Early Morning in New York
The early morning sun bathed New York in a warm glow. Xu Mo had always appreciated the beauty of a new day, but today was different.
"Sister Gwen, how about buying this?" Gali, dressed in purple, gazed longingly at a cake in the shop window.
"Sure," Gwen replied cheerfully, giving Mogana a gentle pat. The four of them—Gwen, Gali, Lorna, and Xu Mo—walked into the shop.
Lorna's expression was a bit off. A pang of jealousy struck her as she watched Gali and Gwen chat animatedly. Lorna had always enjoyed spending time with Gali. In her mind, gaining Gali's approval meant she was one step closer to Xu Mo.
Yet, today was different. Gwen had invited Xu Mo and Gali out, and Lorna couldn't help but feel a mix of worry and determination. Even if Xu Mo and Gwen were a couple, it didn't mean Lorna had lost her chance. There was always room for change.
Clenching her fists, Lorna mustered her courage and approached Gwen.
Meanwhile, Xu Mo, standing amidst the group, scratched his head and glanced at the large screen on the building's exterior. Tony Stark was on stage, and Coulson could be seen in the background, trying to get Tony's attention without success.
"Tony Stark, is this the image you're referring to?" a reporter asked, holding up today's newspaper featuring a photo of Iron Man flying through the air.
The golden and red hues of the suit were unmistakable.
"And who is the person in this photo?" the reporter continued, showing another image. This one was darker, with only a hint of blond hair visible.
This was a snapshot of Jie Luosi in motion as she approached Iron Man. Her black limbs and white outfit made her difficult to recognize, especially with the light halo around her.
"As for the second question, I refuse to answer. But I can confirm the first," Tony said seriously, his demeanor strikingly different from his usual playful self.
The reporters at the scene felt a shiver. Tony's serious expression was a rarity, only seen during significant events.
"Actually, I am Iron Man."
Tony Stark's declaration sent shockwaves through the media. Even though Obadiah had been killed by Jie Luosi, Tony's revelation of being Iron Man stirred global excitement. It marked the beginning of the superhero era in the Marvel Universe and sparked supernatural phenomena worldwide.
On the street, pedestrians fell silent for a moment before erupting into chatter. The news of Iron Man spread like wildfire.
The employees in the cake shop were distracted by the commotion, but Gwen and Lorna managed to stay focused and engaged in conversation, as Xu Mo had hoped. Gali, proud of the fact that she kept the peace, turned to Xu Mo.
"You see? It's because of me that they're getting along. You should understand."
Xu Mo, exasperated, said, "I'm not blind. You just wanted to get something to eat."
As they walked along the street, Xu Mo felt a sudden tremor beneath his feet.
"Roar!!"
A beastly roar echoed nearby. The glass on the tall buildings shattered and fell like a dangerous rain.
Xu Mo quickly grabbed Gwen, who had been caught off guard, and pulled her to safety. Gwen's cheeks flushed from the unexpected contact, but her attention was quickly drawn to the chaos around them.
Lorna and Gali had already sought refuge in a nearby shop, while other pedestrians were injured by falling debris.
Screams filled the air as people fled in panic.
"Where is that sound coming from?" Gwen asked, her face losing color.
Xu Mo, analyzing the situation, replied, "It's likely coming from the street next door. The sound is incredibly loud."
"We can't stay here. Lorna, Gali, take Gwen home."
Gwen protested, "But what about you?"
"You know the father-in-law will be around for such a big event. I'll be fine."
"I must..."
Xu Mo interrupted, "Gwen, don't worry. Just go with Lorna and Gali."
Gali, skeptical, leaned in and said, "Xu Mo, I can tell you're up to something again."
Xu Mo shooed her away with a dark expression and looked towards the smoke-filled street.
Against the tide of panicked people, Xu Mo walked resolutely, covering nearly ten meters with each step. He reached an alley where the sound of the beast grew louder.
Whoosh!
In an instant, Xu Mo vanished and reappeared on a high platform overlooking Broadway Avenue. The once-bustling street was now a scene of devastation with explosions and cries for help.
Xu Mo's eyes gleamed with interest. "This stage seems a bit small, don't you think?"
Skynet Alice projected from his watch, looking concerned. "Are you sure about this? If you act now, you'll only be a spectator."
"Spectator? Well said. The situation is quite clear—the former is the Qingyan White Dragon and Jie Luosi, and the latter has some gender changes. But S.H.I.E.L.D. might already have everything figured out."
"Maybe the media's photos are blurry, but S.H.I.E.L.D.'s satellites have likely identified Genos already."
Alice asked, "So what's your plan?"
"A lie is to let someone die. The truth is..."
Xu Mo's smile widened. "This world needs me to make a difference!"
In the Marvel Universe, numerous forces are at play. While S.H.I.E.L.D. stands in the West and spearheads the East, Kamatai Hime represents the private giants.
And Xu Mo has always embraced countless worlds from the beginning.
"Now is the time for some dramatic conclusions."
"But," he added with a grin, "I'm a pragmatic comic artist. Fighting isn't my style."
A flash of white light erupted as Xu Mo prepared for action.
"Justice is about to be served!"