章 157: Chapter 158: Who Killed Iron Man's Parents?
"Why does Thanos want to collect the Infinity Stones?" Clint Barton asked.
"At the moment, we don't know for sure," Bruce Banner replied, "but could it be that our battle with Thanos is because he wants to obtain the Infinity Stones? We already know that the Mind Stone was on Vision's head at that time, and Strange had the Time Stone hanging around his neck."
"So, does that mean as long as we ensure the stones are not on Earth, Thanos won't come to Earth?" Natasha Romanoff suggested, "Having a powerful enemy can be avoided that way."
"Unlikely," Steve Rogers said, "Thanos once said that when he succeeds, half of the people will survive. What does 'half will survive' mean? It means the other half will die. Thanos coming to Earth is definitely not solely for the stones; he must have a plan to decimate half of Earth's population!"
"Talking about killing off half the people, he really is a maniac!" Wanda Maximoff, who didn't speak much, couldn't help but comment.
"Previously, when Thor got fat, Hulk mentioned that he lost half of his people," Tony Stark spoke, "so, it's evident that it was Thanos who did it."
"But there seems to be a discrepancy here," Clint Barton said, "Thanos clearly said that only half would survive, implying that the other half would die. But the people of Asgard, they didn't seem to die. They were captured, and Hulk wanted to rescue them."
"Perhaps his plan for Earth and Asgard is different," Thor said in a deep voice. "For Earth, he wants to kill half, but for Asgard, he captured half."
"That makes it even more despairing," Pietro Maximoff chimed in, "capturing is much more challenging than killing. And Asgard, the mythical realm, even half its population can be captured by Thanos. His strength is probably beyond what Earth can resist."
"Pietro, don't be too pessimistic," Steve Rogers patted Pietro Maximoff's shoulder, "no matter how strong the enemy is, they have weaknesses. Find those weaknesses, and we can defeat them. We now know about Thanos, some of his methods, and his goals. We have time to prepare, and we can defeat him!"
"Could his weakness be his left hand?" Tony Stark suddenly said.
"Stark, are you kidding?" Thor retorted, "Didn't you see what's on Thanos's left hand? The Infinity Gauntlet with four Infinity Stones! With one Infinity Stone, he is invincible, and he has four at once!"
"I'm well aware of that," Tony Stark glanced at Thor and calmly said, "but did you notice that during the battle, I shot a piece of metal onto Thanos's left hand? Why would I do that in such a difficult fight?"
"I noticed that too, and I was puzzled," Stephen Strange said. "At first, I thought it was a bomb or some other weapon, but that piece of metal had no effect after being shot onto Thanos's palm. Later, Thanos just picked it off and threw it away. It seemed like the only purpose of that piece of metal was to stick to Thanos's hand."
"Strange is right; the piece of metal seemed to have no other function than sticking to Thanos's palm," Tony Stark continued Stephen Strange's words, "I thought it through, and the only possibility for me to do that at that time was that it could defeat Thanos! It's Thanos's weakness!"
"While I can't fully comprehend it right now, I agree with Stark," Steve Rogers added, "the left hand, or that gauntlet, is Thanos's weakness."
"That gauntlet can contain four Infinity Stones; obviously, it's not ordinary," Stephen Strange turned to look at Thor, "Thor, do you know what it is?"
"I've seen this thing; Asgard's treasury has one too. But Asgard's gauntlet is for the right hand, while Thanos's is for the left," Thor explained.
"Asgard has such a gauntlet too?" Stephen Strange was surprised. "Thor, you need to keep an eye on that one and make sure Thanos doesn't take it away!"
"Thanos dares not provoke my father," Thor snorted coldly. "Though he is powerful, he's not strong enough to act recklessly in Asgard! Rest assured, Asgard's gauntlet is very safe."
"So, we should find the person with the left-hand gauntlet in advance to prevent Thanos from obtaining it?" Bruce Banner suggested, "Even though it may not ultimately stop Thanos, it can delay his plans and buy us some time."
"I think I know a place capable of crafting such a gauntlet," Thor said, "I'll go there and investigate."
"What place is that?" Tony Stark asked, quite interested in the place capable of
crafting an Infinity Gauntlet.
