Chapter 36: No Second Chances

"Mr. Harvey Amberlock, this is my fault. I failed to convey to my colleagues how much you dislike S.H.I.E.L.D. I ask you to give us another chance."

Coulson, hands raised, spoke cautiously, now using a more respectful tone. Earlier, during his conversation with Harvey, he had sensed the man's disdain for S.H.I.E.L.D. and understood that Harvey had no intention of joining the Avengers. While Coulson had been annoyed at the time, he chose not to pass that information up the chain. Looking back now, he regretted it. Had Fury been warned, maybe things wouldn't have escalated as they did.

"You were smart not to pull a gun on me," Harvey remarked, noticing Coulson's holstered weapon. He sounded mildly surprised but remained as calm as ever. "But you must know that your little bit of cleverness isn't enough to give you leverage in this situation."

"I understand. That's why I'm not negotiating—I'm asking. Please, spare Agent Romanoff. She's gravely injured and has already paid the price for her offense. I swear on my life, we won't cross you again."

"Harvey Amberlock, I'm also asking you—please, no killing. Not here," Tony Stark added, his voice edged with concern. He wasn't sure if his words would have any effect, but he hoped to avoid the mess of a dead body, especially on his property.

"Coulson, I don't need your head. But the next time one of your agents tries anything against me, bring me theirs. Or you know the consequences," Harvey said coldly, shifting his gaze from Stark to Coulson.

"Understood," Coulson answered quickly, his heart racing. He had felt the lethal intent in Harvey's words.

"This is your only chance. And Nick Fury," Harvey now turned his attention to the S.H.I.E.L.D. director, "I know what you're thinking. Don't bother calling for Captain Marvel. She can't help you. She's no match for me."

Fury's face tightened at the mention of her. He'd already suspected that traditional military power couldn't handle this man—Harvey Amberlock was unlike anything they'd dealt with before. He had considered calling in Captain Marvel as a last resort, but Harvey's words threw all those plans out the window.

"We're grateful for your mercy, Mr. Amberlock," Coulson said, stepping forward and carefully lifting Natasha, who was barely clinging to life. Tony Stark watched him with a mixture of admiration and disbelief. It took guts to get that close to Harvey in a situation like this.

"There won't be a next time. You know what to do if it happens," Harvey stated, casting one last glance at the wounded Natasha before turning back to Coulson.

"I won't forget this, no matter what else I do," Coulson replied, his voice filled with sincerity.

This whole situation could've been avoided if Fury had listened to Coulson. He had warned Fury about Harvey Amberlock before—Harvey was dangerous but wouldn't attack unless provoked. But Fury had dismissed the warning, convinced that Harvey was just an overconfident rich man. That's why they had come in force, and it nearly got them all killed.

"Leave," Harvey said coldly, eyeing the remaining S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.

With his order, Coulson, Fury, and the others retreated hastily. They didn't even bother to stay and monitor Stark's work with his father's notebooks.

"Well, I'm going to get back to my meal. You can start your research," Harvey said, his icy demeanor fading as he spoke to Tony.

"Harvey Amberlock... that Captain Marvel you mentioned... is she really that powerful?" Tony asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Yes, she's strong," Harvey admitted between bites.

"Stronger than you?" Tony asked, the gossip in him flaring up.

"Unfortunately, yes. Right now, she's stronger than me," Harvey responded without hesitation.

"JARVIS, are they gone?" Tony asked, now that the tension had eased.

"Yes, sir. The woman, Natasha, is critically injured, and they're moving quickly," JARVIS replied, projecting a hologram showing the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents leaving by helicopter.

"Phew, good. So, were you just trying to scare them off earlier?" Tony asked, relieved.

"Captain Marvel may be stronger than me at the moment, but she still can't stop me," Harvey said, amused by Tony's obvious fear of being overheard.

Captain Marvel was undeniably powerful, but her abilities were relatively straightforward. If Harvey wanted to, he could simply vanish into the Void, where she wouldn't be able to find him. The truth was that Harvey respected her strength but had no real fear of her. It was others, like Odin or the Ancient One, who posed more of a threat to him.

The Asgardian gods, with their power to monitor entire realms, could easily watch over Earth. If he angered Odin, he could expect all kinds of trouble. The Ancient One, with her mastery of time and space, was even more unpredictable. Harvey knew better than to challenge them unless absolutely necessary.

"As long as you're confident you can handle things, that's good enough for me," Tony replied, feeling more at ease.

Harvey just gave Tony a knowing look. He didn't say anything, but it was clear that Tony had chosen the right side in this little showdown.