On the Forum, within the Top posts, one thread stood out above the rest. It was essentially a video compilation from the Immortal Warrior account. And the posts that followed, their popularity only grew higher. The refresh rate was fast, with new replies flooding in every second.
One particular post surged rapidly toward the Top Ten, climbing at a frightening speed. The content focused primarily on a detailed breakdown of the Iron Man suit. From the earliest generation, the crude, bulky metal shell, to the stage where the suit was mounted onto a robotic arm, then evolved into a platform-assisted walking assembly.
There were discussions about integrated sensing systems, segmented propulsion modules, Wrist-mounted components, internal control structures, and countless other intricate details. And now, there was a brand-new version. Not only more advanced, but also far more visually striking than anything before it.
The moment Tony slid a single finger into the circular port beside the seat, the entire seat reclined smoothly, and suit components sprang out from all directions. Mechanical segments unfolded with precision, wrapping around his body in perfect synchronization. Then, he dropped straight into the open air.
Seconds. That was all it took from boot-up to full assembly, to high-speed flight.
"Wow! That's insanely cool!"
"Go, go, go! R&D never stops!"
"Love it! Hahaha!"
"The strongest is him! No debate! He just doesn't bother getting serious most of the time!"
"But his left arm still looks injured."
"Yeah, it might still be affecting him."
"Relax, this isn't a fight."
"That's obvious."
"He's always the one who pays the price."
"Honestly, I didn't expect him to admit fault. He can be pretty proud."
"Classic Tony. Love his personality."
"Hope the real culprit gets caught soon. People like that shouldn't escape justice."
"Not fighting? Maybe not. Didn't Rogers say there were other Winter Soldiers?"
"Zemo must be after them."
"Everyone here is terrifyingly strong."
[High above the clouds, Tony completed the final suit assembly. With a sharp twist midair, the thrusters in his feet ignited. He accelerated rapidly toward the destination. But he wasn't alone. Black Panther piloted a jet, tracking lingering traces.]
[On another aircraft, Rogers guided the plane down onto the icy terrain. Bucky retrieved a piece of equipment from the snow.]
[Rogers glanced at the open rear hatch and said, "Remember when we rode home in the back of a refrigerated truck?"]
[Bucky replied, "That's because you spent your ride money on hot dogs."]
[Rogers laughed. "You spent three bucks just to win a stuffed bear for that red-haired girl."]
[Bucky chuckled. "What was her name again?"]
["Dolores. You called her Dot."]
[Bucky shook his head. "She'd be over a hundred years old by now."]
[Rogers slung the shield onto his back, patted Bucky's shoulder, and said quietly, "So would we."]
[Once outside, Rogers noticed the base gates had already been opened. A car sat parked nearby.]
["He was here a few hours ago," Rogers muttered.]
["Long enough to wake them."]
[They moved swiftly into the base. The old elevator groaned as it descended. Finally, it stopped at the lowest level. Covering each other, they advanced. Suddenly, a voice echoed from behind them. They spun instantly, weapons aimed at the rear door.]
["Ready?"]
["All set."]
[Just as Bucky was about to strike, the door slid open. It was Tony, clad in a battle suit. Rogers froze in surprise. He hadn't expected Tony to show up.]
[Tony lifted his mask and said calmly, "You guys look tense."]
["Been a long day," Rogers replied.]
[Tony continued, "Relax. I'm not here to arrest you."]
["Then why are you here?" Rogers asked.]
[Tony answered directly, "Because you might be right. Ross doesn't know I'm here. And I'd rather keep it that way. Otherwise, I'd have to arrest myself."]
[Rogers exhaled in relief and joked, "That'd be a lot of paperwork."]
[Lowering his shield, he said, "Good to see you."]
["Same," Tony replied.]
The audience erupted.
"Good, they made up!"
"The Avengers need unity!"
"Together, the future's brighter."
"That shield... Wasn't it made by Tony's father?"
"Yeah, you can still see Panther's claw marks from the airport."
"Bucky looks… okay, actually."
"Tony admitting fault for the bigger picture, Captain still protecting Bucky."
