Xcalibur Xc

[Ironman] Ch: 18 [Mandarin]

The atmosphere in the modern, tall office of Mandarin International's main building was filled with tension. Zhang Wei, who called himself the Mandarin, stood near the large window that showed a view of Shanghai's vast city. He wasn’t looking at the scenery. His sharp eyes stared at the glass, his face showing a frown and a tight jaw.

Behind him, his close assistants stood in a half-circle, moving uneasily and avoiding looking at their leader. The stress in the room was easy to feel.

“How?” The Mandarin’s voice, calm but cold as ice, cut through the oppressive silence. “How did this happen?”

One of the lieutenants, Lin, a wiry man with hawkish eyes, stepped forward hesitantly. “Sir, the leaks started approximately six hours ago. First, our offshore accounts—Interpol and the IRS have flagged over 70% of our assets. Frozen. Seized. The financial division is in shambles.”

Zhang turned sharply, his piercing gaze locking onto Lin. “Seventy percent? You’re telling me we’ve lost billions overnight?”

Lin nodded reluctantly. “Yes, sir. And the hits keep coming. Journalists worldwide are publishing damning exposés, and our shell corporations are being dismantled as we speak. We’re hemorrhaging money.”

The Mandarin’s eyes narrowed. “This isn’t just a random attack. Someone coordinated this. Someone with resources.”

Another lieutenant, Mei-Ling, chimed in, her voice trembling slightly. “Sir, it’s worse than that. Our assassination network is compromised. Nearly half of our top operatives are either dead or have gone dark in the past twelve hours. Eastern European and Southeast Asian mercenaries took out our teams in Kiev, Jakarta, and Dubai.”

Zhang’s fists clenched tightly. The Ten Rings had been his life’s work—a sprawling network of elite assassins and shadow operatives that took years to cultivate. Each loss was a blow to his empire, and he didn’t believe in coincidences. Someone was targeting him.

“And Hydra?” Zhang asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Mei-Ling exchanged a glance with Lin before responding. “Hydra’s bases have been exposed to global intelligence agencies. They believe we’re responsible. Retaliation has already begun. They attacked two of our key facilities in Istanbul and Casablanca. Casualties are in the hundreds.”

Zhang let out a sharp breath, his mind racing. This was no small act of sabotage. This was war, and it had been unleashed with surgical precision. His lips curled into a snarl. “Hydra is a dog that bites when cornered. But I do not believe they are behind this. They are too blunt, too predictable.”

He paced back to his desk, his mind analyzing every angle. Who could have done this? The leaks, the assassinations, the attacks—it was a symphony of chaos, orchestrated by someone who knew both his organization and Hydra well enough to pit them against each other.

“Who benefits from this?” he murmured, more to himself than his subordinates.

Lin stepped forward again. “Sir, we’re investigating possible suspects. Rival organizations, perhaps a state-sponsored effort—”

“Fool!” Zhang snapped, his voice cracking like a whip. “This isn’t a rival syndicate or some government agency. This is personal. Whoever did this wants us to suffer.”

The room fell silent, his words hanging in the air like a heavy fog. Zhang’s mind raced. If this was personal, there weren’t many with the capability or the audacity to attack him on this scale.

“Bring me the full list of leaks and known operatives compromised,” Zhang ordered. “And increase security at all remaining facilities. Triple it. I want every loose end tied up, every informant interrogated.”

Mei-Ling hesitated before speaking. “Sir, there’s... one more issue.”

Zhang turned to her, his glare enough to make her flinch. “What now?”

“Someone has placed a bounty on you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “A massive one. It’s being circulated through Eastern criminal networks. The message was traced back to an anonymous source, but it appears to be coming from... within our own accounts.”

Zhang froze, his expression unreadable. For a moment, the room was silent, save for the distant hum of the city below.

“A bounty,” he repeated, his voice calm but laced with venom. “Using my own money?”

Mei-Ling nodded, her eyes downcast. “Yes, sir.”

Zhang inhaled deeply, the muscles in his neck tightening as he fought to contain his fury. “This is not an attack. This is humiliation.”

He turned to Lin. “Find the source of the bounty. Find out who accessed our accounts and leaked the funds. And when you find them—bring me their head.”

“Yes, sir,” Lin replied quickly, bowing slightly before retreating.

The Mandarin looked back out the window, his thoughts filled with anger and plans. This was a clear attack on his empire, a well-thought-out effort to destroy everything he had created. But even more, it was a personal insult. Whoever was behind this wanted him to suffer, to lose face, to watch his empire crumble.

But Zhang Wei was not a man who accepted defeat. He had built the Ten Rings from nothing, clawing his way to the top through sheer force of will and ruthless efficiency. He would not let some faceless enemy destroy him.

“Mei-Ling,” he said, his voice low but commanding.

“Yes, sir?”

“Contact our remaining assets. I want every available operative hunting down leads. Every hacker, every informant, every mercenary. I don’t care what it costs—find the one responsible for this. And when you do... bring them to me.”

Mei-Ling nodded. “It will be done.”

As the room emptied, Zhang stood alone, staring out at the city. He could feel his empire crumbling beneath him, but he refused to let it fall. Whoever had done this would learn the true meaning of vengeance.

And if Hydra wanted a war, he would give them one they would never forget.

...

Zhang Wei was not a man to waste time mourning losses. By the time dawn broke over Shanghai, he had issued directives to his remaining lieutenants. His operations might be bleeding, but he still commanded an army of assassins—deadly, loyal, and eager to prove their worth. While Hydra and Mandarin International tore at each other’s throats, Zhang focused on neutralizing the immediate threat: the shadowy figure orchestrating this chaos.

Within hours, his orders began to take shape. Key targets were identified based on tenuous leads, and his assassins moved with brutal efficiency. The Ten Rings did not retreat; they struck back, clawing at any sign of weakness in their enemies.

[New York City]

The assassin’s code name was Viper. She had been with the Ten Rings for over a decade, her reputation as an elusive killer rivaled only by her precision. Zhang assigned her to a high-priority target: Alexander Pierce, a suspected Hydra liaison based in New York. If Hydra thought the Mandarin was their enemy, Zhang would exploit their paranoia by striking at their heart.

Viper perched atop a derelict building in Manhattan, her silenced rifle aimed at the penthouse across the street. Pierce’s movements had been tracked for weeks, but tonight he had deviated from routine. A late-night meeting, unusual guests—it was the perfect setup for a clean kill.

She exhaled slowly, her crosshairs locking onto Pierce’s figure behind the glass window. Her finger tightened on the trigger.

“Target acquired,” she murmured into her comms.

But just as she squeezed the trigger, an explosion rocked the building below her. A chain reaction of blasts followed, throwing her off balance. The sniper rifle clattered to the rooftop as she scrambled for cover.

“What the—” Viper hissed, her earpiece crackling.

“Viper, extraction compromised!” a voice shouted over the line. “Hydra operatives—they’re here! It’s a setup!”

Before Viper could respond, gunfire erupted from the adjacent rooftop. Hydra snipers, alerted to her presence, had positioned themselves for a counterattack. Viper cursed, rolling behind a ventilation unit as bullets peppered her previous position.

“Fall back!” her handler ordered. “We’ll regroup at the safe house.”

“Negative,” Viper growled, her pride overriding her caution. She retrieved her rifle, quickly reconfiguring her aim. If she couldn’t escape, she would ensure her target didn’t either.

But Pierce was already gone.

[Dubai]

On the other side of the world, another killer was following Zhang's commands. Code-named: Shadow, this agent was skilled in fighting up close and sneaking into places without being noticed. His goal was to take out a top Hydra agent in Dubai, who was believed to be planning the attacks on Mandarin International.

Disguised as a maintenance worker, Shadow had quietly entered the fancy apartment building without anyone noticing. His target’s apartment was on the 15th floor, and he moved as quietly as a ghost, hiding a blade in his sleeve.

When he reached the door, he used a small gadget to turn off the electronic lock. The lock made a quiet beep, and the door opened. Shadow stepped inside, staying very alert and ready for anything.

The room was dim, but he could hear soft whispers coming from the next room. Holding his knife, he moved quietly, his steps careful and precise. As he turned the corner, he spotted his target: a man sitting at a desk, facing away, talking on the phone.

Shadow leaped forward, his knife aimed straight for the man’s neck.

But the target twisted in his chair at the last moment, revealing a smirk. “Too slow,” the Hydra operative said, pulling a concealed gun and firing.

Shadow dodged, the bullet grazing his shoulder as he rolled to the side. The Hydra agent barked an order, and armed guards burst into the room. Shadow fought valiantly, his blade flashing as he disarmed one attacker and took down another. But the numbers were overwhelming. A baton struck his temple, and his vision blurred as he collapsed to the floor.

As the guards restrained him, the Hydra operative crouched down, his smirk returning. “Tell Zhang Wei: he picked the wrong fight.”

[Shanghai]

Back in Shanghai, Zhang Wei sat in his secure command center, monitoring the aftermath of his assassins’ failed missions. Reports streamed in from across the globe—counterattacks, ambushes, and mounting losses. It was clear Hydra had anticipated his moves, turning his assassins into prey.

“Sir,” Lin reported, his voice tense. “We’ve lost contact with Viper in New York and Shadow in Dubai. Reports indicate Hydra was prepared for their arrival.”

Zhang’s expression darkened. “And the bounty? Any progress?”

Lin hesitated. “We’ve identified several potential leads, but nothing conclusive. Whoever orchestrated this has covered their tracks well. It’s... impressive.”

Zhang’s gaze snapped to Lin, his voice a low growl. “Do not praise the enemy.”

Lin swallowed nervously and nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Zhang’s mind raced. This enemy—whoever they were—had turned the Ten Rings against themselves, exploiting Hydra as a weapon of chaos. It was a move he might have admired under different circumstances. But admiration didn’t matter now. What mattered was survival.

He turned to Mei-Ling. “Contact our allies in Eastern Europe. Offer double their standard rate for immediate assistance. I want Hydra’s operations crippled. If we can’t kill their operatives, we’ll burn their resources to the ground.”

Mei-Ling nodded and left to relay the orders.

...

As night fell over Shanghai, Zhang Wei stood once more by his office window, his reflection stark against the darkened skyline. His empire was bleeding, and his assassins hunted, but he was not defeated. Although from others perspective it looked like he lost enough money to cripple him, they don't even know how wrong they actually are.

Whoever had orchestrated this chaos had underestimated him. Zhang was a survivor, and the Ten Rings were not so easily destroyed. If his enemies wanted a war, he would give them one—a war fought in the shadows, where the Mandarin thrived.

“Let them come,” Zhang muttered to himself, his reflection a grim mask of determination. “Let them think they’ve won. I’ll show them the price of underestimating the Ten Rings.”

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 66 [Morgan & Bruce- First mission]

[NY]

The Zero Ring shot toward Bruce like a bullet, shattering the glass window and stopping right in front of him, hovering over the palm of his left hand.

"Found you. But you better hurry, Liar Ring is causing chaos out there," The voice came from the ring.

"Liar Ring?"

"The Ring of Illusion, Liar. He is creating chaos for fun. So you better hurry!" She said, annoyed.

He quickly paid for the ice cream and cookies, "Wanna tag along?" He said to Morgan. "I want to see your training result."

"You mean it?" Morgan's eyes gleamed with joy.

He nodded with a smile. "Yes. Our first father and daughter duo mission."

"Yes," She punched her fists together. "Let's do this, Dad!"

Bruce smiled at her as he used the satellite connected to his nanites to check for ongoing chaos or disturbances. And soon enough, he found it.

"Gotta ya." He activated his Ironman suit and Morgan activated the nanites in her bracelet. The nanites flowed out, covering her body instantly, creating a similar-looking suit to Bruce's. "Sorry about the damage. I'll pay you back after I return." He said to the cashier, the he grabbed Morgan's shoulder and used the Lightning Ring.

...

[Ngami Basin – Present Time]

The frozen winds howled as Elsa stood amidst the encircling elemental creatures, her defiance unwavering despite exhaustion and her injuries. The Bloodstone pulsed faintly, offering her a sliver of strength, but it wasn’t enough to match the overwhelming odds.

Just as the creatures lunged to finish her off, a streak of lightning split the sky, followed by a thunderclap so powerful it shook the ground beneath her feet. The brilliance coalesced into a figure draped in a dark, imposing suit of armor—Bruce Wayne. The Lightning Ring on his left hand crackled with raw energy, casting an eerie glow against the icy wasteland. Beside him stood a young woman, tall and poised, her jet-black suit streamlined for both combat and stealth.

