"Not only are they stronger than me, but their numbers are massive. In simple words, if we just sit around doing nothing, we're utterly fucked."
Tony's head started to spin. He knew how powerful Eric was, and the thought of facing enemies even stronger than him was overwhelming. To make matters worse, it wasn't just a single enemy—it was an entire race. The sheer concept of it all made him slump down on the couch.
"You're telling me this because you already made some preparations, right?" Tony asked, clinging to a hopeful tone.
"It can't exactly be called 'preparations,' but I do have a plan."
"Then spit it out," Tony said, trying to regain his composure.
Eric nodded. "You remember how I mentioned that I can travel to other worlds? I wasn't speaking metaphorically. I can literally step into different universes."
Tony raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Think of it like this," Eric continued. "Before existence, there was only chaos—an empty void. But over time, bubbles of reality formed. We live inside one of those bubbles. Beyond ours, there are countless others, each with different rules, structures, and laws of existence. All of them together form all of the creation."
Multiverse, tony asked.
No, we are going to another multiverse.
Tony blinked, the explanation slowly sinking in.
"And your plan involves these other worlds?"
"Exactly. I'll be heading to one next month. And here's the real question, Tony." Eric's eyes locked onto his. "Do you want to come with me?"
If he wants to fight with those guys, he needs powerful technology to with his power, people say if you know science, you can walk all over the world, and he really agrees.
And this guy practically a perfect slave... I mean partner.
As for his betraying, if it was comic book Iron man, then he has to be fucking worried, but this tony screwed up many times, but he is not a jerk.
So until they defeat the Beyounders, he is not worried tony will mess around, as for after that, he will worry about it that time.
Tony's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, so this whole time, you've been telling me all this just because you want me to be your travel buddy?" He let out a deep sigh and leaned back. "Man, I thought you were about to confess your undying love or something, before leaving."
A black line formed on Eric's forehead. "You really think I will choose you from all the girl in the planet?"
Tony chuckled but quickly sobered up. "Jokes aside… you're serious about this, aren't you?"
Despite the serious topic, Tony smirked at the banter. But Eric quickly brought him back to reality.
"Listen. I can't guarantee your safety. I'll protect you with everything I've got, but there's always a risk. The rewards are great, but so are the dangers. If you come, you're putting your life on the line."
Tony fell silent, his thoughts racing. Eric wasn't one to sugarcoat things. There was no attempt to downplay the risks. But even so, something inside Tony stirred. The fear, the excitement—the thrill of the unknown.
"Think it over," Eric said, summoning a golden portal. "Call me if you decide. I've got to go… Mom's dragging me shopping."
With that, Eric disappeared through the swirling vortex. Tony remained alone, the room falling into an eerie silence. His thoughts lingered on the offer.
"Another world, huh?"
Back in his expansive living room, Tony paced, his mind unable to settle. The idea of venturing into a whole new world was absurd, yet undeniably exhilarating. It reminded him of that time in Afghanistan—when he built his first Iron Man suit under constant threat. The adrenaline, the desperation, the absolute focus. He had hated it, but he had also thrived on it.
And now? That same itch gnawed at him. A desire for something more—something beyond the mundane responsibilities of Stark Industries. But was this the right choice?
He glanced at his phone, but no call was made. Not yet.
"I need to prepare," Tony muttered to himself.
Despite his impulsive nature, Tony Stark was no fool. If he was going to step into the unknown, he wouldn't go empty-handed. His mind raced through the necessary steps. Contingency plans. Backup protocols. Safety nets. Even if Eric was powerful, Tony wasn't about to rely on him completely.
But one lingering question remained. What about the people he'd leave behind?
That night, Tony poured himself a glass of whiskey. The amber liquid swirled lazily, catching the light as he sat on his leather couch. It had been months since he'd last allowed himself a proper drink. Ever since his escape, the weight of responsibility had kept him too preoccupied. But now, he welcomed the burn as the alcohol slid down his throat.
The events of the past four months flashed through his mind. The betrayal by Obadiah. The looming threat of the Beyonders. The development of the arc reactor. Pepper…
His relationship with Pepper had shifted, though neither of them had officially labeled it. The lingering glances, the way she laughed at his jokes, and the way she worried about him—it was all painfully obvious. She grounded him, kept him sane in the chaos.
Would she understand why he needed to go?
The thought weighed heavily on him, but Tony knew one thing for sure. He wasn't the kind of man to back down from a challenge. And with Eric's offer dangling in front of him, he couldn't resist.
"Tomorrow," he muttered, pouring himself another glass. "Tomorrow, I'll figure it all out. But for tonight…"
The warmth of the whiskey spread through him, numbing the tension in his chest. His gaze grew hazy as the soft hum of the city filtered through the walls.
"For tonight, I'll drink until I black out."
And with that, Tony Stark leaned back, the weight of decisions momentarily lifted as he welcomed the oblivion of the night.