"I don't get it. What's going on?" Thor asks Dr. Strange as they rush to the other corner of the ship. Valkyrie is following them.
"Thor, I realize it's an important detail, but right now, the explanation is going to have to wait." Dr. Strange tells him.
"Does this have anything to do with what's happening to the others?" Thor asks.
Dr. Strange thinks about the question for a bit, wondering if it could be the same problem before answering. "Yes it does." She says.
"It's not contagious is it?"
Dr. Strange looks at Thor and chuckles, but remembers that he is not from Earth. "No, it's not." She responds, trying not to think of the hell that would be caused should a god of thunder have their period.
Before they can get another word in, they spot a large group of people gathered around a hallway. They make their way through the crowd and to the front. They spot the place they're looking for. There is a sliding doorway to one of the rooms, but it is bent out of shape and broken. It is clearly too damaged to open properly now.
"Whoa!" Valkyrie says. "Did Bruce do that?"
"I believe so." Dr. Strange responds. Thor looks at Valkyrie, shrugs his shoulders, and nods with a chuckle.
"Dr. Banner?" Dr. Strange calls.
There is a grumble from inside the room and the ship shakes a little again. It is clear they are near the source.
"Bruce? Are you alright in there, buddy?" Thor calls this time.
"Go away!" a deep voice shouts and something hits the door from inside, causing it to bend more outward.
"That did not sound like Bruce." Thor says looking at Dr. Strange, then Valkyrie. He pauses to think for a moment before adding. "Well, I guess it did sound like Bruce, but not the current Bruce. More like the old Bruce, but still not the same.
"Yeah, we get it." Dr. Strange answers, waving it off. She looks back toward the door. "Dr. Banner, I'm going to open the door. It's okay, we're here to help." She looks at Thor, Valkyrie, then the crowd, hoping they're ready.
Dr. Strange begins to concentrate on her magic and after a handful of hand gestures, she creates what looks like little portals which cut away the sides of the door. She pulls her hands back, and like a rope, it tears the door away from the wall, revealing a dark room.
There is a little smoke caused by the removal of the door. It does not help them see as they try to peek into the room from a distance.
"Dr. Banner?" Steven Strange calls. She is answered by a growl and a bed flying out of the room. It slams into the wall across the way. The three heroes step out of the way just in time. The bedframe bounces off the mattress and lands on the previously removed door. The mattress stays leaning against the wall. Thor and Dr. Strange can now see a silhouette of someone sitting on the floor on the other side of the room.
The crowd down the hall is continuing to grow when Natasha and Clint push their way to the front. "What's going on?" Clint asks.
"Is that Bruce?" Natasha follows up with.
"It would seem so." Dr. Strange tells them.
"It's okay guys." Thor tells them, gesturing for them to wait outside. "I've got this." He points his hand forward and slowly walks into the room. "It's okay, big guy." He tells Bruce. "The sun's getting real low."
Bruce growls again, and there is a loud smack which results in Thor flying out of the room at full force. He slams into the mattress which makes little difference as the ship shakes again.
Clint and Natasha look at Thor in surprise. "Oh, that really hurt." He says. They rush forward to help him up. "She kicked me." Thor adds.
After verifying that Thor is okay, Natasha starts to chuckle. Thor looks at him, embarrassed. "Did you really just try that?" Natasha asks with a grin.
"Yea, of course." Thor tries to feign confidence. "It worked the last time." Natasha squints his eyes, implying he doesn't believe him. "What?" Thor asks
"What are we gonna do about Bruce?" Clint asks Natasha. "We can't let her keep this up."
"Let me try." Dr. Strange tells them without looking away from the room. She takes a step forward and announces, "Bruce, I'm coming in."
Before Dr. Strange can reach the door, Bruce jumps up and starts charging at her. She leaps into the air just as Dr. Strange extends her own arm outward. Dr. Strange lowers her hand and manages to hit Bruce directly in the sternum. Despite her intense strength, somehow Dr. Strange is able to stop her mid leap. Bruce goes completely limp, and the Doctor has to turn to catch her safely.
