Not only Nick Fury and Black Widow, but even Iron Man himself was somewhat surprised. Future him had actually decided to do something that seemed like a death wish? Had future Iron Man really come to such a high level of self-sacrifice?
That was a decision made with a resolve to die.
Iron Man pondered for a moment. If a nuclear missile were really launched at New York, would he, just like in the video, be willing to sacrifice himself to save New York?
After thinking for a while, Iron Man realized... he didn't know either!
Hypotheticals were still just that—hypotheticals.
A hypothetical situation and the reality of it were two completely different things.
Unless you were truly in that situation, experiencing everything firsthand, no one could say what they would do.
However, seeing his future self make that ultimate sacrifice to save New York, Iron Man felt that by then, he would definitely be more mature and composed. He would truly deserve the title of Iron Man.
"But Stark, a nuclear missile isn't just an ordinary bomb. Trying to carry it away from New York with this method is completely unrealistic."
"Moreover, the video already stated that the missile will explode in one minute!"
Nick Fury's voice rang out again, interrupting Iron Man's thoughts.
Iron Man nodded: "With the speed of the Iron Man Armor, the missile wouldn't make it out of New York. It would explode mid-flight, and New York would still face the nuclear missile threat."
"'I know where to send it,' where exactly will my future self send the missile?"
Nick Fury, Black Widow, and Iron Man were all curious about this, their eyes glued to the screen, eager to see where Iron Man would send the missile.
"Sir, do you need me to contact Miss Pepper?"
On the screen, J.A.R.V.I.S. actively asked Iron Man for his opinion.
Clearly, J.A.R.V.I.S., with intelligence on par with human IQ, deduced from the current situation that the likelihood of Iron Man sacrificing himself was high. That's why J.A.R.V.I.S. had brought up the suggestion.
"Go ahead and contact her!"
Iron Man thought for a moment before replying firmly.
Looking at the screen, Iron Man felt a bit of satisfaction. During the previous round of questions, the endgame video had already shown that he and Pepper Potts were likely to become a couple.
This moment seemed to confirm that prediction.
However, reality was never as ideal as imagined. At the critical moment between life and death, Iron Man tried to contact the most important person in his life, but he couldn't get through.
Pepper was completely focused on the globally-watched battle in New York.
"The streets of New York have turned into a battlefield. The military has arrived and is trying to take control."
"But clearly, they are no match for the enemy."
On a flight, Pepper Potts watched the news on the TV, her face full of concern and anxiety.
Her phone displayed that Iron Man was calling, but at this moment, her attention was entirely on the news, and she didn't notice the call.
"I must say, I have never seen a scene like this in my career."
"We aren't familiar with this response team, but we've identified Iron Man, billionaire Tony Stark."
Upon hearing this, Nick Fury narrowed his eyes in thought. Could the response team mentioned in the news be the Avengers?
It seemed highly likely.
The whole point of his forming the Avengers was to prepare for situations like this.
The news mentioned that the military wasn't a match for the enemy, and the whole war relied on that response team.
Since that team already had Iron Man/Tony Stark, the other members must be on the same level—no ordinary people.
That could only mean it was the Avengers!
The fact that he had contacted Iron Man immediately after failing to intercept the aircraft carrying the nuclear missile was a solid clue.
Nick Fury couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. The Avengers plan had really worked!
In the future, he had successfully assembled this team, and they played a crucial role at the critical juncture in saving humanity!
On the screen, Iron Man continued to carry the nuclear missile, flying through the streets. As he passed a street, he suddenly changed the missile's direction.
He flew upwards, carrying the missile.
During this process, two figures flashed quickly past the street.
One of them was wearing armor, with a cape and holding a hammer. It was clear that this person was no ordinary individual, because in a battlefield like this, no regular person would dress like that.
Standing next to the armored figure was someone familiar to everyone.
"Sir, it's Captain America!"
Black Widow's eyes narrowed slightly, and she said to Nick Fury.
Nick Fury nodded. Judging by the appearance of the "cape-wearer" and Captain America, it was obvious they had just been through a fierce battle.
Nick Fury immediately understood that the "cape-wearer" and Captain America were probably also members of the Avengers.
"That hammer..." Iron Man looked at the hammer in the "cape-wearer's" hand, feeling a sense of familiarity.
Soon, he recalled that the hammer was the one Captain America used to defeat Thanos in the endgame battle.
Why was it now in someone else's hands?
But due to a lack of necessary information, Iron Man couldn't figure this out.
With everyone's eyes focused, Iron Man kept flying with the missile, ascending higher and higher, eventually flying into what seemed to be a space wormhole.
"So, I'm supposed to send the missile into this wormhole."
Iron Man realized, as did Nick Fury and Black Widow.
At this moment, everyone finally understood where Iron Man's words "I know where to send it" really meant.
But at the same time, a new question arose. How did a wormhole appear above New York City?
"Could this be Stark's method of intercepting the missile? He opened a space wormhole?" Black Widow couldn't help but marvel.
"No, this wasn't done by Stark. 'I know where to send it'—it's clear that the wormhole had been there long before."
Nick Fury corrected Black Widow, "And from the timeline in the video, I don't think Stark would have had this kind of ability at that time."
Nick Fury's point made sense, but the original question remained: Who opened the wormhole?
As everyone continued to watch, Iron Man soon passed through the wormhole.
The view on the other side of the wormhole appeared in front of everyone.
It was a vast and endless cosmic starry sky. Floating in the void was an enormous mothership, and around it, countless battle ships, like bugs, were flying around.
The unmistakable presence of an alien fleet immediately hit everyone.
Nick Fury and Iron Man exchanged a look, realizing that their previous speculation was correct.
The battle in New York was indeed a war against aliens!
The wormhole had clearly been opened by the aliens as part of their invasion of New York.
(End of Chapter)