Xcalibur Xc

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 94 [Goddess of Balance]

Hela didn’t hesitate.

Her suit’s shoulder-mounted launchers hissed open, locking onto Shiva and Cassandra.

FWIP—FWIP—FWIP!

Mini-missiles shot out in rapid succession, each one packed with concussive force. Shiva barely had time to react before the first missile detonated at her feet. The street shattered, a cloud of fire and debris erupting as she was sent flying into a wrecked car.

Cassandra, faster than thought, twisted mid-air, evading two of the incoming missiles...

BZ-ZZRAKK!

A crimson laser beam shot from Hela’s gauntlet, striking Cassandra square in the chest. The vibranium armor absorbed the brunt of the blast, but the sheer kinetic force sent her smashing through a nearby storefront.

No time to finish them off.

Hela shot toward the orphanage at full speed.

Her HUD flashed red as she scanned the entire structure.

[WARNING: ENERGY-BASED EXPLOSIVE DETECTED.]

[CANNOT BE DIFFUSED VIA TECH.]

[DETONATION IN: 00:00:20]

The bombs were made of pure energy.

"Shit." That meant standard defusal tech was useless. She couldn’t deactivate them remotely. Couldn’t tamper with them.

Hela clenched her jaw.

No time to remove the bodies.

No time to find another way.

She had one option left.

00:00:15

Her eyes darted across the long, narrow hallway.

Bodies. Too many to count.

All the assassins she had cut down, all rigged with bombs. And they were all lined up in a perfectly straight corridor.

A realization clicked.

She couldn't remove the bombs. But she could contain the blast.

Hela slammed her gauntlet into the floor. "Make shield, NOW!"

KRRRRSHHH!

An energy barrier expanded around the hallway. A shimmering blue force field enclosed the space, designed to withstand city-level attacks.

But… it wouldn’t be enough.

There were too many assassins. Too many bombs.

00:00:10

She had one last option.

Hela took a deep breath and overrode her suit’s systems. She saw Harley countless times, messing with the suit, creating stupid things with just a simple command. So she bet on that and decided to copy her.

"Divert all nanites to barrier expansion," she commanded.

[WARNING: ARMOR COMPROMISE IMMINENT.]

"DO IT!"

[EXECUTING: FULL NANITE REDISTRIBUTION.]

The nanites swarmed out of her suit, reinforcing the energy barrier, layering it, thickening it, multiplying it...

Her helmet dissolved. Her chest-plate melted away.

Her gauntlets and boots disintegrated.

Piece by piece, her vibranium armor peeled off, the nanites abandoning her body, weaving themselves into the force field.

Leaving her completely exposed.

Hela stood in the middle of the orphanage, armorless, and vulnerable but the barrier was as strong as she could make it. 

She never thought her last moment would be to sacrifice herself for some tiny mortals. But for she was happy. At that exact moment, her thoughts were of protecting those mortals and well... She wanted to see Morgan, Harley, Selina and Bruce for one last time.

"Ha! Goddess of Death, saving lives."

00:00:02

She braced herself.

Then...

BOOOOOOOOOOM!

The inferno raged. Fire, hotter than a dying star, pressed against her skin. It chewed through flesh, gnawed at bone. Her nerves screamed, her mind reeled. The agony was unimaginable.

Hela had never feared pain. She had endured it for centuries. But this? This was beyond anything she had ever felt.

Yet, she smiled.

She had done it.

The explosion hadn’t reached the children. The orphanage still stood. She had protected them.

A goddess of death had saved lives.

How ironic.

Her vision blurred, edges darkening. The firelight danced, flickering shapes taking form... ghosts of the past.

Odin stood before her, arms crossed, his golden armor gleaming in the firelight. His one eye was not cold, not judgmental… but knowing.

"No god should have dominion over death who has so little appreciation for life."

She had scoffed at those words once. Thought them the scolding of an old, dying man clinging to outdated ideals.

But now…

Now she understood.

Hela had taken lives. Countless. It had been effortless. Expected. Even thrilling at times. She had embraced her role as the executioner, the conqueror, the inevitable end.

But saving lives? That had never been her purpose.

Until now.

Until them.

Morgan, whom she accepted as her own daughter. A sad past but full of energy and always trying to be better.

Harley, a whirlwind of chaos and brilliance. At first, she wanted to erase her from existence, but slowly Harley became a part of her life and she started to see the real girl behind all that pranks and chaos. Her smiling face... 

Selina, ever the survivor, ever the enigma. She was always cool and the only one who succeeded in keeping Harley's pranks and chaos at bay.

Bruce… The man who showed her a better way. Showed her that she was much more than just the Goddess of Death. 

Hela exhaled, her breath shaky, weak. Her knees buckled.

She wanted to see them one last time.

One last time…

Her body wavered, flesh turning black, cracking, breaking. She felt herself slipping.

Then...

A spark.

Small, barely noticeable at first. A flicker beneath her skin.

Then another.

And another.

White light, soft as moonlight, pure, began to radiate from within her.

The pain ebbed.

Her flesh, charred and broken, began to mend. The cracks in her skin sealed. The agony faded.

Power—not destruction, not death, but something else—surged through her veins.

She gasped, eyes snapping open.

The inferno still raged, but it no longer touched her. The flames bent around her, repelled by the pulsing aura of light pouring from her form.

A memory surfaced.

Odin's final words...

"... Should you learn mercy and forgiveness, you will unlock your true potential."

For the first time, she felt those words and truly understood them.

It was never about power.

Never about ruling.

It was about balance.

Life and death. Destruction and protection. Wrath and mercy.

Hela had always been the blade. The executioner. The end.

But now…

Now she was something more.

The last of the fire dissipated, snuffed out by the radiant energy flowing from her body. The barrier, reinforced by her own essence, held. The orphanage stood unscathed.

Hela inhaled deeply, flexing her fingers. The white light coiled around her hands, dancing like cosmic fire. It welcomed her, as if it had always been there, waiting for her to reach for it.

She looked down at herself.

A shining white armor formed around her, glowing like starlight. Golden lines traced across it, pulsing with energy. It felt weightless but unbreakable, like it was made from pure power.

A weapon appeared in her hand.

A spear.

It looked like Gungnir, Odin’s mighty spear, but she could tell that this was something greater. She could feel the ancient Asgardian magic flowing through her and some other foreign power.

She was no longer just the Goddess of Death.

She was the Goddess of Balance.

Hela took a slow breath, steady and calm.

The orphanage stood safe behind her. The children were unharmed.

She turned back.

Lady Shiva and Cassandra Cain stood in front of her, beaten but still strong.

Shiva smirked. “Well… that’s new.”

Cassandra, silent as always, shifted into a fighting stance, ready for whatever came next.

Hela smiled.

“Shall we?”

The moment she moved, the world around her slowed.

Shiva and Cassandra were fast—among the fastest warriors she had ever faced—but now? Now, they were like shadows moving through water. Every motion, every breath, every muscle twitch was clear to her.

Cassandra struck first, her fist aiming for Hela’s jaw.

Hela tilted her head slightly, letting the punch pass harmlessly by her face. Before Cassandra could react, Hela caught her wrist, twisted it gently but firmly, and sent her spinning through the air.

Cassandra landed on her feet, barely, but the moment she touched the ground, Hela was already behind her. A light tap at the base of her neck, precise and controlled, and Cassandra’s limbs went limp. Hela caught her before she could fall and set her down carefully. She was unconscious but unharmed.

Shiva launched forward.

Hela didn’t move. She didn’t need to.

Shiva’s first kick met nothing but air as Hela sidestepped. The second strike was a killing blow aimed at her throat but Hela caught her arm with ease.

Hela tightened her grip on Shiva’s wrist. A simple twist and Shiva’s body followed, forced into a vulnerable position. Hela stepped in, swept her leg, and gently lowered her to the ground. Then a little flick on the back of her head was enough to destroy Mephisto's influence.

Lady Shiva. Defeated.

Shiva’s breath came fast, her eyes locked onto Hela’s. No fear. No anger. Just understanding.

“…You win.”

Hela wrapped her up in magic chains and stood up.

It was over.

At the same time a portal opened before her. 

Bruce.

Harley.

Selina.

Morgan.

And the rest of their team.

They had arrived after defeating Brainiac.

---

AN: End of Brainiac Arc. 1 more arc left. It won't be too big. Probably around 15-20 chs.

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 93 [The Cost of Arrogance]

The dust hadn’t even settled when the second impact hit.

BOOM!

Cassandra was on her before she could fully recover.

Hela barely got her arms up before a fist, faster than a bullet, slammed into her forearms. The shockwave sent a deafening crack through the air, the pavement beneath her caving in from the sheer force.

Her vibranium suit absorbed most of the damage, dispersing the kinetic energy across its surface, but the sheer impact still rattled her bones. Her feet scraped against the ruined asphalt as she was forced back several meters.

She’s fast. Too fast.

Hela had fought Asgardians, aliens, and even superhumans who had super speed, but this was something else. Without her power, she was barely holding her ground. Not to mention Cassandra's suit. Cassandra wasn’t just fast, she was precise. Every attack was calculated to break Hela’s defense, to crush her before she could counter. 

And Shiva was still standing back, watching. Waiting.

Hela barely had time to process before Cassandra disappeared from sight...

Shit!

Hela's instincts screamed.

She twisted just in time...

BOOM!

Cassandra’s foot struck her side. Even through the vibranium armor, the impact sent Hela flying, crashing into the side of a flipped car. The vehicle collapsed inward from the force, glass and metal bursting in all directions.

Hela groaned. Her entire right side felt like it had been struck by Mjolnir. The damage reports flashed across her HUD, analyzing the Lazarus-enhanced strength behind Cassandra’s attacks.

[IMPACT FORCE: 8.3 TONS.]
[STRUCTURAL DAMAGE: MINIMAL.]
[INTERNAL DAMAGE: MODERATE.]

Damn it.

She was fast, but Cassandra was faster.

She was strong, but Cassandra was stronger.

And Lady Shiva hadn’t even joined the fight yet.

Hela staggered to her feet, shaking off the pain. She had to stay mobile. Had to adapt. If she kept taking these hits, even the vibranium would fail her eventually.

Cassandra blurred toward her again.

Hela was ready this time.

Her plasma blades ignited in her hands, humming with deadly energy. She sidestepped the incoming strike, ducked under Cassandra’s next kick, and countered with a precise slash toward her side.

SHHRRRRRK!

The blade struck Cassandra’s vibranium armor. Sparks flew.

No damage.

Cassandra twisted mid-air, contorting her body unnaturally, her foot lashing out again. Hela barely dodged, Cassandra’s boot grazing her helmet with enough force to send another shockwave through the air.

Hela flipped backward, creating distance.

Cassandra landed gracefully, no wasted movement, her cold, unreadable eyes locked onto Hela.

And then...

Lady Shiva stepped forward.

Finally.

Shiva moved with no urgency, her expression impassive, eyes like sharpened steel. She adjusted the wrappings around her fingers.

"I expected more," Shiva said. Her voice was smooth, almost disappointed. "What was that about experience?"

Hela rolled her shoulders. The burning pain in her ribs had faded. The suit was still absorbing and redistributing kinetic energy, but her body could only take so much.

She exhaled, controlling her breathing. "Yeah? Well, fighting enhanced humans with a mortal human body... I like this challenge."

Shiva smirked.

Then she moved.

Faster than Cassandra.

Hela's eyes widened as Shiva's foot slammed into her chest, sending her hurtling back again.

She didn't even see her move.

The air left Hela’s lungs as she crashed through another car, her armor groaning from the force.

[IMPACT FORCE: 12.5 TONS.]
[SUIT INTEGRITY: 87%.]

Hela coughed violently inside her helmet. She barely had time to recover before Shiva was on her again.

A fist smashed into her helmet, sending cracks across the HUD display.

Another punch, straight to her gut...

"GHKK!"

Even through the vibranium, she felt it. Felt her ribs almost crack under the force.

Hela swung wildly, her plasma blade aiming for Shiva’s ribs...

Shiva caught it with her bare hand.

Hela’s mind barely had time to register the insanity of that before...

CRACK!

Shiva twisted, snapping the plasma blade in half like it was a twig.

WHAT—?!

Before Hela could react, Shiva’s fingers struck her wrist in a rapid series of precise hits... pressure points. Her entire right arm went numb. 

She couldn’t move it. 'What the hell?! Through the suit?'

And then...

Cassandra was there.

BOOM!

A double palm strike to the chest sent Hela flying again.

Her back slammed into a streetlight, bending the metal around her form before she collapsed onto the pavement.

Hela coughed violently, spitting blood inside her helmet.

Her body ached.

Her arms shook.

She barely pushed herself up when...

A shadow loomed over her.

Lady Shiva and Cassandra Cain stood side by side, looking down at her.

Suddenly... 

"Hehehe..." It started with a little giggle.

"Hahahahaha!"

Hela laughed.

Loud. Unrestrained. A deep, guttural sound that echoed through the ruined street. Blood dripped from her lips, staining her teeth crimson, but she didn’t care.

Pain. Blood. Desperation. The urge to win.

How long had it been?

How long since she felt this weak? Since she saw her own blood? Since she fought not as a goddess but as a warrior with nothing but skill and willpower?

Shiva and Cassandra watched her, unreadable. They had seen warriors break. They had seen arrogance collapse under the weight of reality. But this? This was different.

Hela wasn’t breaking.

She was remembering.

Odin’s voice echoed in her mind.

"Again!"

A young Hela, no older than ten, lay sprawled on the golden floor of the training hall in Asgard, panting, her arms bruised from relentless training. She had no powers then. No divine strength. Just her will. And Odin had pushed her beyond her limits.

"Power is nothing without control."

Another memory. Years later. Odin’s spear, Gungnir, slicing through the air, barely missing her face as she dodged by instinct. He hadn’t held back. He never did.

"Strength will fail you. Weapons will break. But the mind, Hela—the mind is eternal."

And then... another memory. One she had long buried.

Odin standing over her, arms crossed, after yet another brutal defeat.

"You rely on your power too much. That is why you will lose one day."

She had scoffed then. Arrogant. Confident. She was the strongest. She was destined to rule. But now... she understood.

Her power had blinded her.

No wonder she lost to Surtur.

No wonder she had been defeated before.

But now?

Now, she was free. No power to lean on. No divine strength to carry her. Just her mind, her skill, and the instincts drilled into her bones from childhood.

The laughter faded, replaced by something sharper.

Clarity.

Hela pushed herself up, slow but steady. Her limbs ached, her body screamed, but her heart was steady. Her breathing even. The fire in her eyes burned brighter.

She flexed her fingers. The numbness in her right arm was already fading. The nanites were healing her wounds rapidly. She rolled her shoulders, feeling the damage, acknowledging it, embracing it.

She looked at Lady Shiva. At Cassandra Cain.

And she smiled.

"I get it now," she murmured.

Shiva raised an eyebrow. "Do you?"

Hela exhaled. Her stance shifted. No wasted movement. No hesitation. Not the aggressive, overwhelming offense she used before, but something calmer. Sharpened.

Cassandra tilted her head slightly. She could see it. The difference. The shift.

Hela rolled her neck, the tension leaving her body.

"Let’s try this again."

Then she moved.

And this time...

She wasn’t fighting like a goddess.

She was fighting like a warrior.

Like a daughter of Odin.

Her suit hissed, vents opening along the back and shoulders, releasing built-up heat. The nanites shifted, reinforcing her limbs, surging extra power into her muscles. Her HUD flashed red.

[OVERDRIVE MODE ENGAGED.]
[LIMITERS REMOVED.]
[WARNING: SUIT INTEGRITY WILL DEGRADE FASTER.]

Hela didn’t care.

A sharp hum filled the air as her plasma blades reignited... brighter, hotter, deadlier.

She lunged.

Faster than before. Faster than Cassandra.

Her blade slashed, and Cassandra barely twisted away, the edge slicing a thin line across her vibranium armor. Sparks flew.

Hela didn’t let up.

She spun, her knee smashing into Cassandra’s ribs. The impact sent Cassandra skidding back, her feet tearing into the pavement as she struggled to absorb the force.

Lady Shiva moved to counterattack, her hand blurring toward Hela’s throat.

Hela caught it.

Shiva’s eyes widened slightly.

A fraction of a second. That was all the hesitation Hela needed.

She twisted, flipping Shiva over her shoulder and slamming her into the cracked asphalt. The impact sent shockwaves through the ground.

Cassandra was already recovering, her hand darting forward like a spear. Hela caught her wrist mid-strike, twisted...

SNAP!

A sharp, brutal dislocation. Cassandra gritted her teeth and her body reacted instantly, flipping away to reset her limb.

Hela didn’t stop.

She slammed her boot into the ground, launching forward. A full-force shoulder charge into Shiva’s chest sent the woman crashing through a nearby wrecked car.

Compared to Odin’s training, this was child’s play.

Every strike. Every move. She was faster. Stronger. More precise.

The Overdrive Mode enhanced her reflexes beyond human limits, and her instincts, honed through centuries of battle, made her unpredictable.

Shiva and Cassandra were good.

But Hela was better.

She was winning.

Then...

Shiva smirked.

And Hela felt something cold slither down her spine.

"You think you’ve won?" Shiva said, wiping blood from her lip. "You're so focused on the fight, you forgot to think ahead."

Hela frowned.

Something was wrong.

Then Shiva tilted her head toward the orphanage.

"All your kills, Goddess. All those dead assassins lying inside?" Her smirk widened. "They have bombs in their bodies. Every single one of them."

Hela's eyes widened.

Her HUD scanned instantly... searching, detecting. She was still a newbie with the suit and well, despite Bruce's request she never trained in it. Now, she was facing the consequences. 

[MULTIPLE EXPLOSIVE DEVICES DETECTED.]
[DETONATION IN: 00:00:58]

"They’ll explode in five minutes." Shiva paused. "No. Actually… four minutes have already passed."

Hela’s heart slammed against her ribs.

One minute left.

She turned, her body already moving, sprinting toward the orphanage.

She had to stop it.

But...

BOOM!

Cassandra tackled her, slamming into her side like a missile, sending both of them crashing through a streetlight.

Hela snarled, trying to throw her off, but Shiva was already there, her heel striking the back of Hela’s knee, forcing her down.

"You’re not going anywhere." Shiva’s voice was calm. Cold.

Hela’s vision blurred with rage.

"Get. Out. Of. My. Way!"

[Ironman] Ch: 61 [Trust]

The ride back had been tense. Not because of the near-death experience, nor because of the insane revelations Tony had dropped on him. No, what unsettled Howard the most was the feeling that something much bigger was happening behind the scenes.

By the time he landed at SHIELD headquarters, he had already reviewed every detail of the attack a dozen times in his head.

Too coordinated.

Too clean.

Whoever was behind it wasn’t some third-rate mercenary group. Not to mention that unknown cyborg girl who saved him.

And that scared him more than he cared to admit.

As he exited the helicopter, his old friend was already waiting for him.

Nick Fury stood near the edge of the landing pad, arms crossed, his long coat shifting slightly in the wind. His one good eye was locked onto Howard, and for once, the usual sharp humor in his expression was absent.

Howard sighed, straightening his tie as he approached. "You look like hell, Fury."

Fury didn’t even blink. "Funny. I was about to say the same to you."

Howard smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "Well, you’re not wrong. It’s been a long damn night."

Fury exhaled, his voice dropping slightly. "Walk with me."

They made their way down the corridors of SHIELD HQ, passing by rows of agents, analysts, and security personnel. Howard noticed the way some of them looked at him—like they already knew about the attack.

Fury didn’t speak until they reached his private office.

The moment the doors shut, the security locks engaged with a soft hiss.

Howard turned, folding his arms. "Alright, Fury. Tell me you have some good news."

Fury didn’t sit. Instead, he moved toward the reinforced window, looking down at the SHIELD operations floor below.

"You’re not gonna like what I have to say."

Howard’s jaw tightened. "That bad?"

Fury finally turned to face him, his expression unreadable. "Last night, just as you were attacked… I lost contact with two members of the World Security Council."

Howard’s fingers twitched. "Who?"

"Yen and Rockwell," Fury said, his voice grim. "No distress signals. No warnings. Just radio silence."

Howard frowned. "And you’re just now telling me this?"

Fury gave him a look. "I didn’t have confirmation until this morning."

He tapped a few keys on his desk, and a holographic screen appeared, displaying two files—one for Councilman Yen, the other for Councilman Rockwell.

Fury gestured toward the files. "Both of them were key figures in global security oversight. Yen was pushing for tighter international regulations on enhanced individuals. Rockwell was overseeing defense technology contracts. Neither of them the type to just disappear without a trace."

Howard narrowed his eyes. "And let me guess… this morning, they were suddenly replaced?"

Fury nodded, his voice sharp. "Yeah. Two new council members. No official statements, no explanations. Just swapped out like spare parts."

Howard exhaled through his nose. "So worst case?"

Fury’s expression darkened. "Worst case, they’re dead, and whoever replaced them is working for someone we don’t see yet."

Howard muttered a curse under his breath. "Jesus…"

Fury walked over to his desk, leaning on it slightly. "It’s not just them, Howard. Something is happening at a level we don’t have eyes on yet. Your attack? Their disappearance? Too much of a coincidence."

Howard’s mind raced. "So, what do we do?"

Fury studied him for a long moment. "We move carefully. If there’s a hidden enemy inside SHIELD or higher up in the Council, we can’t just go barging in."

Howard exhaled, running a hand through his graying hair. "Alright. You do your digging, I’ll do mine."

Fury nodded. "Already on it."

Howard turned to leave but hesitated for a second. "And Peggy?"

Fury raised an eyebrow. "What about her?"

Howard kept his face neutral. "I need to see her."

Fury’s expression didn’t change, but Howard caught the way his shoulders stiffened ever so slightly. "She’s under heavy security. You know that."

Howard scoffed. "Come on, Fury. You think I’m gonna do something reckless?"

Fury’s face remained unreadable. "That’s exactly what I think."

Howard smirked. "Just let me talk to her."

Fury was silent for a moment. Then, he sighed. "Fine. But if this is about the serum trial, I can’t promise she’ll listen."

Howard gave him a half-smile. "Oh, she’ll listen."

Fury’s eye narrowed slightly, but he didn’t press further. "She’s in the lower wing. You’ve got ten minutes."

Howard nodded and headed out.

He didn’t have ten minutes.

He had one.

Because if he was right about what was happening inside SHIELD?

Then Peggy Carter was in more danger than she knew.

And he wasn’t about to let her go down without a fight.

...

[SHIELD Medical Wing – Secure Quarters]

The security was tight.

Too tight.

Howard had been inside SHIELD facilities enough times to know how their protocols worked. But this? This was overkill.

Armed guards at every entrance. Biometric locks. Surveillance drones.

They weren’t just protecting Peggy.

They were keeping her trapped.

Howard walked up to the main security checkpoint, giving the stationed officer his best businessman smile. "Howard Stark. Here to see Agent Carter."

The guard hesitated, scanning his ID. "One moment, sir."

As the system processed his credentials, Howard felt the faintest itch at the back of his neck.

Something was wrong.

Then, the doors unlocked.

The guard nodded. "You’re clear."

Howard stepped inside, keeping his posture relaxed, his hands in his pockets.

Peggy’s room wasn’t a hospital room.

It was a containment unit.

Reinforced walls. No windows. No unsecured access points.

Howard’s stomach twisted.

The moment he stepped inside, Peggy turned toward him from where she sat on the edge of the bed. Even at her age, she was still sharp—her eyes locked onto him immediately, reading him like an open book.

"Howard," she said, her voice calm but firm. "What the hell is going on?"

Howard shut the door behind him, keeping his tone casual. "That’s what I was about to ask you."

Peggy’s eyes flicked toward the security camera in the corner.

Howard followed her gaze.

And then he smiled.

He put his hand in the pocket and pressed a little button. It'll override the current footage into a little loop. Well, he has the highest level of clearance like Fury, so over the years, he replaced most of the technology related to security and weapons with Stark Industries tech. A little loop like that was a child's play to him.

Peggy raised an eyebrow. "Impressive as usual." She noticed the camera's green light turn blue. He did this same thing back when Shield was getting rid of the Hydra agents.

Howard smirked. "You gotta have some cards in case of emergency."

She tilted her head slightly. "You’re not just here for a visit, are you?"

Howard took a step closer, lowering his voice. "No. I’m here to save your life."

"Save me? I'm 72, Howard... And I know exactly what's going on in here. But still..." Peggy’s expression didn’t change, "Go on."

Howard reached into his pocket and pulled out the vial and the record player.

Peggy’s gaze sharpened instantly. "Is that what I think it is?"

Howard nodded. "It’s the real thing. No Hydra tampering. No side effects. This is the perfected version." He placed it on the bed beside her.

Peggy was silent for a long moment.

Then, she exhaled, rubbing her temples. "And I guess, you won't be telling me how you got this?"

Howard’s voice softened. "They’re setting you up, Peg. Someone inside SHIELD wants you dead. If you take their version of the serum, it’ll kill you. Or worse. They are planning to use this situation to take down Fury and replace him for some reason. And I won't let an old friend die, just like that. You wanted to fight..." He pointed at the vial. "This is your chance."

Howard expected resistance. He expected questions, skepticism, and maybe even a flat-out refusal.

What he didn’t expect?

Peggy Carter taking one long look at the vial… and nodding.

"Alright," she said simply. "How do we do this?"

Howard blinked. "Wait, just like that?"

Peggy tilted her head, amused. "Oh, come now, Howard. You wouldn’t risk your neck to smuggle this in unless you were absolutely sure. And if you’re absolutely sure, then I trust you."

Howard exhaled, shaking his head with a half-smile. "You always were a pain in the ass, Carter."

She smirked. "Yeah, what can I say? It's one of my charms."

Howard chuckled before getting serious. He tapped the vial lightly. "Alright, listen. Normally, the process involves Vita-Rays, controlled exposure, monitoring..."

"Howard," Peggy interrupted. "I don’t have time for a science lecture. How does this work?"

Howard sighed, rubbing his temple. "Fine, fine. This version? No machines, no external activation. You inject it, it circulates through your system, and in about twenty-four hours, you’ll be good as new. Strength, endurance, healing, all of it."

Peggy raised an eyebrow. "And the aging?"

Howard smirked. "You’ll feel like you’re in your early 20s or 30s again. The full de-aging process takes a day, but your body will be back to peak condition within an hour of injection. After that, everything settles in naturally."

Peggy studied the vial for a moment before nodding. "Alright, then. Let’s get on with it."

Howard’s eyes widened. "Wait, you mean right now?"

Peggy gave him a look. "Howard, do you honestly think I have the luxury of waiting? If what you’re saying is true, and I believe it is, then I’m already on borrowed time. If the serum works, then I'll have a fighting chance."

Howard hesitated. "You do realize the transformation isn’t exactly… comfortable, right?"

Peggy gave him that look. "Oh, Howard. I was a woman in the military when they barely let women serve. You think I don’t know discomfort?"

Howard sighed, but he couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at his lips. "Alright, alright. You win."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sterilized injection kit. Carefully, he loaded the vial into the syringe and tapped it twice to remove any air bubbles.

Peggy rolled up her sleeve without hesitation.

Howard hesitated, his fingers hovering over the plunger. "You sure?"

Peggy’s eyes met his, steady and unwavering. "Do it."

Howard exhaled. "Alright. Here goes nothing."

He pressed the needle into her arm and injected the serum.

Peggy didn’t flinch.

The vial emptied. Howard pulled the needle out and pressed a small bandage over the injection site. "And now, we wait."

[Ironman] Ch: 60 [The perfect serum]

Howard stared at the glowing blue hologram of Tony’s perfected Super Soldier Serum, his fingers drumming against the table. The formula spun slowly, its complexity almost hypnotic. He had been examining it for thirty minutes now, going over every detail.

It was elegant. Refined.

And, if Tony was to be believed, flawless.

Howard exhaled, rubbing his chin. “You’re really telling me this thing works? No side effects? No hidden risks? No turning into a raging psychopath?”

Tony smirked, leaning back in his chair. “Dad, come on. It’s me.”

Howard gave him a flat look. “That’s exactly why I’m asking.”

Tony chuckled, swirling his orange juice. “Alright, fair. But yeah, I tested it. Ran simulations, analyzed genetic compatibility, and accounted for metabolic fluctuations. No ‘melting bones’ or ‘insane rage mode’ like the Hydra knockoffs.”

Howard crossed his arms. “And aging?”

Tony pointed at the hologram. “Slows it down. Not immortality, but you’d stay in your prime for a long time.”

Howard leaned back, silent.

Tony’s smirk lingered, but his eyes were sharp, studying him. “So, what do you say, Pops? You want in?”

Howard blinked. “Excuse me?”

Tony rested his elbows on the table, voice casual but laced with something deeper. “You heard me. I could give this to Peggy, yeah. But what about you?”

Howard frowned. “Tony, I’m seventy-two.”

“So is she,” Tony shot back. “And with this? You wouldn’t be.”

Howard scoffed. “Oh, so what? You’re offering to turn me into Captain America 2.0?”

Tony grinned. “More like Howard Stark Prime.”

Howard shook his head. “You’re insane.”

Tony shrugged. “Maybe. But think about it, Dad. How much more could you accomplish with another fifty... Hell, another hundred or more years in your prime?”

Howard’s fingers twitched slightly.

Tony pressed on. “You built Stark Industries. You’ve shaped the world. And now? You’re stuck in boardrooms, wasting time on bureaucrats instead of creating.”

Howard stayed silent.

Tony leaned in. “I'll be direct. You’re running out of time. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon. And you hate it.”

Howard’s jaw tightened.

Tony tilted his head. “So why not fix it?”

Howard let out a slow breath. “It’s not that simple.”

Tony raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t it? Just say yes, and I’ll take care of the rest.”

Howard looked away, staring at the hologram. The idea was… tempting.

No. More than tempting.

It was terrifying.

For decades, he had worked with some of the brightest minds in the world. He had seen what science could do, what he could do. But even with all his accomplishments, he had never managed to beat time.

Age. Decay. Mortality.

It was the one enemy he had never been able to outthink.

But Tony?

Tony had cracked the code.

Howard clenched his jaw. “You think I’m afraid of dying?”

Tony’s smirk faded slightly. His voice softened. “No. I think you’re afraid of stopping.”

Howard inhaled sharply.

“Look, I know what you’re thinking. It’s unnatural. It’s cheating. Maybe it feels like you’d be going against everything you’ve accepted about life.” Tony tilted his head. “But what if I told you… you don’t have to do it alone?”

Howard frowned. “What are you getting at?”

Tony’s smirk returned, but his eyes were softer. “If you say yes, I’ll give it to Mom too.”

Howard’s breath stalled.

“She doesn’t have to grow old, either,” Tony continued. “She doesn’t have to watch you get weaker or worse, lose you first.” He leaned back, spreading his arms. “Think about it. The two of you, back in your prime. No more bad knees, no more back pain. No more ‘aging gracefully’ nonsense. Just you and Mom… living.”

Howard swallowed hard.

Maria.

