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The room was quiet except for the soft rustle of Lucky's tail as the golden retriever lounged lazily in the corner.
Nick Fury sat in a chair, his one eye scanning the group before him. Kamala Khan and Kate Bishop stood across from him, looking at the former SHIELD Director with a mix of awe and seriousness.
They didn't take this lightly at all considering this was Nick Fury, the man who created the Avengers. Whatever he had to say was important.
Naruto, on the other hand, sat sprawled out on the couch, slouched with his hoodie pulled over his head, looking less than enthused.
"Man, I'm so tired," Naruto groaned, kicking his feet up on the coffee table, arms folded behind his head. "Can we do this later? Like, maybe after a nap or two? I haven't even caught a break since I started this gig."
Nick Fury looked at him flatly, his voice free of any humor.
"Do you have to deal with this all the time?"
Without hesitation, Kamala and Kate both answered in unison, their voices deadpan
"Yes."
Naruto shrugged.
"Cool, cool. But hey, saving the world's hard work, alright? A hero need's his super rest"
Fury sighed, rubbing his temples briefly before leaning back in his chair.
"Alright then, let's get this over with," he muttered before pushing forward. He looked at each of them seriously. His next words were measured, heavy with the weight of the world.
"You're probably wondering why I'm here. I'll keep it simple; I've been deposed, disgraced, and exiled from SHIELD.
Naruto sat up a little, now more alert. Kamala and Kate exchanged glances, leaning in as Fury began recounting his tale.
"It all started after I retired. I tried to leave the life behind, but like most things, once you're in, you're never really out. But by the time I had that figured out, everything had gone to hell."
Fury's voice grew darker.
"The Skrulls had infiltrated every top-level agency. SHIELD, DHS, the FBI, you name it. The highest positions were compromised. And it wasn't just any ordinary invasion. No, it was worse. Gravik, a rogue Skrull, transitioned into a full-blown terrorist. We tried to stop him, but everything was quickly spiraling out of control. The world was on fire, literally."
Kamala and Kate stayed silent, absorbing the gravity of his words. Naruto, ever the one to ask questions, furrowed his brow.
"Okay, so… who exactly was in charge of SHIELD before all this went down? And why isn't SHIELD doing anything about it now?"
Fury's jaw clenched, his expression darkening.
"Maria Hill was the Director of SHIELD. She tried to stop the Skrulls and hold everything together while we fought them off, but Gravik was two steps ahead and killed her in Moscow, right in front of me. She was trying to stop him, and he shot her in cold blood. And then, to make matters worse, he shapeshifted into me and used my image to escape the scene. The public thought I killed her. And just like that, everything I had worked for, everything we fought for, crumbled into dust. I was blamed for Maria's death."
Kate shook her head in disbelief.
"Gravik used you as a scapegoat? That's... that's messed up."
Fury nodded solemnly.
"Exactly. And after I put an end to the Skrull invasion and avenged Maria's death, the damage was already done. The public had already turned on me. The President appointed Val Fontaine as the new Director of SHIELD, and she's been making moves ever since. Climbing her way to the top for years, playing the long game."
Naruto, still trying to make sense of everything, leaned forward slightly.
"Wait. What's so bad about her being in charge of SHIELD? She's just another government suit, right?"
Fury's eye narrowed, his tone heavy.
"She's not just some suit. Fontaine is anti-metahuman, a control freak who believes that people with powers, mutants, meta-humans, anyone with abilities are dangerous unless they're under complete control. She wants to monitor, regulate, and keep everyone in check.
She doesn't believe in the kind of freedom we've fought for. She believes in control at all costs."
Naruto scratched his head, his voice a little more serious now.
"Okay, that's... that's pretty bad. But not exactly world-shattering bad. You know? I mean, she sounds like a classic villain, but I don't see how this turns into a huge crisis."
Fury leaned forward, eyes piercing.
"It gets worse."
