Just as Thor was still pondering the truthfulness of Chen Tian's words, the distant wilderness suddenly trembled, and a brilliant seven-colored light beam descended from the sky, piercing through the clouds!
"Bifrost Bridge?!" Thor looked up sharply, frowning.
The light beam dissipated, and four figures emerged from it—three men and one woman, precisely Thor's close friends in Asgard: The Warriors Three—Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg, and the female warrior Sif!
"Thor!" Sif quickly stepped forward, her golden hair fluttering in the cold wind, her eyes filled with anxiety, "We finally found you!"
Fandral gripped his long sword, his expression solemn: "Things are bad, Loki, that cunning fellow—"
"He let the Frost Giants into Asgard!" Volstagg roared furiously, his giant axe smashing heavily into the ground, "Now the Heavenly Palace is in chaos!"
Hogun added with a gloomy face: "He deceived Heimdall and the Queen, and after the God-King entered Odin's Sleep, he activated the Bifrost Bridge, allowing Laufey's army to directly invade the Golden Palace!"
Thor's pupils suddenly contracted, and the lightning on mjolnir instantly became violent: "What?!"
Tony whistled: "Whoa, family drama escalating?"
Chen Tian whispered to 2B: "It seems Ancient One's words are largely confirmed."
2B's mechanical eyes flickered slightly: "Master, Sorcerer Ancient One said that as long as Mephisto is defeated, we won't need to intervene further."
Chen Tian shrugged, "I still want to go back earlier, I'm exhausted today."
2B smiled slightly, her hands climbing onto Chen Tian's shoulders, gently kneading.
— — — —
Thor looked at his close friends and said in a deep voice: "I must return to Asgard immediately!"
Sif stepped forward, pressing his shoulder: "We came to take you back, but—" She glanced at Chen Tian and the others, "Loki's scheme doesn't stop there, he has also laid down trouble in Midgard."
Fandral nodded: "He used an illusion to deceive Thor, making him mistakenly believe that the people of Midgard imprisoned him, intending to turn Thor against Midgard."
Natasha raised an eyebrow: "So, those 'S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents' who attacked and kidnapped Thor in the bar…"
"Were Loki's illusions." Sif confirmed, "He wants to provoke a war."
Thor's fists clenched, crackling, and lightning raged around him: "Loki…!"
Chen Tian spread his hands: "Alright, it seems Bambi is being naughty again."
Thor took a deep breath, turned to face Chen Tian and the others, the lightning in his eyes gradually subsiding, replaced by sincere gratitude.
"Warriors of Midgard," he spoke solemnly, his voice no longer angry, but sincere, "Thank you for rescuing me from the illusion.
Without your help, I might have made a grave mistake."
He looked at Chen Tian, a slight smile on his lips: "Especially you, Chen Tian.
Please help me look after Jane, and tell her I will come back for her."
Chen Tian shrugged: "Alright, alright, I'll have Tony pay to support her research."
Thor laughed, then looked at Tony again: "Neighbor, your fearlessness has opened my eyes, perhaps one day, we can discuss the combination of technology and magic in Asgard."
Tony's eyes lit up: "It's a deal then, I think the Bifrost Bridge that just transported your friends down was pretty good, why don't you take me—"
Before he could finish, Chen Tian grabbed his arm: "Save it, if you go now, you'll probably be blasted into the Universe by their battle."
Tony pouted: "Tsk, stingy."
Thor finally looked at Natasha and 2B, nodding slightly: "Brave ladies, your combat skills are admirable."
Natasha raised an eyebrow: "Next time you come to Earth, just remember to buy us a drink."
"Definitely!" Thor agreed heartily, then turned, raising mjolnir high, "Heimdall! Open the Bifrost Bridge!"
The sky suddenly cracked open, and a seven-colored beam of light descended again, enveloping Thor and his comrades.
A strong wind picked up, Thor's cape flapped loudly, he looked back one last time at everyone, and said loudly:
"Once I resolve Asgard's troubles, I shall return to drink with you all!"
As his voice fell, the light beam of the Bifrost Bridge suddenly contracted, and Thor and the others instantly disappeared, leaving only a faint residual energy fluctuation in the air.
