Weighed down by worries, Nick Fury summoned Tony and the others for a meeting as soon as he returned.
Thor was there too. At Odin's direction, Thor was now stationed on Earth.
"What is it this time, Mr. Director?" Tony asked irritably.
Being interrupted while researching magic was like being called away by your mother to clean the house in the middle of a game.
"Tony, everyone, this is serious," Nick Fury said solemnly.
"What is it? Just tell us, Boss," Natasha said.
Nick Fury paused to choose his words, then said, "I took those people to the blind box shop earlier."
When he said "those people," he pointed upward.
Everyone present instantly understood who he meant.
"Oh, Mr. Director, don't tell me those people pissed him off," Tony said, his eyes widening.
Nick Fury sighed. "Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened. Even I would have been angry if they'd treated me with that attitude, let alone him..."
Tony froze for a moment, then looked as though he was suppressing a smile. "Mr. Director, that's good news! If they pissed him off, their fate is already sealed. I've wanted to slap those idiots for ages."
Everyone else, including Steve, wore expressions of agreement.
Those people really had gone too far before, and that nuclear missile had pushed Steve and the others past the limits of their tolerance.
Nick Fury sighed again. "If only it were that simple. It seems he isn't just angry. He's furious. He wants those idiots to taste enough despair!"
"What does that mean? Just tell us, Director," Steve said with a frown.
Nick Fury swept his gaze over everyone, then said:
"He's planning a game. The two sides will be those people and all the superhumans who've bought blind boxes. It'll be an attack-and-defense battle, a showdown