"I've had enough! You mortals, one after another... Oh!"
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
While Tony was catching the nuke, Loki, who was preparing for a'strategic retreat,' ran into the now-awake Banner. The Hulk persona, which had been controlled by Proxima Midnight, was temporarily under Banner's control because Proxima Midnight had been defeated. The unlucky Loki ran into the frustrated Banner. Loki, who had been facing nothing but failure on Earth, pointed angrily at Banner. Unfortunately, Dr. Banner in front of him was also very frustrated. He grabbed Loki's leg and, like playing with a baseball bat, slammed him into the walls and floor, creating over a dozen human-shaped craters.
o(╥﹏╥)o...
Loki felt so wronged. It had been so many years, and he kept hitting walls on Earth again and again. Mother, it's so scary here; I want to go back to Asgard. With tears of regret flowing from the corners of his eyes, Loki lay in the crater, questioning his life.
"Puny god."
Having vented his frustration, Banner felt as refreshed as if he had drunk two bottles of ice-cold cola on a scorching summer day. He said that disdainful line, making Loki's tears flow even more. That little expression was like a young girl who had been beaten by a big cigar—pitiful, weak, helpless, and with a hint of flirtatiousness.
"I must recover quickly."
With Natasha's help, Artoria finally found a food shop where she could replenish her energy—a bakery that had been blasted to pieces. Although she didn't like bread much, Artoria forced herself to eat. She needed to discipline herself because her mistake had led to her forgetting the nuke. The plot hadn't changed at all; her big brother was still going to carry the nuke to blow up the enemy. She had to recover her mana quickly to ensure his safety. She easily chewed and swallowed a French baguette... cough! A French bread stick that would have broken a normal person's teeth. Artoria didn't have much time; the food she ate was quickly digested and refined into a sliver of mana, but it was far from enough.
"Tony has already intercepted the nuke and is trying to find a way. Aren't you going to say something to your brother?"
Watching Artoria still stuffing bread into her mouth, Natasha had already prepared for the worst. She didn't believe Tony's absurd plan could actually succeed. She had no family, so she didn't need to write a suicide note, but Artoria and Tony were siblings. She felt Artoria should say a word or two to her brother at the end, so that no matter the outcome, there would be no regrets. She didn't think Tony had a better way to deal with the nuke.
"..."
Without answering Natasha, Artoria's hands moved even faster. She directly transformed into a glutton, swallowing some small buns without even chewing. Natasha's reaction was normal, but knowing the plot, Artoria knew Tony's plan. At least there was Hope, wasn't there? Even if there was only a sliver of a possibility, she had to be Tony's final safeguard. Tony was her family.
"I'm almost at my limit."
Having been stabbed in the waist by Loki and fighting for so long, Thor was beginning to find it hard to cope. But the Chitauri army above was still coming in a steady stream. He really wanted Spider-Man down there to close the portal now.
We absolutely cannot close it now. If we do, we're all dead.
Gwen learned this from Captain America, and Spider-Man heard it too. They have to protect the gate. If the nuclear warhead arrives, everything goes south. Tony relays his plan through everyone's earpiece. Success odds are low, but failure isn't guaranteed. Captain America revises his opinion of Tony: no longer a mouthy rich boy, but a real hero.
Jarvis, patch me through to Pepper's cell.
Yes, sir.
Cradling a warhead that could detonate any second, Tony steadies the armor and alters the warhead's trajectory. He needs a goodbye, or he'll never rest in peace.
Tony, you…
Sweetheart, don't say much. I just want to hear your voice. Thank God I booked you that ticket to Paris. If something happens, look after Artoria. She's all I have left. I don't want anything to happen to her.
What? What are you doing? Tony, you…
Hearing what sounds like a last will, Spider-Man panics. She doesn't know what to do. She's efficient in business, but this is the man she loves. She can't take it. Tony's time is almost up. He glances at the Space gate looming over Midtown and hardens his resolve.
Sorry, Pepper.
