Marvel: Father of Superheroes

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*****

Avengers Tower, conference room.

Except for Thor, all the Avengers were present—Tony, Steve, Bruce, Barton, Natasha, Pietro, and Wanda.

They were reviewing the evidence Kilian had sent them.

A few minutes later, once the material on the virtual screen had finished playing, Tony's gaze swept across the group.

"So, do you think it's credible?" he asked.

"Credible? How can anyone believe something like this?" Pietro scoffed. "While you're still investigating AIM, he suddenly takes the initiative to send over evidence and documents? That just screams suspicious."

Not earlier, not later, but right at this moment—he was obviously signaling there was something off.

"I agree with Pietro," Natasha said, lightly biting her finger as she thought. "I don't think this is everything he knows."

Hearing this, Steve and the others nodded slightly.

"Not everything? What do you mean?" Pietro asked, puzzled.

Barton explained quietly, "Like a lizard shedding its tail."

Throw out a piece of himself to draw our attention?

Pietro suddenly understood.

"Not just that," Steve added, folding his arms in front of him, brow furrowed. "This evidence mostly points to the Mandarin and Strucker. In these documents, he paints himself as an innocent man forced to collude with the Mandarin under threat. But… is he really innocent?"

Bruce shook his head, but Tony let out a cold laugh.

"Innocent? You'd have better luck convincing me Mac is just an ordinary man."

This was the same man who blew up his company and even tried to kidnap Pepper.

There was no way Tony believed Kilian didn't know about all that.

"Then why do this? What is he trying to gain? And why now? Isn't he afraid of the Mandarin?" Pietro asked in quick succession.

"Maybe he just thinks doing this will benefit him more," Natasha replied softly.

The room fell silent as everyone sank into thought.

Just then, Bruce slapped the table. "Guys, I don't think this is even the main issue. All we need to do is catch Kilian. Right now, we have something far more urgent to deal with."

At his words, all eyes turned toward the virtual screen.

'Today, the Mandarin will make a big move.'

This was the last message Kilian had left them.

"We need to figure out if this is true, what this big move is, and whether it's worth our attention," Steve said gravely.

The conference room fell silent again.

Pietro scratched his head, then let out a long sigh.

When everyone looked his way, he quickly covered his mouth and gave an awkward smile.

Wanda scolded, "What are you doing at a time like this?"

"Uh, I was just thinking—it's our first Christmas in the new place, and now this happens. Guess the holiday's ruined."

Wanda gave him a look of exasperation. "You're not a kid anymore, and—"

"Wait," Tony interrupted, frowning. "Did you just say Christmas?"

Then, as if something clicked, he turned to Steve. Their eyes met.

"Don't tell me you're thinking what I'm thinking."

After a pause, both said in unison, "Christmas Eve!"

With that reminder, the rest quickly realized what it meant, their expressions shifting to shock.

Pietro blinked. "Uh… what's Christmas Eve got to do with anything?"

Wanda tugged his sleeve helplessly. "This afternoon—Christmas Eve speech."

"What the heck is that? Isn't Christmas Eve for partying?"

"…"

Wanda could only look at her brother in defeat.

"Because of the recent surge in terrorist attacks," Barton quickly explained, "the President will be giving a Christmas Eve speech at noon in front of the White House to calm the public."

Pietro frowned. "That's insane. How is that supposed to calm anyone? Catching the mastermind is the right move."

"Heh, politicians. Having a few screws loose is pretty normal for them," Tony said with disdain.

When you can't catch the real mastermind, you resort to little gestures like this to soothe people and bump up your approval ratings.

"Notify the White House. We're getting ready," Steve ordered, and the Avengers dispersed quickly.

They donned their suits, packed their gear, prepped transportation—and just as everything was ready, they saw Tony storming out of the conference room, his face full of rage. A bad feeling immediately rose in their chests.

"Tony?"

"F—! Do they all have pig brains?!" Tony snapped. "They said the event can't be canceled! They even think our intel is fake."

Everyone exchanged stunned looks, finding it hard to believe.

The Avengers warning you without cause?

And regardless of whether the intel was true, shouldn't you take it seriously?

"Doesn't matter. Let's just move," Steve said firmly.

…

Meanwhile, at the White House.

It was business as usual—people going about their work as though Tony's earlier call had no effect at all.

In truth… the call really had no effect.

More precisely, it never even reached the White House office.

It had been intercepted by one of Jason Stryker's cloned mutants.

Stryker had to ensure tonight's speech went smoothly.

Because tonight's stage was not only set by the Mandarin and his people, but also by Stryker himself—who had been hiding in the shadows—preparing it to showcase his "products."

He would not allow anyone to interfere.

After receiving Tony's call, he had even arranged some special "trouble" for the Avengers to delay their arrival in Washington.

…

At that moment, Mac and Gwen were out shopping.

Christmas lights, garlands, stockings, and various little decorative trinkets.

Since most of their old decorations were worn out, they decided to buy new ones.

On top of that, Mac bought a lot of spices and ingredients.

As for gifts—last night, while Gwen was asleep, Mac had secretly opened a portal to another country and gotten them.

Gwen was holding two pounds of pork in one hand and cotton candy in the other. She eyed the large bags of food in Mac's hands and asked curiously, "Dad, can the two of us even finish all this?"

Mac put the items in the car's trunk, took the pork from Gwen, and gave her a playful wink. "Who said it's just the two of us?"

"Aunt Raven?"

"Right." Mac nodded. "And one more."

"Brother Charles?"

"He probably won't make it. He's spending Christmas with the kids at school."

"Hmph."

Gwen pouted in disappointment—until a thought struck her, and she asked excitedly, "Then… is it Brother Erik?"

Mac smiled and nodded.

(End of Chapter)