Steve nodded. "He mentioned it. Said you need three days to prepare for whatever comes next."
"That's right." Tony kept his voice neutral. "I have some equipment that needs upgrading. Systems to analyze. Can't face Thanos unprepared."
"Wre will you be?" Steve asked. "In case we need to reach you."
Tony hesitated for just a moment. The Infinity Chamber was his most closely guarded secret. A pocket dimension attached to his very quantum signature. Not even M.A.R.V.E.L. knew its exact location in dimensional space.
"Somewhere safe. Somewhere I can work without interruption." Tony met Steve's eyes. "I'll have M.A.R.V.E.L. monitoring all communications. If something urgent comes up, she'll pull me out immediately."
Steve studied him for a long moment. Then nodded. "Alright. But Tony, be careful. Whatever you're doing, whatever upgrades you're planning, don't push yourself too hard. You just saved the world. You're allowed to rest."
"I will." Tony lied smoothly. "Just need to understand my new capabilities better. Make sure I'm ready for the next fight."
Steve clapped him on the shoulder. "Three days. We'll hold down the fort until then."
Tony watched Steve walk away. Then turned to find Pepper.
She was talking with Jean Grey near the medical tents. Both women looked exhausted but relieved. Tony approached quietly.
"Pepper. Can we talk?"
Pepper turned. Her expression shifted immediately to concern. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. But I need to leave for a few days. Three days exactly." Tony kept his voice gentle. "I need to prepare. Analyze what happened during the Apocalypse fight. Understand my evolution better."
Pepper's hand moved to her stomach instinctively. "Where are you going?"
"Somewhere safe. I promise." Tony took her hands. "But I need you to stay here. Let the medical team monitor you and the baby. Make sure everything's okay."
"I want to come with you." Pepper's voice was firm. "I'm not letting you disappear again. Not after what just happened."
Tony had expected this. "I know. And I understand. But where I'm going isn't safe for you. Not because of enemies. Because of the environment itself. The energy levels alone could harm you or the baby."
Jean Grey spoke up quietly. "He's telling the truth, Pepper. I can sense his concern. He's genuinely worried about your safety."
Pepper looked between them. Her eyes showed frustration and fear. "How am I supposed to just wait here? Not knowing if you're okay?"
"M.A.R.V.E.L. will update you every six hours." Tony said. "She'll let you know I'm safe. That I'm making progress. And if anything goes wrong, she'll bring me back immediately."
"Promise me." Pepper's voice cracked. "Promise me you'll come back."
"I promise." Tony pulled her close. Careful of her swollen belly. "Three days. That's all. Then I'm back. And we'll figure out everything else together."
They stood like that for a long moment. Tony memorizing the feel of her in his arms. The warmth of her body. The life growing between them.
Finally Pepper pulled back. "Three days. Not a minute longer."
"Not a minute longer." Tony agreed.
He kissed her forehead. Then turned to Jean. "Can you make sure she rests? Actually rests?"
Jean smiled slightly. "I'll do my best. Though she's almost as stubborn as you."
"Learned from the best." Pepper muttered.
Tony left them and headed toward the edge of the camp. Away from the crowds. Away from watching eyes.
M.A.R.V.E.L.'s voice spoke through his internal communicator. The one built into his very cells during his third evolution.
[Master Stark. All preparations are complete. J.A.R.V.I.S. has been briefed on Miss Potts' care protocols. The Infinity Chamber is ready for your arrival.]
'Good.' Tony thought back. 'What's the status on the time dilation?'
[Fully restored to one hundred times normal flow. The damage from your disappearance has been completely repaired. Three external days equals three hundred internal days.]
Tony felt a surge of relief. Nearly a full year to work. To train. To understand what Stage 2 evolution really meant.
He found a secluded spot behind a collapsed building. Made sure no one was watching. Then activated the quantum link.
The sensation was instantaneous. Reality folded around him. Space compressed. Dimensions shifted.
One moment he stood in Cairo's ruins. The next moment he stood in the Infinity Chamber's main laboratory.
The transition was seamless. Perfectly smooth. His Homo Supreme physiology handled dimensional travel like breathing now.
Tony looked around the familiar space. Holographic displays everywhere. Fabrication equipment lining the walls. Testing chambers built into the floor. Medical bays ready for detailed analysis.
Everything exactly as he'd left it months ago.
M.A.R.V.E.L.'s avatar materialized beside him. Golden light forming into a feminine shape. Her expression showed relief.
"Welcome back, Master Stark. It's good to have you here."
"Good to be back." Tony walked toward the main console. "Alright. Let's start with a full diagnostic. I need to understand exactly what Stage 2 evolution did to my body."
"Initiating comprehensive scan now." M.A.R.V.E.L.'s fingers moved through holographic controls. "This will take approximately thirty minutes for complete analysis."
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