Piecemeal ran through the tropical forests and along the dirt roads faster than any automobile could travel on them given the roughness of the jungle. He paused momentarily and felt for the power. Yes, he felt it again. All that brilliant, radiating power, south by southwest. There was a gnawing at some part of Piecemeal. He was hungry. He was VERY hungry. And soon he would feed and feel. He would be content. After issuing a loud scream into the sky, Piecemeal again took off down the roads, kicking up clouds of dust behind him.
High above a helicopter thundered, managing to keep pace with the monstrosity as it barreled down the road. A very stunned Rodriguez and a smirking Blonsky watched as the creature leapt over a grouping of trees and landed, running at incredible speeds.
"Mr. Blonsky," Rodriguez asked in Spanish, "What is that thing?"
Blonsky understood the question and immediately began to respond.
"That is the latest Russian Super Soldier. Ever since the aftermath of World War two, when Russia and the United States became the two dominant super-powers in the world arms races began. One very public and one very secret. The public eye focused on the creation of nuclear weapons. The secret one was far more interesting. It was the production of Super Soldiers. The Americans tried to replace their long dead Captain while we Russians started our own little creations. The culmination of our labors was Omega Red. However, he was…difficult to control. So we turned our efforts to a far more physically powerful and simple minded thing that we could keep leashed. After vivisecting several dozen mutants, we created Piecemeal. Much in the vein of Omega Red, this creature can drain away life energy, weakening whatever it would do battle with. Additionally, the creature is very powerful physically as you can attest from his sprinting. Piecemeal will subdue our target and then he will be ours. Of course I'm speaking in Russian, because if I knew you understood a word of this I'd have to push you out of the helicopter. And frankly, I'm not in the mood right now."
"Que?" Rodriguez replied in Spanish.
Blonsky smiled, "Forgive me. I sometimes like to hear myself speak. It's the devil, Mr. Rodriguez. The devil."
"I'm telling you Flagg, you wouldn't believe how much gets put on me to at least fake the Hulk's appearances." McGee said, pouring another drink.
"What do you mean?" Banner asked, taking the new glass with a smile.
"Well, my "masters" at the Register don't know the meaning of journalistic integrity. "We're a tabloid McGee, not the New York Times. Just make something up". And I'm all, "Look, I'll do a story on the Hulk. I'll talk to some scientists and get their opinions on the thing, but I would really not write some third grade story for publication". Then they reply, "There's a bodybuilder named Ferrigno that we use for our Bigfoot exposes. If we could paint him green, he could be passed off for the Hulk"." Jack McGee sighs.
"They really think that a bodybuilder could pass for the Hulk?" Banner asks.
"It's ridiculous I know."
"You don't seem the kind of man who works for a tabloid Mr. McGee. Why aren't you working for a more reputable paper?"
"That's a long and boring story that I'd rather not bother you with." McGee says looking a bit somber, before perking up and swallowing his drink whole with a grimace, "Besides, all newspapers are fundamentally the same. They just want to make money. I figure a paper like the Register is more fun to work at. Hell of a staff there. Really great people."
"Still, you want to try to get the facts straight about the Hulk?"
"My father always told me, "A man needs to know when to show his pride and when to draw a line". And I'm not going to show a bodybuilder off to the world as the real Hulk." McGee said, "So I think we should cut to the chase Dr. Banner."
Banner showed no sign of surprise and merely drank from his glass, "I'm afraid you have me mistaken Mr. McGee. I told you my name is Flagg."
"Yeah, that IS what you told me, but come on Banner. I've studied your picture every night for the last ten months. I've made copies of it and drawn mustaches, beards, glasses and every other thing I can think of on it. I know what you look like and I KNOW you're Dr. Bruce Banner." McGee whispered.
"Then you'd also know I don't like that name." Bruce whispered back.
"It's your name isn't it?" McGee fired back.
Bruce stared at the reporter sitting no more than three feet away from him.
"Mr. McGee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry." Bruce warned.
"I'm not trying to make you angry. I'm just doing my job. I took it because I want to hear your side of this story. Did you know that you have the U.S. more scared than Osama Bin Laden and Magneto combined?"