For years, he had felt guilty. Too caught up in work, in war, in industry. He had promised her they would grow old together. But he gave too much time to his dreams instead of his family. 

And now… Tony was offering him a different kind of future.

A future where Maria wouldn’t have to suffer through old age. Where they could have more time. Where they could truly live instead of waiting for the inevitable.

Howard exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. “Jesus, Tony…”

Tony smirked. “I know. I’m a genius.”

Howard shot him a look, but there was no real irritation behind it.

Instead, something Tony rarely saw in his father.

Uncertainty.

Howard Stark always had an answer. Always had a plan. But now? Now, he was faced with something he couldn’t control.

His own future.

He let out a long breath. “And you’re sure about this? No risks? No complications?”

Tony nodded. “I wouldn’t be offering it if there were.”

Howard ran a hand down his face. “If I do this… Maria does too.”

Tony’s grin widened. “Obviously.”

Howard sighed. “Alright. I’ll talk to your mother.”

Tony’s smirk turned triumphant. “So that’s a yes?”

Howard shot him a pointed look. “It’s a ‘we’ll see.’”

Tony chuckled. “Close enough.”

Howard leaned back, still absorbing the insanity of what his son had just proposed. Then, as if the conversation hadn’t been crazy enough, Tony casually dropped, “Alright, so what’s the deal with Peggy?”

Howard let out a long sigh, pushing his half-finished plate aside. “I’ll try to convince her, but it won’t be easy.”

Tony raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”

Howard shook his head. “She’s under heavy security. Ever since she agreed to be part of the serum trial, SHIELD has her under 24/7 surveillance. Nobody gets in or out without them knowing. She’s already being treated like the agency’s most valuable asset.”

Tony sighed. “Of course she is. SHIELD probably sees her as the perfect test subject... someone with a strong moral compass, a loyal soldier, and a symbol they can parade around if this works.”

Howard nodded. “Exactly. And considering the fact that someone inside SHIELD is trying to sabotage this whole thing, I doubt they’ll just let me waltz in and take her away for a friendly chat.”

Tony tapped his fingers against the table, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Good thing I planned for this.”

Howard frowned. “You planned for this?”

Tony smirked, reaching into his jacket pocket. “Of course I did. What kind of son would I be if I didn’t?”

He pulled out a small vial filled with a deep red liquid and set it on the table. The substance inside shimmered faintly under the overhead lights.

Howard’s eyes narrowed. “And that is?”

Tony leaned back. “A contingency plan.”

He then placed a small, round recording device next to the vial.

“All you have to do,” Tony said casually, “is get this to Peggy.”

Howard frowned. “And how am I supposed to do that? Walk in and hand it to her with a ‘Hey, Peg, drink this mysterious red liquid my son made’?”

Tony chuckled. “No, see, that’s the beauty of it. She’ll figure it out. You don’t need to convince her of anything. Just deliver the package, and she’ll do the rest. And don't you try to listen to the player. It's a disposable player. The message inside will play only once. As for what's in there, which I'm pretty sure you are dying to know, well... You'll know soon enough.”

Howard studied the vial carefully. “Ok. I'll wait for that surprise. But this is... Don't tell me?!”

Tony smirked. “Yup! That, dear father, is the injectable version of my perfected Super Soldier Serum. No machines. No Vita-Rays. No fancy setups. Just one shot, and boom... instant upgrade. Although it takes a few minutes to gain super strength and healing, plus another 24 hours for the de-aging process."

"Haaa... Ok. I am not even surprised anymore. I'll even believe it if you say you tested it on yourself," Howard gave up being surprised anymore. But he noticed that Tony was smiling at his words. “You tested it, didn’t you?”

Tony’s grin widened.

Howard groaned, rubbing his temples. “Jesus, Tony.”

“Relax, Dad. No side effects, remember?”

Howard shook his head. “I swear, one of these days, you’re going to give me a heart attack.”

Tony shrugged. “Not if you take the serum.”

...

[Evening]

Howard stood near the waiting helicopter, his fingers brushing against the small vial in his pocket.

Tony stood across from him, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable behind his signature sunglasses.

There was a weight in the air. Not tension. Not unease.

Something else.

Something neither of them had been good at dealing with.

After a moment, Tony reached into his jacket and pulled out two small items. The first was a custom-built wristwatch, green and stylish, but clearly more than just an ordinary timepiece. Yet it was so light. The second was a delicate pendant, its center holding a shimmering blue crystal that pulsed faintly under the light.

Howard frowned, eyeing them. “What’s this?”

Tony smirked. “Insurance.”

Howard raised an eyebrow. “Against what?”

Tony shrugged. “Anything.”

Howard sighed, taking the watch and strapping it onto his wrist. “And what does this do, exactly?”

"No fun if I tell you now..."

Howard took the pendant carefully, studying the faint glow. “And if your mom asks what it is?”

Tony smirked. “Tell her it’s a late anniversary gift. I'm pretty sure you missed it and she was grumbling over the phone. Or you can say that it makes her look ten years younger. Whatever works.”

Howard snorted, slipping the pendant into his pocket. “You really think of everything, don’t you?”

Tony’s expression softened slightly. “When it comes to keeping you two safe? Yeah.”

For a long moment, Howard didn’t say anything.

Then, to Tony’s complete surprise, Howard stepped forward and pulled him into a firm hug.

Tony stiffened. For a split second, he didn’t react and his brain barely processed what was happening.

Howard Stark was hugging him.

It was rare.

Almost nonexistent.

After a moment, Tony hesitantly raised his arms and returned the hug.

Howard’s voice was quiet but strong. “I’m proud of you, Tony.”

Tony swallowed, feeling something tighten in his chest.

For a man who always had something to say, he suddenly found himself speechless.

Howard pulled back slightly, resting a firm hand on Tony’s shoulder. “You’ve done something incredible here. More than I ever imagined.”

Tony tried to play it off with a smirk. “Yeah, well. Gotta keep the old man on his toes.”

Howard chuckled, shaking his head. “You’ve done more than that.”

He exhaled, glancing toward the helicopter. “I’ll set up the Stark Convention soon. We’ll make sure your work gets the recognition it deserves.”

“Guess that means I have to start practicing my speeches,” Tony said.

Howard grinned. “For once in your life, yeah.”

The helicopter pilot gave Howard a signal—it was time to leave.

Howard sighed, adjusting his watch one last time. “Take care of yourself, Tony.”

Tony gave him a two-fingered salute. “You too, Pops.”

Howard turned and stepped onto the helicopter. The engines roared to life, the blades slicing through the air.

As the aircraft lifted off, Howard glanced down, watching as Tony stood there, hands in his pockets, watching him go.

For the first time in a long time, Howard Stark felt something he hadn’t in years.

Not just pride.

Not just admiration.

Hope.

His son wasn’t just building the future.

He was the future.

And for once, Howard Stark wasn’t leading the charge.

He was following.

And he was okay with that.

[Batman x Ironman[ Ch: 92 [Hela vs The Shadows]

The night was quiet. The children were asleep. The staff moved through the halls, making sure everything was in order.

A crimson portal twisted into existence outside the orphanage. The air crackled. The ground trembled.

And then...

They came.

Lady Shiva and her assassins stepped through the portal. Their eyes burned with unnatural hunger, their faces twisted with pure bloodlust.

Mephisto had done something to them.

They were killers before, but now?

Now, they were monsters in human skin.

Shiva's gaze was cold and focused as always. She did not question the rage in her veins. The urge to destroy, to kill, to rip apart everything in her path felt… natural.

And so, she did not hold back.

With a flick of her wrist, she gave the order.

The League of Shadows attacked.

..

Alarms blared.

Security drones activated, rising from hidden panels in the walls. Their weapons locked onto the invaders, opening fire.

BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!

Energy blasts lit up the night. Assassins dodged, weaved, and struck brutally. Some were hit, their bodies thrown back, but more kept coming.

One leaped onto a drone, driving a blade into its core. SPARKS FLEW. Another flipped over a security turret, slicing it in half before it could fire.

There were too many.

The defenses held for a moment... just a moment.

Then the assassins breached the walls.

Children screamed. Staff members shouted, scrambling to protect them. 

Then...

BOOM!

A door slammed open. Hela stood there. Her breath was heavy. Her heart pounded. She was mortal now. No divine power. No kingdom. Just a woman.

A woman standing between an army of killers and the innocent lives behind her. 

She touched her bracelet.

A nanite suit that Bruce gave her a few months ago.

She had mocked it when he gave it to her. "I am the Goddess of Death," she had said. "I do not need mortal armor."

But now?

Now, she put it on without hesitation.

The nanites rushed out of the bracelet, forming the armor. It was a shade of dark green and black. The HUD flickered to life, scanning the battlefield. Targeting systems locked onto approaching assassins.

A voice in her earpiece.

“Took you long enough,” Bruce’s voice. A recording. A message he had left for her. “If you’re hearing this, then I was right. You do need it.”

Hela exhaled sharply. No time to think. No time to doubt.

The Goddess of Death was no longer fighting to take lives.

This time...

She was fighting to save them.

However, Odin's words echoed in her mind. He warned her not to take another life because if she killed someone, then she'd never regain her power again. But... Her eyes went toward the scared kids. She felt rage. Everything was perfect, yet these bastards dared to spoil her peace and even made her friends scared.

Hela didn't care about regaining her power.

She charged.

The first assassin lunged.

Hela dodged, twisting just in time. Her instincts, honed over centuries, had not faded. Her elbow struck the assassin’s throat. He dropped his blade and staggered back while gasping for air...

She grabbed his wrist, twisted... SNAP!

Another came at her.

Hela ducked, grabbed a fallen blade, and slashed across his leg. The assassin fell with a scream.

Then, more came.

Too many.

Hela fought.

Her fists blurred, and her kicks struck like iron. She used every lesson she had ever learned, every trick, every technique. She had no godly strength but she had skill. 

And she had something else.

She had something to protect.

She fought for the children.

For the people behind her.

For something greater than herself.

But Lady Shiva and Cassandra Cain were watching. They were waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Hela panted, sweat dripping down her face.

She had taken down six. Ten. Fifteen.

But there were more.

Too many.

The assassins kept coming. Their attacks were perfect, and so were their movements. Hela could tell that they were pros. They weren’t just throwing their lives away. They were pushing her, testing her, forcing her to react.

And she realized something.

They’re only attacking her.

Not the children. Not the staff.

Only her.

Hela’s mind worked fast. If they wanted her, why fight in here? The orphanage was too tight for her suit’s more destructive weapons. 'They’re boxing me in.'

If she stayed inside, she’d have to hold back to avoid hurting the kids and staff. If she went outside…

Her eyes went to Lady Shiva and Cassandra, near the main entrance.

They’re waiting.

Waiting for her to make the mistake.

Waiting for her to step outside—where she would be free to unleash her full arsenal. And the moment she did?

They’d take hostages.

They’d force her to surrender.

Clever.

But she wasn’t an amateur.

Her HUD flickered, displaying enemy positions. She made her choice.

She activated the plasma blades.

SHRRRRRRRK!

Twin, crackling red-hot energy blades extended from her forearms, humming with lethal intensity. The suit adapted instantly, the nanites reinforcing her body for close combat. She activated the blast doors.

The heavy BOOM of the blast doors locking echoed through the halls.

Hela’s breathing was steady. Controlled.

The children were safe now. The reinforced doors to their rooms were shut closed. There's no way to enter there.

The staff, the people she swore to protect, they wouldn’t have to see what was about to happen.

She turned back.

The assassins hesitated for a brief second as they realized what had just happened. No more leverage. No more hostages.

And now, they were trapped with her.

Hela exhaled slowly. “You shouldn't have come here.”

Then she moved.

Faster than they could react.

SHRRRRRRRK!

Her plasma blades sang through the air.

A head flew. A body crumpled. A scream died mid-sentence.

The first assassin never saw it coming.

The second barely had time to raise his sword before she sliced through his wrist, severing it clean before ramming her blade into his throat. His gurgled cry was muffled by the hiss of burning flesh.

The third tried to flip backward, tried to get distance...

Hela was already there.

She grabbed his leg mid-air and yanked him back down, slamming him into the cold floor so hard his spine snapped like dry wood.

The fourth lunged with a dagger, aiming for her ribs.

Hela twisted, sidestepped, caught his wrist, and drove her other plasma blade through his gut. She ripped it upward, bisecting him from the waist.

Blood sprayed against the walls.

The air smelled of burning flesh, of charred bone.

She did not care. Heck, she was enjoying this. The blood, the sound of bones breaking, the blade slicing through flesh... She felt so alive after so long. Her old instincts were coming back and well... It wasn't a good news for the assassins.

Another came. Then another.

The next ten seconds were a blur of red and fire.

One tried to run...

Hela threw her blade. It spun through the air, embedded itself into his spine, and he collapsed, twitching, dead before he hit the floor.

Another swung an axe...

Hela caught his wrist, crushed it with a single squeeze, then stabbed him under the chin. The blade erupted from the top of his skull.

The last few screamed as they rushed her. Desperation. Fear.

They knew.

They knew they had made a mistake.

SHRRRRK!

SHRRRRK!

SHRRRRK!

The walls were painted crimson.

Their bodies fell one by one, limbs scattered, blood pooling around Hela’s boots.

Until finally…

It was over.

She stood there, her dark armor soaked in red, her blades dripping with the lives she had just taken.

The room was silent except for the slow drip-drip of blood hitting the floor.

Then...

A slow clap echoed through the halls.

Lady Shiva.

Standing by the main entrance, arms crossed, unimpressed.

Beside her, Cassandra Cain stood still, her expression unreadable.

Hela turned to them, her glowing blades humming with death.

For a brief moment, no one moved.

Then, Hela exhaled, rolling her shoulders. Her bloodlust was fading, her mind sharpening. She tilted her head, lifting one of her plasma swords and pointing it directly at Shiva.

Her lips curled into a mocking smirk.

"It’s cute," Hela mused, voice dripping with amusement. "A child playing dress-up, thinking she can fight the former Goddess of Death. I have millennia of experience, and you? You are just a mortal with delusions of grandeur."

Shiva’s expression didn’t change.

Then...

SHRRRRK!

Both Lady Shiva and Cassandra Cain activated their armor.

The black vibranium weave shimmered over their bodies, forming a deadly second skin. The design was similar to the Black Panther suit, but with noticeable modifications... adjustments made by the League of Shadows, optimized for pure assassination.

"Wakandan technology," Hela narrowed her eyes. She spent long enough on Earth and learned enough from Bruce to know things. She even heard Bruce talking to Shuri about the stolen technology from Wakanda. She tapped her plasma blade against her palm. The sparks danced in the dim light. "So, you stole from a dead kingdom. How poetic."

Shiva finally spoke. "You are strong. I acknowledge that." Her voice was smooth, controlled. "But you are arrogant. You fight like a warrior, not an assassin. That is why you will lose."

Hela chuckled. "Oh? And what makes you think—"

Cassandra Cain moved.

Faster than sight.

One second, she was standing still.

The next...

BOOM!

Her fist slammed into Hela’s gut, the force sending a shockwave through the air.

Hela’s eyes widened.

The impact hurled her backward like a missile, her armored body smashing through the walls of the orphanage. She crashed through concrete, wood, metal, and finally...

BOOOOM!

...she exploded out of the building and skidded across the pavement outside, carving a trench through the street. Cars flipped from the sheer force, alarms blaring.

The world spun.

Hela coughed, feeling pain.

Pain.

It had been so long since she had felt that. Since she had been touched.

Her HUD flickered, running diagnostics.

[IMPACT REGISTERED: 6.2 TONS OF FORCE.]
[VIBRANIUM ENERGY ABSORPTION: PARTIAL.]
[SUIT DAMAGE: MINIMAL.]

Update

Going with Sharon Carter. Let's give Cap a happy ending and that dance.

I will drop the next ch tomorrow along with Batman X Ironman.

Sorry for the delay on the Batman x Ironman. [Final arc. I want it to be good. So, had to rewrite certain parts.]

QUICK POLL

PEGGY in the harem?

Depending on the poll, I'll adjust her age and backstory.

[Ironman] Ch: 59 [Trust]

The scent of freshly grilled meat and roasted vegetables filled the air as Tony and Howard sat across from each other at one of the long tables in Horizon's private dining area.

For once, Tony had agreed to step away from the lab and actually eat. Well, Yelena forced him, but that was beside the point.

Howard sliced into his steak, studying his son between bites. "So… about that formula I sent you."

Tony, who was in the middle of taking a bite of his roasted chicken, paused. His eyes flicked up over the rim of his plate. He chewed thoughtfully, swallowed, and then wiped his mouth before speaking. "Yeah, I meant to ask about that. Where'd you get it?"

Howard leaned back in his chair. "SHIELD's bio-scientists developed it. Or, at least, that's what they claim."

Tony raised an eyebrow, setting his fork down. "They 'developed' it?" He made air quotes. "Or they recreated it from the original Super Soldier Serum?"

Howard exhaled. "The latter."

Tony smirked. "Of course. Because playing God worked out so well the first time."

Howard gave him a look but didn't argue. Instead, he continued, "With all the dangerous individuals showing up, enhanced criminals, rogue metahumans, mutants... SHIELD believes the world needs another perfect Super Soldier."

Tony sighed, leaning back. "Right. Or, another insane guy with SSS."

Howard didn't deny it. "It's a complicated issue, Tony. You and I both know that."

Tony drummed his fingers against the table. "Okay. So, who's the lucky test subject? Some pumped-up military guy? An elite agent?"

Howard hesitated. Just for a second.

And that was enough for Tony to catch it.

Tony's smirk faded. "Who is it?"

Howard met his gaze. "Peggy Carter."

Tony blinked. He hadn't been expecting that.

"...Wait. What?"

Howard nodded. "You heard me. Peggy volunteered. She's already been prepped for the process. The serum trials start in two weeks."

'Oh, hell no. There's no way I'm gonna let her take this shitty serum,' Tony let out a slow breath, rubbing his temple. "Okay, first off… why? She's like 70... 72?"

Howard set his fork down. "Because she believes in SHIELD. In protecting the world. And she knows what the serum can do."

Tony scoffed. "Yeah, it can turn you into a supersoldier, or it can turn you into the Red Skull. Real fun gamble."

Howard's expression was unreadable. "Peggy's a fighter. Even after retiring, she never stopped looking out for the world. Maybe she feels like she has one last mission left in her. Or, she just want to use her last moments to do something worthwhile. Either way, I tried to talk her out of this, but nope. She's going to do it."

"Alright, so she wants to be the next Cap. Haaa... And I guess you found something fishy with the serum, right?"

Howard's jaw tightened slightly. "Yes. I think something fishy is going on inside SHIELD's bio-science division."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "Thought with you guys took out all the Hydra agents?"

Howard nodded. "We did. But I can't shake this feeling, Tony. The way they handled this whole thing… it doesn't sit right with me."

Tony frowned. "Define 'doesn't sit right'."

Howard exhaled, pushing his plate aside. "SHIELD never planned to make another Super Soldier after Steve. Well, back then SHIELD did certain things... Government pressures. Those political bastards forced human experiments to perfect the serum. A lot of people were hurt in the process. So, after Fury took over we buried it all and decided not to walk that path again."

He took a sip of water.

"But now, with the rise of a new generation of criminals, we have no other choice. We started the program six months ago and all of a sudden, they have a 'perfected' formula? And they're just handing it over for trials?" He shook his head. "I don't buy it."

Tony tapped his phone against the table, activating the holographic interface. A three-dimensional projection of the serum formula flickered to life between them, glowing with complex molecular structures and chemical sequences.

Howard leaned forward, eyes narrowing as he examined the data.

Tony sighed, rotating the hologram with a flick of his fingers. "So, here’s the fun part, Pops. This isn't a new formula. It’s an old one. A very, very old one."

Howard’s brows furrowed. "How old?"

Tony zoomed in on a specific chemical compound, highlighting it in red. "Hydra-old. This formula wasn’t ‘perfected’ by SHIELD. It was made by Hydra. And not just any Hydra—this is one of their failed prototypes."

Howard sat up straight. "Wait. You’re telling me this isn’t a recreation of the Super Soldier Serum?"

Tony exhaled. "Oh, it’s a recreation, alright. But not of Erskine’s formula. This is from one of Hydra’s own attempts at making their own supersoldiers after Captain America kicked Red Skull's ass. And guess what? It never worked. And don't ask how I know about Erskine."

He swiped his fingers, bringing up historical data. Old, classified files flickered onto the hologram—Hydra experimentation reports, test subjects, grim medical notes. Back when Tony destroyed Hydra, he copied the information.

"I did some digging and well..." He pointed at the result.

Howard’s eyes widened as he read.

[Subject #47 - Initial Injection: Rapid physical enhancement observed]
[Subject #47 - 4 hours post-injection: Heightened aggression, severe muscle spasms]
[Subject #47 - 10 hours post-injection: Extreme psychosis, uncontrollable violent outbursts]
[Subject #47 - 24 hours post-injection: Bone liquefaction while still conscious. Subject terminated.]

Tony's voice was dry. "Every single test ended like that. Either they turned into a raging psychopath, or their bones literally melted inside their bodies while they were still alive. Not exactly the glowing endorsement for a ‘perfect’ formula."

Howard’s jaw tightened. "Jesus..."

Tony nodded, crossing his arms. "So yeah, whoever greenlit this crap either has no idea what they’re doing or they knew exactly what they were doing and wanted Peggy dead. And considering how this stuff was buried deep in Hydra’s archives, I’m betting on the latter."

Howard rubbed his temple. "So you’re saying there’s either a Hydra mole still inside SHIELD… or someone in the agency is desperate to climb the ranks and doesn’t care who they kill to do it. Fury started the project, so, if it fails, he will be in the line of fire. They are planning on taking down Peggy and Fury together, and probably all the old members..." His mind went toward the last night's attack. 'Was it related to this?' He wondered.

Tony pointed at him. "Ding ding ding. Give the man a cigar."

Howard exhaled sharply, running a hand through his graying hair. "This is bad, Tony. Real bad. If Peggy takes this serum..."

"She’s dead," Tony finished bluntly. "Or worse, she turns into something SHIELD has to put down. Either way? It’s a goddamn setup."

Howard clenched his fists. "I need to shut this down immediately."

Tony raised a hand. "Hold on, hold on. We need to be smart about this. If we just barge in there waving red flags, whoever set this up is gonna know we’re onto them, and they’ll cover their tracks. We need to find out who is behind this."

Howard took a deep breath, forcing himself to think rationally. "Alright. You’re right. We do this carefully."

The holographic formula shifted, transforming as Tony swiped through the interface. Molecules restructured, compounds changed, and new elements appeared in glowing blue lines.

Howard watched in silence as the ‘flawed’ Super Soldier Serum disappeared, replaced by something entirely new.

Something... perfected.

Tony leaned back, arms crossed. "And that, dear Dad, is the real deal. My version of the Super Soldier Serum. No bone liquefaction. No psychotic rage fits. No melting organs. Just pure, stable enhancement."

Howard narrowed his eyes at the glowing formula. "You just... what?"

"Who do you think I am?" Tony leaned back, sipping on his glass of orange juice. 

Howard stared at the glowing formula hovering in midair, his mind racing.

Tony had just… perfected the Super Soldier Serum. Just like that.

No decades of failed experiments. No tragic test subjects. No catastrophic side effects.

Just pure, stable enhancement.

Howard let out a slow breath and ran a hand down his face. “Jesus, Tony… Do you even hear yourself?”

Tony smirked, casually swirling the orange juice in his glass. “Loud and clear, Pops.”

Howard gestured at the holographic formula. “You’re telling me you cracked the goddamn Super Soldier Serum overnight?”

Tony scoffed. “Please. It was a piece of cake." There's no way he was going to tell Howard the truth about the data he took from the Widows and Hydra's facilities. 

Howard exhaled sharply. “You little—” He cut himself off, shaking his head. “I should be surprised, but somehow, I’m not.”

Tony leaned forward, elbows on the table. His voice turned serious. “Look, we both know Peggy taking that Hydra knockoff is a death sentence. We can’t stop the trial without exposing our hands. But…” He tapped the glowing blue formula. “We can do something like... You bringing Peggy here and I'll enhance her?”

Howard’s eyes narrowed. “You are serious?”

Tony nodded. “Yup. Bring her here. Trust me just like you always have... I got a plan.”

---

AN: Ok. So... Adding Peggy to the harem after SSS, would be weird now, huh? What do you think? Should I change her age to like 50s or something?

[Ironman] Ch: 58 [3 years of blood, sweat and caffeine addiction]

The helicopter descended toward the island. Howard Stark sat in the back, silent, his hands clasped together as he stared out the window.

He had kept his promise even after the attack and the close call that nearly took his life. His security team's head wanted him to lay low for a while, heck even Fury told him to stay low, but despite all that, Howard came. He wanted to see Tony and his accomplishments.

But as the island came into view…

He realized he had severely underestimated what Tony had built here.

Howard had expected a research facility. Maybe a few high-tech labs, some security, the kind of operation Stark Industries could eventually integrate into its long-term development.

What he saw instead?

Something straight out of science fiction.

A massive, semi-transparent energy field flickered across the island’s perimeter. The moment the helicopter approached, Howard felt a faint vibration in his bones, like passing through an invisible barrier.

Beyond the shield, the island wasn’t just a base.

It was a fortress.

Automated defensive turrets tracked the helicopter’s movement. Drones hovered silently in formation, scanning every inch of the aircraft as if deciding whether or not to shoot it down.

And then there were the machines.

Howard caught a glimpse of something patrolling the outskirts. A quadrupedal mech, moving around the area. It stopped for a moment, its glowing blue optics turning toward the helicopter…

And Howard could swear it was looking right at him.

‘Jesus Christ, Tony. What the hell have you built?’

The helicopter’s descent slowed, the landing pad rising slightly as if adjusting itself for a smoother touchdown.

Howard didn’t move right away.

Something felt… off.

Not in a threatening way.

But in a way that made his instincts tingle.

He had been in enough war zones to recognize that feeling.

The moment the helicopter doors opened, Tony was already there.

Sunglasses on. Hands in his pockets. Smirking.

"Welcome to Horizon, Pops," Tony called over the roar of the blades. "Try not to have a heart attack."

Howard scoffed, stepping out onto the landing pad. "With the way you’ve set this place up, I’m surprised I wasn’t shot out of the sky."

Tony grinned. "Well, you almost were. I had to override the automated defenses last second."

Howard froze mid-step. "...You're joking."

Tony just smirked.

Howard let out a slow breath. "Jesus Christ, Tony."

"I'm joking," Tony chuckled.

But as he took his first few steps, the feeling returned.

That odd, nagging sensation.

Something was missing.

As Tony led him deeper into the base, Howard’s eyes scanned everything. The buildings, the technology, the security systems... it was all leagues ahead of anything on the market. Even Shield's security tech pails in comparison.

But what stood out wasn’t the tech.

It was the people.

Or rather...

The women.

Every single person they passed, whether it was a researcher reviewing holographic blueprints, an engineer calibrating a drone, or a security officer patrolling the area, was female.

Not a single male worker in sight.

Howard didn’t comment on it right away.

Maybe it was a coincidence.

Maybe he was overthinking it.

But the more they walked, the more obvious it became.

Even the combat personnel training in the distance, moving like seasoned professionals, were women.

Howard’s brow furrowed.

‘Alright… what the hell is going on here?’

By the time they stepped into the central research hub, Howard was sure of it.

This wasn’t just some weird hiring coincidence.

Tony had deliberately staffed this entire base with women.

Howard stopped walking.

Tony took a few more steps before noticing. "Something wrong?"

Howard folded his arms. "Yeah. You gonna tell me why every single worker here is a woman?"

Tony blinked behind his sunglasses, then smirked. "Took you long enough to notice."

Howard’s frown deepened. "Was this some kind of hiring preference? Or did you just forget to put out applications for men?"

Tony chuckled. "Relax, Pops. I didn’t start some anti-dude movement."

Howard raised an eyebrow. "Care to explain?"

Tony exhaled through his nose. "I told you I’d hire some people eventually. And I did. I just… had specific candidates in mind."

Howard narrowed his eyes. "What kind of candidates?"

Tony’s smirk faded just slightly.

"The best ones," he said simply. "Don't worry about it. They are good at their jobs."

Howard stared at Tony for a long moment, eyes narrowing. He could tell when his son was dodging a question.

But for now?

He let it slide.

Tony wasn’t the type to do anything without a reason. If the entire workforce was female, it meant there was a calculated decision behind it.

He’d get his answers eventually.

"Alright," Howard said, exhaling. "Show me what you’ve been working on."

Tony grinned. "Oh, I thought you’d never ask."

With a flick of his wrist, Tony pulled up a holographic interface. A blue pulse ran through the walls, and suddenly, the floor beneath them shifted.

The walls, once smooth metal, began to split apart, revealing massive underground corridors descending deep into the island.

Howard took a step back, his eyebrows raising slightly.

"Jesus, kid. You built a whole underground facility?"

Tony smirked. "Above ground is for show. Below? That’s where the real magic happens."

The ground beneath them began to lower—a hidden elevator seamlessly taking them down.

Howard watched as the upper level disappeared, replaced by a vast, illuminated research complex.

...

[Main Lab]

The first thing Howard noticed?

The sheer scale of it.

Holographic displays filled the room, showcasing intricate biomedical data, nanotech schematics, and real-time simulations of cellular regeneration. 

Tony stepped forward, arms spread out.

"Alright, Pops. Time for the grand tour. Three years of work, blood, sweat, and borderline caffeine addiction... all leading to this."

Howard folded his arms, giving him a skeptical look. "You sure I won’t regret this?"

Tony smirked. "Oh, you will. Your mind’s about to get blown."

Howard sighed. "Just get on with it, kid."

Tony tapped on a holo-interface. A floating 3D model of a handheld device materialized in front of them, rotating slowly.

Howard’s eyes narrowed as he studied the design.

It looked… deceptively simple.

A simple, handheld scanner—something that could fit in the palm of a hand, yet it had more computational power than an entire hospital’s imaging department.

Tony swiped through the hologram, displaying 3D-live demonstrations.

One showed the device scanning a patient’s chest in seconds, revealing a full 3D model of their internal organs with stunning accuracy.

Another showed a microscopic scan of nerve pathways, highlighting damaged areas in real time.

Tony grinned, watching his father’s expression shift from curiosity to genuine intrigue.

"Say hello to the Anatomy Mapping Device. One scan, and you’ve got a complete breakdown of a person’s body, down to the cellular level."

Howard raised an eyebrow. "CT scans and MRIs already exist, Tony. What makes this so special?"

Tony smirked. "Speed, accuracy, and zero radiation exposure. This thing picks up tumors, aneurysms, even genetic disorders before they manifest. No invasive procedures, no expensive hospital stays... just instant diagnosis."

Howard’s gaze flicked back to the demo. "Holy hell…"

Tony nodded. "Exactly. Imagine paramedics scanning an accident victim in the field and knowing exactly what’s wrong like internal bleeding, fractures, or organ damage, before they even reach the hospital. No more trial-and-error surgeries. No more misdiagnoses. Just… pure medical precision."

