[Marvel : Spoiling Spider-man] Chapter 376 - 380

Chapter 376: Anti-Hulk Armor

"Wow! They are so awesome!" 2nd Gen Spiderman had to admire the strength of both combatants. Hulk was undoubtedly an extremely powerful being, while Tony relied on high-tech heavy armor to fight him on equal terms.

"I wonder where these scary creatures came from? Fortunately, they don't exist here!" Captain George Stacy pinched his brow with relief. He got a headache whenever he saw these super-powered monsters.

Thanks to 2nd Gen Spiderman and Gwen Spider, the crime rate in New York City in the second generation universe had plummeted. George now had much more free time and could even enjoy his coffee in peace.

Nominally, he was their direct superior. The two would occasionally visit the police station, and each time they did, many officers would be extremely excited.

"Speaking of this, has Harry's company had any problems recently?" George thought of the pile of high-tech equipment at Oscorp Industries and felt a slight headache coming on.

"It's going very well there. Harry has repeatedly strengthened security measures, and he keeps his own armor in his office. He can put it on at any time to handle whatever situation might arise."

2nd Gen Spiderman shrugged and explained the recent developments at Oscorp Industries.

After more than a year of hard work, Oscorp's stock had finally rebounded. Though it hadn't reached its former peak, it was performing much better than its previous low point.

The second-generation Harry had also begun helping 2nd Gen Peter study battle suit technology, attempting to replicate the suit that Tony had given to Spider-Man in the Sky Dome, though progress remained challenging.

[The Hulk was knocked flying and crashed into a truck carrying parcels. The impact caused the truck to spin violently, scattering packages across the ground.]

[Tony flew to the side of the truck, searching for Hulk, but the green giant suddenly swung a metal pole and batted Tony away.]

[After being hit, Tony momentarily lost control and crashed into a building nearby. After bouncing off it twice, Tony activated his thrusters to stabilize his landing.]

[Unexpectedly, Hulk seized the opportunity and leaped toward him, driving the metal pole through the left arm of the Hulkbuster armor, impaling it.]

["Flying stealth jets in New York. Not a good idea!" Tony complained as he assessed the damage.]

[Hulk ignored Tony's mutterings and continued his frenzied assault on the Hulkbuster armor.]

[Tony controlled the suit to flip his left arm, then delivered a powerful punch that sent Hulk flying hundreds of meters away.]

[Unfortunate street vendors who had been selling their goods scattered in panic as the enormous green monster crashed down from the sky in their midst.]

[Tony stood up again and examined his severely damaged left arm. "Veronica, give me a hand!"]

[Upon receiving the command, Veronica immediately deployed the replacement components Tony needed. Meanwhile, Hulk had regained his footing and was charging toward Tony again.]

[Tony detached his damaged left arm and began installing the new one, while using his remaining right arm to fire repulsor blasts at Hulk to buy himself time.]

[Though Hulk had limited intelligence, he wasn't stupid. He first used one hand to block Tony's quick repulsor shots. When he saw Tony charging a more powerful blast, he pivoted and avoided it entirely.]

[Tony watched Hulk rushing toward him but remained calm, knowing he could complete the installation of his new arm before Hulk reached him. He stood his ground, waiting for the impact.]

[The two titans exchanged punches, the shockwave from their collision shattering all nearby windows. Citizens who had been sheltering in stores were knocked to the ground by the concussive force.]

[Tony glanced at the warning indicators flashing across his HUD, grabbed the charging Hulk, flipped him over and pinned him down, then aimed his left arm.]

[He then began hammering Hulk's face with rapid-fire punches. "Go to sleep! Go to sleep! Go to sleep!"]

[After dozens of impacts, Hulk finally caught Tony's fist and snarled at him. But the Hulkbuster armor was specifically designed to counter the Hulk, and it had more tricks to deploy.]

[Tony's left arm suddenly retracted, locking Hulk's right hand tightly. Hulk immediately began struggling, trying to pull free.]

[Tony ignored Hulk's thrashing and activated his thrusters, attempting to fly away from the populated area. "Okay, buddy, we're gonna get you out of town!"]