"Looks like you’re in a tight spot," Bruce said, his gravelly voice carrying easily over the storm.

Elsa raised an eyebrow, momentarily stunned by their dramatic entrance. "And who might you be? The cavalry? Wait! That suit... Ironman?"

"Yes," Bruce answered, his gaze fixed on the advancing monsters. "Morgan," he said, his tone calm but commanding. "Stay sharp. Let’s clear the field."

Morgan nodded, her voice steady. "Got it."

Bruce raised his hand, the Lightning Ring sparking as he unleashed a devastating surge of electricity. The elemental creatures disintegrated in an instant, reduced to shards of ice, flame, and stone. Elsa shielded her face from the radiant blast, lowering her blade as silence fell over the basin.

Morgan glanced at her father, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "Still as theatrical as ever. What about me? I wanted to blast some of them."

"Yeah, you'll get your chance to shine," He said as he looked at the frozen ground. The elemental giants began to reform, their twisted shapes regenerating as if untouched by the earlier attack. Elsa let out a low groan, her grip tightening on her blade.

"They’re illusions," Bruce said, his voice low. "The Liar Ring is behind this. It’s creating chaos."

Elsa sheathed her weapon, her tone sharp. "So, that's what it's called. Never heard of it. But if they’re illusions, why do they still hit like a bloody truck?"

"The illusion’s power is anchored to the mind," Bruce explained. "It feels real because the ring makes you believe it is. But we’re not fighting the giants—we’re fighting the ring’s influence."

Bruce turned to Morgan. "You know what to do."

Morgan nodded, her hands glowing as she summoned the Infinity energy she had mastered during her training with Hela. Closing her eyes, she let the power flow through her, aligning her focus with the truth buried beneath the illusions. The air around her shimmered, rippling like water under a steady breeze.

The elemental creatures charged again, but Morgan raised her hands, releasing a pulse of golden energy. It swept through the battlefield like a wave, unraveling the illusions. The monsters flickered and dissolved, the frosted land disappeared, and the dead were nowhere to be seen... What's left was just a lone figure cloaked in shifting shadows. There was a glowing ring on its left hand.

"Well done, Morgan," Bruce said as he stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the strange being.

The Ring wielder stared back at him, his face obscured by darkness. "So, you are the one the 9 Rings chosen. Interesting."

Elsa watched with interest as Bruce raised his right hand, revealing the Zero Ring. The Lightning Ring and he took out the Spectral Ring and put it next to the Lighting Ring.

"What about you? Are you going to create chaos or maybe do some good with your power?" He asked.

"Mandarin is back from hell," Zero Ring's soul spoke instead of using telepathy.

"What do you mean by that? Mandarin was banished to hell for eternity," The Liar Ring replied in a low tone.

"Not anymore. He's on his way here right now," The Zero Ring replied.

"No. This can't be! I thought he was banished for eternity!" The Liar Ring exclaimed in panic.

"He came for me first and I'm sure he'll go after the rest. If he gets his hands on the others, then the dark age will begin again. We will never be free from our confinement," The Zero Ring said, ignoring the panicking Liar Ring.

'What? That freak of nature is back to life again?' Bruce thought with narrowed eyes.

"So, I have a question," The Liar Ring spoke. "Do you want to become the new Mandarin or do you want to become a hero? And are you going to free us from these confinements of the Rings?"

"New Mandarin or a hero... Well, neither. I'll just do whatever it takes to keep Earth safe, for that I'll become whatever it takes, a hero, a villain, a god, whatever it takes," He said, his tone emotionless. "And yes. I've already freed Skyler. So, if you want me to free you and create new bodies, then I want you to make an oath. You'll defend Earth when the time comes and lend me your power at all costs without changing sides."

Liar Ring and Zero Ring glanced at each other before looking at Bruce. "We accept," They answered in unison.

"What about you Spectral?" He asked.

"Fine. But don't get used to me being helpful," The Spectral Ring replied.

The shadowy creature disappeared and the Liar Ring flew to Bruce. He grabbed it and put it on his left hand's index finger.

"Well, that's that..." Elsa sighed in relief. "Thanks for saving my ass. I owe you one."

Bruce turned toward her, "You are that hunter, right? The monster hunter with the Bloodstone?"

"Yep! That's me," She smiled proudly. "You can call me Elsa."

"I'm Morgan," Morgan greeted as she extended her right hand to shake hands with Elsa.

"Elsa. Nice to meet you, Morgan," She said with a smile.

"Well, we need to get moving. We have to stop Mandarin before he gets what he wants," Bruce said as he looked at the sky. "What about you?"

"I'm just gonna get some sleep. I'm dead tired after that," Elsa said with a yawn.

"Okay," Bruce created a card with his nanites and threw it toward her. She caught it and raised an eyebrow. It was a card with the new Avengers logo on it.

"You serious?" She looked at him.

"Yeah. I want you on my team. So, think about it..." With that Bruce and Morgan flew away.

Elsa lay on her back and raised the card, "Heh... Avengers? I don't know much about teamwork. I'm more of a lone wolf kinda woman. But... Yeah, I got nothing better to do anyway..." She smiled as she closed her eyes.

Ironman POLL

After 3 more chs, the childhood arc will end and there will be a time skip with SHIELD and all.

So, it is time to start the Harem Poll. The girls will play a major role according to the winner.

For the first main Arc, I plan to keep it to starter-level threats, slowly moving to the bigger ones.

Not adding Pepper to the list because she's already there. I mean, Ironman without Pepper, I don't know...

Update

Finally uploaded Ch: 17 for Ultimate Ironman.

Starting next chapter, all tiers will get stable release. Thanks for your patience.

---

Next Batman x Arc Reactor chapter coming up in a few...

[Ironman] Ch: 17 [Divide and Obliterate]

After breakfast, Tony shifted his focus to the task at hand. Set up his new lab again. He spent the entire day tinkering and rearranging everything in the basement. It was almost noon when he finally finished. He stretched his arms, satisfied with the result. His new lab looks clean and ready for action. His next plan was to prevent his parents' death. Now that he knows the Ultimate and MCU realities are merged together, he had to improvise his plans. There was only 1 week left until Howard and Maria's assassination date. It could be either Hydra or the Mandarin Industries... And there might be a possibility that it might be both.

Instead of getting hyper, he remained calm and collected, focusing on what he could do now.

Tony wanted to make an armor, but one week was too short and then there was the Arc Reactor. With whatever resources he had access to, it wouldn't be hard to create a suit, but there were too many eyes around him. Then there was the matter of testing. He couldn't exactly just get up and fly whenever he wanted.

Right now, he sat down before his computer, "Hermes. Hack into Mandarin Industries."

Over the years, Tony upgraded his AI to be the best one. The AI code was so complex that no one could hack into it or trace it back and there was no system that Hermes couldn't infiltrate. It can bypass any security system. Not to mention the backdoor access to Pentagon and S.H.I.E.L.D. servers.

"Yes, Sir," A holographic display of blue orb appeared, floating above the table.

The AI hacked into the database of Mandarin Industries and began to gather all the data available. Tony didn't want to just interfere with their operation. He wanted to know every single thing about them without raising any red flags.

“Alright, Mandarin,” Tony muttered. “Let’s see what you’re hiding.”

The screen was filled with Mandarin International’s encrypted servers. The Ten Rings organization had grown beyond its historical roots, adapting into a shadowy corporate empire. The AI bypassed multiple firewalls and finally gained control of the company's mainframe.

"Sir," Hermes said. "I've accessed the mainframe."

...

Mandarin International Files:

• Project Iron Blade: A covert operation targeting key industrial leaders across the globe. Howard Stark’s name was flagged under the “primary threats” category, listed alongside Stark Industries' most valuable patents.

• Assassination Window: December 16, 1987. Confirmed operational.

• Operatives Assigned: [Classified]

...

Tony clenched his jaw. "So, they’re planning to take out Dad in a week."

He opened another file labeled Sleeper Hydra Assets, which revealed a disturbing overlap. Mandarin International had been collaborating with remnants of Hydra to strengthen their global operations. The partnership seemed tentative but deadly, they covers each other's asses, increasing espionage capabilities.

“Hydra and Mandarin, working together? That’s new.” Tony frowned. “Guess everyone’s teaming up these days."

He realized that intervening would require finesse. Mandarin’s assassins were notorious for their precision, and any overt action would alert them. Moreover, if Hydra’s operatives were involved, they could retaliate with overwhelming force. Although his intervention before has weakened Hydra's power, they still have a large network.

He leaned back, running a hand through his hair. He had one week to outmaneuver two of the deadliest organizations in the world. His parents’ lives—and perhaps the future of Stark Industries—depended on it.

"Arg!" The headache came back. Tony took out the bottle from his pocket and swallowed a pill, waiting for it to work. After a few minutes, he sighed in relief as his headache slowly faded away.

He rubbed his forehead, "Well, I guess, I'll go all out."

Tony knew he couldn't go out and fight or create armor without his father asking him dozens of questions. He wanted to ask Hank Pym for the favor he owned but decided not to because if something goes wrong and Pym dies, the future will change drastically and he'll lose his chance to get his hands on the Pym particles formula that only Hank knows. So, he was going to use the best thing he has─Hacking.

In a world where technology is evolving every day and big industries are using more technology, hacking into them would be like stealing from a kid's toy box.

"I am so gonna fuck you both up that you wouldn't even know what the hell is going on after I am done with you all," Tony muttered darkly. But his stomach suddenly rumbled and he was reminded that he hadn't eaten anything since morning. He looked at the watch. "Ah! Crap. It was already past 5 and he missed lunch."

With a heavy sigh, he got up from the chair and went upstairs.

-----

"Ah! Mom! You cooked my favorite!" Tony smiled as he saw a steaming lasagna on the table. Maria smiled back. "Come, sit down."

Tony sat down and started eating his food, savoring the taste of homemade lasagna.

"How did you know I would come up right now?" He asked his mother as he ate.

"I just know," Maria said as she looked at him with a knowing smile. "How was the lab? Is it to your liking?"

"It's perfect. I'll need to tweak some things here and there but it's just what I needed," Tony replied.

Maria nodded. "That's good to hear. Are you working on anything in particular?"

"Just some blueprints for a prototype robot I'm thinking of," Tony replied casually. "Nothing too fancy."

"Hmm," Maria hummed. "I saw your three robots, they look nice."

"Oh, Dum-E and U? They're my assistants." Tony chuckled. "They're a bit clumsy, but they help me out in the lab. And the humanoid one is Elena."

"Elena?" She asked, looking at her with curiosity. "Don't tell me..."

"Ah! Hell no. That's not it. Don't even think about it. It's not like that. ELENA. aka, Emotional Learning and Enhanced Neural Algorithm. Elena is an AI and that humanoid robot is the body she is using."

"Oh, that's a relief," Maria said as she breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought you made a robot girlfriend or something."

"Mom!"

"What?" She asked innocently. "I'm just worried about you, dear. You've been all busy with only work and experiments. Do you even have a girlfriend? Did anyone catch your eye at MIT? Forget that, do you even have friends?"

Tony rolled his eyes. "I don't have time for romance. There's too much to do. And don't worry, I'm fine. I have plenty of friends at MIT."

"How many?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Sigh!" He scratched the back of his head. "Fine. One friend, Rhodey. You remember him, right? I told you about him last month."

"Yeah, I remember. And I meant other than him? I mean, c'mon, Tony. You can't always stay a loner. You need to go out and meet new people and make new friends. Don't be so cold and aloof."

"Mom. I'm fine. Besides, I have my whole life ahead. But right now, I am just going to focus on work and improving myself. I don't have time for girls or any distractions. And who knows, maybe I'll find the right one when I am old and gray." Tony smiled.

Maria sighed and said, "You are impossible. Always ready with excuses. But fine, do what you want. Just know that I don't want you to become what your father was in the past. Too much work, stress, and alcohol, and you already know the yelling... So, take a breather when you can and try to enjoy life a little bit out of your own world."

Tony nodded. He knew that Maria was worried about his future and the path he was going to take.

"Not to worry, mom. I'll keep it in mind," He said with a smile.

...

[Night]

Later that night, Tony returned to his lab, recharged and ready to execute his plan. His parents were safe upstairs, unaware of the storm he was about to unleash. He sat before his computer, the holographic displays illuminating the dimly lit basement.

"Hermes, time to go full throttle. We're hitting Hydra and Mandarin where it hurts the most."

"Understood, Sir," Hermes replied, its voice calm yet purposeful.

