The moment Jason laid eyes on Nick Fury, he knew victory was his—absolute and decisive victory.
Because that brilliant idiot had actually replaced himself with a Skrull.
[Spiritual Eyes] revealed the deception instantly, highlighting countless anomalies about him. According to the system's analysis, the Nick Fury before him registered as mere [Gold] tier target—nowhere near his true diamond-tier rating.
When Jason declared, "I can tell at a glance that you're not human," a flash of panic betrayed the imposter's eyes.
The surrounding reporters and spectators erupted into confusion.
"Mr. Jason, what do you mean he's not human?" someone nearby demanded.
Another voice gasped, "Wait... could he really be a demon?"
That word triggered an immediate reaction—the crowd stepped back en masse, creating a wide berth around the supposed director.
Jason maintained his silence and raised his hand deliberately.
"What do you think you're doing?" The fake Nick Fury's composure cracked. "This is a court of law! You're committing assault in broad daylight, defying the justice system! Someone arrest this maniac—"
CRACK!
Lightning erupted from Jason's palm, engulfing the imposter in smoke and screams. The severe burns shattered his transformation, revealing his true Skrull form in all its emerald horror.
Pandemonium consumed the courtroom.
"It is a demon! A green monster!"
"Kill it! Kill it quickly!"
"The lizard people are invading! Run for your lives!"
Jason's commanding presence gradually restored order among the panicked masses.
"It appears S.H.I.E.L.D. has far greater problems than we suspected," Jason announced gravely, shaking his head at the collapsed Skrull. "Ladies and gentlemen, for the safety of humanity itself, I propose immediate screening of every S.H.I.E.L.D. operative. We cannot allow demons to infiltrate the very organization meant to protect us. This is a global nightmare scenario."
His measured response proved almost too conservative for the crowd's anger.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. is the real evil here!" someone shouted. "Shut them down immediately!"
"Lock up every agent collaborating with these monsters!"
"We don't need their corrupt organization—the Avengers are enough!"
Jason's lips curved in satisfaction. The court of public opinion has spoken, he thought triumphantly. That beautiful building will be mine, along with those three helicarriers still under construction. Delightful.
Global television networks broadcast every moment live, pulling worldwide attention to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s crisis. President Freeman's path to redemption suddenly looked much smoother—if only he could ride this wave of public outrage against S.H.I.E.L.D., he might salvage his administration from this disaster.
...
Somewhere hidden from the world, in a secure bunker...
"Goddamn it! Son of a bitch!" Nick Fury's fist slammed the desk. "That bastard Jason! You think you've won? I know what you really are—you're the traitor here!"
The furniture suffered his rage before he collapsed, defeated, onto the floor. Nothing had gone according to plan. He'd considered facing the public tribunal himself, accepting judgment to preserve S.H.I.E.L.D.'s integrity.
But reason had prevailed—S.H.I.E.L.D. needed him. The world needed him. Too many threats lurked in the shadows for his absence to be tolerated.
So he'd made the calculated decision to use a Skrull replacement as a stalling tactic. Their shapeshifting abilities were flawless, and he'd needed time to gather evidence clearing Clint Barton of his supposed treachery. Fury knew Barton had been manipulated by demonic forces.
With S.H.I.E.L.D.'s resources, he'd traced several mystical experts who might reveal the truth about Hell's incursion. But now...
Everything had crumbled.
...
At S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters...
Black Widow Natasha Romanoff, Agent Phil Coulson, Agent Maria Hill, and Ex Director Alexander Pierce assembled in silence, watching the broadcast of their organization's unraveling. The sight of their director transforming into an alien monster sealed S.H.I.E.L.D.'s fate.
In normal times, even this scandal might have been contained. But with nationwide fear and fury at fever pitch, S.H.I.E.L.D. had become the perfect scapegoat.
Pierce's devastation ran deeper than anyone suspected. Goddamn it all! Years of meticulous planning, Hydra's patient infiltration, climbing to positions of power, the nearly-complete Project Insight—all of it destroyed! His dreams of global domination evaporating with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s dissolution.
How could Hydra hide when every agent faced thorough background checks? Their cover would be blown wide open.
RING!
The office phone shattered the heavy silence.
"Everyone," Nick Fury's voice carried through the speaker, "I apologize for endangering S.H.I.E.L.D. and all of you. But we can't waste time on blame. You see our situation—we must act immediately..."
