After everyone saw Deadpool, they then saw Wade, the 'King of Ducks', on the other side, looking bewildered and surprised that the voice of this red-clad pervert was so familiar.
Everyone knew that the World had returned to its original state.
But feelings are just feelings; it still needed to be verified.
So, everyone rushed to the tactical conference room in the Arbitrator Tower.
In the conference room, no one spoke.
A dozen holographic screens floated in the air—Tony's fingers tapped rapidly, retrieving real-time data streams from the Watcher Platform, while Friday's blue light cascaded like a waterfall, displaying global news feeds.
No one spoke, only the faint hum of equipment and Deadpool standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling glass, almost pathologically stroking his smooth cheek, occasionally breathing on it and rubbing it with his finger, adjusting the arc of his smile in the reflection.
"Global satellite network signal stable, no abnormal interference." Jarvis's calm voice sounded.
"The New York Times headline: 'Arbitrators Alliance Successfully Annihilates Superpowered Terrorist Organization,' with a picture of the Arbitrators' battle in the Washington District." Friday reported.
"...All major cities report good public order." Tony stared at the data stream, "On social media... it's all about this anti-terrorism operation, and public support for the Arbitrators has increased by 15 percentage points."
"Globally, no signs of activity from the organization's remnants have been found." Shuri added, her finger swiping across a screen displaying the African continent.
"No relevant information about Metropolis or Gotham City was found..." Natasha pointed to a screen with a global map.
Dr. Banner pushed up his glasses: "All monitoring data shows that this terrorist organization calling itself the 'Injustice League' has been completely eradicated. Their Bases, equipment, personnel... have all been cleaned up by us."
Pietro chewed gum: "So, it's... over? We succeeded? Beach barbecue party continues?"
Tony finally moved his gaze from the screen: "It seems this time it really succeeded. All issues regarding the Injustice League have been modified by Chen Tian." He pointed to the screens, "The data... is as clean as Captain America's uniform after a fresh wash."
Steve gave Tony a helpless look.
"However…" Tony changed the subject, tapping his finger on the table, "Friday, starting now, continuously search the internet and media for topics and news for the next 24 hours. Jarvis, the Watcher Platform is to remain on alert, checking the entire Earth for any remaining suspicious points."
At this moment, Chen Tian pushed open the door and entered the conference room. Everyone looked at him. They all knew where Chen Tian had gone: to inquire with the cosmic-level powerhouse known as 'Observer, Not Intervener' — Otto.
Chen Tian saw everyone looking at him and chuckled, "Otto just told me that the 'Stitched World' created by Infinite Ultron has been completely restored. Our World has returned to normal."
As soon as Chen Tian said this, the entire conference room erupted in cheers.
Tony even shouted: "Party! Friday! You heard me! Party!!"
Everyone was laughing and cheering, and even Steve, who rarely responded to Tony's party invitations, smiled and said, "Tony, this time, I want to add a bit of Brooklyn style to the party."
Tony laughed loudly and said, "No problem! Brooklyn style! Academic style! Russian style! All of them! We're going to party for! Three! Days! And! Three! Nights!"
The entire conference room instantly transformed into an ocean of joy.
"Friday! Activate party mode!" Tony snapped his fingers, "Get the Arbitrator Tower's top floor terrace ready. I want to see champagne towers, laser shows, and—"
"Wait!" Deadpool suddenly turned from the glass, interrupting Tony. He raised his hand with a serious expression, "A party is fine, but you must agree to one condition."
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked puzzled at this strange man in a red and black suit.
"What condition?" Chen Tian asked, raising an eyebrow.
Deadpool suddenly pulled out a professional camera as if by magic, a look of obsession on his face: "I want to record every angle of my flawless face at the party! Vanessa must see—"
"Get out!" Tony immediately grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.
Deadpool dodged agilely, continuing to caress his cheek in a self-absorbed manner: "Oh~ This face deserves an Oscar! No, ten Oscars! I'm going to make a documentary called 'Deadpool: Peak of Perfection'!"
Steve shook his head helplessly, and Banner was already walking towards the door: "I'll go prepare drinks... and find some earplugs."
"Don't mind this narcissist," Natasha rolled her eyes, "Friday, prepare the party as planned."
Amidst a burst of laughter, Deadpool continued to strike various exaggerated poses in front of the glass, muttering, "This face... tsk tsk, even I want to f*** myself..."
Chen Tian walked over, grabbed him by the back of his collar: "Come on, 'Mr. Charisma,' the party needs a live wire like you to liven things up."
