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"Director, please take a look."
Coulson said and pulled out a stack of photos that had been prepared earlier, placing them in front of Nick Fury.
Fury gave them a cursory glance and saw a giant hammer lying quietly askew in a huge "meteorite crater."
There were long shots, close-ups, and every angle possible, clearly showing every detail of the hammer to Fury.
Fury couldn't help but nod in approval.
The hammer in the photos and the Mjolnir from the myths, the legendary hammer of Thor, were indeed very similar.
So, there was little doubt left – that hammer was likely Thor's Mjolnir.
"We've spoken to some locals, and some have seen thunder and lightning at night, as if a meteorite had fallen."
"The location and timing match with the appearance of the hammer, so we can confirm that what they call a 'meteorite' is actually this hammer."
"Our team has secured the area and tried to transport the hammer."
"However, the hammer seems incredibly heavy, as no one has been able to lift it."
"We've tried everything, but to no avail."
As Fury's gaze left the photos, Coulson continued to update him on the situation.
Heavy?
This hammer is more than just heavy!
If it were that heavy, the crater it left would have been much larger, right?
Fury didn't explain any further to Coulson, but this thought crossed his mind.
"Anything else?"
Fury, with his one good eye, peered at Coulson, asking another question.
According to the diary, not only Thor's hammer but Thor himself fell in New Mexico.
And the task Fury initially gave Coulson was not just to watch the hammer but also to keep an eye on the key individual, Jane Foster.
"On the night the hammer fell, Jane Foster's car hit a homeless man, if that's what you mean, Director."
After receiving orders from Fury, Coulson had naturally kept a close watch on Jane Foster.
But honestly, Coulson hadn't found anything extraordinary about Jane Foster.
She was just an ordinary scientist, nothing more.
Coulson didn't see anything that would require Fury's attention.
So Coulson, unsure of what Fury wanted to know, reported the events that occurred around the time of the hammer's fall.
A homeless man?
Fury remained composed on the surface, but inside, he stirred. Thor!
Everything was occurring just as the "prophecy" in the diary had described; Thor had descended from the heavens!
Then, without a doubt, Thor likely ended up in a mental institution, as predicted.
"Coulson, I need you to go to New Mexico."
Fury quickly regrouped his thoughts and gave Coulson an order, "I want you to personally watch over that hammer. Until I get there, don't take your eyes off it."
"Director, you're going to New Mexico too?"
Coulson was quite surprised by this.
What could this hammer that fell from the sky be, to warrant such attention from his director?
The personal involvement?
But Fury obviously didn't intend to reveal more to Coulson, who didn't press further and promptly left to carry out his orders.
"Barton."
After Coulson departed, Fury called over Hawkeye Clint Barton and gave him an important new mission.
"There's a mental patient who was taken into a small town hospital in New Mexico. I need you to get there as fast as you can, find him, and keep an eye on him."
Thor's identity was too important to be left unchecked, and Fury needed it to be monitored by someone he trusted, as verified by the diary.
Given Barton's unique skills – after all, his eyesight had been enhanced beyond ordinary recognition – he was the perfect choice to watch over Thor.
"Is there anything else I need to do?" asked Barton, as this mission seemed too simple for someone of his caliber.
"No, just watch him and report directly to me with any developments. Do not disclose anything to anyone else," Fury replied, shaking his head and giving Barton a serious look.
Barton nodded apprehensively, sensing the importance of the individual in question.
"Understood, Director!" With no further questions, Barton promptly set out to fulfill his mission.
"Natasha, gather the Red Guardian, I'll be there in fifteen minutes."
Fury wasn't idle either; with Black Widow and Red Guardian, he headed to the secret base where Captain America was recuperating.
Bang, bang, bang!
As Fury and his team arrived, Captain America, undisturbed, was punching a heavy bag with such force that with each strike, the bag swung wildly, clearly beyond what was normal.
Bang!
With one final powerful punch, Captain America burst the bag open.
"Is this... is this... Natasha, could he be the person I'm thinking of?" Before Fury could speak, the Red Guardian was already excited and a bit incoherent, his eyes wide in astonishment.
Always boasting about being the Soviet version of Captain America, he frequently claimed to have sparred and even knocked the shield from Captain America's hands.
Who would have thought they would actually meet Captain America in person?
So this guy, he actually isn't dead?
Initially reluctant to join the Avengers, the Red Guardian was instantly more comfortable after seeing Captain America.
"Keep it together; I didn't know you were a fan of his," Natasha remarked, rolling her eyes.
"And please, you're not getting any younger!"
Black Widow couldn't help but roll her eyes at the Red Guardian.
"Fan? Please, he's my biggest adversary, no, I'm his biggest adversary! This is the joy between nemeses, do you understand? I've finally met an opponent who can match me..."
