Fury in "The Happiest Place on Earth"

"Are you sure we have time for this?"

Walt nodded and said to the girls. "Yes but not too long. So pick where you want to go, stay in your groups and. Don't. Get. Lost. When the timers go off make your way to the rendezvous point and no dawdling. We can always come back or I can take you to other ones. Other than that just have fun, ladies! I think there may even be things from a few of your franchises ladies. If anyone asks you're just "cosplaying", got it? I might even join some of you if my meeting wraps up early enough."

"Understood!" Said Penny saluting and practically bouncing with excitement eager to explore. Most of the others seemed to also be feeling the same. He returned the salute and dismissed them with a grin turning them loose on the sprawling theme park.

They were currently in the central hub area which had its own "town" theme with little restaurants and shops. But the iconic castle lay ahead and from there the park branched out into many different areas.

Walt watched the ladies split up into groups based on where they wanted to go. Most took off for different parts right away but quite a few stuck around to investigate this area and maybe catch a glimpse of his "friend" he was waiting for.

Walt got in line for one of the snack stands and bought two treats then found the most "out of the way" but "in plain sight" bench he could and sat down and started snacking. He didn't have to wait long.

The man with an eyepatch over his left eye who sat down was older than he expected but his manner, bearing and attitude along with his features left no doubt to his identity as far as Walt was concerned. "You're not smiling. It's "The Happiest Place on Earth" and everyone else is smiling. Your not smiling makes you stand out."

Nick Fury had to turn his head towards Walt to glare at him with his good eye which Walt knew irritated him further. "You picked a goddamn amusement park."

Walt smiled and nodded. "It's public, busy with people, easy to get lost in and hard for anyone to make a "scene" with plenty of noise to help mask conversations if need be. It's good for this kind of operation."

Fury continued to glare. "You know there's no smoking here?"

Walt smiled and shrugged and held out the other snack he'd bought to his cigar loving friend. "I do. I bought you a churro."

Fury continued to frown.

Walt raised an eyebrow and shook the treat. "If you don't want it, I'll eat it or let Romanova or whoever you got babysitting you eat it. I'm guessing Barton or-"

Fury growled and snatched the churro out of his hand. "You're looking older. Time finally catching up with you?"

Walt chuckle. "Funny. I was just thinking the same thing about you. I've been waiting to hear from you."

Fury chewed on the churro for a bit then swallowed. "Things have been kind of busy incase you hadn't noticed... and I'm semi-retired."

Walt nodded chewing before swallowing and answered. "Me too and I noticed. Kind of a messed up situation."

"Messed up, is right," Fury said. "Unknown perpetrators from somplace beyond another dimension coming to your reality to attack, loot, pillage and kidnap people, high-profile super people no less, is more than a little messed up... and what's also messed up is while dealing with the aftermath of that I find out an old friend who has been missing for ages is conveniently "back in town". This cat was always a big player but he had an M.O.. He always stuck to the background. Always a bit player. Worked hard to stay out of the limelight. Never caused trouble for anybody. He'd been like that for decades, so despite his seeming not to age I'd let it slide because he was committed to non-interference-"

Walt sighed. "Nick, I-"

"Now he just slides back in town after being gone for years," Fury steamrolled on and Walt shrugged. When he was like this it was best to let him get it out of his system... and a good opportunity to eat his treat until Fury was done.

"This "guy"," Fury continued. "Who I even thought of as a friend of sorts, I might add. Starts doing all kinds of things, not only in the spotlight, but mother fucking center stage like a goddamn headliner with his name on the marquee outside this particular shit show!"

Walt swallowed and held his finger up. "Shush. Okay, come on, Nick. There's people with their little kids around so let's watch that kind of language before-"

"Don't you "shush" me, motherfucker!" Fury blurted loudly. "I'll use whatever the fuck language I goddamn- What?!" He yelled turning.

"Sirs," said a park employee smiling at them. "Could we please ask you to kindly keep that kind of language in check while you're visiting the park today? Otherwise we'll have to insist that you leave..."

Sure enough they'd attracted a small bit of attention. He saw one little boy tug on his mothers skirt with one hand while pointing at them with the other. "Mommy, they're having an adult conversation." To which the mother replied. "What have I told you about these things? Just pretend you don't see anything like everyone else."

Walt smiled at the employee and nodded patting Fury's shoulder. "Sorry about my friend. He's an old war buddy and suffers from tourette's. He's got medication that helps and someone is off getting him water to take with it. I apologize. He'll settle down quickly after he takes it."

He smiled seeing Penny, Neo, Manami and Merida approach. Friday must have alerted them. "We have a bottle of water," Penny stated holding it out smiling which Walt gratefully took and started unscrewing the cap... but Penny wasn't done! She turned towards Fury with something behind her back making Walt worry breifly about whatever trigger happy watcher Nick might have had out there... but he needn't have. "We also got something for you for being such a good boy!" She pulled out a cap with distinctive round "mouse ears" sewn in as well as a embroidered "Nicholas" on it in gold letters. "Do you like it?"