"Wait! Let me admire it for five more minutes! Just five minutes!" Deadpool struggled, but Chen Tian was already dragging him towards the elevator. His wails echoed down the hallway, "My face! My masterpiece! You mortals don't understand the value of beauty!"
In the conference room, everyone exchanged smiles and followed suit.
Tony took one last look around at the holographic screens, confirmed all data showed normal, then snapped his fingers with a flourish: "Let's party!"
The party was lively, but not as noisy as the previous parties Tony had hosted.
According to him and Chen Tian, it was because after going to the World of [Endgame] and seeing that 'Old Iron Can' who was willing to sacrifice himself to preserve the World.
He was somewhat touched. He had also thought for a long time in Old Iron Can's lakeside Villa, wondering if he could do it himself if it were him.
Tony felt that he could also do it, so in typical Tony fashion, he would say, "Such a cool scene, there's no way I'd let anyone else have it."
Chen Tian knew that his friend had matured, not in age, but in spirit.
Chen Tian believed Tony would do it. Although he appeared cynical and unrestrained on the surface, the justice in his heart was certainly no less than Captain America's.
Party lights flickered, and the music was just right, not as deafening as before. Chen Tian's gaze swept across the crowd, landing on Tony.
Tony leaned against the bar, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand, his gaze seemingly piercing through the champagne tower and laser show, fixed on some distant place—the battlefield of [Endgame].
Chen Tian knew what he was thinking: that "Old Iron Can" whose half-body was charred by the Infinity Stones' energy, yet still stubbornly raised his arm to snap his fingers.
Chen Tian walked over, extended his arm, and heavily clasped Tony's shoulder, interrupting his thoughts.
"Hey, what are you thinking about?" Chen Tian's voice was low, with a hint of teasing, yet unusually firm, "Don't worry, with me around, you'll never get to play that tragic role."
Tony snapped back to attention, the force on his shoulder pulling him back to reality.
He turned his head to look at Chen Tian, his mouth habitually curving into a signature, slightly arrogant smile: "Of course! If such a situation arose, you'd definitely try to steal the spotlight. But don't worry, I'm best at stealing the show." His tone was the familiar Tony-style stubbornness, but a hint of relief flickered in the depths of his eyes.
Chen Tian laughed heartily, casually picked up a can of cola nearby, and with a crisp "clink," lightly tapped Tony's glass.
"Regardless of whether there's a chance to steal the spotlight," Chen Tian took a gulp of cola, "the task of returning the Soul Stone is yours."
Tony's smile froze for a moment, then he grumbled, "Again?! You're the one who saved the Universe, and then you dump the errand-running, clean-up job on me? Chen Tian, you're incurable with your advanced laziness, aren't you?!"
Chen Tian just laughed harder, patting his shoulder: "The capable do more, Iron Man! Besides, it's good for you to relive the 'Hero's Journey'!"
"Get lost! You're just trying to trick your Uncle Tony!" Tony glared, but that forcibly imposed "responsibility" strangely diluted the heavy shadow of memory from earlier.
Chen Tian laughed heartily, and when he had laughed enough, he leaned close to Tony's ear, lowering his voice: "Actually, you have a mission when you go."
Tony paused in the act of drinking, squinting at him: "A mission? Their Thanos over there has already been dealt with, what else do they need us to do? Does paying debts count as a mission?"
"The debt needs to be paid, but there's an 'extra'," Chen Tian shook his head, his eyes becoming serious, "Do you remember the Skrulls?"
Tony's brows immediately furrowed: "Of course, I remember. After S.H.I.E.L.D. collapsed here, you kept them firmly in check, and they're still on the Watcher Platform's monitoring list. What's wrong?" He vaguely guessed something.
"It's different over there," Chen Tian's voice quickened, "In the [Endgame] timeline, the Skrulls weren't effectively controlled. They used their shapeshifting abilities and memory-reading skills to replace many key figures."
Tony's face darkened: "Who?"
"Many. But you must warn Old Iron Can that," Chen Tian stared into Tony's eyes, enunciating each word, "War Machine, Rhodes, is a fake."
The wine glass in Tony's hand violently shook. "Rhodes?! Damn it!" He cursed under his breath, "How did they do it?"
"Specific details are unclear, but Rhodes' identity being replaced is confirmed," Chen Tian said quickly, "When you go to return the Stones, first, you need to warn Old Iron Can to guard against full Skrull infiltration, and second, you need to tell him that your good brother Rhodes has been replaced. You need to find the real Rhodes and deal with the Skrull problem as soon as possible."
