Inside the S.H.I.E.L.D. Trident Base, Nick Fury's usually grim face softened into a rare smile.
Leaving aside the mystery surrounding Sanjid's connection to the Goddess of Judgment, Fury couldn't deny the young man's own terrifying potential. Even without divine intervention, the boy's power rivaled the world's strongest heroes.
Fury had watched countless enhanced individuals rise and fall, but this one was different. The rate of his growth was staggering. Among the Avengers, Sanjid already stood shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Thor and the Hulk. His control, discipline, and raw energy put him among Earth's strongest combatants—and he was still a teenager.
"The kid's growing faster than any of us expected," Fury murmured, his voice carrying a hint of both admiration and concern.
Tony Stark chuckled from across the room, leaning back in his chair. "Teenagers, man. One day they're crashing drones in your hangar, the next they're punting tanks across Siberia."
Fury ignored the sarcasm. "Sanjid isn't interested in politics or power struggles. Like Bella, he hunts dark creatures—vampires, werewolves, the undead. He's not one of us. He fights for something else."
Tony tilted his head. "Yeah, I noticed. But that makes him a perfect target for recruitment. Don't tell me you haven't considered it."
"Recruit him?" Fury gave a dry laugh. "You really think I'm that stupid?"
He stood and clasped his hands behind his back, turning toward the window where the Atlantic shimmered under the morning light. "The Goddess of Judgment killed Alexander Pierce herself—the World Security Council's own minister. Even if HYDRA had it coming, that kind of act shakes governments. The fallout nearly burned down S.H.I.E.L.D. once. We can't risk pulling her protégé into the fold."
Tony crossed his arms. "So what? You're just gonna let him wander around playing ghost hunter?"
"As long as he's not a threat to the world," Fury said calmly. "He's not the enemy. And unlike her, he doesn't leave a trail of bodies unless he has to."
The room fell silent for a beat. Then Tony grinned slyly. "So basically… you're saying you're afraid of the Goddess of Judgment."
Fury shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass. "I'm saying I know how to pick my battles, Stark."
Tony raised both hands. "Fine, fine. Just saying—if I were you, I'd keep him close. The kid worships her. Trains like her. Fights like her. If he ever decides to follow in her footsteps completely, you'll wish you had him on your side."
Fury didn't answer. He just exhaled slowly. He already knew that much. The boy was like a sword—bright, unbreakable, but capable of cutting anyone who tried to hold him too tightly.
---
Tony broke the tension with a smirk. "Anyway, your little agency's been busy lately. Heard the rats are crawling out of their holes now that she's gone."
Fury's good eye narrowed. "You've been reading too many tabloids."
"Don't play coy," Tony said, waving a hand. "Ever since the Goddess vanished, a bunch of small-time warlords and HYDRA splinters have been crawling out of the woodwork. The whole world's treating this like an open-season hunting ground. Even S.H.I.E.L.D.'s looking a little shaky."
Fury didn't deny it. The truth was hard to swallow.
The purge of HYDRA cells inside S.H.I.E.L.D. had left the agency scarred and weakened. Congress had stripped away half their operational funding. The White House handed their former authority to rival organizations—most notably the Sentient Weapon Observation and Response Division, better known as S.W.O.R.D.
With so much political pressure, S.H.I.E.L.D. was hanging by a thread. Internal audits, budget freezes, and constant public scrutiny had turned Fury's once-unstoppable machine into a bureaucratic nightmare.
If Fury still had hair, it would've gone gray—or fallen out entirely.
Tony, of course, was enjoying every minute of it.
"Tsk, tsk," he said mockingly, tapping his chin. "You know, I could always help out. The Avengers could use some new backbone. I'm sure Coulson or Hill would fit right in. They'd get better pay, better offices—oh, and free snacks."
Fury's eyebrow twitched.
Tony smirked wider. "Or you could come along too. We could always use a—what was it? Oh yeah—warehouse administrator. Someone to keep the spare armor and alien junk in line."
Fury didn't respond. He just stared at Tony like a man weighing the pros and cons of committing murder. "If I were your warehouse administrator," he finally muttered, "there'd be nothing left in the warehouse."
