There are countless islands in the Caribbean Sea, and among them lies the United States Virgin Islands. At its center is the largest island, Saint Croix.
Today, Saint Croix is known for its beautiful scenery, a popular tourist destination. Yet hidden a hundred meters beneath the island is a massive underground base.
The emblem of the base is a golden shield, adorned with the image of an eagle's head—the insignia of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The underground facility blends ancient grandeur with cutting-edge technology. Golden walls and floors reflect light everywhere, giving the illusion of stepping into a world built of pure gold.
At the heart of the base stood Nick Fury, his one eye fixed intently on a towering statue before him. His expression was unreadable, carved in stone-like calm.
In his hand he held an old pager. The screen flashed Calling, but nothing else.
"So, interstellar communication… still such a pain in the ass," Fury muttered with a trace of exasperation.
Beep.
The red Calling on the pager suddenly shifted to green: Connected.
"Nick Fury? What's going on?"
A woman's voice came through, carrying both surprise and curiosity.
"Captain Marvel," Fury said coldly. "As someone born on Earth, why is it you're always so eager to help aliens instead of your own people?" His tone was sharp, edged with frustration he had long kept buried.
"Nick," Carol Danvers replied with a faint laugh, "you need to remember this universe is vast. Earth isn't the only planet that needs saving. While you're focused on your global village, I've already stepped onto the cosmic stage."
On the other side of the transmission, floating in space above a half-dead planet, Carol Danvers—glowing with golden light—appeared as a holographic projection before Fury. Her smile was teasing, almost playful.
"Come on, Nick. That pager I gave you wasn't for casual chats. What's happening on Earth?"
"That's right, Carol. If you don't come back soon, your old home might be destroyed." Fury's one eye gleamed with deadly seriousness.
"Destroyed? What do you mean? Are the Chitauri invading again? Who's leading them? Loki's out of the picture… Is it one of Thanos' lieutenants? The Black Order? The Children of Thanos?"
Carol frowned, naming threats that Fury didn't even recognize.
"Wait—the Black Order? Children of Thanos? What the hell are those?" Fury asked sharply, mentally filing her words straight into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s highest-level classified reports.
Carol relaxed slightly. "So it's not them. Then maybe this crisis isn't as bad as you're making it out to be."
"No. It's worse than you can imagine." Fury's voice dropped, heavy with dread. His eye burned with sorrow and fear.
"The Avengers… are gone."
Even across the void of space, Carol Danvers' face changed. Shock rippled through her. She knew of the Avengers, Earth's mightiest heroes. They had once defended New York against an alien invasion—but now, Fury was telling her they had been wiped out.
"…I'm coming back immediately."
The line cut off. The pager displayed a single message as Carol Danvers streaked across the stars, a golden comet racing home.
Meanwhile, above New York City, a S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier hovered silently. Inside, Agent Phil Coulson stared grimly at the tactical display, sweat beading on his forehead.
"What's the situation on the ground?" he asked, turning to Agent Melinda May at his side.
"Sir," May reported, "Kingpin has already moved. Most civilians have been evacuated to air-raid shelters outside the city."
Though she despised the underworld, May couldn't deny that Wilson Fisk—Kingpin of Crime—was a ruthless and pragmatic man. His forces had quietly moved thousands of citizens to safety without alerting the Ultron army swarming through New York.
"The U.S. military has gone dark. No communication," Coulson said grimly. "New York is crawling with Ultron drones. We can't send any ground teams in."
He turned to his crew. "Activate all weapon systems on the carrier. Prepare precision airstrikes. The Avengers are gone—we're on our own."
At his command, S.H.I.E.L.D. agents sprang into action. The helicarrier's weapons came to life: missile launchers, laser turrets, railguns—all primed and charging. At the center, a massive cannon glowed as it built up devastating energy.
"Show Allens the firepower of S.H.I.E.L.D."
"Fire!"
With Coulson's order, missiles roared from their bays, lasers streaked across the sky, and railgun blasts crackled toward Allens at blinding speed.
On the ground, at the center of Viken Avenue, Allens raised his head. The Mind Stone on his forehead pulsed, revealing the cloaked helicarrier above. His expression darkened.
"So… S.H.I.E.L.D."
"F*k!" Tony Stark cursed, pale as he realized what was happening. "Don't tell me those one-eyed spooks are trying to kill me too! I knew Fury's people couldn't be trusted!"
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