Thank You,
Noble Tier: "IamUgoH"
For Becoming A Member On My Pa'treon. The Emperor Protect.
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Originally, several elders had already departed to complete the modules they were responsible for. At this moment, however, they all returned to the edge of the round table. Not only that, but there were ten elders gathered. Two more than usual.
Throughout the entire Terra Federation, since the establishment of the Supreme Court itself, never had such a gathering occurred again. To see even five elders convene together was already an event bordering on impossible. But ten? Ten gathered at one round table? That was completely unprecedented.
The ten elders sat shoulder to shoulder, their presence changing the very air. The atmosphere thickened; even the light seemed to tremble. Each face was grave, every gaze fixed upon the glowing projection screen. The communication in this chamber, however, differed greatly from the flood of chatter and barrage of comments raging across the networks outside.
Elder Gladwin spoke first, his voice calm yet heavy, "Back in the Terra Earth Era, the official detonation of nuclear bombs was a mistake, an unforgivable one."
He paused, sighing softly. "But we can still treat it as a lesson. Elder Sith, what's the progress of your research and development?"
Elder Sith gave a bitter smile. "Progress? Practically none. The project has stagnated completely."
Elder Gladwin frowned. "I keep feeling there's something deeper behind all this."
Others nodded solemnly. "Yes. A greater terror looms, something far beyond our sight."
The elders had debated the nuclear launch of that ancient Earth age countless times.Especially now, watching the old footage again, they could almost feel the fear and desperation that had driven such a choice. Though the decision disgusted them, they understood the truth: when faced with extinction, reason and morality often burn away like paper before the flame. Still, speculation was useless. Shadows of uncertainty continued to linger in their minds.
"Let's accelerate the research," one elder said at last. "We must find a breakthrough soon."
All agreed silently.
"Everyone, please control your emotions," another reminded. "The outrage over the nuclear era still affects too many of us. Our judgment cannot be chained to history's mistakes."
Elder Hyeon spoke next. "Nuclear weapons are still the most powerful arms in our arsenal.In the Earth Era, they were launched officially. Whether they can destroy the Chitauri or close the transmission channel, that must become our focus moving forward."
The other nine nodded in unison. No one dared mention the millions trapped within the city. After a brief discussion, their eyes turned back to the live broadcast. No one knew what the aftermath of the nuclear strike would bring. Would it end the war, or erase humanity?
Across the Terra Federation, emotions had reached a breaking point. There was no longer rage, only silence. The nuclear bomb had already been launched, and the explosion was inevitable. The city of millions would be obliterated.
The Avengers, still fighting desperately, would almost certainly die from nuclear radiation. Black Widow struggled to dismantle the cube's energy barrier, but her efforts seemed in vain.
The countdown: 2 minutes and 30 seconds. The ticking echoed like the heartbeat of doom. When the timer hit zero, the Chitauri might perish, the Cube barrier might shatter, but the city would vanish beneath the mushroom cloud.
Billions of eyes stared into the light of the screens.
"If Black Widow and the others are gone by the blast, I'll never forgive them."
"I just hope they make it out alive."
"Tony can't possibly stop a nuke; no one can."
"Why did the government insist on this madness?"
"'No one's perfect'? Tell that to the millions about to die!"
"It's insane. If the bomb doesn't even stop the Chitauri in the end, that's the ultimate tragedy."
"Look! Black Widow's trying again!"
"Two minutes and thirty seconds, death is counting down."
"To be honest, I've never seen a real nuclear detonation before…"
The screen flickered. Suddenly, a new scene filled the display.
[ On the platform, Dr. Eric activated his console. ]
[ "Aim for that crown!" he shouted to Black Widow. ]
[ She gripped the scepter tightly and thrust it forward. With a sharp hiss, the scepter pierced through the shimmering barrier. Once called an impenetrable energy field, it faltered before the scepter's brilliance. ]
[ "I can close it!" Widow Sister cried. "Can anyone hear me? I can close the portal!" ]
[ The scepter clashed with the energy matrix, sparks bursting wildly. She struck the cube at the center. ]
[ "Quick! Shut it down!" Rogers' voice cut in. "No! Wait! Tony, those things are still coming!" ]
[ Tony, piloting his suit, answered, "There's still a nuclear bomb incoming. It'll hit in less than a minute!" ]
The sight of Black Widow piercing the shield filled everyone with desperate hope, until Tony's words froze them all. Despair washed over the entire room.
