200

Chapter 200: Double Kill

Stark's eyes widened as he sensed an unsettling sensation from the red energy. Although he felt unjustly blamed, his extensive combat experience allowed him to react swiftly. He decided to neutralize the threat first and address the misunderstanding later.

Activating his armor, Stark floated in the air and said, "I'm sorry, I believe there's been a misunderstanding. Don't worry, I won't harm you... Oh no!"

Just as he was about to deploy a tranquilizer, a red light enveloped him completely.

The full extent of Wanda's power was still an enigma, though her rage could tear Thanos apart with her bare hands.

Stark felt his armor seize up instantly, leaving him immobile. All the advanced weapons hidden within the suit seemed to be malfunctioning simultaneously.

"J.A.R.V.I.S., what's happening?"

"Sir, the armor is malfunctioning due to unknown reasons. The flight and weapon systems are both damaged... ."

"What's still operational?"

"The air conditioning system is functioning normally!"

"I'm so..."

Stark nearly spat out a curse. Was the system telling him to stay calm?

Wanda gave him no chance to collect himself. With one hand, she mimicked peeling a walnut.

"Clatter..."

While Stark watched in disbelief, the steel armor on his body shattered and fell away in pieces, littering the ground with metal fragments in an instant.

The latest Mark 43 armor had been destroyed before even seeing its first real battle...

"Danger! Alert! Deploy the Iron Legion!"

Realizing Stark was in grave danger, the loyal AI J.A.R.V.I.S. issued the command immediately.

"Wait!"

It was too late for Stark to stop the deployment. Countless armors of various colors surged out of the underground warehouse and charged at Wanda.

Wanda barely glanced at them, freed up a hand, and a ball of red energy slammed into the ground.

...

A tremendous explosion of energy surrounded her, reducing dozens of steel warriors to ashes in an instant...

...

Stark gasped, feeling a chill run through him. He was left speechless, his mind blank with a single expletive.

From the Mark 7 used in the New York battle to the current Mark 43, every piece of armor—more than 30 sets in total—was his creation. Each suit, managed by J.A.R.V.I.S., was akin to an Iron Man suit on its own.

Even if less agile than his direct control, they were formidable in their own right.

In the original timeline, the Iron Legion was entirely destroyed in the fight with Killian, who had been injected with Extremis. With Maya Hansen still working in Thor's castle, and Killian's whereabouts unknown, this steel legion had been preserved. Now, it was part of Wanda's formidable display.

Stark felt as though he might actually kneel in defeat today.

For years, Stark had maintained a close relationship with a young girl from Wakanda, and his armors had integrated Vibranium to some extent. Even against anti-tank artillery, breaking through his defenses was challenging.

Yet, against Wanda, his armor was as fragile as paper...

...

"Hey, what's happening! Tony, are you okay?"

An exclamation was heard as Bruce Banner arrived in the elevator. Since the New York conflict, Hulk had re-entered public life. General Ross had been eager to capture him, but Stark had taken him in, assisting with the development of Anti-Hulk armor to prevent uncontrollable rage.

Upon hearing the alarm, Banner rushed over. Seeing Stark's condition and the wreckage of the Mark 43, he quickly grasped the situation.

"Let him go!"

Banner shouted, charging forward. By the time he reached Wanda, he had transformed into Hulk.

"Roar..."

With a fierce roar, he leaped and struck at Wanda.

Wanda held Stark in one hand and, with the other, sent a surge of energy toward Hulk. Hulk was instantly thrown back.

"Boom..."

Hulk, now a green blur, crashed through the glass and flew outside.

"Not good!"

Stark cried out, "You can't throw Hulk outside! That area is residential, and Hulk in a rage will cause massive destruction!"

"A high-ranking executioner like you worries about the safety of ordinary people?"

Wanda shot him a derisive glance and gestured.

Hulk, now thousands of meters away, felt an enormous hand grabbing him. Despite his desperate struggles, he was helpless.