To be honest, the Joker's idea was a bit far-fetched.
An entire city like New York isn't just some abandoned factory you can refurbish like the hospital Nolan blew up in his movie. Taking it over requires more than just money.
This isn't something the President alone can decide.
Even if you gave the President and his entire family—his secretary, mistress, and even his wife's lover and their mistresses—immortality, it still wouldn't work.
But just because the President can't do it doesn't mean no one can.
Beneath the President is the Vice President, who happens to have a daughter who lost half her leg in an accident.
For his daughter's sake, the Vice President could act in the President's name, then shift all the blame to him afterward. Not only would his daughter's leg be healed, but he'd smoothly ascend to the presidency—what a win-win!
Thus, the Vice President was the Joker's true target, though there was no need to explain this to Madam Gao.
Madam Gao hesitated.
But the Joker smiled.
Hesitation meant consideration, and consideration meant there was a chance of agreement. As the saying goes, anything that can happen will happen.
As long as Madam Gao didn't outright refuse, the Joker had already won this game.
The Hand's Five Elders comprised five people, and the Joker had chosen Madam Gao after careful investigation and analysis. He was confident because she wasn't white, black, or Japanese.
While the Joker was negotiating with Madam Gao and preparing his plan to manipulate the Vice President, another person was also targeting him.
That person was Aldrich Killian, formerly a scientist and now a successful businessman, founder of A.I.M. Advanced Idea Mechanics.
He was also a key developer, researcher, and user of the Extremis Virus, a powerful super-virus.
Compared to the Joker, whose modest goal was to turn New York into an anarchic, chaotic land where everyone could enjoy primal freedom, Aldrich Killian's ambitions were far greater.
He planned to assassinate the President and control the Vice President who'd succeed him, thus taking control of the entire United States.
His plan also hinged on the Vice President's disabled daughter.
This shows that for a political figure, having a glaring weakness can be fatal.
Unfortunately, the Joker didn't know Aldrich Killian yet. Otherwise, they might have sparked even more chaos together.
But it didn't matter—villains always cross paths eventually.
Compared to these two still in the planning stages, another villain's plan was already in motion.
A few days later, on what seemed like an ordinary night, a brightly lit U.S. military base was undergoing a full-scale evacuation.
The base, sprawling across a vast area, had been around for many years. It had carried out numerous secret missions, including Project Pegasus, which gave rise to Captain Marvel. The base housed tens of thousands of scientists and soldiers, many of whom considered it their home.
But tonight, regardless of rank or role, everyone was ordered to evacuate.
Amid the chaos, a helicopter landed. Nick Fury and Maria Hill disembarked, their faces grim. Phil Coulson was there to greet them.
"What's the situation?" Nick Fury asked.
Phil Coulson shook his head. "The current situation is—we don't know what's going on."
This was the Joint Dark Energy Mission Facility, where studies on cosmic energy and dark matter were conducted—and where the Tesseract was kept.
The evacuation was triggered by the Tesseract, which had suddenly emitted an energy pulse. It was speculated that this could lead to catastrophic and unpredictable destruction.
An operation of this scale couldn't be kept entirely secret. In New York, Su Ye learned of the evacuation through S.H.I.E.L.D.'s internal network and anticipated the incoming storm—one that no one could escape.
At that moment, Su Ye stood atop the Osborn Tower. The top floor had been completely transformed from a corporate office into a command center for special operations.
Every role—from IT, communications, and administration to security and clerical work—was filled. The Red Shield branch was now operating smoothly.
It had to be said: Harry's ability to get things done was impressive.
With the venue and personnel in place, the task of vetting and indoctrination was handed over to Zheng Xian, seconded from the International Security Council. Su Ye didn't need to worry about anything; he only had to listen to Sharon's daily reports.
At the moment, Sharon was wearing a skintight combat suit like the one Maria Hill wore in The Avengers. The uniform highlighted her impressive figure.
"The Director and Deputy Director have arrived at the Joint Dark Energy Facility. They're heading into the underground lab!"
"The full evacuation of the base will take another half hour. Agent Coulson is handling the arrangements."
