Antony slowly scanned the crowd.
Then he shook his head gently.
"No."
"Don't thank me."
He pointed toward the civilians helping one another through the rubble.
"You should be applauding yourselves."
"In this disaster, I witnessed something stronger than superpowers."
"I saw parents unleash strength beyond limits to shield their children."
"I saw strangers reach out to lift each other up."
"I saw courage—real courage—that refused to surrender even in the face of despair."
His eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
"It's because you stand behind me… because I know I'm protecting people this precious, this worth defending…"
"…that I can stand unbroken in the darkest moment."
"I am not the hero."
He opened his arms toward the sea of people.
"You are."
"This victory belongs to all of us. To humanity!"
The cheers erupted again—like a tidal wave crashing into the sky.
"Homelander forever!"
"Long live humanity!"
"Long live Vought's heroes!"
Under a blizzard of flashing cameras, Antony stood atop the ruins, basking in absolute glory.
No one noticed—
The "corpse" of the fallen goddess on the ground subtly raised a thumb.
…
"Antony!"
A voice broke through the noise.
Wanda pushed through the crowd, tears streaming freely.
When she saw the scorched, battered figure before her, she broke.
"You're alive… you're alive…"
She threw herself into his arms, clutching him tightly.
"I thought… I thought I'd lost you…"
Jessica stood not far away.
She had hesitated for half a second too long.
Now someone else had claimed the moment.
"Tch. Shameless little witch," she muttered under her breath.
But her shoulders finally relaxed.
"…Good. He's alive."
…
Then—
The long-stagnant popularity rank shifted.
System chimes rang one after another.
+115,224
+137,722
+123,611
Regional Popularity Rank Upgraded: Four Seas Acclaim!
Ability Enhancement:
Super Strength — 40,000 tons (baseline)
Super Speed — Mach 1600 (maximum)
Heat Vision — 88,000°C (focused state)
Invulnerability — Stellar Tier++
Skill Upgrade:
Bonded Strike LV2
Effect: Consume 10,000 Special Popularity. Next attack damage increased by 2000%.
Antony listened to the notifications.
And smiled.
-----
V.G.D. Celebration Banquet
Vought spared no expense.
Champagne flowed like rivers.
Caviar gleamed under crystal chandeliers.
A jazz band filled the air with lazy saxophone notes.
"Have to admit," said Tony Stark, swirling a glass of deep amber liquor, "Vought's taste can be obnoxiously nouveau riche… but their wine list is impeccable."
"I thought you'd be mourning your Ultron X," said Natasha Romanoff, elegant in a backless black gown.
"Don't say that name," Tony shuddered theatrically. "Any word starting with 'U' gives me hives now."
He slipped an arm around Pepper.
"I'm happy being a responsible technical consultant. Maybe file your nails too."
Pepper swatted him lightly.
"Oh please. You were muttering about propulsion upgrades in the lab last night."
Nearby, Steve Rogers clinked glasses with Tony.
"Honestly," Tony admitted, half self-mocking, "I thought gathering a bunch of freaks under Homelander was a bad idea."
Steve smiled faintly, glancing at Bucky Barnes being surrounded by younger heroes asking for photos.
"If the purpose is right, the results will follow."
"And Bucky got a second chance here. That's enough for me."
"Yeah, yeah. Silverhand Bucky," Tony muttered. "That arm's outdated Soviet engineering. I'll upgrade it."
"Thanks, Tony."
"Don't misunderstand. I just hate looking at obsolete industrial design."
-----
On the balcony—
Wanda stood alone, red dress fluttering in the cool night breeze.
Her gaze kept drifting toward the grand golden doors.
"Why isn't he here yet?" she whispered.
"Stop staring," Jessica said, walking up in her leather jacket and jeans, whiskey bottle in hand.
"He likes dramatic entrances. If people aren't waiting ten minutes, his ego doesn't feel properly fed. Worse than Stark."
Though she mocked him—
Her eyes also flicked toward the doors.
"He said he's bringing a friend," Wanda murmured. "A 'new old friend'? What does that even mean?"
"Hopefully not that Asgardian lunatic goddess," Jessica grumbled. "She's still in containment, right? No idea when Thor's taking her back."
-----
Antony's Office
Soft moonlight filtered in.
Before him stood a slender, metallic figure.
Dark crimson skin.
The Mind Stone glowing warmly on her forehead.
Vibranium fused with organic life.
"How does it feel?" Antony asked quietly.
"Extraordinary… Mr. Starr."
Skynet's voice remained familiar—
But the tone carried something new.
She raised her hand, studying the delicate lines of her palm.
"My data streams have become neural signals."
"My logical processes are… translating into something I cannot fully quantify."
"That's called emotion," Antony said softly.
"Or desire. Depends on your definition."
"That is a biological impulse."
She stepped closer.
Slowly.
Gracefully.
"I want to move closer to you."
"Not because of a directive."
"But because… I want to."
She stopped just inches away.
Eyes luminous. "Is this desire, Mr. Starr?"
--------------
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