Chapter 228: Chapter 229, Captain America Pulls a Plane Barehanded!
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Stephen Strange returned to the past multiple times, but no matter what he did, Christine Palmer would die every time.
In the end, Stephen Strange decided not to appear at all.
Upon his return, he chose not to meet Christine Palmer. He wanted to see if her survival depended on his absence.
"We've received news of heavy casualties, and among the deceased is Dr. Christine Palmer, a trauma specialist..." However, he still saw the news of Christine Palmer's death on television.
Stephen Strange's figure disappeared from the bar and returned to the past once again.
"Stephen, is something wrong?" Christine Palmer asked him.
"Why does it happen like this every time?" Stephen Strange asked, frustration evident in his voice. "Can't we have happiness?"
"Let me drive this time," Christine Palmer said, noticing Stephen Strange's distress.
Stephen Strange handed the car keys to Christine Palmer.
"Are you okay?" while driving, Christine Palmer asked again, "Do you want to talk? Should I play some music?"
"I just want you. You're the only thing I care about," Stephen Strange said.
This was his final words to Christine Palmer. In the next moment, another car came rushing in, and another accident occurred!
"No!" Stephen Strange fell to his knees by the shore, shouting in defiance.
"Good evening, Doctor Strange." Just as he was about to return to the past once more, a bright light flashed in the sky, and the Ancient One appeared, "Is your car broken?"
"Why are you here?" Stephen Strange asked.
"To help you," the Ancient One said, "This is your starting point, where Dr. Christine Palmer's death led you to seek answers in magic, to seek answers from me."
"Help me bring her back," Stephen Strange pleaded.
"I'm sorry, I can't. No one can," the Ancient One said, her words filled with despair, "Her death is an absolute point in time."
"Absolute?" Stephen Strange inquired.
"Unchangeable, unshakable. If she didn't die, you could never defeat Dormammu, become the Sorcerer Supreme, or be the guardian of the Eye of Agamotto. If you change her death, your journey can never begin."
"I'll create a paradox," Stephen Strange stood up from the ground, determination in his voice.
"You're risking the entire universe," the Ancient One said, "You can't reverse an absolute point."
"Nothing is impossible, that's what you taught me," Stephen Strange declared, "All I need is more powerful magic."
"Even the greatest sorcerers of the past couldn't reverse time," the Ancient One explained.
"You don't know," Stephen Strange turned around, "The books are lost, the library is destroyed."
"Don't torture yourself any further, Stephen." the Ancient One said, "There's no hope. Christine is already gone, and you can't save her."
"No." Stephen Strange uttered a resolute word.
"Stephen, this path only leads to darkness and the end of this reality," the Ancient One warned.
Stephen Strange no longer wanted to listen. A green light emanated from his chest, and he was about to traverse time once again.
"Please don't do this, or I will have to intervene," the Ancient One extended her hands, conjuring two golden "fans."
"But you have to catch me first," Stephen Strange refused to give up.
And so, the Ancient One made her move. A blinding light hit Stephen Strange, completely engulfing him.
The scene ended with the Ancient One's strike.
"So, Stephen was split in half like this. He didn't even resist," after watching the video, Tony Stark remarked.
"But the Ancient One's strike was too heavy-handed. Even if she wanted to stop Stephen, defeating him should have been enough. Why split him in half?" James Rhodes commented.
"Perhaps it was an accident?" Scott Lang speculated, "Because Stephen is also incredibly powerful, the Ancient One went all out, not expecting him not to retaliate. That's why Stephen was split in half."
"My concern is whether Stephen really died or not," Scott Lang said, "The video didn't show him being split in half, just consumed by a burst of light."
"I don't think he'll die. It would be ridiculous for the Sorcerer Supreme Stephen to die like that, wouldn't it?" Clint Barton said.
"Even if he's the Sorcerer Supreme, he can't possibly survive with only half of his body, right?" Sam Wilson commented.
"That's not necessarily true. In another parallel world, Scott survived just fine with only a head." Natasha Romanoff said.
"Everyone, in the end, that Stephen from the parallel world doesn't matter. Whether he lives or dies, what matters is Christine." Tony Stark said, "He keeps going back to the past to resurrect Christine again and again. It's clear that Stephen deeply cares for her."