"Where are you, Nick?" Pierce interrupted sharply.
Silence stretched before Fury answered. "I can't reveal that, Pierce."
"You've destroyed everything!" Pierce's fury exploded. "And you think an apology suffices? The entire world demands accountability. If you still wanted to be S.H.I.E.L.D.'s director, if you have any honor left, face them!"
"Pierce, you know they're beyond reason. We're innocent of these accusations—"
"I don't care what you say anymore!" Pierce's voice dripped venom. "Come out now!"
"...You want me to die?"
"For S.H.I.E.L.D.'s sake, what choice is there?"
The line fell silent, heavy with unspoken understanding.
"Even my surrender won't change anything."
Pierce knew this, but his demand wasn't about S.H.I.E.L.D.—it was about satisfying his rage over his ruined plans.
"Every agent here expects this of you, Nick. Even a slim chance is worth taking..."
"...I understand."
The line went dead.
Coulson, Hill, and Natasha exchanged uncertain glances. Their entire world was collapsing. What future awaited them after S.H.I.E.L.D.?
"Will Nick surrender?" Black Widow's voice cut through the tension.
Pierce shook his head. "I doubt it. He's the most paranoid agent I've ever met. If he believes hiding serves humanity better, nothing will change his mind. Sometimes I think his stubbornness borders on lunacy, yet... that's precisely why he's accomplished so much."
"People like that aren't always suited for global protection," Coulson observed.
Pierce smiled inwardly. Exactly why Hydra infiltrated so successfully.
What a waste. We'll need new hosts now. Perhaps... the Avengers? They're gaining popularity.
...
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s fate was sealed regardless of internal machinations. President Freeman delivered a tearful public address worthy of an Oscar. The Secretary of Defense's suicide and Vice President confession provided some measure of catharsis for the public.
Freeman's swift action—dissolving S.H.I.E.L.D. and ordering the Triskelion's siege—earned him crucial approval points. He even led a crowd from the White House gates to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters himself, addressing them through megaphone as they marched.
Police, National Guard, and citizen protesters faced off against S.H.I.E.L.D.'s remaining agents. The Avengers, answering public calls for support, stood with the people against their former allies.
Under such overwhelming pressure, resistance became futile. One by one, S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel emerged from the Triskelion, surrendering to the mob.
Headlines celebrated it as a triumph of justice and democracy.
...
In shadowed corners, ancient eyes observed these events...
"Foolish mortals," a voice hissed with dark amusement. "You think this ends anything? Rage burns eternal—my master's flames cannot be so easily extinguished. New York was merely the appetizer for our feast of fury and despair. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s fall? Just the overture. Avengers... your curtain call approaches."
...
President Freeman clung to power, but his days were numbered. Public trust remained shattered despite his dramatic actions. Congress moved swiftly—early elections would trim his term to mere months of caretaker status.
In his remaining time, Freeman worked tirelessly to honor his promises to Jason. The Triskelion building transferred ownership immediately, along with authorization for expanded Avengers operations nationwide.
Most former S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel found themselves in custody. Only skeleton crews in remote facilities and a handful of field agents escaped the purge.
Jason planned to recruit selectively from their ranks, ensuring no old loyalties could form power blocs. When Pierce offered himself and his people for service, Jason accepted readily.
Hydra operatives? Perfect. Set snakes to watch snakes.
His precautions would prevent any coup attempts—daily blood samples and cranial fluid extraction courtesy of the Illusionist's Jason Stryker abilities ensured complete loyalty. Without concerns over mental degradation affecting job performance, every recruit would face the treatment.
His only regret was Nick Fury's escape. Jason assembled dedicated search teams, scouring the globe for clues. The Skrull connection would lead to Fury—he was certain.
...
BEEP BEEP BEEP
"Sir, you need to see this broadcast immediately!" His aide burst into the office.
The monitor displayed Stark Industries' latest product demonstration.
"...Ladies and gentlemen, behold the future of agriculture!" Tony Stark gestured grandly at the robotic monstrosity behind him. "This remarkable machine can disperse pesticide payloads with pinpoint accuracy from several thousand feet—covering house-sized plots in seconds! For organic enthusiasts, it features laser-precise pest elimination technology. Advanced sensors identify threats within hundreds of yards while surgical-grade lasers handle extermination. All while remaining eco-friendly..."
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