"Wanda… I'm sorry, but not this time. I can't just sneak away from Tony's wedding," Malrick muttered, silently declining Wanda's invitation.
For the past two years, every time he met the parallel Universe Wanda, nothing had ever gone properly. Sometimes Diana would even complain, saying Old Wizard Shazam hadn't misjudged him back then.
So, when he received another invitation from Wanda, his thoughts instinctively drifted toward a certain dangerous abyss.
After being rejected, the Chaos Magic that had converged into a scarlet circle quickly dispersed. Tony and Thor didn't notice anything at Malrick's feet.
The two were still engrossed in a heated debate about whose girlfriend was more extraordinary, comparing careers, intelligence, and achievements.
Ultimately, Tony won by pointing out that he was already married to Pepper while Thor was still far from the next stage.
"Jane may be exceptional, but Pepper is my wife, and we're about to have a little Stark," Tony said smugly.
Thor racked his brain for a counter, but Loki's dry remark—"Brother, I think he's right"—was the final blow. Thor walked away, looking despondent.
Tony crossed his arms, beaming with pride, and shrugged at Malrick.
"Thor never had a chance. Stubborn as ever. Pepper is obviously better than Jane. I just helped him see it."
Malrick clapped lightly on the back of his hand, looking bemused.
"You two are really childish."
"Don't be a spoilsport. Don't you think Pepper is extraordinary?" Tony nudged him with his shoulder, still holding a plate of seafood.
"By the way, Jarvis said you named your nephew James? I thought you'd go with Clark or Jonathan," Tony added.
"I figured you'd leverage Clark, and besides, I think Pepper is having a girl," Malrick replied.
"Are you sure? Damn it, you didn't use your x-ray vision to check her belly, did you?" Tony widened his eyes dramatically.
"Just a guess," Malrick said, shaking his head.
The two continued along the buffet table, eating, drinking, and chatting.
"Malrick!" Wanda's voice suddenly rang out, urgent and filled with energy.
The two turned simultaneously, still holding plates and forks. Wanda floated gracefully toward them, Chaos Magic flickering from her hands.
In midair, she crossed her arms, and her white bridesmaid dress transformed into a scarlet robe with a witch's headpiece.
"Something's happened in the parallel Universe, Malrick!" Wanda landed.
"It's serious. The other Wanda just contacted me!"
Malrick frowned.
Before he could respond, an orange-yellow rectangular portal appeared beside them.
A Spider-Man head poked out, followed by the rest of the figure.
"Malrick! Perfect timing! I appeared right in front of you!"
It was the Holland-Spider man from the main movie universe, emerging from a TVA portal, likely on a mission.
"Something, something very important… in a neighboring Universe! Thanos, he… hmm? Wait…"
Holland-Spider was about to relay the situation at lightning speed, but then he noticed everyone dressed in wedding attire.
"Oh my god, is someone dead? Did Thanos come here too?"
"No, no, people in white dresses, flowers… wait, is someone getting married?"
Holland-Spider's words tumbled out rapidly.
"Am I at the wrong time? Is it Mr. Stark's wedding, or Captain's?"
"It's Tony. Tony's wedding!" Malrick said, putting down his plate to cut off Spider-Man's exhaustive reasoning.
"Mr. Stark! Oh my god, I'm so sorry! Did I mess up again? I didn't even bring a gift!"
Spider-Man rummaged through his body, finally producing a tattered wallet.
"It's fine, kid. Put your wallet away."
Tony, already setting down his plate, returned the wallet to its interlayer and shook his head.
"Do you really want to give a gift? You make me feel like I should be giving you an allowance instead."
"So… what exactly happened?" Malrick asked, a headache forming. This Peter Parker had talked forever without getting to the point.
"It's Thanos! Is it okay to say it now? Should I come back later? It's still a wedding."
"Or I can stay and let the wedding finish first?" Holland-Spider added.
"I've never attended Mr. Stark's wedding before."
Tony slapped his forehead.
"God, can't you just say it? Three years and TVA hasn't gone bankrupt because of you pajama babies?"
"Even TVA could be alarmed. Could it be that the movie universe's Thanos can also trigger a multiversal crisis?" Malrick's attention sharpened.
He looked at Wanda.
"Before going to the parallel Universe, we should check in at TVA."
Then to Tony:
"You stay here and enjoy… What are you doing? Today's your wedding!"
Tony was already preparing.
He glanced at Pepper from afar, then slid his finger over the world ring on his hand.
When exchanging rings, they had actually swapped world rings and then returned them. Tony removed the Arc Reactor from the ring, placing it on his chest.
Nanomaterials spread across his body along his muscle lines.
The latest Anti-Superman Armor, upgraded over two and a half years, gleamed coldly in the sunlight.
Tony patted Malrick's shoulder with a confident smile.
"A superhero wedding deserves a spectacular performance."
"Jarvis, tell Pepper I'll be back before dark."
With that, Tony pushed Holland-Spider through the portal, leaving the little Spider-Man shouting, "Wait, Mr. Stark! Wait!"
Malrick and Wanda exchanged glances, shrugged, and followed.