"You're not making me any less angry that's for sure." Bruce growled, his heart picking up pace a bit. He mentally counted to ten as McGee went on talking.
"Look, Banner I've done my homework on you. From what the public is presented with and little more that we weren't told, I managed to study you and come to my own conclusions. I know you're not the bad guy in this. This is something that's way out of your control and I want to let people all over the world see that. I just want your side of the story. I'll even let you walk after I get just a few words. I've got no interest in seeing you locked away and doped up for life. Just a few words?" McGee asked.
"I'm leaving now. Goodbye Mr. McGee." Banner said getting up and starting for the door.
"Look man, all I want to do is help you out!" McGee said, following him, "I just want to get your version of everything out there."
"And I said no." Bruce spun on his heel, "People I love have been hurt by this thing. People I've never met before have been hurt by this thing! The last thing I want to do is bring this Hulk business up for some tabloid and hurt what friends and family I have left!"
Bar patrons were starting to watch the argument, not really understanding a word that was said between the two men, but nonetheless enjoying it.
"You know Banner; the one thing I never figured you for was a coward. All I want is to get people on your side and maybe find some way in hell to cure you! I just want to help you!"
"And I don't want your help. Everyone I help ends up hurt or worse. Let it go McGee. Let it go or else." Banner said, shaking.
"Or else what? You'll turn into the Hulk and tear a hole in the wall?"
Suddenly, the wall really did come crashing in, with a chunk of it hitting Bruce in the back of the head. He slumped forward and fell flat on his face. McGee fell backwards and crashed into a table. Bar patrons scattered at once, and even more would scatter when they saw it entering the room. McGee himself considered running. It was a large creature, with blood red eyes and chalk white skin. It cocked its head quizzically as it entered the bar. A tail moved in the air behind it and lashed out, striking the remnants of the wall. It strode forward, walking somewhat like a bird before looking down at the fallen form of Banner. A demonic smile crossed its face as it moved towards him.
Piecemeal had found his prey. With a slight hissing laugh, it reached down and picked the unconscious Banner up by the neck. Immediately, the life of Bruce Banner began to flow into the creature. McGee didn't know what was going on, but he did know that a monster holding an unconscious Bruce Banner by the neck was not a good thing. Swallowing, he gathered up his courage and got up.
"Put him down!" McGee yelled.
Piecemeal ignored him. He was feeding on the life of Banner. He was enjoying himself.
"I said put him down!" McGee yelled again, this time picking up the remnants of a chair and throwing them at Piecemeal. The pieces of wood bounced off the chest of the monster and Piecemeal shot McGee a hateful glance, before swatting him away like an insect with its tail. He would just have to wait his turn. Then a most curious thing happened. As McGee sailed through the air and crashed into the bar his camera went off. Piecemeal dropped Banner to the floor and screeched. The flash of the bulb had bothered him for some reason. Neither Piecemeal nor McGee really understood why either.
Had Blonsky been there, his explanation would have been sufficient. Piecemeal wasn't entirely organic. Some parts of him were cybernetic, particularly parts of his brain and eyes. The flash photography gave him the equivalent of an epileptic seizure. While McGee was unsure of what exactly had happened, but even groggy he wasn't about to let any advantage he had go to waste. So he took another picture. And then another. And then another. And Piecemeal screamed.
It was Christmas. The tree was up next to the window, the radio was on with White Christmas playing, and little Bruce could smell the cookies Mommy was baking in the oven. And there was Daddy, by the tree talking to Mommy. They were smiling and laughing. Bruce liked it when Mommy and Daddy were happy. It made him happy too. It wasn't so fun when Daddy was mad.
"Hey little guy." Daddy said when he saw Bruce enter the room. He then looked over to Mommy and smiled.
"Bruce, do you want to help Daddy put the star on top of the tree?" Mommy asked.
Little Bruce nodded exuberantly and quickly headed over to the tree. Mommy reached down into the box of decorations and gave him the star. Bruce held onto it and cherished it like a child of his own. Holding it, he blocked out the knocking sound on the door coming from Mommy and Daddy's room.
"Okay, little guy. Come here." Daddy said.