Howard took a deep breath. "You’re gonna put a lot of hospitals out of business with this."

Tony shrugged. "Eh, if they can’t keep up, that’s their problem."

Howard chuckled. "Goddamn, kid. This is… this is something. This could change everything. This alone can save so many lives."

Tony smirked. "We’re just getting started."

He swiped again. The scanner hologram disappeared, replaced by a lifelike model of a human arm.

It moved.

Not like a robotic prosthetic.

Not stiff. Not mechanical.

It moved naturally... the fingers curling and flexing with fluid, organic motion.

Howard’s breath caught.

"...No way."

Tony grinned.

"Meet the future of prosthetics," He said, watching his father’s reaction. "No mechanical joints, no clunky interfaces... just seamless integration between flesh and machine."

Howard stepped forward, watching as the holographic arm responded to neural signals.

"How...?"

"Bio-nanites." Tony tapped the interface, zooming in. "Tiny, self-repairing nanites that fuse directly with nerve endings. No need for brain implants or risky neural surgery... just plug-and-play human augmentation."

Howard’s mind raced. 'Nanomachines?! But... How? I've been researching nanotechnology for years and barely managed to get small breakthroughs. These things eat up energy like there's no tomorrow. Heck, Shield, Oscorp, and Hammer Industries failed to achieve much in this field, and most ended up in disasters. And here's my son, going around like it's no big deal. Nanite aug. Good job, Tony.'

This wasn’t just an advancement.

This was a revolution.

He had seen failed attempts at this before.

Hammer Tech tried neural-linked prosthetics years ago. It was a disaster... expensive, unstable, and killed half the test subjects.

But this?

This was different.

Howard rubbed his chin. "So… you’re saying an amputee could just—what? Attach one of these, and it works instantly?"

Tony nodded. "24hrs calibration time. No muscle reconditioning. The nanites do all the work like fusing with nerve endings, replicating sensory input, and adapting in real-time. They can even grow with the user, adjusting over time just like real muscle tissue. As for the power source, it runs on a microreactor which requires juice every 1 month or so, depending on the quality."

Howard exhaled sharply. "Jesus."

Tony swiped again.

New data appeared.

✔️ Patients regaining full sensation—including touch, heat, and pressure.
✔️ Soldiers regaining lost limbs—able to fight again.
✔️ Children born without limbs getting a chance at a normal life.

"This isn’t just about replacing lost limbs," Tony said. "It’s about making something better."

Howard turned to his son, his expression unreadable.

"You realize what you’ve done here?" he asked quietly.

Tony smirked. "Yeah. Built the future."

Howard shook his head. "No, Tony. This… this is gonna shake the world."

Tony’s smirk widened. "That’s the idea."

Howard folded his arms. "You do know what's going to happen next, right?"

Tony shrugged. "The pharma industry is gonna have a heart attack, and governments are gonna try and steal it. Not to mention those criminals."

Howard exhaled. "Damn right, they will."

Tony leaned against the console. "That’s why I’m controlling the rollout. Step by step. First, the Anatomy Scanner—introduce it as a simple medical tool. Let the world get used to nanite-based tech before I drop the real bombshell."

Howard nodded slowly. "Smart. But as you said... You’re gonna have every military contractor, every world leader, every shadow organization knocking on your door."

Tony smirked. "Let them knock."

Howard studied his son for a long moment.

Three years ago, Tony was just a brilliant, reckless kid with a vision.

Now?

Now he was playing at a whole different level.

And for the first time in a long while, Howard wasn’t sure if he should be proud… or terrified.

Howard let out a long sigh.

"Alright, genius. You win. I’m impressed."

Tony grinned. "Knew it."

Howard shook his head, chuckling. "Goddamn, Tony. I can't even call you a kid anymore. Alright, genius. What’s next? You already flipped the medical industry on its head, what now? Instant teleportation? Time travel?”

Tony smirked. “Nah. Too messy. But I did build a few things that’ll make us very, very rich.”

Howard arched an eyebrow. “Now you have my attention.”

"Let’s talk police work."

Tony gestured toward a row of armored suits displayed on metal racks. The suits weren’t bulky military exoskeletons. They were lightweight armor designed to be worn by law enforcement officers without slowing them down.

"Meet the Aegis Suit," Tony said, running his fingers over the armor plating. "Non-restrictive, lightweight, and made with a titanium-polymer weave. It can stop high-caliber rounds, absorbs blunt force trauma, and comes with built-in medical support."

Howard’s eyes narrowed as he examined the suit closely. It wasn’t like any riot gear or Kevlar vest currently on the market. The plates flexed slightly at the joints, allowing for full mobility.

Tony continued, "It’s got temperature regulation, AI-assisted threat detection, and even a built-in defibrillator system—because cops don’t just need protection; they need survival tools. Also, hidden stun emitters in the gloves, just in case they need to end a fight without pulling a trigger."

Howard let out a low whistle. This time, he couldn't control his excitement. "Damn. You’re about to put every police gear manufacturer out of business."

"That’s the goal," Tony replied with a smirk. "We mass-produce these under Stark Industries, integrate them through your contracts with law enforcement, and before long? Every cop in the country is running my tech instead of outdated bulletproof vests."

Howard folded his arms. "And the government?"

Tony shrugged. "They’ll resist at first. Too much bureaucratic red tape. But when they see local police outperforming SWAT teams? They’ll fall in line."

Howard grinned. "You’ve thought this through."

Tony smirked. "Always do."

...

Tony led Howard to another section of the lab, where a weapon rack stood lined with what looked like modified handguns, batons, and compact rifle-like devices.

"Okay," Tony said, picking up what looked like a sleek silver handgun. "This little beauty? The Guardian MK I. It’s a non-lethal civilian defense weapon. Fires high-density shock pulses strong enough to drop an armed attacker without causing permanent damage."

Howard raised an eyebrow. "Stun guns already exist, kid."

Tony smirked. "Yeah, and they suck. Short range, slow charge time, unreliable in extreme conditions. This bad boy? Instant recharge, 50-foot effective range, and no need for physical contact. It works even through light armor and thick clothing. Oh, and the best part?"

He pointed at the side of the gun, where a small biometric scanner rested.

"Only the registered owner can fire it. So, no stolen weapons being turned against their owners."

Howard exhaled. "Huh. That’s... actually brilliant."

Tony wasn’t done. He walked over and picked up what looked like a collapsible baton.

"This? The Widow Batons." He pressed a button, and the baton extended instantly, electricity crackling along its length.

Howard’s eyebrows shot up.

"Hits like a baseball bat, stuns like a taser, and bonus, it’s damn near unbreakable. Also, adjustable voltage, in case you need to go from ‘stun a mugger’ to ‘drop a goddamn grizzly bear.’"

Howard chuckled shaking his head.

"And this..." Tony picked up a compact, futuristic-looking rifle. "...is the G-Force Pulse Rifle. It doesn’t fire bullets. Instead, it uses compressed kinetic energy rounds. Enough force to knock an attacker on their ass without any penetration trauma. Good for house weapons. And it has AI-integrated software. You can't shoot just because you want to... It recognizes the threat before unlocking. Plus, completely unhackable and it won't activate if a kid comes before it holding a toy gun or a plastic knife."

Howard took the rifle, feeling the weight. It was light, well-balanced, and had zero recoil.

"So, you’re giving civilians a way to fight back," Howard mused. "Without mass-producing deadly weapons."

Tony nodded. "Exactly. You release these through government-approved civilian defense programs, and suddenly, we’ve armed the public without the risk of mass shootings. No fatalities. No ‘stolen gun’ incidents. Just pure self-defense tech."

Howard exhaled. "Son, if this works, you’re about to put every major arms manufacturer in the dirt."

Tony grinned. "Yeah, well, they had a good run."

...

Tony turned and led Howard to the last station.

And this?

This was big.

A red car sat in the middle of the test platform. It looked like a sports car, but sleeker, meaner, and more advanced.

Howard asked. "Car?"

Tony tapped the hood. "This, Pops, is the future of transportation. Runs on a Micro-Arc Reactor. No gas. No fossil fuels. Just pure energy."

Howard’s eyes widened. "Wait. Wait. You put a reactor in a car?"

Tony smirked. "Yep. A customized one."

Howard took a slow breath. "You do realize if you roll this out, you’ll kill every oil and gas company overnight, right?"

Tony nodded. "Yep. My tech will soon kill most of the companies. So, it doesn't matter anymore."

Howard chuckled, shaking his head. "You’re really going for the throat, huh?"

Tony tapped the side of the car, and a holographic interface appeared, showcasing the core components.

"This baby gets over 10,000 miles per charge, and the charging stations? They run on localized Arc Reactor power grids. Meaning? Once we set up enough stations, people never have to pay for gas again. They will pay us. Half the price of what they are paying now."

Howard exhaled. "Well, there goes another one."

Tony grinned. "Yep. So here’s what we do. We release these cars under Stark Industries, set up charging stations across major cities, and by the time Ford, GM, and Tesla figure out what’s happening?"

He snapped his fingers.

"They’re obsolete."

Howard chuckled. "Jesus Christ. You’re about to eat the entire car industry alive."

Tony smirked. "Better me than some corporate dinosaur trying to sell half-assed ‘electric cars’ with shitty battery life."

Howard exhaled. He ran a hand through his hair, processing everything.

Tony wasn’t just changing the game.

He was burning the rulebook.

And Howard couldn’t help but be impressed.

After a long silence, he let out a deep breath and grinned.

"Well, kid," he said. "You win. You’re about to shake the whole damn world."

Tony smirked. "Damn right, I am."

Howard shook his head. "Alright. Let’s get to work. You better be ready for a fight."

Tony’s grin widened. "Always."

[Batman x Ironman] [Vol-3: Final Arc begins] Ch: 91 [Lady Shiva- A deal with the devil]

While the heroes are busy fighting Brainiac...

[Earth]

[Unknown Location – The Hidden Stronghold]

The room was silent.

The air was thick with the scent of burning incense, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows against the stone walls. Warriors in black sat kneeling, their breaths controlled, their hearts steady.

Lady Shiva stood near her stone throne.

She had waited years for this moment. Years spent gathering her assassins, and her forces, preparing in the darkness while Bruce Wayne walked the world like a god.

The Bat was untouchable now.

He was no longer the man she had once known. He had surpassed humanity and had become something far beyond mortal limits. His strength was unnatural. His mind, a weapon sharper than any blade.

Even if she unleashed a thousand assassins upon him, they would all die before their blades ever reached his skin. And with the sentinels under his control, if he wanted he could have hunted them down and killed them, yet he chose mercy despite everything.

She had lost before the battle had even begun.

And yet…

"Why do you hesitate?"

The voice was a whisper in the dark, smooth as silk, thick with amusement.

Shiva’s sharp eyes snapped up. The candles flickered. The shadows in the room twisted unnaturally.

And then, from the darkness, a figure emerged.

Mephisto.

The devil himself.

Shiva tensed, her muscles coiled, ready to strike. But she did not move. Not yet. She had heard of this entity while researching the ancient history of that Earth. Legend says the devil was a being of deception, of power beyond reason. 

She did not trust him.

Mephisto only smiled. His crimson robes draped over his tall, skeletal frame, his piercing eyes glowing with a sickly, unnatural light. His hands rested behind his back, a predator toying with his prey.

"You are… dissatisfied," he murmured, stepping closer. His voice echoed unnaturally, as if it came from everywhere at once. "Years of preparation… and yet, you see the truth, don’t you?"

Shiva said nothing.

Mephisto chuckled. "You cannot kill him. Bruce Wayne is no longer a man. And you... Why do you think he spared you?" He whispered in her ears, "You are nothing but a speck of dust in his eyes."

Shiva’s fists clenched.

"You want revenge," Mephisto continued, circling her like a vulture. "And yet, your blade will never reach him. How frustrating that must be."

Shiva exhaled through her nose. "I do not make deals with devils."

Mephisto smirked. "No?" He leaned closer. "What if I told you… I can kill him for you?"

The assassins around the room stirred. A murmur passed between them.

Shiva’s eyes narrowed. "Lies."

Mephisto tsked, wagging a finger. "Oh, my dear, do you really think I came all this way just to tell falsehoods? I have seen gods die at my hands. Do you think a mortal-turned-something-else is beyond my reach?"

Shiva remained silent.

Mephisto smiled wider. "I will kill Bruce Wayne. I will drag him into the pits of my realm myself. And as a bonus…" His eyes glowed. "I will send you and your assassins back to your world. Your home. All you have to do…"

He stopped.

And then, his smile turned cruel.

"Is kill a single woman."

Silence.

Shiva studied him carefully. "Who?"

Mephisto’s grin widened.

"Hela."

Shiva’s brow furrowed. "Hela?" Her gaze remained sharp, unreadable. The flickering candlelight danced across her face, her mind already working through the implications of Mephisto’s offer.

Hela.

A name she had never heard before. And yet, the Devil himself was standing before her, asking for her blade to end this woman’s life.

She was no fool. Deals with devils always came with hidden consequences.

Her fingers curled slightly at her side, but her voice remained calm.

"If you are as powerful as the legends say," she said, her tone cold, calculating, "then why do you need me? Why not kill this Hela yourself?"

Mephisto chuckled.

A slow, deep, knowing sound.

The air around him rippled as he took a step forward. "Ah… a good question. As expected of the world’s greatest assassin."

Shiva did not flinch at the flattery. She merely watched him, waiting.

Mephisto’s smile never wavered. "You see, there are… rules to my existence. Constraints placed upon me by forces even I must acknowledge. I cannot simply kill whomever I wish without consequence."

He clasped his hands behind his back, pacing slightly. "My power, my influence, is bound by agreements. It is my nature. My will can only manifest through deals."

He stopped, tilting his head slightly, amusement gleaming in his crimson eyes.

"You kill Hela," he said, voice thick with temptation, "and I will grant you everything you desire. Bruce Wayne’s death. Your return home. Power beyond your imagination."

Shiva’s expression remained unreadable, but inside, her mind was a storm.

This was an opportunity.

And yet, she could not trust a word that slithered from Mephisto’s lips.

Her instincts screamed at her. There was something missing. A deception within a deception.

She crossed her arms, her voice steady. "If you cannot break the rules, then tell me… why Hela? What is she to you?"

Mephisto’s expression did not change.

But for the briefest moment—just a fraction of a second—Shiva saw something. A flicker of something dark behind his eyes.

Annoyance.

Perhaps even… fear.

Mephisto’s smirk deepened, but now it was colder. "That, dear Shiva, is information beyond your deal. All you need to know is this—Hela is merely a human. Nothing more."

Shiva narrowed her eyes. "A regular human?"

Mephisto nodded. "Nothing but flesh and bone. No godly power. No cosmic weapons. Just… a woman."

The assassins in the room exchanged uneasy glances.

Shiva did not move.

She knew there was more.

But this was the Devil.

He would never reveal his full hand.

She inhaled slowly. "And what guarantee do I have that you will hold up your end of the bargain?"

Mephisto grinned, his fangs glinting in the candlelight. "My dear Shiva… I do not break my contracts."

The air felt heavy. The room itself seemed to darken, as if the shadows pressed in closer.

Shiva remained silent, calculating.

A simple kill. A human target. And in return, everything she had worked for.

And yet…

A deal with the Devil was never just a deal.

Her fingers brushed the hilt of her sword. But what choice does she have? If she says no, the devil will find a way to erase them. Besides, living in the darkness like a coward wasn't an option anymore. 

Then… she spoke.

"I'll kill Hela."

The room grew impossibly silent.

Mephisto’s grin widened as he slowly, almost lazily, clapped his hands. The sound echoed unnaturally, stretching longer than it should have, as if the universe itself bent to his amusement.

With a flick of his wrist, a parchment appeared out of nowhere. It was old. Probably older than the very concept of time itself. Black ink swirled across the page, shifting and twisting like living tendrils. The edges of the contract burned with faint crimson fire, pulsing like a heartbeat.

"Then it is done," Mephisto purred.

The contract hovered before Lady Shiva, its words rearranging themselves into a language she could read.

Terms of Agreement:

1. The undersigned shall execute the target designated as Hela.

2. The target must be eliminated within one hour of contract activation.

If the undersigned succeeds, the following shall be granted:

1. The death of Bruce Wayne.

2. The return of the League of Shadows to their original world.

3. Power beyond imagination.

If the undersigned fails to kill the target within the allotted time, their soul and the souls of all who stand with them shall belong to Mephisto.

A single blank line rested at the bottom of the page. A signature was required.

Lady Shiva’s eyes scanned the document carefully. She did not trust devils, but she knew contracts. She searched for hidden loopholes, for fine print woven between the ink. But there was nothing.

Mephisto was many things, but he did not lie in his deals. His contracts were absolute. 

"You are thorough," Mephisto mused, watching her. "I admire that."

Shiva ignored him.

She reached for the dagger strapped to her thigh, drew the blade, and with a quick motion, sliced the tip of her finger. A single drop of blood welled up.

The moment her blood touched the contract...

FWOOM!

A burst of black fire erupted around the parchment. The ink glowed, sealing the deal into existence. The contract burned into nothingness, its words now imprinted upon the fabric of reality itself.

Mephisto sighed contently, inhaling the air as if he could smell her commitment. "Ahhh… there it is. The scent of inevitability."

Lady Shiva wiped the blood from her finger, her gaze unshaken. "Where is she?"

Mephisto’s grin returned, sharp as a blade. "Patience, my dear. First, I will provide you with the opportunity…"

He lifted his hand.

Reality split apart.

A swirling, crimson portal opened in the center of the chamber, twisting and writhing like a living thing. On the other side...

[New York City- Orphanage]

Hela as usual was spending her time with the kids. She forgot about the reason she was sent to Earth and was just living happily without any worries. Well, that was about to change soon...

[Ironman] Ch: 57 [A War in the Shadows]

Gunfire roared. Tires screeched. The deafening whirr of helicopter blades filled the tunnel, vibrations shaking the concrete walls.

Howard Stark clenched his jaw as he braced for the inevitable. The chopper's side-mounted gun whined to life, preparing to rip their car apart.

This was it.

And then...

A blur. A streak of red light.

The sound of metal being torn apart filled the tunnel, followed by the sickening crunch of shredded rotor blades.

Howard's eyes widened as, in an instant, the attack helicopter above them was sliced into pieces.

The gunfire stopped.

The tunnel fell into eerie silence.

Then—BOOM!

Flaming wreckage rained down as the remains of the chopper crashed at the tunnel's other end, exploding into a fiery inferno.

Howard barely had time to process before a black and silver figure shot past his car, moving at impossible speeds.

A cyborg. Or a machine. Or something in between. It was more advanced than anything Howard had ever seen. It moved like a ghost, a plasma blade burning bright red in its right hand.

Howard barely caught a glimpse before...

SHNK!

The first biker didn't even have time to scream. The plasma sword sliced clean through his torso, cutting him in half as his motorcycle spun out of control, slamming into the tunnel wall.

The second biker fired his SMG but was too slow.

The cyborg twisted mid-air, dodging bullets with unnatural agility, and swiped the blade in a single motion.

The SMG split in two. So did the biker.

Howard could only watch as the final biker tried to flee.

He didn't get far.

The cyborg threw his plasma sword like a spear. It pierced through the biker's chest, pinning him to the tunnel wall like a butchered animal before pulling it back in its hand through some kind of magnetic device.

Silence.

The only sound left was the crackling fire of the helicopter wreckage.

Jarvis's hands gripped the wheel tightly. "Sir… What in God's name was that?"

Howard was still trying to process it. His heart pounded in his chest.

Then...

CLANK.

Metal footsteps.

Howard turned, his eyes locking on the figure standing in the middle of the tunnel.

The cyborg.

Glossy black and silver armor. A body built for war. A plasma blade still burning bright red, sizzling. And then...

It spoke.

A woman's voice.

"Go! I'll take care of them."

Howard barely had time to react before the tunnel shook with fresh gunfire.

SUVs had entered from the opposite end. Headlights beamed through the smoke, illuminating the scene of carnage.

The cyborg didn't flinch.

Jarvis hit the gas.

The car lurched forward, tires screeching as they tore out of the tunnel. Howard twisted in his seat, watching as the cyborg raised her arm...

And unleashed a blinding EMP pulse.

ZZZTTT!

The tunnel was swallowed in darkness.

The SUVs screeched to a halt. Gunfire stopped as men cursed and yelled, fumbling for night vision.

Too late.

The butchering began.

The first man barely had time to react. He turned, fumbling for his weapon...

SHNK!

A plasma blade ripped through his face. It cut through flesh, bone, and skull like butter. His body twitched before his head split in two, his brain sliding out onto the pavement.

The second man screamed. He raised his rifle, blind in the darkness...

CRACK!

The cyborg punched through his chest. Literally. Her gauntlet tore into his ribcage, crushing his lungs in an instant. He let out a gurgling breath before she ripped her arm out, dragging his spine with it. Blood sprayed everywhere like a freaking broken fountain.

Thud. His corpse hit the ground.

The third man ran. Smart.

Didn't matter.

She moved like a shadow, silent, fast, merciless.

SPLAT!

One clean swipe. His body dropped in two pieces.

The men inside didn't know what was happening. Panic. Shouting.

One of them screamed into a radio. "We need backup—"

KRRSH!

A fist punched through the window and grabbed his face. The last thing he felt was his skull being crushed like a watermelon.

Blood sprayed the interior.

Another man fumbled for his gun. His hands were shaking.

The door was ripped off the hinges.

The cyborg grabbed him by the throat and yanked him out.

SNAP.

His neck twisted the wrong way.

His body convulsed for a second, then went limp.

The driver tried to start the engine. Tried to escape.

He didn't make it.

SLAASH!

Her blade sliced the car in half. The man screamed as his torso slid off the seat, his guts spilling onto the road.

She killed everyone except one.

The last survivor, crawled on the ground, his legs useless from where shrapnel had torn through them. He was crying.

"P-please…" he whimpered, blood dribbling from his lips. "I... I have a family…"

The cyborg stood over him.

He was shaking, eyes wide, his breath hitching. He could see the glow of her visor. Those two red eyes in the darkness nearly made him piss his pants.

She raised her boot.

"Please..."

SQUELCH! 

His skull caved in beneath her heel. His brain matter splattered across the tunnel floor.

Silence.

The only sound left was the crackling of fire. The drip of blood.

The woman stood there, surrounded by dismembered corpses and pools of gore.

Not a single one survived.

Then, without a word, she turned...

And walked away.

[Horizon Island – Tony's Lab]

Tony, Milena, and Yelena were watching the carnage unfold in real time.

Blood. Bodies. The absolute brutality of it all.

The Widow Operative he had stationed near Howard had done her job perfectly.

Too perfectly.

Tony's eyes flicked to the biometric readings from her suit. Everything was normal and she didn't suffer any damage. Well, that was a good thing. He ordered the remaining Widows to follow Howard and keep him safe.

"Haaa... Those bastards."

Tony's eyes flicked between the screen showing Howard's escape route and the intercepted signal pinging across his encrypted database.

A distress call had been sent out.

Whoever was behind the attack on Howard had just broadcasted a signal, trying to call for backup.

Bad move.

Because Tony caught it.

A red holographic waveform pulsed in mid-air, showing the transmission's source.

[INTERCEPTED SIGNAL TRACE: ORIGIN UNKNOWN][ENCRYPTION: ADVANCED MILITARY-GRADE PROTOCOLS][DECODING ATTEMPT: 45% COMPLETE…]

"Come on, come on…" Tony muttered, his fingers flying across the holo-interface, rerouting every decryption subroutine he had.

The distress call had bounced off multiple satellites—military, private, black-market. Someone was trying hard to cover their tracks.

But Tony was better.

"Hermes, cut through the relays," he ordered. "Strip it down. I want the original source."

The AI's smooth voice responded instantly."Understood, Sir. Adjusting decryption priority. Bypassing dummy signals…"

A few seconds passed.

Then...

[TRACKING SUCCESSFUL – SIGNAL SOURCE LOCATED]

A new holographic map appeared, highlighting a location deep in Eastern Europe.

Latvia.

Tony's eyes narrowed. "Huh. That's interesting."

Melina, standing beside him, arms crossed, scowled. "Latvia?"

Yelena leaned forward, studying the screen. "So, what do you think?"

Tony drummed his fingers on the desk, staring at the map. "I don't know yet. But They weren't some random merc." He zoomed in, revealing a small industrial facility buried within the Latvian countryside. "This place? It's locked tight. No public records, no government ties, but it's definitely being used for something."

Melina clicked her tongue. "A ghost facility."

"Yep." Tony exhaled. "And if I had to bet, I'd say this is where they're keeping the next phase of whatever dumbass plan they've got."

Yelena smirked. "You want to crash their party?

The lab’s holographic display flickered as Hermes’s voice cut through the tense air.

"Sir. WARNING. Incoming missile detected. Origin unknown."

Tony’s breath hitched. His fingers froze over the console. "What?"

The holographic map of Latvia shifted, flashing RED.

"Tactical warhead inbound on ghost facility. Estimated time to impact—7 seconds."

Melina’s eyes widened. "What the hell?"

Yelena leaned forward. "Wait... what? A nuke?"

"4 seconds."

The satellite feed showed a thin white streak cutting across the night sky. It was death in the form of a hypersonic missile.

Tony’s jaw clenched. "Hermes, trace the launch point—NOW."

"Attempting, Sir..."

And then...

BOOOOOM!

The entire screen lit up with blinding white light. The Latvian facility didn’t just explode, it ceased to exist. A massive shockwave rippled outward, obliterating everything within a half-mile radius. Everything was gone in an instant.

The satellite feed went dark. The shockwave disrupted signals for a few seconds.

Smoke. Fire. Silence.

The facility was wiped off the map.

"...The hell just happened?" Yelena muttered.

Tony’s fingers flew over the interface. "Hermes, tell me you got a trace before the launch site went cold."

The AI’s voice returned, calmer now. "Tracking data retrieved, Sir. Missile origin traced to a deep-sea launch platform… off the Baltic coast. Error! Signal disappeared."

A new map appeared, highlighting a section of the ocean. There was nothing visible. No ships. No bases. Just open water.

Melina exhaled sharply. "A submerged launch site?"

Tony’s mind raced. A submarine? No, a deep-sea base. That meant resources. High-tech. They have cut their tails after noticing the Widow in an advanced suit. They feared the technology and took steps to prevent their personnel from getting captured. The fastest way... Just nuke them.

He zoomed in on the blast zone in Latvia.  It was a mess.

"Well, this is kinda messed up situation," He mumbled to himself.

...

[Oscorp Tower – Midnight]

Norman Osborn leaned back in his chair, the dim glow of multiple monitors flickering across his face. The Oscorp penthouse was silent, save for the rhythmic tapping of his fingers against the sleek mahogany desk.

He watched as the last of the satellite feeds flickered out, leaving only a static-filled screen where, just moments ago, there had been a secret military base in Latvia.

Now?

Nothing.

A crater. Smoke. Fire. 

Norman smirked. "Well, that was fun."

He turned his chair slightly, glancing at another monitor displaying a live transcript of a very interesting phone call—the one between Justin Hammer and the Mandarin.

Because Norman had been listening.

He always listened.

[One Hour Earlier] – Norman’s Office

When Hammer’s penthouse phone rang, Norman had already been watching.

Justin was easy to hack. A predictable idiot with no proper security measures. Norman had been inside his systems for months now, monitoring every call, every deal, every desperate little scheme.

So when that unknown number showed up?

Norman patched himself in.

And what did he hear?

"I want Ross dead."
"I want Fury dead."
"And I want Howard Stark dead."

Norman chuckled, pouring himself a drink as he listened to Hammer ramble like an angry child.

Then came the real gold.

Mandarin’s voice.

The real Mandarin.

Osborn’s fingers tapped against the desk as the criminal mastermind laid out his plan—not to kill Howard immediately, but to break him.

To make him suffer.

To make him live in fear.

To make him watch everything he built crumble.

Norman took a slow sip of his whiskey. "Damn. That’s actually good."

Mandarin was smart.

But Norman?

He was smarter.

Hammer and Mandarin thought they were moving unseen.

They weren’t.

Norman had dozens of dummy accounts across the black market. And he had one of his pawns control the whole situation. All that pawn had to do was hire the mercs and then pick up a call and nothing more. Well, that guy got nuked. Sad.

It was child’s play to redirect a mercenary group toward a "high-value target" and that fake base in Latvia, feeding them just enough misinformation to make them believe they were working for someone big.

The mission?

Kill Howard Stark.

Nothing personal.

Norman just wanted to see what would happen.

And oh, it was worth it.

Howard almost died. He saw his life flash before his eyes. He was forced to run, forced to see just how many people wanted him dead.

It was hilarious.

But then…

That mysterious cyborg widow showed up.

And Howard escaped.

The mercenaries? Dead. Obliterated.

Norman took another sip of his drink. "Well, that’s disappointing."

Now, what to do?

Considering the high tech, that cyborg had, there was a possibility that she might track him down. So, Norman’s smirk widened. "I think I’ll just erase the whole damn thing."

He pressed a button.

A single command was sent.

...

[Present time]

And now?

The Latvian base was gone.

A tactical warhead, launched from one of Norman’s off-the-books deep-sea facilities, which actually was in Ross' name. There they were doing some off-books experiments. So, even if someone tracks down that base, it'd be Ross' ass on fire.

Why?

No reason.

Just for fun.

Just to mess with Mandarin and Hammer.

Norman set his glass down, watching as his satellite feed showed nothing but fire and wreckage.

Somewhere out there, Mandarin was realizing he had just been played.

Somewhere out there, Justin Hammer was wondering what the hell just happened.

And Norman?

He was laughing.

A low chuckle at first. Then a full, uncontrollable laugh.

Because none of them had a clue who was really pulling the strings.

Mandarin thought he was the mastermind?

Hammer thought he was important?

Fools.

Norman Osborn was always five moves ahead.

And this?

This was just a game.

His eyes flickered to another monitor, where a profile of Howard Stark remained on screen.

The old man got lucky.

But how long would that luck last?

Norman’s grin widened. "Let’s find out."

[Spiderman] Ch: 15 [Waking up on MK Earth]

AN: Dropped due to lack of readers interest and the poll sealed the fate.

----

Peter sat up, the warm ocean breeze brushing against his skin. The soft rustling of palm trees and the distant crash of waves were the only sounds around them. He was confused because just the last night he was having fun and now, someone decided to mess with his peaceful life, again. He used magic to put clothes on Sue and himself.

Sue stirred beside him, stretching as the golden sunlight washed over her bare skin. “Mmm… that was a good...” She suddenly paused, blinking as she realized they weren’t in their bedroom. “What the hell?”

He sighed, already sensing the headache forming. “Yeah. Not exactly where I planned to wake up either.”

Sue sat up, crossing her arms. "You didn’t break reality again, did you?"

Peter smirked. "Babe, if I did, we’d be in a much nicer location. Maybe a paradise island with a five-star resort, not whatever this is."

He was already scanning everything with his cosmic awareness. His eyes flared with celestial energy, peeling back layers of reality itself. He checked for any distortions, any teleportation traces, any signs that someone, or something with reality-altering power. His home was layered with enough protection spells, tech barriers, and cosmic safeguards that nothing should’ve been able to take them without him knowing.

