Chapter 89: The Avengers Assemble, Part One

Natasha wanted to speak again.

But Michael said, “Let’s drop the previous topic. Don’t bother with such cheap tricks. Even if Gwen weren’t here today, I wouldn’t fall for it.”

Natasha’s tone turned serious as well. “So what do you want? Nick Fury said he’ll never pay you any additional salary again.”

Michael paced a few steps before replying, “My request is simple: lend me the Cosmic Cube for two days.”

Natasha looked a little surprised. “How do you know about the Cosmic Cube?”

“What’s so strange about that? I even know when you got your hands on it.”

Michael needed a massive amount of energy. Keisha possessed other angels’ data, but to create an angel required enough dark energy to shape a godly body.

The amount of dark energy needed to forge such a body was colossal—only something like an Infinity Stone could suffice.

Especially the Space Stone; its energy was virtually limitless.

Natasha watched him intently for a moment, then said with resignation, “Fine, I’ll report to Nick Fury. Whether he agrees or not is up to him.”

After seeing off Black Widow, Michael breathed a sigh of relief.

Gwen strode over, twisting Michael’s ear. “And what do you mean by ‘that’s a separate matter’? What exactly were you planning to discuss with her?”

“Gwen, let me explain. I never planned to talk with her. She’s not even my type.”

Gwen leaned in, whispering into his ear, “I remember a certain someone saying he envied Stark’s lifestyle, and once he recovered, he planned to throw a huge party and have some real fun.”

“That was youthful recklessness. Things are different now.”

Michael’s survival instincts were at full throttle. He hadn’t considered pursuing Gwen before, seeing her merely as a friend, so he’d spoken freely, revealing all his little secrets. Looking back now, what a fool he’d been.

As soon as Black Widow left Michael’s office, she immediately reported to Nick Fury, whose expression grew grave when he heard the news.

It wasn’t Michael’s request that troubled him, but rather the realization that S.H.I.E.L.D. had been infiltrated without his knowledge.

Perhaps it was time to seriously strengthen S.H.I.E.L.D.’s cybersecurity. But who would be suitable?

Tony? No, he’d definitely leave himself a backdoor.

After considering for a long while, Nick Fury couldn’t find anyone suitable.

The only one who could rival them in skill was Dr. Banner, but his expertise was in medicine and physics, not network technology.

For now, Nick Fury could only hope fewer of his secrets would leak out.

“Agree to his terms. But his research data must be shared with us, and the Cube cannot leave the S.H.I.E.L.D. lab.”

Receiving her orders, Natasha turned back—only to be greeted by an absurd scene.

Catching Natasha’s gaze, Michael immediately said, “Darling, that troublesome woman is back again. Please, spare me some dignity.”

Gwen shot Natasha a glance, then turned and left.

Once Gwen was gone, Natasha stepped in and said, “Is she giving us space to be alone?”

Michael straightened his collar and told Natasha, “Probably not. Now that the banter’s over, if you’ve nothing else to say, you can leave.”

Hidden in a corner, Gwen broke into a delighted smile at what she overheard.

Natasha realized her usual tactics were useless now that Gwen had left. Her demeanor became more professional, showing the meticulousness of a spy.

“Alright, Nick Fury has agreed to your request. You need to come with me immediately.”

Michael chuckled. “That’s it? I don’t buy it for a second.”

“He said you can’t take the Cosmic Cube out of the S.H.I.E.L.D. lab, and you must share your research data with him.”

With a sneer, Michael replied, “And then he’ll use my research to satisfy some megalomaniac’s ambitions, building weapons to dominate the world?”

He pulled out a cigar, set it between his teeth, and continued, “Still, I agree—because I’m a megalomaniac too.”

Once it’s in my hands, it’s out of your control.

The two left Angel International at once and boarded a Quinjet, with Natasha slipping effortlessly into the pilot’s seat.

“Wow, you can fly a plane?” Michael feigned surprise.

Natasha shot him a look. “I can do more than that. Want to see?”

“I’m only nineteen. If an older woman teases me, I might actually take it seriously.”

Natasha rolled her eyes. “You’re just a kid—don’t pretend to be grown up.”

Michael’s face fell instantly.

Looks like I’ve been belittled. What should I do?

“So, where are we headed?”

“India. To pick someone up.”

Natasha offered no further explanation.

Michael thought for a moment. “So this counts as a business trip together, right? My girlfriend’s going to get the wrong idea—I should call her.”

Natasha teased, “You’re actually worried about that?”

“You’re single. You wouldn’t understand.”

Natasha: “…”

Why does being single have to be an insult?

…

Nick Fury entered a basement room.

A blond, muscular man with the famed American physique was hitting a punching bag.

Memories flickered through Steve’s mind. His anger grew—he felt forgotten by time. He’d slept for seventy years and missed an important promise.

His strikes came faster and harder until the bag flew off its hook. He calmly replaced it with a new one.

On the floor, five more punching bags waited to be destroyed.

Sensing Nick Fury’s arrival, Steve grew even more agitated.

“Can’t sleep?” Fury asked.

“I’ve slept for seventy years, sir,” Steve replied.

Nick Fury looked at Steve with concern. “You should get out, see the world, celebrate a bit.”

Steve glanced at him and said, “When I fell asleep, you were at war. When I woke up, they told me we’d won—but they didn’t say what we lost.”

“We’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way, some quite recently.”

Realizing something, Steve looked up at Nick Fury.

“You’re here with a mission, aren’t you, sir?”

“Yes.” Nick Fury nodded.

“You want me to rejoin this world?”

“To save this world,” Fury corrected him, handing Steve a stack of files.

“HYDRA’s secret weapon, the Cosmic Cube—it was recovered from the ocean when they were searching for you. Just as we thought, the Cube is key to unlimited, renewable energy, which the world desperately needs.”

“Who took it?”

“His name is Loki. He’s not from Earth.”

Nick Fury continued, “If you decide to join us, we’ll need to bring you up to speed—the world has changed much faster than you can imagine.”

“It’s beyond my imagination. Impossible,” Steve replied firmly.

Nick Fury’s expression remained calm. “Care to bet ten bucks on that?”

Steve picked up the remaining sandbags and prepared to leave, ignoring Fury completely.

“I’ve left the full mission details in your apartment. As for the Cosmic Cube, is there anything else we should know?”

Steve responded without hesitation, “You should have left it at the bottom of the sea.”