The next day, Fury sat in his car, going through the files Coulson had given him.
"He's been staying home doing research? Occasionally flying to Afghanistan to take down terrorists?" There was nothing suspicious in the files.
Fury fell into deep thought. Ever since Thor arrived, he had felt an impending crisis. That was why he ordered research on the Tesseract—to prepare for whatever was coming.
Soon, his car pulled up at Tony's villa. Fury got out and walked in alone.
Tony was lying on the couch, lost in thought.
"Sir," J.A.R.V.I.S. announced, "Nick Fury from yesterday is here."
"Let him in."
As Fury walked in, Tony smirked. "I thought you'd just hack into J.A.R.V.I.S. again and let yourself in."
Fury wasn't the type to be provoked by a comment like that. He ignored it completely, sat down across from Tony, and got straight to the point.
"Tony, I want to know everything you know."
Tony's expression turned serious. He had decided to tell Fury some things—because he couldn't handle what was coming alone.
"Are you ready to see the real world, Director Fury?"
Fury gave a small nod without saying a word.
Tony pulled out a file he had compiled and placed it in front of Fury.
"I'm not going to comment on you using the Tesseract to make weapons. But the moment you activate it, countless alien civilizations will receive the signal. It tells them Earth is preparing for war. Fury, did you know that?"
"Tony, how do you know this?" Fury was skeptical.
"I can't tell you my source yet. But what I'm saying is true. And thanks to you, we're about to face an alien invasion."
Tony continued, "Yes, we need to form the Avengers. But not under you—under me. I'll assemble the team, I'll provide the resources, and I'll fund everything. But those politicians will never allow a power they can't control, so on paper, we'll still be part of S.H.I.E.L.D."
Fury thought to himself, It's not just the politicians—I won't allow it either.
"Tony, you know I can't agree to this."
"Oh, really?" Tony chuckled, stepped closer to Fury, and whispered in his ear—
"Hail Hydra."
Fury, usually composed, turned pale in shock. He immediately drew his gun and aimed it at Tony.
"Tony, do you have any idea what you just said?"
His mind raced. Was this a joke? Had Hydra returned? Or worse—had they brainwashed Tony? Fury knew how dangerous Hydra's brainwashing was. He had to assume the worst.
But Tony didn't flinch. Even with a gun pointed at him, he was perfectly calm. Research took up most of his time, but in a world like this, the energy around was more than enough to strengthen him.
"What's wrong, Director Fury?" Tony said with a smirk. "As the highest commander of Snake S.H.I.E.L.D., can't you handle the truth?"
"Tony, what do you mean by that?" Fury sensed something in Tony's words and quickly asked.
"Most of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s agents are actually Hydra, including your former director, Alexander Pierce. So honestly, we might as well surrender and join 'Snake S.H.I.E.L.D.'"
Fury didn't believe a word of it. No way. If Pierce was really with Hydra, then S.H.I.E.L.D. was already finished.
"Tony, do you have any proof?"
Tony had expected this question and said, "Tell Coulson to bring Brock Rumlow and some truth serum. Then you'll know."
Fury had a hard time processing what he just heard. Rumlow, the captain of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s STRIKE team, was Hydra?
Fury lowered his gun and contacted Coulson, telling him to bring the truth serum and Rumlow to Tony's place—without informing anyone else.
"Fury, if I'm right, what do you think of my suggestion?"
This time, Fury didn't argue. He thought about it seriously.
"If what you're saying is true, then until my last breath, I'll do everything I can to help. The Avengers are our last hope."
Soon, Coulson and Rumlow arrived.
"Director, what's going on?"
"Did you bring what I asked for?" Fury calmly moved closer to them.
"Got it," Coulson said. Fury gave him a look and suddenly lunged at Rumlow.
As the leader of STRIKE, Rumlow reacted fast, dodging instantly.
"Director! What are you doing?"
"You're Hydra, and you're asking me what I'm doing?" Fury had only wanted to test him, but Rumlow's reaction made his heart sink.
Rumlow jumped back and pressed a device on his body while shouting, "I've been exposed! Move in now!"
"You really are Hydra!" The worst-case scenario had come true—Tony was right.
"Now that you know, Director, looks like today's your last day alive." Rumlow reached for his weapon.
Before he could do anything, Tony flashed to his side and knocked him out cold.
At the same time, Tony's signal jammer blocked Rumlow's call for backup.
"Alright, Director, time for the truth serum."
Coulson handed the serum to Fury, whose usual composed expression was gone, replaced by pure anger.
It didn't take long before Rumlow spilled everything.
"Tony, I'll fully support your plan—as long as I'm still alive." Fury gave his word.
Then he glanced at Rumlow and ordered Coulson, "Kill him."
"Wait," Tony interrupted. "Don't kill him yet. If he dies, Hydra will get suspicious. Now isn't the time to go to war with them. There's another crisis ahead."
Fury frowned. "Not kill him? If we lock him up, they'll still suspect something."
Tony smirked, pulling out a special talisman. "This is a memory-wiping charm. Originally, it was made to help people forget supernatural encounters, but I modified it to erase recent memories."
He activated the charm, and a flash of light sank into Rumlow's head.
"Alright, put him back the way he was."
Coulson helped Rumlow stand by the door. A moment later, Rumlow woke up.
Before he could speak, Coulson said, "You okay, Rumlow?"
Rumlow shook his head, confused. "What just happened?"
Coulson shrugged. "No idea. You walked in and suddenly passed out."
And just like that, they all played along and covered up what had happened.
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