1992 One Person Less, One Person More

At four points around the metal platform were curved metal frames with sharp tips – it was a little like a blooming chrysanthemum.

Above his head were multiple layers of small, five-sided mirrors, which all glowed with a silver metallic sight.

Finally, he looked at the people on the metal platform in front of him… Hm, wait.

After the Quantum Suits were removed, one of them wasn't human, but a raccoon.

There was also a bald blue-skinned female… android?

Tony, Steve, Thor, Dr. Banner, Rhodes and Clint (Hawkeye) were all very familiar. At most, they looked a lot older.

After the others removed the Quantum Suits, they looked at each other meaningfully.

Tony was the first to ask, "How was it? Did you get all the Stones?"

Rhodes raised an orb with a smile. "We did."

On the other side, the little raccoon took out what looked like a syringe from its waist. It contained a dark red semi-liquid substance.

Luke wasn't sure what Stone that was, but judging from the expression on the raccoon's face, it had definitely succeeded.

Except for Tony, who was carrying an old leather suitcase, the others opened their hands to reveal the Infinity Stones, which glowed faintly.

But Luke glanced at Clint out of the corner of his eye, because the guy slowly dropped to his knees. There was no joy on his face at all.

Dr. Banner soon realized that something was wrong. "Clint, where's Natasha?"

Clint's tears flowed. He lowered his head and couldn't say anything.

Seeing his reaction, everybody's expressions changed.

Luke silently increased the effects of Real Dream and Elementary Concealment on himself.

If he drew everyone's attention now, he would probably become a punching bag.

Also, Dr. Banner and Natasha had a delicate relationship. Now that she was gone, what if the doctor suddenly wanted to punch something? He was still green at the moment, and didn't even need to transform.

…

Half an hour later, the impact from losing a close teammate passed.

They would remember her for years to come, but for now, they had no choice but to put this matter aside and discuss how to deal with Luke, this outsider.

Before that, Luke was asked to take off his Quantum Suit and was 'invited' to an isolation room.

Nobody told him to take off the Knight armor underneath, especially when he opened the helmet to reveal Bale's face.

Those who had thought that the 'mixed DC universe' Scott mentioned was nonsense fell silent.

Without the mask, Friday easily scanned the face and confirmed that it had never been operated on.

This absolutely original handsome face was basically the same as that of Mr. Wayne in the movies.

Although this Knight was wearing armor similar to Tony's and not the plastic shell like in the movies, the style was still the same.

Everybody even felt that this was the type of armor Dark Knight should wear.

After Luke was placed in isolation, the Avengers questioned Scott.

Scott had no choice but to play the video recorded by the Quantum Suit to prove that he hadn't been placed under a spell.

He could be hypnotized and manipulated, but the data from the Quantum Suit couldn't be made up.

If the data was modified, Friday would be able to detect it in seconds; there was no way to hide it.

So, everybody was shocked.

Tony said, "The 'me' over there actually can't beat this guy?"

"The two of you are very close, and are recognized as the best partners in the world." Scott looked embarrassed. He couldn't say that he had seen a lot of Bat/Iron CP pics online.

A 'bashful' Iron Man snuggling shyly in Batman's arms had been an eye-searing sight – there was no way he would mention that.

Steve said, "Their Battle of New York happened several years before ours did. The Bat Squad was the main force. Did they sustain a lot less damage?"

Scott nodded again. "Also, Captain, you've already been awake for several years over there."

Steve: …

Here, he didn't wake up until just before the Battle of New York in 2012.

The others had a lot of questions, but after getting the answers, they looked at each other in bewilderment. Why did this Bat Squad feel… a little too strong?

After the Battle of New York and Ultron, the two cities were basically safe, and there were very few casualties.

The Bat Squad had always been in control, and didn't give the enemy a chance to turn things around.

It was a good thing Scott had specifically stressed that there was no Superman, no Gotham, and no Arkham, or everybody would be even more horrified.

After some discussion, they finally decided to let Luke out.

However, that didn't mean sending him directly back to that weird DC version of 2012, nor was he allowed to wander around this world in 2023.

He just became a 'temporary resident' of the Avengers base.

The reason for this was because of something Scott said: "We don't have much experience with people from other universes, but Dr. Strange definitely does."

Everybody agreed.

The most important thing now wasn't to deal with this Dark Knight who had appeared out of nowhere, but to use the Stones they had obtained to save those who had been dead for five years.

Everybody had lost family and friends. They had waited too long.

Natasha had already sacrificed her life for this goal without hesitation.

Everything else had to wait.

…

Looking at Scott, who was putting the ankle monitor on him, Luke smiled. "Scott, you said you wore this for several years, right? How did it feel?"

Scott smiled awkwardly. "Bruce, this is just a formality. No one's hostile toward you."

Luke didn't think much of it. "Don't worry, Scott. You're a good guy."

As he spoke, he looked up at Dr. Banner, who was setting up the surveillance equipment for the ankle monitor behind Scott. "Dr. Banner, do you have time to spar with me?"

Dr. Banner looked at him helplessly. "I'm a good guy too. I've never thought of hurting innocent people."

Luke shook his head. "No, you're mistaken. I just want to know how strong Thanos is, and you've fought him head-on."

Dr. Banner declined out of habit. "Thor and Tony have fought Thanos before. They're much stronger than I am. You can ask them."

Luke said, "But you're easier to talk to. At most, you'll reject me tactfully."

Dr. Banner: …How can you say such a shameless thing so openly?

In the end, he refused, and Luke didn't pester him.

Now that Natasha was dead, it was already very good that Dr. Banner was still restrained and could talk to him.

In any case, Luke was upfront about his intentions, and could find an opportunity to try in the future, so it wouldn't be too abrupt.

After all, it wasn't easy for anyone to kill Dr. Banner. Even if Luke made the first move, it wouldn't be misunderstood as an ambush.

Tony? Forget it.

Luke's solid friendship with the tycoon in 2012 had been cultivated through time and battle together, while Tony here was a complete stranger.

What was Tony's attitude toward strangers? Hm, he basically mocked and looked down on them.

Thor? It was clear from the ring of flab around the guy's waist that he hadn't gotten out much, and he wasn't interested in talking to Luke at all.

So, Dr. Banner was the best choice.