Surprises-2

-------Phil POV-----

Imagine my surprise when I got a call from Hank telling me that he is coming with Howard to my party. Howard was in hiding and I thought that was the best decision he made after the attack. I imagined him taking a short retirement before I clean up the SHIELD and he coming back and taking control of it. It seems the plan needs to be changed.

Hours later, when the venue is set up, I am welcoming the first guest, Hope along with Steve. Okay, another thing, I didn't see coming.

The minute they met me was shocking for them. I mean, look at me. I am not the old Phil anymore. Anyway, my explanation was, "I managed to find a lost artefact that somehow made me like this. It turn others into stone but it gave me this physique. You know even I was shocked. That was an accident that I somehow came in contact with that but I am glad to be alive and everything else is just a bonus."

Well, I had an obelisk stored in the factory and anyone wanting to check can be my guest. Then came an old man, the one who I found recently and who took much more effort than Fury to agree to come to this party - Isaiah Bradley.

The knights at the base worship him like a god. He was the one who destroyed many military experiment bases back in his time. He is the sole survivor of such an experiment and is basically the Black Captain America.

For his actions against the military, he was left to rot in prison. After 30 years, someone actually took pity on him and faked his death. These days, he is taking care of his grandson alone. I offered him a big bright future for his grandson and safety for his family among other things so he could accept my invitation.

"Please come in Mr. Bradley. Trust me you won't be disappointed," I shake his hands and invite him inside.

Once inside, I introduced him to Steve. Imagine Isaiah meeting Steve the first time. He froze at his place and then moved towards him. Before anyone could say anything, he spoke, "They really made you perfect. You don't even age like us. Do you captain?"

His voice was so rough and there was pain and hatred in his eyes. I intervened and tried to present Steve's case.

"He does, He does age. Slower than you Mr. Bradley but I can assure you he does age. The reason he is still young is that he was a popsicle after WWII and I just unfroze him a year back. Now, he goes by the name Knight commander and commander meet Mr. Isaiah Bradley.

The knights at the base, the ones rescued from the botched up military super-soldier program all are alive because of the actions of this man. He despite being a US soldier, attacked the US military bases, destroyed the experiment facilities and saved hundreds of soldiers who were prepared to be executed. After the experiment, few have survived over the years but everyone at base still calls him the true patriot."

Steve was surprised to hear Bradley's story and Bradley was the same. I left the two alone and took hope away from them. Both of the soldiers were part of the military super-soldier experiment but both suffered a vastly different fate due to nothing but the colour of their skin.

Pentagon truly knows how to make an enemy out of anyone and everyone. I was filling Hope on the details about Bradley when I saw someone else coming inside.

Nick Fury.

Dressed in formal attire and with a smile on his face. This guy is nowhere near the future Fury but hey, the eye is still the same.

"Welcome, Mr. Fury. Right on time."

"Yes, it is a habit from work. I hope you didn't call me here only for the dinner Mr. Ryan Phillip." Fury said looking straight into my eyes. Was this supposed to make me feel fear or uneasy; because it was totally working.

"I think you will find your life's purpose Mr. Fury. This is my friend Hope. Hope van dyne or Hope Pym and Hope this is agent Nick Fury. Retired Colonel and currently agent level 8 in SHIELD. Why don't you talk to each other about some work? I am waiting for final guests." I handed Nick over to Hope and escaped this one eye monster. This man is fucking scary cyclops.

Anyway, more than two hours had passed, even Bucky was here after his therapy session but Hank and Howard were late. By this time, everyone had a few rounds of drinks but this small gathering was basically me running to each other and talking separately. Well, time to bring the party together.

"Ahem, I think our final guests are late," I said loudly drawing attention from everyone. "Anyway, everyone here is a unique individual with a very special skill set. This meeting is a meeting of extraordinary gentlemen who are different from the normal people outside these doors.

We have the original super-soldier Steve Rogers, Hydra super-soldier Bucky Barnes, the only perfect Black super-soldier Isaiah Bradley, a Rtd. Col. and now SHIELD Agent who fought aliens Mr. Nick Fury and Hope Pym. Moving on, we are waiting for Hank Pym, the ant-man and one of the scientific geniuses in the century along with another one, Howard Stark."

Suddenly everyone went silent. These people had been talking to each other without breaking the thin paper barrier which I just punched through.

"Why just Hope Pym? Why not the operations head of shadow knights Hope Pym? Are you looking down on me Phil?" Suddenly Hope stood up, dragged me to the sides and said under a low voice.

"Of course not, but let's be honest. I and you have hardly anything to compare with these guys. I mean, I am rich, intelligent and I created shadow knights and may possibly have some superpowers from the artefact but we are still young." I tried to answer in the most honest justifying answer.

Hope for no reason I could think of, crushed (or at least tried to) my feet and walked back to Steve. I smiled and joined the group too. After my initial explanation, everyone can now at least freely ask questions. One by one everyone tried to present a short story that could explain my intro and were now more openly chatting and talking.

"Sir, there is a distress signal coming from Mr. Pym. Mr. Pym and Stark are now under attack and awaiting rescue." Linda's voice suddenly came in the room and the lively party suddenly turned serious.

Hope was the one who was already in front of me looking at monitors for answers.

"Turn on the location Martha and check if we have visuals or audio?" I ordered. "Visuals are live, Sir," replied Martha before showing a live battle scene of a Tank, firing shells at a Red version of Captain America.

"The location is a private Ohio airstrip. Coordinated are now on the screen sir." Martha said and with that Steve, Bucky and Hope ran towards my private chopper.

"FUCK!" I shouted.

"Nick, talk to SHIELD and see what is their response. If they are sending any team there, please put your trusted people in that and make sure you delay as much as you can." I ended up ordering Fury. He raises one eyebrow, looks at me and then calls someone.

Bradley says nothing, just pulls up a chair to watch the screen.

I ordered Martha "Dispatch the knights and gave permission to Icarus and Valkyrie for the direct flight. I need them in the sky. Now! Fuck!!!"

"You want to fight, I will give you a fight!" I said to myself looking at the screen.