One person's strength can only go so far. While Hong Fei remembers the origins and abilities of countless heroes, he has neither the time nor the need to seek them out individually. The Superpower Foundation will act like a powerful magnet, naturally drawing these extraordinary individuals together. Anyone who believes they're special can come and prove themselves.
The rewards for joining are substantial. Since most superheroes come from ordinary backgrounds, the foundation can solve ninety percent of their problems. And once they're in, the Dragon King—founder of the Superpower Foundation—will have countless opportunities to harvest skill cards and fusion cards from them.
Hong Fei doesn't demand overwhelming power from his recruits. As long as they're genuine—not ordinary people pretending to be something they're not—they're welcome. Street-level heroes, those with bizarre abilities, even those with seemingly useless powers—none will be turned away. Even the weakest skill card has value as upgrade material. That was always the plan.
Establishing the Superpower Foundation now, separate from Superpower Park, is simply a matter of timing and convenience. Of course, once the news breaks, S.H.I.E.L.D. will start sweating—this effectively strips them of some authority. Governments worldwide will likely view the organization with suspicion, too.
He could have taken the subtle approach, slowly infiltrating through Superpower Park to achieve the foundation's goals quietly. But after careful thought, he realized there was no need for stealth. Bold, direct action suits his status far better. The Dragon King. A name the whole world knows.
What the Avengers failed to accomplish, he did. What Thor couldn't kill, he destroyed. The cities and lives doomed to ruin? He saved them. Simple as that. Once the foundation launches, Hong Fei expects global attention and widespread support.
No one will object—not meaningfully, anyway. Those who do won't be in any position to matter. Anyone foolish enough to interfere or oppose him will still be clinging to their reputation. They'll want to keep their dignity intact in public. And if they cast it aside? Well, Hong Fei can always help them lose it properly.
Trouble will come eventually—just not yet.
December 23, 2013.
Steve arrived alone. Hong Fei met him at the door.
"Christmas is right around the corner. No plans?"
"Not much to plan when you're by yourself."
"You could visit England."
"I… don't know if I should."
"If you want to go, then go."
Hong Fei grinned, effortless and unbothered.
"No matter how much you overthink it, the choice is yours alone. Why not make yourself happy?"
Steve gave a rueful shake of his head.
"I wish it were that simple for me. I can't just… let go like you do."
Hong Fei mirrored the motion.
"Anyone can. Your life is yours. So is your peace of mind. Poverty, loneliness—those are just circumstances. True freedom starts from within."
Steve only sighed in response.
Inside the main hall, he didn't follow Hong Fei to the seating area. Instead, he walked straight to the center, where three artifacts stood under brilliant lights, their grandeur magnified by the glow.
Two sets were iron armor, while the third was the pelt of the Black Panther goddess Bast. Steve's gaze didn't linger on the largest pelt—instead, he zeroed in on Hong Fei's iron armor with its crimson base, white ocular slits, and coiling golden dragon motif. He moved closer, scanning the display case with methodical precision before locking eyes with the armor.
"Is this it? Or just a replica?"
"Not a replica. The real deal."
Hong Fei popped the display case open. Steve's hand hovered.
"May I—"
"Go ahead."
Hong Fei nodded.
Steve's fingertips brushed the metal with reverence. He didn't caress every inch like a lovesick fool, but even from behind, Hong Fei could see the quiet awe in his posture. What captivated him wasn't the armor itself, but what it represented from those pivotal days.
After a long moment, Steve spoke without turning.
"They say this armor carries special meaning. More than just the dragon."
"Meaning's in the eye of the beholder. Those who see it, see it. Those who don't? No amount of explaining helps."
"So you're like me?"
"We're nothing alike. Never have been."
Steve kept studying the armor as Hong Fei's voice came from behind him. Abruptly, he pivoted.
"I want one. All black."
A beat.
"I'll pay. If it's too much, deduct it from my future shares."
