"He seems to be some kind of vigilante," Agent Morse stated. "From what we've been able to tell, he definitely has enhanced abilities, whether that is due to the Mutant X gene, a simple mutate in his DNA or due to technology, we have no idea."
"So why come to us?" Harry asked.
"He's operating in New York," Agent Morse stated. "The place where the Avengers are going to be based once Mister Stark here finishes renovating his Tower."
"So, if this was happening somewhere else, you wouldn't be asking us about him?" Harry asked confusedly.
Agent Morse shook her head. "We'd probably still consult you but it may not be as high a priority."
"If that's the case, you're going to be coming to us a lot," Tony replied. "Hmm, I may have to think about increasing my fee. Especially with all of the weird that New York seems to attract."
"What do you mean by that?" Agent Morse asked quickly.
"Come on, Agent, surely S.H.I.E.L.D. has seen it too?" Tony said. "Jarvis? Play file: 'Devil'."
Instantly, a second set of holographic images appeared. These ones, like the first set, showed a man on the rooftops at night, running around and leaping distances that didn't seem possible. And like the first, he too wore a costume, only his was a deep blood red and black.
"This guy's been operating out of Hell's Kitchen for a while now," Tony stated.
"We are aware of Daredevil," Agent Morse stated.
"Daredevil?" Harry blanched. "What kind of name is that?"
"It's what he calls himself," Tony said dismissively. "He fights crime and criminals. Kind of hard to even get these few pictures, but I am just too good to hide from. Seems to limit himself to the one small area of New York, though, which is something I guess.
"And he's not the only one that calls New York home. Xavier's bunch are in upstate New York …"
"Xavier?" Harry cut in.
"Leader of the mutants. Well, the good ones, at least," Tony replied. "Runs a school for them and everything. The ones that fight for good and all that stuff call themselves the X-Men. Mostly limit themselves to keeping the bad mutants in check."
Harry shook his head. The world was definitely weirder than he thought. Not that he could really say much, being a member of a secret worldwide society of witches and wizards.
"My point is that there seems to be more and more weirdos coming out of the woodwork, both the good kind and the annoying, got-to-put-them-in-their-place kind," Tony continued. "And for some reason, New York seems to attract more than their fair share."
"S.H.I.E.L.D.'s thoughts exactly," Agent Morse agreed. "We'd … appreciate it if the Avengers could keep an eye on things and be prepared to step in if and when some of these people get beyond what the police can handle."
"I so wish Nicky-boy had come tonight. I would have loved to have seen him twisting himself in knots trying not to ask us that," Tony grinned.
Agent Morse gave him a hard look.
"We'll do what we can," Harry assured her, taking her focus off of the billionaire.
With a nod, Agent Morse accepted Harry's promise before leaning forward, tapping off her pad and pocketing it. She rose then.
"If you see or hear anything, let us know," she said. "We'll be in touch."
After she'd gone, Harry turned to Tony.
"There's really that many strange people in New York?" he asked.
"Better believe it, Gandalf," Tony replied. "Like this one time not long back I was in New York and got called in to deal with this guy who was threatening people with boomerangs to rob a bank. Boomerangs, I kid you not! Anyway, this Crocodile Dundee want-a-be …"
Harry happily leant back in his chair, a slight smile on his face as Tony talked, gesturing wilding as he relived the event. He wondered what Tony's reaction would be if he found out that Harry had done most of the work for him that day. It was oh, so very tempting …
ooo00ooo
The light coming from the stairwell leading to Tony's lab caught Harry's attention as he crossed the room towards the kitchen late at night. He was having trouble sleeping due to the slight time difference between New York and Malibu and thought that a warm glass of milk might help.
Curious, he padded down the stairs only to see Tony seated at his main desk, four computer screens lit up around him with a corresponding number of holographic displays in the air around him. From what he could make out, it appeared that there were Iron Man suit designs on every screen.
A gentle tap on the door alerted the man to his presence; an absent wave gave him permission to enter.
"Couldn't sleep?" Harry asked.
"Never been a big one for sleeping," Tony replied. "Seems a waste of time, really."
"Know what that's like," Harry replied.
"You don't sleep much either?" Tony asked, peering at him. "Is that like a thing with magic people, needing less sleep?"
Harry shook his head. "Witches and wizards need just as much sleep as any other person. No, my insomnia stems from my youth. I'm mostly over it now, but there were years where I didn't get much sleep."
"Partying too much?" Tony asked. "'Cause that's a good way to stop you sleeping at night."
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