No one likes a long-winded lecture; Peter understood this perfectly. However, sometimes it was crucial to let young people know exactly what they were going to face. Some believed that young superhumans simply needed training, experience, and instruction.
But Peter felt it was more important for those aspiring to be superheroes to understand the risks involved. Just as every firefighter knows that their job requires rushing into burning buildings and carries a risk to their life, it was necessary for everyone to know the stakes and the kind of path they were embarking upon.
Oh, and aside from that, one had to remember to attend school. So, Peter told Nova that he would take him to S.W.O.R.D. after classes were over.
"As it turned out, we were let out early because Harry was kidnapped. I even had to pretend I was rushing over from outside, which caused a bit of a delay."
Peter was at S.W.O.R.D. headquarters, explaining what had happened to Tony and Captain America. Not far away, Nova was shouting nonsense like, "Oh my god, I'm actually in space!" Had this kid not even realized after getting the Nova helmet that it allowed one to breathe in space?
Superheroes these days were getting worse with every generation.
"So, you thought these little runts needed some exercise and dragged us up here?"
Looking at Nova in the distance, Tony mostly felt it was making a mountain out of a molehill. He even brought up Cap's old argument from years ago: "And keep in mind, not everyone wants these kids getting trained. Some people believe children shouldn't be on a battlefield."
Cap gave Tony a somewhat speechless look before turning to Peter. "I agree with your views on superheroes and responsibility. I also know the consequences of what happens when a soldier doesn't know what they're fighting for. In my time, the veterans had PTSD because they wondered why they were the ones who survived and wanted revenge for their comrades. Veterans today just feel like executioners. So, I want to hear your take."
"How exactly do you see this?"
"It's simple, Cap. At first, I just intended to see how these 'youngsters' would handle things. But when I discovered Richard Rider's situation, I suddenly realized that no one was teaching them about the risks they would encounter, the consequences they would bear, or their responsibilities. If we, who recognize this, don't do something, the result could be catastrophic."
Peter explained his perspective: "But that's not even the most troublesome part. These people might get discouraged while being superheroes and choose to quit, or even become villains. If we step in, all of that can be avoided."
"Classic Spider-Man logic," Tony remarked. "If we do something, we can avoid something bad; if we don't, things will get messy."
Cap paused for a second or two before asking, "How messy?"
"If we don't do it, then others might. The Pentagon, S.H.I.E.L.D., or even the H-Y-D-R-A lurking in the shadows..."
Peter hadn't even finished the name "HYDRA" before Tony caught on instantly, looking toward Cap. "You know what, Cap? I think the kid is right. Can you imagine what would happen if the White House or Nick Fury trained these kids? Oh wait, Nick Fury is already doing it."
Tony had a considerable lack of trust in the US government and S.H.I.E.L.D. (actually, no one really trusted them, but Tony was particularly severe on this point). Thus, once he understood Peter's reasoning, he immediately offered his support. Cap, meanwhile, continued to deliberate.
If the White House or S.H.I.E.L.D. were to train these new superhumans, would they tell these recruits exactly what kind of situations they would face at every moment?
"And the Avengers have the reputation to stop all that. As long as we announce that we're starting to train young, new Avengers, all the kids looking to get into this business will flock to us. No one will care about Nick Fury's mess anymore."
Tony continued to whisper in Cap's ear. "And we have the space, Cap. Don't forget our plan; this fits perfectly. Plus, the new Avengers base."
"Plan?"
Peter didn't quite understand what Tony was referring to. He knew Tony was building a new Avengers base in New Jersey—a massive facility with usable space dozens of times larger than Avengers Tower.
But what was the plan?
"The Greenwich Initiative, also known as the 24-Hour Project," Cap took over the explanation. "A project Tony and I discussed together. It was originally called the Fifty State Initiative—to find corresponding superhumans in all fifty states, train them to be superheroes, and assemble them all as an army to face enemies when necessary."
Tony picked up the thread. "And very quickly, we chose to expand the plan further. We hope to cooperate with superheroes worldwide, striving to ensure that every time zone has an excellent and powerful superhero team."
A massive organization that set aside national animosities to stand united when Earth faced a crisis—a plan to ensure that no matter which corner of the globe was attacked, someone would respond immediately. This plan was named after the standard time zone: Greenwich.
"I agree."
After listening to Peter and Tony, Cap nodded. "We may not need these children on the battlefield, but we do need to guide them. We cannot leave this matter to anyone else—not the White House, and certainly not S.H.I.E.L.D."
"We will establish an academy. It might be like a police academy or a military academy. We won't just teach them how to fight; we will guide them toward what is right."
Once Cap finalized the decision, he looked back and forth between Tony and Peter. "What do you two think of the name 'Avengers Academy'?"
It was pretty good, if a bit blunt.
As Peter thought this over, he heard Cap say with some excitement, "So, where do we begin?"
"Let's start with Nova. We happen to have a very suitable teaching aid right here."
Just as Peter finished speaking, an unpleasant sound came from behind him. He turned to see Nova—with the bucket-like helmet on his head—being slammed into a wall by some unknown force.
But the real trouble wasn't that he went flying; it was that in his panic, Richard Rider released energy from both hands, searing a hole right through the S.W.O.R.D. warship.
Peter and Tony looked at Cap simultaneously. Cap lowered his head and let out a sigh.
Too late, sorry.
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