"Let's not argue about the ending."
"Tony is emotionally sensitive. He carries a lot of guilt."
"The Winter Soldier really is Rogers' only true friend."
[On-screen, Tony pointed at Bucky, "You scared me back there."]
["Truce," Rogers said. "Weapons down."]
[The three of them advanced deeper into the base together.]
["There's a heat signature," Tony said.]
["How many?" Rogers asked.]
["One."]
[Soon, they entered a massive laboratory. Towering glass chambers surrounded them. A central display unit hummed softly. As they stepped forward, a voice echoed throughout the room, "No need to worry, they're already dead."]
The viewer flared.
"That's Zemo's voice!"
"So he's behind everything!"
"This whole civil war was his plan!"
"Cold-blooded genius!"
"Damn him!"
[Rogers and the others pressed on.]
[Zemo continued, "Did you really think I needed more soldiers like you?"]
[Bucky tightened his grip, scanning the shadows.]
[Zemo went on, "They were just bait."]
[A window ahead illuminated. Zemo stood behind reinforced glass. Rogers hurled his shield, and it bounced back harmlessly.]
["Don't bother," Zemo sneered. "This glass can withstand a missile launch."]
[Tony surveyed the structure. "I could break it. Given time."]
["Of course you could, "Zemo replied. "But you won't have any."]
[Rogers stepped forward. "You murdered innocent people just to bring us here?"]
[Zemo laughed softly. "I spent an entire year doing nothing else. Studying you. Following you. Now that you're here… Your blue eyes still look a little green. I finally found your weakness."]
["You're from Sokovia," Rogers said. "This is about that?"]
[Zemo shook his head. "Before you destroyed Sokovia, I had already lost everything. I'm here because of a promise."]
["You lost someone," Rogers said quietly.]
["I lost everyone," Zemo replied flatly. "And now, you will too."]
[He activated the display, "An empire destroyed from outside can rise again. But one that collapses from within… Is dead forever."]
The chat froze.
"His whole family is gone?"
"He studied Rogers for a year just to break him?"
"What kind of hatred is this?"
"Did anyone see that shadow? Like Black Panther?"
"He's trying to make Rogers lose everything."
"Wait, didn't Zemo once question Bucky about a mission?"
"Yes. He did."
[Tony stared at the screen as a video began to play. Rain. Night. A winding road.]
["I know this place," Tony whispered. He turned sharply toward Zemo. "What is this?!"]
[Zemo said nothing, and the video continued. A car crashed into a rock wall. Behind it, a motorcycle slowed, headlights blazing. A man crawled from the wreckage, gasping, "Save my wife…"]
[A figure dismounted the bike, grabbed the man by the hair, and his face filled the camera. It was Tony's father.]
[Howard gasped, "Sergeant Bucky…"]
[Inside the car, a woman screamed, "Howard!"]
[Tony turned slowly. Bucky stood frozen, guilt etched across his face. Then, a brutal impact echoed. Tony shut his eyes violently, his body trembling.]
[On screen, Bucky's metal fist slammed down again and again. Howard's head struck the door repeatedly until there was no sound. Bucky dragged the body away without emotion. Then, he reached into the passenger seat, grasped Tony's mother by the neck, and snapped.]
[Finally, Bucky noticed the camera and shot it. The footage cut out. Grainy. Black and white. But still painfully clear.]
But the moment the truth was revealed, the viewer erupted.
"Holy shit! Tony's parents were killed by Bucky?!"
"That's too cruel, my heart can't take this!"
"Murder! This is insane!"
"The hatred of killing one's parent can never be shared!"
"Tony was standing right next to the murderer. How is he supposed to breathe?!"
"But… Bucky was being controlled back then. He didn't do it willingly."
"If I control someone to kill your parents, does that mean you shouldn't kill him?"
"This is unbearable, damn it!"
"I feel like I can't fully blame Bucky. He's innocent too."
"It was Hydra. Hydra controlled Bucky and murdered Tony's parents."
"Tony is too pitiful… he's crying."
