Chương 172: Chapter 172
[Third Person's PoV]
As the Weaver landed in the lab, Peter began walking backward with his arms spread wide.
"Welcome… to the Spider Cave," Peter said in a dramatic, deep voice, a huge grin on his face.
Bruce and Betty stepped out of the jet, both wearing astonished expressions as they took in the vastness of the space.
"Now that's what I call a grand debut if I do say so myself," Lizzy said, happily marching beside Harry.
"Not yet!" Peter called out, pointing a finger at her.
"What now? What could I have possibly missed?" Lizzy asked in exasperation.
"You missed jumping from the tallest building in the city. It's tradition! Just because you can fly doesn't mean you get to skip it. We did it, so you will too," Peter said with a smirk.
Lizzy groaned. "You are so annoying."
"Peter's right, Lizzy," Gwen chimed in. "He and I did it when we started, and we made those three do it too when it was their turn," she added with a grin.
"Fine, I got it," Lizzy sighed, slumping her shoulders as Harry patted her back affectionately.
Peter then turned to Bruce. "You ready to get started?"
"No… but let's get this over with," Bruce replied with a sigh.
As Gwen walked away, she discreetly pulled out a vial of blood she had collected for later study, intending to store it in refrigeration.
Betty raised her hand slightly toward Peter. Confused, Peter gave her a high-five.
"No, no," Betty laughed, "I just had a question."
"You don't need to raise your hand. Go ahead and ask," Peter said, waving her off.
"When Bruce goes into the VR world, could I follow him inside? You know, for emotional support."
"I was planning on giving them a moment alone while we secretly spied from the outside," Peter teased, "but it's up to Bruce."
Bruce pondered for a moment. "We don't know how safe this is, so it's better if I go in alone first. I need to talk to 'him' one-on-one... without being spied on," Bruce said, giving Peter a pointed look.
Peter grinned and gave him a thumbs-up. "Don't worry, we'll respect your privacy."
Behind Peter, Felicia and MJ exchanged amused looks as Peter crossed his fingers behind his back.
"But before you go in, you'll need something to wear," Peter said, eyeing Bruce, who was struggling to keep his pants up. "Come with me."
Peter led Bruce to a changing room and introduced him to the unstable molecule fiber suits.
"Can I buy a couple of outfits made from this material?" Bruce asked. "Do you have any idea how much I've spent on clothes that rip every time I transform into the big guy?"
"I'll have a set ready for you after your session," Peter promised, giving Bruce privacy to change.
When Bruce emerged, he looked down at his new suit, impressed. "Wow, this feels great."
Peter led him to the VR capsule room, where the others were waiting. Betty was running her hands over the capsules, her eyes wide with amazement. "These look straight out of a sci-fi movie!"
"Pick whichever one looks the comfiest, and let us do the rest," Peter said, gesturing toward the capsules.
Bruce sighed and glanced at Peter. "I'm trusting you with this. Don't let me down."
Peter winked. "You can ask the ladies. Disappointment isn't really my thing."
Bruce gave him a wary look. "He's going to kill me and everyone I love. I just know it."
"Just get in," Peter ordered, his expression deadpan as Felicia and MJ slipped out of the room.
Bruce opened the capsule, releasing a white mist. As he stepped inside, Peter signaled Betty to close the lid.
As the capsule sealed shut, green liquid began filling the chamber. Betty and Bruce exchanged confused looks, prompting Peter to explain, "It's a nutrient solution to sustain your body if you stay inside for an extended period."
They nodded in understanding, and soon, Bruce's eyes grew heavy, his consciousness slipping away. His eyelids fluttered shut, only to snap open again, glowing green.
Peter froze momentarily before exhaling in relief as Bruce's eyes finally closed for good. Everyone else let out a collective breath they didn't realize they'd been holding.
Felicia re-entered, carrying a stack of chairs, while MJ followed behind with a tray of snacks. "We brought food for the show!" MJ announced, striking a playful pose like a waitress.
"I thought we were respecting his privacy?" Betty asked, her frown deepening.
Peter sheepishly held up his crossed fingers. "I may have bent the rules a little…"
He handed her a chair. "You're welcome to leave if you want. No one's forcing you to stay."
Betty hesitated for a moment before grabbing the chair. "And miss this? Not a chance," she said with a grin, her frown melting away.
"Aria, set the time dilation to 1:1 and show us what's going on inside," Peter ordered.
…
Bruce's eyes fluttered open, finding himself in a vast, empty white space. As he scanned the room, he turned to see the Hulk, who mirrored his movements. They stared at each other for a tense moment.
"So... you're him, huh? You're the Hulk," Bruce said, starting to walk in a slow circle, sizing up the towering green giant.