'Tsk. Either I am getting rusty or someone with a higher power put us here. Haaa...' He sighed.

Sue was now fully alert. “Peter?”

He exhaled. “Not our Earth.”

She froze. “What?”

He clenched his fists. “This isn’t our reality. We’ve been shifted.”

Sue ran a hand through her hair, her mind racing. “How? You would’ve sensed it if someone tried to breach our defenses.”

“Exactly,” Peter muttered.

He was already running through possibilities like universal anomalies, cosmic-level entities, and even the Elder Gods trying to drag him into their bullshit again. Well, considering Raiden's offer and Shang Tsung's attack, the possibility of the Elder Gods involved in this shift was more than other anomalies. 

“Can you get us back?” Sue asked as she looked around.

He closed his eyes, focusing. He could sense his reality and Earth. But when he tried to open a portal, something pushed back. He tried his cosmic teleport, but once again, it got nullified. A barrier. A wall between dimensions, preventing him from simply warping home.

His eyes snapped open.

“…It’s blocked.”

"Blocked?" Sue raised her eyebrow.

"Yup! There's a wall between the dimensions and some kind of ancient magic barrier that I haven't seen before. We gotta find out what’s going on and who did this because the dimensional shift is kinda not so good," Peter said while scratching his head.

"Not so good?" Sue asked. She knew that look on his face. "Out with it, Parker."

"You see time flows differently depending on the dimension or reality. 1 second here could be like 1 year on our Earth or it could be like, we can spend as much time as we want in this place and when we go back it would be the same moment we left."

"That's really bad," Sue replied. "Our kids, everyone... Use the Infinity Stones. Just snap it and take us back."

"Yeah, about that. The Infinity Stones only work in the reality they were made in. I can't use them in here," Peter replied as he checked the Infinity Stones in his isolated storage. Right now, the stones were just like some tiny colorful pebbles, nothing more.

"What?!" Sue exclaimed.

"Well, that's the way Infinity Stones work. It's an unbreakable law, like a programming. If you bring an Infinity Stone from one reality to another then it loses its power. So, our only option is to beat the crap out of that being who brought us here because even if I break the barrier and go back to our world, there's no guarantee that that bastard won't try to mess up with us again." Peter shrugged. He hated getting messed up with.

Sue massaged her forehead. "Okay, fine. We'll figure out what's happening and go back." She walked closer to him, standing next to him. "And we better hurry. I don't want to miss our kids' childhood."

Peter thought for a moment.

After everything that happened, he knew this was the Mortal Kombat world.

The only person who could explain this mess was Raiden. That guy always had answers. But Raiden was supposed to be on Peter’s Earth, recruiting warriors for Mortal Kombat. That meant he needed a new lead.

Peter closed his eyes and locked onto the second strongest human in this world. His cosmic senses flared, tracing energy patterns across the realm. He filtered out the weaker ones, ignoring the fighters who wouldn’t have the answers he needed. Then... there it was. He found Liu Kang. 

Gotcha.

Without hesitation, Peter grabbed Sue's arm and teleported.

In an instant, they found themselves standing at the gates of the Shaolin Temple.

The temple was massive, its golden rooftops gleaming under the morning sun. A giant staircase led up to the main entrance, where towering wooden doors stood shut, carved with ancient symbols. The faint scent of incense filled the air, mixing with the distant sounds of warriors training within the temple grounds.

Peter barely had a second to take it all in before...

“HALT!”

Two monks in traditional robes stepped forward, blocking the path. Their hands moved into defensive stances, energy subtly flickering around their palms. Their expressions were calm but unwavering.

“You are not welcome here, outsider,” one of them stated. “Leave.”

Peter sighed, already feeling the headache forming.

“Look, I don't have time for this bullshit, so just move.”

Before he could finish, both monks lunged at him.

Peter rolled his eyes. “Of course.”

The first monk struck, his palm glowing with golden chi as he aimed for Peter’s chest. 

"Using Chi against me?" Peter stopped his palm with a single finger. "A bad move."

The moment the monk’s glowing palm made contact with Peter’s finger, a pulse of raw energy exploded outward. The sheer force of Peter’s chi sent shockwaves through the air, freezing the monk in place. His entire body trembled as if he’d touched an unshakable mountain.

Peter smirked. “Chi’s nice and all, but…” His eyes flashed as he grabbed the monk's wrist and gently twisted it. A ripple of energy surged through the monk’s body, stopping his chi flow. The monk’s legs buckled, and he collapsed onto the stone floor, unconscious.

“…you’re a few centuries too early to try that on me.”

Meanwhile, Sue had her own situation. The second monk moved swiftly, his strikes were fast. He aimed for pressure points, his chi-enhanced strikes seeking to immobilize her.

Sue dodged effortlessly, weaving between his attacks with ease. Well, Wong's training didn't go to waste and she got to stretch her legs after a long time. “You know,” she mused, “you really shouldn’t attack people before knowing who they are.”

The monk snarled, throwing a high kick aimed for her ribs.

Sue simply turned invisible.

The monk’s foot struck nothing but air.

Before he could recover...

WHAM!

A powerful, invisible force crashed into his gut, sending him flying backward. He slammed into the temple doors with a loud thud, sliding down into a heap.

Sue reappeared, flipping her hair back. “That’s what I thought.”

Peter dusted his hands. “Well, that was a waste of time.”

Before they could take another step...

SHING!

A metallic whirl filled the air. Peter’s senses flared.

Something was coming.

Fast.

He tilted his head just as a spinning metal hat whizzed past where his neck had been a millisecond ago. It carved a deep groove into the temple floor before arcing back through the air. 

A figure teleported in a flash of blue light, landing in a crouch a few feet away. When the light faded, a warrior in monk robes stood tall, his arms crossed, eyes filled with battle-hardened focus. And that hat was on his head.

His long black hair flowed behind him, and his stance was poised, ready for war.

Kung Lao.

[Ironman] Ch: 56 [Hammer & Mandarin]

[Justin Hammer’s Penthouse – Midnight]

The shattered remains of a 50-inch television lay across the floor, sparks flickering from the broken screen. Justin Hammer stood in the middle of the wreckage, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths, his hands trembling with anger.

Everything had fallen apart.

His project. His government funding. His reputation.

All because of Howard Stark.

All because of Nick Fury.

All because of that arrogant bastard Ross.

They humiliated him. Publicly. They exposed his failures, and turned the entire room against him.

For years, Hammer had been climbing, waiting for his moment to prove he was more than just “the guy in Stark’s shadow.” He finally had it... A project that would revolutionize warfare, put him ahead of Stark Industries, of everyone.

And they killed it before it could even begin.

Justin let out a sharp exhale, running a hand through his disheveled hair. His jaw was tight, his teeth grinding together.

“They think this is over?” he muttered under his breath, his voice shaking. “No… no, no, no. You don’t get to embarrass me and just walk away.”

He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. His mind raced, filled with thoughts of revenge.

Then—

RING.

A call.

The phone on his desk vibrated, the caller ID flashing a familiar number.

Hammer froze.

He hadn’t seen that number in years.

His stomach twisted. He almost didn’t answer.

Almost.

Slowly, he picked up the phone and pressed it to his ear.

“…Took you long enough,” a voice slithered through the speaker, smooth and cold, laced with amusement. “I was starting to think you lost my number.”

Mandarin.

Hammer’s grip tightened around the phone.

Years ago, Mandarin International collapsed overnight. Their empire was exposed and forced into the shadows once again. Back then, Mandarin had approached Hammer with an offer—an alliance.

And Hammer said no.

He thought he didn’t need them.

He thought he could rise to the top on his own. And what could someone who fell do for him?

And now?

Now he was at the bottom.

Justin forced himself to take a breath. “What do you want?”

Mandarin chuckled softly. “Not even a hello? No pleasantries? Tsk. You wound me, Hammer.”

Justin wasn’t in the mood for games. “I don’t have time for your cryptic bullshit. You called me. Why?”

There was a pause. Then, Mandarin spoke, voice rich with mockery.

“I saw the news.”

Justin’s grip on the phone tightened.

“Oh, Justin…” Mandarin continued, his tone dripping with false sympathy. “How the mighty fall. Your grand project? Dead. Your reputation? In the gutter. And you? Just another embarrassed failure.”

Hammer’s face twisted with rage. “Shut the hell up.”

Mandarin ignored him. “You should have accepted my offer two years ago. We could have avoided this pathetic display. Had we worked together, you would be on top right now, not groveling in the dirt. But you were arrogant. You thought you didn’t need me.”

Justin felt his heart pounding. He wanted to throw the phone across the room, but he forced himself to stay calm.

Mandarin continued, his voice smooth as silk. “But I am merciful. And I am patient.”

There was a pause. Then...

“So I extend my hand once more.”

The words hung in the air.

Hammer swallowed hard. He knew Mandarin wasn’t offering this out of kindness. Mandarin didn’t do kindness.

But right now?

Right now, Justin had nothing.

And he wanted everything back.

He took a slow breath. “I’ll work with you.”

Mandarin chuckled. “Smart man.”

“But I have conditions,” Hammer’s voice was sharp, laced with venom.

Mandarin hummed in amusement. “Oh? Conditions? How bold of you. Tell me, Justin. What do you want?”

Hammer’s hands curled into fists. His blood boiled with hatred.

“I want Ross dead.”

Mandarin was silent.

“I want Fury dead.”

A pause.

“And I want Howard Stark dead.”

Mandarin’s soft chuckle echoed through the speaker, slow and amused.

“Oh, Justin… you really do let your emotions control you, don’t you?”

Hammer’s jaw clenched. “I told you what I want. You’re either in or you’re out.”

Mandarin exhaled, as if indulging a child’s tantrum. “And I told you before, impatience is an ugly thing in this business. You want Ross dead? You want Howard dead? And Nick Fury?”

There was a pause.

Then... Mandarin laughed.

A low, deep, amused laugh, like Justin had just told the funniest joke in the world.

Hammer’s face twisted with rage. “What the hell is so funny?”

Mandarin sighed, the mirth still in his voice. “You really think Fury is an option? That man is untouchable.”

Hammer blinked. “What?”

Mandarin’s tone turned sharp. “Do you think the man who sat in that room was really Nick Fury? Do you think the Director of SHIELD, one of the most paranoid men on this planet, would show up himself to a public defense meeting, where his enemies could get a clean shot?”

Hammer’s stomach twisted. “What are you saying?”

Mandarin chuckled again. “I’m saying the Fury you saw was a decoy. A fake. A stand-in. That man has so many shadows walking in his place that even I don’t know where the real one is. And if I don’t know?” He let that sink in. “Then you, my dear Justin, have no chance.”

Hammer’s breath was shallow. He hadn’t even considered that Fury wasn’t really there. But it made too much sense.

Mandarin continued. “You want to go after Fury? Fine. Do it. Watch as he dismantles your entire life before you even realize what’s happening. Watch as your friends disappear, your finances crumble, and your name is erased from history. Because that’s what happens when you poke Nick Fury.”

Hammer swallowed hard. “…So you’re saying he’s untouchable.”

Mandarin’s smile was almost audible. “For now.”

Hammer inhaled deeply. He couldn’t afford another failure. Not again.

Fine. Fury was off the table.

But Howard and Ross?

“They humiliated me,” Hammer growled. “They need to suffer.”

Mandarin hummed, considering. “Yes. Yes, they did, didn’t they?”

Hammer tightened his grip on the phone. “So do it. Kill them.”

Mandarin sighed, as if he was dealing with an impatient child. “You want them dead? Just like that? A bullet to the head? A tragic accident?” He scoffed. “How boring.”

Hammer’s fingers twitched. “I don’t care how you do it, I just want them gone.”

Mandarin’s voice dropped to a low whisper, dangerous and edged with malice. “Oh, Justin. You really don’t understand true revenge, do you?”

Hammer frowned. “…What the hell does that mean?”

“It means,” Mandarin said, voice smooth as silk, “that death is mercy. You want them to suffer? You want them to understand your pain? Then don’t kill them.”

Hammer’s pulse quickened. “Then what do you suggest?”

Mandarin leaned in closer, even through the phone, it felt like he was standing right beside Hammer, whispering in his ear.

“You make them watch.”

A chill ran down Hammer’s spine.

“You make them live through it, Justin,” Mandarin continued, his voice dripping with cruelty. “You let them wake up every day knowing they are losing. That their power is slipping, that their influence is fading. You make them live in fear, waiting for the next blow. Because that, Justin…” Mandarin’s voice darkened, like venom sliding through the phone, “…that is real suffering.”

Hammer was breathing heavily now, his mind racing.

Mandarin continued, slow and methodical. “Think about it. Howard Stark—the Howard Stark—living in constant fear. Every moment of his life, wondering what’s going to happen next. Knowing that something is coming for him, but never knowing when.”

Hammer’s lips parted slightly.

Mandarin’s tone turned almost playful. “And Ross? The ‘Great General’? Reduced to a paranoid, broken man. Forced to watch his career collapse from a hospital bed, too weak, too powerless to stop it. Wouldn’t that be beautiful?”

Hammer swallowed. “You’d… you’d do that?”

Mandarin smiled. “Of course. I’ll keep them afraid, every second of every day. I’ll make sure they experience what you feel right now. The shame, the humiliation, the desperation.”

Hammer inhaled sharply. He wanted them dead. But this?

This was better.

“Alright,” Hammer muttered, nodding. “Do it.”

Mandarin chuckled. “Now you’re starting to understand, Justin.”

Hammer exhaled, his body tense. “…And when they’ve suffered enough?”

Mandarin was silent for a long moment.

Then, he whispered—low, cold, absolute.

“Then we bury them.”

A cruel smile spread across Hammer’s lips.

...

[New York City – Midnight]

The city lights flickered past in a blur as Howard Stark tightened his grip on the leather seat of his car. The air smelled of burnt rubber and gunpowder, and the sharp cracks of gunfire echoed through the night.

"Bloody hell!" Jarvis cursed as he swerved the sleek black sedan, dodging another barrage of bullets.

The convoy meant to protect Howard? Gone.

His security vehicles, state-of-the-art, reinforced, and custom-made by Stark Industries, had been blown apart in coordinated explosions. Someone had planted bombs in them. And if that were the case…

Howard’s mind raced. 'There could be one in here too.'

"Sir, remain calm," Jarvis said, eyes flickering over the rearview mirror. "I've already scanned the car. There's none." He was focused but Howard knew him well enough to recognize the slight tension in his jaw. Even he was rattled.

The enemies behind them weren’t giving up. SUVs rushed forward, their windows down, masked gunmen leaning out and spraying bullets toward them. Flashes of light illuminated the dark streets as rounds struck the back of their car, pinging off the armor but leaving visible dents.

And then came the motorcycles.

Three of them, weaving between traffic, closing in fast. 

Howard exhaled sharply. "Jarvis, take the tunnel. Now."

Jarvis didn’t hesitate. He yanked the wheel hard, sending the car skidding onto a side road that led toward the underground tunnel.

The bikers followed.

Howard looked down, his fingers brushing over the handgun, 'Damn it.' He took it out.

The moment they entered the tunnel, the gunfire lessened. The bikers couldn’t risk shooting blindly in a confined space.

But then...

A deafening whirr cut through the tunnel.

Howard’s eyes widened.

A helicopter.

"Are you bloody kidding me?" Howard muttered.

The chopper hovered just above the tunnel entrance, its rotors slicing through the air. Its side-mounted machine gun whined to life, preparing to fire straight into the tunnel.

If it fires now…

They were dead.

Howard braced himself.

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 90 [I’m Harley goddamn Quinn] [Vol-2 ENDS]

Natasha moved quickly, her suit’s cloaking system keeping her invisible to the ship’s scanners. The corridors pulsed with eerie neon-green light, the walls shifting, breathing like a living organism.

She was deep in the heart of Brainiac’s vessel now—inside the Mainframe Core.

Massive tendrils of alien machinery coiled around a floating sphere of energy. It was the ship’s brain. If this thing went down, so would Brainiac’s entire army.

Her visor flickered.

[Structural Weaknesses Detected.]
[Charge Placement Optimized.]

Natasha grinned. "Let’s see you adapt to this."

She moved fast, placing the explosives in key locations. Each one was lined with Stark’s best micro-singularity tech. The moment they detonated, they’d erase everything around it from existence.

A robotic voice echoed overhead.

"Intruder detected."

Natasha cursed under her breath. 'Time to move.'

The ship’s walls split open, revealing dozens of Brainiac’s sentries. Glowing green eyes locked onto her.

She pressed a button on her wrist.

Beep.

The charges were armed. Ten seconds.

Natasha smirked. "Too late, asshole."

She turned and sprinted down the corridor, her suit activating super speed. In a flash of blue light, she blured forward, dodging incoming fire.

Seven seconds.

The exit hatch was sealed shut.

Natasha flipped mid-run, pulling out a magnetic disc and hurling it at the door. The explosive attached instantly...

BOOM!

The door ripped open.

Three seconds.

She dived into space just as...

[BOOOOOOOM!!!]

Behind her, the entire ship erupted.

A chain reaction tore through the vessel as explosions cascaded outward. Massive chunks of debris scattered into the void, engulfed in fire and neon-green energy.

Natasha twisted mid-air, stabilizing herself as she watched the destruction unfold. A massive vortex appeared, swallowing the exploding ship.

And then...

It worked.

Across the battlefield, Brainiac’s forces collapsed.

The drones that had been overwhelming Tigra and Ami Han stopped mid-air and watched the nice view. The warships lost control, spiraling helplessly before detonating. The massive battle station shuddered, its weapons fizzling out.

Hazmat blinked. “No way…”

Ami Han narrowed her eyes. “The ship is gone.”

Clint pumped his fist. "HELL YES!"

The tide of battle had shifted in an instant.

The heroes regrouped, floating in the wreckage-filled space, catching their breath. Selina, Harley, and Morgan flew to them.

Natasha activated her comm. “The creep is down.”

Harley grinned. “Damn, Nat. Never thought I’d say this, but I love you.”

Selina smirked. “You actually did it.”

Morgan, arms crossed, watched the scene in silence. Although the vortex was swallowing the ship, she could sense a life force inside, completely unharmed. 

“It’s over,” Tigra murmured.

Then...

A slow, mechanical hum vibrated through space.

A pulse of green light erupted from the vortex.

Morgan’s eyes widened. “No… not yet.”

From the debris of the destroyed flagship…

Brainiac emerged.

His body hovered above the remains of his ship, completely intact.

The fires of the explosion licked at his form but did nothing. His biomechanical plating shimmered, repairing itself instantly. His four mechanical appendages extended outward, his eyes burning with eerie intelligence.

The damage was meaningless.

"Fascinating. You have exceeded projections."

He turned toward them, his glowing gaze locking onto Natasha.

"A human… with no powers. And yet, you have undone my fleet. Impressive."

His head tilted slightly.

"It is unfortunate that your victory… is irrelevant."

The air around him crackled.

A surge of energy radiated from his body.

A moment later—

His ship began to rebuild itself as the vortex disappeared.

The wreckage reversed, shattered metal pulling itself back together. The debris reformed, reshaping into a new structure. Even the deactivated drones were stirring.

Morgan’s expression darkened. "Oh, hell no."

She raised her hand...

BOOM!

A golden blast of energy erupted from her palm, shooting straight at Brainiac.

The attack slammed into him...

...And stopped.

Brainiac lifted a single hand, absorbing the blast into his palm. The energy dissipated into his systems.

He looked at her.

"Ah. You are the anomaly."

Morgan clenched her fists, power crackling around her. “You talk too much.”

Brainiac’s eyes gleamed.

"Let us test that hypothesis."

Then...

He moved.

In an instant, he was in front of her.

Morgan barely had time to react.

Brainiac’s hand collided with her chest.

BOOOOM!

The impact launched her across the battlefield. She crashed into a nearby asteroid, the force carving straight through it.

Harley’s eyes widened. "MORGAN!"

But Brainiac was already moving.

Faster than light.

His limbs extended, striking out toward the others.

Natasha dodged at the last second, flipping through the void. Ami Han transformed into pure energy, phasing through the attack. Tigra barely leaped away as one of his mechanical arms sliced through the remains of a warship like butter.

Clint fired another arrow...

It never reached him.

Brainiac caught it mid-air.

He crushed it in his fist.

Hazmat unleashed a wave of bio-energy...

Brainiac absorbed it.

His eyes flashed. "I have adapted."

Then...

He unleashed it back.

The same radioactive blast erupted from his body, ten times stronger.

Hazmat barely had time to scream before it slammed into her. But Morgan was already there. She swiped her hand. A wave of energy rippled through the air, nullifying Brainiac's attack.

"How dare you zucchini-looking octopus hurt my Morgan?" Harley blasted forward in anger. 

...

Harley Quinn wasn’t the strongest.

She wasn’t the smartest.

Hell, she rarely gets angry and always laughs while pranking around almost everywhere, pulling everyone into her zone.

But right now?

She was the angriest.

And Brainiac was about to learn what happened when you pissed off Harley freakin’ Quinn.

Brainiac barely had time to process the incoming attack.

One second, Harley was floating in space.

The next...

BOOOOOOOM!!!

Her fist collided with his face.

The sheer force of the impact sent a shockwave through the void, ripping apart debris, distorting the space around them. Brainiac’s body crumpled inward from the punch, his adaptive plating shattering as he was hurled through his own drones.

Harley wasn’t done.

She appeared behind him before he even reached the wreckage.

With a wicked grin, she grabbed the back of his head...

Baam!

She slammed his skull straight into a nearby asteroid. The rock exploded on impact, reduced to molten dust as the force tore through it like paper.

Brainiac barely had time to register what was happening.

This wasn’t possible.

He had adapted. He had countermeasures.

And yet...

Harley Quinn was tearing him apart.

Adaptation? Useless. 

Brainiac recalculated mid-fall. 

His systems instantly adjusted. His body restructured, reinforcing itself with an impenetrable energy matrix. His arms extended, weaponizing.

A thousand attacks launched at once...

Lasers. Plasma. Kinetic force. Gravity distortions. Anti-matter disintegration beams.

Harley walked through it all.

Not dodging.

Not blocking.

She just took it.

And nothing happened.

Not a scratch.

Not a bruise.

Not even a single burned hair.

Morgan’s eyes widened. 'Holy shit… She’s finally doing it.'

Selina grinned, "She’s using the sun."

"Luckily, that freak didn't upgrade himself with that monster we fought," Morgan said with a smile.

Harley Quinn, the insane clown princess of Gotham, had unlocked her full Kryptonian potential.

And Brainiac?

He was screwed.

Harley exploded forward. 

Her fists blurred... too fast to track, too powerful to withstand.

BOOM!

A punch to Brainiac’s ribs... his exoskeleton cracked, collapsing in on itself.

BOOM!

Another to his spine... his limbs twitched, overloaded with broken signals.

BOOM!

She kicked him in the chest, sending him flying, obliterating everything in his path.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

A barrage.

An onslaught.

Each hit stronger than the last, each blow undoing his entire existence.

Brainiac tried to teleport.

Harley grabbed him mid-phase.

“Oh no ya don’t, spaghetti man.”

She ripped him out of the teleportation field and...

BOOOOOOOM!!!

She piledrived him through another asteroid.

Morgan and the others just… watched.

Tigra blinked. “We’re not even needed, are we?”

Clint shook his head. “Nope.”

Ami Han let out a low whistle. “I’d almost feel bad for Brainiac.”

Hazmat grinned. “Almost.”

Morgan smirked but said nothing.

Because she knew.

Harley wasn’t done.

Brainiac was barely functioning now.

His adaptive algorithms were overloaded. His neural processors were failing.

For the first time in his entire existence, he felt fear.

Harley floated before him, cracking her knuckles. “What’s wrong, Bri-Bri? Thought ya adapted?”

Brainiac’s eyes flickered. “I… am… Brainiac…”

Harley tilted her head. “And I’m Harley goddamn Quinn.”

She grinned.

And then...

She grabbed his head.

And squeezed.

His body convulsed. The energy matrix collapsed.

And then...

CRACK!!!

She ripped his head clean off.

Brainiac’s body twitched. His limbs sparked. His processors went silent.

And then...

His body detonated.

A final explosion. A last, desperate act of defiance.

Harley hovered there, Brainiac’s severed head still in her grip, untouched by the blast.

She smirked.

“And that’s how ya kill an alien octopus.”

Everything was still.

Brainiac’s forces were gone. His warships, erased. His empire, finished.

Harley turned, tossing Brainiac’s head over her shoulder. Then she flew to Morgan and began to check her body for any injuries. "Ya, aren't hurt, are ya, kiddo?"

"I am alright. I just got a little careless," Morgan said with a smile. 

“Sooo… who’s hungry?” Harley turned around.

Selina burst out laughing.

Morgan shook her head, smiling. “You’re a menace.”

Tigra let out a breath. “I can’t believe that just happened.”

Ami Han chuckled. “I can.”

Clint smirked. “Dibs on never fighting her.”

Hazmat grinned. “Agreed.”

Natasha landed beside them, arms crossed. She looked Harley up and down.

“…Not bad.”

Harley wiggled her brows. “Admit it, ya love me.”

Just then Bruce and The Fallen One teleported there. Bruce looked around, "Ok. What did I miss?"

---

AN: Ok. Brainiac's arc is now over. And now, time for Darkseid. I plan to keep it short and filled with action. There won't be any filler chapters.

[Ironman] Ch: 55 [Justin Hammer]

[Washington D.C. – Government Defense Convention]

The conference hall was packed. Rows of military officials, government representatives, and corporate leaders filled the room, all gathered to witness the unveiling of the next step in national security. High-ranking members of S.H.I.E.L.D. sat at the center, among them, Howard Stark and Nick Fury.

The massive screen at the front of the room flickered to life, displaying a black and red armored figure, blurry and distorted, flying through the night sky. The grainy footage had been leaked through military channels, and though it was unclear, everyone in the room had heard rumors.

Rumors of a highly advanced armored individual operating in secret.

A few muttered amongst themselves.

"Is that real?"

"Some say it took out a private rogue military facility last month..."

Howard remained silent, arms crossed, while Fury sat beside him, watching the footage with his usual serious no-nonsense expression.

At the podium, Justin Hammer stood confidently, dressed in an expensive suit, his signature grin plastered across his face. He tapped the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Hammer began, his voice dripping with practiced charisma, "we live in a world of unpredictable threats. Superhumans, rogue mutants, enhanced individuals, and let's not ignore the elephant in the room... this mysterious armored vigilante."

The murmuring in the crowd grew louder.

"Now, sure," Hammer continued, pacing slightly, "the idea of some metal-clad superhero flying around might sound entertaining, even comforting to some. But ask yourselves, who is he? What does he want? Can he be controlled?"

Silence.

"Exactly." Hammer snapped his fingers, and the massive screen behind him changed, displaying images of sleek, humanoid combat drones, their metallic exteriors reflecting the bright lights of the stage.

"Introducing: The Hammer Autonomous Combat Unit – The Future of Warfare."

There was a ripple of applause from some of the defense contractors in the crowd. Hammer beamed, pressing forward.

"These AI-driven units are designed to replace human soldiers in combat, eliminating unnecessary casualties and ensuring total efficiency on the battlefield."

Another image appeared, showing a simulated battle where Hammer's robots were fighting against human soldiers and winning.

"Their tactical response time is faster than any human, their accuracy is precise, and best of all? They don't hesitate. They don't question orders."

Fury's expression didn't change, but Howard shifted slightly in his seat.

"Now, I know what some of you are thinking," Hammer continued, raising a hand. "What about superhumans? What about mutants? What about that tin-can vigilante flying around in the shadows?"

The screen changed again, this time displaying a simulated battle between Hammer's combat units and enhanced opponents.

"That's where the true brilliance of this project lies. Our combat AI has been trained to counter enhanced threats. Superhuman strength? Doesn't matter when my bots can analyze weaknesses in real-time and strike where it hurts the most. Flight? Energy projection? My AI learns, adapts, and neutralizes before the enemy even gets a chance."

Some officials in the crowd nodded in approval.

"With proper funding, we can deploy these units across the country, ensuring safety and control in an era where unpredictability is a constant threat. Imagine a world where riots, superpowered criminals, and rogue elements are suppressed instantly before they can cause harm. A world where we, the government, are always one step ahead."

Norman Osborn, sitting beside General Ross, clenched his fingers. He had remained quiet throughout the presentation, but now?

Now, there was interest in his eyes.

One of the officials, a senior Pentagon advisor, leaned forward. "You're talking about total robotic enforcement? Wouldn't that lead to… unnecessary aggression? If these machines act without hesitation, what about collateral damage?"

Hammer grinned. "Oh, believe me, sir, my team has thought about that. The AI is designed to operate within strict guidelines. No reckless endangerment, no unnecessary violence... just pure, calculated efficiency."

Another official raised an eyebrow. "And what about this?" He gestured toward the screen displaying the blurry Iron Man footage.

Hammer's expression soured slightly before he covered it up with a laugh. "Oh, that? Please. Whoever that is, they're outdated compared to my machines. Some rogue tech genius with a fancy prototype? Maybe. But my bots? They're government-approved. They work for you, not against you. So why waste time worrying about an unregistered metal vigilante? Once my project is completed, we will take care of this tin can."

The officials exchanged glances.

Howard Stark, however, remained silent.

Nick Fury finally spoke, his deep voice cutting through the noise.

"So, let me get this straight," Fury said slowly. "You want unmanned war machines patrolling the streets? Deciding who's a threat and who's not?"

Hammer turned toward Fury, giving his best salesman smile. "That's the idea. Minimized risk, maximized control."

Fury's expression didn't change. "Sounds like you're trying to build an army."

Hammer chuckled. "An army? No, no, Director Fury, this isn't an army... this is the future."

Howard finally spoke, his tone calm but sharp.

"And who owns this future, Hammer?" Howard asked.

Hammer paused. "Excuse me?"

Howard leaned forward. "Let's say the government funds your little project. Who owns the machines? You? The military? Some private investors?"

The question hung in the air.

Hammer hesitated for half a second, long enough for everyone to notice.

Then, he recovered. "Of course, the United States government would have full control of the units."

Howard's eyes narrowed slightly. "That so?"

The murmuring in the crowd hadn't died down. If anything, it was growing louder. The prospect of autonomous war machines patrolling the streets was a controversial one. Some officials looked intrigued, others uneasy.

Norman Osborn leaned slightly toward General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross and whispered something under his breath.

Ross didn't react immediately. His fingers tapped against the table, his military instincts kicking in. After a moment, he gave the faintest nod, then cleared his throat.

"Mr. Hammer."

Justin Hammer, who had been soaking in the attention, turned toward Ross with a practiced smile.

"Ah, General Ross! A pleasure as always. I was hoping you'd be interested in the future of military technology."

Ross ignored the flattery, his voice carrying a commanding presence.

"Tell me, Hammer," Ross said, his tone measured. "What are the chances of your robots being hacked?"

The room went silent.

