Rhodey Scared Senseless

Although some of the general plot points remain unchanged, the events unfold differently from the movie. In the original film, Thor planned to take the Mind Stone back to Asgard after the party.

With only a few days to prepare, Tony and Banner immediately began researching the Mind Stone Scepter, but now, because of Xia Yu's presence...

Everyone assumed that Xia Yu was born with the ability to absorb Infinity Stones, since Xia Yu hadn't mentioned the system missions to anyone.

Therefore, the Mind Stone will remain with the Avengers, or it will be taken by Xia Yu. Tony doesn't seem to be in a hurry, Xia Yu also said that he needs some time to properly control the energy in his body before he starts absorbing it.

The Mind Stone Scepter was temporarily placed in the secret underground base next door, because there were still some Wakanda scientists there. Although the relationship between the two sides was quite good at the moment, it was still better to be safe with something like the Mind Stone. (As mentioned before, the stone cannot be put into Space Ring.)

The grand party still requires a lot of time to prepare. Besides inviting guests, Tony's huge yacht has been sitting in the harbor unused for several years.

After becoming Iron Man, Tony became less interested in these luxuries. He dismissed the long-term staff on his yacht and simply had it maintained and cleaned periodically at the club.

Therefore, this party requires the preparation of many things, such as food, drinks, and utensils.

Before that, today was a day in which everyone mobilized and achieved a great victory. Xia Yu remembered something he had wanted to do but hadn't done before: to set up a hot pot on Xia Star.

Imagine taking a spaceship outside Earth and eating hot pot while looking at the planet.

This brilliant suggestion was immediately accepted by everyone, so they called in Spider-Man and embarked on what might be the most scenic hot pot trip in human history.

This magical dinner almost turned the Spider-Man into a monkey on the spaceship; the child was jumping around and doing somersaults with great joy.

And they felt deeply sorry that Aunt May couldn't come.

"If I posted these online, would the number of likes break the world record?"

The Spider-Man said happily.

"You'll be seen as a liar by your classmates and friends, who will fabricate stories about how your videos and photos are digitally manipulated," Tony bluntly told Spider-Man.

"And you'll be targeted by government officials. After they verify that your videos and photos are authentic, they'll lock you in a dark room and torture you to extract a confession. If you don't betray us, you'll be charged with treason and imprisoned for a hundred years alongside homosexuals."

Xia Yu delivered a vicious finishing blow.

The Spider-Man shrank its neck in fright, muttering, "I was just saying, I'll only save it on my own computer."

Natasha rolled her eyes at Xia Yu, scolding him for scaring the child.

Xia Yu chuckled and said to the Spider-Man, "There are many other planets in the universe and aliens of different skin colors and appearances. Would you like to see them?"

Natasha secretly stepped on Xia Yu's foot. She knew about the photo of a thousand naked Sovereign 'Xia Yu phone, and she thought Xia Yu was going to show it to Spider-Man.

Xia Yu gave her a reassuring look, then turned to Spider-Man and said, "When you turn sixteen, I'll take you on a trip to another planet to see different scenery, and even some strange celestial bodies where two satellites and planets are right next to each other."

The Spider-Man was overjoyed, but expressed doubt about Xia Yu's claim that the two satellites were directly next to the planet, because it was very unscientific. Then it opened its mouth and spouted a bunch of common sense about astrophysics.

Xia Yu didn't know how to explain, so he could only pass the buck to Jane Foster, who was hugging Thor and looking at the Earth. He suggested that they find an astrophysicist to discuss this further.

Since no one was very hungry, they weren't in a hurry to eat and were all enjoying the rare scenery. Tony, however, quietly went to the back of the spaceship, where there was a small transparent window offering a view of the universe.

"What are you thinking about?" Xia Yu casually pulled out a bottle of beer and handed it to Tony.

"I'm wondering if what you said to Odin last time about building a floating continent outside of Earth will actually succeed." Tony looked out at the endless universe, his mind drifting back to the vision he had seen.

"Believe me, we will succeed. I don't just want to build a base outside the Earth; I want a vast continent with forests, rivers, mountains, and grasslands, large enough to accommodate many people."

"I hope that in the future, the Avengers will be a vast organization, with our intelligence systems and deterrent power no longer limited to Earth, but reaching every corner of the universe. We want to have a reputation in the hearts of people on every planet in the universe that is no less than that of Asgard now."

"That way, no one will dare to covet our Earth, no matter if they are Chitauri or powerful, warlike Kree."

Xia Yu spoke eloquently to Tony about his ideas.

Tony had thought countless times, especially after the Battle of New York and the Battle of London, about how to better protect his world. At that time, his thoughts were on the Iron Legion and the artificial intelligence that controlled it.

His idea was to drown all aliens who dared to come to Earth in his Iron Legion, but Xia Yu's idea was clearly more farsighted than Tony's, directly keeping the enemy outside Earth.

To prevent Earth from becoming a battlefield, and even to actively spread a good reputation throughout the universe, so that others dare not easily harbor any ill intentions towards Earth.

"If that day ever comes, I will have the Iron Legion cover the entire floating continent and crush all invading enemies," Tony said resolutely, recalling his inaction in the illusion.

The two stood at the stern of the boat, exchanging a knowing smile, their understanding unspoken.

Then, his cool demeanor lasted only three seconds before Tony's expression suddenly changed. "Oh no! I made an appointment with Rhodey, but he said he had something to do at the Department of Defense today and would be getting off work late, so I completely forgot about him."

"Anyway, the spaceship can contact Earth. Why don't you make a call and tell him to find a secluded place, and I'll just bring him over?" Xia Yu said.

"Even outside of Earth?" Tony asked.

"It's not far, no problem, come on," Xia Yu said confidently. He could easily open a door from Earth to the Moon right now.

Tony didn't tell Rhodey where they were going to eat beforehand. Although Rhodey knew that Xia Yu had been to space and that there were spaceships at the Avengers Compound, he would never have thought that they would come to outer space to eat.

So when Tony hung up the phone, nodded to Xia Yu, and told him Rhodey's location.

Xia Yu opened the portal, and Rhodey stepped in.

"Where is this? The decor is weird. I'm asking you guys where you eat. I can just come over here. What the fuck... Where the hell is this...?"

Rhodey' words trailed off as he saw something outside the window; the visual impact was so overwhelming that Rhodey was stunned.

Oh, poor Rhodey!

This is the third chapter today; there are two more to go!