IMPORTANT NOTE:
This is my P_A_T_R_E_O_N link please support me. Thank you guys
patrèon.com/Tony_stark_3000
remove the è and put a normal e.
If Patrèon is not your cup of tea, then buy me a coffee 😉.
https://buymeacoffee.com/Tony_Stark_3000
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sorry for the delay over the last few days, guys.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A satisfied smile appeared on Jack's face.
"This is the second time I've witnessed a nuclear explosion," he said with a nostalgic smile. "Thinking back, Father once piloted an aircraft and dropped an atomic bomb on Tokyo. Back then, he was truly carefree."
Alice shook her head helplessly.
"You really shouldn't keep bringing up how brave—or reckless—you were all those years ago."
Ada looked toward the distant mushroom cloud that was still rising into the sky.
"The Chitauri mothership is finished. After all, it was hit by a nuclear weapon. No matter how powerful it was, it still couldn't withstand that kind of destructive force." She paused before adding, "Still, whoever ordered the launch really had some nerve."
Alice nodded in agreement.
"If New York couldn't stop the invasion, then launching a nuclear weapon was probably their last resort. Otherwise, by the time this was over, the entire United States might have disappeared."
"That's not entirely wrong," Jack replied calmly. "But I'm afraid things aren't that simple."
Alice and Ada both looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
Jack's expression became thoughtful.
"That nuclear missile wasn't launched from a fixed missile silo."
"It came from a fighter aircraft."
"And that aircraft had been waiting nearby this entire time."
Alice's eyes widened.
"You're saying someone had already prepared the nuclear missile beforehand... and was simply waiting for the perfect opportunity to launch it?"
Jack nodded slowly.
"Exactly."
"The only organization capable of arranging something like that is S.H.I.E.L.D. There's no doubt the missile was launched from one of their fighters."
He looked toward the distant battlefield.
"What I'm curious about isn't who launched it."
"It's who planned everything behind the scenes."
Ada frowned.
"So you're saying someone deliberately arranged all of this?"
"Is that what you mean?"
Jack shrugged casually.
"Maybe."
"I don't know for sure."
"I'm only making a guess."
He smiled mischievously.
"After all, a graceful and handsome person like me is always being targeted by people who want to kill me."
"So naturally, I have to stay cautious."
Alice and Ada looked at each other before falling completely silent.
A moment later, Alice sighed.
"You sounded so logical that I almost believed you."
Jack laughed.
"Maybe."
"Maybe not."
Ada rolled her eyes.
"'Maybe?' Fine."
"Maybe all of this is just a dream."
"We'll wake up tomorrow, and nothing will have happened."
The atmosphere became noticeably lighter.
Suddenly, Alice remembered something.
"Didn't White Queen mention something before?"
"When you transform into Transformers Glimmering Fourth-Layer Form, you can only maintain it for around three minutes."
She looked at Jack with concern.
"Today you only used Glimmering Third-Layer Form."
"How does it feel?"
Jack looked down at his hands.
"The energy consumption is much greater than I expected."
"Transforming from Transforming-T Human Form into a Transformer already consumes an enormous amount of energy."
"My Glimmering Third-Layer Form can currently last only about eight minutes."
"If I activate the Fourth Layer..."
He smiled bitterly.
"Then it'll be exactly as Red Queen calculated."
"Three minutes."
"That time limit is a problem I have to solve."
Alice nodded gently.
"Don't rush it."
"Power like yours can't be perfected overnight."
"Take it one step at a time."
Ada suddenly remembered someone else.
"I wonder how White Queen is doing."
"New York has become like this..."
Jack hadn't answered yet when Alice smiled confidently.
"With how clever she is?"
"I guarantee she's perfectly fine."
"She isn't the type to put herself in unnecessary danger."
"I'm sure we'll see her smiling face again soon."
Her expression softened.
"I'm more worried about Natasha and Hill."
"I just hope they're safe..."
"Otherwise..."
She glanced meaningfully at Jack.
"...someone might end up heartbroken."
Jack immediately put on a righteous expression.
"Are you talking about me?"
"You really underestimate me."
"Do I look like the kind of man who only thinks about romance?"
He smiled confidently.
"As long as they're people I've acknowledged..."
"They won't die so easily."
Alice smiled faintly.
"Of course."
"Anyone acknowledged by you seems to have exceptionally good luck."
Ada sighed softly.
"I never imagined the Chitauri invasion would turn New York into this."
Jack quietly looked toward the smoke-covered sky.
"This is life."
Then his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Mammoth..."
"You've been watching for quite a while."
"Don't you think what I said is right?"
Alice and Ada froze.
"There are other people here?"
Jack smiled.
"I'm about ninety percent sure."
He looked toward an empty section of the sky.
"Come out."
"Stop hiding."
The moment his voice fell—
"A little interesting."
A gloomy voice echoed through the air.
The surrounding space distorted.
A figure wrapped completely in black clothing silently appeared before the three of them.
However, the mysterious person stood with their back facing them.
Not even Jack could see the person's face.
Jack laughed.
"'A little interesting?'"
"I think things are only going to become more interesting from here."
He tilted his head.
"But tell me..."
"What's with turning your back toward us?"
"Trying to act mysterious?"
"Or are you just too ugly to show your face?"
Alice and Ada stared at the newcomer in shock.
Neither of them had sensed anyone observing them.
That alone was enough to demonstrate how terrifying the stranger was.
The black-clothed figure remained motionless.
"Your mouth is quite impressive."
"I only hope your strength is as impressive as your words."
The icy voice carried an invisible pressure.
Jack smiled casually.
"Meeting someone like you has finally taught Father what true showmanship looks like."
"You certainly know how to make an entrance."
"But stop pretending."
"Even if you covered your head with a silk stocking..."
"I'd still know exactly who you are."
"Oh?"
For the first time, the black-clothed figure sounded interested.
"So..."
"You know who I am?"
Jack burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"I've finally met someone who's my equal."
"You know how to act cool."
"You know how to show off."
"And you certainly know how to talk."
"I almost admire you."
Alice couldn't help asking,
"If you're so confident..."
"Why don't you turn around?"
"Afraid we'll recognize your true face?"
The black-clothed figure answered calmly,
"Everyone who has seen my true appearance is already dead."
He paused.
"Jack."
"I hope you'll continue entertaining me."
"So far..."
"Your performance has been worthy of praise."
Jack placed a hand over his chest dramatically.
"Such high praise."
"I'm truly honored."
He smiled brightly.
"But there's something I've wanted to ask."
"Can't you stop showing off for just one minute?"
The black-clothed figure let out a cold laugh.
"Showing off requires strength."
"For now..."
"I'll acknowledge you as an opponent."
"So don't die too quickly."
As soon as those words fell—
The figure vanished without leaving behind the slightest trace.
Silence returned.
Jack shook his head with a grin.
"I actually like people who enjoy acting cool."
"Because when I eventually step on them beneath my feet..."
"The feeling is especially satisfying."
Only after the stranger disappeared did Alice and Ada finally relax.
Although the mysterious figure had never even turned around, the invisible spiritual pressure he released had been overwhelming.
Alice frowned.
"The person who attacked you before..."
"It should be him."
"He feels incredibly dangerous."
Ada nodded slowly.
"Just standing near him..."
"Made me feel like I couldn't possibly defeat him."
Jack remained calm.
"That's spiritual pressure."
"Ordinary powerhouses don't possess it."
"Only truly terrifying individuals can create that kind of oppression."
Instead of looking worried, excitement flashed across Jack's eyes.
"Interesting."
"It seems Father has finally found a new toy."
"Now..."
"Let's see who's really going to end up playing with whom."