"Finally," Amon continued, "our company has a very special department: the Mutant Power Recycling Department. I established this company partly for the sake of mutants. This department can, with their consent, remove their abilities. For most low-level mutants, their powers are not particularly useful and often come with negative side effects, such as physical deformities. They can come to our company to sell their abilities. Of course, they can also choose to only remove the negative aspects. The choice is entirely up to them."
As Amon finished, every eye in the room widened, except for Klein's and Ilyana's. Optimus Prime, of course, didn't count, as he wasn't human. Ilyana had long grown accustomed to Amon's strange and wonderful abilities; this sort of thing no longer surprised her.
"You can eliminate mutant abilities?" Scott shot to his feet, unable to remain seated. "Does the professor know about this?" The ability to remove a mutant's powers was world-shaking, something that could alter the very foundation of their existence.
"Calm yourself, Summers. Sit down," Amon said, his voice soothing yet firm. "We are only taking away their abilities, not destroying them. Think of it like a transaction. After the sale, the commodity still exists; it has simply changed hands. It is the same with mutant abilities. They just end up with someone who needs them more."
Amon's words were laced with a strange, convincing power. Scott's agitation subsided, and he slowly sat back down.
Amon added, "Do not replace the people in this department. The work is... complex. Others would not be able to handle it. Now, you can direct any further questions to Klein; he will take care of the administrative details."
Tony jumped in. "When does this Superhero Guild business officially launch? I've got a killer idea for the rollout."
"Ask her," Amon said, jerking a thumb toward Ilyana, who was currently enjoying a shoulder massage from her transformed motorcycle, Artemis.
At the mention of her name, Ilyana signaled for Artemis to stop and sat up, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Haha, Vice President, your timing is perfect. I also have a brilliant plan. Let's implement it immediately!"
Tony's confident smile faltered. He had a sinking feeling that her idea of a "brilliant plan" was not going to align with his own.
Tony Stark held another press conference, and once again, the world's media was thrown into a frenzy. Iron Man, along with a mysterious new partner, had formed a company dedicated to the theme of superheroes.
At the press conference, Tony boisterously declared the formation of a massive superhero collective, bringing together the X-Men and the alien Autobots. He announced that anyone who dreamed of becoming a superhero could now apply at the Marvel building for an interview. Those who passed would receive professional training to become real-life heroes.
"Who is the superhero? My friend," Tony said, pointing a finger directly at the camera with infectious enthusiasm, "you are the real superhero!"
CRASH!
At S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, another electronic monitor shattered. An enraged Nick Fury had hurled his coffee mug at the screen.
"Sir, that is the fifth screen you have broken in the past two weeks," Agent Maria Hill stated dryly, unfazed.
"Damn it! Then go apply for more funding! The base's equipment needs an upgrade anyway!" Fury snapped.
Hill remained silent, knowing better than to argue.
"What in the world is Stark trying to do?" Fury raged. "Does he want to turn the world into a circus? He's actually working with mutants! And what's the deal with this 'Marvel' company? Who are they, and how did they get into bed with Tony Stark?"
Facing her boss's tirade, Hill responded with practiced efficiency. "The Marvel company building appeared two years ago. Their influence spans the globe. The New York branch was the first to appear and is presumed to be their headquarters. They are a deeply mysterious organization; no one knows how they developed so quickly. It's as if they materialized overnight. Our agents have investigated, but have come up with nothing. All we know is that their public-facing leader is a young man named Klein Moretti."
Hill had already reviewed S.H.I.E.L.D.'s file on the organization in anticipation of Fury's questions.
"Send in Black Widow. I want to know everything about this 'Marvel' group. And notify the White House. I need a secure conference."
"Yes, sir," Hill replied, turning to carry out his orders.
A short time later, Nick Fury stood in a dark, secure conference room, surrounded by multiple large screens. He activated the system, and one by one, the faces of high-ranking government officials appeared.
"Fury, what's the reason for this sudden meeting?"
"We have a lot on our plates, Fury. We don't have time to waste."
The voices, tinged with annoyance, came from the various screens. These were his liaisons in the White House. Fury's face, already dark, grew darker still. He could clearly see that one of the officials, a man who had just complained about being busy, was broadcasting from a sun-drenched beach, a tropical drink in his hand.
"Gentlemen," Fury began, his voice tight, "I'd like to ask how you all do your jobs. How did a problem of this magnitude develop right under your noses?"
The official on the beach laughed. "Our esteemed Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. seems confused. I've been saying for a long time we should replace him. What's the problem?"
"I agree!"
"No problem here!"
Similar responses echoed from the other screens.
Fury's one eye widened in disbelief. "Are you people not watching the news? How can you not know about the massive incident Tony Stark just created? How did you approve a company like Marvel?"
"What's the issue? Isn't this a good thing?" one official said with a smile, adjusting the monocle on his eye. "Just think of it: making 'superhero' a profession will greatly promote social progress. How fascinating!"
"Indeed," said another, also raising a monocle to his eye. "Cooperating with mutants could help ease the current tensions between humans and mutants and allow for better integration into society."
Fury couldn't believe what he was hearing. These were the same men who had always been vehemently anti-superhero and had constantly sought ways to suppress mutants. Had Stark bought them off? Or were they being secretly threatened? He couldn't find a logical explanation and could only attribute this bizarre reversal to the mysterious Marvel organization and Tony's bottomless pockets.
"You weren't singing this tune before," Fury scoffed.
This sentence seemed to trigger a new line of attack. One of the officials immediately shot back, his voice dripping with condescension. "The past is the past, Fury. The present is the present. You shouldn't use the past to judge the present. If you can't even grasp that simple concept, I will have no choice but to report this to my superiors and recommend they find someone a little more... forward-thinking... to be the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D."