"Actually, you can tell him yourself. He's been wanting to meet you face-to-face," Natasha replied.
Lynch thought for a moment, then nodded, "Okay, pick a place, we'll meet soon."
...
At the restaurant.
As soon as Lynch walked in, his eyes were drawn to a shiny bald head. The gleam was almost like a beacon, and he followed it directly.
At the table, Fury was in his classic black suit, wearing his eyepatch with a stern expression, both hands on the table. Next to him, Natasha, in a short dress, sat back in her chair, relaxed and casual.
"Hey," Lynch greeted, sitting down across from them.
Fury sized him up and, in his deep, magnetic voice, said, "Lyn, finally we meet."
Natasha nodded without speaking.
Lynch picked up the glass of water in front of him, took a sip, and waited for Fury to continue.
"I hear you've brought us a rather... unique scientist?" Fury said, observing Lynch closely.
"Yeah, but he's a bit of a handful," Lynch replied bluntly.
"In what way?" Fury asked.
Lynch put down the glass, thought for a moment, then said, "His brain mutated. Aside from the faster thinking I mentioned, he might also have abilities like mind control, heightened intuition, and telepathy."
Fury and Natasha exchanged glances.
"You're not sure?" Fury asked.
Lynch shook his head.
"Can you handle it?" he asked.
"Of course. That's what we do," Fury responded in a tone that made it clear he didn't appreciate Lynch's doubt.
Thinking of how Hydra had already deeply infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D., Lynch hesitated, not sure how to bring it up. He could only give Fury a worried look.
Fury, noticing the look, asked, "Is there a problem?"
After a moment of hesitation, Lynch vaguely said, "Director Fury, sometimes it's best not to be too confident in S.H.I.E.L.D. Danger is closer than you think."
Lynch wasn't sure whether to tell him that Hydra had already taken over S.H.I.E.L.D.
If he didn't say anything, maybe S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn't too compromised yet—definitely better than after the full reveal. In theory, now would be a better time to act.
But if he did tell him, it might change the storyline, and who knows? Fury could be assassinated by Hydra right away, unlike in the movies, where he narrowly survived. And with Captain America still frozen in ice, without a hero of that caliber, Fury might not stand a chance against Hydra.
Either way, it seemed risky to Lynch.
Fury nodded but looked confused.
"I know, that's why I'm preparing for that plan, you know…"
Lynch shook his head, indicating Fury had misunderstood.
Fury finally realized they were talking about different things. "What do you mean?"
Lynch thought for a moment, then asked, "If there was a crisis where S.H.I.E.L.D. could be wiped out, would you risk almost certain death to save it?"
After asking, Lynch felt like he was stating the obvious.
Sure enough, Fury looked surprised, but quickly and firmly said, "Of course. I wouldn't let it fall under my watch."
"Alright." Lynch stood up. "It's your choice."
He walked over to Fury and suddenly removed a hidden earpiece from Fury's ear, crushing it.
"What are you doing?" Fury asked, not angry but curious. He knew Lynch didn't need fancy tricks if he really wanted to take him out.
Lynch leaned in and whispered, "The enemy is within."
Fury's eyes sharpened instantly. He stared at Lynch and quietly asked, "Are you saying there's a mole inside S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Lynch gave him a cryptic look, then said, "No, S.H.I.E.L.D. has already been taken over. Be careful."
After that, Lynch returned to his seat.
Fury quickly masked his surprise and returned to his usual expression.
He pretended the conversation hadn't happened and changed the subject. "So, how have you been?"
Lynch gave him a look, thinking, You're really going to pretend you don't know?
"Not bad, but you probably know better than I do."
"Good. How's it going with Natasha?" Fury asked, seemingly out of nowhere.
Lynch glanced at Natasha, feeling a bit puzzled, and replied, "Not bad. So, Natasha won't be going on field missions anymore?"
Without much thought, Fury promised, "If you want."
Lynch smiled but didn't respond.
Sensing his meaning, Fury asked, "So, what are your plans?"
"Plans?" Lynch gave him a look that said, Please spare me. He replied, "Haven't you guys already planned it all out for me? Superhero 'SuperBoy.'"
Fury shook his head, not agreeing with Lynch's take.
"That was your own choice."
"Alright, but next time, I might make a different choice."
Fury was silent for a while.
After thinking, Lynch gave a response, "I'm planning to stay in Hell's Kitchen for a while."
"Hell's Kitchen?" Fury seemed unfamiliar. "In Manhattan?"
"Yeah."
"Do you need anything? Money, a place…?"
"No." Lynch shook his head. "I can handle that. If I need anything, I'll let Natasha know."
"Alright."
Fury paused.
"Do you think Dr. Sterns could be part of that plan?"
Lynch's eyes shifted slightly. Here comes the main topic.
"I don't know, just thought you might need him."
Fury continued, "I'd like to hear your thoughts on that plan."
As Fury spoke, scenes from iconic moments flashed through Lynch's mind.
The Battle of New York, the Avengers assembling, internal strife caused by Loki, then uniting to fight the Chitauri army.
Ultron's attempt to end the world, new faces joining the Avengers, battling the AI, and stopping the floating city from crashing.
Thanos' arrival, the Avengers' crushing defeat, half the universe wiped out, and the heroes scattered.
The final battle, the Avengers reuniting to face a time-traveling enemy, saving the vanished half of the universe.
What is the Avengers without their team? What would the Marvel Cinematic Universe be without them?
Of course, it needed support!
"It's a very visionary plan," Lynch said truthfully.
"Even though, right now, you might see me as a potential enemy, I have to admit—it's brilliant."
He shrugged, unbothered.
"Oh?" Fury was a bit surprised.
"You're that certain?"
"Absolutely," Lynch said confidently. "It might be the best decision you've ever made."
Fury looked a bit amused but said nothing more.
"Alright, I'm leaving now. Let's talk again next time," Lynch said as he stood up, ready to leave.
"I'll walk you out," Natasha also got up.
At the door, Natasha asked, "What do you think of Director Fury? Any different from your impression?"
Lynch smiled and replied, "Pretty much what I expected—he's got a strong presence."
Natasha smiled too and said, "Once you've moved in, invite me out for a drink."
"Sure."