Kamala's eyes widened as she sensed the shift in the room's atmosphere.
"How could it get worse than all that?"
Fury took a long breath, letting the weight of the next words hang in the air.
"Fontaine's trying to gain approval from President Ross to attack New Asgard."
The room went dead silent. Kate's jaw nearly dropped, and Kamala looked like she might choke on her own breath.
"Wait... what?" Kamala managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. "She's... going after New Asgard? That's... Thor's home! Are you serious?"
Fury nodded grimly, the seriousness of the situation clear in his every word.
"Yes. Fontaine believes that since New Asgard is over U.S. soil, it falls under U.S. jurisdiction. And given that Thor has been absent from Earth for years now, she thinks it's the perfect opportunity to seize control of the city."
Naruto scoffed, sitting back in his seat, his arms folded across his chest.
"Okay, that sounds insane. But, hold up, you're telling me that the United States; the U.S. is going to try and take over a floating city full of gods with magic protecting it? They're gonna roll in like they own the place?"
Fury's face darkened.
"That's exactly what she plans to do. And here's the worst part: She's already acquired her own superpowered hit squad, her own Avengers, to be exact. She's trying to sell it as the 'next generation' of heroes, but make no mistake that these people are not heroes. They're her enforcers."
Kamala's eyes widened in shock.
"She can't do that! She can't just replace the Avengers with her own team!"
Fury's voice was low and sharp.
"She can, because the public has lost faith in the Avengers. We've fallen apart. We've been scattered, and no one knew when or if we would come back. After everything that happened with the invasion, the public doesn't trust anyone in capes anymore. Fontaine's using that to her advantage. She's got the resources, the influence, and now she's building her own team. A team that'll do whatever she tells them."
Naruto's expression grew serious as the weight of the situation finally hit him.
"Okay, so Fontaine's got some bad intentions. But with New Asgard? How do we even stop her when she has the backing of the President?"
Fury's gaze never wavered.
"We stop her by getting to New Asgard before she does. We gather intel, we figure out exactly what she's planning, and we neutralize her before she can turn this into something bigger. She's dangerous, and if she takes over New Asgard, she'll have a foothold in one of the most powerful cities on Earth. That's a position she can use to control everything, and I won't let that happen."
Kamala, Kate, and Naruto exchanged looks, all of them knowing exactly what Fury was asking of them.
Kate nodded.
"We're in. We'll stop Fontaine and her dark version of the Avengers."
Kamala cracked her knuckles, her expression fierce.
"Let's take her down."
Naruto stretched and yawned but then looked at Fury with a serious glint in his eye.
"Alright, let's do this. But after we stop the bad guys... I want my own personal ramen chef, bigger headquarters, and maybe paid vacation time. Deal?"
Fury narrowed his eyes, his tone firm.
"You want a ramen chef and vacation time? First, we stop the bad guys. Then, we'll talk about what you get for actually doing your job. Until then, focus on the mission. The world doesn't run on ramen and perks."
Kurama snickered inside Naruto's head.
"Looks like Fury's got you figured out. You might want to take notes, kid. Maybe he can teach you how to not be a walking disaster."
"Shut up, Kurama."
The sun barely filtered through the blinds of the cluttered apartment where the gang had settled in. The hum of the city outside was muffled by the walls, but it did little to quiet the disarray within. The night before had been a blur of planning and arguments, but this morning, there was a new tension in the air.
Kamala was the first one up, groggily stumbling toward the couch where the TV remote lay. She hit the power button, hoping for some distraction, but instead, she froze as soon as the screen came to life.
"-and in other news, Val Fontaine, Director of SHIELD, is holding a live press conference to address the growing concerns about New Asgard's sovereignty."
Kamala blinked, eyes narrowing in annoyance. "Great. Just what we need."
