Marvel Cybernetic Girl

"Well now… this is quite a surprise."

Aether's gentle voice echoed softly in Kagura's ear.

"The butterfly that shouldn't have existed… and yet you actually managed to catch it."

'Fwoosh—'

A warm, brilliant crimson light gushed from the wound on Kagura's chest.

Countless shimmering points of light burst forth, transforming into a flurry of blood-red butterflies that swirled and fluttered along the blade that had pierced her body, drifting toward the space behind her.

Yet there was no trace of blood.

The blade, which seemed to have run her through, began to slowly fade without causing even the slightest pain.

The crimson energy spun and flowed, weaving the countless butterflies into threads that gathered behind Kagura, slowly shaping into human form.

Long silver hair streaked with crimson strands... golden eyes gleaming with a scarlet glow...

Aether stood there, dressed in a deep red gothic-style short skirt, sheer black stockings, and elegant long gloves.

Her very presence radiated an intoxicating allure that could seduce the senses with just a glance.

"Well done, my beloved Kagura," she whispered.

Gone was her former wild arrogance. Her voice now was gentle, soft as water.

She gently wrapped her arms around Kagura's neck from behind, pressing a delicate kiss to her cheek.

Then, like a caring elder sister, Aether slowly poured the power known as "Reality Overwrite" into Kagura's body.

"Honestly, what am I going to do with you? If only you'd begged for mercy, I could've let you live in an eternal, perfect dream—no different from reality itself. What's so bad about that?"

"Because in that world, I'd be the only one who's truly happy… right?"

Kagura answered quietly.

"That kind of ending is one only the most selfish person would accept. I want every single person I care about to have their own happy ending."

Aether gave an exasperated sigh and shook her head.

"I've heard you say that before, Kagura... but remember your words well. The road to fulfilling that dream will be long and harsh. Still… since you've chosen this path, I believe you'll reach that distant shore where flowers bloom in the end."

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[∞ Mindscape: Crimson – Cleared]

[Reality Stone Approval Acquired]

[Special Ability Updated]

[You can now use the special power: Reality Overwrite, without any cost]

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∞ Mindscape: Heart

Human hearts are so fragile.

They believe they can stand firm, overcome all hardship—

—yet in the end, they all sink into the ocean called 'happiness.'

Without exception.

Duty and mission… compared to the sweetness of life…

Are far too fragile, far too easily broken.

Give up, silver-haired automaton girl.

Just fall into the perfect dream I've woven for you, and sleep forever…

————————————————————————

May 2023.

It had been five years since Thanos snapped his fingers and wiped out half of all life in the universe.

In those five years, people had grieved. They had been lost, suffered greatly.

But eventually, after gathering the pieces of their broken lives, they returned to the path of living once more.

——A forest, by a quiet lake, with a cozy wooden cabin.

"Kagura! Is the daikon ready? I'm about to put the meat in the pot!"

Tony Stark's voice called out from inside the cabin.

"If you want to make that Eastern-style braised daikon dish of yours, then you have to include daikon! Otherwise, it's not gonna taste right. So hurry up already!"

"Got it, got it! I'm on my way!" Kagura replied cheerfully.

"Don't worry—if you follow my recipe, it'll definitely taste amazing! Ehehe~"

She pulled another plump white radish from the ground, brushed off the dirt, and placed it gently into a nearby bamboo basket.

The small vegetable garden behind the lakeside cabin wasn't large, but it had a little bit of everything planted.

Lifting the heavy basket with a sigh of effort, Kagura began walking back toward the cabin.

The weather these past few years had been gentle and pleasant, and the vegetables were growing well.

Even the daikons were plump and flawless—so tempting they'd fetch a great price at the market.

"Freeze! You're under blanket arrest, sis! Hand over everything you've got!"

Halfway down the path, a tiny, adorable voice stopped Kagura in her tracks.

"Unless you tell me what's for dinner and give me a strawberry lollipop!"

Turning, Kagura found herself face to face with the cutest little blonde-haired girl.

Tiny body, round face, huge sparkling eyes—impossible not to adore.

The girl was wearing a blue metal gauntlet far too large for her small frame.

She aimed the palm-mounted flight stabilizer and repulsor cannon at Kagura with a surprisingly serious expression.

"Oh no! I've been caught!"

Kagura laughed, raising her hands in surrender.

"As expected of Morgan—you're amazing! You caught me again! If I give you a lollipop, will you let me go? Because if you don't… tonight's braised daikon won't have any daikon in it."

"Hmmm… only if it's a strawberry-flavored lollipop!" Morgan huffed proudly, hands on her hips. "Also… you gotta buy me a unicorn plushie too!"

Pfft.

This little Morgan… she's starting to learn how to bargain.

Kagura smiled to herself.

"Alright, alright—big sis will buy you anything you want. Happy now?"

As she spoke, Kagura reached out to gently pat Morgan's head, then pulled a strawberry lollipop from her pocket—one she'd prepared in advance.

"Here you go. Your reward! But don't go running around with your mom's Iron Man suit pieces again, okay?"

"Yay!"

Morgan beamed, accepting the lollipop and pulling off the oversized gauntlet, hugging it to her chest.

"But mommy never wears this stuff anyway."

"Of course she doesn't."

Kagura smiled softly.

"As long as I'm here… your mom won't ever have to wear an Iron Man suit into battle again."

"Kagura! Daikon!"

Tony Stark's voice shouted again from inside.

"Is that daikon ready yet?!"

"Coming, coming! Geez, Mr. Stark—don't rush me! I got held up by little Morgan here!"

"Morgan! Stop hassling your sister!"

Just then, Pepper Potts stepped out of the cabin, scooping up Morgan—who was busy unwrapping her lollipop.

"Come on, let's go play in your room. You can't keep bullying your sister like that."

"I wasn't bullying! She gave me the lollipop herself!" Morgan pouted, puffing her cheeks.

"Thank you, big sister Kagura! Love you three thousand!"

"I love you three thousand too, Morgan," Kagura smiled back, lifting the basket once more as she headed toward the kitchen.

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After the disaster of the Snap, peace had finally returned to the world.

Kagura had built a quiet little homestead in the woods with Tony Stark and his family, living a simple, peaceful life.

The pain of the past was gone. The future seemed bright. Their happiness would surely continue, unbroken...

And yet...

Something felt wrong.

A tiny crack opened in the depths of Kagura's heart.

What was it...?

What exactly was wrong...?