The Red Guardian began talking endlessly, trying to explain himself to Black Widow.
"Excuse me, have we met before?"
Captain America, overhearing the Red Guardian, glanced at him curiously with a bit of intrigue.
What's with this guy's weird talk?
"You don't recognize me?"
"You actually… don't recognize me?"
The Red Guardian pointed at his own nose, seemingly unable to accept this reality.
"We can exchange pleasantries on the road, no need to delay."
At this moment, Nick Fury stepped forward, seriously approached Captain America, and said, "Captain, the grave moment I've spoken to you about has arrived. I'm sorry, but your retirement might have to be put on hold for a few days."
"Indeed, you've told me about that grave moment."
Captain America met Nick Fury's gaze, "But even now, you haven't explained what it's all about."
"Captain, I've received reliable intelligence..."
"Forget it."
Nick Fury was interrupted mid-sentence by Captain America, "No need to say it, with SHIELD's current scale, they don't need me."
"No, Captain, we do need you."
Nick Fury stressed, then earnestly elaborated on the imminent threat New Mexico was facing.
Captain America had no intention of getting involved, but when he heard about the supernatural event threatening an entire town's destruction, he couldn't stay indifferent.
This is Captain America, after all!
He's the epitome of valor as depicted by Marvel.
So, in the end, Captain America joined Black Widow and the Red Guardian on the helicopter to New Mexico.
Throughout the flight, the Red Guardian kept boasting to Captain America like someone hopped up on adrenaline, desperately trying to make his presence felt.
However, the newly revived Captain America was not at all interested in the Red Guardian.
Amid this atmosphere, the armed helicopter raced towards New Mexico as fast as possible.
Unbeknownst to everyone except Nick Fury, Dum Dum Dugan had already secretly dispatched a S.W.O.R.D. special task force, discreetly infiltrating New Mexico.
That's right.
S.W.O.R.D. had finally been established by Nick Fury.
Although delayed significantly due to Hydra's interference, it had been accomplished nonetheless.
And so, amidst the hum of the helicopter's rotors, they eventually landed near the crater.
The area was already cordoned off by SHIELD, with numerous agents guarding the perimeter, preventing curious townsfolk from getting too close.
"Let me try, I'm sure I can do it," an elderly man with white hair, barely able to stand, pleaded with a SHIELD agent, "I plan to tie the hammer to my car with a chain, surely it can be pulled then."
Hm?
This guy?
Nick Fury, who had not spared the old man a glance, took note after hearing this proposition.
Could this elderly man be the one the diary referred to, who tried to move the hammer with his car?
And now the question arose.
Was this "certain old man" just a passerby Satan had casually mentioned, or someone more intriguing?
Why else would Satan specifically note this "certain old man"?
After a brief consideration, Dugan decided to discreetly investigate this old man's significance.
"Director!"
While Fury was absorbed in thought, Agent Coulson approached with a few SHIELD agents, leading the way for Fury.
"That's the hammer there. I've made several arrangements, and we should have a temporary research center up and running in three days at the latest."
"The relevant scientific staff are on their way, and until they arrive, we don't know what the hammer is."
Coulson briefed Fury as they walked.
Fury, of course, knew what the hammer was but did not reveal anything to Coulson.
He just casually examined the hammer for a few seconds before looking up, ready to leave the site.
He intended to meet with Barton and check on Thor's condition.
"Director, Stark is here, he insisted on coming in."
Just then, a SHIELD agent hurried to Coulson and Fury, reporting in a serious tone.
Stark?
Coulson was surprised; why would Iron Man show up at such an event?
There were no villains here for the destroyer to fight.
But Fury was not surprised; he had interacted with Tony Stark before and knew Iron Man would come to New Mexico.
This was why Dugan had notified all Avengers but hadn't specifically reached out to Tony Stark.
"Let him in," Fury immediately ordered without hesitation.
Soon enough, the cool figure of Tony Stark appeared before everyone, accompanied by a military bodyguard who was carrying a stylish case.
What case?
It was the portable armor Mark V that Stark had developed, inspired by the diary.
Knowing Hydra had marked him for assassination, Iron Man sought military protection and always carried the portable suit.
After all, it's Hydra.
Even though Winter Soldier was gone, who's to say what other extraordinary means they might possess?
Iron Man had to be cautious.
"So this is that hammer?"
"Really, no one can lift it?"
"I don't buy all this mysticism!"
Tony Stark paid no attention to anyone else and walked straight up to Mjolnir, gripping it with his hand.
He then forcefully tried to lift it.
Turns out, even the great Tony Stark wasn't the special one.
The hammer appeared small, but was immovable, as heavy as a mountain.