Red Giant - Betty

Authors Note-

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Ever since Kerry received the Pym particle, he has launched many satellites into space for global monitoring, keeping a watchful eye on Earth, especially big cities. This excessive monitoring has led to the capture of every strange event.

While relaxing alone in the suburbs, Betty Ross narrowly avoided getting hit by a car. In that life-or-death moment, a hidden power within her body surged, transforming her into a giant red figure over two meters tall. This powerful giant effortlessly flipped the car.

Witnessing this scene, Ivan was utterly confused. He knew about her past contamination with Hulk's blood, but this power had remained dormant within her until now.

Red Queen, who usually reports such events to Ivan, had yet to do so this time. Ivan had been busy training, improving his strength, experimenting, and keeping tabs on Iron Man. The Red Queen, lacking a sense of urgency about Betty's transformation, had yet to bring it to his attention.

Terrified by this unexpected mutation, Betty rushed to her father for help.

General Ross, the brutal military leader, would typically report such a case to the White House and conduct experiments to explore creating more Red Giants for national power. However, Betty was his daughter. He couldn't bear to send her to a lab. Torn between duty and family, he ultimately chose to hide the truth.

To protect Betty, he went to great lengths to fabricate her medical records, making it appear she died from illness. He then arranged for her to live in hiding on a remote farm. Thankfully, Betty's mutation seemed harmless and controllable. She wouldn't be discovered if she didn't actively transform.

This incident triggered a fierce internal conflict within the iron-blooded general, who had dedicated his life to strength and national service. His love for his daughter overshadowed his duty for the first time.

General Ross naturally suspected the Hulk's blood caused the mutation. His existing dislike for Bruce Banner intensified. When Bruce called, Ross lied and told him Betty had died of illness, pushing Bruce to the brink of suicide. Thankfully, the Hulk emerged, preventing a tragedy.

"Alright, Bruce," Ivan began, "I know your situation with Betty. I have two pieces of news, good and bad. The good news is that Betty is alive."

"What? Betty's alive? Where is she? Why did her father tell me... oh! I can guess why, but I checked with the local department, and Betty was listed as deceased!"

Bruce, overwhelmed with joy, grabbed Ivan's hand and shook it vigorously. His eye began to turn green with rising emotions.

"Easy there, Bruce, easy!" Ivan soothed him, fearing the Hulk might appear and jeopardize their deal.

"Let me elaborate," Ivan began, "but first, we need to discuss our deal. Originally, resurrection would've cost your soul. Since Betty's alive, the terms need to change."

Bruce forced himself to calm down, a flicker of anger replacing his desperation. "Tell me your conditions," he said, his voice firm.

"You can pay one year of your life for each question or five years at once for the full story. I assure you, I know everything about Betty."

"Five years!" Bruce declared without hesitation. Asking questions one by one could be endless. Besides, the Hulk's strength granted him immense vitality. Five years was a small price.

"Excellent choice!" Ivan scooped a handful of dirt, manipulating it with his powerful telekinesis. The dust morphed into a series of images. The first showed Bruce and Betty seeking Dr. Samuel's help to remove the Hulk. The scene shifted, showing General Ross capturing Bruce and Betty's accidental contamination with Hulk's blood.

The following image displayed Betty on a rural road, a car speeding towards her. Fear contorted her face as she screamed. Her body swelled, clothes ripping apart, transforming her into a red giant over two meters tall. She effortlessly swatted the car away.

Panicked, the giant Betty sprinted at speeds surpassing any car, vanishing into hiding. She contacted her father, who then faked her death and relocated her to a remote town.

Several images paused before Bruce, one showcasing Betty's transformed state. Unlike the hulking monstrosity Bruce became, Betty retained her beauty even as a giant. Her clothes strained against her enhanced physique, accentuating her curves. Bruce's heart hammered in his chest under Ivan's observation, a subtle sniff escaping him.

"Don't stare," Ivan scoffed.

"Ahem!" Bruce coughed, clearing his throat in embarrassment. He understood Betty's transformation was his fault. No wonder her father kept her being alive a secret.

"Is this the bad news? Betty became a monster because of my blood?"

"Monster? No, no! I see it as an evolution, beautiful even. But here's the real dilemma: Betty might be exposed. General Ross covered his tracks, but powerful individuals can sniff out clues. Someone's watching him. Your girlfriend could be captured and experimented on. Blood could be drawn, bone marrow extracted, or even dissected. Her controllable transformation is far more valuable than the uncontrollable Hulk."

Bruce erupted in a surge of. Green tinged his skin as his body began to bulk up.

"Calm down!" Ivan roared, grabbing Bruce's transforming arm and activating his absorption ability. Like a black hole, it drained the energy fueling Bruce's transformation.

Deflated, Bruce slumped back, drained. "Let me go! Betty's in danger; I have to save her!"

Even though there was no strength left in his body at the end, Bruce still struggled and wanted to stand up.

"Relax," Ivan soothed, "your girlfriend's safe for now. General Ross, your father-in-law, is a clever man. He anticipated the worst, erasing all traces and even coaching your girlfriend to avoid contact with certain people. While some may suspect him, they lack concrete evidence. Plus, his reputation as a respected general discourages rash actions against him. However, if you intervene, things change. You can't control the Hulk, and who knows what could happen? The Hulk might emerge, unrecognizing anyone, and even accidentally harm Betty."

Ivan's words struck Bruce like a blow to the heart. It was a harsh truth – his lack of control endangered Betty. Having already caused her so much pain, what right did he have to bring more trouble?

Dejected, Bruce sighed, "What can I do then? Am I just supposed to stand by and watch Betty in danger?"

Seizing the opportunity, Ivan spoke in a tempting voice, "There might be another option. If you're willing to trade your soul, I can ensure a smooth resolution without repercussions."

"Sell my soul?" Bruce hesitated. Before, with Betty seemingly gone, he would've given anything, even his life, for her return. But now, knowing she was alive and there was hope, things were different. He didn't know the consequences of selling his soul, and making a deal with the devil rarely ended well. He had the resolve to say no.

"Tsk, tsk," Ivan clicked his tongue. "Indecision is a weakness. I prefer straightforward deals. Those built on deception hold no satisfaction. Very well, let's alter the terms. I'll help you control the Hulk within you. You handle the rest. In exchange, you'll complete three tasks for me: anything except dying. Even world destruction wouldn't be off-limits."

Despite his desire to save Betty, Bruce balked at Ivan's conditions. "I can't agree to things I don't know about. Saving Betty is one thing, but destroying the world or hurting innocent people is out of the question. I'm sure Betty wouldn't approve either."

"I'm impressed by your moral compass," Ivan conceded. 

"Alright, a new approach. You'll be able to complete seven tasks for me, all within your ethical boundaries, and I think you're doing nothing. Is it reasonable? Also, I'll waive the five-year lifespan reduction we talked about earlier. On top of that, I have a special gift that will greatly aid you in rescuing Betty."

Bruce pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement. This was a deal he could accept.