Beep!
"Hey, I think J.A.R.V.I.S. has completed the infiltration into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s system. Now let's see what secrets they're hiding."
As J.A.R.V.I.S. finished hacking into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s systems, every computer on the Helicarrier displayed a virus warning.
"Hill, where is the virus coming from?"
"The virus isn't from the network… it's from your computer, Director."
Nick Fury's expression changed instantly. He immediately realized who planted the virus inside S.H.I.E.L.D. He walked over to the terminal and found a tiny USB stick plugged into the port. "Of course—it's him!"
"Maintain the system. I'll deal with this virus myself." With that, Nick Fury turned and headed toward Banner's lab. He knew there was only one person aboard the Helicarrier capable of pulling this off: Tony Stark, Iron Man.
"Found it!" Tony sorted through files that required level 8 access, then specifically searched for files containing the words "energy" and "Tesseract." Soon, he located a file about the Tesseract—one that required level 9 clearance to access.
"Let's open it!" Clark wasn't too concerned with what S.H.I.E.L.D. was researching with the Tesseract, but let's be honest—snooping through other people's secrets can be fun.
Even Diana beside him looked intrigued by the file Tony had found—after all, the Tesseract was similar to the Amazonian Mother Boxes they once guarded.
"Mr. Stark, what are you doing?" At that moment, a furious Nick Fury stormed into the lab.
"You're supposed to be tracking the Tesseract, not cracking into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s encrypted files. Do I make myself clear?"
"Banner's all set. The software is scanning for the signal. In a few minutes, you might even know where your precious cube is. Oh, by the way, Director—can I ask you something? What's Phase Two?"
Right after asking Fury this, Tony turned to the next encrypted file, knowing full well the Director wouldn't answer him.
"This is it!" Just then, Steve Rogers entered the lab carrying what looked like a very conceptual piece of tech.
"Rogers, what is that?" Diana took the weapon from Steve and examined it—surprisingly, it looked like... a gun?
"This is an energy weapon Hydra developed during WWII. Its energy source was the Tesseract. I believe S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Phase Two is about harvesting the Tesseract's energy to develop weapons."
Steve shared his thoughts openly in front of everyone.
"You're absolutely right, Captain."
Just then, Tony finished decrypting the Phase Two file, revealing schematics of a weapons system based on the Tesseract's energy.
"Sorry, Nick—is this your Phase Two?"
Steve turned to Nick Fury, eyes narrowed at the truth laid bare.
"Director, how are you any different from the Red Skull?"
"No wonder you didn't want to let me safeguard the Tesseract—you still need it!" Clark added. Normally, he didn't care about these political games, but today, he felt oddly compelled to speak up.
"Banner, you'd better leave. Now."
As the group debated over the Tesseract and its weaponization, Natasha and Thor entered the lab.
"What's wrong? You haven't found the Tesseract yet?" Natasha's sudden comment left Banner puzzled. He thought his purpose here was to help find the cube—so why ask him to leave?
"Loki's target is you. He wants to control you." Natasha had just baited Loki during their earlier conversation. Using her skills and training, she had deceived him and uncovered his goal: Banner, or more specifically—the Hulk.
"He wants to control me? And you don't?"
Banner's voice was cold with disappointment. He had believed he came here to save the world—to stop those who would use the Tesseract to dominate it.
But now, he wasn't so sure. If Loki used the Tesseract for control... then wasn't S.H.I.E.L.D. doing the same?
If not—why were they secretly using the Tesseract to develop weapons of mass destruction?
"I'm not going anywhere. I just want to know why S.H.I.E.L.D. suddenly started developing WMDs."
Facing Banner's challenge, Fury glanced around. Almost everyone in the room was staring at him—except Natasha. He felt a surge of silent frustration.
"Because of him!" Fury pointed straight at Clark.
"Me?" Clark was surprised to hear himself being dragged into this.
"Six months ago, on a highway in New Mexico, you single-handedly flattened a 10-kilometer stretch of road. That place is now a lake, and people still visit it as a 'miracle site.'"
"But more importantly—you're not from Earth. Who's to say there aren't more like you out there, hidden on some distant star, planning to come here? And if they do… what do we have to stop them?"
As Fury ranted, Clark didn't respond. He wasn't stupid—Fury's speech was classic public-justification logic. Still, Clark didn't argue. If it came down to a fight, there was no one in the room who could challenge him—but debating Fury? That was pointless.
"Tony, can you check when Phase Two was initiated?"
"December 1986," Tony replied after a few taps on the screen.
...
...
...
As Tony read the creation date aloud, Clark said nothing—but Fury felt that slap land hard. Good thing his dark skin didn't show how red his face was getting.
"I think I only arrived on Earth in 1986, Director Fury. Amazing how you foresaw the 'threat' I posed so early!"
Clark said this with immense satisfaction. There was something oddly gratifying about catching someone in a lie. But just as he finished, something felt off.
He could sense a strange energy trying to influence his thoughts.
"Have you forgotten that alien fleet you fought off before? They invaded Earth in 1986. From that moment on, I knew there were civilizations in the universe stronger than us. If we're careless, humanity could vanish overnight."
"No one can control those alien minds or ambitions. And no one will protect us forever—except ourselves."
As Fury spoke, he glanced at Thor—perhaps referencing Thor's claim that Asgard had always protected Earth. Yet during that invasion, Asgard had not appeared.
"But it was your use of the Tesseract that attracted Loki and his allies! By studying the cube, you basically broadcast a message to the cosmos—Earth is ready for interstellar war!"
Thor, already frustrated by Fury's decisions, now seemed inclined to side against S.H.I.E.L.D. as well.
Just then, a blinding light suddenly engulfed the room.
Clark, who had sensed something wrong earlier, activated his energy suit to block the invisible energy trying to control his mind.
But to his surprise, the moment he activated the suit, the intrusion escalated. The suit began to absorb the energy instead of deflecting it—and the invading force multiplied severalfold, launching a direct assault on Clark's mind.
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