Seeing Tony walk away, John lingered in the lounge for a moment, watching his brother's back disappear into the lift. He let out a sigh. Typical Tony—always charging ahead, always one step away from the next big idea. John shook his head with a small smile.
A month passed in the blink of an eye. For John, it was a month of hard work and constant movement. His days blurred together as he focused on one big task: transporting every kind of animal from Earth to Stardust City on Mars.
It started small—insects, birds, rabbits—but soon he found himself moving entire habitats: herds of deer, families of elephants, even some half-wild sheep that had taken a liking to his transporter. Every time he activated the rune and sent them through, he felt a tiny flicker of pride. A new ecosystem, a new chance for life to grow.
But he didn't tell the Avengers about any of this. Not yet. He'd explain everything after the trip with Tony. Because there was still some work left to do. So John wasn't in a hurry. And the other reason he didn't tell them was that the Avengers were still dealing with the sky fortress. If John told them about a city on Mars, they'd think he'd lost his mind.
As for the big government move—the one everyone was whispering about—John let it roll off his back. Mars wasn't Earth, after all. Even if the politicians tried something, they'd run into the black dust and red dust he'd left behind. John had already warned them not to let anything or anyone enter the city while he was gone.
---
The day of departure arrived quietly, settling into John's bones as he stepped out of the lift. The sterile, bright lights of the lab made everything feel too sharp, too white. He paused, letting his eyes adjust, then looked ahead.
Tony sat sprawled on the couch, a vision of relaxed genius. He wore his usual black T-shirt and pants, sleeves rolled halfway up his arms. One leg was crossed over the other, his foot bouncing in that restless rhythm that meant his mind was racing. His eyes stared off, flickering with thoughts only he could see.
John's gaze drifted to the floor beside Tony. Five large black boxes, lined up like soldiers on parade, gleamed under the lab lights. Each one hummed faintly, like it was holding a secret.
He blinked, confusion creasing his forehead. "Brother," he began, his voice tinged with exasperation. "What's with the black boxes? Looks like you're packing for a war, not a field trip."
Tony's head snapped up, a grin spreading across his face. His eyes, sharp and lively, sparkled with excitement. "Oh, those? They're the essentials, Johnny boy." He uncrossed his legs and leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "This world we're heading to? Total unknown. Could be paradise, could be a nightmare. Gotta be ready for anything."
John crossed his arms, half amused, half annoyed. "Essentials, huh? Care to give me the tour?"
Tony's grin widened. "You're in for a treat. Surveillance drones—top-notch, spider-leg deployment, with infrared and EM sensors. They'll crawl, fly, or skitter wherever I need them. Atmospheric and radiation detectors—gotta know what I'm breathing, what's in the water, and what's trying to kill me. Survival toolkit with a nano-forge—it can 3D-print shelters, water filters, protein bars, you name it. Terrain navigation system—magnetic boots, grappling cables, terrain mapping. Everest? Mariana Trench? No problem."
He paused for a breath, eyes glowing with anticipation. "And of course, emergency defense systems—mini plasma cannons, energy shields, EMP bursts. Because hey, you never know."
John's jaw dropped. He let out a low whistle, half impressed, half overwhelmed. "That's… a lot."
Tony shrugged, his easy confidence returning. "Hey, it's a new world. Could be no humans. Could be no oxygen. Could be some giant monster with acid for blood. I'm not going in unprepared."
John shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips despite himself. He waved his hand. The air shimmered, and one by one the black boxes vanished into his storage ring, leaving only a faint whiff of ozone.
"Alright, Mr. Survivalist," John said warmly, "let's get moving before you decide to build a spaceship in here."
Tony's grin was electric. "That's for another day." He stood up, stretching his arms with a casual strength. "Let's go."
John hesitated, feeling a sudden weight in his chest. The unknown stretched ahead like a dark, endless tunnel, and for a heartbeat, he wondered if they were truly ready for what might come. But then he met Tony's eyes, saw that unstoppable spark of confidence, and felt his own determination steady.
No matter what, they'd face it together.
He reached out, his palm glowing faintly. He felt the warm tingle of Tony's hand as their fingers touched, then settled into a firm grip.
"Ready?" he asked, voice low.
Tony's eyes glinted. "Always."
John felt the rune respond to his thoughts, a gentle pulse growing into a steady rhythm. The world around them shivered, twisting and folding like a piece of paper crumpling. In that final heartbeat, John felt his doubts scatter like dust, leaving only the thrill of the unknown.
He activated the rune, and together, they vanished into the adventure that awaited.