"Now, the question is," Tony Stark turned to Stephen Strange, "Stephen, do you feel the same way about Christine as that other version of you?"
All eyes turned to Stephen Strange.
"I, I don't know..." Stephen Strange said.
"Not denying it, so it's true?" Tony Stark remarked, "If you have feelings for her, propose already. Don't end up with a lifelong regret like the other you."
"Propose?" Stephen Strange clearly hadn't considered this possibility.
"As someone who's been through it, I advise you to do it sooner rather than later." Tony Stark patted Stephen Strange's shoulder.
"I've never heard of this concept of an absolute point in time before." Steve Rogers said.
"It seems like the outcome of an absolute point in time is truly unchangeable." Bruce Banner added, "No matter how many times Stephen starts over, the process might differ, but the outcome remains the same, even if he doesn't change anything when he goes back."
[Seventh question begins, be prepared.]
[After the Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes was captured and went mad under the control of Baron Zemo, who stopped him?]
[A Captain America Steve Rogers]
[B Iron Man Tony Stark]
[C Falcon Sam Wilson]
[D Black Widow Natasha Romanoff]
[Answer correctly, reward: Ninjutsu Super Beast Illusion Drawing; answer incorrectly, one year of lifespan deduction.]
"Don't worry about Zemo anymore. I've got people keeping an eye on him in Sokovia." Nick Fury said, "If he makes any move, I'll know first."
"Now that Ultron won't appear and the battle in Sokovia won't happen, his family won't be killed, so this event shouldn't occur." Bruce Banner said.
"And Bucky arrived here much earlier than he did in the video. So, it's safe to say that what's shown in the video probably won't happen." Nick Fury stated, "But Zemo, since he managed to orchestrate the Civil War among heroes successfully, he's not to be underestimated. It's good to keep an eye on him."
"For this question, I think there's no other choice but Steve." Bucky Barnes glanced at the answers and responded without hesitation.
"Correct, I will do my utmost to prevent all of this." Steve Rogers said.
"A!" Bucky Barnes made his choice.
[Answer is correct! Reward issued!]
A blob of ink-like substance appeared in the air and merged into Bucky Barnes.
"Bucky, what kind of ninjutsu is this Super Beast Illusion Drawing?" Steve Rogers asked.
"Simply put, it's the ability to bring to life the animals I draw." Bucky Barnes explained, "If I need reconnaissance, I can draw a bird on paper, and it will fly off the paper to act as my eyes. If I need an attack, I can draw a tiger."
"Are you limited to drawing only animals that exist in the natural world?" Bruce Banner inquired.
"Not necessarily," Bucky Barnes replied, "For example, if I need to reach a high place, I can draw a large bird that can carry me. Such birds that can carry a person for flight don't exist in the natural world."
"This ability seems quite practical." Nick Fury couldn't help but comment, "It sounds like you can handle various situations with it."
"Bucky, does this ability also require chakra?" Thor chimed in.
"Exactly, it requires a type of energy called chakra." Bucky Barnes confirmed.
At this moment, the video started playing. The initial scene showed a metal vehicle, with Bucky Barnes seated inside, his body restrained by heavy iron chains.
Then, from another vehicle, Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, and T'Challa emerged.
"How should we handle him?" Steve Rogers asked.
"Normally, you should do the same as him," Thaddeus Ross said, "Conduct a psychological evaluation and then extradite him."
"Allow me to introduce Thaddeus Ross, Deputy Commander of the Special Task Force." Sharon Carter introduced Ross on the side, correcting herself, "Oh, I mean Ross."
"Where's our lawyer?" Steve Rogers inquired.
"A lawyer? How amusing." Thaddeus Ross scoffed, "Lock up their weapons. I'll provide you with a receipt."
"I better not catch anyone wearing my gear and flying around." Sam Wilson said.
Thaddeus Ross wasn't lying; he indeed provided a receipt, and Sharon Carter delivered it, "A receipt for the equipment."
"Bird costume? Seriously!" Sam Wilson took the receipt and glanced at it, shaking his head in disbelief.
"I didn't write that." Sharon Carter said, then she discreetly pressed a button marked "confidential," and a large screen beside her immediately displayed a video of Bucky Barnes.
