Bruce and Tony decided to just hike the trip back to Stark Tower, since it was so close. There were a few stares from employees who hadn't seen the boss in weeks, but it was relatively normal for that time of day. When they got into the elevator, Tony asked JARVIS to bring them to the main suite's floor, and he obliged.

Bruce and Tony stepped out of the elevator as the others stood up or straightened up at their arrival.

"So... we did it," Bruce said with a smile and showed Tony off.

"Yep. Plan worked like a charm." Tony said giving them a little spin so they could look him up and down.

"So that's it then? Loki's dead?" Pepper said with mild excitement and disbelief.

"Well, uh, no," Bruce said and scratched the back of his head. "We were only able to get Pride alone and Tony took him down. Lust and Loki are still out there."

"Actually, they don't even know that Pride and Wrath aren't theirs anymore," Tony said and went to pour himself a drink.

"We should keep it that way." Clint said. "The less Loki sees of our hand the better."

"Well." Tony said raising his glass. "Here's to phase one! Good job everybody. Look forward to working with you on phase two."

Bruce gave him a sidelong glance and smiled slightly. "Okay, Tony. What is 'Phase Two'."

"Well here's my plan." Tony said sitting down on the couch. "And feel free to chip in. But I say we keep up the whole game, I pretend to be Pride and you pretend to be me, Bruce. Then once we get all settled and Loki's least expecting it, we shank him though the heart and hope for the best."

"I don't know, Tony," Bruce said with a sigh. "I mean, Loki's psychotic, but he's not stupid. He's going to figure it out."

"I would be surprised if he hasn't already." Steven added.

"Then why hasn't he come charging through that door?" Tony asked as he pointed to the elevator with his drink in his hand.

"Because he likely wants' us to think that we don't know he knows." Steven sighed. "So long as we think we are in control he will have the upper hand."

"It could be true, Tony," Bruce said as he sat down on the couch. We really should think about that.

"Then what should we do then?" Tony sighed and took more of his drink. "Cause that was my plan..."

Bruce yawned and rubbed his face. "I don't know. I just...can't think of anything right now."

"Well you can't stay here too long." Natasha said looking around the room. "Loki will expect you back eventually."

"Yeah, Loki sent us out for a night on the town with Pride." Tony sighed. "Well, let's go pose for the camera's Brucey so that we have proof of our exploits."

Bruce groaned and got up. "As you command."

Tony looked annoyingly at Bruce. "No...No don't do that. You're creeping me out."

"As you wish." Bruce stopped in his tracks and looked at Tony confusingly.

"Seriously Bruce, knock it off."

"I will obey," Bruce started to look a bit fearful. "Tony?"

"Bruce, what's the matter with you?" Tony asked slightly annoyed.

"I... can't stop."

Bruce looked up in horror and turned to the group. "Quick... one of you ask me to do something."

"Jump." Natasha said sternly.

Bruce just stood there. He turned to Tony. "Oh... I...I remember now."

"Oh, right... I used Pride's power to order you to listen to me and only me..." Tony sighed but then a smile formed on his face. "This could be a good thing."

Bruce took a step back. "I...Tony, w-what are you planning to do?" he stammered.

"Nothing for now. But this should keep Loki from suspecting too much. I mean Pride was trying to control you from the start."

"But Pride couldn't control me when you were there!" Bruce argued. "How can we just go up to him and tell him that Pride can control Wrath fully now even with you still being Wrath?"

"True... True..." Tony trailed off in thought for a minute. "Well... what if you were the other guy? Loki's power is stronger then."

"No," Bruce answered immediately. "Whatever plan you're concocting in your head, he has nothing to do with it if I can help it."

"Not him exactly, but his body, well your body." Tony took a step closer. "What if I had you look like him, make you change but you still be you. That way Loki would just think that I ordered you to be quiet or something."

"I...I'm not sure about this."

"Are you nuts?" Steven interrupted. "One flub and the whole mission could be ruined," he looked at Bruce. "No offense."

"What's there to mess up?" Tony asked. "He'll just look like the Hulk. His mind will still be in control. I'll make sure of it." Tony's eyes flashed a blue light as he said it.

"I don't think my handle on Wrath is that good... nor is yours as good on Pride yet," Bruce said quietly.

"It's not that bad of an idea, is it?" Tony sighed and looked at the group. "I'm not sure of what else we can do."

"I'm not sure either," Bruce said. "The thing is, it's just really dangerous. It might just be too risky."

"Come on, Bruce." Tony put an arm around the man. "I believe in you."

"I know you do... the intensity of how much you believe in me is the problem."

"Then we won't have a problem." Tony smiled. "Come on, we'll practice." Tony took a few steps away from Bruce. "You ready?"

"Here?! Around the others and in one of the most populated cities on Earth?!" Bruce asked incredulously.

"Don't worry, we still have to hit the town first." Tony smiled. "But we'll start small." Tony looked at Bruce sternly. "Bruce-And only Bruce, you are free to defy me at any time. The Hulk is still bound to my word."

Bruce closed his eyes and let out a sigh. "Thank you," he looked up at him. "Let's get going."

"Right." Tony nodded and turned to the door. "Oh, wait. Steven. Can you teach me to teleport real quick? Pride can teleport, and if we are going to sell this I should probably know how."

"A fine idea, Star-Tony," Steven corrected. He walked over to him and put a hand to Tony's head. A bright, shining light grew in intensity until it finally vanished. Steven stepped away. "It's done."