[Unexpectedly, Hulk used his free left arm to punch the Hulkbuster armor squarely in the face mid-flight, completely altering Tony's trajectory.]

["Not that way, not that way!" Unfortunately, reality wouldn't bend to Tony's will, and he and Hulk crashed straight through a high-rise building.]

[Hulk used the impact to break free from his restraints and braced against a wall, while Tony tumbled into the building. Before Tony could recover, Hulk pounced on him.]

[Tony reacted quickly, immediately grabbing Hulk's hands and activating his thrusters to slam him into the wall. "Come on, Bruce! You gotta work with me!"]

[As he spoke, he released a sedative gas in Hulk's face. At that moment, an elevator door opened nearby. The passengers inside, seeing Tony and Hulk battling just feet away, were too terrified to exit. A man frantically pressed the door-close button, attempting to escape to another floor.]

[But their reluctance to leave didn't mean the fight wouldn't come to them!]

[Hulk kicked Tony forcefully, sending him crashing into the elevator. The elevator car was dislodged, and Tony immediately jumped out to grab the steel cable.]

[The weight was too great, pulling Tony downward. He quickly activated the thrusters on his palm and feet, stabilizing himself in the air.]

["Going down? Everybody out!" Hearing this, the passengers quickly jumped from the falling elevator to safety.]

[Hulk charged at Tony from behind. Tony turned and saw him coming, immediately raising his leg to deliver a powerful kick that sent Hulk crashing to the floor.]

[After confirming all passengers had evacuated, Tony shouted, "Going down!" and swung the steel cable in his hand, smashing the elevator directly into Hulk as he was trying to stand.]

[When Hulk finally struggled to his feet again, Tony rocketed downward and delivered a devastating punch to his face, slamming him back to the ground.]

[Hulk propped himself up, glared at Tony, and spat defiantly.]

[Tony looked into his eyes and couldn't help but say: "I'm sorry!"]

Chapter 377: The Decadent Avengers

"It hurts just looking at what happened! I think you made it angrier!" Rhodey looked at Hulk's bared teeth, knowing that he wouldn't let it go so easily.

"Oh yeah! But Veronica's concept is great! Although it hasn't demonstrated overwhelming combat power yet, at least it can hold its own against Hulk!"

Tony smiled apologetically at Banner, then began analyzing the actual combat performance of the Hulkbuster armor, intending to build one for himself.

By this time they had already dealt with the Strucker situation, and most of HYDRA had surrendered. NATO had wanted to take Strucker into custody.

However, Tony argued that they couldn't guarantee Strucker's safety. This comment left them speechless, and they could only watch as Tony and the others took Strucker and his scientist away.

But Tony and his team didn't leave NATO empty-handed. They also released the captured HYDRA soldiers and relevant information to them. Of course, Tony had also instructed JARVIS to make a copy of everything.

Meanwhile, Captain America seemed to be contemplating something after seeing Hulk's adverse reaction to Banner's name.

[With a thunderous crash, Tony smashed through a building and emerged from the other side, quickly stabilizing himself in mid-air.]

[But before he could fully recover, Hulk charged directly into him, driving him back through the building and unleashing a barrage of furious blows.]

[Tony attempted to right himself, but Hulk maintained his position atop the Hulkbuster armor, repeatedly hammering the suit with devastating force.]

[Tony backhanded Hulk into the building's structure, but the green titan was barely affected. He plowed through two floors, then grabbed the leg of the Hulkbuster armor.]

[Hulk leaped onto Tony's back and began tearing at the suit, ripping off the thrusters. Tony finally managed to fly over the building, but Hulk remained on top of him, continuing his relentless assault.]

["Damage report?" Tony glanced at the flickering display and the intermittent system alerts, shaking his head in frustration. "That's comprehensive. Give me something specific!"]

[Veronica immediately deployed a new armor component toward Tony. Hulk, still clinging to the armor, flipped around to deliver another powerful punch.]

[Then with a backhand swing, he knocked away the approaching component, sending it crashing back into Veronica. Both plummeted toward the ground.]

