"Director, with all due respect, this is insane." In a secure conference room deep inside the S.H.I.E.L.D. base, Fury stood with arms crossed, staring at five towering screens. Each one flickered with the image of a stern-faced member of the World Security Council—global leaders pulling the strings from behind the curtain.
"You're talking about tapping into power none of us truly understands," one of the council reps said, narrowing his eyes.
Fury didn't flinch. "Sir, have you ever fought in a war? Because in war, control is a luxury we don't get."
Another representative leaned forward. "So what, Director? You're saying Asgard has declared war on Earth?"
"From what we can tell, Loki's acting alone. Thor's not our enemy—but he's out of reach. We can't afford to wait around for him. We have to handle this ourselves."
"Which is why you've reactivated the Avengers Initiative."
Gideon Malick, a cold and calculating presence on the screen, smirked. "Your files show you've got an elite intelligence agency, yet you're handing Earth's defense to a group of enhanced misfits. Why not just invite the mutants too? Make it a proper freakshow."
Fury stared right back, unbothered. "Actually, that's exactly what I'm thinking. Mutants are a powerful asset."
The smirk faded from Gideon's face. "Director, that's not funny."
"Who said I was joking?" Fury's voice was flat, unwavering.
He paced slowly in front of the screens, looking each council member in the eye.
"With all due respect, gentlemen, this isn't about rogue governments or black-market weapons anymore. Loki isn't human, and without even casting a spell, he took down one of our best agents like it was nothing. Aliens are here. This isn't a theory—it's a confirmed threat."
He paused, then said, "You're acting like this is a human squabble. Like it's still the Civil War and you're arguing about state colors. These aliens don't care what part of Earth you're from. They won't stop to ask which corner of the world you're from, human or mutant, before turning your city to ash."
Gideon's tone hardened. "So you think emotions win wars now, Director?"
"No. But they can be powerful tools when aimed right," Fury replied.
With that, he shut down the call.
The screens blinked off, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
A moment later, he tapped his earpiece and connected to another line.
"Coulson, what's your status?"
"Making solid progress, sir," Coulson answered through the comm. "I've already reached out to Stark. Agent Romanoff is tracking down Dr. Banner. And Ethan—he's on a plane with Captain Rogers."
"Good. What about Professor X?"
The camera shifted to Ethan standing beside Coulson.
"Professor X has our back. He said in times like this, humans and mutants stand together. They're ready to help—and you can expect something big."
Fury raised an eyebrow. "So... can the professor help us track Loki?"
Ethan shook his head. "No luck. Xavier already tried. Whatever magic Loki's using through that scepter of his—it's blocking the professor's telepathy. Completely."
"Oh, that's too bad. I'll be waiting for you at headquarters," Fury said, cutting the communication with a quiet click.
As the screen faded to black, Steve Rogers—freshly awakened from seventy years on ice—looked up with a thoughtful expression. "That Dr. Banner you mentioned... is he trying to recreate the serum they used on me?"
Coulson turned toward him. "A lot of people have tried. You were the first successful super-soldier, after all. But none of the results ever came close. Same with Dr. Banner—he thought gamma radiation could unlock the secret to Dr. Erskine's original formula. But it didn't. It just... changed him."
"Well, if its in any consolation, Banner didn't know jack-shit about recreating anyone's formula when he started working for that jerk Ross. Ross tricked him, typical military man tricking a scientist man to do his bidding," Ethan chimed in, arms crossed as he leaned against the bulkhead. His eyes had a curious gleam. "Though according to Dr. Stern's genetic theory, some people—mutants like me—awaken our powers when foreign genes clash with our DNA. Like a forced evolution."
Abomination, Spider-Man, even Cap—technically enhanced mutants. Different triggers, same outcome.
Steve gave him a steady look. "You're a mutant. That formula doesn't mean much to you. You've already got more power than most of us. No serum needed."
Ethan only smiled faintly, saying nothing, his silence a little too knowing.
Steve looked at him for a moment longer before speaking again, his tone more reflective. "You know, back in my day, people talked about mutants like they were just rumors. Urban legends. I never thought I'd see the day there'd be so many of you walking around. Honestly? If my Howling Commandos had even one guy like you, things might've gone a lot differently."
Ethan's expression softened. "There are more of us now, yeah. But most people don't see us as heroes. They see us as... something else. Outsiders. Threats."
