Chapter 204: Are They Still Human?! Crossing the Universe with a Spaceship!

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Yelena Belova had a stroke of luck, crashing into a room, while Natasha Romanoff had slightly worse luck as she plummeted down to the floor below. Fortunately, the building was equipped with numerous pipes and conduits that cushioned her fall, preventing any serious harm.

Holding her side, Natasha approached the Widow assassin cautiously.

"Don't move, you're injured," Natasha Romanoff said to the assassin. "Let me help you."

The Widow assassin looked at Natasha Romanoff with a pleading expression on her face. Suddenly, a wristband-like device on her arm began emitting a red light.

She struggled to move her arm away, but it seemed an invisible force was compelling her to bring her arm towards her face.

"I don't want to do this," the Widow assassin looked at Natasha Romanoff, tears welling up in her eyes. She fought against the unseen force, but her arm continued moving closer to her face.

"What are you doing?" Natasha Romanoff asked, puzzled by the strange behavior of the assassin.

"She's forcing me," the assassin's arm pressed against her own face, and a burst of red light was emitted.

Kneeling down, Natasha Romanoff took a closer look. The Widow assassin's eyes were wide open, but she was already dead. The side of her face that was struck by the burst of light had turned charred black.

"Now do you believe me?" Yelena Belova arrived at the scene from upstairs.

The space dimmed, and the video ended here.

"So, Captain, do you have plans to take down the Red Room?" Natasha Romanoff asked Steve Rogers.

"The Red Room isn't my enemy," Steve Rogers replied. "But if you need my help, as a friend, I'm here."

"Thank you, Captain, but I think I'm more than capable of wiping out the Red Room myself now," Natasha Romanoff said.

"Natasha, when do you plan to give me a call? I was there the last time we faced them. How could I be left out this time?" Clint Barton chimed in.

"Clint, you've had your encounters with them and know their level. With just one hand, I'm already their nightmare," Natasha Romanoff responded. "I can handle it on my own."

"Alright, if you need me, just let me know," Clint Barton said.

"This Red Room, are all of its members female assassins?" Stephen Strange asked.

"That's right, all of them are female assassins," Natasha Romanoff confirmed.

"I'm a bit puzzled, Natasha. Aren't you being a bit too merciful towards these killers?" Scott Lang spoke up. "That woman who killed herself, she wanted to kill you. Why did you save her?"

"Scott, they're all victims. Just like the Winter Soldier, their minds have been controlled. They're not acting of their own free will," Natasha Romanoff sighed. "Can't you see? They don't even have control over their own lives and deaths."

"It seems the things Yelena sent you can break their control," Steve Rogers brought up Bucky Barnes, his good friend. "Bucky was controlled by HYDRA; I wonder if there's a way to break that too."

"There must be, Captain. Don't worry, we'll find a way," Nick Fury reassured. "We'll dig up everything we can when we go after HYDRA. I'll pay special attention to this aspect."

"We also have Wanda. Even if they have a method to release Bucky from control, we'll uncover it," Nick Fury added.

"Leave it to me, Captain. Unless they truly don't know, I'll make sure to find out," Wanda Maximoff said.

"Thank you, everyone," Steve Rogers expressed his gratitude.

"Earlier in the video, there was something interesting mentioned. The Avengers disbanded. Does anyone have anything to say about that?" Scott Lang spoke up. "I mean, it's the Avengers! The team that saved the world multiple times! And they just disbanded like that?"

"It's definitely because of the Sokovia Accords. Some of the heroes, led by Captain, didn't sign it, so they were forced into retirement. In fact, they became wanted criminals. Just like Captain and Natasha, they all violated the Sokovia Accords during the airport battle," Stephen Strange explained.

"The members of the Avengers include Captain, Tony, Bruce, Clint, Natasha, and Thor," Phil Coulson listed them one by one. "Captain, Clint, and Natasha didn't sign, and we don't know where Bruce and Thor are. Only Tony remained, so the Avengers had no choice but to disband."

"It's quite absurd," Loki couldn't help but chime in. "This team that saved the world ends up disbanding over something like this?"

"Captain sacrificed himself for the people during World War II. Since he was unfrozen, he's been fighting to protect the people at the cost of his own life. And now he's become a wanted criminal..." Stephen Strange shook his head. "It's unbelievable."

