In the weeks following the Battle of New York, the world slowly began to recover. The skyline was dotted with cranes, and the streets buzzed with the hum of reconstruction. The people had seen firsthand that gods and aliens were no longer the stuff of fiction. Heroes had emerged, and the Avengers, once a whispered rumor, were now household names.
For Metis, however, the aftermath wasn't just about rebuilding a city. It was about finding his place in this new world, one that was both familiar and foreign at the same time. His system had integrated deeply into his life, guiding him, shaping him, and offering endless potential for growth. But with that power came uncertainty.
He stood atop one of the rebuilt skyscrapers, looking out over the city. His system was quiet today, the endless notifications and updates for once at a standstill. It almost felt peaceful.
Almost.
"Thinking about jumping?" came a voice from behind him, casual but laced with a teasing tone.
Metis turned to see Natasha standing there, her signature black outfit replaced with a more casual look—jeans and a leather jacket. She stepped closer, her eyes scanning the skyline with a quiet appreciation.
"Just thinking," Metis replied, offering a small smile. "Not about jumping."
Natasha leaned against the railing beside him. "Well, that's good to know. Would hate to see you turn into a statistic."
Metis chuckled softly, though the weight on his shoulders hadn't quite lifted. "How's the city looking from your end?"
"Better," Natasha said, crossing her arms. "People are rebuilding, trying to move on. But they know now. They know what's out there."
Metis nodded, understanding the subtext. The world had changed irrevocably, and there was no going back to the way things were before. Aliens, gods, and superpowered beings were a part of their reality now. For better or worse.
"What about you?" Natasha asked, her voice softer now. "You're not quite the same since the fight."
Metis glanced at her, surprised by her observation. He hadn't spoken much about what was going on inside his head, but Natasha was sharp, always noticing the things others missed.
"I don't know," Metis admitted, looking down at his hands. "It's this system, this power. It's made me stronger, faster. But sometimes, it feels like… I'm not the one in control."
Natasha was silent for a moment, considering his words. "I've seen what happens when people lose themselves to power. But I don't think that's you."
Metis raised an eyebrow. "You sound pretty sure of that."
"I've been around enough people with power to know the difference," Natasha said, her gaze steady. "You're not reckless, Metis. You're thoughtful, deliberate. That's what makes you different."
Metis wanted to believe her, but there was still a nagging doubt in the back of his mind. The system gave him strength, but it also felt like it had its own agenda. And the more he leveled up, the more that sense of unease grew.
"I appreciate that," Metis said, his voice quiet. "But I need to figure this out."
Natasha nodded, her expression understanding. "You will. Just don't try to do it alone."
They stood in silence for a while, the sounds of the city far below them. The connection between them was still new, still tentative, but there was a growing trust—a bond forged in battle and strengthened in the quiet moments afterward.
"By the way," Natasha said, breaking the silence. "Fury's been asking about you."
Metis raised an eyebrow. "Fury?"
"Yeah, seems like you've caught his attention," Natasha said with a smirk. "He's got that look in his eye like he's planning something."
Metis sighed, shaking his head. "Great. Just what I need—more attention from the guy who controls half the world's secrets."
Natasha chuckled. "It's not so bad. Fury's… complicated, but he's not the enemy. If he's interested in you, it means he sees potential."
"I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing," Metis said, half-joking, half-serious.
"It's both," Natasha replied. "But you'll handle it. You've handled worse."
There was a moment of shared understanding between them—both of them were survivors, people who had seen the darker side of the world and come out the other side stronger. But that strength came at a cost, and Metis knew that better than anyone.
Before they could continue the conversation, Metis's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glancing at the screen. It was a message from Fury's office. Natasha gave him a knowing look.
"Looks like he's not wasting any time," she said with a smirk.
Metis sighed again, slipping the phone back into his pocket. "I guess not."
"You going to see what he wants?"
"I suppose I don't have much of a choice," Metis said, though there was a part of him that was curious. Fury was always ten steps ahead of everyone else, and if he was reaching out to Metis, it meant something important was happening.
Natasha stepped away from the railing, turning to leave. "Good luck," she said over her shoulder. "You're going to need it."
Metis watched her go, the weight of the conversation lingering in the air. He wasn't entirely sure what Fury wanted, but he had a feeling that his journey was about to take another unexpected turn. With one last glance at the city below, Metis turned and headed down the stairs, his mind already racing with possibilities.
Fury's office was as imposing as ever, tucked away in one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secure locations. When Metis arrived, he was immediately escorted to Fury's office by one of the agents. The walk through the sterile corridors gave him time to reflect, though his thoughts were still clouded by uncertainty.
As the door to Fury's office slid open, Metis found himself face-to-face with the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Fury was seated behind his desk, his one good eye watching Metis with that inscrutable expression he always wore.
"Metis," Fury said, his tone measured. "Glad you could make it."
Metis nodded, taking a seat across from him. "I didn't think I had much of a choice."
Fury smirked, leaning back in his chair. "You're not wrong about that."
There was a moment of silence before Fury spoke again, his tone shifting to something more serious. "You've been through a lot lately. Fought in a war that wasn't yours, stood against forces most people couldn't even imagine. And you've come out the other side… stronger."
Metis remained silent, waiting for Fury to get to the point. He had a feeling this wasn't just a friendly check-in.
"I know about your system," Fury continued, his voice low. "And I know it's changing you."
Metis's eyes narrowed slightly. "How much do you know?"
"Enough," Fury said, his gaze sharp. "I don't pretend to understand it completely, but I've seen what it's done for you. And I've seen what it could do if you're not careful."
Metis clenched his fists, but kept his voice steady. "So, what do you want?"
Fury leaned forward, his expression serious. "I want to offer you a choice. You can keep going down this path on your own, trying to figure things out as you go. Or you can work with us—with S.H.I.E.L.D. We can help you understand what's happening to you, help you control it."
Metis felt the weight of the offer. Fury wasn't just talking about help—he was talking about control, about making sure Metis stayed on the right side of the line. But Metis wasn't sure if he wanted that. His system was part of him now, and he didn't know if he could trust S.H.I.E.L.D. to understand that.
"And if I say no?" Metis asked, his tone guarded.
Fury's expression didn't change. "If you say no, then you walk out of here, and we go our separate ways. But know this—we're keeping an eye on you. Because if you lose control, if that system of yours becomes a threat… we will stop you."
The room fell into a tense silence as Fury's words hung in the air. Metis knew the implications of the offer, and he knew that if he accepted, he would be putting himself under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s watchful eye. But if he didn't…
Metis stood up, his decision made. "I'll think about it."
Fury didn't try to stop him. "Take your time. But don't take too long. The world is changing, Metis. And we're going to need people like you—whether you like it or not."
With that, Metis turned and left the office, his mind swirling with questions. The road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—this was only the beginning of something much bigger.