◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews.
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones. or 500 Collections
◇ You can read 50 chapter ahead on P@treon of which 10 Chapters are free. if you're interested: patreon.com/Heroicverse
------------------------------------------------
"So..." Tony understood Homelander's meaning, "What do you want to do?"
"We must take the initiative," Homelander's eyes burned like fire. "Control public opinion, isolate the scene."
"We're holding a press conference. Right now."
"A press conference?" Tony was somewhat resistant. "At a time like this?"
"Yes, Tony. You need to stand up." Homelander's tone was firm. "You need to tell the World what happened."
"Only then can we legitimately take over the scene and keep those official agencies that only cause trouble out."
"And..."
Homelander looked Tony straight in the eye.
"This is also the price you must pay."
"...I understand."
Tony sighed, his gaze regaining its determination.
"I'll do it."
...One hour later.
The press conference hall downstairs at Vought International headquarters was packed with people.
Hundreds of cameras and microphones from various media outlets were aimed at the podium on stage.
After Ashley briefly explained the course of events.
Tony Stark, wearing a simple black suit and looking haggard, stepped onto the stage.
Flashes flickered frantically, and the sound of shutters merged into one.
There was no grand opening, no dazzling entrance ceremony.
Only a simple sentence.
"I am Tony Stark."
His voice was somewhat low, echoing in the hall.
"Many people call me Iron Man, call me a superhero. But today, I stand here not as a hero, but as a man who made a mistake."
The entire room fell silent.
"The current crisis at Avengers Tower stems from my arrogance."
Tony looked directly into the camera without any evasion.
"I tried to create an artificial intelligence to protect the World, but I failed. I created a threat named 'Ultron'."
The audience instantly erupted; reporters scrambled to raise their hands, but Tony ignored them and continued.
"Because of my mistake, hundreds of innocent hostages are now trapped in Avengers Tower, facing life-threatening danger."
"To take responsibility for all this, and to prevent similar disasters from happening again."
"I hereby formally announce—"
"The Avengers, as of this moment, no longer exist."
Whoosh—!
This news instantly ignited the public opinion sphere. That legendary team that had saved New York was ending just like that?
"Avengers Tower and its surrounding areas will be handed over to Vought International for emergency lockdown and handling."
"And I personally..." Tony glanced at Homelander standing in the shadows backstage, "...will join Vought as a technical consultant, subject to their supervision and guidance."
After Tony finished speaking, he gave a deep bow.
This move, while causing huge controversy, also miraculously calmed the anger of many citizens.
Admitting mistakes, taking responsibility, and accepting supervision.
This was the attitude the public most wanted to see... Backstage at the press conference.
Homelander watched Tony on stage, expressionlessly adjusting the frequency of his earpiece.
"Skynet."
"Report the situation."
"Understood, Mr. Starr," Skynet's voice reached Homelander's ears. "With your help, I have successfully utilized the energy signature of the Mind Stone to infiltrate the internal network of Avengers Tower."
"Infiltration result: Highly successful."
"Currently, I have taken over the building's low-level security protocols. All access controls, surveillance, and control of the Iron Legion originally belonging to Stark Industries have been transferred to the Vought mainframe."
"With one word from you, I can make all the Iron Man armors turncoat within 0.001 seconds, seal all exits of the building, and cut off the detonator signals."
At this point, a smile finally surfaced on Homelander's lips.
"Has Ultron noticed?" Homelander asked.
"He has not perceived it," Skynet replied. "I have constructed a 'normal operation' virtual feedback layer on the outer shell of his logic circuits. To him, everything is under his control."
"Additionally, I have cut off all external lines and wireless transmission ports of Avengers Tower, and constructed a quantum firewall around the perimeter."
"Ultron is now a prisoner in a cage."
"Beautifully done, Skynet," Homelander praised sincerely.
"My pleasure, sir."
"One more thing, sir," Skynet continued to report. "According to internal surveillance analysis, Ultron is forcing Dr. Helen Cho to use the Cradle of Life technology, combined with the 45 kilograms of Vibranium he scavenged, to create a biochemical body."
"A Vibranium body?" Homelander's heart skipped a beat.
Vision?
In the original story, that was Vision's body. A perfect combination of Vibranium and organic matter.
He could control his body's density at will, being almost indestructible like Vibranium, yet as soft and elastic as human skin.
He could even phase through matter.
More importantly, this body was the best vessel for an Infinity Stone.
In the six-stone form, he had beaten the Watcher into a retreat, forcing him to seek help from Dark Strange.
If it were such a body... Once this thought appeared, it grew wildly like weeds.
"Skynet."
Homelander issued the command, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.
"Maintain silence."
"Do not alert Ultron. Let him build it. Let him build that body."
"Understood, sir. Entering latent monitoring mode."
Communication ended.
Homelander straightened his cape, his expression instantly switching to the righteous and confident 'Hero Mode'.
Since the trump card was already in his hand, then next, it was showtime.
He stepped toward the front stage.
At this time, Tony had just finished answering the reporters' questions and was preparing to leave the stage.
Homelander walked toward him, reached out his hand, and tightly grasped Tony's hand under the spotlight.
"Well said, Tony."
He spoke into the microphone, his voice loud and full of charisma.
"Admitting one's mistake is already half the correction."
"Leave the rest to me."
He turned to face the camera, the audience waiting anxiously around the World, and the families of the hostages who were currently in tears.
"I know everyone is very afraid right now."
"Especially the families of those innocent people still trapped in Avengers Tower."
"I just want to tell you... from now on, they are not just your family."
"They are my family too!"
Homelander's gaze was incredibly firm, as if it could pierce through the screen and inject strength into everyone.
"I am Homelander."
"I promise you."
"No matter what is inside, I will bring them out."
"Everyone."
"Not a single one missing."
His voice was powerful and resonant, echoing throughout the press conference site.
"Please believe me."
"Vought will not give up on any family member!"
The audience fell silent for a second, then erupted into thunderous applause and cheers.
"Homelander! Homelander!"