Hours Earlier, Vermont
Nick Fury and Phil Coulson stood outside an old house, shadows stretching in the sunset.
"This the place?" Fury asked, his eye scanning the quiet suburb.
Coulson nodded, tablet glowing with faint energy readings. "Antimatter fluctuations originated here, sir."
Fury knocked. A tall Black man answered, holding a coffee mug, his calm eyes hinting at hidden strength.
"Who're you looking for?" he asked, voice low and warm.
"Adam Bernard?" Fury said.
The man's expression flickered. "Haven't used that name in years."
"I'm Nick Fury, S.H.I.E.L.D. Director. This is Agent Coulson."
Adam paused, then stepped aside. "Come in."
The house was simple but cozy, with family photos and bookshelves. Adam leaned by the fireplace, arms crossed. "What does S.H.I.E.L.D. want?"
"We need your help," Fury said bluntly.
Adam chuckled. "I've been retired for decades, Fury. The president himself ordered me to live quietly."
"The world's changed," Fury's voice darkened. "There's a guy in New York calling himself Superman—power beyond reason, no leash, and a threat to S.H.I.E.L.D."
Adam frowned. "Superman?"
"Black armor, flies, shoots heat from his eyes, can level buildings," Coulson added. "He's cozy with Tony Stark."
Adam rubbed his mug thoughtfully. "Sounds like a comic book."
"He's real," Fury said, locking eyes. "And he answers to no one."
Adam shook his head. "I'm not Blue Marvel anymore, Fury. I'm just a guy who teaches, gardens, fixes neighbors' cars."
"The world needs you," Fury pressed. "We're building the Avengers to handle threats like him or alien invasions. You're a top candidate."
Adam's gaze drifted to a photo of his wife and daughter. "I promised my family I'd stay out."
"If Superman goes rogue, or worse shows up, will your family be safe?" Fury countered.
Adam's eyes wavered.
A roar and screeching tires interrupted. Fury and Coulson tensed. Adam frowned, setting down his mug. "You bring a tail?"
"No way," Fury said.
Adam opened the door. A black SUV with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s logo sat in the yard. A man in a suit stepped out, smiling thinly.
"Fury, what a coincidence," he said.
Fury's eye narrowed. "Pierce."
Alexander Pierce, former World Security Council minister, stood with armed agents. "Heard you're recruiting," Pierce said, eyeing Adam. "Mr. Bernard, pleasure."
Adam's face hardened. "I don't use that name."
Pierce shrugged. "Times change. We need men like you."
Fury stepped forward. "This is S.H.I.E.L.D.'s operation, Pierce."
"S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Pierce smirked. "Fury, your moves are too loud. The Council's questioning your judgment."
Tension crackled.
Adam glanced between them, chuckling. "Sounds like you've got internal issues."
Pierce's gaze locked on Adam. "Join us. More authority, more freedom."
"Sounds like you want a thug," Adam said coolly.
"Partnership," Pierce corrected, smiling.
Adam shook his head. "Not interested in your power games."
Pierce's smile tightened. "Bad choice."
Fury sneered. "Threatening him? You're overstepping, Pierce."
Pierce ignored him, staring at Adam. "The world's changing. Pick the wrong side, and the cost is steep."
Adam's eyes sharpened, an invisible energy rippling. "I've fought wars, Pierce. Threats don't work on me."
Pierce stepped back. "Hope you don't regret this." He and his agents left, tires screeching.
Silence returned.
"Thanks," Fury said.
"Not for you," Adam replied.
Coulson frowned. "How'd Pierce know we were here?"
Fury's eye glinted. "Hydra's not the only rat."
Adam took a breath, resolute. "Fury, I'll help, but on conditions."
"Name them," Fury said.
"My family gets full protection."
"Done."
"No political strings. I do what's right."
Fury sighed, thinking of James, then nodded. "Deal."
Adam extended a hand. "Welcome to the Avengers."
Stark Tower Lab
James and Tony returned from the moon, the portal's golden sparks fading. Tony stretched, grabbing whiskey. "Inhuman tech's drool-worthy. Their anti-grav engines are quieter than my thrusters…"
"Sir," Jarvis interrupted, "the Senate Military Committee hearing is in two days at 10 a.m. You've prepared no materials."
Tony's face fell. "Damn, forgot about that."
James, unaware of recent global events, raised an eyebrow. "Hearing?"
Tony rubbed his temples. "Since we flew around New York in armor, the Senate's after me. They want my tech for 'national security.' Bunch of crap."
James nodded, recognizing the Iron Man 2 plot. In the original timeline, Tony faced the Senate alone, shutting them down with wit. Now, things were different.
"They want your armor for the military?" James asked.
"Basically," Tony sneered. "They've got some 'expert'—Justin Hammer, a copycat clown—to argue it should be nationalized."
James grinned. "Let me handle it."
Tony blinked. "What?"
"Simple," James said, hands in pockets. "Tell them the armor's not Stark tech—it's mine, Superman's. Let them come to me."
Tony squinted. "You sure? Politicians are vipers."
"What can they do to me?" James shrugged. "I'll be at the hearing, in person."
Tony grinned. "I can't wait to see their faces. What's your plan?"
James stood by the window, sunlight glinting off his black armor's golden "S." "Easy. If I'm Superman, I need fans."
Tony blinked. "Fans? Wait, what're you—"
James vanished, a black streak shattering the glass, gone in a flash.
Tony rushed to the window. "Jarvis, track him!"
Minutes later, Tony stared at James's flight path on a hologram. "Where's he now?"
"Indian Ocean, sir, at Mach 30," Jarvis replied.
Tony groaned. "He's really gonna make the world know Superman."
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