"Veronica? Friday, find Veronica's data trail."
Iron Man Tony Stark's face was grim. While controlling the Hulkbuster armor to charge at Allens, he ordered Friday to search for any traces of Veronica's data.
In front of Tony, Thor's Mjolnir had just been shattered by a punch from Allens, and Thor himself was knocked away. But before Thor could hit the ground, a blinding surge of rainbow-colored energy burst from the sky, engulfing him completely.
Boom!
The Bifrost's power flared and vanished in an instant, taking Thor's figure with it. Heimdall, the all-seeing gatekeeper of Asgard, had summoned Thor back through the Bifrost.
"F*k! Thor was recalled to Asgard?"
Tony hadn't expected this at all. His face, already dark, now looked pitch-black.
At this point, the Avengers had been completely annihilated—only he remained.
As for Colonel James Rhodes—War Machine—who had come from the future, he had disappeared without a trace.
Tony quickly realized that Rhodey and Veronica, both from the future, weren't fighting the same battle as him. The Avengers of the future might have their own agenda.
Peng!
But despite this realization, Tony didn't falter.
The truth was, Tony Stark had never been afraid of death. Ever since becoming Iron Man, he had always been willing to risk his life—whether it was flying a nuclear missile through a wormhole or, in the future, snapping his fingers to save the universe. Dying for his responsibility had always been part of the deal.
Tony launched a punch at Allens, but Allens casually blocked it with one hand. With his left, Allens pushed, and the sheer force wrenched Tony's massive armored arm backwards.
Ka-ka-ka…
Sparks burst as mechanical parts strained under the overwhelming pressure. Warning lights flickered across Tony's HUD.
"Warning. Right arm integrity compromised. Damage level: 1%... 10%... 50%..." Friday's cold voice echoed in his ear.
Tony grimaced. He didn't need Friday's reminder—he could see the right arm of the Hulkbuster armor tearing apart under the immense stress, metal components splitting and sparking.
Pyra!
A spray of sparks exploded from the shoulder joint. With a deafening crack, Allens ripped the Hulkbuster's right arm clean off and tossed it aside as though it were nothing more than scrap metal.
"Well… looks like lunch with the new cover girl isn't happening after all."
Tony muttered with grim humor, staring at Allens. For the first time, he truly saw death before him. The Avengers were gone. He was the last one standing.
"Hey, Allens," Tony raised his voice, "I actually liked what you said before—'With a mortal body, I can stand against the gods.' That's Iron Man. That's me. Tony Stark. And I'll own that."
The Hulkbuster's visor lifted, revealing Tony's exhausted face. Despite the despair in his eyes, his tone remained steady, even proud.
"Tony Stark, I'm beginning to appreciate you."
Allens looked at him with cold detachment, though inwardly he acknowledged Tony's resolve. Facing death with calm acceptance—this was the spirit that would one day allow Tony to snap his fingers against Thanos.
Expressionless, Allens extended his right hand, phased through the armor, and yanked Tony Stark out of the Hulkbuster like pulling a doll from its shell.
Allens didn't restrain him. Without his armor, Tony was just an ordinary man—physically weaker than most trained soldiers.
"Boss, I found Veronica."
Friday's voice chimed through Tony's smart glasses, projecting a live feed in front of his eyes.
On a Kree spaceship, Colonel James Rhodes sat in the cockpit of the War Machine armor, his face twisted with anger and frustration. On the control system, Veronica's holographic image appeared.
"Damn it, Veronica! Why did you hijack my War Machine and bring me to this Kree ship without authorization?"
High in Earth's stratosphere aboard the Kree Judgment Ship, Rhodes raged at the AI. If Veronica hadn't taken control, he would already be on the battlefield helping Tony.
"Colonel Rhodes, the Avengers' defeat is inevitable. Our mission is to preserve the future. The past is no longer relevant."
Veronica's holographic form looked down at him with icy detachment, her voice devoid of emotion.
"You cold, heartless program… You were built by Tony Stark himself!" Rhodes snapped, glaring with fury.
"Colonel Rhodes, you are mistaken. I was created by the future Tony Stark. And this mission comes directly from Doctor Stephen Strange, approved by most of the future Avengers. I am simply following orders."
Her words struck Rhodes like ice water. He froze, unable to believe what he was hearing—future allies had already written off this battle.
"F*k! Tell me, Veronica—what mission did the future Avengers assign to you?"
Rhodes' voice shook with anger and disbelief. His fists clenched as helplessness and betrayal boiled inside him.
"Colonel Rhodes, the fall of the Avengers here is inevitable. But you cannot die. Not yet."
She didn't elaborate further.
Meanwhile, Friday intercepted their conversation and streamed the data feed directly to Tony Stark's HUD.
Tony's eyes narrowed, his expression grim as he watched.
"So it's true… The Avengers of the future aren't really our allies. They've already chosen a different path."
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