Hammer blinked, caught slightly off guard. Then, he let out a nervous chuckle. "Hacked? General, please. These machines operate on an encrypted military-grade AI system, completely secure and..."

"I didn't ask about encryption," Ross interrupted. "I asked about chances. What happens if, let's say, someone... a rogue nation, a terrorist cell, or some underground hacker group, manages to override your AI?"

Hammer's jaw tightened, but he kept up his rehearsed act. "General, I assure you..."

"No, don't assure me. Answer me." Ross leaned forward, his eyes cold. "Because if someone can hack these machines, we're not looking at a future of peace. We're looking at a goddamn slaughter."

Some of the officials shifted in their seats, clearly uncomfortable.

Even Norman Osborn smirked slightly, watching Hammer squirm.

Hammer exhaled through his nose. "Look, I get it. You're concerned. That's fair. But we have contingency plans. Firewalls upon firewalls. Remote shutdown failsafes. These bots are designed to be completely tamper-proof. Hacking them is not an option."

Ross arched an eyebrow. "Not an option? Nothing is ever impossible, Hammer. Technology is progressing faster each day and we even have a flying robot around the world, which even our most advanced tech couldn't track or get a clear picture of. You know what that means, that thing or whoever is controlling it must have technology far advanced than ours. And you say 'unhackable.' You're telling me that no one, nowhere, will ever find a way to turn these machines against us?"

Hammer hesitated for a fraction of a second.

And that was all Ross needed.

The General turned his gaze toward the rest of the officials. "These machines don't have human judgment. If someone gets control of them, they won't stop. They won't hesitate. You're not just talking about replacing soldiers, Hammer. You're talking about replacing decision-making itself. And that's a goddamn problem."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room.

Hammer forced a grin, clearly annoyed but unwilling to show it. "With all due respect, General, you're thinking in extremes. This is about progress. Efficiency. Power."

Howard Stark suddenly spoke, his voice calm but firm.

"Power without control is a weapon pointed at the wrong people."

Hammer snapped his head toward Howard, eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you think about this, Mr. Stark?"

"Let’s get one thing straight, Hammer," Howard said, his fingers steepled. "You're trying to sell us on security, but what you're really offering is a goddamn disaster waiting to happen."

Hammer scoffed, shaking his head. "Oh, come on, Howard. You, of all people, should understand progress. This isn’t about danger... this is about control."

Howard’s eyes narrowed. "Control? You’re talking about machines that don’t think. Don’t hesitate. Don’t understand the context. What happens when one of your ‘autonomous combat units’ malfunctions and wipes out an entire civilian block because of a miscalculation? What happens if they see a child holding a toy gun and register it as a hostile threat?"

Some of the military officials shifted uncomfortably.

Hammer let out a laugh, but it was strained now, forced. "Come on, that’s ridiculous. These bots have the best AI programming available..."

"AI isn’t human, Hammer." Howard cut him off. "AI doesn’t improvise. It doesn’t feel. It follows a set of pre-programmed rules, and if those rules fail? It doesn’t stop to think. It keeps going."

Nick Fury, who had been silently watching, finally spoke up.

"Howard’s right," Fury said, his deep voice carrying across the room. "These machines aren’t soldiers. Soldiers know when to disobey orders. They know when not to fire. What happens when one of these units is given an order that goes against human ethics?"

Hammer's grin twitched slightly, his confidence faltering for the first time. "Like I said... failsafes."

General Ross let out a dry chuckle. "Failsafes? You mean like the ones you had for those prosthetic implants last year?"

The room went dead silent.

Hammer froze. His face lost all color.

Ross leaned forward, his presence overwhelming. "You remember that, don’t you, Hammer? When your ‘cutting-edge’ prosthetics malfunctioned and ended up killing multiple civilians in less than a month? Because I do."

Murmurs spread across the hall.

Howard Stark sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Oh yeah, I remember that too. Wasn’t it Hammer Industries that said—and I quote—‘Our technology is foolproof and completely safe'?"**

Hammer’s jaw tightened. "That was different. It was an isolated..."

"No, it wasn’t," one of the Pentagon officials cut in. "The implants failed because your tech was rushed and untested. You put people in danger to make a profit."

Another official, a Congressman from New York, frowned. "And now you want us to trust you with an army of autonomous weapons? Not a chance."

The murmurs turned into open conversation.

More officials spoke up, voicing their concerns, doubts, and outright opposition. Some even pulled out their own reports on Hammer Industries’ past failures—faulty weapons, botched security systems, and shady dealings with foreign investors.

In less than five minutes, the entire proposal collapsed.

The funding was pulled.

Orders were issued to shut the project down immediately.

Justin Hammer stood there, his entire face drained of blood, as everything fell apart.

Norman Osborn, who had been watching quietly, finally stood up. His expression was unreadable, but the glint of amusement in his eyes was unmistakable. He went to Justin and patted his shoulder.

"Tough break, Hammer," Norman said with a smirk. "Maybe next time, try making something that doesn’t backfire in your face."

Hammer clenched his jaw, his hands trembling as he watched his biggest opportunity disappear.

He would not forget this.

And he would not forgive.

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 89 [Omega-Level Target]

[A Few Minutes Earlier – Earth]

Morgan Stark stood atop Stark Tower, her hands clenched into fists, her glowing golden eyes locked onto the battle unfolding in space. She didn't need a screen to see it. She could feel it.

She saw every explosion, every impact, and every scream.

And right now, she was watching her family suffer.

Selina was bleeding.

Harley was broken.

And that thing, Brainiac's Hybrid Doomsday, wasn't just winning. It was toying with them. Adapting. Learning. She could see their bodies were reaching their limits. Even if they were absorbing the sun rays, and Extremis healing their wounds, that freak they were fighting was on another level.

Morgan's breathing was slow and controlled, but her fingers twitched at her sides.

She wanted to go.

'No. You can't. Unless you can use Omnipotence, you can't. Don't let your emotions get in your way. But if things get out of hand, feel free to do whatever you want. Just make sure you are safe..'

Bruce's words echoed in her mind. He had told her to stay behind, to guard Earth in case Brainiac launched an attack from another angle. She had one job.

She tried to listen.

Tried to stay put.

But then...

Harley screamed.

Morgan felt the pain before the sound even reached her enhanced senses. She saw Harley's face twisted in agony, saw the blood dripping from her mouth, saw the sick, mocking gleam in Hybrid Doomsday's glowing green eyes.

Saw its claws glow with energy, ready to deliver the finishing blow.

Her body moved before her mind even made the decision.

A golden spark ignited around her.

Reality bent. Space twisted.

And she was gone.

[Mars]

Hybrid Doomsday loomed over Harley, its monstrous form radiating deadly energy. Its clawed hand glowed, a concentrated mass of destruction forming at the tips of its fingers.

A killing blow.

It wasn't going to miss.

Harley, barely conscious, clenched her fists. 'Move, damn it… MOVE!'

The claw descended...

SPLAT!

The creature's arm... gone.

A clean, precise slice separated Hybrid Doomsday's limb from its body, the wound cauterized instantly by a golden edge of pure power.

The monster roared in confusion, staggering back.

Harley's eyes widened.

A new presence had arrived.

A golden glow illuminated the battlefield. Energy rippled across the Martian terrain, distorting the very air around them. The thin atmosphere vibrated, charged with something beyond comprehension.

Morgan Stark stood there, hovering inches above the ground, her body outlined in radiant cosmic fire. Her long, dark hair floated weightlessly, her eyes burning with infinite light.

And she was furious.

Harley blinked groggily. "M-Morgan…?"

"Don't worry, I'll take it from here," Morgan said in a cold voice.

Her golden blade extended from her right hand, still humming from the strike. The severed limb of Hybrid Doomsday twitched on the ground behind her before dissolving into ash.

She pointed her finger toward the monster.

"You," she said, her voice calm. Too calm.

Hybrid Doomsday's severed arm was already regenerating, metal and flesh twisting back together. But as soon as it tried to attack again...

Morgan moved.

Faster than light.

In the time it took Hybrid Doomsday to blink, she was already in front of it.

And then...

BOOOOOOM!!!

Her fist crashed into its gut, a shockwave erupting outward. The very force of the punch shattered the land beneath them, cracking the surface of Mars for miles.

"GAAARRRRR!!" The monster screamed, not in rage but in pain.

Morgan grabbed its face with her free hand, her fingers digging into its reinforced skull.

"How dare you," she whispered.

Hybrid Doomsday struggled, trying to break free. He punched, threw heat vision, unleashed toxic breath, but all got nullified almost instantly.

She squeezed.

The air around them bent, compressed under the raw gravitational force of the Space Stone's power. The creature's body crumpled inward as though being crushed by an invisible black hole.

"HOW DARE YOU TOUCH MY FAMILY?!"

With a flick of her wrist, she hurled Hybrid Doomsday across the battlefield.

Its body tore through mountains, leaving a path of obliteration in its wake.

Morgan didn't even wait. She raised a hand.

Time froze.

Hybrid Doomsday was locked in mid-air, completely immobilized. It couldn't move. Couldn't think.

Morgan twisted her fingers.

The creature's body began to unravel.

Strands of its existence peeled away like threads being plucked from reality itself.

It screamed.

Morgan clenched her fist...

The monster exploded into golden dust.

Silence.

Harley, still gasping for breath, tried to push herself up. "…Holy shit."

Selina staggered toward them, clutching her ribs. "She… killed it."

Morgan landed softly, her cosmic energy flickering slightly as she turned to face them.

Harley smirked weakly. "Remind me never to piss you off, kid."

Morgan exhaled, the rage in her eyes finally settling. "You scared me," she admitted, voice quieter now.

Harley and Selina exchanged a glance.

Then, without warning...

Morgan pulled Harley and Selina into a tight embrace.

"You almost died," she whispered, voice shaking. "I felt it. I saw it. I... I couldn't just wait..."

Harley blinked, then slowly grinned. "Awww, kid, you really do love me."

Morgan groaned, pulling away. "Shut up."

Selina chuckled, wincing at the pain in her ribs. "Talk about perfect timing. What about Earth?"

Morgan's face darkened. "Yeah, well… Earth's fine." She folded her arms. "I can just teleport there if things get serious."

Harley wiped the blood from her mouth. "And Brainiac?"

Morgan's eyes flickered gold again.

She turned toward the sky—toward the massive battle still raging beyond the atmosphere.

"Still alive," she muttered. "But not for long."

...

[Brainiac's Ship – Throne Room]

Brainiac watched the battle unfold, his cold expression unreadable.

Data poured into his mind in real-time, processing the new variable.

Designation: Morgan Stark.

Threat Level: Unknown.

Power Signature: Error!

Conclusion: Omega-Level Target.

For the first time in centuries...

Brainiac did not have a plan.

And that…

Was unacceptable.

His mechanical fingers twitched. A silent command echoed through the ship.

All remaining forces. Converge.

Morgan Stark was here.

And the war was far from over.

...

[Let's shift the focus to the other side.]

Natasha, Clint, Tigra, Ami Han, and Hazmat flew between the wreckage of the battlefield in their new armor. The Crysis-grade armor was doing its job, space survival, amplifying their speed, power, and durability.

But they weren’t invincible.

Ami Han turned pure energy for a brief period as she phased through an incoming energy blast before materializing behind a Brainiac drone. Her vibranium-enhanced blade cut through its metal body effortlessly. She didn’t even watch as it exploded—she was already moving, dodging another incoming strike.

Tigra leaped from Sentinel to Sentinel, her claws enhanced with kinetic energy from her suit. With a growl, she ripped through the plating of another drone, using the momentum to flip onto a floating chunk of debris.

Hazmat, hovering mid-air in her reinforced suit, unleashed a wave of bio-energy, her radioactive blasts melting through an incoming squad of drones. Her visor flickered, reading energy outputs. “We’re clearing ‘em out, but they’re still adapting. Just what kind of tech are they using?”

Then...

BOOOOM!

A massive explosion rocked the battlefield as one of Brainiac’s larger warships detonated, torn apart by the Sentinels’ endless assault.

Clint grinned beneath his helmet. “Not for long,” he muttered.

He nocked an arrow. The tip pulsed with a swirling miniature black hole. He let it fly.

The Singularity Arrow streaked through space, embedding itself into the hull of another warship.

For half a second, nothing happened.

Then...

A gravitational implosion.

The ship collapsed inward, its metal frame folding into itself before vanishing into the singularity. A fraction of Brainiac’s fleet was wiped out in seconds.

Tigra let out a low whistle. “Alright, that’s kinda terrifying.”

Clint grinned, already pulling another arrow from his quiver. “Wait till you see what this one does.”

Hazmat snapped her head toward the battlefield. “Less talking, more killing! We need to keep Brainiac distracted for Nat!”

[Inside Brainiac’s Ship]

While the others were holding the line outside, Natasha was already deep inside the ship.

She moved like a ghost inside the ship, avoiding detection with her suit’s cloaking system.

She had one job.

Find Brainiac’s central core and shut him down.

Her HUD flickered as she scanned the structure. The ship was alive—a pulsating mass of alien tech, constantly shifting as if it could sense her presence.

But she was Natasha Romanoff.

She knew how to disappear.

She pressed against a wall as a squad of drones marched past her, their glowing eyes scanning for intruders. The moment they were gone, she slipped forward, her steps silent, her nano-daggers primed.

She was getting close.

Her earpiece crackled. "Nat, we’re running out of targets out here. How’s it looking?" Clint’s voice came through.

She smirked. "Almost there. Just keep the fireworks going, Legolas."

[Outside]

Brainiac had had enough.

From the flagship, massive tendrils of neon-green energy erupted outward, slamming through Sentinels, and tearing them apart.

Hazmat cursed. "Shit... he’s adapting again! I should've gone full nuclear."

"Yeah, but the radiation might affect Earth's atmosphere. We can't risk that, can we?" Clint replied.

Brainiac’s warships merged together, forming a colossal battle station, bristling with weapons.

A deep, mechanical voice echoed across the battlefield.

"This resistance has exceeded projections. Adjusting parameters. You will be eliminated."

Clint scoffed. “Yeah, yeah, we’ve heard that before.”

He pulled another arrow. This one is tipped with Pym Particles.

He fired.

The arrow hit the battle station’s main cannon...

SHHRRRRROOOOOM!

The entire cannon shrank and disappeared into the quantum realm. 

Tigra grinned. “Oh, that’s just mean.”

"That’s the idea," Clint smirked.

Ami Han flew forward, slicing through drones with impossible speed. “We’re wearing them down! Keep pushing!"

Hazmat blasted another wave of drones, her suit overheating from the constant radiation output. “Nat, anytime now!”

[Ironman] Ch: 54 [Project Starfire]

[Under the Island]

Tony walked into his most restricted lab, the one place even Natasha and the Widows weren’t allowed to enter. It's a big lab that covered hundreds of meters under the island and it took Tony seven months to build that place because it wasn't that easy to work underwater while hiding. 

This was where he worked on the impossible.

The doors sealed shut behind him, reinforced with layers of titanium and energy shielding. No one could break in. No one could spy.

Because what he was building here?

It wasn’t just for the world.

It was for himself.

Tony leaned against the cold metal counter, rubbing his temples.

The headache was back.

It had disappeared years ago after that one conversation. But now? It was creeping in again, stronger than before.

And something else had changed.

His connection to technology was growing. At first, it was just a feeling—an awareness of the machines around him. But now? Now he could control them. Move them with a thought. Like a technomancer.

He clenched his fists.

He knew what was happening.

He didn’t have much time.

Pushing off the headache, he moved inside. Before him were massive monitors, flickering with streams of data, holographic blueprints of a spacecraft hovering in mid-air.

This was it.

Project Starfire.

The project he had been working on for years.

A ship unlike anything on Earth.

Not a simple rocket. Not a modified military-grade vehicle.

A true deep-space vessel, built to withstand the cosmic radiations that no human technology had ever dared to face.

Tony exhaled, gripping the edge of the table. His head throbbed, but he pushed it aside. He was too close now.

[Project Starfire – Progress So Far]

✔ Power Source:
Tony had designed a new Arc Reactor, capable of supplying unlimited energy to the spacecraft. It would power the ship’s engines, weapons, defense systems, and life support—making it completely self-sufficient in deep space.

✔ Engine Development – 40% Complete:
The spacecraft’s engine was designed to draw power directly from the Arc Reactor. It would allow long-range space travel without relying on fuel. The challenge now was optimizing its efficiency to withstand high-speed interstellar movement and extreme conditions.

✔ Cosmic Radiation Research:
Tony had been studying cosmic radiation absorption and manipulation, testing how it interacted with different materials. Understanding this would be key to future enhancements for both the ship and its crew.

✔ Crew Selection:
He had been monitoring Susan Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm. Without Reed Richards, they never reached their full potential. Tony planned to bring them into something far greater.

[What He Still Needed]

❌ Testing Ground:
The island was too risky. He needed a vast open space, a desert or remote area, where he could build, test, and launch the ship without destroying his base operations.

❌ Final Engine Components:
The technology he needed didn’t exist yet. He had to build it from scratch and he needed more resources.

❌ Recruitment:
The Storms and Ben Grimm didn’t know it yet. They were busy working on their own projects. 

...

[Present time]

Tony sat on the chair and resumed working on one of the most crucial parts of his project.

The holographic blueprint of the Cosmic Radiation Containment Chamber flickered before him, lines of code shifting as he refined its design in real-time.

This was the key.

Cosmic radiation wasn’t just dangerous, it was unpredictable. Tony knew that exposure to certain cosmic waves could trigger genetic anomalies, but he wasn’t interested in mutations.

He wanted control.

If he could trap, harness, and weaponize a portion of cosmic radiation, he’d be on the verge of unlocking a new energy source, one that could change the world and bring evolution.

But there was a problem.

Cosmic radiation didn’t behave like any other energy on Earth. It wasn’t like electricity, nuclear power, or even gamma radiation. It was something older, rawer—almost alive.

Which meant he had to build something capable of containing the uncontrollable.

Tony rubbed his temples. The headache was worse now. He took out a bottle from his pocket and popped out two pills and swallowed it with a bit of water. Then he continued to focus on the task. 

[The Cosmic Radiation Containment Chamber – Progress]

✔ Energy Field Stabilization – Completed
Tony created a customized force field matrix, capable of shifting between different frequencies to contain cosmic radiation without breaking. This would allow controlled exposure instead of full-blown disaster.

✔ Vibranium-Alloy Shielding – Concept Phase

Lack of Vibranium. 

✔ Quantum Energy Dampeners – Concept Phase
If cosmic radiation had unpredictable energy surges, he needed something to neutralize those spikes before they could destroy the containment field.

✔ AI-Controlled Adjustments – 70% Complete
The chamber would need an AI smarter than any existing system to predict radiation shifts before they happen. Hermes and Elena were advanced, but Tony was already upgrading the AIs even further.

---
[10:00 PM]

The blue glow of holographic displays flickered across Tony’s face as he stared at the intricate schematics of the Cosmic Radiation Containment Chamber. His fingers twitched slightly, subconsciously adjusting the design in real-time. He barely noticed.

His mind was running on overdrive, pushing through exhaustion as usual.

Then, his comms beeped.

[YELENA: "Stark. It’s 10 PM. Get your ass up here. You need food."]

Tony blinked, his gaze flicking to the time display on one of the screens. 10:04 PM.

Huh.

Hadn’t it just been 6 PM?

He sighed, running a hand through his hair before responding.

[TONY: "I’m in the middle of something."]

[YELENA: "I don’t care. You can science yourself to death later. Eat first."]

[TONY: "I’m fine."]

[YELENA: "Really? Because according to your biometric monitor, your stress levels are spiking, your heart rate is slightly elevated, and I bet you haven’t taken a proper breath in the last five minutes."]

Tony rolled his eyes. He forgot that Yelena still had access to his vitals. He gave her that access a year ago after she wouldn’t shut up about how he had “the habits of a gremlin.” And he needed someone to keep an eye on his health other than his AI.

Now she used it against him.

[YELENA: "Get. Up. Here. Now."]

Tony exhaled through his nose. She wasn’t going to let this go.

[TONY: "Fine."]

[YELENA: "Good. Also, I made dinner. If you don’t show up, I’ll feed it to the Widows instead."]

[TONY: "Bribery? Really?"]

[YELENA: "I learned from the best."]

Tony snorted. Alright, that was fair.

Shutting down the console, he stretched, rolling his stiff shoulders. His body protested the sudden movement—he had been sitting for way too long.

He reached for his pills again, pausing just as he popped the cap open.

Then, with a sigh, he put the bottle back down.

No.

Not now.

Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he turned toward the elevator leading up to the main facility.

...

[Flashback – Two Years Ago]

[Training Facility – Midnight]

Tony barely dodged a strike aimed at his ribs. Yelena moved like a viper—fast, precise, and hard.

Tony twisted, bringing up his gauntlet to block her next hit, but she faked left and swept his legs out from under him.

He hit the mat hard.

"Ow," he muttered, staring up at the ceiling.

Yelena stood over him, smirking. "You’re slow, Stark."

Tony groaned, sitting up. "Yeah, yeah. I’m a genius, not a ninja."

She crossed her arms. "Then why are we doing this?"

Tony pushed himself up, rolling his sore shoulder. "Because you’re the only one who doesn’t treat me like glass."

And that was the truth.

Natasha and Melina were too careful around him. The Widows respected him, but none of them pushed him.

Yelena?

Yelena didn’t hold back.

She scoffed. "So, what? You want to get your ass kicked for fun?"

Tony smirked. "I call it practical education. Can't always rely on the suit, can I now?"

Yelena shook her head, muttering in Russian, before dropping into a fighting stance again. "Fine. But if you pass out, I’m not carrying you back."

Tony rolled his neck. "I'll have Hermes call Natasha, then."

"Tsk. Don't call her. I'll carry you," She muttered under her breath.

"Huh? You said something?" He asked.

"Yeah, you better be ready for another hour of ass kicking," She cracked her knuckles.

And just like that, the first of many midnight sparring sessions began.

[Six Months Later] 

It started with training.

But somewhere along the way, it became something else.

Yelena was the only person who didn’t see him as just Tony Stark. She wasn’t impressed by the money, the genius, the legacy.

She treated him like a fighter.

A partner.

And for the first time in a long time, Tony felt like someone besides his tech, besides his armor.

They trained. They fought.

They talked.

Not about the mission. Not about the Widows.

But about stupid things.

"Favorite movie?" Yelena asked one night after pinning him for the third time in a row.

Tony exhaled, flat on his back. "Star Wars. Empire Strikes Back. Classic."

She raised an eyebrow. "Nerd."

"Thanks," he grinned. "Yours?"

She hesitated. Then, quietly: "The Iron Giant."

Tony blinked. That… was unexpected.

He tilted his head. "Didn’t peg you as a ‘big metal robot’ kind of girl."

Yelena looked away, rubbing the back of her neck. "I just..." She exhaled. "I liked the ending. The whole ‘you choose who you want to be’ thing."

Tony’s smirk faded.

Because he got it.

She wasn’t talking about the movie.

She was talking about herself.

The conversation stuck with him.

Because he realized, for the first time, that Yelena wasn’t just a trained killer.

She was a person still figuring herself out.

Just like him.

[One Year Later] 

Tony had never been great at trust.

But somehow, without realizing it, he started trusting Yelena. But he wasn't stupid enough to remove the nanites from her body.

Not just in the training room. Everywhere.

She was the only person who called him out on his bullshit and the only one who noticed when something was wrong.

Like the night he collapsed in the lab.

His headaches had gotten worse, but he hadn’t told anyone. He figured he could handle it.

Then, in the middle of running diagnostics, his vision blurred, and everything went black.

When he woke up, he was in the med bay.

And Yelena was sitting next to him, arms crossed, glaring.

"Are you stupid?" she demanded.

Tony blinked. "Huh?"

"You passed out in your lab, Stark," she snapped. "And you didn’t tell anyone you were sick?"

"I wasn’t sick," he muttered. "Just… tired."

Yelena scoffed. "Yeah, well, next time you’re ‘just tired,’ try not dying on the floor."

Tony looked at her. Really looked at her.

She was pissed. But beneath that?

She was worried.

Yelena didn’t worry about people.

But she worried about him.

And that meant something.

"...Thanks for finding me," he said quietly.

Yelena rolled her eyes, but he saw the smallest smile.

"Yeah, yeah. Just don’t make it a habit, genius."

[Present time]

The smell of roasted chicken, garlic bread, and something suspiciously spicy hit Tony the moment he stepped into the dining hall. The room was lively, Widows scattered across the tables, eating, chatting, laughing.

It still felt surreal sometimes.

Seeing them like this—normal.

They were no longer just soldiers, no longer just weapons created by the Red Room. They had personalities now. Some cracked jokes, some argued over who had the highest kill count, and some were just… existing.

It was weird.

But the good kind of weird.

"Finally," Yelena’s voice cut through the noise. She was leaning against the counter, arms crossed, watching him like a mother hen with a gun.

[Ironman] Ch: 53 [No Strings Attached]

Tony had let go of Natasha's hand a while ago, but she hadn't moved much since then.

She just lay there...

Processing.

Tony glanced at the holographic monitors, reading her vitals. Heart rate stable. Neural activity normal. Cellular regeneration complete. Everything checked out.

She was fine. Physically, at least.

But that wasn't what concerned him.

He pulled up a chair and sat beside her. "Alright, Nat. As much as I love sitting here in comfortable silence, we should probably talk."

Natasha's eyes flickered open, sharp as ever. "About what?"

Tony leaned back, gesturing lazily. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe the fact that you just had every enhancement stripped from your body and rewired at the cellular level? That's kind of a big deal. So, how do you feel?"

She took a deep breath, slowly flexing her fingers, testing her body again. She had done it a dozen times already as if confirming that she was really herself.

"Feels… different," she admitted.

Tony leaned forward, "Different how? Bad different? Good different?"

Natasha considered that for a moment. "Neither. Just… different."

Tony nodded, half expecting that answer. "Yeah, that tracks. Look, I don't expect you to just hop out of bed and start doing backflips. Your body's been running on enhancements and Red Room mods for decades. Now? You're normal. A regular normal human. And, it's gonna take time to adjust."

Natasha gave him a look. "You're telling me to rest."

"Wow. You do listen," Tony said dryly. "Yeah, rest. Take it easy. Eat some soup. Drink some juice. Your muscles need to relearn how to work without enhancements. Your reflexes will feel sluggish. You might even feel weaker than you remember. It's all in your head, but still, take the damn time to let your body adjust."

She frowned, shifting slightly, like she wanted to prove she could get up.

Tony sighed and held up a hand. "Look, I know you. If I turn my back, you'll probably try to walk out of here and act like nothing's changed. But trust me, Nat, you'll notice the difference. The fact that you're still lying there proves it."

Natasha exhaled slowly, staring up at the ceiling. "I'm fine." Her body felt sluggish.

Tony gave her a pointed look. "Uh-huh. And I'm the King of the seven seas."

She smirked slightly. "You'd look good in a jeweled coat and a crown."

"Obviously," Tony said, smirking back. Then his voice softened. "But seriously, Romanoff. You good?"

Natasha hesitated.

And that was rare.

She wasn't the kind of person to hesitate. But right now? She wasn't sure how to define what she was feeling.

Tony saw it, and his voice dropped lower. Gentler.

"Do you regret it?"

Natasha blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

"Your decision," Tony clarified. "Do you regret it? Losing your enhancements. Becoming… this." He gestured vaguely toward her. "A regular human."

Natasha didn't answer right away.

She couldn't.

For so long, she had been something else—engineered, modified, honed into a perfect weapon. Faster, stronger, deadlier.

Now?

She was just Natasha Romanoff.

No enhancements. No genetic modifications.

Just her.

She pressed a hand against her stomach again. The same place where, for years, she had carried the permanent weight of what had been done to her. The weight of what was stolen.

Now?

For the first time since she was a child, that weight was gone.

And even if she felt weaker, even if she had to relearn herself, even if she was no longer what she used to be…

She was finally free.

Her fingers curled slightly.

"No," she said softly. Then, with more certainty: "No, I don't regret it."

Tony watched her for a moment, then nodded. "Good."

They sat in silence for a while.

Then, Natasha let out a quiet breath. "It's strange."

"What is?"

She shifted slightly, rolling her wrist. "For the first time in my life… I'm not someone's weapon."

Tony tilted his head, a slow smirk forming. "So what now, then? You gonna retire? Start a cat rescue? Take up yoga?"

Natasha gave him a tired smile. "As I've promised before, I belong to you. So... I don't know. You tell me."

Tony chuckled. "Fair enough. So, I want you to do whatever you want. No pressure."

She went quiet again, then murmured, "I think… I just want to figure out who I am. Without all of it."

Tony's smirk faded into something softer. "Then take the time to do that, Romanoff. No rush."

She nodded, letting her eyes drift shut. Her body still ached, and her muscles felt foreign, but for once… she wasn't afraid of what came next.

For once, she had time.

And she was going to use it.

Tony stretched his arms and stood up. "Alright, you rest. I'll be here monitoring things, making sure you don't spontaneously combust or something."

Natasha didn't open her eyes. "You'd miss me too much if I did."

Tony waved his hand. "Yeah, yeah. Just shut up and sleep, Widow."

She hummed in response, already half-asleep.

And for the first time in a long time, Natasha Romanoff slept without nightmares.

[Noon] [Training ground]

The Widows were sparring, running drills, and testing weapons. 

Tony strolled onto the field, hands in his pockets, surveying the scene.

The Widows had come a long way.

Two years ago, most of them had only known how to kill. Now? Some had found purpose beyond combat—logistics, medicine, engineering, strategy. But for those who chose to stay in the fight, Tony had made sure they were better than ever.

As he approached, Melina noticed him and broke away from the group. She walked toward him, her posture as sharp as ever, but with an ease she never had before.

"Stark," she greeted, wiping sweat from her brow. "You’re up early."

Tony smirked. "It’s noon, Vostokoff. Hate to break it to you, but that’s not early."

She rolled her eyes. "For you, it is."

"Fair point." Tony glanced around. "Looks like they’re keeping busy."

Melina nodded, following his gaze. "They have to. Even with Red Room gone, the world isn’t safe. They know that."

Tony crossed his arms. "Yeah, well, at least now they get to choose how they fight."

Melina studied him for a moment, then cut to the point. "How’s Natasha?"

Tony exhaled. "She’s good. Out cold for now, but everything went exactly as planned."

Melina’s lips pressed together, a rare flicker of emotion in her otherwise unreadable expression. "She deserves this," she said after a moment.

Tony nodded. "Yeah. She does."

They stood in silence for a beat, watching the Widows move across the field.

Then, Melina turned to him, her voice careful. "If you can heal her… that means you can heal the others too."

Tony expected that question. He had been preparing for it.

"Yeah," he said. "If they want it, I can erase every single Red Room modification from their bodies. Put them back to full factory settings."

Melina’s eyes narrowed. "And what would that mean for them?"

"They’d be human again," Tony said simply. "No enhancements, no chemical boosts, no artificial upgrades. Just… them."

Melina was quiet.

Then she shook her head. "That’s not an option."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "Really? You sure about that? I thought you guys were all about breaking free from what the Red Room did to you."

