"Tony, Steve."
"Do you know what we are going to face this time?"
Homelander called up a holographic star map and pointed at the dark void.
"Dark Elves, their leader Malekith, holds Aether. His purpose is not to occupy the earth, nor to grab oil."
"He wants to use Celestial Convergence, release Aether, and drag this universe into the darkness of Eternity."
"If he succeeds, there won't be any casualty figures." Homelander's voice was cold to the bone. "Because everyone will die."
Homelander walked up to Tony and looked directly into his eyes.
"In the face of such a threat, you talk to me about protecting children?"
"But..." Tony still wanted to refute.
"No buts, Tony." Homelander interrupted him, "This is a total war. We need every bit of our strength."
"Those students, since they have chosen to become heroes, this is the threshold they must cross."
Tony·Stark was silent.
He looked at Homelander and wanted to refute, but found that his throat seemed to be blocked.
Steve·Rogers took a deep breath and picked up the shield on the table.
"If the situation is really as you said..." The captain's eyes became firm. "... Then we have no way out."
"This is why I want to do this reality show." Homelander pointed to the door.
"They chose this path. They chose to put on tight clothes and enjoy the cheers and applause."
"Then you have to pay the price."
"This battle is their coming-of-age ceremony."
"Only those who survive are qualified to stand by my side and become 'The Seven'."
"Dead..." Homelander's eyes were indifferent, "... that is the fate of a hero."
"He's right." Jessica took a sip of wine, his voice hoarse, "This world is fucked up. It's better to recognize reality early than to live in a fairy tale."
Tony·Stark was silent for a long time, and finally sighed.
"Okay."
He stood up, and the hesitation in his eyes disappeared. "I will give them the best equipment, and I will let JARVIS monitor the whole process. If someone can't hold on, I will kick him out of the battlefield as soon as possible."
"Me too." Steve picked up the shield, "I will lead the charge and stand in front of them. As long as I am still standing, I will not let them die."
"That's right."
Homelander showed a satisfied smile.
He stretched out his hand and placed it between the four of them.
"For my earth."
"It's mine too!" Tony added angrily, but also put his hand up.
"To live." Jessica put his hand on his hand.
Steve finally put his hand up and looked at everyone with firm eyes.
"For... tomorrow."
Vought studio hall.
The air is filled with tension and excitement.
Thirty contestants who have advanced to the top 100 are currently wearing their own fancy uniforms and standing below the stage.
Homelander stood in the center of the stage, without a microphone, but his voice clearly spread throughout the audience.
"Originally, today's schedule is for you to have a two-by-two PK and fight for those damn promotion spots."
He paused for a moment, his eyes as sharp as a knife.
"But now, the rules of the game have changed."
"We won't play house anymore."
"War is coming."
"Dark Elves. A group of evil aliens who want to destroy the earth are on their way."
"S.H.I.E.L.D. can't be counted on. The army is gathering too slowly. The only one who can protect human civilization... is us."
Homelander pointed to the thirty people in the audience.
"I know why you are participating in this show. For money, for fame, and to put your poster on Times Square."
"No problem, Vought can give it."
"But only if... you have to prove that you are worthy."
"From now on, 'Who Is the Next Superhero?' enters the actual combat stage!"
"There is no ring, no referee, no call to stop."
"The battlefield is right here! On Earth!"
"All of you will be led by your mentors and directly face the invasion of Dark Elves!"
"Full live broadcast! Global witness!"
"The one with the best performance will be directly promoted to the Seven. Even if he does not enter, he will receive... the 'Earth Defender' medal personally issued by President Ellis! And the S-level contract of Vought."
Boom--!
There was a stir under the stage.
Some people were so excited that their faces turned red, while others were so frightened that their faces turned pale.
"Wait! Homelander!"
A strong man who could double his body raised his hand and said with a trembling voice, "... Let us fight aliens? With real swords and guns? This... it's not written in the contract!"
"Yes! We are just here to participate in the draft! What if we die?" Another girl who can control plants also shouted.
At the instructor's table, Steve·Rogers stood up.
"Children." His voice was steady and powerful, "This is the price of being a hero. This is not a game. If you are not ready to sacrifice..."
"You can choose to quit!" Homelander took over, "The door is over there. No one will laugh at you, after all... being a hero is not something ordinary people can do."
"Even if you withdraw, Vought will still have an A-level contract for you."
There was silence for a minute.
Finally, the strong man lowered his head, walked out of the team silently, and walked towards the door.
With the first, there is the second.
"I'm sorry... I... I still have my family..."
"I don't want to die..."
One after another, eleven people left the team.
The remaining nineteen people stood there, although some of their legs were shaking, they did not move.
"Ha!"
A chuckle broke the dullness.
Pietro was chewing gum and looking at the backs of those leaving with an indifferent expression.
He turned to look at Homelander, his eyes overflowing with ambition.
"Hey, big star. If I kill that alien leader... can I take your place as captain?"
The whole audience gasped.
Homelander smiled, he liked this kind of ambition.
"If you can do it, Pietro." Homelander pointed to his chest, "This captain... so what if I give it up to you?"
"But..." Homelander changed the topic and his eyes became dangerous, "... if you are just good at talking, I will hang you on Stark Tower's lightning rod and dry you like bacon."
"Cool." Pietro shrugged.
"And me! And me!"
The Wade Wilson wearing a red and black tights jumped out, waving two knives in his hand.
"I want to kill aliens! Oh my God, aliens, I've never seen an alien. You don't know how much I hate myself for not coming to New York earlier and missing the first alien war! What color do you think the alien's blood is? If it's green, will it be as sticky as slime?"
"Wade!" Tony·Stark rubbed his temples, "If you can shut up for five minutes, I will make you two gold-plated long knives."
"Deal! Daddy! Great! Daddy! You don't know how much I envy Spider-Man to have a daddy like you!"
"What Spider-Man?" Stark asked in confusion.
"Did I say Spider-Man? Maybe you heard it wrong..." Wade denied it.