Marvel: Starting with Iron Man in the Apocalypse

Three days later, in the laboratory atop Stark Tower, Chen Haotian and Tony were preparing for their upcoming demonstration. A subtle tension hung in the air, a stark contrast to the cool atmosphere of the high-tech equipment within the laboratory.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Tony asked, adjusting the energy stabilization device, his tone unusually hesitant. "Once Fury finds out we can travel through parallel universes, S.H.I.E.L.D. will never let us out of their sight again."

Chen Haotian examined the void energy crystal suspended on the central platform, a faint smile playing on his lips: "That's precisely why we need to proactively reveal it. Rather than letting them discover it through other means, we should control the pace and amount of information we disclose."

"Control?" Tony raised an eyebrow. "To what extent do you plan to demonstrate that?"

"Enough to shock them, but not enough for them to comprehend." Chen Haotian adjusted the energy field around the crystal. "We need to make Fury understand that he's facing a power far beyond his comprehension. Fear will make him more cautious, and caution will give us more room to maneuver."

Jarvis's voice rang out at the opportune moment: "Gentlemen, Director Fury and Commander Hill have arrived downstairs. Agent Phil Coulson is with them."

Tony sighed. "Well, hopefully you know what you're doing."

A few minutes later, Fury and his team entered the lab. Unlike last time, Fury's expression was more serious, Hill was as calm and professional as ever, and Coulson wore his signature gentle smile.

"Hopefully this time you can offer something substantial, rather than just more mysteries," Fury said bluntly.

Chen Haotian smiled slightly: "Today, Director Fury, you will witness the core of our technology firsthand. But before that, I need you to sign this confidentiality agreement."

Hill took the tablet from Chen Haotian, quickly glanced at it, and then frowned: "The restrictions in this agreement are extremely strict, even including the prohibition of reporting what you see and hear to S.H.I.E.L.D. without your permission."

“That’s exactly why,” Tony interjected. “The fewer people who know what we’re showing, the better. Even within S.H.I.E.L.D., we can’t guarantee there aren’t Hydra informants, can we?”

Fury narrowed his one eye slightly, pondered for a moment, then took the tablet and signed his name. Hill and Coulson followed suit.

"Now, please stand inside the energy barrier." Chen Haotian pointed to a circular area in the center of the laboratory.

Once the three were in position, a pale blue energy barrier rose, separating them from the rest of the laboratory. Tony walked to the control panel and began operating it.

"The unusual radiation we detected at the Brooklyn safe house was actually a byproduct of teleportation," Chen Haotian explained. "But that kind of teleportation is nothing compared to what we're going to demonstrate today."

Fury's expression grew even more serious: "What are you going to demonstrate?"

Chen Haotian did not answer directly, but instead walked towards the suspended void energy crystal. As he approached, the crystal began to emit a brighter blue light, and the energy readings throughout the laboratory rose sharply.

"Jarvis, activate the stabilizing field," Tony commanded.

"The stable field has been activated, and energy fluctuations are confined to the laboratory environment."

Chen Haotian reached out and gently touched the crystal. In an instant, the crystal burst forth with dazzling light, then tore open a continuously rotating black rift in the center of the laboratory. Blue arcs of electricity flickered at the edges of the rift, while the interior was a deep darkness, as if leading to an endless void.

"What is this?" Hill's voice carried an undisguised shock.

"A portal," Chen Haotian replied calmly, "but it doesn't connect to a place on Earth."

Fury stepped forward, staring intently at the crack: "Where does it lead to?"

Chen Haotian exchanged a glance with Tony, then turned to Fury: "Another universe."

A deathly silence fell over the laboratory. Even the experienced Fury was momentarily unable to process this information.

"Evidence," Fury finally said, his voice unusually low.

Chen Haotian picked up a metal detector from the nearby lab table and threw it into the crack. A few seconds later, the detector flew out of the crack and landed back in Chen Haotian's hand.

"The readings show that the air over there contains an isotope that doesn't exist on Earth, and the atmospheric composition is also slightly different from Earth's," Chen Haotian handed the detector to Fury. "More importantly, the flow of time is different. About ten minutes have passed over there, while only five seconds have passed here."

Fury examined the data on the detector, a flicker of disbelief crossing his single eye. Hill and Coulson also came over to look, their expressions turning extremely serious.

"How can you prove that it's another universe, and not some place on Earth?" Hill pressed.

Tony continued, "We've sent several probes over there, and the data they've transmitted shows that the physical constants of that universe are slightly different from ours. The speed of light is 0.003% faster there, and Planck's constant is also different. These differences are enough to prove that it's a completely independent universe."

Fury took a deep breath and turned to Chen Haotian: "How did you do that?"

"This involves the essential characteristics of void energy." Chen Haotian gently touched the crystal, and the crack began to slowly shrink. "Simply put, we used this energy to temporarily break through the barrier between parallel universes. However, each time it is activated, it consumes a large amount of energy, and the duration is limited."

Once the cracks completely disappeared, the laboratory returned to normal. But the atmosphere had completely changed.

Fury remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: "Is this how you obtain virus samples? From another universe?"

Chen Haotian nodded: "That universe is being attacked by a terrible virus. We are obtaining samples to study how to combat it and prevent similar disasters from happening in our universe."

"What about Hydra?" Hill asked.

"They were trying to copy our technology, but they failed," Tony replied. "That's why those defective viruses exist."

Fury paced slowly, seemingly processing this astonishing information. Finally, he stopped in front of Chen Haotian: "This ability... can you control it? Can you choose its destination?"

"Not yet," Chen Haotian frankly admitted. "The teleportation destination is random; we can only control whether it's on or off. But as our research progresses, perhaps in the future we'll be able to choose the destination."

Another long silence followed. Finally, Fury made his decision: "S.H.I.E.L.D. will fully cooperate with you. But there are a few conditions: First, any time travel operations must be reported to me in advance; second, S.H.I.E.L.D. has the right to send observers to participate; third, all samples and technologies obtained from other universes must undergo rigorous security checks."

Chen Haotian smiled slightly: "We can accept the first two conditions, but the third needs to be modified. All samples and technologies must be analyzed in laboratories under our control. S.H.I.E.L.D. can send personnel to supervise, but they cannot have direct access."

Fury's single eye was fixed on Chen Haotian, seemingly assessing his limits. Finally, he nodded: "Agreed. Agent Coulson will serve as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s liaison, stationed at Stark Tower."

As Fury's team left, Tony breathed a sigh of relief: "He believed it."

"No, he doesn't believe it," Chen Haotian shook his head. "But he can't deny the evidence before him. Now, he wants to use our abilities, but he's also afraid of them getting out of control. This contradictory mentality is exactly what we need."

On the way back to S.H.I.E.L.D., Fury remained silent. Only after the vehicle entered the S.H.I.E.L.D. underground parking garage did he speak to Hill: "I want you to assemble a special team to study the parallel universe theory. At the same time, increase surveillance on Stark Tower, but don't let them notice."

"What do you think they're still hiding?" Hill asked.

"Without a doubt." Fury's single eye gleamed sharply. "What Chen Haotian showed was just the tip of the iceberg. But I have a feeling that this ability may be the key to dealing with future threats."

At Stark Tower, Chen Haotian stood in front of the panoramic window, overlooking the New York night view.

"What's next?" Tony asked as he walked up to him.

"Wait," Chen Haotian said softly. "Fury needs time to process everything he saw today. And we need to prepare for the next time travel."

"You already have a goal?"

A mysterious smile played on Chen Haotian's lips: "We'll know when the rune energy is fully replenished."