"So that was it, Zemo wanted them to see it with their own eyes. That Bucky was the killer."
"That was his ultimate goal!"
"This kind of revenge, how can it not be taken?!"
The surveillance footage spread across the entire Terra Federation, detonating like a bomb. No matter where you looked, discussion flooded in. The comments swallowed the comment section.
Inside the Administration, silence reigned. Neither the director nor the assembled experts spoke a single word. This matter… Everyone had their own judgment. But when it came to a question that crossed ethics, emotion, and humanity, no one dared to speak lightly.
Xiaotian suddenly let out a cold laugh. "How fascinating. One person," he said slowly, "managed to orchestrate all of this."
Tonio opened his mouth as if to respond, then closed it again. In the end, he said nothing.
[Inside the base, Tony stared at the surveillance footage. At the blood-soaked image. His parents were brutally murdered by the man standing beside him. His entire body trembled. The muscles in his face twisted violently.]
[Every movement Bucky made on-screen felt like a hammer smashing into Tony's body. Again and again. He couldn't stay calm. His breathing grew erratic. Stability was completely lost. With a flick of his wrist, only one thought remained. Revenge.]
[Rogers lunged forward and grabbed Tony's arm, "Tony!"]
[Tony turned sharply and stared at him as tears flooded his eyes. His voice trembled as he demanded, "You knew, didn't you?"]
[Rogers hesitated. "I didn't know it was him."]
[Tony exploded. His teeth clenched so hard they creaked. "Don't play dumb. You knew."]
[Rogers fell silent, "…I did."]
[Tony shoved him away. His face was filled with pain so raw it was unbearable to watch.]
"HOLY SH*T! Tony's crying!"
"And people still blame him? Try having your parents murdered!"
"What do you expect Tony to do? The man who killed his parents is standing right there!"
"He was controlled, but does that erase blood?"
"Tony's rage is justified! Everyone would snap!"
"Rogers didn't treat Tony like a friend; only Bucky mattered to him!"
"The one who lost everything is Tony!"
"Fight! Fight to the death!"
"Controlled killers are innocent? Eat sh*t!"
"Bucky being controlled doesn't erase the murders!"
"But what choice does Rogers even have?"
"What do you want Tony to do, pretend to be a saint?!"
"Rogers went too far!"
[Tony struck first, and Rogers flew away. Tony turned, charging straight at Bucky. Bucky's metal arm swung in retaliation.]
[BOOM! Tony deflected it, seized Bucky by the throat, and smashed him into the ground. Rogers hurled his shield, and Tony was knocked aside. The shield slammed into the floor, narrowly missing Bucky. Tony surged back up, but Rogers used the shield again, forcing Tony back.]
[Tony shot forward in fury. Electromagnetic restraints burst from his arm, locking around Rogers' legs. He seized Bucky by the shoulders and slammed him into a steel wall. Both palms pressed against Bucky's head, only for the metal arm to tear them apart. Even under overwhelming force, Tony's palms were crushed. Missiles launched from his arm, but Bucky twisted midair, crashing into the structure beside them.]
[The base erupted. Explosions tore through the ceiling as steel and concrete collapsed. Rogers sliced free of the restraints, and a massive beam crashed down, separating them. Tony was pinned beneath steel pipes.]
[Seeing Bucky unharmed, Rogers shouted, "Go! Get out!"]
[Bucky ran. Tony fired an energy cannon, but Rogers leapt in front of it, "That's not the real him!"]
["Move!" Tony roared, and the armor surged forward.]
[Rogers grabbed Tony's leg. "That's not him!"]
[Tony ignored him completely. Rogers held him down with one hand, the shield tearing into Tony's thruster.]
[Bang! Sparks exploded, and the final strike sent Tony crashing. Rogers rushed forward again. Tony fired a laser, collapsing the ceiling between them while Bucky was already nearing the exit.]
[Tony tried to fly, but FIRDAY's voice cut in: "Left-foot thruster malfunction."]
The viewer flared again.
"So this is it? Rogers protecting Bucky?!"
"That's not the real him?! Are you kidding me?!"
