Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., Part 2

Bruce Banner has just been recruited by SHIELD to invent for them as Banner and to use the Hulk as a weapon. After nine days, Iron Man comes to the SHIELD helicarrier suspecting that this situation was instigated by a mind control expert like Killgrave, Psycho Man, or the Puppet Master. Director Maria Hill tells Stark that that is absurd, but as he retracts his Iron Man armor, Tony points out that there is no reason in his mind that Banner would willingly join SHIELD. Hill explains that it was Banner that came to her and explains their arrangement. She takes Tony down into the facility to see for himself. Along the way to the lab, Tony is impressed by a catalytic converter that Banner invented that can prevent carcinogens from causing cancer. Suddenly, he hears something he has never heard before, the sound of Bruce Banner laughing. Going into the next room, they find Banner in a fit of hysterical laughter in front of a massive equation. Tony lightens up when Banner points out an apparent pun in the mathematical equation. Seeing it as well, Stark joins Bruce in laughing over the humor of it.

With the ice broken, Bruce shows Tony around his lab and adds more details to the agreement he has made with SHIELD. Stark is just impressed to see that Banner looks like a functional human being for once after so many years running himself ragged. He explains how the Hulk is used as a weapon and pointed at threats SHIELD is trying to stop. He recounts how the Hulk was recently used to stop a unit of Hydra agents committing an act of terrorism. However, he admits that he is feeling some pressure as he has promised himself that he would create a new invention every week and since it's Friday, he is getting into the crunch. Needing to do a test run for his latest invention, he tells Tony that Maria is recruiting some SHIELD agents to escort him. When Hill has a problem finding volunteers, Tony offers to accompany Banner on his test.

Soon, Tony Stark accompanies Bruce Banner to the Himalayan region of Tibet. There Banner puts on a SHIELD issue bio-suit to protect himself from the elements. He then begins setting up his newest invention, a gamma fracker that he hopes will be able to extract fossil fuels from the Earth with little environmental impact. Things start to get tense when Tony questions the safety of using gamma radiation and later attempts to alter the device to make it more functional. As he works, Stark asks why Banner didn't come to him instead of SHIELD. His arrogance angers Bruce, who explains that he didn't want to work under Tony's shadow. He also tells Tony that he is sick of not being treated as an equal in the scientific community. He also explains that he chose the Himalayan Mountains because it was remote enough to let off some steam should his anger get the better of him. Suddenly, Banner turns into the Hulk and attacks Tony. Switching on his Iron Man armor, Stark tries to warn the Hulk to stop attacking as he wasn't finished making modifications to the gamma fracker. However, the Hulk isn't in the mood to listen and continues to attack Iron Man. He continues to pound on Iron Man but the battle is interrupted when the force of the Hulk's blows cause an avalanche. The pair try to get away, but they are buried under tons of snow.

They survive the avalanche, and Iron Man tries to get the Hulk to focus on the fracker. He explains that it will overload and explode. Unfortunately, the Hulk isn't interested in anything but fighting. Iron Man manages to take off and get back to the fracker. Before he can shut it down, the Hulk slams into him again, pushing him to safety before the gamma fracker explodes. Causing in the shockwave, the two are flung across to another mountainside where they are briefly knocked out. When Iron Man wakes up, the Hulk has reverted back to Bruce Banner. After filling Bruce in on what happened the pair climb down the mountain and go to get something to eat. There, Bruce explains that while Tony builds new things based on what he knows, Banner wants to explore the unknown. Tony offers his assistance if needed, and puts on a bold face to hide that he isn't intimidated. Going to the bathroom, a very insecure Tony Stark reminds himself that he is still rich. He is then contacted by Maria Hill who tells Tony to bring Banner back to Montana immediately as there is a situation.

Recurring Characters

Hulk, Maria Hill, Iron Man