Chapter Ninety-Seven: The Dark Night Messenger War Steed

Reluctantly, Steve had no choice but to ask the others for help.

“Would anyone be willing to give me a lift?”

The others exchanged a few glances. Electro, the eager fanboy, was the first to speak. “Captain, if you don’t mind a little shock, I can carry you on my back.”

Although the suit was made of insulating material, a little electricity still leaked out whenever he went all out.

Rhodey added, “I can do it too, though having a grown man on my back feels a little strange.”

Thor raised his little hand excitedly. “I can take Loki. When Loki couldn’t fly as a child, we did something similar.”

Loki wore the expression of a man who had given up on life, but he had no way to refuse. It made little difference who carried him.

Tony, who had always been fiercely competitive, looked at Michael. If he remembered correctly, Michael could fly, but only with his physical body, and only at supersonic speed. Not even twice the speed of sound. More importantly, that suit of his did not have electromagnetic thrusters.

“Michael, how about a race? Let’s see who gets back to the deck of the S.H.I.E.L.D. carrier first.”

Michael looked at Tony with a sly grin. “You sure?”

Tony immediately remembered the time he had been teleported into the Himalayan mountains.

“No, no. No magic cheating.”

“Fine.”

Michael went on, “If we’re racing, there ought to be a wager, right?”

Tony broke into a delighted smile at once. So you know I want your new material, and you’re giving me a chance? That’s fantastic. You really are a good friend.

“All right, talking money is too vulgar for people of our class. Let’s do this: the loser owes the winner one favor. No backing out.”

Michael smiled even more broadly. Tony, you asked for this yourself. Don’t blame me.

“You sure?”

“Certain.”

Tony had already simulated countless possibilities and reached one conclusion: if Michael didn’t cheat with that ring, Tony would win without a doubt.

“Fine.”

Rhodey glanced at Steve. “Do you get the feeling they’re both up to something?”

Steve nodded in agreement.

“Let me prepare first.”

“Go ahead.”

Tony didn’t care in the slightest. Let’s see what you can prepare. You can’t possibly modify your suit on the spot.

Michael raised his left arm. On his forearm was a circular shield formed from bat wings, looking as though a bat had clung there.

He tugged at the bat’s tail, and a holographic screen appeared in midair.

Tony suddenly felt that something was off.

“Wait, you’re not about to summon a plane, are you? We don’t have time to stand around for that.”

“No. It’ll be quick.”

Seeing Tony relax, Michael added, “Have you ever thought about this: I keep a battle steed with me at all times?”

“What?”

Tony still hadn’t figured it out when Michael swiped across the image of a small armored vehicle. In an instant, a motorcycle large enough for two riders appeared before them.

The bike was entirely black, accented with purple crystal detailing. Its armor was thick and heavy, and a purple crystal cowl covered the front. Six thrusters were arranged in two rows at the rear.

“Ohhh.”

Rhodey couldn’t help applauding, then looked toward Tony.

Thor also blurted out, “That’s amazing. Can you give me one?”

“Bring me some Uru, and I’ll build you one.”

Thor had helped test his armor and weapons, so making him a vehicle was no problem at all.

Tony’s heart sank. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “If I’m not mistaken, that’s a super... motorcycle?”

“No. It’s a battle steed. The mount of the Night Messenger.”

“All right, a battle steed. You want to ride that over mountains and rivers?”

Michael tapped the control screen. “Tony, as a scientist, you need imagination.”

The Night Messenger began to transform. Thrusters emerged beneath it, lifting the machine into the air.

The two wheels began spinning at high speed. The chassis rotated along with them, shifting the wheels to either side of the bike to become its main wings. Those wings also carried thrusters, while two forward-mounted weapons capable of firing electromagnetic pulses extended from the front.

The sides of the vehicle unfolded as well, flattening its profile so it would cut through the air more cleanly. Two stabilizing fins extended from the rear.

Michael looked at Tony with smug satisfaction. “So, Tony, what do you think of my battle steed?”

Tony’s face had gone slightly green. Judging by its power alone, that thing was going to be insanely fast.

“Let’s begin.”

Win or lose, he, Tony Stark, was not going to back down.

“Wait.”

Tony was moved. Captain, do you also think this challenge is a little unfair? Then call it off; I fully agree.

But Steve wasn’t there to play judge. He didn’t think Tony needed him to.

“Can I hitch a ride? Instead of riding on a person, I’d rather ride in a vehicle. No, a battle steed.”

“Of course.”

Michael agreed without hesitation, both for the sake of their future relationship and because he saw no reason to refuse.

Steve had expected him to say no, given the friction between them before. Michael’s willingness to agree changed Steve’s impression of him a little.

“Thank you.”

“No need. We’re comrades.”

In battle, as long as Steve was still standing, he was absolutely dependable.

Satisfied, Steve climbed into the rear seat behind Michael.

Michael said, “Captain, promise me something. Don’t put your arms around my waist.”

“Okay.”

Steve agreed at once.

When this vehicle had been designed, Michael had never imagined a man sitting behind him, so there were no handholds at the back.

Luckily, in flight mode, there was a backrest.

“Captain, call out ready and start for us.”

“Okay.”

Steve looked at Tony. “Stark, are you ready?”

Tony turned back in annoyance, then faced ahead.

“Jarvis, locate the carrier and calculate the shortest route.”

No matter what happened, he would give it everything he had.

Michael was doing the same, planning his route on the screen before him.

“Ready...”

Suddenly, Steve remembered something and said to Rhodey and Electro, “The two of you take Mr. Thor and lead the way. Don’t give Loki a chance to run.”

“Yes, Captain.”

Rhodey nodded. He could have Tony share his location, then take Electro and Thor back.

“Captain, make sure you tell me the result right away. I want to mock someone.”

Tony wanted to roll his eyes at him, but his suit kept him from seeing it.

Thor said helplessly, “I knew it. You humans don’t trust me.”

Although Captain America did want Rhodey to keep an eye on him, that was still a matter of safety. After all, Thor was Loki’s brother. Who knew whether he might have private motives?

Besides, how many people could truly trust a god they had only just met?

So Steve really was thinking of safety, and Thor genuinely did need Rhodey to guide him.

Still, the pleasantries had to be handled properly.

“Mr. Thor, are you certain you know where to take Loki?”

Thor nodded helplessly. “All right, not certain. I do need a guide.”