Chapter 179: Nick Fury, the Master of Moral Coercion
New York City.
Gwen swung back to Alan's house on her webbing. As she stepped inside, her suit automatically reverted to the watch on her wrist.
"Alan, I'm back," she called out the moment she entered.
At that moment, the projection of the Red Queen appeared before Gwen. "Miss Gwen, Master returned to the East this morning for some urgent matters," she explained. "He didn't inform you earlier because he didn't want to disturb your work at Oscorp. He asked me to tell you once you got home."
Hearing that Alan wasn't around, Gwen's expression turned slightly disappointed as she muttered, "He left without saying a word? What's the rush?"
"Pika… Pika…"
Hearing Gwen's voice, Pikachu excitedly ran out of the room and leaped into her arms.
Gwen affectionately hugged Pikachu. "Since Alan's not home, why don't you stay with me for the next few days?"
"Pika… Pika…"
Having been instructed by Alan beforehand, Pikachu eagerly nodded its head.
Gwen patted Pikachu's head, then placed some documents on the nearby table.
"Red Queen, organize these documents and project them for me to review," Gwen requested.
"Understood, Miss Gwen," the Red Queen replied.
In the living room, Gwen sat on the couch and reviewed the projected information. It contained profiles of the Avengers members, as well as details about Loki and the stolen Tesseract.
"Does this thing, the Tesseract, really contain such terrifying energy?" Gwen found it hard to believe that a small cube could harbor world-destroying power.
The information compiled by the Red Queen wasn't just the data Maria Hill had provided—it also included additional files from S.H.I.E.L.D. and details about each member of the Avengers.
Of all these people, Gwen had only met Tony Stark in person.
"Join the Avengers, huh…"
According to the documents, if Gwen was willing to join the Avengers, she just had to show up at a designated location the next day, where someone would escort her to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Helicarrier.
Looking at the empty house, Gwen muttered, "If only Alan were here. I could ask for his opinion."
"Red Queen, can't you contact Alan?"
The Red Queen looked at Gwen and responded, "Master has blocked his communication due to urgent matters. However, he did leave a message for you before leaving."
Gwen's face lit up with anticipation. "What did Alan say?"
"He said, 'Gwen, just follow your heart in whatever you choose to do.'"
Hearing this, Gwen's enthusiasm deflated. "How is that helpful? That's the same as saying nothing! I'm still stuck on what to do!"
From the S.H.I.E.L.D. files, it was clear that events were escalating to a dangerous level.
As Gwen wrestled with whether to go to the Helicarrier and join the Avengers, the Red Queen interjected.
"Miss Gwen, your goal has always been to protect ordinary people, right?"
Gwen nodded.
"Well, you've been doing that all along, even without being part of the Avengers."
Hearing this, Gwen's eyes lit up as clarity struck her.
That's right!
With Alan's help, she'd been doing just that every day. Whether she joined the Avengers or not, it wouldn't change her actions.
Moreover, joining an official organization like the Avengers would come with countless restrictions—especially under a government like the one in the U.S.
When the higher-ups needed you and found it beneficial, you were their partner and ally. But if something went wrong, the first ones to take the fall would be those on the frontlines—the overworked Avengers.
"You're right, Red Queen!" Gwen said firmly. "I can rely on my own strength to do what I need to do. There's no reason to concern myself with S.H.I.E.L.D. or the Avengers."
Seeing Gwen resolve her doubts, the Red Queen chuckled and added, "Besides, that Nick Fury guy seems a little… manipulative."
Gwen laughed. "I didn't notice at first, but now that I think about it…"
"Nick Fury outright wrote in the files about the catastrophic consequences if Loki kept the Tesseract. And then he only gave me one option: join the Avengers and save the world."
The documents made it clear—if Gwen wanted to save the world, she had to show up the next day to be escorted to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s headquarters.
Going to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s base would automatically mean joining the Avengers.
From start to finish, Nick Fury's files presented Gwen with just one choice:
Join the Avengers and save the world.
Or step aside and let it happen.
Nick Fury was indeed thinking exactly that—using this opportunity to psychologically pressure these individuals into joining the Avengers. He firmly believed that these superheroes couldn't just stand by and watch without taking action.
After pondering for a moment, Gwen remarked, "In Alan's words, this is moral coercion!"
"Red Queen, clear out these files," she instructed. "Also, keep an eye on S.H.I.E.L.D. and that guy named Loki. Report any issues to me immediately."
"Understood, Miss Gwen," the Red Queen replied.
Gwen glanced around the house. Without Alan, the place felt a lot duller.
"Come on, Pikachu, let's head back home," she said.
"Pika… Pika…" Pikachu pointed toward its room and dashed off.
A moment later, it emerged dragging a small backpack. Through its opening, Gwen could see that it was stuffed with snacks and the battle suit she had previously made for Pikachu.
"You little glutton!" Gwen said with a chuckle. "Alright, let's go."
Once Gwen left, the Red Queen's projection vanished, and the house plunged into silence, save for one brightly lit laboratory.
The Red Queen's projection reappeared inside the lab.
In the center of the lab's platform stood a new spider-suit. The suit retained Gwen's classic pink, white, and black color scheme, but now featured several black, winding streaks across its surface.
These black streaks extended all the way to the back, where four metallic, spider-leg-like extensions had been added as new equipment.
The Red Queen glanced at Project Arch-6 on the platform and pulled up its schematics and various experimental data.
"All experimental parameters have been met," she stated. "Beginning long-range transmission tests."
---
Meanwhile, in a different part of the world.
On the territory of Germany, a middle-aged man with blond hair and a cane exited an airport. He looked at the unfamiliar surroundings with a sly smile of success.
Pressing a button on the earpiece in his ear, the man spoke, "Barton, I've arrived in Germany. Proceed with the plan."
On the other end, Hawkeye's calm voice responded, "Understood, sir. I'll send you the location of tonight's banquet. Your movements will be discreetly leaked to S.H.I.E.L.D."
"They're expected to arrive at the venue to apprehend you by 8 p.m. tonight."
"Good. I look forward to their arrival," the man replied.
He glanced at the cane in his hand, the tip of which emitted a faint blue glow.
Looking up at the distant sky, he muttered, "Thor, you must have already detected my movements by now."
---
Asgard, the Royal Palace.
Heimdall murmured words of incantation, his gaze steady and intent.
Thor stood amidst the shattered remnants of the Bifrost, his expression complex yet tinged with eagerness. The chance to return to Earth filled him with both resolve and excitement.
"Odin, Father of the Gods, grant me the power of the Tesseract…"
Immediately, a glow resembling the light of the Bifrost enveloped Thor. In an instant, he disappeared in the brilliant radiance.
...
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