For a few long seconds, the room stayed completely silent.
No one spoke. No one moved. They all just stared at John, trying to understand what he had just said.
Even Tony Stark, known for always having something witty to say, looked like someone had unplugged him. His mouth was slightly open, and his eyebrows were raised in shock.
"Wait… Academy?" Tony finally said, blinking a few times. "Did you just say Star Academy? As in… a real school? And you didn't think that was important enough to mention?"
His voice was half-joking, but his face showed that he wasn't really joking at all.
The others turned to look at John too. Some were surprised. Some were confused. And some just looked like they needed answers.
Wanda tilted her head, her eyes filled with curiosity. "You're saying… you want to train people like me? Like us?"
Pietro crossed his arms over his chest. He looked at John with raised eyebrows. "Wow. Didn't see that one coming."
Thor stood up a little straighter, resting one hand on the table. "An academy… to prepare warriors." He gave a small smile. "I must admit, I like the sound of that. But a little warning would've been nice, friend."
Clint Barton rubbed the back of his head, clearly surprised. "All this time, I thought this was just another hidden base. You know, the usual secret Avenger stuff. Not a whole school."
Natasha's voice was calm but firm. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at John. "How long have you been planning this?"
Even Nick Fury, who usually kept a poker face, looked caught off guard. He stared at John, then muttered under his breath, "Built a whole damn fortress… and started a school. What are you going to pull out next? A space station?"
John didn't say anything at first. He let everyone speak. He didn't interrupt. He knew they deserved to react, to question, to process.
Then, slowly, he stood up. He walked to the center of the room and faced them all.
His face was calm. But there was something strong in his eyes—something solid. A clear purpose.
"I know this is a lot," John began, his voice steady. "And maybe I should've told you earlier. But I needed to make sure this place was ready before I said anything."
He looked around the room, meeting each of their eyes one by one.
"This place... it's more than just a base," he continued. "It's more than some secret hideout or bunker."
He paused, letting the weight of his next words sink in.
"I want to start the Star Academy because we can't keep doing this alone. We've fought battles, saved lives, and stopped disasters… but more trouble will come. Bigger threats. And the truth is—we don't have enough people."
He took a step forward.
"We need more heroes. More protectors. But not just people with powers—we need people who understand how to use them. Who know when to fight, and when not to. Who care about protecting others."
He spoke slowly and clearly, making sure everyone could follow.
"That's what the Academy is for. To train those people. To give them the skills, the mindset, and the heart to stand up when the world needs help."
He pointed to a floating glass sphere in the center of the room—a symbol of what he was building.
"This… is the start. A place where people learn, grow, and become something more. Not just fighters—but leaders, defenders, and examples."
The room went quiet again. But this time, it was a thoughtful silence.
Tony leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Still mad you didn't tell me," he said. "But I've gotta admit… this is something."
Wanda smiled gently. "It makes sense now. All that extra space. I was wondering…"
Nick Fury didn't smile, but he gave John a short nod. "A secret school for supers," he said. "Dangerous move. But… maybe it's what we need."
Everyone seemed to be thinking now. The mood in the room had changed. The surprise was still there, but underneath it… a new feeling was growing.
Hope.
Then, the mood shifted again as Steve Rogers spoke up. His tone was serious.
"John," he said. "All of this… it's good. It's needed. But we're here because of the Sokovia Accords."
The room went quiet once again.
Steve continued, "The government wants full control over us. They want us registered. Watched. If we don't follow the rules, we'll be seen as criminals. But if we agree, we give up our freedom. Our right to choose."
John looked down, deep in thought. He didn't answer right away.
But then he slowly looked up, and his eyes were clear.
"I've been thinking about that too," he said softly. "A lot."
He took a deep breath. "What if… we pretend to go along with it?"
The room froze.
Tony narrowed his eyes. "You mean…?"
John nodded. " One group agrees with the Accords. One group says no. The world sees us arguing. Dividing. Fighting."
He looked at each person again.
"But behind the scenes… we stay united."
Nick Fury frowned. "That's a dangerous game. If someone finds out—"
"They won't," John cut in. His voice was stronger now. "We'll make sure they don't. We keep the act going as long as needed. While the world watches us fall apart… we train. We prepare. We build something better."
Pietro chuckled. "Sounds like a movie plot. But honestly? I'm in."
'Oh trust me, it is a movie plot.' john muttered under his breath.
Maria Hill spoke slowly. "If we play this right… the government gets their drama, and we get time. to be ready."
Thor raised his mug and grinned. "To fake battles… and real warriors!"
John gave a small smile. "To Star Academy. And to what comes next."
One by one, everyone nodded.
Something new had taken root.
A sense of direction.