Materialism

Wang Bert’s words left both Tony and Future Tony utterly confused. Future Tony asked, "Blood God, what are you talking about?"

Wang Bert sighed in relief. It seemed Future Tony had not been possessed by a time traveler. He asked, "Old Tony, why do you know so much?"

Future Tony said, "Because I went to the future. I went to the End of Time. Do you know how desperate I was when I saw all that? No matter how hard the Super Heroes tried, disasters still kept coming. In the future, even my daughter, Little Morgan, would have to put on armor and go to war.

"I couldn’t stand any of it. I wanted to put a complete end to Earth’s disasters, so I came back. Everything I’ve done has been for Earth."

Future Tony’s voice grew louder and louder until he was roaring in fury. Wang Bert and Tony both fell silent. They could understand Future Tony’s thinking, and Tony especially related to it. Though Little Morgan was a little troublemaker, she was still his daughter.

Tony could sacrifice himself, but he absolutely did not want his daughter to sacrifice herself too.

Who told your box office to be so good? As long as your movies keep selling, this planet will never know peace.

Wang Bert secretly sighed. As a moviegoer, he naturally hoped there would be more and more Marvel movies, just like those people who shouted, "No regrets in this life for entering Marvel."

But for the people living in those movies, or for the Super Heroes, every Marvel movie was a history of suffering.

There was no helping it. Marvel movies were superhero movies, and superheroes naturally had to save the world.

The only fortunate thing was that Marvel movies had a certain fairy-tale quality to them. They were not as dark and brutal as the ones next door, so their endings usually turned out well. For example, when aliens invaded New York, hardly anyone died.

Tony took a deep breath and asked, "If it were me, I’d also do everything in my power to stop all this. But what does that have to do with restricting everyone’s freedom?"

"Freedom creates disasters. Everyone must be controlled with an iron fist. That way, even if disasters occur, they can be stopped in advance."

Future Tony said coldly, "Compared to safety, sacrificing a little freedom is nothing. Besides, I’ll ensure this world never has crime again.

"If there are no criminals, there certainly won’t be supervillains. Then Earth will be safe. As for external threats, I’ll block all of them. I have that kind of strength."

Tony asked, "No crime? How is that possible?"

"Why wouldn’t it be? Use the internet to gather all information, and crime can be strangled in the cradle."

Future Tony said, "Cell phones, computers, satellites, cameras—they can easily monitor everyone."

Tony said unhappily, "Hey, what about privacy? You’d be putting everyone under surveillance."

Future Tony said, "For safety, a little privacy is nothing. Besides, I won’t be looking at it. All data will be controlled by Ultron. It’s just a robot. There won’t be any problem."

Tony shouted in alarm, "Ultron? You brought Ultron back?"

Future Tony nodded. "That’s right. I designed a new Ultron. It’s perfect. It will protect Earth with me."

"If the world is controlled by you and Ultron, that means there’s no democracy."

Tony shook his head. "No freedom, no privacy, no democracy. That won’t work. Future me, your current thinking is exactly the same as Hydra’s—you’re both holding guns to the public’s heads."

"I’m not the same as Hydra. Hydra seeks power. I seek this world’s safety. They may sacrifice a little freedom and privacy, but they will gain a Heaven."

Future Tony shouted, "A human paradise without crime, discrimination, or injustice."

Tony shouted, "But they won’t have freedom. Give me liberty, or give me death!"

Future Tony sneered. "You haven’t seen the disasters of the future. Otherwise, you would never say that. Let me ask you: if sacrificing a little freedom could stop Thanos from snapping his fingers, would you be willing?"

Tony fell silent. Would he? Perhaps he would.

Wang Bert sighed and asked, "What about the Super Heroes? How do you plan to deal with them?"

"The new world doesn’t need Super Heroes. Everything will be governed by the government."

Future Tony said, "I’ll capture them and force them to choose. If they are willing to be normal people, I’ll let them leave. If they refuse, I’ll deal with them."

Tony shouted in disbelief, "You want to kill those Super Heroes? They’re your comrades!"

"I don’t want to do this, but I have to."

