The Man of Steel in Marvel

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A few hours earlierVermontA small town

Nick Fury and Phil Coulson stood outside an old house on the outskirts of town, their long shadows stretched out by the setting sun.

"You sure this is the place?" Fury asked in a low voice, his one eye scanning the area.

Coulson nodded, holding up a tablet showing faint energy readings. "The antimatter signal came from here, sir."

Fury took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

A few seconds later, it opened to reveal a tall Black man—looked middle-aged, wearing a simple plaid shirt and jeans, coffee mug in hand.

His eyes were calm, but there was a quiet, undeniable strength behind them.

"Who're you looking for?" the man asked in a deep, gentle voice.

Fury met his gaze. "Adam Bernard?"

The man's expression froze for just a moment, then returned to normal. "That name's from a long time ago."

"I'm Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D." Fury showed his badge. "This is Agent Phil Coulson."

Adam stayed quiet for a bit, then stepped aside. "Come in."

The inside of the house was simple but neat and cozy. Family photos lined the walls, and books filled the shelves.

Adam motioned for them to sit while he leaned against the fireplace, arms crossed. "So, what does S.H.I.E.L.D. want with me?"

Fury didn't beat around the bush. "We need your help."

Adam chuckled. "I've been retired for decades, Director. The President himself ordered me to live a quiet, normal life."

"The world's changed," Fury said, voice low.

"There's this guy in New York calling himself Superman. His powers are way beyond anything we've seen. He doesn't answer to anyone. He even threatened S.H.I.E.L.D."

Adam frowned slightly. "Superman?"

"Wears a black suit, flies, shoots heat vision, strong enough to level a building," Coulson added."He's also been spending time with Tony Stark lately."

Adam rubbed his coffee mug thoughtfully. "Sounds like something out of a comic book."

"Except he's very real," Fury said seriously. "And he refuses to follow any kind of authority."

Adam was quiet for a moment, then shook his head. "Director Fury, I'm not that guy anymore. I'm just a regular man now. I teach, I garden, fix the neighbors' cars once in a while."

"But the world needs you," Fury said, his tone unusually forceful.

"We're putting together a team—The Avengers. To deal with threats beyond anything normal, including alien invasions. You're one of the best candidates."

Adam's gaze drifted to a photo on the mantle—him with his wife and daughter. He sighed quietly. "I promised my family I'd stay out of this stuff."

"If Superman goes rogue—or something even worse shows up—do you really think your family will be safe?" Fury asked pointedly.

Adam's eyes flickered with uncertainty.

Just then, a loud engine roar came from outside, followed by the screech of brakes.

Fury and Coulson instantly stood alert. Adam frowned, setting his coffee down. "You brought company?"

"No way," Fury said, shaking his head.

Adam walked to the door and pulled it open. A black SUV had pulled into the yard, marked with the S.H.I.E.L.D. emblem on the door.

"Looks like someone invited themselves," Adam muttered.

The car door opened and a sharply dressed man stepped out, wearing a fake smile. "Director Fury. Fancy seeing you here."

Fury narrowed his eye. "Secretary Pierce."

Alexander Pierce, former head of the World Security Council, now stood in Adam's yard flanked by a squad of heavily armed agents.

"I heard you were out recruiting," Pierce said, eyeing Adam. A sly smile tugged at his lips. "Mr. Adam. I've heard a lot about you."

Adam's face went cold. "Haven't used that name in a long time."

Pierce shrugged. "Times are changing. We need people with your kind of power."

Fury stepped in front of Adam. "Pierce, this is S.H.I.E.L.D.'s jurisdiction."

"S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Pierce scoffed. "Fury, you've been making a lot of moves lately. The Council's starting to question your... judgment."

Tension filled the air like a storm about to break.

Adam looked from Fury to Pierce, then let out a low laugh. "Looks like you guys have your own internal problems."

Pierce turned his gaze back to Adam. "Mr. Adam, we can offer better terms—more authority, more freedom to act as you wish."

"Sounds like you want me to be your attack dog," Adam said flatly.

"Just a partnership," Pierce replied with a smile.