"At this time, Bruce should be on Sakaar," Phil Coulson said. "And what about Thor? Where is he?"

"He's probably off chasing Surtur," Thor shrugged. "Who knows, but he's definitely not on Earth."

[Question 11 begins. Please be prepared.]

[When Tony Stark, Iron Man, was stranded in space and near death, who saved him?]

[A) Guardians of the Galaxy]

[B) Thor, the God of Thunder]

[C) Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers]

[D) Doctor Strange, Stephen Strange]

[Correct answer rewards Extreme Survival Ability (ability to survive in extreme environments, including vacuum). Incorrect answer deducts one year from lifespan.]

"Tony was stranded in space? This should be about the time we all went to Thanos' stronghold to defeat him," Steve Rogers said. "After all, we still don't have interstellar travel capability, except for that time when we used the ship from Nidavellir to go to Thanos' stronghold."

"If it's that time, Stephen was also there. He can open portals, so why didn't he just open one and bring Tony back?" Scott Lang wondered.

"He probably couldn't do it," Stephen Strange responded. "That's interstellar transportation, measured in light-years. Do I look like someone who can cover that kind of distance with magic?"

"Stephen might be able to go wherever he wants on Earth, but creating an interstellar portal for transportation is quite a stretch," Thor added. "Not to mention the universe, even in the Nine Realms, we need the Bifrost Bridge to travel."

"So, we can rule out option D," Scott Lang said.

"I think I can rule that out too," Thor pondered for a moment. "Exactly, I can fly, and Asgard has spaceships, theoretically I could save Tony. But if he was stranded far away in the universe after failing to defeat Thanos, then he's most likely far from Asgard. When I didn't know where Tony was trapped in the universe, it wasn't likely that I'd go there."

"Then it's down to either the Guardians of the Galaxy or Captain Marvel," Stephen Strange said. "Both options are space-related and undoubtedly capable of rescuing Tony. The probability of encountering Tony in space is also higher than Thor's. These two options are the most likely."

"Between the Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain Marvel, I choose Captain Marvel," Tony Stark made his choice. "I choose C!"

[Correct answer! Reward granted!]

As the reward arrived, a milky-white light flashed briefly on Tony Stark's body.

"Excellent, very powerful," Tony Stark contemplated his new ability and nodded in satisfaction.

"Tony, the reward mentioned extreme environments. What kind of extreme environments exactly?" Steve Rogers asked.

"First of all, I don't fear the cold. I won't freeze to death. Even in absolute zero, I won't die. Of course, at temperatures that low, I'll lose my mobility and basically go into hibernation," Tony Stark explained.

That first point was quite enviable.

"Amazing!" Clint Barton exclaimed. "Now you can learn from Cap, get frozen in a cryo-chamber, and wake up 100 years later. Congratulations, you'll be a young old man too."

"Theoretically speaking, Tony could become immortal," Bruce Banner added, "of course, as long as he can be frozen continuously."

"Living like that is worse than death," Tony Stark remarked. "Next, I don't fear heat either. Although the upper limit is much lower, I can probably withstand temperatures up to 2000 degrees."

"This is even more heat-resistant than some metals," Bruce Banner remarked.

"I won't go into too much detail about the rest, but I have incredible adaptability to radiation, strong acids, viruses, extreme pressure, and more," Tony Stark continued, growing more excited as he spoke. His enthusiasm was akin to that of a loyal dog receiving a response from a goddess. "The doomsday scenarios described in the science fiction movies we've seen, like planets colliding with Earth, global nuclear devastation, worldwide freezing, massive floods, zombie outbreaks, and so on—almost none of these situations could kill me. Astronauts need thick spacesuits for moon or Mars landings, but I don't need anything special. A stylish suit is more than enough. Scientists need specialized gear for deep-sea exploration, but for me, a suit will do, even in the Mariana Trench."

"But what if there's no food?" Bruce Banner inquired. "Without energy intake, would you still adapt?"

"If there's no food, my skin can automatically absorb the elements and energy my body needs from the surrounding environment," Tony Stark shrugged. "I can now 'live off the grid.'"

"It's indeed a very useful ability," Bruce Banner admitted.

"It sounds like there's no way to kill Tony at all," Scott Lang added.

"No, I can adapt to extreme environments, but it doesn't mean I'm invincible. If someone wants to kill me, a bullet would do the job," Tony Stark stated.

