Chapter 26 - Containment of the Hulk

"It's gonna be a whole new sensation" 

Sterns said as he watched the tubes filling with liquid and entering Bruce's body, while Sara, alert, also watched the situation from a corner. If things got out of control, she was ready to intervene with brute force to calm the situation.

"The dialysis machine will allow the antidote to circulate through your body, ensuring it takes effect before reaching the peak of the reaction" 

Sterns continued his scientific explanation of the situation. Sara and Prime, a bit apart, watched the scene cautiously and attentively, aware that if something went wrong, the green monster could reappear.

"Do you believe there are real chances of success in this?" 

Prime, upon hearing Sara's question, pondered the situation. Honestly, he didn't fully believe in the success of this endeavor. Bruce was a renowned genius, and if he couldn't develop the cure, Prime doubted anyone else would succeed. After all, Bruce had turned into what he was working on. If anyone had information about what that thing was, it would surely be him, at least that's how Prime thought.

(I have no idea. Exposure to gamma radiation must have messed with his DNA. Instead of curing him, I think we should hope he doesn't suffer any aftereffects)

Watching closely, Sara fixed her thoughtful gaze on Bruce, while the red liquid continued to flow continuously into his body through the dialysis machine.

"By the way, can't you alter cells and stuff? Couldn't you heal him?" 

Prime understood why Sara thought that way, but in reality, his powers didn't work exactly as she imagined; in fact, there were several limitations he himself was unaware of.

(That wouldn't work. When I bond with a host, I basically assimilate my cells with theirs. In short, I alter my cells to fit the new host, but I can't modify the host's own cells)

Upon hearing this, Sara expressed a puzzled expression on her face and inquired. 

"However, didn't you alter the symbiote's characteristics with Drake to make it vulnerable to fire?"

Reflecting on the matter, Prime didn't take much time to offer his response. 

(Despite having its own consciousness, it can still be considered a clone of mine. It shared the same cells as me, making modification easier. However, each person has a slightly unique genetic composition. While I can adjust my cells as needed, I can't perform the same procedure on my host)

Absorbing Prime's explanation, Sara was convinced; after all, she could tell when he was lying, and this didn't seem to be the case. Returning her gaze to the situation, Sara and Prime discreetly positioned themselves in the corner, awaiting the results.

"We're ready, let's take it easy" 

Sterns said as he picked up something and placed it on Bruce's forehead. Then, he took something resembling two earphones and scanned the room.

"Wonderful, is it ready to start?" 

Hearing these words, Bruce cast a brief glance at Sara, who just nodded. Then, looking at Sterns, Bruce gestured that they could proceed.

With a slight discharge noise emitted by the devices in Sterns' hands, he quickly electrocuted Bruce's head, triggering the expected reaction. In response, Bruce began to wriggle in the chair, as if trying to escape.

Bruce's eyes quickly took on a shade of green, with vibrant green veins emerging all over his body. The transformation began in his left arm, and Bruce started to undergo a metamorphosis. Slowly, his body increased in size as he writhed in the chair.

Witnessing this spectacle, Sterns turned hastily in an attempt to shut down the machine, assuming the reaction had reached its peak, but he was interrupted by Elizabeth.

"Wait, it's not over yet" 

Said Elizabeth. The scene returned to Bruce, who continued to grow, gaining more strength. It reached the point where his restraints became ineffective as he easily broke free. His chair was also now destroyed, unable to bear his growing weight.

"Now, inject it now" 

However, faced with this situation, all Sterns could do was marvel, amazed and with a smile, at what unfolded before him. To Sterns, something unprecedented was about to happen, something he considered almost divine.

At that moment, Sara approached Sterns, grabbing his collar and expanding until she reached a size sufficient to confront him from top to bottom.

"Proceed immediately" 

She said. Uttering these words, Sterns finally reacted, initiating the machine process. Simultaneously, Prime leaped onto the transformed Bruce, using its tentacles to restrain him.

This Bruce was far from comparing to the Bruce that Prime had faced in the university before. As Prime could discern, Bruce's transformation had not yet been completed.

(About fifty percent, probably)

Simultaneously, Sterns operated the machine, and after some minor complications, a purple liquid began to be injected into Bruce. Gradually, Bruce began to calm down, and his body started a process of reduction until he returned to normal. Getting off Bruce, Prime also reverted its transformation and watched alongside Sara as Elizabeth tried to wake him.

"Bruce... Bruce, can you hear me?"

Realizing Bruce's lack of response, Elizabeth was overtaken by an evident fear for Sara. It was clear that she truly harbored deep love for Bruce. Suddenly, Bruce opened his eyes, surveying the surroundings while taking deep breaths.

"It's okay... everything will be okay" 

Bruce could only look around with a confused expression, seemingly not recognizing where he was.

"You did it, Bruce" 

Upon realizing this, Sara also gave a small smile. On the other hand, Sterns seemed even more amazed by the series of events.

"He's okay... and fantastic" 

Showing signs of recovery, Bruce turned his gaze attentively to Elizabeth, displaying a faint smile.

"Hi" 

Hearing this, Elizabeth responded with a smile. After this brief exchange, Bruce turned to the side where Sara was and expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you. Although I don't remember much, it seems like you helped me"