Loki's Pain

Chapter Fourty-Two- Beast-Like

Ash's seizures had eased, but that didn't really lessen Bruce's concern. It could be a good sign, showing that his changes were slowing down, or even stopping. But he worried that it could also mean his body was weakening.

"Do you think that his digestion is shifting to a pure  carnivores?" Dr Shoop asked as they stood there, and Bruce just shrugged, not sure of the answer. "I was thinking, if it is ...we could dust some meat with powdered vitamins to help him recoup his nutrition..." Shoop commented off-hand, clearly just trying to distract himself as they waited.

Luckily, it didn't take long for Loki to return with Thor in tow. Once they arrived, everyone scrambled to get him hooked up to an IV, pulling as much blood as they could so they could rapidly transfuse it into Ash. Thor seemed somewhat confused by what was happening, but didn't argue, and Bruce wondered what Loki had managed to explain to him. Still, he didn't bother to take time to enlighten him, figuring that if Loki hadn't, someone could finish filling him in later on.

Once a few pints had been transfused, the last of Ash's spasms ceased, and Bruce released a tired sigh. He still hoped it didn't mean Ash was worsening, and that the few pints they had managed to get into his system were genuinely helping.

Bruce noted the most obvious new changes he could see as he continued to monitor his condition. Most of Ash's body was now covered with a short layer of silvery-white hair, a slight lilac tinge on which could now be seen near his fingertips and toes. His fingernails had also grown out into proper claws, and his fingertips looked more like paw pads. His ears had changed almost entirely, no longer just pointed and elf-like, but properly feline after shifting higher up on his skull. Bruce suspected they might even be able to fold like most cats after noting the new musculature that had developed around their base.

But the largest and most obvious changes were Ash's face and legs. His nose and mouth had become more distinctly feline. His nose almost entirely resembled a cat's, just not as pronounced. His mouth was a blend of both feline and human, even his teeth. His legs had shifted to be more animalistic as well. His feet had lengthened, lifting his heels farther off the ground, and his toes had become fully-formed paw feet. They were now a more digitigrade shape, with a backwards bend they hadn't had before. Looking at them Bruce wondered if Ash would need a bit of time to adjust how he walked once he woke up.

Still, it wasn't until Bruce heard a deep, rumbling growl resonating from Ash's throat that he thought about the potential mental changes that may have also occurred while he was unconscious. "Oh, shit!" Dr. Shoop exclaimed on a quick breath, stepping back from the bed when he heard that menacing rumble. Bruce stayed put, hoping that Ash would regain his senses in a few moments, but if he didn't he wanted him focused on him.. "Ash...." He began, trying for a calm and coaxing tone, "You with us buddy?"

A louder growl rumbled out as Ash's eyes snapped open, zeroing in on Bruce, but his eyes held no recognition, just feral hunger and rage. For the first time since he became the Hulk, he felt intimidated. Hulk, not Banner, took a step back.

"What's happening to him!?" Loki asked, fear practically a permanent feature on his face at this point as Cat dragged him forcefully out the door.

Shoop bolted out of the room right then, almost knocking Cat and Loki to the floor in his haste. His flight drew Ash's attention, and within seconds Banner had grabbed Ash to keep him from chasing the doctor down. 'Instinct...If it runs, it's prey.' Banner thought to himself right before Ash clawed at his arms to try to free himself. Ash released a quiet whine of thwarted hunger before turning back towards Banner to growl at him again. By then, all of the other medical staff had already cleared out of the room, so Banner just tossed him towards the back wall and shifted to better block the doorway with his body. "Someone shut the damn door!" Bruce shouted over his right shoulder, trying to keep his eyes fixed on Ash as he scrambled to stand back up, "Lock it if you can!! Then go get the tranq guns!!!"