Throughout the next week, officials and even ordinary people tried to locate the Avengers, especially Asmodeus, who had detonated the Security Council center. However, despite the efforts of various intelligence agencies, they couldn't find anyone who had been on the battlefield that day.
On the S.H.I.E.L.D. aircraft carrier, Nick Fury sorted through documents at his desk. At that moment, Hill approached him.
"Any news on the Avengers?"
"Yes. Tony Stark and Steve Rogers are here."
"At last! Where are the others?"
"I don't know. They didn't say, but honestly, they don't seem to be in a friendly mood. I think launching a rocket against the council damaged the relationship with the Avengers."
"They are needed in the world. I don't believe they would abandon the common people to their fate! Alright, why argue about it here? Take me to them."
Five minutes later, Nick Fury sat at a table, looking at Tony and Steve with his piercing eyes.
"So, how come you're all leaving the team?!"
"Well, we found out that the actions of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the government do more harm than good to humanity, and as for protection... That battle in New York means nothing in the grand scheme of things. Besides, you don't even know what's happening within your own organization while trying to save the world. In short, we're leaving. Natasha and Barton are leaving too."
Seeing that Nick had nothing to say, Hill intervened.
"I, as a representative of the Security Council within S.H.I.E.L.D., must say, you do understand that Asmodeus has already been declared a fugitive and is considered a criminal. Do you want a manhunt opened for you as well?"
"They can try. But I want to show you what Asmodeus told us."
A hologram emerged from Tony's suit, displaying the Avengers sitting in an ancient temple on cushions, chatting and drinking wine. In the video, clearly intoxicated Tony addressed Asmodeus.
"Asmodeus, while we understand the reasons behind your attack on the Security Council, you must realize they'll hunt you in our world. Well, at least on Earth."
And in a similarly intoxicated manner, Asmodeus responded,
"So what? Welcome, let them come. If they come to me before I return to my world, I'm not against destroying a couple more Security Council buildings. We could even make a world tour called 'Purging Useless Organizations.' By the way, the same will happen if they meddle with you; you're now my wizard friends. I don't care what's happening on your Earth, but I believe Muggles have no right to dictate to wizards how to live! So, if they mess with you, give me a call. The next time I return, I won't mind clearing out these useless structures!"
Asmodeus said and fell asleep due to excessive drinking. What did you expect? Although Asmodeus's body is enhanced by mana, it doesn't mean that consuming Asgardian wine brought by Odin would leave him unaffected.
At this moment, the video comes to an end.
"Do you want me to send you the file?" Tony asked with a smile on his face.
Understanding that the conversation with Tony didn't go well, Hill tried to address Steve.
"And you, Captain? Are you of the same opinion? You swore to defend this country from enemies!"
"Exactly, from both external and internal enemies. That's why I fully agree with Asmodeus. Although his methods are sometimes too harsh, I support him. Politicians and other freeloaders have no right to control those who truly defend the earth!"
"You!?"
"That's not all. Besides leaving the Avengers and severing ties with the Security Council, we're also forming a new organization - Watchmen. It will be self-governed and not subject to the jurisdiction of the Security Council. And as I've mentioned, in case of any attempt to control, sabotage, or interfere with our activities to any degree, we will respond in kind. We are ready for war, and what about your so-called council?"
"....."
Both Hill and Nick simply couldn't comprehend and make sense of what happened to these two in the past week. It was as if they had been replaced!
Little did they know that the Ancient One had taken all the Avengers on a journey through the multiverse, much like she will do with Strange in future. She showed them the real dangerous enemies, gave them books about the universe explaining the state of affairs in the galaxy, and revealed dark entities like Dormammu, and so on. Now they perceive the world entirely differently; they understand that so-called countries, states, nations, etc., have no significance on a universal scale, especially parasitic organizations like the Security Council, infested by Hydra.
"You're out of your minds. No state will let you go!" exclaimed Nick Fury.
"I don't think so. I've taken precautions. Besides Asmodeus, I have something else. Jarvis, how are the nuclear weapon codes?"
"Sir, I control 40% of the U.S. nuclear stockpile. In case of threat, we are ready to launch missiles at any moment," replied Jarvis.
"Excellent."
At this moment, Nick Fury couldn't take it anymore. He stood up and slammed the table.
"Tony! Do you want to become dictators!? To terrorize the entire world!?"
"No, no, it's just our insurance policy. Honestly, soon you won't even notice our presence. Besides Stark Industries, we'll almost cease to be in the public eye. Our base will be beyond the reach of any technology and ordinary people in the general sense of the word. As long as you don't plan to sic your dogs on us, nothing will happen. By the way, the missiles controlled by Jarvis, if necessary, will target military bases worldwide to minimize civilian casualties. So, I say our conditions again. You leave us and our environment alone, and we won't touch you, and everyone will live in peace. We'll handle global catastrophes, alien invasions. But we won't be a tool in the hands of politicians. By the way, Nick, if you keep allowing Skrulls to proliferate among humans, we won't mind cleaning up that filthy race of thieves! Get rid of them as soon as you can!"
"You? How did you find out!?" exclaimed Nick.
"Technology can't detect Skrulls, but magic can. Well, okay, I bid you farewell."
Tony said, leaving the conference room with Steve. When the door closed, Nick, feeling powerless, slumped into his chair. He couldn't understand what had happened, how Tony learned about the Skrulls, how he lost control, and why everything spiraled out of control.
"Director, the council urgently requests your presence in the meeting room. They just received news about the return of Iron Man and Captain America..."
"Let's go. I don't think they'll like this meeting."
The unfolding events left Nick Fury in a state of confusion and concern about the uncertain future that lay ahead.
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