She sets Bruce down slowly as Natasha and Clint come to help. They notice her skin is a light tint of green and her dress is completely shredded and bearing a little too much skin. She is also noticeably taller, so the dress seems extra short.
"What did you do, Doc?" Clint asks.
"I separated her from her astral form." Dr. Strange responds. "While that's not necessarily what the spell is meant for, it's a very effective way to neutralize someone." Clint and Natasha nod at this, despite still not understanding what happened. Thor is still rubbing his chest.
"I'm glad you feel better." Dr. Strange says. The others are wondering why she's telling this to Bruce now. "Don't worry, I'm sure Shuri will understand." Dr. Strange says, answering an unheard question.
"What's going on? Who're you talking to?" Natasha asks.
"One second." Dr. Strange tells Natasha. "I'm talking to Bruce now."
*** on the astral plane ***
"Can they not see me?" Bruce asks Dr. Strange.
"No Bruce, they can't see you, or hear you." Dr. Strange tells her.
"Tell them, I'm sorry." Bruce says to Dr. Strange.
"Dr. Banner, extends her apologies." Dr. Strange tells the others, matter of factly.
They kind of nod in response, questioning Dr. Strange's sanity.
"Do you think you can help me lay her down?" Dr. Strange tells the others, and motions toward the mattress.
"Yes, of course." Thor answers, picking up the mattress and bringing it forward. Clint and Natasha pick up Bruce and take her back into the room. Their shoes lightly crunch on broken glass scattered across the floor. They lay her on the mattress which they set down on the floor.
"I'm going to need a moment." Dr. Strange tells the others and gestures for them to step out. She gets a lot of looks of confusion but they reluctantly agree, leaving her alone with Bruce and Bruce's body in the room. They don't go far however.
"What happens next Doc?" Bruce asks when they're alone for the most part.
"Next, I am going to have to ask you to calm down." Dr. Strange says strictly.
"But I am calm!" Bruce frowns while looking away with a pouty face.
"Dr. Banner, it doesn't take a neurosurgeon or a grand wizard to determine, you are having emotional turmoil." Dr. Strange responds.
"I'm not having emotional turmoil!" Bruce growls. Even her astral self is starting to take on a greenish hue. "I'm just having cramps." Her voice takes on a deeper tone at that last part. Dr. Strange hears a creaking sound and notices Bruce's body is actually now gripping at the floor.
'This could be very dangerous.' Dr. Strange thinks to herself, realizing she is losing her hold on Bruce.
"Bruce," Dr. Strange calls, trying to get her attention. "Is there something else going on? Are you having issues with the Hulk?"
The change of subjects seems to work. Bruce calms a little and starts to think. "I... don't know..." She tells Dr. Strange. "He doesn't come out anymore. He doesn't even talk to me anymore..."
Dr. Strange studies Bruce's face for a moment.
"I think he's gone..." Bruce responds almost sadly.
"Then all of this was you?" Dr. Strange asks, gesturing at the damage to the room. She sits on the floor while Bruce responds.
Despite being a projection, Bruce blushes. "Yeah, I couldn't help it. I was in a lot of pain, and upset about..." Bruce turns away and doesn't finish.
Dr. Strange looks up, realizing Bruce is definitely hiding something.
"I guess, I couldn't control myself." Bruce says. "I'm sorry... I just get so angry all the time... Always... Always angry..." Bruce turns toward Dr. Strange who is watching her with legit concern.
"Well, I'm no psychiatrist, " Dr. Strange tells her, "but I may be able to get to the root of that anger."
"You can?" Bruce asks, surprised and a little hopeful.
"That I can." Strange responds. "It may dig up some bad memories or make things worse, but seeing as we're in a delicate situation right now, we may not have a choice."
"Let's do it, then." Bruce responds with no hesitation. Dr. Strange does hesitate however as she looks up at Bruce, wondering if she really should have offered.
Bruce notices and decides to clarify. "I'm sorry Doctor. It's just, I've tried for more than half my life to find the source of my anger. To find the source of my pain, and even when I think I've finally got ahold of it "He" keeps coming back." Bruce refers to the Hulk. "If you think you can end this, get rid of him, then let's do it."