Tony cracked his knuckles and leaned forward. "First target—Hydra. Let's expose their dirty laundry."

Hermes swiftly infiltrated Hydra’s encrypted servers. Over the years, Tony had developed unique algorithms capable of penetrating even the most sophisticated firewalls. Hydra’s extensive network began unraveling before his eyes—secret bases, covert operations, and high-ranking operatives’ identities were now at his disposal.

"Focus on their new bases and upcoming plans. Make it look like Mandarin leaked the information to governments worldwide," Tony instructed.

One by one, Hydra’s clandestine facilities were exposed to intelligence agencies across the globe. Locations of hidden bases in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and South America were sent anonymously to MI6, the CIA, and every other available government network. To add fuel to the fire, Hermes fabricated evidence suggesting that Mandarin International had betrayed Hydra, feeding these agencies the information.

"Let them tear each other apart," Tony muttered, smirking.

Next, he turned his attention to Mandarin International. Hermes hacked into their financial systems, uncovering widespread tax evasion, offshore accounts, and funds funneled into illegal activities. Tony redirected damning evidence to international regulatory bodies, including the IRS and Interpol.

"Let’s make their tax problems everyone's business," Tony smirked.

The media was next. Hermes anonymously leaked a cache of financial documents to trusted journalists, painting a vivid picture of Mandarin’s corruption. The headlines were already writing themselves: "Mandarin International: Corporate Empire or Criminal Syndicate?"

"Now, for a little extra chaos," Tony said, his eyes gleaming. "Hire the best foreign assassins. Make it look like Mandarin’s internal factions are eating each other alive."

Using anonymous accounts, he contacted mercenaries from Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. They work for money, so Tony rerouted Mandarin's money to them. Within hours, coordinated strikes took out key Mandarin operatives, sowing paranoia and mistrust within their ranks.

By dawn, the world was in chaos. News channels buzzed with reports of exposed Hydra bases, Mandarin’s financial scandals, and escalating violence within the Ten Rings organization.

In Eastern Europe, Hydra agents were raiding suspected Mandarin facilities, convinced of their betrayal. Mandarin’s forces retaliated, believing Hydra had orchestrated the leaks and assassinations. The two shadowy organizations were now locked in a covert war, their resources stretched thin.

Tony watched the chaos unfold on multiple screens, sipping a cup of coffee. His smirk was one of satisfaction.

"Hermes, monitor the fallout. I want to make sure this keeps them too busy to even think about targeting Dad."

"Of course, Sir. Preliminary reports indicate the destabilization has exceeded projected outcomes. Hydra and Mandarin are now prioritizing each other as threats."

Tony leaned back, rubbing his temples. "Good. But keep digging. If either of them tries to regroup, I want to be ten steps ahead. Oh, put a big bounty on Mandarin while you're at it. Make sure it comes from the East."

"Yes, Sir," Hermes replied.

Tony sighed, glancing at the time. "It's 6 AM. I need a nap."

He stood up, stretching his arms. Then he walked over to the couch and collapsed onto it, letting sleep claim him.

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 65 [Elsa Bloodstone vs elemental giants]

Elsa Bloodstone moved swiftly, her holiday gear traded for her usual hunting attire: a reinforced leather jacket, armored boots, and her signature twin pistols holstered at her sides. Her chest piece, the Bloodstone relic, gleamed faintly—a sure sign of danger.

She hurried into her study, where a teleportation device sat dormant on a cluttered table. The machine, cobbled together from mystical artifacts and cutting-edge technology, was her gateway to the most dangerous corners of the world.

"Coordinates received," she muttered, punching in the numbers she'd been sent. A low hum filled the room, and the air rippled as the device powered up. "Ngami Basin, South Africa. Monsters, ancient artifacts. Sounds like my kind of mess."

With one last look around her peaceful sanctuary, Elsa stepped onto the teleporter pad. The hum built into a zapping noise, and in an instant, the world around her dissolved into streaks of light and shadow.

[The Ngami Basin]

The first thing Elsa noticed as she materialized was the bitterly cold temperature. The Ngami Basin was far too frozen for a place so close to the Kalahari Desert. Icy gusts howled across the landscape, and everything was covered in a thick layer of frost. Shattered trees and ice-encrusted rocks were scattered about, with jagged shapes illuminated by a strange, otherworldly glow from a distant aurora.

Her breath clouded the air as she adjusted to the sudden temperature drop. "Not exactly what I packed for," she muttered, drawing her coat tighter.

Before she could take a step, a blood-curdling scream pierced the frozen wilderness. Elsa's pistols were in her hands instantly, their silver-plated barrels glinting in the pale light.

"Right, let's see what's making all the fuss."

She moved cautiously toward the source of the scream, her boots crunching on the icy ground. The Bloodstone relic on her chest pulsed faintly, guiding her toward the danger. As she crested a ridge, the scene below made her pause.

A pack of grotesque frost creatures was tearing through a group of hapless explorers. The monsters were almost humanoid and distorted, and their bodies were covered in jagged ice and frost. Their eyes glowed deep blue as they lunged at their prey, claws ripping through flesh like some monsters from horror movies.

Elsa didn’t hesitate. Raising her pistols, she took aim at the nearest creature. “Oi, Frosties! Let’s dance.”

Her first shot rang out, the silver bullet striking true. The creature’s head exploded in a shower of ice shards, its body collapsing into a pile of frost-covered rubble. The other monsters turned, their glowing eyes locking onto Elsa.

“Yeah, that’s right. Come to Auntie Elsa.”

The frost creatures charged, their inhuman speed sending them hurtling toward her like a frozen avalanche. Elsa fired again, her shots precise and lethal. Two more creatures fell, their icy forms shattering on impact.

But there were too many. The remaining creatures split into two groups, one circling behind her while the others attacked head-on.

Elsa holstered one pistol, drawing a long silver blade from her back. “You lot really don’t know who you’re messing with.”

She met the first creature’s charge head-on, sidestepping its wild swing and driving her blade into its chest. The monster let out a piercing shriek before crumbling into ice. Spinning on her heel, she fired at another creature closing in from the side, her bullet tearing through its head.

The pack was relentless, their claws swiping and teeth snapping with icy fury. Elsa moved with the grace of a seasoned hunter, dodging and countering with deadly precision.

When one creature lunged at her from behind, she ducked low, grabbing a frost-covered rock and smashing it into the monster’s face. It staggered, giving her enough time to drive her blade through its throat.

The last creature hesitated, its glowing eyes flickering as if realizing it was outmatched. Elsa grinned, raising her pistol. “Smart move, but it’s too late for second thoughts.”

The shot echoed through the frozen basin, and the final monster fell. Elsa stood amidst the shattered remains, catching her breath as the Bloodstone’s glow dimmed.

“Right,” she said, wiping frost from her blade. “Now, where’s this bloody artifact?”

The Artifact’s Guardian

The Bloodstone pulsed again, its glow guiding Elsa deeper into the basin. She followed its lead, climbing up icy ridges and navigating dangerous frozen terrain. The wind had grown louder now as she reached the source of the disturbance-a huge ice formation towering over the landscape.

At the base of the formation, something glittered faintly. Elsa kneeled, wiping frost away, to reveal some strange artifact buried in the ice. It was a ring. On its surface were ancient runes and it seemed to glow in otherworldly blue light.

“Well, aren’t you a pretty thing?” she murmured, reaching for the ring.

The moment her fingers brushed the artifact, the ground shook violently. Elsa leaped back as the ice cracked and split, releasing a deafening roar.

From the ice emerged a monstrous guardian—a towering creature of frost and stone. Its body was massive, its limbs ending in jagged spikes of ice. Blue fire burned in its hollow eyes as it fixed its gaze on Elsa.

“Oh, fantastic,” she muttered, drawing both pistols.

The guardian charged, its movements surprisingly fast for its size. Elsa rolled to the side, her pistols barking as she fired at the creature’s head. The bullets struck, but the ice reformed almost instantly.

“Right, bullets are a no-go,” she said, dodging another swing.

The creature’s massive arm slammed into the ground, narrowly missing her and leaving a deep crater in the ice. Elsa scrambled to her feet, holstering her pistols and drawing her blade again.

“Let’s see how you like a bit of cold steel.”

She darted in, slashing at the creature’s legs. The blade bit into the ice, leaving cracks but not enough to disable it. The guardian roared, swinging its arm in a wide arc. Elsa ducked, the wind from the swing whipping her hair as she rolled beneath its massive form.

Her mind raced. The creature was too powerful to take head-on, and her usual weapons were barely scratching it. She needed a plan—and fast.

Elsa gritted her teeth as the frost guardian roared, its massive frame running toward her again. She sidestepped a crushing blow, her blade sparking as it scraped against the icy ground. Her mind raced, weighing her dwindling options. There was only one move left—she had to unleash the Bloodstone’s power.

“Alright, big guy,” she muttered, gripping her chestpiece. “Let’s see how you like a taste of this.”

The Bloodstone relic flared to life, its crimson glow illuminating the frozen basin. Energy surged through her body, filling her veins with burning heat that defied the frigid air. Raising her hand, she directed the Bloodstone’s energy toward the frost guardian. A brilliant red blast erupted, hitting the creature square in the chest.

The force of the blast shattered the guardian’s icy form, scattering shards across the landscape. Elsa staggered back, panting, as the Bloodstone dimmed slightly. She allowed herself a moment of satisfaction—until the ground beneath her feet began to quake again.

“What now?” she groaned, turning toward the source of the disturbance.

From the fractured ice emerged not one, but ten monstrous figures. Each radiated a distinct elemental power—fire, thunder, poison, frost, and more. Their forms twisted and grotesque, they glared at her with glowing eyes, their combined presence radiating an overwhelming aura of menace.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Elsa muttered, drawing her pistols again. “What is this, some kind of bloody monster buffet?”

The creatures charged, their movements synchronized as if they shared a single mind. Elsa opened fire, her bullets finding their marks, but the damage was fleeting. The frost creature reformed; the fire one absorbed her shots like kindling. Her blade wasn’t faring much better against their hardened forms.

She unleashed another energy blast, the Bloodstone’s red light cleaving through two of the creatures. They howled and crumbled, but the remaining eight surged forward with renewed fury. Elsa fought like a demon, her superhuman strength, speed, and endurance keeping her alive in the chaos. She dodged a thunder-infused strike, parried a poison-tipped claw, and countered a fire creature’s flaming tendrils.

But it wasn’t enough.

A blow from the thunder creature sent her sprawling, her body skidding across the ice. Pain lanced through her as she forced herself to stand, blood dripping from a gash on her forehead. She fired another shot, but the creatures were relentless, surrounding her in a tightening circle.

The Bloodstone pulsed faintly, its energy nearly drained. Elsa clenched her fists, defiant even in the face of impossible odds.

“Alright, you bastards,” she growled, wiping the blood from her face. “If I’m going down, I’m taking a few more of you with me.”

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 64 [The Ice Ring & Elsa Bloodstone's ruined holiday]

Mandarin’s screams echoed in the endless abyss, overshadowed by the cacophony of suffering spirits surrounding him. Eons seemed to go by in the bottomless pits of Hell-an eternity of suffering that seemed worse each moment. Yet, through the torment, Mandarin’s focus never wavered. There was one name, one entity he sought above all others: Mephisto.

The Mandarin, clad in the remnants of what was once regal attire, now tattered and stained with the ash of Hell, wandered endlessly. He had exhausted every method of summoning, bargaining, or coercing other damned souls and infernal denizens to grant him an audience with the Prince of Lies. His infamous rings, the source of his great power in life, were no longer with him. They, too, had been lost, scattered across Earth when he was dragged into this cursed realm. The loss of the rings had been a blow, but the Mandarin was not one to be undone by setbacks.

At first, he shouted defiantly, demanding Mephisto’s presence. Then he begged, his once-proud voice breaking into ragged sobs. When even begging failed, he simply whispered, his hope reduced to embers.

“Mephisto…”

And finally, when Mandarin’s will cracked, the Devil appeared.

His unrelenting persistence finally bore fruit. Just as he reached the limits of his endurance, when his mind teetered on the brink of madness, a sulfurous mist coalesced before him. The mist condensed, taking the form of a tall, imposing figure with crimson skin, blackened horns, and a perpetual grin of mockery. Mephisto had arrived.

“Calling for me, Mandarin? You’ve been... persistent.”

The Mandarin fell to his knees, not out of reverence, but because his soul, frail and battered by Hell's torment, could no longer stand. Mephisto loomed over him, his grin widening.

