Hours ago
Vermont
A small town
Nick Fury and Agent Coulson stood in front of an old house on the outskirts of the small town, the setting Sun casting long shadows behind them.
"Are you sure this is the place?" Fury asked in a low voice, his single eye scanning the surroundings.
Agent Coulson nodded, the screen of his tablet flickering with faint energy readings: "The anti-matter fluctuations are coming from here, Officer."
Fury took a deep breath and raised his hand to knock on the door.
A few seconds later, the door was pulled open, and a tall Black man appeared in the doorway.
He looked like a middle-aged man, dressed in a simple plaid shirt and jeans, holding a cup of coffee.
His eyes were calm, but deep within them was an indescribable sense of power.
"Who are you looking for?" the man's voice was low and gentle.
Fury looked him directly in the eyes: "Adam Bernard?"
The man's expression paused slightly, then returned to normal: "That's a name from a long time ago."
"I'm Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.," Fury showed his ID, "This is Agent Phil Coulson."
Adam was silent for a moment, then stepped aside to make way: "Come in."
The interior of the house was simply furnished but neat and cozy. Several family photos hung on the walls, and bookshelves were filled with books.
Adam gestured for the two to sit down, while he leaned against the fireplace, arms crossed: "So, what does S.H.I.E.L.D. want with me?"
Fury didn't beat around the bush: "We need your help."
Adam chuckled lightly: "I've been retired for decades, Director Fury. The President personally ordered me to live incognito as an ordinary person back then."
"The World has changed," Fury's voice was low.
"There's a guy in New York now who calls himself Superman. His power far exceeds ordinary people, his actions are unrestrained, and he even threatens S.H.I.E.L.D."
Adam's brow furrowed slightly: "Superman?"
"A guy in a black battlesuit who can fly, shoot Heat Vision, and has the power to destroy buildings," Agent Coulson added.
"He's also been getting close to Tony Stark recently."
Adam thoughtfully rubbed his coffee cup: "Sounds like a comic book character."
"But he's real," Fury stared at him, "And he refuses to obey anyone's orders."
Adam was silent for a while, then finally shook his head: "Director Fury, I'm not the Blue Marvel I used to be. I'm just an ordinary person now, teaching, gardening, and occasionally helping neighbors fix their cars."
"But the World needs you," Fury's voice rarely carried a hint of pressure.
"We are forming a team, the Avengers, specifically to deal with extraordinary threats, or alien invasions. And you are one of the best candidates."
Adam's gaze fell on a photo on the fireplace, a group photo of him, his wife, and his daughter. He sighed softly: "I promised my family I wouldn't get involved in these things anymore."
"If Superman loses control, or something worse appears, do you think your family will still be safe?" Fury retorted.
Adam's eyes wavered slightly.
Just then, there was a sudden roar from outside, followed by a piercing screech of brakes.
Fury and Agent Coulson immediately stood up, alert, while Adam frowned and put down his coffee cup: "You brought a tail?"
"Impossible," Fury shook his head.
Adam strode to the door and pushed it open, only to see a black SUV parked across the yard, with the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo emblazoned on its door.
"It seems someone came uninvited," Adam said in a low voice.
The car door opened, and a man in a sharp suit stepped out, a fake smile on his face: "Director Fury, what a coincidence."
Fury's single eye narrowed: "Secretary Pierce."
Alexander Pierce, the former Secretary of the World Security Council, was now standing in Adam's yard, followed by several fully armed Agents.
"I heard you're recruiting talent," Pierce's gaze swept over Adam, a slight smile playing on his lips, "Mr. Adam, I've heard much about You."
Adam's expression turned cold: "I haven't used that name in a long time."
Pierce shrugged: "Times are changing, we need strength like yours."
Fury stood in front of Adam: "Pierce, S.H.I.E.L.D. is in charge of this matter."
"S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Pierce chuckled lightly, "Fury, you've been making too many big moves recently. The Council is very concerned about your… judgment."
The atmosphere instantly tensed.
Adam looked at Fury, then at Pierce, and suddenly smiled: "It seems you have a lot of internal problems."
Pierce's gaze returned to Adam: "Mr. Adam, we offer better terms. Higher authority, more freedom in how you operate."
"Sounds like you want me to be a thug," Adam said faintly.
"Just cooperation," Pierce smiled.