Future Tony said, "Where there are Super Heroes, there will be super challenges. Where there are super challenges, there will be supervillains and super disasters. If we want to stop all this, the best way is to make sure this world never has Super Heroes again.

"Before 2008, the world was incredibly peaceful. Why did it become chaos after 2008? Because some bastard loudly announced in 2008 that he was Iron Man."

"Blaming me?"

Tony rolled his eyes. Just as he was about to say something, a nouveau riche appeared on the screen. She said impatiently, "Why are you talking so much? Iron Man, hurry up and deal with those two, just like you dealt with Spider-Man and Captain America."

Tony froze, then roared, "What? You killed Steve and Parker?"

Future Tony pushed Loki aside and said, "I had no choice."

Tony cursed loudly, "You bastard. You really have gone dark."

"Damn, is this guy selling—no, wholesaling Infinity Stones?"

Wang Bert glanced at the Infinity Stones on Loki’s body, his brow twitching slightly. He frowned and asked, "Loki, how much were you involved in this?"

"I wasn’t involved much. From beginning to end, this Iron Man was the one taking the initiative. I merely followed the victor."

Loki said, "Back then, Captain America, Iron Man, and I went through countless hardships before finally meeting the Time Variance Authority BOSS. He honestly told us everything and let us choose for ourselves.

"Iron Man and Captain America made completely different choices. They argued over it and even came to blows. In the end, Iron Man defeated Captain America and took control of the Time Variance Authority."

"The Time Variance Authority?"

Wang Bert and Tony were both stunned. They had never heard of this organization.

"Enough, Loki. You can shut up now. No one wants to hear your introduction."

Future Tony impatiently pushed Loki away and said to Wang Bert and Tony, "I’ve said almost everything that needs to be said. In short, I won’t change my mind, and I won’t harm your universe. Please leave and stop interfering in our affairs."

"You killed Parker and Steve, and you expect me to just leave?"

Tony gritted his teeth. "For this universe and for the Super Heroes, I’m going to overthrow you, you Tyrant."

Future Tony sneered. "And then what? Earth suffers disasters every day, and you save them?"

Tony paused at that. Thinking of something, he glanced at Wang Bert and said, "That’s not impossible. With Bert in the Main Universe, I barely get the chance to use my skills. Maybe I can switch jobs and become a Super Hero in your universe."

Everyone was stunned. This guy really had an imagination. Future Tony could not help asking, "Aren’t you tired of protecting Earth all the time?"

"Not at all. I only hate that I don’t have enough chances to show off. I hate even more that some Vampire steals all the spotlight."

Tony said resentfully, "I’m supposed to be the protagonist."

Future Tony looked at Tony and sighed. "You’re much luckier than I am."

There was no Wang Bert in the Future Universe. Tony, the "protagonist," had to shoulder everything himself. He had long since grown exhausted. That was why he had fallen into despair and gone dark.

Tony of the Main Universe was busy too, but with Wang Bert around, he barely felt any pressure. On top of that, he had constantly practiced qi, keeping both his body and mind in peak condition.

Tony only hated that there were not enough opponents. With Wang Bert backing him up, he was not afraid no matter how big a mess he made.

Tony said unhappily, "I think I’m pretty unlucky."

"Then let’s do this, Old Tony."

Wang Bert said, "You can go to the Main Universe and retire. Monkey Tony can come to this universe and save the world. As for Spider-Man and Captain America, I’ll find a way to revive them. That way, everyone will be happy."

"Future me, I think that’s a good idea."

Tony said, "There won’t be any more disasters in the Main Universe. It’s perfect for your retirement. If you think I’m not enough by myself, I can call the others over too. They’ve long been unhappy with Bert. With this guy around, none of us can steal any spotlight."

Future Tony was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "That is indeed an appealing offer, but I refuse, because Super Heroes only bring super disasters."

Tony cursed, "You stubborn old fossil."

Future Tony said with a cold face, "Say whatever you want. Blood God, I’ll ask one last time: are you willing to leave? If you refuse, I can only go to war with you."

Wang Bert sneered. "Are you sure?"