“I’ve waited,” Mandarin rasped, his voice hoarse. “I’ve endured your hell, all for the chance to speak with you.”

Mephisto chuckled, a sound that sent ripples through the flames around them. “Oh, I know. I’ve been watching. Such resolve. It’s almost... endearing.”

Mandarin staggered to his feet, trembling. “I want out. This realm is not my destiny. I was a ruler, a conqueror—”

“Ah, but now you are a soul,” Mephisto interrupted, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. “And a very desperate one, at that.”

The Devil stepped closer, circling Mandarin like a predator sizing up its prey. “You seek freedom. Resurrection. But, as I’m sure you’ve guessed, nothing comes without a price.”

Mandarin’s fists clenched. He had expected this, though its weight still settled heavily on his shoulders. “Name it.”

Mephisto’s grin widened. “There’s a soul I want. One that has slipped my grasp for far too long. Bring it to me, and I will return you to the mortal plane.”

“Whose soul?” Mandarin demanded, his voice regaining a fraction of its former authority.

“Hela,” Mephisto hissed, his tone dripping with disdain. “The so-called Goddess of Death. She’s powerless now, banished to Earth by Odin’s decree. A shadow of her former self. You, Mandarin, will kill her and bring her soul to me.”

Mandarin hesitated, his sharp mind processing the enormity of the task. Even powerless, Hela was no ordinary foe.

“Do you doubt your abilities?” Mephisto taunted, sensing his hesitation. “Perhaps the great Mandarin has lost his edge.”

“Never,” Mandarin snapped, his pride flaring to life. “But I will need... tools. My rings. They were scattered when I fell.”

Mephisto waved a clawed hand dismissively. “Yes, yes, your precious rings. I will grant you the means to reclaim them. But know this: the longer you tarry, the greater the risk. The mortal world is teeming with enemies—and rivals.”

With a snap of his fingers, a searing pain coursed through Mandarin’s essence. He doubled over, gasping, as his spectral form twisted and coalesced. Slowly, flesh and bone returned, though it felt foreign and incomplete.

“A temporary body,” Mephisto explained, watching with delight as Mandarin adjusted to his new form. “It will suffice for now. Once you bring me Hela’s soul, I will make it permanent.”

Mandarin straightened, his new body crackling with untested strength. He flexed his fingers, feeling the weight of mortality once more.

“And the rings?” he demanded.

Mephisto’s grin turned wicked. “Scattered across Earth, as you said. I will guide you to them—but only the first few. You must find the rest on your own. Consider it a test of your worthiness.”

Mandarin seethed but knew better than to argue. “Where do I begin?”

Mephisto gestured, and a fiery portal materialized before them, showing glimpses of Earth—a realm both familiar and alien after so many centuries.

“Step through, Mandarin,” Mephisto urged. “And reclaim what is yours.”

Without another word, Mandarin plunged into the portal, the flames engulfing him as he was thrust back into the world of the living.

...

[Earth]

Mandarin sat up, gasping for the first time in what seemed like an eternity as cold air filled his lungs. The forest was silent, except for the faint rustling of wind through the skeletal trees. There was ice everywhere. He sat up slowly, his temporary body feeling alien, a patchwork of sinew and flesh stitched together by Mephisto's will. His hands were shaking, but his mind was keen, his goal clear: find the rings, regain his strength, and fulfill the devil's bargain.

He stood up on his own and looked around over the desolate landscape. This body, in which he stood, was full of potential strength, which awaited its awakening through the treasures, which he should recover.

Mephisto had whispered to him that the Ring of Ice lay buried deep in the frozen heart of a region untouched by time. The snowstorm howled like lost souls crying for salvation. His body protested every step, as his new body was unaccustomed to such extreme conditions, but still, he moved on, driven by the lust for power.

 Buried within the ice, faintly glowing, was the Ring of Ice, aka Zero. Mandarin approached, his breath visible in the frigid air.

But the ring was not unguarded. Ancient creatures of frost, their forms grotesque and misshapen, emerged from the glacier. They were fast despite their crystalline frames. They attacked without hesitation, their claws and teeth glinting like razors.

Mandarin fought with ferocity, his temporary body pushed to its limits. Though lacking his full strength, he was still a master of strategy and combat. Using the creatures’ speed against them, he lured them into each other’s paths, shattering their icy forms one by one. When the last guardian fell, Mandarin approached the ring and pried it from the ice.

The moment the ring touched his skin, it rejected him by blasting an ice wave of energy, knocking him back.

"You are not worthy..."

The voice, coming from the Ring of Ice, echoed in his mind. The Mandarin got up, clenching his fists and trying again, but the ring repelled him again, sending a blast of freezing energy to send him flying away.

The Mandarin gritted his teeth, furious at his weakness. "I'm your master. I am Mandarin."

The Ring of Ice pulsated with a cold, blue light before it shot into the sky without any warning. He chased after the ring, which was fast, and flew high up into the sky.

His body cried out for rest, but he refused to give up. He followed the ring, though it always remained just out of reach, until finally, his body gave out, and he collapsed, tumbling back down to the frozen ground. The Ring of Ice flew away, disappearing into the storm.

"I will have you," the Mandarin whispered. "No matter what it takes."

The wind howled, and the snowstorm raged on.

...

[NY] [Morning]

Bruce admitted Morgan to school as she wanted. On their way, they decided to grab some ice cream at the local store.

"Dad, I want a sundae with two scoops of vanilla ice cream and two scoops of chocolate ice cream, topped with caramel and chocolate syrup," Morgan ordered him.

"Okay," he chuckled. "Anything else?"

"Nope!"

"What do you want to drink?" Bruce asked. "Or eat cookies? They're fresh."

Morgan looked at the cookies and thought about it, and she turned to him with a mischievous smirk.

"Chocolate chip cookies!"

"How many do you want?"

She put her hand on her chin and tapped her finger against it.

"Four!" Morgan held out four fingers.

"Alright. Four chocolate chip cookies, vanilla ice cream with two scoops of chocolate ice cream, topped with caramel and chocolate syrup." Bruce repeated it.

Morgan nodded eagerly as he ordered the ice cream.

Suddenly, Bruce felt a weird sensation on his finger. The Lightning Ring was sparking and he remembers this feeling very well. There is another ring nearby. From the ring's space, the Spectral Ring's soul spoke to him through telepathy.

"The Ice Ring... Zero is nearby. Do as you wish with it. But don't put it with me. I hate cold."

"Huh! Now you speak," Bruce said through telepathy.

"Things have changed. You should be prepared for what's to come. But first, get Zero." The woman's voice told him.

...

[Meanwhile...] [Location: Classified]

Elsa Bloodstone sat on the sun-drenched balcony of her countryside retreat, sipping a strong cup of tea and enjoying the rare tranquility of her self-imposed holiday. Her crimson hair shimmered under the warm sunlight as she flipped through a worn journal filled with ancient monster lore. For once, there were no cries for help, no monsters lurking in shadows, and no Bloodstone relic glowing ominously on her chest. It was blissfully quiet—until her phone buzzed, shattering the illusion of peace.

She sighed, setting down her mug with a resigned air. “Can’t even finish a bloody cup of tea, can I?”

The caller ID read "South African Institute of Supernatural Affairs," a contact she hoped wouldn’t call for at least another decade. Answering with her characteristic mix of irritation and curiosity, she barked, “What is it now? Another chupacabra sighting, or has someone summoned a demon in their backyard barbecue?”

A frantic voice greeted her. “Miss Bloodstone, we need you. The Ngami Basin has awakened!”

Elsa straightened, her grip tightening on the phone. “Awakened? Be specific.”

The voice on the other end trembled. “Monsters... ancient frostbound creatures buried for centuries. They’ve emerged near the basin, and it’s spreading. Local authorities are overwhelmed. People are vanishing.”

Elsa rubbed her temples, her holiday already a distant memory. “Frost creatures in South Africa? Sounds like someone’s been meddling with things they shouldn’t. Send me the coordinates.”

“But there’s more,” the voice added nervously. “A powerful artifact has been detected among them. Something... older than the creatures themselves.”

Her heart sank. Artifacts were always trouble. “Let me guess—it’s glowing and cursed.”

“Yes.”

Elsa sighed heavily, standing to prepare her gear. “I’m on my way. And next time, do us both a favor—don’t call me unless it’s really the end of the world.”

As she hung up, the Bloodstone on her chest glowed faintly, sensing the growing threat. “So much for holidays,” she muttered, grabbing her jacket and shotgun.

[Ironman] Ch: 16 [Altered event]

Tony Stark stood at the edge of the MIT campus, his two diplomas folded in a smooth leather case tucked under his arm. The sun had begun to set, stretching long shadows across the stone paths where he had strolled many times before.

At 19, he was even younger than all of his fellow students, but his achievements far surpassed theirs─he had graduated with degrees in physics and engineering, already had patents that brought him a steady income, and was recognized as both supremely intelligent and a little crazy.

And then, there was the other legacy. The one he never spoke about.

Tony tightened his bag's strap and walked to Rhodey, who stood a few feet away. He pulled out an envelope from his pocket and handed it over to Rhodey.

"What's this?" Rhodey asked, furrowing his brow as he took it. He opened it and pulled out the paper, revealing a check for $50,000. His eyes went wide as he looked at Tony. He was shocked and couldn't believe that someone would just casually give him a cheque for that amount. It was too big of a sum. "What the hell, man?"

“Relax, it’s legit,” Tony said, smirking. “Prize money from the robotics competition. You know, the one where I basically humiliated every other team on the planet? I never used it. Figured it’s time it went somewhere worthwhile.”

Rhodey shook his head, pushing the check back toward Tony. “No way. I can’t take this. That’s your money, Tony. You earned it.”

Tony crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. “Rhodey, you’re going to take it. And you’re going to fulfill that dream of yours—military academy, right? Then use the rest to help your parents. I know things have been rough since your dad’s accident. This will help.”

Rhodey’s jaw tightened. “That’s not the point. My family doesn’t need charity, and neither do I.”

Tony’s smirk faded, replaced by a rare moment of sincerity. “It’s not charity. It’s a little bribe from me so that when you reach your goal, you can help me out whenever I do something stupid."

Rhodey gave him that look.

Tony sighed. "Look, I don’t do this kind of thing—ever—but you’re the best damn person I know. You’ve stood by me when I didn’t deserve it. You’ve got this whole ‘honor’ and ‘duty’ thing I’ll never understand, but the world needs people like you. So, take the damn check before I hack into your bank account and deposit it myself.”

Rhodey stared at him, conflicted, before finally sighing and putting the check into his pocket. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“Yeah, I’ve heard that once or twice,” Tony said with a grin. “But seriously, Rhodes, don’t waste this. Go do your thing. Be the hero everyone already knows you are.”

Rhodey chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Alright, Tony. I’ll take it. But you’d better promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Take care of yourself. And maybe, just maybe, try not to burn the world down in the process.”

Tony gave him a mock salute. “Scout’s honor.”

The two friends exchanged a firm handshake that quickly turned into a bro hug. As they pulled apart, Tony felt a pang of something unfamiliar. Gratitude? Regret? He wasn’t sure. But it was quickly buried under his usual bravado.

“I’m heading out tonight,” Tony said as checked his wristwatch. It was time to pack up all his properties from the makeshift lab of his. The truck should already be there.

Rhodey nodded, his expression serious. “Good luck, man. And if you ever need anything, you know where to find me.”

Tony gave him a parting wave before striding toward the waiting car.

...

[Stark mansion]

The tall iron gates opened with a little, mechanical sound, revealing the long driveway flanked by tall cypress trees. The driver drove the car onto the gravel and parked near the entrance to the mansion. Tony stepped out.

It had been three years since he had left home, living in campus housing while attending MIT. But everything looks the same, down to the last detail.

Jarvis, the family butler, was waiting for him at the door. He was in his usual crisp black suit, "Master Anthony," he said with a warm smile, "Welcome home."

"Jarvis!" Tony greeted, grinning at the familiar face. "How have you been?"

"Oh, I can't complain, sir. And you look like a grown man now."

"I suppose that's what happens when you're not around your old guardians." Tony chuckled. "What about Dad? Is he home?"

“Your father is currently occupied at Stark Industries,” Jarvis said as they walked inside. “There was an urgent board meeting that required his attention.”

Tony smirked faintly. “Of course there was.”

Before Jarvis could respond, a sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway. Tony turned, just in time to see his mother rushing toward him. Maria Stark’s face lit up with unrestrained joy as she opened her arms wide.