"Really?" Tony said rubbing his head a little. "Just like that?"

"I gave you the knowledge on how I can do it. It should be the same." Steven gave Tony a smile. "Consider it a thank you for the shield."

Tony smirked. "No hay de qué, feather-butt." Tony walked over to Bruce. "Okay, the parents have some work to do. Be good while we're gone!" He grabbed Bruce and they vanished.

After a rocky landing from Tony's teleportation they ended up at the Vegas Strip. A few hours in Sin City was a sure-fire way to get in the papers, especially after Bruce made a few anonymous tips to the tabloids about their exploits. For the most part Tony believed they did a good job in their respective roles. Tony only gave Bruce one order as Pride, which was to relax in the crowded casino so that he would look more confident for the camera's. After winning and mostly losing money gambling and playing cards, Tony brought two girls back to the most expensive hotel room they could find and paid them to say that they did the worst things imaginable that night when they left after a few hours. It was nearly three in the morning when they were alone in the hotel room.

"So... that was...fun?" Bruce said, a teasing smile forming on his lips.

"I think that was the first time I've managed to get you to have fun." Tony laughed. "How long has it been since you last enjoyed yourself?"

"Ah, don't get me started on that one... you commanded me to relax, right?"

"I suppose I did." Tony sighed finishing off his glass of wine. "So, I suppose we need to get down to business then, now that we got the photo-op out of the way."

"Agreed. Do you think Loki is still in the same area?"

"I don't see why he would move if Pride was still out." Tony sighed and looked to Bruce deep in thought.

"Then we might as well get going. Mind giving me a lift?"

"Not yet." Tony said quickly, still looking at Bruce. "We should wait until morning; rest up a bit. Besides, we have to practice." Tony squinted his eyes and then suddenly smiled. "Oo! Go look in a mirror!"

Bruce shot up from his chair nervously and ran to the bathroom. His eyes were glowing bright green.

Bruce grabbed at his face, starting to sweat. "T-Tony?! What are you doing?!"

"I think I can send out orders with my mind." Tony said walking into the bathroom. "Don't worry, you can get rid of it if you want. If I got the wording right you should be able to flash between them at will too. Just a nice little scare tactic you can use."

Bruce closed his eyes and opened them again, his eyes normal once more. He let out a breath and leaned onto the counter. He turned his head to Tony. "A little warning would've been nice."

"But I had to make sure I could send orders silently." Tony grumbled. "This way I might be able to control Lust without Loki knowing."

Bruce rubbed his face, letting out another sigh as he walked out of the bathroom and sat on his bed. "I know... it's just," Bruce frowned. "That was absolutely terrifying."

Tony rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry, I should have known better... I've been in your head after all."

"It's...it's okay... you're only doing it for the best intentions, right?" Bruce tried to offer a small smile. "Thanks for the...scare tactic though. I'm sure it'll come in handy."

"Yeah." Tony smiled. "Come on, give me your scary face."

Bruce let out a breathy laugh and looked down, closing his eyes. He suddenly snapped his head up, eyes glowing green and glaring.

Tony laughed. "Ooo, scary. Any other super powers you want?"

"The power to keep my grip on Wrath would be amazing, but I doubt that," Bruce said as his eyes started to return to normal.

"Could not hurt to try." Tony shrugged. "You want me to try?"

"Not in Vegas, in case things go sour," Bruce said. He let out another sigh. "Can I be honest with you? Changing into that...that thing... is the most horrific experience I've ever physically felt. I'm a bit..." Bruce let out a laugh. "Well, I'm terrified of even the thought of changing. I don't know if that's how you felt...when it happened to you, so its kind of embarrassing to say that since it makes me sound so...weak."

"Honestly when it happened I did not even notice." Tony sighed. "Suddenly I was taller and stronger. And then I lost control."

"Oh... I see."

They sat in silence for a few moments until Bruce suddenly slapped his knees and stood up, making Tony jump. "Well, I guess it can't help being a whiner all of the time," Bruce said. "Let's go somewhere to practice."

"Well what peppy spirit got into you?" Tony laughed standing up as well.

"Well, it's time that I stop complaining and start trying to face things head on, right?"

"I guess so. It just seems out of character that's all." Tony put a hand on Bruce's shoulder. "Where do you wanna go?"

"Let's go somewhere abandoned... far from where people and Loki can find us...just in case."

"The Sahara? Or Siberia? Or Death Valley?"

"Let's not go into a place that would kill us by its own nature. Any warehouses nearby?"

"We can go to Clint's warehouse. That's the only one I know of."

"Oh... yeah... Thor and I forgot to tell him about what happened last time," Bruce looked away and scratched his head.

"What, it's still standing right?"

"Y-yeah... I... it might be easier to see rather than explain."

Tony shrugged. "Okay, as long as it's still standing, I suppose it will work. Hold on. I'm still not used to this."

They landed with less of a thud than before but it was still shaky. Tony looked around a slightly destroyed warehouse and gave a whistle. "You two really went to town on this place.

"Oh, give Thor a bit more credit," Bruce muttered as he got up and dusted himself off. He went over to Tony and handed him his glasses and then started to unbutton his shirt when he frowned. "I just realized that I'm still wearing good pants and I'm going to ruin them."

"Want me to pop back to the tower and get you some sweat pants?"