Using S.H.I.E.L.D.'s system, Sharon could monitor some of their key operations in real time and provided Su Ye with a verbal summary as she observed.
Su Ye stood with his back to Sharon and the bustling staff at their computers, quietly listening to her report.
He now understood why so many bosses liked standing by the window, back turned to their secretaries during reports. The experience of delegating while feeling in control was intoxicating.
Outside, New York's vibrant skyline remained unchanged. People were forgetful. Even though Times Square was now a ruin and far from being rebuilt, it didn't stop the citizens from indulging in their lavish lives.
The entire city had no idea that a calamity far greater than Times Square's destruction was approaching—one that would engulf all of New York.
Perhaps it's better that they remain unaware. Let them enjoy these final moments of peace.
Su Ye's lips curled into a slight smile before returning to a calm expression. Without turning, he gave his orders.
"Keep tracking the situation over there. Report to me immediately if anything changes. Also, notify the Great Wall Guardians to assemble in the conference room in half an hour."
"Yes, sir!"
It didn't take half an hour. In just a few minutes, Su Ye was in the conference room, facing all the members of the Great Wall Guardians.
Green Armor Hero Harry, Electro Max Dillon, Spider-Woman Gwen Stacy, Agent 13 Sharon Carter, and the lone fighter who stayed in New York—Terry Bogard, the Hungry Wolf.
Along with Su Ye himself—Wusheng, Spider-Man, and Batman—the Great Wall Guardians now comprised six superheroes.
Sharon Carter had initially been hesitant about her inclusion. After all, as an ordinary human, she felt out of place among a team of superheroes.
But Su Ye insisted on her joining. After all, even the Avengers had two non-superpowered members. Besides, the way Sharon bonded with Gwen in under ten minutes—making Gwen feel like they'd known each other forever, even to the point of wanting to share a bed—was reason enough for Su Ye to bring her in.
In the future, Su Ye was sure more of his girlfriends would join the team. With Sharon as the glue, she'd greatly reduce the chances of any infighting.
Max's identity issues had been resolved with Nick Fury's help. Strangely, after a nap in his cell, he reverted from his glowing blue form back to his original appearance, just like in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
In this new form, Max no longer looked like the super-criminal who destroyed Times Square, making his transition back into society much smoother.
After exchanging greetings, Sharon stood before the large screen to begin her briefing.
"Ten minutes ago, the Joint Dark Energy Facility experienced a massive explosion. The entire base has been almost completely leveled."
At the same time, a photograph appeared on the screen.
"According to the on-site surveillance footage, this man was responsible for the attack."
When Terry saw the photo, his eyes flashed beneath his cap. "Loki!"
"That's right, Loki—the trickster god of Norse mythology. Terry and Uncle Andy fought him before at the Shiranui Dojo, so they're familiar with his combat style."
The screen then displayed a detailed list of Loki's abilities, including duplication, illusions, invisibility, and other magical techniques he had used.
"Additionally, he wields a spear capable of releasing powerful energy blasts and controlling minds. Be extremely cautious if you encounter him."
"Currently, he's stolen the Tesseract and taken several S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and scientists under his control. As for his exact motives, we're still unclear."
After the briefing, Su Ye tapped the table. "Folks, the situation is grim. If anyone has something to say, feel free to speak up—let's hear your ideas."
After saying that, Su Ye felt something was missing. If only he had a pair of glasses, a military coat, and a large enamel mug filled with tea—then it'd be perfect.
Gwen pulled a laptop out of her bag. "I can upload the photo online and get my hacker friends to dig up information on him."
Harry and the others exchanged glances. "We're ready anytime."
"Alright," Su Ye nodded.
Until the portal opened and the Chitauri army arrived, there really wasn't much they could do.
After the meeting, everyone went downstairs to the lounge to rest and wait for orders. Su Ye glanced at Gwen typing away on her laptop, then shifted his gaze to Sharon, who was dressed in her snug combat uniform, flaunting a very flattering figure. Suddenly, Su Ye found himself facing a dilemma.