"I’m absolutely sure."

Along with those words, a Space Gate appeared beside Wang Bert and Tony. Then Future Tony emerged with Loki and Ultron.

Tony glanced at the Future Tony on the screen and asked, "The person on the screen was fake from the beginning?"

Future Tony said, "That’s right. I was cracking your little program the whole time. I have to say, you do have some skill. That little program took me several minutes."

Tony asked irritably, "Should I thank you for the compliment?"

"Tony, you got slapped in the face again. Fine, step aside. I’ll have a chat with him."

Wang Bert pulled Tony behind him, then threw a punch filled with the conviction of certain victory at Future Tony. Even space trembled from it.

Future Tony showed no fear. A Golden Triangle Cone appeared before him, then it lit up with golden light, and all the Mind Power around Wang Bert’s fist vanished.

Not only that, the Space Energy in Wang Bert’s body was also suppressed and could not be used. Only the power of his physical body remained.

Wang Bert asked in shock, "What is this?"

"This is called Materialism Power. Before me, no one can use magic."

Future Tony put on his Iron Man Armor and shouted, "Take them down."

Loki raised a hand covered in gemstone rings and said, "Blood God, let me show you how powerful I am. I’ve got a whole drawer full of Infinity Stones."

Ultron said coldly, "This universe does not welcome you."

"Old Tony, we’ll come back for you."

Wang Bert snorted, then he and Tony transformed into streaks of light and vanished. Loki froze and asked in surprise, "Isn’t that piece of junk of yours supposed to prohibit all magic? How did Blood God escape?"

"He didn’t escape. They were never their real bodies from the beginning. As for what power it was, I haven’t analyzed it yet."

Future Tony shook his head. "As expected of Blood God. He’s truly cautious."

Loki said, "Iron Man, with Blood God’s personality, he definitely won’t let this go."

"He can’t stop me, and neither can anyone else. I will protect Earth and end the disasters."

Future Tony said with a resolute gaze, "Search globally for Blood God and Tony. Also, issue Wakanda a final ultimatum. Tell them to hand over the Vibranium, or America will declare war on Wakanda.

"Vibranium belongs to all humanity. It should be used to protect Earth, not piled up in warehouses."

"I like war."

Loki chuckled and asked, "By the way, is there any news of Thor?"

"He and the Guardians of the Galaxy are returning. You’ll see him soon."

Future Tony shook his head, then returned to the White House through a portal. Having just become president, he had many things to do, such as suppressing the protest marches.

"This is only the growing pain of an era. Soon, you will receive a human paradise!"

Inside a house somewhere in New York, Wang Bert frowned. "Materialism Power? What the hell is that? It can even seal my abilities?"

"It should be an artifact that only restricts magic, not technology."

Tony said greedily, "That’s a great thing. I have to snatch it from Future Tony. Then I’ll be the Most Handsome Guy in the Entire Universe."

"And you call yourself a good guy?"

Wang Bert mocked. "That thing won’t be easy to deal with. We need to make a long-term plan."

Tony asked, "You can’t withstand it?"

"If I could, I’d have already gone over there and killed him."

Wang Bert said irritably, "Most of my power comes from magic. With that thing around, I can’t beat Old Tony for now."

Only for now. As a Creator God, Wang Bert had seen and experienced much. As long as he had enough time, he would definitely find a way to break Materialism Power.

"That’s troublesome."

Tony frowned and asked, "What should we do next? Future Tony is clearly beyond saving. We have to defeat him, save this world, and avenge Steve and Parker. Damn it, Captain America is one thing, but how could he bring himself to kill Parker?"

"First, we’ll meet up with the others. I’ve already contacted Strange. He’ll be here soon."

Wang Bert said. He came from Kamar-Taj, so he naturally understood Kamar-Taj’s methods of communication.

Before long, a spark-filled portal appeared, and Strange stepped out of it. Seeing the two of them, he sighed in relief and said, "You’re finally here."

"We’ve already met Old Tony. He has completely gone dark."

Wang Bert shook his head and asked, "Strange, how many Super Heroes did you save?"