"No, I'd rather you not get caught being around the tower if Loki decides to check in," Bruce said. "So...sorry...going to have to ruin the pants," Bruce continued to unbutton his shirt, his face remaining indifferent.

"Eh, I'll get you a nice, tailored one later." Tony shrugged. "Ready to rumble?"

Bruce folded his shirt and placed it on the ground and took a few steps back. "As much as I can be. Do whatever you wanted to try."

"Alright." Tony cleared his throat. "Bruce. I want you to look like the Hulk."

Bruce sighed and looked down, closing his eyes. He opened them, revealing bright green glowing against the white of his eyes. His skin started tingeing green from his fingertips, toes, and chest and started to bleed through the rest of the way, his skin showing shifting bones and muscles.

"Oh and I want this painless, Bruce." Tony added quickly. "If you so much as grunt I'll be mad."

Bruce nodded tightly and the transition seemed to flow perfectly smooth albeit the cracks and pops that came out, as if turning into a muscular giant was a normal occurrence. Soon, the Hulk stood in front of Tony, only the sounds of his breathing were audible in the room.

"Bruce?" Tony asked slowly. "You feeling okay?"

The creature opened his mouth and started trying to make noises. "T-ony?" a gruff voice broke out from behind its lips. "Ar-are you okay? Did it... did it work?"

"Looks like it worked." Tony smiled. "You all there in the head?"

"I... think so?" Bruce wondered as he brought a hand up to his face. He squinted his eyes and moved the hand closer and farther away until his eyes widened. "Oh my God... it...actually worked..."

"See, I told you that you could do it." Tony smiled and walked up to the massive man. "How do you feel?"

Bruce suddenly noticed how small Tony was now. "...Taller." He looked around the room. "Stronger... a bit nervous."

"Do I need to order you to relax again?" Tony laughed. "Do you think you are as strong as the real other guy?"

Bruce scratched the back of his head. "I should have just reasons to be nervous," he muttered. He looked back over at Tony. "I'm not...sure. I mean, I don't want to break Clint's stuff more than I already have."

Tony held out his arms. "Come on, pick me up. I'll be fine. I'll trust you." Bruce gave Tony a face. "Come on, I want to be tall."

Bruce hesitantly let a single, shaky arm down to Tony's level and opened his palm. Tony sat down and tapped Bruce's palm.

"Up-up, King-Kong."

Bruce grimaced, but quickly changed into a smile and very slowly raised his palm up to his level, curling his fingers for Tony to grab onto.

"Whoa!" Tony shouted once Bruce stopped moving. "That seemed easy enough. So you can lift someone up no problem. That means you can chuck bean pole Loki like a twig."

"If he can't control me like Pride can," Bruce added and started to bring Tony down.

"Hey, you're still under orders to only listen to me." Tony said as he jumped off of Bruce's hand. "And you have your own free will over my command. You should be safe."

"I-I guess so," he said, after letting out a sigh from Tony's reckless jump. "So...is there any other way you want to test strength?"

"I don't know..." Tony looked around. "Let's see if you can pull out a tree from outside."

Tony led him to the doorway and opened the doors. "Watch your head, big guy." Bruce ducked and followed him into the darkness outside.

"What do you want me to pull out?"

"How 'bout that big one over there." Tony pointed to a large oak tree a few yards away. "That looks like it would be a challenge."

Bruce looked over there and nodded, lumbering his way over to it. He wrapped his arms around the large trunk and started yanking it up. Dirt started to shoot everywhere as the roots were pulled out from the ground and finally, with a grunt, Bruce pulled the tree out and lifted it over his head. He looked over at Tony and gave him a smile. "Um...ta-da?"

Tony applauded slowly with wide eyes. "Wow! That's amazing."

Bruce grinned and threw the tree down, a large thud resounding and vibrating the earth. He looked down in surprise, and his smile grew even bigger. He raised a fist and slammed it into the middle of the tree bark, cutting cleanly through the whole trunk. He pulled his hand out and looked at the perfect hole and let out a laugh.

Tony clapped faster. "Nice one!"

Bruce turned and slammed his fist into another tree, his arm going right through it. He tried to pull back his arm, but it got stuck. He let out a snarl and grabbed the tree, pulling it up from the ground and then slamming it into the ground several times until it splintered into pieces. He turned his head swiftly towards a large boulder and slammed both arms vertically into it repeatedly, breaking it into smaller and smaller pieces.

Tony took a small step back, slightly nervous. "Okay, Bruce...That's enough..."

Bruce seemed to ignore him, turning to more trees and stones and slamming into them, all the while snarling and roaring.

"Ah, Bruce..." Tony took another step back. "Bruce? Can you hear me, buddy? You've broken enough trees. Think of the squirrels, man!"

Bruce looked at the new clearing, swiftly turning his head around for something more to destroy, his breathing deep and ragged. When he saw nothing, he let out a sickeningly loud roar and started away from the warehouse.

"Bruce!" Tony shouted and started to run after the man, but was falling behind. Tony concentrated and teleported forward to catch up. "Bruce! You need to calm down okay?" Tony warped forward more. "Clint's going to be pissed you broke his forest. He loved jumping through the trees like a ninja."

The green man stopped and looked down at the man. He started to shake in anger and then raised his fist down to grab him.

"Bruce?" Tony asked softly as the giant grabbed him.

He pulled him to his face and roared at him. He threw Tony towards the ground, but Tony luckily teleported behind him before he hit the earth.

