"Death is part of the job," Natasha said, her voice betraying none of the turmoil inside. "For someone in my line of work, the only variable is how messy it gets. If I go out saving the world? That's the best-case scenario."
Fury looked at her. He knew she meant it. But he also knew she wasn't ready to cash in her chips just yet.
"We can change it," Fury said firmly. "Lucas is a variable. His presence makes this world real. If we were just a story before, we aren't anymore. The moment he started writing, the ink stopped drying."
"Maybe," Natasha conceded. "But we need to know who else is reading."
"Exactly," Fury nodded. "If you and I have copies... and Tony Stark is mentioned constantly... there's a high probability Stark has one too. Maybe even the girl, Gwen Stacy."
"We need to contain this," Fury continued, pacing the office. "If some civilian gets a copy and starts tweeting about Hydra or Aliens, we're compromised. We need to identify every Diary Holder and bring them into the fold. Or at least, under observation."
"And Stark?" Natasha asked.
"I didn't want to bring him in," Fury admitted. "Howard kept him out of SHIELD for a reason. Tony is volatile. But if he's destined to be Iron Man... and an Avenger... then we need him. I'll pay him a visit soon."
"Just be careful," Natasha warned. "Lucas says Tony is 'toxic.' He might not appreciate the intrusion."
"I can handle Stark," Fury dismissed. "But Lucas... he's the problem. We can't approach him. The headache protocol stops us cold."
"He seems to like you, though," Fury added, a rare smirk tugging at his lips. "Says you're the 'Peak of Beauty.' A 'Dream Goddess.' Maybe we can use that."
Natasha allowed herself a small, confident smile. "Flattery won't get him into SHIELD, Nick. But it's noted."
Suddenly, the diaries on the desk buzzed with new text.
June 14 (Update)
Man, after Black Widow dies, the MCU really goes downhill. The new characters look like abstract art. Only Wanda—the Scarlet Witch—can carry the franchise.
But did she die at the end of Multiverse of Madness? Or just get buried?
Either way, her rampage across the Multiverse was terrifying. She slaughtered the Illuminati like they were nothing. Black Bolt? Dead. Mr. Fantastic? Spaghettified. Professor X? Neck snapped.
It just goes to show: Never mess with a woman who has lost her husband and her children. Especially if she has chaos magic.
Also, shout out to SWORD for being absolute jerks. You take Vision's body and dismantle him like a used car right in front of her? No wonder she snapped.
And don't get me started on Quicksilver. The MCU version was a joke. 'The Shame of Speedsters.' Died to bullets? Bullets! He's faster than sound! What a waste.
Natasha and Fury read the entry in silence. The air in the room grew heavy.
"Wanda," Natasha said, testing the name. "The Scarlet Witch."
"She slaughters the Illuminati," Fury read, his eye widening. "Black Bolt. Mr. Fantastic. Professor X."
These were heavy hitters. Names Fury had only heard in whispers or deep-theory files. The Illuminati were supposed to be the secret rulers of the superhuman world. And this 'Wanda' killed them all?
"Chaos Magic," Natasha noted. "She's not a soldier. She's a witch. A powerful one."
"And she lost her husband and children," Fury added. "Grief. That's the trigger."
"Who is Vision?" Natasha asked. "And SWORD? That sounds like a SHIELD offshoot."
"SWORD deals with extraterrestrial threats," Fury explained. "Sentient World Observation and Response Department. If they dismantled her husband... 'Vision'... like a used car..."
"Then they created a monster," Natasha finished.
"And Quicksilver," Fury shook his head. "Died to bullets? Lucas calls him the 'Shame of Speedsters.' Sounds like another tragedy waiting to happen."
"This Wanda," Fury said, tapping the page. "She's dangerous. Multiversal threat level. If she can cross dimensions to kill people... she's way above our pay grade."
"We need to find her," Natasha said. "Before she loses everything. Before she snaps."
"Add her to the list," Fury ordered. "Wanda Maximoff. Quicksilver—Pietro Maximoff. Vision. We find them all. And we keep SWORD the hell away from them."