The camera flashes as Val Fontaine stands at the podium, her presence commanding the attention of every reporter, every viewer across the world. Behind her, the SHIELD logo looms large, a symbol of power and control. Fontaine's eyes scan the crowd as she begins her speech, her voice calm, authoritative, and sharp.
"Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of Earth," Fontaine begins, her voice ringing clear and firm. "We stand at a crossroads. The age of heroes, true heroes, has passed. The Avengers, once the world's greatest protectors, have failed us. They abandoned their posts, left the world exposed to forces we cannot control. In their absence, chaos has reigned. But I am here today to restore order."
"I have taken the reins of SHIELD because I am the only one who can act with the necessary resolve. I am the one who understands that true power is not about being liked or loved, it's about being effective. While the Avengers were busy squabbling, hiding, and leaving us vulnerable, I made sure that this world would have the protection it deserves. And that protection comes with the strength of control."
A hand shot up in the crowd; one of the reporters.
"Director Fontaine," the reporter began, "what's your take on the Young Avengers themselves? Some argue that they're just trying to fill the void left by the original Avengers. Aren't they a symbol of hope for a new generation?"
"There are those who would claim to rise in the wake of the Avengers' fall; the so-called Young Avengers, led by misguided children who have no understanding of what it means to truly protect the world." Fontaine's voice hardens, her gaze turning icy. "These so-called heroes act recklessly, operating without supervision, without accountability. They've endangered more lives than they've saved. It's clear to me now that their 'heroism' is nothing more than an excuse for blatant anarchy."
"I've watched as they've put their own personal vendettas above the greater good, throwing themselves into dangerous situations they are ill-equipped to handle, acting like they know better than the very government that has been protecting the people for years. These children are no more than untrained vigilantes playing at being heroes. They are not the solution. They are a part of the problem."
Fontaine pauses for effect, her eyes narrowing as she turns slightly toward the camera, her smile becoming colder.
"And what do they do when the world faces real threats? They are nowhere to be found. They have no strategy, no structure, no plan. They are nothing more than a ragtag group of amateurs, running around in costumes and pretending they can protect us from forces they barely understand."
Fontaine's gaze sweeps across the room, eyes glinting just a bit too sharp, a flicker of amusement quickly masked as authority.
"I will not allow them to continue to deceive the public. They claim to stand for justice, but all they offer is chaos." Her lip quirks, just barely. "And chaos, as we know, is a seductive little liar."
She pauses for effect. Just a beat too long.
"What happens when the Young Avengers face a threat they can't handle? When their recklessness leads to ruin? I ask you, who will pick up the pieces? Certainly not them."
"This is why I've taken control! To ensure the safety of this world, we need more than just untrained children wearing capes. We need power! We need control! We need heroes who are willing to do what is necessary to keep Earth safe. And that is exactly what my team, the new Avengers, will do."
Fontaine gestures to the group standing behind her. The camera zooms in on each one as she continues.
"I present to you, my team. Sentry, Earth's mightiest hero, whose strength is unmatched. Ares, the God of War, pledged to fight on behalf of the United States, not against it. Amora, the Enchantress, whose magic will ensure that our enemies never threaten this world again. Iron Patriot, the mighty hammer of American ingenuity, ready to take on any challenge. And Hawkeye, who will make sure that our enemies never escape justice."
"This is what the world needs. This is what the world will get. The time for childish games is over. As for the Young Avengers, let it be known that they are not the future of heroism. They are nothing more than a dangerous distraction. They put the lives of the innocent at risk. And I will ensure that they are held accountable for their actions."
"The time has come for the world to stop cowering and waiting before its supposed 'heroes.' The Avengers failed, and now I am here to show you the future."
"I will bring order where there is chaos. Control where there was confusion. And if any dare to stand in my way…" Her fingers twitch slightly.
"They will learn what true power looks like."
Val's voice echoed through the room, "…the so-called Young Avengers, led by misguided children who have no understanding of what it means to truly protect the world. These so-called Young Avengers are only untrained vigilantes, playing at being heroes."
