Chapter 94: Nick Fury the Thief

At S.H.I.E.L.D., Hill stood on the command platform. With Nick Fury off handling other matters, she was acting commander of the agency.

Although the title was impressive, her role was limited to managing smaller issues. Anything significant had to be reported to Fury immediately.

At the moment, the large screen in front of Hill displayed a live feed from Coulson, regarding the protection of Thor's hammer.

"Coulson, how's the situation over there?" Hill asked.

On the screen, Coulson shook his head, standing in front of Thor's hammer. "No one can lift it. Barton even tried."

Hawkeye, standing beside him, maintained a serious expression but still couldn't help commenting, "This thing weighs more than a normal hammer should."

"A normal hammer also wouldn't fall from the sky," Coulson joked.

Barton glanced at him and, without bothering to respond, turned his attention back to his guard duties. Fury hadn't sent him there to protect people; he was there to safeguard the hammer.

"How did that guy lift it before?" Coulson asked, referring to Alan.

Hill shook her head. "Not sure. He lifted it effortlessly, even summoned lightning."

Thinking back to that moment, Hill found it unbelievable. She never imagined someone could actually harness the power of natural lightning.

"It doesn't matter now. We can't lift it anyway," Coulson said. "Let's just wait for its true owner to show up."

As Coulson continued organizing the investigation of the hammer, Hill cut off the communication.

"Commander Hill, the tech department has finished processing the images. I'm sending them to you now," a subordinate's voice came through her earpiece.

"Understood," Hill replied.

She picked up her tablet, and the photo files gradually became clearer. When Hill finally saw what was in the images, her expression changed drastically. She immediately dialed Nick Fury's number.

---

At the entrance of Tony Stark's home, Nick Fury parked his heavy-duty SUV outside. He grabbed the large box left behind by Howard Stark and approached the front door.

"I'm Nick Fury. Tell Tony Stark I have something that can save his life," Fury said.

"Please wait," came the response.

In his workshop, Tony was busy adjusting a pipe, using a level to check its alignment. It wasn't quite right yet.

"Yinsen, find something to prop this up with, or it's going to cause major problems," Tony said.

Yinsen glanced around. "We've used everything we could. I'll check the storage room."

"Go ahead, I'll keep looking around here."

"Sir, Nick Fury is here. He says he has something that could save your life," JARVIS announced.

"I bet he's here to talk about that 'super boy band' again," Tony muttered. "Alright, everything else is fine. Yinsen's looking for something. Let's go meet the one-eyed egghead."

"JARVIS, let him in."

When Tony arrived upstairs, he found Nick Fury acting like he owned the place, helping himself to a cup of coffee. By his feet sat a large box.

Tony was curious about the contents of the box but greeted Fury first. "Hello, Director."

Fury turned around with his coffee, teasing Tony, "You've upgraded fast. I can't just waltz in here like I used to."

"That's the whole point—to prevent things like this."

"What brings you here?" Tony asked, opting for his green juice instead of the coffee.

Seeing the green juice in Tony's hand, Fury remarked, "That stuff won't fix the problem inside your body."

"The only way to stop the palladium poisoning is to stop using the palladium element."

Tony froze. "How do you know about that?"

Fury pointed at Tony's chest, which was faintly glowing. "That thing in your chest is based on unfinished technology."

"No, it's a finished product," Tony corrected. "I only made it work by shrinking it down."

After a pause, he added, "If anything, it's the palladium that's the issue."

Fury shook his head. "No, no, no. That's not what your father told me back in the day."

Tony was momentarily surprised that Fury had mentioned Howard Stark, but given Howard's ties with the government, it wasn't that strange they knew each other.

"So, what did he say back then?" Tony asked.

Fury continued, "Your father said the arc reactor was just a stepping stone to even greater technology. He was preparing for a competition that would leave all his rivals in the dust because he had discovered clues to a new, limitless energy source."

Fury pointed at Tony's chest again. "Compared to what he envisioned, the thing in your chest is like a button cell battery."