Walt tried not to laugh as Fury eyeballed the mouse eared cap like he would a bomb and swallowed. "Thank you... that was... very thoughtful and kind," he said taking the hat.

"Whit urr ye waiting fur?" Merida asked smiling happily while Neo and Manami recorded the whole thing giving thumbs-ups. "Weel? Gang oan! Pat it oan yer heid ye silly Jimmy!"

Fury saw everyone still looking at him expectantly, including the little boy, mother and park employees and sighed putting it on his head. "I love it," he said and pretended to take a pill and drink from the water bottle Walt held out for him then grit his teeth and smiled.

Walt pinched his own thigh trying not to burst out laughing. "Thank you, ladies... I appreciate it... I'll join you in a bit when Nick is settled, alright?"

The girls smiled and grinned and waved as they went to check a few more things and the Park employees smiled walking away as did the park guests. Nothing more to see.

"Did you plan that?" Fury asked his tone implying dire violence if the reply was unsatisfactory.

Walt grinned shaking his head. "Not a bit though I wish I had so I could take credit for it!"

"Mother-... fudge," Fury said then sighed. "Well damn... can't continue to be mad. Who are they?"

Walt smiled. "Just my family, Nick."

Fury smiled too. "My family loved coming here too," he said.

Walt smiled. "And you took them here?"

Fury snorted. "No... I watched it from a distance."

Walt nodded. That sounded about right. "I never got the chance until now... my wife died before we had kids. I only recently had these ladies come into my life." He looked at Fury. "It doesn't matter how it's formed or what happened before. Family is about enjoying what you have now with those you love, no matter how that works."

Fury smiled and nodded. "Thanks. I'll remember that."

They sat quietly for a bit, enjoying the moment. The illusion. A temporary refuge that had nothing to do with brutal battles, murky espionage and intrigue, super menaces or political threats. Just another peaceful day in the park.

Walt finished his churro and waited for Nick to finish his before asking, "Back to business?"

"Business," Fury nodded his agreement but Walt smiled as he kept wearing the hat. "Your showing up and activities since aren't coincidental." It wasn't a question. It was a statement.

Walt nodded. "It isn't. Off the record?"

Fury nodded. "Off the record."

Walt nodded once more. "The other reality guys who made a mess are from my reality. I was originally sent here just to watch over this universal instance and gather information for purely research. I left when it was done. This multiversal instance was to remain untouched while I then explored and documented other different, non-related instances. I "retired"... but these guys have beef with me. They somehow got access to worlds they shouldn't have and messed them up for profit and to fu-... *Ahem* to mess with me and make me angry while making a "statement", of sorts."

Fury was quiet a moment as he digested that before saying, "That's a pretty messed up way to make a statement..." He sighed, "and too bizarre to not be true. So what? You're fixing things because you feel responsible?"

Walt nodded then shook his head. "Yes... and no. It's more than that. Like you said Nick. I lived her for a long, long time. I took great pains to not "make a mess". This place was my home for a longtime... I'm more than a little fond of it."

Fury nodded. "It's a "home invasion". While you were "out" someone broke into the place and messed it up for you to find it that way. They wanted to hurt you. They wanted to make you mad about it."

"They succeeded!" Walt growled... then sighed. "But angry don't help fix what was done. The damage is done. This world was "broken" and I need to do what I can to fix it. It's my responsibility because I choose it to be. So I'm trying. I'm trying to make things better... and I'm sorry this happened because of me."

Fury rolled his eye. "Don't apologize. I'm sorry for giving you a hard time about it. I've seen some things the last couple of years. This world? It's always been "broken". Long before you got here. And knowing what I do and how the universe works I'm betting your "world" or whatever is kind of "broken" too, isn't it?"

Walt nodded and sighed. "Yeah. That's definitely one way of looking at it..."

Fury nodded. "Mmm hmm... and that answer there tells me that that is how you see it. You likely worked hard trying to "fix it" before you came to that realization too. There's no fixing some things, Walt. That's what the universe is. An explosion... and we're living in the middle of it."

Walt snorted. "Philosophy? You? And we're not "in the middle" technically. Earth and it's galaxy is off to the side a ways and-"

"You know what I mean," Fury said. "Kinda broken is a natural state no matter how we try to impose our own brand of order on it. It doesn't mean we shouldn't try. Just means we need to be realistic about our limits."

Walt smirked. "Never thought you'd be the one to tell me that... you have been through some "stuff". You need to talk about it?"

Fury shook his head. "Not yet. Do you?"

Walt shook his head. "Maybe someday... until then..."

Fury nodded. "There's work to be done... SHIELD isn't quite what it once was. Hill is director now."