Adam was quiet for a moment, then shook his head. "Sorry, I'm not interested in playing power games."

Pierce's smile faltered a bit. "You sure? Turning us down... not exactly a smart move."

Fury scoffed. "That a threat? Pierce, you're crossing a line."

Pierce ignored him and kept his eyes on Adam. "Think carefully, Mr. Lange. The world is changing. Pick the wrong side, and the consequences... won't be pretty."

Adam's expression sharpened, an invisible energy starting to hum around him. "I've been through war, Mr. Pierce. Threats don't work on me."

Pierce narrowed his eyes, then took a step back. "Fine. Hope you won't regret this."

He turned and walked toward the SUV, agents following close behind. The car started and sped off.

The courtyard went quiet again.

Fury looked at Adam. "Thanks."

Adam shook his head. "Wasn't doing it for you."

Coulson couldn't help asking, "How did Secretary Pierce even know we were here?"

A cold glint flashed in Fury's one eye. "Looks like Hydra's not the only rat in the house."

Adam took a deep breath, as if making a decision. "Fury, I'll help you—but on my terms."

Fury nodded. "Let's hear them."

"First, my family gets full protection. No exceptions."

"No problem."

"Second, I don't take orders from politics. I only do what I believe is right."

Fury paused, frowned slightly, then sighed as if thinking of Jiro. Finally, he nodded. "Fair enough."

Adam held out his hand. "Then let's work together."

Fury shook it. "Welcome to the Avengers."

Stark Tower – Laboratory

Tony and Jiro had just returned from the Moon. The golden sparkles of the portal faded in the air behind them.

Tony stretched and casually grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the table, taking a big gulp. "Man, those Inhumans have some seriously sweet tech. Their anti-grav engines are way quieter than my boosters…"

Just then, JARVIS chimed in.

"Sir, reminder: the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. the day after tomorrow. You've yet to prepare any remarks."

Tony's face instantly dropped. "Ah, damn it—I completely forgot."

Jiro raised an eyebrow. He hadn't really been following the news since they got back. "What hearing?"

Tony rubbed his temples in frustration. "Ever since we flew around New York in the suits, those Senate geezers have been on my case. They want me to hand over the suit tech. Talking about national security, military oversight... Yeah right, dream on."

Jiro immediately realized what was going on—this was the plot of Iron Man 2.

In the original timeline, Tony had faced off against the Senate all by himself and absolutely crushed them with one epic argument.

But now? Things had changed.

"So... they're trying to get you to hand the suit over to the military?" Jiro asked.

"Pretty much," Tony said with a cold smile. "They even dragged out some 'expert' to back them up, trying to prove my suit should be government property."

"Let me guess—Justin Hammer? That knock-off clown?" Jiro chuckled.

Tony nodded. "Bingo."

Jiro suddenly smiled. "Leave it to me."

Tony blinked. "Come again?"

"It's simple," Jiro said, hands in his pockets, sounding casual. "Just tell them the suit isn't Stark Industries tech. Say it's mine—Superman's armor. Let them come talk to me instead."

Tony narrowed his eyes. "You sure? Those politicians aren't easy to deal with."

Jiro shrugged. "What are they gonna do to me? I'll go to the hearing myself."

Tony stared at him for a second, then burst out laughing. "Ha! I'd pay to see their faces."

"So what's your plan for dealing with those stuffed suits?"

Jiro stepped up to the floor-to-ceiling window. Sunlight hit his black suit, the golden S on his chest glowing faintly.

He grinned. "Easy. I'm Superman, right? What's a Superman without fans?"

Tony blinked. "Fans? Wait—what are you planning—?"

Before he could finish, Jiro turned into a black streak and shot through the glass, vanishing into the sky.

Tony rushed to the window. "JARVIS! Track him!"

A few minutes later...

Tony was staring at the holographic screen showing Jiro's flight path, his eye twitching. "JARVIS, where the hell is he now?"

"Sir, Mr. Jiro is currently above the Indian Ocean, traveling at approximately Mach 30."

Tony facepalmed. "Great. He's really going public with this whole Superman thing."

"....."