Tony stared at the direction where the Bifrost Bridge disappeared, his fingertips gently rubbing the stubble on his chin: "Jarvis, did you record all the energy readings?"
"Fully recorded, Sir. However..." Jarvis's voice was uncharacteristically hesitant, "This energy construct is completely beyond the scope of our understanding."
"Ha!" Tony shrugged indifferently, "How much more powerful can it be than my Mark-3 EclipseEdition?"
Chen Tian stretched with a big yawn, his bones making a crisp sound: "Oh, please, you arrogant fool." He glanced at Tony's body, "Now the most important thing—" He suddenly reached out and pressed Tony's shoulder, "Is to give you, the injured, a comprehensive check-up first."
Natasha walked over and chuckled: "Finally someone said something sensible."
2B stood quietly beside Chen Tian, her mechanical eyes scanning Tony's injuries: "Vital signs are abnormally fluctuating, immediate treatment is recommended."
Tony tried to retort, but his faceplate suddenly popped open automatically, revealing his pale face: "Alright… maybe I do need it…"
Chen Tian yawned, lazily putting his arm around Tony's shoulder: "Then everyone goes home and gets a good night's sleep.
These messes…" He looked back at the completely dissipated afterglow of the Bifrost Bridge, "We'll talk about them after we wake up."
"Party." Tony suddenly said, and although his face was pale, his eyes sparkled with familiar light, "After the treatment, I must throw a party.
Champagne towers, laser shows, and—"
"And you'll be directing remotely from a medical pod?" Natasha raised an eyebrow.
"Hey! I'm Tony Stark." He tried to straighten his body, but winced as it pulled at his wound, "The party must be personally—"
"Personally directed from the sofa." Chen Tian finished with a laugh, gently patting Tony's back, "Let's go, injured first.
As for the party… wait until you don't need painkillers."
After Chen Tian finished speaking, 2B suddenly tugged lightly at his sleeve: "Master, you are right. But…" She looked around the desolate wilderness, her mechanical eyes flickering slightly, "How do we get back?
There doesn't seem to be any vehicle here."
This sentence made everyone freeze. Natasha put away her smile, frowning as she scanned the empty wilderness; Tony's armor emitted a faint hum, seemingly also assessing the situation.
The silence lasted for a few seconds.
Suddenly, Tony's faceplate snapped shut with a 'click', and his thrusters spewed dazzling blue light.
He slowly rose into the air, looking down at everyone from above, his tone full of teasing: "Ah ha, looks like some people will have to walk back on foot?"
"Hey!" Chen Tian looked up and glared at him, "You wouldn't be thinking of—"
"I'll wait for you at my Malibu Villa," Tony interrupted him, his armor already adjusted to flight mode, "Remember not to get lost, there's no signal here."
"Wait! You bastard—" Just as Chen Tian was about to curse, Tony's armor blasted into the sky with a "boom," instantly becoming a tiny dot on the horizon, leaving only half of a teasing echo: "…By the way, my medical pod is only for VIPs!"
Silence fell over the wilderness again, with only the rustling of wind through the grass.
Natasha crossed her arms, looking at Chen Tian with a half-smile: "So… we're abandoned?"
2B tilted her head, her mechanical eyes calmly watching the direction where Tony disappeared: "Master, do you need me to activate high-speed mode to take you back?"
Chen Tian rubbed his temples, sighing deeply: "Forget it, I don't want to be carried by you across half of the United States." Then he glanced at Uchiha Madara, who was still acting aloof.
Uchiha Madara, who had been standing in the shadows, saw Chen Tian looking at him: "Hmph… Master, such a trivial matter as traveling…"
His crimson Sharingan slowly rotated, and chakra energy began to emerge around him. Seeing this, Chen Tian quickly waved his hand: "Wait, wait, wait! Lord Madara, please don't get excited yet!"
Madara tilted his head slightly, the three tomoe swirling in his eyes: "What? Susanoo's speed is much faster than that tin man's toy."
"It's not about speed…" Chen Tian held his forehead, "Think about it, if a several-hundred-meter-tall blue giant carried us across U.S. airspace, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s air defense alarms would probably blare across the entire East Coast."
Natasha couldn't help but chuckle: "I bet Director Fury's blood pressure would skyrocket."
