Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics Chapter 5701 - 4725: X Royal Family: Annihilation (7)

A damp, earthy perfume perpetually wafted on the breezes of Clarkia. As the golden sun just breached the horizon, a sky painted with vibrant hues seemed to cascade down with the dewdrops clinging to verdant leaves. Shiller, entering the bathroom, observed the dim morning light filtering through stained glass windows, causing the wooden floor patterns to shimmer as if rippling on water.

While adjusting his hair before the mirror, an unusual aura from a distance caught his attention. The wind's lament carried a distinct anger. Approaching the window, he peered through a gap in the towering trees, spotting a figure, radiant as a diamond, soaring above Clarkia Island. The mutants, jolted by the potent surge of energy, poked their heads out of their windows.

"White Queen..." Stark's voice echoed from the living room. Jile exited the bathroom swiftly, making his way to where Stark stood by the window, turning to regard him. "You've thoroughly provoked her."

"I cannot permit Magneto to face the White Queen's wrath unaccompanied," Shiller stated. "Nor can I allow him to clash with those individuals from the Prime Universe. Tony, you must occupy the Avengers from the Prime Universe; I will soon manage to clarify everything with Emma."

Following Shiller's departure, Stark's grip tightened on the window frame as he gazed outward. Abruptly, a golden-red streak blazed across the sky. Stark's expression grew grave. The fiery White Queen and the cunning Avengers from the Prime Universe colliding would undoubtedly be catastrophic; he had to intervene.

A spark glinted in Stark's eyes. Instantly, the blue and white Nano Armor encased his entire form. Bathed in Clarkia's dazzling morning light, he transformed into a meteor, intercepting the golden-red figure and circling him at several times his velocity, disrupting the surrounding airflow and compelling him to halt.

"You scoundrel!" The Main Universe Iron Man struggled to regain his equilibrium, compelled to a complete stop, hovering in mid-air and glaring ferociously at Stark. "Didn't you claim you were here for a vacation?"

"Regardless of my reasons for being here, at least you are not here with hostile intent," Stark emphasized. "Are you truly intending to storm the Mutant Royal Court?"

"That woman is incandescent with rage; her fury will dismantle all plans."

"Are we speaking of all plans, or merely your plans?"

"Must you impede me?!" The Main Universe Iron Man exhibited a measure of discomposure. "What benefit is there for you in interfering with my actions?"

"I am preserving you," Stark asserted, adopting a more authoritative stance. "Do you truly believe the White Queen is easily managed? She is a formidable mutant with psychic capabilities on par with Professor X. If you confront her in her current state of extreme anger, do you anticipate a favorable outcome?"

At that precise moment, the Main Universe Iron Man also achieved a degree of composure. One didn't need psychic abilities or mutant lineage to sense the tempestuous psychic storm that had just swept across Clarkia. The White Queen's power demonstrably surpassed their expectations, particularly her prowess as a mental energy wielder, which was sufficient to instill apprehension.

Presently, the other Avengers materialized. The Main Universe Iron Man descended slowly, followed by Stark. A cursory glance revealed a substantial contingent this time.

Captain America, Spider-Man, Black Widow, The Hulk, Doctor Strange, Hawkeye, Thor – all the renowned superheroes were present. It was evident they regarded this multiverse rescue mission with utmost seriousness.

While Stark assessed them, they, in turn, subtly evaluated him. It was discernible that Doctor Strange and Iron Man were aligned, harboring no positive sentiment towards him. Captain America, Thor, Black Widow, and Hawkeye maintained a neutral stance, their attitudes neither favorable nor unfavorable. Only Spider-Man and Dr. Banner, who had not transformed into The Hulk, displayed relative friendliness.

Stark, naturally, understood the rationale behind this dynamic.

As the armor receded from his body like an ebbing tide, all except Spider-Man and Dr. Banner registered expressions of astonishment. What further shocked them was Stark stepping forward and extending his hand to Captain America.

Captain America showed a degree of disbelief as Stark proactively offered a handshake. Nevertheless, adhering to politeness, he reciprocated. Black Widow remained highly vigilant; the female agent appeared to perceive this as a potential ruse, standing silently beside Captain America, poised for immediate action.

"It appears there are still individuals with clear judgment among you," Stark commenced. "Regardless of the White Queen's reasons for her arrival, you will undoubtedly face conflict with her if you proceed directly to the Mutant Royal Court."

"We harbor no fear of her," Iron Man reiterated.

"I sensed a profound level of anger emanating from her thoughts," Doctor Strange remarked with a frown. "I am concerned her irrationality may incite Magneto to equally irrational actions. Our objective is to dissuade her."

This is the typical interventionism, Stark muses. This group pays no mind that both the White Queen and Magneto are mutants. No matter what decision they make, it’s an internal affair for mutants. As long as they deem a mutant’s decision to be incorrect, they will find a way to interfere.

Sometimes, this can indeed prove effective. Mutants often fail to make sound decisions. To prevent them from acting on impulsive whims, having a third party intervene isn’t entirely a bad proposition. Hence, the most significant issue now isn’t whether they wish to intervene.

Or rather, the crux of this entire matter lies in whether they possess the capability to intervene.

The White Queen’s enraged mental assault would undoubtedly be terrifying. Professor X is unlikely to step forward, nor might he intervene in time. Without a means to instantly suppress her, if the two sides were to clash on Clarkia Island, ordinary governments wouldn’t need to employ any stratagems; the mutants’ New Utopia would once again be doomed.

