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Nightfall
S.H.I.E.L.D. HeadquartersA certain underground conference room
A holographic projection spun slowly above the metal round table — it was an image of Jiro.
Black battle suit, golden patterns, and those calm golden eyes that seemed to pierce right through the screen and stare at everyone in the room.
Nick Fury's one eye swept across the people seated at the table."The world needs insurance. And Superman..."
He tapped the table. A dense stream of data popped up next to Jiro's image.
"He's currently the biggest unknown factor. We need to recruit him. The world needs him."
Adam Bernard sat quietly in a corner, casually playing with blue anti-matter energy that shifted between different forms in his fingers.
He was staring at a clip in the projection — Jiro catching a crashing plane with his bare hands. His brows furrowed slightly."His power system... it's not like mutants or serum-enhanced individuals. Could he really be Kryptonian?"
"Who cares what he is," Fury said, his eye gleaming slightly.
"We've got you. We've got Dr. Banner. And we've also got the Hydra tech we seized last time."
He brought up another set of data."The energy readings from that fight in Canada the other day were nearly on par with a nuclear explosion. And that still wasn't your full strength."
Banner adjusted his glasses and looked around."Director, the guy in the news — he's been saving people. From the chemical plant explosion in Mumbai to the earthquake in Chile — he even fixed a nuclear leak."
He pointed to a video where Jiro used freeze breath to seal off a leaking reactor."That doesn't look like someone we need to take down. He should be recruited — peacefully."
"That's exactly what makes him dangerous, Doctor."
Fury played an encrypted video. Jiro was floating just above Earth's surface, sunlight gleaming off his body.
"If someone can literally take a shower in outer space, what reason does he have to care about ants?"
Natasha Romanoff suddenly chuckled."So what now? We're doing philosophy debates?"
She spun the little knife in her hand."Look, Barton and I — we're on payroll. You give the order, we follow it."
In the corner, Barton was quietly checking the trajectory chip in a new arrow, not even looking up."Just a reminder, sir — the last time we tried to recruit Banner, we nearly flattened a whole mountain range."
Fury didn't reply. He just pulled up another clip.
Tony Stark at the Monaco Grand Prix — the scene where his nano suit instantly wrapped around him.
"We don't need to go straight to Superman," Fury said with a confident smirk."We start with his partner."
Adam Bernard crossed his arms and stared at the screen, expressionless."You really think Stark will cooperate?"
"He will," Fury said, his eye locked on Stark's image.
"Because he's a businessman. And businessmen understand cost and benefit better than anyone."
Barton adjusted his earpiece and said casually,"So the plan is: reach out to Stark first, then use him to get to Superman?"
"Exactly. That guy's impossible to track. We can't just go looking for him."
Fury stood up, the hem of his black coat swaying behind him.
"Natasha, you and Barton go make contact with Stark. Try to keep it friendly."
"Friendly?" Natasha raised an eyebrow. "You sure you're not just telling me to use the old 'honey trap'?"
Fury kept a straight face."If it works, yes."
Banner couldn't help but ask,"What if Stark says no?"
Fury's eye narrowed slightly. His voice turned cold."Then we remind him — an invitation from S.H.I.E.L.D. has always been on the side of justice."
Adam was silent for a moment before suddenly speaking."If Superman really stands on our side, the world would be a very different place."
"Or worse," Fury said in a low voice."An unchecked god… that's the greatest threat of all."
The conference room fell silent.
"When's the op?" Natasha broke the tension.
"Tomorrow."Fury shut off the holographic projection."Stark has a party in Monaco tonight. He's flying back to New York tomorrow. We'll catch him at the airport."
Natasha stood up, a faint smile tugging at her lips."Let's just hope he doesn't resist a friendly little chat."
Fury didn't answer. He simply turned and walked to the door, his one eye narrowing in the dim light.
"Remember," he said, pausing at the door."Whether he likes it or not, the world needs Superman."
"And we're the ones who'll convince him."
Meanwhile...
On the balcony of his home, Jiro glanced in the direction of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s headquarters.
"Alright then," he muttered. "Let's see how you plan on inviting me."
