Marvel: Starting with Iron Man in the Apocalypse

The abandoned warehouses in Gotham Harbor looked particularly eerie in the night, and the damp sea breeze carried the smell of rust and rotting wood. Led by the Penguin, Chen Haotian, Tony, and Fury passed through layers of security and entered the core area of ​​this underground arms dealership.

"Remember," the Penguin said in a low voice, "the people here are not simple. Black Mask, Two-Face, and even the Riddler's henchmen may be present. Don't cause trouble."

Tony surveyed his surroundings, a hint of disdain on his lips. "This level of security? I can cripple this place with just one of my gadgets."

Chen Haotian gently patted Tony's shoulder: "Keep it low-key, we're not here to show off our skills."

The warehouse interior had been converted into a makeshift showroom, with various weapons displayed on simple tables. From old Thompson submachine guns to the latest energy weapons, everything was available. Buyers huddled together in small groups, whispering amongst themselves, their eyes filled with wariness and calculation.

The penguin led them to a corner booth where several oddly shaped weapons were on display.

"Bane's men," the Penguin whispered, "they specialize in smuggling...special equipment from South America."

Chen Haotian's gaze swept across the display stand, suddenly stopping at an ancient-looking dagger. The blade of the dagger glowed with an eerie green light, and unfamiliar runes were engraved on the hilt.

"What is this?" Chen Haotian asked.

The burly man behind the display stand looked up, revealing a hideous scar: "An antiquities from the Amazon, said to be able to harm the gods. They're quite expensive."

Tony leaned closer to examine it: "The energy readings are abnormal; this isn't ordinary metal."

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out on the other side of the warehouse. Several armed men roughly pushed through the crowd and headed straight for where Chen Haotian and his group were.

"Coport," the bald man at the head sneered, "I heard you hired some outside help?"

The penguin's expression changed slightly: "Savage, this is not your territory."

The man named Savage pulled out a modified pistol: "Mr. Falcone asked me to give you a message—either hand over those documents, or..."

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Haotian suddenly stepped forward: "Tell Falcone that his drug warehouse in the port area will be attacked tomorrow night at eight o'clock."

Savage paused for a moment, then burst into laughter: "What the hell are you talking about?"

Chen Haotian remained unfazed: "I'm not talking nonsense. The attackers will infiltrate through the sewers, targeting the new shipment that arrived on the west side of the warehouse. If Falcone doesn't believe me, he can strengthen the defenses on the west side, and then we'll see."

Savage narrowed his eyes, raising the gun slightly in his hand: "You'd better pray you're wrong, otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?" Fury suddenly appeared beside Savage, his specially made pistol already pressed against his waist. "I suggest you take this message to Falcone; it'll be good for everyone."

Savage glared at them through gritted teeth, but ultimately left with his men.

The penguin wiped the cold sweat from his brow: "Are you guys crazy? Why are you provoking Falcone?"

Chen Haotian smiled slightly: "This isn't a provocation, it's a gesture of goodwill. By tomorrow night, Falcone will understand our value."

Tony asked thoughtfully, "How did you know there would be an attack tomorrow night?"

"Well," Chen Haotian winked mysteriously, "I have my own sources."

At 7:50 p.m. the following evening, all was quiet outside the drug warehouse in Falco, the port area. Chen Haotian and his group were hidden in the shadows of the building opposite, observing the warehouse through binoculars.

"So," Tony said, adjusting the armor's detection systems, "are you really sure there will be an attack?"

Chen Haotian glanced at the time: "Six minutes left. The attacker will emerge from the manhole cover right where we are standing."

Fury frowned: "How did you obtain such detailed information?"

"In this city, as long as you know where to look, you can always find the information you want," Chen Haotian said vaguely.

In fact, as a time traveler, Chen Haotian was intimately familiar with the DC Universe's storyline. This attack was orchestrated by Two-Face Harvey Dent as revenge against Falcone, and it succeeded in the original storyline.

At 7:56, a slight creaking sound came from the manhole cover beneath their feet. Several dark figures silently emerged from the sewer and quickly moved towards the west side of the warehouse.

"Damn it," Tony whispered, "you were right."

The penguin was dumbfounded: "This...how is this possible?"

Intense gunfire soon erupted from the west side of the warehouse. The attackers were caught in a fierce battle due to the additional guards deployed in Falcone.

"It seems Falcone heeded our warnings," Fury observed the battle.

Chen Haotian nodded: "Now, it's our turn to make our appearance."

Tony activated his armor, the red metallic suit standing out starkly in the night: "Finally, I can stretch my muscles a bit."