Hulk began pacing as well, his eyes locked on Bruce. "You... Puny Banner. Hulk doesn't like Puny Banner."
"Well, I can't say I'm a big fan of yours either," Bruce replied with obvious displeasure.
"Puny Banner weak," Hulk rumbled.
Bruce's irritation flared. "Can you stop calling me that? It's annoying."
"No. Puny Banner *is* Puny Banner. Puny Banner weak, puny, pathetic."
"If I'm weak, then what does that make you?" Bruce shot back. "You're a part of me, aren't you? If I'm weak, then so are you!"
"No!" Hulk bellowed, his voice booming. "Hulk is strongest! Hulk always saving Puny Banner. Puny Banner would be dead without Hulk!"
"I never asked for your help! I never wanted you in my life!" Bruce shouted, fists clenched.
Hulk growled, stepping closer, his massive frame casting a shadow over Bruce. "You think Hulk *wants* to be inside Puny Banner? Puny Banner always sad, always blaming Hulk for everything. Hulk is not problem—Puny Banner is!"
Bruce's voice rose. "*You* are literally the reason the military is hunting me! Every time you come out, I lose control and people end up dead!"
*ROAAAAAAR!!!* The Hulk let out an earth-shaking roar, blasting Bruce with a gust of hot air, his voice thundering through the white void. Bruce stood his ground, though his hair was blown back, hands bracing against the force.
"Don't scream at Hulk!" Hulk bellowed. "Hulk doesn't like being hunted either! Hulk just wants peace but isn't allowed! Hulk doesn't want to hurt people—but Hulk *has* to, or Hulk dies! And if Puny Banner dies, Hulk dies too! Hulk doesn't want to die! Hulk wants to live! What is wrong with Hulk wanting to live!?"
Bruce stood frozen, staring up at the Hulk, his heart pounding in shock at the sudden raw honesty in Hulk's words.
'I never thought about it like that before… Have I been selfish? After the Gamma radiation incident, my life isn't just mine anymore…'
Bruce took a deep breath, his voice softer now. "There's nothing wrong with wanting to live," he said, his tone almost conciliatory. "But you're out of control. There's no stopping you once you get angry or excited. I can't stay in one place for too long because the military will find me, then you'll come out, and more people will end up hurt—or worse."
He glanced down, frustration evident in his posture. "Living with you isn't easy. I can feel you, always inside, just waiting to come out and destroy everything around me. You can call me weak or puny all you want, but I don't want to live a life where my existence causes nothing but pain and misery."
Bruce's voice wavered as he continued. "I had to leave behind the most incredible woman—the woman I love—just to keep her safe from you. And now, I'm always running, never able to stop. That's not a life."
Hulk's eyes narrowed, and he let out a low, almost contemplative rumble. "Hulk would never hurt Betty," he growled softly. "Hulk likes Betty. Betty is Hulk's friend."
Bruce looked up at him, surprised. "Well, would you look at that… something we agree on. Never thought I'd see the day. I like Betty too."
---
**Back in the real world:**
MJ wiped her eyes, her voice trembling slightly. "Woah… I didn't think I was going to cry today."
"Me neither," Felicia agreed, fanning her eyes carefully to avoid ruining her mascara. "Especially when Hulk said he just wants to live. I didn't expect him to have such deep emotions. It's really getting to me."
"You're not the only one," Gwen added with a small smile, glancing toward Peter, who had a pensive frown on his face.
Peter exhaled, then turned to Betty. "Would you look at that… looks like you're one of the main reasons Hulk and Bruce might actually learn to get along."
Betty, blushing at Bruce's earlier words, smiled softly. Lizzy clasped her hands together excitedly. "Oh my god, that's so cute! The power of love solved everything! That's, like, so romantic!"
Betty's face flushed a deeper shade of pink as she realized how much Bruce had revealed about his feelings for her.
…
**Back in the Virtual World:**
Bruce studied the Hulk for a moment longer, feeling an odd sense of calm settle over him. This towering, seemingly mindless force of rage had now shown a side Bruce had never considered before. Bruce glanced down at his hands, reflecting on the inner struggle that had consumed his life.
'Living with my own inner demons…'
Bruce let out a deep sigh, then looked back up at the Hulk. "Why don't we start over?" he suggested, his voice more sincere. "Get to really know each other. You've been living inside of me for so many years, and this is the first time we've had a proper conversation."
Hulk huffed, his breath heavy and filled with his usual frustration, but he let out a small growl of agreement. "Fine," he rumbled, "Hulk agrees."
A smile crept onto Bruce's face as he extended his hand. "Hello, I'm Bruce Banner."
Hulk, after a brief pause, reached out and gripped Bruce's hand in his own massive one. Their eyes locked, green meeting brown as the Hulk spoke, "Hulk is Hulk."
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