"Are you saying that we're not going to help them and just take the supplies and leave?"
Ashley turned to Tony Stark and couldn't help but say.
"Is that what I mean?" Tony Stark retorted, then set down his glass. "What I mean is, sometimes it's nice not to be bound by morals and justice. Look at me—since I stopped being Iron Man, I've been living quite comfortably."
"Cut it out," Pietro frowned, glancing at Tony Stark and saying disapprovingly. "If Alex were here, he would definitely help these people."
Hearing this, Tony Stark seemed to have heard a joke and burst into laughter.
At first, it was just laughter, but soon he was slapping the table and laughing so hard he could barely breathe.
"What are you laughing at?!" Pietro felt the heavy sarcasm in Stark's laughter.
Stark didn't respond immediately, continuing to laugh for a while. It wasn't until Pietro was about to lose his patience that he slowly stopped.
"To think you were one of the first to follow Alex... I thought you'd understand him better by now, but it seems I overestimated you, kid."
Tony Stark pointed at Pietro and said in a low voice, "Let me tell you something, Speedster. You were kind of imitating Alex just now, but you still don't fully understand him."
"Think with your superspeed brain, and consider Alex's principles. What was the first thing he thought of when he faced all kinds of difficulties?"
Pietro frowned even deeper at these words, staring at Tony Stark in confusion. "What do you mean by that? Do you think Alex wouldn't help these people?"
Tony Stark smiled without replying, turned around, and grabbed another bottle of wine, completely uninterested in answering Pietro's question.
At this moment, Kara, who had remained silent until now, seemed to understand the meaning behind Tony Stark's words.
After thinking for a moment, she said uncertainly, "Do you mean... a deal?"
"Bingo~!"
Tony Stark spun around, holding the bottle of wine, and pointed at Kara in response.
But seeing Stark's reaction, Pietro was even more confused. He didn't understand why Alex's principles seemed to align with the idea of a "deal."
Seeing the expression on Pietro's face, Tony Stark sighed heavily.
Then he took several glasses and poured red wine for the other three people in the room, while he himself took a sip from his glass before speaking.
"Ever since I met Alex, I've been thinking about one thing—why did he save me? He even split the timeline for me. I didn't understand it before, but after coming into contact with magic, I now realize how dangerous that move was."
"So I've always wondered—why did Alex save me and bring me into the Wasteland Universe to become a member of the Overseers?"
"At first, I thought maybe he was interested in me, wanted to do something... unspeakable, or perhaps he saw my abilities and wanted me to work for him, to contribute to his organization."
"Could it be that Alex just did it on a whim?" Pietro asked.
"Maybe 'investment' is a more accurate term," Tony Stark chuckled. "After joining the Overseers, I investigated your past, including the Wasteland files and the major events you guys caused in other universes."
"I realized Alex is really a guy who likes to keep his promises. He's been good to you and Kara, of course. By now, he's probably considered you both family, so it's normal for you not to understand him."
Sitting back on the couch, Tony Stark set his glass down and shrugged. "Why don't you all think about it carefully—what exactly is Alex's role now?"
"Alex's role?" Pietro froze for a moment, then cautiously asked, "The Lord of the Wasteland Universe?"
"A Dark Wizard?" Ashley answered.
And Venom popped out, saying, "He's a demon."
Only Kara remained silent, staring calmly at Tony Stark, waiting for him to continue.
"Dimension Lord, Dark Wizard, Demon..."
With each word, Tony Stark nodded. Then he smiled and added, "Don't you think there's a common thread among these identities? That's right—these kinds of beings are usually very good at making deals."
After a brief pause, Tony Stark continued, "Since the Wasteland Universe, Alex has kept this habit. Do you really think when he first came to this universe, he wanted to save it from the Kryptonians? No, he was just making a deal with Bruce Wayne."
"The scepter you're holding, and the weapons and equipment that Alex is still using, those were all taken from Bruce Wayne."
"He only got involved in this matter because, whether he wins or loses in the end, he was confident that he could get you out of here alive."
