm, dignified steps. "Of course. You are currently in the SPD Headquarters. I am Commander Anubis 'Doggy' Cruger, head of Earth's SPD division."
"SPD…?"
"Space Patrol Delta. An intergalactic peacekeeping force. Earth is under our protection." (A/N: Way better than S.H.I.E.L.D.)
Okay. That sounded insane.
I squinted. "Wait. I was in Angel Grove… the last thing I remember… I—"
"You lost control," Cruger said, folding his arms. "The Hulk surfaced. The military was involved. It got… out of hand."
"And then what?" I asked, panic slowly crawling up my throat. "How much damage did I—?"
"You were stopped."
I looked up sharply.
"Stopped? By who?"
"The Omni-Ranger," Cruger replied. "He subdued the Hulk before more damage could occur. He's the one who brought you in."
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"…So I didn't kill anyone?"
"No confirmed casualties. Thanks to the Ranger's containment and healing abilities, all injured were stabilized. Buildings were restored. The destruction was reversed. You're… very fortunate."
I closed my eyes in deep relief, whispering quietly, "Thank you… Omni-Ranger…"
Cruger stepped closer, his tone still firm, but more understanding now.
"I know you've been through much, Doctor. And I won't pretend this is easy to grasp. But you're safe here. Under SPD protection."
"…You're not going to experiment on me?" I asked cautiously.
Cruger let out a booming laugh.
"Of course not. SPD does not conduct unethical tests. Nor do we cage beings simply because they're different."
I blinked. That… was shockingly refreshing.
"Well," I muttered, sitting up straighter, "you're already better than half the government agencies I've worked with."
"I'm glad you think so," Cruger said. "Because I have a proposal."
I tilted my head. "A proposal?"
Cruger walked toward the side console and tapped a screen. A few documents loaded onto a nearby holographic projector.
"Dr. Banner. You are an incredible mind. One of Earth's top experts in gamma radiation and cellular biology. SPD could use someone like you."
"You… want me to work for you?" I raised a brow.
"As a scientific advisor. Research personnel," Cruger clarified. "It would be a way for you to continue your work safely, under ethical guidelines, with access to intergalactic tech. You'd be provided housing—either in Angel Grove or New Tech City—monthly stipends, and the freedom to continue research in peace."
That stunned me.
"Why?" I asked. "Why take that risk?"
Cruger's eyes narrowed—not in anger, but in sincerity.
"Because redemption matters. Because helping you control the Hulk helps us all. And because everyone deserves a second chance—even the Hulk."
I was silent for a while, letting those words sink in.
"...And I wouldn't be caged? Watched 24/7? Treated like a walking apocalypse?"
"You'd be respected. Supervised, yes—but as a colleague. Not a prisoner."
"…Huh," I breathed.
I looked down at my hands. They trembled slightly.
A part of me… wanted this. A second chance. A purpose. A way to live without constantly running.
"…I accept," I said quietly.
Cruger nodded once. "Excellent. There will be a formal contract. Nothing too binding. Just protocol."
"I'd prefer staying in New-Tech city," I added. "It's safer than Angel Grove."
"Granted."
He handed me a digital pad with the terms. I skimmed through—it wasn't invasive. No hidden traps. No nonsense. Just basic clauses for safety and ethical research.
I signed it.
Done.
Cruger extended a clawed hand. I took it, shaking firmly.
"Welcome to SPD, Dr. Bruce Banner."
I allowed myself the faintest smile.
"Let's hope I don't destroy your lab."
Cruger gave a slight smirk. "Our labs are reinforced against planetary-level threats. You'd be surprised how often they get tested."
I chuckled weakly. "I think I'll like it here."
--- ✦ ---
So yeah, next chapter, the rewards are going to be distributed from the system. Also, Ross is getting more ass whopping hahahaha. I hate that guy.
Guys,. Power Stones for Bonus chapters.
300 - 2 bonus chapters
500 - 4 bonus chapter
Thanks for your support, guys. As a new Author, to get a sum of 150k views was truly surprising, I never thought people would read my work. Thanks so much, guys. I love you all