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They stepped into Coulson's classic car, the polished interior reflecting the meticulous care that had clearly gone into maintaining it. Erwin took note of the car, filing it away for later. Nero shared a fondness for classic vehicles, and it could serve as a potential talking point with Coulson—a way to build rapport.

Coulson started the engine, the car humming smoothly to life as they pulled out of the SHIELD facility. "Today's mission is a bit different," Coulson began, his tone as calm and measured as always. "We're going to reach out to Tony Stark."

Erwin turned to Coulson, his expression curious. "Is he being recruited as a tech advisor? I thought the initiative was focused on gathering individuals with superhuman abilities."

Coulson kept his eyes on the road, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. "You might find this interesting, Erwin. The Iron Man that showed up in the skies recently—that's Tony Stark."

Erwin feigned surprise, his brows lifting slightly as he processed the information. "The billionaire playboy? I wouldn't have pegged him as someone who'd get his hands dirty."

Coulson chuckled softly, glancing at Erwin. "Stark's full of surprises. He's not just a genius in the lab; he's created something that could change the face of modern warfare—and not necessarily for the better if left unchecked."

Erwin leaned back, letting the new information sink in. "So, the suit isn't just a prototype. It's functional, and Stark's the one piloting it."

"Exactly," Coulson confirmed, taking a smooth turn onto the highway. "Stark's a unique case. He's got the brains and the resources to back up that suit, but he's also got an ego the size of Manhattan. Fury wants to see if he can be brought into the fold—if he can play well with others, so to speak."

Erwin nodded, maintaining a neutral expression as Coulson spoke. He was already well aware of the situation with Stark. Nero had been clear about the plan: infiltrate SHIELD's upper ranks, get close to the key players, and eventually, worm his way into HYDRA's inner circle. The endgame was to dismantle HYDRA from within and, if possible, replace Fury. But for now, Erwin played the role of a diligent, rising agent, just another cog in the SHIELD machine.

Becoming a Level 6 agent in just a couple of years was no small feat, and he owed much of his success to Nero's foresight and guidance. When Nero first suggested that Erwin could ascend the ranks so quickly, Erwin had been skeptical. But Nero had been confident, reminding him that merit was still a powerful currency in places like SHIELD. "If time spent is more important than skill and results," Nero had said, "then SHIELD is already doomed. And I doubt it's that kind of place."

And Nero had been right. Erwin's consistent success in the field, his ability to think strategically, and his calm demeanor under pressure had earned him respect and recognition faster than he could have anticipated.

As they drove, Coulson continued to fill Erwin in on Stark's situation, but Erwin's thoughts drifted momentarily to the bigger picture. Getting close to Tony Stark was part of the plan, but it wasn't the only objective. The real mission was HYDRA, hidden deep within SHIELD's structure, lurking like a parasite. But to even get close, Erwin had to play the part of the loyal agent, all while positioning himself as indispensable.

Coulson's voice pulled him back to the present. "Stark's not going to be easy to convince. He's used to calling the shots, and he doesn't take orders well."

"I can imagine," Erwin replied, his tone even. "But if anyone can bring him around, it's you, Agent Coulson. You've got a way with people."

Coulson glanced at Erwin, a small, amused smile tugging at his lips. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Smith. But I appreciate the vote of confidence."

Erwin allowed himself a faint smile, knowing when to let the conversation flow naturally. "Just stating the facts. Stark may be difficult, but he's not impossible."

Coulson gave a slight nod. "True. And if we can get him on board, it'll be a game changer for the Initiative. But don't get too comfortable, Smith. This is just the beginning."

Erwin met Coulson's gaze, his eyes steady. "Understood. I'm ready for whatever comes next."

The rest of the drive passed in relative silence, with only the occasional exchange between them. Erwin kept his thoughts focused, mentally preparing for the task ahead. Stark might be arrogant and unpredictable, but Erwin had dealt with worse. The key was to remain patient, observe, and wait for the right moment to push the plan forward.

As they neared Stark's location, Coulson broke the silence again, his tone more conversational. "You ever dealt with someone like Stark before?"

"Not exactly," Erwin replied, choosing his words carefully. "But I've encountered people with strong personalities, those who don't like being told what to do. It's about finding common ground and working from there."

"Well, you'll get your chance soon enough," Coulson said as he maneuvered the car into a parking space. "Stark's a unique case, but you seem like someone who can adapt."

