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*****
Nick Fury obviously didn't actually want to stay glued to Fenyx's side and refuse to leave. On the contrary, he was actually quite anxious to head back and gather his people.
He had only chosen this approach because he wanted to force Fenyx into helping him.
However, he hadn't expected that while he was shameless, Fenyx wasn't one to care about appearances either, going so far as to treat him this way.
At this moment, the most innocent person in the room was likely the owner of the apartment. He had been sitting peacefully at home eating his dinner when, out of nowhere, three people and a sofa suddenly materialized.
"Can someone tell me what's going on here?"
Captain America looked at the three people in front of him, set down his bowl and chopsticks, and asked in a deep voice. It was then that he noticed Nick Fury, who was still covered in blood despite having received medical attention.
"This guy was assassinated by Hydra and wanted to find help, so I brought him over," Fenyx stepped forward to explain. During the Battle of New York, Cap had mentioned his home address, which was how Fenyx was able to open the portal right here.
"Hydra?!"
Cap froze for a moment, glanced at Nick Fury, and said in a grave voice, "Weren't they already wiped out during World War II?"
"I'll leave the explaining to you two. I'm heading back. And don't forget, you owe me quite a few favors this time!"
Fenyx didn't bother giving Cap a detailed explanation. Instead, he looked at Nick Fury and made sure to leave instructions before departing: "By the way, don't touch that Sitwell guy yet. I have some use for him."
Ava Starr had already given up Sitwell. If Fenyx didn't give this warning, Nick Fury would probably deal with him first thing once he recovered.
These words caused the contemplative Nick Fury to startle, and he couldn't help but frown deeply as he stared at Fenyx.
"Wait a minute."
This time, the one who called out to stop Fenyx wasn't Nick Fury, but Cap. In truth, he had already realized that something major must have happened, so he didn't want to let go of a powerful asset like Fenyx.
"I made fried chicken wraps using your recipe. Stay and try some!"
Hearing Cap's words, Fenyx let out a helpless sigh. He understood exactly what Cap meant; it was nothing more than an excuse to get him to stay for now.
Ultimately, Fenyx didn't leave immediately. He sat back down on the sofa, spread his hands, and said, "Honestly, having you guys is really enough. It's just Hydra, after all!"
Fenyx meant this with absolute sincerity. In the original timeline, Hydra had prepared so thoroughly, yet their plans were still thwarted by Cap, Black Widow, and a tag-along Falcon.
Now, not only was the situation much better than in the original timeline, but Fenyx had also recruited help. Ava Starr wouldn't be any worse than Falcon, to say nothing of Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch joining them in a while.
Seeing Fenyx sit back down, a smile finally broke through Cap's serious expression. He went into the kitchen to fetch the freshly made fried chicken wraps. When he came out, he looked at Ava Starr and asked, "And this is?"
"Ava Starr!"
Ava Starr gave Cap her name and then fell silent. Her own condition and Hydra's training had kept her isolated from the outside world for a long time, making her rather taciturn by nature.
"Steve Rogers!"
Cap introduced himself as well. Seeing that Ava Starr wasn't in the mood to talk, he didn't press further. He placed the fried chicken wraps on the table, looked at Nick Fury, and asked, "What happened to your injuries?"
"She did it!"
Nick Fury jerked his chin toward Ava Starr. Under Cap's surprised and bewildered gaze, he gave a brief summary of everything that had transpired from beginning to end.
"Are you saying that the current S.H.I.E.L.D. is practically Hydra?!"
After listening to the explanation, Cap looked at Nick Fury in shock. He could never have imagined that after waking up from seventy years on ice, Hydra would exist right by his side in this manner.
Nick Fury naturally wouldn't admit to that. He immediately shot back, "No, they're just parasites hiding inside. S.H.I.E.L.D. is still S.H.I.E.L.D.!"
Fenyx curled his lip, glanced at Nick Fury, and said, "Give it a rest. The current S.H.I.E.L.D. is basically Hydra. Even you were only promoted by them so they could use you, and you still have the nerve to say that."
Nick Fury fell silent for a moment. The matter involving Alexander Pierce was indeed a massive blow to him.
Cap didn't quite understand the underlying reasons behind it, but he didn't care much about that either. He immediately asked in a deep voice, "The most important thing right now is how to eliminate them. What do we do!"
"What do you do!"
Fenyx corrected Cap as he looked at him. He picked up a fried chicken wrap and took a bite; it actually tasted surprisingly good. It looked like Cap had been making them quite often at home.
"Fenyx, you might not know this, but Hydra's goal is world domination. If they gain complete control of S.H.I.E.L.D., everyone in the world will be in danger!"
While eating the fried chicken wrap Cap had made, Fenyx shook his head and said, "I know exactly what kind of organization they are, but I believe you guys can handle them. If you really run into trouble you can't solve, you can come find me again."
"Then why not help out right from the start?" Cap asked, frowning as he looked at Fenyx.
"I have my own reasons!"
Fenyx shook his head. He didn't tell Cap his reasons, nor did he demonstrate the Mirror Dimension. That method might work on Nick Fury, but it wouldn't be effective on Cap.
Given Cap's personality and values, it was impossible for him to accept such a philosophy. Speaking it aloud would only increase the friction between them.
"What reasons?" Cap asked, clearly determined to get to the bottom of it.
"In short, I have more important things to do!" Fenyx shook his head.
"What could be more important than saving the world?" Cap was equally stubborn.
Fenyx could easily walk away right now, and no one present would be able to stop him. However, after giving it some thought, he still didn't want to strain his relationship with this spiritual pillar of the Avengers too much, so he said:
"How about this, I'll tell you a piece of news that is very important to you, and you stop nagging me to fight Hydra with you, deal?"
"I don't care about any news, Fenyx. This matter concerns the safety of the entire world. Your strength could save a lot of people!"
"Not even news about Bucky Barnes?"
Hearing the name leave Fenyx's mouth, Cap froze. Then, with a complex expression and a deeply furrowed brow, he said, "He sacrificed his life seventy years ago!"
"He didn't die. I just met him not too long ago!"
Cap bolted upright, an irrepressible excitement gleaming in his eyes as he asked, "He's still alive?"
"Yes!" Fenyx nodded.
"Where is he?" Cap asked urgently. Judging by his expression, if Fenyx gave him an address, he would probably rush over there the very next second.
"I can tell you, but you can't demand that I help anymore, unless it's a problem you guys absolutely cannot solve!"
Hearing the condition Fenyx laid out, Cap's excited expression stiffened slightly. After a long silence, he ultimately shook his head and gritted his teeth.
"I can't put the world in danger for my own sake. Fenyx, you must participate in this war against Hydra!"
"..."
Fenyx looked at Cap with a headache, yet he couldn't help but admire this kind of selflessness.
He knew just how important Bucky was to Cap, but Cap still gave up the news about him, choosing instead to try and secure Fenyx's help against Hydra.
o(╥_╥)o