"Are you sure these people down here really work for that so-called Variant Authority?" Tony asked, narrowing his eyes.
"It's the Time Authority, not the Variant Authority," Malrick corrected him, "and those two down there aren't even from the TVA."
They had just returned to the starting point with Wanda. What they found wasn't exactly reassuring—Deadpool and Wolverine were rolling around on the ground, stabbing and tearing into each other like wild animals. Blood sprayed in thick arcs, flesh was ripped open, and the violence was almost cartoonishly grotesque.
It looked like a tomato having a life-or-death struggle with a fried egg. Tomato juice and egg yolk everywhere.
The three younger Spider-Men and Captain America were standing nearby. Instead of stopping the fight, they were cheering Wolverine on. Their uniforms were slashed and torn from previous attempts, and it was clear they had tried—and failed—to break the brawl apart.
Malrick, Tony, and Wanda landed beside them.
"Wasn't Deadpool supposed to be saving Wolverine? Why are they fighting each other?" Malrick asked B-15.
Before she could answer, the youngest Spider—Holland's Peter—whirled around. When he spotted Malrick, his mouth ran like a machine gun.
"Malrick! You're finally back! Did you find whoever used the Infinity Stones? Deadpool and Wolverine are insane!" He jogged right up, words spilling out in a rush. "After you left, Wolverine woke up, saw Deadpool, and immediately called him an idiot. Apparently, Deadpool dragged him here without permission and nearly got his memory erased. Wolverine was furious! He called Deadpool a gas-brained X-toy, a joke, and said he wasn't good enough for the Avengers or even the X-Men, who'll take practically anyone.
"Then he really let loose, mocking him for being a pathetic, unloved loudmouth who couldn't possibly save his own world—let alone win back his girlfriend. Deadpool didn't even reply, just punched him, and it's been nonstop ever since.
"We tried to web them down, but it was useless."
He spread his hands helplessly. "Maybe only you can stop them, Malrick. You're basically Superman here… Hey, wait—Miss Wanda? And… hold on—this armor…"
Holland's gaze locked on Tony. His words stuttered to a halt.
"You… you're—"
"That's right, I'm Iron Man," Tony cut in smoothly, flipping open his faceplate. He arched a brow at Malrick, smug. "See? Even a baby agent in pajamas knows who I am."
"Stark… Sir…" Holland's voice shook.
He stared like the ground had dropped out from under him. His eyes welled as recognition hit.
The last time he had seen Tony Stark was… the funeral. Watching his portrait drift away on the river. Or maybe when Mysterio's lies played back Tony's final message, leaving Peter lost, empty, and alone.
Now, here Tony was, alive and breathing.
A tear slipped down Holland's cheek before he even realized it.
Tony froze. "What's wrong with you, kid? Why are you crying? I didn't even say anything. Are all the TVA employees this emotionally fragile?"
"I didn't mean it like that," he added quickly. "You're not a pajama baby. Your suit looks… custom. Tell you what, I can upgrade it with nanotech if you want."
The armor folded back into his Arc Reactor. Dressed casually with a Superman logo stretched across his shirt, Tony stepped forward and clapped Holland on the shoulder. He wasn't exactly good at comforting teenagers. The last time he had to play dad, it was Malrick, who never needed comfort anyway. Usually, Tony's only prayer was that the model he was seeing that night wouldn't be swept away by Malrick instead.
Still, he tried the only way he knew how: by offering help.
But Holland didn't let him finish. The boy wrapped his arms tightly around Tony, clinging like if he let go, the man would vanish again.
"Sorry, sorry, Mr. Stark. I messed everything up. The drones are gone. Aunt May… she's gone. MJ and Ned don't even remember me…"
Tony felt the desperate grip, the wet streak spreading across his shoulder. The kid was crying hard.
"It's okay, kid," Tony said softly, patting his back. "You've done more than enough."
For a moment, he felt the crushing loneliness pressing off the boy, like he was holding the weight of the world. Tony glanced at Malrick, silently asking: What the hell is this?
Malrick gave him a look: In his world, you were basically his adoptive father. You died.
Tony's brows furrowed. How?
Malrick: The Thanos thing.
Understanding dawned. Tony looked back at Holland, suddenly thoughtful. If I had snapped and died in front of Thanos, would you have cried for me like this too?
Malrick only shook his head and turned away, ignoring him.
Rolling his eyes, Tony kept his focus on the kid. "Listen, no one knows me better than me. That other Tony… he'd be proud of you."
The words broke through Holland's grief. He quickly stepped back, embarrassed, spotting the tear stain on Tony's shirt.
"Sorry, Mr. Stark. It's just… my world had you too, and I mistook you for him."
"It's fine. Doesn't matter. Why don't you tell me your story instead?" Tony offered with a small smile.
Peter nodded quickly, wiping at his eyes with his sleeve. "Of course. Yeah, of course!"
The two of them moved aside, falling into quiet conversation.
Malrick watched with the other Spider-Men.
"So… your brother really is Peter One's adoptive dad?" Toby asked curiously.
"No. That was another Tony from a parallel world. Peter's Tony sacrificed himself," Malrick explained.
"Like Ben…" Garfield muttered, looking down.
"Pretty much."
Then Gwen glanced toward Wanda, her voice cautious. "And… what about her? Is she… your girlfriend, Malrick?"
Malrick didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned toward Wanda with a faint smile. "How about you introduce yourself?"