❛In the shadows they operate, an organization with roots that go deeper than SHIELD or Hydra, the Hand, or even the Illuminati. Little is known about them, about who they are, or what they seek… but in my fourty years of research one common thread has come to my attention: something known simply as ‘The Council’ which has been mentioned time and time again in all the texts, scriptures, dialogues, and documents that I have analyzed. From my data, it seems as though the Council’s power extends far beyond the limits our imaginations could fathom, and its influence ripples throughout the natural history of mankind. Throughout the natural history of the universe, even. Such magnitude of power should not be taken lightly.

            They live among us to this very day… we just don’t know it.

            Though following the recent security breach and the leaking of these confidential documents, I suspect my time here is limited. I fear a great darkness is approaching, one that even I or S.H.I.E.L.D. cannot keep at bay this time. So… I’ll end with this: ‘In the art of war, he will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.’ It is with a heavy heart that I sign off tonight, with the knowledge that I likely will never see any of you again. Goodnight.            ❜



        xxIn his ominous final broadcast to the world, Director Francis of S.H.I.E.L.D warned the world of a global catastrophe, an extinction-level threat that even he and the brave members of SHIELD would fail to contain. Cryptic as it was, world leaders took drastic measures to see to the preservation of humanity, preparing for any and all crises that could have befallen earth. Fortified, mankind waited for the so-called ‘Council’ to make its first move… so when a month passed with nothing to note, skepticism began to spread. By the fifth month, activity had returned to normal, and now a year out, it seemed the only thing that happened was SHIELD continuing to operate in the shadows… or so thought the public.

        Within SHIELD, the threat was real. It had started with the disappearances of many high level officers in the organization. Initially thought to be the workings of HYDRA, it soon became evident to Director Francis that something else was pulling the strings. When the infamous ‘Applegate scandal’ happened and the Director’s black box files were leaked into the public, it was then that Francis understood. But it was also too late, because only hours after his broadcast, he too went missing.

        SHIELD didn’t just return to the shadows… it collapsed on itself and fell into the eternal abyss. Humanity was left unprotected. Now that the year of waiting is over, only the world leaders know of what is happening. Humanity is kept in the dark for now, but as they live in ignorant bliss their days are numbered.

        Who will rise up to defend the world when it's needed the most?