Adam was silent for a moment, then finally shook his head: "Sorry, I'm not interested in your power games."
Pierce's smile stiffened slightly: "Are you sure? Refusing us isn't a wise choice."
Fury sneered: "A threat? Pierce, you're overstepping."
Pierce ignored Fury and stared at Adam: "Think carefully, Mr. Blue Marvel. This World is changing, and the cost of choosing the wrong side… is high."
Adam's eyes gradually sharpened, an invisible energy faintly flowing around him: "I've been through war, Mr. Pierce. Threats don't work on me."
Pierce narrowed his eyes, then finally took a step back: "Very well. I hope you won't regret it."
He turned and walked towards the SUV, the Agents following closely. The car started and drove away.
Silence returned to the yard.
Fury looked at Adam: "Thank you."
Adam shook his head: "I wasn't doing it for You."
Agent Coulson couldn't help but ask: "How did Secretary Pierce know we were here?"
A cold glint flashed in Fury's single eye: "It seems there are more rats than just HYDRA."
Adam took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind: "Fury, I can help you, but I have conditions."
Fury nodded: "Tell me."
"First, my family must receive absolute protection."
"No problem."
"Second, I don't accept any political manipulation. I only do what I believe is right."
Fury was silent for a moment, his brow furrowed, thinking of Xiao Han, he sighed, and finally nodded: "Alright."
Adam extended his hand: "Then, a pleasant cooperation."
Fury shook his hand: "Welcome to the Avengers."
Stark Tower Laboratory
Tony and Xiao Han had just returned from the Moon, the golden sparks of the portal slowly dissipating in the air.
Tony stretched, grabbed the whiskey on the table, and took a swig, sighing: "The Inhumans' technology is truly enviable, their anti-gravity engines are much quieter than my thrusters…"
Just then, Jarvis's voice sounded:
"Sir, a reminder that the Senate Military Committee hearing will be held at 10 AM the day after tomorrow. You have not prepared any speaking materials."
Tony's expression instantly fell: "Oh, damn it, I completely forgot about that."
Xiao Han raised an eyebrow; he hadn't deliberately kept up with World news during his time back: "What hearing?"
Tony rubbed his temples in annoyance: "Ever since we appeared in New York in our suits last time, those old guys in the Senate have been eyeing me.
They want me to hand over the suit technology, saying it's for national security, Military control… Ha, in their dreams."
Xiao Han immediately understood that this was the plot of 'Iron Man 2'.
In the original World line, Tony would face the Senate's difficulties alone, using a brilliant verbal battle to silence everyone.
But now, things had clearly changed.
"So, they want you to hand over the suit to the Military?" Xiao Han asked.
"More or less," Tony sneered.
"They even found a so-called expert to prove that my suit should be nationalized."
"Justin Hammer, that clown who only knows how to plagiarize."
Xiao Han nodded, then suddenly smiled: "Leave it to me."
Tony was stunned: "What do you mean?"
"It's simple," Xiao Han said casually, hands in his pockets.
"You just tell them that the suit isn't a Stark Industries product, but my work, Superman's suit. Let them come talk to me."
Tony narrowed his eyes: "Are you sure? Those politicians are not easy to deal with."
"What do you think they can do to me?" Xiao Han shrugged, "Besides, I'll go to the hearing myself."
Tony stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly grinned: "Ha! I really want to see their faces."
"So, what's your plan to deal with those politicians?"
Xiao Han stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, sunlight streaming through the glass onto the black battlesuit that had just covered his entire body, the golden S emblem on his chest faintly shimmering.
The corner of his mouth curved upwards: "It's simple. Since I'm Superman, how can I not have fans?"
Tony was startled: "Fans? Wait, what are you going to do?"
Before he finished speaking, Xiao Han's figure had transformed into a black stream of light, instantly breaking through the glass and disappearing into the sky.
Tony's eyes widened, and he rushed to the window: "Jarvis! Track his location!"
A few minutes later
Tony stared at Xiao Han's flight path on the holographic screen, his mouth twitching: "Jarvis, where is this guy now?"
"Sir, Mr. Xiao is currently over the Indian Ocean, traveling at approximately Mach 30."
Tony rubbed his forehead: "Alright, it seems he really intends to let the whole World know about Superman's existence."