"Not cool, Bruce!" Tony shouted in anger. "Not cool."

The creature turned around and stared down at Tony. "Little Man should be in ground! Hulk SMASH LITTLE MAN!" Wrath forced down his fists onto Tony, but instead they became buried in the ground, as Tony had transported once more.

"Look I get it; you're on a power trip. But it's time to calm down!" Tony commanded with a blue glint in his eye.

Hulk grabbed onto his head and let out a roar that soon melded into a dull groan. He started to shrink down as he staggered towards Tony. By the time he reached him, he was back to Bruce's size; his skin blushed in green patches and his eyes a dull, non-glowing green. His eyes rolled into the back of his head as he fell onto his knees and then onto the ground, unconscious.

"Bruce!" Tony shouted, falling to catch Bruce. "Hey, it's not good to faint twice in the same day. Wake up."

A groggy groan came out of his throat as he opened his eyes, the dull green still present. "Wrath does...what Pride commands."

"Shit Bruce, I told you to knock that off." Tony laughed, pleased that his friend was awake. "Are you okay?"

"Not... not Banner. Pride say calm, Wrath calm."

Tony glared down at the man. "I want to talk to Bruce."

"Wrath only listen to Pride," Wrath coughed. "Wrath not like Banner."

"I am Pride!" Tony shouted with gleaming blue eyes. "And I demand to speak to Banner!"

Bruce suddenly let out a gasp, his skin and eyes returning to its normal tinge as he sat up and fell into a coughing fit.

"Bruce!" Tony asked straightening the man. "Are you okay? Is it really you this time?"

Bruce was able to stop coughing and let out in a dusty voice. "T-Tony? Is that y-you? Everything is blurry... where are my glasses?"

"Back at the warehouse I think. Hold on." Tony closed his eyes and suddenly they were back. Tony looked around and found Bruce's glasses and handed them to the man. "I'm so sorry Bruce...I shouldn't have pushed you."

Bruce rubbed his eyes and then grabbed for his glasses, putting them back on his face. "What... what happened? I... I changed and I was outside, testing my strength, and then I..." his eyes widened. "Oh my God, I don't remember." he looked at Tony, panicked. "Are you alright?! Are you hurt?!"

"Aw, you can't hurt me. You broke a few bird houses, but nothing too bad."

Bruce's panicked expression went from relief to suspicion in an instant. "Bird houses. That's why you seemed panicked. They were just bird houses."

"Well, they may have been less of birdhouses and more the trees they were attached to."

"Let's put it this way: you put lumberjacks to shame."

Bruce looked down at the ground and his expression changed to that of determination. He pulled himself up from the ground and started to shakily march outside.

"No one got hurt, Bruce. Please keep that in mind."

Bruce stopped at the doors and gave one final breath before he pushed open the doors. He looked out at the destruction around the warehouse and took an unsteady step outside, his face blank. Tony followed him nervously.

"You said that I... that I didn't hurt anyone, right?"

"Just spooked Bambi." Tony said with his best PR smile to try to keep Bruce calm.

Bruce looked over at Tony and gave a soft smile. "Then, thank you...for keeping your promise I mean. ...About the other guy."

"I didn't do anything really." Tony shrugged. "For a while I thought you were just blowing off steam, testing your strength and what have you. It took me too long to realize the other guy was out to play."

"You stopped it, right?" Bruce said. "You stopped it before I could run off and hurt anyone, right?"

"Well yeah. I couldn't have you break the neighborhood. It's a nice area." Tony looked out at the new valley. "Might just get a house for you out here if you want... once all this is over."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves..." Bruce sighed and rubbed his face. "Speaking of which, I was thinking about how we could use this for ourselves against Loki. I mean, he kept going on to Pride about how you would lose to Wrath eventually. If by the chance that I... do lose control at some point, then it could help prove our case, right?"

"What are you saying?" Tony asked with a smile. "You got a plan?"

"In a way... it's more like its adding to your plan about convincing Loki that we're on his side until we can kill him. Speaking of which, I'd rather get over there and find a way to kill him before he brings in more innocent people into this mess and makes more sins." He started walking back into the warehouse and slipped his shoes on his feet. He picked up his shirt and started buttoning it up.

"I spoke to Wrath for a bit." Tony mentioned while Bruce dressed. "He didn't say much...But he woke up before you..."

Bruce continued buttoning his shirt, "oh, you mean while he was smashing trees and rocks down? I'm sure that was an eloquent conversation."

"No, after I told him to calm down. He said you were different than him. His diction could use some work, but he seemed like a zombie. He was answering questions at least."

Bruce paused but didn't turn to look at him. "Oh. What was he saying?"

"Just that he only listens to Pride." Tony shrugged. "He scared the crap out of me... I thought you would not wake up."

"So... he was talking to you...even with my body back to normal?"

"Sure was. Your eyes were still green and you looked a bit green, but in general you were normal."

"Oh..." Bruce finished buttoning his shirt and turned back to him. "So, he can take my form like I can take his. That's... great. Just great." He looked at him. "Just, be careful Tony, with any of us sins. If we can control their power, they can control us. Make sure you know who you're talking to when it comes down to it."

"I think it'll be okay. He only responded because I ordered you to wake up. He just picked up the phone first."

Bruce frowned and stared off into space for a few moments. He turned back. "Let's get going...maybe pop into a shop and get better clothes for me so you can better act like Pride...And maybe dinner... and a nap...and some pain killers," Bruce stretched his back.

