DC Heroes in Marvel

Washington, S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters

Maria Hill, Phil Coulson, and Nick Fury—the three pillars of S.H.I.E.L.D.—were gathered together.

Among them, only Hill remained standing. The other two, wrapped in bandages like mummies, sat slumped in wheelchairs, looking utterly miserable. Their only movable features were their eyes and mouths.

Despite the ridiculous sight, the atmosphere in the room was extremely tense.

"The World Security Council has made its decision. We have no chance."

Nick Fury's expression was grim.

"Our only way forward is to eliminate Hydra."

Coulson sighed. "If we can do that, we might earn back the World Council's trust and secure new appointments."

"S.H.I.E.L.D. is finished, and the Avengers are officially disbanded. So, Nick, what's your plan?"

Maria Hill stood with her arms crossed. Unlike the two injured men before her, she showed no sign of panic. Her tone was calm, almost indifferent.

"I know you don't plan on staying with S.H.I.E.L.D."

Nick Fury was silent for a moment.

Then he said, "I'm joining S.W.O.R.D."

"S.W.O.R.D.?"

Coulson's eyes widened. "Nick, you do realize the World Security Council is already forming a UFO Special Police Task Force? Its functions will overlap with S.W.O.R.D.'s. Are you sure this won't put you in direct conflict with them?"

"S.W.O.R.D. is still operating in the shadows. Only a handful of people even know about its existence. Right now, the World Council doesn't have a clear picture of S.W.O.R.D.'s scope, which means they won't move against us—at least, not yet."

Nick Fury's voice was steady, unwavering. "The truth is, their reach doesn't extend to extraterrestrial affairs. And whether they like it or not, the world needs S.W.O.R.D."

"The five permanent members of the World Security Council unanimously voted to create the UFO Special Police Force to make it clear that humanity is now united in facing extraterrestrial threats. Given that, S.W.O.R.D. is more necessary than ever."

Hill showed no surprise at Fury's decision.

She clearly knew about S.W.O.R.D. and said, "Anton has been chosen to lead the UFO Special Police Task Force. If you go through with this, you'll be competing with him. And he's not the type to make your life easy."

"Anton may be in the same camp as Batman, but you and I both know—he is not Batman."

Nick Fury was resolute. He never wavered once he made a decision.

Then, with a serious expression, he continued, "With Carol's help, S.W.O.R.D. has already gathered preliminary intel on interstellar affairs. The world is entering a new era. Hydra? They're relics of the past."

He turned to Hill and Coulson. "I'm done wasting time fighting Hydra. That's your job now."

Coulson interjected, "Batman also has a lot of information. He seems to know more about extraterrestrial matters than he should."

Nick Fury corrected him, "Superman."

"In all of Anton's movies, only Superman and Constantine have yet to appear. But logically, they must exist. As an alien, Superman is probably off-world—just like Carol was before she returned. If Batman has any cosmic knowledge, chances are, he got it from Superman."

Then, after a moment's pause, Fury added, "As for Constantine… well, you know how it is. Magic is a whole different world—one that ordinary people can't easily access."

"So, we've been on the same starting line as Batman from the very beginning?"

Coulson sighed.

"No."

Nick Fury's voice was firm. "We're already behind."

His expression was resolute.

"But we can't afford to fall any further."

New York

Tony Stark received word of the Avengers' disbandment ahead of time. His expression remained unusually calm, as if he had expected it all along.

But his eyes betrayed a sense of unease.

Even if the Avengers hadn't fallen apart, he would have left—just like Harry.

To be honest, his time with the Avengers had been the worst, most frustrating period of his life.

Tony had never imagined he could feel so powerless.

There was no denying that the Avengers were filled with exceptional individuals. Yet, somehow, when they came together, it was as if one plus one equaled a negative number.

Disappointing. Every single time.

Click!

His fist clenched tightly.

"Batman. Justice League."

He muttered the words, his tone a mix of helplessness and frustration.

Don't get him wrong—he didn't resent Batman or the Justice League.

He resented his own incompetence.

His failure to face threats head-on. His reliance on others. His constant vulnerability to enemy schemes.

Each and every one of these irrefutable truths stabbed at his pride like a dagger.

"It can't end like this."

Tony's face darkened.

"There shouldn't be only one superhero team in this world."

The thought flickered in his mind.

The Avengers were gone. Fine. They were doomed to fail anyway.

S.H.I.E.L.D.'s leadership had always been aimless, lacking any real sense of direction.

Tony's personality was full of pride—some would call it arrogance.

In the original timeline, Iron Man had grown into a true hero, one willing to take responsibility.

But in this world?

The repeated failures had pushed him to the edge.

Now, more than ever, he believed that no one could lead him.

No one but himself.

"I'll form a new superhero team."

Tony made his decision.

He had the talent. He had the wealth. There was no reason Batman could do it, and he couldn't.

So he thought of someone.

Captain America.

If he wanted to build a superhero team, he needed a symbolic leader.

In the Justice League, that figure was Batman.

For his new team, as Iron Man, he could be the mastermind, the organizer. But he wasn't the kind of figure people would rally behind.

For that, he needed Steve Rogers.

Aside from Cap, Tony ran through a list of potential recruits.

For now, no one else stood out.

He would extend an invitation to some of the former Avengers—except for Black Widow and Hawkeye.

S.H.I.E.L.D. still had its claws in them. If they joined, there was no telling how much information would leak back to Fury and Hill.

And that went against everything Tony wanted.

Instead, he considered some… unconventional choices.

Doctor Octopus. Sandman.

These two weren't exactly traditional heroes, but they were powerful.

And he had another special candidate in mind.

His old friend.

War Machine.

James "Rhodey" Rhodes.

As for the name of this new superhero team?

Tony thought long and hard before settling on a final decision.

The Illuminati.

….

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