2B added seriously: "According to calculations, the probability of being mistaken for an alien invasion is as high as 97.3%."
Madara pouted disdainfully: "Troublesome."
Just then, the roar of an engine suddenly came from afar. Amidst rolling dust, several S.H.I.E.L.D. black SUVs sped towards them.
The lead vehicle performed a neat drift and stopped in front of everyone, its window rolling down to reveal Coulson's characteristic gentle smile.
"Looks like I arrived just in time?" He scanned the group, "It seems the battle is over, that's good, let's go, the vehicles I brought should be enough."
Chen Tian made an exaggerated 'saved' expression: "Coulson! Your plan to go ahead was indeed correct!"
"Don't get emotional yet," Coulson said with a smile as he opened the car door, "Director said this mission report will be at least three hundred pages."
Natasha skillfully pulled open the passenger door: "I knew it wouldn't be that simple."
2B quietly followed behind Chen Tian, and just before bending down to get into the car, she suddenly looked back at the sky: "Master, Mr. Tony's flight path seems… a bit unstable."
Chen Tian followed her gaze, seeing nothing, but he could guess, he shook his head helplessly: "That arrogant fool, he must be forcing himself despite his injuries acting up."
Madara was the last to get in, coldly dropping a remark: "Foolish."
The convoy slowly started, Coulson looked at everyone through the rearview mirror: "The medical team is already on standby at headquarters, and also…" He paused, "Director said that this time's battles in New Mexico and New York need an explanation for the public."
Chen Tian slumped in his seat, wailing: "Can't we just get some sleep first?!"
Natasha fastened her seatbelt, a faint smile on her lips: "Welcome to S.H.I.E.L.D."
Outside the car window, the afterglow of the setting Sun gilded the wilderness. And behind them, the last light of the Bifrost Bridge dissipated into the clouds.
— — — —
[One month later]
"Wind direction 270, wind speed 30 knots, altitude fifteen thousand feet." Jarvis's elegant British accent sounded in the darkness, "Sir, you may now enter the landing zone."
AC/DC's "Shoot to Thrill" intro guitar riff sliced through the silence like lightning!
The hydraulic door of the transport bay slowly rose, and in the red light of the cabin, the gold and red Mark-EclipseEdition stood at the hatch.
Tony's armor traced a dazzling golden-red trajectory across the night sky, and the deafening rock music of AC/DC reverberated.
He spread his arms, letting himself free-fall, as the HUD inside his faceplate continuously updated the altitude data.
"Jarvis, initiate the fireworks show!" Tony shouted with a laugh, his voice tinged with excitement.
"Fireworks array activated, Sir," the AI's voice carried a hint of helplessness.
"Perfect!" Tony dodged the first incoming red firework with a sidestep.
Hundreds of specially made fireworks launched from the back of the armor, exploding into brilliant fire around Tony.
He moved like a nimble swift, weaving through the gaps between explosions, occasionally deliberately using his palm repulsors to detonate a few fireworks, creating an even more exaggerated visual effect.
"Ha! Now this is exciting!" Tony laughed, shouting to Jarvis, "Now! Let's see how cool this armor really is!"
Two pairs of massive mechanical wings suddenly unfolded from the back of the armor, with blue photon energy flowing across their surfaces.
In the night sky, Tony was like a mechanical phoenix reborn from fire, swooping down with a long trail of energy.
Tony's armor traced a perfect parabola in the night sky, and AC/DC's "Shoot to Thrill" deafening guitar solo echoed throughout the entire expo venue.
Below the stage, tens of thousands of spectators simultaneously looked up, erupting in deafening cheers.
"Jarvis, activate the holographic projection!" Tony shouted during his rapid descent.
"Holographic matrix activated, Sir."
In an instant, the entire venue was enveloped in a dazzling blue holographic projection, with countless virtual images of Iron Man dancing in the air.
Tony's armor unfolded four massive photon wings, their surfaces shimmering with a liquid metal-like luster, trailing brilliant streams of light across the night sky.
"Three, two, one—"
As the countdown ended, Tony crashed heavily onto the specially designed stage at a nearly vertical angle.
The Impact caused the fountains around the stage to erupt into ten-meter-high Water columns, their spray refracting rainbow-like light under the spotlights.
