The night was heavy with tension as Iron Man navigated the labyrinth of ruined streets, each step stirring memories almost too painful to bear.
Tony's mind replayed the final battle — the flash of Captain America's shield, the thunder of Thor's hammer, Natasha's sacrifice burning like a brand on his soul. They had won the impossible fight, but the cost was etched deep in every scar he carried.
His HUD flickered, alerting him to movement ahead. Shadows shifted among the rubble, but this wasn't the faceless army from before. This figure moved with purpose — a silhouette familiar yet distant.
"Tony," the voice was low, calm, and unmistakable. "You're not alone."
Steve Rogers stepped from the darkness, his presence grounding yet bittersweet. The worn Captain America shield rested on his back, eyes filled with a weight of history and hope.
"Thought you could use some backup," Steve said, a half-smile breaking through the grimness.
Tony allowed himself a brief nod, helmet retracting to reveal a tired, grateful smile. "Yeah. I was starting to think the universe forgot how to play nice."
Before they could speak more, the ground trembled violently — a new threat emerging from the depths of the city. The enemy was no longer just machines or mercenaries. This was something else. Something ancient.
A ripple of distorted energy pulsed outward, warping the air like a heatwave.
Steve's gaze hardened. "This isn't just a fight for today — it's for the future."
Tony's suit powered up, lights flaring brighter against the encroaching darkness. "Then let's make sure that future's one worth fighting for."
As the first monstrous figure emerged from the shadows — towering, otherworldly, and terrifying — the two heroes stood shoulder to shoulder, ready to face the unknown.
Because no matter the odds, no matter the scars, the legacy of the Avengers burned bright.
And together, they were unstoppable.