[Facing Hulk's unrelenting attacks, Tony momentarily found himself without options.]

[Fortunately, he spotted an unfinished construction site nearby. After scanning to confirm there were no people inside, he immediately formulated a plan.]

["How quickly can we buy this building?" He then flew over the structure and hurled Hulk downward.]

[Tony rocketed toward Hulk, accelerating with gravity, and fired four missiles at the building's central support columns.]

[Hulk could only watch helplessly as Tony dove toward him with a roar, smashing into the structure with Hulk beneath him.]

[In an instant, they crashed through countless floors, and the entire building collapsed completely. Billowing clouds of dust and debris erupted as the structure imploded.]

[A massive dust cloud swept across the town as citizens fled in panic. The local military finally arrived, training their rifles on the ruins.]

[Hulk emerged from the rubble, roaring defiantly. But after the impact, he seemed to gain some awareness, looking at the terrified citizens fleeing around him.]

[Even Hulk realized what he had done. Seeing these dust-covered people staring at him in horror, Hulk's rage gradually gave way to remorse.]

[Then he noticed a soldier aiming a weapon at him and instinctively tensed, but before he could react, a massive mechanical arm knocked him unconscious...]

"He doesn't want this to happen..." Natasha observed Hulk's expression, lowering her head with a sigh. She could sense that Hulk had his own distinct emotions.

He wasn't merely Banner in another form. They should be considered two separate individuals sharing one body, similar to dissociative identity disorder, and they clearly resented each other.

Natasha believed that if Banner could peacefully coexist with Hulk, perhaps he could become the integrated being that Sky had mentioned.

The crucial point was that Banner controlled Hulk's body, not the other way around, indicating Banner remained dominant in their relationship.

Dr. Banner naturally understood this, but he had never succeeded in integration because he always subconsciously resisted Hulk, and Hulk equally disliked Banner.

After all, there was a time when Banner wanted to destroy Hulk at any cost, so the relationship between them was like water and fire. Peaceful coexistence would never come easily.

[Night had fallen by the time they were heading back.]

[In the Quinjet, Banner reclined in his seat, silent and withdrawn. Captain America had also closed his eyes, quietly processing everything he had seen in Wanda's vision. Thor stood apart from the others, hands clasped, lost in his own thoughts.]

[Maria Hill, monitoring from New York, delivered the bad news remotely.]

["The news media loves you guys! But everyone else? They're not exactly fans. There's no official call for Banner's arrest, but the news is spreading fast."]

["Where's the Stark Relief Foundation?" Tony knew this incident was serious and would significantly impact the Avengers' public standing.]

["Already on the scene. How's the team?" Hill's reply provided Tony some relief, as she showed concern for everyone's condition.]

["Everyone...we took a hit. We'll shake it off," Tony responded with forced confidence.]

[At this point, Hill offered a suggestion: "Well, for now, I'd stay in stealth mode. And stay away from here."]

["So run and hide?" Tony leaned forward, eyebrows raised.]

["Until we can find Ultron, I don't have a lot else to offer."]

[Looking at his dejected teammates, Tony had to admit this was their best option. "Neither do we."]

[He ended the communication and approached Barton, the only one who seemed unaffected by Wanda's magic. "Hey, you wanna switch out?"]

["No, I'm good. If you wanna get some kip, now's a good time, because we're still a few hours out." Barton declined Tony's offer, suggesting he should rest instead.]

[Tony looked confused. "A few hours from where?"]

[Barton replied calmly: "A safe house."]

Chapter 378: Barton's Family

"Wow! Clint, you actually have a safe house? Where is it?" Tony looked at Barton with childlike curiosity.

Barton didn't take it seriously and said, "I'm an agent. Is it strange to have a safe hiding place?"

"Yeah! It's not strange at all! I'm just curious why you never told me?" Tony looked at him with a smile.

"Because it was inconvenient to tell you before!" Barton tilted his head, seeing that everyone was looking at him curiously, and said unhappily: "You will know when you read on! I won't tell you anything!"

"Oh! Come on, man!" Tony shouted when he heard this. He was very dissatisfied with Barton's attitude of not wanting to speak, and decided to get him drunk!

