Chapter 78
What Little Spider
"Tony, Steve."
"Do you know what we're facing this time?"
Azu pulled up a holographic star map and pointed to the dark void.
"The Dark Elves, led by Malekith, wield the Aether. His goal is not to conquer the Earth, nor to seize its oil."
"He intends to use the aggregation of celestial bodies to release ether particles, dragging this universe into eternal darkness."
"If he succeeds, there won't be any casualties." Azu's voice was icy cold. "Because everyone will die."
Azu walked up to Tony and looked him straight in the eyes.
"In the face of such a threat, you're talking to me about protecting children?"
"But..." Tony wanted to argue.
"No buts, Tony," Azu interrupted him. "This is a total war. We need every ounce of strength."
"Those trainees, since they chose to become heroes, this is the threshold they must cross."
Tony Stark remained silent.
He looked at Azu, wanting to retort, but found that his throat felt like it was blocked.
Steve Rogers took a deep breath and picked up the shield that was on the table.
"If things are really as you say..." The captain's eyes hardened. "...Then we have no way out."
"That's why I'm doing this reality show," Azu said, pointing to the door.
"They chose this path. They chose to wear leotards and enjoy the cheers and applause."
"Then there will be a price to pay."
"This battle is their coming-of-age ceremony."
"Only those who survive are qualified to stand beside me and become the 'Super Seven'."
"Those who die..." Azu's eyes were indifferent, "...that is the fate of heroes."
"He's right." Jessica took a sip of her drink, her voice hoarse. "This world is a mess. It's better to face reality sooner rather than later than to live in a fairy tale."
Tony Stark remained silent for a long time before finally sighing.
"All right."
He stood up, the hesitation in his eyes disappearing. "I will give them the best equipment, and I will have Jarvis monitor them the whole time. If anyone can't hold on, I will kick them off the battlefield immediately."
"Me too." Steve picked up his shield. "I'll lead the charge and stand in front of them. As long as I'm standing, I won't let them die."
"That's right."
Azu smiled with satisfaction.
He stretched out his hand and placed it between the four people.
"For my planet."
"It's mine too!" Tony added irritably, but still placed his hand on it.
"To live." Jessica put her hands down.
Steve finally placed his hand on it, looked at everyone, and his gaze was firm.
"For...tomorrow."
……
The Walter Studio.
The air was thick with a tense yet excited atmosphere.
The thirty contestants who made it into the top 100 are now standing below the stage, dressed in their own colorful and flamboyant outfits.
Ah Zu stood in the center of the stage, without a microphone, yet his voice clearly resonated throughout the entire venue.
"Originally, today's schedule was for you to have a head-to-head competition, fighting tooth and nail for those damn advancement spots."
He paused for a moment, his gaze sharp as a knife.
"But now, the rules of the game have changed."
"We're not playing house anymore."
"War has come."
"Dark elves. A group of evil aliens who want to destroy Earth are on their way."
"S.H.I.E.L.D. is unreliable, and the military's mobilization speed is too slow. The only ones who can protect human civilization... are us."
Azu pointed to the thirty people below the stage.
"I know why you're on this show. For money, for fame, for putting your posters up in Times Square."
"No problem, Walter can provide it."
"But the prerequisite is... you have to prove that you deserve it."
"From now on, 'Who's the Next Superhero?' enters the practical stage!"
"There was no ring, no referee, and no call to stop."
"The battlefield is right here! Right on Earth!"
"You will all be led by your mentors to directly confront the invasion of the Dark Elves!"
"Live streaming throughout! Witnessed globally!"
"The best performer will directly advance to the Super Seven, and even if they don't make it, they will receive... the 'Earth Guardian' medal personally awarded by President Ellis! And Vought's S-class contract."
boom--!
The audience erupted in uproar.
Some people were so excited their faces turned red, while others were so frightened their faces turned pale.
"Wait! Homelander!"
A burly man capable of multiplying in size raised his hand, his voice trembling slightly, "...We're going to fight aliens? Real weapons? This...this isn't in the contract!"
"Yeah! We're just here for the audition! What if we die?" another girl who could manipulate plants exclaimed.
Steve Rogers stood up from the mentor's seat.
"Children," his voice was steady and powerful, "this is the price of heroism. This is not a game. If you are not prepared to sacrifice..."
"You can choose to quit!" Azu chimed in. "The door's over there. No one's going to laugh at you. After all... being a hero isn't something just anyone can do."
"Even if you withdraw, Walter will still offer you A-level contracts."
There was a minute of silence.
Finally, the burly man lowered his head, silently stepped out of the line, and walked towards the gate.
Once there's a first one, there's bound to be a second.
"I'm sorry... I... I still have family..."
"I don't want to die..."
One by one, eleven people left the group.
The remaining nineteen people stood still, some of them with trembling legs, but they did not move.
"ha!"
A soft laugh broke the silence.
Pietro chewed his gum, watching the departing figures with an indifferent expression.
He turned to look at Ah Zu, his eyes brimming with ambition.
"Hey, big star. If I take down that alien leader... can I take over your captain's position?"
The entire audience gasped.
Azu laughed; he liked this kind of ambition.
"If you can do it, Pietro," Azu pointed to his chest, "this captaincy... how about I give it to you?"
"However..." Azu's tone shifted, his eyes turning dangerous, "...if you're only good with words, I'll hang you on the lightning rod of Stark Tower and let you dry like a piece of cured meat."
"Cool." Pietro shrugged.
"Me too! Me too!"
Wade Wilson, dressed in a red and black bodysuit, jumped out, brandishing two knives.
"I'm going to kill aliens! My God, aliens! I've never seen aliens before! You have no idea how much I hate myself for not coming to New York sooner and missing the first alien war! What color do you think alien blood is? If it's green, will it be sticky like slime?"
"Wade!" Tony Stark rubbed his temples. "If you can shut up for five minutes, I'll make you two gilded longswords."
"Deal! Daddy! That's great! Daddy! You have no idea how envious I am of Spider-Man for having a daddy like you!"
"What little spider?" Stark asked, puzzled.
"Did I say anything about Spider-Man? You must have misheard me..." Wade denied it outright.