Tony cuts the call and dodges incoming fire. The Chitaurri seem to sense something dangerous approaching.
Nick, where's Artoria?
I'm here, Tony. Natasha's with Artoria now. Want me to pass something on?
Nick hurries to the console. He knows Tony's odds are grim. He'll grant any reasonable request, just hoping Howard and Maria let Tony die with dignity.
No… don't tell her.
Tell her anyway. Tell Artoria her brother is Iron Man.
Facing the yawning gate, Tony finally decides to leave Artoria a message. His tone is firm. Because he's Iron Man. Because he's a hero. In this American world of lone heroes, he believes Artoria should be proud her brother is a hero. Heroes have no choice.
When necessary, he'll give his life for everyone. No matter how obedient he is to Artoria, he won't back down. Even if Artoria never speaks to him again, he'll do it.
Whoosh—
Eyes set in farewell, Tony hugs the warhead and aims it at the gate. He locks eyes with Captain America for a split second, then flies into the gate.
Bro…
Artoria drops her food and stares at the gate. Her Dragon Eyes sharpen. Through the window she catches Tony's red-gold silhouette. She bolts out of the shop, vaults toward Stark Tower, leaving Natasha amid the spilled food.
What…
Watching the Chitaurri drop like unplugged machines, Captain realizes Tony succeeded.
Close it.
Dr. urges Spider-Man. Who knows what else might crawl through the gate?
But Mr. Stark—
Gradation Air.
Thanks to Dragon Factor, Artoria's mana recovers fast. Still, only thirty percent. The leap costs her. At the summit she raises a hand and projects a silver chain laced with gold. It streaks toward the gate.
Artoria, you—
Don't interrupt.
Mana drained, Artoria aches. Captain's shout almost breaks her focus. The chain slips through the gate, tugging every heart.
Come on, Artoria. Drag that punk back.
Nick clutches his chest and prays. The silver chain gleams in the sun.
So this is the sky. Sorry, Pepper. Sorry, Artoria. I broke my promise.
Armor dead, Tony watches the warhead vaporize the monster. The blast sends him drifting toward the edge of Earth and Space. He can't move, suspended like cosmic trash. Artoria's fear comes true: the timeline skews.
What…
Floating in vacuum, Tony feels a sudden tug through the suit.
Get down here, you bastard.
Atop Stark Tower, Artoria yanks the fake Enkidu chain and hauls. If Gilgamesh saw this, she'd be toast.
Close it.
Spotting the red-gold speck drifting home, Artoria shouts to Spider-Man. Out of mana but still strong, she jerks the chain and hauls Tony back. Spider-Man slams the Cosmic Cube shut with the scepter.
We win!
Someone on the Helicarrier starts cheering. Everyone hugs and claps.
Whew—
Nick exhales, ignoring his cheering crew. He almost wrote a will. Offending Maria would be fatal. Now he keeps his life, even if some underlings are doomed.
Hey, guys, I'm taking a few days off. Cheeseburgers, maybe a chicken wrap.
B—ro.
Armor reboots. Hulk sets Tony down. Artoria's too drained to place him gently. Tony babbles to Hulk and Captain, then notices Artoria's black look.
Please, not the face, sis.
Tony swallows and glances skyward. Everyone else stares at the heavens—yep, a flying chicken. No help from the peanut gallery.
You bastard, you scared me to death.
Watching Tony close his eyes, Artoria raised a fist more than once, but in the end she lowered it and hugged the brother she had almost lost. He was her brother in this life; she had nearly lost him. Joy at their reunion overcame her anger, and she clung to him with tears in her eyes—at that moment she was only a child who had almost lost a loved one and then found him again.
"Sorry."
Feeling no pain, only her soft embrace, Tony's eyes warmed with tears as he hugged her back. He had nearly made his sister lose family and had made her cry—he had been a poor excuse for a brother.
The sight of the reunited siblings embracing amid the post-battle ruins was heart-warmingly beautiful, like a painting that moved everyone to tears.
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