Bruce turns away again, feeling a little guilty at what she just asked. Flashbacks of Mantis telling her that the Hulk needed her help pop into her head, making her feel even more guilty. She tries to remember all the pain the Hulk has caused, but she can't shake feeling a little bad for him now.
"Very well. If we are going to do this, it'll require a deeper trance." Dr. Strange says. "Is it safe to assume you've studied mindfulness and guided methods of meditation?"
Bruce chuckles. "Doctor, I have studied them all."
"Good." She responds. "Is it also safe to assume you have studied the mind palace form of thought retention?"
"For memory? Yes." Bruce answers.
"Good!" Dr. Strange does not perform any gestures, but her body begins to glow causing her hair to sway in non-existent wind. "I need you to take me there. To your mind's palace." Bruce's astral body seems to flow back into her physical one as Dr. Strange enters her thoughts.
The room grows eerily quiet as people outside the room try to peek in.
"Do you have any idea what they're doing?" Thor whispers from outside the room.
"Shut up!" Natasha whispers back.
*** In Bruce's mind ***
A large castle stands in what appears to be an abyss of darkness. Light shines on it from a non-existent sun, and all the upper windows are illuminated by what appears to be candles.
"I see your interpretation of a mind palace was taken quite literally." Dr. Strange tells Bruce.
"I kind of like the castle aesthetic." Bruce tells her. "I always imagined my mind being a huge fort."
Moments later, they're in a large living room-like setting with comfortable arm chairs and a wide fireplace. Dr. Strange looks around at the books on the wall and feels a little jealous that Bruce's library seems more organized and stocked than the one she imagines for herself.
She spots a handful of pictures of an unknown woman and Natasha above the fireplace.
Bruce notices and volunteers information. "That's Betty, General Ross's daughter. I haven't spoken to her since before the change... Before Ultron actually."
Dr. Strange nods in response before looking around again. "We need to find a way to get further down," Dr. Strange tells Bruce. "Into the further recesses of your mind." She leaves the room and Bruce follows.
As time passes, Dr. Strange can't help but admire the mind palace Bruce has made for herself. She had heard of people capable of such extreme detail, but she'd never imagined she'd one day see one. Unfortunately despite all their searching, they couldn't find what they were looking for.
"There do not seem to be any stairs or paths into the lower floors." Dr. Strange tells Bruce.
"Maybe there aren't any lower floors?" Bruce asks, knowing it's not true.
"The mind tends to create the lower floors in our subconscious, as a way to store deeper thoughts and memories that we do not want to directly deal with." Dr. Strange says. "There is usually a way in, unless the owner has intentionally blocked it off." She looks at Bruce with questioning eyes.
Bruce looks down sadly and nods. "It wouldn't surprise me if I was one of those cases."
Dr. Strange studies her surroundings for a moment before settling on her next course of action. "Not to worry, then." she tells Bruce. "We should still be able to get in." Bruce looks up, concerned but still eager.
"It would be easy to just faze us through the floor, but it may be more beneficial to add a stairway." As Dr. Strange says this, the floor seems to silently open up and reveal a staircase leading down into darkness. She does not hesitate before moving forward. "Let's go."
Bruce gets a rush of fear and steps in front of the Doctor. "Are you sure you want to go down there?" She asks. "We don't know what could be in there."
"Bruce." Dr. Strange says patiently. She places her hands on her shoulders and crouches down a little to look into her eyes. "This is why we are here. We're here to help you."
Dr. Strange's words, despite being kind, don't comfort Bruce. She flashes back to Mantis saying, "He needs your help." Before Bruce can protest, Dr. Strange is already walking around her.
The stairs are huge, and seem to keep growing wider as they go further down. There is the smell of moisture, dust, and something else in the air. Despite there not being any sound, Bruce feels like she can hear people fighting. Unexpectedly, she recognizes the smell as that from the gladiator stadium on Sakar.