Kamala blinked, her eyes widening with disbelief as she stared at the screen. "Untrained vigilantes?" she muttered under her breath. Her hands clenched at her sides as she shot a quick glance over at the others. "Did she really just say that? Seriously?"
"Well, that's charming," Kate said sarcastically, glancing over at the screen. "'Untrained vigilantes,' huh? How original. Is she seriously going with that? Well, we all saw this coming, didn't we?"
Naruto, who had been sprawled lazily on the couch, finally sat up with a deep, dramatic sigh. He rubbed his eyes like he'd been disturbed from the most important nap of his life.
"Holy Ramen, those guys are buff as hell. Did you see that Ares guy? Even his abs have abs."
Kate shot him a pointed look, arms still crossed, her expression a mix of frustration and disbelief.
"Can you take this serious for once? She just personally eviscerated us live on TV in front of millions of people."
Naruto blinked slowly, unfazed by the vitriol Fontaine had thrown their way. He shifted back in the couch, exhaling dramatically as though the entire thing was just an inconvenient blip in his day.
"Billions," he corrected. "We've been called out in front of billions of people."
Kate frowned, rolling her eyes and exhaling sharply, her frustration simmering.
"Sorry, billions of people, and you're focused on their gym physique?"
Naruto leaned back, his usual lazy demeanor settling back in as he crossed his arms behind his head, completely relaxed as though nothing in the world could phase him.
"Look, Kate, I get it. It sucks. But you gotta admit, Fontaine's whole thing is just… classic villain monologue. She's always gotta make us look like the problem so she can be the hero. We can handle it, right?"
Kamala, who had been quiet until now, rubbed her temples as the words sank in. She turned away from the TV and walked over to the window, staring out at the busy city below. The silence in the room grew heavier with each passing second.
"Yeah, but this time... she's hitting us where it hurts," Kamala said, her voice softer now. "She made it sound like we've been doing more harm than good. She's completely turning the narrative against us." She sighed, her frustration barely contained. "And worse is she's making it sound like we can't handle the pressure, that we're just playing at being heroes. Like we don't know what we're doing."
Naruto sat up, suddenly more serious than before. He glanced at Kamala, sensing the weight of her words, and for once, his usual goofy grin faded.
"I get it," he said quietly. "But you know what? We do know what we're doing. We've been through the ringer, and we're still standing. Fontaine doesn't get that. She thinks a suit and a shiny team make her better, but we've got heart. And honestly, that's all we need to prove we're not a joke."
Kamala turned to him, the frustration still present but softened just slightly. She gave him a reluctant half-smile.
"You're right," she said, her voice more assured now. "We don't need Fontaine's approval. But it would be nice to not have to fight so hard for every ounce of respect. People are gonna see what she said, and it's gonna be hard to get that trust back."
Kamala's frustration still hung in the air when Kate unfolded her arms and turned toward the TV, her eyes narrowing at Fontaine's face.
"We need to put a stop to her before this gets even more out of hand," Kate said, her voice sharp with resolve. "The moment she got on camera, she turned this into a personal attack. She's making us out to be the villains, and we can't let her get away with it."
Naruto, always the optimist, grinned again, his usual mischievous spark returning.
"Well, if she wants us to play the bad guys, I guess we'll just have to make it look fun." He raised a hand in the air dramatically, like he was making a grand proclamation. "Let's be the coolest villains the world's ever seen. Who's with me?"
Kamala shot him a pointed look, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.
"You're not seriously suggesting we act like villains, are you?" she asked, her tone incredulous.
Naruto threw his hands up in mock surrender, his grin widening.
"I was just joking! Geez, Kamala, I thought you knew me better than that." He laughed, raising both hands in defense. "I'm just saying… we've got a bigger job to do than care about what Fontaine says. But hey, if it makes you feel better, we can save the world and still look good doing it. Like, really good."
