Infinite Evolution in the Marvel universe

Steve and Peggy rushed to the scene after hearing the commotion, only to find the forest in complete disarray, littered with massive craters. Steve's heart raced as he surveyed the destruction, recognizing the figure in the gold-and-red armor—though it had undergone some modifications—from the telltale purple glow of the Arc Reactor and burning flames. It was unmistakably Tony.

"You two went at it without calling me to watch?" Steve exhaled, calming his nerves as he spoke.

"It was a spur-of-the-moment thing, and you were swimming. I didn't have time to call you," Tony replied with a shrug. "Besides, the fight's over now."

Seeing Steve, Tony deactivated his Void mode, and the pieces of his armor began to retract. His aura shifted back to its usual, harmless demeanor.

"You okay?" Tony asked, turning to Bruce.

"You were the one hitting me, and now you're asking if I'm okay?" Bruce said, rolling his eyes, clearly exasperated.

"I had to go all out because you're so strong. I wouldn't have been able to take you down otherwise," Tony explained, raising his hands in a show of innocence. "Plus, you told me to go all out. I figured you'd be fine, right?"

Bruce sighed, glancing at his limp right arm. "Yeah, well, as long as I stay in Hulk form, it should heal in about five minutes. It hurts, though."

Tony couldn't help but be impressed. "Your healing ability is insane. You're basically bouncing back from broken bones in minutes. That's... something else."

For any normal person, breaking bones would be a serious injury, requiring weeks or even months to heal. But Bruce could shake it off in minutes, which made Tony realize just how dangerous Bruce would be after more evolutions. One day, he might be able to heal from even more severe wounds in mere seconds.

"How did this fight even start?" Steve asked, still trying to process the sheer level of destruction.

"Bruce's powers have improved a lot, and he thought he could beat me this time," Tony replied casually. "So, we sparred a little."

"I was confident I could take on your regular suit," Bruce interjected. "But who would've guessed you had a Vibranium suit tucked away?"

Bruce had deliberately chosen to evolve his healing and endurance, knowing that Tony's strength lay in his speed and combat tactics, enhanced by his technology. Bruce's strategy had been simple: as long as Tony couldn't deal a decisive blow, he would eventually outlast him. But Tony's Vibranium suit had shattered that plan, literally breaking Bruce's arm with a single strike.

"I think you made the right choice in focusing on your healing, but you've still got a ways to go," Tony said, floating up to pat Bruce's shoulder. "You've only evolved a few times. There's still a lot you're missing, but if you ever surpass me, I'll be the first to congratulate you."

"Just how strong are you now, Tony?" Steve asked, intrigued. He'd watched Bruce grow stronger and knew firsthand how formidable Bruce had become. Yet, Tony had still come out on top.

"I've evolved 297 times, almost hitting the 300 mark," Tony said with a grin. "I'm strong enough to survive in space without a suit. In the Void Church, I'm one of the top few. I don't go down easily."

"How many top-tier members does the Void Church have?" Steve asked, clearly interested.

"There are seven in total," Tony replied after thinking for a moment. "You've already met four of them—Reno, Kael, the Seer, and Leicy. The other two are Sonia, the Envoy, and Lix, the Warden."

"Sonia and Lix?" Steve asked, intrigued. "What are their abilities?"

"I'm not sure about the specifics, but I know they're on par with me," Tony replied. "Bruce might join their ranks soon enough."

"Don't patronize me, Tony," Bruce said, half-joking but also feeling a bit disheartened after his defeat. "I thought I was stronger, but clearly, I've got a long way to go."

"I'm not trying to sugarcoat it," Tony reassured him. "When Reno and the others praised you, they weren't kidding. You've got a ton of potential. You're already close to top-tier strength. Most people wouldn't even be able to scratch you. You just lost to me today, that's all. Don't beat yourself up."

"Thanks," Bruce muttered, feeling a bit better. Tony's words eased his disappointment.

Steve, however, was curious. "What about me? When do you think I'll be top-tier?"

"Given your enhancements as a super-soldier, you'd need to evolve significantly more than I have," Tony said thoughtfully, studying Steve's improved physique and calm breathing. "You'd need to evolve at least fifty more times, on top of mastering your combat skills, before you'd stand a chance."

