Tony was clad in his armor.
With a left hook, he sent the tall man in a helmet flying. With his right hand, he activated an electromagnetic shield to block an energy sword swung by a woman in a sleek combat suit.
This was Mark 12, the upgraded nano-armor Tony had built tirelessly after Malrick had mocked him for being too slow last time. It was Tony's most advanced creation yet, crafted from Vibranium and powered by optical computer technology from another dimension.
Every system had been overhauled—from propulsion to weapons. The armor's top speed could reach Mach 300, and with its Vibranium frame, its defenses were nearly impenetrable. According to Tony's calculations, even Malrick, who had just returned from space a few months ago, would need real effort to tear this armor apart with brute force.
Combined with its powerful thrusters, the suit's output surpassed that of the bulky biological Fungus God Armor, which Tony had retired for now. He admitted that the alien biotechnology had been impressive, but the knowledge embedded in the otherworldly computer was simply beyond comparison.
Tony blasted through the Mutants like a storm. If not for the brute known as Juggernaut, the fight would have ended already. Juggernaut was relentless, knocked down again and again only to rise back up. Soon, only Psylocke remained, her psychic blades of condensed energy clashing against Tony's shield.
Bang!
Tony ended the duel with a clean punch, knocking her out cold.
"Last one," he muttered, eyeing Juggernaut. "Alright, big guy, it's just you now. Before I switch to lethal settings, how about you surrender and let me walk Captain and his friend out of here?"
Juggernaut staggered to his feet, massive frame looming.
"No. If I let them escape, Cassandra will kill me."
Tony raised his palm cannon, shaking his head. "Really? A boss who works you to death and you're still loyal? Ever heard of slacking off? My driver, Happy, made a career out of it—he's head of security now."
For a moment, Juggernaut froze. His eyes flickered toward Cassandra, hesitation written on his face. Then, with a grunt, he let his legs give out, toppling backward with a crash and lying perfectly still.
"That's more like it," Tony said dryly. "Play dead, helmet boy."
Just then, Wanda's voice came from behind. "Mr. Stark, I've located Malrick. We can leave."
Tony blinked. He glanced at Wanda, then back at Juggernaut.
"Seriously? I thought I just talked him into surrendering, but you were the one who already beat his boss? Unbelievable."
Landing lightly, Tony strode to where Captain America was bound. He sliced through the ropes restraining him and Wolverine.
"Captain, get your friend and go. I don't know how you ended up in that bald woman's hands, but next time, take Stark's advice before you get captured."
"Stark?" Captain America frowned. "I don't know who that is, but thanks, stranger. If you hadn't taken care of those bastards, Cassandra would've—" He stopped, muttered something crude, and stretched his stiff shoulders.
Tony froze. His head snapped back toward Captain America in disbelief. "Excuse me? Did you just say what I think you said?"
"I said thanks. Problem?" Cap's words carried none of the usual restraint—his tone was flippant, even vulgar.
Tony rubbed his helmet in frustration. "God, this day just keeps getting weirder. Since when does Captain America talk like a sailor? I swear, last time I dropped an F-bomb in a meeting, you lectured me about language!"
Wanda raised a brow, equally unsettled. "This… doesn't feel right. But this is the End of Time—nothing here follows the rules."
Tony sighed. "Great. A foul-mouthed Cap in a graveyard of timelines. Just what I needed."
Wanda ignored the two doppelgängers and drew vials of blood from everyone present. "We'll bring this to Malrick. It might help him."
With their task complete, Tony and Wanda launched into the sky.
As they flew, Wanda explained, "The Time Variance Authority. It exists outside reality. My magic won't work there, which makes it dangerous for Malrick."
Tony's eyes lit up. "Finally, he's in a spot where he needs me. Today's the day that kid owes me big time."
From his storage ring—crafted by Malrick—Tony produced an arc reactor and tossed it to Wanda. "This was Pepper's armor. Yours now. Just strap it on and pretend Malrick gave it to you."
The device latched onto her chest, unfolding into a sleek, form-fitting suit of blue nano-armor. Thrusters engaged, and Wanda steadied herself in the air.
"Not bad. Flying like this feels different. Let's move—I'll open the portal."
But before the time tablet could activate, scarlet waves rippled behind them, swirling into a massive energy sphere that cut off their path.
"Going somewhere?" a cold voice rang out. Cassandra stood at the base's entrance, eyes sharp as blades. In one hand, she held Captain America by the throat. On the other, a Sling Ring glowed ominously, lit with intertwining green and red light.
_____
Support me on patreon (づ￣ ³￣)づ
Patreon.com/Zphyr