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  Nero and his crew floated high above, cloaked in Maria’s illusions as they watched the Hulk unch himself away from the city. The green behemoth’s leaps carried him far and fast. uro Nigel, giving him a single nod

  As Nigel disappeared, Sofia let out a small sigh, still focused on the faint traoke hanging over Harlem. “Anyone else think it’s lucky he didn’t decide to take another swing at SHIELD?”

  Anthony shrugged, arms crossed as he leaned against a nearby post. “Lucky for SHIELD, maybe. They’re out here fshing their guns like they’re the real threat, but one wrong step, and Hulk could’ve leveled half the agents. They’re over their heads with him, and they know it.”

  Diego chimed in with a grin, “SHIELD’s gotta save faehht? If Hulk’s too big to hahey just sp a band-aid on the mess and call it ‘tai.’” He shook his head, amused.

  Anthony, h to Nero's left, gave a low chuckle. “You sure this is worth all the trouble? The guy’s barely human at this point.”

  Nero chuckled as they watched from above. Down below, Nigel had just reached Hulk, moving with deft speed, sidestepping Hulk’s wild swings with a precision that looked effortless. “Oh, he’s more than worth it. Dr. Banner’s a genius, and he’s just as powerful in his own way as the Hulk. So long as Nigel keep him steady with the Cl—limit Hulk’s trol—we start bridging that gap between them. Banner o get to a pce where he and the Hulk exist without orying to overpower the other.”

  Sofia raised an eyebrow, gng between Nero and the se unfolding far below. "So, what’s the goal here—help Hulk act like an actual person?”

  “Not quite,” Nero replied. “We’re going for something a little different. If we give Banner even partial trol when Hulk’s out, he’ll be able to fight without always losing himself te.”

  Donald, standing with ease on his floating disc of green lightning, looked over at Nero. “So, the Cl really do something that sophisticated? Feels like our other abilities might actually do a better job of holding Hulk back.”

  Nero nodded. “You’re right—that’s exactly the pn. Right now, the Cl’s going to ‘Limit’ Hulk’s rage, giving Banner a sliver of trol in those first moments when his temper spikes. Over time, we’re going to ie Sofia’s Rain Ring to help ‘Wash away’ his untrolble anger. Each of you will bine your powers in sequeo keep his transformations in check, like gears meshing together.”

  As Nero expihe intricate pn to his crew, his eyes tracked Nigel’s movements far below. Nigel had positioned himself right in front of Hulk, one hand on his forehead, the other pressed against his ow where the Cl glowed with a faint purple light. In response, Hulk's wild, furious thrashing began to slow, eaent losing some of its violent iy. The rage in Hulk's eyes dulled, just enough to indicate that Banner was beginning to surface, even if only for a moment.

  Sofia leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowed. “Is it actually w? Looks like he’s calming down.”

  Below, Nigel remaieady as Hulk’s giant fists ched and unched, his muscles visibly loosening. He let out a low growl, but his expression was shifting, anger fading into something that almost resembled fusion.

  Diego gave a low whistle. “Gotta hand it to Nigel. Guy’s got nerves of steel. One wrong move, and he’d be Hulk’s snack.”

  “Or worse,” Donald muttered, keeping his gaze fixed on the se below. “If this goes south, Hulk’s just as likely to turn him into a modern art sculpture on the pavement.”

  Nero chuckled lightly. “Nigel knows what he’s doing. The Cl’s not just keeping Hulk’s anger in check. It’s holding back just enough to let Banner regain a sliver of trol. With time, maybe that’ll be enough to stop these rampages altogether.”

  At that moment, ook a steady step back, his hand dropping from Hulk’s forehead. The purple glow from the Cl faded, and with it, the green can to drain from Banner's skin. Muscles receded, his massive form shrinking bato the frame of a man, and the fused, human face of Dr. Bruce Banner looked up, dazed, meeting Nigel’s calm gaze.