“Tony!” she exclaimed, pulling him into a tight embrace. “Oh, my darling boy!”

Tony stiffened at first—physical affection wasn’t exactly his forte—but eventually, he relaxed and hugged her back. “Hey, Mom.”

Maria pulled back just enough to study his face, her hands gently cupping his cheeks. “Look at you. You’re all grown up. I swear, you left a boy, and now you’re a man.”

He shrugged with a wry smile. “What can I say? Time flies when you’re drowning in late nights and coffee.”

Her expression softened, though concern lingered in her eyes. “You look tired, Tony. Have you been taking care of yourself?”

“Define ‘taking care,’” He replied lightly, sidestepping the question. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

Maria sighed but didn’t press the issue. Instead, she took his arm and led him toward the living room. “Come, sit down. I want to hear everything—what you’ve been up to, how your classes went, everything.”

Jarvis took his bags back to his room.

.

.

"Two degrees. Haha. You really outdid yourself, Tony," Maria said proudly, sipping her tea as she listened to Tony talk about MIT. "Your father is so proud. He wanted to pick you up from the campus himself, but he received an emergency call from the company. He asked me to apologize for not being here."

"I understand. He's busy, and I don't mind. But enough about me. How are you doing?" Tony asked, trying to change the topic. "How's Dad been?"

"Oh, I'm fine. Just a few charity events here and there," Maria said dismissively, as if they were nothing. "And Howard is...well, you know how he is."

"He isn't drinking again, is he?" Tony asked with concern in his eyes.

Maria sighed. "No, thank goodness. It has been two years since his last slip. But he's still working far too much. I tell him he should take a break, but he never listens. I guess some things never change." She smiled at him, reaching over to place her hand on top of his. "And you, Mister. Go to your room and sleep." She said noticing the black circles under his eyes and his exhausted expression.

"But Mom, I'm not sleepy yet," Tony whined like a kid. "I need to arrange my lab again."

Maria raised an eyebrow and gave him a stern look. "Do not argue with your mother. I'll wake you up at dinner."

He held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I'll go to bed."

She patted his hand gently. "That's my boy. Now, off you go. You need your rest."

Tony got up from the couch and leaned down to kiss Maria on the cheek. "Good night, Mom."

"Good night, dear."

With a smile and a nod to Jarvis, Tony headed upstairs to his room.

...

[Morning]

The morning sun came through the gaps in the curtains followed by the smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm croissants wafted through the air from the kitchen and gently woke him up. Tony groaned and rolled over, burying his face into the pillow. He didn't have a headache today but felt too lazy to move. It had been quite long since he slept this late. He looked at the table clock, "Sigh!" It was already 8 a.m.

“Sir,” Jarvis’s voice came from outside the door, followed by a light knock. “Your mother requested I wake you for breakfast. She insisted, in fact.”

Tony grumbled but pushed himself up from bed. His room was mostly bare, save for the essential furniture and a few scattered pieces of clothing.

"Fine," he muttered as he sat up. "Tell her I'm coming."

"As you wish, sir."

Jarvis turned and left.

"Hungg!!" He yawned and stretched before getting out of bed. He took his robe and dragged his feet toward the bathroom to wash up before heading downstairs.

Downstairs, Maria sat at the grand dining table. The table was set with an array of breakfast foods—eggs, toast, bacon, and fresh fruit. Howard’s seat, as expected, was empty. And the TV was on.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” Maria greeted, her face lighting up as Tony shuffled into the room.

“Morning, Mom,” Tony mumbled, grabbing a piece of toast and flopping into a chair.

“Did you sleep well?”

“As well as I ever do,” he replied, taking a bite.

Maria gave him a concerned look but didn’t push. Instead, she gestured to the television mounted on the wall. “You should watch this. It’s all over the news.”

Tony glanced at the screen as the anchorman’s voice cut through the serene breakfast atmosphere.

“...in a shocking turn of events, the United States narrowly avoided disaster late last night. Soviet missiles, believed to be part of a Cold War escalation, were launched in the direction of major U.S. cities. However, in an unprecedented twist, the missiles’ trajectories were altered mid-flight.”

Tony continued eating, 'So, Hank did it. Janet should be safe. Phew! Another event altered. Now, hope it doesn't come to bite me in the ass.'

The screen showed a map of the missile paths. Red arcs represented their initial trajectories toward Washington, D.C., New York City, and Los Angeles. Midway, the paths abruptly veered, redirecting toward remote locations marked with black dots.

“These black dots,” the reporter continued, “represent known bases of terrorist organizations. According to military sources, these facilities were utterly destroyed in the strikes. Notably, one of the largest targets, thought to be a Hydra compound, was obliterated in what experts are calling ‘a precision strike on a massive scale.’”

Tony’s brow furrowed as he tried to put on his act. “Hydra? As in the Nazi offshoot? I thought they were long gone.”

Maria set her cup down, her expression grave. “That’s what they’ve always wanted us to believe.”

The reporter continued, “While initial analysis suggested sabotage, experts are now speculating that the missile guidance systems were hacked. The level of sophistication required to alter such systems remotely has left military analysts stunned. But whoever did that, saved millions of lives in just one night. It's truly a miracle. If you are watching, then thank you, hero."

Tony felt like facepalming, "Hero? Seriously?" He shook his head as he took another bite of his toast.

Maria turned to her son, her gaze softening. "It's all over the news. Everyone is praising this mysterious person. And who knows? Maybe there really is a superhero out there."

He forced a smile, swallowing his food before saying, "Maybe."

The screen shifted to a press conference. A general stood behind a podium, flanked by somber officials. “We are conducting a full investigation,” he said, his voice firm. “This level of cyber warfare is unprecedented, and we are exploring all possibilities.”

Tony leaned back in his chair, “Hacking Soviet missiles? That’s... insane. Whoever did this must’ve had access to some serious tech.”

Maria’s eyes remained on the screen, her hand gripping her teacup tightly. “What do you think, Tony? Could someone really do that?”

He shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Theoretically, sure. But it would take a genius. Or a lunatic. Or both.”

Maria narrowed her eyes as she looked at him. “Like someone we both know?”

Tony smirked. “I plead the fifth.”

Chapters increased

Ultimate Ironman

Silver: 7 chs

Gold: 12 chs

----

[Ironman] Ch: 15 [Cold Calculations]

Sunlight came through the blinds in Tony’s small dorm room at MIT. Books, plans, and unfinished gadgets were scattered everywhere. It looked the same as always. The quiet sound of his servers and the soft beeps from Hermes, his computer, filled the room as it worked on his latest task.

Tony sat at his desk with a cold cup of coffee next to him. His fingers kept tapping on the keyboard, even though the headache he felt made it feel like nails scratching glass. He stopped for a second, rubbing his temples.

“Hermes,” he said, his voice rough. “Give me an update on Reed Richards’ activities.”

The AI's smooth voice responded instantly. “Reed Richards has been spending an increasing amount of time at a private laboratory located on the outskirts of Manhattan. The lab was established three months ago under the guise of an independent research facility but is funded through anonymous donors—likely shell corporations tied to advanced tech firms.”

Tony’s lips curled into a humorless smirk. “Anonymous donors? Classic Reed. He’s always hiding behind someone else’s money.”

“There is more,” Hermes continued. “Surveillance logs indicate irregular energy signatures emanating from the lab during night hours. Patterns match theoretical models for transdimensional energy manipulation.”

Tony’s smirk faded. “So, he’s closer than I thought.”

The headache surged, sharp and relentless. He winced, gripping the edge of the desk as pain radiated through his skull. His vision blurred, the screen in front of him dissolving into meaningless patterns.

“Hermes, medication reminder,” he grunted.

“Reminder: You have not yet taken the prescribed painkillers for the day.”

Tony grabbed the small bottle of pills sitting on the corner of his desk, popped two into his mouth, and washed them down with the lukewarm coffee. The bitter taste made him gag, but the relief that followed was worth it.

It was now morning, and Tony had an exam to get through. He shoved his tablet and a few notebooks into his bag before heading out the door. The walk to his lecture hall was short, but every step felt like a marathon with the headache pounding away at his senses. His mind wasn’t on the exam, though—it was on Reed.

By noon, Tony was back in his dorm, staring at a detailed blueprint of Reed’s lab. Hermes had managed to scrape the schematics from obscure municipal records. It was a fortress of cutting-edge tech and security systems, but it was still a building—it had weaknesses. Tony studied the blueprints for several hours, mapping out potential points of entry, blindspots in the security grid, and areas that could be disabled without triggering the entire system.

But what if he hacks into the main system and destroys everything? Maybe a freak accident to kill Reed without physically getting his hands dirty. Hermes can do that. No one will ever know.

Tony paced the length of his dorm room, the tension in his shoulders palpable as he mulled over his options. He wasn’t a killer—not directly. Engineering solutions, subverting systems, and leveraging technology were his weapons. Taking a life was different. But if Reed Richards became the Maker in this world, it wouldn’t just be Tony’s life at stake; it would be countless others.

He stopped pacing and sat down, his hands gripping the edges of his desk. “Hermes, refine the analysis. If I disable Reed’s lab, what are the probabilities of collateral damage?”

The AI responded almost instantly. “Simulations show that sabotaging the lab from a distance—targeting its power supply and containment systems—has a 92% probability of complete destruction of the facility. However, there is a 67% probability of a critical energy discharge causing harm to surrounding areas. Fatalities cannot be ruled out.”

Tony frowned. That margin for collateral damage was too high. He needed precision, not chaos. He ran a hand through his hair, the throbbing in his head making it hard to focus.

“Alright. Let’s scale it back. Find me a way to isolate the energy systems without blowing the place sky-high.”

Hermes processed for a moment before speaking. “Solution: Disruption of the primary containment field. The lab’s energy manipulations rely on an uninterruptible power supply from a custom-built quantum generator. Disabling the generator would cease all transdimensional experiments without the risk of a catastrophic chain reaction. This requires physical access to the generator.”

Tony’s eyes narrowed as he considered the risk. Breaking into the lab wasn’t ideal, but it was starting to feel unavoidable. If he wanted precision, he’d have to do it himself. He leaned back in his chair, staring at the schematic on his screen. The generator was housed in the sub-basement, heavily shielded from external interference. It was Reed’s pride and joy, no doubt.

“Hermes, start designing a disruption device. Something portable that can emit an EMP strong enough to temporarily disable the generator. Make it compact and fast-acting.”

“Acknowledged,” Hermes replied. The screen filled with schematics as the AI began designing the device.

Meanwhile, Tony began to design a mini robot the size of his palm. The robot would carry the EMP disruptor into the lab and plant it near the generator.

[1 month later]

The past month had been a whirlwind of preparation. Between balancing his classes, keeping up appearances, and evading the growing pain in his head, Tony had poured every spare moment into his plan. If Reed Richards was on the cusp of a breakthrough that could lead to disaster, Tony needed to act before it was too late.

Hermes’s voice broke through the hum of machinery. “Disruption device prototype completed. Ready for testing.”

Tony stood at a central workbench, a holographic blueprint of the EMP disruptor hovering in front of him. The device was compact—small enough to fit in his hand—yet powerful enough to overload Reed’s custom quantum generator. Beside it sat a sleek, spider-like robot, designed to infiltrate the lab and deliver the disruptor to its target.

Tony picked up the disruptor, examining it closely. “Nice work, Hermes. What’s the estimated success rate for deployment?”

“Simulations indicate an 87% probability of successful delivery and activation. The remaining 13% accounts for unforeseen variables, including human intervention or mechanical failure.”

Tony frowned. “Not perfect, but it’ll have to do. Let’s run a live test. Cue up the simulation environment.”

The lab transformed as holographic walls rose around him, creating a virtual replica of Reed’s lab. Tony activated the spider-bot, watching as it scurried across the floor, navigating the holographic obstacles with precision. The bot reached the simulated generator, attached the disruptor, and activated it with a soft click. A pulse of light spread through the room, signaling a successful EMP discharge.

Tony smiled faintly. “Good. Now, let’s make it smarter. Add adaptive algorithms so it can reroute if it encounters unexpected resistance. I want it thinking on its feet—or legs, in this case.”

“Acknowledged,” Hermes replied, beginning the reprogramming process.

Tony sank into a nearby chair, rubbing his temples. The headaches had worsened over the past month, and the painkillers barely took the edge off anymore. He knew the tumor was growing, pressing against his brain, but he didn’t have time to dwell on it. Not now.

“Progress on Richards?” he asked.

Hermes displayed a report on the nearest holographic screen. “Reed Richards’ lab has increased its activity. Energy signatures indicate he is nearing a breakthrough in his experiments. Estimated timeline for success: two weeks.”