"Consider it done." Tony said walking up to Bruce. "We'll pop back to Vegas, get some room service and I'll get a tailor to whip you up something nice while you nap. Sound good?"

Bruce smiled and gave a small chuckle. "You're amazing."

"I know." Tony laughed and warped them back to the room with a wink.

Tony watched Bruce snore softly on the massive bed in the hotel room. He had barely made it through the measurements from the tailor and passed out right after he finished the room service. He looked like he was finally sleeping peacefully for the first time in a long time. Tony pulled out a desk chair and sat backwards facing the bed. Tony looked sternly at Bruce. "Wr...Wrath." Tony said hesitantly, coughing to clear his throat. "I want to talk to you. Keep Bruce asleep. He needs to rest."

Bruce skin started to glow in green patches and he looked like he had grown slightly bigger, but Bruce didn't make a noise. He opened dull, unnatural green eyes and looked up at Tony, but did not move from his lying position on the bed.

"Pride want this?" Wrath asked, softly.

"Yeah. That's okay." Tony said slowly and nervously. "I wanted to talk to you. How do you feel about Loki? And be honest."

"Hulk obey Pride," he started. "Loki...bring Hulk to life. Loki let Hulk free from Banner after long time."

His face contorted into anger, but he continued to let Bruce's body rest. "But Loki make Hulk Wrath. Loki make Hulk for Loki, not for Hulk. Loki tell Hulk that Hulk monster," he shook with anger, but still obeyed Tony and stayed on the bed.

"Easy buddy." Tony whispered. "It's okay. You said that you were not always Wrath? Loki made you that way?"

Hulk looked over and huffed at Tony. "Banner told little man; Hulk always there. Hulk born when Banner born."

Tony sighed slowly. "And what is it that you want? Do you want to hurt Bruce, or me, or anyone?"

"Hulk want freedom."

"I cannot separate you from Bruce." Tony said flatly. "And Bruce does not trust you. He's terrified of you. You have not given him much reason to trust you."

"Banner not even talk to Hulk!" he suddenly yelled. "Banner hate Hulk! Everyone hate Hulk! Hulk want to be left alone!"

"Hey, hey." Tony said putting a hand on Bruce's shoulder. Hulk stiffened. "I don't hate you. You helped get me out of Hell remember? And you protected me from Steven, or well, you did not really need to do that, but hey, it's the thought that counts."

"If Little Man not hate Hulk, why make Hulk like this?!" he motioned to Bruce's body. "Why only let Hulk out when not Hulk?! Why not let Hulk be happy?" Hulk paused and his expression went from despair, to gritting his teeth. "Little Man only want Hulk for Little Man, like Loki want Hulk for Loki."

"No need to jump to conclusions, I'll tell you want I want." Tony sighed. "I want Loki gone. I want to end this Sin business and go back to my normal life. You are borrowing Bruce's form because the real you is just too big for this room, and everything is too fragile. You're super strong man... And this room has some nice stuff, you don't want to break anything, right?"

Hulk narrowed his eyes. "Little Man try to trick Hulk."

Tony opened his mouth, but Hulk interrupted. "Little Man want Loki gone, but then what about Hulk? Hulk hear Little Man and Banner talk. Hulk know Little Man and Banner want Hulk gone too. Hulk next after Loki. Don't lie to Hulk!"

"...I won't lie to you." Tony sighed. "Not now. Right now I'll tell you the truth. Bruce is horrified of you. I understand you want to be free, but what have you done to earn that freedom? All you've done is hurt and kill people, and break stuff. Give me a reason to trust you, maybe it might earn you something."

"Not Hulk's fault! Hulk said before, not Hulk's fault! Little Man not listen like Banner not listen. Hulk need nothing from Little Man!" Hulk looked away, a bit of sadness glinting in his eyes. "Banner's fault..."

"How is it Bruce's fault?" Tony asked and Hulk still continued to pout. "Please, Hulk. I won't order you."

Hulk turned back and looked at him. "Banner not tell Little Man. Banner saw people as monsters. Banner scared and hid. Hulk had to take over, but not as Hulk. Banner made me Wrath so Banner not have to fight monsters. If Hulk is monster, Banner is too," he looked determinedly at Tony, as if waiting for him to agree with him.

"Bruce saw everyone as a monster... Even me?"

Hulk huffed and looked away. "Little Man not believe Hulk, but Hulk not lie. Banner opened door and saw monster. Monster attacked Banner and did weird things Banner not know about. Banner puny and angry, made Hulk into Wrath and attack Little Man."

Tony stayed silent for a moment. "You may walk around, but not leave the room, or break anything."

Hulk looked confusedly at Tony and sat up. He stretched his arms and then squinted at them, frowning when they came into his vision. He got up from the bed and walked over to the mirror, frowning at the reflection and touching his face.

"I know it's a bit different." Tony said handing Hulk a glass of water and a plate full of the leftovers from room service. "But you have to admit that this form is more manageable."

"Hulk obey. It is more manageable." He said robotically. Tony rolled his eyes.

"I did not mean it like that, Hulk. Here, you can eat this if you want."

Hulk looked at the offering and then back up at Tony. "Why Little Man nice to Hulk now?" he asked.

"This is the first time we have gotten to talk. Every other time you've been trying to crush me." Tony shrugged. "I suppose I'm making up for lost time."