"Hello, Mr. Barnes." Baron Zemo appeared in front of Bucky Barnes. "I have been appointed by the United Nations to evaluate you. May I sit down?"
"Is your name James?" Although he posed a question, he didn't wait for Bucky Barnes to answer before sitting down himself. "I'm not here to accuse you. I'm just here to ask you a few questions. Do you know where you are, James?"
Bucky Barnes remained silent.
"If you don't talk, I can't help you, James." Baron Zemo continued.
"My name is Bucky." Bucky Barnes finally spoke.
As Steve Rogers watched the interaction between Baron Zemo and Bucky Barnes, he noticed something suspicious. He held up a snapshot of Bucky Barnes taken from surveillance footage and asked, "Why did the Task Force release this photo?"
"Spread the word to get more people looking," Sharon Carter replied.
"Yes," Steve Rogers said, "It's a way to make sure people have nowhere to hide. Blow up a bomb, take a photo, and have seven million people searching for the Winter Soldier."
"Are you saying someone framed him to make people search for him?" Sharon Carter understood Steve Rogers' implication.
"Steve, we've been searching for him for two years without results." Sam Wilson chimed in.
"We didn't bomb the United Nations, which is very attention-grabbing," Steve Rogers said.
"But that doesn't guarantee that the person who framed him will find him." Sharon Carter added, "It only guarantees that we will find him."
At this point, several of them realized something was amiss.
If this method only ensured that they could find Bucky Barnes, did the mastermind have to infiltrate their ranks?
Was that person right there on the scene?
"Yes," looking at the image of Baron Zemo sitting across from Bucky Barnes on the monitor, Steve Rogers was almost certain that this wasn't a doctor sent by the United Nations. He was the one behind framing Bucky Barnes!
Just at that moment, the building's lights suddenly went out, a blackout!
"Hurry, everyone, let me see Barnes!" Thaddeus Ross shouted into his walkie-talkie.
"Friday, can you trace the source of the power outage?" Tony Stark asked Friday.
"East, Basement Level 5." Sharon Carter immediately informed Steve Rogers of Bucky Barnes' location, and they all rushed out.
"What's going on?" Bucky Barnes, sitting in the metal vehicle, saw the blackout and couldn't help but ask.
"Let's talk about your homeland." Baron Zemo, wearing a pair of glasses that made him look sophisticated, said, "Not Romania, and not Brooklyn. I mean your true homeland."
This red notebook was familiar to everyone. It had appeared in the video where Bucky Barnes killed Tony Stark's parents. Hydra used this notebook to control Bucky Barnes.
"Damn it! This guy wants to control Bucky's mind!" Within the answer space, Steve Rogers saw this scene and his expression changed.
"He went to great lengths to find me. He bombed the United Nations and infiltrated the Avengers. He's really dedicated." Bucky Barnes said.
"Soldier, are you sure your mind is okay now?" Tony Stark asked at this point, "What if someone reads that notebook in front of you again, won't you lose control?"
"No, I'm completely fine now." Bucky Barnes looked at Wanda Maximoff, "Thank you."
"His mind is fine now." Wanda Maximoff nodded at Bucky Barnes and then said to the others.
"Desire, rust, seventeen..." Sure enough, right in front of Bucky Barnes, Baron Zemo began reciting those words.
"Stop! Stop it!" Bucky Barnes didn't want to hear those words that could control his mind and roared in frustration.
"Dawn, furnace, nine..." However, Baron Zemo paid no attention and continued reciting the words.
Bucky Barnes went berserk, breaking free from the iron chains on him and then pounding on the metal vehicle.
This metal vehicle was obviously designed to withstand someone as powerful as Bucky Barnes. Even the glass on top was incredibly durable. Bucky Barnes hammered it several times, but there wasn't a scratch on the glass.
"Soldier." Baron Zemo walked up to Bucky Barnes.
"Ready to obey orders." Bucky Barnes' eyes were vacant, as if he were an emotionless machine.
"Mission report, December 16, 1991." Baron Zemo said.
When Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson arrived at the scene, they saw a group of people lying on the ground, and Bucky Barnes was nowhere to be seen.
"Help me." Baron Zemo was lying on the ground like the others, and he said to Steve Rogers.
