Tony thought for a moment and realized that he had actually missed the entire major battle.
And, through his memories, Tony recalled that he had apparently been controlled by some strange woman, and had watched as that other version of him did a bunch of wrong things.
And that woman...
"Her! She was controlling me!!"
Tony glanced at the people around him, spotted Amora, and immediately shouted.
"Alright, it's over now, she's no longer an enemy."
Thor pulled him back.
Honestly, when Thor saw Tony like this, it felt like he was looking at himself, and he felt deeply humiliated.
"Huh? No longer an enemy?"
"Yeah, as long as Alaric is here, she can only be obedient."
"Alaric... That's right."
Tony nodded.
Indeed, with Alaric around, even if another apocalypse like this happened, there was no need to worry.
But it still hit Tony hard that he had contributed to the whole event as a mere background extra, passed out and missed everything, which was extremely uncomfortable for him.
After all, Tony is someone who likes being the center of attention!
And in this event, as the great hero Iron Man, he ended up completely absent?!
That's just too much!
Moreover, Tony now didn't even have the chance to get revenge on Amora!
Because as long as he hears even one word from Amora, he definitely won't be able to resist her.
"Since everything's settled, then let's part ways. Thor, should I take you back to Asgard?"
Alaric was getting ready to leave.
"If that's the case, that would be best, but Loki..."
Thor said; Loki wasn't restrained at all, and could easily escape as soon as they arrived in Asgard.
"I understand."
Alaric nodded, cast a magic chain and bound Loki.
Then he opened a spatial portal that led directly to Asgard.
"Then we'll go first. Goodbye everyone, it was a pleasure fighting alongside you!"
Thor pulled Loki, waved to the others, and entered the portal.
A second later, as soon as Thor and Loki disappeared, the elevator doors opened.
Pierce entered with several S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.
"You are?"
Tony looked at these uninvited guests with displeasure.
If he remembered correctly, this was still his building?
"I am Pierce from the Security Council. I've come to take custody of Loki, the culprit behind this alien invasion, as well as to reclaim the Cosmic Cube and rights to the Mind Scepter."
"Loki and Thor have returned to Asgard."
Steve frowned.
Of course, these people were still targeting the Cosmic Cube, and they would gladly seize Loki's weapon, the Mind Scepter, too.
Luckily, Loki and Thor were already gone, so now they couldn't do anything.
Unless they planned to go to Asgard themselves to demand what they wanted from Thor.
Which, of course, wouldn't happen.
And Alaric, who was standing to the side, when he heard Mind Scepter, suddenly remembered that Loki had apparently taken it back to Asgard?
So then… what about the powers of the Maximoff twins? Would Ultron still happen?
Should he correct the storyline!?
Without the Mind Scepter, Hydra probably wouldn't have the materials for experimentation.
As for Vision?
A robot who looked strong but didn't do anything special, and in the end just went off and fell in love and got dug up...
Alaric honestly didn't care, and it was all the same to him if he was gone.
"Whatever, let it go."
Alaric said: if he's gone, he's gone.
...
"Gone!? Who gave them permission!? Loki is responsible for this! And the Cosmic Cube was originally an earthly object on what basis are they qualified to take it!?"
When Pierce heard that, he immediately flew into a rage.
Never mind Loki, even just the Cosmic Cube and Mind Scepter were of enormous value for study and development!
Pierce wouldn't have bypassed Fury and come personally to retrieve them if it weren't so.
Those two things directly impacted Hydra's plans for ascension!
If turned into weapons, they might actually be able to conquer Earth!
Of course, that was just their own fantasy.
"I gave permission."
Alaric, who was standing nearby, suddenly spoke up.
"You? You think you're... Alaric!?"
Pierce started to yell, but froze in fear mid-sentence.
That was Alaric.
Alaric who had just saved the world!
However, Pierce wasn't afraid of Alaric's fame, but of his terrifying power.
He alone, with his own strength, stopped countless Leviathan beasts; such an Alaric was someone Pierce didn't dare touch!
Because moments ago, he had watched the full footage of Alaric using a black hole to swallow everything!
Earlier, Pierce had considered how to recruit Alaric and pull him into Hydra, but now he had completely buried that idea; he didn't even dare finish the thought in his head!
"Since it's Mr. Alaric's decision, of course there's no problem."
Pierce instantly changed his tone, plastered on a smile, and became polite.
This sudden turn made Tony snort mockingly.
One could say: you're truly trash; you go looking for trouble, and when someone tougher shows up, you fold instantly!
Before, you were grasping at power and pressing everyone around you, and now when you hit a wall, you're scared, huh?
Now suddenly you realize Alaric isn't someone to mess with!
Tony was thrilled inside.
Natasha and Hawkeye just shook their heads.
As agents, they knew all too well how dark internal power struggles were and what kind of people existed.
But the sight was quite satisfying.
"Alright, I'm heading back."
Alaric raised his hand and simply disappeared together with Gwen and Amora, without any portal.
No one found that surprising anymore.
"Eh."
Pierce sighed and left with Crossbones, Sitwell, and several other Hydra agents.
He hadn't expected to be this late and leave empty-handed.
"Sir! There are many reporters downstairs, asking to interview you."
JARVIS's voice was heard.
"Interview?"
"What do you guys think?"
Tony looked at Steve and the others.
"Well, our identities…" Natasha was about to decline.
Hawkeye also nodded; as agents, the last thing they wanted was to be exposed publicly.
"I won't go either..."
Just as Steve was about to refuse, a call came for Natasha.
"Captain, Fury says you should show up. Your appearance could encourage the people."
After all, Captain America is a symbol, an idol for countless people.
"This... I understand."
...
The plaza in front of the S.H.I.E.L.D. building.
Tony wore a new suit, and Steve stood beside him at the interview.
"Are you really Captain America? Steve Rogers?!"
"Weren't you missing? How are you alive?!"
"Huh? Where is the Magic Mage? Why didn't he appear!?"
"Yeah, yeah! Where is our savior!?"
"Captain! Today you fought side by side against aliens, does this mean you're forming a team!?"
"Hey! Mr. Iron Man! Why weren't you there earlier? Were you scared?"
"Yeah! Mr. Stark, as a superhero, why didn't you step forward this time!!"
...
Tony listened, and as the questions went on, his face grew darker and darker.
He really shouldn't have agreed to this interview!!