Malibu Villa
Fury's team entered Tony's sleek villa, descending to the underground training room. Tony stood on a boxing ring, tapping the ropes. "Right on time. Who's up for a warm-up?"
Natasha vaulted onto the ring, her combat suit accentuating her form. "Ladies first?" she asked, striking a stance.
Tony bowed mockingly. "Go ahead, beautiful."
Natasha's high kick aimed for his temple. Tony dodged, catching her ankle. "Good speed, weak force."
Natasha flipped free, landing a flurry of precise strikes. Tony blocked with one hand, the other in his pocket.
"Impossible," Clint muttered, gripping his bow.
Natasha's punch flew; Tony caught it, pushing her back into the ropes.
"If you were a guy," Tony said, "you'd be in the wall."
Banner and Adam exchanged glances. "His reflexes and strength are superhuman," Banner whispered.
Pepper, on a sofa, scrolled her phone, unfazed.
Natasha signaled Clint. He joined her, their teamwork seamless, but Tony dodged effortlessly, adjusting his sunglasses mid-fight.
"Enough!" Fury barked. "Stark, what's going on?"
Tony shrugged. "What, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s omniscient now?"
Fury's eye narrowed. "Contact James. Now."
"Polite all of a sudden?" Tony smirked, snapping his fingers. "Jarvis, call James."
Long Island Villa
James and Wanda watched the fiasco via hologram. "Sir, Mr. Stark's call," Turing said.
James patted Wanda's shoulder, signaling a pause. "Connect."
"Hey, James!" Tony's voice boomed. "Some lost agents want you. Meet them?"
James glanced at Wanda, who nodded. "Tell them to wait."
He hung up, opening a portal to the training room. Fury stepped back as James emerged in a black shirt and shorts, Wanda behind him.
"Looking for me?" James asked, scanning the room.
Fury met his gaze. "We need to talk."
"About?" James's tone was flat. "Avengers? Save your breath."
Fury frowned. "The world faces threats. We need your strength."
James smirked. "To follow your orders?"
"Cooperation," Banner interjected. "For safety."
Wanda's scarlet energy flickered, wary. "That's not what you said earlier. We saw."
Natasha raised a hand. "Just testing, no malice."
Tony snorted. "Two-on-one's a test?"
"Tactical assessment," Clint shrugged.
James shook his head. "Fury, you test, negotiate, then threaten. Doesn't work on me."
Fury's face darkened. "Think you're above it all?"
"I protect this world because I choose to," James said coldly.
Adam stepped forward. "We're not enemies."
"Then don't bother me," James replied.
Fury's voice hardened. "What if your power goes rogue? Who stops you?"
James's eyes flashed dangerously. "Try me."
Tension spiked. Fury softened his tone. "The world needs balance."
"Balance?" James laughed. "You want a weapon."
"We want the same thing: protection," Fury said.
James's gaze shifted to Adam. "You agree?"
"Power needs restraint," Adam said. "Or it breeds chaos."
"My power's mine to control," James said.
Fury's jaw tightened. "So, talks are off?"
Tony sighed. "Take it outside. Don't wreck my place."
James opened a portal to the cliffside outside, stepping through. Adam followed, then the others, exchanging glances.
On the cliff, sea winds roared. James stood, nano-armor forming, golden veins glowing. Adam faced him, blue antimatter energy swirling.
Fury watched, Banner, Natasha, and Clint at a distance. Wanda stood on the balcony, scarlet energy ready. Tony leaned on the doorframe, smirking.
"James," Adam said calmly, "we don't want a fight."
"Then don't block me," James replied.
Fury snapped, "You're too arrogant. Think you're above rules?"
"Rules?" James smiled. "Yours only bind those who follow."
Adam raised his hands, blue energy condensing. "Let's see how strong you are."
James waved, shifting them to the mirror dimension, cliffs inverted. Fury flinched but steadied.
"Come on," James said.
Adam struck, a blue beam tearing the air. It exploded half a meter from James, blocked by an invisible wall.
Adam's eyes widened. "What is that?"
James clenched his fist. "My turn."
He vanished, reappearing before Adam, his punch sending him crashing into a cliff, debris flying. Both held back, testing.
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