As the stage smoke dissipated, Tony's figure, which had been kneeling on one knee, slowly stood up.
The photon wings fully spread behind him, with photons flowing like liquid on the metal feathers.
His faceplate "clicked" open, revealing Tony's signature roguish grin.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" His voice, amplified by the armor, echoed throughout the venue, "Welcome to the Stark Industries Expo!"
The audience erupted in thunderous cheers.
Pepper, in the VIP box, shook her head, but her lips couldn't help but curl into a smile.
Colonel Rhodes stood in the Military viewing area, clapping while saying to Chen Tian beside him, "I knew this guy would never change."
Chen Tian, on the other hand, looked envious and jealous, muttering, "Damn it, damn it, I knew Tony wouldn't miss such a show-off moment! Damn it! It's not that I'm afraid my brother is suffering, but I'm afraid my brother is showing off!"
2B, standing nearby, covered her mouth, and clear laughter escaped through her fingers.
Tony took an exaggerated bow, his photon wings elegantly folding into a cape.
He stood at the very front of the stage, arms outstretched, basking in the cheers of the crowd.
"Tony!"
"Tony!"
"Tony!"
"Tony!"
Amidst the cheers, Tony's armor began to contract like flowing Water, finally entering his new energy core, which shone like a blue Sun.
Tony, dressed in a suit, clapped his hands and surveyed the audience, who responded with screams and applause.
"Ah~ It feels good to be back!"
"You missed me? I missed you too."
"Let's blow something up!" a rough voice called from below the stage.
Tony smiled, pointing his finger in the direction of the voice.
"Blow something up? I've done that."
The audience burst into laughter.
"I never said that the world has been immersed in years of long-term continuous peace... because of me...."
The holographic projection next to Tony changed to a photo of him knocking down the Destroyer armor in New York.
The audience looked at the photo, cheering and applauding again.
In the box, Chen Tian said sourly, "Why doesn't he mention what happened next? He was knocked flying into a coffee shop!"
2B quickly hugged Chen Tian's hand, her softness enveloping his arm, "Master, today is Mr. Stark's big day, please let him have it."
Chen Tian didn't continue speaking, but he gritted his teeth.
Pepper, nearby, couldn't stop smiling, and Rhodes leaned closer to Chen Tian, "Chen Tian, do you think I can get a suit of armor like Tony's?"
"Yes! We'll go to his Malibu Villa later and get all his armor for you."
Tony stood in the center of the stage, under the spotlight, his smile carrying a hint of cynicism.
He lightly adjusted his suit cuff, his gaze sweeping across the venue.
"I also never said there's no one in the world like me, reborn like a phoenix from the ashes."
The cheers and applause in the venue grew even louder.
"And I never said that 'Uncle Sam' can comfortably lie in a chair, leisurely sipping iced tea, because I always maintain peak condition, and no one dares to challenge me to a duel."
When the audience heard Tony say this, their cheers soared to the sky, and countless spectators throughout the expo responded.
Chen Tian cursed, "I can challenge you! Tonight! Right tonight!"
2B laughed as she hugged the stomping Chen Tian, softly comforting him, "Master, aren't you planning to challenge me tonight? I've prepared a leotard."
Hearing 2B's preparation, Chen Tian took a deep breath, grumbling as he pulled 2B away, "Pepper, please tell Tony for me, I can't stand his show-off attitude, I'm leaving first."
Pepper didn't speak, just raised her champagne glass to Chen Tian in a gesture, but Rhodes shouted to Chen Tian, "Hey, Chen Tian, didn't we agree to go to Malibu to get Tony's armor?"
"Next time! Definitely next time!" Chen Tian waved his hand at Rhodes, his back to him.
— — — —
Chen Tian pulled open the door of the luxurious extended Lincoln, a car Tony used for his exit, but now it was requisitioned by Chen Tian!
He made an exaggerated "after you" gesture to 2B: "Ladies first~"
2B's mechanical eyes flickered slightly, but her lips couldn't help but curl upward: "Master, this is car theft."
"This is called strategic requisition," Chen Tian said righteously as he got into the car, pressing the champagne button on the center console, "Tony was having such a blast showing off on stage, he has to pay a price."
