With Thor's powerful declaration hanging in the air, the newly formed alliance felt a surge of hope. Nick Fury, however, brought them back to reality with a dose of grim pragmatism.
"That's good to hear," Fury said, his one eye scanning the room. "Because as of right now, we have almost no actionable data on what's coming. We're flying blind."
Thor scoffed. "Then what in Hell are you for, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Before Fury could retort, Tony stepped forward, swirling the last of his drink. "Relax, Point Break. I'm here. Which means we'll have data by tomorrow." He set his glass down. "And I think we're going to need to find a few more players for this game. This team is good, but it's not big enough."
With that, the meeting was adjourned. The heroes began to disperse, the Asgardians heading off with Jane to find suitable quarters, leaving a palpable tension in the room. Steve Rogers picked up Mjolnir, the familiar Uru metal, cool and solid in his grasp, and turned to leave. He found Tony Stark falling into step beside him as they walked down the long corridor of the Helicarrier.
For a moment, they walked in silence.
"I heard stories about you, you know," Tony said, breaking the quiet. "From my dad."
Steve glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "And what did he tell you?"
"That you were brave. Stubborn. Annoyingly righteous," Tony said with a half-smile. "He admired you. I think… I'm beginning to accept that fact."
A genuine, warm smile touched Steve's lips. "Coming from you, that's high praise, Tony."
"Don't get used to it," Tony quipped. He paused, his tone becoming softer. "I also wish you could have had that happy life with Agent Carter. Sharon. She was one of a kind."
Steve's smile became wistful. "Yeah, she is. I am happy with Sharon now. I'm trying to change, to live in this century." He looked at Tony, really looked at him. "You're not so bad yourself, Tony. Under all the noise."
"Thanks for the compliment. I think." Tony stopped, turning to face Steve directly. "But I think Captain America is long gone. That name, that identity… it belongs to the man in the ice. You're someone new now. You're wielding the power of a god. Why don't you give yourself a new name?"
Steve looked down at Mjolnir in his hand. "It's still a lot to take in."
"I know it chose you," Tony said. "Come on. Change with the times. You have new power, a new life. Why not a new name? Start from scratch. Create a new identity."
Steve considered it. The idea was appealing. A way to honor his past without being chained to it. "That idea… isn't bad," he admitted. "Got any ideas?"
Tony's eyes lit up. This was his element. "How about… Nightshield?"
Steve wrinkled his nose. "No."
"Thunderguard?"
"Too on the nose."
Tony snapped his fingers. "Stormwarden."
Steve stopped walking. He rolled the name around in his mind. Stormwarden. It felt right. It spoke of his new power, the storm he could command, but also of his undying purpose: to be a warden, a guardian for those who couldn't protect themselves. "That's… a unique name," he said, a slow smile spreading across his face.
"Do you like it?" Tony pressed.
"Stormwarden," Steve repeated, this time with conviction. "It's good. From today onwards, I'll call myself Stormwarden."
"That's my friend," Tony said, clapping him on the shoulder.
Steve looked at him, a sense of unusual camaraderie settling between them. "Hmm," he said thoughtfully. "You're the first friend I've made in this century, Anthony Edward Stark."