After a violent shaking, Stark felt an irresistible loss of gravity. The engine, forged by the gods, was speeding up. It was about to collide with the cosmos in a blink of an eye, merging with it to become the oars of a ship, the wheels of a car, marking the beginning of another crazy adventure.
Shiller was knocked to the ground, his head hitting the wall, and blood flowed down from his forehead.
Stark took advantage of Shiller's distraction operating the Star Devouring Engine. He rushed forward to catch him, using his own body to pin him in the corner to prevent loss of gravity from sending him flying. Then Stark heard Shiller's low chuckle in his ear.
"If you want to 'keep me company,' then follow me to the afterlife."
The next second, the speed was so fast that space began to blur. Stark clutched Shiller tightly, but the voice in his head was eerily calm.
"Batman, say something."
"What do you want me to say?"
"Say what you should, what this universe can't, hurry!"
After a silence of a split second, Batman surfacing to Stark's consciousness, with a serious look on his face said, "...Because, I am Batman!"
In the Temple of Eternity, fringed with faint lights in the depths of the dark cosmos, Eternity awakened from his sleep. He lifted his head to where the vibrations in the cosmos originated from, and cried out in shock.
"What is that?!! How can...why his destructive power being more than that of Shiller's invading combined?!!! Who is he?!!"
"Damn it! There's no time left!" Eternity cried out desperately, looking around, he wore a pained and troubled expression as he said: "This is not even within my capability! If worst comes to worst, I simply won't reset Shiller's memory!"
In an instant, Eternity transformed into countless stars, his broad arms encompassing the cosmos, and all the timelines in the universe began to rewind.
Mutants returned to their bases, mages were back to Kamar-Taj, monsters that did not belong to this world were purged, the M'Kraan Crystal Portal was closed, and all people and things belonging to this universe were brought back.
The universe rebooted.
In the Zen room of Kamar-Taj, Strange sitting across Stark, fingered the cover of the black notebook and shook his head, saying, "Those kids have improved a lot. They handled the rally in the Bronx very well."
"Revealing the Mandarin's potential human bombs scattered throughout the area, taking advantage of people's will to survive, forcing them to find their own way and join those training courses that provide accommodation, while somewhat despicable, very effective."
"And I didn't expect that on the day of the Asgard Technology Exposition, the Mandarin would dare to burst into the main venue. Such recklessness."
Stark revealed a smile, saying: "The Mandarin's plan to stir up trouble in New York didn't work, and he could only hide in his old place."
"The gods of the East happened to be participating in an exchange activity and just passed through his territory, chasing him around. He could only use world teleportation to escape. As a result of the spatial interference, he was directly teleported to the exposition."
"That one with the stick... Victorious Fighting Buddha? He turned Mandarin into a bloody mess with a single strike, causing quite an uproar."
"Good thing everything was resolved, and the young earth heroes who attended got a chance to shine." Strange gently touched the cover of the black notebook.
Stark got up and said: "Alright, I still have a psychological evaluation to do today, Shiller should be off class now."
Strange stood up to send him off and said: "I always feel like you're hiding something from me, and it feels kind of strange."
Stark lowered his eyelids, and while walking out, he said: "Nothing, it's just...A return to the past."
Arriving at the S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Training Academy classroom, Stark pushed open the door just in time to see Shiller coming up the classroom steps, giving him a big hug against the crowd.
"How was class?" Stark asked as usual.
"Not too bad, and…Thank you."
"What happened?"
In the moment that Shiller hugged him tightly, Stark smelled a strong aroma of liquor. Then he realized he was standing on the top of a high tower full of fog.
Stark instinctively looked down, where at the bottom of the tower, he saw the giant head of a planet devouring Star Eater.
"Tony…" Shiller's voice came from behind Stark. He turned his head to look at him.
Looking at Shiller's calm face, Stark said: "You knew I wouldn't let you die, so, this was part of your plan?"
A hint of fatigue shown in Stark's voice, but all he got back was a hug. Shiller closed his eyes, whispering in his ear.
"Nal isn't good enough. This is what you want—a 'God Test Body' truly in control of the universal rules."
"You..."
"Thank you for your 'companionship'."