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"Tony, Steve."
"Do you know what we're up against this time?"
Anthony called up a holographic star map and pointed at the dark void.
"Dark Elves. Their leader Malekith holds the Aether Particle. His goal isn't to occupy Earth or steal oil."
"He intends to use the Convergence to unleash the Aether Particle and drag this Universe into eternal darkness."
"If he succeeds, there won't be any casualty statistics," Anthony's voice was ice-cold. "Because everyone will be dead."
Anthony stepped up to Tony and stared straight into his eyes.
"Facing a threat like this, you want to talk about protecting children?"
"But…" Tony tried to argue.
"No 'buts', Tony." Anthony cut him off.
"This is total war. We need every bit of strength we can get."
"Those trainees chose to become heroes; this is the threshold they have to cross."
Tony Stark fell silent.
He looked at Anthony, wanting to retort, yet it felt as if something were blocking his throat.
Steve Rogers drew a deep breath and picked up the shield lying on the table.
"If things really are as you say…"
The Captain's gaze hardened. "…then we have no way out."
"That's why I'm running this reality show." Anthony pointed toward the door.
"They chose this path—chose to put on spandex and soak up cheers and applause."
"Then they have to pay the price."
"This battle is their rite of passage into adulthood."
"Those who survive earn the right to stand at my side as 'The Super Seven'."
"The ones who die…" Anthony's eyes were indifferent. "…that's a hero's destiny."
"He's right." Jessica took a swig; her voice was hoarse.
"This World is fucked. Better to face reality early than live in a fairy tale."
Tony Stark stayed silent a long while, then finally sighed.
"Fine."
He stood; the hesitation in his eyes was gone. "I'll give them the best gear, Jarvis will monitor everything. If anyone can't take it, I'll pull them out of the fight the instant I see it."
"Same here." Steve lifted his shield. "I'll lead the charge and stand in front of them. As long as I'm still standing, they won't die."
"That's the spirit."
Anthony showed a satisfied smile.
He stretched out his hand over the center of the four.
"For my Earth."
"Mine too!" Tony grumbled, but he placed his hand on top.
"For staying alive." Jessica set her hand down.
Steve was last, laying his hand atop the others and meeting everyone's gaze with firm resolve.
"For… tomorrow."
…Vought Studio Hall.
The air was thick with tension and excitement.
Thirty contestants who'd made the top hundred now stood below the stage in their gaudy costumes.
Anthony stood center-stage; no microphone, yet his voice carried clearly to every corner.
"Originally, today's schedule was to pit you against each other, fighting tooth and nail for those few advancement slots."
He paused, his gaze sharp as a blade.
"But the rules have changed."
"We're not playing house anymore."
"War is here."
"Dark Elves—evil aliens who want to wipe out Earth—are on their way."
"S.H.I.E.L.D. can't be counted on, the army's too slow to mobilize. The only ones who can protect human civilization… are us."
Anthony pointed at the thirty hopefuls below.
"I know why you joined this show—for money, fame, to see your posters in Times Square."
"No problem, Vought can give you all that."
"But first… you have to prove you deserve it."
"From this moment on, 'Who is the Next Superhero?' enters live-combat phase!"
"No arena, no referees, no one calling time-out."
"The battlefield is right here! Right on Earth!"
"All of you will be led by your mentors to meet the Dark Elves' invasion head-on!"
"Broadcast live! The whole World will be watching!"
"Perform the best and you'll advance straight into The Seven. Even if you don't make it in, you'll still receive… the 'Guardian of Earth' medal personally awarded by President Ellis! Plus Vought's S-Rank contract."
Boom—!
The room exploded.
Some flushed with excitement; others went white with fear.
"Hold up! Homelander!"
A hulking man who could multiply his size raised a trembling hand. "…You want us to fight aliens? Real guns and all? That… that wasn't in the contract!"
"Yeah! We just came for a talent show! What if we die?" a girl who could control plants shouted.
On the mentor dais, Steve Rogers rose.
"Kids," his voice was steady and powerful, "this is the price of being a hero. This isn't a game. If you're not ready to sacrifice…"
"…you can choose to quit!" Anthony took over.
"The exit's right there. No one will laugh—after all, being a hero was never meant for ordinary people."
"Even if you walk away, Vought will still offer you an A-rank contract."
The room stayed silent for a full minute.
At last the big man hung his head, stepped out of line, and walked toward the exit.
Once the first went, others followed.
"Sorry… I… I still have family…"
"I don't want to die…"
One by one, eleven people left the group.
The remaining nineteen stayed put; some legs trembled, but no one budged.
"Hah!"
A soft laugh cut through the gloom.
Pietro chewed gum, looking unfazed as he watched the deserters.
He turned to Anthony, ambition blazing in his eyes.
"Hey, big star—if I wipe out that alien boss, do I get to take your Captain's spot?"
The whole room gasped.
Anthony smiled; he liked that kind of ambition.
"If you can pull it off, Pietro." Anthony tapped his own chest. "This Captain's title… I'll gladly hand it over."
"But…" Anthony's tone turned dangerous, "…if you're all talk, I'll hang you on the lightning rod of Stark Tower and let you cure into jerky."
"Cool." Pietro shrugged.
"Me too! Me too!"
Wade Wilson, clad in red-and-black, leapt out twirling twin blades.
"I'm gonna kill aliens! My god, aliens—I've never seen aliens! You have no idea how much I hate myself for arriving in New York too late for the first alien war! What color do you think alien blood is? If it's green, will it be all sticky like slime?"
"Wade!" Tony Stark rubbed his temples. "If you can shut up for five minutes, I'll forge you two gold-plated long knives."
"Deal, Daddy! Awesome, Daddy! You have no idea how jealous I am that the little spider has a daddy like you!"
"What little spider?" Stark asked in confusion.
"Did I say little spider? You must've misheard…" Wade flatly denied it.