"Tony's parents weren't villains, why can't he avenge them?!"
"Tony's hand was just crushed!"
"To be blunt, the captain's acting like a real b*stard!"
"Tony came to HELP him! And this is what he gets?!"
"Rogers knew and said nothing. How is that forgivable?!"
"I support Tony unconditionally!"
"That shield was made by Tony's father!"
"And Rogers used it against him!"
"Absolutely heartbreaking!"
[Damage reports flooded in, but Tony didn't stop. One thruster fired, and he staggered upward. He flew, kicked Bucky out of the air, and raised his palm cannon. Rogers jumped in, and the shield deflected the blast. Tony crashed onto the platform.]
[Rogers pulled Bucky up. "He won't stop. Leave, now."]
[He fired a wire, wrapping it around Tony's neck, and Tony was dragged down into the hollow chamber. They crashed through steel platforms. Tony reached out, half-kneeling. Missiles armed. Rogers threw the shield, and Tony was smashed downward. Targeting systems failed.]
["Come on…" Tony whispered.]
[FIRDAY warned: "Targeting system critically damaged."]
[Tony tore open his mask, "I'll aim with my eyes."]
[One shot, and the massive chimney lid collapsed. Bucky was smashed back down. Tony descended. He struck Bucky, choking him, "Do you remember them?"]
["I remember everything," Bucky rasped.]
[Tony's rage finally overflowed. He lifted Bucky and dragged him down into the abyss.]
"Damn! He still remembers?"
"I thought he didn't know!"
"This is unforgivable."
"Some people really think that if your parents are killed, you shouldn't seek revenge? Just stand there and watch?"
"The hatred of a parent's death is unbearable. How could you possibly understand it?"
"He knows everything! What the hell, he knows, and he still doesn't even apologize?"
"Rogers was just protecting his friend. He knows Bucky was a victim too!"
"If someone under control kills your parents, would you forgive them? What kind of nonsense is that!"
"Fine, Hydra was the real murderer of Tony's parents, okay?"
"Then by that logic, all the people who died in Sokovia should be blamed on Tony, too?"
"Is Tony wrong just because he has no parents left? Does that mean he shouldn't care about anyone else's family either?"
"My parents were killed while seeking revenge, and I was beaten by my so-called brothers. Honestly, some people's worldview shocks me even after a hundred years!"
"He must be killed!"
[Halfway down the structure, Rogers charged forward. The three fell from the sky simultaneously, plunging downward in free fall. They smashed into the concrete steps at the base of the chimney with a deafening crash. Snow and dust exploded outward. All three struggled to stand.]
[Rogers looked at Tony and said firmly, "It doesn't change the past."]
[Tony roared back in rage, "I don't care! He killed my parents!"]
[The words had barely fallen when Tony launched himself forward and slammed a punch into Rogers' face. The two collided violently. Tony drove Rogers to the ground, one knee pinning him down. His fists hammered into Rogers' face again and again. Rogers raised his arms to block.]
[Bucky spotted the shield lying nearby. He leapt down from above, seized it midair, and crashed down hard onto Tony's back. Tony rolled away, and Rogers scrambled up immediately. Bucky used the shield to block Tony's pulse attacks, then hurled it toward Rogers. The two closed in, trapping Tony between them. Bucky's metal arm smashed down, forcing Tony to his knees. Rogers used the edge of the shield to gouge into Tony's suit again and again. Sparks flew wildly.]
The comment erupted. Viewers watched Tony being beaten mercilessly by the two of them, and many were on the verge of tears.
"I can't take this anymore, this is bullsh*t!"
"One against two! Can Rogers really justify this?"
"What was Rogers thinking? Is Tony your friend anymore? This is a bully!"
"Damn it! I despise people like this the most!"
"This time, Rogers really went too far."
"Even if you think Bucky is innocent, you can't beat Tony like this! His parents were killed by Bucky!"
"I feel so bad for Tony!"
[Tony finally found an opening, and an energy cannon blasted Rogers into the air. Bucky and Tony collided fists-on-fists. Tony suddenly fired a beam from his left hand, but Bucky grabbed his wrist and twisted it upward. His left metal arm slammed straight into Tony's chest, and he was hurled into the concrete wall.]
[Bucky pressed his right hand against Tony's face. The metal arm surged with terrifying power. His fingers locked onto Tony's Ark Reactor, and he tried to rip it out by force. Bucky roared as he strained.]
The broadcast froze; even the scrolling comments stopped. Shock, anger, disbelief, and countless other emotions filled the air.
"Tony carried the world on his shoulders… and this is how it ends?"
"This is too much. They never should've beaten Tony like this."
"Bucky… he deserves damnation!"
"Isn't Rogers supposed to be righteous? Why is he like that now?!"
"They're teammates! How can they treat a comrade like this?!"
"Two against one, shameless!"
[At that moment, the Ark Reactor erupted with a blinding beam. The blast tore through the opposite wall, and Bucky's metal arm shattered at the shoulder. Tony fired another energy cannon, blasting Bucky away. Rogers rushed in, stopping Tony from killing him.]
[Energy blasts struck the shield in rapid succession, and Rogers forced his way through the barrage and closed the distance. He punched hard, and Tony was driven back repeatedly. With the shield's defense, Tony was pushed to the brink.]
[FRIDAY warned urgently, "You can't fight him barehanded!"]
[Tony gasped, "Analyze his combat patterns."]
["Scanning. High-frequency attack model confirmed. Response system ready!"]
[Tony caught the edge of the shield mid-strike, and the shield was blasted into the air as Tony counterattacked. Rogers was forced to retreat under the adjusted tactics. Multiple energy blasts struck him, and he dropped to one knee, gasping. Bruises covered his face.]
["He's my friend," Rogers said hoarsely.]
[Tony replied coldly, "So was I."]
[Then his fists came down. Left. Right. Relentless. Rogers was completely overwhelmed.]
The chat exploded again.
"He looks drunk on righteousness!"
"He's your friend, but Tony's parents are dead!"
"I never comment, but I can't hold back anymore. Tony was wronged!"
"Tony fights for family. Rogers fights for friendship. Bucky is the tool. Hydra is the murderer."
"This is unbearable. Tony finally learns the truth, and his revenge is blocked by his friends."
"Not even an apology."
"That expression alone would make anyone snap."
[Tony slammed Rogers into the rocks, "Don't move. Last warning."]
[Rogers coughed up blood and staggered up. "I can keep fighting."]
[Tony raised his hand. Suddenly, Bucky tugged Tony's leg. Rogers seized the opening, hoisted Tony, and smashed him into the ground. Rogers straddled Tony and hammered at the suit. When it failed, he grabbed the shield and hauled downward, causing the faceplate to shatter. Rogers raised the shield and brought it down again. Tony blocked instinctively, but the shield struck the Ark Reactor. It pierced straight into the suit's energy core.]
[Blood streaked both their faces. Rogers pulled the shield free. He helped Bucky up and turned to leave.]
[Tony forced himself upright and said bitterly, "That shield isn't yours. You don't deserve it. My father made it."]
[Rogers paused. Then, he dropped the shield and walked away. Tony collapsed beside it, staring in silence.]
Under the helmet, Tanner watched quietly. He sighed. No one wanted to see it end like this. It was painful.
At the Administration, arguments raged. No one could convince anyone else. In the Director's Office, Johan spoke calmly: "History's merits and faults are always debated. That is the proper state of witnessing history."
The memory recording continued to play. History moved on. And the image lingered.
[Outside the base. Amid the vast ice fields and endless snow, silence reigned. Black Panther slowly removed his helmet and stepped forward, his movements restrained but heavy with emotion, approaching Zemo, who sat alone atop a jagged rock.]
[Black Panther said in a low voice, "I almost killed innocent people."]
[Zemo sensed someone behind him. Without turning his head, he replied indifferently, "Innocence doesn't go anywhere."]
[Black Panther clenched his jaw. "Is this what you wanted?"]
