Marvel: Father of Superheroes

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*****

"Director Fury, John Garrett's men have been eliminated in your office."

Commander Maria Hill reported the latest battle update. When she noticed a barely perceptible flicker of tension flash across Nick Fury's face, she couldn't help but speculate internally.

What exactly was in the hidden safe inside that office? It had to be something so important that Hydra was willing to sacrifice everything for it—even giving up their claim to the Helicarrier.

"What's the situation in the office now?" Fury asked.

"Apologies, Director. The office has been completely destroyed. The Hydra agents went berserk—especially John Garrett. He blew himself up."

Nick Fury let out a quiet sigh of relief. Then, a flicker of pain crossed his eyes.

Maria Hill caught it, further confirming her suspicion that something of significance had been hidden in Fury's office.

She couldn't hold back and said, "Director, once the fighting is over, I'll have someone clean up the office. Maybe we can recover that thing that's so important to you."

Fury's body tensed for a moment before he quickly composed himself. His face carried a faint sadness as he said, "No need. It's gone. Let it be buried with John Garrett. A Level 8 agent… sigh."

Recover it?

What a joke!

If someone found John Garrett's blown-apart corpse with cookie paste smeared all over his face, how would he even begin to explain that?

Maria Hill also sighed, visibly shaken. "Yeah... a Level 8 agent being Hydra. That's horrifying."

Nick Fury nodded. "Go. Take care of the aftermath. This place isn't our headquarters anymore."

S.H.I.E.L.D. had been infiltrated by Hydra. Even though they themselves were clean, to the political figures with minds more twisted than hornet nests, they were tainted—no longer trustworthy.

S.H.I.E.L.D. was finished. Destroyed by his own hand.

Still, that was better than letting Hydra destroy it.

Fury said this to himself quietly. As he saw Maria Hill about to leave the room, his eyes flickered and he deliberately sighed. "Sometimes… certain sacrifices are necessary. The office… sigh."

Maria Hill paused for a second, then quickened her pace and left.

Nick Fury's gaze sharpened as he looked out at the Helicarrier and murmured, "It's time to leave."

If he waited any longer, those things would be lost.

As for victory celebrations… that could wait for another day.

While the battles fought by Fury, Tony, and the others gradually came to an end, the true storm stirred up by Hydra was only just beginning.

One could imagine that for some time to come, the world would be anything but peaceful.

——

The next day, Mike quietly set the newspaper aside after skimming over the overwhelming coverage of Hydra's exposure.

He had expected this outcome.

But the ripple effects caused by Hydra's collapse were far bigger than he had imagined.

If Tony's reveal as Iron Man had a shock value of 1, this situation was a solid 10.

The Avengers had officially stepped into the public eye through this event, and the X-Men's reputation had skyrocketed.

As superheroes, they became the objects of mass admiration.

Meanwhile, the assassins who took out Hydra operatives vanished along with Nick Fury and a number of former S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.

Also gone were the three Helicarriers stored beneath the original S.H.I.E.L.D. base—none of which had yet been activated.

Of course, before disappearing, Nick Fury had left behind "evidence."

Evidence that the Helicarriers had been destroyed. Evidence that he and Maria Hill had been killed.

Whether or not anyone believed it—well, that was no longer his concern.

Hydra had taken a devastating blow the previous day. Not only had several major bases been wiped out, but 90% of the people on Fury's leaked list had been captured.

One of their leaders, Alexander Pierce, was killed by a long-range sniper shot—his head blown apart instantly.

Only Strucker from the research base had managed to escape during the battle, slipping away while his soldiers held off the Avengers.

As for the remaining Hydra remnants, cleaning them up would be a long-term task.

The important thing was…

None of this affected Mike's life as a restaurant owner.

So, after giving it a quick glance, Mike moved on.

Suddenly, his phone lit up.

Mike glanced at it—it was a text message from an unknown number.

He picked up the phone, read the message, and smiled.

It was from Nick Fury.

Just as he set the phone down and was about to call Gwen down for breakfast, it rang again.

Now who could it be?

Why does everyone pick this moment?

Mike picked up the phone and raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.

Hank Pym?

"Hello?"

"What? You're coming to New York?"

"What for?"

"To celebrate the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D.? Are you insane?"

"You're bringing Hope along? Well, that changes things."

Before Hank could start cursing, Mike hung up the phone.

Staring at the disconnected call, Mike shook his head. He had a feeling Hank Pym wasn't coming just to celebrate S.H.I.E.L.D.'s demise.

Maybe… he should start preparing?

Muttering to himself, Mike put the phone down and called upstairs.

Just as the words left his mouth, Clark was already rushing downstairs.

Sitting at the table and about to eat breakfast, Mike said to Clark, "Hank and Hope are coming."

"Hope?"

Clark froze for a second, then lit up with excitement. "When?"

He'd known Hope since they were kids. Though they hadn't seen each other in a long time, they had always kept in touch.

"Not sure," Mike said, sipping his porridge. "But knowing Hank, it'll be soon. Today or tomorrow, most likely."

Clark nodded. But when he noticed Mike looking at him strangely, he asked, "What? Is something wrong with me?"

"Not exactly," Mike replied, shaking his head with a sigh. "Louise… Carrie… and now Hope. Tsk."

With every name Mike mentioned, Clark's face darkened further.

"How will you ever choose?" Mike stirred his porridge with his spoon. "Who will be my future daughter-in-law?"

Clark groaned. "Dad, don't talk nonsense. Hope and I—"

"I vote for Sister Carrie!" Gwen called out, coming downstairs and running to join them. She declared solemnly, "I support Sister Carrie!"

Clark couldn't help but ask, "Why?"

"Because I like her the most!" Gwen said instantly.

"I think Louise is better," Thor said thoughtfully as he came downstairs. "Carrie's too cold. She only has eyes for Clark."

"What, you expect her to have eyes for you?" Loki scoffed, eyeing Thor in disgust. "With how fat you are, who could possibly tolerate you?"

Thor retorted, "I've lost weight recently!"

"Heh…"

(End of Chapter)