"Nidavellir, where the dwarves reside," Thor said, "they are natural experts in forging weapons, and the ones they craft are fearsome, renowned throughout the entire universe."
"I didn't expect that dwarves are really skilled in forging after all," Tony Stark expressed surprise.
[Sixth question begins, be prepared.]
[This question consists of two sub-questions. If both are answered correctly, you will be rewarded with the Mark 42 blueprint. If one sub-question is answered correctly, you will be rewarded with a complete set of Mark 42 armor. If all answers are wrong, two years of lifespan will be deducted.]
[1. Who killed Iron Man Tony Stark's parents?]
[A) Baron Zemo]
[B) Red Skull Johann Schmidt]
[C) Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes]
[D) Assassinated by a gang]
"For so many years, I always thought my parents died in a car accident, but I never thought they were murdered!" Tony Stark's face turned extremely ugly as he spoke.
"I also thought Howard's death was an accident," Steve Rogers felt very surprised too, and he said to Tony Stark, "Tony, Howard was not only your father but also my good friend. I'm sorry to hear this news."
"Thanks, Captain," Tony Stark's voice choked, "My relationship with my father was never good. I used to hate him deeply, but now, I miss him... I miss him so much... No matter who killed him, I will avenge him! I wasn't a good son when he was alive, but now that he's gone, avenging him is the only thing I can do, and I'll do it."
"Howard was the founder of S.H.I.E.L.D. If he was murdered, S.H.I.E.L.D. wouldn't just sit idly by," Clint Barton also spoke up, "But the person who did it must have been extremely cunning, to disguise a murder as an accident and even deceive S.H.I.E.L.D."
"That's right, Howard's death would have been thoroughly investigated by S.H.I.E.L.D., but the final conclusion was an accident," Natasha Romanoff added, "Deceiving S.H.I.E.L.D. so perfectly is not something an ordinary force can achieve."
"Who is Baron Zemo?" Stephen Strange asked, "Is he a nobleman?"
"Never heard of him," Tony Stark asked Clint Barton, "Does S.H.I.E.L.D. know this person?"
"Others may know, but it's the first time I've heard of him," Clint Barton shook his head.
"I don't know either," Natasha Romanoff said.
"Since we don't know anything, let's put it aside for now and continue looking at the other options," Tony Stark's gaze fell on option B, "Red Skull, another super soldier during World War II and the leader of Hydra. He was in an opposing camp to my father at that time, so it wouldn't be surprising if he wanted to kill him. But considering his status, he wouldn't personally do it, so option B is out."
"Correct, Red Skull gives orders, and he has plenty of executioners to pull the trigger for him. There's no need for him to do it personally," Bruce Banner said.
"If B is excluded, then C..."
"Stark, it can't be C, it can't be Bucky!" Tony Stark's words were interrupted by Steve Rogers, "It can't be Bucky!"
"Captain, how do you know it's not him?" Tony Stark retorted.
"Bucky is my best friend; we grew up together. I know him better than I know myself!" Steve Rogers said, "He has a kind heart, he's not an executioner, and he wouldn't kill innocent people!"
"Bucky is not an executioner?" Tony Stark laughed coldly, "Rogers! Do you think we are all fools? Bucky is now Hydra's executioner! He was involved in the murder of Nick Fury and even tried to assassinate you. His hands have been stained with the blood of countless people. You're telling me he's not an executioner?"
"Bucky was under Hydra's control; he didn't know what he was doing," Steve Rogers explained, "he..."
"Wasn't in control? Killing was not his intention? Or he was still in great pain? Rogers, save those words for the families of the people Bucky killed and see if they'll listen," Tony Stark interrupted Steve Rogers again, "Captain, in my opinion, the answer to this question is Bucky Barnes. It's impossible for my father to die at the hands of a gang."
"Stark..."
"Captain, tell me, is it possible for my father, the founder of S.H.I.E.L.D., to be killed by a gang?" Tony Stark questioned loudly, "This is simply not possible!"
"Stark, I know it's hard for you, but we need to consider all possibilities," Steve Rogers tried to reason.
