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Chapter 4
A roar split the evening sky, the powerful rumble of an aircraft engine filling the air as a sleek, cutting-edge fighter jet descended through the clouds. It hovered briefly, then gracefully touched down, its hatch hissing open to reveal a dignified-looking, middle-aged man with a receding hairline. His presence was quiet yet unmistakable—this was Phil Coulson, an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and right-hand man to the formidable Nick Fury.
Despite the impressive entrance, Li Ye didn't turn his gaze from the bloody, barely-conscious General Ross under his foot. His fists clenched, then descended again on Ross, an unforgiving rhythm of strikes that echoed in the quiet that followed the jet's arrival.
"Mr. Li Ye, please, if I could have a moment of your time!" Coulson's tone was polite but unwavering.
With his foot still planted on Ross, Li Ye glanced up, eyes narrowing. "What do you want? If you're here to stop me, you're wasting your time."
The agent remained composed, though a flicker of anxiety flashed in his eyes. "Mr. Li Ye, my name is Phil Coulson. I'm from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division—S.H.I.E.L.D., if you will. I've been tasked with resolving the… misunderstanding between you and General Ross. If you could, uh, spare him, it would be greatly appreciated."
Li Ye snorted. "Misunderstanding? This so-called general brought a whole battalion after me. Guns, missiles, everything aimed at my head, and you call that a misunderstanding?"
Coulson kept his voice steady, his diplomatic skills honed over years in service. "I assure you, it is precisely that—a grave misunderstanding. These weapons weren't intended for you but for the monsters you've just vanquished. General Ross simply misinterpreted the situation in his zeal to protect the city."
Li Ye's face darkened. "This 'misunderstanding' almost got me killed."
"Yes, and I deeply apologize on behalf of my organization and our government," Coulson responded, as if sensing the volatile air around Li Ye and treading carefully. "General Ross, in his unwavering commitment to the nation, momentarily lost sight of the bigger picture. His actions, though misguided, stemmed from a place of duty."
With a flick of his hand, Li Ye dismissed the carefully crafted words. "Enough with the pleasantries. Get to the point, Coulson. I'm about to crush this dog under my foot if you don't make it worth my while."
Coulson tensed but pressed on. "Mr. Li Ye, my superiors hope you'll release General Ross and his men into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s custody. Let us handle this matter."
Li Ye raised an eyebrow. "And what's in it for me?"
Coulson swallowed, clearly hoping his offer wouldn't sound as ludicrous as he felt it was. "In exchange, we're prepared to overlook today's… incident. No charges, no pursuit."
The faintest smirk tugged at Li Ye's lips as he looked at Coulson, his expression a mix of incredulity and pity. "Are you serious?"
The agent hesitated, then answered. "Yes. That is the offer. Do we have a deal?"
Li Ye's voice dropped to a deadly tone. "I'm not agreeing to that joke of a proposal."
Coulson's expression flickered with concern. "In that case, my superior, Director Nick Fury, would like a word with you. He's authorized to negotiate on our behalf."
A moment later, Coulson produced a tablet. As he powered it on, the image of a bald, stern-faced man with an eye patch appeared onscreen.
"Mr. Li Ye," Nick Fury's voice was smooth yet commanding. "I'm Director Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. It seems we've got ourselves in a bit of a situation here. I'm willing to negotiate. Tell us what you want, and if it's within reason, we'll see it done."
Li Ye's smirk widened, finally intrigued. He pretended to ponder, his fingers rubbing together in the universal sign of money. "Alright, here's the deal. For saving your city, handling your monsters, and not crushing this old dog under my foot, I want a billion dollars. And a luxury mansion in Queens. Think of it as… compensation for services rendered."
Fury's expression didn't change, but his voice betrayed a hint of tension. "A billion?"
Li Ye shrugged, as if asking for a mere pocket change. "Only fair. If you can't meet my terms, well, Ross here… might not live to see tomorrow."
Fury sighed heavily but relented. "Fine. S.H.I.E.L.D. will transfer the money. And your mansion will be ready by the end of the week."
With a satisfied nod, Li Ye lifted his foot off General Ross, who was still gasping on the ground.
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Chapter 6: Hero or Villain
"Hero or Villain? Eyewitness Reports" - The New York Times
"Military Missteps Lead to Chaos as Monsters Attack" – Economic Special Bulletin
"New York's Defender or Menace?" – Daily Herald
"Where Was Spider-Man?" – Clarion Daily
The previous night's events in New York had swept across the globe like wildfire. Two monstrous creatures had wreaked havoc in downtown Manhattan, and a mysterious "Superman" had arrived to end the rampage. But the cost? Devastation on a massive scale.
The carnage had spurred protests across the city, citizens demanding accountability from their leaders. The military was under fire, with fingers pointing at General Ross as a scapegoat for the chaos he'd failed to prevent. Yet, the public's attention seemed almost wholly captivated by the new figure that had emerged from the chaos: Superman.
Interviews with witnesses painted a complex image of the so-called hero.
A blonde woman gushed, practically swooning as she spoke to a reporter. "Superman is my hero! He's amazing! If you're watching this, Superman—I love you!"
Meanwhile, an older man with a sour expression shook his head at the cameras. "A menace, that's what he is! Did you see the way he threw those tanks around? No one man should have that kind of power."
Reporters turned to a young boy, freckles dotting his cheeks as he beamed. "He's incredible! My mom says he's too dangerous, but I think he's just like Iron Man!"
The question of the hour loomed: Was Superman a hero or a villain? The public debated fiercely, split down the middle. Some lauded his actions, celebrating his intervention as nothing short of miraculous. Others condemned his disregard for property, his aggression towards the military.
---
Far from the city's uproar, Li Ye was lounging in his new mansion, courtesy of S.H.I.E.L.D., enjoying the opulence around him. Cameras that had been installed by S.H.I.E.L.D. had been swiftly disabled, while the unfortunate agents sent to keep tabs on him were left dangling from the tops of skyscrapers. Nick Fury's frustration was palpable, but with each failed attempt to contain the unpredictable "Superman," his options dwindled.
The next morning, a black luxury sedan rolled up to the mansion, and out stepped Coulson, looking as composed as ever, along with a striking woman with fiery red hair.
Coulson turned to her. "Natasha, remember, the target is unpredictable and incredibly powerful. Do not antagonize him."
She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I get it, Coulson. I'll do my job."
As they approached the mansion, Li Ye opened the door with an amused smile. "Well, if it isn't my favorite government agent. And who's this lovely friend you've brought?"
The red-haired woman extended her hand with a practiced, sultry smile. "Natasha Romanoff, S.H.I.E.L.D. Special Agent. Nice to meet you."
"Your department has some strange names," Li Ye commented dryly as he took her hand.