-PETER POV-

After everyone was rescued, I found myself surrounded by reporters bombarding me with questions. "What do you have to say about this incident?" "Does his powers come from a background similar to yours?" "Do you think the late response from New York's Fire Department was pre-planned?" I slammed my foot down, causing them to step back, and coldly stated, "Whatever happened today was an unexpected tragedy. None of us could have expected that something like this would happen. So we have to understand the reality of the response times of firemen, Police, and disaster rescue."

As I prepared to swing away, one of them asked, "But you came." I glanced at the young guy, probably an intern, squirming under my gaze among the other reporters. "Don't always count on me to save the day; I am not omnipotent," I replied before swinging away to a nearby block and removing my costume.

Approaching Ned, who was sitting with his back against the wall of the Cafe, I noticed him staring at a downed car. "I hope the car owner survived," I said, trying to lighten the mood. However, he responded, "He didn't." Cringing at the news, I asked, "You must have saved many people today, right?" Taking another sip from his bottle, he replied, "Half of the people I tried to save died, and..." I cut him off before he could spiral into depression, saying, "..and the other half would have died if not for you." Tears welled up in his eyes as he confessed, "But I could have saved more."

Sitting beside him, I reassured him, "The people you saved weren't your responsibility to begin with, so stop beating yourself up over what you couldn't do when people older and stronger than you did nothing or less than what you did." Turning to me, he asked, "What about you? What do you think about this whole thing?"

I freeze in place as I utter the words, "There were deaths before this, people I couldn't save, people I couldn't reach, but never on this scale." Pausing briefly to gather my thoughts, I continue, "I was expecting this, you know. The day when I wouldn't be able to save enough." Slowly, I rise to my feet and brush off the dust before extending a hand to help Ned up.

Ned shakes his head, clearly puzzled, and I proceed to explain, "The reason I don't feel as much guilt as you do is because if I had known, I would have stopped it. But I didn't, so now I'm doing the next best thing, which is..." Ned interrupts confidently, "...doing my best." I nod in agreement and offer him some advice, "Give it your all and don't worry about being the best you could be."

We walk home in silence, both lost in our own thoughts. Upon entering my house, I am surprised to find Tony Stark sitting beside Uncle Ben, with Tony looking somewhat chastised. Breaking the silence, I inquire, "What are you doing here, Mr. Stark?" Tony gives me a grateful look, while Uncle Ben smiles and explains, "Peter, it seems Mr. Stark has been impressed by you and wants to offer you an internship." Taken aback by the news, I respond, "Oh! That's wonderful, but I would need to speak with Mr. Stark personally before making a decision."

Uncle Ben nods and gestures for us to continue the conversation in my room. As soon as the door closes, I can't help but whisper-shout at him, "Why the heck did you come here?" He appears surprised and replies, "I came here to discuss the internship..." I cut him off, irritated, and say, "Yes, yes, I know. But I distinctly remember telling you that I would call you if I wanted to join." He winces and admits, "Okay, maybe not just for that..." Giving him an unamused glare, I wait for him to continue. He takes a deep breath before confessing, "I need Spiderman's help." Instantly, my demeanor becomes serious as I inquire, "What happened?"

As he narrated the tale of the incredible Hulk with his own twist, I couldn't resist asking him "What do you believe drives Dr. Banner in this scenario?" Tony appears puzzled as he responds "To seek vengeance against those who have wronged him, or something cliché like that?" I shake my head and inquire further "Then why does he continue to live as Banner when he could easily defeat his enemies as the Hulk?" Tony seems to ponder my question as he muses aloud "The only other reason for his transformation into the Hulk is..." I interject with the answer ".. self-defense".

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Tony appears skeptical of his own words as he remarks "But that still doesn't clarify why he returned to his former University in Washington" I smile and explain "Indeed, there seems to be no logical explanation for his actions that jeopardized his secret identity." He nods, thinking our conversation had concluded, until a realization dawns on him and he exclaims "He must have been searching for something at the university, something crucial like a... cure".

I applaud his deduction and exclaim "Exactly" as Tony questions "How did you manage to deduce so much from such limited information?" I grin, attempting to conceal my anxiety about him catching on to my deception, but he saves me from having to explain by stating "It's no surprise you can piece it together, you're like a detective on steroids". I quickly nod in agreement.

To ensure I am following the movie's storyline and not some alternate universe, I ask him "Could you have Jarvis look up Dr. Samuel Sterns?" Tony gives me a puzzled look but complies, discovering that Sterns is a member of the Culver University faculty. Tony looks perplexed, so I clarify "Dr. Samuel Sterns is a prominent cellular biologist, I studied his research when I first acquired my abilities".

He leans on the table, contemplating aloud "He's seeking a cure, isn't he?" He shakes his head and adds "According to Culver University records, he resides in Hell's Kitchen." I nod and suggest "We should prepare an evacuation plan in case any issues arise".He nods and we plan for the next hour before he left after giving me a pat on my shoulder as he said "You did good kid, you did your best"

After a long day, I finally collapse onto my bed, my mind consumed by thoughts of today's villain. Electro didn't resemble his typical comic book counterparts; he bore a striking resemblance to the Electro from Spiderman: No Way Home, but his suit was even more advanced. In fact, most of the technology in this universe seems to be ahead of its time, aligning with the overall theme.

It's strange to think that The Incredible Hulk is occurring simultaneously with Iron Man 2, or at least it seems that way. There must be a reason for this chaotic and fast-paced timeline. Perhaps it's just my imagination as the author, playing tricks on me. According to the internet, all the Captain America incidents unfolded in accordance with the timeline.

However, there was a point in the middle that altered the timeline, possibly during the events of Captain Marvel or the main Ant-Man incidents. Something occurred that accelerated the timeline, and I am determined to uncover the truth once my mind is clear and free from the weight of the lives lost.

-Dr. Banner's Perspective-

Finally, I have located him, and with him comes the cure. I wasn't thrilled about him having so much of my blood, but I let it slide, knowing that we were helping each other out. He presents me with a machine that is supposed to cure me, but I express my doubts, saying, "This won't be able to support my weight." Sterns looks at me with confusion and replies, "Weapons-grade aluminum will have no trouble carrying your slender frame." Frustrated, I slam my hand on the table and shout, "The other guy won't be slender and weak!" I must have started to turn a little green because Sterns quickly backs away, while Betty gently holds my face, redirecting my gaze towards her. As I calm down, the beast within me subsides, and I kiss her to find solace. My skin returns to its normal color, and once again, I am hers.