Erwin didn't respond immediately, instead taking a moment to assess the area as they exited the vehicle. Stark's current location was a blend of high security and high comfort, exactly what one would expect from a billionaire with a penchant for privacy. The challenge would be getting Stark to see past his own ego and recognize the value in what SHIELD—and Erwin—had to offer.

Coulson led the way, his demeanor professional but not overly formal. "Remember, we're here to open a dialogue. Stark's on the fence about the Initiative, but he's not completely against it. We need to give him a reason to jump down on our side."

"Got it," Erwin said, following Coulson's lead. As they approached Stark's residence, Erwin mentally reviewed everything he knew about Tony Stark. His mind drifted to Levi for a moment—a genius in his own right, though in a vastly different field. Levi had been a loner, stubborn and fiercely independent, but Erwin had found a way to gain his trust and guide him when necessary. Stark might be wealthier and flashier, but the core challenge was similar.

The door opened, revealing Stark, casually dressed as if he had just woken up, despite the late hour. His eyes flicked over Erwin and Coulson, sizing them up in a heartbeat. "Agents," Stark said, his tone nonchalant as he leaned against the doorframe. "I was wondering when SHIELD would send someone else to try and talk me into joining the boy band."

Coulson smiled, unfazed by Stark's attitude. "Nice to see you too, Mr. Stark. This is Agent Erwin Smith."

Stark's eyes shifted to Erwin, who met his gaze evenly. "Smith, huh?" Stark said, pushing off the doorframe. "What's your story? You a robot too, or just another one of Fury's chess pieces?"

Erwin's expression remained neutral. "Neither, Mr. Stark. Just someone who knows the value of a strong team."

Stark smirked, clearly amused. "Strong team, huh? You really think you can sell me on that after everything that's happened?"

"I'm not here to sell you anything," Erwin replied calmly. "But I am here to talk about the benefits of working together. Even the strongest minds can achieve more when they collaborate."

Stark eyed him for a moment longer, then stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter. "Fine. Come on in. Let's see what SHIELD's got this time."

Erwin followed Coulson into the sleek, modern interior of Stark's home, his senses on high alert. The place was as high-tech as he expected, with every corner likely wired to respond to Stark's commands. Stark led them to a spacious living area, where he flopped down onto a couch, motioning for them to take seats.

"So," Stark began, leaning back and crossing his arms, "what's the pitch this time? I'm guessing it's not the usual 'protect the world' speech, since you brought the strong, silent type."

Erwin remained standing, deciding to keep his presence less intrusive. "I'm here to listen, Mr. Stark," he said, his voice steady. "You've made it clear you have reservations. I'd like to understand them."

Stark raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the straightforward approach. "You want to understand me? That's a first."

Coulson, sensing the opening, chimed in smoothly. "We're not here to pressure you, Tony. But SHIELD sees the potential in what you've built. We believe that, with the right support, you could do a lot of good."

"Potential, huh?" Stark said, his tone laced with sarcasm. "You mean they see a guy who can build weapons of mass destruction in his garage and think, 'Hey, let's recruit him before he goes rogue.'"

"That's not it," Erwin interjected, his voice firm but calm. "You've already shown that you're willing to take responsibility for your creations. We're offering you a way to do that on a larger scale—on your terms."

Stark's gaze flicked back to Erwin, his expression unreadable. "My terms, huh? And what makes you think SHIELD's ready to play by my rules?"

"Because they know the alternative," Erwin replied without missing a beat. "You're not the only one out there with the ability to change the world. The difference is, you're doing it openly. SHIELD can help you make sure that the changes you bring are the right ones."

Stark studied Erwin for a long moment, clearly weighing his options. "You're good," he finally said, his tone almost grudging. "But I'm not buying it."

Erwin didn't flinch. He had expected Stark's skepticism—anticipated it, even. Stark was a man who had built his entire empire on challenging expectations, on rewriting the rules. Convincing him wasn't going to be a simple task, and Erwin knew better than to push too hard.

"That's your call," Erwin replied evenly. "No one's forcing you into anything. But consider this—working with SHIELD doesn't mean giving up control. It means expanding your reach. You've seen firsthand what's out there. You know how dangerous the world can be."

Stark leaned back, crossing his arms as he studied Erwin with sharp eyes. "And what, you think SHIELD's going to let me do things my way? I'm not exactly a team player, in case you haven't noticed."

