The Black Egg Who Came Running at the Scent

After the preview launch for "Valhalla" ended, S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury immediately sought out Tony. Tony refused to receive visitors, so Pepper and Howard received their old friend instead.

Yes, Nick Fury had known Howard Stark back when the black egg was still young and Howard Stark was still alive.

Though they had never been particularly close, they had been good friends. Otherwise, Howard would never have entrusted that suitcase, part of his legacy, to Nick Fury and asked him to pass it on to Tony when the latter hit rock bottom.

Even Nick Fury, however, knew nothing about Howard and Maria's sudden "resurrection."

In his eyes, Tony was being far too stingy, hiding something this deeply... No, that was not right. Before the Avengers Alliance initiative officially began, Nick Fury and Tony had basically been strangers. They were not close at all.

Even so, Nick Fury still felt that Tony was being incredibly stingy. If he had such an amazing technology, why had he not revealed it sooner for everyone's benefit?

Nick Fury did not understand.

"I need an explanation, Howard."

On the top floor of Stark Tower, in the Avengers Alliance conference room, Nick Fury stood with his hands behind his back before the floor-to-ceiling windows, which offered an excellent view and plenty of light. Wearing his signature black leather coat, he asked without turning around.

After bringing the visiting Nick Fury here, Pepper had gone with Maria, at Howard's prompting, to familiarize her with Stark Industries' current businesses and assets.

As one of the only two other people in the conference room, Howard—his black hair glossy and his appearance remarkably youthful—stood at the bar. He leisurely ground coffee beans and manually extracted coffee with the machine, preparing drinks for himself and his guest.

His movements were skilled