Outside Inner Wall, Stardust City
"This area belongs to all your tribesmen, alright? And I want them to stay all around the city, not in one place," John said, while showing Black Dust and Red Dust the grassland around him.
"As you wish, master. We will follow your instructions," Black Dust replied through their mind link.
For the past two months, because of the unlimited supply of crystals, both Black Dust and Red Dust had become more powerful than before. Especially Black Dust — he had already become a four-tail beast, nearing five tails. As for Red Dust, he was also very close to becoming a six-tail beast.
For thousands of years, in their tribe, nobody had reached this stage, so all the tribe members were looking forward to it.
That aside, John felt a huge spike in origin energy on Earth, and he could guess that Tony had broken through. That's why he wanted to go back to check it out.
"Alright, I will be leaving now. Take care," John said and opened the teleportation gate to Earth.
---
Avengers Tower
Right now, Tony was taking his sweet time after the breakthrough, and because of the new interest in Mars for the government, they had left the Avengers alone for now.
Just as he was enjoying himself, a teleportation gate opened in the middle of the room, and John walked out from it.
Tony, undisturbed, opened one eye to look at John and closed it again.
"So you finally showed up, huh? So can I ask where you've been all this time?" Tony asked, his eyes still closed.
John smiled helplessly. "I was doing a very important work. And by the way, congratulations on your breakthrough."
"Yeah, yeah," Tony waved his hand nonchalantly.
"So what important work were you doing, my dear brother?" Tony asked again, this time his voice slightly deeper.
John understood that Tony was really angry at this moment, so he didn't hide anything anymore.
After telling the whole story, John went to the bar and picked up two glasses, filling them with red wine. Giving one to Tony, John sat down beside him.
"Please don't be angry. You know how important this is for us. The more Star Wizards there are in the future, the better we can protect our planet from cosmic threats."
Seeing that Tony still didn't budge or say anything, John continued.
"How about this — I'm going on another journey. Would you like to come with me?"
John held his breath, waiting for Tony's answer.
"Sigh…"
Sighing to himself, Tony finally opened his eyes and looked toward John.
"Don't go back on your words. Otherwise, don't talk to me ever again."
Hearing this, John finally felt relaxed, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
"So what type of world are we going to anyway?" Tony asked after being silent for a moment.
"Actually, I have no idea. Just like the first time, it will be a surprise."
Tony shook his head slightly. "You and your surprises."
After hearing what Tony just said, John suddenly remembered something very important that he had forgotten.
"Infinity Stones… fuck."
"Language, John."
"Sorry. I just remembered that I've kept all the Infinity Stones with me… and I forgot to give them to you," John said while scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Why give them to me? You can just keep them. They'll be safer with you than with me," Tony said, shaking his head.
He understood how much of a hot potato those stones were, and only John was capable of protecting them.
"By the way, why didn't you send them back to where they belong? Wouldn't it disrupt the time continuum?" Tony asked doubtfully.
"Once I'm done using them, I'll send them back. But first things first — do you remember in Kamar-Taj, I fell unconscious while touching the Time Stone?"
"Yes, I remember. But you didn't tell me exactly what happened to you?"
"Actually, these stones are more than just stones. They are a kind of inheritance. And last time, I got the inheritance from the Time Stone. Do you also want it?"
"Inheritance? What kind of inheritance? And if it's good, I don't mind," Tony said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Oh, it's good — trust me."
Finishing his words, John swiped his hand in midair, and a rift opened in front of Tony, who now felt numb after seeing John do all kinds of incredible things.
From inside the rift, John put his hand in and brought out a single stone, which was shining a light yellow color.
It was none other than the Soul Stone.
John wanted Tony to inherit the Soul Stone so that his soul could strengthen and he would be able to do all kinds of soul-related abilities.
"Take this, and insert your spiritual energy into it," John said while handing the stone over to Tony.
"That's it? I just have to send my spiritual energy into it?" Tony asked, looking at the stone in his hand.
"Yup."
"Alright, here goes nothing."
Closing his eyes, Tony sent his spiritual energy inside the Soul Stone while feeling a little anxious for something to happen — but a long time passed and nothing happened out of place.
Opening his eyes, Tony looked at John and asked, "Am I doing it right? Why isn't anything happening?"
John was also bewildered. "Try once more."
Tony did just that, but nothing happened this time as well. Seeing this, John didn't know what to say.
"I think this Soul Stone is just a normal stone. Why don't you give it a try?" Tony said while handing the stone back to John.
John took the stone and felt that Tony might be right — maybe not all the stones were inheritance stones. So he tried to check the stone and sent his spiritual energy inside it. Just like last time, something stirred within him, and he felt his eyelids growing heavier.
"What the…"
John couldn't even finish the sentence and fell unconscious.