Tony's expression soured at Fury's dismissive attitude toward his arc reactor.

"Then why didn't he continue his research back then? I don't even know how you know all of this," Tony questioned.

Fury looked at Tony seriously and replied, "Of course I know."

Then, Fury dropped a bombshell that left Tony completely stunned.

"Because your father, Howard Stark, was one of the three founders of S.H.I.E.L.D."

"What?" Tony exclaimed, completely floored. He swore he had never known that.

Nick Fury pushed the box toward Tony and said, "He said only you can unlock what he left behind and complete the plan he never started."

"This box... it was left by him?" Tony couldn't believe that Howard had left something like this behind.

Having delivered the item, Nick Fury was ready to leave. He understood that with someone like Tony, favors should be given without appearing too deliberate. Since he was only here to deliver something, he had to act like that was his sole purpose.

Just as Tony was about to press Fury for more information, JARVIS's voice suddenly rang out: "Sir, Stark Tower is under attack by unknown individuals."

The screen immediately showed a live feed—someone wielding two electric whips was wreaking havoc inside Stark Industries. But what shocked Tony the most was the sight of an arc reactor glowing in the chest of the long-haired man causing the destruction.

"Pepper..." Tony's first concern wasn't the attacker but Pepper's safety. Without questioning Fury further, he rushed downstairs. "JARVIS, get the Mark suit ready!"

"Sir, your current condition—"

"JARVIS, now! Hurry."

"Understood, sir."

As Tony dashed away, Nick Fury glanced at the screen showing the attacker. "Ivan Vanko... so you've managed to build one too," Fury muttered.

At that moment, Hill's voice came through Fury's earpiece. "Director, we've confirmed it. Ivan Vanko gained access with a Stark Industries employee badge."

"Ivan is now inside Stark Industries, causing significant damage."

Fury remained calm. "I know, Hill. Let's see how things unfold. Tony's already on his way."

After ending the call with Hill, Fury recalled Black Widow's report and walked curiously toward the workshop.

"Understood, Director!" Hill replied.

In the workshop, the armor assembly platform was prepared, and Yinsen had found a circular object from the storage room. It had a silver star on it, though half of it was still incomplete, indicating it was a work in progress.

When Tony rushed downstairs, Yinsen excitedly called out, "Tony, I found something! It might help!"

"Yinsen, put it aside for now. I'll deal with it when I get back."

Yinsen quickly realized something was wrong from Tony's urgency. "JARVIS, what happened?" he asked.

JARVIS then displayed the footage of the attack on Stark Industries, and Yinsen also noticed the arc reactor on the chest of the man with the electric whips. "Who is that?"

Within moments, Tony was fully suited up in his armor.

"Yinsen, take care of my guest for me," Tony said, glancing at Nick Fury, who had just come down the stairs. But Tony didn't have time for him—Pepper's safety was his priority.

Yinsen turned to see Fury descending into the workshop. "No problem. Go handle it!" he said.

"Quick and clean!" Yinsen added.

Tony understood and, after sealing his helmet, shot off into the sky.

Fury watched Tony fly off and then casually looked around the workshop, taking in the various pipes and equipment. He had no idea what Tony was working on.

"Yinsen, what's Tony up to here?" Fury asked.

Yinsen looked at Fury and said, "You know me?"

"Of course. You're the hero who saved Tony. Who wouldn't know?" Fury replied, giving Yinsen the sense that this man was no ordinary person, at least not with the aura he exuded.

"I don't know. Tony just asked me to help renovate this place. He didn't tell me what he was working on," Yinsen lied without hesitation, maintaining a calm expression.

Even an experienced spy like Fury couldn't detect any flaws in Yinsen's story. Instead, Fury's attention was drawn to the prototype shield in Yinsen's hands. "Where'd you find that?"

Yinsen casually handed it over. "Found it in the storage room."

Fury took the shield, its lightweight feel immediately telling him it was just a replica.