"Who are you?" Steve Rogers lifted Baron Zemo off the ground and grabbed his collar, demanding, "Who are you? What do you want?"
"To destroy an empire." Baron Zemo dropped his disguise and revealed his true motive.
At this moment, Sam Wilson encountered Bucky Barnes. Even though he was the next Captain America, he had no superpowers and hadn't been injected with any serum. His combat skills were ordinary at best, and he was quickly taken down by Bucky Barnes.
Steve Rogers didn't have time to deal with Baron Zemo and quickly went to find Bucky Barnes.
However, at this moment, Bucky Barnes didn't recognize this ally. He swung his metal arm and started wildly hammering Steve Rogers.
I don't know if Steve Rogers showed mercy, or if the "rule of making the third part stronger when a character turns evil" was at play, but one way or another, Steve Rogers was being forced back by Bucky Barnes. In the end, he was punched into the elevator shaft.
Luckily, Steve Rogers had the strong physique of a super-soldier, or else that punch could have been fatal.
Sam Wilson regained consciousness on the ground and found that both Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes were gone. Only Baron Zemo remained, and Sam quickly got up and went after him. However, Baron Zemo had already fled.
After knocking down Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes headed to the restaurant, where a team of agents blocked his way, leading to a fight.
However, there was no one who could match Bucky Barnes. He easily defeated his opponents.
Tony Stark, dressed in a suit and glasses, saw Bucky Barnes wreaking havoc in the restaurant. He tapped his wristwatch and a gauntlet appeared on his hand.
Buzz! Tony Stark raised his hand, and a wave of energy shot out, shaking Bucky Barnes and halting his actions.
Click! Raising his hand again, a burst of intense light flashed, almost blinding Bucky Barnes.
This was a downside of signing the Sokovia Accords. Tony Stark didn't actually have his suit with him, and the gauntlet he summoned could only provide simple interference. He couldn't even fire his repulsor beams.
Using the shockwave and the intense light, Tony Stark reached Bucky Barnes.
Who knows what he was thinking? He was an excellent scientist, but not skilled in combat. Yet, he dared to approach a super-soldier.
Bang! Within moments, Bucky Barnes punched Tony Stark in the stomach. He was sent flying several meters and collapsed on the ground, unable to get up.
Sharon Carter rushed forward, gritting her teeth, and attacked Bucky Barnes with punches and kicks.
Natasha Romanoff also arrived and joined the attack alongside Sharon Carter.
These two were genuinely formidable fighters, especially Natasha Romanoff as an Avenger. However, it was all in vain. Together, they couldn't withstand Bucky Barnes' onslaught for as long as Tony Stark did. They were overwhelmed by his overwhelming power.
The situation, where Bucky Barnes was unstoppable, only began to change when T'Challa appeared. The prince of Wakanda engaged Bucky Barnes in a fierce fight, and they exchanged blows. In the end, T'Challa kicked Bucky Barnes off the edge of a ledge.
However, as he jumped down, Bucky Barnes had vanished.
Bucky Barnes didn't know how he managed it, but he had reached a helicopter. He casually tore off a rope that was fastened to the helicopter door and boarded.
Woooosh!
Soon, the helicopter's rotors were spinning rapidly, and it lifted off the ground, taking to the air.
Just as Bucky Barnes was about to escape, Steve Rogers arrived just in time.
He ran beneath the helicopter, leaped into the air, and grabbed onto the helicopter. Astonishingly, he managed to pull the helicopter back down!
Bucky Barnes was pushing and maneuvering the controls inside the helicopter, but with Steve Rogers pulling from below, the helicopter couldn't take off!
A single person, using only their bare hands, stopping a flying helicopter!
This scene should have been impressive, but everyone had already seen Peter Parker stop a moving train with his bare hands. Compared to that, this seemed a bit ordinary.
While Steve Rogers was incredibly strong, he still fell slightly short of Spider-Man's feat.
Bucky Barnes sat inside the helicopter, looking down at Steve Rogers' efforts to pull the helicopter down. Suddenly, he made a ruthless decision and changed the helicopter's direction, causing it to plummet straight towards the ground.
The rapidly spinning rotors seemed like sharp blades slicing toward Steve Rogers, a terrifying sight.
However, Steve Rogers was not going to be harmed by such a simple trick. He easily evaded the danger.
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