"Iron Man! It's the real Iron Man!"
When Tony piloted Mark 4 down from the sky, all the children at the party went wild.
There were many people cosplaying Iron Man at the party, but the real and fake were immediately distinguishable.
This entrance from the sky, this cool and sleek metallic texture...
It was something fakes couldn't compare to.
Even the adults turned their heads to look.
The CEO of Stark Industries, the famous playboy, Tony Stark.
He wasn't on his private luxury yacht, villa, or island on vacation.
Coming to such an ordinary community party?
"Hey, kids. I don't have any candy on me." Tony opened his mask and joked with the children who surrounded him.
"But if you want some, you can get it from my assistant."
Even though he said that, not a single child left Tony's side. From time to time, children would reach out, wanting to touch Tony's armor.
"If you like it, feel free to touch it. Don't worry, you won't break it."
Saying that, the armor opened, and Tony stepped out, leaving the armor in place.
"Really? Thank you so much, Iron Man."
Looking at Tony, who had squeezed out from among the children, Lucas spoke, "It seems the children prefer Iron Man, not Tony Stark."
Putting on his sunglasses, Tony said calmly, "I am Iron Man."
Damn it, he really pulled it off.
"Happy Halloween, Pepper, Happy."
"Happy Halloween, Lucas."
"Why are you two here?" Lucas asked.
"What happened in the early hours was too big. The news couldn't be suppressed, and some media still reported it." Tony explained.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. asked me to create another big news story to divert public attention."
Lucas was silent.
Was he showing off his popularity?
"I didn't even know what happened in the early hours."
Saying that, Pepper turned to look at Tony, her gaze mixed with worry and admiration.
"I woke up and only then realized you two saved New York."
Tony noticed Pepper's gaze, his eyes flickered, and he didn't meet Pepper's gaze affectionately.
Instead, he abruptly asked Lucas, "I heard that the victims previously infected by Vampires have all recovered. Is that also magic?"
"Yes."
"Magic is truly amazing."
Tony sighed, then feigned flippancy, leaning close to Lucas and whispering, "Shall we talk privately?"
Lucas returned a questioning look.
"Since magic can solve the Vampire infection problem, can it solve palladium poisoning?"
The two walked away, and after making sure Pepper couldn't hear, Tony went straight to the point.
"So that's what you wanted to ask, why be so secretive?" Lucas suddenly understood.
It seemed Tony had already realized the danger of palladium.
As a comrade-in-arms who had fought alongside him, Lucas didn't intend to hide it from Tony and watch him suffer.
He remembered that S.H.I.E.L.D. had the relics of Tony's father, Howard Stark. From his father's relics, Tony could find a new element to replace palladium and solve this problem.
But in that case, Lucas would need to explain the source of the information. Most of Tony's favor would also be taken by S.H.I.E.L.D.
More importantly, Lucas wanted to see a different development.
If Tony learned magic, would he become Doctor Strange or Doctor Doom?
Lucas said with certainty, "Of course, you can. Tomorrow we'll visit a sorcerer together."
Tony asked in surprise, "Aren't you a sorcerer? Are you not capable?"
Although Lucas's fighting style was not quite what Tony imagined a sorcerer's style to be, with such powerful strength, he must at least be a high-level sorcerer, right?
Lucas blushed. "I'm not good at healing."
Tony looked at Lucas suspiciously, he saw Lucas's guilt. "You're not a sorcerer, are you?"
Lucas argued loudly, "What nonsense are you talking about? I'm a melee sorcerer. Melee worcerer, do you understand?"
"Nowadays all Sorcerers are melee. What's the point of being flashy? Being able to fight is the main point."
Perhaps Lucas's voice was too loud, Pepper walked over and asked, "What are you two arguing about?"
"Nothing, we're discussing matters concerning sorcerers."
Tony brushed the matter aside, not wanting Pepper to know about his palladium poisoning.
"Oh, and Tony."
Lucas reminded him at this moment, "The Sorcerer we're meeting tomorrow is the Sorcerer Supreme. You need to be careful and rein in your temper. Otherwise, if you get lectured, don't blame me for not warning you."
Lucas said this deliberately, aiming to provoke Tony's rebellious psychology.
Tony should enjoy the same treatment as Strange.
Sure enough, hearing Lucas's words, Tony raised an eyebrow. "Sorcerer Supreme? I hope she lives up to her name."
The party ended, and everyone left with their own thoughts.
"Oh my God, Helen, is this real?" George exclaimed.
"You mean, all your dreams are things that really happened in another Universe. That Gwen is our daughter from another Universe? It's unbelievable."
"I know it's hard to believe." Helen hugged George tightly,
"But this is the truth, George. In another Universe, we are still husband and wife, and Gwen is still our daughter."
George also hugged Helen tightly. "I can't imagine losing you."
At this moment, George felt deep sympathy for his counterpart in another world.
Helen nodded. "Hmm, me too. I also can't imagine losing you and Gwen."
On the other side, in little Gwen's room.
Little Gwen's eyes widened as she looked at Gwen. "So, you're me when I grow up?"
Gwen shook her head, then reached out and pinched little Gwen's face. "No, it's another parallel Universe."
"I didn't realize I was so cute when I was little."
Little Gwen frowned, trying hard to understand the relationship between parallel Universes and past and future.
Finally, she came to a conclusion. "So, you are me, and you are not me?"
"Yes."
Gwen was silent.
George and Helen in this world were little Gwen's parents, not hers.
At this moment, she envied little Gwen immensely. And she missed her father immensely.
She was homesick, but could she go back?
...
Looking at the text message on his phone, Lucas fell silent.
By the way, Gwen had moved in several days ago but had she ever spent the night here?
I just wanted a roommate.
Lucas decided to put the 'Help Wanted' sign back up tomorrow.
He took out his phone, drafted two text messages, then went to sleep.
One for Gwen.
"I have read it. Also, if anything is bothering you, don't keep it to yourself. I might have a solution."
One for the Ancient One.
"Sorcerer, I will be visiting you with Tony tomorrow, are you free? I have already promised him, so you absolutely must be free."
(End of Chapter)
Read 50 Chapters ahead on
patreon.com/astralicity