Old Enemies Come to Greet

After being away from home for so long, a lot of things accumulated, so much so that it took Asher a long time to put everything in order.

The first of all was to check the abilities of his Pokémon, especially Victini, who was immediately sent to special training, impossible to leave until he reached level 25, secondly was to study the Space Gem, even though it wasn't of much use , the jewel was still one of the greatest treasures in the universe.

Of course, Asher also had to deal with the influx of orders.

The list was really impressive, the two heads of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Sorceress Supreme, Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye and even the same Coulson and some other acquaintances, can be said that their pet store, which no longer sells animals of research, has been on the rise in the market recently.

And today Asher welcomed another guest.

"Tony? Did something happen to him?"

The sight of the day was unexpectedly Pepper Potts.

Asher was lying on a plotrone on the counter while Celebi played with his hair in a good mood, but when he saw who had arrived, he ended up being very surprised.

"…"

Pepper, on the other hand, looked at Asher somewhat speechless - she, as the person closest to Tony, knew Asher's identity well, so when she saw him completely relaxed, dressed casually, she had a hard time associating this man with the Saint ''Half-Human, Half-God'' of the rumors.

"Tony… He's spent most of his time in the lab since the invasion of Sokovia, but after this incident…"

Pepper said in a whisper, the concern in her voice was evident - it was clear to Asher that Tony's situation made him very anxious.

"Oh?"

After Asher heard this, he understood - Iron Man's psychological problems still appeared after all.

"Let's go."

Pepper was stunned momentarily, all the way to the pet store, she was thinking about how to ask Asher for help, but she never imagined that she would even have the chance to ask.

"Why do you look at me like that? As annoying as he is Tony is still my friend."

Pepper couldn't help but laugh - "Oddly enough, that's the same thing he said about you." "

"Oh? Well this is Tony Stark we're talking about."

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Not long after, Stark Tower.

"Mr. Stark, Ms. Pepper said a guest is arriving."

Tony, who was locked in the lab, received a message from Jarvis.

But he replied without even turning his head - "You can spare them Jarvis, I don't have time to receive anyone." "

"But sir, he's already at the door."

"What?"

Tony was quite surprised, after all the laboratory door could only be opened by him, even Pepper, who had to obtain his authorization.

"Anthony Edward Stark, I advise you to open that door immediately."

Tony heard a familiar voice.

"Asher? Why are you here?"

Tony frowned, but even if it was Asher, he really didn't want to meet anyone right now - "I'm busy, you'd better come back later..."

"Tony you have 10 seconds, if you don't open the door, I will open it myself, and let Celebi hang you from the ceiling upside down, and I guarantee you that every news site, magazine and gossip portal, will receive video of the mighty Iron Man, suspended from the ceiling like a chandelier."

"Alright, alright... You win. "

Obviously, the trauma that Celebi caused Tony was far superior to the Starks' natural stubbornness.

"Let me guess? You're making Anti-Celestial armor?"

After entering the laboratory, Asher also noticed the materials and tools scattered everywhere, Tony rolled his eyes after hearing the comment - If you know, do you still need to say it?

"Are you afraid?

According to what Asher can deduce, Tony began to recover from the kidnapping, but ended up breaking down and increasing his psychological burden after the battle of Sokovia, and all of this accumulated until destruction, when the avengers were defeated without resistance by the Celestial, so he as a mechanism from starting defense to locking himself in the lab, madly searching for a solution - which isn't all that different from the original plot.

But what Asher didn't expect was...

"Fear?"

Tony looked at him somewhat disconcerted - "Afraid of what?"

"…"

It was at that moment that Asher, seeing Tony's look, really had no signs of fear and confusion.

"Come on, man – you don't really think I was scared, do you?"

Tony, I once again looked at Asher speechless.

"So what's the point of locking yourself in here?"

"I just think.. I'm not good enough."

Tony gave an answer that Asher didn't expect.

"Asher, you know things have been weird lately."

"The Asgardians, an invasion of Sokovia, and now these Celestials... I hate to admit it, but I feel helpless."

As if he had finally found someone to talk to, Tony began to vent his insecurities.

"Every time something important happens, none of us are really useful. The truth, as hard as it may be to admit, is that only you have the power to do something when we are facing a real threat, but you are not always available – A A good example was his recent disappearance."

Tony looked at Asher very seriously and said:

"Trust me - it's not good to see your friends going to fight, but you can't help it yourself. You know what I mean?."

After hearing the outburst, Asher understood.

Tony was not affected by any psychological trauma, not in the sense of depression or old age, but rather his psychology was shaken in another way, it was his pride that was injured, Tony Stark was not able to accept his "Uselessness" in the battles he faced.

Especially when Asher, his friend basically solves everything himself, Tony Stark is undoubtedly a proud and arrogant person, so how could he bear the fact that his good friend would go into battle alone, and he could hardly help with anything?

Heroes are the most Altruistic and the most arrogant, because just as Tony would do in the original timeline, they are capable of sacrificing themselves for those they defend, demonstrating the highest level of selflessness, but to the same extent they are arrogant, assuming burdens and blame almost impossible, because they believe it is the best for everyone.

In Tony's case, he locked himself in the laboratory, not because he was depressed or anxious, but rather to create more powerful armor that would make him useful in future battles.

"...Okay, I understand now. "

Asher understood that he had made a small mistake, the affected part of Tony's psyche was not his emotions, but rather his pride as a hero, realizing his small mistake, Asher thought it best to change the direction of the conversation - "So it means that your experiment, in to create new armor, progress?"

"Not exactly, but..."

When Tony was about to explain...

"Boom!"

A huge explosion noise took over the place, which was soon followed by tremors throughout the building, instantly their expressions changed.

"Pepper!?"

Tony ran out of the lab, not paying attention to anything else, and was soon followed by Asher.

After leaving the laboratory, the two saw the fighter approaching at a rapid pace, it didn't take long for a missile to be fired towards the building, Pepper, who was waiting outside, was lying on the ground, still somewhat stunned by the previous explosion!

"Hmph!"

After seeing this scene, Asher snorted coldly, reached for the missile, and made a small gesture.

Then the missile suddenly changed direction in mid-air, returning exactly to where it came from!

"Sir, be careful!"

The co-pilot shouted in fright, at that moment the fighter dodged the missile at the last moment, noticing Asher's figure, the crew immediately began a fleeing maneuver in the opposite direction, as if they had seen the devil on earth.

Tony, who finally caught up with Pepper, saw the symbol on the plane's tail, immediately recognizing who it belonged to - "The Ten Rings!" "

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[Note: Sorry, yesterday I ended up without internet for most of the day, so I couldn't update the chapter, I live in a rural area, so from time to time I don't have internet, I'm also going through a very busy period at work , the load has increased a lot since my promotion at the beginning of the year. Guys, the updates may be intermittent, but I will try my best to maintain at least three chapters during the week, and one more at the weekend, with the possibility of additional chapters.... Thank you very much in advance for your patience and support.]