Walt shook his head. "Hill's fine. She'll do well. But I didn't reach out to Hill. I reached out to you Nick. There's a seat at the table with your name on it-"

Fury snorted. "Yeah. Sure... who'd you sit me next to? Namor and Doom? Or do I get sit next to Xavier and the little kid? How old is she? Do I have to play tea time or share juice boxes or-"

"Dammit Nick," Walt said giving him a hard look. "I'm serious... and the only place you sit is right next to me or directly across from me so we can keep an eye on each other..."

The corners of Fury's mouth twitched upwards into a smile. "... and watch everyone else... you know I don't bring the same kind of power to the table these days as I used to? Hill and Junior call the shots. Plus this idea was tried before. Gather super big shots to run things from the shadows."

Walt looked around to make sure they were reasonably out of earshot and whispered, "Bullshit... and even if you brought nothing to the table but your tired old self I'd value that as highly, or higher, then any two of the others combined." Fury grinned and so did Walt before continuing. "And that was a group decided upon by power levels as much as by intelligence. That was foolish. This needs to be a group of bright minds but also wisdom and different ideas and veiw points to work. People willing to set aside their egos and act like grown-ups and not children who represent the best interests of different people and communities so we can find away forward and deal with problems together. Doom has the best interests of his people at heart. Namor as well. Valeria is brilliant and the veiw point of the young. Chuck represents the mutants and is a dreamer, Thor represts the Asgardians and shows promise of eventually developing wisdom on par with Odin."

"And I?" Fury asked.

"A wealth of experience and the knowledge, know how and cunning to understand the secret levers of power and how to use and employ them while working with me to make sure our collective butts are covered, always." Walt sighed. "I know. It's a big ask but-"

"Nah," said Fury. "I'm in. I was getting bored in semi-retirement anyway." He smiled. "Two questions. Are these secret forces that have been moving around in the shadows yours and who has been giving you trouble?"

Walt chuckled. "Semi retired? Yeah right... you and me both. Yeah they're most likely mine though Logan and X-Force and the other mutant groups have been running around jumping through a lot of hoops. Literal trouble? Orchis and the other anti-mutant groups under them. They've all been busy plotting to topple the mutants. We've unraveled quite a few threads and are taking steps but..."

Fury gave him a hard knowing look... only marginally ruined by the mouse hat on his head. "You suspect someone?"

Walt shook his head. "Not yet but I just know... there's a traitor or two in this. The plans we've stopped? They're a little too well orchestrated and there's multiple plots and layers. I don't know who but they must have someone or someones on the inside on the mutants end... and who knows what else the jerks who are messing with me have done. They might have been in on it as well. Can't rule them out."

Fury nodded. "Tough situation... I'll get in touch with Logan. See what assistance I can give him in sniffing out the rat... who else has been trouble?"

Walt sighed. "Well Wakanda has been stonewalling. They're being polite but don't want to come to the table for some reason or another. I've been trying but no joy there. I'd really like to have them at the table though. Galaxy wise the Guardians are still MIA or at the least AWOL but that's not unusual for that bunch at all. The big galactic "empires" are all taking a stand back and wait approach though they show mild, cautious interest with the exception of Asgard. I think they're waiting to see if we come together or not first."

Fury nodded. "Makes sense. Gotta stop the ship from sinking and put out all the fires first. Then the rats will come swarming back to jump aboard. I'll look into the Wakanda situation see what I can come up with."

Walt chuckled pulling out a folder. "Colorful... but you ain't wrong. That's more or less my take as well and I'd appreciate it. I also don't know which hoops to jump through for reforming the Avengers and clearing Jennifer Walters name but it's become obvious to me that she didn't do this. I believe she's a victim. I'd appreciate your help with that and I'd kind of like you to head it since you aren't busy." He winked passing the folder.

Nick took it and skimmed through after giving him a look. "Pushy, ain'tcha? Why would you want that? I ain't a superhuman."

Walt nodded and crossed his arms. "Yall've tried that. Let "Super" folks run things a bit too much in my opinion. Might could be part of the problem. You're smart, capable and most of all you're watchful and careful. And at the end of the day you're just a man. Quite extraordinary but just a "normal" person." Walt chuckled. "As far as " normal" goes!"

Fury snorted. "Hilarious..." But he smiled too and nodded. "You gave this some thought. Who's your second pick?"

Walt sighed and shook his head. "Honestly? I ain't got one at this time. You turn me down I'll be up the proverbial creek in a canoe without a paddle."

Fury smirked. "What's it pay and what's my budget?"

Walt grinned. "Now we're getting somewhere! Let's talk shop!"

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Nora Valkyrie Yang Xiao Long Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Rachel "Raven" Roth Manami "La Brava" Aiba Tsuyu "Froppy" Asui Haruhime Sanjouno Anastasia "The Baroness" Cisarovna/DeCobray Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O Merida Gwen "Gwenom" Stacy Jubilation "Jubilee" Lee and Jennifer "She-Hulk" Walters

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