Wanda came up carrying a fruit platter, stepping onto the balcony just as Jiro was staring off into the distance. There was a faint glow flickering in his golden eyes.
"What are you looking at?" she asked, setting the platter down on the table and following his gaze—only to see the night sky over New York.
"Nothing much," Jiro said, pulling his gaze back and casually picking up a piece of watermelon."Go get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be fun."
"Fun?" Wanda tilted her head, her red hair falling over her shoulder."What kind of fun?"
Jiro shrugged. "The kind where the mice try to catch the cat."
Wanda blinked, even more confused now, but since he clearly didn't plan to explain, she just nodded."Alright then. I'm going to bed."
She turned to leave, but paused at the door to glance back once more.
Jiro was already looking back out at the skyline. With a swipe of his finger, a golden portal silently unfolded in front of him, its other end revealing a library.
Wanda pressed her lips together, thought about asking something, then decided against it. She quietly shut the balcony door behind her.
The next day — New York Airport
Tony Stark's private jet was slowly taxiing to a stop. Inside the cabin, he was lazily swirling a glass of red wine while listening to JARVIS's report.
"Sir, suspicious individuals detected at the arrivals exit. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton are currently waiting."
Tony scoffed, taking a sip of wine."I was expecting some dangerous terrorists or something. That's it?"
Pepper put down her tablet and looked at him, a little concerned."Should I call security?"
"No need," Tony waved her off and put on his sunglasses."I want to see what game Fury's playing this time."
Once the plane had stopped, Tony wrapped an arm around Pepper's waist and strolled leisurely down the exit ramp.
The moment they entered the arrivals hall, a graceful figure walked straight toward them.
Natasha Romanoff—her red hair flowing down, dressed in a sleek black dress that hugged every curve—wore a slight, unreadable smile.
"Mr. Stark. What a coincidence."
Tony stopped, eyeing her head to toe behind his sunglasses, then grinned."Agent Romanoff. Don't tell me S.H.I.E.L.D.'s budget is so low you're moonlighting as a flight attendant?"
Natasha's smile didn't change, but her eyes turned a little colder."The Director would like a word."
"Oh?" Tony acted surprised."If it's about the Avengers Initiative, I already turned that down."
Before Natasha could answer, Barton stepped out from the crowd and joined her, hands in his pockets."This time's different."
Tony raised an eyebrow."Wow, you brought backup too?"
As he spoke, Nick Fury walked out from a side door, black trench coat billowing behind him, his single eye sharp and steady.
"Stark. Let's talk somewhere more private."
Tony chuckled, then leaned in and whispered to Pepper,"Don't worry, honey. Looks like our dear director still hasn't given up."
Pepper sighed, clearly used to this, and nodded.
VIP Lounge, Airport
Fury planted both hands on the table, staring Tony down with his one eye."The Avengers Initiative needs you. As a consultant only. We won't interfere with your work—just need you when it counts."
Tony slouched on the couch, leg crossed lazily, and shook his head."Not interested."
Fury narrowed his eye."The world's changing, Stark. Mutants, alien tech, even gods... we need to be ready."
"Ready for what?" Tony spread his arms."A super-powered boy band? No thanks. I don't do teams."
Fury clenched his fist—then forced himself to relax."What about Jiro? What does he think?"
Tony took off his sunglasses, his gaze turning mocking."Fury, I already turned you down once. You want to get rejected again?"
Fury's face darkened."He's not you, Stark. Maybe he actually understands what responsibility means."
Tony laughed dryly and slid the sunglasses back on."Sorry. He's not interested either."
That pushed Fury over the edge."All you've got is that suit of armor. You're not even on Natasha's level."
Tony's hand paused midair.
He slowly stood up, his voice dangerously calm behind his shades."What did you just say?"
Fury stood firm."I said—you're just an ordinary man in a metal suit."
Tony was quiet for a second, then suddenly smiled."Alright. Since you're so eager to talk—"
He snapped his fingers and turned to Pepper."Honey, looks like we're rescheduling."
Then he looked back at Fury, eyes glinting."Let's head to my Malibu place."
"We'll have a real talk."
"....."