  "W-Who are you?" Banner asked, his voice barely a murmur. His eyes sed the circle that had formed around him, catg sight of Nero and his crew, all wearing wooden masks with strange, glinting eyes in unique colors. Banner blirying to focus. “What... what happened?” His voice was raw, a little shaky. He seemed more like a man struggling to stay afloat than the beast who had just been rampaging through Harlem.

  Nero’s voice came through, calm and collected. “We kept you from causing more damage than you’d want to remember.” He ined his head toward Nigel. “Ahe one who pulled you back from the edge.”

  Banner’s gaze shifted back to Nigel, studying him with a look of disbelief. “Pulled me back… how?”

  Nigel held Banner's gaze, unphased by the question. “All you o know is we have the ability to trol yreen friend,” he said.

  The word "friend" made Banner grimace, but he stayed quiet.

  After a beat, Nigel gestured towards Nero. “Now our boss has an offer for you, if you’re willing to listen.”

  Baook in Nero and the rest of the group floating above him, masked and silent. His gaze nded on Nero, who seemed to have the air of someone used to being in charge, even without saying a word.

  “What kind of offer?” Banner’s tone was cautious, wary.

  ilted his head, addressing him directly. “An offer to help. You’ve got an obvious problem, Doctor. And as things stand, the world’s ly better off when Hulk is out destroyiire city blocks. You know it, and so do we.”

  Banner looked away, jaw tightening. “I didn’t ask for any of this,” he muttered.

  Nero crossed his arms. “No one’s bming you. But avoiding it won’t fix it either. What we’re proposing is simple. We have the means to help you mahe transformations, keep the Hulk from running wild. Imagine if you could actually keep trol instead of bg out every time he takes over.”

  Banner’s expression shifted slightly. “And what’s in it for you?”

  Diego chuckled from above, leaning forward. “Always skeptical, huh, Doc? Smart, though. I’d be asking the same thing.”

  Nered. “What’s in it for us is a world with fewer cities turned into craters. You’re a powerful man, Dr. Banner, and power unchecked is a liability for everyone. We’re a way to make this work. With our help, you wouldn’t have to run anymore, and Hulk wouldn’t be some tig time bomb.”

  Sofia folded her arms, adding, “Plus, not to be blunt, but SHIELD and the military aren’t just going to sit around hoping you get better. How long before they decide to put you down instead of log you up?”

  Banner let out a bitter ugh. “You think I haven’t tried? I’ve put the barrel in my mouth more than ohe uy just spits the bullets back out.”

  Nero chuckled, unmoved. “o get grim, Banner. Listen, what you o realize is that your body is housing someone else now. Hulk isn’t just some monster locked inside you. He’s a character all his own, with his own quirks, his own drive.” He shrugged, his tone casual. “You keep fighting him, you’ll keep going in circles. Start finding on ground, maybe it stops being a battle every time.”

  Banner looked up, still wary but listening. “So, what? You’re saying I should be… friends with it?”

  Diego ughed, hands resting on his hips. “If you’re thinking friendship, you’re already off-track. Think of it more like learning to work with a stubborn roommate. ’t get rid of him, but maybe you agree on a few things.”

  Donald spoke up, his voice calm. “You’re thinking of him as a problem to solve, Banner. But if he’s got his own mind—his own will—he’s something you reason with. Or at least iate.”

  Banner let out a dry scoff, though his eyes were calg. “unicate? Hulk? That’s a hell of a long shot.”

  epped forward, eyeing Banner with a rare hint of a smirk. “You’d be surprised, Dr. Banner."

  Nero raised a hand, cutting through the versation. "Enough. This isn't a recruitment drive, Banner; it's an option we're . You go on living like an untrolble mae, or you let us fix you."

  Banner’s jaw tightened, a flicker of defian his eyes. “Fix me? You make it sound like I’m broken.” He looked around, taking in the masked figures surrounding him. “And why would I trust you? I don’t know anything about you, except you all clearly know more about me than I’m fortable with.”

  Anthony chuckled from his spot near Nero, arms crossed. “You’re not in a position to question who you trust, Doot after what happeoday.”

  Banner shot him a gre. “Trust isly something I afford to just hand out, either.”

