Marvel: Death Knight

Amid the roar of engines, a S.H.I.E.L.D. Quinjet landed smoothly on the rooftop of the Azeroth Tech Tower.

"Mr. Garus." Agent Coulson descended from the aircraft, offering a warm greeting.

"Fury recruiting more Avengers these days?" Garus inquired casually.

"You'll see once we reach the Helicarrier," Coulson replied, sidestepping the question with a polite smile. Extending his hand, he added, "Welcome aboard as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s newest security consultant."

Garus reflected briefly. Fury's knack for spotting talent was unmatched, but his delayed response to Hydra's infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D. was a glaring flaw. Perhaps Garus should simply reveal that Alexander Pierce was a Hydra operative.

He also recalled the trouble Lady Viper had caused him last time—still unresolved. The woman was elusive, vanishing without a trace despite his attempts to track her through Kingpin's network. Perhaps she had fled the United States entirely.

The Quinjet soared across the Atlantic, and within half an hour, Garus glimpsed an enormous vessel resting on the ocean's surface.

The Helicarrier.

As one of its co-designers through Azeroth Tech, Garus had yet to step aboard this marvel of engineering.

"Welcome, Mr. Garus."

As Garus disembarked, he spotted Fury waiting on the deck. There were no other arrivals yet—apparently, he was the first.

Before he could respond, a streak of light zipped across the sky, and Iron Man descended, clad in his iconic armor.

Tony Stark emerged from his suit, which continued moving autonomously to stand by his side.

"Tony, ever consider selling us a few of those suits?" Fury quipped. "Unlike the military, we won't misuse them for warfare."

"These are personal toys, not for sale," Tony replied. "And you know I'm not short on cash."

Spotting Garus, Tony approached and embraced him briefly. "Garus, long time no see."

Garus smiled faintly. He had his own magi-tech mech suit, distinct from Tony's designs. Each had its advantages—Garus's could traverse wormholes with minimal effort, something Stark's armor couldn't achieve.

Another Quinjet landed, and out stepped Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Hawkeye (Clint Barton), and Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff).

Agent Hill approached Fury and murmured, "Director, there's been a complication with Blade. A group of vampires attacked the FBI facility holding him. He'll need more time to get here. Also, Johnny is on his way."

Fury nodded before addressing Garus and Tony. "Two more are en route. In the meantime, let me introduce you to someone and give you a tour of the Helicarrier."

"Another guest? My schedule's not exactly free, you know," Tony grumbled. Typically, others waited for him, not the other way around.

Garus, meanwhile, guessed that Fury's next introduction was Captain America himself.

Sure enough, in a training room, they found a shirtless Steve Rogers, drenched in sweat as he completed his workout.

"Steve!" Fury called.

Steve wiped his face with a towel and turned toward the entrance.

Tony scrutinized him for a moment before recognition dawned. "You're Steve Rogers?" he asked, recalling a photograph of his father with Captain America.

"My father mentioned you often," Tony said. "Didn't expect this fossil to still be alive—and looking younger than me."

Steve chuckled at Tony's teasing, unbothered by his tone.

"This is Steve Rogers, our hero from World War II," Fury announced, though no introduction was necessary. Captain America's name was known worldwide.

After a brief tour of the Helicarrier, Garus grew impatient. "Fury, how much longer do you plan to keep us waiting? Time is valuable."

Tony nodded in agreement, looking equally annoyed.

"Director," Coulson interrupted, "they've arrived."

Fury led the group to a conference room, where Blade and Karl Mordo awaited them.

Moments later, Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze) entered the room.

"Johnny, you're here too?" Garus asked, surprised.

"Yes," Johnny replied. "I've joined the Avengers."

After banishing Mephisto back to Hell in their last encounter, Johnny had accepted Fury's invitation to join both S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers. As a man with earthly needs, Johnny appreciated the material support S.H.I.E.L.D. provided. Meanwhile, his Spirit of Vengeance required the souls of the guilty—something Fury could facilitate.

Mordo sneered. "One vessel harboring a demon, another an unholy necromancer. Birds of a feather."

Before Garus could respond, Johnny's fiery eyes flared with anger. "Want me to burn your soul with my Penance Stare?"

"Enough!" Fury interjected, stepping in to defuse the tension. The last thing he needed was his Helicarrier torn apart by infighting.

Garus cast a dark glance at Mordo. If it weren't for the Ancient One, Mordo would've been reduced to ashes long ago.

Fury introduced the group one by one.

Garus scanned the room. The current Avengers lineup included Iron Man, Spider-Man, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Blade, and Ghost Rider. Missing were Thor and the Hulk, though three new members compensated for their absence.

"Director Fury, where's Dr. Banner?" Garus inquired.

Fury hesitated. "We've located him, but... there are complications." He offered no further details, and Garus chose not to press.

Blade, still puzzled by his sudden extraction from FBI custody, finally spoke. "Director Fury, I encountered mutated vampires in New York. We can't afford to waste time here."

"We have bigger problems to address," Fury replied. "Those vampires will be dealt with later. For now, we focus on the imminent alien invasion."

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