Iron Will

Tony Stark was about to speak when Nick Fury's voice suddenly came through the earpiece: "Stark! Do you hear me? There's a nuclear missile heading your way, and it's going to explode in three minutes!"

"Shit!"

Hearing Fury's words, Tony Stark cursed under his breath and shot into the sky. Before leaving, he didn't forget to tell Peter, "Kids should stay close to the adults and not run around like this."

"Mr. Stark! I'm not a kid!"

Peter shouted after Stark's fading rocket trail, then glanced around and obediently ran to Captain America's side, awaiting orders.

After all, Peter knew his own limitations. Without his webs, he was vulnerable on the battlefield. Staying close to the Captain was the safest choice and the best way to contribute.

Meanwhile, Captain America had just rescued people from a collapsing building but was blown out of it by Chitauri soldiers. More Chitauri soldiers were slowly surrounding him. Seeing Peter descend to his side, Cap patted him on the shoulder and said, "Thank you, kid."

"I'm not a kid, Captain," Peter replied, adopting a serious stance as he noticed the Chitauri soldiers closing in. "Do you think the two of us can handle them? My web fluid is completely out."

Cap chuckled lightly and tightened his grip on his shield. Just as he was about to say his iconic catchphrase, a bolt of lightning struck down, obliterating the closest Chitauri soldiers.

Thor landed heavily beside them, glancing dismissively at the Chitauri soldiers around them. "You're not just two."

"Think you've got another round in you?" Thor asked as he looked at Cap.

Cap smirked and countered, "What's wrong? Tired already?"

The two shared a confident smile, then readied their weapons for the Chitauri soldiers ahead.

…

"Hey, everyone! I've got Loki's scepter! I can shut the portal now!"

Ned stood next to the machine controlling the space portal, holding Loki's scepter. Through his earpiece, he updated the others.

The reason he hadn't closed the portal yet was the fear that, just like in the original timeline, the U.S. government might send another nuclear missile.

Although the battle was going better this time thanks to Ned's involvement, no one could predict the thoughts of those reckless politicians.

"Close it now!"

As expected, just after Captain America's voice came through, Tony Stark's voice interrupted: "No, wait!"

"Stark! The enemies are getting stronger!" Cap thought Stark was up to something reckless again and quickly spoke up.

But Tony's next words left everyone, except Ned, stunned. "There's a nuclear missile heading my way! I think I know where to send it!"

A nuclear missile? Where did that come from? Thor might not fully understand, but Natasha and the others knew all too well, and despair crept into their hearts.

"Stark, you might not make it back," Cap said, worried.

But Tony was already too busy to reply. "Divert all power to navigation, JARVIS."

"Sir, should I contact Miss Potts?"

To everyone's surprise, JARVIS seemed almost sentient, as if he could think independently, and asked this question.

Tony fell silent for a moment, then replied, "Do it."

But on the plane, Pepper was too focused on the live news coverage of the battle in New York to notice Tony's call.

On the battlefield, in the SHIELD Helicarrier, and across the warzone, all eyes were on the nuclear missile strapped to Tony Stark's back.

Tony barely managed to turn the missile, scraping the side of Stark Tower as he ascended. Finally, he shot through the portal into space.

"YES!!!"

Cheers erupted among the SHIELD agents on the Helicarrier as they watched the feed. Even Nick Fury let out a sigh of relief. But no one thought to worry about the playboy billionaire turned superhero who had flown into the void.

In space, Tony Stark began to lose consciousness from oxygen deprivation, but he kept his eyes fixed on the screen displaying his failed call to Pepper.

Finally, as the missile hurtled toward the alien mothership, Tony's strength gave out. He let go of the controls, closed his eyes, and began plummeting back toward Earth.

"Close it."

After waiting a while with no sign of Tony, Cap instructed Ned through the earpiece.

But Ned didn't respond. Instead, he kept his eyes on the portal above.

In the original movie, Tony had barely made it back before the portal closed. But with Ned's intervention, who knew what butterfly effects might unfold? He couldn't risk closing the portal too soon and losing Iron Man forever.

"Sorcerer! The nuclear blast will seep through the portal onto Earth any second now!"

Cap realized what Ned was waiting for. As Stark's friend, Steve Rogers was naturally just as worried about Tony. But given the dire situation, he had to prioritize Earth's safety.

As he spoke, a red figure wobbled through the portal and began falling. Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief. Without hesitation, Ned plunged Loki's scepter into the device, shutting the portal.

The portal closed smoothly, but Tony was still plummeting toward the ground. Thor's face darkened as he began spinning his hammer. "He's not slowing down."

"ROAR!!!"

Just then, a thunderous roar echoed through the battlefield. Hulk flashed through the air, catching Tony in mid-fall. The Hulk used the side of a building to slow their descent before landing heavily on the ground, cushioning Tony with his own body.

The Hulk stood up, casually tossing the unconscious Tony aside. Thor and Cap rushed over. Thor quickly removed Tony's helmet, and Cap knelt down to check his breathing. His face turned grim.

"ROAR!!!!"

The Hulk, frustrated and angry, let out a deafening roar that shook the battlefield.

"Ahhh!"

Tony suddenly gasped for air, startling everyone into joyous relief.

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