  Nero gave a shh. “Fair enough. But let’s be clear about ohing: this is a lifeline, not a free pass. We’re the only ones you a way to live without stantly looking over your shoulder, without w about the Hulk destroying the pce you end up in.” He tilted his head, watg Banner’s rea. “You’re exhausted from running, Bahat much is obvious.”

  Donald shifted, the faint crackle of green lightning dang around him. “And you’ve tried every ‘official’ route out there, haven’t you? But they treat you like a on, like a rabid dog they’d rather put down than help. We’re here to ge that.”

  Banner ched his fists, but he didn’t respond. He looked down, frustration and resignation in his face. The group’s words seemed to weigh on him.

  Banner looked up, his gaze shifting from Diego to Nero. “So, what do you get out of it, exactly? You say you’re helping out of the goodness of your hearts?” He let out a bitter ugh. “I’m not buying it.”

  Nero’s voice remained calm. “What we get is simple: trol. trol over a problem that could escate out of trol. The Hulk’s strength is impressive, but without discipli’s like giving a loaded on to a child.” He paused, letting the point sink in. “And that’s where you e in, Bahe only way to keep the Hulk in check is through you.”

  Banner’s expression softened slightly, though his eyes remained wary. “You’re saying you wao be... in trol?”

  Nero nodded. “That’s the idea. With time, and with our help, you’d learn how to coexist with the Hulk. Not to dominate him, but to live in tandem with him. No more bckouts, no more waking up to destru. Just a way to keep that part of yourself in check.”

  Banner g Nigel, studying him. “And you really think this work?”

  Nigel gave a short nod. “If you’re itted, yes. But it’s not a quick fix. This takes time, and a level of trust.”

  Diego leaned in, smirking. “And a little faith, Doething tells me you could use some of that.”

  Banner gave him a wary look. “Faith? That’s rich, ing from a masked stranger who’s apparently running this whole operation.”

  Nero raised a brow, unimpressed. “sider it pragmatism. You just told us you’ve tried putting a bullet in your own mouth because you’re that tired of running.” He paused, eyes gleaming brighter. “So what have you got left to lose?”

  Baayed silent, his gaze shifting to the ground. Nero had hit a nerve, and it showed iiffness of his posture, the slight ch of his jaw.

  Banner exhaled, his shoulders drooping as if all the fight had go of him. "Fine. Do what you o do," he muttered. "I’ll cooperate."

  Nero gave a quiod, then looked to the others. “Rain,” he began, gng at Sofia, “wash away the anger and bridge them together, thee a calm enviro in Mist's illusion world. Mist,” he turo Maria, “use your powers to create a medium where the teak. Cloud,” he sigo Nigel, “limit the fight in that illusion realm so they ’t shout, fight, or smash. Lightning,” he motioo Donald, “strengthen Banner’s mind and will so he doesn’t lose trol easily. And finally, Sun,” he turo Anthony, “bring some light to Hulk’s world so he doesn’t have to live in the dark.”

  Diego raised a hand with a grin. “And what about me?”

  Nered. “Watch them. Awesomely.”

  Diego threw him a mock salute, grinning. " do, boss."

  Sofia stepped forward, reag out her hand as the Rain Ring on her finger began to glow with a soft, tranquil blue light. She closed her eyes, fog as a faint, cool vapor surrouhem, washing over Banner in waves, calming the tension that still held his muscles tight. The vapor seeped into him, like water easing over a fire, and Banner's jaw unched, his shoulders dropping slightly.

  With a quiet nod to Sofia, Maria joined in, the Mist Ring on her finger glimmering. She extended her hand toward Banner, and ahereal yer of shimmering energy formed around them. Banner blinked as the world around him began to fade, repced by a quiet, serene ndscape, almost like a peaceful forest under a twilight sky. In the heart of the illusion, a small clearing appeared, and within it, a siurdy table and two chairs.

  Maria turo Nigel, giving him a small nod. He stepped forward, and the Cl on his haed a subtle, steady pulse of light. He pced his hand over Banner's heart, fog as an invisible barrier settled over the realm. The ambient sounds softened, and even the fairemor in the illusion was hushed, tained.

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