Yet, this group doesn’t appear to believe they lack the ability to intervene. This time, they have arrived fully equipped, clearly intending to resort to violent suppression. Indeed, Dr. Strange and Thor alone would not fear the majority of opponents.

Prior to this, Stark would have considered it inconsequential to let them and the mutants engage in a minor skirmish. Regardless of which side suffered defeat, they would learn to exercise greater caution, which would be a positive outcome.

However, the scenery of Clarkia was truly exceptionally beautiful. It was a genuine promised land. Earth is the cosmos’s greenhouse, and Clarkia is akin to an ancient garden left behind by Earth. If it could truly become stable, the multiverse’s superheroes would undoubtedly flock here for vacations. Simply by developing the tourism industry, this universe’s mutants could amass a fortune. Stark was even contemplating bringing Pepper and Little Morgan here for a visit, and he could not permit this magnificent place to be annihilated by these individuals.

Suddenly, Stark extended his hand towards the Main Universe Iron Man. The gold-and-red mecha seemed to be compelled by an inexplicable force and abruptly flew towards him.

The airflow lifted the strands of hair on Stark’s forehead, and the gold-and-red mecha gradually grew larger within his pupils. Until the two Iron Men stood facing each other across the mecha, the Main Universe Iron Man was captivated by Stark’s eyes, which flickered with glimmers of data, rendering him speechless for a moment.

Everyone instantly adopted a combat stance.

"Don't move," Stark commanded in a deep voice. "Clarkia is not merely a new home for the mutants, but also a precious asset for this universe's humanity. Do not even contemplate destroying it through warfare. Retreat, or do not blame me for showing no mercy."

Observing Captain America still attempting to approach, Stark raised his hand, and the gold-and-red mecha ascended into the sky. The scream of the Main Universe Iron Man ceased. The Avengers were taken aback and looked up. Doctor Strange’s hand immediately emanated a magical glow, and he fixed his gaze intently on Stark.

Spider-Man hastily reached out to restrain him, whispering in his ear, "Don't act rashly, Mr. Strange. We might not be a match for him."

"What have you done to Tony?" Captain America inquired with a touch of anxiety.

"I've merely positioned him in low Earth orbit to help him calm down," Stark explained. "If I had truly intended to harm him, his mecha would have already pulverized him into dust."

Captain America glanced back at his teammates. Dr. Banner slowly shook his head at him. He clenched his fist, took a deep breath. At this moment, Black Widow stepped forward and stated, "We have no intention of attacking the mutants, but we possess the right to know what transpires within the Mutant Royal Court. Because we stand with the mutants now, if the plan undergoes any changes, we should be the first to be informed."

"You may dispatch a representative," Stark eventually opted for a compromise. "Select someone not prone to rash actions, who can persuade the White Queen to accompany me. Iron Man and Doctor Strange are not viable choices."

Captain America glanced back. He understood Doctor Strange's significant displeasure but also wished to avoid a direct confrontation with Stark here. Therefore, he simply turned his head and said, "Go retrieve Tony first. I will accompany him on this trip."

The others were left feeling helpless. This Iron Man, who had suddenly appeared from another universe, was indeed exceedingly peculiar. He seemed to possess technology far surpassing that of the Main Universe, appeared more peaceable than the Tony they knew, yet remained inscrutable in a way that sent shivers down their spines.

As he followed Stark towards the council hall, Captain America couldn't help but ask, "Are you the Iron Man of the Central Universe?"

Stark gave a nod, not adding much to the conversation, his attention primarily captured by the passing scenery. The path to the Mutant Royal Court, where the council had convened the previous day, led them through a picturesque valley. A babbling brook meandered through its center, flanked by towering trees that veiled the sky in shade. Built into the cliff faces on either side were quaint cottages, adorned with colorful, crystal-like windows, ascending the slopes in a manner both beautiful and subtle.

"What did you do to Tony's mecha?"

"I caused it to mistake its owner," Tony replied as they walked. "That’s what happens when you don’t have JARVIS around."

Captain America, unfamiliar with such technicalities, offered, "He's a bit hot-headed, but he doesn't mean any harm."

"And you expect me to be cordial towards him?"

"No, your demeanor is perfectly polite," Captain America conceded reasonably. "It's just that directly tampering with his mecha might cause him..."

"To have an anxiety attack?"

"If someone suddenly took control of my body or my very being, I'd be quite frightened as well," Captain America admitted.

"If the mecha means so much to him, he ought to have developed a more sophisticated one," Stark declared, shaking his head. "I can only surmise that ever since the multiversal war, you've dedicated far too much energy to multiversal diplomacy. But as everyone knows, the fundamental law of diplomacy is that the one with the bigger fist dictates the truth. It's not too late to realize this now, is it?"

Captain America's lips tightened. He found himself reluctant to concede that their universe's strength was insufficient. The Avengers from the Main Universe had, after all, vanquished numerous formidable adversaries. Their unity stemmed from a shared aspiration to elevate their universe's standing within the multiverse. Without this common resolve, their current collaboration would be unthinkable.

Yet, the sight of the Main Universe's Iron Man utterly outmatched by this other Iron Man left them with a deep sense of unease. It wasn't a miscalculation of the multiverse's average power level, but rather a stark realization that this Central Universe possessed an almost preposterous level of strength.