章 127: Chapter 127: The Winter Soldier (Part 1)
"Nothing is impossible. Don't worry, this was just an unexpected incident. You likely won't encounter something like this again," Daniel quietly reassured Simmons, Fitz, and Skye. Seeing such a legendary figure had a significant impact on the three. In contrast, Coulson, Melinda, and Ward seemed less shocked.
Daniel wasn't lying. If he hadn't been present, Mephisto wouldn't have revealed his true form. While demons enjoy tempting humans to fall, someone of Mephisto's caliber wouldn't waste time on just anyone.
"Plus, seeing him isn't entirely without benefit. At least it adds to your knowledge," Daniel added.
"No one wants to gain that kind of knowledge," Skye said with a bitter expression, which made Simmons pull her away. Simmons was more frightened than Skye. There were three women on the plane, but Simmons wouldn't dare disturb Melinda, so she had no choice but to stick with Skye.
"First day on the job and the company collapses. Skye sure has some luck," Daniel thought, smiling as he watched Skye and Simmons whispering. He remembered her circumstances.
"Ward is quite impressive. Even Coulson and Melinda haven't figured out his true allegiance. It's a shame," Daniel thought, smirking at Ward sitting with Simmons.
In fairness, Ward was salvageable. His loyalty was to Garrett, not HYDRA. Killing Garrett might have turned him towards S.H.I.E.L.D. In the original story, Ward had the chance to kill Garrett and keep his secret.
However, Daniel wasn't interested in saving him. He wasn't like Coulson or Skye, who still hoped to redeem Ward even after learning his HYDRA allegiance.
"You really bring trouble," Fury said, appearing in his usual black leather coat. Coulson and his team had been cleared out.
This plane, called the Bus by Coulson's team, had no surveillance except in the interrogation room to protect privacy, especially with three women onboard.
"You brought this on yourself, resurrecting the dead," Daniel countered Fury's blame.
After Mephisto left, Daniel considered that Coulson's resurrection might be as Mephisto suggested. Reviving the dead wasn't easy, even for Asgard. Otherwise, Thor's mother wouldn't have stayed dead.
"What exactly is Mephisto's involvement? Is Coulson okay?" Fury asked, concerned. Coulson was his most trusted agent, and Fury brought him back not just out of sentiment but because he lacked reliable subordinates. Recent times had exhausted Fury, mentally and physically.
Fury once proudly believed S.H.I.E.L.D. could protect the public under his command. However, one crisis followed another—Asgard's sudden appearance, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s internal issues, and the Battle of New York. Though victorious, the heavy losses needed scapegoats. If not for his crucial role, Fury might have been dismissed.
For weeks, Fury navigated politics among the world's powers. Just as things settled, Mephisto's emergence threw another wrench in. If Melinda hadn't reported it herself, Fury would have exiled the reporter to the Arctic to find the Red Skull.
"It should be fine now. I'll report the follow-up to the Ancient One. You don't need to worry," Daniel replied calmly.
"I want to meet the Ancient One," Fury said after a pause.
"Telling me won't help. If he wants to meet you, he will. If not, you can't find him," Daniel refused outright.
"Time to leave. Oh, and send me the substance you used to save Coulson," Daniel said, picking up his things and apparating off the plane.
Mephisto's situation needed to be reported to the Ancient One, as did the matter of Lucifer.
"Understood," Daniel exhaled after ending his call with the Ancient One. She seemed unconcerned about Mephisto and Lucifer, telling him not to worry.
"Let the tall ones handle the big problems until I become one," Daniel thought, planning to inform the Ancient One about Mephisto and Lucifer before focusing on Skye and Coulson's blood.
"The genetic information is embedded in the DNA. The Kree's biotechnology is impressive. Is this to activate Inhuman genes? The Kree blood used to save Coulson likely came from their earlier Earth experiments."
"Skye's blood lacks this genetic info, which is odd. I can't fully analyze her abilities without seeing her transformed as an Inhuman."
Daniel wasn't too disappointed. He anticipated needing a future comparison with Skye's Inhuman form.
"I need the Obelisk and the Inhuman temple on that island. It looks like I'll have to wait."
"GH-325, huh?" Fury quickly sent what Daniel needed, delivered personally by Natasha Romanoff. Such valuable material required a trusted courier. Natasha didn't linger, as she, Hawkeye, Shuri, and even Captain America were extremely busy following the Battle of New York.
"Looks like this is how it is. Do all Kree have such bodies? It's terrifying. Or was this Kree a high-ranking figure?"
The Kree are a renowned interstellar empire. Their unique biotechnology means higher-ranking individuals possess greater power. Ronan the Accuser, despite his eventual defeat by Star-Lord, could wield the Power Stone bare-handed.
Such power explains why the Kree Empire remains stable despite having an enemy like Captain Marvel. A hero of her caliber would have toppled lesser regimes.
However, considering Captain Marvel's benevolent nature, she likely avoided using her power to overthrow regimes. She spared the Kree high command and Ronan.
"I might be able to neutralize the genetic implant in Coulson, stopping him from drawing maps."
"GH-325 wasn't used on just one person, right? Were they all resurrected or just severely injured? GH-325 can heal physical wounds, but how were their souls handled? There are many questions. I should stop overthinking before my head explodes."
Sighing, Daniel looked up, contemplating the issues. Kamar-Taj had extensive soul knowledge but didn't fully understand Hell's mechanics.
"Time for a break. Pepper has something for me. Some matters need to be addressed," Daniel thought, heading to Stark's California mansion.
"You look like you haven't rested in ages," Daniel said, seeing Stark in the lab testing a new Iron Man suit. Stark looked exhausted, likely due to working non-stop on his suits out of fear.
"Drink this," Daniel offered a small vial of vitality potion from the Harry Potter world. Magic could rejuvenate, but the potion was more nourishing.
Stark's fear stemmed from his near-death experience with the nuke. Though initially unaffected, the terror hit him later. Stark had been wearing his suit even while sleeping, suffering from insomnia.
Only after some time and seeing no improvement did Pepper contact Daniel.
"You came at the right time. How do you handle fear?" Stark asked after regaining some energy.
Without waiting for an answer, Stark continued, explaining how his fear erupted after the nuke incident. Though he had changed after his abduction, becoming a hero, he still sought thrills and recognition. The nuke incident was a true brush with death.
"I'm afraid too. Everyone fears death. Some people just find things more important than life. When you grabbed the nuke, you didn't think much, did you?"
Daniel was more cowardly than Stark. The New York battle had Stark risking his life, with his many damaged suits as proof. Daniel acted mainly for self-preservation.
"Have a good sleep. You'll feel better," Daniel said, casting a sleep spell on Stark. His psychological issues made regular sedatives ineffective, and higher doses were harmful. Magic offered a safer solution.
"Give him this according to instructions when he wakes. He'll be fine soon," Daniel instructed Pepper. Medical treatment could be tricky, but magic was straightforward. Stabilizing Stark's mental state required a potion, readily available in the magical world.
"Speaking of potions, I should learn to make Felix Felicis," Daniel mused. The Harry Potter world had incredible items, like space-time magic and luck potions. Felix Felicis, though usable only once in a lifetime, could turn the tide in critical moments.
"Do you have a reason for calling me here alone?" Carter asked, puzzled. Captain America was supposed to join but stayed back at Daniel's insistence.
"I received intel I think you should see," Daniel said, signaling the Red Queen to display a video. Carter immediately recognized the car in the footage.
___________________
Read Ahead
P@treon.com/Mutter
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット