Chương 169: Chapter 169: It Is You Who Owes Tony 

As Luke raised his hand, massive torrents of dark energy surged into the sky, creating impenetrable barriers between the battling Helicarriers. The fierce bombardment of artillery shells continuously struck the barriers, only to be completely absorbed without a trace. 

Fury watched the download counter for SHIELD's intelligence cache skyrocket on the internet. He nodded grimly. Realizing that SHIELD's most guarded secrets were now public, every nation and major organization would be frantically downloading the data to analyze it. The rogue elements within SHIELD, and their closely affiliated Hydra counterparts, had nowhere left to hide. 

Turning to see Luke effortlessly suppress the massive Helicarriers with a simple gesture, Fury asked, surprised, "What prompted you to intervene personally today?" 

Luke glanced back at Pierce, who lay defeated on the ground. "I just figured the Trade Hub needs a dedicated guardian. We can't rely on our guests to handle every little disturbance." 

Fury nodded in agreement. "Fair point." 

"I thought you'd be upset," Luke said, rubbing his chin as he observed Fury's calm demeanor. 

"With Hydra deeply embedded within SHIELD, a global purge is inevitable. I seriously doubt I could have retained control of these Helicarriers anyway. Rather than handing them over to various nations and risking further chaos, it's better to entrust them to you. No one will dare object to that." 

"Or rather, no one can object." 

Luke smiled. "Then I'll gladly take them off your hands." 

He ordered the Shadowkhan to clear out the remaining personnel on the Helicarriers. With a wave of his hand, Luke shrank the massive vessels and tossed them into a portal. As for the agents thrown overboard, many were undoubtedly Hydra operatives. 

However, Luke had previously tasked the Shadowkhan with monitoring the entire battlefield and identifying every Hydra agent. Leaving the Hydra operatives aside, Luke watched the Captain bring a bound Bucky over. He then called out to Tony, who was still busy clearing Hydra agents from the Triskelion. 

"These guys are all yours. Deal with them however you see fit. Afterward, I'm taking you to meet someone," Luke told Tony, watching him drift toward the Hydra agents with a fireball in hand. 

Turning his attention back to the Captain, Luke sent a message to Old Cap, informing him that he and Tony would be on their way shortly, and asking where he wanted to discuss his parents' fate. 

A moment later, Old Cap replied. Luke checked the address, exchanged a glance with the Captain, and told him to carry Bucky over first. As the Captain left, Luke assigned two Shadow Ninjas to covertly trail him. 

With the Captain handled, Luke turned to Tony, only to find him not using his magic on the Hydra agents. 

Tony looked at Luke. "If they point a gun at me, I won't hesitate to send them to hell." 

"Do you want me to hand out some guns then?" Luke asked, looking at the Hydra agents who were shaking their heads frantically. 

"Forget it. Let the authorities handle them. No one wants to see Hydra rise from the ashes. Locking them up will be a fate worse than death for them." 

Tony shook his head. Luke walked over and patted his shoulder with a smile. "Alright, they're your problem now. I'm not helping you cart them off." 

"I think he'll be more than happy to," Tony said, gesturing toward Fury, who was slowly approaching. 

Luke waved to Fury, who nodded in return, then turned to Tony. "So, are we done here?" 

"Yeah. What did you want to talk about?" Tony asked curiously. Luke had been speaking in riddles with the Captain earlier. 

Luke patted Tony's shoulder again. "It's not me who wants to talk to you. Someone else does." 

Turning around, Luke opened a portal and gestured for Tony to follow. 

Looking around, Tony realized they were back in New York. Stark Tower gleamed in the distance under the sunlight. 

"You guys head back. Good job today. I'll upgrade your gear later," Tony told his Iron Legion squad before they flew off. 

"So, where are we going?" 

Luke checked the map on his phone and led Tony to a specific building. Tony looked at it, puzzled. 

"Why bring me here? I've been here plenty of times." 

Luke looked at the Captain America exhibit before them, then at Tony. "Are you a fanboy?" 

Tony shook his head. "Actually, the Captain and my father were close. You can even spot my dad in some of the photos in this exhibit. Because of that connection, I come here every year on the anniversary of the Captain's disappearance to pay my respects." 

