Donnie's expression showed genuine appreciation. "Thank you for the advice. I'll work on developing those tactical applications."
After Tony completed his commentary, Smith leaned toward his microphone. "Tell us about your views on superheroes, your plans for the future, and what you intend to do if selected for this team."
The question Smith had asked every candidate. Donnie, who'd rehearsed his response countless times backstage, launched into his prepared statement. With the examples of previous contestants to guide him, Donnie didn't say anything controversial or particularly unusual. His philosophy was competent and sincere but not especially memorable—hitting all the expected points without offering unique insights that would distinguish him from the field.
Donnie finished explaining his ideas and future plans within a few minutes, his nervousness gradually fading as he worked through his rehearsed material.
Smith studied Donnie as the young man concluded his statement, his mind processing multiple layers of analysis. After seeing the final candidate list, Smith had visited S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters and used his Inspector General authority to investigate both Chen Haoran and Donnie Gill's files.
The result had been revealing—the information matched what Eddie Brock's research team had obtained, but the files themselves had been created recently. Very recently.
To someone unfamiliar with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s operations, this might suggest the organization had only recently begun collecting intelligence on these two individuals. But Smith knew better. Chen Haoran had been under S.H.I.E.L.D. monitoring since initially awakening his fire-creation ability years ago. And Donnie was literally a S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy student enrolled for three years.
So Smith understood perfectly well that both were S.H.I.E.L.D. plants. Chen's enhanced abilities had almost certainly resulted from some unknown serum the organization had administered, while Donnie's awakening had occurred much earlier—possibly during that weather manipulation experiment mentioned in his cover story.
But thinking about both young men, Smith recognized they shared a common vulnerability—both were easily manipulated.
His transmigrator knowledge provided unfortunate context. In the original timeline, Chen Haoran had been deceived by Raina, who'd pursued his fire-resistance capabilities with single-minded ruthlessness. She'd extracted the fire-resistant cells from his body through brutal experimentation. Although Chen had eventually retaliated against his tormentors, he'd ultimately died beneath flames he himself had created—a simple-minded person whose dream of becoming a superhero had been exploited and destroyed.
Donnie Gill's fate had been similarly tragic. Also simple-minded and idealistic, he'd been fooled by Hydra agents operating within S.H.I.E.L.D. Eventually, he was shot and dropped into the ocean to die—another young person with potential whose naivety had proven fatal.
Both were too easily deceived, too willing to trust authority figures who claimed to have their best interests at heart. Instead of letting S.H.I.E.L.D. or worse entities manipulate them, better they learn the Fraternity's more pragmatic philosophy.
Comparing the two directly, Smith decided to choose Chen Haoran. Whether in the original timeline or currently, Chen embodied superhero ideals more authentically. His commitment to helping people felt genuine rather than calculated.
As for Donnie Gill—Smith suspected S.H.I.E.L.D. would need capable enhanced individuals when the organization's structure collapsed and required rebuilding. The enhanced people among S.H.I.E.L.D.'s products would eventually become Smith's subordinates anyway when HYDRA was exposed and he helped establish the successor organization. Better to send Donnie back to the Academy to continue developing his abilities in a controlled environment until that transition occurred.
The World Martial Arts Tournament Announcer bounded back onto the stage. "We've all heard Mr. Donnie Gill's philosophy. He's clearly another young person who aspires to become a superhero and help others."
He gestured toward the wings. "Now, please welcome Mr. Chen Haoran back to the stage to await the judges' final decision!"
Chen emerged to enthusiastic applause, taking position beside Donnie. Both young men stood with visible tension, their futures hanging on the judges' votes.
Smith glanced toward Tony and Ivan, making brief eye contact with each. "The last team member is about to be chosen. Let's begin deliberation."
Tony picked up his microphone, his expression carrying paternal concern as he looked at Donnie. "Donnie Gill, I understand your philosophy and appreciate your commitment. But my advice remains that you should finish your study first, then decide whether to pursue superhero work after graduation."
