Tony spoke, and Natasha nodded almost instantly.
"Deal. Ms. Pepper, as long as Tony gives me a satisfactory answer, you're free to go!"
Natasha walked over to Tony, pressing her pistol against his side.
"Few minds in this world are trustworthy, but yours is one. So, what's your plan?"
Tony spread his hands, noncommittal.
"Actually, there are many options. For instance, your boss could surrender to Heisenberg. He'd definitely…!"
Before he finished, the cold barrel was shoved into his mouth.
He nearly chipped his teeth.
After the gun was withdrawn, Tony spat disgustedly.
"Fuck, this gun still has that woman's blood on it. Hope she didn't have any diseases!"
"Shut up, Tony. Better hurry with your plan!"
"Okay, okay!"
Seeing the gun pointed at his forehead, Tony reluctantly nodded.
"I know who your boss is. He mentioned he's from Asgard, and I've read Thor's files. So, he's Loki, Thor Odinson's brother!
Considering Thor's recent visit to Earth—the usual throne rivalry—your boss clearly lost.
Why not offer Heisenberg something Loki never had?"
Tony rubbed his forehead, gently moving Natasha's gun aside.
"Heisenberg's issue with Loki is making him kneel—an insult. But Loki has plenty to trade for his life!
Some Asgardian treasure?
A hidden, self-wearing armor like theirs?
Or promise Heisenberg control of Asgard!
Since Loki never ruled Asgard, it won't affect him!"
"Pfft!" Natasha scoffed. "Your wisdom is shallow. Even I thought of this. You think my boss didn't?"
"Yeah, yeah, you're all so smart. But you still need me, buddy!"
Tony dropped his playful tone, pointing seriously at his face.
"Heisenberg has few friends on Earth. Aside from his subordinates, he's only communicated with me. You admit that, right?"
"Indeed. I hope you're as useful as you claim. That's why I trust you."
Natasha glanced at the debris from Loki's impact.
"Heisenberg will crush my boss, but I hope he'll spare us after, for your sake."
She turned to Pepper.
"Pepper Potts, congratulations on your freedom!"
Before Pepper could respond, the elites erupted.
"Tony, you can't! We're old friends! You can't just save your woman!"
"Tell her to let us go too! I'm badly hurt, please!"
"You're Iron Man! Save us first, you bastard!"
"I own stocks in your company! I'm a shareholder, Tony! Let your wife take me!"
As the noise grew, Tony turned away, expressionless.
He tried to ignore them but was yanked by Natasha, losing his composure.
Natasha fired two shots at the ceiling, dragging Tony through the crowd toward the side door.
The terrified elites had no idea what she intended.
Until Natasha, now beside Pepper, explained.
"Congratulations, you fools. I only need someone to save my boss from despair. So, run! What are you waiting for?"
The crowd erupted, elites rushing madly toward every exit.
Even the grieving families of the dead joined, forgetting their anger.
They sprinted out, stepping over bloodstains, fleeing Ehrenburg.
In under ninety seconds, only Natasha, Tony, and Pepper remained, aside from the injured and dead.
Tony shook his head, chuckling bitterly.
"You never intended to use them as hostages. You wanted to kill them, proving to Heisenberg you're capable of worse!
Next, you'll claim to have nuclear weapons or some doomsday device."
"Heh, you're smart. Now, enjoy the applause. You saved them, right?"
Natasha's smile, usually seductive, was now eerie with her blackened eyes.
Tony shivered involuntarily.
Not from fear!
Just discomfort at a woman's smile, especially a beautiful one.
He turned, hugging Pepper tightly.
"Go. I'll be fine. Heisenberg and I are friends. He admitted it!"
He kissed Pepper's ear, persuading her.
"You'll only distract me. Go home, prepare for our wedding."
"Okay…"
Pepper reluctantly agreed, turning to leave. At the door, she looked back.
"Stop looking. Otherwise, I'll hate Natasha for being less than you!
The mayor's dead, and many elites are injured. It's chaos outside!
Don't rely on the police. Call Heisenberg's men. They're closer than the station!"
"Got it. Stay safe!"
Pepper ran off, glancing back. Tony sighed, looking at Natasha.
"I never knew loving someone was so complicated.
You worry every second she's away."
"Hmm."
Natasha nodded, pulling Tony to an unused Aston Martin.
She picked the lock with a dagger, shoving Tony inside.
Starting the car, she drove toward Loki's impact site.
Glancing at Tony, she said,
"It's ironic!"
"If not for my boss, I'd be recruiting you for the Avengers!"
"Heh…" Tony smirked. "Never. I'd only advise my father's organization. I won't join your goody-two-shoes club!"
He looked out at the chaotic crowd and blood.
"But I prefer the old you. You're not yourself anymore!"
"No, Tony. I'm still Natasha, just freed from pointless emotions.
My boss liberated me. I'll serve him…!"
Screech!!!
The car braked sharply. Natasha stared incredulously at the crowd 500 meters away.
Tony was equally stunned. From afar came rhythmic sounds…
Thud!
Thud!
Thud! Thud! Thud!!!
…
Heisenberg swung Loki like a sack of rice, satisfied.
Another Marvel achievement unlocked!
Who comes to Marvel without tossing Asgard's dynamic duo?
That's cheating!
After half a minute, Heisenberg stopped.
Loki's bones were broken—at least thirty!
He didn't want to kill Loki accidentally, delaying his plans.
Gripping Loki's wrist, he lifted the weak god and slammed him down!
The shockwave rippled like waves, cracking the square's tiles.
Trees and statues collapsed, hundreds affected.
Spectators 200 meters away were blown away!
Watching the groaning crowd, Heisenberg frowned.
"Damn New Yorkers! When will you stop being so bold and nosy? Time for a lesson!"
The crowd, despite pain, retreated 80 meters but kept watching, even after getting hurt!
Heisenberg was exasperated. These New Yorkers were like stubborn seniors at gatherings.
You dance in squares, but crowd buses, subways, and sales?!
Healthy yet demanding seats from overworked salarymen?!
Heisenberg decided Bullseye would crack down on gatherings, especially protests!
As he thought, Loki stirred in the crater.
He struggled to sit up, then spoke, lying down.
"You've won, Heisenberg. Midgard will honor you.
I have no retreat. Kill me!
But destroy Asgard afterward.
My father never acknowledged me, Thor saw me as a sidekick. Only Mother loved me, but her love made others' hatred clearer!
Defeat them, tell them my failure was your strength, not my weakness.
Tell them Asgard's most hated child died as their own!"
He mustered his strength, roaring,
"Please, kill me…?!"
In a flash, blue light erupted. The defiant Loki vanished.
Heisenberg stood, bewildered…
Heisenberg was truly caught off guard.
Loki had shouted his resentment toward Asgard and Odin!
So, he believed.
But the escape was too sudden!
Was he played?!
Damn it!!!