Tony’s jaw tightened. “Then we move tomorrow night. I’m not giving him two weeks.”

[The Next Night]

Tony crouched on a rooftop overlooking Reed’s lab, the spider-bot in his hand and the EMP disruptor secured in its payload. The cold night air bit at his skin, but he barely noticed. His focus was on the task ahead. Through a pair of high-tech binoculars, he observed the lab’s security systems.

Reed had spared no expense. Cameras covered every angle, motion detectors swept the grounds, and drones patrolled the perimeter. It was impressive—but not impregnable.

“Hermes, activate drone-hacking protocol,” Tony whispered. 'Fucker got advanced drones? Ha, but the security program is a joke.'

The tablet strapped to his arm displayed a live feed as Hermes took control of the patrolling drones. One by one, they froze midair, their systems overridden. Tony smiled. “Step one: complete. Step two: infiltration.”

He set the spider bot on the roof’s edge. “Alright, little guy. Show me what you’ve got.”

The bot came to life, its eight legs moving with mechanical precision as it descended the side of the building. Through its onboard camera, Tony watched as it approached a vent near the lab’s main power conduit. The bot slipped inside, navigating the ducts with ease.

Inside the lab, the bot moved swiftly, avoiding detection as it approached the generator in the sub-basement. Tony’s heart pounded as the bot reached its destination. The quantum generator was an imposing machine, humming with barely contained energy.

“Deploy the disruptor,” Tony commanded.

The bot extended an arm, attaching the EMP device to the generator. A countdown appeared on Tony’s screen: 30 seconds to activation.

Suddenly, alarms blared. The lab’s security systems detected the bot’s presence. Tony cursed under his breath. “Hermes, what triggered it?”

“Unknown. Security override detected. Likely manual intervention.”

On the screen, Tony saw Reed Richards entering the room. He looked younger than Tony had expected, his face lit with curiosity rather than fear. Reed approached the generator, his eyes narrowing as he spotted the spider-bot.

“What the hell is this?” Reed muttered, reaching for the bot.

“Activate EMP, now!” Tony barked.

The bot emitted a high-pitched whine as the EMP device activated. A burst of energy rippled through the room, cutting power to the generator and plunging the lab into darkness. Reed stumbled back, shielding his eyes from the sudden flash.

Tony didn’t wait to see the aftermath. “Hermes, quick. Take control and crawl up to Reed's head and self-destruct."

He watched as the spider-bot surged forward in the darkness, its eight legs glinting in the faint emergency lights that flickered on. Hermes’ adaptive algorithms took over, guiding the bot with precision. Reed Richards, still disoriented by the EMP blast, barely had time to react.

The bot leaped onto Reed’s shoulder, its legs gripping tightly as it crawled toward his head. Panic flashed in Reed’s eyes as he swatted at the mechanical invader, but his movements were sluggish, his body still reeling from the electromagnetic shockwave, and the metal legs of the bot pierced through his skin, sitting on his head.

The bot’s metallic legs clamped down with brutal efficiency, anchoring itself atop Reed's head. Sparks danced from its compact frame, a harbinger of the destructive power it held within. Reed flailed, his arms clawing at the invasive machine as panic took hold.

“Get... off me!” Reed gasped, his voice cracking with desperation.

But it was too late.

“Hermes,” Tony whispered coldly, his voice steady despite the pounding in his head. “Do it. Make it clean.”

“Command acknowledged,” the AI responded, its tone devoid of emotion. The countdown was instant, the mechanism precise. A high-pitched whine crescendoed as the bot discharged its payload—a focused burst of energy that overloaded Reed’s neural pathways, silencing his thoughts and body in one swift, catastrophic pulse.

Reed crumpled to the ground, his body lifeless before it hit the polished floor. The spider-bot sparked and twitched, its own systems fried by the controlled detonation. Smoke curled from its frame, the only evidence of the lethal encounter.

Tony exhaled sharply, his hands gripping the edge of the rooftop as he stared at the live feed on his tablet. For a moment, the room on the screen was still. Only the faint hum of backup power systems and the quiet crackle of short circuits broke the silence.

“Hermes, status report,” Tony demanded, his voice low and rough.

“Primary target neutralized. No external breaches detected. Lab systems remain non-functional. Local authorities have not been alerted.”

Tony nodded, his expression unreadable. He leaned back against the rooftop wall, the weight of the moment pressing down on him.

“Copy the data from the main server. Erase the footage,” he ordered. “Scrub everything. No trace. Then blow up the place.”

"Affirmative."

As Hermes worked, Tony closed his eyes, the throbbing pain in his skull momentarily eclipsed by the enormity of what he had done. Reed Richards was gone, his brilliant mind extinguished. The potential threat he posed—one that could have unraveled dimensions—had been averted. Yet, the air around Tony felt heavier, the victory hollow.

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 63 [Pleasure with She-Hulk]

Jennifer was in her She-Hulk form and she was sucking Bruce on her knees while he was standing. Her tits were hanging down freely, swaying up and down as she bobbed her head. Her long tongue was swirling around his shaft and she was slurping loudly, making wet noises. Her body was already covered in their bodily fluids and sweat.

He watched her boobs bounce, admiring them. "Yeah. Take it all in." He grabbed a fistful of her hair, forcing his cock deep into her throat. She gagged but didn't stop.

"That's it," he said, thrusting harder. "God! Jen!"

She was sucking like a vacuum cleaner, taking him in as much as possible. Bruce was also very much aroused seeing the green girl sucking him. After a few minutes, Bruce began to feel his balls tighten and he knew he was close.

"Open your mouth and stick that tongue out," he ordered.

Jennifer obeyed, letting his cock slide out of her mouth with a wet pop. She stuck her tongue out and waited.

"Good girl," Bruce praised before stroking himself off quickly. "Now hold still."

"Mmm~" Jennifer moaned, opening her mouth wider as Bruce started to shoot his cum onto her tongue and face.

She kept her tongue out as he coated her face with ropes of hot sperm. It dripped down her chin and onto her chest. When he was done, she swallowed and licked her lips clean.

"So tasty," Jen giggled. "How do I look?" She gave him a sexy pose, sticking her tongue out.

Bruce chuckled. "Absolutely perfect. Now get on your fours, I'm gonna fuck that green ass."

Jen turned around and got on all fours. "Fuck me," she whispered. "Fuck me hard, Bruce. I want it rough." She grabbed her butt cheeks and spread them open. Her pussy was already dripping with their cum. And they don't need any lube for this.

Bruce grabbed his cock and rubbed it a little on her little pucker hole before pushing in. "Ready?"

Jennifer nodded, moaning softly. "Fuck yeah. Give it to me. Make me scream."

He slammed his hips forward, burying himself to the hilt. "FUCK!" She cried out, arching her back as he filled her completely. He grabbed her hips tightly and began to pound away at her ass. The tightness of her ass in She-Hulk form was incredible.

"Oh God! That's it!" She moaned, rocking back against him.

He grunted, thrusting harder and faster. His balls slapped against her wet pussy lips as he fucked her ass. "Such a tight little asshole," he muttered. "So fucking tight."

She-Hulk screamed loudly, "Ahhhh!!! Fuck that green ass, Bruce. Destroy it!!"

Bruce continued to pound her ass. He also spanked her occasionally, making her scream even louder.

"You're such a naughty girl, Jen," he growled. "Such a dirty little slut."

"Mmmm~ Yessss~ I'm a naughty girl, Bruce. Punish me! Spank my ass!!"

He did just that, slapping her ass cheeks hard with his palm. It made a loud sound that echoed throughout the room. He kept spanking her while pounding her ass.

"I missed this ass, Jen. I missed you so much," He said breathlessly as he fucked her hard. "I missed fucking you in She-Hulk mode."

"Ahhhh!! Fuck yes, Bruce!!! I love it!! Harder! Faster! Harder!! Fuck me harder!!!"

Bruce fucked her harder and faster. The sound of their bodies slapping together filled the room. The smell of sex hung heavy in the air. He knew he wouldn't last long at this rate. But he wasn't going to stop until she came again.

"I'm close," he grunted.

"Me too," she moaned. "Cum inside me, Bruce. Fill my ass with your seed."

"Mmmm~ Yesss~"

They both climaxed simultaneously, crying out in ecstasy. He exploded inside her ass, filling her with his cum. She came at the same time, squirting all over the carpet. This time it wasn't a little drizzle but a huge spray, leaving the floor completely soaked.

Bruce pulled out of her and slammed it back into her pussy. "Ohhh~ FUCK!!!" Jennifer cried out. She was very sensitive at that point. He started thrusting again, fucking her hard and fast. She came again almost instantly, screaming in pleasure as her orgasm tore through her body. Her pussy clenched around him like a vice as he continued to fuck her hard and fast.

[Spat!] "You like that, huh?" He spanked her ass.

"YES! YES! YES!!" She screamed. "God! Fuck me harder!"

He obliged, fucking her harder and faster until she came again. "OH GOD!!!!"

She fell forward onto the floor, her body shaking uncontrollably. Bruce pulled out of her and flipped her over onto her back.

"Look me in the eye," He went missionary position, grabbed her chin, and looked deep into her eyes.

She gazed up at him with lust-filled eyes. "Give it to me, Bruce," she whispered breathlessly. "keep going."

He thrust into her again, this time slower and more gently. She moaned softly, wrapping her legs around his waist. "Ohhh~"

He began to move in a steady rhythm, slowly building up speed. She closed her eyes and threw her head back in pleasure, arching her back. He leaned forward and kissed her passionately. "I love you, Jen."

"I love you too," she said softly.

"Don't hold back. My new body can handle your strength," He grabbed her breasts and began massaging them roughly, pinching her nipples.

She cried out in ecstasy. "Fuck!!! Fuck!!! Yes!!!"

Bruce started thrusting faster and faster. His balls slapped against her ass cheeks as he fucked her. "Come on, Jen. Cum for me," he growled.

She wrapped her legs around his waist even tighter and held onto him for dear life. She screamed out loud as he fucked her hard and fast. The sound of their bodies slapping together echoed through the room. She came again, screaming his name.

"Fuuuck~ Bruceeee!!!!"

Bruce kept pounding her pussy.

"Choke me," Jen gasped between moans.

"What?"

"I said, choke me," She grabbed his wrists and pulled his hands to her neck.

Bruce hesitated for a moment, unsure if she was serious. But when he saw her pleading eyes, he knew what she wanted. He wrapped his fingers around her throat and squeezed tightly. Her eyes rolled back in her head and her body spasmed wildly as she orgasmed again.

"Ohhhhh!! FUUUUCCKKK!!!!"

He felt her pussy clamp down on him as she came hard. The feeling of her body shaking beneath him pushed him over the edge. He grunted loudly as he climaxed inside her, filling her womb with his seed. He collapsed on top of her. They stayed there for a few minutes, taking a little rest after a sleepless night and day of sex and pleasure.

"That was amazing," Jen said breathlessly.

"You're amazing," Bruce replied as he finally pulled out, letting his cum spurt out from her green pussy. "Fuck! You're so tight!" He admired his cum dripping out from her pussy.

"Wow! Look at this," Jen sat up and spread her pussy lips with her fingers, showing how full it was with Bruce's cum. "I'm totally stuffed."

"We've made a huge mess," Bruce chuckled.

"Yeah," She looked around the room. "Well, we need a good cleaner for sure."

"Leave it to one of the robots. Phew," He stood up, stretched his arms, and cracked his neck. "Man, I can't believe we did it all night and..." He used his nanites to check the time. "It's already 10 a.m. Haha... You wanna take a bath?"

"Sure," Jen smiled. "I'm covered in cum."

"Not only you, but me too."

They went to her bathroom together and took a nice hot shower. They cleaned each other. There was nothing sexual about it this time. They were just two people who loved each other and enjoyed being intimate.

After their shower, they dried themselves and put on clean clothes. Bruce wore his pants and t-shirt, while Jen put on a bathrobe.

"Hey, you want some coffee or something?" She asked as they headed toward the kitchen.

"Why don't we cook something together? You know, just like before?" Bruce suggested.

Jen smiled brightly. "Sounds great!"

They went to the kitchen and began cooking breakfast together. They cooked bacon and eggs, fried potatoes, and pancakes. They worked well together, moving seamlessly around each other. It was like they were made for each other. Occasionally, Bruce would grab her ass or give her a peck on her lips and she would giggle and do the same.

After finishing their cooking, they sat down at the dining table and ate quietly.

