Rewriting Control
"They created a UN panel to make sure what happened would never happen again. So where is that panel now? Where is their control over the heroes who fought each other while rejecting a law that forces them to register, yet doesn't even have the power to stop them when they lose control?
Is it really right that people who couldn't lift a finger if those heroes went out of control are the ones deciding what these superpowered individuals can and cannot do? Do they actually have what it takes to control them? Or did they even stop to think that this panel is made up of people who only speak in the name of civilians?
Or is this going to be like the politicians that members of VITAE exposed years ago, the ones who turned out to be terrorist spies infiltrated since the Second World War?
And what if this panel is corrupt like so many others? Don't tell me everyone truly believes not a single one of them is thinking about their own interests first.
What happens when a country not affiliated with the UN is attacked by invaders from another planet? What happens if my country needs help, but the panel isn't completely in favor of sending these heroes? And by law, they aren't allowed to move a single finger?
Because it's very easy to talk about control when you're not the one standing out there.
It's very easy to demand regulation when you're not the one hearing a building collapse behind you. When you're not the one watching your children trapped under rubble, waiting for someone powerful enough to arrive in time.
I've seen what happens when they arrive too late.
And I've seen what happens when they don't arrive at all.
Are you completely sure you'll be saved when these panels have never truly done anything for the world? They always talk about world peace. About ending hunger. But when exactly did hunger disappear because of their help? The closest thing to real intervention in the wars still raging across several countries is a letter that says, 'please, peace.'
Yes, the superpowered need oversight so something like this doesn't happen again. But is it really wise to leave that oversight in the hands of those who were already incompetent with the world we had?
Who decides when they move and when they don't? And if a full-scale war breaks out between them, can they truly stop it?
All you are doing is forcing everyone to pick a side. There is no neutral ground if this becomes a fight. Either you agree and allow your name to be registered so the enemies who hate you can find your family and the people you love. Or you refuse, and you'll be hunted down by heroes who chose to believe in a government that never truly gave them a reason to."
"Now here is the question. If someone without power, but with control over those who have it, goes mad with authority and starts sending heroes on missions that only serve their own interests… what happens to the people who actually need saving?
And who truly benefits from knowing their secret identities? The civilians? Or the ones who could use that information to control them for real, by turning their families into leverage?
The Registration Act was created to control heroes, to prevent tragedies like the one where several of my citizens lost their lives. But I stand here today to say that this law was never built in a way that truly considered every side.
And if you insist on pushing it forward as it is, you will only start a war that no country will be able to endure.
What we witnessed was barely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the power that exists in this world. That is why I stand before you today, because this law needs to be reorganized and completely restructured, so that it benefits both civilians and the heroes who save, and will continue saving, this world countless times more.
That is all."
People watched the same speech from their homes, from the streets, from their workplaces. It was being broadcast worldwide, in every language. And similar thoughts began to form in their minds.
Many understood what the man on the screen was saying. His words made sense. If it were them, would they accept those rules? Be hunted? Or fight back?
And what would happen when they fought back in the middle of a city? If it were just two neighbors arguing, it would be nothing more than gossip for the block. But if two beings capable of leveling buildings with a single punch clashed… that was different.
Was it truly necessary to go that far, simply to control something powerful? And what if the government later used those heroes in human wars? How many hundreds of soldiers would die?
They say the UN controls them. But who truly controls the UN? And could they even do it?
That fear began to sink in. At the same time, many started remembering the heroes who had saved them.
New York. New Mexico. The Chitauri invasion. The Frost Giants.
Once, people believed they were alone in the universe. All of that proved otherwise. It showed that there are threats beyond anything an ordinary human could defeat with ease. And that survival was only possible because of the help of superpowered beings.
Even those who still wanted the heroes controlled understood at least one thing.
They did not have that power.
And if anyone was going to stop the superpowered… it would have to be other superpowered individuals.
—
Meanwhile, inside the VITAE base, the metallic sound of tools striking damaged structures still echoed through the corridors. Some lights flickered intermittently, and the faint smell of burned material had not completely faded. Sections of the ceiling remained open, exposing cables and newly installed plates being fitted into place by robots designed by Tony. They were still repairing the chaos that had erupted outside just days ago.
Owen was leaning back, watching T'Challa, the King of Wakanda, as he finished speaking, a slight smile resting on his face.
"So… what now?" Pietro asked, sitting with the other VITAE members as they waited for the next move.
Owen gave them a calm smile.
"Well. First of all… it's time for VITAE to step down," he said evenly.
Every pair of eyes widened in surprise and confusion.
"What do you mean?" Nicolas asked, staring at him. After all, VITAE had been created by the old man not only to protect them, but to allow them to use their power to protect others.
"Obviously, our work changes from this point forward. Which means the name and the entire structure of what we're doing has to change as well.
We're going to need much more space. We have to establish divisions for Logistics, Intelligence, Tactical Support… and most importantly, Containment. We also need to create a supervisory council.
For now, we'll need one representative from each major power. At least one international government representative, so they don't start getting restless. That could be T'Challa.
We'll use the structure of the Registration Act… but adapt it. Registered heroes will register with us, not with governments. And it will mostly be for appearance. We don't even truly need their names. We already have them."
Owen spoke as if he were explaining something routine. Almost ordinary.
The others stared at him, still trying to understand where this was heading.
"Wait, wait. Are you saying what you're trying to create is basically a hero association?" Nicolas asked.
"Exactly," Owen replied calmly, glancing toward Tony.
Tony held his gaze for a moment before smiling, clearly pleased with himself.
"Yeah, I figured that much. So everything's already prepared. The real question is where we put the main base. I was thinking maybe the Moon… or just a satellite," he said casually. "The only issue would be how some of the lower-budget members get there," he added with a grin.
"Oh, that's something our scientific representative will handle. Reed Richards," Owen said, just as calmly.
"Why do I feel like this sounds straight out of a comic book?" Pietro asked suddenly.
"Maybe our lives are based on one," Owen replied, amused. "Now all that's left is adjusting the Registration Act into something that benefits us and allows this association to exist. But I'm sure they won't let that happen easily. Especially him. The one who pushed so hard for it in the first place."
Owen added the last part with a faintly mocking expression.
"Pushed?" Wanda asked, slightly surprised.
"Yes. Someone who couldn't tolerate heroes running free without control. Someone who always needs a way to manage everything. From the moment he lost control of the Avengers.
He pushed the entire Registration Act so he could sit on that panel himself and keep them under watch. And he was the one who brought a power strong enough to face me, so the world would see the kind of destruction 'uncontrolled' heroes could cause.
Without realizing I had already planned a large-scale confrontation… specifically to make it clear that we cannot be controlled.
So yes. You could say it backfired on him," Owen said, a slight smirk forming.
Some of the people in the room seemed to understand exactly who he was referring to. Others, like Nicolas and Pietro, still didn't.
"Who?" they asked at the same time.
"Oh. You're about to find out," Owen replied calmly, shifting his gaze toward the entrance.
At that moment, a soldier stepped in quickly and announced that an important visitor had arrived.
"Send them in," Owen said, as composed as if he had been expecting this all along.
Every head in the room turned toward the door… watching as someone began walking in.