[The sun rises, and the Quinjet slowly flies toward a grassy field, folds its wings and lands.]

[Barton leads the way with Natasha beside him, while Tony and the others follow behind. A farmhouse comes into view.]

[Thor asked curiously: "What is this place?"]

[Tony repeated what he heard last night: "Safe house."]

["Let's hope so," Barton replied, glancing back at them as he opened the door and walked in.]

["Honey? I'm home!" Barton called out as he entered the living room.]

[His wife, Laura Barton, emerged and looked at the Avengers in surprise.]

["Hi, company. Sorry I didn't call ahead," Barton said as he walked up and embraced her.]

[Laura didn't mind the unexpected arrival of Tony and the others, warmly kissing and hugging Barton.]

[Tony whispered to Thor: "This must be an agent of some kind."]

[Overhearing this, Barton made introductions: "Gentlemen, this is Laura."]

[Laura smiled at them and said, "I know all of your names."]

[They hadn't expected that the safe house Barton mentioned was actually his own home, so they all appeared somewhat embarrassed. Only Tony raised his hand in an awkward wave.]

[Then they heard footsteps and turned toward the doorway. Barton smiled and said, "Ooh, incoming!"]

["Dad!" His children ran into the room. He immediately went forward and hugged his daughter: "Hi, sweetheart!"]

[Then he lifted his son into his arms: "Hey, buddy! How are you guys doing? Look at how big you are!" Barton enthusiastically embraced them both.]

[Tony remarked incredulously: "These are... smaller agents."]

[The little girl looked at Natasha curiously and asked, "Did you bring Auntie Nat?"]

[Natasha looked up in surprise, and Barton smiled, saying, "Why don't you hug her and find out?"]

[Natasha walked over and embraced the little girl warmly.]

[Captain America shifted uncomfortably: "Sorry for barging in on you."]

["Yeah, we would have called ahead, but we were busy having no idea that you existed," Tony added, arms crossed over his chest.]

["Yeah, well, Fury helped set this up when I joined. He kept it off SHIELD's files, and I'd like to keep it that way," Barton explained. "I figure it's a good place to lay low."]

[At that moment, Thor inadvertently stepped on a toy. Captain America heard the noise and glanced down.]

[Natasha and the others didn't notice what was happening. She placed her hand gently on Laura's belly and smiled, "How's little Natasha, huh?"]

[Not noticing the exchange, Thor quietly kicked the toy under a chair with his foot. Captain America gave him a puzzled look.]

[Laura looked at Natasha with a sheepish smile and said: "She's... Nathaniel."]

[Hearing this, Natasha's smile vanished. She leaned down toward Laura's belly and said with mock disappointment: "Traitor."]

[Meanwhile, Barton's daughter approached Thor and gazed up at him curiously. Thor noticed her innocent eyes, and suddenly flashes from his vision came rushing back.]

[The sound of a toaster popping startled Thor from his thoughts. He abruptly walked out of the house. Everyone turned to watch him leave. Captain America immediately followed: "Thor?"]

["I saw something in that dream. I need answers, but I won't find them here," Thor explained to Captain America before swinging his hammer and flying away.]

[Watching Thor depart, Captain America closed his eyes briefly, then turned to head back inside. But Peggy Carter's voice echoed in his mind again: "We can go home."]

[Captain America paused, looked around thoughtfully, then sighed and walked in the opposite direction, away from the house...]

"Barton actually has a wife and children! How incredible! So the call he made before was to Laura?" 2nd Gen Spiderman was astonished.

He had always thought that Barton was single, and perhaps had something going on with Wanda. After all, he had been so protective of her during the Civil War, but now it turned out his children were already this grown!

Gwen was also surprised. Although there hadn't been many scenes featuring Barton, it was clear he was a highly professional agent who could even neutralize Wanda who had bested many others.

Initially, she had suspected Barton might have had a relationship with Wanda, or at least with Natasha, but she hadn't expected this development.

Tony looked a bit embarrassed. He had been so stubborn on screen, but the reality was that they were Barton's family. No matter how much he refused to admit it, that was the fact.

