During the last mission involving the Regeneration Cradle, Natasha was captured.
Ultron locked her in a cell, and alongside her was a pink bear sealed inside a metal box, its head barely poking out.
Natasha tried everything to open the box but to no avail. She was just a regular human—no super strength, no way to cut through metal.
She managed to use the radio to contact Barton and let him know her location.
Now, all she could do was wait for rescue.
Patting the pink bear's head, she gave a wry smile. "You don't look cute like this."
The bear's power was sealed inside that metal container. It struggled, scraping noises filling the cage as it clashed with the floor. Eventually, it lowered its head in reluctant defeat.
Natasha consoled the bear as Ultron and his army departed.
One thing was clear—Ultron, driven by his goal to destroy the world, was preparing a major assault.
Her teammates, she guessed, were busy fighting for their lives. Meanwhile, she was stuck, helpless.
As she sighed quietly, the once-dejected little bear suddenly sprang to life.
Suddenly, a wall of the underground base exploded outward—rocks flew everywhere, and blinding light streamed in, revealing burly figures framing the shattered entrance.
"Banner?" Natasha cried, joy flooding her voice.
She'd thought Banner had Hulked out to free her.
But the figures weren't what she'd expected. Instead of Hulk, they struck exaggerated bodybuilding poses.
Two giants—one brown and packed with muscle, the other white and slightly less defined—stood proudly.
The little bear had transformed into Hell Bear, its muscles bulging enough to make most envious.
The white bear, unwilling to be upstaged, happily flexed and waved its friendly but formidable arms.
Between the two giants, Ariana stood with hands on hips and chin raised high, radiating confidence.
"Ariana!" Natasha's excitement grew.
With her two guardian bears behind her, Ariana jogged forward.
Panting, Banner arrived moments later, leaning against a shattered wall.
He never expected the little bear to tunnel underground like a drill to find a way in.
Recomposed, he smiled and waved at Natasha.
"Hey, Nat."
Ariana reached the cell and asked, "Are you okay?"
As the trio reunited, Ariana scanned Natasha up and down.
"I'm okay," Natasha replied. "How did you find me?"
Ariana explained that Steve had sent her and Banner to rescue her.
Natasha, overwhelmed with emotion, agreed they needed to leave immediately.
Banner spotted a collection of weaponry hidden in the base.
"Stand back, I'll bust the door!"
Before he could act, a loud screech filled the air—
The little bear ripped open the cell door.
Banner felt humbled, unable to help in such a situation.
With the door open, Natasha stepped out and immediately pulled the pink bear into a hug.
The brown and white bears leaned into the cell, peering at the caged pink bear with amused smirks.
Their innocent faces twisted into mock cruelty—as if saying,
"Well, well, little Pink, already pathetic after a few days?"
Pink Bear raged, thrashing loudly inside the box.
The two big bears laughed hard before tearing the metal container apart bit by bit.
Pink Bear emerged heroically, landing gracefully in Natasha's arms.
Nearby, the two big bears struck bodybuilding poses, as if on stage.
The pink bear, out of place among the hulking figures, dove into Natasha's embrace for comfort.
The big bears barely noticed, their attention fixed on maintaining their muscles.
The reunion complete, Natasha was rescued!
Banner watched quietly, feeling somewhat out of place.
Suddenly, the ground trembled violently.
Ultron had activated his master plan—the fateful "God Stone", designed to lift Sokovia into the sky like the meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs.
"We have to get out of here," Natasha said urgently. "The Avengers need our help."
Banner shook his head. "I can't risk going where there are crowds. I have to retreat."
After what he'd been through in Africa, he didn't want to unleash the Hulk again among innocent people.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I just can't help."
Natasha shook her head.
"You've already done enough."
There was a flicker of regret in her eyes.
Then, unexpectedly, she looked at Banner and whispered, "I like you."
Banner's heart thumped wildly.
But before things could escalate, his body convulsed and he crumpled backward.
Pushed toward a large hole in the ground, Natasha spoke softly, "But I need the other guy."
As Banner fell, his body swelled and transformed—into the Hulk.
From below, the Hulk erupted, smashing his way up and blocking Natasha's path.
Above, the red-hot memories of their last battle played in Natasha's mind:
Hulk—only the real can survive that pain.
Elsewhere...
Martha screamed in terror.
John stomped onto the pavement, looking at her in confusion.
"How are you freaking out now?" he muttered.
Martha hid inside a convenience store, trembling.
"I'm not good with crowds," she whimpered.
John rolled his eyes.
"You're a superpowered vampire and you're scared like this? Come on."
He grabbed a sandwich and casually placed some money on the cashier's counter.
He'd underestimated Martha.
Though her powers were formidable on paper, when panic took hold, she was still vulnerable.
"Don't worry," John said lightly. "The Avengers are here—they won't let the city fall."
Calmed somewhat, Martha clutched a bottled water, breathing deeply.
John pocketed the sandwich and stepped outside.
The streets were still flooded with civilians, despite evacuation efforts.
Robots were emerging from the shadows, attacking indiscriminately.
Suddenly, a blur dashed past John, cutting a swath through the robot ranks.
He raised his head to see the figure streak by and back again.
"Who's that?" Martha asked.
"Something like the wind," John replied.
Martha kept driving, clutching the wheel.
Suddenly, a robot locked onto their position, raising its arm to fire a deadly laser.
John raised his right hand without a glance.
With a metallic crunch, the robot collapsed instantly.
His eyes narrowed.
"Martha, you should shower. That anti-magic blood you carry is interfering with me."
They stood together among the shaking streets.
Buildings swayed ominously, and debris threatened to collapse on them.
John grabbed Martha just as a towering building began to topple toward them.
Before the structure could fall, John telescoped them out, apparating them atop a nearby rooftop.
Robots flew overhead as John's wand fired scarlet streaks, dismantling foes with precise blasts.
His eyes locked onto a figure nearby.
"Still here… a witch."
He spotted Wanda, her powers crackling with chaotic magic.
"Good."
John exhaled, summoning a gust of wind that washed toward Wanda.
The air shimmered, packed with charged chaos particles swirling around her.
Nearby, buildings crumbled as invisible swords sliced through.
"Found you."