From the Ashes, Something New Is Always Born
When the news of VITAE's dissolution spread like wildfire, people immediately wanted answers. And those answers didn't take long to come.
A press conference was announced almost immediately, drawing reporters from everywhere across the country, crowding into one of the hotels rented for the occasion. Even without a specific time, the moment it was announced there would be a conference that same afternoon, many dropped everything they were doing just to get there as fast as possible.
The constant murmur of reporters filled the room.
Some were even quietly discussing theories while frantically checking their phones.
Now they were all sitting there waiting for VITAE's official spokesperson.
Though he wasn't the one who appeared.
The figure that walked in made many lift their heads immediately.
Nicolas Hawthorne.
Son of General Nathaniel Hawthorne and also one of VITAE's highest-ranking agents.
Nicolas was pretty popular. He liked cameras a little too much, almost on the same level as Tony Stark, which constantly put the two of them in competition for public attention. And since both were heroes without visible special powers, that drew even more attention.
Normally, whenever he appeared in front of cameras, Nicolas wore a relaxed and friendly smile. Though he was never the type to stay quiet when he had something to say. He was far more approachable than Tony himself, even if their ridiculous competitions were a constant topic of conversation. They looked like two children trapped in adult bodies.
But not today.
Today he had a calm, serious expression as he walked toward the table where dozens of microphones were waiting for him.
"Thank you all very much for taking the time to come here. Let's not drag this out too much and begin this press conference. I'll speak first and, when I'm finished, I'll answer some questions. Until then, I ask for silence and no interruptions," Nicolas said seriously.
The reporters nodded. Most were already used to these kinds of conferences.
Nicolas made a small gesture with his hand toward a few nearby staff members. They nodded quickly and activated the cameras surrounding the room, beginning the live broadcast.
"Good. As you all know, this morning the news of VITAE's complete dissolution was released. And yes… it's true," Nicolas began. "VITAE, created years ago by bringing together several of the special individuals who participated in rescues, emergency operations, and the battle for the protection of New York… as of today has been completely dissolved."
The murmuring across the room grew slightly louder.
"Likewise, every function VITAE carried out around the world has been canceled. The weapon systems used for civilian protection and environmental care will be dismantled and melted down following our country's firearm laws. Above all… to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands."
"Wait a moment, Mr. Hawthorne. What exactly do you mean by wrong hands?" a reporter with a Daily Bugle badge quickly interrupted.
Nicolas showed a slightly annoyed expression at being interrupted so quickly after explicitly asking them not to.
For a moment, the pressure in the room seemed to shift slightly.
Enough to make several reporters fall silent automatically.
Even so, he let out a small sigh before answering.
The reporter, for a moment, lowered his voice under Nicolas's gaze.
"One of VITAE's Class A agents' final missions involved the recovery and destruction of harmful Chitauri weapons and tools, which are still circulating around the world even years after the alien invasion attempt," Nicolas explained calmly. "While our agents were destroying every component, they discovered a weapons storage base under DODC control. Because of this, a full alert was activated where VITAE took total command of the operation thanks to agreements established with the United States government… and destroyed said base along with every object inside."
The room fell silent for a moment.
"This wasn't supposed to be part of this press conference… but I hope that answers your question," Nicolas added with a cold look toward the reporter.
The man nodded quickly while everyone around him started writing furiously in their notebooks. Of course they knew nothing about that.
And it was explosive news.
"Now I'll continue," Nicolas said without giving the interruption any importance. "The agents and employees deployed in different parts of the world for observation and control of potentially dangerous zones will be returned home. All VITAE operations are disabled from this moment onward."
He slipped a hand into his pocket.
And pulled out a small device.
With a red button.
"Likewise, every VITAE base, as it contains completely private technology and potentially dangerous materials for any outside organization… will be destroyed immediately."
Nicolas raised the device.
"From this moment on… VITAE ceases to exist."
And he pressed the button.
Suddenly, several explosions began echoing in the distance, making many people widen their eyes in shock and immediately turn toward Nicolas. Some even looked at him as if this was a complete exaggeration, while Nicolas remained calm, like nothing had happened.
But for the rest of the room… it wasn't that simple. Some reporters even jumped out of their seats in alarm.
Others quickly checked their phones, trying to confirm what had just happened.
"Don't worry. Every VITAE base had the exact permits required for demolition, and every explosive was placed by certified workers. In addition, all buildings and surrounding areas were evacuated beforehand for safety reasons, so there will be no injuries or damage," Nicolas said calmly as he placed the device on the desk in front of him.
"Now then, according to the Superhuman Registration Law… special class agents, or shortened as Class S Agents," he said while pulling out a metallic ID card with a large golden S beside his photograph, clearly displaying his rank. Even without visible special powers, that alone showed his position inside VITAE. "Are now completely decommissioned."
He slipped the card back into his suit.
"And with that, I've finished everything I had to say. You may ask your questions now," Nicolas concluded.
Instantly, several reporters raised their hands, trying to speak all at once. Nicolas simply picked a few at random.
"Yes. I'd like to ask a more direct question regarding the DODC and the weapons that were found, if that's alright?" the same reporter from earlier asked after being selected again.
"There isn't much more to ask," Nicolas replied without changing his tone. "The DODC, which supposedly protects civilians from people with special abilities, simply collected Chitauri weapons and armaments that were supposed to be destroyed due to their radioactive components… and stored them inside a massive underground bunker without caring that it could turn into a second Chernobyl."
Several reporters lifted their heads in surprise when they heard that.
"And it's not the first time their agents have caused similar problems. Even during the arrest of several enhanced individuals, they ended up creating civilian dangers where VITAE had to intervene to prevent casualties. Though now… without VITAE… we'll see what happens," Nicolas added with a calmness that made his contempt toward the DODC even more obvious.
He obviously wasn't painting them in a good light.
And Nicolas was being absurdly restrained.
A lot of DODC members were probably screaming in fury right now… though they were likely too busy trying to fix the disaster left behind by the destroyed base. Or stuck in hospitals.
"Can I ask the exact reason why VITAE is dissolving? There didn't seem to be many issues with its operations or funding," another reporter asked.
"Before the creation of the Registration Law, rescue and emergency missions around the world easily surpassed two hundred high-level operations every month. And that's only counting the high-level ones," Nicolas replied. "But since the implementation of the law, where every move made by a special individual requires permits and authorization… those missions dropped to sixty percent."
The room fell silent.
"And they keep dropping. Around ten percent every month," Nicolas continued. "And before you ask… no. It's not because governments are suddenly doing a better job protecting their civilians."
His gaze hardened slightly.
"More than ninety percent of those missions were directed toward low-economy countries. Some of them weren't even part of the UN. So… well. I don't think I need to explain much more."
"Are you saying the UN only saves countries with money or political connections to them?" another reporter asked quickly.
Nicolas simply smiled faintly, briefly breaking his serious expression without directly answering.
Which… honestly, was answer enough.
And the uncomfortable silence in the room made it clear everyone understood exactly what he meant.
"Good. With that, we conclude the press conference regarding the dissolution of VITAE," Nicolas said calmly.
But then, a slight amused smile appeared on his face.
"And now… let us begin the press conference regarding the founding of our International Hero Association."
The entire room was left confused.
While some reporters felt that something much bigger had just begun.