Held by indestructible vines, the Hulk can do nothing as the Gardener commands his beasts to carry the body of Jarella away.
Using the Soul Gem on his forehead, the Elder switches the mind of the Hulk to Banner's so he could understand the Gardener's explanation why he distrust humans. A long explanation of retelling events of the Gardener with Spider-Man, the Avengers, Thanos, the Stranger, and others reveals why humans aren't innocent, and thus are undeserving of the Valley of Life.
Left alone, Banner cries helplessly, unable to carry on his promise to be with Jarella until the end. But such angst causes the Hulk's body to turn into Banner's, who frees himself from the large vines. Banner decides recovering Jarella from the Elder.
Meanwhile, believing the Hulk will no longer return to Earth, Betty Ross cries for her past, yet still, love interest, Bruce Banner. Unwilling to see her former husband, Glenn Talbot, she takes off from Gamma Base in her private plane along with friends Rick Jones and Fred Sloan.
In the Rockies, Doc Samson and Thunderbolt Ross are hunting. As dogs sense a nearby prey, Ross spots a human-like monster in shades and shots it, confusing it with the Hulk...
Back in K'ai, Jarella's people, who were waiting for their king (the Hulk) at the limits of the valley, are attacked by the Gardener's beasts. Ignoring their struggles, Banner stops at a creek for a drink, but the water grabs and pulls him to drown him.
Turning into the Hulk, he splashes the liquid out and leaps toward the Gardener, who sends beasts against the man-monster. Dispatching them quickly, the Hulk confronts the immortal tyrant. Although the Elder possesses vast strength, Hulk proves his equal and then some, finally knocking him off his feet.
Hulk grasps the Soul Gem firmly. Such would be impossible for a mortal, but the green goliath is no ordinary one! Remembering that the gem can give life to a planet, the Hulk throws it to the ground with such might that it reaches the planet's core!
Immediately, and magically, vegetation grows all over the world, and beasts become docile, no longer attacking Jarella's people.
Victorious, Hulk grabs Jarella and gives her a proper burial. Torla and the rest of the Queen's former subjects later join him. A green flower grows from Jarella's grave.
The Gardener walks in and apologizes for his selfish, cruel behavior. The people of K'ai accept him. In gratitude to the Hulk, the Elder uses his power to make him grow, sending him back to his homeworld.
Also in this story: Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell), Elysius. In flashbacks: Adam Warlock, the Stranger, Thanos, the Thing, Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man, Iron Man. Mysterious creature: Centaurious (of the Changelings).
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