"No, I choose C!" Tony Stark made his decision without waiting for Steve Rogers to respond.
[Answer is correct!]
The video began playing, starting with a scene in what looked like a military base. Two heavily reinforced iron doors slowly opened, and a soldier wearing a red cap stepped forward and input a password on the wall inside the iron doors. Then, a smaller iron door opened, revealing a red book inside.
The scene changed to what appeared to be a laboratory-like place. A lab coat pressed a few times on a computer, and a large glass canopy rose, releasing thick white fog.
Even with the fog, it was still possible to see that the person inside the glass canopy had a metallic arm and wore a mask covering his face. This appearance was exactly like the Winter Soldier who had once hunted Steve Rogers on the bridge.
There was no doubt; this was Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier.
"Bucky, he has been cryogenically frozen and only awakened for missions!" Seeing this scene, Steve Rogers' expression became even more unpleasant. He never expected his friend's fate to be so tragic.
However, even worse was yet to come. Bucky Barnes was bound to a chair with his hands, and an unknown device was attached to his face, emitting blue electrical arcs on his face.
This was essentially torture through electrocution. Steve Rogers, who had experienced wars, knew well how painful electrocution could be. This could be seen from the agonizing screams of Bucky Barnes.
"Desire, rust, seventeen, dawn, furnace, nine, kindness, return to the homeland, one, train freight car." The soldier with the red cap read a string of seemingly meaningless words from the red book locked behind the heavy iron door in front of Bucky Barnes.
But after these words were read, the seemingly lifeless Bucky Barnes had a reaction; he turned his head to look at the soldier.
"Good morning, soldier," the soldier with the red cap placed the red book aside.
"I'm ready to receive orders," Bucky Barnes said.
"I have a mission for you," the soldier with the red cap held a stack of files, "Eliminate and retrieve, leave no survivors."
The scene changed to a nighttime path. A car passed by, and in the bushes, Bucky Barnes, with an expressionless face, watched the car go by. Then, he started his motorcycle, and with the engine roaring, he chased after it.
Here, there were hardly any people around. Bucky Barnes revved his motorcycle engine, overtaking the car. When he drove alongside the car, he punched through the car window, causing the car to crash into a tree on the side of the road.
Bucky Barnes stopped the motorcycle and walked over to the burning car. He opened the trunk, and inside was a suitcase containing several small blue bags.
"Save my wife," Howard Stark crawled out of the car and pleaded with Bucky Barnes, "Please, save her."
Bucky Barnes grabbed Howard Stark by the hair. Howard Stark recognized Bucky Barnes and called out his name, but Bucky Barnes remained silent. He pounded Howard Stark's head twice with his metal fist.
Then, he released his grip, and Howard Stark's body fell to the ground.
"Howard!" Tony Stark's mother's voice came from the car.
Bucky Barnes carried Howard Stark's body and placed it in the driver's seat. Then, he used his hand to choke Tony Stark's mother to death.
The video ended at this point.
"Bucky Barnes!" Tony Stark watched, filled with rage, and said with hatred, "I will kill you!"
"Stark, calm down. That wasn't Bucky's intention at all!" Steve Rogers quickly said, "I understand how you feel right now..."
"Have your parents been killed too?" Tony Stark interrupted.
"No."
"Then you wouldn't understand," Tony Stark said.
"Alright, Stark, I can't understand your feelings..." Steve Rogers paused for a moment and continued, "Stark, you saw it yourself. Bucky is usually cryogenically frozen, only thawed for missions, and they have to read those instructions to him. The facts are clear, and you should be able to see, Stark! Bucky's mind is controlled by Hydra. He doesn't know what he's doing; you saw that he didn't even recognize me."
"But that doesn't erase the fact that he killed my parents," Tony Stark said coldly.
"Tony, Howard was also my good friend, and I'm deeply saddened by his death. Now that I know he was murdered, I will seek revenge for him. But we need to find the right target for revenge; it was Hydra that killed Howard!" Steve Rogers grew more anxious as he spoke, "Bucky is just a weapon of Hydra. The weapon itself is not guilty; it's the people using the weapon who are guilty."
