S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, Tony Stark's Office
Tony Stark stared at the screen, his face grim as the newly passed Superhuman Registration Act played out. "Sir, the government has ordered a special task force to assist the Regime Squad in enforcing registration," Jarvis reported.
"How thoughtful," Tony said, rolling his eyes, fingers flying across a holographic keyboard. "Pull up everything on the Regime Squad. I want their weaknesses."
"No records found," Jarvis replied.
Tony squinted. "Then contact the others. Let's see where they stand."
Xavier Institute, Charles Xavier's Meditation Chamber
Charles Xavier sat, eyes closed, cerebro humming faintly. "Charles, did you see it?" Erik Lehnsherr stood by the window. "Humans trying to control us again."
"I saw, Erik," Xavier opened his eyes. "But violence will only worsen things."
"So we just register? Let them cage us?" Erik snapped.
"No," Xavier shook his head. "We need a smarter approach."
Hell's Kitchen, Apartment
Matt Murdock's fingers traced a braille newspaper, brow furrowed. "They think a superhuman squad can control everyone?" he muttered.
Karen Page looked worried. "Matt, you're not thinking…"
"No registration," Daredevil stood, red-black suit glinting in the shadows. "But we need allies."
New York, Next Morning
Sunlight bathed the streets, but the city's mood was tense. Times Square's billboards looped the President's signing of the Act, subtitles blaring: All superhumans must register within 72 hours or be deemed criminals!
Protesters swarmed, waving signs: "No Control!" "Superhumans Are People!" Riot police advanced, tear gas exploding, screams mixing with coughs.
Peter Parker, holding flowers, stood at a corner, frowning. He wasn't in his Spider-Man suit—Aunt May had begged him to stay home—but he couldn't resist checking the chaos. "This is insane," he muttered.
Boom! A blast echoed across the street. The crowd scattered, screaming. Peter looked up as an ordinary man mutated, muscles bulging, skin graying, swelling into a three-meter giant. "I won't be registered! I won't be caged!" he roared, smashing a fire hydrant, water erupting.
Peter raised his hand, but before he could act, a black jet roared overhead. A figure leaped out—Power Princess, silver armor gleaming, sword drawn, landing with a tremor. "Fool," she sneered at the mutant. "Defy the Act, face judgment."
The mutant charged, fist swinging. Power Princess sidestepped, her sword flashing. Slash! His arm severed, blood spraying as he collapsed, screaming. She pinned him with a boot, sword at his neck. "Last chance. Register or die."
Trembling, he sobbed, "I'll register."
She smirked, pressing her earpiece. "Target subdued. Prepare containment." Her gaze swept the terrified crowd, locking onto phone cameras. "Remember, citizens," her voice carried, cold and clear. "The Regime Squad exists to protect you. Unregistered superhumans are criminals. Criminals will be eliminated."
She hoisted the mutant, leaping back to the jet, which roared away, leaving a wrecked street and stunned silence. Peter clenched his fists, phone buzzing with an anonymous text: Tonight, Queens, 5th Street. We need to talk.
He scanned the area, ensuring no one watched, then slipped into an alley. "MJ, I'm studying at a friend's tonight, can't make dinner," he texted, eyes on the street.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Command Center
Holographic screens flickered with urgent reports. Tony stood, face dark, swiping through data. Coulson approached, holding an encrypted file. "Director, it's bad," he whispered. "87 superhumans forcibly registered nationwide, 23 arrested by the Regime Squad for resisting."
Tony eyed the screens, red markers tracking registrations and arrests, the Squad's efficiency chilling. "They've labeled S.H.I.E.L.D. a superhuman sanctuary," Coulson added. "Our operations are restricted. We could be branded criminals."
Tony paused, then said, "Jarvis."
"Here, Mr. Stark," Jarvis replied.
"Contact James."
Seconds later, a hologram showed James lounging in his Long Island villa, calm. Wanda and Kara, fresh from training, stood in the background. "Tony. Looks like you're in trouble," James said coolly.
Tony cut to the chase. "It's worse than we thought. The Regime Squad's controlling the White House, the Act's enforced, superhumans either register or get arrested. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s targeted."
James raised an eyebrow. "So?"
"I need your advice," Tony admitted, hesitating. "If we resist, we're fighting the government. If we do nothing…"
"I suggest becoming the next Injustice League," James interjected.
Wanda approached, holding a fruit platter. "What are you waiting for? They're already rounding people up!"
Kara shook her head at Tony. "Do your heroes just hold meetings?"
Tony gave a wry smile. "Not everyone's as reckless as you. We've got laws, public opinion, international relations."
James stood, gold eyes piercing Tony. "So what's your choice? Compromise or fight?"
Tony paused, then exhaled. "You know Stark Industries…"
James cut in. "Who's the Regime Squad's next target?"
Tony's eyes sharpened. "S.H.I.E.L.D.? The Avengers?"
"No," James shook his head. "Me. They know I'm the biggest threat, so they'll come for me first." He leaned closer. "Tony, you only need to do one thing."
The call ended, hologram fading. Silence filled the command center. Coulson looked at Tony. "Sir, what now?"
Tony closed his eyes, then snapped them open, resolute. "Activate the final protocol. Contact every ally we have. Tell the world—S.H.I.E.L.D. stands for freedom."
He paused, then added, "Jarvis, any unregistered heroes in New York?"
"Sir, Spider-Man, Daredevil, and others are unregistered. They're planning to meet in Queens tonight," Jarvis replied.
Tony took a deep breath, turning to Coulson. "Alert the Avengers. Prepare for battle."
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