"And make a donation, right?" Luke added, leading Tony inside. 

In the main hall, they saw the statue of the Captain. The plaque now read, "Steve Rogers, born July 4, 1918." 

Tony smiled faintly at the sight. 

"You know, there used to be a lot of flower baskets in front of the statue, and the text used to include the date of his 'disappearance'." 

Luke chuckled as they continued walking. "Why is it so empty today?" 

"Ever since it was revealed he's still alive, this place has been more popular than ever. I have no idea why it's empty today," Tony remarked, confused. 

As they passed a photo display, Luke, who had been walking slowly, was pulled aside by Tony. 

"Look, this is the Howling Commandos, the team the Captain led. Let's see... this is the Bucky you guys were talking about, right?" 

Tony pointed at Bucky through the display case. Recognizing the face, Luke nodded. 

The Howling Commandos had fought alongside the Captain and achieved much, though their deeds were often overshadowed by the Captain's legend. Still, they had their own fanbase. 

After all, comparing oneself to a legend can be daunting, but if you can't be the legend, why not imagine being their trusted comrade? 

Seeing Tony enthusiastically guide him through the exhibit, recounting stories about the Captain not recorded in the displays, Luke knew Tony still harbored some affection for the man. It was just Tony's abrasive personality that prevented him from showing it. 

Even his confession to Pepper had required Luke to practically drag him there. Otherwise, who knows how many years it would have taken Tony to finally express his feelings. 

After touring the entire exhibit, Luke led Tony to the screening room where documentaries about the Captain's life were shown. An elderly man was waiting quietly inside. 

Tony looked at Luke, bewildered. Luke's smile vanished. "Tony, whatever you decide to do later, I will support you." 

Patting Tony's shoulder, Luke stepped outside the screening room to find the Captain waiting with a furious Bucky in tow. 

"What's wrong? Haven't managed to jog his memory with the power of friendship yet?" Two shadows slipped into Luke's own shadow right in front of the Captain. 

Inside the screening room, Tony watched Luke leave, then sat down next to the old man. "So, you're the one who wanted to see me?" 

The old man turned to face Tony. "Long time no see, Tony." 

"Who are you?" Tony stared at the unfamiliar old man, feeling a strange sense of familiarity in his eyes. 

"My God, it's you, Cap. Have you spent the last few hours dating hundreds of buxom blondes?" 

Tony's sharp tongue was as reliable as ever. Old Cap nodded nostalgically. 

"Actually, Tony, I'm not the Captain from your timeline," Old Cap stated bluntly. 

Tony was momentarily confused, but quickly caught on. "So, you're the future Captain I met at my company before?" 

"Exactly, Tony. After finishing that battle, I time-traveled back 70 years to this very place. We haven't seen each other for 70 years." 

Tony leaned back casually in his chair. "Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but for me, it's only been a few months. That is, if we don't count the Captain from this timeline as you." 

"That's true. Time is a curious thing," Old Cap mused. 

"So, you brought me here just to reminisce? Please, I hope I don't get as long-winded as you when I'm old." Tony shrugged, signaling Old Cap to get to the point. 

Facing the Captain from this timeline already gave him a slight feeling of dealing with an elder. Facing this much older version amplified that feeling to the extreme. 

Seeing Tony's discomfort, Old Cap nodded. "Then let's get down to business." 

"Tony, I'm deeply sorry to tell you this, but your parents did not die in an accident." 

Tony nodded. "I know. The car crash was just a cover-up. Hydra assassinated them." 

The Captain nodded, observing Tony's calm demeanor. "It seems Luke has told you a lot. Did he tell you who killed your parents?" 

Tony looked at the Captain, a hint of mockery in his voice. "Hydra, obviously. Who else could it be?" 

Old Cap watched Tony's composed facade, though he noticed the hand resting on the back of the chair had clenched into a fist. 

Old Cap sighed. "I'm sorry, Tony. While it's true Hydra ordered the hit..." 

"The one who actually carried it out was my best friend, Bucky." 

Tony instantly sat bolt upright, his previously casual gaze turning sharp and intense. 

"You mean the Bucky on the poster outside? Didn't he die falling off a train?" 

