[centre][img]https://i.imgur.com/8T07SSq.png[/img][/centre]

[h3][COLOR=#70C26B]Reprise of Destruction[/COLOR][/h3]
[color=#884CA6]1.01: Waking from a Dream[/color]

The cold wind of the Tibetan mountainside cut across Bruce Banner’s face. Even with wearing many layers, Bruce was still inundated with the cold. But fighting the bitter winds finally proved of use as Bruce spotted his destination. At the apex of the mountain laid a field of green. Standing in the middle of this spring like environment was a large monastery.

As Bruce stepped off the snow and onto the grass, he suddenly felt a lot warmer. He also felt more at peace emotionally, having finally reached his destination. He had been told that this was the one place in the world where he could find peace from the Hulk. So Bruce entered the monastery, looking to find some old master who would be able to help him.

But as Bruce walked through the empty hallways he began to wonder where the monks were. But as he came into the center chamber of the monastery, he found someone meditating in the middle of the room. But it was no ancient master, but a rather a familiar demon: the Hulk.

[COLOR=#70C26B]“No, this can’t be right,”[/COLOR] muttered Bruce, [COLOR=#70C26B]“This was supposed to be a calming place, where I would find peace.”[/COLOR]

The Hulk opened his eyes before saying, [COLOR=#51824F]“Peace is found here. The peace and calm of sitting in a simmering rage.”[/COLOR]

[COLOR=#70C26B]“Peace in rage? What are you talking about?”[/COLOR] asked an incredulous Bruce.

[COLOR=#51824F]“The peace of accepting everything about yourself is what you seek,”[/COLOR] the Hulk explained, [COLOR=#51824F]“Even the things lurking in the abyss at the bottom of your soul.”[/COLOR]

[COLOR=#70C26B]“Accept it? You’re a monster! You destroyed my whole life,”[/COLOR] shouted Bruce.

[COLOR=#51824F]“You have not seen true monsters. If you oppose yourself, then you will be consumed by those within,”[/COLOR] stated the Hulk as he began to rip his chest open.

Bruce gasped and took a step back as the Hulk revealed the organs and bones that lay beneath his flesh. But the horror didn’t stop there as something began to move around the organs. Bruce couldn’t make out what it was until it popped its head out from between the Hulk’s ribs.

It was a small yellow creature that looked somewhat like the Hulk. With a maw of pointy teeth, it smiled at Bruce. The creature then started to grow, as its body ripped itself out of the Hulk. Within a minute, the body of the Hulk lay on the floor, torn apart by the growth of the creature. Standing next to the assorted parts of the Hulk was the creature, now nine feet tall, and muscled like the Hulk.

“What are you going to do tasty Banner?” chuckled the creature as it licked its lips, “Run from the monsters within?”

And Bruce did run, sprinting out of the monastery. Behind him, Bruce could hear the breathing of the creature as it chased him. By the time that Bruce got outside and onto the grass, he was breathing heavily, from a mix of exertion and the thin air up here in the mountains.

“You got to be faster than that,” laughed the creature, “I mean, I could just reach out and grab you.”

Bruce responded by pumping his legs faster than he had ever done before. But as he did so, he didn’t realize how close he was to the edge of the mountain. In a moment of uncertainty, Bruce glanced back at the creature, seeing that he was only two feet behind him. But as he did so, Bruce lost his footing and tumbled forward. Without proper footing, Bruce slid right off the rock and began to plummet down the mountain.

[COLOR=#70C26B]“Fuck!”[/COLOR] shouted Bruce loudly as he rapidly approached the base of the mountain.

Only to strike a metal floor instead. With a groan, Bruce picked himself off the floor of his quarters assigned at this S.H.I.E.L.D facility. As he did so, he realized that he had hit the floor hard enough to make his nose bleed. As he got back on his bed and grabbed a tissue off the night stand, Bruce saw the door to his quarters swing open, revealing his friend Rick Jones.

“Bruce, are you alright?” asked Rick, “I heard you swear and then there was a loud bang. The big guy isn’t coming out is he?”

[COLOR=#70C26B]“No, it was just a dream. A really vivid dream,”[/COLOR] stated Bruce, [COLOR=#70C26B]“So why are you even here?”[/COLOR] Bruce glanced at the clock on the wall, [COLOR=#70C26B]“Shouldn’t you be at your shift in the cyber-security department?”[/COLOR]

“Well, when you missed breakfast, something you never do, I figured that I should check on you,” explained Rick, “Plus it’s OK if I’m a little late.”

[COLOR=#70C26B]“But you’re a little late a lot. You are still only a junior agent, so your place here is not secure,”[/COLOR] responded Bruce as he got to his feet.

“But I’m the Hulk’s best friend. Surely that counts for something,” laughed Rick.

[COLOR=#70C26B]“I don’t think the Hulk has any friends,”[/COLOR] muttered Bruce, before speaking louder, [COLOR=#70C26B]“Anyway I’ll see if I can get any food. They do usually make too much bacon.”[/COLOR]

“Well then I won’t stop you,” replied Rick, “Just let me know if you are ever off. I know it’s a lot easier dealing with me than Fury.”

Bruce just nodded as he left his room, Rick following behind him. Even though Bruce was in his pajamas still, he didn’t really care. People at this facility already gossiped about him being the Hulk, so his choice of clothing wasn’t a big issue.

After Rick went down a separate hallway, Bruce turned to the cafeteria, only to see fellow scientist Dr. Walter Langkowski waiting outside the doors.

“Bruce, it’s about time you showed up. Also why are you in pajamas?” questioned Walter, “Actually forget I asked. I have something urgent to talk about.”

[COLOR=#70C26B]“Then why didn’t you just come to my room?”[/COLOR] asked Bruce.

“Because I don’t like the idea of waking up the Hulk instead of you Banner,” stated Walter, “Plus I know you never miss a meal, given how the gamma radiation affected your appetite.”

[COLOR=#70C26B]“Alright, alright. What’s this urgent issue?”[/COLOR] questioned Bruce.

“It’s happened. A gamma explosion large enough to show up on our sensors,” said Bruce grimly.

[COLOR=#70C26B]“Are you absolutely sure?”[/COLOR] asked a more awake Bruce, [COLOR=#70C26B]“We only had hearsay evidence that others were experimenting with gamma radiation experiments.”[/COLOR]

“Well it happened. We have multiple sensor sites reporting it. And it’s fresh, only happening in the last hour,” said Walter, “So they’re sending us out to investigate.”

[COLOR=#70C26B]“Great, send in the radiation monster to another radiation site,”[/COLOR] grumbled Bruce, [COLOR=#70C26B]“So where are we headed?”[/COLOR]

“California, so you better pack some sunscreen,” stated Walter, “Personally us Canadians burn like crazy.”

Bruce was still in a little shock at the idea that anyone would want to replicate the accident that made the Hulk. But if they were successful, then the Hulk himself might be required. As Bruce was not liking the idea of letting the Hulk out, he swore that he could hear the Hulk laughing at him.