Bruce went to Daddy and squealed with delight as Daddy picked him up by the waist and held him up to the tree. Daddy had to be the strongest man in the world. Hopefully one day Bruce wished he could be as strong as Daddy. Bruce put the star on top of the tree and clapped even if it was a little lopsided. That just made Mommy smile even larger. Daddy sat him down and didn't look as happy, but he was smiling a little. Then the three of the looked to the top of the tree and watched the star seem to glow. The star had to be the prettiest thing Bruce had ever seen. It glowed a safe green color. It made him feel better about the louder knocking sound at the door.
"David?" Mommy suddenly said, "David, do you think we should let him get one of his presents now?"
Daddy looked a little upset.
"Shouldn't we wait until tomorrow? That's the tradition isn't it?" Daddy asked.
"Yes, but he's been such a good boy and I think he deserves just a little present. Please David?" Mommy asked.
Daddy frowned a bit as little Bruce looked up to him. David looked down at him and then smiled just slightly.
"Okay, I don't think Santa would be TOO upset with us if we let him have one present." Daddy said, "Since Santa hasn't put them under the tree yet, maybe he put them somewhere else. What do you think little guy? Want me to help you find one?"
Bruce nodded and smiled happily. His Daddy had to be the best man in the world.
"Okay, I'll tell you if you're hot or cold okay?" Daddy said.
Bruce nodded and walked towards the kitchen. He avoided the door to Mommy and Daddy's room. Something was knocking at the other side.
"Oh, you're so cold you're freezing. Brrr." Daddy said.
Bruce looked back with a smile and then heard the knocking turn to a thump. Bruce looked at the door with more than a little fear. Daddy saw where his eyes were looking to and smiled.
"A little warmer."
Bruce swallowed and inched towards the door. The thumping grew louder, making him stop halfway towards the door. He turned and looked at Mommy and Daddy, horribly afraid.
"What's the matter Bruce?" Mommy asked.
"You scared, little guy?" Daddy asked as well, and it looked like he was smirking just a little, "You're so warm you're burning up!"
Bruce's courage was restored with the prospect of a present so he inched closer to the door. A louder thump made him fall back on his rear and then get up and run over to behind Mommy.
"So cold you're arctic." Daddy said, disappointedly.
"What's wrong Bruce?" Mommy asked.
"Monster." Bruce mouthed, hiding behind her.
"Monster? Please, Bruce there's nobody here but us." Daddy sighed, "Go get your present Bruce."
Bruce shook his head "no" adamantly.
"Bruce, there are no such things as monsters okay? Now go get your present." Daddy said, a little irritable.
"David, maybe we should wait until tomorrow. Bruce doesn't seem to want to get it now." Mommy said.
"Funny, I thought this was your idea, Edith. And maybe if you'd stop coddling the boy long enough, he'd work up some courage for once and get over it." Daddy said harshly.
"David! He's just a little boy!" Mommy replied.
"Is he? From the way you mother him you'd think we had a little girl." Daddy replied.
"David…not in front of Bruce." Mommy said, sounding strained.
"Alright. I agree. He doesn't need to see our…problems, but he WILL go into that room and get his present." Daddy said loudly.
"David, he doesn't want to." Mommy said back to Daddy, holding Bruce close to her.
"Really? Well maybe Santa doesn't want to bring presents to this house anymore. So unless he goes in there and gets that present, I don't think he'll find any under the tree in the morning." Daddy said hatefully.
"You wouldn't dare." Mommy said, sounding mad.
"Try me." Daddy replied.
Mommy didn't say another word, and after a long while Daddy spoke up.
"Bruce, go get your present." Daddy ordered.
"Monster." Bruce said looking up, tearfully.
"Go. Get. It." Daddy growled.
Mommy didn't speak up this time, and Bruce looked to her for help. She looked almost ready to cry too. Bruce looked to Daddy again, who towered over him. He slowly walked away from Mommy towards the bedroom door. The sounds were so loud now. There weren't thumps anymore, they sounded like thunderclaps. The door moved forward slightly, straining on the hinges as Bruce walked towards it. He could hear guttural grunts and growls on the other side and with every step he took the door shook. Bruce was almost in tears as he approached it. Thunderclaps coincided with his small footsteps as his shaking hand reached out for the doorknob. A loud crash made his hand withdraw.
