What Nolan had done quietly reshaped the balance of the entire world.
Yet almost no one knew.
Under deliberate control of public opinion, everything he had done was erased. The soldiers who had taken part were bound by strict confidentiality agreements. Those who tried to leak the truth found their voices drowned out before they could be heard.
In the end, it was as if nothing had ever happened.
Except for one thing.
All restrictions on Lockheed Technologies were lifted.
Just as Nolan had expected, once people realized they could no longer control him, anyone still sane would hesitate, struggle… and ultimately choose compromise.
And compromise meant one thing.
Lockheed Technologies would take the lion's share of the benefits.
No one could accept a world where others possessed Lockheed weapons while they did not.
To put it bluntly, the entire world chose the same path.
Of course, if one day global technology surged forward and surpassed Lockheed, the company would inevitably be abandoned.
But that day was at least twenty years away.
Twenty years later?
Nolan didn't think it mattered.
By then, he believed he would have already resolved the problem of the multiverse.
And with Carol Danvers watching over things, even if Lockheed declined, it wouldn't be a real issue.
With that in mind, Nolan felt that everything he needed to do in this world had reached its conclusion.
The multiverse was a strange thing.
Technology points gained in different universes could not be freely transferred.
In simpler terms, the "currency" didn't carry over.
That was why he had struggled so much in the Spider-Man world before.
The only thing that remained constant was the knowledge he carried in his mind.
Fortunately, that was what he had the most of.
"This time… it's really finished."
Sitting in his office at Lockheed Technologies, Nolan spoke to Susan.
She froze for a moment, then understood.
"You're leaving?"
"Yeah. But before I go, I want to host a gathering. I've made quite a few friends here. I'm not the type to disappear without a word."
For Nolan, the gathering served another purpose.
After everything that had happened, the world was stretched tight like a drawn bowstring. His departure would help release that tension.
If he vanished openly, it would ease concerns about Lockheed Technologies.
Without Nolan Locke, people would believe they could eventually regain control.
And his friends would finally be able to breathe again.
Otherwise, one day, that tension would snap.
And when it did, those same friends might become enemies.
Before leaving, though, he still had preparations to make.
At present, the only way for him to leave this universe was to use a large-scale particle collider to open a gateway into the multiverse.
And that device required careful calibration.
Over the next few days, Nolan balanced two tasks: organizing the gathering and making final adjustments to the multiverse gateway.
Three days later, a grand party was held at Lockheed Technologies.
Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, and many other heroes attended.
They had been fighting just days before, but that was a matter of position, not personal feelings.
Friendship was something else entirely.
When Nolan announced that he was leaving this universe, many were stunned.
Tony stared at him, standing at the center of the crowd, and muttered,
"No wonder your background never quite checked out."
Red Queen had altered Nolan's records, but he had never truly lived that life. Anyone who looked closely enough could spot the inconsistencies.
Tony stepped closer.
"Nolan, you're not seriously expecting us to believe this, are you? The multiverse is still just theory, and even that theory is full of holes. This kind of thing shouldn't be possible for at least another hundred years."
Nolan smiled.
"Have you cracked the Emperor Titan technology yet? Or found the backdoor I left in my systems?"
Tony's mouth twitched.
Their already questionable friendship took another hit.
Nolan chuckled and shook his head.
"I've only scratched the surface of the multiverse myself. But that doesn't mean the field is beyond reach. In many universes, multiversal travel is already mature technology."
"There are even forces capable of controlling countless universes."
He paused.
"At least, I know of one."
"Someone called Kang the Conqueror."
"He has pruned entire timelines and governs the evolution of countless realities. Any universe he sets his sights on becomes his to control."
Nolan's tone grew more serious.
"So even if I leave, that's no excuse for you to relax."
"Even without Kang, you already know humanity isn't alone in this universe. And the Emperor Titan isn't a solution to everything."
His words carried weight.
Tony's expression turned grim.
So did everyone else who heard.
Kang the Conqueror.
It was the first time they had heard that name, but the implications were terrifying.
A being who could control timelines.
The party eventually came to an end.
Most people left.
But some remained.
Among them were Nolan's close allies… and quite a few spies.
Nolan knew.
He didn't bother to drive them away.
After all, he was about to stage a grand finale.
Standing before the massive particle collider, Nolan placed the multiverse energy core into the power conduit.
"Susan, I'm leaving Lockheed in your hands."
Susan nodded, her eyes filled with reluctance.
Nolan turned to Carol Danvers.
He didn't say anything.
He simply gave her a small nod.
Their relationship was complicated.
Not something that could be expressed as simply as his farewell to Susan.
With that, he activated the collider.
The machine roared to life.
Immense energy surged, distorting space itself under the influence of the multiverse core.
Nolan looked at everyone.
"I'm leaving."
"But this isn't the end."
"One day… I'll be back."
