DC HERO AT MARVEL

Hearing George thinly veiled, disdainful remarks, Coulson let out a bitter smile.

Just as he was about to respond, a loud sonic boom echoed from the sky nearby.

Boom, boom, boom!!

"Whoa! This armor flies so fast!"

"Ahhhh! I'm gonna fall!"

"Be careful!"

"Hey, check me out, guys! You all look lame!"

The commotion reached Anton and the others, drawing their attention.

Looking up, they saw Tony Stark, Rhodes, and Harry Osborn—all suited up—returning to the largest stage at the expo.

Each was carrying one of the turtles mid-flight.

Michelangelo, however, safely landed on his own jet-powered hoverboard, glancing at Harry glider and comparing it to his own.

After a quick inspection, he nodded in satisfaction, convinced that his hoverboard was no less advanced than Osborn tech.

"Commissioner George," Coulson said with a faint smile, gesturing toward Tony, "we weren't late this time. Our people arrived quite early and contributed significantly."

"Your people?"

George raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical and his tone icy.

"What nonsense are you spouting? I haven't seen a single S.H.I.E.L.D. agent here from start to finish!"

"Tony Stark," Coulson replied calmly, "is a special consultant for S.H.I.E.L.D. He also part of S.H.I.E.L.D. elite task force—the Avengers—a superhero team akin to the Justice League.

Tony is an official member of the Avengers."

George was momentarily speechless.

He maintained a neutral expression, but his eyes scrutinized Tony from head to toe.

Tony, meanwhile, twitched at Coulson introduction.

Glancing at Coulson, then at George, he felt as though he'd been set up as the fall guy without even realizing it.

"Wonderful!"

After a brief pause, George suddenly broke into an unusual smile.

"In that case, shouldn't S.H.I.E.L.D. bear responsibility for the damages caused in this incident?"

The words hung in the air, leaving everyone silent.

The atmosphere was so tense that you could hear a pin drop.

Anton barely managed to suppress a laugh.

George really was a sharp one.

Typically, when a terrorist attack occurred within New York jurisdiction, the responsibility fell on the city law enforcement agencies.

But with S.H.I.E.L.D. stepping forward to claim credit, it was only logical that they should also shoulder the associated costs.

Especially since George had been handed an irrefutable reason:

S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn't just involved—they were part of the problem.

And who was the main participant in the battle?

Aside from Ivan Vanko, who had likely been reduced to ashes, it was Tony Stark, aka Iron Man.

Coulson own words confirmed Tony role as a S.H.I.E.L.D. consultant and a member of their Avengers team.

Naturally, the burden of responsibility fell on S.H.I.E.L.D. and Tony Stark.

"So, what do you say?"

George grin widened.

"Since this was a S.H.I.E.L.D.-led operation, the NYPD would be more than happy to assist in cleaning up your mess."

He stared at Coulson, clearly enjoying the dilemma and eagerly awaiting his response.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. will take responsibility," Coulson replied smoothly.

Coulson gave a wry smile.

As George suspected, Coulson didn't have a choice.

Relations between S.H.I.E.L.D. and the NYPD were already tense, and George open hostility left no room for negotiation.

If S.H.I.E.L.D. refused to take responsibility, future operations in New York would likely face endless pushback from George.

More importantly, S.H.I.E.L.D. had a critical reason to take control of the situation: Ivan Vanko.

Ivan actions were tied to certain past S.H.I.E.L.D. projects, and his knowledge of the Arc Reactor technology made this a matter of national security.

S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't risk letting the NYPD dig deeper into the case—it would provoke massive backlash from the U.S. government.

For example, S.H.I.E.L.D. had records of the Arc Reactor design but had ignored inquiries from the military.

Even though George demands bordered on extortion, S.H.I.E.L.D. had no choice but to comply.

"Alright, we'll handle it," Coulson said reluctantly.

George waved dismissively.

"Alright, boys, it S.H.I.E.L.D. show now. Let pack up and go."

"Got it!"

"Understood!"

The officers, who had been monitoring the scene, perked up.

Hearing George words, many realized they might not have to work overtime tonight. Their excitement was palpable.

"Thanks, S.H.I.E.L.D.!"

Someone even shouted sarcastically, drawing laughter from a few colleagues.

Before leaving, George turned to Anton.

"Need a ride?"

Anton considered for a moment, then nodded.

"Sure, why not."

He and Eddie hopped into George patrol car, joining the NYPD as they left the scene.

The turtles didn't linger either.

They'd had their share of action and were satisfied with the night events.

In truth, the NYPD hadn't come away empty-handed.

They had successfully captured Electro, Max Dillon, as their "spoils of war."

While S.H.I.E.L.D. was likely aware of Max existence, agents like Coulson weren't interested in such mutants.

Every mutant had unique, unreplicable abilities, making them of little practical value to S.H.I.E.L.D.

Even if they detained Max, he'd just be another prisoner with no further use.

Coulson focus remained solely on cleaning up S.H.I.E.L.D. mess.

"Well, I won't bother you further," Harry said as he stepped onto his glider.

In a streak of light, he shot off toward the Osborn Company headquarters.

The chaos caused by Hammer Industries' rogue steel soldiers and Justin Hammer suspicious kidnapping presented a golden opportunity for Osborn to expand its influence.

This was a chance Harry couldn't afford to miss.

Now, only the S.H.I.E.L.D. team and one semi-affiliated member, Tony Stark, remained at the scene.

"Perhaps," Tony said, fixing Coulson with a sharp glare, "I deserve an explanation."

Though Tony had some involvement in the incident, it was nowhere near as extensive as Coulson had implied.

Clearly, S.H.I.E.L.D. was hiding something.

"I'll explain everything in detail," Coulson replied seriously.

"But first, you need to know this: it tied to your father… Ivan Vanko father used to work with him.

Together, they developed the Arc Reactor."

"What?"

Tony eyes widened in shock.

The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning—of course, Ivan Arc Reactor design mirrored his own.

It wasn't just a coincidence.

It came from the same source!

Meanwhile.

In the police car, George was speaking with Anton.

"Anton, regarding Justin Hammer, I hope you and Batman can pay extra attention to this matter!"

Though George was clearly pleased with the trap he'd set for S.H.I.E.L.D., his focus quickly returned to his own concerns.

Even though S.H.I.E.L.D. had taken responsibility for the Whiplash incident caused by Ivan Vanko, the NYPD couldn't entirely wash their hands of the situation.

The crux of the matter lay with Justin Hammer and Hammer Industries.

Justin was an unavoidable key figure in this incident.

More importantly, Justin Hammer had been "kidnapped" right in front of the NYPD.

Of course, whether it was a genuine "kidnapping" or not was still up for debate.

However, George Stacy firmly believed it was the NYPD duty to uncover the truth behind Justin Hammer "abduction."

If, as George suspected, Justin had orchestrated the kidnapping himself to stage a retreat and operate from the shadows, then George swore he'd make Justin Hammer regret it.