"Huh?"
Everyone present was dumbfounded.
Thor picked his ear incredulously, "What did you say? Tony Stark was killed by Natasha?!"
"Of course, that is not the truth, but that's the official investigation and detection conclusion." S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Nick shrugged, "Tony from that universe did not resolve his palladium poisoning because of his ill health, and refused Nick's recruitment. Natasha inserted the syringe loaded with vitality-enhancing potion into his neck, and the next moment, Iron Man was dead."
"Someone poisoned him?" Loki narrowed his eyes, "Was the syringe switched or was the needle laced with a lethal toxin?"
"No one knows." Nick shook his head, "So we're going back to that point in time, and our Black Widow would investigate what really happened and reverse this series of tragedies."
With one hand propped over her head, Natasha stretched and loosened her neck and shoulders. Having done this, she fanned herself by the ear, "I knew I was born to labour. Have you brought the cure potion of our universe?"
Nick pulled a dose of the potion from his jacket pocket and handed it to Natasha, "This is standard S.H.I.E.L.D. medication. Its appearance should be identical to that of the other universe's, but our syringe uses molten gold material. The special energy adhering to the material neutralizes any toxin."
"Moreover, the syringe is entirely sealed. Opening it to change the formulation requires signatures from the heads of at least two project groups. This syringe is brand new with guaranteeds sealed integrity and efficacy of the medication. It should help improve Tony's health to some extent."
"Others only switch my stuff." Natasha quirked an eyebrow confidently, "Trying to switch the cure potion from my hand is not as easy as one thinks. But, I believe this matter isn't as simple. I'll try a different method."
Soon enough, Stark came out of the lab and announced, "All set. The Star Devouring Engine can traverse through time itself. The power derived from the cosmic entity provides us with this colossal force. Deploying a time control device just makes the process more stable. I've injected some additional energy. We could depart at any moment."
"Then let's go now." Nick nodded, "Our Madam Black Widow can't wait to swing into action."
No sooner had Nick finished speaking, a white halo illuminated around the Star Devouring Engine. With a gentle flicker, the giant engine disappeared into the cosmos.
In a flash, the Star Devouring Engine reappeared against the familiar starry background, only at a different point in time - they had traveled back to the past of that parallel universe and were heading towards Earth.
Nick's timing was immaculate. Nick and Natasha's car was parked at a gas station by the roadside in New Jersey State. From the outside, the two seemed to be shopping at the station's convenience store.
Natasha disembarked from the Star Devouring Engine and landed not far from the gas station. After observing her surroundings for a while, she strolled towards the store unhurriedly.
Upon entering the store, quickly she saw the other Natasha heading towards the restroom. She then darted in one of the cubicles before the other Natasha.
The moment the other Natasha passed the cubicle, Natasha pounced out and choked her unconscious from behind.
The teleported Loki caught the unconscious Natasha. Exuding an 'OK' sign to Natasha, he teleported back to the Star Devouring Engine along with unconscious Natasha.
Natasha restored her tussled clothing and uitlized the restroom for a bit longer before finally strolling out to wash her hands. She even combed her hair in front of the mirror.
Nick poked his head out from outside the restroom and said, "Are you done yet? We're meeting Tony at four in the afternoon. We can't afford to be late!"
"I got it." Natasha replied, clearly irritated, "I told you we should have taken a plane. You insisted on driving. I feel like my back's going to fall apart."
Soon enough, she returned to Nick's car, lit a cigarette, puffed out a puff of smoke, then said, "I've thought this through. This can't be rushed."
"What do you mean?"
Extending the two fingers that held her cigarette, Natasha said, "I'm not against S.H.I.E.L.D. recruiting Tony Stark. But I always felt that directly injecting him with the potion is rather risky."
"Do tell." Nick asked while navigating a turn.
"Before coming to America, I've communicated with plenty of scientists. I understand their peculiar habits very well."
"I know your intention was to show him that S.H.I.E.L.D. possesses advanced technology capable of resolving his pressing issues, thereby earning his favour."
"But from my observation of Stark's pompous personality, if you show off your advanced tech, he will only think of you as a frog-in-the-well, believing he could have done better. If you aid in improving his health, he'll merely see you as someone showing him pity and hence, walk away in a huff."
Listening to the conversation through the monitor on Natasha, everyone inside the Star Devouring Engine turned their gaze to Stark.
Stark coughed twice with his hand over his mouth, "You guys have no idea how angry I was when I first met Shiller."
"On one hand, I felt it was ridiculous that Pepper thought she could solve my problems which I couldn't, and her method was to hire a psychiatrist. As if any method could measure up to Stark's technology."
"On the other, I knew Pepper saw my agony and wanted to alleviate my suffering. But the more I suffered, the more I felt that others' kindness was merely a show of pity. They couldn't feel my pain themselves, much less relieve it! It's just a form of merciful act to satisfy their superiority complex. I detest that!"
"Then you turned out to be the only one among us who didn't object to psychological evaluation." Steve hit the nail on the head.
Stark screamed like a cat that had its tail stepped on, "That's because I paid him three billion dollars in medical fees every quarter! And it's increasing by 20% next quarter!"
"Nevermind, if I were in your shoes, I would sit in the psychologist's office 24/7 to get my money's worth."
On Earth, Natasha made a decision and tossed the cure potion back to Nick, "Trust me, Nick. I have a better way to probe Stark. We don't have to take such risks."
"Why didn't you mention this good method earlier?"
Natasha smirked without a response. In her heart, she told herself, "The other me never learned fishing."