Chapter 84: The Hydra Attack

Five minutes earlier.

After George and Pepper left the office, they were intercepted again by Coulson in the lobby.

"Miss Potts, are you heading out now?"

"Yes, I have something to take care of. You should come with us."

Pepper, still tense and eager to leave the company building, was focused on finding a safe place to call Tony and report the situation. Coulson's presence as a law enforcement agent seemed fortuitous—if Tony approved, handing over the evidence to him could be an option.

George, standing quietly beside them, made no objections. His mission was to protect Pepper and ensure the evidence was retrieved. The next steps—whether Tony handed it to S.H.I.E.L.D. or the CIA—were none of his concern.

Once they were a safe distance from the company, parked on a quiet street, Pepper called Tony to update him.

"Oh, and Tony," she added, "he mentioned that your father was once a senior figure in their Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division."

Tony, initially dismissive of Coulson, changed his tone instantly.

"Bring him back with you. I want a word with him."

Ending the call, Pepper restarted the car and headed toward Malibu.

As the car approached an intersection, a black SUV ran a red light from the left, speeding toward them.

"Watch out!"

George reacted swiftly, punching out the window on Pepper's side and casting a Levitation Charm at the oncoming SUV.

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

A blue magical glow enveloped the SUV, lifting it over their car and letting it crash behind them.

Pepper and Coulson stared wide-eyed.

Pepper, now convinced George wasn't merely a magician, whispered, "There's no way that was just a trick."

Coulson's first thought, however, was that George was no ordinary bodyguard—he clearly had powers.

SCREECH!

Barely clearing the intersection, a large truck blocked their path, forcing Pepper to brake hard.

"Out of the car!"

George unbuckled himself and Pepper, kicking open the door and pulling her out. He turned to Coulson.

"Move! Now!"

More black SUVs approached, one revealing a rocket launcher.

"Whoosh!"

They barely escaped the car before a rocket struck it, causing a fiery explosion. More attackers armed with assault rifles emerged, aiming at the group.

"Run!"

At this point, George stopped hiding his abilities. He summoned his magic, spreading two gleaming white wings, grabbed Coulson and Pepper, and flew them to a nearby rooftop with a protective wall.

"This attack wasn't in the movie," George muttered to himself. "I need to figure out who they're targeting—Coulson, Pepper, or me."

Bullets rained toward them as soon as they landed. Coulson, gun in hand, couldn't get a clear shot.

"They have rocket launchers. This wall won't last long," George warned, pulling out his own pistol.

Coulson, grimacing, proposed, "I'll draw their attention. You take Miss Potts and fly her to safety."

George raised an eyebrow. Well, this Coulson seems to have a decent character.

"That won't be necessary," George replied with a smirk. "Ever seen Wanted?"

Coulson, ducking his head, responded, "The one with James McAvoy? Though I preferred him in Atonement."

Pepper, exasperated, interjected, "Now isn't the time to discuss movies!"

"Don't worry, Miss Potts. I'll show you a bullet-bending magic trick."

George flicked his pistol upward. Each shot arced through the air, curving over the wall to strike their attackers below. Within moments, the gunfire ceased.

Coulson and Pepper peeked cautiously over the wall. The assailants were incapacitated—some dead, others writhing in pain.

"By the way," Pepper quipped, "I was talking about Jurassic World. I can't believe you haven't seen it."

George chuckled. "Miss Potts, your taste is... unique."

Coulson, catching his breath, turned to George. "Mr. George, after we speak with Mr. Stark, I'd like to have a conversation with you as well."

George, aware of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s protocols, planned to deal with Coulson's curiosity later. For now, he had questions for the attackers.

George spread his wings once more, flew the group back to the street, and singled out a conscious attacker. Using Legilimency combined with a Memory Extraction Charm, he probed the man's mind.

"Hydra?!" George exclaimed. "Could Obadiah be working with them, or is he a Hydra agent himself?"

George's expression turned grim. The attackers were Hydra agents sent to kill them and stage the scene as a fatal car accident.