He gave a small, wry chuckle. "You ever read Superman comics? Those were around in your time, right? One Superman? That's a hero. But a thousand Kryptonians? Suddenly the world panics."
Steve stepped closer. "But you're not Kryptonian. You're human—same as the rest of us. That's what matters. We're equals."
That wasn't a speech from a politician. It was pure Steve Rogers. His belief in equality and freedom wasn't something written in policy—it lived in him.
That's why so many people followed him. It's why he refused to sign the Sokovia Accords later. He didn't serve governments. He served the ideals he believed in.
"Fury told me to be ready. Said the world's gotten weirder," Steve added with a small grin, shifting the mood. "I told him, sure, the world's changed—new people, new rules. But I think I can still keep up."
He chuckled. "So I made him a bet. Ten bucks."
Ethan and Coulson exchanged a glance and shared a grin.
"Fifty on him keeping up," Coulson said.
"Make that a hundred," Ethan added, digging through his jacket. "Wait—let me see how much I've got—"
"Buy and leave!" Steve cut in quickly, raising his hand like he was trying to wave off a street vendor.
The way Ethan and Coulson looked at him, he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just become the target of a long-running prank.
"Am I really that out of the loop?" Steve muttered under his breath. "I don't look that lost, do I?"
"Am I really that out of the loop?" Steve muttered to himself. "I don't look that lost... do I?"
Coulson stood beside him, practically buzzing with excitement. "But seriously, it's an honor to finally meet you in person."
Coulson was more than just an agent—he was a full-blown Captain America superfan.
He had spent years and who knows how much money tracking down a complete set of limited-edition Captain America SR trading cards.
And now? Now he had the man himself right in front of him.
If he could just get Steve Rogers to sign each one, those cards would go from rare to legendary.
European collectors would cry.
SSR status unlocked.
Just as Coulson was about to pull out the cards and begin his sacred autograph ritual, the plane shook with a soft jolt.
"Welcome to S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters," the pilot's voice crackled overhead. "We've just landed."
"Are we going down now?" Steve asked calmly.
"Wait, I still have one thing—" Coulson clutched the cards in his coat pocket like they were made of gold. He wasn't about to waste this chance.
But before he could say anything more, Natasha Romanoff stepped into the cabin with her usual sharp presence.
"Coulson, Fury wants to see you. Now."
Coulson froze. Then sighed. "Right... Okay."
He gave one last longing pat to his card collection as he moved to leave, muttering under his breath about the power of African royalty and missed opportunities.
But this wasn't over. He'd waited this long—he wasn't giving up until every card had ink on it.
Natasha turned to Steve and Ethan with a nod. "First time meeting two great heroes. I'm Agent Romanoff."
"Nice to meet you," Steve replied politely. "Coulson looked pretty upset just now. Seemed like he had something to say."
"Oh, that? He didn't get your autograph," Natasha said with a knowing smile. "He's a hardcore fan. He practically threatened a publisher with S.H.I.E.L.D. funding just to get those cards printed."
Not far off, Ethan spotted a familiar face—Dr. Bruce Banner, looking slightly disoriented.
"Yo, Dr. Banner!" Ethan called out with a grin. It was their first time seeing each other since the 'Abomination incident.'
Banner blinked in surprise, then recognition lit up his face.
"Oh—it's you!" he said, his voice filled with unexpected relief.
Despite everything, he remembered Ethan clearly.
After all, it's not easy to forget the guy who tossed the Hulk around like a ragdoll.
He walked up quickly and shook Ethan's hand with both of his.
"Honestly, I'm really glad to see you here. Agent Romanoff told me your name's Ethan, right? Listen, I trust you. If the Hulk goes off again... I'm counting on you."
"No pressure," Ethan replied dryly, eyebrows raised.
Banner chuckled, then leaned in a little, voice dropping.
"I've been studying the Hulk again. I found something. Weak points—sort of. Not your usual ones though. Knees, spine, temples—too protected. Hulk's bones are thick, his stance is too grounded. But... the nose. Hit the nose hard, and the neck. They're more vulnerable."
He hesitated, then gestured vaguely lower on his torso, his voice faltering. "And... well, uh, just ignore that. Not a weakness. Definitely not."
Banner handed Ethan a small, crumpled notebook filled with clean, handwritten notes. "In case you forget. I wrote it all down. Just in case."