Hong Fei barked a laugh, slinging an arm around his shoulders. "It's a gift."
Steve didn't argue.
They settled by the window. Steve cut to the chase.
"When does the Superpower Foundation start relief efforts?"
"Soon. A week, max."
"I've got a suggestion."
"Shoot."
Steve wasn't just any Avenger—if anyone else had shown up today, Hong Fei wouldn't have bothered listening. The captain clearly had rehearsed this.
"Before we mobilize, we need a press conference. Global scale, if possible."
Hong Fei's water pitcher froze mid-pour. He looked up.
"Elaborate."
Steve leaned forward.
"Since 2012—the Chitauri invasion was a wake-up call. The world's gotten dangerous fast. Two years later? Dark Elves."
He shook his head.
"Don't get me wrong, Thor's a good guy. But terms like Asgard, Odin? They prove we're living in a different reality from my army days."
Hong Fei smirked.
"Some things stay the same. HYDRA's still kicking."
Steve's smile didn't reach his eyes.
"My point is, threats we couldn't imagine keep appearing. Know what shook me most about this attack?"
Hong Fei knew. He stayed silent.
Steve exhaled sharply.
"The realization that one being could level a city. Just one."
Hong Fei gave a slow nod. Malekith's display had been theatrical—not that his power wasn't real, but he'd been the first to showcase what solo devastation looked like.
Even without the Dark Elf fleet, he alone could trigger a tsunami that would drown millions. Against that? Humanity had no defense. Conventional weapons bounced off him. Nukes might work, but that's like shooting yourself to spite the enemy.
"Luckily," Hong Fei said, swirling his drink, "we're not completely helpless."
Steve studied Hong Fei's face, his expression brimming with quiet gratitude. Hong Fei remained silent, his features unreadable.
"The government's response to disasters like this is what shocks me most," Steve continued, his voice tightening.
"Not just slow—they were completely unprepared from the start. No organized defense. No real effort to protect civilians. They just hoped Thor would leave and the conflict would vanish. Meanwhile, the people in charge probably knew what was coming and fled like cowards!"
His fist slammed onto the table, rattling the surface.
"They're criminals, every last one."
Hong Fei still didn't react.
Steve's jaw clenched.
"When I thought I was about to die, my biggest regret was trusting them. I assumed they cared as much as I did. If I got another chance, I'd never put my faith in others again—especially not in people like that."
Hong Fei finally spoke, his voice calm.
"Lean on a mountain, and it crumbles. Depend on a man, and he flees. Begging for help is like swallowing a sword. Relying on others is like trying to climb to heaven."
Steve's head snapped up. "You're right. I never forgot the question you once asked me."
"Mm."
"You asked if I was the Captain for the few or the Captain for the many."
"You said the latter."
"And I stand by it. I was ordinary once. Even now, I still believe I belong with ordinary people."
"Mm. From the masses, to the masses."
Steve's eyes lit with fervor.
"Exactly! We share the same vision. The Superpower Foundation shouldn't just be another organization. I don't fully understand what it is yet, but in your hands, it'll surpass S.H.I.E.L.D. No HYDRA infiltration. No corruption. No cowards like the ones who abandoned New York."
He paused, watching Hong Fei carefully.
"And if there are? You'd kill them, wouldn't you?"
The question wasn't naive. Steve had dug into HYDRA's files during his S.H.I.E.L.D. days. He knew Hong Fei's methods. But he trusted him anyway—because their goals aligned, even if their paths differed.
"I will."
Hong Fei's agreement was simple. He wouldn't just kill them. He'd make an example of them.
"Then we go public," Steve said firmly. "A press conference. Let the world know about the Superpower Foundation—what we're doing now, what we'll do next. Give hope back to those who lost it. Bring in those who haven't joined yet. The Avengers are just a group of people Fury gathered together under the excuse of world security. We can be a team, but we don't necessarily have to be the Avengers."