After Coulson left, Eller noticed a figure skating down the road, grinning broadly, radiating happiness.
"Looks like you had a great day, Peter," Eller called out.
"Senior?" Peter's smile didn't waver. "Today… was the best day of my life!"
"Don't tell me…" Eller began, but Peter interrupted eagerly.
"You guessed it! It's her—Gwen agreed to go on a date with me!"
Eller chuckled and encouraged him. "Go for it, Peter."
"I will! I'll do my best," Peter said, eyes sparkling. Then he added, "The new principal is interesting, and several transfer students have come to our school… all quite intriguing."
Eller suspected Nick Fury was stirring trouble again, but for now, they had to see it through.
"Tomorrow night, 8 PM, Newfordton Manor. That's where you need to be."
The invitation was clear. Eller planned to attend as Kamen Rider.
The next night, outside New York City, Newfordton Manor welcomed its guests.
An Audi R8, gleaming like a silver sword, parked at the entrance. Tony Stark, fresh from a race in Monaco, arrived, dressed in a custom suit, clearly taking the banquet seriously.
As he entered, the first person he saw left him confused.
"Hello, Mr. Stark," said the red-haired woman in front of him. Tony's new secretary—Natalie.
Tony frowned slightly. "How many jobs do you have, Miss Natalie?"
"I have only one official job, Mr. Stark. You can call me Natasha," she replied calmly, then led him inside.
They arrived in the dining room: warm crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow over a mahogany table laid with gold-embroidered tablecloth, silver cutlery, and white porcelain plates.
Only two people were seated: a white male in a black suit, looking like a bouncer, and an elegant but weary-looking man.
"This is Agent Barton, codenamed Hawkeye," Black Widow introduced. "And this is Dr. Bruce Banner. You've met his… other personality, the Hulk."
Tony glanced at them but immediately turned to Natasha. "Don't tell me this is it. If so, this is an unqualified banquet."
"Too early to judge, Stark," she replied evenly.
Then, a white figure appeared in his line of sight.
"Hello, Tony," Eller said, clad in Kamen Rider Geats Magnum armor.
Annoyed, Tony muttered, "I should've worn my suit too… you've stolen all the thunder."
"Maybe the show's yet to come," Eller said with a shrug, pointing to the ceiling. "Do you hear that? Thunder?"
Rumble—
A clap of thunder intensified, followed by a streak of white lightning across the window, bathing the hall in a stark, brilliant light.
Guided by Coulson, Thor entered.
"Son of Cole, is this the banquet you spoke of?"
Golden hair draped over his shoulders, clad in silver scale armor and a crimson cape, Mjolnir in hand—Thor looked every bit the mythological warrior.
Coulson stood beside him, calm and smiling despite the mispronunciation of his name.
"Have a good time, Thor."
"If I had known this was a costume party, I'd have worn my armor," Tony muttered.
"Stranger things are yet to come," Eller said meaningfully.
Nick Fury arrived next, dressed in his trademark black overcoat, escorting a man with short golden hair, an elegant, sculpted face, and an old-fashioned leather jacket with brown leather shoes—straight out of another era.
"Steve Rogers? Captain America from World War II? Weren't you lost in the North Pole?" Dr. Banner exclaimed.
Tony grimaced. "Looks like someone didn't freeze to death."
Howard Stark had always held Captain America up as a moral benchmark, which only fueled Tony's youthful rebellion. Even now, the sight made him uncomfortable.
Was this a fake, a brainwashed original, or… something else? Eller scrutinized the man carefully. Something seemed off—his physique didn't match the legend.
Testing him, Eller said, "Captain, as an old Brooklynite, how does it feel waking up to a Black man giving you orders?"
The room went silent. Nick Fury's expression darkened. The report had said nothing about racism.
Captain America froze, clearly confused by the comment.
Tony struggled to suppress his laughter but ultimately failed, patting Eller's shoulder and giving a thumbs-up.
"Your mouth's lethal. Where's your little Spider-Man friend? He'd make this even more fun."
"They have other arrangements," Eller said cryptically. "I'm just helping watch over him."
"Ah… a shame," Tony sighed.
Nick Fury cleared his throat. "Everyone, please take your seats."
Eller, Tony, and Thor sat together—Tony to Eller's right, Thor to his left, and the living legend opposite them.
The stage was set.