Marvel: Wonka's Chocolate Factory

After the failure, Willy Wonka put Tony back into the Chocolate River, returning him to the state he was in when he was hanging by a thread.

Tony's body was submerged in the chocolate river, the viscous cocoa liquid covering every part of his body except his head. He was completely engulfed in a swamp, with only his head showing; one could imagine the rest of his body submerged in the chocolate river.

Alex stood by, making sure Tony wasn't "swallowed" by the Chocolate River.

Tony's face was terrible, ashen white. Alex had seen this bloodless complexion many times before, on both former comrades and enemies.

The most recent instance was when a plantation rebel was shot in the thigh and groaned as he awaited death. In his final moments, it seemed as if he had bled to death, and Alex was right beside him at the moment of his death, his face bearing a striking resemblance to Tony's now.

Without exception, these complexions were those of someone who was about to die, and at first glance, they were indistinguishable from those of a dead person.

Chocolate represents the attributes of sweetness and hope, which are giving Tony a glimmer of hope, making every cell in his body cheer and function at 300% efficiency.

Tony's heart had ruptured and stopped functioning. His blood had lost its power, unable to deliver blood and oxygen to the rest of his body.

When the heart stops working, the cells of other organs that have just regained their vitality do not receive oxygen, and their recovery speed slows down.

Tony's body is now in a state that modern medicine considers fatal. The power of death has sentenced Tony to death, but the vitality and hope carried by the chocolate prevent Tony from dying completely, keeping him alive with a glimmer of hope.

When Willy Wonka discovered the Odin's treasure, he had already determined Tony's condition. Without external intervention, Tony would remain in this vegetative state in the Chocolate River until his body reached its limit.

It's not quite death, but it's not quite life either. However, if it leaves the Chocolate River, it will probably die instantly.

Willy Wonka channeled energy into Tony through the Chocolate River, briefly reviving Tony's consciousness.

"Tony, the treasures in Odin's vault failed to save you. I have a way to try and save you, but it's very risky, and I'm not sure if it will succeed."

"If you fail, this is the last time you have to be conscious. If there's anything you want to say, or anyone you want to see, I'll try my best to fulfill your request."

Tony's eyes lit up a little, and then he slowly raised his right hand and gave Willy Wonka the middle finger.

"Willy Wonka, you bastard, you didn't bring me to Asgard for an experience, you wanted me to die here. You've wronged me."

"If possible, let me see Pepper one more time."

Willy Wonka looked at the weakened Tony, especially at the cocoa dripping from his raised middle finger.

"Okay, I'll go pick up Pepper now. Save your energy. Don't be too tired to talk to her when you see her later."

"I've got plenty of strength, Alex. Get yourself cleaned up, don't let this sticky cocoa liquid smear my handsome face."

Willy Wonka opened a spatial portal and arrived near Pepper Potts, around the newly opened energy laboratory of Stark Industries.

When Willy Wonka appeared before Pepper, she was dealing with Stark Industries' relationship with the military. Pepper showed Colonel Rhodes around Stark Industries' large-scale reactor.

The military also became interested in controlled nuclear fusion devices, and after learning about it from the White House, it initiated the Spaceplane program.

Colonel Rhodes was sent to communicate with Stark Industries because of his good personal relationship with Tony.

"Pepper, there's something I need to tell you."

Pepper Potts and Colonel Rhodes were clearly surprised by Willy Wonka's sudden appearance.

Upon hearing Willy Wonka's words, Pepper instinctively asked, "Willy Wonka, now?"

After speaking, Pepper looked at Colonel Rhodes, unsure whether Willy Wonka's next words would reach him.

Pepper Potts looked at Willy Wonka's serious face and suddenly remembered that Tony and Willy Wonka had gone to Asgard together, and she suddenly felt panicked.

"Is it about Tony?"

Willy Wonka nodded: "Tony wants to see you now."

Pepper closed the folder in her hand, turned to Colonel Rhodes and said, "Rhodes, let's talk another day. I need to see Tony now."

"Pepper, what happened to Tony? Tony is my friend, can I come with you?"

Colonel Rhodes gleaned from the brief conversation between Pepper Potts and Willy Wonka that Tony might be in trouble, and he wanted to follow them.

"Rhodes, I'll remind Tony to contact you when he gets back."

Pepper Potts refused Colonel Rhodes and then took Willy Wonka to her office.

"Pepper, Tony is in a dangerous situation right now. You need to give him some confidence."

Willy Wonka opened the passage and led Pepper Potts into the chocolate factory, arriving directly next to Tony.

"Oh, Tony!"

Pepper Potts immediately saw Tony's miserable state and gasped in shock, but then, remembering Willy Wonka's words, she covered her mouth with her hands and wiped away her tears.

"Pepper, I might die, so I have something I want to tell you."

Little Chili shook her head gently, and the tears she had just held back burst forth uncontrollably.

"Don't talk nonsense, Tony. You'll be fine."

Tony interrupted Pepper, "Pepper, I don't have much time. Listen to me first."

"Pepper, I love you. Jarvis has a procedure in place that if I die, my shares will be transferred to you. If I'm alright, I'll marry you when we meet again."

After saying that, Tony looked at Pepper one last time with love, then turned to Willy Wonka and said:

"Willy Wonka, my life is in your hands."

"Alex, take Pepper back. I need to start preparing now."

Tony didn't open his eyes until Pepper Potts and Alex left together, both of them sobbing uncontrollably.

"Iron Man has such a tender side. If I hadn't saved you, Pepper Potts would have resented me for the rest of my life."

Tony rolled his eyes at Willy Wonka: "You saved my life, and she'll resent you for the rest of her life. Also, you shouldn't call her Pepper; you should call her Pepper."

"Speak, let me know what you want to do before you make a move, at least let me know what you're planning."

Willy Wonka produced an onion-shaped fruit in his hand and presented this peculiar fruit to Tony.

"This fruit is a manifestation of my power. I intend to use it to replace your heart. If I succeed, you will not only return to normal, but you will also gain a special ability as a result."

Tony listened to Willy Wonka's words, his gaze shifting from the onion-shaped fruit in Willy Wonka's hand to Willy Wonka's face, trying to judge from Willy Wonka's expression whether it was a joke.

Using fruit instead of a heart? That's insane!