Leicy had surpassed Steve in evolution by over forty steps and had climbed the ranks to become one of the top fighters in the Void Church. She had honed her skills through constant training and sparring with Reno, Kael, and the Seer. Her progress was proof that dedication and a clear path were key to success. Steve, with a similar background, would need to follow the same route.

"Leicy's one of the top fighters?" Steve asked, recalling the powerful woman he'd met during the New York battle.

"Don't underestimate her because she's a woman," Tony said with a knowing smile. "Leicy's a Level Three bounty hunter, one of the few in the galaxy. You probably don't know what that means yet, but trust me, she's in the upper echelons of power, even outside of the Void Church. In this world, strength isn't determined by gender."

Steve listened carefully, but Tony could tell he wasn't fully convinced. Steve's old-fashioned views, shaped by the era he grew up in, were hard to shake. It would take a direct encounter with a female powerhouse for Steve to truly believe Tony's words.

"All right, I'll take your word for it," Steve said with a nod.

Tony smiled, knowing Steve wasn't entirely convinced. Still, he didn't push the matter further. Instead, he changed the subject. "I'll call in a crew to fix up this mess. Let's go have a drink."

As they headed back to the villa, Bruce returned to his human form, his arm fully healed. He turned to Tony, curious. "What exactly have you been up to in space all this time?"

"I've been working on space jump technology—the key to building a fully functional spaceship," Tony said proudly.

"How's that going?" Bruce asked, intrigued by the idea of space travel.

"It's going great," Tony replied with confidence. "I've cracked gravity control, space-jump tech, and energy solutions. Now, I just need to develop an advanced propulsion system, and I'll have my very own spaceship. I might need your help figuring out the AI systems when the time comes."

"I'm not an expert in AI," Bruce admitted. "But I'll help however I can."

"Don't worry," Tony said, clapping Bruce on the back. "With your brains, you'll be a big help."

Back at the villa, Peggy had sensed the men wanted to talk alone, so she tactfully gave them space. Steve, drink in hand, asked, "You didn't take any time off to have fun out there?"

"Of course I did!" Tony replied with a mischievous grin. "The galaxy is full of beautiful women. I'll take you guys out next time, show you what I mean."

"Alien women?" Bruce asked, his interest piqued, though he couldn't shake the image of the hideous Chitauri.

"You'll see. The galaxy isn't just Chitauri," Tony assured them. "There are all sorts of species that would blow your mind."

Steve chuckled but glanced around nervously. "Maybe when Peggy's not around."

Tony laughed. "Don't worry, Steve. I'll give you a break from all the married life stuff."

Bruce, curious about Tony's next move, asked, "So, when are you heading out again?"

"I'm sticking around for now. Harvey says things are about to get rough on Earth again."

"More trouble on Earth?" Steve asked, his expression growing serious.

"Yeah. Something big is coming. Harvey didn't give me all the details, but we'll need to be ready."

"Got it. We'll stay on standby," Steve agreed, mentally preparing for the next challenge.

"Can we still explore New York?" Bruce asked, eager for a change of pace now that he had control over the Hulk.

"Of course. I'll transfer a billion to your account. Go have some fun."

"A billion? That's too much, Tony," Bruce protested.

"Don't worry about it. After all, you've been living on my island for over a year. Besides, I'd rather you be flush with cash than tempted to use force to get what you need."

Bruce, knowing Tony had a point, nodded and accepted the offer. "Thanks, Tony."

Tony then turned to Steve. "What about you, Steve? Have you taken Peggy on a proper honeymoon yet?"

"We've been enjoying the island," Steve said. "Peggy loves the peace here."

"That's great, but trust me, women want romance. Peggy's young again, and I bet there are things she missed out on the first time around. Take her somewhere special. I'll give you a billion too."

Steve hesitated, but Tony's sincerity won him over. "Thanks, Tony."

After handling their personal affairs, Tony returned to a more serious topic. "So, Steve, Bruce has focused on healing for his evolution. What about you?"

"I've evolved ninety-six times," Steve said. "I've been focusing on a balanced approach. I know specializing is better in the long run, but for now, I'm working on raising my overall capabilities."

"That's not a bad idea, given your combat skills," Tony agreed. "Just make sure you've got a clear direction."

With their futures in mind, the three men settled in for a good conversation. Bruce, having accepted Tony's financial gift, was eager to hear more about Tony's adventures and how best to enjoy his newfound freedom. Steve, meanwhile, sought advice on modern-day romance, hoping to make Peggy's second chance at life truly special.