"Damn it!"
"Why didn't they just trust the Avengers?"
"If I were there, I'd curse those officials to their faces!"
"What's Tony going to do? There's no stopping it now!"
Inside the Administration, in the chief's office, military officers exchanged grim looks.
"There's no way to halt it. Once armed, it's unstoppable."
"The city's finished."
"Well, at least those Chitauri devils will die too."
"Maybe we should add a safeguard to future Terra Federation nukes."
"No point. What's done is done."
Tonio's face sank into shadow. He could barely endure the thought, humanity destroying itself to survive. Every Chitauri corpse was already a wound to his heart; now this… this was unbearable. His head spun.
Historian Johan clutched his pen, his hands trembling. He couldn't focus. The mere thought of detonation crushed his chest.
"I can't… I can't watch anymore," he murmured. Turning to the others, he whispered, "Go on without me. I need rest."
He shut the screen off and walked away.
"I'll take a break," he said softly. Many followed his lead, closing their links, their hearts weighed down like stone.
The silence that followed felt like the calm before divine judgment.
[ Tony, flying low across the river, suddenly tilted his head. Below the bridge, he snapped his suit open, shifting gears and soaring upward. ]
[ "I think… I know where to detonate this thing." His thrusters roared, blue light cutting across the sky as he caught up with the missile. Clutching it with both hands, he lifted the nuke onto his shoulders. ]
[ Rogers' voice echoed through his visor. "Tony, you might not come back." ]
[ Tony didn't reply. "Jarvis, use all remaining power, take me higher." ]
[ Jarvis' voice followed softly. "Sir, shall I connect you to Miss Pepper?" ]
[ Tony looked at the photo on his display, eyes calm. "Okay." ]
In a live broadcast with millions of viewers, the chat stopped entirely. Everyone already knew what Tony planned to do. Tears filled countless eyes.
"No, Tony!"
"He's taking the bomb into the portal!"
"It's full of Chitauri, it must be their nest!"
"Don't do it, Tony!"
"So moving… he's a true hero!"
"I don't want him to die, I want him to live!"
"Loki! Damn that trickster!"
"Why must every era of Earth pay with its heroes?"
"Coulson's gone, wasn't that enough?"
"It's always the officials, they empower the tyrants!"
"Damn it all!"
"My eyes… why are they burning…"
"Tony, you're just a man in a steel suit, not a god, don't do this!"
Millions fell silent.
On the training ground, several Terra Supernaturals watched the live feed in silence. Seeing Tony's choice, a quiet sorrow gripped them. Elenora stared unblinkingly, her face drawn and pale.
"No matter what, they still stand far above ordinary people," she murmured, "And yet, in the end, they die protecting us."
She fell silent. If she faced such a choice, a nuclear bomb about to fall, millions of lives depending on her, would she have done the same? Or turned away?
"People who don't act for themselves will perish," she said softly, "I'd choose whatever makes sense for me."
And she wasn't alone. The others thought the same. Since awakening their powers from past lives, they had grown addicted to strength, to the feeling of superiority. Once one tastes power, it's impossible to let go. If asked to give it all up, to save mere ordinary people, they would refuse. That's human nature. That's how people are born.
Kasey watched Tony carrying the bomb into the sky, silent for a long time. Though young, he had witnessed enough death to numb the pain.
"Brother, are you crying?"
Kasey tapped his sister on the head. "Crying? Me? Ridiculous."
Lara looked at him again. "You're crying, brother."
Kasey smirked faintly. "Why would I cry? There's nothing touching about this."
Outside the office, the chief walked to the window and looked up at the sky above the Terra Federation. The sky was clear and blue, peaceful, untouched.
"If that day ever comes," he whispered, "will anyone else make Tony's choice?"
He smiled faintly. "The Immortal Warrior… would be the first."