IRON MAN: BROTHER DON'T CAUSE TROUBLE

"So, how was your trip, John?"

Just as John entered the living room, he heard Tony's voice. Looking at Tony, who was leisurely sipping wine, John felt a twinge of envy.

"Just a little jumpy and more than I expected," John replied, sitting down beside Tony.

Suddenly, Tony's expression turned strange as he asked, "I heard Batman went to Mexico and fought the big guy."

John was speechless. "News travels fast, huh?" he sighed.

Tony burst into loud laughter. "Hahahahaha!"

John gave him a pitiful look. "Alright, that wasn't so funny, brother. I nearly died there."

"But seriously... Batman? Hahahaha!" Tony continued laughing.

Seeing that Tony wasn't going to stop anytime soon, John stood up and said, "Fine, laugh all you want. I'm going to rest."

As John started walking away, Tony called out, "Wait, John, I have something for you."

Tony got up from the couch, grabbed a small box from the table, and tossed it to John, who caught it effortlessly.

Even though Tony didn't look any different, continuously absorbing particle energy into his body had made him quite strong. Currently, Tony wasn't as strong as Captain, but with a few more breakthroughs, that day would eventually come.

Despite Tony's enhanced strength and the speed of his throw, John caught the box with ease. After all, John's physique was even stronger than Tony's.

Looking at the small black box in his hand, John asked curiously, "What's inside, brother?"

"Just open it and see. I'm sure you'll like it," Tony replied with a smirk.

With growing anticipation, John opened the box in an instant. Inside was a sleek black bracelet.

John touched the material, finding it cool to the touch. At first glance, it looked like leather, but upon closer inspection, he realized it was metal.

"What does it do, brother?" John asked with interest.

"Tap it twice," Tony instructed.

John did as he was told, and suddenly, a holographic screen appeared above the bracelet. At first, the screen was blank.

Seeing John's puzzled expression, Tony added, "Infuse your mental power into it next."

When John infused his mental power, the screen displayed:

"Mental Power: 9.1 points | Physical Strength: 3.5 points"

John looked surprised. "Brother, you miniaturized the device I invented and even added another feature to it. But does it work? I haven't even tested my strength yet."

Tony gave him a small smile. "It works perfectly because of the material I used to build it. I had to make a few... questionable transactions to acquire this rare metal. I call it the Quantum Balance Bracelet."

"Quantum Balance Bracelet, huh…" John murmured, admiring the advanced device in his hand.

Tony explained further, describing how the bracelet measured both mental power and physical strength in real-time. Combining advanced biometrics and neuro-sensory algorithms, it provided a comprehensive analysis of a person's capabilities. Made of a lightweight but durable metal—vibranium—it was truly cutting-edge technology.

"Thanks, brother. This will be a huge help. But what about you—"

Before John could finish, Tony raised his wrist, revealing the same bracelet.

"Do you think I wouldn't need it?" Tony smirked.

"Alright. If there's nothing else, I'd like to rest now. See you later," John said, heading to his room to recover. His chest still ached, and he needed time to heal.

---

Asgard

After Thor returned to Asgard, he managed to stop Loki, but the cost was great—the destruction of the Bifrost bridge.

"I could have done it, Father."

"I could have done it for all of us."

"Loki, no…"

Loki fell into the void, his grip on his shattered plans slipping as he tumbled into the unknown. The destruction of the Bifrost cast him into the vast emptiness of space, where cold and isolation threatened to consume him. But Loki was no ordinary being—he was the God of Mischief, and survival was his craft.

He eventually landed on a barren, forgotten world, far from Asgard's reach. Weak and disoriented, Loki wandered the wasteland, fighting to regain his strength. There, he encountered alien scavengers—brutal creatures preying on the weak. They saw Loki as easy prey, but he turned the tables with cunning and illusion.

In their whispers, Loki learned a name: Thanos.

Over months, Loki pieced together rumors about the Mad Titan. Thanos was a conqueror feared across the universe, obsessed with gathering the Infinity Stones. Loki saw an opportunity. If he could find Thanos, perhaps he could strike a deal to regain his power.

Loki's journey was arduous. His search led him to Xandar, a bustling hub of trade and secrets. Using charm and trickery, he infiltrated the black markets, exchanging Asgardian knowledge for information on Thanos's domain.

His path finally brought him to Seknarf Nine, a world ruled by slavers loyal to Thanos. Disguised as a desperate merchant, Loki gained their trust and learned of Sanctuary, Thanos's stronghold.

Using a stolen ship, Loki reached Sanctuary, where he was intercepted by the Black Order.

"You dare approach Sanctuary uninvited?" Ebony Maw asked, his voice eerily calm.

"I dare because I bring value," Loki replied, smirking to mask his nerves.

"What value could a failed prince of Asgard offer the Great Titan?" Proxima Midnight sneered.

"Earth," Loki said confidently. "And the Tesseract."

The Black Order exchanged glances before Ebony Maw spoke. "We will take you to the Titan. But tread carefully. He does not tolerate failure."

Loki was brought before Thanos, whose massive form radiated power.

"You sought me out," Thanos rumbled. "Few dare to do so. Speak."

Loki bowed theatrically. "Mighty Thanos, I know of your quest for the Infinity Stones. The Tesseract is on Earth, Let me retrieve it for you, and in return, grant me dominion over Earth."

Thanos studied Loki for a long moment before a cold smile appeared.

"You will have the Chitauri and the scepter. But fail me, and you will beg for a mercy that will not come."

Loki bowed deeply, hiding his unease. "I won't fail."