Marvel: Tony Stark's Journey in the Omniverse

"Next step in my master plan—making friends! Applause, everyone!"

Maria clapped joyfully, Jarvis offered a polite applause, but Howard just gave Tony a deadpan stare. "You're acting like you've discovered fire, kid."

Tony grinned. "Come on, Dad, you know you're worried about my social life. And before you say it, yes, I have looked into the future, and there are some individuals that stand out. Sure, there are plenty of geniuses in the world, but these people have potential."

Maria hummed in curiosity. "And what do you plan to do with these bright young minds?"

Tony puffed out his chest. "I plan on creating a group! Either called the League of Science or The League of Extraordinary Scientists. Something grand!"

Maria let out an impressed "Wow!" while Howard chuckled. "Ambitious. Who's on your list?"

Tony leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "Each of them has their own magnum opus—their own greatness they're known for. For now, I've narrowed it down to: Reed Richards, Victor Von Doom, Ivan Vanko, Bruce Banner, Henry McCoy, Otto Octavius, Curt Connors, Phineas Mason, Maya Hansen, Alyssa Moy and Susan Storm."

Howard raised an eyebrow. "You've already picked out their names? How exactly are we supposed to find them?"

Tony smirked. "That's where Charles Xavier comes in. If we have trouble locating any of them, he can help using his Cerebro device. We tell him the names and their general locations, and he does the rest. Once we find them, we invite them and their families to New York and give their families jobs at Stark Industries. Then we throw tutors at them, just like you did with me."

Maria tilted her head. "Wouldn't it be difficult to gather so many prodigies?"

Tony shook his head. "Geniuses tend to lack social skills. If they're around similarly intelligent people, they'll thrive. Plus, giving them a structured environment means they won't be manipulated by the wrong people."

Howard stroked his chin. "Alright, I see the logic in it. And what's the other thing you wanted?"

Tony smirked. "Dad, if I'm going to travel to different worlds, I need to know how to defend myself. I want to learn Shaolin Kung Fu. They start training at age four, so I'm already at the right age. It will help me develop my body properly."

Howard frowned. "Why not something American, like boxing or wrestling? Or even Muay Thai might be better?"

Tony shrugged. "I'll probably learn those later, but Shaolin martial arts training builds a martial artist's body at a young age without limiting physical development."

Howard sighed, then smirked. "I think I know a guy. His name is Luo Feng. He was originally a Shaolin monk, but he was expelled from his monastery after abandoning the more peaceful aspects of Buddhism and instead embracing a more lethal philosophy. He was, after leaving the monastery, recruited by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) as an assassin but they ended up kicking him out after a while for being too enthusiastic about his work. He scared them so much he was sent to America, far far away from them."

Tony's eyes gleamed. "Sounds interesting."

Howard continued. "The Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Division—has him on a watch list. He's very dangerous, but if we recruit him, he could be our personal bodyguard and your trainer."

Tony nodded. "That's exactly what I was thinking, Dad. Oh, and by the way, why don't you just call it S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

Howard froze, blinking.

Maria burst out laughing.

Tony just smirked. "You're welcome."