Tony: "Alright, everyone, let's get straight to the point. Stop guessing. I'm proposing to Pepper. Be at the Base at five o'clock sharp—we'll discuss the plan!"
Wong: "You? Propose?"
Mordo: "You? Propose?"
Banner: "I got my body back! You? Propose?"
Diana: "Hey, Banner, you broke the formation."
Kara: "Tony's proposing... unbelievable."
Wanda: "Will Malrick propose to us too? If he doesn't propose to me..."
Diana: "Don't overthink it. Knowing Malrick's style, he'd probably change his nationality to somewhere like Bangladesh or Pakistan and marry everyone at once."
Wanda: "That sounds about right."
Tony: "Why are we talking about Malrick now? Everyone, remember, the meeting is at five. This is important!"
Malrick leaned back, staring at the chat log on the projection. Tony proposing? The words felt oddly detached from reality. He checked the date—it was indeed 2011, six years before Tony and Pepper married in the movie.
"Why would he propose behind my back?" Malrick wondered. He had spent two days perfecting his genes and even sent a group message when he left Earth. Yet Tony had taken the opportunity to plan a secret proposal.
The initial chat logs were from two days prior. Scrolling down, Malrick saw the entire Avengers mobilized for Tony's plan. Even Kara, usually indifferent, joined in.
Yesterday's log:
Tony: "Is everything ready? No mistakes!"
Thor: "Don't worry, Jane has successfully invited Pepper out shopping."
Wanda: "Diana and I have arranged a 'chance' encounter."
Captain America 1: "Camera in position."
Captain America 2: "Microphone ready."
Hawkeye: "Fireworks in place."
Carter: "Backstage command secured."
Kara: "Big villain in position."
Hulk: "Hulk ready to go berserk anytime."
Tony: "Excellent. Act precisely at seven tonight. First, Kara appears in nanotech armor as the big villain, taking Thor and me down!"
"Then Diana and Wanda intervene to drive Kara off. She says she'll make the Avengers pay and takes me with her. Thor, tell Jane to prompt Pepper to chase us. Hulk goes berserk next, creating obstacles. Finally, Pepper overcomes the difficulties and rescues me. Fireworks, props, and cameras all activate for the proposal. The mages' spells release colored lights into the sky, fireworks illuminate the New York coastline, and helicopters and ships play music. At the climax, I propose, Pepper cries tears of joy, and everyone celebrates."
Captain America 1: "Camera received!"
Captain America 2: "Microphone received!"
Tony: "Act, don't just acknowledge! Go!"
Malrick's mouth twitched. No wonder Tony waited until he left Earth. With such a theatrical plan, being 'kidnapped' wouldn't make sense if he were present.
Scrolling further, Jarvis had uploaded videos of the proposal. The first captured Pepper's every emotion—anxiety, fear, surprise, and joy—from a handheld perspective. Young Captain America's filming was flawless, weaving through the city with expert parkour.
Pepper, infused with photon energy, flew to chase Kara and Tony, captured by the camera as it glided through the buildings. Every moment was seamless, perfectly edited.
The final footage showed fireworks lighting the night sky, ferries and helicopters playing music, and Tony opening the ring box in Pepper's arms as she wept tears of joy. Applause erupted, capturing the perfect culmination of Tony's elaborate plan.
Malrick couldn't help but exclaim: "Does it have to be this romantic?"
"Fireworks, planes, cruise ships, spells… I'll need to light a few Suns when it's my turn to propose," he thought, smiling at the absurd grandeur. Tony and Pepper held deep significance for him; their early marriage was undoubtedly good news.
Just then, Jarvis called. Malrick answered.
"Welcome back to Earth, Young Master Malrick," Jarvis said, bowing slightly in the projection. "Mr. Stark and Miss Potts' wedding is this Sunday. You are formally invited as the best man."
"That fast? They proposed yesterday and set the date today?" Malrick asked, surprised.
"Mr. Stark wishes to complete the wedding as soon as possible," Jarvis replied.
Malrick nodded. "Of course I'll attend. I just celebrated Tony's 41st birthday two months ago, and now his wedding?"
Jarvis: "Sir, shall I help select a suitable suit? Designs ready for review."
"Yes, Jarvis," Malrick replied. Dozens of suit designs appeared.
"These suits complement your temperament perfectly," Jarvis explained. Malrick scrolled through the options, his battle suit transforming to match each selection.
Casually, he asked, "Jarvis, do you know why Tony suddenly decided to propose? He never mentioned it to me."
Jarvis smiled. "The reason is simple. Miss Potts is pregnant."
Malrick paused, raising an eyebrow. "Pregnant? That's sudden..."
Jarvis: "She's kept Tony constantly active, sleepless, often pale. It would be surprising if she weren't pregnant."
Malrick chuckled at the image of a frazzled Tony. "So, I'm going to be an uncle? Uncle Malrick—that feels strange."
"Indeed, and Mr. Stark hopes you, Young Master, will name the child."
Malrick nodded. "Olivia, if it's a girl, Lucien if it's a boy."