Rhodey looked at Tony's expression with amusement and said teasingly, "Do you have anything else to say, Tony?"

"NO! There's nothing to say! You kept it a secret well, Clint!" Tony nodded slightly, conceding defeat, and then handed Barton a glass of wine. "Here's to your wife and children!"

The smile on Barton's face froze momentarily. He looked at the half-filled glass of strong liquor in his hand, glanced at Tony helplessly, and then downed it all in one gulp.

["See, you were just worrying for nothing. Can't even tell the difference, can you?" Laura was examining the area where Barton had been injured earlier, and Barton couldn't help but look mildly uncomfortable.]

[Satisfied that Barton's wound was healing properly, she smoothed his shirt back down.]

[She then expressed concern that their house might not be spacious enough: "I have already made up the bed in the spare room. Some of them are gonna have to double up."]

[Hearing this, Barton couldn't help but laugh: "Yeah, that's not gonna sell." He tossed his coat onto a chair and walked away.]

Chapter 379: Dr. Helen Cho is Controlled

[Looking at Barton carelessly tossing his clothes, Laura couldn't help but roll her eyes, picking them up as she followed him. With curiosity in her voice, she asked, "So what's the deal with Natasha and Dr. Banner? How long has that been going on?"]

["What's been going on?"]

[Barton's feigned ignorance made Laura laugh. "You are so cute!"]

["Natasha and... Banner?"]

[Seeing that Barton refused to acknowledge it, Laura playfully replied, "I'll explain when you're older, Hawkeye."]

["Okay," Barton said, putting on his coat.]

[Laura stood by the doorway, her expression growing serious. "It's bad, right? Natasha seems really shaken."]

[Barton explained, "Ultron has these allies, these... kids. They're punks really, but they carry a big damn stick. Natasha took a serious hit. Someone's gonna have to teach 'em some manners."]

[He walked past Laura into the hallway. She followed, saying, "And that someone is you? You know I totally support your avenging. I couldn't be prouder."]

[She glanced out the window at the others. "But I see those guys... those 'gods'..."]

[Barton bent down to lace his boots. "You don't think they need me."]

["I think they do," Laura countered. "Which is a lot scarier. They're a mess."]

[After hearing Laura's assessment, Barton sighed. "Yeah."]

[Looking through the window at Captain America and Tony outside, Barton complained, "I guess they're my mess."]

[Laura gently stroked Barton's hair. "You need to be sure that this team is really a team. They have your back."]

[Barton stood up and looked at his pregnant wife, concern evident in his eyes.]

[Laura continued softly, "Things are changing for us. In a few months' time, we'll be outnumbered. I need... just be sure."]

[Barton nodded solemnly. "Yes, ma'am." He leaned in to kiss her, held her close, then kissed her forehead again.]

[Laura touched his injured side once more. "I can feel the difference."]

"She's right, we must be a united team!" Captain America agreed with Laura's words.

Although they didn't know why a civil war would eventually break out among the Avengers, Captain America was determined to avoid that outcome. Faced with powerful enemies, the Avengers could not afford to be divided!

"Yeah!" Tony nodded. He agreed with Captain America on this point. After all, if the Avengers split up, it would be disastrous for everyone.

They might not know what would trigger the civil war, but they could try to prevent it. Captain America probably needed to start with Bucky, but unfortunately, Bucky was still in an unconscious state at this time.

Tony didn't dare conduct experiments on Bucky before thoroughly studying the scepter. Fortunately, although Bucky remained unconscious, he had fallen into a standby mode without instructions and was no longer resisting.

[Seoul, U-Gin Genetic Research Lab]

[Dr. Helen Cho was instructing her staff: "We're unclear on how many are coming, so make sure the perimeter defense is up and running. We don't want a repeat of Sokovia."]

[She then entered her laboratory, and immediately froze at the sight of Ultron waiting for her.]

["Scream, and your entire staff dies," Ultron warned. "I could've killed you that night I met you, Helen. I didn't."]

[Hearing Ultron's words, Dr. Cho gave him a defiant look. "Do you expect a thank you note?"]

