After the whole Asgardian family therapy session, all I wanted was sleep. But apparently, the universe has other plans.
I step into my darkened room and immediately know something's off. Call it enhanced instincts from the Ultimatrix, or maybe just good old-fashioned paranoia, but-
"Interesting day?" a voice cuts through the darkness. The lights flick on, revealing Nick Fury sitting in my favorite chair like he owns the place.
"You know," I say, closing the door behind me, "most people make appointments. Or at least knock."
"Most people can't turn into living energy and rewrite Asgardian magic." Fury stands, his leather coat doing that dramatic swoosh thing. "Then again, most people aren't pretending to be Wilson Fisk's long-lost son either."
"I'd offer you coffee, but something tells me this isn't a social call."
"Cut the cute act, kid." Fury's one eye fixes on me with laser intensity. "You show up out of nowhere, display power that makes Thor nervous, and suddenly the princes of Asgard are having lattes in Manhattan instead of starting an interplanetary war.
Want to tell me what's really going on?"
"Would you believe teenage rebellion?"
"Try again."
I drop into another chair, suddenly feeling the weight of the day. "Look, if you're here to recruit me for your super-secret boy band, I already have plans."
"SHIELD doesn't recruit," Fury states flatly. "We monitor. We contain. We protect."
"And break into people's rooms for dramatic midnight chats?"
His expression doesn't change, but I swear I catch a hint of amusement. "You're not what you appear to be. The question is - are you a threat?"
"If I was," I meet his gaze steadily, "do you really think you'd be able to do anything about it?"
"Maybe not," he admits. "But I've got a Norse God addicted to pumpkin spice lattes and Tony Stark actually playing well with others. Strange things seem to happen around you."
"Welcome to New York. Strange is our specialty."
Fury takes a step forward, his presence filling the room. "The world's changing. Gods walk among us, threats from beyond our understanding approach. And somehow, you know more about it than you should."
The Ultimatrix pulses softly on my wrist, and Fury's eye snaps to it immediately.
"That's not just a fancy watch, is it?"
"What gave it away?" I deadpan, no longer caring about hiding it. Not like anyone can steal it. "The alien transformations or the reality-warping light show?"
"You joke," Fury moves closer, "but that device has my scientists losing sleep. Technology that can rewrite DNA on the fly, grant multiple power sets, even tap into what Thor calls 'pure creation energy' - it shouldn't exist."
"And yet here we are, having this cozy chat about it."
"Here we are," he agrees, his eye narrowing. "With you playing hero in New York while living with one of the city's biggest crime lords. Tell me, does Fisk know what you really are?"
"Does anyone know what they really are?" I counter. "I mean, philosophically speaking-"
"This isn't a game," Fury cuts me off. "Something's coming. Something big enough to make two Asgardian princes change their entire plans. And somehow, you're at the center of it all."
I lean back, studying him. "If you're fishing for information, you might want to try a smaller hook. This whole intimidating spy master routine? Kind of loses its edge when I can turn into a dinosaur."
"You think this is about intimidation?" Fury actually laughs, though it's not a happy sound. "Kid, if I wanted to threaten you, I wouldn't be here alone."
"Fair point. So why are you here? Besides testing my home security?"
"Because," he steps closer, "whatever's coming, whatever made Thor and his brother stick around Earth learning about Instagram - it's big enough to worry gods. And you know something about it."
The Ultimatrix pulses again, almost like it's warning me. Fury's right - something is coming. But how much can I tell him without breaking everything?
"Let's say, hypothetically," I choose my words carefully, "that I do know something. What makes you think I'd share that information with SHIELD?"
"Because despite your act, despite living with Fisk, despite all the secrets - you actually want to help." Fury's voice carries absolute certainty. "That's the real reason you keep playing hero, isn't it?"
I stay silent, which is probably answer enough.
"I'm not asking you to join SHIELD," he continues. "I'm not even asking you to tell me everything. But whatever's coming... we need to be ready."
"And if I say no?"
"Then I walk out that door, and we pretend this conversation never happened." He pauses. "Until whatever's coming arrives, and we're not prepared."
Damn. He's good at this.
"Here's the thing," I stand up, matching his intensity, "you're right. Something is coming. Multiple somethings, actually. But knowledge isn't always power. Sometimes it's just another way to mess things up worse."
"That's not your call to make."
"Actually, it kind of is." I tap the Ultimatrix. "You want to know why Thor and Loki changed their plans? Because they got a glimpse of something bigger than their family drama. And now they're trying to prepare without breaking everything in the process."
Fury's eye narrows. "And you're what? Their cosmic consultant?"
"More like the guy who accidentally showed them some home movies from the future while high on energy powers." I run a hand through my white hair. "Look, I get it. You want to protect Earth. But some things need to happen their own way."
"Like you playing hero while living with Wilson Fisk?"
"You really don't like that part, do you?"
"Let's just say it complicates things."
I laugh. "Welcome to my life. But here's the deal - I'll help where I can, warn about what I should, but I'm not becoming SHIELD's personal fortune teller."
"And the device?" His eye flicks to the Ultimatrix.
"Is staying exactly where it is. Though I'm sure that won't stop your scientists from trying to figure it out anyway."
Fury actually smiles, though it's more predatory than friendly. "Can't blame us for being curious about technology that shouldn't exist."
"Blame whoever you want. Just remember - I chose to let go of powers you find god-like. Twice now, if you're counting, since I could really take authority over this planet if I wanted to. That should tell you something about whose side I'm on."
"Maybe," he moves toward the door. "Or maybe it just tells me you're playing an even longer game than I thought."
"Paranoia must be exhausting."
"It keeps me alive." He pauses at the threshold. "We'll be watching."
"I know. Try not to get too bored with all the footage of me saving cats from trees."
After he leaves, I sink back into my chair, suddenly exhausted. Between Asgardian princes wanting advice and SHIELD directors breaking into my room, this day couldn't get much weirder.
My phone buzzes - the group chat:
Thor: "BROTHER STARK! I HAVE DISCOVERED THESE MOVING PICTURES CALLED 'GIFS'! 🌩️"
Loki: "Thor, capslock is not necessary for every message."
Stark: "Too late. I've created a monster."
I take it back. It can always get weirder.
--------------------------------
(Author note: I hope you guys liked the conversation with Fury. Do tell me how you found it. I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)