The Universe's Mixer

Having Effie back at the Tower was a relief. It wasn't that Bruce hadn't been out looking for her, because he had been. His projects had taken a back seat for his wife when she had gone missing and now life seemed to finally be resuming it's natural state of occurrence. Well, except for a few things.

How Effie had been unable to rememeber was something Bruce didn't understand. Having the greatest mind in the world meant nothing without all of the facts, the variables to the situation that could predict the outcome.

Even as he tinkered in his lab, Bruce wasn't satisfied. He didn't like that Effie couldn't remember. That they would have to start from the beginning, and that they would have to mend everything between them that was shattered.

It wasn't that Bruce minded, but they'd already done this dance before. To a different tune, but still the same dance. She seemed more innocent now, more willing to please and satisfy, and though Bruce was happy with that he missed the way she had been before. Just a little.

Bruce had never really cared how she was when she wasn't around him. He knew how she could be when she was, and he loved her dearly for the person she had started to become. This new-found innocence seemed almost false, and though she looked the same on the outside Bruce knew that the part of her that he loved was still lurking around inside that shell someplace. He loved her no matter what, he just wanted to be sure that she was really, truly happy with her situation.

And her being so supportive and willing to please meant that trouble was bound to happen. Bruce hoped that her father wouldn't take advantage of her situation, though that was almost like asking God to move an entire mountain for the pleasure of it. Bruce couldn't keep Effie safe if she couldn't remember how dangerous the world could be. At least as a criminal she had the mind and wit to save herself, or at least die trying. Right now.....he was afraid she wouldn't be able to pull the trigger if it came to that, and that she would simply be caught in the cross-fire should anything occur.

With a sigh, Bruce set down his tool and put his face into his palm for a moment. He closed his eyes and prayed that nothing bad would happen to Effie while she was like this. That she would understand that the world wasn't made to protect her, and that her life depended on her ability to resist temptation.

And Bruce prayed that Edward would keep out of it, though Bruce was sure that his prayer would go unanswered on that front. Edward was into everything wether Bruce liked it or not.

For now, the scientist would have to learn to adapt, like the creatures in the wild to thrive in their surroundings. He could only hope it wouldn't end in blood like it always did.

He was done cleaning up after Edward at Effie's expense.

Edward had no idea how Jonathan's meeting with Hannibal was going. Part of him cared because of the confession by the Scarecrow. And part of him wanted to just put a bullet in Hannibal and be done with the whole mess, but he had bigger things to tend to. The part of his heart and mind dedicated to Jonathan was telling him that he didn't need to worry. Jonathan wasn't stupid enough to try anything that would jeopardize what they had, so Edward didn't let the presence of Hannibal get to him too much.

He had larger matters at hand.

A legacy to tend to.

Edward aspired to be the one man that had total control over the Incredible Hulk, to utilize that power and have it be at his disposal. He wanted something from his life to leave to his daughter when death finally caught up to him, and the green rage monster seemed too perfect.

Edward couldn't stop thinking about that power, that unlimited source of inner turmoil. And Bruce was the perfect target. He could be lured out of hiding, and Edward wasn't above using his newly fresh-minded daughter as bait.

All Eddie could do now was wait for Effie to deliver what she could get from the archives at Stark Tower, and then they could get the ball rolling. Edward finally would have a leg up, a purpose and it was driving him insane with glee.

He giggled and waited impatiently for Effie. Convincing her that Bruce was a bad person had been almost too easy. She was so eager to please, and Edward was taking full advantage of her in her current state. The fact that she couldn't remember vital details of their relationship as kin, and her relationship to Bruce, was a Godsend. It put her in a very delicate spot, and while Edward hated the very ground she walked on, it was nice to know he could use and manipulate her whole-heartedly to do his dirty work.

Had he access to the computers at the Tower, he would've gone himself to get the information. As it was, she was his key to what information the Tower held. And Edward knew that if anyone could get past the scientist, Effie could.

She had the power to limit Bruce's change, as well. Enigma was much smarter and more adept than this version of herself, so Edward did have to thank his daughter for that. The serum she came up with was genuis. But Eddie wouldn't let her have any of the credit. He would never admit to her that the idea was a good one. Not yet. She didn't deserve his praise.

When his leg was fully healed, Edward would be up and out trying to dig into Bruce's life to find an ultimate end for him. For now, all Eddie could do was sit and wait for all of his plans to come to light. It was going to be a difficult wait, but it was necessary.

For greatness. For fear, and ultimately for death.

Oh yes, there would be blood, but this time it would be green. Green, and perfect.