"So..." Jennifer started. "I heard you were attacked that night by some failed extremis subjects."

"Yup! They all self-destructed before I could capture them for questioning. I asked Nat to look into it, but there was nothing to trace them with. She even used the Sentinels, but nothing," Bruce said.

"Pocket dimension?" Jennifer guessed.

"Probably. But that means they're being funded by someone who knows magic or someone with alien tech. There aren't many who have such technology, not after the war," Bruce said before taking a sip of his coffee.

"Hmmm... Then. They probably hid themselves for the past 10 years and now that the big threat is gone, they are coming after you. Bruce, if you are their target, then Morgan might be in danger too," She stood up from her seat.

"Danger? Morgan? Hahaha," He laughed out loud, making Jennifer tilt her head in confusion.

"What's so funny?" She asked.

"Morgan is the safest person on the planet right now, and even if hundreds of them attack at once, she will vaporize them and I have Sentinel X guarding her 24/7, plus there is Harely, Selina, and me. We have some unique senses. So, no matter who or what... They won't be able to touch my daughter," Bruce said confidently.

"Phew! And here I was getting worried," Jennifer sighed in relief.

"Relax Jen, we still don't know for sure who is behind it. Maybe just some random lunatic who wants to kill me because of revenge or something."

"So, what's the plan for today?" She asked.

"Well, nothing much. Got some papers to sign at the office, and then I'm going to take Morgan for her admission. She wants to complete her studies, so, I think it's good for her. New friends, studies, a fresh start. Then, I don't know. Maybe you'd like to swing by? Morgan would like it if you did."

"I'd love to," Jennifer nodded.

[Spiderman] Ch: 4 [Date night with Wanda and Rogue] [pt2 Final]

WARNING: Threesome, yuri before MC, hardcore, anal, cumswap between girls.

Words: 2.6k

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Peter then felt something hot and wet on the tip of his cock. When he looked down, he saw Wanda taking him in her mouth.

"Fuck," He hissed, his eyes widening.

The sight of Wanda sucking on his cock while Rogue massaged his shoulders was almost too much to bear.

"Ah, you're so hard, Sugah," Rogue purred. "Ya like it when yer wife sucks ya off, don'tcha?"

"Oh yeah," Peter panted, his hips bucking involuntarily.

As Rogue continued her massage and Wanda sucked him off, Peter's mind was in overdrive. The sensations were overwhelming. The softness of Wanda's boobs and her warm mouth, plus Rogue's hard nipples on his back and her talented hands working his muscles were making his head spin.

"Ah'm gonna make ya feel even better, Sugah," Rogue promised, her breath hot against his ear.

"H-how?" He managed to get out.

"Ya'll see," Rogue teased, her lips brushing his earlobe.

She moved beside Wanda and knelt down next to her, both women taking his cock in their mouths at the same time. Peter could feel their tongues dancing together, their lips sliding up and down his shaft.

It was pure ecstasy.

Peter knew that he wouldn't last long at this rate. His body was on fire, his arousal growing with each passing moment.

"Suck it harder," He groaned, his hips thrusting into their eager mouths.

Rogue was sucking the cock while Wanda was sucking his balls. This double stimulation made him almost go crazy. He wanted more. He needed more.

Peter's hands reached down and grabbed the backs of Rogue's and Wanda's heads, forcing them to take his cock deeper into their mouths. Their moans vibrated around his length, sending shivers of pleasure through his body.

"Suck my balls," He panted, his grip tightening on their hair. "Take it deeper, Rogue."

The two women complied, their heads bobbing up and down in unison. Rogue took his cock deep into her throat, "Gaagggg... hmmm," she moaned and gagged. Wanda's lips encircled his balls, sucking and licking them. Peter could feel his orgasm building. His eyes closed and his breath grew ragged as his climax drew nearer.

Rogue could feel his body tensing, and she looked up at him, her eyes shining with anticipation. She began sucking him even harder now, her throat contracting as she tried to coax out his release.

Wanda pulled away for a moment, watching with fascination as Peter neared his breaking point. "Come on, Peter. Give it to us," she whispered, her voice husky.

"FUCK!" Peter roared as he exploded into Rogue's waiting mouth, her greedy lips sucking every drop from his cock. His head snapped back, his whole body trembling from the force of his release.

Wanda watched the display, her eyes wide with excitement. "Wow," she breathed.

"Gaaaagggh... that was amazin'," Rogue gasped as she pulled away, her lips glistening with his seed.

The two women gazed up at their lover, their eyes full of love and adoration.

"Share it with Wanda," Peter smirked.

Wanda instantly hugged Rogue and began kissing her passionately, tasting Peter's cum on her lips. Rogue pushed her tongue into Wanda's mouth, letting her share the load. The two women moaned as they kissed, their bodies pressing together.

Peter watched the erotic scene with a smile. "That's hot," he said, his voice full of approval.

Rogue and Wanda giggled before they turned their attention to him once more, their hands exploring each other's bodies.

"So, who's gonna ride you first?" Wanda asked teasingly.

"Do a rock, paper, scissor game," Peter suggested.

"You're on," Rogue replied with a grin.

Wanda won the game and was the first to climb on top of Peter, after he got out of the water and lay on the edge, placing her pussy over his cock. She lowered herself onto him, moaning softly as his length filled her. Rogue watched the erotic scene with a smile, her hand reaching down to play with her own pussy.

Peter let out a low groan as Wanda began to ride him, her tight pussy gripping his cock. His hands moved to her hips, guiding her movements. She felt amazing, and he wanted to savor every second.

Wanda's boobs bounced as she rode Peter faster and harder, her body writhing with pleasure. Then he felt Rogue's tongue on his balls. She was licking and sucking them while Wanda fucked him.

"Holy shit," He gasped, his eyes rolling back in his head. "Keep going, you two. This feels amazing."

Rogue continued to lick and suck Peter's balls as Wanda bounced up and down on his cock, her breasts swaying wildly.

"Gaaaaahhhh," Wanda moaned, her fingers digging into his chest. "I'm gonna cum soon."

Peter grunted as he thrust into her, "C'mon. Squirt on Rogue's face."

Wanda threw her head back and cried out, her body spasming as she came. Her juices flowed freely, coating Peter's cock and Rogue's face. She kept riding him through her climax, her inner walls clenching around him.

Rogue then moved over and sat on his face, her pussy dripping with arousal. "Pleasure me, Sugah," She commanded, her voice husky with need.

Peter didn't need to be told twice. He began licking and sucking Rogue's pussy, savoring her sweet taste. She was dripping like an open dam. He could feel Wanda still riding him, her movements becoming more fast now. He could hear the girls smooching each other.

"Mmmmm, God! Rogue!" Wanda moaned in pleasure as Rogue began to suck on her nipples.

Peter was in heaven. He could feel Rogue's pussy contracting around his tongue, her juices flowing freely as he brought her closer to her own release. Wanda was fucking him harder and harder. The combination of his lovers' pleasures was almost too much for him to handle. He knew he wouldn't last much longer.

"Cumming," Wanda announced as she rode his cock and squirted again.

Peter grunted as he thrust into Wanda's quivering body one last time, his cock exploding inside her. At the same time, Rogue came on his face, squirting her juices on his lips. They all came together in a tangle of sweaty, orgasmic bliss.

Rogue sighed in relief and got off his face. Then Wanda slowly pulled out from Peter. "Fuck," Peter groaned as he watched his cum drip from Wanda's pussy.

"Wow! Sugah, Ah ain't seen ya cum this much before," Rogue exclaimed watching Wanda's dripping pussy.

"Lick her clean," Peter ordered.

"C'mon, girl. Do it!" Wanda leaned back with her legs wide open.

Rogue eagerly complied. She went on doggy style and started licking Wanda's pussy. Peter enjoyed the sight of Rogue eating his cum from Wanda's pussy.

"Ya taste so good, Wanda," Rogue mumbled.

Wanda moaned in response, her body shivering in pleasure. "Yes, baby. Keep going."

Rogue continued to lick Wanda's pussy, her tongue darting in and out of her folds. Wanda let out a gasp as Rogue's tongue found her clit, sending waves of pleasure through her body.

Peter was getting hard again, and he couldn't help but reach down and stroke his cock while he watched his lovers enjoy each other's bodies.

Wanda looked over at him, a smile on her lips. "Fuck her."

Peter was about to do that. He got up and grabbed Rogue by her waist and slammed his cock into her wet pussy, "Ahhh... Sugar!" Rogue screamed. He was still sensitive from the orgasm. So he fucked her slowly at first. Then, he increased the pace. "Sugar, you feel so fucking good!" She cried out in pleasure.

Wanda watched the scene, her eyes full of lust. "Fuck her harder, Peter!" She moaned.

Peter did as he was told. He started fucking Rogue with all his might. His balls smacked her ass loudly as he pounded her tight pussy. Her ass seemed to ripple with each thrust, and her boobs were jiggling up and down like crazy.

Rogue moaned and screamed, "Fuck me, Sugar! Fuck me harder!"

Wanda licked her lips, enjoying the show. "You like that, don't you, Rogue? You like it when he fucks your tight little pussy."

"Yes! Yes, I do!" Rogue cried out.

"Good girl," Wanda purred as she also went on her fours and began kissing her.

Rogue moaned into Wanda's mouth, her body trembling with pleasure. Peter could feel her pussy clenching around him, and he knew she was close to coming.

He continued to fuck her hard, his hands gripping her hips tightly. Rogue's body shook with pleasure, her eyes rolling back in her head as she came. Wanda then crawled beside Rogue and lifted her butt toward him.

"Shit!" Peter pulled out of Rogue and slammed his cock back into Wanda's sloppy pussy.

"Oh fuck, yes! Peter!" Wanda screamed. "Fuck me! Fuck my tight little pussy!"

"Hey! It's ain't fair!" Rogue protested.

"Don't worry, Anna. You'll get your turn," Wanda assured her.

Peter grinned as he continued to pound Wanda's pussy, his hands gripping her ass firmly. She was so wet and tight, it felt amazing. He could feel his own orgasm building, but he wanted to make this last as long as possible. He pulled out of her and put it back into Rogue's pussy, "Sugah!" Rogue groaned as he fucked her.

Rogue's pussy was just as tight and wet as Wanda's, and Peter couldn't help but moan as he pumped in and out of her. He could feel his climax approaching once again, and he knew he wouldn't be able to hold on much longer.

"Fuck! I'm going to cum!" He gasped as he thrust into Rogue one final time, his cock exploding inside her.

Wanda watched the scene, her eyes wide with lust. "That was amazing," she breathed.

Peter slowly pulled out of Rogue, his cock coated with their mixed juices. Both the girls turned around and began sucking him clean. He watched the erotic scene with a smile, his eyes full of love for his wives.

The trio spent the next few hours making love under the aurora.

After resting for a few minutes, they took a quick bath to clean up and went to their resort. And then began the next round...

Peter lay on the fluffy bed as Wanda dripped chocolate syrup over his chest and abs.

She leaned forward and began licking the chocolate off him. Her tongue moved slowly over his skin, sending shivers of pleasure through his body.

"Mmmm," She moaned as she licked up every last drop. "You taste so good, Peter."

Meanwhile, Rogue dripped caramel syrup on his cock, "Holy shit!" Peter hissed as the sweet cold liquid ran down his shaft.

Rogue smirked and started licking his cock clean, her tongue moving slowly over his length.

"That feels so good," He groaned as Rogue's mouth worked its magic on him.

She continued to lick and suck his cock, her lips sliding up and down his shaft. Then, she began to deepthroat him, taking his entire length into her mouth.

"Oh God," Peter groaned as he felt Rogue's throat muscles contract around his cock. Within three minutes, he exploded in her mouth, filling her with his hot cum.

Wanda licked her lips hungrily as she watched the erotic scene, her fingers moving down to play with her own pussy.

Rogue swallowed every drop of Peter's cum, savoring his taste. "Mmmm," She purred as she pulled away from his cock.

"Fuck, that was amazing," Peter breathed.

"Glad you liked it, Sugah," Rogue replied with a wink.

"You need a break?" Wanda asked as she lay beside him.

"Do you?" He smirked.

"You're insatiable, Spider," She chuckled.

"And you love it," He retorted.

"I do," Wanda admitted. "Now, Rogue. Put that cock in your ass. I want to watch."

"Wha-? Ah never did that before!" Rogue exclaimed.

"If you don't want to, I'll take your spot," Wanda licked her lips and gave a sultry smile.

