At the S.H.I.E.L.D. mobile base, the Bus, Skye and the others had returned. None of them were injured, but the heavy mood on their faces told a different story. Allens' display of power earlier had shaken them. His abilities were terrifying—enough to overwhelm S.H.I.E.L.D. as it stood now.
"I know what everyone's thinking. I feel it too," Phil Coulson said, clapping his hands to get their attention. "But we're S.H.I.E.L.D. Dealing with people like this comes with the job. Take heart."
He tapped the tabletop, and a holographic projection flickered to life in the center of the room.
"Allens disappeared back in 2007. I had the tech division run every trace—we found nothing. It's like he vanished, only to suddenly resurface in 2014. Whoever he is, he's a ghost."
With another tap, Coulson enlarged the image, revealing a clear hologram of Allens alongside lines of data scrolling across the side.
"Fitz, give us the rundown."
Leopold Fitz, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s lead scientist, frowned and began typing on a floating keyboard.
"Uh… right. Allens—based on preliminary analysis, he can move objects with his mind. Psychokinesis. Our simulations show the strength could reach… several dozen tons." Fitz hesitated, struggling to put it into plain words. His voice carried an edge of fear.
"Like the Hulk lifting a building?" Alfonso Mackenzie—"Mack," S.H.I.E.L.D.'s head mechanic—cut in with a grim expression.
"Exactly," Fitz nodded quickly. "The numbers suggest that kind of force is possible."
The room fell silent. Even May and Skye, who had seen plenty, felt the weight of Fitz's words.
Coulson swiped the display again, showing security footage from Parkerson Park. "And it's not just telekinesis. He created an entire battlefield illusion. Fitz analyzed it—it's a form of energy projection, blanketing the entire area. Illusions on that scale? We've never seen anything like it."
He switched views to highlight Allens again. "And one more thing. He can steal powers. From what we observed, it's like he's hunting other enhanced individuals… absorbing them."
Skye shuddered, remembering how easily Allens had crushed Carl Creel, the Absorbing Man.
"No matter what else he can do," May said flatly, "this man is lethal. Decisive. He doesn't hesitate. Someone like that can't be reasoned with."
Coulson nodded. "Which is why our next step is crucial. When he disappeared, we caught his last words on audio."
The recording played: Allens' voice saying clearly, "Let's go find the next one."
Coulson's face hardened. "Allens is extremely dangerous. We need to restart the cloaking systems on the Quinjet. May, Skye—you'll head to a HYDRA facility. Get me the stealth core codes."
Fitz frowned, clearly unsettled, but said nothing. Orders were orders.
Meanwhile, Allens and Raina were unaware of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s plans—and even if they had known, they wouldn't have cared. The two of them now sat comfortably aboard a passenger plane bound for Casablanca, Morocco.
Raina had arranged the plane through her connections, eager to impress Allens. After witnessing his power, she was convinced it was destiny that she follow him.
In first class, Allens sat by the window, gazing at the clouds as he sank into thought.
He knew 2014 was the year Ultron would rise. In Sokovia, Baron Strucker was already experimenting with Loki's scepter. Soon, two enhanced individuals—Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch—would appear. And then Ultron himself.
Targets Allens had no intention of letting slip by.
But there was still time before that conflict. Enough time for him to claim any ability he wanted. Deep down, he had a hunch: this time, his true opponents wouldn't just be Captain America… it would be the Avengers themselves.
"It's been three days since I arrived in 2014," he muttered. "Almost forgot—I still haven't claimed my reward."
He smacked his forehead lightly. The system's voice chimed in his mind:
Ding. Mission complete—escape from Captain America. Reward: one random draw.
Ding. Would you like to draw now?
Allens grinned. "Yes."
Ding. Draw complete. Ability acquired: The Haitian's powers.
Ding. New mission issued—eliminate or control HYDRA.
A shift rippled through Allens' body. His DNA realigned, brain circuits altered. His physical strength hadn't changed, but he could feel it: the Haitian's ability to suppress powers and erase memories now flowed through him.
He could release brain waves to block any superhuman ability—or selectively wipe away memories, even erase an entire lifetime if he chose.
"What a surprise," he murmured, opening his eyes with a smile.
Beside him, Raina's gaze snapped to him instantly. She had been watching him the whole time, unable to hide her fascination.
"What is it, Boss?" she asked softly, leaning closer with the sly grace of a cat. Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
Allens turned to her with a mysterious smile. "Beautiful little flower… our path just got a lot smoother."
He laid a hand lightly on her shoulder, his charm as effortless as his power. Raina's heart raced—she knew she had chosen the right man to follow.
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