"This is quite strange," Bruce Banner noted. "You see, underwater pressure is immense, especially at the depths of the Mariana Trench. The pressure there is beyond imagination. For your body to withstand that kind of pressure, your strength and density would have to be incredible. Bullets wouldn't be able to kill you."

"Bruce, that's the peculiarity of this ability. My body's strength isn't actually off the charts. It's because my body adapts automatically to the environment I'm in, undergoing those changes. Right now, I'm in a normal environment, so my body is just like everyone else's," Tony Stark explained.

At this moment, a light illuminated the space, and the video began to play.

Initially, the scene showed Tony Stark and Nebula inside a spacecraft, engaged in a rather mundane and childish game.

Tony Stark was seen flicking a triangular piece towards Nebula, who instinctively raised her hand to block it.

"You don't need to do that. You just need to hold this pose," Tony Stark placed both his arms on the table, forming fists with his hands but extending his index fingers to form a makeshift "goalpost."

"Got it," Nebula responded. She held down the triangular piece with her left hand and flicked it with her right. However, the piece didn't enter the "goal" but instead landed outside Tony Stark's arm.

"Almost got it," Tony Stark said.

Nebula flicked again. The triangular piece soared high, crossed over the "goalpost," and landed in Tony Stark's lap.

"Goal!" Tony Stark exclaimed. "Now we're tied at one point each."

After playing this somewhat silly game for a while, Tony Stark moved to a corner of the spacecraft where a damaged suit helmet lay.

"Is this thing recording?" Tony Stark tapped the helmet and a beam of light emitted from its eye sockets.

Leaning against the spacecraft, Tony Stark began recording his message.

"Hey, Miss Potts, Kid, if you find this recording, don't put it on social media. It's going to be a tearjerker for sure."

"I don't know if you can hear me, and if you're even..."

"God, I hope you're still alive."

"Today is day 21, no, 22."

"If it weren't for the existential dread of staring into the literal void, I'd say I'm feeling better today."

"The infection's run its course, thanks to the blue meanie here. You'll like her, very practical, although somewhat sadistic."

"The fuel cells were damaged in the fight. We've reversed the ion charge, bought ourselves about 48 hours of flight time."

"But it's not enough."

"The nearest convenience store is thousands of light-years away."

"Tomorrow morning, oxygen will run out."

"And that'll be it."

"Kid, I know I said no more surprises, but I gotta say, I was really hoping to pull off one last one. But it looks like..."

"Well, you know how it goes."

"Don't beat yourself up over this."

"I mean, if you're about to do something very reckless, it wouldn't hurt to take a quick nap first."

"Please know, when I drift off, I will dream about you."

The video playback began as a light appeared in the space.

The scene started inside a spacecraft, showing Tony Stark and Nebula engaged in a rather uneventful and juvenile game.

Tony Stark flicked a triangular piece towards Nebula, who instinctively raised her hand to block it.

"You don't have to do that. All you need to do is hold this position," Tony Stark placed both his arms on the table, forming fists with his hands but extending his index fingers to create a makeshift "goal."

"Got it," Nebula replied. She held the triangular piece with her left hand and flicked it with her right. However, the piece didn't enter the "goal" but ended up outside of Tony Stark's arm.

"Almost got it," Tony Stark remarked.

Nebula flicked again. The triangular piece soared high, cleared the "goal," and landed in Tony Stark's arms.

"Goal!" Tony Stark exclaimed. "Now we each have one point."

After playing this rather

"Because it's always been you."

Tony Stark turned off the recording, put on a jacket, curled up next to the helmet, and closed his eyes.

A smile crept across his lips.

He could finally get a good night's sleep.

After an unknown amount of time, Tony Stark drifted off to sleep.

Nebula lifted him up and placed him in a chair.

Suddenly, a beam of light shone through, like a radiant sunbeam, caressing Tony Stark's face. He slowly opened his eyes, only to find a woman hovering outside the spacecraft—a woman who emitted light even brighter than the sun.

As the brilliance gradually subsided, he realized that the figure wasn't a sun at all; it was a woman.

Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers!

The scene shifted. Steve Rogers was in a restroom, shaving. Suddenly, the mirror in front of him began to shake.

He hurriedly ran out with the others and saw a luminous woman holding a spacecraft gliding through the night sky.

Carol Danvers placed the spacecraft on the lawn, and Nebula helped Tony Stark walk out.

