The four surveyed their surroundings, brows furrowing. The air felt heavy, the world shackled by an invisible weight. Tony scanned the area. "Jarvis, connect to Stark Tower."
"No satellite network access," Jarvis replied. "Local data retrieval shows anomalies, sir."
James's super vision pierced the clouds, locking onto Stark Tower three kilometers away. "Found it."
Wanda's fingers swirled with scarlet magic, sensing the air. "This world feels wrong."
Kara frowned. "People's faces are numb, like they're controlled."
A Times Square screen lit up, showing Howard Stark in a suit, delivering a speech. "Stark Industries' new energy tech will secure the Creators' stable future," he said confidently. "Order is humanity's cornerstone."
James patted Tony's shoulder. "Let's go to Stark Tower."
They flew openly, drawing stares from the numb crowd below, who watched without panic. Landing outside Stark Tower's top-floor window, they saw Howard, fresh from his armor, talking to Obadiah Stane.
"You handle the Creators' meeting," Howard said. "I'm not into politics."
Stane smiled. "You always say that, Howard. But this summit's critical. The Creators will be there."
Howard shook his head. "I care about tech, not their decisions."
Stane's eyes froze, pointing outside. "Howard!" Howard turned, pupils shrinking at four figures hovering, one in gold-red armor like his own.
"What the—" Howard's voice trembled.
James's eyes glowed, heat vision slicing a hole in the glass. Wind roared as they landed inside. Howard and Stane tensed, ceiling turrets locking on.
"Who are you?!" Stane barked.
Tony raised a hand, his faceplate retracting, revealing a face like Howard's younger self. "I'm Tony Stark. Your son."
Howard paled. "Impossible. Tony's been dead ten years."
Stane sneered, "They're Creator enemies!"
Howard stared at Tony. "Prove it."
Tony paused, then said, "December 16, 1973, Malibu lab. You told me true genius isn't making weapons but building the future. You never let me touch your work again."
Howard's breath hitched. Stane scoffed, "Any spy could know that! Tony Stark died in a terrorist attack!"
Tony ignored him, locking eyes with Howard. "My fifth birthday, you gave me a circuit board engraved with 'The future is yours.'"
Howard's fingers trembled. Stane hit an alarm. "Guards! Eliminate them!"
Wanda's scarlet barrier blocked energy blasts; Kara's heat vision destroyed the turrets. James appeared before Stane, gripping his throat. "Quiet."
Howard shouted, "Sir, release him!"
James didn't, snapping Stane's neck. Tony stepped forward. "Dad, I don't know this world's Stane, but in mine, he tried to kill me. We're not here to fight. We need to talk—about the Creators, about this world."
Howard's eyes wavered. "What do you want?"
Tony took a breath. "This world's been altered. The Creators erased heroes, built this twisted order."
Howard shook his head, voice cold. "Nonsense. The Creators brought peace, ended wars, built stability."
"It's fake peace!" Tony's voice rose. "Control, not freedom. Lies, not truth."
Howard's face darkened. "Evidence?"
James spoke, "You are the evidence."
Howard blinked. "What?"
James met his gaze. "Do you really believe a man like you would submit to anyone's rule?"
Howard fell silent, eyes flickering. He raised a hand. "Go on."
Tony stepped closer. "Dad, you don't know the real history. In my world, you were a genius who taught me the future isn't built on control."
Howard looked at Tony, voice low. "You're really from another world?"
Tony nodded. "Yes, and we must stop the Creators."
Howard hesitated, then strode to his desk, pressing a hidden button. A hologram revealed encrypted files: the Creators' history tampering, hero purges, and continental divisions.
Tony gaped. "You suspected?"
Howard gave a bitter smile. "Subconsciously, yes. To you, it's a story. To me, it's my life."
James squinted. "We need to destroy their time machine."
Howard nodded. "It's under their headquarters, guarded by magic and tech."
Wanda clenched her fists. "We can break through."
Kara glanced out. "Now?"
Howard took a breath. "No, the Creators' summit is in two days. Everyone's there."
Tony looked at him, eyes complex. "Dad, you with us?"
Howard paused, then nodded. "It's time to fix this mistake."
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