Kamala shook her head, trying to hold back a smile as she grabbed her gear and tossed it into a bag.
"You really don't know how to turn it off, do you?"
Before Naruto could respond, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He paused for a moment, his frown tugging at his features. He glanced toward the door, sensing something in the air.
Naruto's eyes widened, a small smile creeping across his face as he realized who was on his way.
"Speak of the devil… Nicky boy here."
Just as the words left his mouth, a deliberate knock came at the door. A single, heavy knock that carried the weight of authority, followed by the unmistakable sound of Fury's voice.
"Let's go, people. We're headed to New Asgard. Now," the familiar voice of Nick Fury commanded.
The team exchanged quick glances. Kamala sighed, pulling on her jacket as she turned to follow Kate toward the door. Naruto threw on his gear quickly, but before he joined them, he paused, glancing over at Lucky, who was curled up in the corner of the room.
He walked over to the dog, crouching down beside him.
"Alright, buddy, you're gonna be okay here. I'll be back before you know it," Naruto muttered, gently scratching Lucky behind the ears. Lucky's tail thumped the floor in response, his lone brown eye watching Naruto attentively.
Naruto grabbed a bowl from the counter and filled it with water, setting it down next to the dog. Then he grabbed a bag of treats and placed it beside the bowl, making sure everything was ready for Lucky's time alone. He gave the dog one last pat on the head.
"Got your water, got your treats. You be good, alright? Don't cause any trouble," Naruto said with a smirk.
Lucky barked softly, as if to say he understood.
"See you soon, buddy," Naruto added before straightening up. With one last look at the dog, he hurried toward the door, pulling on his jacket.
Fury's silhouette appeared in the doorway, his presence commanding the room as he scanned each of them up and down.
"We don't have time to waste. New Asgard's not gonna wait for us to figure out who's really in charge here. We've got work to do."
Kamala raised an eyebrow, her eyes flickering toward the window.
"Wait, wait, wait... Did you just land a Quinjet... on the apartment building?"
A small grin threatened to tug at the corner of Nick Fury's mouth.
"No time for questions. We leave now. The Quinjet's ready. Pack it up and let's move."
Kamala's eyes widened in disbelief as she followed Fury to the door. Sure enough, outside the window, perched like a gargantuan bird, the Quinjet was parked on the rooftop of the apartment building, its engines softly humming, waiting for them to board.
"Now that's how you make an entrance." Kurama said.
Naruto grinned from ear to ear, his excitement palpable.
"Okay, okay, now I'm excited. This is gonna be epic."
OMAKE/Deleted scenes:
"After the Skrull invasion, the President turned to Val," Fury said, his tone hard. "After Ross appointed her as the acting Director she transformed SHIELD into something unrecognizable."
Naruto, lounging back in his chair with his feet up on the table, let the information wash over him. He listened quietly for a moment, his fingers tapping idly on his mug.
Then, in his usual style, he broke the tension with a grin.
"You could say she turned SHIELD into a SWORD," Naruto said, his voice full of enthusiasm as he leaned forward with a dramatic flourish.
For a long moment, no one said anything. Kamala, Kate, and Fury all just stared at him, as if the joke hadn't even registered.
Naruto blinked, a sheepish grin creeping across his face. "Tough crowd."
There was still no response.
He sighed, slumping back into his chair. "You know, like the whole 'S.H.I.E.L.D. to S.W.O.R.D.' thing? It's a good joke, right? They're both acronyms, and.. Forget about it.."
Kamala, who had been silent the whole time, cracked a small smile despite herself. "Yeah, it was… kind of clever," she said, trying to hold back a laugh.
Kurama thundered in his mind, "There's a thing called 'time and place.' This is neither."
"Yeah? Well fuck you."
Kurama scoffed, "Who raised you, brat?"
"You did.."
"I rest my case. What does a primordial demon of malice and hate know about raising a child?"