Tony angrily chugged the rest of his drink, the empty glass hitting the bar with a crisp sound, drawing a curious glance from Pietro nearby. The last bit of party relaxation in his eyes completely vanished, replaced by cold sharpness and a hint of offended rage.
"Those damn green shapeshifters... putting their hands into the Avengers, and messing with my brother?" Tony's voice was icy. He looked at Chen Tian, "Alright, this business trip is worth it. Perfect, I'll deliver a 'big gift package' to that Iron Can over there." He sneered, "Dealing with fakes? This is my 'area of expertise'."
Chen Tian smiled and clapped Tony's shoulder hard: "Alright, don't keep a straight face. The Skrulls won't cause any trouble. You and Captain America will go together and finish it quickly."
A mischievous look, as if watching a show, appeared on his face: "I'm really looking forward to seeing the amazing sight of two Tony Starks and two Captain Americas fighting side by side."
Tony rolled his eyes, but his tense shoulders relaxed a bit.
He nodded, said no more, and scanned the party crowd, finding Steve chatting with Sam, the Falcon.
Tony walked straight over and clapped Captain America's arm.
"Captain, Boss Chen called our names. We need to go deliver a 'package' now." His tone was casual, not saying too much in front of Sam.
Steve, whose conversation was interrupted, looked at Tony with a slight doubt: "Now? Return the Stones?"
His gaze instinctively went past Tony, looking towards Chen Tian by the bar.
Chen Tian was holding his can of cola, vaguely gesturing towards Captain America's direction, a "you know what I mean" smile on his face, and lightly shook it.
Steve looked at Tony's clearly secretive expression, then at Chen Tian's calm and composed hint.
He knew these two too well. Tony didn't want to say, Chen Tian felt there was no need to say it now, but the mission had to be carried out.
He didn't hesitate at all, nodding to Sam: "Sam, talk later."
Then he turned to Tony, concise and to the point: "Let's go."
The two said no more, walking side by side towards the private elevator leading to the underground laboratory, amidst the background noise of the party's revelry.
They blended into the crowd and quickly passed through, their figures flashing under the changing party lights, then disappeared into the passage leading to the more core area.
The elevator doors slid open silently, the cold metallic gleam inside forming a Stark contrast to the dazzling lights of the party outside.
Tony walked in first, still muttering: "I hope my champagne tower hasn't been knocked over by that kid Pietro when I get back…"
Steve followed steadily, and the elevator doors slowly closed, cutting off the last bit of party noise.
— — — —
The equipment room was dimly lit. Tony leaned against the doorframe, watching Steve methodically put on his classic red, blue, and white striped battle suit.
"So," Steve said, finally, as he fastened the last piece of armor and picked up his vibranium shield, "you and Chen Tian were whispering by the bar for so long, it wasn't just to assign 'delivery' jobs, was it? Do the Stones need to be returned so urgently?"
Tony curled his lip and said concisely, "That kid gave us an 'after-sales reminder.' Colonel Rhodes in that World is a fake, transformed by a Skrull."
Steve's movements abruptly halted, and his brows instantly furrowed. "Rhodes? Are you sure?"
"It's Boss Chen's intel, what do you think?" Tony shrugged, his voice laced with suppressed anger. "A bunch of green-skinned lizards, daring to touch my brother? Heh."
Steve was silent for two seconds, his gaze sharpening.
He didn't ask any more questions, neatly secured his shield to his back, and strode towards a smooth alloy wall in the depths of the room.
"Friday," his voice was steady.
A blue light descended from the ceiling, precisely scanning Steve's entire body, finally focusing on his iris.
"Identity confirmed, Captain Steve Rogers. Permission verified." Friday's voice rang out.
The alloy wall in front of him silently slid open to both sides, revealing an embedded safe.
Inside, a simple, ancient-looking metal box, shining with the brilliance of the Sun, lay quietly—the Leo Gold Cloth.
Steve reached in and took out the Cloth Box, holding it in his hand. The weight of the box and the power it contained made his steps even more steady. He turned to Tony, "Let's go."
The two wasted no more words, quickly walked through the corridor, and arrived at the core platform of the quantum teleportation zone.
A faint energy hum filled the air.
On the platform, 2B stood quietly, holding a completely black metal box.
Seeing the two approach, 2B stepped forward and handed the black box to Tony. "Master has sealed the Soul Stone within this container. Stability has been confirmed. I will be responsible for opening and stabilizing the quantum channel and escorting you both to the designated spatiotemporal coordinates."
Tony took the heavy black box, which felt cold to the touch. He weighed it in his hand, then habitually gave 2B a signature Stark teasing smile. "Thanks, 2B. By the way, why does your Master always make you wear a maid outfit?"