Melina’s jaw tightened. "Freedom isn’t the same as weakness, Stark. We were made into weapons, yes. But those modifications make us capable of surviving a world that isn’t fair. Humans have limits. And if we’re going to follow your vision of a better world, then we need to be better."

Tony smirked. He had been waiting for this.

He leaned in slightly. "Good. Because I have a solution for that too."

Melina narrowed her eyes. "Go on."

Tony stepped back and stretched his arms dramatically. "So, here’s the thing. You Widows were enhanced using garbage—bad science, watered-down formulas, and rushed procedures. The Red Room played with genetics like a kid with a chemistry set. That’s why some of you got different results... some stronger, some faster, some breaking down sooner than others."

Melina crossed her arms. "And?"

"And," Tony continued, "I fixed it."

Melina blinked. "…What?"

Tony grinned. "Oh, come on. You knew I was gonna fix it. It’s me. I don’t like flawed tech, and right now, you are all running on outdated, bootleg enhancements."

Melina’s expression didn’t change, but there was a flicker of intrigue in her eyes. "What did you do, Stark?"

Tony clapped his hands together. "Glad you asked! So, I took the best elements of the Super Soldier Serum, my special spice, and even some stuff from a certain mutant healing factor—blended them together, made a few tweaks, and created something better."

Melina’s eyes narrowed. "You’re saying you made your own version of the Red Room enhancements?"

Tony smirked. "No, I made something beyond them. Aegies 2.0. No side effects. No forced loyalty. No breakdowns over time. Just pure, stable enhancement. Better reflexes, better endurance, and most importantly? Your body stays yours."

Melina was silent, processing.

Tony’s grin widened. "So, here’s the deal. They can go back to being fully human and heal their body. Then I can give them the serum. The best possible version of themselves. No one will ever control them again. No strings attached."

Melina let out a slow breath. "And you’re doing this out of the kindness of your heart?"

Tony gave her a look. "Come on, you know me. I don’t do charity. I do strategy. The world is changing, Melina. Faster than anyone realizes. And if we want to stay ahead, we need to be better."

Melina held his gaze. Then, finally, she nodded. "Alright. I’ll tell them."

Tony smirked. "You do that. And when they’re ready… tell them to come see me."

Melina turned, heading back toward the others. Tony watched as she walked away, already thinking about what was coming next.

Because this?

This was just the beginning.

...

As Tony made his way to his suit lab his phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID.

It was from his father.

"Hey, Dad. Please, don't tell me you got stuck on another meeting."

Howard chuckled. "Oh, no. Not this time. I am eager to see your progress in the last 3 years. I'm sure it's extraordinary."

Tony hummed in agreement. "Well, I do my best, and it pays off. And I hope you also remember what I said back then, right?"

"No government interference, war funding, or using your tech for war," Howard sighed. "Yes, I know. You were very clear. Though, I was hoping we could reconsider the latter. After all, there are still threats that require stronger defenses."

"We've already gone through this, Dad," Tony sighed. "My technology won't be available for the government or the war. If you or anyone else tries to steal... Yeah, I know steal is kinda rude to say but it's accurate... anyway, if you or anyone tries to take it, there will be consequences, regardless of who you are."

"I see," Howard replied with a sigh. "Well, you do you, son. Stick to your beliefs. I'm with you. On that note, considering how we are talking about this again... I am guessing you made something big that the government would like to get their hands on."

Tony smirked. "Let's just say, it's a surprise. You will see tomorrow."

"Alright. Oh, I almost forgot. Tony, I need your help with something... I've sent you a formula. See if you can fix it, or maybe upgrade it a bit. I'm sure you can."

Tony pulled out his phone and looked at his dad's message.

His eyes widened.

It was a new version of the Super Soldier Serum. But kinda water down version with multiple major flaws. His eyes fell on the hidden encrypted code. It was Hydra's SSS. 

'Tsk. Another Hydra agent in SHIELD. Haaa...'

"Dad... How did you get this?"

Howard laughed. "It's a surprise. I can't tell that on the phone, Son. See you tomorrow."

"Yeah. Take care, Dad," Tony said.

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 88 [A desperate struggle]

Selina hurtled skyward, flung by Harley at the last possible second. She twisted mid-air, stabilizing herself, her glowing green eyes narrowing as she turned back toward the battlefield below.

Harley was alone.

Hybrid Doomsday stood before her, its monstrous form radiating raw, unchecked power. Its biomechanical plating shimmered, its glowing green veins pulsing as it processed data at an inhuman rate. It had adapted to them. It had learned.

And now, it would break them.

Harley spat to the side, wiping blood from the corner of her mouth. She grinned, despite the pain. Good hit, metalhead. But she wasn’t going down that easily.

"Alright, ugly," she muttered, cracking her neck. "Now, Harl is angry."

Hybrid Doomsday moved.

Not at superspeed. No, that was too predictable. It teleported.

One second, it was in front of her. The next, its massive fist was already buried in her gut.

Harley barely had time to react.

Her entire body convulsed as the punch connected. Blood exploded from her mouth. Her ribs cracked like twigs, her organs compressed under the sheer force of the strike. The impact didn’t just send her flying... it tore a hole through the planet's surface.

She screamed as she rocketed downward.

BOOOOOM!

Her body cratered into the ground, sinking deep into the crust of the planet. Dust and rock rained down like an avalanche.

Selina’s eyes widened.

“Harley!”

But she barely had time to react before Hybrid Doomsday turned its gaze to her.

It vanished again.

Behind her.

She twisted but was too slow.

A massive clawed hand wrapped around her throat.

Selina gasped, her fingers clawing at the unbreakable grip around her neck.

The creature didn’t hesitate. It slammed her into the ground, then yanked her back up, only to do it again. And again.

BOOM.

BOOM.

BOOM.

The planet quaked beneath each impact, cracks spreading across the surface like a spiderweb. Selina's body bounced lifelessly in its grip, each slam tearing through rock, burying her deeper.

The ground was a ruin of broken rock and burning dust. The thin Martian atmosphere trembled with each seismic shockwave as Hybrid Doomsday continued its merciless assault.

Selina was barely conscious. Every time she tried to move, the creature’s grip tightened, its monstrous claws digging into her Kryptonian flesh. The repeated slams had left deep craters in the planet’s surface, her vision blurred from the raw force of the impacts.

Then, it stopped.

Hybrid Doomsday lifted her body up one last time, holding her high above the ground. Its glowing green eyes locked onto her, processing her resistance, adapting, learning. It was studying her broken form, calculating the next move to ensure she would not stand again.

Then...

BOOOOOM!

A red blur erupted from the crater below.

Harley.

She was moving faster than thought, her body was glowing with the Extremis fire as her wounds healed. She slammed into Hybrid Doomsday’s side like an incoming comet, her fist connecting with a sickening crack. The sheer force of the blow sent a shockwave across the battlefield, tearing through mountains in the distance.

The monster actually stumbled.

Selina gasped for breath as the creature’s grip loosened for a split second—just enough.

BOOM.

Selina broke free. She twisted mid-air, flipping above Hybrid Doomsday’s head before driving her fists downward into its skull. The impact shattered the ground below, splitting the surface like a tectonic fault line.

Harley didn’t let up.

She was already moving, teleporting beside the monster in an instant. It was one of the emergency charges of Skylar's lightning and she had no choice but to use it in that situation. With a growl, she unleashed a brutal uppercut, sending it flying backward. Before it could recover, she blurred forward again, grabbing its leg mid-air...

...And slammed it into the ground with all her strength.

The explosion that followed carved a miles-wide trench into Mars.

Selina didn’t waste a second. As Hybrid Doomsday struggled to rise from the rubble, her heat vision ignited, twin beams of crimson light exploding from her eyes.

She burned it.

The red-hot energy carved into the monster’s flesh, melting through its biomechanical plating, the intensity of the blast shaking the planet itself.

Harley also joined in throwing her heat vision.

Hybrid Doomsday roared.

Its eyes... those soulless, glowing orbs burned brighter. The energy from their heat vision was no longer searing through it. It was absorbing it.

Then...

It fired back.

A blinding torrent of green energy erupted from Hybrid Doomsday’s eyes, a beam of concentrated devastation. The blast screamed through the thin Martian atmosphere, colliding head-on with Harley and Selina’s own heat vision.

BOOOOOM!

The impact shook the planet.

A colossal shockwave burst outward, ripping through the battlefield. The ground beneath them shattered like glass, massive chunks of rock launching into the air. The force of the colliding beams tore across the sky, splitting the heavens apart with chaotic ripples of red and green energy.

Harley clenched her teeth. “This ain’t workin’!”

Selina growled, straining against the force. “Push through it!”

The two Kryptonians poured everything they had into their beams. Their heat vision intensified, the sheer pressure of their combined energy forcing Hybrid Doomsday back. Its monstrous form skidded across the broken terrain, its metallic hide sizzling under the relentless onslaught.

But...

It vanished.

Selina’s eyes widened. “Shit!”

Harley barely had time to react before it was behind them.

A massive clawed hand swung...

BOOM!

Selina took the hit. The force sent her flying across the battlefield, her body skipping across the rocky landscape like a stone over water. She crashed through a mountain, sending debris cascading in all directions.

Harley snarled, twisting mid-air...

Too late.

Hybrid Doomsday grabbed her by the arm...

CRACK!

A sickening pop echoed through the battlefield as her shoulder dislocated. Harley screamed in pain, her vision flashing white-hot.

Then it slammed her.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Each impact sent shockwaves across the planet, the Martian surface splitting open beneath them. Blood sprayed from Harley’s mouth as the monster threw her straight into a ravine, her body carving a massive trench as she crashed.

She coughed, pain flaring through her Kryptonian body. Even with her enhanced durability, Hybrid Doomsday was hitting too hard.

Selina was already moving. She blurred across the battlefield, rage in her glowing eyes.

She tackled the monster at full speed...

BOOOOM!

The collision sent both of them crashing once again.

Selina didn’t give it a chance to recover. She pummeled it, fists moving in a blur of raw Kryptonian power.

Her first strike shattered its ribcage.

Her second caved in the side of its skull.

Her third snapped its arm at the elbow.

Hybrid Doomsday roared but not in pain.

In adaptation.

CRACK!

Its broken limbs reformed instantly, the damage reversing before her eyes. It lashed out. Its claws raking across Selina’s chest.

She gasped as pain flared through her body. It cut her.

Hybrid Doomsday grinned.

Selina’s eyes widened. It was learning how to hurt them.

Harley shot forward, grabbing the monster’s head in both hands...

...And drove her knee straight into its face.

BOOOOOOOM!

The force of the impact sent a shockwave across the battlefield. Hybrid Doomsday staggered, its biomechanical plating cracking.

Harley snarled. “Y’know what? I’m really startin’ to hate your ugly ass.”

Selina coughed, wiping blood from her lips. “Feeling’s mutual.”

The monster growled, its green eyes flickering. It raised its hands, energy crackling between its claws.

Selina’s gaze narrowed. “Harley, move—!”

Too late.

Hybrid Doomsday clapped its hands together.

The resulting shockwave tore through the battlefield.

The explosion was nuclear.

BOOOOOOOOM!

Harley and Selina were launched in opposite directions, their bodies spiraling through the Martian atmosphere. The entire battlefield was obliterated, reduced to nothing but smoldering craters and burning debris.

Harley crashed first.

She slammed into a mountain at supersonic speeds, the impact sending tremors across the entire planet. Blood ran down her forehead, her vision blurry. Her body screamed in pain.

Then...

Hybrid Doomsday was already there.

It grabbed her by the hair, lifting her off the ground.

Harley’s breath hitched.

The monster’s claws glowed green. It was charging something.

A final attack.

A killing blow.

Harley clenched her fists. 'No. Not like this.'

Splat!!!

---

AN: Don't hate me for the cliffhanger.🫡

[Spiderman] Ch: 14 [Mistress Sue]

AN: A little BDSM. Sue in dominant role for the first half.

----

[Sue's room]

"You are late," Sue lay on the bed, naked on her stomach. She was watching an erotic movie on the tab.

"Sorry," Peter said, entering the room. "Things got a bit complicated out there."

"Complicated? For you? I'm pretty sure you played with them a bit too long just for fun. Well, how are you going to make up for it?" She said while swinging her legs.

Peter took his clothes off and cleaned his body using magic then he went to Sue and began kissing her feet, slowly working up to her leg. His lips and tongue danced over her smooth skin.

Sue giggled as she enjoyed the treatment, "Oh, my. Keep doing that and I may forgive you."

Peter kissed her thighs, "That's the idea." He then moved up and kissed her butt cheeks, massaging them gently as he spread them open. Sue's pussy was already dripping and her little star was twitching, clearly excited about what was coming next. "I love this view," He pushed his face between her butt cheeks and began licking like a hungry animal.

Sue squirmed beneath him, "Mmmhh.. yesss! M-more!"

Peter was licking her butt hole from top to bottom, pressing his tongue against her hole as he moved up and down. He was eating her ass like it was the most delicious thing in the world, slurping and licking like a thirsty man who just found water. He would then switch to her pussy and suck her juices like they were the finest of wines.

"F-Fuck! Peter, you're driving me crazy!" Sue moaned, reaching back and holding her butt cheeks apart, giving Peter more access to her holes.

Peter smirked as he inserted a finger in her pussy, slowly pumping it in and out while he licked her butt hole. He then switched back to her pussy and began to suck harder.

"Yes! Yes! Lick it all! My pussy is yours! I'm all yours!" Sue screamed as she felt herself getting closer to climax.

"Not yet," Peter stopped sucking her pussy and turned her over on her back. He then got on top of her and began kissing her passionately. Sue moaned into his mouth and wrapped her arms around him, returning the kiss with equal fervor. His hard cock was touching her tummy, rubbing against her belly button.

He broke the kiss, "Is it just me or are you looking more beautiful every time I see you?"

"Are you perhaps trying to butter me up so that I'd forgive you for being late?"

Peter grinned, "Is it working?"

"Hmm, maybe?" Sue teased. "I don't know. I think I'll need a little bit more convincing."

Peter brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, "Tell me how you want it then. Tonight I'll listen to all your fantasies. We can do anything you want. How's that sound?"

"Anything?" Sue said with a sly smile.

Peter nodded.

"Even if I asked you to do something... kinky? Or maybe something forbidden?" Sue asked.

Peter raised an eyebrow, "How forbidden are we talking? I won't kill anyone. That's a deal breaker."

"Oh no, nothing like that," Sue assured him. "But... How do you feel about some role-playing? Maybe I can tie you up and have my wicked way with you? Would you like that, huh?"

Peter chuckled, "I think I can live with that."

Sue grinned, "Perfect! Now be a good boy and stay still. This naughty mistress wants to have some fun." She got up and pushed Peter down on the bed. Then she opened the drawer beside the bed where she kept her BDSM set and took out some ropes.

Peter smirked, "Now I'm getting excited."

"Oh, you haven't seen anything yet," Sue winked. She started tying Peter's legs to the bedposts, spreading them apart and exposing his hard cock and balls to her hungry gaze. When she was done, she grabbed the remaining rope and tied Peter's hands above his head.

She admired her handiwork, "Perfect. Now you're completely helpless. I can do whatever I want with you. Isn't that right, my pet?"

Peter nodded, "Yes, mistress."

"Good boy." Sue leaned down and kissed him passionately. "I'm gonna make you cum so hard tonight," she whispered against his lips before kissing him again.

Peter moaned into the kiss and tried his best not to rip the ropes. Sue broke the kiss and moved down to his chest, kissing and licking his nipples while playing with his cock and balls.

"You're so sexy, Peter," she said, biting one of his nipples lightly. "Your body is perfect."

She continued kissing and licking her way down to his abs, making sure to leave a trail of saliva behind as she went.

When she reached his cock, she wrapped her hand around it and slowly stroked it up and down. "So big and hard. It's all mine tonight."

Peter groaned as he felt her hot breath on his cock, "F-Fuck, Sue."

"Oh yeah, you like that don't you?" She blew a breath over his cock, watching it twitch in excitement. "You want me to suck your cock, Peter? You want me to wrap my lips around your cock and suck it dry?"

"Yes! Please, mistress!" Peter begged, struggling against the ropes.

Sue smiled mischievously as she stood up, "How dare you order me around, pet? Maybe I should leave you here like this, tied up and helpless while I go take care of myself. How does that sound?"

"N-No, please mistress! I'm sorry! I'll be a good boy!" Peter pleaded desperately.

Sue smirked, "That's what I thought."

She pressed her feet on his cock, rubbing it between her toes, "But since you asked so nicely, I guess I could give you a little pleasure. You better not cum until I say so, though. Understand?"

Peter nodded vigorously, "Yes mistress!"

"Good boy." Sue continued rubbing his cock with her feet, watching it twitch with excitement. "Now let's see how long you can last before you explode." She sat down and wrapped her toes around his cock and began pumping them up and down, stroking his shaft with her feet while simultaneously massaging his balls with her other foot.

"Oh god! That feels so good, mistress!" Peter moaned as he felt himself getting closer to climax.

"I can tell," Sue smiled as she watched his precum leak out of the tip of his cock. "You're such a naughty boy, Peter. Getting so excited from having your cock played with by a woman's feet. But then again, I guess it's only natural considering how much you love fucking them, isn't it?"

"Y-Yes!" Peter agreed as he continued to writhe under her ministrations.

Sue licked her lips as she increased the pace of her strokes, "That's it, Peter. Cum for me. Cum for your mistress."

Peter gritted his teeth and tried his best to hold back the tide that was building up inside him. But it was no use. He couldn't control himself any longer and soon he exploded all over Sue's feet. His cum shot out like a geyser, splattering against her legs and feet.

"Mmm, that's it. Cum for me, Peter. Cum all over my feet." Sue cooed as she continued stroking his cock with her feet, milking every last drop of his seed from him.

Peter groaned as his orgasm subsided. "Holy shit, Sue. That was amazing."

"Well, I've just begun," Sue smirked. "We're not done yet." She went on top of him and sat on his cock. She took it all in one go and began riding him hard.

Peter grunted in surprise, "H-Holy fuck! Sue, what are you doing?!"

"Riding my pet's big cock, duh. You said I can do anything I want tonight, remember? Well, this is what I want." Sue smiled as she bounced up and down on his shaft, taking his full length inside her over and over again.

"Fuck, you're so tight!" Peter growled as he watched her tits bounce along with her body.

"And you're so big! I love it!" Sue moaned as she rode him harder. "Now, move that hip. Fuck me!"

Peter thrust upwards into her pussy, matching her pace as best he could.

Sue threw back her head in ecstasy, "Yes! Yes! Fuck me harder! Faster!"

Peter complied with her request and soon the two of them were moving in perfect unison, each one driving the other higher and higher towards their shared climax.

Sue was close. So close. She could feel her orgasm building up inside her, ready to explode at any moment. "Peter! I'm gonna cum! Cum with me! Cum in me! Fill me up!" She screamed as she reached the peak of pleasure. Her body trembled violently as waves of ecstasy washed over her.

Peter growled as he felt his own release coming. He couldn't hold back anymore and soon he exploded deep inside her. His cock pulsated wildly, shooting load after load into her womb.

Sue kept riding him throughout his orgasm, milking every last drop of his seed from his cock. But she didn't stop there as she turned around and began to ride him again in reverse cowgirl position.

"Wha-" Peter gasped in surprise.

"I'm not done yet," Sue said as she continued to ride him. "I want more. Give me more, Peter."

He continued to move his hips while watching Sue's butt jiggling with each movement. The sight was hypnotizing.

"Oh yeah, you like that, huh?" Sue continued to moan. Then she pulled up. Peter watched as his cum streamed down her pussy. Well, Sue grabbed his cock and rubbed the tip on her ass hole.

"Wait," Peter gasped, "You want that in your ass?"

Sue giggled, "You don't?"

"You better sit on it in a single thrust," He smirked. "If you don't, I'll rip the ropes off and fuck you so hard you won't be able to walk for days."

Sue bit her lip as she felt herself getting wetter. "Is that a promise?"

Peter nodded.

"Okay then, here goes nothing." Sue took a deep breath and then slowly lowered herself onto his cock, impaling herself upon his thick shaft little by little until finally it was buried inside her to the hilt. She turned back and gave him a knowing smirk.

"That's it," Peter ripped the ropes apart and grabbed her waist. "Now I'm going to fuck you till you beg for mercy." He started thrusting upwards, his cock sliding in and out of her ass like a piston.

"Oh god! Oh god! Yes! Yes!" Sue cried out as she felt herself being pounded relentlessly. She had never felt such raw animalistic passion in a while. It was as if Peter's only purpose in existence was to fuck her brains out.

Peter kept up the pace, fucking her like a beast possessed.

He lifted her up, put her in the doggy position and slammed his cock back into he gaping ass. "Take it, take my cock. Take it all," He growled as he kept thrusting his cock into her tight hole.

Sue screamed in pleasure and pain as she felt Peter's huge cock penetrating her deepest parts. Her body shook violently with each powerful thrust. She couldn't believe how much force he was putting behind his movements.

She was being fucked like an animal.

The sound of flesh slapping against flesh filled the room.

The smell of sweat and sex permeated the air.

Peter grunted as he kept fucking her relentlessly. His balls were slapping against her pussy with every thrust, sending shivers of pleasure through her entire body.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Oh god!" Sue moaned loudly as she felt herself nearing another climax.

"You better squirt for me," Peter increased the speed of his pounding, slamming his cock in and out of her ass with even more force than before.

"Oh fuck! I'm gonna cum! I'm gonna cum so hard!" Sue cried out as she felt herself losing control. Her legs began to shake uncontrollably as she reached the peak of ecstasy once more.

Peter grunted as he felt his own orgasm approaching. He couldn't hold it back any longer and soon he exploded deep inside her ass, filling her with his hot seed. And Sue squirted all over the bed like an open dam, her body convulsing with the force of her orgasm.

Then Peter pulled his cock out of her ass and watched his cum leak out of her gaping hole. He smiled in satisfaction at the sight. "Now that's what I call a good night."

"Indeed," Sue fell on the bed, exhausted. "Damn, Peter. You really know how to make a girl feel special."

"It's not just any girl," Peter caressed her head, "It's you."

Sue blushed as he lay on top of her and kissed her neck.

[Ironman] Ch: 52 [Healing Natasha]

AN: Slightly unedited. If you find any mistakes please let me know.

---

Tony leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching Natasha as she flexed her fingers, testing herself. The nanites had done their job flawlessly—better than even he had expected.

But the truth was?

He could’ve done this two years ago.

He had the technology, the knowledge, and the means to fix her back then. But he didn’t completely trust her. Not at first. Not entirely.

It wasn’t just Natasha—it was everyone.

Tony Stark played the long game.

Trust? That had to be earned.

Back then, she was still an agent. Still, someone trained to lie, manipulate, and kill without hesitation. He wasn’t about to hand her something so personal, so irreversible without knowing she was truly on his side.

So, he waited.

Watched.

Tested her loyalty—not just to him, but to herself.

And after two years of watching her rebuild the Widows, stay out of SHIELD’s reach, and fight for her own cause, he finally chose to keep his promise.

Because now? Now he needed her trust.

Natasha exhaled, rubbing her stomach absently. She was nervous and he could tell from her expression.

"You’re thinking too much," Tony said, his voice light, but there was an edge beneath it.

She shot him a dry look. "Can you blame me? This isn’t just fixing a broken arm, Stark. This changes everything."

"Yeah, well, welcome to my world." He shrugged. "One invention at a time, and suddenly, the world’s a whole different place."

Natasha went quiet for a moment. Then, she turned to him, eyes sharp.

"Why now?"

Tony barely blinked. Of course, she’d ask.

"Because you deserved it," he said simply.

A partial truth. Just enough honesty to make her believe it.

She studied him for a long moment, her gaze too damn perceptive for his liking. Then she let out a slow exhale, nodding. "Alright."

He smirked. "Wow, that’s it? No interrogation? No threats?"

Natasha crossed her arms. "Would it change anything?"

"Not really," Tony admitted.

She scoffed. "Exactly."

Silence hung between them.

Then, Natasha leaned against the examination bed, her voice softer. "You think I don’t know what you’re doing?"

Tony raised an eyebrow. "Enlighten me, Widow."

She tilted her head. "You could’ve done this two years ago. I know that."

He didn’t flinch. "Maybe."

"You waited," she continued. "Not because you were busy. Not because you didn’t know how. But because you wanted to see if I was worth the investment."

Tony smirked. "Sounds like something I’d do."

She stared at him. "You don’t trust people easily."

His smirk didn’t fade. "Can you blame me?"

Natasha’s lips pressed into a thin line. "No. I can’t."

She understood.

Of course, she did.

Because if their roles were reversed? If she had been in his position?

She would’ve done the exact same thing.

Tony saw the realization flicker across her face, and for the first time in a long while, there was no hostility in her eyes.

No resentment.

No anger.

Just understanding.

He gave her a lazy grin. "So… still mad?"

Natasha exhaled, shaking her head. "No. Just… annoyed I didn’t see it sooner."

Tony laughed. "That’s the best compliment I’ve gotten all week."

She rolled her eyes but didn’t argue.

And just like that, the tension dissolved.

Trust wasn’t just given.

It was earned.

And tonight?

Tony Stark and Natasha Romanoff finally earned each other’s.

Tony took a slow breath, rolling the vial between his fingers. The liquid inside shimmered like molten silver, the nanites swirling in controlled chaos. This wasn’t just medicine—it was a full-body rewrite. The nanites will remove all her genetic modifications including the watered down version of SSS and heal her completely.

And it was going to hurt.

A lot.

As for the SSS, well, let's just say that he managed to create something better, thanks to the data he collected from the Widows over the years. A perfect SSS fused with Aeigs Serum. 

He glanced at Natasha, who was still watching him with that unnerving, steady gaze. She was calm, and composed because she didn’t fully understand what was about to happen and she trusted Tony.

"Alright, Widow," Tony said, shaking the vial. "This is it. No turning back once I inject this. You sure you wanna do this?"

Natasha arched an eyebrow. "After everything I’ve been through? You think I’m scared of a little pain?"

Tony exhaled through his nose. "Yeah, see, that’s the thing. This isn’t just pain."

He turned the vial, letting the nanites catch the light. "Your body’s been through hell. The Red Room didn’t just sterilize you—they rewrote your biology and evolved you through their faulty watered-down serums. They burned that into your DNA."

Natasha’s expression didn’t change, but he saw the slight clench of her jaw.

"And now," Tony continued, "I’m about to overwrite all of that. These nanites aren’t just gonna fix you, they will remove all those modifications and enhancements and put you back together the way you were supposed to be."

Natasha tilted her head slightly. "And?"

Tony sighed. "And because of how deep the damage goes, I can’t give you anything for the pain. Plus, you will lose your enhanced body. You will become a regular human."

That caught her off guard. He saw it in the slight flicker of her eyes.

"No anesthetics?" she asked. She didn't care if she'd become a regular human, all she cared about was healing what was taken from her.

Tony shook his head. "No painkillers, no numbing agents, nothing. Since your body will go through a full healing process, well... Nothing will work. Even if I give you something to suppress the pain, the nanites will think of it as a foreign agent and simply remove it."

Silence.

Tony watched as Natasha absorbed his words. Her expression didn’t change, but he could see the gears turning.

Then, she nodded once. "I can handle it."

Tony let out a short, humorless laugh. "You think you can. But you’ve never felt this kind of pain before."

Natasha didn’t blink. "I’ve been tortured. Burned. Had my bones shattered, my body torn apart, and my mind wiped. I know pain, Stark."

Tony held her gaze. "Not this one."

A challenge.

Her lips twitched slightly, but there was no amusement in it. "We’ll see."

Tony exhaled. "Yeah. We will."

He pulled out the injection gun, loading the vial into the chamber. It wasn’t a normal syringe—this was high-pressure molecular delivery, designed to inject the nanites directly into her bloodstream at supersonic speeds.

"Last chance," Tony said, positioning the injector against her neck. "Say the word, and we walk away."

Natasha smirked. "Do it."

Tony pressed the trigger.

The Pain Begins

The nanites surged into her bloodstream in an instant.

For a single, blissful second, there was nothing.

Then...

Fire.

Not like a burn. Not like anything human.

It was like being ripped apart from the inside out, every nerve in her body igniting all at once. Her muscles locked, her spine arched violently, and her breath was stolen before she could even scream.

Tony grabbed her shoulders, holding her down as her body convulsed against the medical bed. His sensors were already lighting up.

[WARNING: EXTREME NERVOUS SYSTEM OVERLOAD DETECTED]

[PAIN THRESHOLD EXCEEDING 95%]

He gritted his teeth. "Shit—hold on, Nat."

Her fingers clawed at the sheets, knuckles white, her nails digging deep into the fabric. Sweat beaded on her forehead, her pulse skyrocketing to dangerous levels.

Tony had seen pain before. He had felt pain before.

But this?

This was something else.

The nanites were tearing through her cells, breaking down the Red Room’s genetic modifications and reconstructing her true DNA. Every muscle, every nerve ending, every cell was rewriting itself.

Her breath hitched. Then, finally...

She screamed.

A raw, guttural sound ripped from her throat, one she had never made before.

Tony didn’t flinch. He just held her tighter.

"I know," he muttered, voice tight. "I know. Just hold on."

The Longest Minutes of Her Life

Seconds stretched into eternity.

Every part of her body was on fire, her vision was fractured, her heartbeat was erratic—but she was still alive.

Natasha had endured suffering before.

But nothing prepared her for this.

This wasn’t just pain.

This was being unmade.

She felt herself breaking apart, piece by piece, her very existence shattered and reassembled by Stark’s nanites. Every fiber of her being screamed for relief, for escape, for death.

But she didn’t beg.

She didn’t plead.

She just survived.

Even when her nails cut into her palms.
Even when her body spasmed so hard she felt muscles tearing.
Even when the world blurred, and she was no longer sure if she was alive or dying.

She endured.

Because she was Natasha Romanoff.

And pain?

Pain had never beaten her before.

And Then… Silence.

The nanites finished.

The pain faded.

Her body collapsed limp against the bed, her breath ragged, her heart hammering against her ribs like a war drum.

Tony finally let go of her arms, exhaling.

"Jesus," he muttered. "You still with me?"

Natasha couldn’t speak. Not yet.

Her vision swam, her body was exhausted, but...

She felt different.

Lighter. Whole.

Alive.

Slowly, she turned her head toward Tony, her throat raw. "That…" She swallowed. "…was worse than you described."

Tony snorted. "Told you."

She let out a weak laugh. It was barely more than a breath, but it was real.

Tony scanned her vitals, nodding in satisfaction. "Well, congrats, Romanoff. You survived."

She shifted, testing her fingers, then her arms. Every part of her body felt new. No residual pain. No lingering damage. Nothing.

She was healed.

Entirely.

She let out a slow, shuddering breath. "It’s over?"

Tony smirked. "It’s done. You’re officially at full factory reset."

Natasha stared at the ceiling, letting those words sink in.

Then, she did something unexpected.

