"How far along are you in your control training? If you can keep your form and still slam Abomination into the ground, then I don't see a problem sending you two to tear down a few HYDRA bases. Besides, our new base is almost finished — it'd be good for them to get familiar with the environment early. Consider it part of their employee benefits."
Tony thought for a moment, then sighed and nodded.
"Fine. You've got a point. Two extra pair of hands are better than none — at least they'll draw some fire and media attention away from us. JARVIS, contact Bruce Banner. Tell him he needs to come in for a physical checkup… and to bring his cousin with him. Immediately."
Henry couldn't help but laugh. Cousin, huh? Nice one.
...
The next day, a low-profile private jet landed on the helipad of the Malibu villa.
As the cabin door opened, a man wearing plain casual clothes and black-framed glasses stepped out cautiously. He looked a little thin and nervous — it was Bruce Banner.
Following behind him was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a buzz cut and sharp eyes. Even the loose T-shirt he wore couldn't hide the explosive muscle underneath — Emil Blonsky, once known as Abomination.
They weren't strangers to this place.
A while back, Henry had invited them to the lab — Banner even discussed nanotech research with him. Yet, no matter how many times they came, the constant upgrades and transformations of the villa never failed to amaze them.
"Relax, you two," Henry's voice called from the doorway.
He was dressed in beach shorts and a T-shirt, a lollipop in his mouth — looking more like a college student on vacation than a superhero.
"Welcome back to Stark's Playground. No army, no tanks this time — just sunshine, beaches, and your favorite person: me."
Banner's tense expression softened slightly. He adjusted his glasses and gave a shy smile. "Mr.Henry, Mr.Tony, Thanks for having us."
"Just call me Henry." Henry walked up and gave him a warm hug before turning to pat Blonsky's arm. "And you, big guy — loosen up. You haven't cracked a smile since I beat you up last time. Come on, smile! It'll take ten years off your face. Stay this stiff and you'll start killing flies with your frown lines."
Blonsky's jaw twitched, but he forced out a single word through gritted teeth.
"Mr. Stark."
Henry raised a brow — textbook military type.
Well-disciplined, sure, but stiff as a board. He'd have to do something about that later.
"Alright, come on in," Henry said, leading them toward the villa. "Tony's in the lab waiting for you. He's been a bit… hormonal lately, you know what I mean. So if he says something unpleasant, just assume he's talking out of his ass."
Banner and Blonsky exchanged a glance and chuckled helplessly.
When they entered the lab, Tony was standing at a workstation with his back to them.
"Oh, look who it is." He turned around, coffee cup in hand, a familiar smirk on his face. "The great Dr. Bruce Banner and his muscle-obsessed personal trainer."
Blonsky opened his mouth, but the memory of Henry's terrifying strength made him think twice. He kept quiet.
"Don't mind him," Henry said with a shrug. "That's just how his mouth works."
Tony waved a hand dismissively and walked over to Banner, offering him the cup of coffee.
"Try this — new blend. I figured you'd need it. Balancing multiple research projects while doing anger-management therapy with the Hulk can't be easy."
Banner accepted it awkwardly and nodded. "Thanks. I've… made some progress recently."
"Good to hear," Henry said. "But let's skip the small talk. I didn't call you here just for coffee. I need to know — how much control do you have over him now?"
Banner hesitated, glancing at Tony. The latter gave him an encouraging nod.
Taking a deep breath, Banner began, "I think I've found… a trick."
"A trick?" Tony asked, intrigued.
"Yes." Banner nodded, his eyes firm. "I realized the reason I kept losing control was because I kept fighting him — rejecting him. But he's part of me. The embodiment of my anger. The more I resist, the more violent he becomes."
"So," he continued, "following Henry's advice, I started accepting him — treating him like a strong but short-tempered family member."
"And?" Tony leaned in, genuinely interested.
Banner exhaled, and under everyone's gaze, faint green veins began to spread across his neck and arms. His eyes glowed a deep emerald.
But he didn't transform.
He remained in his human form — the same mild-looking scientist — yet an unmistakable pressure radiated from him.
"Now," Banner said in a calm but powerful voice, "I can draw on some of his strength while keeping my mind intact. And he's… calm. Peaceful, even."
Tony and Henry exchanged a surprised look — both clearly impressed.
Henry grinned. So, he's already brushing the edge of Professor Hulk, huh?
Looks like he'd been right about this guy — Banner's potential far surpassed his movie counterpart.
"Cool," Henry said, clapping his hands. "Looks like you're acing your family therapy sessions, Bruce. You really are a genius."
Tony then turned to Blonsky, who had been silent the whole time.
"And what about you? I heard you've been doing meditation and yoga under Banner's supervision? Hard to picture a guy like you doing yoga."
Blonsky's face twitched slightly. "Yes," he replied stiffly. "Dr. Banner says it helps me control my power."
"How's that working out for you?"
Instead of answering, Blonsky closed his eyes.
A faint yellow keratin layer began to appear on his skin, his height increased slightly, and his aura grew heavier — but he didn't turn into Abomination. His eyes remained clear, his mind sharp.
"I can control it better now," he said slowly, voice rumbling like distant thunder. "As long as I'm not provoked — though I was never one to lose control easily."
Henry nodded in satisfaction.
Not bad — a controllable Hulk, and a disciplined Abomination. Intimidating, sure, but stable enough. Their combined strength was about half of his own — acceptable.
"Excellent," Henry said, snapping his fingers. "Looks like our demolition crew is officially ready to go."
"Demolition crew?" Banner and Blonsky echoed blankly.
"That's right," Tony said, grinning. "We've got a list of HYDRA bases."
"And you two…" he gave them a look full of teasing charm, "…will get to unleash all that pent-up testosterone while doing something meaningful."
"Of course," he added with a smirk, "it's a paid job. Full benefits, insurance, weekends off, and even a year-end bonus."
***
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