Inside a grand temple within the God Realm, Malrick's figure materialized. Aside from his recent Multiverse journey, this was likely the longest he had been away from the Marvel Universe. Decades had passed in the DC Universe through his time jumps, yet in Marvel, only an instant had elapsed.
His thoughts lingered on his farewell to Supreme Little Superman when a notification arrived.
"Jarvis is contacting me… hmm? Tony?"
With super vision, Malrick pinpointed Tony's location and instantly grasped the situation.
"Because White Can Iron Man allied aggressively with other Iron Men, Tony hesitated and is seeking assistance."
A smile touched Malrick's lips. It wasn't easy to get Tony to ask for help. Perhaps it was due to Malrick's streak of victories during Iron Man Day, or the exposure of the Celestial Armor.
If White Can Iron Man still exuded confidence, it meant he had a specific trump card. That explained Tony's request. All the Iron Men of the Dimension Continent specialized in building anti-armor for Tony, and his Celestial Armor alone had kept him undefeated. If others had devised countermeasures against it, Tony had every reason to worry.
"Let's see what Tony is up to."
In the next instant, Malrick teleported beside him. Tony sat frowning in a coffee shop, stirring his cup absentmindedly, unaware of Malrick's presence.
"What, lost in thought because you miss me, or eager for my help?" Malrick asked lightly.
Tony jerked upright, eyes widening. "Malrick!" He blinked, trying to mask his surprise. Seeing Malrick's playful expression, however, his composure faltered.
"What help? Who needs help? Me? You're joking. The Multiverse's first Iron Man doesn't need help." He waved a hand and sipped his coffee, muttering under his breath, "Do you think I'd be defeated by those Iron Men? A bunch of amateurs. Even if they built a million sets of anti-Tony armor, they'd still fail."
Tony finally smiled, the awkward tension fading. "By the way, why are you here? Let me guess—you missed me, right?"
Malrick shook his head. "No, I just heard someone crying out to Jarvis, saying they needed help and would die without it."
Tony's mouth twitched. "You're hallucinating, Malrick, totally hallucinating. Unless… hmm… maybe that Dark Strange asking for help? Better go save him before he dies."
"Is that so? But the one asking for help doesn't seem to be Strange, does it, Jarvis?"
Jarvis, bowing politely, spoke: "Aside from Mr. Stark, no one else has requested assistance, young master."
Tony's face betrayed him completely—he had been sold out by his own AI. "Jarvis, you're the AI I built…" He exhaled, avoiding Malrick's teasing gaze.
Jarvis continued apologetically. "Sir, did you wish for me to keep it a secret? My mistake; perhaps I still need to refine my understanding of human communication."
Tony froze, feeling Malrick's gaze like a playful weight on his back. Moments felt like an eternity. Then he stirred his coffee again.
"Uh, well… I needed help just now, maybe. But now… perhaps I don't need it as much."
He had indeed considered asking Malrick for help at first. But seeing him now, pride swelled in his chest, making it impossible. Asking for aid over something as small as Iron Man Day would have felt beneath him. His earlier instinct to protect Malrick had faded with time; he could no longer justify lowering his pride for every minor problem.
Tony sipped his coffee awkwardly. "You really don't need it?"
Malrick declined Jarvis's offer of coffee and scanned the room. Then he nodded knowingly.
"So that's how it is." He had seen the trump card White Can Iron Man had prepared.
"They really do have a way to defeat you, Tony. If you don't act, you'll likely lose this time."
Tony's eyes widened. "They actually have such advanced anti-Tony armor?"
"Do you want me to reveal some of their methods?" Malrick asked, lips curved into a sly smile.
Tony scoffed. "It's just anti-Tony armor, what's there to fear?" He regained his confident demeanor, refusing to be intimidated.
Malrick shook his head. He knew Tony wouldn't give in today.
"You really don't need it?"
"No need," Tony replied firmly.
Malrick smiled. "Then… I know a world with tech-based powers that could help you. Want me to introduce it?"