"I won't spare any of them," Tony Stark said, "Hydra will be eliminated! The weapons they used to kill my parents will also be destroyed by my own hands!"
"You want to eliminate weapons?" Steve Rogers' voice raised with concern, "Tony! Don't forget what you used to do; you were selling weapons before you became Iron Man. If you insist on killing Bucky, then can those who were killed by the weapons you sold come and kill you?"
"Rogers, we're talking about Bucky killing my parents here. Don't mix things up!" Tony Stark said.
"Mix things up?" Steve Rogers pointed to Pietro Maximoff nearby, "When Pietro wanted to kill you for his parents, what did you say back at the hospital? Now, when other weapons kill your parents, you've switched from 'weapons are innocent' to 'weapons are guilty'?"
Tony Stark fell silent for three seconds after being scolded by Steve Rogers. Then, he walked up to Pietro Maximoff, deeply bowed to him, and said, "Kid, I'm sorry, very, very sorry. If you want to kill me for your parents, go ahead, I won't blame you."
Pietro Maximoff looked at Tony Stark, bowing in front of him, not knowing what to say. He never expected the proud Tony Stark would one day bow to him.
"Stark, you're right, we can't do it," Wanda Maximoff walked up to Pietro Maximoff and said, "You're also right. Deep down, we know that you're not the culprit who killed our parents."
"Thank you," Tony Stark looked at the siblings and said, "I'll say it again, whenever you want to kill me, come find me. If the distance is too far, I'll reimburse your plane tickets."
"Tony, I hope you can also understand like the Maximoff siblings," Steve Rogers said in a low voice, "Regarding Howard's matter, I'm sorry, but Bucky should not be the target of your revenge."
"Rogers, do you know the difference?" Tony Stark turned to look at Steve Rogers, "Those two children's parents were killed by real weapons. But my parents were killed by a person. No matter what you say about brainwashing, involuntary actions, and all that, Bucky Barnes, he is a living person. He is the one who killed my parents! He must die!"
"Tony, then I must apologize to you again," Steve Rogers said solemnly, "I will stop you, and I will protect Bucky; he's my friend."
"I thought I was your friend too," Tony Stark said expressionlessly.
[2. Have Iron Man Tony Stark and Captain America Steve Rogers ever fought each other over Bucky Barnes killing Tony Stark's parents?]
[A. Yes]
[B. No]
"Guys!" Natasha Romanoff noticed that Tony Stark and Steve Rogers were arguing fiercely and didn't even pay attention to the two questions. She reminded them, "Shouldn't we answer the questions now?"
"I think you all have seen it. None of you can convince the other," Stephen Strange spoke up. "If that's the case, why waste your breath?"
"Tony, you both need to calm down," Bruce Banner said.
"Why hesitate on this question?" Tony Stark glanced at the question and made his choice directly, "A!"
[Correct answer!]
[You answered both questions correctly and are rewarded with the Mark 42 blueprints.]
A thick stack of blueprints appeared in the answer space, and Tony Stark picked them up, flipping through them with a rustling sound.
Tony Stark remained silent, and Steve Rogers didn't say anything either; they just stood there.
Since it involved the death of Tony Stark's parents, others were also hesitant to speak up.
Moreover, the matter of Bucky Barnes being brainwashed and committing murders was indeed more complicated, and it couldn't be judged by simple standards of right or wrong, to kill or not to kill.
So, no one else in the answer space spoke either.
Despite the presence of so many people, everyone maintained silence.
The atmosphere in the answer space became somewhat heavy.
After remaining silent for who knows how long, light once again illuminated the space, and a new video started.
At first, it showed Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes walking in a snowy landscape. There was an iron door in this icy terrain, and the two stood in front of it.
"He must be here within a few hours," Steve Rogers said.
"That should be enough to wake them up," Bucky Barnes, holding a submachine gun, replied.
Then the two entered the iron door and took an elevator down. After the elevator landed with a loud "clang," they both stepped out and began to search carefully.
Clang!
After searching for a short while, a loud noise suddenly came from behind. Both of them turned around and looked warily at the closed elevator door.
They saw the elevator door being pried open by a pair of iron hands, and Tony Stark, clad in his armor, walked in.
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