She reached out—still weak, still trembling—and took his hand.

Tony blinked, caught off guard.

No words. No jokes. Just… gratitude.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

And then, finally, Natasha whispered, "Thank you, Tony."

Tony squeezed her hand once before letting go. "Yeah, yeah. Just don’t get all sentimental on me."

She closed her eyes, exhaling. "No promises."

He chuckled. "Figures."

And just like that…

The impossible had been done.

She was whole again.

And this time?

Her future was truly hers.

[Vol-2 Beings...] [Ironman] Ch: 51 [Time Skip]

With Hydra dismantled and the Red Room destroyed, the world unknowingly became a little safer. Natasha and Milena managed to track down the remaining Widows and with Tony's help, they removed the brainwashing. But the battle wasn't over for the Widows. They had spent their entire lives being used as weapons, their minds conditioned for obedience, their bodies honed for killing. Freedom was a foreign concept.

Tony Stark knew he couldn’t just free them and walk away. If left alone, they’d be vulnerable—either to being hunted by remaining operatives or to their own lack of purpose in a world they never truly lived in.

So, he gave them one.

With Natasha and Melina’s help, Tony converted one of his off-grid facilities in Malibu into a rehabilitation center. It wasn’t luxurious, not at first, but it was safe, quiet, and hidden from the world. The Widows needed time to break free from the ghosts of their past.

Melina handled their psychological recovery, helping them unlearn their Red Room conditioning. Natasha trained them, not as assassins, but as individuals—teaching them how to fight for themselves, not for a mission. Tony? He handled everything else. Food, shelter, security, and everything else they needed.

But after months of hard work, they started to change.

They laughed more. Some started picking up hobbies. Others dreamed of lives beyond the battlefield. For the first time in decades, they were human again.

Then, Tony gave them a choice.

For those who had families and a home to return to, he helped them get there safely. New identities, financial support, anything they needed to start over.

But for those who had nowhere to go?

He offered them something new.

Tony gathered the remaining Widows, now fully rehabilitated, and laid out his vision.

"You’re free now. No more missions, no more handlers, no more control. But the world? It’s still broken. Red Room and Hydra are gone, but I promise you—they were just symptoms of a bigger disease."

They listened, silent but attentive. 

Tony pulled out the footage and records of the ongoing threats...

"New threats are popping up everywhere. Rogue mutants, superhumans, criminals using stolen Hydra tech, and black-market weapons from sources we don’t even understand yet. SHIELD, stuck up with their old ways of dealing with things. They won't be able to stop everyone. As for the government, I doubt I need to tell you something you already don't know."

He paused, scanning their faces. Some looked intrigued, others hesitant.

"With my technology and your experience, we could do a hell of a lot of good. Real good. We don't answer to no one. We don't officially or unofficially exist. We will be the ghost taking out the trash from the shadows and well, something in the light."

Then came the choice. 

Join him. Help build something new—a team that doesn’t answer to any government, a team that prevents the next Hydra before it even begins. Or, walk away. He would fund new lives for them, normal jobs, apartments, everything they’d need to be regular people.

No hard feelings. No guilt. Just freedom.

The result?

About sixty Widows chose to stay. Not out of loyalty to Stark, but because they believed in his vision. Because, for the first time, they had a choice.

And with that, Tony Stark took the first step toward building something the world had never seen before. 

Tony decided to put them to work according to their specialty. He started helping some of them with their new interest in technology and medicine. Then some showed interest in logistics, management, and all the miscellaneous fields that are required to operate a big team or company. He decided to help them all. It would take time, but if they can master these new areas, then they will be of huge help in the future. 

Meanwhile, Behind the Scenes…

While he was working on the Widows’ recovery, Tony wasn’t just sitting still. He had bigger plans that stretched far beyond just one team.

The Island – Howard delivered. Tony now had a classified, off-the-grid island outside any government’s jurisdiction. He named it Horizon, a sanctuary for research and operations.

Arc Reactor Advancement- Tony made two giant arc reactors. One to power up his new facility and the other one, he sent to his father to power the main Stark Industries. Well, he made sure to add multiple failsafe and security measures, just in case.

Medical Breakthrough #1: The Anatomy Mapping Device

Tony’s first public breakthrough would be a game-changer for doctors and surgeons—a compact handheld scanner that could map out the entire human (or animal) anatomy in real time. He mainly made it for himself but decided to make it public soon...

How It Works:

🔹 Uses nano-imaging technology to scan a body in seconds.
🔹 Detects diseases, tumors, organ failures, or genetic abnormalities before symptoms appear.
🔹 Removes the need for MRIs, CT scans, biopsies, and multiple invasive tests.
🔹 Helps surgeons plan complex procedures with microscopic precision.

The Impact:

🔹 Early detection of diseases like cancer, aneurysms, or genetic defects.

🔹Revolutionizes emergency medicine—paramedics could diagnose and treat injuries instantly.

🔹Eliminates medical errors and unnecessary procedures.

For the world, it would be the first real step toward preventative medicine, rather than just treating diseases too late.

Medical Breakthrough #2: Perfect Prosthetics – Merging Flesh & Machine

The second breakthrough was even more radical but Tony knew it was the future.

The Problem with Prosthetics:

🔹 Current prosthetics are stiff, unnatural, and lack real sensation.
🔹 Neural implants made by Hammer Tech exist, but they’re risky, expensive, and require brain surgery. And were banned after only two months when multiple patients died.
🔹 The human body rejects foreign materials, making integration difficult. Many tried but failed. In the end, they gave up.

So Tony fixed all of that.

The Bio-Nanite Prosthetics

🔹 Instead of mechanical prosthetics, Tony’s bio-nanites heal the dead nerves and cells and fuse living flesh with cybernetics seamlessly.
🔹 No need for brain implants or electrodes. The prosthetic interfaces directly with the body’s nervous system.
🔹 Users regain full sensation—touch, temperature, even pain (if needed).
🔹 Adaptive structure—the prosthetic "grows" with the user, adjusting to muscle movements naturally.

The Impact:

🔹Amputees can feel again. No more "phantom limb" syndrome.

🔹Soldiers, accident victims, and even disabled children can live normal lives.

🔹Redefines assistive technology—not just replacing limbs, but enhancing them.

For the first time, people wouldn’t just "replace" lost limbs, they’d get something better.

...

Tony also thought about the impact of his invention. It's good and world-changing, yeah. But the usual pain in the ass... Governments would try to weaponize bio-nanites, using them for military augmentation. Pharmaceutical and medical companies would suppress it. Heck, Hammer Industries will definitely try something funny. And, after the botched job done by Hammer, the public needs time to accept the new cure.

Finally, the was SHIELD. 

Nick Fury...

Well, Tony has a plan to deal with them when that time comes.

The next step was controlled release...

The Anatomy Scanner would be introduced first. It will be marketed as an advanced medical tool. It wouldn’t raise suspicion and would slowly prepare the world for what came next.

The Bio-Nanite Prosthetics would be tested secretly on soldiers, accident victims, and select patients before being revealed. With his father's help, he should be able to convince those injured people to go through the process. 

Once the world accepted medical nanites, he’d slowly introduce more advanced applications.

The plan was long-term, but it had to be. If Tony played this right, he wouldn’t just change medicine—he’d change humanity.

...

[Stark’s Private Medical Lab]

The soft hum of advanced medical equipment filled the lab. Unlike the cold, sterile feel of most hospitals, Tony had designed this place to be warm—subtle lighting, soothing colors, and the faint sound of classical music playing in the background. The walls displayed real-time holographic readouts, scanning Natasha’s body down to the molecular level.

She lay on the examination bed, her red hair fanned out against the pillow. For once, she wasn’t in her usual combat-ready posture. No tension in her shoulders, no hidden knives under the sheets. Just… stillness.

And for once, Tony was the one with sweaty palms.

He sat beside her, holding her hand, his thumb brushing over the faint scars on her knuckles. The same hands that had fought, killed, and survived impossible battles—now resting, trusting him with something that went beyond war.

Her future.

He exhaled. "You know, when I promised to fix this, I didn't actually know how bad it was. The Red Room's procedure was kinda bad. The serum destroyed your reproductive system. But... Yeah, it's time."

Natasha arched an eyebrow. She caught the tense look on Tony's face that appeared only for a flickering second. Not to mention his sweaty palm in the AC. "You? Doubting yourself? That’s new."

He smirked. "Me? Doubt? Never. Just came after sparring with Milena. She is good. Kicked my ass. I think I blacked out in the middle a couple of times."

Both of them paused for a moment...

Her grip on his hand tightened. "I trust you, Tony."

His chest tightened for a moment. He looked at her, not the assassin, not the Widow. Just Natasha. A woman who had been denied the choice of motherhood before she even knew what it meant. 

And he was about to give it back to her.

His voice softened. "Okay. Let’s do this."

---

AN: Tony also made a couple of suits. I will add those in the next 2 chs.

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 87 [The Hybrid Doomsday vs Harley and Selina]

[Space Station – Command Center]

Meanwhile, back at the station, the atmosphere was… grim.

Natasha Romanoff, Clint Barton, Tigra, Ami Han, and Hazmat watched the battle unfold through the massive holographic displays. They wanted to fight. They needed to fight.

But they couldn’t.

Not like them.

Not like Harley and Selina.

The station trembled slightly as another explosion from Brainiac’s ship rippled through space. On the feed, they saw Harley punch straight through an armored war-droid, her fist tearing through its core like it was paper. Selina followed up by launching another through the bulkhead and into the vacuum of space.

It wasn’t just fighting.

It was domination.

Hazmat clenched her fists. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered. “We’re Avengers. We’re supposed to be out there, not just… watching.”

Clint exhaled slowly, adjusting his quiver. “Yeah, well, forgive me if I don’t exactly feel useful when those two are out there wrecking everything.”

Tigra’s claws flexed unconsciously. “I hate to admit it, but… we don’t have the firepower for this.”

Ami Han crossed her arms, watching the battle with sharp, unreadable eyes. She never imagined that Harley, who pranks and steals her chocolates and fries, was that strong. Then there was Selina... 

They felt so useless...

This was different.

This was beyond them.

Natasha was silent. She understood the frustration. Every instinct in her body screamed to act, to do something. But she also knew that, right now, charging into that fight wouldn’t change anything and they would become a liability.

...

[Brainiac’s Throne Room]

Brainiac stood at the center of his ship’s command center, watching as his forces were systematically destroyed. His fingers twitched, absorbing data, recalculating outcomes.

The Kryptonians enhanced humans were a problem.

But problems had solutions.

He turned to the massive pod embedded in the far end of the chamber.

It pulsed with eerie green light. Inside, something shifted. Something… unfinished. But no matter.

It was ready enough.

Brainiac reached out, his mechanical fingers pressing against the interface. The chamber hissed, depressurizing.

Inside, something opened its eyes.

A deep, guttural sound filled the room—more growl than breath.

Brainiac's voice was cold, absolute.

"Awaken."

The pod shattered.

And from within… something stepped out.

Something built to kill gods.

[Brainiac’s Ship – Hall of Conquest]

Harley and Selina stood amidst the wreckage of countless drones, their breathing steady, unbothered. The ship was in ruins around them, walls lined with burning metal and shattered armor.

Harley cracked her neck. “Well, that was fun. Who’s next?”

Then—

The ship shook.

A presence filled the corridor, followed by an immense heat wave.

Selina’s instincts screamed. Something was coming. Something wrong.

Then they saw it.

A massive figure emerged from the shadows. Towering. Hulking. A twisted fusion of Brainiac’s technology and Kryptonian biology. Its skin was a metallic gray, its eyes burning with eerie green light. Its body was covered in biomechanical plating, cables snaking from its spine like living wires. 

Before destroying Krypton, Brainiac took enough Kryptonians for his collection and well, he used them to create that monstrosity.

Selina’s expression darkened.

“…Shit.”

The creature lifted its head, locking onto them.

Then it spoke.

“Target identified: Kryptonian anomalies.
Initiating termination protocol.”

It took a step forward. The ship trembled under its weight.

Harley grinned, cracking her knuckles.

“Ohhh, now this looks like fun.”

Selina narrowed her eyes. “Be careful, Harley. This thing… it’s different.”

The creature’s fists clenched, and the very air around it seemed to warp with raw, unchecked power.

Brainiac’s voice echoed through the ship.

“Behold. My creation. The Hydrid Doomsday.”

It moved.

Faster than anything they had seen before.

And the real fight… began.

The moment Hybrid Doomsday moved, the world blurred.

Harley barely had time to smirk before the monster was there.

A fist the size of a wrecking ball collided with her chest. The impact sounded like the crack of a planet splitting in half.

Then she was gone—her body rocketing through the ship’s bulkhead like a cannonball.

Selina barely had time to react. “Harley—!”

The second blow came for her.

Selina twisted, her Kryptonian reflexes kicking in just in time to weave under the attack. She countered, her fist striking the creature’s ribs with a sonic boom that sent ripples through space.

Nothing.

Hybrid Doomsday barely flinched.

Its burning green eyes locked onto her. Then, faster than thought, its claws lashed out—

Selina didn’t dodge fast enough. The blow caught her across the stomach, sending her crashing through walls, tearing through metal like wet paper. She barely managed to slow herself before smashing through the final layer of hull.

Then...

Booom!

A second impact.

Harley slammed into her mid-air.

The two Kryptonians spiraled out of control, tumbling into open space. Below them, the Earth hung like a fragile gem.

Harley blinked, still processing what just happened. “...That son of a—”

Then Hybrid Doomsday followed them.

The monstrous being leaped through the hole in the ship’s hull, launching itself after them at terrifying speed. Its body burned with kinetic force as it flew straight toward them like an incoming meteor.

Selina’s eyes widened. “We can’t fight it here! If we keep this up, it’ll hit Earth!”

Harley’s grin returned, excitement flashing in her eyes. “Then let’s take it somewhere fun!”

Selina understood immediately.

They led it away from Earth...

Selina glanced at Harley as they rocketed toward the Red Planet. “We need to slow it down.”

Harley smirked. “Oh, babe, I was waiting for you to say that.”

Harley turned around and used her heat vision. The red beams scorched through the void, aimed directly at Hybrid Doomsday’s head.

It didn’t dodge.

It absorbed the energy.

The beams struck its metallic skull, but instead of taking damage, its plating shimmered, adapting, the red light reflecting in its glowing green eyes. Then...

It fired back.

A violent blast of green energy erupted from its mouth, cutting through space.

Harley barely moved in time. “Whoa—SHIT!”

The energy beam grazed past her, searing through her suit. The force sent her spiraling, her body careening toward Mars’ atmosphere.

Selina’s eyes blazed. “Enough of this.”

She pivoted mid-flight, flipping backward before diving straight at Hybrid Doomsday. The creature swiped at her, but she twisted and dodged the attack, then with a snarl she drove her fist into its gut.

BOOOOM!

The impact sent a shockwave through space. Hybrid Doomsday lurched backward, but its expression remained empty. Unshaken. Its body instantly repaired itself, absorbing the kinetic energy of the hit.

Selina’s eyes widened.

Before she could react, it countered.

Its knee shot up, slamming into her ribs with earth-shattering force.

The blow sent her hurtling toward Mars like a meteor.

Harley, stabilizing herself, saw the impact. “Selina!!”

She turned back toward the monster, anger flashing across her face.

“No more games.”

Harley shot forward.

She twisted her body, dodging another energy blast as she closed the distance. At the last second, she stopped mid-air and drove her forehead straight into its face.

CRACK!

Hybrid Doomsday staggered. The sheer force of the headbutt sent ripples through space.

Harley grinned. “That one felt good, huh, ugly?”

Then—

The monster grabbed her by the throat.

Its grip tightened, crushing.

"FUCK!" Harley’s smirk faltered. She grabbed at its arm, struggling as she felt the pressure build.

Hybrid Doomsday pulled her in close. Its glowing green eyes flickered—analyzing. Adjusting.

Then, with a brutal motion, it spun and hurled Harley toward Mars.

She screamed through the atmosphere, her body igniting as she plummeted like a shooting star.

[Mar's surface]

BOOOOOM!!

Selina hit first, slamming into the Martian ground at supersonic speed. The ground cracked beneath her, a crater forming in her wake. Dust and debris shot into the air.

A second later...

CRAAAAASH!!

Harley smashed down next to her, the impact sending shockwaves across the surface. Rocks exploded outward, the terrain warped under the sheer force.

For a moment, there was only silence.

Then...

Selina groaned, pushing herself up. “...I hate this thing.”

Harley coughed, brushing dust off her suit. “I felt that one in my bones.”

Then...

A shadow fell over them.

Hybrid Doomsday landed with a thunderous impact, the force splitting the ground beneath its feet. The very planet seemed to groan under its presence.

Selina and Harley stood.

The three titans faced each other.

Then...

Hybrid Doomsday moved.

It vanished.

Reappearing behind Selina.

Its massive claws were about to rip through her, but Harley reacted in time and used her brain. Instead of trying to counter the attack head on, she grabbed Selina and threw her up into the sky.

Poll Result

Hammer and Stane won.

New ch tonight...

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 86 [Redemption]

The void was silent.

Bruce hovered above The Fallen One, his heat vision fading as the last remnants of cosmic blood drifted into the abyss. The once-mighty Herald of Galactus, the being who had once carried the power of dead stars, now hung motionless in space, his form flickering, unstable. His silvered flesh was cracked, darkened by the toll of battle, and his once-burning eyes dimmed like dying embers.

And then, a sound... soft, unexpected.

Laughter.

A quiet, hollow chuckle escaped The Fallen One’s lips, the sound weak yet strangely content. His body convulsed slightly as if he were struggling to hold himself together, but there was no fear in his expression, only relief. His glowing white eyes met Bruce’s.

"...You did it," he murmured, voice carrying through the emptiness. "You freed me..."

Bruce remained silent, watching.

The Fallen One exhaled, cosmic mist drifting from his lips. "First Galactus… then Brainiac… I was never truly my own. Always bound, always a weapon for another." His gaze flickered, distant. "But now… now, it’s over."

His body trembled, light escaping through the cracks in his skin. Bruce could see it... his essence was unraveling, the last of his strength failing. And yet, the silver figure smiled.

"For the first time… I can feel peace," The Fallen One whispered.

His head tilted back, his dim eyes staring at the distant stars. "I wonder… how many lives I took in my slavery… how many planets I burned… just to keep Galactus weak, to keep him from devouring entire worlds. I thought I was preventing something worse. But in the end…" He closed his eyes, a sorrowful breath escaping. "The blood is still on my hands."

A heavy silence followed.

Then, The Fallen One looked at Bruce again, his expression unreadable. "You… you’re different. More than just a warrior. More than just a man."

His trembling hand reached forward, glowing with the last remnants of his cosmic power. "Take it," he said, his voice firm despite the weakness. "You will need it for what is coming."

Bruce hesitated for the briefest of moments. Then, without a word, he reached out. Their hands met, and instantly, a surge of raw cosmic energy flowed into Bruce’s body.

The stars themselves seemed to tremble.

Bruce’s veins glowed for a moment, his entire being infused with power unlike anything before and very much different from the power of the infinity stones. It was an ancient, primal force from the beginning of time itself. His mind expanded, glimpsing shadows of what lay ahead—of something far greater, far darker, approaching.

'Darkseid,' Bruce thought.

The Fallen One gasped as the last of his energy left him. His body began to fade, breaking apart into shimmering particles of silver light. But his smile remained.

"Thank you… for ending this," he whispered. 

Bruce clicked his tongue as he flicked his fingers, using the matter manipulation, but the Ring's power wasn't enough to bring him back again. The Fallen One’s body continued to dissipate, his form slipping away like sand through fingers. 

Bruce’s jaw clenched. His mind raced through possibilities. Was it Brainiac’s interference? Was it some unknown cosmic force preventing resurrection? No… it was something else.

The Fallen One had been bound for too long. First by Galactus, then by Brainiac. Now that he was free, his existence had no anchor—he was unraveling because there was nothing holding him together anymore.

He wasn’t just dying. He was ceasing to be.

Bruce narrowed his eyes.

"Not yet," he muttered. 

His hand lifted again, but this time, it wasn’t the Rings that glowed.

It was him. 

The Infinity energy he extracted back then from his old body, he has been carrying it in his suit for quite a while. Now, he injected that power into his body. And now with the boost of his new cosmic power, plus the Rings... 

Bruce’s eyes gleamed white-hot as he channeled the infinite energy outward. He reached into the fabric of existence, past the limits of reality, past the boundaries that governed life and death itself. His mind stretched across dimensions, his will imposing itself upon the universe.

And then—

He pulled.

The void rippled. The dying embers of The Fallen One’s existence stopped fading. The drifting silver particles were yanked back, their dissolution reversed. Cosmic light swirled around Bruce’s outstretched hands, forming into something new, something reforged.

A shape took form.

A body.

Flesh knitted itself back together, bones reforged, cosmic veins reignited with flowing power. The Fallen One gasped as his body was forcibly reconstructed, as his soul was ripped back from the void. His eyes shot open, burning brighter than before, alive again—but no longer bound.

He collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily, hands shaking as he stared at them in disbelief. He was whole.

Bruce hovered before him, arms crossed.

"You don’t get to escape that easily," he said, voice cold as the vacuum around them.

The Fallen One looked up, confusion flashing across his face. "You… brought me back?"

Bruce nodded. "You wanted peace," he said simply. "But you don’t deserve it."

The Fallen One’s breath hitched.

"You don’t get to atone by dying," Bruce continued, his voice sharp as a blade. "You’ve destroyed civilizations. You’ve burned planets. If you think fading into nothing absolves you, then you’re a coward."

The words hit like hammer blows. The Fallen One flinched, but he didn’t argue.

"You’re free now," Bruce said, stepping closer. "No masters. No chains. No gods to command you. But freedom doesn’t erase the past."

The Fallen One swallowed hard, still kneeling, still shaking. He looked at his hands again—hands that had once torn worlds apart.

"What do you want from me?" he asked, voice raw.

Bruce’s eyes burned.

"Redemption."

The Fallen One's gaze snapped up.

Bruce crouched slightly, his expression dark, unyielding. "You’re not going to run from what you’ve done. You’re going to face it. Live with it. Atone." His voice hardened. "You took lives. Now you’re going to protect them. The same universe you helped destroy? You’re going to fight for it. Defend it. With everything you have."

Silence.

The Fallen One didn’t speak. He didn’t move.

But something shifted in his expression.

A flicker of understanding.

A flicker of purpose.

Bruce exhaled, standing back up. "You don't get peace," he repeated. "Not yet."

He extended a hand.

The Fallen One hesitated.

Then, slowly, his fingers closed around Bruce’s forearm, gripping it tightly.

Bruce pulled him up.

For the first time in eternity… The Fallen One stood as a free man.

And he was ready to fight.

...

[Brainiac’s Flagship – Central Command]

Brainiac observed the battle unfold with a calculating gaze, his neural link processing the events in real-time. The loss of The Fallen One was unexpected, but not unaccounted for. He had contingencies. He always had contingencies.

The war raging outside was brutal. His drones adapted quickly, countering the Sentinels with optimized strategies. But on the flagship itself… there was another problem.

Two problems, to be exact.

A pair of blurs tore through his forces like living weapons.

Harley Quinn and Selina Kyle were reducing his army to molten scrap.

[Brainiac’s Ship – Hall of Conquest]

A squadron of Brainiac’s enforcers, the elite, enhanced war drones designed for planetary subjugation, stood ready, their adaptive armor shifting in response to incoming threats. Their glowing eyes locked onto the blurred figures streaking down the corridor at impossible speeds.

“Engage.” Brainiac’s cold command echoed through the ship’s systems.

The drones fired. A storm of energy blasts filled the air.

Selina laughed.

The crimson beams of heat vision erupted from her glowing green eyes, slicing through the barrage of incoming fire like a hot knife through butter. The walls trembled as she cut through the first row of drones with surgical precision, their metal bodies melting before they could even react.

Harley was a storm.

She didn’t bother dodging. The energy blasts slammed into her, but they did nothing—only fizzling against her indestructible Kryptonian form. With a gleeful grin, she launched forward, her fist colliding with a drone’s chest.

BOOM.

The impact sent a shockwave through the corridor, shattering the metallic floor and turning the drone into a mess of crumpled steel. Another leaped at her, its adaptive systems shifting, its arms morphing into blades of pure plasma...

Harley caught the blade with her bare hand.

It sizzled against her palm for a moment before she snapped it off effortlessly, twirling it like a baton before driving it straight through the drone’s head.

“Oopsie! Guess ya ain’t adapting fast enough, metalhead!” she giggled, kicking the now-useless husk into the wall.

Selina zipped past her in a blur, grabbing another drone by the neck and slamming it through three walls before uppercutting it straight through the ceiling.

"Try and keep up, Harl," she teased, her smirk full of dangerous amusement.

Harley cracked her knuckles. “Oh, you know I love a challenge, Kitty Cat.”

Brainiac’s forces were being annihilated. The war drones, designed to conquer entire civilizations, were crumbling under the sheer brutality of the two Kryptonian-enhanced warriors. No strategy, no adaptation, no technological marvel could compensate for the raw power they wielded.

Brainiac knew this.

Which is why, as they ripped through his soldiers, he prepared something else.

A contingency.

Something built for them.

....

AN: Sorry for the late update. 1 more chapter coming up in a few hrs.

[Vol-1 END] [Ironman] Ch: 50 [Red Room & Zola AI- Terminated]

The room stank of blood, sweat, and the metallic scent of burnt flesh. The screams of the fallen architects of the Red Room reverberated through the steel walls, their agony filling the air like a symphony of suffering.

Melina was having a blast, torturing them, just like they tortured countless others.

Dreykov’s once-proud form was barely recognizable. His face was swollen and disfigured, one eye nearly shut from bruising. Blood dripped from where his ears used to be, and jagged wounds were left behind from Melina’s blade. His fingers were gone, severed one by one. His toenails had been ripped out, leaving raw, exposed nerves throbbing in unbearable agony. His legs were shattered... knees and ankles smashed beyond repair, twisted at unnatural angles.

He had stopped screaming at some point. His body convulsed, reduced to shuddering gasps and strangled moans, his mind teetering on the edge of madness.

Tony sat nearby, watching with a detached expression. His fingers moved subtly, manipulating the nanites within Dreykov’s system, amplifying his pain receptors beyond human limits. Every pulse of agony was magnified, turned into an all-consuming inferno of suffering.

The others hadn’t been spared either.

Madame B, the cold overseer, had lost both arms, her limbs dangling uselessly as blood poured from the gaping wounds. Her once-stoic expression had cracked, her eyes hollow from pain and exhaustion. She will die in a few minutes...

Then there were those unlucky surviving agents who by mistake came inside that room... They were guarding the hanger bay. Well, Milena did a number on them... broken ribs, shattered jaws, limbs twisted and rendered useless. Some had already passed out, their minds unable to withstand the torment.

Tony took a deep breath, stretching his arms. “Man, I gotta say, you’ve got a real talent for this.” He smirked, glancing at Melina, who was kneeling beside Dreykov with a blade in hand, twirling it absentmindedly. “Ever thought about switching careers? Maybe open a clinic? Call it Melina’s Pain and Suffering Spa?”

Melina didn’t respond. She was too focused on her work.

Dreykov trembled, his remaining eye rolling wildly in its socket. His lips moved, but no words came out.

Tony leaned in, his voice casual. “Come on, buddy. You’ve held out longer than most, I’ll give you that. But you and I both know the pain isn’t gonna stop. Not until you give me what I want.”

Dreykov let out a strangled sob, his breath hitching. “S… stop…” His voice was hoarse, barely a whisper.

Tony smiled. “Oh? Ready to talk?”

Dreykov’s lips trembled. “I—I’ll tell you…”

Melina grabbed his shattered hand and squeezed. Dreykov let out a horrific wail as fresh pain lanced through his ruined nerves.

“Talk fast,” Melina said coldly.

Dreykov gasped, barely clinging to consciousness. “We… we recovered something… an AI… from a Hydra bunker beneath the Arctic Ocean…” His breaths were ragged. “Ancient… but somehow powerful enough to enter our modern network. We have completely isolated it from the network system.”

Tony’s eyes sharpened. “Hydra AI? You mean Zola.”

Dreykov gave a weak nod, his head lolling to the side. “Zola AI. That's what it said. Madame Hydra’s eyes… they were the key… to accessing the bunker…” He coughed violently, blood splattering onto the floor. “The AI… it’s here… inside the safe… beyond that door…” He gestured weakly with the stump where his fingers used to be.

Tony finally found that fucker. Arnim Zola, Hydra’s lead scientist.

If that AI had fallen into Hydra's hands, it would have been catastrophic. 

'Tsk. A hidden wall safe right before my eyes and I couldn't even see it with my upgraded scanners, interesting,' He wondered. 

Tony stood up, rolling his shoulders. “Well, that’s all I needed to hear.” He turned to Melina. “Dreykov’s all yours. Do whatever you want.”

Melina didn’t hesitate.

She grabbed Dreykov by the throat, dragging him toward the steel table. His mangled body barely put up resistance. He whimpered.

Tony didn’t bother to watch. He had more important things to do. He let out a low whistle as his palm pressed against the smooth, cool surface of the vibranium wall. "Well, well… someone went all out," he muttered. 'No wonder, my scanners failed to detect anything. I guess, Nat also carries vibranium suits, that would explain why I couldn't detect her in that Hydra base. Well...' 

His fingers twitched, sending a pulse through his suit. The remaining nanites surged forward, spreading over the surface like liquid mercury.

"Legion, let's try that beta replication feature. Begin protocol RN."

The microscopic machines began to dismantle the vibranium at the molecular level, breaking it down and converting it into more nanites. His Arc Reactor pulsed, feeding them enough energy to keep up the process without burning out.

Legion answered in his earpiece. "Nanite replication is at 67%. Estimated breach time: two minutes. Everything is stable."

Tony leaned back, watching the metal slowly disintegrate. "Gotta love self-replicating tech."

As the nanites worked, he spared a glance over his shoulder. Dreykov’s screams had turned guttural, raw. Melina was efficient, methodical, and enjoying herself. Tony had no sympathy to spare. The bastard deserved worse.

A dull clang echoed as the last layer of vibranium crumbled. Tony stepped forward, entering the hidden chamber beyond.

The air was stale, thick with dust and time. Flickering overhead lights cast eerie shadows over the cold, metallic room.

'They pulled out the entire room and placed it here. These numbskulls kept a ticking timebomb here...'

At the center stood an old computer terminal, ancient by modern standards—thick monitor, rusted keyboard, blinking green text on a dark screen. Nearby, a robotic frame stood slumped against the wall. It was humanoid in shape, its joints stiff, its plating dull with age.

Tony stepped toward the terminal, brushing off a layer of grime. The text flickered.

Zola AI_64
Isolated System
Authorization Required.

A distorted voice crackled from an unseen speaker. “Who—who are you?” The voice was warbled, robotic, confused.

Tony smirked. "Guess you never got the Hydra update memo, huh?" His fingers flew over the keyboard. He didn't need to brute-force his way in since Zola was old, his programming rigid, and predictable.

