Inside the bustling headquarters of SHIELD, Nick Fury's face was dark with frustration, his sharp eyes reflecting the heavy burden of recent failures that weighed on the entire agency.
Maria Hill, fresh from her dangerous chase, and Natasha Romanoff, urgently summoned back, stood alongside other key SHIELD operatives, their expressions grim, many sporting visible cuts and bruises from the catastrophic events that had rocked their organization.
The disaster had struck SHIELD like a thunderbolt, leaving deep scars that would not easily heal.
The agency had boldly planned to tap the Cosmic Cube's vast power to create cutting-edge weapons, hoping to strengthen Earth's defenses, but their technology couldn't tame the cube's unstable energy, leading to the underground research facility's collapse, a calamity that cost countless resources and lives.
Worse still, an alien intruder had exposed SHIELD's weaknesses, killing agents, stealing the Cosmic Cube, and escaping, while turning trusted allies like Hawkeye against them, a betrayal that cut deeper than any physical wound.
Loki's powers—magic straight out of myths, a body that laughed off bullets and blades, and the ability to cross space—showed Fury just how outmatched Earth was against such extraterrestrial threats.
Thoughts of Loki stirred memories of Alex, who had also arrived through a spatial rift, claiming to be an Earthling and helping Fury escape, yet whose sudden appearance raised red flags in the mind of SHIELD's wary director.
Fury, a master of espionage, trusted few, and Alex's story, though helpful, demanded careful investigation to uncover the truth behind his origins.
Meanwhile, Phil Coulson, known for his warm demeanor, sat with Alex, chatting in a friendly manner that masked his mission to gather vital information for SHIELD, a gentle approach that showed the agency's cautious goodwill toward their mysterious guest.
Phil was genuinely curious about Alex's abilities, having met many extraordinary people, and he asked about them with an open, interested tone, finding Alex's powers fascinating yet believable in a world full of wonders.
Alex, careful to hide his abilities to copy powers and travel dimensions, shared details of his other skills—controlling metal, wielding expert swordsmanship, moving with lightning-fast Shave, shielding himself with Armament Haki, and turning invisible—each talent painting a picture of a versatile fighter.
Phil's eyes widened slightly as Alex listed his abilities, amazed by their variety, as most extraordinary people he knew had simpler powers, making Alex's diverse skill set stand out like a blazing star.
He also probed into Alex's past, gently asking about his origins, a topic SHIELD needed to understand to assess the newcomer's intentions.
Alex, borrowing from stories like Star-Lord's, explained that he had faint memories of growing up on Earth as a child before being taken to a distant planet by aliens, only returning via a spatial rift that, by sheer chance, landed him in SHIELD's base.
Whether his tale was true or not, Alex had shown no hostility, so Phil nodded, accepting the story for now, his kind demeanor keeping the conversation light and comfortable.
Phil's charm, well-known within SHIELD, shone through, his polite and gentle manner making Alex feel at ease, even though he knew Phil was gathering intel, the exchange as refreshing as a cool breeze on a warm day.
"You said you were born on Earth but were too young to remember your home? I'll look into it and see if we can find your roots," Phil said warmly, offering help after their talk.
"Thank you," Alex replied, his gratitude sincere despite the fabricated story, touched by Phil's genuine kindness.
"By the way, what's your next step?" Phil asked casually, his tone friendly but searching for clues about Alex's plans.
"Next step? I'm new to Earth, so I'll probably find a job and settle down for now," Alex answered after a brief pause, his response calculated to seem normal, knowing SHIELD's eyes were on him and wanting to appear as a law-abiding citizen to avoid suspicion.
"Looking for a job? You seem highly capable, so how about joining SHIELD temporarily to lend us a hand? Of course, if a better opportunity comes along later, you're free to leave," Phil suggested after a brief pause, his tone warm yet strategic, sensing an opportunity that could benefit both sides.
SHIELD was in desperate need of skilled individuals, especially someone with Alex's unique talents, and Alex's expressed need for employment aligned perfectly, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement that seemed almost fated.
"Okay!" Alex agreed with a nod, his expression calm but his mind buzzing with possibilities, as joining SHIELD had been his underlying goal when he mentioned seeking a job.
In truth, Alex had his sights set on staying close to SHIELD to explore the extraordinary genetic potential of figures like the Hulk and Thor, curious if he could replicate their abilities, and even wondering if Tony Stark's brilliant intellect could be copied, a prospect that thrilled him with its implications.
Remaining within SHIELD's orbit was the ideal way to connect with these legendary figures, offering Alex a front-row seat to their world while keeping him under the agency's protective yet watchful gaze.
Soon after, Phil reported the details of his conversation with Alex to Nick Fury, outlining the full scope of the newcomer's abilities with a note of admiration for their versatility.
Fury nodded as Phil described Alex's demonstrated skills—Shave for blinding speed, Armament Haki for defense, masterful swordsmanship, and metal manipulation—surprised to learn of his additional invisibility ability, which added another layer to his already impressive repertoire.
While Alex's raw power might not rival the mightiest, his comprehensive skill set made him a valuable asset, capable of filling multiple roles in SHIELD's strained operations.
Regarding Alex's request to join SHIELD, Fury had no objections to Phil's initiative, seeing it as a strategic move that served dual purposes—bolstering their ranks with Alex's abilities and keeping him close for observation, as Fury's seasoned instincts as the master of agents prevented him from fully trusting Alex's claims without verification.
"Phil, have Alex partner with you for now," Fury instructed after a moment's consideration, his voice steady as he made a calculated decision to pair the newcomer with a trusted ally.
Phil's approachable personality made him an ideal match for Alex, and Fury believed their collaboration could foster trust while allowing SHIELD to monitor the enigmatic newcomer's actions closely.
Compared to many superpowered individuals, Alex's demeanor seemed remarkably cooperative and easygoing, a trait that aligned well with Phil's affable nature, promising a smooth partnership.
"Sounds good," Phil replied with a nod, agreeing that working with Alex felt natural, their earlier conversation having established a comfortable rapport that boded well for their teamwork.
"Moving forward, we need to prepare for action—the war has already begun," Fury declared, his voice deep and resolute, his eyes burning with determination as he addressed the gathered operatives, signaling a pivotal shift in SHIELD's strategy.
Fury's words prompted exchanged glances among Black Widow and the others, who understood the gravity of his statement, recognizing that he was referring to the long-planned Avengers Initiative, a bold move to counter the escalating alien threat.
With the Avengers Initiative now in motion, the SHIELD team's expressions grew serious, each member contemplating the formidable individuals targeted for recruitment, their unique strengths essential to facing the looming crisis.
"Director, convincing Tony is a lost cause—he won't listen to me," Natasha, the Black Widow, said, shaking her head, her mind flashing back to her undercover days at Stark Industries, where trust had been a scarce commodity.
"I'll handle Tony. Alex and I can go together. Natasha, you focus on the big guy," Phil interjected, cutting in with a plan, recalling how he and SHIELD agents had protected Pepper Potts during a past conflict with Obadiah, earning a favor from the Starks that could prove useful now.
--------------------------
Author's Note
Hey, amazing readers! If you're loving Alex's thrilling journey through the Marvel Realm, show some love with your votes—tons and tons of votes!
Your support fuels the adventure, so hop over to the platform, drop those votes.
Let's keep this epic saga soaring!