The car's refrigerator slowly slid open, and chilled Dom Pérignon champagne automatically rose.
Chen Tian skillfully opened the bottle, and the amber liquid fizzed with fine bubbles in the crystal glass.
"To that arrogant fool."
He raised his glass and took a small sip, then suddenly frowned, "Wait, this taste..."
2B took the glass and sniffed lightly: "Trace amounts of sedative detected."
Chen Tian froze for two seconds, then burst out laughing: "Hahaha! That bastard anticipated I'd steal the car!"
He slapped the leather seat, "Jarvis! Stop pretending, I know you're listening!"
The AI butler's voice immediately sounded from the car's speakers: "Mr. Chen, Sir asked me to tell you—'Car thieves deserve to be drugged'."
2B looked at Chen Tian worriedly: "Master, do I need to activate the detoxification program?"
"No need," Chen Tian slumped lazily into the seat, his eyes unusually clear, "This dose is like sugar Water to me."
He suddenly gave a sly smile, "But... I'll play along~"
With that, he let out an exaggerated yawn, his entire body going limp as he leaned onto 2B: "Ah~ Suddenly so sleepy... I might need a lovely android lady to carry me to bed..."
2B laughed as she caught him: "...Master, you and Mr. Stark are like a pair of elementary school students."
The Lincoln drove through the neon-lit streets of New York, finally stopping in front of a modern waterfront Villa.
The smart access system scanned Chen Tian's iris, and the gate slid open silently.
"Welcome home, Master," the holographic projection in the entryway automatically lit up, displaying Tony's mischievous virtual image, "By the way, a reminder, I specially replaced the bed in the master bedroom with a vibrating model~"
Chen Tian gave the projection a middle finger, then pulled 2B straight to the second floor.
The moment they pushed open the master bedroom door, both of them froze simultaneously—the entire room had been transformed into a Japanese hot spring style, with a steaming natural hot spring pool in the center, and neatly arranged yukatas and sake by the pool.
"This..." 2B's mechanical eyes quickly scanned the room, "Water temperature 42.3℃, sulfur content 0.02%, it's a real volcanic hot spring."
Chen Tian picked up the note by the pool, on which was Tony's flamboyant handwriting: "Take a bath to relax, remember to return the car keys tomorrow PS: Don't do strange things in the pool."
2B's fingers, which were testing the Water quality, suddenly stiffened, and her entire body turned red like a cooked crab.
Chen Tian cleared his throat, crumpled the note into a ball, and threw it into the trash can: "You wash first, I'll go find something to eat."
Before he finished speaking, 2B suddenly tugged at his clothes, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum: "Master... the armor has Waterproof function... and... I'm wearing my leotard underneath..."
The New York night view outside the window was as brilliant as a galaxy, and the hot spring mist inside gradually blurred their figures.
At this moment, the Villa's smart system quietly activated privacy mode, and all windows turned into frosted glass.
Meanwhile, Tony, who had finished his speech on stage and was now in the box drinking with Rhodes and watching the stage performance, suddenly sneezed.
He rubbed his nose, looked at the "Vehicle arrived" notification on his phone, and showed a meaningful smile: "Jarvis, how long has Chen Tian been at the Villa?"
"Sir, he's been there for an hour."
"Hehe, Jarvis, send a remote command to the Villa."
"As you requested, Sir."
The AI paused for half a second, "But are you sure you want to add capsaicin to Mr. Chen's jacuzzi?"
Tony's hand, holding the champagne glass, froze in mid-air: "Wait, when did I say—"
"Sir, the Villa's surveillance has been shielded by 2B, but..." Jarvis's voice paused... "Mr. Chen said he's going to kill you."
Tony silently put down his wine glass and turned to Rhodes and Pepper: "I suddenly remembered Washington wants me to attend a meeting..."
Rhodes watched his friend's fleeing back, shaking his head and sighing: "This is why you get woken up by Chen Tian every morning....."
In the Villa, Chen Tian, who had just had a 'deep discussion' with 2B, was comfortably leaning by the hot spring pool, while 2B, wearing her leotard, knelt behind him, her slender fingers pressing on his temples.
The pool Water suddenly turned a strange red, and then—
"Ahhh Tony I'm going to kill you!!" Chen Tian screamed heartbreakingly.