IRON MAN: BROTHER DON'T CAUSE TROUBLE

Shield Hellicarrier,

The hum of the Quinjet faded as the ramp lowered, revealing the vast deck of the Helicarrier. Steve Rogers stepped down, the wind tugging at his uniform. The size of the ship was staggering, its twin runways stretching out, one leading directly to a rear hangar. It was a far cry from the ships he had known in his time.

Walking beside Agent Coulson, Steve kept his gaze steady, taking in the bustling activity around them. His eyes fell on Natasha Romanoff, standing by the railing, her sharp eyes scanning the scene. She looked calm, composed, and ready for anything.

"Agent Romanoff, Captain Rogers," Coulson greeted as they approached.

"Ma'am," Steve said, nodding respectfully.

Natasha offered a small smile. "Hi," she replied, her gaze shifting to Coulson. "They need you on the bridge. They're starting the face-trace."

Coulson gave a quick nod. "See you there," he said before heading off.

Steve watched him go, then turned to Natasha as they walked towards the railing, the open sky stretching out before them. The sheer expanse was breathtaking, even for someone who had seen so much.

"There was quite the buzz around here, finding you in the ice," Natasha said, her tone light but with an edge of admiration. "I thought Coulson was gonna swoon. Did he ask you to sign his Captain America trading cards yet?"

Steve frowned slightly, caught off guard. "Trading cards?"

"They're vintage," Natasha added, her smile widening. "He's very proud."

Steve shook his head with a small chuckle. "I guess I'm still getting used to all this."

Natasha leaned on the railing, her eyes never leaving the horizon. "You'll get there. It's a lot to take in, but you've handled worse."

Steve nodded, his thoughts drifting to the past. "Yeah, I guess I have."

---

Back in New York, Bruce Banner stepped into the towering edifice of Stark Tower. The sleek, modern lines of the building were almost overwhelming, but Bruce remained composed. He had returned with John, who had somehow managed to form an unlikely friendship with the Hulk. It was a fragile balance, but one Bruce was grateful for.

As he entered, Tony Stark greeted him with a smirk. "Bruce, welcome to my humble abode," Tony said, extending a hand.

Bruce shook it, offering a polite smile. "Thanks, Tony. It's... impressive."

Tony's grin widened. "You haven't seen the best part yet. Come on, we should go now."

Bruce followed Tony to one of his private jets, the journey filled with Tony's characteristic banter.

"So, how's the big guy?" Tony asked, glancing over at Bruce.

Bruce sighed. "He's... manageable. For now."

Tony nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Well, if anyone can keep him in check, it's you. Just try not to smash anything too important."

Bruce couldn't help but smile at Tony's casual tone. "I'll do my best."

It didn't take much time for them to arrive and slowly land on the Helicarrier. As they disembarked, they found Coulson, who took them to the meeting hall to find Captain America, Natasha, Coulson, and Fury already gathered.

---

Meanwhile, back at Stark Tower in his lab, John took a deep breath. John didn't go with Tony because he needed to conceal his identity, and the other reason to stay behind was to get his specially crafted suit, which was made by Tony for John.

Without wasting any time, he donned the black hooded robe. The silver embroidery on the collar, hood, and sleeves shimmered softly under the lab's lights. Each detail was meticulously crafted, blending modern technology. Pulling the hood low over his face, John became a shadowy figure, ready for the task ahead.

---

The meeting hall aboard the Helicarrier was a hive of activity. Conversations buzzed as everyone discussed strategies and shared updates. The air was thick with tension and anticipation.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. The air in the center of the room seemed to ripple and distort, as if reality itself was being bent. A shimmering portal of liquefied space materialized, its surface undulating like molten silver.

From the vortex, John stepped out, his movements fluid and deliberate. The room fell silent, all eyes turning to him. His black hooded robe and silver embroidery caught the dim light, casting an ethereal glow around him.

The portal closed behind him with a soft whisper, leaving only a faint shimmer in the air. John stood tall, his presence commanding attention.

Seeing this, Tony curled his lips and muttered softly, "Show off." It wasn't that Tony was jealous; he was just a little dissatisfied because John had asked him to hide his power for a while. Otherwise, he would have come through a portal just like John.

"Who the hell is that?" Maria Hill whispered, her hand instinctively moving toward her weapon.

Fury's gaze was sharp. "Identify yourself."

John's voice was calm. "I'm here to assist."

The tension in the room was palpable. Steve stepped forward slightly. "Assist with what?"

John's eyes, hidden beneath the shadow of his hood, flicked towards Steve. "With what's coming."

Tony's face was carefully neutral, though inside, he was fighting to keep a smirk from forming. He knew exactly who John was, but the act had to be convincing. "And why should we trust you?" Tony asked, his tone laced with skepticism.

John turned his head slightly, his response measured. "Because you'll need me."

Natasha's eyes narrowed. "We don't know who you are. Why should we believe you?"

John took a step forward, the air around him seeming to shift subtly. "You don't have to believe me. You'll see soon enough."

Fury's gaze didn't waver. "You show up uninvited, dressed like that, and expect us to just accept it?"

John's lips twitched slightly under the hood. "I don't expect anything. But I'm here."

Tony exchanged a brief glance with John, masking any recognition. "Well, mysterious entrances aside, if you're sticking around, you better prove you're worth the trouble."

John inclined his head slightly. "I intend to."

John knew that his sudden appearance would alert them, so trust was out of the question for now. But this was just a small problem that could be solved later.

The room remained tense, everyone on edge. No one lowered their guard, but the unspoken understanding was clear—John was here to stay, whether they trusted him or not. The mission ahead was too important, and they needed all the help they could get, even if it came from someone as enigmatic as him.