They quickly approached the combat zone. Chen Haotian deployed several miniature drones to disrupt the attackers' communication systems. Fury, with his precise marksmanship, swiftly subdued several gunmen on the perimeter.

In the chaos, Chen Haotian noticed a familiar figure—Harvey Dent, the Two-Face, was directing his men to retreat. One half of his face was still relatively normal, but the other half was severely disfigured, showing horrific burn marks.

"Harvey Dent," Chen Haotian shouted, "I suggest you retreat immediately. Chief Gordon's men are already on their way."

The two-faced man turned around, his intact eye fixed intently on Chen Haotian: "Who are you?"

"Friend," Chen Haotian replied calmly, "at least for now."

The two-faced man sneered and tossed a specially made coin into the air. When the coin landed, the disfigured side was facing up.

"Looks like my luck isn't on my side today." He put away the coins and signaled his men to retreat.

The battle ended quickly. Although Falcone's men suffered heavy losses, they managed to salvage the most important shipment.

A few minutes later, a black sedan drove into the warehouse district. The door opened, and Falcone himself stepped out. Although the veteran Gotham mob boss was advanced in years, his aura remained powerful.

"Coppert," Falcone said, looking at the Penguin, "I heard that last night's prophecy was made by one of your people."

The penguin nodded nervously: "Yes, Mr. Falcone."

Falcone turned his gaze to Chen Haotian: "Young man, how did you know about tonight's attack?"

Chen Haotian calmly replied, "I have my own intelligence network. Moreover, I can tell you more—for example, who the real mastermind is."

Falcone narrowed his eyes: "Go on."

"Two-Face was just the executor. The real mastermind was..." Chen Haotian paused deliberately, "...the remnants of the Roman family, who wanted to regain control of Gotham."

Falcone's face instantly darkened. This information had clearly touched a nerve.

"Prove it," Falcone said coldly.

Chen Haotian took out a slip of paper from his pocket: "Tomorrow at 3 PM, a representative of the Roman remnants will meet with a high-ranking official from the Gotham Police Department at a coffee shop in the Diamond District. You can go and verify this yourself."

Falcone took the note and examined it carefully: "If this is true... what kind of reward do you want?"

"It's very simple," Chen Haotian smiled. "We just need you to acknowledge Cobblepot's status in the East District and give us priority in certain... special item transactions."

Falcone pondered for a moment, then finally nodded: "Deal. If tomorrow's intelligence is accurate, you will be my friends."

Back at the temporary base, Tony finally couldn't help but ask, "Where did you get all this information? You even know the exact time and place."

Chen Haotian poured himself a glass of whiskey: "This universe... is strikingly similar to a story I'm familiar with. I just happen to remember the plot."

Fury frowned. "You mean, you've seen a... script about this world?"

"That's one way to put it," Chen Haotian said, taking a sip of his drink. "And I know much more than that. Gotham is about to face even greater turmoil, and we must prepare beforehand."

The Penguin rubbed his hands excitedly: "With this prophetic ability, we'll soon be able to control the entire Gotham underworld!"

Chen Haotian shook his head: "It's not that simple. Excessive intervention could alter the original timeline and lead to unpredictable consequences. We must carefully choose the timing and method of intervention."

Tony pondered, "Like the butterfly effect?"

"That's right." Chen Haotian nodded. "Moreover, I've already sensed that some beings in this universe are starting to notice us."

The moment the words left his mouth, the room lights flickered. Outside the window, a dark figure flashed by.

Fury quickly drew his gun: "We're being watched."

Chen Haotian walked to the window and looked at the dark night sky over Gotham: "It's Batman. He's more vigilant than we thought."

Tony activated the armor's scanning system: "Should I go after them?"

"No need," Chen Haotian shook his head. "Let him go. Sometimes, it's necessary to demonstrate one's strength appropriately."

He turned to face his companion, a calculating glint in his eyes: "After tomorrow, all the factions in Gotham will know of our existence. We must be prepared for any eventuality."

Fury nodded: "I will increase vigilance and begin building our own intelligence network."

"And I," Tony said excitedly, "can upgrade our equipment to ensure we have a technological advantage in any situation."

The penguin looked at them and suddenly laughed: "You know what? I'm starting to think that partnering with you guys might be the wisest decision I've ever made."

Chen Haotian raised his glass: "To our cooperation, and to the upcoming...transformation."

Outside the window, Gotham's night remained deep, but something had begun to change. In this city filled with sin and hope, a new player had entered the game, and his next move would stir up the entire Gotham chessboard.