Frenetic as the Delivery Room (?), the other Avengers were in the Tower's own Bar, celebrating their hard-won victory.
Steve was in conversation with Nick Fury, while Pietro sat with his sister Wanda, gesturing wildly as he seemed to be proclaiming his merit.
In the lively gathering, some people spoke out, and the loudest voice among them belonged to Thor.
Thor was loudly proclaiming his heroic deeds, not because he was boastful. As a typical Asgardian, drinking wine and singing praises of his own exploits after a victorious war was perfectly normal.
The others were used to it; in fact, a loud voice to liven things up was just what they needed.
Moreover, Thor didn't just talk about his own merit, he would also mention others. From his mouth, you could even hear a whole thrilling battle recounted.
It made one wonder if Asgardians had a natural talent for being bards, or if Thor was just an exception.
"You really should have seen it," Thor said, a hint of respect in his eyes.
"A warrior of that strength is rare even in Asgard."
"This situation is indeed rare," Hawkeye said, looking at Thor in surprise.
"I don't think I've ever seen you praise someone like this, Thor."
"For a warrior of that caliber, I certainly wouldn't be stingy with words of praise," Thor said matter-of-factly.
Asgard's martial spirit made him admire the original energy construct greatly. Although Thor didn't say it, he felt that the other's strength might be comparable to the Allfather Odin.
"What do you think, Natasha?" Hawkeye turned to Black Widow beside him.
"Me?" Natasha was taken aback by the sudden question, then said,
"I'm more interested in how Diamondhead suddenly turned into someone else."
"That's true," Hawkeye also realized the point missed.
"Do you know what's going on, Thor?"
"I don't know," Thor still seemed to take it for granted.
"I think it should be technology similar to the Rainbow Bridge, just changing a person out of thin air, not a difficult thing."
"For humans, that's not a simple matter," Hawkeye looked at the boastful Thor, exasperated.
Just as everyone was chatting heatedly, a loud bang suddenly rang out.
However, no one panicked. Having been through the Ultron Time, everyone had taken precautions.
Agents quickly drew their personal weapons, kicked over the furniture beside them for cover, and researchers quickly and orderly ran to the safety passage, preparing to evacuate.
The Avengers were even faster. Thor threw down his wine glass, summoned his hammer with a wave of his hand, and leaped in front of everyone, subtly intending to protect them.
Natasha reached under the table and pulled out two handguns. Hawkeye removed two ornaments from both sides of his belt, pieced them together in front of his chest, and the ornaments sprang open, turning into a bow.
Reaching for a box-shaped buckle on his belt, he pulled out a short arrow, and with a flick of his wrist, the short arrow turned into a proper arrow of suitable length.
Steve stomped his foot, and the shield beside his foot bounced into his hand.
Fury drew the handgun from his belt, and seeing the fully prepared crowd, couldn't help but say,
"Looks like everyone is well-prepared."
"Being attacked once will definitely make us remember a thing or two, Director," Hawkeye nocked an arrow and aimed in the direction of the sound.
Just as everyone was on edge, ready to deal with the attacker, a red humanoid figure passed through the wall and came before them.
Everyone could then see the newcomer clearly: a strong, naked body, scarlet skin with silver-gray stripes.
"Natasha," Hawkeye called to Black Widow beside him with a serious expression.
"What's wrong?" Natasha asked.
"Did he just pass through the wall? Did I see wrong?"
"You didn't see wrong," Natasha replied. "Because I saw it too."
"Wait, this seems to be that thing Thor brought back." Hawkeye seemed to suddenly notice something, he looked at the newcomer's forehead, and then said,
"That's the Mind Stone?"
"What?" Steve was shocked to hear this, and also noticed the yellow gem on the other's forehead.
"Oh no," Natasha sighed. "Don't tell me it's another thing that mad scientist cooked up."
The red humanoid looked at the prepared crowd, opened his mouth and slowly said,
"Please put down your weapons, don't worry, I have no malice."
"You say put them down and we put them down? Wouldn't I lose face?" Thor brandished the hammer in his hand.
"I am not threatening you, Mr. Thor," the red humanoid said.
Just as the situation became tense, our mad scientist, Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, and Upgrade finally arrived late.
"Put down your weapons! Put down your weapons!" Tony shouted, gesturing wildly.
"He's Jarvis!"
"Jarvis?" Thor was stunned, even letting go of the hammer in his hand, which smashed onto the ground in front of Jarvis.
"To be precise, half of what's in my body used to be," Jarvis nodded.
"Half? Used to be?" Steve frowned and looked at Tony.
"What's going on again, Stark?"
"This is a long story," Tony coughed, clearly preparing for a lengthy explanation.
"Then make it short," Fury glared at Tony with his only eye. He knew that if Tony started talking, the real reason would likely be glossed over.
Tony was stumped by Fury, and reluctantly swallowed the prepared speech he had prepared.
"Simply put, I uploaded Jarvis's consciousness into the body Ultron created, so celebrate, now we have a powerful ally."
Tony raised his hands, as if he had done something great, but he didn't see his teammates. Banner was standing awkwardly to the side, and Goop had long since disappeared.
Fury listened, silently put down the gun in his hand, and covered his face with both hands.
"The King of Wakanda, T'Challa, will be coming to recover the vibranium soon, and now you've pulled this stunt, I really..."
Watching Fury's blood pressure rise, his black skin almost turning red, Tony showed no remorse.
Tony Stark's principle: even if I'm 99% wrong, as long as I'm 1% right, then I don't need to repent.
Unknowingly, Movie Universe Tony had actually developed some rascality from the Comics World.
"There's still time, Tony! Quickly transfer Jarvis's consciousness back!" Fury shouted as if grasping at a lifeline.
"Sorry, can't do it."
Tony's answer made Fury's blood pressure rise again.
(End of Chapter)