Marvel : Abra Kadabra System

Chapter 21: Post-Thor Cleanup, Coulson's New Headaches

The dust, both literal and metaphorical, was still settling in New Mexico. The Destroyer was gone, Thor was back on Asgard, and S.H.I.E.L.D. was left with a massive crater, a bewildered populace, and a whole lot of questions. Adam, watching the cleanup from a discreet distance, felt a familiar satisfaction. Mission accomplished. Mostly.

"Honestly, S.H.I.E.L.D. is like that one friend who always throws the wildest parties but never cleans up the mess. Good thing I'm here to subtly make their lives harder, and therefore, more interesting. It's a public service, really."

His comms crackled. "Adam, S.H.I.E.L.D. is trying to contain the narrative," Skye reported, her voice laced with amusement. "They're blaming it on a 'weather phenomenon' and a 'gas leak.' Classic."

"And the energy signatures from the Destroyer are fading," Jemma added, sounding disappointed. "I was hoping to get a sample! The nanotech composition was truly remarkable!"

"Patience, Jemma," Adam chuckled. "There'll be plenty more alien tech to dissect. And Skye, keep an eye on Coulson. I have a feeling he's about to have a very bad day."

He saw Coulson, looking utterly drained, overseeing the S.H.I.E.L.D. cleanup crew. The man looked like he hadn't slept in a week, and his coffee mug was suspiciously empty. Adam decided to rectify one of those problems.

He activated his Invisibility, slipping into the cordoned-off area. He moved silently, approaching Coulson's temporary desk, where a fresh pot of coffee sat.

[Illusions & Holograms activated. Target: Optic Nerves. Effect: Coffee to Glitter.]

Adam focused, and with a subtle shimmer, the dark liquid in the coffee pot transformed into a swirling vortex of iridescent glitter. He then, just for good measure, subtly used Technopathy to make Coulson's walkie-talkie spontaneously start playing a very loud, very off-key rendition of "It's a Small World."

Coulson, reaching for his coffee, froze. His eyes widened as he stared at the shimmering, sparkling liquid. "What in the…?" He then jumped as his walkie-talkie burst into song. "Turn that off! Who's doing that?!"

Agents around him looked at each other, bewildered. One tried to turn off the walkie-talkie, but it stubbornly continued its cheerful, annoying tune.

Adam, unseen, chuckled, then teleported away. "Oh, Coulson. You're going to need a bigger budget for therapy. And maybe a glitter-proof coffee mug."

Later that day, back at his office, Adam received a secure message from Natasha Romanoff.

"Stiels," her voice was cool, professional, but with a hint of something else. "Fury wants a debrief. On New Mexico. And on… your involvement."

"My involvement?" Adam feigned innocence. "Agent Rushman, I'm a humble private investigator. I was merely observing the… weather phenomenon. From a safe distance, of course."

"Right. And your 'observations' just happen to coincide with a series of impossible events that baffled our top scientists and left Coulson questioning his sanity," Natasha retorted, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Fury wants to know what you are. And why you keep leaving glitter everywhere."

Adam grinned. "Glitter? I have no idea what you're talking about. Must be a side effect of the… atmospheric disturbances. Very sparkly, those disturbances."

"Just be at the rendezvous point. And try not to make any S.H.I.E.L.D. agents spontaneously burst into song," Natasha said, a genuine chuckle escaping her.

"No promises," Adam replied, a playful glint in his eye. "But I'll try to keep the musical numbers to a minimum. Unless it's a really good show tune."

He hung up, a satisfied smirk on his face. His relationship with Natasha was definitely evolving. From professional intrigue to playful banter. This was going to be fun.