A fiery green comet shoots across space. It is sporadically popping in and out of view as it teleports forward almost like a sputtering car, spastically backfiring back and forth.
Bruce: Agh! Ugh, no! Agh!
Bruce charges away from earth as fast as he can. If he explodes anywhere near, the pent-up energy has the potential to take out many planets within light years of him.
He is hearing voices in his head.
Voice: You are a monster! You will never be accepted! Let go! Feel the hatred! The anger!
Bruce: N…no…no…nooooo!
Bruce disappears out of view and then pops back into existence again. He passes by Jupiter, zig zagging around the planet before disappearing again.
He arrives at Uranus. Bruce is barely conscious.
Bruce: Keep m…moving…gotta g…get away…
The pressure of the energy is incredible. Inside, he feels like he is holding back an ocean…and the dam is ready to blow.
Bruce arrives at Pluto. He stops and curls up in a fetal position. All at once he bursts open, exploding and sending shockwaves in all directions. The released energy ripples through the Kuiper belt disintegrating the sea of asteroids. The energy continues to burst and pulsate off Bruce for almost an entire minute.
Then…everything is silent. Bruce opens his eyes. For some reason Pluto survived the explosion along with one of its Moons, Charon.
He floats peacefully, covered by a flaming green aura. He stares at the small planetary bodies. His eyes have turned jet black. He temples his hands together thoughtfully at his chin and then drops them suddenly as he tilts his head slightly back.
Bruce: Eternity?
Bruce's voice echoes, but a much louder voice from beyond the cosmos responds.
Eternity: Hello Guardian.
Bruce: It is nice to finally meet you.
Eternity: And you as well, Guardian. We have been awaiting your arrival for some time. Do you require anything?
Bruce stares down at Pluto.
Bruce: Music.
It is quiet for a second.
Eternity: You want me to play music for you.
Bruce: If possible.
It is quiet for a couple more seconds.
Eternity: Nothing is impossible for Eternity. What would you like to hear?
Bruce: Forty-Six & 2 by Tool.
Eternity: Excellent choice, Guardian. What decibel level would you prefer? Across the galaxy or just this planet?
Bruce: Every inch of this planet.
Eternity: As you wish.
As the song begins, Bruce flies down within the atmosphere of Pluto. He surveys its frozen, remote surface.
Bruce: I have been so incredibly broken…for so long. My inability to process my anger allowed the Hulk to happen. Allowed the destruction he has caused. And yet, the Hulk isn't separate. I AM him.
Bruce raises his arms and a green protective ozone layer spreads around the planet.
Bruce: At times I thought…felt…that my anger was righteous in response to anything that triggered it.
Bruce stares down at a frozen volcano. He swats back his hand and the ice instantly cracks and flies off the sides. With both hands, he directs a burst of green fire directly into the heart of it. It responds with a jet of lava shooting through the atmosphere, spurting around the edges and flowing down the side.
Bruce: How many people have I accidentally hurt? How much friendly fire have I caused? How many have been hospitalized? How many…died? How much damage am I responsible for?
Bruce's hands come together, balling up the flowing lava. He drags it across the frozen terrain, unearthing soil and dirt. He raises one arm and trees, grass and flowers spring up from the razed ground. Jungles arise, stretching out for miles.
Bruce: I have been the problem. All this intelligence. All this brilliance. All this knowledge and I have been unable to manage my emotions. To understand how to blend them together. This inability to maintain balance has handicapped my purpose and everyone has suffered.
Bruce scorches an entire continent. He raises both hands and water shoots up through the pores of the surface. An ocean is created.
Bruce: I must take control of who I am. I must fulfill my destiny.
Bruce flies up next to a mountain and chops it down with the edge of his hand. He scoops up more lava with one hand and a basin of water with the other. He smashes the two together and smoke covers the area. He cups his hands, molding the debris from the mountain with the lava and water. Bruce shapes the material into a castle.
Bruce: Logan would appreciate this.
Bruce squeezes both fists and the castle hardens, solidifies and glistens in the darkened, distant light.
Bruce pauses and then slowly looks himself over. He extends his arms, opens his hands and spreads out his fingers. Dark green slowly grows across his body. His hair turns jet black, matching his eyes. He places one hand on his chest. It begins to glow until it catches fire. He closes his eyes and removes his hand. Across his chest is an emblazened, fiery planetary glyph for Pluto.
The song ends.
Bruce surveys his work. An entire planet is now habitable. It is gorgeous.
Bruce: This is good.
Eternity: This will be a suitable base of operations, Guardian. The fortress is quite indestructible.
Bruce stares up into space.
Bruce: Eternity, we need an energy source. A star.
Eternity: What do you suggest, Guardian?
Bruce: I want Antares.
Eternity: Guardian, Antares is much too large for this galaxy. I fear that its size would destabilize the precious alignment. Also, its archetypal essence is highly volatile.
Bruce: Ok. What would you suggest?
Eternity: Have you considered Sirius?
Bruce: Should I?
Eternity: Its size isn't unmanageable. Also, it IS known as the Guardian star.
Bruce smiles.
Eternity: I can open the portal, but you will have to bring it forth.
Bruce: Will do.
Eternity: Guardian, I hope it is understood that it is not my place to intervene like this.
Bruce: It is.
A tear in reality materializes, revealing the massive star. Bruce reaches forward and starts pulling the star through the portal. His face strains under the exertion.
Bruce: I must become a symbol. The courage to stare into our darkest parts and confront what has become toxic…monstrous. To stop allowing anger to foster insanity. If I can be reborn then everyone possesses this power.
A green crown of flame materializes over the top of Bruce's head.
Bruce: With great transformation comes…no need for super beings.
The star is in place, it's warm embrace watches over Pluto and Charon. The entire planet is alive…reborn. The portal closes.
Eternity: Very good, Guardian. What's next?
Bruce: I would like to tour some of the surrounding galaxies.
Eternity: I believe Enoch is awaiting your return.
Bruce: I'll make it quick.
Eternity: As you wish.
Bruce: Thank you for your help, Eternity.
Eternity: You are very welcome, Guardian. This galaxy needs you and I look forward to our friendship.
Bruce: As do I. Oh…
Eternity: Tunes?
Bruce: Yes. Panopticon by the Smashing Pumpkins?
Eternity: Another excellent choice, Guardian.
Bruce explodes away from Pluto, a spiraling green trail of fire following behind him.
THE MAZZAROTH
Enoch is pacing. The team is spread out on chairs. Ant-Man is sitting against the wall napping. Doctor Strange is at the podium staring up at the constantly shifting quantum realm.
A voice echoes into the study.
Bruce: Enoch.
Enoch smiles. He extends the Syzygy and opens a portal. Bruce bursts through it, hovering in front of the heroes.
Strange's eyes widen.
Doctor Strange: By Vishanti…
Enoch: Hello, Bruce Banner. I trust that your journey of self-discovery was successful?
A green circle of fire swirls underneath Bruce as he stares down upon the heroes.
Bruce: Bruce Banner is no more. I am…Gamma Guardian!