Hulk just continued to look at him in confusion as he took the plate and, grabbing as much as he could fit into his smaller hands as he could, stuffed his face.

Tony continued to watch the man eat for a while. There was not much left but he devoured every bite. Tony guessed Bruce was lying when he said he was full. Tony should have known better, Bruce always ate like a bird around him. Once Hulk was done he downed the glass of water greedily and pulled it away with a satisfied look on his face.

"...Thank you, Little Man," Hulk said, looking at Tony like he hoped he found the right words.

"No problem big guy." Tony said taking the empty plate away and refilling the glass. "Are you feeling better?"

"Hulk...think..." he grimaced and looked back down at his arms.

"What's wrong?" Tony asked walking closer.

"When Loki gone...will Little Man make Hulk go too?"

"I ... I can't answer that yet." Tony sighed. "So far you seem reasonable. But you are extremely defensive to the point of hurting people. Bruce may be calling for your help but he can't live with the guilt of your actions." Tony paused. "You both want the same thing...to be free...But you have to come to some sort of understanding. It's Bruce's choice not mine. But I can't stand by if you might hurt innocent people. If it comes to that I will have to do something."

Hulk sat on the edge of the bed, his stare never leaving Tony's and he let out a sigh. "Little Man don't believe Hulk; Little Man still listen to Banner even though Little Man know Banner lied. Hulk not tell lies, Little Man. Banner use Hulk to be free from guilt for things Banner make Hulk do. Banner might be using Little Man too."

"You could be right. But so could Bruce." Tony groaned. "You both have grounds to lie and tell the truth." Tony looked back at Hulk. "I want to believe both of you. Each of you can think that you are right... I just don't know what to do about it." Tony sat down on the bed next to Hulk. "Let's focus on what we should agree on. Are you on Loki's side?"

"Loki let Hulk leave Banner. Hulk...grateful. But Loki use Hulk for Loki. Hulk not like that."

"So if given the chance to fight against Loki, what would you do?"

"Hulk..." he contemplated for a moment. "Hulk fight for Little Man...But! But if Little Man use Hulk for Little Man like Loki use Hulk for Loki, Hulk on Hulk's side only."

"Come on, what would I even use you for? Well, except opening jars."

"Little Man know what Hulk mean!" Hulk looked at him, a glint of a glare in his eyes. "Hulk not tool; Hulk person too!"

"I know, I know." Tony laughed. "I really need to teach you sarcasm... It'll make thing a lot easier."

He gave him a determined look. "Hulk serious, Little Man. Little Man not cross Hulk."

"I won't." Tony laughed at the Hulk trying to make a serious scary face while still looking like Bruce. He looked like an angry preschooler. "I won't betray you. But you do realize that you are a bit dangerous, right? Even if you are doing things for Bruce, that forest did not level itself today."

Hulk looked down at his hands and twiddled his thumbs. Tony couldn't help but feel surprised for a moment at how similar he was acting to Bruce.

"Hulk... Hulk angry sometimes," he tried to say. "Hulk not able stop sometimes. Banner angry 'lot too. Hulk not know if Wrath do it, Hulk do it, or Banner do it."

"Sounds busy in there." Tony sighed. "Can you read Bruce's thoughts? Could you read mine while I was in there?"

"Yes. Hulk always hear Banner. Hulk hear Little Man when Little Man there. Hulk know Banner want Hulk gone... do Little Man do too?"

"As long as you don't want to hurt people, I don't mind you hanging around." Tony shrugged. "Have you ever tried to talk to Bruce like this? I think he would change his mind about you if you were always this civil."

"Hulk calm b-cuz Pride tell Wrath to be calm," Hulk sighed. "Hulk tried... Banner not want Hulk, so Hulk not want Banner," he said as he crossed his arms. "Hulk not want Banner, and Little Man not going to change Banner or Hulk minds."

"Well you two do live together, you know." Tony sighed. "Wait... You're only calm because of my order? What would you be doing if I didn't order you to be calm?"

Hulk looked at Tony. "Hulk run. Hulk keep Banner from taking Hulk away again. Hulk be free."

Tony shook his head. "Look, Hulk. I understand that you want to be free, but you can't just steal Bruce's life. He's trying to save the world. What would you even do if you ran away?"

"Banner not care about Hulk's life! Why should Hulk care about BANNER'S LIFE?! What matter what Hulk do?! Hulk just want to BE ALONE!" He slammed his fists down into the bed and curled his fingers tightly around the sheets, breathing heavily through his gritted teeth as he stared angrily ahead at nothing.

"Well you are plenty alone in Bruce's head. No one to bother you but Bruce. Do you want me to make it so that you can't hear him as well? Then you would really be alone. Then you can romp around like a god in his mind-space for the rest of his life. Would that make you happy?"

"NO! Hulk want LIFE!"

"Well then I'm afraid it looks like you're going to have to earn it." Tony leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "Loki may have given you a physical expression, but Bruce's mind won control of his body first. By right it is his. Look, I'll tell Bruce what you told me, see if I can't convince him to give you a shot. Maybe you two can work out a timeshare or something... Tell me, if you did not have Wrath in you... would you still be so angry and dangerous?"

"LITTLE MAN NOT BELIEVE HULK ANYWAY! WHY SHOULD HULK TELL LITTLE MAN?!"

