MIAMI, FLORIDA
It is daytime, but you wouldn't know it. An avalanche of asteroids covers the sky.
They land hard everywhere.
The first one hits the bay. The chunk is about a mile in diameter. It rolls up a tidal wave the size of a sky scraper. It covers most of Miami. Thousands of bodies desperately flail to swim, but are quickly sucked under.
Then next few pieces all hit downtown. Whatever life had not drowned with the first hit are obliterated immediately. Their impact is a nuclear, destroying everything in the radius, rippling up the earth and creating a blowback that topples buildings miles into the perimeter.
Algol lands screaming, it's head wobbling all around as if in a panic. Coming from the north, a series of missiles stream in and hit all over its body. The smoke clears and it is still standing. Its face shakes with rage. Mighty wings flap, pushing it off the ground. It opens its mouth wide and an eruption of red fiery lava explodes out cutting deep into the earth. The gash creates a fissure that splits the earth wide. The remains of the city are swallowed, removing Miami from existence.
Algol opens its wings, drawing and siphoning energy. It wraps its wings around its body like a cocoon. It's head slowly emerges and raises to the sky. It snorts loudly as if it is trying to catch the scent of something. It's head suddenly jerks and Algol releases with a ear splitting scream. It turns to the north while continuing to tear into the earth with lava blasts. Earthquakes crack open everywhere behind it as it heads towards New York.
CORUSCANT
Qui-Gonn stares up at Baraquiel.
Qui-Gonn: A being of the living force. I have heard of entities like you. I never thought I would encounter one. And you…
Qui-Gonn glances over at Bruce.
Qui-Gonn: You are exceptionally strong with the force.
Doctor Strange: His name is Bruce Banner. I am Stephen Strange.
Strange gestures to his team.
Doctor Strange: This is Steve Rogers, Matthew Murdock and Scott Lang. The "force being" is an entity known as Baraquiel. We are from another galaxy and have journeyed to you through a portal of energy known as the quantum realm. This "force" to which you are referring may be the energy patterns upon which this reality is comprised.
Qui-Gonn: That is possible. There are always multiple ways to communicate the same thing.
Doctor Strange: How did you know that Baraquiel and Bruce were connected to the force?
Qui-Gonn: You are as well. I can feel it. Jedi's are trained to develop our sensitivities to the force. Eventually that connection can become so acute that it can be difficult to distinguish yourself as a separate living entity. All of life is connected through the will of the living force.
Ant-Man: This guy sounds like Enoch.
Bruce: So, by establishing this connection you can control these energies?
Qui-Gonn: No. Control is not the goal of a relationship with the force. YOU control yourself in order to flow with the force. You reach out with your feelings, but balance them with your rational mind. Balance is the goal, but this is only done by controlling yourself.
Qui-Gonn raises his eyebrows as he studies Bruce. Bruce turns away.
Qui-Gonn: I sense much fear and anger in you.
Doctor Strange: What are the Jedi?
Qui-Gonn: They are an order of peace keepers. Guardians. They have existed for thousands of years. Jedi's are usually identified as younglings and then trained to develop their connection to the force. I am a part of their order. It is my responsibility to defend life and guard against those who would attempt to destabilize the rational ideals and democratic institutions that form the foundations of civilized society.
Captain America: Ok. He's who we're looking for.
Qui-Gonn glances over to Cap and then back to Strange.
Doctor Strange: Have you heard of a Jedi by the name of Vettius Valens?
Surprised, Qui-Gonn immediately looks over at the rest of the team to gauge their reactions. His head tilts down slightly.
Qui-Gonn: He was one of the first of our order to discover the force. He was very wise. Very powerful. Unfortunately, he became seduced by the dark side. Ultimately, this led to his fall.
Doctor Strange: Would you find it hard to believe that he was never destroyed?
Qui-Gonn responds instantly.
Qui-Gonn: No. Nothing is ever truly destroyed. We all return to the force. But we haven't been able to discover how to maintain our consciousness and memories after leaving this physical form.
Doctor Strange: Vettius did.
Qui-Gonn: Ah. This is not surprising. How did you come by this information?
Doctor Strange: We have confirmed that Vettius has been manipulating our galaxy by using anger and emotion to destabilize our democracy. He almost seems to "feed" off this.
Qui-Gonn gazes upwards as if in thought. He turns and walks over to the glass doors, opens them and walks to the edge of the balcony. He places clenched fists on both of his hips while overlooking the city.