Upon hearing this, Pietro fell silent, beginning to recall some of Alex's reactions when he first arrived in this universe.
Tony Stark's words continued.
"Later, you went to a polluted universe. Alex could have just ignored the fate of that universe. He even admitted himself that, even without him, that universe probably wouldn't have harmed the main universe. But he still chose to get involved."
"Why? It's simple. He knew that sooner or later, he might be involved with the pollution again, so he decided to test the waters. And how did he solve the troubles of that universe? You don't need me to explain, do you?"
"He made a deal with Mephisto and the Great Old One." Kara answered on her own.
"That's right, a deal—a win-win, killing three birds with one stone kind of deal." Tony Stark smiled. "Including the Wasteland Universe and the Apokolips Universe, you don't really think Alex was trying to be a savior, do you?"
"Not long after entering the Wasteland, he started thinking about taking that universe under his control. It's all his own now. Saving the Wasteland? Well, that was helping himself."
"The same goes for the Apokolips Universe. Haven't you noticed that those people are now living on the Wasteland?"
"These things, and how Alex thinks about them, how do you know?" Pietro frowned and asked.
"Simple. Because I'm a businessman, and a selfish, alcohol-loving businessman at that."
Tony Stark answered somewhat cryptically, then smiled and spread his arms.
"Pietro, do you remember what you told me about Count Nefaria from the Wasteland? Do you know why, all along, Alex never took action but had you and Kara handle it instead?"
Upon hearing this, Pietro and Kara exchanged glances, both shaking their heads in unison.
Seeing their expressions, Tony Stark nodded in satisfaction and then chuckled.
"Because heroes' hands should never be stained with the blood of innocent people, and Alex... never considered himself a hero!"
When the words fell, Pietro immediately felt a strange sensation all over his body.
He licked his dry lips and nodded, saying, "I think I get it now. What you're saying is that we can help this universe, but we can't just help for free. Because we're not heroes now, we're the Overseers, and we have to be responsible for the people of one universe."
"Quick to understand, kid."
Tony Stark stroked his beard, smiling as he extended a hand, rubbing his thumb, index finger, and middle finger together.
"If they want our help, they'll need to offer something in return."
"But what could they possibly offer to ask for our help?" Ashley asked curiously.
At that moment, Kara spoke up. "Ashley, did you forget why we came here in the first place?"
"Oh!"
Ashley suddenly realized, her eyes widening.
Tony Stark continued along with Kara's words, "Anyway, they already know our origins, and now that the old Batman is unconscious, trading with anyone is still trading."
At this point, Tony Stark turned to Pietro.
"Captain, what do you think?"
"..."
Pietro was silent, first glancing at Tony Stark, then at Kara, and finally settling his gaze on Venom. He pushed Venom's head aside and looked at Ashley.
In the end, Pietro nodded.
"I get it. I'll go find Tim and finalize the long-term deal. I'll also check in with Hourman. The most crucial thing now is to stabilize the situation here so we can secure more resources."
"That's the spirit."
Tony Stark gave an expression of approval, then continued.
"Now that the time anchor has been fully established, I'll head back to the House of Mystery and control the timeline speed of the Wasteland universe. That way, the flow of time in both universes will be roughly the same. When we travel between the two, we won't have the problem of years passing between trips."
"Okay, then Kara, Ashley, and I will stay here. If anything comes up, I can contact you," Pietro nodded.
After a pause, Pietro spoke again. "Tony, when you go back, give Luthor a heads up. He needs to arrange the manpower, and don't forget to let Alex know as well."
"Don't worry, I know what to do," Tony Stark gave an 'OK' gesture.
"One more thing," Pietro said in a low voice. "Remember when the Justice Society said Gotham can't be without Batman? You remember that, right?"
"Of course, they said it three times."
Tony Stark grimaced, then suddenly reacted, looking at Pietro with surprise.
"You're not thinking…"
"Heh heh."
Pietro finally showed a smile.
"What do you think?"
.....
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