[Ultron ignored her sarcasm and mused, "I expect you to know why."]

[Dr. Cho narrowed her eyes, glancing at the equipment behind Ultron. "The Cradle."]

[Ultron played back a clip of Dr. Cho's previous conversation with Tony: "'This is the next thing, Tony.' This is the next me."]

[Dr. Cho understood what Ultron wanted but objected, "The Regeneration Cradle prints tissue. It can't build a living body."]

[But Ultron looked at her with certainty. "It can. You can. You lack the materials."]

[Dr. Cho backed away from his imposing form until she was pressed against the wall. A Ultron sentinel emerged, holding a vial of vibranium.]

["You're a brilliant woman, Helen. But we all have room to improve."]

[Another sentinel approached with the Mind Scepter. Dr. Cho watched in horror as the scepter touched her chest.]

[Instantly, darkness clouded her vision, then her eyes transformed from their natural color to an eerie light blue...]

"It used the scepter to control Dr. Cho?" Tony looked at the Mind Scepter secured in its glass case and narrowed his eyes. He hadn't realized it had this capability!

Dr. Helen Cho's expression changed slightly. She never expected that Ultron would target the Regeneration Cradle she was developing. After helping Barton recover from his injuries, she had become renowned in her field, attracting numerous potential investors.

Ultimately, Dr. Cho had chosen Pepper's investment offer, disappointing many other interested parties. This decision had provided her with superior equipment and Tony Stark's direct assistance.

Tony was particularly fascinated by her research, especially the nanomaterials she was developing, which had inspired many of his own ideas. He even believed this technology could potentially be combined with the Extremis virus!

With Tony's support, Maya Hansen's research on the Extremis virus had made significant progress, though they had hit a roadblock: when users sustained severe damage, the Extremis virus would overcompensate to heal injuries, causing dangerous overheating.

If nanotechnology could prevent the Extremis virus from continuing to work as it approached critical temperatures, the problem might be perfectly solved. Unfortunately, they weren't yet able to test this theory.

[Barton's Home]

[Natasha remained haunted by the vision Wanda had induced, unable to shake the memories of her past.]

[Banner was shaving while reflecting on the destruction Hulk had caused in Sokovia, guilt weighing heavily on him.]

[After finishing in the bathroom, he opened the door to find Natasha sitting on the bed waiting for him.]

["I didn't realize you were waiting," he said, surprised.]

[Seeing Banner emerge, Natasha stood up and smiled. "I would've joined you, but it didn't seem like the right time."]

[Banner pursed his lips and deflected. "They used up all the hot water."]

[Hearing this, Natasha tilted her head while holding her change of clothes. "I should've joined you."]

Chapter 380: Their Respective Thoughts

[Banner looked at her sadly. "We missed our window."]

[Natasha responded noncommittally. "Did we?"]

[Banner didn't know how to respond to her words. He wiped his face and walked away. "The world saw the Hulk. The real Hulk, for the first time. You know I have to leave."]

[Hearing this, Natasha expressed her own perspective. "You assume that I have to stay?"]

[She continued softly. "I had this, um... dream. The kind that seems normal at the time, but when you wake..."]

[Banner slowly walked toward her. "What did you dream?"]

[Natasha blinked. "That I was an Avenger. That I was anything more than the assassin they made me."]

["I think you're being hard on yourself."]

[Natasha smiled and moved closer to him. "Here I was hoping that was your job."]

[The two looked at each other, and Banner shook his head slightly. "What are you doing?"]

["I'm running with it. With you." She reached out and stroked Banner's cheek. "If running's the plan, as far as you want."]

[Banner grabbed her hand, moved it away, and looked at her in disbelief. "Are you out of your mind?"]

[Then he covered his face and walked aside.]

["I want you to understand that I—"]

[Before she could finish, Banner interrupted. "Natasha, where can I go? Where in the world am I not a threat?"]

[Natasha looked at Banner very seriously. "You're not a threat to me."]

["You sure? Even if I didn't... I can't ever... I can't have this, kids. Do the math. I physically can't."]