Strange gives him a minute to digest the information and then follows him out.
Doctor Strange: This city is amazing. May I ask its name?
Qui-Gonn: This is Coruscant. An entire planet covered by city. It is the center and crown jewel of the Galactic Empire and home to the Jedi.
Doctor Strange: It is truly a wonder. Nothing in our galaxy comes anywhere close to this grandeur.
Qui-Gonn smiles and chuckles slightly.
Qui-Gonn: What you have described sounds like the Sith.
Doctor Strange: The Sith?
Qui-Gonn: Yes. They are force-sensitive beings who have embraced the dark side of the force. They operate in pairs. A master and a pupil. Much of their power is derived from anger, rage, wrath…extreme passion. Hatred fuels them. Their ultimate goal is power and they achieve this through the destabilization of democratic ideals and concepts. If Vettius has discovered a way to attack other galaxies that are not as experienced as ours, then that would explain why you have been caught off-guard by this type of attack.
Qui-Gonn sighs deeply.
Qui-Gonn: I must advise my council of this information you have shared.
Doctor Strange: And you shall, but in the interim we are in dire need of urgent assistance. We have also discovered what you immediately noticed in Bruce. He is covered in force energy. We believe that if Bruce can unlock these powers, he may be the key to stopping Vettius.
Qui-Gonn: You want me to teach him.
Before Strange can respond, Qui-Gonn turns his head slightly and looks at him through the corner of his eyes.
Qui-Gonn: Who sent you to me?
Doctor Strange: A being of great power who manages the flow of energy within the quantum realm. He mentioned that your relationship with the living force would serve you in understanding the necessity of our situation.
Qui-Gonn: This being is obviously very wise. I would help you, but the timing involved with this request is impossible. I am currently teaching one padawan and the council only allows me to teach one at a time. Additionally, the commitment to learning and growing with the force is life-long…and you do not appear to have the luxury of time.
Qui-Gonn stares thoughtfully at Bruce.
Qui-Gonn: Also, we tend to avoid those who are conflicted and unbalanced. The repercussions of teaching an imbalanced individual can be disastrous…especially one as powerful as Bruce appears to be.
Baraquiel walks in front of the heroes and faces Qui-Gonn. He raises his right arm and opens the palm of his hand. He stands still for a few moments. Qui-Gonn raises his head to study the black demon. He then closes his eyes, raises his left arm and opens the palm of his hand. Behind the two of them the city shines like a paradise. Light and shadow ricochet color in every direction. Baraquiel moves his hand forward and clasps Qui-Gonn's. Neither figure moves. Qui-Gonn inhales deeply through his nose. His chest raises.
Daredevil: How is this not hurting him?
Doctor Strange: What do you see?
Daredevil: I don't know if I can explain it. They are a locus of energy and it is indescribably beautiful. They are attracting all the energies around us to them. It is elegant…powerful…
Qui-Gonn releases from Baraquiel, but his eyes remain closed for a few moments. He slowly opens them as if awakening.
Qui-Gonn: My, my. You ARE ancient. I must talk to my council about everything you have shown me.
He turns to the heroes.
Qui-Gonn: Matthew and Captain Rogers. It appears that your involvement is not a coincidence. You were selected because your energies represent very specific archetypal energies. One of you represents justice and due process while the other is a symbol of democracy, freedom and equality. These maintain balance within the force because they are a necessary counter to greed, wrath and hatred.
Captain America: Baraquiel revealed this to you?
Qui-Gonn: And more. Bruce, please step forward.
Doctor Strange: What are you doing?
Qui-Gonn: I'm going to help you. It will be too difficult to explain so you will have to trust me. The council would probably expel me from the order if they knew what I was doing, but this can't be avoided. If you are not able to stop Dormammu then he will return to our galaxy…and he will be more powerful. Matthew and Captain Rogers. Please kneel by Bruce's side. Bruce, place your hands on their shoulders.
Ant-Man: Hey! What archetype am I? I grow big and stuff. Does he need any of that?
Qui-Gonn and Strange both glare harshly at Ant-Man.
Ant-Man: Oh. Well, fuck me then.
Qui-Gonn glances up at Baraquiel.
Qui-Gonn: I think we are ready, my friend.
