A black cloak, dark skin, an eyepatch, and the signature bald head
it was none other than Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Phils, S.H.I.E.L.D. has a duty to guard against any force that could endanger Earth."
Fury's voice was flat, his gaze steady as he addressed the refined man before him, who carried himself with the poise of a noble and the faintest of smiles.
Jason chuckled softly. "And you're so certain I'm a threat? Be careful how you speak. I am the master of the Roland family. If I don't like what I hear, I can cut off your funding. Without money, let's see how long S.H.I.E.L.D. can protect Earth. Besides… I think you overestimate your own strength."
Fury's expression darkened. "Whether we've overestimated or not we know our limits."
"Good," Jason replied lightly, before his smile faded. "Still, I appreciate your persistence. But since this is your 'duty,' tell me what exactly do you think my connection to the Church of Life is? And what is their purpose?"
Fury's tone grew sharp. "That is what we want you to clarify."
Jason laughed outright. "So you really don't know. How disappointing! And with that ignorance, you dare to speak so boldly before me? What gives you that confidence those dozen F-22s circling above, perhaps?"
The sudden words made Fury frown. He had dispatched Quinjet escorts, not F-22 Raptors. So where had these aircraft come from?
Before he could press further, a cold and furious voice echoed across the skies.
"Those who blaspheme my master DIE!"
Bismarck's wrath resounded like thunder.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The roar of artillery shook the heavens as her cannons unleashed a storm of firepower from the manor's rear gardens. Explosions lit up the skyline, and even the projection feed in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Triskelion HQ trembled under the reverberations.
Natasha and Barton froze in shock, while Fury's face twisted with alarm. "Cut the feed!" The hologram winked out instantly.
He turned sharply. "Hill! Report!"
Maria Hill's fingers flew across the console. Her expression turned grim. "Director, those F-22s… they're officially registered as S.H.I.E.L.D. aircraft. But no one here authorized their deployment!"
"Damn it! Find out who did this!" Fury snapped.
Back at the Roland Manor, Jason shook his head, amused. "Shall we go see for ourselves?"
Before Natasha or Barton could answer, a glowing portal swirled into existence, sweeping them upward. In the blink of an eye, they were on the manor's rooftop, buffeted by raging winds that abruptly died down, as though afraid to touch Jason.
By now, both agents were numb. Magic, gods, impossible feats it no longer surprised them.
Then a thunderous roar split the heavens.
A black streak surged skyward, and a massive dragon burst into the clouds with a bone-shaking cry. Its scales glistened like obsidian, its aura crushing.
Natasha and Barton stood stunned. A dragon. A real dragon, alive and terrifying.
Yet even that monstrous creature knelt. Atop its back, a woman of angelic beauty dismounted, dropping gracefully to one knee before Jason.
"Commander, enemies detected. Please issue your orders!" Bismarck's voice was solemn, her devotion absolute.
High above, the sonic booms of approaching aircraft grew louder. Ten, no more than a dozen F-22 Raptors cut across the sky in perfect formation, their sleek forms glinting in the sun.
Jason's gaze hardened.
"Destroy them."
Bismarck bowed her head. "As you command!"
With a tug of the reins, she spurred the dragon forward. The beast let out a deafening roar as it ascended, its vast wings cutting through the air like blades.
Head-on, it charged into the formation of America's most advanced fighter jets without hesitation, without fear.
An unstoppable force, bearing down on mortal machines like judgment itself.
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