"Because I could order you to tell the truth." Tony said simply, flashing the light-blue light in his eyes, but then it faded. "But I won't. I want to trust you and trust goes both ways. So I trust that you will tell me the truth."

Hulk sneered at him. "Little Man think better than Hulk, but Little Man not stronger than Hulk. Pride make Little Man stronger than Hulk. Little Man can't think Little Man can make Hulk do what Little Man want all time."

"You are physically stronger than me, yes..." Tony sighed. "But you are not smarter than me. Dodging the question won't make it go away. I do want an answer from you, but only when you're ready, okay?" Tony yawned. "I get it, you're mad at me and Bruce, for well, everything. You don't trust either of us, or you just think we are trying to manipulate you... Look." Tony began to pace a bit. "I gave Bruce power with his eye glowy thing... As a sign of good faith, do you want something like that too? A small little superpower?"

"Little Man want answer?!" Hulk yelled as he stood up and walked to him, standing face to face. "Hulk don't KNOW! HULK NOT KNOW! Hulk want NOTHING from Little Man! Little Man not think Hulk know when HULK TRICKED?!" Hulk was practically spitting his words now, his entire body wracked with shakes as his dull eyes started to burn brightly.

"What is the trick?" Tony yelled back. "I just wanted to give you a little superpower, because I gave Bruce one. Look if you didn't know, it's okay to say so. But I'm not trying to trick you!"

"LIAR!" He screamed. "LIAR! LIAR! LIAR! BANNER LIAR! LITTLE MAN LIAR! DADDY LIAR!" He suddenly grabbed at his stomach and started screaming inhumanly as his skin turned a brighter green and he started to grow.

Tony took a cautious step back and was about to order Hulk to calm down again but stopped. He stood tall while Bruce started to change.

As suddenly as he started, Hulk stopped mid-way through changing when he looked wide-eyed at Tony. He then started to cough, choking as blood started spitting from his mouth. He let out a scream as blood started dripping from his nose, eyes, and ears and he vomited more blood.

Hulk fell to his knees and held his head as he started to cry. "NO! HULK NOT MEAN TO! HULK TRIED LISTEN TO PRIDE!" he let out another tortured scream. "WRATH SORRY! WRATH NOT MEAN TO NOT LISTEN TO PRIDE! WRATH NOT MEAN TO WAKE BANNER!"

"Hulk!" Tony shouted and rushed to catch him and support him. "You are allowed to wake Bruce. You did not break an order. You did nothing wrong!"

The blood had stopped dripping, but Hulk let out a final scream as he shrank back down, the green on his skin completely disappearing, leaving Bruce shaking and moaning on the floor in stretched clothes.

"Bruce..." Tony whispered. "Bruce, are you okay? Please be okay..."

Bruce took a few more moments to catch his breath when he finally looked up Tony, eyes bloodshot. "W-what ha-happened? W-what did I d-o?"

"You didn't do anything Bruce." Tony sighed, relieved. "I messed up...I wanted to talk to Hulk... And I ordered him to not wake you up. And he broke the rule and well, it's not good to break Pride's rules."

Bruce started to get up but nearly fell over had Tony not caught him. Tony walked him over to bed and laid him down, until Bruce turned his head and saw blood sizzling through the floor. His eyes grew wide and he forced his head away from the bed, wiping drying blood from underneath his nose and looking at it with wide-eyes on his fingers. "NO! N-no, don't lay me down. I'm b-bleeding." He looked at Tony's arm on him and jerked away. "Don't-t touch me e-either!"

"Sorry, Bruce." Tony said slowly, quickly pulling away. "This is all my fault..."

"What are you talking about? What happened?!" Bruce asked, nervousness laced in his voice.

"I made Hulk get angry. I pushed him too much and it woke you up. I just wanted to talk to him for a bit, get his side of the story, you know, see if he would help us against Loki. I never meant for all this to happen."

"Y-you talked to him?" he turned and looked at Tony incredulously. "Y-you talked to him...without telling me? Why would you do that?!"

"He's not that bad, Bruce." Tony stammered. "He just wants to live. He does not care about Loki and his plans. He'll help us if we just hear him out." Tony paused and looked at Bruce. "He thinks you hate him. He...He's like a little kid, really."

"Of course I hate him!" Bruce yelled. "He's a murderer, Tony! Why the Hell are you defending him?!"

"Because he's just lashing out. He's afraid we are going to kill him once this is all over. He's just trying to survive."

"I am going to end him when this is over! I'm not killing him because he's NOT alive!"

"How do you know he isn't alive?" Tony snapped back. "He has thoughts, feelings… opinions! Both of you told me that he has always been there. Loki just gave him form..." Tony sighed. "You've both been dealt a bad hand. But like it or not you have to live with each other."

"And like you said before; there is always a way to change something...and I'm not backing down until I find it."

Bruce stood up and paced to the bathroom, running the tap and rubbing the dried blood from his face. "Why did you really want to talk to it, Tony? What could you possibly ask of it that you can't ask me? It's not like that thing actually wants to help you."

"I wanted to know if he was on Loki's side." Tony walked up to the bathroom door. "I wanted to know who exactly he is. Is he just a personality like Pride, or is he something more..."

Bruce looked at his reflection from the mirror. "Why couldn't you just ask me, then? We can accomplish tasks without that thing, you know."

"Look, is it really that bad to try to talk to him? His is a part of you, and apparently has been for a while."