[He stepped closer, his voice sharp. "Watching them kill each other."]
[Zemo stared at the phone in his hand, his gaze distant, as if speaking to himself rather than to anyone else.]
["My father was outside the city," he said slowly. "I thought it would be safe there. My son was excited too. He could see Iron Man from the window. I told my wife not to worry. They were fighting in the city. We were far away from it."]
[His voice remained flat, almost numb, "When the fighting stopped, when the screaming ended, it took me two days to find their bodies."]
[Zemo's face showed no expression. "My father held my wife and son tightly in his arms." He paused, then asked quietly, "And the Avengers?"]
[Shaking his head, Zemo sneered. "They went home. I knew I couldn't kill them," he continued. "No one weaker than them ever could. But I could make them destroy each other."]
[Zemo finally looked at Black Panther. "I'm sorry about your father. He seemed like a good man… and you were a devoted son."]
[Black Panther stared back at him, eyes burning. "Hatred swallowed you."]
["And it devoured them, too." He shook his head firmly. "I won't let it devour me."]
[The metal claws in his hands retracted with a sharp hiss.]
["Justice will come," he said coldly.]
[Zemo replied indifferently, "Tell that to the dead."]
[As he spoke, he lifted the pistol and aimed it beneath his chin, intent on ending his life. Black Panther reacted instantly. He lunged forward and grabbed the muzzle. The bullet detonated in Black Panther's palm. Zemo was subdued, pinned helplessly.]
["The living will settle accounts with you," Black Panther said.]
The screen shifted.
[Tony returned to Union headquarters. He looked at Rhodey, who was wearing newly developed mechanical legs, beginning rehabilitation training.]
[Tony supported him and said lightly, "This is just a test model."]
[Rhodey nodded. "Alright."]
[Tony laughed. "Give me feedback, anything. Shock absorption, lateral movement… Want me to add an extra seat?"]
[Rhodey laughed. "You might want to add an air conditioner while you're at it."]
[Suddenly, he lost his balance and fell. Tony reached out. "Keep walking. I've got you."]
[Rhodey waved him off and turned over on the ground. "No, don't help me."]
[He stared at the floor, then smiled faintly. "138 combat mission," he said. "138, I've flown so many times. Every flight could've been my last, but I still flew. Because the fight had to be fought."]
["The same goes for the agreement," he continued. "I signed it because I believed it was the right thing to do." He smiled calmly.]
["Yeah, this time was bad. A real loss."]
[Turning his head, Rhodey looked at Tony firmly. "No."]
[Tony didn't know how to respond. He pulled Rhodey up and helped him continue walking. At that moment, a courier approached with a box.]
["Are you Tony Stank?" Before Tony could answer, Rhodey grinned. "Yes, this is... This is Tony Stank. You are in the right place. Thank you for that. Never dropping that by the way. Table for one, Mr. Stank. Please use the bathroom."]
["You've got the right guy. Thanks." Tony signed for the delivery.]
[Inside was a letter from Rogers.]
[ Tony, I'm glad you're back at the compound. I don't like the idea of you rattling around a mansion by yourself. We all need family. The Avengers are yours, maybe more so than mine. I've been on my own since I was 18. I never really fit in anywhere, even in the army. My faith's in people, I guess. Individuals. And I'm happy to say that, for the most part, they haven't let me down. Which is why I can't let them down either. Locks can be replaced, but maybe they shouldn't. I know I hurt you, Tony. I guess I thought by not telling you about your parents I was sparing you, but I can see now that I was really sparing myself, and I'm sorry. Hopefully, one day you can understand. I wish we agreed on the Accords, I really do. I know you're doing what you believe in, and that's all any of us can do. That's all any of us should... So no matter what, I promise you, if you need us - if you need me - I'll be there. ]
[A phone fell out of the box.]
[Suddenly, a phone rang. It was the commander's voice. "Stark, we have a problem. The prison..."]
[Tony hung up before he could finish. He stared at the phone on the table. Silence followed. Rogers had left the Avengers. He even took some of the team with him. Just as he said. In the massive headquarters hall, empty. Only Tony remained.]
