Chapter Text
When Dr. Robert Bruce Banner woke up, he saw someone else's face in the mirror.
Normally this wouldn't faze him. He’s learned to live with it for a while now, gotten used to seeing those green eyes stare back at him rather than his own brown.
But the face staring back at him right now… He didn't know who she was.
Bruce reeled back in shock, causing him to fall down.
Bruce breathed heavily as he examined the body that was not his. She was young, a high-schooler.
Bruce closed his eyes, searching within himself, but he couldn't feel the Hulk.
Bruce tried to remember what happened before all of this. He was…
He was…
He couldn't remember what happened. He just woke up like this.
Bruce’s – not his – body slumped. He should probably be panicking more, but he’s dealt with many strange things before. Or rather he was the strange thing.
But still. He’s never switched bodies with someone. He didn't even know how it happened. Just like when Spider-Man became the Hulk…
Well he couldn't just stand around and do nothing. So Bruce got up, put on a decent pair of pants, and searched the girl’s locker, hoping to find some answers.
There Bruce found an ID card. Yoshizaki Mari, the girl’s name was.
Wait. Yoshizaki Mari. That was Japanese. The girl was Japanese. The writing on the card was in Japanese. Was Bruce in Japan?
“Mari-!”
Bruce’s eyes widened as he turned to the door.
“You’re awake aren’t you!? Hurry up and come down! You’re going to be late!”
Crap.
That was probably Mari’s Mother calling. Mari was headed to school.
Bruce swallowed as he exited the room. He had no idea what he was doing, but he had to keep appearances.
Bruce entered the living room, making his presence known. There was an older man and a teenage boy sitting at the table, Mari’s father and brother most likely, and he could see that in the kitchen was a woman, Mari’s mother. The TV was playing the news.
“Ah… Nee-chan. You’ve finally gotten up? Good morning,” greeted Mari’s brother.
“Good morning,” followed Mari’s father.
“G-Good morning,” answered Bruce, taking his seat.
Mari’s mother entered the living room and prepared Mari’s food. She then turned to Mari’s brother “Shinji! Elbows off the table!” she chided.
As Bruce quietly ate, Shinji turned to him. “Hey Nee-chan, you took some manga from my room without asking, didn't you? Give it back.”
Bruce didn’t know what to say. Did that happen?
Mari’s father smiled. “What manga is it?”
“Huh? That doesn't matter!” Shinji cried out.
It was then that Bruce felt a pressure from… Down there…
Bruce stood up, to the others’ surprise.
“I… I need to use the restroom,” Bruce managed to blurt out.
Bruce immediately left the room and struggled to find where the restroom was.
He eventually found it, and as he did his business, Bruce considered what to do next. He still has no idea what is happening, but he considered all possibilities. If he’s here, then is it possible that this Mari girl was in his body? Was there even a body switch in the first place or had he just taken over Mari’s body. If so, then where was his body?
One thing is for sure, the Hulk was most certainly working on this as well, whether he’s the sole owner of their once shared body or taking care of Mari. At least, he hoped he was. She’s probably so scared.
“Mari-!? What’s the matter!?”
That snapped Bruce out of his thoughts. “It’s nothing!”
“Hurry up and get changed! You’re going to be late!”
Right, school. Bruce hurried back to Mari’s room and he found and prepared her school uniform.
But as Bruce was about to remove his clothes, he remembered that this was not his body.
Bruce froze, contemplating on what to do. It would be rude to look, but Mari needed to get changed.
So Bruce closed his eyes, relying on instinct to get Mari all dressed up.
Once that was over, Bruce looked at himself(?) in the mirror. Mari looked nice.
“Have a good day,” said Mari’s mother with a smile as Bruce headed out.
Walking to school, Bruce wondered if he should even go. He needed to figure out what’s going on.
No, he shouldn't disrupt Mari’s life as much as possible. He’ll go to school, and then he’ll get to work.
As Bruce continued walking, he noticed how many eyes were staring at him. Staring at Mari.
Bruce shifted uncomfortably. How did Jen deal with this?
“Mari!”
Bruce was surprised when he felt a hug from behind.
Turning around, Bruce saw a young girl wearing the same uniform as Mari.
“H-Hey…” Bruce greeted.
The girl noticed the uncertainty in Bruce’s voice and looked concerned. “You alright? she asked.
Bruce straightened Mari’s body up and forced a smile. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”
The girl stared at Bruce for a moment, and then she shrugged and smiled. “If you say so.” She grabbed Bruce’s hand. “Come on, let's get going!”
As they walked, the girl was chattering nonstop, and Bruce simply nodded as she talked, but he couldn't help but smile. She reminded him of his old college friend Angela.
Eventually they heard the bell ring and they rushed to the school.
They got to the classroom, and a strange feeling enveloped Bruce.
“Er… Where’s my seat again?” Bruce asked the girl.
The girl looked confused but pointed Bruce to Mari’s seat. It’s when he sat that Bruce recognized what he was feeling. Nostalgia.
He will admit that he never enjoyed his own time in high school, being a quiet loner, but still. It's been a long time since Bruce was in a classroom. It felt surreal to be back here.
Though Bruce can tell that Mari’s experience was different than his. People were warmly greeting her, it was clear that Mari had many friends. He’d dare say that she was one of the popular kids.
Eventually the teacher entered the classroom and class began. Bruce diligently took out his textbook. They were doing maths, which was up to Bruce’s speed.
Once the class was over, the girl from earlier walked up to Bruce.
“Hey Mari, are you sure you're ok? You seem a little out of it back there.”
Bruce smiled and nodded. “I’m good I-I just slept late, is all.”
“Hey- Hey- Let’s go to the toilet!” another girl called out to them.
“Ah sure!” responded the girl with Bruce. “Let’s go Mari!”
And so Bruce found himself with Mari’s friend group, gossipping about various things that Bruce had a hard time following. Again Bruce was reminded of college whenever Angela drags him to socialize with others. And just like those times, Bruce could only awkwardly stand around, quiet.
Fortunately Bruce was able to hang on with no trouble. They made him try this skin cream that Bruce wasn't sure how to use, but they didn't seem suspicious. And then the bell rang, it was time for them to return to class.
The day passed without any other incident, with Bruce immersing himself in Mari’s studies. Though he’d already learned this, it was still interesting to revisit the subjects through different eyes.
Eventually classes were over. It was time to go home.
“Hey Mari! Do you want to come along to Kichijouji?” asked the girl.
“Ah… N-No,” Bruce shook his head. “There’s something I gotta do, sorry.”
“Eh? Alright, some other time then.”
And so Bruce and Mari’s friend group parted ways, and Bruce headed off.
It was as he ran that Bruce realized he had no idea what to do next. He needs to call someone who could help, but who? He’s a fugitive after all, so he can't call the Avengers. He’s troubled the Fantastic Four enough, and he doesn't know if he can still trust them. Maybe Betty… Nope, that’s not happening. If he knew his number, then perhaps he could rely on Spider-Man…
Wait… Of course! The Agents of Atlas, a team that mainly operated in Asia, and there was one member that he knew he could trust…
Bruce found a payphone, though he struggled to do so, and he called a number.
“Hey Amadeus? It’s me, Bruce…”