Nolan's expression remained calm.
During this standoff, Quicksilver and the others had already arrived.
At this moment, there was no trace of the earlier friendly atmosphere.
Even if they hadn't been the closest of friends, they had at least been allies. But the Superhuman Registration Act had torn the bonds between them.
Perhaps it wasn't anyone's fault. Everyone had their reasons, and thus formed their own positions.
But talking about that now was meaningless.
Only Nick Fury's one eye glinted with sharp calculation. He was considering what benefits this situation might bring him.
This was perfect. He needed the Avengers to confront unknown threats, but he didn't want them too united. Because the Avengers themselves were a massive potential threat.
And now, thanks to the Registration Act, the divisions were already forming.
Even if the act ultimately failed, the mere presence of dissent magnified S.H.I.E.L.D.'s role infinitely.
He had won.
The moment these enhanced individuals stood here, Nolan Lock could not be the victor. The only certain winner was Fury the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The corner of Fury's mouth curved into a rare, calculating smile. He felt again the long-lost satisfaction of total control.
Everything was unfolding according to his plan. No matter what cards Nolan still held, at this moment, they meant nothing.
The others didn't have Fury's layered strategies. They were tense, all eyes on Nolan.
"Take them down in three minutes!"
Tony Stark shouted. He knew Nolan never acted without a reason. That meant these three minutes were their last chance.
Hearing Stark's command, everyone snapped into action. This was it if they could defeat Nolan now, the battle would end immediately.
Hawkeye fired an arrow without hesitation. Obviously, it meant nothing to Nolan, but it signaled the beginning of the fight.
Wanda was still weakened from earlier injuries, but Quicksilver was by far the most formidable opponent Nolan's team would face. His speed was extraordinary. He shot forward and landed a brutal punch on Hulk.
Unfortunately, while Quicksilver's speed was incredible, it had little effect on Hulk. Not only was the green giant tremendously strong, but his defense was extraordinary.
Ant-Man, Scott Lang, and Peter Parker moved to engage Natasha and Hawkeye. Steve Rogers looked at the group and without hesitation charged toward Tony Stark.
With only Thor, Nolan could handle him. But now, with multiple opponents, he was slightly overestimated.
Stark's Iron Man suits had been upgraded through dozens of iterations. Prepared for a fight against Nolan, he deployed his full arsenal.
"J.A.R.V.I.S., assist Thor!"
Stark called out, then charged toward Steve Rogers himself. As Rogers closed in, Stark launched several small missiles.
Steve stiffened in shock. Stark was using missiles not a standard weapon.
Damn it!
Steve barely dodged, realizing he had fallen behind before the battle had truly begun.
Nolan observed everything clearly. He had anticipated the outcome from the start.
Even though Steve had his black suit, Stark's ongoing upgrades had left them slightly behind technologically. Hawkeye and Natasha faced the same issue.
Even so, Peter Parker and Ant-Man struggled against them. Peter was still a child; his combat experience was limited, and his abilities hadn't yet reached their peak.
Ant-Man's suit relied on Pym Particle size-shifting. Properly used, it was incredibly powerful but Scott was just a thief before. Against two seasoned operatives, he was as vulnerable as Steve.
Without Nolan, the fight would have been a guaranteed loss from the start.
But in this world, there were no "what-ifs."
Nolan's booster gave him unmatched mobility. His plasma-charged battle blade, glowing with a ghostly blue light, swung toward Thor without hesitation. Even with Thor's preparation and the support of Stark's armor, he could only defend.
A missile suddenly forced Nolan to retreat. Stark flew to Thor's side, determination blazing in his eyes.
"Now it's two against one," Stark declared.
Steve struggled to rise from the ground, frustration on his face.
"We don't have to fight, Nolan. Take a step back, and we can talk," Stark said.
Nolan smiled.
"How much time do you think has passed?"
The two hesitated. Then Stark's expression changed. Three minutes it was almost up.
He forced calm, knowing that even if Nolan had a hidden advantage, he had dozens of Iron Man suits; defeat wasn't guaranteed.
Nearby, Fury shouted, "Stark! Deal with Nolan Lock first, then talk!"
Nolan gave Fury a faint, amused glance. It made Fury uneasy, though he quickly forced his composure. He was the winner here; he had nothing to fear.
