Chapter One.
The Avengers and ex-Agent Hill were gathered in one of Stark's conference rooms. The group used only the end of the long conference table, discussing SHIELD's fall and the possibility of bringing it back.
"I'm telling you, it's just not possible." Tony explained, looking over the portfolio that held foundations vital to rebuilding SHIELD. He shuffled through a few papers before throwing them back on the desk, not convinced. "It wouldn't work."
"You're not helping." Bruce mumbled, sliding the papers over from Tony so that he too could take a look at the new system.
Tony continued, looking pointedly at Maria Hill, "I'm just saying, rebooting the system and expecting everyone to follow it blindly again? Not going to work, especially with no director."
"We have a potential Director." She confirmed.
"Yeah? Who is it then?" Clint spoke up, really tired of being kept out of the picture; he was always left in the dark nowadays when it came to SHIELD matters. Ever since the Tri-carrier went down and took Hydra with it, former SHIELD agents have been let go until further notice. The only branch of SHIELD not taken down yet was the Avengers.
"It's a work-in-progress situation," Hill defended. The Avengers weren't ready for the truth.
"In other words…" Steve began.
"It's classified," Hill finished his sentence for him.
"I knew it," Tony slapped the table with a knowing smile, as though he won a game of cards. He earned a silent chuckle from Bruce.
"I called you here because this is a code red, or whatever system you guys are using to address big problems," Agent Hill said to the team gathered around a table at a SHIELD base. "So I expect you all to take this meeting seriously."
"And we are," Steve reassured her, giving a warning look to his teammates. Tony shrugged, Bruce bowed his head, Clint rolled his eyes, and Natasha looked on.
"Here's an idea," the genius sparked up, leaning back in his chair. "How 'bout we let Thor rule the world when he returns?" He joked.
"Very funny," Clint muttered, slouching over the table, arms folded. "Like the guy would do a hell of a better job than these politicians."
"You never know, maybe he could." Bruce responded half-heartedly.
"Alright, that's enough," Hill called the attention back to herself. "No more of these wild governing ideas, it's not brainstorming time."
"I'm sorry, isn't that why you called us up? To consult us on how SHIELD is to be born again? 'cause as far as I'm concerned, SHIELD isn't going anywhere at the moment. And here we are brainstorming." Tony said, ready to stand up and leave. He hated sitting through useless meetings.
Hill took the portfolio from Bruce. "I called you up because you're the last branch of SHIELD still functioning." Several of the Avengers looked ready to protest to that statement, but Hill pressed on, "And being as such… you too have been infiltrated."
There was an uneasy tension in the room. A few shifted in their chairs like sitting ducks. Others listened intently.
"The Avengers have been compromised," Hill said. "One of you is Hydra."
AN: So... I hope you guys like it! Feedback is appreciated. The more I hear from you, the better I feel about writing. Just a little idea that's been weaving around in my head. I have an entire outline of how this story is going to take place, have fun. :)
- Arrow