There is a light breeze in the air, and they cannot see very far at all. It comes as a surprise when they reach the bottom. Dr. Strange raises her right hand and a large torch seems to aparate into her hand. "It's a bit dark, isn't it?" Bruce nods, unsure if the Doctor means physically or mentally.
Bruce looks to the left and can barely see something in the shadows. Almost as if she could read her mind, Dr. Strange moves the torch in that direction. They see old and discolored metal bars. As they step closer they realize it's a prison cell. Dr. Strange furls her eyebrows at this.
A strange voice whispers in the air "...walked the library, and been in the dungeon." Bruce jumps and Dr. Strange looks around for the source.
"I think that was a memory." Dr. Strange says.
"Yeah." Bruce responds." It was something Wanda told me once.
"Let's carry on." Dr. Strange says. As they walk away from the cell, Bruce can't help but notice that it's unlocked and open. They experience the feeling of deja vu several times as they come across many other empty prison cells.
"There's nothing here. What's going on?" Bruce asks.
"I have a theory," Dr. Strange answers, "but it doesn't make any sense."
"What's that?"
Dr. Strange looks at Bruce and wonders if she should say anything. She realizes it won't do any good keeping secrets from her. "In my studies, I read about something like this." Bruce is now listening intently. "Sometimes, when a mind is fractured, or in cases of multiple personalities, our minds create a place to keep everything locked away. Particularly more dangerous contents and personalities."
"Wait, you're telling me there's more than one Hulk?" Bruce asks.
"Not necessarily." Dr. Strange answers. "Sometimes the mind will keep emotions, feelings, and memories locked up." She sees Bruce looks a little more confused, so elaborates. "Think of it more like an extreme version of all the books in your mind palace. Anything you don't want to think about but can't throw away, is kept under lock and key, even from yourself."
"This problem is much deeper than I expected." Bruce worries aloud.
"The mind is a vastly intricate system as complex as the entire universe itself." Dr. Strange tells her. "No matter how deep you delve, you will always find something deeper that you don't expect."
"Speaking of something," Bruce interrupts. "Where is everyone, and everything? Every cell has been empty and we haven't found anything."
"This is definitely strange." the Doctor responds. "Normally the mind does not create something like this, unless it has something to lock up. It's almost like someone has deliberately opened all these cells and set things free. But, where is it all?"
As they walk forward the dungeon layout begins to change. They find much larger cages, and in various shapes. There is a bit of light coming from above them now. They both peer upward at the light which looks like the opening to a well.
"Could it have gone up there?" Bruce asks.
"It's possible, but..." Dr. Strange does not finish his sentence when they are both interrupted by a loud but low grumbling. They both jump and turn toward the sound.
A large pair of angry glowing green eyes is watching them. They are about the same level as Dr. Strange, but slowly start to rise. In a few moments they are towering far about both Bruce and Strange. Bruce wants to run, but Strange catches her wrist to stop her.
The large figure moves forward with footsteps so loud they sound like a bass drum. Despite the dungeon not being real, they can both feel the weight of the creature approaching them. It does not take long for the Hulk to step into the light. He is nearly twice as tall as he has ever been and wide enough to easily dwarf the HulkBuster.
"Puny Banner!" the Hulk says glaring angrily at Bruce. Bruce looks on, speechless and in awe.
The Hulk kneels down to get a better look at Bruce. Despite his intimidating presence, Bruce takes a few steps forward and raises her right hand toward the Hulk. The hulk lowers his left hand and offers it to Bruce.
Bruce's hand is so small, it barely wraps around the front of Hulk's index finger. "You're still male." Bruce comments, thinking out loud.
The look on the Hulk's face suddenly shifts from anger, to sadness. Deep true and emotional sadness. This does not go unnoticed by either Bruce or Dr. Strange.
"Mantis said, you needed my help." Bruce catches herself saying.
The Hulk's big sad eyes blink and he lets go of Bruce's hand. He stands up slowly and turns around before walking away.
"What's wrong Big Guy?" Bruce asks as she watches Hulk walk away. She turns toward Dr. Strange, who motions for her to follow him.
They proceed further down the dungeon trying to catch up. When they get close enough, the Hulk begins to speak again.
