Marvel: Death Knight

This was Garus' third visit to the Stark Tower. The massive arc reactor on the first floor, damaged in the last great battle, had since been repaired and was functioning again.

Compared to before, the place was much busier now, bustling with representatives from various states across America negotiating deals for power distribution.

Tony had once again proven his genius. Even without the weapons division, his company remained one of the most profitable enterprises.

"Tony Stark."

As they were about to enter the elevator, a voice called out from behind.

Turning around, they saw a bald, one-eyed black man standing there. Tony asked, "Who are you?"

"Hello, I'm Nick Fury, director of S.H.I.E.L.D.," the man replied.

Tony glanced at Coulson, who stood beside him. "Hey, Coulson, is this your boss?"

"Yes, Tony," Coulson answered. "I'll let the Director take it from here."

"I thought you were in charge today," Tony quipped.

Coulson offered an awkward smile in response.

Noticing the busy lobby, Fury suggested, "Let's talk upstairs."

Taking the elevator, the group ascended to the top floor of Stark Tower, offering a panoramic view of New York City.

Reed Richards spoke up, "Director Fury, what's so urgent? I have an experiment scheduled this afternoon."

"S.H.I.E.L.D. is about to construct a Helicarrier, and we need your assistance," Fury explained.

Reed looked incredulous. "Director Fury, while it's theoretically possible to make such a massive carrier airborne, the energy demands would be enormous."

"Tony can handle that," Fury said confidently, turning to Stark. "Your father's anti-gravity technology, combined with your large-scale arc reactor, should make it feasible."

Tony didn't hesitate. "No problem. One of my large arc reactors can power half a state. Keeping a Helicarrier airborne is entirely doable."

But Garus was puzzled. "Fury, I'm not exactly a tech genius. Why involve me in this?"

Fury turned to him. "I want to purchase a batch of weapons from you—sonic palm cannons and sonic tanks. We've previously ordered weapons from Hammer Industries, but their products don't meet our standards."

Hammer Industries lacked cutting-edge talent and core technology, producing mediocre weapons. If not for their government and military connections, they'd likely remain a small company.

It seemed Fury had recognized the superiority of their weapons. Previously, they couldn't supply more arms, but recent advancements in energy technology—a substitute for elemental energy blocks based on electrostatic polymerization principles—had alleviated production constraints.

This deal would significantly bolster Azeroth Tech's growth, bringing them closer to becoming the world's largest arms dealer.

"No problem," Garus said. "I'm sure you've seen the weapons General Ross ordered from us."

"That's one matter. Now for another," Fury continued, taking a laptop from Coulson. "Recently, we've encountered situations beyond the capacity of ordinary agents."

He played a video. "For instance, this vigilante in New York, swinging through the city like a spider. He has heightened senses and strength. Our agents have tried tailing him several times, but he always spots them. While he hasn't done anything illegal yet, there's no guarantee for the future."

"Spider-Man!" Garus almost blurted out. One of Marvel's infamous chatterboxes—he hadn't expected to see him in this world.

The footage shifted, now showing a fiery red-haired woman and a silver-haired man beside her. Garus recognized them immediately. "Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver," he thought.

"These two individuals possess special abilities," Fury explained. "One can influence others' minds, and the other moves at extraordinary speeds."

At that moment, a system notification sounded in Garus's mind:

[Mission Issued: Difficulty A. Recruit Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver to the X-Academy before S.H.I.E.L.D. does. Reward: 8,000 exchange points.]

Finally, another mission. Judging by their appearance, the two seemed to be in dire straits. The challenge, however, was locating them.

The final footage showed a strange humanoid creature confined in a prison cell.

"That's an alien," Fury stated.

Garus had been searching for traces of the Skrulls for some time. Unexpectedly, one had appeared within S.H.I.E.L.D.

Seeing the others' disbelief, Fury continued, "As a government official, I have no reason to deceive you. He identifies as a Skrull, capable of shape-shifting into anyone. What you've seen here represents only a fraction of what we've uncovered. There may be more extraordinary individuals and creatures hidden among us."

Reed asked, "So, what's your plan? Find them all and eliminate them?"

"No," Fury replied. "We've already identified the Spider's real identity and sent someone to contact him. The Skrull is in custody. We're monitoring the man and woman. I'm asking you to form an Avengers team, capable of dealing with threats to our people and government."

Reed shook his head. "I already have a team, and they wouldn't want to join yours."

Fury turned to Garus, who reiterated, "I've said it before, Fury. I won't join any organization."

"What about you, Logan?" Fury asked.

Logan was surprised the stranger knew his name but answered, "I'm a teacher now. I don't have time for anything else."

Coulson interjected, "Isn't saving lives and fighting evil more important than teaching?"

Logan shook his head. "I'm not interested in saving lives."

Eyeing Logan's muscular build, Tony quipped, "So, you're a gym teacher?"

Logan was momentarily speechless. "Something like that," he muttered.

The group's refusals left the atmosphere tense.

Finally, Natasha Romanoff, who had been quietly standing by, broke the silence. "So, our Avengers team consists of a billionaire, a chicken, and me?"

Fury, realizing further persuasion was futile, relented. "I hope you'll reconsider if we ever need your help."

After making a phone call, a Quinjet soon arrived. Fury, Coulson, and Natasha boarded and departed.

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