Bruce slammed the tap off and turned to face him. "Listen to me. He might be in my head, but he isn't me. Anything he says otherwise is a lie."

"Well he thinks you're lying too. He claims that you brought him out because you were seeing monsters everywhere."

Bruce's eyes went wide and his skin went pale. "I... I meant that..."

"Are you still seeing monsters?" Tony asked flatly, but taking note of Bruce's distress.

"I see monsters all of the time," Bruce let out an unsteady huff of a laugh. "It's kind of the business, right?"

"You know what I mean, Bruce." Tony walked up to Bruce. "Is everyone a monster to you?"

Bruce took a step back, but then stopped and stood his ground. "Don't try to change the subject, Tony."

"Bruce you can't be afraid of everything. Not everything is out to get you."

"What are you even talking about?!"

"You're paranoid Bruce!" Tony shouted back. "I just want to help you."

"I DON'T WANT YOUR HELP!" Bruce screamed and slammed his hand down on the sink, part of it crumbling off and breaking. Bruce looked down at the mess with wide-eyes.

"I think...you might be Wrath just as much as the Hulk is..." Tony said, gaze falling to his feet. "And I'm just as much Pride as, well, Pride was."

Bruce grabbed his hand and held it against his chest, looking at Tony fearfully. He spoke slowly, quietly, "I don't... I don't want your help... n-not if you're just going to gossip about me with the monster while my back is turned."

"We hardly talked about you, Bruce." Tony rolled his eyes. "We talked about him and his feelings. Honestly I should have charged him for the therapy session."

"Stop it! This is serious!"

"That's what he said."

"Oh, really? What else did he say? Hulk smash? Hulk hate everyone? Hulk love killing?" Bruce asked sarcastically.

"Just that he's scared. He thinks we're trying to trick him."

"He's 'scared'?" Bruce raised an eyebrow. "After how he's ruined my life so recently, after the living Hell that he's put me through, good. I'm glad. He'd better be afraid."

"Look, this is getting us nowhere..." Tony sighed. "We need to focus on Loki. In the meantime, make a truce with the big guy or something... We need him to fight Loki."

Bruce frowned and licked his lip. "What happens if I say, 'no'?"

"Nothing. You're just being a jerk." Tony sighed. "I don't see anything wrong with trying to make peace."

"I'm being a jerk?" Bruce let out a short laugh. "I'm being a jerk?! Are you fucking kidding me?! I don't know what crawled into your head and made you feel sympathy for that...THING, but allow me to remind you: He killed hundreds of people, he destroyed countless homes, he makes out everyone he meets as monsters, and you think I'm being a 'jerk' for not sending him a peace offering?!"

"I..." Tony sighed. "I'm just sick of not knowing if the other guy is going to smash my skull in or save me from a pack of demons. I just want to know what side he's on."

Bruce just stared at him. "Well, you did it. You got to talk to him. Congratulations. I hope you're happy."

"Don't act like a little bitch, Bruce. I get it, I messed up. Congratulations. I admitted it. Now will you just stop it already?" Tony groaned and stormed out of the bathroom.

"Oh, don't you try to bring this one out on me; don't you dare," Bruce followed him out. "I'm not the one who's trying to reason with a monster. I mean, for God's sake, Tony! Look at this place! What could have possibly made you think that trying to talk to a monster wouldn't bring a disaster?!"

"I thought I could control him." Tony said slowly, looking down at the stain on the carpet. "I had him under orders... then he broke them."

Bruce stopped and looked down at Tony's field of vision. "Yeah... now we know what happens if we cross Pride, don't we?" Bruce said quietly and looked at the sizzled carpet.

"Yep." Tony said matter-of-factly and looked at the still eroding carpet. "Good thing this is Vegas, huh? Otherwise this would be considered weird."

Bruce, despite how upset he still was, could not help but let out a laugh. Tony smiled at him and Bruce looked up and shook his head, but a small smile could be seen on his lips. Bruce sighed and sat down in a chair. "So, before we get out of here and enjoy our time with Loki and Lust, is there anything that you still needed to know... or anything you needed me to know?"

"Are.. .Are you really seeing monsters? Or is it just when the Hulk is around? I mean I didn't see anything when I was in you."

Bruce looked up at Tony and then bowed his head. "I... when I feel threatened... usually by people I don't know... but sometimes by people I do know... I see people as monsters. Their eyes... their eyes are completely black and they bleed from every orifice of their bodies... they smile with mouth's full of fangs. It's...terrifying."

Tony did not know what to say. "Do... Do you think that it's Wrath's influence to make you angrier and more likely to hurt people? It would make sense."

"I suppose... I mean, it's not like I've never seen people as demons before the accident."

"Do you want me to see if I can get rid of that for you?" Tony offered. "I don't know if Pride's power can do it, but I can try."

"What could possibly go wrong?" Bruce asked sarcastically, but offered him a wink.

"Okay." Tony smiled, his eyes flashing blue. "Bruce, Hulk, Wrath, whoever's making people out to be monsters. Stop it."

Bruce blinked and looked up at Tony. "Thanks. Even if it didn't work... thank you."

"We'll just have to go out and see. Come on, we'll order breakfast before we go back to Loki. I need a nap in the meantime anyway."

"Okay."

A/N: There are 21 chapters and 2 epilogues to this first part of our story. After that, there are two more stories and another Halloween special. Thank you for all of the support. We apologize for not updating as much as we should.