Baraquiel touches the palm of his hand to the center of Qui-Gonn's chest. Then he places his other hand on the forehead of Bruce. Bruce immediately jerks backwards. His muscles start to grow. His face starts turning light green.
Daredevil: Agh! He's turning into the Hulk. He'll crush Steve and I!
Qui-Gonn's eyes remain closed.
Qui-Gonn: Stephen! Your abilities are needed! Please assist with the transference!
Doctor Strange levitates off the ground. Air swirls around him. His hands carve a triangle into the air. It is pulsating and emitting sparks.
Doctor Strange: With the grand trine, I bond your essences! I bond your energies! I remove all barriers! Within a constant flow of energy…you are one!
His arms push forward and the triangle falls at the floor creating a base of energy containing the heroes inside its holographic shape. The triangle glows light blue. Bruce's transformation into the Hulk begins to reverse. Strange holds the triangle in place until Qui-Gonn opens his eyes.
Baraquiel removes his hands from Qui-Gonn and Bruce. Bruce immediately collapses. Cap catches him.
Captain America: Bruce!
Daredevil touches him.
Daredevil: He's unconscious.
Qui-Gonn: He will need rest. He absorbed quite a bit. I'm actually surprised this worked.
Doctor Strange: Baraquiel showed you this?
Qui-Gonn: He did. This is the only feasible option to unlocking Bruce's connection to the force.
Daredevil: So, what now?
Qui-Gonn: It is hard to say. Bruce will need to adjust. When he awakes, I'm sure he will provide you with the clarity you need.
Qui-Gonn glances down at Bruce.
Qui-Gonn: He has an exceptionally strong heart. It is amazing that he has been able fight this long with his shadow…there is much good in him.
Strange walks over to Qui-Gonn.
Doctor Strange: Thank you.
Qui-Gonn smiles.
Qui-Gonn: You are very welcome.
Doctor Strange: I hope we meet again.
Qui-Gonn: I sense that we will.
The two shake hands.
Qui-Gonn: May the force be with you, my friends.
Strange smiles.
Doctor Strange: And you as well.
Strange glances over to Baraquiel.
Doctor Strange: I think we are ready.
Baraquiel raises his arms in the air, firing two massive broken strands of electricity into the sky. A portal tears open within Qui-Gonn's home. The heroes exit through the portal and it seals up behind then.
Qui-Gonn returns to his rug, sits down and meditates. The city shines in front of him.
As the heroes return to the Mazzaroth, Bruce begins to awaken. His body is glowing green and vibrating. He is humming with energy. Cap carefully lowers him to the ground.
Enoch is leaning on his staff.
Enoch: I see the transference was successful.
Doctor Strange: You could have provided a bit more notice on that.
Enoch: It was easier if you experienced it first-hand.
Bruce places his hands on both of his temples.
Bruce: Ugh…ugh…aghhh!
Green energy flares out of him knocking all of the heroes back. The study expands and constricts as if it were made of rubber.
Enoch: He is processing and digesting the energy. His body is adjusting to his new auras. We may be in a bit of danger.
Ant-Man: What the hell?! Seriously?
Enoch approaches.
Enoch: Bruce, how do you feel?
Bruce: I…I…feel like I'm imploding. I don't know if I can…can hold this.
Enoch: I was afraid that his body may start to reject this. The energy has become accustomed to manifesting the Hulk. It is confused. This rearrangement may be a bit difficult.
Bruce's glow grows until it envelopes all the heroes. The hum grows louder.
Bruce: H…h…help me…
Doctor Strange: Enoch! Do something!
Enoch: There is nothing to do done. This is a natural stage in the transformation process. But if he explodes…we don't want that to occur here.
Captain America: Explodes?!
Daredevil: Guys, this isn't good. What I'm seeing in Bruce is insane. Strange, do you have a way to contain this or diffuse him?
Enoch shakes his head and scoffs. He raises the Syzygy, holds it horizontal and swirls it three times. The portal reopens. Enoch kneels down to Bruce and whispers under his breath.
Enoch: This portal will take you out of here so you can release safely. Find who you are…then return to us. We need you, brother. This realm needs a trinity.
Trembling, Bruce slowly raises his head. His eyes and teeth are clenched. Saliva drools onto the floor. Every ounce of strength is holding back. He struggles to open one eye. Enoch is staring directly inside of him.
Enoch: Excelsior, Guardian.
Bruce fires through the portal, a trail of green fire following behind him.