Tony snorted. "See? You're already qualified."
---
Morning at the Seaside House
Far from the political chaos, the world outside was peaceful.
The sun rose gently over the coastline, and a cool sea breeze swept through an open window, carrying the sound of waves and seagulls. Beneath a soft pink quilt, a small figure stirred.
A tousled head of golden-brown hair peeked out, followed by a sleepy yawn. Angie blinked blearily, trying to recall where she was. Her eyelids fluttered as she rubbed her temple and muttered, "Ugh… morning already?"
She had only recently styled her hair into a new wavy perm, and it now stuck out in all directions like an unmanageable halo. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, bathing her neatly furnished bedroom in warm light. Except for the piles of clothes on the chair and a few empty coffee mugs, it was spotless.
Angie groaned. "I've gotten way too lazy lately. If Bella comes back and sees this mess, she'll never let me live it down."
"Good morning, Ms. Angie," chimed a smooth, feminine voice from the holographic speaker on her desk.
"Morning, Celia," Angie mumbled back to the house's AI system.
She sat up and stretched, revealing her bright green dinosaur pajamas. Just as she was about to change, her nose twitched.
A delicious smell wafted through the air—fresh oatmeal and toasted bread.
Wait a second.
Angie froze. "Celia… when did little Sally wake up?"
"Miss Sally is still asleep," replied the AI.
Angie's eyes widened. "Then who's cooking?"
"Ms. Bella is preparing breakfast. Oatmeal and sandwiches," Celia answered pleasantly.
For a moment, Angie's sleepy brain stalled. Then realization hit her.
"Bella's back?!"
She didn't bother changing or even putting on slippers. She dashed out of bed and sprinted downstairs barefoot, shouting in excitement.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The kitchen came into view—sunlight streaming across the counter, the sound of sizzling butter, and a familiar figure standing by the stove. Bella, her long black hair tied loosely, was calmly flipping bread on a pan while two small pets—Cosmo the golden retriever and Nina the mischievous kitten—played around her feet.
Angie let out a squeal of joy. "Bella!"
She ran forward and leapt onto Bella's back, wrapping her arms around her neck and her legs around her waist.
Laughing softly, Bella steadied the plate of sandwiches in one hand and caught Angie's legs with the other. "You really haven't changed at all," she said. "Good morning, troublemaker."
"When did you get back?!" Angie mumbled, burying her face into Bella's shoulder, inhaling the faint scent of jasmine perfume she'd missed for months.
Bella chuckled and gently patted her on the hip. "Easy there. Breakfast first, interrogation later."
Balancing Angie with ease, she carried the plate to the living room table. "Celia, wake little Sally."
"At once, Ms. Bella!"
By the time Bella placed the dishes down, Angie had reluctantly climbed off her. "Go wash up," Bella said with a teasing smile. "Sally's coming down any minute."
"Y-yes, ma'am!" Angie replied with exaggerated obedience before dashing upstairs.
Five minutes later, little Sally came running down, her ponytail bouncing, wearing her favorite bunny-print pajamas. The moment she spotted Bella, her eyes lit up like twin stars.
"Sister Bella!" she cried, jumping straight into her arms.
Bella caught her easily, spinning the giggling girl once in the air before hugging her tight. "There's my little sunshine."
It had been months since they'd seen each other. Between missions, travels, and danger, Bella had longed for this simple moment of homecoming. For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to breathe.
Angie soon joined them, freshly dressed, her hair tied into a loose bun. "Okay, breakfast time!" she declared cheerfully.
The three of them sat together at the glass dining table. Warm oatmeal, toasted sandwiches, orange juice, and laughter filled the room. Even Cosmo wagged his tail happily beside them, while tiny Nina purred on the windowsill, nibbling her cat food.
Bella looked at the two girls and smiled faintly. "Feels good to be home."
"Did you finish your mission?" Angie asked, mouth half-full of bread.
"Yeah," Bella said softly. "Everything's taken care of."
She didn't mention the danger, the explosions, or the blood. For now, that world could wait. This morning belonged to peace, family, and sunlight.
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