The Avengers stood frozen, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and shock at John's statement. The silence stretched, thick with tension, as they tried to process his words.
Tony was the first to react. He blinked, then scoffed, his eyebrows shooting up in pure disbelief. "You're joking, right? Please tell me you're joking. Because if you're serious..."
John met his gaze with an unwavering stare, his posture relaxed, but his eyes held an undeniable certainty. Tony exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Unbelievable. I knew power changed people, but this? You're actually refusing? Just.... What happened to you john?"
Steve frowned, sensing the shift in the air. Natasha's eyes narrowed, carefully analyzing John's expression, looking for any sign of deception. Clint's arms were crossed, his mouth set in a thin line, while Bruce, the gears in his mind already turning.
Just as doubt began creeping into their minds, John sighed and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I don't have to bring this island back to Earth," he repeated, his voice even. "And before you all start thinking I've gone off the deep end, let me explain what I've been doing for the past hour."
The Avengers exchanged uncertain glances but remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
"After ensuring the survivors were safe, I went to the surface," John began. His tone was measured, each word carrying weight. "I saw what was left of Sokovia—the gaping hole where it used to be. It didn't sit right with me, leaving it like that. So, I manipulated the earth, filled in the massive crater. Took some effort, but with my current strength, it wasn't difficult. Less than an hour, actually."
The weight of his words sank in, and Bruce's brows lifted in intrigue. "You... reshaped the land? Completely?"
John nodded. "Made it as close to what it was before as possible. Sokovia may not be there anymore, but at least there's no giant scar left behind."
The tension in the room lessened slightly, but confusion remained. Wanda, who had been silent, looked down, absorbing his words with a complicated expression.
John continued. "After that, I returned to floating Sokovia and went to the island's underside. There, I placed several enchantments—ones that ensure this place will float for quite a while. Lightness, durability, reinforcement, invisibility that no one can see this thing on thier radar.. I did everything to stabilize it."
Thor's grip on Mjolnir tightened, his curiosity piqued. "So you are saying , this thing wouldn't fall down.... amazing!"
John nodded again, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "This isn't just a floating ruin anymore. It's something else. A stronghold—a place where we can operate without worrying about endangering civilians."
Realization dawned upon them, one by one. Tony's mouth parted slightly, his previous frustration melting into something resembling awe. "You mean to say... you turned this place into an Avengers headquarters?"
John leaned back against his chair, stretching slightly. "Exactly. The world always needs heroes. And we need a place that allows us to be prepared for anything. What better place than right here, above it all?"
A heavy silence followed, but this time, it was different. Processing, understanding, even acceptance.
Steve rubbed his jaw, his blue eyes thoughtful. "I have to admit... that's not what I expected. But it makes sense."
Natasha let out a quiet breath, the sharpness in her gaze softening just a fraction. "You had us for a moment, though. Thought you were going full villain on us."
John chuckled. "Not my style."
Tony, arms still crossed, shook his head with a small smirk. "You really know how to keep things interesting, don't you?"
Clint let out a low whistle. "An airborne headquarters. Never thought I'd see the day."
Wanda, after a long pause, finally lifted her gaze. "And Sokovia's people?"
John met her eyes. "They'll be taken care of. They've suffered enough. I made sure they have somewhere safe to go."
She swallowed, nodding slowly. The pain in her expression remained, but there was something else now—relief.
Thor exhaled, gripping his hammer with newfound resolve. "Then it is settled. This place shall be our fortress."
One by one, the Avengers nodded, each of them finally understanding the full weight of what John had done. What had once been a disaster was now reborn as something new.
The Avengers had a new home.
With that decision made, the group immediately began discussing plans on how to rebuild the floating island into a fully operational base. The primary concern was keeping its existence hidden from governments around the world. Natasha, Clint, and Steve agreed to return to their normal duties, ensuring that no one suspected anything.
"We'll keep this off the radar," Steve confirmed. "But if anything changes, you call us immediately."
"Understood," John replied.
Meanwhile, John turned to Tony. "I need you to take charge of the construction. with your metal manipulation, you can reinforce the entire structure. The bottom layer of the island needs to be completely covered in metal, making it durable and resistant to attacks."
Tony raised an eyebrow. "You do realize this task is insane, right? I'm just a peak 1-star wizard. Covering the entire underside of an island in metal isn't exactly a walk in the park."
John smirked. "I know, and that's not the only thing there is something else I want you to do but not and it's not like you will be alone."
He turned to Wanda and Pietro. "I need you two to stay here and assist Tony. Wanda, your abilities can stabilize the structure while Tony works, and Pietro can help transport materials."
The twins exchanged glances before nodding. "We'll do our part," Wanda said firmly.
Finally, John looked at Bruce. "You're on heavy lifting duty. We'll need a lot of raw materials, and I know you can handle it."
Bruce sighed but nodded. "Alright. Just don't expect me to enjoy it."
" What about me? I am also an Avenger right. " Thor asked with great anthuasism.
" You...why don't you just stay here as a protector for now." John with sheepish grin.
With their roles assigned, the Avengers had their mission. The floating island was no longer just a remnant of a tragedy. Under John's leadership, it would become something new—something great.
The Avengers' new headquarters had begun to take shape.