Without hesitation, he stepped into the warped space.
And disappeared.
"Is that… it?"
Tony stared at the fading distortion, disbelief in his voice.
Bruce Banner adjusted his glasses.
"I still can't fully accept the idea of interdimensional travel. But what we just saw does match the theoretical signs of a multiverse breach."
He glanced at the spot where space had twisted.
The area still showed signs of temporal instability.
Suddenly
A gunshot rang out.
A spy had drawn his weapon and fired at Susan.
Kill her, and Lockheed would fall into chaos.
It was the perfect opportunity.
Bang!
The spy smiled.
Then his expression froze.
In front of Susan stood a woman in uniform.
The bullet hadn't even scratched her.
"Lockheed Technologies is under my protection."
Carol's voice was cold and absolute.
Behind her, Susan smiled faintly, though her eyes had turned sharp.
"I didn't expect trouble to come so quickly after Nolan left."
"I must look easy to bully."
She had anticipated this.
Without Nolan, controlling Lockheed would be difficult.
She had prepared for attacks.
Even without Carol stepping in, she would have been fine.
But now
It was time to send a message.
Even without Nolan Locke, Lockheed Technologies was not a toothless tiger.
"White Queen, begin internal cleansing. We need a clean working environment."
A holographic girl appeared.
"Yes, ma'am."
Moments later, screams echoed throughout the building.
Many were stunned.
Even Johnny stared at his sister in shock.
He had never imagined she could be this ruthless.
Afterward, Susan turned to Carol thoughtfully.
"Ms. Danvers… what exactly is your relationship with Nolan?"
...
Elsewhere.
After a brief wave of dizziness, Nolan regained consciousness.
Just as before, his body was completely restored.
Clean, uninjured… and very much like a newborn.
He was used to it by now.
No panic.
"Red Queen, report our current location and situation."
The multiverse was fascinating.
He finally understood why Red Queen had survived this time.
When he first traveled to the Spider-Man universe, the Ancient One had protected her.
But in the Fantastic Four world, without that protection, she had been destroyed.
This time, Nolan had wrapped her in multiverse energy.
And it worked.
Next time, he might even manage to keep his clothes.
A definite improvement.
Seconds later, Red Queen responded.
"Analysis complete."
"This is the primary anchor universe."
"Post Superhuman Registration Act: Nick Fury has stepped down, the Avengers have disbanded, King T'Chaka of Wakanda has been assassinated, and T'Challa has ascended to the throne."
"Spider-Man is active in New York."
"Stephen Strange has entered Kamar-Taj."
"Lockheed Technologies shows minor structural changes…"
Nolan listened carefully.
Then reached a conclusion.
He had been gone longer than expected.
If the timeline was accurate, Stephen Strange would soon become the Sorcerer Supreme.
Which meant
The Ancient One was close to her "death."
That thought made Nolan uneasy.
He didn't believe she would truly die.
But if she chose to disappear…
He might never find her again.
Still, that wasn't the only problem.
Lockheed had managed without him, but there were bound to be complications.
After a brief hesitation, Nolan made his decision.
First, deal with his company.
He casually "borrowed" some clothes and stepped onto the streets of New York.
Everything looked the same.
But only he knew he had just returned from another universe.
As he walked, someone bumped into him.
"Sorry"
"Mr. Locke?"
Peter Parker froze, then exclaimed in shock.
Nolan smiled.
"Peter. You look like you're in a hurry."
Peter scratched his head awkwardly.
"Sir, I've got a bit of a situation to handle."
Nolan nodded.
"You always do. Mind telling me what's going on?"
Peter hesitated, then spoke.
"I've been doing a lot of hero work lately. There's this guy… I've fought him a few times, but I can't seem to take him down."
"My partner just got a lead on him."
Nolan wasn't surprised.
Being Spider-Man usually meant constant trouble.
"Sir, I haven't seen you in a year. I thought something happened to you… sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
"It's fine. I've just been taking a break somewhere far away."
He glanced at Peter.
"You've grown. Even got yourself a partner."
"Of course!"
Peter straightened proudly.
Still, he was just a high school kid.
That nickname, "kid spider," wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Compared to other versions of Peter, this one was still green.
Just then
A sharp sound cut through the air.
"Hey, Spider-Kid, what are you doing here?"
Peter stiffened.
"Vulture!"
Nolan looked up.
A man hovered in the sky, mechanical wings glowing with purple energy.
The design reminded Nolan of Chitauri tech.
"We're talking," Nolan said calmly. "Who said you could interrupt?"
The man frowned.
"Who the hell are you"
Then he paused.
"You're Nolan Locke?"
A grin spread across his face.
"Well, well. The missing CEO finally shows up. And no armor on you either."
"So tell me… how should I deal with you?"
"Sir, get out of here! I'll handle him!"
Peter shouted.
Nolan just smiled.
Handle him?
Was that really necessary?