A Hero's Journey

Culver University

He was on foot with Blonsky, who was looking a bit more unhinged. He somehow looked younger too. It was a damn good skincare routine if he got a new one within the last two weeks.

"Someone gave us a tip that Banner was going to be here. You are clear to engage, but watch for civilians. We don't want a bloodbath on our hands." Ross stated, and Ghost nodded while they approached.

Ghost lets his hand drift to his knife, hoping the green monster won't come out. That knife and his hidden blade were made out of the same material. It seemed to be the only thing sharp enough to damage the big green monster, but he wasn't going to share that information.

He saw Banner sprinting away from the woman, and Caity scanned her. The results for the facial recognition came back as... Betty Ross, Thaddeus Ross' daughter.

Oh, he was going to have words with Ross about this later. Because if the man used his own daughter to get to Banner, he was going to be pissed.

He and Blonsky both sprinted up and chased Banner, but he turned and started running the other direction.

"Quit running, Banner!" Ghost shouted as the man ran towards the university.

He was sprinting ahead of the other soldiers, knowing they can't keep up. Which is why he was surprised when out of the corner of his eye, he saw Blonsky a step behind him, which caused him to falter slightly.

What the hell? How the hell?

Ross.

What the fuck did Ross do to the man?

"Blonsky, Ghost, not yet." Ross hisses through the comms, and both men stop, Blonsky holding a fist up to stop the group of soldiers coming up behind them.

"Look alive. This could get interesting." Blonsky notes.

They move around, eventually moving somewhere with a sightline of the overpass. It was there that he saw Banner, looking panicked and stopping, surrounded.

Ghost looked back and saw Betty with her father, then he turned back around, gripping his knife tightly.

As they watch, Ross comes over the radio saying, "Do not engage! Repeat, do not engage!"

The doors slam, and a soldier says over comms, "He's locked in!"

Ross ordered, "Put two canisters in there with him." And Ghost's eyes widened. Tear gas was usually used in these situations. Tear gas increases your heart rate. And he was confident it was already high.

Ghost put his finger to his earpiece. "Don't!" He yelled, trying to prevent anyone from getting hurt but it was too late. The launchers were already up and the triggers were already pulled, and two canisters were with Banner. "Everyone in or around the building, run!" He ordered. "Now!"

He watches as Banner tries to keep it out of his nose, then hears a commotion behind him. He turns in time to see Betty get tackled, then he looked up at Banner, who is no longer covering his nose. Then, he takes a deep breath.

"Back up. Everyone. Now." The man in white orders, and thanks to his tone, everyone starts taking steps back.

He unfolds his shield and grabs the soldier next to him, pulling them behind his body, plus the shield. So, when the glass and concrete come out because Banner knocked the wall out, it hits the shield and he can just toss it to the side.

"Run." He tells them, and they do just that while he follows suit, folding his shield back up. 

He continues to move away, hearing Ross command, "Alpha team. Let him have all of it."