Kapitel 225: Prepared for Death
Tony's departing figure suddenly paused.
"Until I return, or until... news of my death reaches you!" With that, Tony resolutely pushed open the door and left.
"Tony Stark, you're such a jerk!" Pepper cried and shouted from within the locked armor.
But Tony was already gone.
The situation had an air of tragic heroism, as if he were a warrior who would never return.
Tony had sworn on the night Pepper was resurrected that he would never let her leave this world before him again. Never!
Tony, who always planned for the worst-case scenario, was prepared to die. How could he allow Pepper to accompany him in such a situation?
Five minutes later, Tony was driving his beloved Ferrari, his mind racing with thoughts. All sorts of strange ideas popped into his head.
What if Zane, stirred by memories and anger, decided to wage war on Earth?
What if Zane harbored resentment towards Tony for his involvement in the siege and no longer considered him a friend?
What if Zane, who had grown immensely powerful in the five years he spent in the universe, returned to completely destroy Earth?
What if...?
It's no wonder this guy in the original story had anxiety issues. He was practically a late-stage paranoid!
He always took on all responsibilities, even those that had nothing to do with him.
This immense pressure constantly drove him forward, breaking through countless technological barriers, inventing black technologies that even many cosmic civilizations might not possess. He even reached the point where, as a mortal in iron armor, he could stand against gods.
But it also meant his nerves were constantly stretched tight, never able to relax.
There's wisdom in the saying "all work and no play."
Tony's mental resilience prevented him from succumbing to mental breakdowns or turning evil.
In the Marvel comics, there are indeed a few parallel universes where Tony does turn evil and nearly destroys the world.
This is the fundamental difference between Tony and Zane.
Zane never cared about the lives of those unrelated to him. He was an absolute egoist. Calling him selfish was not an exaggeration.
"Not my problem!" was the greatest indifference in the world but also the easiest way to live.
So, it was indeed a marvel that these two men with completely opposite worldviews could become friends.
When Tony came back to his senses, he had unconsciously driven to that familiar shop in Chinatown.
He remembered that the first time he visited Zane, he had bought a gift from this shop. The owner had said it was some kind of tonic good for men, but Zane had thrown it into the trash.
Tony didn't know why he had driven here subconsciously, but since he was here, he got out and pushed open the door.
"Customer, what do you need? I have the best gifts here, whether for relatives, friends, or bosses!"
The shop owner's somewhat sleazy voice echoed in Tony's ears once again. Everything seemed just as it had been...
---
"Sir, Mr. Stark is at the door. Should I let him in?" Polaris, the intelligent butler, suddenly reminded.
A hint of nostalgia flashed in Zane's eyes. He had anticipated Tony would come looking for him.
"Open the door. I'd like to see my old friend," Zane said, pulling Constantine up as he spoke, and the two walked out of the study together.
Having been elevated to the fifth-dimensional level with Zane's help, Constantine was not yet able to fully control his suddenly increased power. The new wings on his back couldn't be retracted, so he awkwardly folded them up as much as possible and squeezed out of the study.
In the living room, seeing Zane emerge from the study calmed Tony's previously anxious heart. The fear of the unknown is always the scariest. But seeing Zane now, Tony felt a sense of peace.
A bright smile suddenly appeared on Tony's face. "Long time no see, you old miser!"
"Yes, it has been a long time," Zane replied, noticing the increasing gray in Tony's hair.
They smiled at each other. Tony casually set down the gifts he brought and gave Zane a big, hearty hug. In that moment, Tony felt reassured that Zane hadn't changed at all.
"You little shorty, still haven't grown taller, I see!" Zane teased.
Tony rolled his eyes dramatically, ignoring Zane. He knew from experience that he couldn't outdo Zane in trading barbs.
Then he greeted Lorna and the others. "Hi, Lorna."
"Hi, Tony. Where's Pepper?" Lorna asked curiously when she saw Tony had come alone. A flicker of amusement in her eyes suggested she knew why Pepper hadn't come along.
After all, Lorna had long since learned about the darker sides of human nature and the complexities of the heart, having built a civilization in the harsh cosmos with Zane. Her thoughts were no longer as naive as they once were. She had a good idea of Tony's real reason for coming.
"She's busy with something else. I'll bring her next time," Tony said, scratching his nose awkwardly, using an excuse nobody believed.
Tony glanced around the living room, taking in everyone present. Seeing the drastically changed Little Bone, the addition of Little Groot, and Rocket, Tony's suspicions were confirmed: Zane had certainly gone through many experiences in the universe, and his power had undoubtedly grown.
When Tony sat down on the sofa opposite Zane, the smile on his face gradually faded, and he became serious.
Seeing the somber atmosphere, the others stopped their idle chatter and focused their attention on the two of them.
Tony took a deep breath and straightforwardly asked the purpose of his visit.
"Zane, I need to know, what is your current attitude towards Earth, which once turned its blades against you?"
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Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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