His tone gentled further. "Let us adults handle saving the world for now. I believe the future will be yours—you'll have your opportunity. But let us shoulder these heavy burdens and move forward first while you develop your foundation properly."
Tony raised his green approval sign. "This time, I vote for Chen Haoran."
Smith felt mild surprise at Tony's choice, though the reasoning made immediate sense. Tony had expressed similar sentiments about the future Spider-Man—hoping Peter Parker would enjoy youth and complete his education before diving into hero work. Of course, Peter hadn't been an obedient boy. He'd worked hard to become a qualified street hero despite Tony's concerns, eventually earning recognition through demonstrated competence.
Smith leaned toward his microphone. "My advice aligns with Tony's. Finish your studies first, Donnie. I believe you'll still become a powerful superhero after graduation—you'll have time to develop your abilities properly during those college years."
He raised his own sign. "I vote for Chen Haoran."
Ivan saw that both judges had voted for Chen, rendering his own vote strategically irrelevant. He smiled slightly and said, "Donnie Gill, I support you. My vote goes to you."
His tone carried encouragement despite the predetermined outcome. "I believe you can balance academics and heroic aspirations. Even though you won't join this team, you can still become a superhero independently."
Donnie's disappointment was visible but managed. "Thank you, Mr. Ivan Vanko. I appreciate your confidence."
The Announcer's voice boomed with theatrical excitement. "The result for the last member of The Paragons is decided! Let us congratulate Mr. Chen Haoran for becoming the seventh and final member of our superhero team!"
He spread his arms wide. "Applause for him!"
The audience erupted in celebration—genuine happiness for Chen's selection mixing with appreciation for all the contestants' demonstrations today.
Coulson, sitting in the audience section, accepted the result readily enough. Although Donnie had been their preferred candidate due to his scientific background and analytical capabilities, Chen Haoran was also their operative. The mission Director Fury had assigned was successfully completed—S.H.I.E.L.D. had an agent embedded in The Paragons.
Coulson's gaze drifted toward Smith sitting at the judges' table, his mind turning to recent investigation results. The Fraternity had purchased an island in the Pacific Ocean three years ago—a detail that initially hadn't attracted particular attention given how many properties wealthy organizations acquired.
But when flight records were cross-referenced, a pattern emerged. Before each "Sky Curtain" incident, several aircraft from Fraternity headquarters had flown to various locations worldwide, apparently collecting passengers before converging on that Pacific island.
Shortly after each Sky Curtain incident concluded, those same aircraft had dispersed worldwide again before eventually returning to Fraternity headquarters in New York.
The same pattern had occurred after both documented Sky Curtain events—too consistent to be coincidental.
Coulson had only discovered this information because the Fraternity's modified Airbus aircraft, while significantly faster and longer-range than commercial models, didn't possess full invisibility capabilities. Aviation registration applications for their flights remained mandatory, leaving documentary trails that could be traced with sufficient patience and authority.
Coulson mentally composed his report to Director Fury. Whether S.H.I.E.L.D. investigated that island would be the Director's decision, but the correlation between the Fraternity's gathering flights and reality-altering wish-granting events was too significant to ignore.
As the applause gradually subsided, the Announcer's voice rose again. "Now, please invite all members of the seven-person team to the stage!"
Alexei, Selene, Michael, and Wesley—who'd watched the entire selection process from the wings—emerged and walked toward center stage. T'Challa and Shang-Chi, who'd advanced earlier in the competition, joined them from the opposite side.
Seven enhanced individuals arranged themselves in a line across the platform—the first time all team members had appeared together publicly. The audience took in the sight with visible excitement, cameras throughout the venue capturing the historic moment.
Eddie Brock walked onto the stage, positioning himself before the assembled heroes. His voice carried pride and satisfaction as he addressed the crowd. "I declare the official formation of our superhero team! We will name this group The Paragons!"