"Outdated encryption detected. Weak firewall. Rewriting core pathways now."

Lines of code flashed. Tony inserted a new command, overriding Zola’s base functions. The AI stuttered.

Error. Unauthorized access.
Override detected—

"Yeah, yeah, shut up," Tony muttered. His hands moved with precision, bypassing the last security layer.

Kill Switch Engaged.
Deleting core processes…

The screen flashed red. The robotic frame twitched violently, then fell still.

Zola's voice stammered, his once-calculating tone now panicked. “No—NO! YOU CAN NOT—”

Static.

Then silence.

Tony exhaled, stepping back. "And that’s how you delete a Nazi in under thirty seconds."

The terminal shut down completely. The old robot remained lifeless. Zola was gone. For good.

Tony dusted off his hands and stepped out of the hidden chamber, rolling his shoulders as his nanites dissolved the last traces of Dreykov’s vault door. He absorbed them back and his suit was back at near full capacity. He glanced at Melina, who was finishing her work.

Dreykov was dead.

His body lay twisted and mutilated, a lifeless husk on the cold steel floor. His mouth was still frozen in a scream, but no sound would ever come from it again.

Madame B was slumped against the far wall, her once-imposing form reduced to a bloodied, broken shell. Her eyes, which had always been cold and calculating, were now vacant.

Melina stood over them, breathing heavily. Blood stained her gloves, but her expression was unreadable.

Tony gave her a nod. "Feeling better?"

Melina wiped her hands on her tattered suit, exhaling. "Not yet."

Tony smirked. "Give it a minute."

A groan caught their attention.

Yelena.

She was stirring, her body twitching as she slowly regained consciousness. Tony checked his HUD—his nanites had finished purging the neurochemical conditioning from her system. She was free.

Yelena sat up, blinking in confusion. Her green eyes darted around the room, taking in the carnage. Then, she saw Melina.

"Wh-what happened?" she muttered, clutching her head. "Where… where am I?"

Melina crouched beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're safe now, Yelena. The Red Room is gone. It’s over."

Yelena’s breathing hitched as she processed the words. "Gone?" She shook her head, disoriented. "That’s… that’s not possible."

Tony knelt down, tapping his wrist. A tiny holographic display flickered to life, revealing a detailed scan of the Red Room’s infrastructure. Every facility. Every base. All marked TERMINATED.

"Believe it," Tony said. "Dreykov is dead. The Widows are free."

Yelena stared at the hologram, her lips parting slightly. "I…" Her hands trembled as she looked at Melina. "Is it real?"

Melina gave her a small, genuine smile. "Yes, my child. You’re free."

For a long moment, Yelena didn’t speak. Then, suddenly, she let out a breathless laugh—part relief, part disbelief.

She covered her face with her hands, shoulders shaking. "We… we did it?"

Tony stood up, stretching his arms. "Well, I did most of the work, but sure, let’s go with ‘we.’"

Yelena glanced up at him, arching an eyebrow. "Who the hell are you?"

Tony smirked. "The guy who just saved your ass."

Before Yelena could respond, Tony tapped his wrist again, opening a secure line.

"Let’s give your sister the good news."

The holographic feed shifted, dialing a direct comms link. After a few seconds, Natasha’s face appeared on the screen.

Her eyes immediately narrowed. "Stark. What happened?"

Tony grinned. "Hey, Romanoff. Miss me?"

Natasha crossed her arms. "Not in the slightest."

"Cold as ever," Tony muttered. "Anyway, I figured I’d call with some good news. The Red Room? Gone. Dreykov? Extra crispy. Your sister? Alive and well."

Natasha’s expression faltered. "Yelena?"

Yelena leaned into the frame. "Nat?"

The moment their eyes met, Natasha’s breath hitched. For the first time, her usually guarded expression cracked.

"Yelena," she whispered.

Yelena smiled faintly. "Hey, sis."

Tony stepped back, letting them have their moment. Melina watched silently, her own expression softening as she saw the reunion.

Natasha took a deep breath, regaining her composure. "Are you okay?"

Yelena nodded. "I think so." She glanced around at the destroyed room. "A little sore. Also, I think Stark’s an asshole."

Tony scoffed. "You’d get along great with your sister."

Natasha exhaled, shaking her head. "I can’t believe it’s over."

"It is," Melina confirmed. "No more Red Room. No more Widows under their control. They’re free to make their own choices now."

Natasha’s eyes softened. "Thank you, Melina. And you too, Stark."

Tony smirked. "Oh, now I get a ‘thank you’? That’s progress. Well, I hope you remember your promise."

Natasha ignored him. "What happens now?"

----

Vol- 2 will start with a big time skip. Tony will finally come out in front of the real world. But he'll hide his identity as Ironman for a while.

[Spiderman] Ch: 13 [Bitch slap Raiden]

The air crackled with electricity as Raiden appeared. His eyes crackled with lightning, his long white robe flowing as raw energy surged around him. The battlefield still reeked of blood and ash, bodies of the fallen littered across the frozen wasteland. Peter cracked his knuckles, unimpressed.

"Peter Parker, I am Raiden, The God of Thunder" Raiden spoke, his deep voice filled with divine authority. "You have proven your strength. But now, I ask you to fight for something greater. Mortal Kombat is upon us, and the fate of Earthrealm hangs in the balance. I need warriors... Champions to stand against the darkness. Join me, and together we can..."

Peter held up a hand. "No."

Raiden blinked. "No?"

Peter rolled his shoulders, turning away. "I’ve got plans tonight. A nice dinner with my wife. Maybe some wine and a movie. Definitely not your godly tournament." He glanced at Raiden. "I don’t care about your Elder Gods, their rules, or their threats. Shang Tsung and his freak show? I’ll kill them all when the time comes." His voice hardened. "They don’t belong in my reality. Take your mess and get off my planet."

Skarlet stepped forward, blood still dripping from her fingers. "I’ll go."

Raiden turned to her, surprised. "You will fight for Earthrealm?"

"I’ll fight for me," she corrected, licking the blood from her lips. "Shao Kahn is out there. That bastard has it coming."

Raiden nodded. "Then you shall be one of Earthrealm’s champions."

He turned back to Peter. "You are the strongest warrior I have ever seen. If you refuse, Earthrealm may fall."

Peter smirked. "Then get stronger warriors."

Raiden’s eyes narrowed. "You misunderstand. This is not a request. This is fate."

Peter sighed. "You’re still talking."

In a blink, he moved.

BOOM.

Raiden barely reacted before Peter’s fist slammed into his chest like a meteor. The impact sent shockwaves through the battlefield, the ground shattering beneath them. Raiden flew back, smashing through mountains of ice before skidding to a stop. He turned to pure lightning to avoid the damage and reappeared a few feet away.

Peter cracked his neck. "You want me in your tournament?" His eyes glowed with cosmic energy. "Beat me."

Raiden gritted his teeth and rose. Lightning roared across the sky.

The challenge was accepted.

The skies above rumbled as Raiden straightened, his eyes glowing with electric fury. Thunder cracked through the heavens, bolts of lightning splitting the clouds as the air itself became charged with divine power. The very presence of the Thunder God warped the battlefield, ice melting into steam as the elements bent to his will.

And yet, Peter stood there, arms crossed, bored.

"You're taking your time," Peter said, cracking his knuckles. "I thought gods moved faster than this."

Raiden didn't reply. He simply raised his hand, fingers twitching.

BOOM!

A massive bolt of lightning struck Peter dead center. The sheer force could have vaporized mountains, but Peter didn’t even flinch. The moment the flash faded, he was still standing, unfazed, tapping his fingers against his bicep.

"That was cute." Peter tilted his head. "You done?"

Raiden’s eyes narrowed. In a blink, he vanished, reappearing behind Peter, fists crackling with electricity. His strike was faster than sound, a divine punch aimed straight for Peter’s spine.

Peter sighed.

Before Raiden’s fist could land, Peter simply turned and caught it. The moment his fingers closed around Raiden’s wrist, the battlefield froze. Everything—wind, dust, even the very sound of crackling energy—stopped.

Raiden’s eyes widened. He struggled, but Peter’s grip was absolute.

Peter smirked. "You hit like a damp battery."

Then, he squeezed.

CRACK!

Raiden screamed as the bones in his wrist shattered like glass. The Thunder God recoiled, stumbling backward as Peter finally let him go. Electricity arced wildly around him as he clutched his broken arm, teeth clenched in pain.

But Peter wasn’t done.

BOOM!

Before Raiden could react, Peter’s foot slammed into his ribs, sending him flying miles across the frozen wasteland. Raiden crashed through icebergs, each impact causing explosions of ice and debris. His body finally skidded to a stop against a jagged mountain of stone.

The Thunder God groaned, coughing up golden ichor. His divine form was already healing, but the pain still wracked his body.

Then, a shadow fell over him.

Raiden barely looked up before—

WHAM!

Peter stomped down on his chest, shattering the ground beneath them with the sheer force. The weight of the impact made Raiden gasp, his lungs struggling for air.

Peter grinned. "C’mon, God Boy. You wanted a fight. Try fighting."

Raiden roared, his hands surging with divine power. He gripped Peter’s leg, vanished in a burst of lightning, and reappeared in the sky, dragging Peter with him.

The storm above raged, clouds swirling like a cosmic vortex. Thunder howled as Raiden unleashed everything he had.

KA-BOOOOOOM!

A colossal explosion of divine lightning erupted from his body, engulfing Peter in a storm of raw, celestial energy. The sky turned white with the intensity of the blast, the sheer pressure cracking the very fabric of reality itself.

Raiden hovered, panting, staring into the endless light of the explosion.

"That should be enough," he muttered.

Then—

A chuckle.

Raiden's eyes widened.

The explosion collapsed into nothingness, revealing Peter floating before him—untouched. Not a single burn, not a single scratch. His mask was half-ripped, revealing a smug, cocky grin.

"My turn," Peter said.

Then, he moved.

Raiden had no time to react.

BOOM!

Peter’s fist drove into Raiden’s gut, folding him like a crumpled piece of paper. The Thunder God choked, divine blood spilling from his mouth. Before he could fall, Peter grabbed his collar, yanked him forward, and...

BAM!

...headbutted him so hard that Raiden’s hat exploded into pieces. The god reeled, dazed, but Peter wasn’t done.

Peter spun, lashing out with a kick that caught Raiden in the jaw.

CRACK!

Raiden's head snapped to the side, his neck twisting unnaturally.

Before he could recover, Peter grabbed his face, flipped upside-down in midair, and drilled Raiden headfirst into the frozen ground. The impact sent miles of ice shattering into the ocean.

Peter landed softly, stretching his arms. "God of Thunder my ass. Thor can fold you in half with ease."

Raiden groaned, barely managing to lift himself up from the crater. Blood dripped down his face, his once-pristine robes now torn and burnt. His divine aura flickered—he was running out of power.

And Peter was still at full strength.

Raiden roared. His entire body ignited in lightning as he tapped into the last reserves of his power. He surged forward at impossible speed, his fist crackling with all of his remaining divine energy.

Peter just smiled.

As Raiden swung...

SLAP!

Peter backhanded him.

Just once.

But the force behind that single slap was beyond anything Raiden had ever experienced.

His body vanished from the battlefield, launched into the horizon like a shooting star. He rocketed through mountains, through the ocean, through the very fabric of space—until finally, his battered, broken form crashed into the moon, leaving a crater the size of a city.

Peter dusted his hands. "And that’s that."

The battlefield was silent.

Skarlet stared, eyes wide, blood still dripping from her fingertips.

"...You just bitch-slapped a god to the moon," she muttered.

Peter shrugged. "He asked for it."

A moment later...

BOOM!

Raiden reappeared in a burst of divine lightning, his form flickering, his body trembling. His entire existence seemed to strain as he forced himself to stand. He looked at Peter, eyes hollow with realization.

He couldn’t win.

Peter cracked his neck. "Still wanna go?"

Raiden didn’t answer.

Slowly, he lowered his head. "No."

Peter grinned. "Good choice."

Raiden exhaled, his divine energy stabilizing. "You are stronger than I imagined. Since you have taken your stance by not joining the Mortal Kombat, you are not bound by the rules. Do what you think is better for your world, Peter Parker. But beware, Shang Tsung is a serpent more dangerous than you could possibly imagine."

With that warning, Raiden disappeared with Skarlet with a flash of lightning.

"Well, that was... He was fucking weak. Haaa..." Peter cleaned up the surroundings with reality manipulation and went home.

---

[Sue's room]

"You are late," Sue lay on the bed, naked...

Ironman poll next arc

Choose any 2.

Or you can comment on which villain you want to see.

[Ironman] Ch: 49 [Rats in a Cage]

The reinforced steel doors were ahead, a final barrier between Tony, Melina, and the architects of the Red Room's horrors. The command center beyond was Dreykov's last refuge, his final stronghold. He was cornered, and he knew it.

This time his scanners worked and he was able to pinpoint those inside the room. Thanks to the Red Room's system under his control, he was able to get the data on the remaining members inside the room, and well... They were all there.

Tony flexed his fingers, his suit humming with power. "Let's knock."

Melina didn't wait. She raised her gauntlet and fired, but the blast barely dented the thick metal.

Tony smirked. "Not bad. Now watch this."

He raised his right hand, the nanites shifting and forming a cutting torch. White-hot plasma ignited at his fingertips. He pressed his palm against the massive door and dragged it downward. The metal screamed, glowing molten red as it liquefied under the extreme heat. Within seconds, the steel sagged and dripped onto the floor like melted wax.

Melina stepped back, watching in silent awe. "Damn."

With one final push, Tony punched through the weakened door. It crumbled inward, revealing the command center beyond.

And the monsters inside.

The Red Room's Puppeteers...

The air inside was thick with tension. The high-ranking officials of the Red Room stood gathered around a massive conference table, their expressions ranging from fear to cold calculation.

At the far end, standing was Madame B, the cruel overseer of the Red Room's indoctrination program. Her eyes were sharp and unshaken despite the destruction surrounding her. She simply clasped her hands behind her back and observed.

To her left stood Orphan Maker, the Red Room's specialist in eliminating liabilities. A woman in a jet-black combat suit, her silver hair framing her face. Unlike the others, her expression wasn't one of defiance. She looked resigned as if she had expected this moment.

Beside her, standing rigidly, was Yelena Belova, Natasha's sister. Her green eyes were void of recognition, her stance unnaturally stiff. Tony's HUD confirmed what he already suspected.

[SUBJECT: YELENA BELOVA][STATUS: BRAINWASHED – NEUROCHEMICAL OVERRIDE DETECTED]

Tony clenched his jaw. 'Of course. Bastard.'

And then, to the right, standing closest to Dreykov, was Vasily Karpov, one of the key architects of the Red Room's most brutal training regimens. He was a thick, scarred man, his uniform looked that of a commando, ready to fight. He sneered at them, completely unfazed.

Dreykov himself stood in the center, gripping the edge of the table. His face was a mask of rage and desperation. His empire was gone, and he knew it.

Tony took a slow step forward. "Well, well, well. The rat's nest is full tonight."

Dreykov's lip curled. "You think this is over?" he hissed.

Melina answered by shooting Vasily Karpov in the head.

BANG!

The shot echoed through the chamber. Blood sprayed across the wall as Karpov's body hit the floor with a heavy thud.

Madame B barely blinked.

Orphan Maker flinched but said nothing.

Yelena… didn't react at all.

Tony let out a low whistle. "Damn, Melina. No warning?"

She reloaded her pistol. "Didn't deserve one."

Tony wasn't about to argue. Karpov was a monster. The things he had done to the trainees, the unspeakable conditioning to endure all situations, there was no place for him in any prison.

Dreykov barely reacted to the sudden execution. Instead, he sneered. "That's all you are, Melina. A dog trained to kill on command."

Melina's hand tightened around her gun, but Tony raised a hand. "Ignore him," he said casually. "He's just mad we crashed his little dictatorship."

Then, he turned to Orphan Maker.

She sighed, rubbing her temple. "Let me guess. You're going to kill me next?"

Tony studied her. Unlike the others, she wasn't brainwashed or under their control. 

"You're not brainwashed," Tony noted.

She nodded. "No. I was never one of Dreykov's fanatics. Just a survivor."

Melina raised her gun. "You killed my girls."

Orphan Maker didn't flinch. "I did. I had no other choice. They got my family."

Tony caught her lies instantly. She doesn't have a family according to the Red Room's records, and she just made that up on the spot. Next was the fact that this version of Orphan Maker was different from the lunatic Tony knew. This one's name is Anya, an alternate version. She could be an asset in the future. And he also didn't get the sense she was here to fight.

"Let me walk away," she said. "I'm done with this place."

Melina scoffed. "Like hell..." She aimed her pistol.

Tony stopped her. "Fine."

Melina turned to him, eyes narrowing. "What?"

Tony shrugged. "This ain't her fault." He turned back to Orphan Maker. "You can go."

He released a couple of nanites. The invisible nanites went into her bloodstream without her realizing. Now, he should be able to keep track of her and use her when the time comes. 

Orphan Maker exhaled in relief. She gave him a curt nod before slipping through the melted doorway and disappearing into the corridors.

Melina scowled. "We should've shot her."

"Maybe," Tony admitted. "But I prefer knowing where the wolves go."

Dreykov’s lips curled into a sneer. “Yelena. Kill them.”

Tony had already anticipated that.

Before Dreykov could even finish his sentence, Tony deployed his nanites. Although he was running low, he had no other choice. He simply couldn't afford another battle in that cramped room without killing them all. The microscopic machines surged forward in an invisible cloud, swarming Yelena before she could move.

Her body tensed. A sharp intake of breath—then her eyes fluttered, and she collapsed to the floor.

[SUBJECT: YELENA BELOVA]
[STATUS: TEMPORARILY NEUTRALIZED – NEURAL REPAIR IN PROGRESS]

Tony exhaled. ‘Good. One less problem.’

Dreykov’s face twisted in shock. “What did you do?”

Tony tilted his head. “Oh, you know. Fixed your little brainwashing experiment. She’ll wake up soon, but without your bullshit messing with her head.”

Melina stepped forward, gun raised. “You’re next.”

Dreykov took a step back, but Tony moved first.

His nanites shot out again, this time targeting Dreykov and the remaining Red Room officials. In an instant, their limbs locked up, their bodies stiffening as the nanites paralyzed their hands and legs.

Dreykov’s expression twisted in rage as he struggled against the invisible force holding him still. “You think this—this little trick—means you’ve won?”

'Fuck! My body feels like a slug. Haaa...' Tony walked over and casually plopped himself onto a chair, exhaling as he stretched his arms. “Oh, I don’t think. I know.”

He glanced at his HUD. His nanites were running dangerously low, and his suit was still damaged. He was out of Overdrive mode, and if another fight broke out, he wouldn’t be able to sustain another drawn-out battle.

‘Gotta wrap this up.’

He steepled his fingers and looked at the restrained officials. “Alright, let’s skip the usual ‘I’m not gonna talk’ routine and get straight to business. Where are Madame Hydra’s eyes?”

Silence.

Madame B stared at him with unwavering coldness. Vasily Karpov was already dead. That left Dreykov, Madame B, and the other lesser officials, all glaring at him with defiance.

Tony sighed. “Yeah. I figured you’d be stubborn.”

He turned his helmet slightly toward Melina. “Wanna do the honors? Get some stress relief in while keeping them alive?” He made sure to record everything.

Melina’s grip on her pistol tightened. She took a step forward.

Dreykov’s expression faltered for the first time.

“Melina—”

CRACK!

The butt of her gun smashed into his face. Blood splattered across the floor as Dreykov’s nose broke, his head snapping to the side.

Madame B remained expressionless.

Tony watched, letting Melina take the lead. His suit was already working in the background, his last remaining nanites focusing on self-repairs. His armor shifted subtly as systems recalibrated.

Melina grabbed Dreykov by his collar, dragging him forward so he was inches from her face. Her voice was ice. “For decades, you made us your weapons. You stole us. Used us. Turned us into monsters.”

Dreykov spat blood onto the floor. “And you were my best creation.”

Melina didn’t hesitate. She pressed the barrel of her gun against his kneecap and pulled the trigger.

BANG!

Dreykov screamed. His leg jerked violently, but the nanites kept him locked in place, preventing him from moving or passing out.

Tony leaned back in his chair. “See? This is why you should’ve just answered the question.” His body ached all over and as usual, his brain was already overworking, analyzing the flaws in his suit and how to fix them. 'Tsk. To think despite vibranium nanites, I'd suffer so much damage. A design flaw? No... It's the lack of vibranium. Gotta get my hand on some more vibranium. Wakanda or somewhere else... Savage Land. Haaa... So much to do.'

Dreykov panted, pain wracking his body. He glared up at Tony, fury burning in his eyes. “You think this will change anything?” he rasped. “You think burning down the Red Room makes a difference? There will always be another.”

Tony sighed. “Yeah, yeah, the whole ‘cut off one head’ speech. Heard it before.” He flicked his wrist, and a thin plasma blade extended from his gauntlet. “But here’s the thing—you? You’re not Hydra. You’re not a goddamn legend. You’re just a glorified trafficker who got too comfortable in the shadows.”

Dreykov’s face twisted in rage, but before he could say anything else—

BANG!

Another shot.

Melina had shot his other kneecap.

Dreykov howled in agony, his body convulsing as he struggled against the nanite paralysis.

Tony arched an eyebrow. “Damn, you work fast.”

Melina’s breathing was steady. Controlled. But Tony could see the fury behind her eyes. “Let me kill him. He won't talk anyway.”

"A little patience, my dear. You will get your revenge," Tony turned his attention to Madame B. “You wanna give us a useful answer before you end up like him?”

Madame B’s lips curled into a thin smile. “Do your worst.”

Tony smirked. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

Melina went over and pressed the hot muzzle of her pistol on Madame B's ear.

....

AN: 1 more chapter to go. The Red Room arc will be wrapped up. Tomorrow there will be a poll for the next arc.

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 85 [Bruce vs The Fallen One]

AN: Fast paced battle.

The moment the silvery figure appeared before the space station, Bruce moved.

Lightning crackled around his clenched fist as he teleported forward, closing the distance in an instant. Before The Fallen One could react, Bruce’s hand wrapped around his face, fingers digging into his metallic skin like an unbreakable vice.

With a thunderous boom, they vanished—tearing through the vacuum of space at incomprehensible speed. Star systems blurred past as Bruce propelled them away from the battlefield, away from Earth. He wasn’t going to let this fight turn the planet into collateral damage.

A distant, dead star loomed ahead. Bruce released his grip, throwing The Fallen One forward like a missile. The cosmic being crashed into the frozen, rocky surface of a shattered moon, the impact sending seismic ripples through its fractured crust. Dust and debris erupted into the void.

Bruce landed lightly, standing over the crater, eyes locked on the swirling darkness below.

Then, the ground exploded.

The Fallen One shot upward, a wave of black cosmic energy radiating from his form. His glowing white eyes burned with fury as he hovered midair, studying Bruce for a moment. Then he raised a hand...

A beam of pure destruction lanced toward Bruce, devouring the very fabric of reality in its wake.

Bruce moved.

A flick of his left pinky, and a burst of icy mist spread outward. The beam hit the freezing wave, and instantly, the cosmic energy solidified, frozen mid-space. The Fallen One’s attack shattered like fragile glass, chunks of frozen destruction scattering harmlessly.

The Fallen One barely twitched. He was already moving, faster than thought, appearing behind Bruce in an instant. His fist, brimming with annihilation energy, rocketed toward Bruce’s spine...

Bruce didn’t turn. His ring finger glowed, and for the briefest of moments, his mind touched The Fallen One’s. A surge of raw psychic force slammed into the cosmic entity, disrupting his movement just enough.

Bruce pivoted.

His fist crashed into The Fallen One’s chest.

The universe itself rippled.

The force of the punch shattered the space behind them, distorting reality as the Fallen One was hurled backward, his form skipping across the broken moon’s surface like a stone over water. Entire mountains crumbled under the shockwaves.

Bruce didn’t stop.

He extended his right middle finger, unleashing a spiraling vortex of energy. The windstorm howled through the void, catching The Fallen One mid-flight and twisting him in its grip. The cosmic being fought against it, arms struggling to stabilize.

Bruce raised his index finger. A blinding concussive blast erupted from his hand, slamming into The Fallen One. The explosion ripped apart the battlefield, launching him through a mountain of jagged rock. The peak vaporized on impact.

A moment of silence. Then, from the darkness...

The Fallen One emerged.

His body pulsed with newfound power. His silver skin darkened, becoming shadowed, his eyes burning brighter. He raised both hands, summoning an abyss of energy between his palms. Space itself groaned under the weight of the attack.

Bruce’s thumb gleamed.

A single beam of concentrated white light shot forward, piercing the swirling mass of destruction. The Fallen One snarled as the energy recoiled violently, destabilizing. But Bruce wasn’t done.

His right index finger glowed again. Another concussive blast followed. The Fallen One barely dodged, twisting out of the way as the explosion tore through the void. He countered instantly, appearing at Bruce’s side, swinging a cosmic-charged punch.

Bruce caught it.

His ring finger ignited.

The Fallen One’s arm disintegrated at the molecular level. The effect crawled up his forearm, erasing matter as it spread...

Then, in a flash, his body reformed.

The Fallen One roared. A shockwave of anti-energy exploded from his core, sending Bruce hurtling backward. For the first time, he pressed forward, fists coated in the remnants of collapsed stars, striking with relentless fury.

Bruce blocked the first. Countered the second. The third clipped his jaw, sending him skidding backward.

The Fallen One’s fourth punch never landed.

Bruce’s left middle finger glowed.

A bolt of electricity crackled through the void, hitting The Fallen One square in the chest. The raw voltage sent him convulsing, his cosmic essence flickering for a split second—long enough.

Bruce moved.

He closed the distance instantly, his right thumb shimmering. The very molecules around The Fallen One bent under Bruce’s control, twisting and shifting. His body rippled as his essence forcibly rearranged.

For the first time, The Fallen One let out a guttural, pained snarl. His form contorted, breaking apart at the seams before violently stabilizing. His breathing was heavier now.

Bruce exhaled.

Then vanished.

He reappeared above, fist raised.

The Fallen One had no time to react.

Bruce’s strike landed.

A detonation of force unlike anything before ripped through the void. The shattered moon disintegrated, reduced to dust in an instant. The sheer impact carved a hole through space itself, the shockwave stretching for light-years.

When the debris cleared, The Fallen One floated motionless, his body cracked with energy, silver blood leaking from his mouth.

But he still breathed.

Bruce hovered before him, unreadable. The fight could continue.

But then...

A voice echoed.

“Enough.”

The Fallen One stiffened. His broken form lurched, his body snapping upright like a puppet on strings. A deep, eerie green glow overtook his eyes.

Bruce’s gaze flickered.

Brainiac was watching.

And he had just taken control.

A pulse of energy erupted from The Fallen One’s chest, sweeping around the space like a stream of silver threads.

Bruce braced.

The second round was about to begin.

...

The moment Brainiac’s control locked into place, The Fallen One’s body jerked unnaturally. His silver flesh darkened further, tendrils of black cosmic energy slithering across his form. His burning white eyes lost all emotion—now cold, mechanical, enslaved.

Bruce exhaled, slow and controlled. His fingers curled into fists.

Enough.

He vanished.

A sonic boom erupted, shattering the remains of the broken moon beneath them. Bruce reappeared instantly, his fist slamming into The Fallen One’s chest with the force of a collapsing star.

The universe screamed.

The Fallen One was sent rocketing backward, his body tearing through entire asteroid fields like wet paper. The force of the impact ripped a planet from its orbit, sending it spiraling toward the distant edge of a black hole.

Bruce was already there.

Before The Fallen One could recover, heat vision ignited from Bruce’s eyes—twin beams of pure devastation. The airless void burned, space itself trembling as the molten-red energy carved across the Fallen One’s chest, slicing through cosmic flesh like a blade through water.

The Fallen One roared, his hands lashing out, unleashing twin waves of anti-energy—the power to erase existence itself.

Bruce’s left pinky glowed.

An ice blast erupted forward, colliding with the anti-energy wave. The temperature plummeted to near absolute zero in an instant, crystallizing the attack before it could reach him. The frozen void shattered as Bruce lunged forward, breaking through the remnants of his own counter.

His right index finger gleamed.

A beam of pure impact force, equal to the detonation of 350 pounds of TNT, tore through the space between them, striking The Fallen One dead center. His body was flung backward again, crashing into a nearby dwarf planet.

The planet exploded on impact.

Chunks of molten rock flew in every direction, the atmosphere igniting into a burning storm. The Fallen One emerged from the flames, face twisted in rage. He raised both hands, summoning the power of dead galaxies...

Bruce breathed in.

And then exhaled.

A hurricane of ice breath surged forward. The very atoms of the surrounding area slowed, the blazing inferno snuffed out in an instant. The Fallen One froze mid-motion, his own energy locked inside a prison of absolute cold.

Bruce didn’t stop.

His right ring finger pulsed.

The Disintegration Beam fired.

The beam lanced forward, striking The Fallen One’s frozen form. Molecular bonds shattered, his cosmic body splintering apart at the seams.

For a brief moment, The Fallen One’s form began to unravel, his existence breaking into dust.

But Brainiac intervened.

A pulse of neon-green code spread across his body, forcibly reconstructing him.

Bruce gritted his teeth.

Then he moved faster than time itself.

The fabric of reality warped as he reappeared behind The Fallen One, grabbing him by the throat. With a single motion, Bruce spun, hurling him at the speed of light.

The Fallen One collided with a nearby planet.

The entire world shattered on impact.

Mountains crumbled, oceans boiled away in an instant. A planet twice the size of Earth was reduced to floating debris in the abyss.

Bruce appeared above it all, looking down at the ruin.

The Fallen One emerged from the wreckage, breathing heavily. For the first time, his cosmic form flickered and looked unstable. Brainiac’s control was keeping him alive.

Bruce lifted his left middle finger.

Lightning exploded across the sky. A storm of raw electricity surged downward, tendrils of golden energy striking the Fallen One relentlessly. Each bolt carried the power of a thousand thunderstorms, frying neural pathways, and overloading cosmic nerves.

Bruce followed it with his right middle finger.

The Vortex Beam activated.

A storm of impossible winds wrapped around The Fallen One, a tornado of void energy that shredded through space itself.

Bruce was already moving.

Super-speed.

The void around him twisted as he accelerated past the speed of thought, appearing beside The Fallen One.

He reared his fist back.

And punched.

The force of the strike sent shockwaves across the solar system.

The Fallen One’s body was launched light-years away, moving so fast he passed through the event horizon of a black hole before phasing out the other side, skipping across space like a stone across a cosmic ocean.

Bruce was already waiting.

As The Fallen One emerged, Bruce raised his right thumb—the Matter Rearranger activated.

The molecules of The Fallen One’s body twisted. His once-indestructible flesh strained, his cosmic form warping against itself, forcing him to feel pain for the first time in eons.

Bruce’s heat vision ignited.

Twin beams pierced The Fallen One’s skull. His head snapped back, cosmic blood spilling into the void.