The scene darkened, and the video ended.

"This is way too exaggerated, isn't it? Lifting a spaceship and sending Tony back with her bare hands?" Natasha Romanoff said.

"Tony mentioned that he's thousands of light-years away from Earth. She managed to lift the spaceship and bring it to Earth with a blink of an eye. Is she capable of physically traversing through wormholes?" Bruce Banner found this hard to believe. "Can a human actually do something like this?"

"I've been telling you, Carol is incredibly strong," Nick Fury chimed in.

"It's not just strength; it's beyond belief," Thor said. "Even for someone to traverse through the universe, one would usually need the Infinity Stones. But she did it without them, and she brought a spaceship!"

"What's that blue-skinned girl doing with Tony?" Clint Barton asked. "Isn't she part of the Guardians of the Galaxy? Did Tony meet her before meeting Captain Marvel?"

"If that were the case, there should be another spacecraft. She couldn't have traversed the universe physically," Natasha Romanoff explained. "She must have been there during the final battle with Thanos at his lair, but the video only showed scenes of Tony and Stephen fighting."

"Speaking of Stephen, why was there only Tony on the ship? Could it be that he died?" Natasha Romanoff continued, "He handed over the Time Stone to save Tony, but did he fall victim to danger?"

"He probably didn't die," Nick Fury said. "When Tony snapped his fingers and turned Thanos to dust, Stephen was there, wasn't he? He even made some cryptic gesture towards Tony."

"But that's not a guarantee. Remember, Thanos died twice?" Natasha Romanoff raised an important point. "Once Thor beheaded him, and then Tony snapped his fingers. It's not unusual for people who died to reappear."

"As for Thanos dying twice, that's likely due to time travel," Tony Stark explained. "Thor beheaded Thanos, and then Thor went back in time, resulting in a second battle with Thanos. But I'm not entirely sure yet why we needed to travel back in time."

"The twelfth question begins. Please be prepared."

"Please watch the following video."

The video started with a shocking scene—a series of train carriages were suspended between skyscrapers, connected by a network of spider silk.

The carriages hanging in the air weren't a form of street art; people were living inside them.

"A survivor camp claims to have made progress in developing a cure," the voice of General Okoye from Wakanda echoed.

"Awesome!" Spider-Man, Peter Parker, exclaimed with joy. "Global crisis averted! High five, everyone!"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes, cautioned. "The signal's location was damaged during transmission. We don't know where it originated from."

"It looks like this message is composed of nonlinear hexadecimal encoding," Bruce Banner observed, looking at the complex patterns on the screen in front of him.

"This location looks familiar, doesn't it?" Bucky Barnes asked Sharon Carter. "Agent Carter?"

"That's the first S.H.I.E.L.D. operational base at Camp Lehigh in New Jersey," Sharon Carter said, looking at the patterns on the screen. "They do have the necessary equipment there to produce the antidote."

"Then we'll leave at nightfall," Okoye stated.

The scene paused at this point, and the question appeared.

[During Spider-Man Peter Parker and Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes' journey to Camp Lehigh, who did they NOT encounter an attack from?]

[A Captain America Steve Rogers]

[B Falcon Sam Wilson]

[C Hawkeye Clint Barton]

[D Black Widow Natasha Romanoff]

[Answer correctly to win a month's worth of walking on air. Answer wrong, and a year will be deducted from your lifespan.]

Although there were three Peter Parkers present, everyone knew who the question was about. The Peter Parker in the video, who looked almost identical to the 10-year-old Peter Parker, was clearly his older self.

"So, this is World 5, the zombie world!" Bruce Banner was the first to speak. "After being saved by the Wasp, I was brought to these carriages hovering above the city."

"They've actually created a 'safe house' in the air like this, and it's fortunate that Peter's silk is sturdy enough," Tony Stark said. "In World 7, Peter even stopped a train with his silk. The strength of it is simply unbelievable."

"In the previous video, Peter mentioned 'global crisis,' indicating that the zombie outbreak has spread worldwide in World 5," Clint Barton commented. "It's a truly terrifying world."

"What's even more terrifying is that even the superheroes have turned into zombies, and they retain their abilities from when they were alive," Natasha Romanoff added. "Superhero zombies—this world is even more despairing than the zombie worlds in movies."

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[END OF CHAPTER]