In order to accomplish the monumental task of one day taking control over S.H.I.E.L.D, he had to make himself indispensable to Fury, on par with Fury's trust in Maria Hill. The problem lied with him showing enough skill to be trusted but not too much that he becomes part of The Avengers like his other persona.Though Fury already trusted Natasha, even she didn't know as much as Agent Hill did.
Luke already planned to have them figure out he had Angel's power as it would make him slightly more valuable than a normal agent but he wanted them to depend on him more for his combat skills and his so called "connection" to unseen technology that hasn't even been shown by his other persona.
Luke landed on the deck of the helicarrier and saw good ole Nick Fury. He had to pretend he'd never met him before so when Fury walked up to him and Maria, (who was still recovering from the flight) he said "You must be the big boss huh?"
"Of sorts. I've heard a lot about you, and if I didn't need more capable people on my team I would've invited you to join The Avengers."
"Avengers? Those guys that fought those aliens a couple of months ago?"
"Exactly, but I don't believe that your ability would be more useful to us than those that we already have on the team. So I want
you to become an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D."
"Pfft, even if I did want to join, what's in it for me? I am pretty sure I could beat any of your goons with one hand tied behind my back."
"I'm well aware of your fighting capabilities but I believe that you are underestimating my agents. But, I don't think you want to take me at my word so how about a match?"
Luke saw right through Fury, he wanted to knock him down a peg to teach him some humility. he will gladly play along, afterall he needs his trust. He can't be a loose cannon who can't follow orders. Fury needs soldiers, not thugs.
"Fine, but I want to fight your best. You chose me so you recognize the skills."
"Whatever you say, but let me tell you something about your skills. As of right now they mean precisely dick."
Luke just scoffed and asked where the fight would take place. Fury merely nodded and looked at Agent Hill to escort him to a training room. When Luke and the others arrived at a training room, Luke turned to Fury and said "So, who is my opponent?" Fury gestured to his right at Agent Hill and said,
"You are looking at her. Agent Hill will be your opponent."
"Looks like this might be interesting after all. I can tell just by seeing your interactions that she is most likely high up in your organization, I'd wager that she's your second in command."
Fury almost didn't show it but his eyes narrowed ever so slightly, It was almost indiscernible. If one wasn't looking for a reaction they wouldn't see it. Fury didn't expect Luke to have such keen intuition.
Luke knew that based on the Angel power and combat abilities he's shown so far, he shouldn't be able to win against Maria although he doesn't plan on using his wings to make him that much more valuable. He plans to use just his martial skills and to make the battle close enough that he loses, but not too badly. This will make him seem as a better candidate for becoming an agent.
If Luke is that strong without the use of his power then all the more reason to rope him in. He also plans to give the illusion that the battle makes him humble and will become the loyal soldier that Fury wants and needs right now.
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(Helicarrier Training Room)
Maria and Luke stood across from each other just waiting for the signal to start the fight. Fury looked at both of the fighters. His loyal second, and the rookie with the potential to become a good ally and the one that could help Fury be more secure in what might come in the future. Fury then dropped the mag to his sidearm to signal the start of the fight.
As soon as the mag hit the floor they both moved. Luke, making sure to show what they have seen from his fights and he'll show more later on in the fight.
In just a blink of an eye, Maria was already in front of Luke. She threw a straight punch aimed at Luke's face.
Luke had lowered his combat abilities to at least match Maria so in his eyes she was fast. Still he calmly raised his left arm, flicked it counterclockwise and deflected her punch with the back of his hand using the momentum of her punch to force her away from him in that instant. Maria hadn't seen him use anything like this in any of his fights, it was more like Judo than the MMA typically used in UFC fights which closely resembles Muay Tay and boxing.
He was using the Judo principles that he showed with his clone living at the X-mansion. Still, Maria reacted quickly, all her thoughts happening quickly. She lashed out with her leg towards Luke's side but he lifted his knee and blocked the attack and hopped off the foot to then suddenly drop and do a sweeping kick to her shin, hoping to knock her off balance although he didn't expect it to work.
As expected Maria flipped backwards while kicking her foot, aiming for Luke's chin. Luke frowned because he almost got to feel what it felt like to get hit by that attack like he did before in his trainings. He moved his head to the left, dodging the attack by a hair's breadth. He took advantage of her outstretched leg and grabbed it and used a footwork technique to get closer to her body and then struck her in the gut and grabbed her hand and flipped her over his shoulder.
Maria slightly had the wind knocked out of her but pushed through the pain and they continued to trade blows. Sometimes Luke would make a solid hit, other times Maria would connect attacks. After feeling like he showed enough skill and proved he was able to keep up with one of the best agents in combat, Luke then "accidentally" left himself open. Maria instantly acted on his opening he left with a jumping spin kick which struck Luke in his temple and he was sent flying while spinning in the air like a corkscrew till he hit the ground with a loud thud and groan.
He was sent sprawling but still conscious. Fury looked towards Maria, they seemed to share some sort of silent communication with just their eyes, which is impressive for those without telepathy, and they both nodded. Fury then walked up to a struggling Luke and offered him a hand.
"You alright? "
"Tch, I'm fine."
"If you say so. So what did you think of our best fighter? Got more than you bargained for huh?"
This is were Luke started the first part of his plan to show Fury that he can be the one he needs so he gave an exaggerated sigh looked at Fury with determined eyes and said.
"Yes, I'll admit that I didn't expect her to be so good. I think I was so used to fighting those who didn't actually know how to fight that I got over confident. That is even more proven by the fact that even while trying my best, I was still barely a challenge for her. I'm sorry for the way I acted."
Maria then interjected and said "You should give yourself more credit, you certainly kept me on my toes. And although you tried to hide it I can tell you were holding back. Even if you weren't holding back that many skills, you still didn't have that same ferocity I've seen in your past matches."
This was one of the things that Fury had made a nod to when Fury and Maria had their silent conversation.
[Guess I still am not good enough to fool the ultimate spy heh.]
"Well it was only a spar and I honestly think in my UFC matches I was focusing a lot of anger in each attack and simply using my opponents as a way to cope for stuff going on in my life. I suppose I didn't really get over my grandfather's recent death. I used my opponents as a way to release all my anger."
Fury nodded but Luke could see that his eyes shone with resolve that he had made the right choice with Luke. If someone like Luke who was good at combat and actually seems really smart decided to join, it's good for Fury. His only flaw was his arrogance and it seems that Fury's plan to teach him some humility worked wonders, although it seems he still has a little arrogance. It's not shown in his words but his eyes and body language still show anger and arrogance.
Fury had Luke undergoe advanced testing to see if he would be required to go to the S.H.I.E.L.D Academy, and was surprised to find that his skills in marksmanship and S.H.I.E.L.D weapon technology were even better than his MMA skills and he also a very competent hacker. His skills far outstripped Agents who had been part of S.H.I.E.L.D for a couple years,and immediately made him a part of a Covert Ops Team.
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