Chapter 13

A few months have passed since the Hulk and his young friend Erin were inducted into the Justice League. While he has settled into a begrudging rapport with his new teammates, a special bond has formed between him and the fearless blonde bombshell, Black Canary

Whether it's chatting over meal times, hitting the training room together, or just casual hangouts - Hulk has found himself thoroughly enamored with Canary

While the Hulk has settled into a comfortable routine of training, missions, and the occasional bout of controlled demolition, the fearless little girl has certainly kept things...interesting

As Black Canary enters the Watchtower's communal lounge area fresh from her daily workout, she's immediately struck by an eerie silence. Normally the bustling lounge is filled with idle League chatter and recreation, but today it's deserted

(muttering) "That's weird...maybe there was a call for an emergency mission briefing?" Black Canary said

Her suspicions are immediately heightened as a strange noise reaches her ears - almost like a faint rumbling or...laughter. Stifled giggling echoing from somewhere down the corridor?

 (calling out) "Alright, what's going on here? If this is Plastic Man's idea of a joke again, so help me--" Black Canary said

She rounds the corner only to have her boot suddenly snag on some kind of nearly invisible trip-wire! Before the seasoned fighter can even react, a torrent of multicolored foam erupts from the ceiling in a high-pressure blast

Black Canary cries out in shock as the sticky deluge completely engulfs her, quickly hardening into an unyielding foam prison! She immediately begins using her Canary Cry to try and vibrate free, but the specialized compound seems impervious

(sputtering) "What the--?! Who's responsible for this?!?" Black Canary yelled

As if on cue, the pitter-patter of small footsteps comes racing around the corner, until Erin's beaming face appears. She's clutching a remote control, practically vibrating with glee

"Hahaha! The super silly string slammer worked! You fell for it, Miss Canary!" Erin laughed

Black Canary's eyes go wide at the realization she's been had by an 8-year old's prank. But before she can even respond, a much larger figure emerges into view - the Hulk hunched over and audibly wheezing from barely restrained bellows of laughter

"BWAHAHA!! Oh man, you should've seen the stupid look on your face! Priceless!!" Hulk laughed

He lumbers over to loom smugly in front of the hopelessly trapped heroine, giving her foam prison a few mocking pokes with one finger as Erin doubles over giggling madly

"We totally got her, Mr. Hulk! I told you this was the perfect way to welcome Miss Canary back!" Erin said

(tone dangerously low) "Hulk...Erin...you two had better start running right--" Black Canary said before getting interupted

(scoffing loudly) "Or what? You gonna scream even louder and make Hulk's ears ring? Too bad, Loud Girl, but you're the one stuck this time!" Hulk yelled

With a gleam in his eye, the Hulk winds up and delivers an incredibly gentle flick of his finger right to Canary's foam-encased nose. A surprisingly solid "THUNK" echoes through the corridor

Yup! Puny human hero ain't goin' nowhere until Hulk says so! Bet you're wishing you took me up on those "channeling" lessons after all, huh?" Hulk questioned

Black Canary's glare could melt steel at this point, but amazingly she remains reasonably calm. Taking a slow, steadying breath, she offers the smugly triumphant duo a wry grin

 "Well well, you two...I have to admit, nicely played. Wasn't expecting the unstoppable Hulk and his tiny accomplice to go for such an...unconventional sneak attack" Black Canary said

She leans in as much as her foam prison will allow, eyes glinting with a mixture of mirth and challenge

 "But if you think this is enough to keep me down for long? You're sorely mistaken you two. The only question is how much longer you plan on gloating before the real fight starts!" Black Canary said

There's a pause as her words sink in. Erin suddenly looks slightly less confident, chewing her lip and nudging the Hulk's calf uncertainly

"Uhh...maybe we should just let her go, Mr. Hulk? Before she gets real mad?" Erin said

But the Hulk simply crosses his arms defiantly with that same cocksure sneer, utterly unfazed by Canary's bravado

"Her bark is way worse than her bite, puny fangs. Hulk's heard all the dumb "I'm gonna get free any second" threats before!" Hulk said confidently

With a sudden burst of motion, he seizes the nearest heavy table and hurls it straight at the trapped heroine! Black Canary tenses instinctively--only to exhale shakily as the mass slams against her protective foam with a dull WHUMP

(laughing uproariously) "Oh man, this stuff really DOES work! Not so loud and mouthy now that you can't even bust a chair, huh?" Hulk said

While Erin giggles nervously behind him, the Hulk lumbers forward until he's face to face with his immobilized prey. He leans down until they're nearly nose to nose, his savage grin near-feral

"You're STUCK, Loud Girl...time to face facts. There's no amount of silly screaming or trick moves gonna get you outta this one! Hulk's won and--" Hulk said before getting interrupted

(abruptly) "Checkmate" Black Canary said with a smirk

Before the Hulk can even process her. twin beams of searing ruby light lance out, carving an escape path straight through the hardened foam! Canary gets free, landing in a springing crouch as the shredded remnants cascade away!

 (jolting back) "What the--?! How the--?!" Hulk questioned

As a figure descends from the ceiling, Black Canary's triumphant smirk grows even wider. She confidently blows a stray lock of hair from her face as the red-caped figure joins her side

"I have to admit you two - your prank itself was pretty inspired. You just failed to consider one key factor" Black Canary said

 (crossing his arms) "Like the fact that she radioed ahead for backup the second that trap was sprung? Nice hustle on that one, Canary" Superman said

Erin's face falls in shock and dismay as the realization sets in how thoroughly they've been outmaneuvered. But to everyone's surprise, the Hulk suddenly bellows out another thunderous peal of laughter!

"Bwahahaha!! Well I'll be! Loud Girl finally learned a little strategy! Gotta hand it to ya, that was pretty clever..." Hulk laughed

He ruffles Erin's hair affectionately as her worried pout turns into a bashful grin. Even Superman seems pleasantly caught off-guard by the Hulk's easygoing response

 "...but don't think Hulk's gonna go easy next time. Pranks are serious business! And you just bought yourself a lifetime of VENGEANCE, Loud Girl!" Hulk said

 (grinning) "Wouldn't have it any other way, big guy. Though maybe let's skip the property damage and concussions next round, hm?" Black Canary said

As the pair share an amicable fist-bump and Superman shakes his head bemusedly, Erin can't help but pipe up hopefully

"So...I don't get in trouble this time? Since our prank was so good?" Erin questioned

(winking conspiratorially) "Are you kidding? After that kind of ingenuity, you just earned yourself a one-way ticket into Disneyworld" Black Canary said

(hoisting Erin up onto his shoulders) "But next time? Not even Loud Girl's silly prank club is gonna be able to save her!" Hulk said

Laughing in relief, Erin cheers and wraps her arms around the Hulk's craggy head as he stomps off proudly, already brainstorming payback schemes. Black Canary watches them go with a fond smile

 "Well...another perfectly ordinary day" Black Canary said

(chuckling) "Something like that. Just be glad it's a slow week - those two have enough energy to burn down the whole Watchtower otherwise" Superman said

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