Old Cap nodded at the seemingly calm Tony. "Yes, he fell off a cliff, but he didn't die. Hydra found him, injected him with the Super Soldier Serum, turned him into a super-soldier, brainwashed him, and made him their weapon." 

"So, my parents were killed by him?" 

"Yes." Old Cap nodded and pulled out a VHS tape. "I went to great lengths to get this. Originally, I intended to hide it, but... keeping it from you is unfair. Do you want to watch it?" 

Tony took the tape, his eyes falling on the date written on it: December 16, 1991. The day his parents died. 

"Of course I want to watch it." Tony stared at the old VHS tape and stood up. Saturday detached from his body. 

"Please play this." Tony handed the tape to Saturday. The AI, sensing the gravity of the situation, walked over to the projector in the room and inserted the tape. 

The contents of the tape soon played on the screen. Seeing the car on the screen, Tony clenched his fists. 

Soon after, a motorcycle pulled up beside the car. Watching the figure dismount, Tony muttered, "Is that Bucky?" 

Bucky walked over to the car. Howard was slowly crawling out, but Bucky grabbed him by the hair and hauled him up. 

Seeing this, Tony breathed heavily, his pupils trembling. He watched his father call out Bucky's name, but Bucky remained unresponsive, knocking his father unconscious, throwing him into the car, strangling his mother, and finally shooting the security camera. 

The video ended there. Tony looked as if he had been tortured, drenched in sweat. 

Old Cap looked at the trembling Tony and lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Tony. I couldn't stop Bucky. I didn't have the power to change history." 

The Captain walked in dragging Bucky. Seeing Tony's drained state, he too lowered his head. He kicked the back of Bucky's knees, forcing him to kneel before Tony. 

Luke entered the screening room and, seeing Tony's distressing condition, hurried over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Tony, whatever you want to do, I will support you and help you." 

Tony managed to compose himself and patted Luke's hand on his shoulder. Luke withdrew his hand, watching Tony stand up and sway towards the kneeling Bucky. 

"You killed them, you son of a b*tch!" Tony threw two punches at Bucky's face, but due to the immense shock he had just endured, the blows were incredibly weak. 

Luke quickly supported Tony, looking at the two Captains who stood with clenched fists. "Do you want to kill him?" 

A Shadow Ninja emerged and offered Tony his enchanted katana. 

But Tony didn't take it. He looked at Bucky, who knelt there, unharmed by his two punches. "How close was my father with him?" 

The Captain replied, "Howard supplied all the weapons for the Howling Commandos and me. We were on good terms." 

Tony stepped forward and grabbed Bucky's collar. Looking into his emotionless eyes, Tony threw two more punches. These landed solidly, leaving two gashes on Bucky's face. 

Taking the weapon from the Shadow Ninja, Tony activated the enchantment runes, and flames erupted from the blade. 

Watching Tony's actions, the Captain instinctively wanted to step forward but gritted his teeth and forced himself to stay put. 

Luke shifted his stance, ready to intervene and banish them if either Captain made a move or harbored any ulterior motives. 

But neither moved. Tony walked up to Bucky, who still showed no emotion, and swung the blade down. 

The Captain closed his eyes, unable to bear the sight of his friend's blood. However, after a moment, he didn't smell any blood. 

Opening his eyes, he saw Bucky's metallic arm had been severed and lay on the ground. 

Tony tossed the enchanted katana aside. The Shadow Ninja caught it and vanished. 

Tony grabbed Bucky's collar again. "You don't know anything. Letting you die like this is too easy for you. I want you to atone for your sins." 

"J.A.R.V.I.S. is gone, and I'm afraid my parents have no friends where they are. So, I want you to stay by my parents' side, serve them like a beast of burden. You will protect them, and if they lose even a single hair, I will make you pay." 

Tossing Bucky aside, Tony turned to the Captains. "You'd better jog his memory, and fast." 

Suiting up in the Saturday armor, Tony walked over to Luke. "I feel much better. How about we go out for some fresh air?" 

With that, Tony strode out quickly. 

Luke watched Tony's retreating figure, then walked up to the Captain. "Remember, it is you who owes Tony." 

Seeing the Captain nod, Luke finally turned and left.