"Puny Banner." He repeats. "Always, so weak... Always scared... always running." Bruce agrees with the Hulk, but is actually too afraid to say anything. "Puny Banner. Cannot fight. Cannot lift. Cannot break. Cannot smash!"
They both continue to follow and listen. "Puny Banner, is so weak. Not like Hulk."
Bruce finally decides to face her fears and speaks up. "I know... Hulk. I know I'm weak..." She says. "I know I'm scared. I know I'm always running... Hulk." She calls out to him.
The Hulk stops and turns around. Despite his grumbling, he still looks very sad. "Then, why you win?" The Hulk asks. Bruce and Dr. Strange look at each other in confusion. The Hulk closes his eyes and concentrates. "Why you... always win?" He asks.
Bruce thinks about the question for a moment. "I'm not sure what you're saying Hulk."
The Hulk steps forward and kneels down once more, peering into Bruce's eyes. He raises his hand in a staying gesture. "The sun... is getting... real low."
"You mean Natasha?" Bruce asks.
"And Betty." The Hulk answers.
Bruce has to think about it for a moment before realizing what Hulk is talking about. "You mean when we calm down?" She asks
The Hulk nods slowly before standing up and walking away again. "Bruce always win... Hulk always lose. Then Hulk here." As the Hulk walks away the sound of jingling fills the air. Neither is sure of when it happened, but Hulk is now carrying a large key ring with old fashioned keys on it.
"I don't mean to lock you up, Big Guy." Bruce tells him. "It's just, we have to calm down. That's just how it works."
"No. Hulk weak. Hulk angry. Hulk never happy."
"But we can work on that Hulk." Bruce says, unsure why she's suddenly offering to help.
"No!" Hulk snaps. "Banner hate Hulk. Everyone hate Hulk!"
"That's not true Hulk. We don't hate you, it's just..."
The Hulk turns around as is now once again angrily glaring at Bruce Banner. Bruce tries to maintain eye contact, but this time she can't. She feels guilty, but she agrees. It's no secret she has always hated the Hulk.
The Hulk turns away and starts shuffling the keys in front of him.
There are massive prison cells surrounding them, and Bruce has to peer around the Hulk to see what he is doing. There is a lock attached to an exceptionally large door that easily towers over the hulk. It is at least ten times wider than the Hulk.
"Hulk, what are you doing?" Bruce asks, suddenly very concerned.
The Hulk stops and takes a deep breath. "Hulk... go..." He says.
Bruce feels her heart skip a beat with concern. "I'm sorry, what?"
"Hulk go." The Hulk says softly. "No more Hulk... Only Banner."
"Wait, Hulk. Where are you going to go?" As if to answer her question, the lock on the cell door clicks loudly. The Hulk pulls it lightly and it partially swings open. Both Bruce and Dr. Strange feel a menacing aura come from within the cell.
"Hulk..." Bruce says, taking a step back. "What's in there?"
The Hulk looks at Bruce sadly, then back to the cell. His gaze lingers for a moment before turning back to Bruce. "Big monster..." He says. Bruce and Dr. Strange are now terrified of what might actually be in there.
Instead of opening the door fully, the Hulk opens it just enough for him to slide in. He pulls it closed gently and it clicks shut. He lifts the keys through the bars and tosses them toward Bruce.
"Hulk? Don't do this." Bruce protests, unsure of what is happening. She looks up and sees huge angry eyes, each one easily as large as the Hulk. They are now watching all of them from the back of the prison cell.
"Go." Hulk says. "Lock cage."
Despite wanting to, Bruce can't help but protest. "Hulk, I can't."
As if to answer her protests, the Hulk walks backwards into the darkness. A hand-like shadow seems to engulf him leaving only the creature glaring angrily at Bruce. It growls for only a moment before the expression changes to sad eyes also.
Bruce looks at the massive creature's eyes, then peers down toward the keys. She turns toward Dr. Strange hoping for answers. Dr. Strange looks at the keys also, unsure of what they should do next.
Bruce's Mind Palace and dungeon start to shake violently.