Ch.4 Two Iron Men?

New York Sanctum, Rooftop.

"Sorry, I can't help you with that," said the Ancient One, firmly rejecting Bruce Banner's request.

"If I give you the Time Stone to save your reality, then ours will be in danger."

Despite knowing everything in advance, the Ancient One stuck to the script. In some ways, she was not only the most powerful sorcerer but also a top-tier actor. Her expression was so convincing that even Bruce Banner believed her.

"No, that's not how the science works," Bruce quickly replied. After all, he couldn't defeat the Ancient One, so he had to rely on his persuasion skills.

The Ancient One gave him a glance and gently pushed her right hand backward, causing a glowing line to appear on the rooftop.

"The Infinity Stones create the flow of time you see."

"If one stone is removed, it causes a branching timeline."

As she spoke, the Ancient One flicked a stone away from the line, and a black streak appeared in the timeline.

"This might help your reality, but our situation would be entirely different."

"In this new branch of reality, we would lose our main defense against the dark forces."

"Our world would be in peril."

"So tell me, Bruce, does your science theory prevent that from happening?"

The Ancient One's tone was stern as she questioned Bruce. She wasn't wrong—removing a stone would create a new timeline, a new parallel universe. The entire universe would experience a turning point.

Bruce paused for a moment but quickly answered.

"No, I can't stop it, but we can undo everything."

"As long as we use the stones and return them to their original points in time, from a temporal standpoint, it would be as if the stones never left."

As he spoke, Bruce mimicked the Ancient One's earlier motion, grabbing the stone she had flicked away and placing it back in the timeline.

Visibly, the black branch of the timeline disappeared.

The Ancient One seemed a bit surprised by the change before her eyes.

She slowly turned to the edge of the rooftop.

"But you seem to be forgetting the most important part."

"To return the stones to us, you first have to survive."

The Ancient One's gaze locked on Bruce Banner, raising the critical question: if they died, the stones wouldn't be returned, and everything would be lost.

"We will. I can promise you that."

Bruce Banner responded quickly.

However, the Ancient One shook her head.

"I cannot risk everything on just your word. The Sorcerer Supreme's duty is to protect the Time Stone."

This statement made Bruce a bit anxious.

"Then why did Strange give it away?"

"He is—"

Bruce stopped mid-sentence as a realization hit him.

"At least in our world, he's the Sorcerer Supreme!"

Because he remembered the young man beside the Ancient One earlier being referred to as the "next Sorcerer Supreme." That meant this world might be entirely different from theirs.

"What did you say?"

"Strange gave away the stone?"

"In your world, the timeline—"

The Ancient One seemed to realize something as her eyes flashed with surprise. For the first time, her surprise was genuine.

It seemed she had suddenly pieced everything together.

"Yes, in our world, the Sorcerer Supreme isn't that kid, it's Doctor Strange, who's currently performing surgery twenty blocks away."

"He gave up the stone."

Bruce scratched his head. It seemed like everything was spiraling out of his control.

Not only couldn't he get the Time Stone here, but even the Sorcerer Supreme was different.

He suddenly felt an ominous premonition about the situation.

"I see…"

"If everything had gone as expected—"

The Ancient One muttered softly, gently touching the Eye of Agamotto, a smile forming on her face.

She took a deep breath and walked toward Bruce.

"I have a new proposal. Would you like to hear it?"

...

Meanwhile.

The battlefield was finally nearing its conclusion.

After Hulk had repeatedly smashed Loki, the trickster god had reached his lowest point.

All six Avengers were now staring at him.

Oh, wait—it should be seven.

And outside the window, there was another Iron Man watching them.

"Cap, hurry up, they're wrapping things up already," said the other Iron Man as he entered Stark Tower, sneaking up on the group.

At that moment, the original Avengers were having a "friendly exchange" with Loki.

Seeing the familiar young faces, Tony Stark couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"Mr. Rogers, I almost forgot about that suit of yours."

"The butt-lift effect is just unbearable to watch."

Tony commented as he observed Captain America walking, muttering quietly into his earpiece.

On the other end was Steve Rogers from the future.

The two exchanged a quick laugh, but Ant-Man, Scott Lang, perched on Tony's shoulder, seemed to notice something odd.

"Wait, Mr. Stark, who's that guy wearing your helmet?"

"Why are there two Iron Men here?"

"Is that your brother?"

Scott had spotted Ronan.

At that moment, Ronan was still wearing the Iron Man helmet and dressed casually.

"I don't have a brother."

"And I have no idea—"

"Wait, why is he walking toward us?"

Tony Stark was shocked.

But before he could reposition himself, the helmeted young man approached them.

Instinctively, Tony prepared to suit up.

"Nonono."

Ronan shook his finger playfully.

"Wow, another surprise this weekend?"

Ronan grinned innocently, as if completely oblivious to the situation.

Tony Stark and Scott Lang were both frozen in place.

For a moment, they didn't know how to react.

"Tony, what's going on over there?"

"I'm ready."

Steve Rogers' voice came through the earpiece.

Tony Stark touched his earpiece, responding awkwardly, "Uh, we seem to have a little problem here."

"We—"

But he wasn't sure how to explain the current situation.

"No need to worry, Mr. Stark."

"Oh, or should I say, Mr. Stark from the future?"

Ronan's voice cut in, but there was a slight mischievous tone to it.

He pulled out his phone and quietly activated the recording mode.

"We have one Stark here, and another Stark there."

"This scene is better than the 'three Spideys together,' don't you think?"

As Ronan recorded the video, he muttered to himself.

Tony Stark from the future didn't understand the reference to "three Spideys together," but he knew that if they didn't act soon, their plan would be ruined.

So, Iron Man 2.0 activated!

With a tap on his chest, the nanotech Iron Man suit covered his body.

"Wow, cool!"

Ronan exaggeratedly gave him a thumbs-up, but the tone made Tony 2.0 feel increasingly uncomfortable.

Why didn't it feel like a compliment?

"Hey! What are you doing?"

Before Tony 2.0 could make a move, a familiar voice came from behind Ronan.

It was the original Tony Stark from this timeline, standing right behind Ronan.

The hand that was about to rest on Ronan's shoulder froze in mid-air.

"Woohoo…"

Ronan took a subtle step back, positioning his phone perfectly to capture both of them in the frame.

The expressions on their faces were priceless!

Tony 2.0, who had just suited up, looked nothing but awkward.

And Tony 1.0, who had just walked over, had the same expression he had when he first saw Ronan "suit up."

"What the f*ck!?"