Fury handed the shield back to Yinsen and continued surveying the workshop. He even ventured further inside, though Yinsen, bound by Tony's hospitality, couldn't say much to stop him.

After a while, Fury nodded and walked out of the workshop. "Tell Tony I'm leaving," he said, waving his hand as he walked away.

As Fury headed back to his car, Yinsen failed to notice the faint red glow flickering beneath Fury's black eyepatch.

Once Fury got into his car, he pressed his earpiece. "Hill, did you scan everything?"

"Yes, Director. We've completed the full 3D model. What's the next step?"

"Get the top scientists in my office. I want them to analyze what Tony's building."

"I'm heading back now."

"Understood, Director!"

Fury turned the car and drove toward S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.

---

Meanwhile, in the 13th District at Alan's home.

"It's him!" Alan instantly recognized Ivan Vanko, the villain from Iron Man 2.

However, according to the original plot, Vanko was supposed to ambush Tony on the racetrack in Monaco.

"Looks like the butterfly effect has kicked in," Alan thought. He quickly realized that by giving Tony crucial information, he had prompted Tony to focus on researching new elements, leaving him no time to participate in the racing event. This, in turn, forced Vanko to confront him directly at Stark Industries.

Gwen, who had just finished doing the dishes, also noticed the attack on Stark Industries. The attacker was causing widespread destruction, attacking indiscriminately.

...

There were not only Stark Industries employees inside the building but also many civilians.

Gwen quickly took off her jacket. "Alan, I need to go over there and check it out."

"Go ahead, but be careful of his whips. If you can't handle him, retreat," Alan warned.

He knew that Tony must have already received the news and was rushing to Stark Industries, especially since someone very important to him was inside.

"Got it, Alan!" Gwen's voice faded as she leapt from the balcony.

In the video, people inside Stark Industries were running in all directions, terrified. A few security guards approached with guns, but before they could even fire, Ivan Vanko swung his electrified whips, melting the barrels instantly. One guard, who stood too close, had his fingers sliced off by the whip, letting out a scream of agony.

On the second floor, inside Pepper Potts' office, Happy Hogan stood guard at the door, holding a stick. Inside the office, Pepper and Black Widow stood together. Unlike Pepper's clear anxiety, Black Widow remained calm, already planning how to take down the whip-wielding maniac as quickly as possible.

"Iron Man! Come out! All of you Stark family members are thieves!" Vanko shouted, his steps getting closer as his whips crackled menacingly. "Murderers!"

He kept advancing, driving those trying to escape back into the building. The crowd could only scream in terror.

In Pepper's office, she realized that something had to be done. Someone needed to buy time until Tony arrived. And there was no doubt—she was the best person for that job.

But just as she was about to head downstairs, Black Widow grabbed her arm. "It's useless. He's here to kill Tony. If you go out there and get taken hostage, it'll only distract him. Tony won't be able to fight properly."

Frustrated, Pepper began pacing back and forth. "Tony, what kind of mess have you gotten us into this time?"

Suddenly, a voice called out from outside, "Hey, long-haired guy, bullying people isn't something a good neighbor does, you know!"

Perched on a lamppost, Gwen had just arrived and was taunting Ivan Vanko.

Vanko looked up, recognizing the figure he'd seen earlier. He muttered something in a language Gwen didn't understand.

"Hold on," she said. "Let me translate that real quick."

"Red Queen, can you translate?"

"Yes, Miss Gwen. He's speaking in a Middle Eastern dialect. It translates to 'Get lost, freak woman.'"

Gwen's face soured. After all that effort to translate, that's what he said?

"Using foul language is not very polite," she shot back.

But Vanko didn't care. He swung one of his electrified whips at Gwen.

She quickly shot out a web and swung out of harm's way, but the lamppost she had been standing on was melted in an instant.

"If I get hit by that thing, it's not going to end well," she thought, as another whip lashed out at her.

Gwen dodged again, this time firing a web at him. "Web shot!" she yelled as she launched her counterattack.

...

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