[Natasha pursed her lips and looked at him with a hint of sadness. "Neither can I."]

[Banner frowned and stared at her in confusion.]

[She slowly revealed her painful truth. "In the Red Room, where I was trained, where I was raised... they have a graduation ceremony. They sterilize you."]

[Natasha's eyes glistened as she spoke, feigning indifference. "It's efficient. One less thing to worry about."]

["The one thing that might matter more than a mission. It makes everything easier. Even killing." Her voice softened. "You still think you're the only monster on the team?"]

[Banner was silent for a long time before he finally said, "So we disappear?"]

"Oh my God! Natasha... those people deserve to die!" The first Aunt May covered her mouth, horrified at what Natasha had endured.

"They're monsters, all of them," Uncle Ben sighed. Although he didn't know the full extent of what Banner and Natasha had experienced, their tone made it clear they had both suffered tremendously.

Dr. Helen Cho, who had been invited by Tony, looked at Natasha and offered comfort. "It's okay. Once the Regeneration Cradle technology is perfected, I might be able to help you recover."

Natasha forced a smile at this. She had been feeling low since being affected by Wanda's magic during the battle.

"Everyone has a past they'd rather not revisit," Captain America said calmly. "I missed my dance with Peggy, but I won't waste what life I have left."

"Yeah, that's right," Tony nodded. This was one of those rare moments when he agreed with Cap's perspective.

"If something's troubling you, you can share it with the team. We're in this together," Rhodey suggested, looking around at everyone.

"Great idea! Let's start with you," Tony grinned at Rhodey, whose smile instantly froze.

After a long pause, Rhodey said, "You all already know about me! He's the one who—" He glared at Tony.

"Hahahahahaha!" Rhodey's reaction made everyone laugh. They all remembered the embarrassing stories Tony had shared about him in Iron Man 1.

[Outside the house, Tony and Captain America were chopping wood.]

["Thor didn't say where he was going for answers?"]

[Captain America picked up another log. "Sometimes my teammates don't tell me things. I was kind of hoping Thor would be the exception."]

[Tony acknowledged that after what they'd experienced, tensions were high. "Yeah, give him time. We don't know what the Maximoff kid showed him."]

[Captain America split a log in half with his axe and said calmly, "'Earth's Mightiest Heroes.' Pulled us apart like cotton candy."]

[Tony didn't understand Cap's apparent composure. "Seems like you walked away all right."]

[Captain America looked at him. "Is that a problem?"]

[Tony narrowed his eyes. "I don't trust a guy without a dark side. Call me old-fashioned." He chopped his log in half with a swing of the axe.]

["Well, let's just say you haven't seen it yet."]

["You know Ultron is trying to tear us apart, right?" Tony took two steps toward Captain America.]

["Well, I guess you'd know. Whether you'd tell us is a bit of a question." The friction between Captain America and Tony was always simmering below the surface.]

["Banner and I were doing research—"]

[Captain America cut him off. "That would affect the team."]

[Tony corrected him. "That would end the team. Isn't that the mission? Isn't that the 'why we fight'? So we can end the fight. So we get to go home!"]

[Captain America picked up a log and tore it apart with his bare hands as Tony watched in shock.]

[Then he looked at Tony with barely contained anger. "Every time someone tries to win a war before it happens, innocent people die. Every time."]

"Oh, it seems there's serious conflict between those two... What a fractured team! No wonder a civil war breaks out later!" Captain George Stacy frowned. A team with such internal divisions was bound to fail eventually.

"Yeah, fortunately I don't have that problem at the moment," 2nd Gen Spiderman nodded, then looked at the second generation Gwen with gratitude.

"Haha! So when will we have our next quarrel? Another fight?" Gwen covered her mouth and laughed at his expression.

"Oh no! I don't want to fight with you anymore!" 2nd Gen Spiderman protested repeatedly. They had often sparred during training sessions, but ever since 2nd Gen Peter accidentally hurt Gwen once, he had refused to fight against her.

Since then, he had focused on practicing cooperation with her, developing all kinds of impressive combo techniques—on the ground, in the air, utilizing spider webs, and more.