"Not asking you to be," Erwin countered, keeping his tone calm and unyielding. "But you're already in the game, whether you like it or not. Working with SHIELD gives you access to resources, information—things you can't get on your own. It's about leveraging what you're already doing, making sure you're not fighting alone."

Tony smirked, the cockiness in his demeanor unmistakable. "There's information I can't get on my own? That's new. Jarvis, bring up the profiles of these two gentlemen."

Erwin didn't react, maintaining his calm exterior as he exchanged a brief glance with Coulson. He knew what was coming next, and he wasn't concerned.

"Sir," Jarvis responded, his voice smooth and polite, "the files are restricted. I'm unable to access them without higher clearance."

Tony's smirk widened. "Hack it."

Erwin allowed the faintest hint of a smile to touch his lips, waiting for what he knew would be a moment of tension.

After a brief pause, Jarvis spoke again. "Access granted, sir. Displaying profiles now."

Two holographic screens appeared in front of Tony, each showing detailed dossiers of Coulson and Erwin. Tony leaned back, scanning the information quickly, his expression one of satisfaction. "There, wasn't so hard. SHIELD's security isn't all it's cracked up to be."

Coulson frowned, his usually calm demeanor breaking slightly. "Did you just hack into SHIELD?"

Tony chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. "I just gave you a reason to up your security. You're welcome."

Erwin remained impassive, though he could sense the subtle shift in Coulson's posture, a sign of his growing frustration. He knew this was Stark's way of testing them, pushing boundaries to see how far he could go. Erwin had encountered similar tactics before—people who believed that their intelligence or resources made them untouchable. He understood the game, and he wasn't about to let it rattle him.

"Impressive," Erwin said calmly, meeting Stark's gaze. "But a breach like that won't go unnoticed. You've just drawn more attention to yourself."

Stark shrugged, clearly unfazed. "Good. Maybe SHIELD could use a wake-up call. It's about time they realized how vulnerable they are."

"Or," Erwin countered, his tone still measured, "you've just confirmed to them that you're a potential threat if left unchecked. Not exactly the kind of attention you want, is it?"

Tony's eyes narrowed slightly, but his smirk didn't fade. "You're playing the wrong angle, Smith. SHIELD needs me more than I need them. If they want me on their side, they're going to have to play by my rules."

"That may be true," Erwin replied, his voice steady. "But there's a difference between being an asset and being a liability. Right now, you're walking a fine line."

Coulson tensed, glancing at Erwin as if ready to step in and steer the conversation back on course. Fury had made it clear—Tony Stark needed to join the Avengers Initiative. But Erwin held up a hand, signaling for Coulson to wait. Erwin understood Stark's type all too well. Pushing too hard would only make Stark more obstinate, more determined to set his own terms.

Stark, still smirking, leaned back on his couch, clearly enjoying the perceived upper hand. "You seem awfully confident, Smith. But I know SHIELD needs me more than I need them. So why don't you just cut to the chase?"

Erwin met Stark's gaze, his expression calm and unyielding. "I'm not here to sell you anything, Stark. But let's be clear—this isn't a game. You have power, and that makes you a target. SHIELD isn't offering you protection out of fear; we're offering it because you're valuable. But that value can change, depending on how you play your cards."

Stark's smirk faltered slightly, though he quickly recovered. "Is that supposed to be a threat?"

"Not a threat," Erwin replied evenly. "A reality check. You're smart, Stark—smart enough to know that the world is bigger than your ego. The question is, are you willing to step up and be part of something that goes beyond just you?"

Stark's eyes narrowed, the playful gleam in his gaze dimming as Erwin's words hit closer to home than he liked to admit. "And what, exactly, does SHIELD expect from me? Obedience? Because that's not happening."

"SHIELD doesn't want obedience," Erwin said, his tone firm. "We want cooperation. There's a difference. You'd still be making your own decisions, but with the backing of an organization that has the resources to help you make those decisions count."

Erwin's voice cut through the tension with a calm certainty, ""Seems like you're not clear on what your role would be in this initiative. Let me put it this way—you're in a neighborhood, and a house catches fire. Now, you have two options: grab a bucket of water and try to help, or stand by and watch it burn. But there's a third option: joining forces with others, pooling your resources to douse the fire before it spreads to the rest of the neighborhood."

