Tony, immersed in holograms, frantically tweaked nanometric parameters, muttering calculations. James, amused, tapped the console. "Put your toys away, Tony. We've got company."
"What? Not now, I'm in the middle…" Tony stopped as Jarvis announced, "Sir, S.H.I.E.L.D. Quinjet approaching, ETA 30 seconds."
Tony cursed, closing the projections. "Jarvis! Encrypt all nanotechnology data!"
James, by the window, watched the Quinjet land. Nick Fury stepped out, black coat flapping in the wind.
"He loves barging in unannounced," Tony grumbled. "He already pitched his Avengers project, and I shut him down."
James chuckled. "He's here for me."
Fury entered, his single eye fixed on James. Two armed agents followed, but their fingers stayed off triggers—Fury had learned from past mistakes.
"Mr. Holden," Fury said, voice restrained. "We need to talk about your actions in New Mexico."
Tony stepped in. "Hey, Nick, this is my place. Make an appointment!"
"Let it go, Tony," James said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I want to hear what S.H.I.E.L.D.'s director has to say."
Fury scanned the lab, pausing on the Uru box. "You manipulated alien tech without authorization and brought back an extraterrestrial substance."
James raised an eyebrow. "And?"
Fury's voice rose. "You're violating the Extraterrestrial Technology Control Protocol! Those objects threaten Earth's security!"
James laughed. "Nick, you're barking up the wrong tree. I'm not your agent, I'm not under S.H.I.E.L.D. I go where I want, take what I want, do what I want."
Fury tensed. "Everyone follows rules, even someone like you."
"Rules?" James's eyes glowed dangerously. "Like your secret Tesseract research? Or HYDRA's infiltration of your ranks?"
Fury's eye narrowed. "Those are internal matters."
James stepped forward, his bio-force field freezing the air. "I know more than you think, Director. The Tesseract project, the Winter Soldier in Siberia, and…" He paused. "Carol Danvers."
The atmosphere shifted. Fury paled, and the agents, reaching for their weapons, found themselves paralyzed by the bio-field.
"Easy, Nick," James said, voice calm again. "Your secrets don't interest me. But if you keep interfering, I might show S.H.I.E.L.D. what a Superman's anger looks like."
Fury stared. "You think you're invincible? You're not the only hero here."
James landed, shrugging. "Invincible? No. But if you want to bring your space vigilante, go ahead. I'm curious if her photons outmatch my heat vision."
Fury breathed harder. "How do you know all this?"
"Read some Superman comics, you'll get it," James replied, turning to the window. "If you're done, Tony and I have work."
A heavy silence fell. Tony, amused, stayed quiet. Fury took a deep breath and headed to the elevator. "Thanks for the tip, Mr. Holden. S.H.I.E.L.D. will be watching."
As the door closed, James called, "Say hi to Pierce."
Tony whistled. "Wow, James, you were on fire! But who's Carol Danvers? And Pierce?"
James released his bio-field. "Carol's Fury's ace, an energy manipulator who flies in space. Pierce… that's their problem."
Tony nodded, then lit up. "You can really hear the whole world?"
"I told you, Tony, your private life doesn't interest me," James sighed.
"Back to the nano-armor?"
"Obviously!" Tony dove back into the data. "Jarvis! Pull the scans!"
In the Quinjet, Fury stared at an old communicator, hesitating to press it, then stowed it. "Not yet…" he muttered.
In the lab, Tony refined the nano-armor while James, eyes closed, scanned global energy anomalies. Nothing notable, except confirmation of heroes like Spider-Man (classic version), Daredevil, Blade, and Taskmaster.
Suddenly, a soft voice echoed in his mind: "Mr. Holden, if you wish, Kamar-Taj welcomes you."
James opened his eyes. It was the Ancient One, the Sorcerer Supreme.
Tony noticed his shift. "James, what's up?"
"I need to step out," James replied.
"Where?"
"Nepal," he said, without elaborating. "An old friend's waiting."
Tony shrugged. "Fine, I'll work on the project."
James took off, speeding toward Nepal.
Kathmandu, Nepal
James landed in an ancient alley, his senses picking up magical energy. A golden portal opened, revealing Kamar-Taj's entrance. A man in blue robes, stern-faced, waited.
"Mr. Holden?" he said. "I'm Mordo. The Sorcerer Supreme sent me to greet you."
James nodded. "Let's go."
Mordo stepped aside, and James entered. The environment shifted: wooden buildings, incense, magical energy, and mages training in the distance. Earth's magical sanctuary.
Mordo guided him. "The Sorcerer Supreme awaits."
James crossed a hallway and entered a zen room. The Ancient One, seated on a cushion with a steaming teacup, looked up and smiled. "Mr. Holden, welcome to Kamar-Taj."