"There's nothing in there Bruce…" Daddy's voice said.
Bruce's hand shot out and turned the knob, pushing the door open violently. Bruce nearly screamed in terror as he saw something so huge on the other side that it was too big for the doorframe. Something huge and green and angry.
"…nothing but you."
Bruce looked up at the titan that stood before him just as it looked down at him growling.
"Puny human." The creature's voice boomed, "Puny Banner."
"Puny Banner." Bruce said as his eyes opened and started to turn a shade of emerald.
Piecemeal batted the camera from Jack McGee's hands and hissed at him. It reached for him and gripped him by the neck. McGee already felt weak from the touch of the creature. He could literally see the Register's headlines, "Reporter killed by Monster!" He laughed because no one would ever even believe it. Piecemeal hissed out a laugh. Then he stopped laughing and his grip slackened.
He dropped to the floor as Piecemeal was thrown through another wall of the bar by the tail. He rolled on the ground a good twenty feet before managing to get upright. He felt it. Whatever it was, Piecemeal felt it. It was the feel of the human he had been feasting on only the feeling had gone up a hundredfold. It was overpowering, mouthwatering even. And then Piecemeal saw it.
It walked through the hole his body had made, breaking more of the bar as it went it. It was huge. Easily as big or bigger than Piecemeal. Its body was an unholy mountain of thick cords of green muscle. It walked forward, the action of breathing making the broad shoulders of the creature move up and down. It growled in challenge at Piecemeal and beat a hand against its own chest. Piecemeal hissed and the creature before it roared loudly, making Piecemeal back up a few feet before hissing again.
The monsters eyed one another and only one of them spoke. It was the newcomer. It looked at Piecemeal and told it exactly what it intended to do. It beat one hand against its chest again and roared so the whole countryside would hear what it wanted to do.
"SMAAAAAAAAAAASH!!!!!!!" the Hulk bellowed as it leapt at Piecemeal.
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Okay, sorry about the delay here. Lady Inspiration hasn't been visiting as often. Though she came to me in a dream today. In fact, the dream that Bruce had was pretty much the dream I had though I toyed with it a bit to make it better. In the dream, David gave little Bruce one of the Hulk dogs as a Christmas present and it attacked Bruce as he opened it. I think it worked better the way I wrote it actually.
Let's see now, what else is here. I've given my own spin on Piecemeal of course, but his powers are pretty much the same, though in the comics when he drained you he also took on a few of your characteristics and even some personality traits. Nice little mention of mutants too. I may want to incorporate a few crossovers of Marvel and DC movies eventually.
As for Super Soldiers, the Captain that the Americans made was obviously Captain America while I mentioned Omega Red as one the Russians made.
There was the mention of Ferrigno, who the National Register wanted to impersonate the Hulk. This is obvious an homage to Lou Ferrigno who played the Hulk in the Incredible Hulk TV show.
And was McGee disgraced into taking a job at the Register? I'm not sure yet, but I might have to write a fic about it one day.
And yeah, I figure if I'm going to do crossovers between a few of the movies, I figure what the hell? May as well establish the facts. I figure Magneto would be considered a pretty dangerous and feared terrorist.
Oh yeah, and rest assured if I ever do a crossover between the Hulk and X-Men, you better believe the thing I would do first would be a battle that's oftentimes considered classic, the Hulk vs. Wolverine. Go on, guess who'd win. I dare ya.
I dunno how this will be received actually, but I'm trying to establish David Banner as a somewhat sympathetic. Oh he was a bastard, no doubt, but I think back in the early years there was actually a shred of love for his family there. I mean there was the scene in the movie where he played with Bruce with the toys at the beginning. Hell, one day I might even do a story about his time in prison. Just really depends on Lady Inspiration.
Anywho, leave some reviews and tell me what you think.
P.S. Next time, I hope you're ready for action because you're getting it. I want to make this one hell of a fight.
And thanks to Vicki for pointing out that Bruce's mother was named Edith in the movie. I honestly knew her name wasn't Rebecca, but couldn't remember what she was called in the movie. So I just used her name from the comics. Thanks again though.