Tony's smirk faded slightly as he listened, curiosity overtaking his usual cocky demeanor.

"In this initiative," Erwin continued, "you still have the freedom to choose whether or not to get involved. But you know that if you don't, that fire might burn down everything—including your own house. You won't be a firefighter taking orders, but someone who trusts in the collective effort to save what matters. That's the difference between acting alone and being part of something larger."

Tony leaned back, considering Erwin's words. The analogy hit closer to home than he'd expected. He could see the logic in it, the idea that working together didn't mean giving up control, but rather increasing the chances of success.

"You're saying I'd still call the shots, but with backup," Tony said, the skepticism in his voice replaced with a hint of genuine interest.

Erwin nodded. "Exactly. You wouldn't lose your autonomy, but you'd be part of a team that could accomplish more together than any of us could alone. We're not asking for blind obedience—we're asking for cooperation, for a shared goal. This isn't about controlling you, Mr. Stark. It's about making sure the fires don't burn out of control."

Tony sat quietly for a moment, his mind processing the implications. Erwin watched him carefully, his calm demeanor unchanged. He knew Tony was weighing his options, considering the risks and benefits. This was a man who didn't like to be pushed, who valued his independence above all else. But Erwin had given him something to think about—a way to contribute on his own terms, without feeling boxed in.

Finally, Stark leaned back, his expression still guarded, but with a hint of consideration. "You're a convincing guy, Smith. I'll give you that. But I've got my own way of doing things."

Erwin nodded, recognizing the small shift. "I'm not asking you to change that. Just consider how much more you could do with the right allies at your side."

Stark's gaze flicked over to Coulson, then back to Erwin. "You really think SHIELD's the right ally?"

"SHIELD's not perfect," Erwin admitted, his voice level. "But it's the best option we have to tackle what's out there. And with people like you involved, we stand a much better chance."

The tension in the room eased slightly, though the air remained thick with unspoken possibilities. Stark was still cautious, still wary, but Erwin could tell he was thinking, weighing the options. That was enough for now.

"Think about it," Erwin said, his tone calm but firm. "You don't have to decide today, but know that when the time comes, we're ready to work with you—on your terms, as part of a collective effort."

Stark didn't respond immediately, his eyes still locked on Erwin, as if trying to decipher something. After a moment, he gave a slight nod, not a commitment, but not a refusal either. "I'll think about it."

Erwin nodded in return, recognizing the small victory. "That's all we ask."

With that, the tension in the room seemed to dissipate further, the atmosphere shifting from one of confrontation to cautious consideration. Erwin didn't push further, knowing that Stark needed time to process, to decide on his own terms. It wasn't a definitive answer, but it was a step in the right direction.

As the conversation wound down, Erwin took a mental note of Stark's demeanor, his reactions, filing it away for future reference. He knew they'd be dealing with Stark again soon, and when that time came, it would be crucial to build on this groundwork.

"Appreciate your time, Stark," Erwin said finally, standing up with a nod. "We'll be in touch."

Stark didn't say anything more, just watched as Erwin and Coulson made their way to the door. As they left, Erwin caught a glimpse of Stark's expression—thoughtful, not dismissive. It was a good sign.

Once outside, Coulson turned to Erwin, his tone light but with an undercurrent of approval. "You handled that well."

Erwin shrugged slightly. "Just laid out the facts. It's up to him now."

Coulson smiled, a rare show of warmth. "That's all we can do. Let's see where it leads."

Erwin was mildly surprised that Coulson hadn't reprimanded him for pushing Stark the way he did. He had expected a sharp word or two about nearly causing the billionaire to kick them out, but instead, Coulson seemed pleased with how the conversation had gone. It was a welcome surprise, and Erwin found himself respecting the agent's ability to recognize a good strategy, even if it veered slightly off the expected path.

As they walked back toward Coulson's classic car, Erwin glanced at the vehicle, its polished exterior reflecting the evening light. He allowed a small smile to form. "Hey, so you're into classics?" he asked, nodding toward the car.

Coulson's face lit up slightly, the serious demeanor he usually wore easing as he patted the roof of the car affectionately. "Yeah, I've got a soft spot for them. There's something about the craftsmanship, the attention to detail that you don't find in modern cars. It's like a piece of history you can drive."

Erwin nodded, genuinely interested. "A friend of mine... has a similar fondness for older models. Says they have more personality, more... soul, I guess..."

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