Marvel: My Sign-in System

"In itself, from their position and perspective, this is the logical choice, Storm," Tony said calmly, his gaze meeting Storm's.

Storm, as a mutant, had a natural dissatisfaction with the government and retorted sarcastically. But Tony, unfazed, understood her frustration.

Facing the group's collective stares, Tony took another sip of his wine and explained, "You must realize that Laufey and the Frost Giants were primarily targeting Thor Odinson. From a pragmatic standpoint, the sane choice to avoid unnecessary losses is to sit on the sidelines."

"Without benefits, why would anyone risk war with another civilization for one person?"

"So?" Storm raised an eyebrow, her tone sharp.

Tony shifted gears. "While it's understandable from their perspective, that doesn't make it the right decision. Sitting on the sidelines avoids losses, yes, but it's conservative and short-sighted."

He gestured with his glass for emphasis. "Thor isn't just anyone; he's a member of Asgard's royal family and its future king. Asgard is far more powerful than Earth. We don't know what dangers we'll face in the future or how other cosmic civilizations will view us—friendly, neutral, or hostile. I don't trust the kindness of the universe."

The room grew quieter as Tony's words sank in.

"To stand alone in this vast cosmos is foolish. Earth needs allies. Strong allies."

Tony's gaze sharpened as he continued. "And Asgard is the best candidate. Based on the intel gathered by S.H.I.E.L.D., we know our world is just one of the Nine Realms tied to the World Tree. Asgard sits at its center, dominant and advanced. They cross dimensions with ease, live for thousands of years, and possess immense power, as Thor and his warriors demonstrated in battle."

Jean Grey's voice broke the silence. "That explains why Director Fury and Professor Charles pushed for us to join the fight. Gaining Thor's favor as the future king of Asgard could influence their stance toward Earth."

Tony nodded appreciatively. "Exactly. Whether Odin exiled Thor to Earth intentionally or by coincidence, it gave us a unique opportunity. Befriending Thor strengthens Earth's position in ways no government strategy ever could."

Logan exhaled a puff of smoke, smirking. "You guys are pretty crafty. Can't say I thought about all that, but Thor and his friends? They've got guts. I wouldn't mind having more like them around."

Tony, however, remained focused. His expression darkened as he leaned forward. "But here's the real issue: who is Leon? And while we're at it, what about Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, Sergei, and Natasha? These people appeared out of nowhere—like ghosts."

The room tensed at the shift in conversation.

Tony's voice dropped. "I'm not bragging when I say the AI I developed is unparalleled in the digital age. If I wanted to, I could crack into the Pentagon's most secure databases in minutes. But no matter how deep I dig, I can't find a shred of information about Leon or most of his team.

"Sure, Wanda and Pietro have a documented past. But the rest? Blank slates. No history. No traces. It's like they materialized out of thin air."

Tony's eyes scanned the room. "From the intel Fury provided, you encountered them at the Stryker base years ago. So tell me—what do you know about them?"

The group exchanged uneasy glances.

Tony pressed on. "Leon isn't just anyone. He's powerful enough to reverse time itself. Time isn't something tangible. It's not something humans—or even most beings—can grasp. In history, only gods have wielded such control over time.

"So, what is Leon? A human? An alien? A god?"

Tony's voice carried a rare note of unease. "And Natasha… A confirmed defector a few years ago, now capable of wiping out threats with ease. What changed? Who gave her that strength?"

The room remained heavy with silence as Tony continued. "Leon may have saved us this time, but until we understand who or what he is, I can't shake the feeling that we're flying blind. Powerful forces that we don't fully comprehend are at play. Are they friends or foes? That's what we need to know."

Tony's serious tone left the room in a somber mood. Nick Fury, Maria Hill, and Clint Barton exchanged wary looks, sharing Tony's unease.

Finally, Professor Charles broke the silence. "Mr. Stark," he said, his voice calm but firm, "I understand your concerns. Yes, we know some things about Leon and his team. But let me be clear: they have saved us—saved Earth—and we have always considered them allies."

Charles's gaze swept across the room, his conviction evident. "Without their consent, I will not reveal their secrets. Trust is what binds us, and I believe in them. But, Tony, why are you so insistent on uncovering their pasts?"