Hearing Fury's words, Stark and Thor exchanged glances and simultaneously rushed Nolan.
Nolan didn't move. He simply watched them charge, as if giving up resistance entirely.
Thor's unease returned, though he quickly suppressed it. Lightning gathered on his hammer. One blink, and he could crush Nolan.
But then, Thor's eyes bulged. Veins popped across his face as if struck by a violent force.
Boom!
Thor was hurled backward. Stark's eyes widened in shock.
Replacing Thor in that position was a strange, unnatural figure.
No, not a living being. Stark realized immediately it wasn't alive.
Its eyes were not human. It was a robot.
"Nitro?"
He said it aloud. The robot responded, fixing its gaze on him.
Stark's heart raced. In the blink of an eye, Nitro appeared before him.
Boom! Another punch sent Stark flying.
"Warning: Suit integrity at 30%, chest armor 70% compromised…" J.A.R.V.I.S. reported.
Before Stark could react, Nitro struck again. Another punch.
"Warning: Suit 67% damaged, chest armor non-functional…"
Stark felt his chest explode from the impact. Nitro appeared again, moving with terrifying speed, grabbing him and slamming him into the ground.
"Warning… warning…"
Stark ignored J.A.R.V.I.S. His eyes were wide with terror. Nitro did not pursue, as Thor charged once more, only to meet the same fate. Hulk, enraged from Quicksilver's earlier attack, confronted Nitro with a punch, but the robot didn't retaliate further.
All eyes averted from Nitro. Even Fury felt cold sweat.
What had just been under his control was now beyond him.
Nolan spoke.
"The Superhuman Registration Act offers only the illusion of security. Villains will not stop being villains, while heroes may be put at risk. I will not sign this ridiculous act, no matter what you think."
Simple, resolute, and undeniable. Nitro was his leverage.
Stark's mind raced. How could such a robot exist? If it acted, there was nothing he could do.
"You can't do this, Nolan!"
Stark struggled to rise, armored as he was, nearly shattered by Nitro's blows.
"Yes, I can. Tony, this is a matter of principle. I don't expect you to understand, but know this: even Nitro is not invincible. Earth will face greater threats. This Registration Act may control superheroes, but can it stop cosmic-level dangers? When countless heroes withdraw, what will you use to fight them?"
Stark hesitated. Nitro was already beyond anything he had faced. Thor and Hulk could not resist it.
Thor, though hesitant, nodded. Even his father, Odin, might not rival this robot.
Stark wavered. He was intelligent enough to anticipate the consequences of the act but for him, saving everyone wasn't the priority. He was a rational hero.
He decided he would sign the act. The immediate benefits outweighed the risks.
But what if it drove Nolan down a different path?
He hesitated.
Fury noticed Stark's expression.
"Tony, you " Fury began.
Before he could finish, a sharp blow to his head knocked him down.
Nolan stood before him, hand poised in a blade strike.
"I've been tired of you for a long time."
Fury collapsed unconscious.
Natasha and Hawkeye were anxious but dared not show it.
Nolan laughed coldly. Self-awareness is a virtue Fury lacked it.
The necessity of S.H.I.E.L.D. remained, but the director's seat could be occupied by someone else.
"Tell me how to contact the Council," Nolan said, turning to Natasha and Hawkeye.
Threatening people too often ruins reputation. He would resolve Fury's problem this one time.
The self-important one-eyed director could retire quietly.
"We don't know," Natasha answered immediately. Noticing Nolan's dangerous gaze, she added, "Besides the director, only Deputy Director Maria Hill might know."
Nolan's smile widened.
"Then we'll speak with the deputy."
"What are you planning?"
Both Natasha and Hawkeye felt uneasy.
Nolan chuckled softly. "It's the perfect chance to see if she's interested in taking the position permanently."
Their faces turned cold. They understood Nolan's intent he planned to force Fury to step down.
The two exchanged glances, eyes wide with shock.
"The Council won't be threatened. It's a matter of principle!"
Nolan's expression remained calm.
"I do not wish to act this way, but sorry Nick Fury needs to calm down."
Tony and the others looked at Fury. Replacing him seemed… reasonable.