Compared to the bustling crowds of Manhattan, Washington D.C. appeared far more orderly...
Instead of dense forests of skyscrapers and intricate spiderwebs of highways, the city was dotted with enduring historical landmarks; the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Capitol Building, and more.
If New York was a modern metropolis, then this place was more like a witness to the history of the United States...
In a quiet café, Steve Rogers, dressed in casual attire, and his newly acquainted friend Sam Wilson were watching the news broadcast on the television. Nearly half a month had passed since the chaotic struggle within S.H.I.E.L.D.
With Nick Fury's whereabouts unknown and Alexander Pierce assassinated, the White House and military had intervened under legitimate authority, establishing a special department to take over S.H.I.E.L.D.
The leader appointed was General Thaddeus Ross, personally assigned by the newly inaugurated President.
Upon taking office, General Ross immediately rescinded the arrest warrant for Captain America, declaring that a war hero should not be treated this way. This gave members of S.H.I.E.L.D. loyal to Nick Fury's faction a glimmer of hope.
Unfortunately, the subsequent actions of this military heavyweight took everyone by surprise.
As the new supreme commander of S.H.I.E.L.D., General Ross initiated a thorough internal purge. One more radical than even Alexander Pierce's measures. It could only be described as an unprecedented reform and bloodletting.
A specialized law enforcement unit was established, composed of Umbrella Squad under the umbrella of Umbrella Corporation.
Mutant soldiers enhanced with super-soldier serum significantly bolstered S.H.I.E.L.D.'s overall strength. Any field agents or high-ranking personnel who voiced dissent were swiftly brought under control.
An investigation was launched into former S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury, confirming his alleged backdoor dealings with the mercenary group responsible for hijacking the Lemurian Star. He was accused of bypassing the World Security Council to engage in illegal activities, branded a traitor, and officially placed on the wanted list.
Had Alexander Pierce still been alive, he would have realized that General Ross's actions were clearly premeditated...
Hydra had eliminated Fury's loyalists, while the government tightened its grip on S.H.I.E.L.D., gradually rooting out Hydra's hidden operatives. Undercover agents like John Garrett and Grant Ward were systematically purged.
"Not planning to return to S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Sam asked.
The African-American man was Captain America's newly made friend, a former pararescueman with the 58th Rescue Squadron who had participated in the classified EXO-7 Falcon program. After the tragic death of his wingman, he chose to retire and now worked at the Veterans Service Center.
"That place has become a government-controlled intelligence agency. There's no reason for me to go back." Steve lifted his cup, the black liquid tasting especially bitter on his tongue, "I'm tired of all this."
"What do you think about the Registration Act Congress is about to pass?" Sam's face was etched with concern.
The world seemed to have changed overnight. Superheroes, once universally celebrated, were now facing government oversight.
Two weeks prior, General Ross who was now in charge of S.H.I.E.L.D. had formally proposed the 'Superhero/Superhuman Registration Act' to the White House. The move instantly ignited a firestorm of public debate, with the Avengers becoming the primary targets of scrutiny.
In the original timeline, this legislation would have been triggered by Tony Stark's creation of Ultron, which would lead to the Sokovia Crisis and pushing public and governmental dissatisfaction with superheroes to its peak.
But due to the butterfly effect, the timeline had shifted. There was no Tony Stark's Ultron, and no Sokovia Crisis. Yet the government's distrust of S.H.I.E.L.D. and superheroes had always existed.
The very concept of superheroes was inherently anarchic. And when people recalled the Hulk's global rampage, where numerous superheroes had failed to prevent massive property damage and casualties, resentment festered.
Thus, when the Superhero/Superhuman Registration Act was proposed, it garnered significant support. The debate raged on, with public opinion steadily turning against superheroes, placing them squarely in the crosshairs of controversy.
Captain America watched the televised uproar outside Capitol Hill, where crowds of reporters and onlookers had gathered.
Numerous senators stood before cameras, declaring that superheroes must be regulated. Only then could unnecessary casualties and destruction be avoided.
"After so many tragedies, America must ask itself: Are superheroes our hope, or our doom?" Academics engaged in heated debates.
"They save us, but they can't save us every time. Superheroes are like weapons; firearms must be controlled, and so must they." A senator voiced his stance.
"A playboy puts on a metal suit and becomes a hero? A bunch of costumed freaks flying over our heads? Our protection should come from the government, not private organizations!"
The Daily Bugle ran a front-page headline: «Who Watches the Avengers?»
...
From the Baxter Building, Sean observed it all...
Hydra had lost its direction. S.H.I.E.L.D. was leaderless. The chaotic landscape needed someone to restore order.
Like a chessmaster seated before the board, he manipulated events as if pulling the strings of puppets. With two colossal secret organizations dismantled, the next step was to bring superheroes under control. This would leave the world with no further obstacles.
Everyone believed they saw the truth. Little did they know that someone else was pulling the strings behind the scenes, shaping public opinion.
After enduring repeated disasters and attacks, the people of this land yearned only for peace and stability. But in this new era of proliferating superhumans, even the heroes were growing weary.
They were not omnipotent gods. They couldn't save everyone.
The public's adoration, cheers, and reverence had curdled into disappointment, resentment, and blame. Humanity's inherent flaws led them to shift responsibility onto others, rarely reflecting on themselves.
And so, the Avengers became targets of scorn and condemnation, just as the public once ridiculed the government. Those who suffered misfortune always sought an outlet for their anger. This time, it was the superheroes who found themselves in the crosshairs.
Watching the escalating spectacle outside Capitol Hill, Sean's gaze remained calm.
This was all within his expectations. Individual power could save victims, protect the oppressed, and shield the defenseless... but it couldn't change the world.
Perhaps, at times, superheroes were the very source of chaos. They attracted challenges, incited conflicts, and bred disasters. What this world needed was order, not freedom.
In another universe, even the 'Son of Krypton', who strived to show goodwill toward humanity, faced rejection. The sun's radiance brought warmth, but to those with darkness in their hearts, it was blinding.
"Things are getting more and more interesting." A faint smile touched Sean's lips.
He picked up a glass of warm milk and freshly baked bread. Then he headed toward the bedroom where a certain female agent (spent from a night of passion) awaited him.
In the future he envisioned, the Sentinel would become humanity's saviors. And Sean? He would be the architect of a new world.
His Rome was steadily rising...