Fearing that needles, electrodes, or any contact with his body might trigger a transformation into a massive lizard, Professor Connors voluntarily allowed himself to be restrained to facilitate the examination.
Perhaps because they were both scientists who had gained the ability to transform into monstrous beings through accidents, Dr. Banner took an unusually keen interest in Professor Connors' condition.
He was particularly concerned that if Professor Connors turned into the Lizard and lost control, it could destroy the hideout on South Brother Island, which had only been secured with Batman's help after great effort.
Dr. Banner wasn't even wearing a lab coat like Dr. Octavius. Instead, he was bare-chested and barefoot, clad only in a pair of purple shorts, bustling about the lab.
He was ready at any moment to transform into the Hulk to subdue Professor Connors if needed.
Batman, who had been present the entire time, hadn't said a word. He silently observed the three scientists, prepared to act alongside the Hulk to restrain the giant lizard if Professor Connors transformed.
Time ticked by slowly. When the sun reached its zenith at noon, Dr. Banner spoke up, puzzled by the data from the near-comprehensive tests on Professor Connors. "Strange, Professor," he said, scrutinizing the results. "All the data indicates your body is perfectly normal—just slightly stronger than the average person, with a body temperature two degrees lower."
"Your blood, organs, muscles, and bones show nothing out of the ordinary," he added.
The tongue depressor was removed from Professor Connors' mouth. After being strapped to the metal frame all morning, he looked exhausted. "But you and Batman have both seen the massive destruction I caused as the Lizard…" he said wearily. "I might need to try transforming into the Lizard again for further tests."
"Theoretically, that could work," Dr. Banner replied. "But if we do that, I'll need to transform into the Hulk beforehand, just in case."
Dr. Octavius quietly took a step back, saying nothing.
Dr. Banner moved to the center of the lab, clearing a space around him before stretching his limbs. "I should warn you," he said, "when I become the Hulk, I retain some rationality, but I won't be able to conduct tests. My head gets bigger, but my intelligence… drops. I'm driven more by instinct."
"Don't try to provoke me," he added gravely. "I can't guarantee the Hulk won't harm you if I lose control."
Only then did Dr. Banner notice Batman standing in the lab. "Batman?" he asked, confused. "When did you get here? I didn't even see you."
Batman had been standing watch for the entire morning, but Dr. Banner, hyper-focused, hadn't noticed an extra person in the room.
"Do you need me to provoke you to speed up your transformation into the Hulk?" Batman asked, his voice low and gravelly.
"No need," Dr. Banner replied with a grin, looking at Batman. "Here's a secret: I'm always angry."
Batman stood motionless, while Dr. Octavius took another quiet step back.
Crack! Pop!
A sound like firecrackers erupted as Dr. Banner's bones stretched and expanded. His muscles bulged like mountain ridges, his skin taut as if ready to explode with a single strike.
The shortest and leanest of the three scientists in his human form, Dr. Banner let out a deliberately suppressed roar as he transformed into the green colossus known as the Hulk.
From an adversary's perspective, the Hulk's size wasn't as towering as the four-meter-tall beast Professor Connors became as the Lizard. But the Hulk's gnarled, tree-root-like muscles exuded an overwhelming sense of pressure.
If Batman was the embodiment of fear, the Hulk was the embodiment of raw power.
Yet, at this moment, none of the three other men in the room—Dr. Octavius, Professor Connors, or Batman—were enemies of the Hulk.
Aside from Dr. Octavius, who took yet another subtle step back, neither Professor Connors nor Batman showed any sign of surprise.
The Hulk lumbered heavily toward Professor Connors, looking down at the one-armed professor. The muscles in his arms twitched slightly.
Professor Connors ignored the Hulk's small gesture. He recalled Dr. Banner's earlier comment that, while the Hulk's head grew larger, his intelligence diminished.
Now wasn't the time to dwell on it.
Batman began setting up equipment around the lab before positioning himself on the opposite side of the metal frame restraining Professor Connors, facing the Hulk.
"Begin, Connors," Batman's voice echoed lowly through the empty lab.
Professor Connors closed his eyes tightly. Sweat beaded on his forehead, matting his hair as he strained.
His muscles tensed as he tried to summon the monstrous creature that, in mere seconds at Oscorp Tower, had torn through multiple floors, treating reinforced concrete like paper.
Minutes passed. Nothing happened except for his rapid breathing.
Finally, Connors opened his eyes, his expression a mix of exhaustion, frustration, and a hint of relief. "I… I can't do it," he said. "It's not responding. Maybe… maybe it's finally gone."
Batman had already activated the data analysis mode of his Arkham suit, white lenses covering his eyes. He was about to speak when the Hulk cut him off, addressing him directly. "You talk too much!" the Hulk growled, his voice rough and deliberately restrained, as if trying not to bellow.
Batman tilted his head slightly to look at the Hulk. He hadn't said a single word.
"ROAR! HULK!"
The Hulk didn't continue speaking to Batman. Instead, he clenched his fists, his face contorting in a ferocious snarl as he roared at the restrained Professor Connors.
Hulk's interruption wasn't out of hostility, Batman analyzed silently. He believes that provoking primal fear and aggression is the best way to trigger Connors' transformation, more effective than scientific analysis.
Banner was right, Batman continued in his mind. The Hulk's behavior shows clear signs of diminished intelligence—like mocking Connors' missing arm by flexing his own.
As the Hulk, Banner's suppressed emotions seem amplified, dominated by anger but mixed with other complex feelings.
The Hulk's susceptibility to provocation likely stems from this.
The purple shorts Banner wears don't fit perfectly after transforming, yet the Hulk doesn't rip them off.
This suggests the Hulk retains an instinctual sense of shame. His intelligence may be reduced, but not to the level of a child.
Batman's thoughts raced, but his focus never wavered. He kept most of his attention on the Hulk, with a smaller portion on Professor Connors.
"Hiss!"
The Hulk's snarling face loomed close, his thunderous roar exploding in Connors' ears. Instinctively, Connors' pupils contracted, then elongated into vertical slits. A glint of gold flickered in his eyes.
A pained hiss forced its way from Connors' throat, quickly twisting into an inhuman roar.
"ROAR!"