2B's expression didn't change in the slightest. "The mission attire is a universal combat suit, Mr. Stark."
As she spoke, she walked towards the control panel, her fingers rapidly operating in the air. The quantum platform began to glow with a deep blue light, and energy currents surged like liquid through the pipes beneath the platform.
"Tsk, what a shame." Tony feigned disappointment and shrugged, holding the Soul Stone's box. He and Steve, who had his shield on his back and the Cloth Box in his hand, stepped onto the center of the platform.
Steve glanced at Tony, ignoring his trash talk, and simply reminded him in a low voice, "Focus, Tony. This isn't a party."
"Relax, Old Ice Pop," Tony adjusted his stance, looking at the increasingly bright energy glow around them. "It's just a visit, a delivery, and by the way… uh, cleaning up some counterfeit products. We call it efficiency."
The quantum energy began to hum, and the light made their figures appear somewhat blurred.
Tony took one last look at the black box in his hand, which sealed the Soul Stone, and a cold curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Ready, Captain? Let's go give that 'Old Iron Can' a big surprise package!"
——
"Damn it, are you serious?" The Old Iron Can—this World's Tony—opened his mouth wide in surprise, looking at the other Tony with disbelief.
"Do you think I'd lie to you? Or, we could just grab Rhodes and check him thoroughly, then you'd know." The other Tony glanced at Rhodes, who was teasing the two Captain Americas.
This World's Tony frowned. "If we act now, I think you'll be attacked by the others."
The other Tony shrugged. "Then you do it. Just say you want to check if Rhodes' auxiliary machinery has any problems, after all, your Avengers campus collapsed, wasn't he buried in it?"
This World's Tony raised an eyebrow. "Good idea, I'll handle it. But if you're wrong, have you thought about how you'll apologize?"
"Apologize? That's not our style, Old Iron Can." The other Tony said teasingly.
This World's Tony said nothing. He knew the other Tony was right; apologizing wasn't Tony Stark's style.
Yes, the above conversation took place after Tony and Captain America traveled back to the World of [Avengers: Endgame]. They successfully arrived at this World's Tony's lakeside Villa.
The time was exactly one minute after Chen Tian and the others had left.
When they reappeared and returned the Soul Stone, the Avengers, who had been somewhat apprehensive that Chen Tian and the others wouldn't return the Soul Stone, instantly had their worries dispelled.
They were much more enthusiastic towards the two, especially with the appearance of the other Captain America, which led to lively teasing.
The other Tony, meanwhile, found this World's Tony and told him about the Skrulls, which led to the previous conversation.
"Hey, Rhodes," this World's Tony said, strolling over to Rhodes, who was chatting with Falcon, a cup of coffee in hand.
"Last time the campus collapsed, your 'gold leg' was buried for half a day, and I just can't shake the feeling. While we have time, why don't you come to the lab and let me give it a deep maintenance? So it doesn't fail you at a critical moment, and you actually have to crawl to the bathroom."
Rhodes curled his lip and retorted, "Shut your crow mouth, Tony! My leg is much more reliable than your pile of junk… but, a check-up wouldn't hurt."
He shrugged indifferently and greeted Falcon, "Sam, give me a few minutes."
"Anytime, Colonel." Falcon replied with a smile.
Rhodes followed this World's Tony into the lab and, familiar with the place, lay down on the cold, metallic examination bed. "Hurry up, don't delay my discussion about life with Sam." Rhodes urged.
"What's the rush? I promise you'll be walking with a swagger…" This World's Tony's words trailed off.
Then, with a series of crisp metallic clicks, "Click! Click! Click!"
Several silver metal rings instantly shot out from the edges of the examination bed, clamping down on Rhodes' wrists, ankles, and waist! The cold touch made Rhodes stiffen all over.
"Tony?!" Rhodes looked at this World's Tony in shock, trying to struggle, but the Vibranium shackles, gleaming with their unique luster, remained unmoving.
"What the hell is this? Some new prank?" His tone carried a mix of annoyance and confusion at being played by a friend.
"A prank?" A teasing voice came from the corner of the lab.
The other Tony slowly walked out. "Sorry, Rhodes. But this 'little toy' is a souvenir I specially brought," he shook a controller. "Wakandan specialty, Vibranium restraint device. Prepared especially for guests like you who might need a 'deep physical examination.'"
Rhodes' gaze darted between the two Tonys with suspicion and uncertainty, the relaxed expression on his face completely gone, replaced by wariness and panic.
