No one knew about the disaster that happened on Earth today, and no one knew that the superheroes who saved Earth were currently huddled on the sofa, drinking cheap beer like ordinary people, sighing about what had happened today.
But after the mention of Ancient One's sacrifice, the atmosphere became heavy and gloomy. The room fell into silence!
The one to break the long silence was Captain, Steve. He stood up from the sofa and picked up his round shield, putting it behind his back.
"Alright, the matter is solved, so I should go back. Remember to tell me if something like this happens again—I might not be that strong, but I'd rather not die helplessly in my house."
After saying those words, Steve prepared to leave the villa.
"Wait, Steve. I suddenly thought of an idea after you said that. Let's discuss its feasibility!"
Tony stopped Steve from leaving with a cryptic sentence.
"An idea? Tell me!" Captain America stopped in his track and sat back down on the sofa, looking curiously at Tony.
"We all saw what happened today, so I won't waste your time rehashing it. Earth was invaded by another dimension, and without Li Yue's appearance and Ancient One's sacrifice, we would never stand a chance!
"I believe everyone knows the consequences, and that we could not afford it. Moreover, we also know that Earth has its own threats within. There are even mysterious existences like mages.
"I don't know much about the mages, and we can consider them on the righteous side for now. But what about others? How many secrets and hidden societies were there in this world?
"I believe that everyone has an answer. Another incident is inevitable, and we have no way of knowing whether they would be good or bad, nor when will another threat appear against the Earth.
"Hell, Thor's people used to be myths and legends, and yet here he its. Living and breathing. I won't be surprised if a bunch of alien would invade Earth someday."
Tony spoke like a machine gun, glancing at Thor, who was acting innocent.
Tony's words put a frown on everyone's face, but they couldn't deny that it was reasonable.
"Tony, we get what you're saying, but what is your purpose?" Captain America finally asked a question!
"Don't worry, you will understand soon. That baldie on SHIELD once mentioned a plan called 'Avenger' to me. I refused him harshly, but his idea was not unreasonable: to form an alliance of superheroes or people with special talent!
"What I don't agree was his idea of a reactive task force, only responding to a manifested threat. I propose that we fight back right when a threat become apparent, so that our enemies would know that Earth wasn't a pushover planet that they can bully.
"Therefore, I suggest that we set up a super hero organization that does not belong to any country, the United Nations, or even the government. We only have one goal, and that is to protect our home, Earth!
"Well, that's my proposal. Anyone disagreed?"
Tony quietly waited for a response, but nobody spoke. The room fell back into silence.
Captain America carefully weighed the feasibility of Tony's idea in silence.
Annie was newcomer in this world, and she wasn't familiar with Tony and the others. She had decided to follow Li Yue, anyway, so she would defer to him.
Thor, on the other hand, had an indifferent expression on his face. He was the son of Odin, the master of the nine realms. Protecting the peace of the nine worlds was his responsibility to begin with. In addition, his girlfriend Jane was an earthling, so he would definitely protect the Earth.
Li Yue, on the other hand, had a dumbfounded expression on his face. This plot had changed a little too much. Tony refused to join Nick Fury's Avengers, and wanted to form his own superhero organization?
Nick Fury had worked hard for nothing. Captain America and Thor were both supposed to be members of the Avengers. Tony had unknowingly headhunted them.
...
"Tony, I think the plan to form superhero alliance is feasible, but if I may be blunt, I don't think you are the best candidate to lead it. You are too arrogant. Your leadership will create a lot of problems," Captain America finally opened his mouth, but his scathing words darkened Tony's face.
"Capsicle, if it was the past me, I wouldn't have hesitated to challenge you into a fight in my armor. But for now, we should continue the discussion. I might not have explained it clearly, but you have misunderstood something!
"I am the one who proposed this alliance, but I didn't propose to lead it. In my plan, the alliance doesn't need a leader, and the alliance doesn't listen to any orders.
"We are not a company, or a government organization. We don't have to listen to anyone's orders. We just need to do what we think is right to protect our Earth.
"My Stark Tower is about to be completed. I can dedicate its highest floor as our headquarter, and I can also finance the alliance's expenses.
"Our only goal was to protect the safety of the Earth," Tony finished passionately, waiting for everyone's answer!
Li Yue felt that today's Dormammu invasion had left a big shadow in Tony's heart, but it was understandable. This kind of encounter would left anyone paranoid of the possibility that it can happen again!
However, Li Yue didn't expect that Tony would act so far out of character that he would propose the Avengers initiative himself.
...
"I agree to join."
While Li Yue was still thinking, Thor suddenly opened his mouth and agreed to Tony's proposal. His actions attracted curious glances.
"Uh, Thor? Why don't you think about it more carefully? I think you agreed too fast," Li Yue asked curiously.
How could Thor agree to join the alliance so easily?
"He said he would finance our expenses, right? I have been on Earth for more than a month, and I have been using Jane's money, so I, uh," Thor sheepishly replied
Indeed, although he was the son of Odin, the master of the nine worlds, and certainly would not care about the money of mortals, that was only when he was on Asgard.
Now that he was on Earth, he was penniless. The people wouldn't recognize him as the God of Thunder, and they won't give him free lunch either way.
Therefore, for a month on Earth, Thor had been living by his girlfriend Jane's money. Jane didn't say anything about it, but Thor still had his own pride as a man.