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Chapter 180: Setting Sail Again

Although Tony utilized his own building as the Justice League headquarters, numerous Stark Industries projects and personnel remained to ensure ongoing operations. Building a new headquarters would take time, leaving both the Justice League and Tony's team in a transitional phase.

After announcing the temporary disbandment, Tony swiftly ascended to the top floor using the exclusive elevator.

As the doors slid open, Tony found Pepper seated at her desk, her hands gently resting on her enlarged belly while engaged in a phone call with a shareholder or investor:

"Sorry, Adrain, Stark can't assist you."

"Adrain? Who's that?" Tony queried as he stepped out of the elevator.

"Tony? Oh, it's nothing, an old friend seeking Stark's cooperation... Hey!"

Pepper exclaimed.

Tony approached her, plucked the phone from her grasp, and addressed the caller directly:

"My apologies, sir. Miss Pepper, CEO of Stark Industries, is currently on maternity leave. Please call back at a more convenient time."

Without waiting for a response, he hung up and turned to Pepper.

"Remember what I said? Madam, you should be resting at home now! Why won't you listen?" he chided.

"You... fired me!?" Pepper exclaimed, a mix of anger and helplessness as her phone was seized by her domineering husband. She rolled her eyes and retorted,

"Someone's undergone a complete transformation, dedicating himself to heroics all day. Who's running this massive operation back at home?"

As early as before the Swiss invasion of New York, Pepper had already been pregnant with Tony's child. Now, more than six months along, she had only two months left until delivery.

This prospect simultaneously thrilled and terrified Tony.

"But our child's more important, Pepper," he affirmed.

His words softened Pepper instantly.

Pregnant and brimming with maternal affection, what mother could resist such reassurance from her husband?

"I know... have you thought of a name for our daughter?" Pepper inquired softly.

Despite the unborn child, Pepper had conducted countless prenatal checks and preparations, knowing the baby's gender for some time.

"Of course," Tony declared without hesitation. "Her name will be Morgan Stark."

...

Meanwhile, Gwen, having quickly disbanded from the Justice League, returned to the streets, traversing the city on spider threads.

Passersby, catching sight of Spider-Woman after her prolonged absence, greeted her with exclamations.

Simultaneously, a phone call arrived promptly,

"Gwen, Spider-Woman's back! Does this mean you've finally decided to return?"

George's voice buzzed with excitement.

His elation wasn't about Spider-Woman's return to crime-fighting; rather, he hoped Gwen might set aside her superhero mantle and return to a safer, ordinary life.

Under normal circumstances, at least. Over the past six months, Gwen's melancholic withdrawal had been anything but normal.

"Um..."

Gwen hesitated, slightly embarrassed about her recent hiatus. Nonetheless, after a moment's pause, she replied,

"Yes, Dad."

Recalling the recent skirmish with the Green Whip, she was buoyed by the heartfelt cheers of her fellow officers,

"I've been running away recklessly for half a year. I can't keep going like this and let down those who expect me to help."

"No, no, Gwen... no one's blaming you," George interjected hastily.

Clearly, he had been hoping for Gwen to take this step voluntarily. Although George got what he wanted, he couldn't help but feel conflicted,

"Don't rush yourself. Take your time," he advised, grappling with his mixed emotions as her father. He yearned for Gwen to flourish as she had in the past yet feared she might be hurt again.

Gwen, unable to decipher her father's complex thoughts as a first-born daughter, accepted his words as ordinary advice and smiled gratefully,

"I understand. Thanks, Dad!"

"Hey..."

The call ended.

Gwen landed before a building, perched atop the wall's edge, her ballet shoes stacked neatly beside her. Retrieving her phone from her suit, she gazed at the screen displaying a photo of her and Peter.

"It seems you really miss him," Phantom's voice echoed in her ear.

Gwen nodded, speaking softly, "How could I not... Peter was the reason I became Spider-Woman in the first place. He's always encouraged and supported me."

"You know, Phantom, when I learned that in another universe, it was Peter who got bitten by the spider, I actually felt relieved."

"Oh? Why?" Phantom inquired curiously, unable to resist indulging in the intrigue.

"Peter's kinder, stronger than me... and maybe a tad smarter," Gwen chuckled softly.

A smile graced Gwen's lips involuntarily as she reminisced,

"He knew I was Spider-Woman from early on. Looking back, he must have envied this unique power."

"Sometimes, I think Peter might have been a better fit for Spider-Man."

"Even so, he's always helped me in countless ways—improving my gear, researching materials, gathering information. He's been a constant source of guidance and support in battle, like the indispensable aide behind the heroes in movies. I'm grateful it's him."

"You know, the suit I wear now was modified and debugged by Peter for a while. Only he and I can activate it in this world."

It was a decision they'd made together, akin to a couple's bond, signifying Gwen's willingness to share everything with Peter.

Their pact endured, and Gwen still found it incredibly romantic.

"Wow..." Phantom couldn't help but envy Gwen's sentimentality, her expression almost drowned in Gwen's affectionate recollections.

Nonetheless, she probed, "So... are you ready to come back?"

"Come back? Maybe," Gwen nodded, then shook her head thoughtfully.

"I can't keep wallowing. Peter wouldn't want to see me like this, and I won't give up either. Once we've dealt with Carnage, I'll find a way to bring him back."

Dusk descended, casting a golden cloak over the city and enveloping Gwen's figure in its warmth.

After their heartfelt conversation, Gwen's spirits lifted, and at that moment, Spider-Woman set sail once more.

Even if it meant traversing universes.

She had to bring Peter back.

Just then, a message from Jarvis arrived,

[New intel on Carnage and another symbiote detection...]

Simultaneously, every Justice League member received similar updates from Jarvis.

Tony gently caressed Pepper's belly, murmuring, "I'm sorry, I have to go."

"Come back soon."

"I will."

Steve, besieged by the maids, trembled slightly, seizing the moment to declare,

"Girls, duty calls. It's time for a mission."

"Okay!"

Ice Blue, having feasted and quenched her thirst, reluctantly grounded herself after Jarvis intervened.

However, the symbiotes remained targets for Carnage. Forget Gwen and Phantom; Tony couldn't allow other symbiotes to fall prey to Carnage so easily.

Yet Jessica was done hiding. She hadn't come this far to back down now,

And Ice Blue, stubborn as ever, having had her fill, had other plans.

United in resolve, Jessica found herself oddly drawn to the irksome symbiote. Together, they breached Jarvis's blockade and slipped away.

As for Connors... well, he was just a logistics guy. Nothing much happened without him.

...