"Don't look at me like that. I'm sorry."
On the plane, Lin Yu glanced sideways at Tony, who was gripping his neck with one hand, his expression that of a wronged wife. Lin Yu scratched his cheek awkwardly. "That was just a misstep—really. I'll pay attention next time."
It was Iron Man, Tony Stark himself—cynical on the surface, but a genius scientist within—who had brought Lin Yu into the Marvel universe.
His dazzling suit of armor, coupled with the legendary Infinity Gems that could grant any wish, had long been the ultimate dream for countless fans.
Lin Yu included.
So naturally, watching Nini—uh, Iron Man—get obliterated in Avengers: Endgame after using the Infinity Gauntlet left him with a bitter taste.
Now that he had truly crossed into this universe, even if it wasn't "the" main one, Lin Yu was determined to change things. He wouldn't let Tony Stark meet the same tragic end.
After all, that heartbreaking image—Pepper and Morgan left behind, a hero gone—haunted millions of fans.
But Lin Yu wasn't just here to mend sad stories.
He was invincible. Unlike typical transmigrators who clung to the original plot just to survive, Lin Yu had no such weakness. He didn't need to act cautiously to retain the advantage of foresight.
He was the advantage.
He could twist the plot however he pleased—rescue doomed characters, flip pivotal events, troll key moments.
And what did he want to do most?
Feed Uncle Wolf some NZT. The Limitless kind.
The mere thought made him giddy.
Tony rolled his eyes at Lin Yu's earlier comment, but then fixed him with a serious look. "So, can you tell me your origin and identity now?"
There was a hint of genuine curiosity. This man—this superpowered stranger—had just happened to appear where Tony landed. Too much of a coincidence.
"My name is Lin Yu. I'm actually not from your universe," he said directly, without a hint of hesitation. "I'm a traveler from a parallel Earth."
He had no need to hide it. In a world already packed with aliens, time travelers, mutants, gods, and more, what was one more interdimensional visitor?
"Not from our universe?" Tony raised an eyebrow. "So the parallel universe theory is real?"
"Another universe?" Colonel Rhodes, standing to the side, looked stunned. "How is that even possible?"
"What's strange about it?" Lin Yu replied calmly. "You're a Ph.D. in physics, aren't you? Surely you know quantum mechanics. According to that, an infinite number of universes coexist—some diverging over nothing more than the position of a single Planck particle."
"That's true," Tony nodded thoughtfully, before narrowing his eyes. "But you seem… familiar with me."
"Yeah," Rhodes added with suspicion. "If you're from another universe, why do you know Tony so well?"
Lin Yu chuckled. "You don't actually think you're the only Tony Stark in the multiverse, do you? I've seen plenty of versions of you."
He wasn't exaggerating. In Marvel canon alone, there were countless variations—heroic, tyrannical, divine, fused with Thor, even… the flamboyant sissy version who had a suspiciously close friendship with Captain America. Heh.
"Uh…" Tony blinked.
What Lin Yu said did make sense. If the multiverse theory was true, then being familiar with a parallel Tony Stark wasn't far-fetched.
"…I guess," Rhodes said, reluctantly accepting the logic.
"But still—how do we know you're telling the truth?" Tony pressed.
"Yeah, got any proof?" Rhodes chimed in.
Lin Yu smiled. "I don't need to lie. I'll show you a little something."
He raised his hand. Reality distorted, particles of color coalescing into a luminous sphere.
With a mere thought, he activated the power of reality, manifesting a cosmic model of the infinite multiverse in his palm.
Then—
[ Ability: Reality Manipulation – Activated ]
—he expanded the vision outward, granting Tony and Rhodes a temporary god's-eye view of the cosmos. In that moment, they saw it all: branching timelines, divergent worlds, infinite possibilities.
Each universe shimmered, some showing a victorious Avengers, others a ruined Earth. Each told its own story.
Tony stared in awe. "This is… incredible."
"My God," Rhodes muttered, dumbfounded.
Lin Yu allowed the vision to linger a few seconds longer before gently waving it away.
"Then what's your plan now?" Tony asked, still dazzled but more grounded.
"I'll stay in this universe for a while. I don't have a base here yet, though," Lin Yu replied honestly. "You're not going to kick me out, are you?"
He looked up at Tony with a half-grin. Sure, Lin Yu could manipulate reality and do whatever he pleased, but when one of your favorite characters is a wealthy genius playboy who can help you live in style while letting you spectate the plot in first class—why not?
Tony gave a helpless sigh. "You can stay with me for now. I've got enough houses to go around. Just don't be a freeloader."
Truth be told, Tony felt an inexplicable sense of trust toward Lin Yu.
What he didn't realize was—
[ Spiritual Influence – Passive Effect Activated ]
[ Affinity Level with Target: +10 ]
—Lin Yu's spiritual energy naturally made others warm up to him when he approached with intent.
"Awesome. I knew the Tony Stark wouldn't be stingy," Lin Yu beamed.
The private jet landed smoothly at JFK.
Lin Yu and Rhodes wheeled Tony, still weak and temporarily seated in a wheelchair, to the open rear hatch.
As the three exited, a black Rolls Royce awaited them, parked right beside the plane.
Standing nearby were Pepper Potts and Happy Hogan, both waiting anxiously.
Two soldiers approached with a stretcher, only for Tony to roll his eyes and wave them off.
"Are you kidding me? Take it away."
Rhodes echoed the gesture, motioning for the soldiers to stand down.
Tony walked toward Pepper, who looked visibly emotional. Her eyes were red, and joy shimmered behind her glasses.
He quipped, "Red eyes? Missed your missing boss?"
Pepper sniffed and laughed. "I'm just happy I don't have to job hunt again."
"Your vacation's over," Tony said with a chuckle, before signaling Lin Yu to follow him toward the car.
Rhodes stayed behind, but the others climbed into the Rolls. Happy took the driver's seat. Lin Yu slid into the passenger seat. Tony and Pepper got comfortable in the back.
The doors closed with a satisfying thud.
The journey ahead had just begun.