"So… in the end, Zemo's plan succeeded?"
"The Avengers, the superpowered guardians of Terra during that era, were torn apart?"
"That purple monster hasn't even arrived yet… and they're already divided?"
"Could Zemo have been sent by that monster?"
"It sounds absurd, but it worked."
"In truth, the Avengers were never as stable as they appeared."
"This wasn't their first disagreement."
"I still think Rogers went too far."
"But those are minor issues."
"The real problem is that purple-skinned monster."
The split left the audience deeply unsettled.
Inside the Council, the Councilors watched the screen in silence. The superhumans, once believed capable of protecting Terra, had fractured.
Hyeon sighed. "Each of them is an independent individual. Every one of them is powerful. To bind them together with an agreement… or even the Avengers themselves… It was never truly realistic."
Gladwin nodded. "History repeats itself. Long unity leads to division; long division leads to unity. The Avengers' split was inevitable."
Several others agreed.
Sith frowned. "But what happens if the purple monster invades now? Are there other powerful beings in Terra's era?"
Kennedy spoke solemnly. "Did the Weber Telescope detect anything?"
Gladwin shook his head. "Only the Shadow Group. Nothing else. The disturbance from that voice has vanished."
Some were dissatisfied. "Still no movement from the Ark Reactor? A new element Tony created with ease, yet we see nothing now."
Silence followed. There was clearly a missing variable.
"Perhaps we've overlooked something crucial," Hyeon said calmly, "Another issue is the agreement. I think it should be renegotiated."
They recalled how Terra's officials introduced the agreement. The Federation had once considered a similar approach. But now, the finale made one thing clear: this issue required far more caution.
Sith nodded. "Agreed. Even with an agreement, these people can't truly be restrained. We must learn from Earth's failure. There must be someone who loves Terra, and possesses overwhelming strength. A leader capable of suppressing all others."
Hyeon replied, "Ren is unsuitable. His character is unpredictable. I believe the Immortal Warrior is the most qualified."
Several nodded in agreement.
Gladwin added, "For now, let events unfold naturally. But I strongly suspect that Terra's era will face that purple monster and not just the Avengers."
Sith said gravely, "What if their failure was caused by this very split? That explanation aligns disturbingly well."
In that distant era of Earth, the purple-skinned monster and that glove influenced the present world. There was little doubt. Based on existing combat power assessments, the Avengers alone were insufficient. Their failure explained the narrative.
A Councilor sighed. "Did you notice? The Avengers' emergence. The Chitauri invasion. Their internal collapse. All of it revolves around the Infinity Stones. They are gifts… and ticking time bombs."
The Councilors froze, then nodded slowly. From the moment the Cosmic Cube fell to Earth, Hydra, the Winter Soldier, Rogers, Etc. One event led to another. The Mind Stone, Wanda, Ultron, Sokovia's destruction, Etc. countless casualties. Finally, the Avengers' collapse.
Thor's words echoed in their minds: The moment humans sought to wield the Cube, they declared war on the universe.
"But they lacked the strength to control it. This chain of events may be the punishment of the Infinite Stones themselves. A blade that can save… or destroy." Hyeon smiled faintly. "I wonder how many Infinite Stones existed in Terra's era."
Sith replied, "Six in total. Terra already encountered half of them. That was more than enough. A single one more could've spelled disaster."
Kennedy sighed. "Such a shame the Federation never found one."
Gladwin smiled. "Now, I just want to see how Terra responds to the monster's invasion. Perhaps we'll gain new insights."
The Councilors nodded.
Hyeon continued, "The good news is that the number of extraordinary individuals is far greater. Far more than Terra had at that time. Current estimates place us at over a thousand. Even if quality varies, quantity matters."
Sith smiled. "Once everyone awakens, numbers alone may suffice."
His smile suddenly froze. Several Councilors straightened abruptly. Gladwin stared at the screen, shock flashing in his eyes.
"…Perhaps," he said slowly, "we were never more numerous than Terra's extraordinary warriors after all."
That single scene shattered their confidence completely.