Chapter 125:
Two days later.
Sunlight slanted across the streets of New York.
Wanda sat on a park bench across from Stark Tower.
She turned her head to look at the iconic skyscraper, then shifted her confused gaze to Yang Jian beside her.
After waking up from a nap, Yang Jian had brought her here without explaining why.
"Yang." She finally couldn't hold back.
"What are we doing here?"
She pointed at the glass-and-steel high-rise. As New York's new landmark, this building was undoubtedly a must-visit photo spot for every tourist.
"Don't we have a Stark Tower in our world too? Is the coffee here especially good? Or…"
She seemed to think of something and suddenly leaned closer, lowering her voice: "Is Tony Stark in this universe particularly handsome? Did he attract some other beautiful women?"
The corner of Yang Jian's mouth twitched.
Wanda, what kind of wild thoughts are you having?!
His super vision clearly saw the situation in the top-floor laboratory of the tower.
There, Professor Selvig had just arrived at the top floor with Loki.
Yes, the timeline had now reached the eve of the Battle of New York.
The plot on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier had already passed. Loki would choose the highest point in all of New York to declare his dominance.
Meanwhile, S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were on their way.
"Trust me, Wanda." Yang Jian took a sip of the coffee in his hand.
"This Tony is no different from the one in our world, except he might be about ten percent more narcissistic."
Wanda curled her legs onto the bench, resting her chin on her knees.
"Then why? What's so special about this place?"
Yang Jian tilted his head and thought for a second.
"I think it's because this is where the plot happens." He finally said, his tone relaxed.
Wanda was stunned when she heard that. She blinked: "What did you say?"
"Plot." Yang Jian repeated.
As he spoke, he drew an invisible frame in the air to explain.
"Just like key scenes in comics or iconic shots in movies. In this universe, some things are destined to happen at specific locations, and Stark Tower is one of them."
Wanda's expression looked as if she had suddenly been handed a manual written in an alien language.
She reached out and touched Yang Jian's forehead: "Yang, did you spend too much time in the sun? Can Kryptonians get heatstroke too?"
Yang Jian was momentarily stunned, then laughed and grabbed her hand.
"I'm serious. The way this universe operates is a bit special. Important events play out like a stage play at preset locations."
He pointed at the tower and shrugged.
"And this place is the stage for the next few major scenes."
Wanda narrowed her eyes, beginning to process how explosive this information was.
"Yang, are you saying… you can predict the future?"
"No, not predict."
Yang Jian thought about how to explain it. "It's more like I've read the script."
"Script." Wanda repeated dryly.
"A figure of speech."
Yang Jian shrugged. "Like how you know Romeo and Juliet are destined to meet on the balcony, or that Sherlock Holmes always returns to 221B Baker Street."
Wanda's eyes suddenly filled with shock. She sat up straight: "Wait, are you saying we're living inside some kind of story?"
Beside the bench, an old white-haired man feeding pigeons gave them a strange look.
Yang Jian glanced at him but paid no attention to this cute old man who liked to make cameo appearances.
Besides, he couldn't beat him anyway.
Without dwelling on it, Yang Jian leaned closer to Wanda and lowered his voice: "In this universe, to some extent, yes."
Seeing Wanda's increasingly confused expression, he rephrased it.
"Wanda, imagine you're a comic book character, and I know the direction of the plot for the next few issues."
Wanda remained silent for a long time — long enough that Yang Jian started considering using super speed to buy some snacks.
Finally, she took a deep breath and looked at Yang Jian with a serious expression.
"So this is why you always know in advance where trouble will happen?"
"Exactly." Yang Jian snapped his fingers. "So right now we're sitting here…"
"Waiting for the protagonist to appear." Yang Jian nodded. "According to the plot development, there will be a pretty spectacular performance today."
Wanda looked toward Stark Tower. Her gaze now carried a new sense of awe.
"This feels so strange, like knowing you're a marionette."
Yang Jian took her hand: "Don't think like that. Knowing where the stage is doesn't mean you can't improvise."
He winked. "Besides, strictly speaking, we're not characters from this universe. We're more like special guests."
Revealing the fourth wall to world characters right next to the One-Above-All.
Yang Jian suddenly felt a bit mischievous.
The white-haired old man slowly straightened his hunched body, gave a small smile to Yang Jian who was looking at him, and then walked step by step toward the street.
Yang Jian nodded slightly and said nothing.
At that moment, an ice cream truck drove past on the roadside, playing cheerful music inside.
Wanda stared at it for a few seconds, suddenly inspired. She asked urgently.
"Can I change the plot? For example, paint Stark Tower pink right now?"
Yang Jian burst out laughing: "Theoretically yes, but that might give Tony a heart attack, and…"
He glanced at Wanda, his expression turning playful. "The upcoming plot is quite important. It concerns the lives of half the planet."
Wanda raised an eyebrow and sighed helplessly: "That's a lot of pressure."
She stopped overthinking, slowly leaned against Yang Jian's shoulder, and said softly: "Alright, Mr. Prophet, how much longer do we have to wait?"
Yang Jian didn't answer immediately, because his super vision had captured an interesting scene.
On the top floor of Stark Tower.
Tony Stark held a glass of red wine. The arc reactor in his chest emitted a faint blue light — exactly Loki's target.
"Human, you will pay for your arrogance."
Loki elegantly twirled his scepter. The sharp tip hovered just above Tony's chest.
"Now, meet your new master."
The scepter came down with a crisp ding.
Nothing happened.
Loki's perfect expression began to freeze.
He blinked, then tapped the scepter against Tony's chest again.
Ding.
Still no reaction.
Tony spread his hands, paused, then spoke: "Mr. God of Mischief, are you playing whack-a-mole? Do I need to buy you a toy hammer?"
If Tony hadn't said that, it might have been fine. But the moment those words left his mouth, Loki's nostrils flared rapidly.
He couldn't believe it. He was the God of Mischief!
Why did this damn human have to mention a hammer?!
He tried once more, this time with more force. The scepter collided with the arc reactor with a ringing sound.
Still nothing happened.
"This is impossible!"
Loki's voice carried disbelief.
"My scepter controlled Hawkeye, controlled Selvig, controlled S.H.I.E.L.D.'s best agents!"
Tony shrugged, his expression confident.
"Ever heard of Earth technology?"
He tapped his chest, the corner of his mouth curling up: "My new armor is still in the testing phase, but it looks like the effect is pretty good."
Loki's face looked like a crumpled noble portrait. His elegant features twisted into an expression of disbelief.
His knuckles turned white from gripping the scepter tightly: "You… you dare…"
"I dare to use science against magic?"
Tony continued speaking while constantly scanning his surroundings for an opening.
"Welcome to the 21st century, Popsicle Prince. Humans here don't fall for that anymore."
Upon hearing that, real anger ignited in Loki's eyes.
Popsicle Prince?!
This mortal called him Popsicle Prince!!
He suddenly reached out and grabbed Tony by the neck, lifting the arrogant Earthling off the ground.
Tony's face quickly turned red. His fingers futilely tried to pry open Loki's iron-clamp-like hand.
"Since I can't control you, I'll just kill you myself!" Loki's voice was low and dangerous.
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