"Tony!" He suddenly looked at this World's Tony, his voice rising, "What the hell is wrong with you? What kind of spell did this guy put on you?" He struggled fiercely, the Vibranium shackles scraping.
This World's Tony's face now showed no trace of a joke, his eyes sharp.
He watched Rhodes' violent reaction, especially the far-beyond-normal resistance and almost reflexive aggressive accusations when he heard "deep physical examination." The last bit of hope in his heart was completely extinguished.
A cold fury instantly swept over him, but he forcibly suppressed it, his voice instead appearing unusually calm, even with a hint of reassurance: "Relax, Rhodes. Don't get agitated. It's just a full-body scan, a 'thorough' check-up. For your safety."
"Safety?! I'm perfectly safe!" Rhodes' roar echoed in the lab. He glared at the other Tony, "Let me down! Tony! Don't listen to him! He's lying to you!"
The two Tonys exchanged a glance—a look devoid of any doubt, only cold confirmation and suppressed fury.
"Friday," this World's Tony's voice was as cold as ice, "Initiate full-body scan protocol, highest priority. Scan him from head to toe, inside and out, 'thoroughly'! The focus is… abnormal life signal fluctuations and biological tissue identification."
"Understood, Boss." Friday's voice responded.
A blue light descended from the ceiling, enveloping Rhodes, who was firmly secured to the examination bed.
Under that blue light, Rhodes' face instantly turned pale, his struggles intensified, and in the depths of his eyes, a terror of being exposed could no longer be hidden.
"No! Stop! Tony! You can't do this!" His screams were already tinged with a desperate shrillness.
The dazzling blue light enveloped the "Rhodes" on the examination bed, and holographic screens instantly popped up with dense analysis charts, blinding red alerts flashing wildly!
"Warning: Life signal abnormal fluctuations exceed human threshold!"
"Warning: Large-scale abnormal subcutaneous tissue deformation detected!"
"Warning: Bone density abnormal, abnormal non-natural peristalsis in fascia layers!"
"Warning: Biometric features severely deviate from James Rhodes' database! Match probability 0.7%!"
The cold electronic voice struck this World's Tony's heart one after another.
On the screen, beneath the familiar face of Rhodes, was a constantly squirming, twisting, green fascia layer, trying to maintain its disguise but ultimately failing! Like a giant lizard with its human skin peeled off!
"Bang!"
This World's Tony's iron fist slammed heavily onto the workbench, the hard surface denting!
His eyes red, he lunged to the examination bed, glaring fiercely at the monster that was violently flickering between human form and green skin.
"Where! Is! Rhodes!"
The Skrull, its disguise completely torn, stopped its futile struggles. Rhodes' facial features, which had covered its face, receded like melting wax, revealing a wrinkled green face with malevolence and madness flickering in its eyes.
"Rhodes?" It let out a hoarse, distorted laugh, full of mockery. "That stubborn toy soldier? Probably rotting in some dark corner! Hahahahaha!"
It ignored this World's Tony's almost fiery eyes, its gaze sweeping over both Tonys with a twisted sense of superiority:
"Your Planet is destined to be our new cradle! The Skrull Empire will never…"
Before it could finish speaking, its body suddenly stiffened, a strange "ho-ho" sound came from its throat, its eyes instantly lost their luster, and its entire body went limp like boneless mud, its skin completely reverting to dark green, with no trace of human features remaining—it committed suicide without hesitation!
"NO—!" This World's Tony's furious roar almost ripped the laboratory roof off. He slammed a fist onto a nearby instrument, sparks flying.
He paced in place, anger almost consuming his reason.
"Save your strength, Old Iron Can." The other Tony's voice was unusually calm. He walked over and looked at the Skrull's corpse, confirming its complete Death.
"Roaring at a corpse won't help save Rhodes."
He looked up, his eyes sharp. "Friday, immediately notify everyone for an emergency assembly! Highest level threat leaked! Especially Carol Danvers—"
He emphasized the name, his gaze turning to this World's Tony, who was trembling with rage:
"The Skrulls are a problem she brought to Earth. Now that she's caused such a huge mess, she must be present! She has to take full responsibility for this!"
The other Tony's voice was decisive, echoing in the silent laboratory. The Skrull's corpse lay on the ground, like a huge, dark green warning.
This World's Tony gasped, staring intently at the corpse, then at the other Tony. Finally, the violent fury in his eyes was replaced by reason.
"You're right. Since the Skrulls can transform into Rhodes, it proves they've been plotting for a long time. And Carol, who has had the most contact with them, must handle this matter properly! Otherwise!"
Killing intent surged in this World's Tony's eyes. "I don't mind starting another War!"
-----------------------
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