Night had quietly descended on the island, the sea breeze carrying a hint of coolness as Su Zhan stepped out from his room aboard the spaceship. He could feel a subtle discomfort in his body, a side effect of devouring too much of the Aether's energy too quickly. Though he could absorb the etheric particles without much resistance, he knew there was a limit to how quickly his body could adapt. If he pushed too far, the balance within him would break, and the power he'd gained could spiral out of control. Even now, he sensed a faint restlessness stirring inside him—a temptation, a subtle pull that made it hard to stay calm.
Seeking to clear his mind, Su Zhan wandered out into the night. It was the first time he'd truly taken in the island's nighttime beauty. The landscape, bathed in moonlight, was transformed—peaceful, mysterious, and strikingly different from the busy, sunlit bustle of the day. For reasons he couldn't quite explain, he suddenly craved a drink. With a thought, he lifted off, crossing the night sky in a streak of light. When he landed, he found himself in the heart of a bustling city, where nightlife was just beginning.
He strolled down the lively streets, passing crowds of people and neon-lit storefronts. The city pulsed with energy. On one corner, women in heavy makeup and revealing clothes stood waiting, casting glances at passing men—clearly working the night in their own way. Two of them tried to catch Su Zhan's attention as he walked by, but he ignored their advances, focused on his own thoughts.
Soon, he found a bar that looked promising—busy enough to be lively, but not so crowded as to be overwhelming. The lights inside were dim, the atmosphere warm and inviting. As he scanned the room, searching for a seat, his eyes landed on a familiar figure in the corner by the window. He blinked in surprise. Natasha Romanoff—Black Widow herself—was here, and from the look on her face, she was just as surprised to see him.
Recovering quickly, Su Zhan made his way to the bar, ordered a few bottles of beer, and then walked over to Natasha's table. He slid into the seat across from her with a casual smile. "I didn't expect to run into you here," he said lightly. "Do you know what I thought when I first saw you?"
Natasha's lips curled into a sly smile. "Maybe… that tonight will be unforgettable?"
She was dressed in her signature style: black leather pants, a fitted black shirt, and a black leather jacket. She looked every bit the cool, confident spy.
Su Zhan shook his head, grinning. "No, I was thinking S.H.I.E.L.D. is too powerful. I just wandered into a random bar, and yet you beat me here."
Natasha arched an eyebrow, her expression amused. "You think I'm here waiting for you? Sorry to disappoint—I'm not."
"Oh?" Su Zhan opened a beer and handed one to her, curiosity in his eyes. "Then what brings you here? Don't tell me it's just for a drink."
She clinked her bottle against his and took a sip. "What about you?" she countered, sidestepping his question.
"Me? I just wanted a drink," Su Zhan replied, playing along.
Natasha leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "See that table on the left? Look at the bag on the chair."
Su Zhan glanced over. Three young people sat there—two men and a woman. On one chair was a travel bag, its zipper barely closed around a long, stick-like object that stuck out awkwardly. It was too long to fit inside the bag completely.
He turned back to Natasha, eyes narrowing. "So you're not just here for a drink after all. Am I getting in the way of your mission? Or should I find another bar?"
Natasha gave him a wry look. "Oh, come on. You really think I'd let you leave now? Do you know what that stick is? It's not ordinary. It radiates a kind of violent, angry magic. Those three have already killed innocent people. My mission is to retrieve the staff and figure out its origin."
Su Zhan shrugged. "Shouldn't be too hard for you."
Natasha smirked. "Maybe not, but with your help, I'm sure it'll go even smoother. Don't forget, you're technically a S.H.I.E.L.D. consultant—even if it's just in name. You can't just sit this one out, can you?"
Su Zhan groaned, shaking his head. "There's always a catch. I just wanted a drink."
She leaned closer, her tone softening. "Help me out with this. Afterward, we'll find a quiet place to have that drink together. Deal?"
Though he knew Natasha didn't really need his help, Su Zhan found he couldn't refuse her. There was something in her eyes—a mix of challenge and camaraderie—that made it impossible to say no. Besides, he had already recognized the staff for what it was. He'd originally expected to cross paths with Coulson over it, but fate had brought Natasha here first. It seemed this artifact was destined to fall into his hands.
He took another sip of his beer and asked quietly, "What's the plan?"
Natasha smiled. "You're in? Good. It's not the right time to make a move. We'll wait until they leave—then we follow. The staff is the priority."
"Understood," Su Zhan replied lazily, settling back in his chair.
They sat together, sharing quiet conversation and keeping an eye on their targets. Su Zhan knew that, even if Natasha hadn't asked, he would have intervened. But this staff—he had no intention of handing it over to S.H.I.E.L.D. or anyone else.
As they waited, Natasha glanced over at him. "How's your base coming along?"
Su Zhan sighed. "Building from scratch isn't easy. I need more people—maybe then it'll go faster."
"If you asked Nick Fury, he'd be happy to help," Natasha teased.
He snorted. "That's the problem—I'm not happy with that arrangement. If Fury wants to help, it's never simple. I'd rather do it my way."
Natasha laughed, raising her bottle in a silent toast. The two of them, unlikely allies in a world full of secrets, settled in to see the night through knowing that, in the Marvel universe, even a chance encounter could change everything.