"N-no! I want to do it," Rogue protested, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Peter watched the scene with amusement as Rogue positioned herself above him, his cock pressed against her ass.

"Ah need some lube," She said, her voice trembling slightly.

Wanda quickly produced a bottle of lube from thin air, "Here, use this."

Rogue took the bottle and poured a generous amount over Peter's cock, coating it thoroughly. "There, that should do it," She said as she rubbed the lube onto her ass.

"You're so fucking hot," Peter breathed as he watched the erotic scene unfolding before him.

Rogue bit her lip as she began to lower herself onto him, "Ooohhhh! It's so big!" She gasped as his cock stretched her ass.

Peter groaned as he felt her ass wrap around him, "Fuck yeah!" He growled as he raised his hips, thrusting into her ass in a single motion.

"Sugah!" Rogue cried out as he buried himself inside her.

Wanda watched the erotic scene with wide eyes, her fingers moving rapidly over her clit.

"C'mon, fuck my ass, Sugah," Rogue moaned as she began to ride him, her hips moving back and forth. "Ah never knew it could feel this good."

Peter grabbed her hips and began to thrust upwards, meeting her movements. Their bodies moved together in perfect sync, the room filled with the sound of their moans and cries of pleasure.

"Yes! Yes! Fuck me!" Rogue begged as she rode him harder and faster. "Oh God! I'm gonna cum!"

Wanda watched with amazement as Rogue's body shook with pleasure, her orgasm triggering Peter's own. He grunted and thrust into her one last time, filling her ass with his seed.

"Holy shit," Wanda breathed as she witnessed the erotic scene.

Rogue fell on the bed, exhausted. But she had a smile on her face as her ass hole twitched as his cum continued dripping out.

Peter looked over at her and grinned, "Your turn."

He got up and stood behind her, his cock still hard and coated with his cum and lube. He pressed it against Wanda's ass, "You sure about this?" He asked, his voice husky with desire.

Wanda nodded eagerly, "Fuck me, Peter. Slam it in my ass."

Peter didn't need to be told twice. He thrust into her ass, his cock stretching her tight hole. Wanda cried out in pleasure and pain, "Oooohhhh! Fuck yes! It's so big!"

"Yeah, you like that, don't you? You like it when I fuck your tight little ass," Peter growled as he began to thrust in and out of her.

"Oh God! Yes!" Wanda moaned, her hands gripping the sheets tightly.

Rogue watched the erotic scene with wide eyes, her hand moving down to play with her pussy. "That's it, Wanda. Take it all in," She coaxed.

Peter fucked Wanda's ass hard and fast, his hips slapping against her ass with each thrust. Her cries of pleasure echoed throughout the room, "Ahhh! Yes! Fuck me! Fuck my ass! Oh God!"

"Shit, I'm not going to last long," Peter groaned as he felt his climax approaching.

"Cum in my ass, Peter. Fill me up," Wanda begged.

Peter grunted and thrust into her one last time, his cock exploding inside her. He pulled out and watched as his cum dripped from her ass.

Wanda sighed in relief and rolled onto her back, her eyes filled with love for the man who had just given her the best sex of her life. "I love you, Peter."

Peter smiled as he lay beside her, "I love you too, Wanda."

Rogue moved toward them and joined the hug, "And Ah love ya both."

After resting for a while, they cleaned up and enjoyed some delicious food and drinks. Then, they went outside and watched the beautiful scenery before returning to their room and they fell asleep.

[SL in M] Ch: 1 [What could be worse than death?]

Synopsis: Jason Miller died and woke up in Diablo World/Trial World. He was given a choice. Survive and get a reward- a new life in Marvel World. So, a man who has nothing to lose accepted the deal.

The first 2 chapters will show the brief details of how he survived and how powerful he has become. Then it's Marvel.

AN: Unedited chapter. There might be some tiny mistakes.

------

Jason Miller always thought death would be dramatic. A car crash, a sudden explosion, or maybe even saving someone in a heroic last stand. But no, his death was as mundane as his life. Jason wasn’t obese, but his body made it seem otherwise. A cruel concoction of genetics and a rare medical condition had plagued him since birth. His metabolism worked at half-speed, his joints ached as though he carried the weight of two men, and his heart... well, it was a ticking time bomb.

He was sitting alone in his small, poorly lit apartment, eating, when it happened. The food wasn’t anything special—just a greasy burger he’d ordered because he had nothing better to do. At first, he barely noticed the pain in his chest, brushing it off as just another strange ache. But when the second wave hit, stronger and more intense, his vision started to fade. The burger slipped from his hand and fell to the floor with a soft thud. The pain quickly spread, and before he could even understand what was going on, everything turned black.

That was it.

No fanfare. No final words. Just silence.

When Jason woke up, everything felt... off.

The first thing he noticed was the air—it was dense, hard to breathe, and smelled like rotten eggs. Everything around him was covered in a heavy, suffocating darkness. The ground under him was a pale, unhealthy gray, with cracks that glowed a faint red. Far away, he could hear faint screams, a chorus of pain that made him shudder.

“What’s going on?” he whispered, his voice sounding strange and warped as it echoed back at him. He looked down at his body, expecting to see the same overweight, slow figure he always disliked. But he was surprised to find he was thinner, his arms lean but unfamiliar. His legs, though wobbly, felt stronger than ever. But that feeling of relief didn’t last long.

A loud voice echoed from the emptiness, cold and strange.

“Jason Miller.”

Jason quickly looked up, his heart—or whatever was now keeping him alive—racing.

“Who... who’s there?” he asked, his voice shaking.

The darkness moved, turning into a spinning mix of shadows and fire. From the middle of it came a ghostly figure, its shape unclear, wrapped in twisting black strands. Its eyes—if you could call them that—glowed like two bright suns.

“You have died,” the voice declared, its tone neither cruel nor kind, but absolute. “Your life was... insignificant. A brief flicker in a universe that did not notice your existence.”

Jason felt a sudden rush of anger and hopelessness. “Yeah, thanks for bringing that up,” he said with a sharp tone. “What is this? A nightmare? Or, Hell?”

The figure chuckled, a sound that made Jason’s skin crawl. “Not quite. This is a... crossroads, of sorts. A place between death and something far worse.”

Jason swallowed hard. “Worse than death? Great. Just my luck.”

“You are being offered a choice,” the voice continued, ignoring his sarcasm. “A chance to escape oblivion. To be reborn... but not without trial.”

Jason frowned. “Reborn? What do you mean?”

The figure extended a hand, and suddenly the space around them changed. The darkness peeled away, replaced by a world Jason recognized instantly—a sprawling city with towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and posters of superheroes.

“Is that... New York? Wait, is that—?” Jason’s eyes widened as he saw a streak of red and gold zoom through the sky. Iron Man.

The figure nodded. “This is the Marvel Universe. A place of infinite possibilities, of heroes and villains, gods and monsters. You may live there... if you earn it.”

Jason’s breath caught in his throat. “Live there? Like, with powers and everything?”

“Yes. But first, you must survive here.” The scene shifted again, and Jason found himself back in the ghastly, hellish landscape. “This is the Diablo World. A realm of darkness and death. Here, you will fight. You will grow. The longer you survive and the stronger you become, the greater your rewards will be in the Marvel Universe.”

Jason’s mind raced. “So, let me get this straight. I fight monsters here, level up or whatever, and then you’ll drop me into the Marvel Universe with superpowers?”

The figure inclined its head. “In essence, yes. But do not mistake this for mercy or generosity. Most who come here die within hours. Their souls consumed, their essence lost to the void. This is your one and only chance at redemption. Succeed, and you may rise to greatness. Fail, and you will know true suffering.”

Jason hesitated, the weight of the decision bearing down on him. It was insane. He had no combat skills, and no idea how to survive in a place like this. But the alternative? Eternal nothingness—or worse.

“What’s the catch?” he asked warily.

The figure’s burning eyes seemed to intensify. “The catch, as you call it, is that you begin with nothing. No weapons, no allies, no skills. Only your wits and will to survive. Do you accept?”

Jason’s throat felt tight. He looked around at the empty, lifeless land, at the glowing cracks that seemed full of evil, at the shadowy figures moving far away. This wasn’t a choice. It was like being sent to die. But then he remembered his old life—how lonely, how painful, how ordinary it was. What did he really have to lose?

“I’ll do it,” he said, his voice stronger than he thought it would be.

The figure held out its hand again, and a bright, glowing ball appeared in its palm. “It’s done. Your journey starts now. Survive, Jason Miller. Show what you’re made of, and a new world will be yours.”

Before Jason could say anything, the orb flew straight at him, going right through his chest. A sharp, burning pain spread through his body, and everything around him turned into confusion.

When Jason woke up, he was lying on his stomach in the dirt. The heavy, uncomfortable air was still there, and the distant screams were now louder and closer. He pushed himself up, groaning as his muscles ached in pain. The area around him was grim—a dry, empty land with sharp rocks and a few twisted trees here and there.

A soft buzzing sound caught his attention, and he turned to see a glowing mark on the ground where he had been lying. It flickered weakly before disappearing.

“Great. That doesn’t sound scary at all,” he said quietly. He carefully moved forward, looking around for any danger. His thoughts were full of questions. How was he supposed to fight? Did he have any special abilities yet?

Jason stumbled forward, his instincts kicking in as the ground beneath him began to tremble. Cracks spread outward in jagged lines, and from those fissures emerged skeletal figures. Ten of them. Their hollow eye sockets glowed with an unnatural green light, and their movements were jerky but determined. Each wielded a rusted weapon—blades, clubs, and even jagged bones sharpened into crude tools of death.

Jason’s pulse quickened. "This can't be real," he muttered, backing away. The skeletal horde clattered toward him, their bones creaking like old wood.

His foot hit something solid, and he glanced down. A sword—rusty and worn but undeniably a weapon—lay half-buried in the dirt. Without thinking, Jason snatched it up. The blade felt heavier than it looked, and his arms trembled as he held it.

The skeletons closed in.

"Alright, Jason. You’ve seen enough movies to know what to do," he told himself, though his shaking hands betrayed his fear.

The first skeleton lunged, raising its bony arm to strike. Jason swung the sword with all his strength. "DIE!" The blade connected with the skeleton’s neck, shattering bone and sending the skull flying. The rest of its body crumbled to the ground in a heap. "Fuck yeah!" But there was no time to celebrate.

Another skeleton was upon him, swinging a rusted axe. He barely ducked in time, the blade grazing the air above his head. "Damn!" He countered with a wild slash, cleaving the skeleton’s torso in two. But the horde came closer, their weapons flying faster than he could react. He tried to replicate what he saw in movies and played in games, but there was only so much he could do in a real scenario.

"Ahhrrrgggh!" Pain erupted in his arm as a skeletal claw raked across his skin, leaving deep gashes. Jason cried out, stumbling backward. "I can’t do this," he thought. But then, a spark of something unfamiliar ignited inside him—a raw, primal fury.

He roared, charging into the horde. The sword moved faster now, slicing through bone and scattering fragments in all directions. Jason wasn’t thinking anymore; he was fighting on instinct, each swing fueled by desperation. By the time the last skeleton fell, he was panting, blood dripping from multiple wounds. His body screamed in pain, and he dropped to one knee, using the sword for support.

"Hahahaha! Now, I look like one of those wounded MC from anime," He chuckled.

Then the ground trembled again.

Jason looked up to see another wave emerging—this time, twenty skeletons, larger and more menacing than before. Some wielded shields, while others carried longer, deadlier weapons. Jason’s heart sank. His body was broken, and his mind was fraying at the edges. How could he possibly survive this?

The skeletons began to surround him.

"Great. Just what I needed," Jason clenched his fists around the hilt of his sword. He wouldn’t give up—not here, not now. He forced himself to his feet, adrenaline overriding the pain. "If I’m going out, I’m taking as many of you with me as I can."

As the first skeleton charged, something incredible happened. A surge of energy erupted from within him, flooding his veins with power. The world seemed to slow, and his vision sharpened. A voice echoed in his mind, low and guttural.

[Class: Berserker Loaded. Rage fuels you. Pain strengthens you. Fight, and grow stronger.]

Jason didn’t have time to process the words, but he felt the power in his body. His wounds still hurt, but they no longer slowed him. His muscles burned with newfound strength, and the sword in his hand felt lighter, as if it were an extension of his arm.

The skeletons rushed him, but this time he met them head-on. His movements were faster, more precise. He cleaved through shields, shattered weapons, and tore apart bone with savage efficiency. Each strike seemed to feed his power, his rage growing with every enemy he felled.

Minutes felt like hours as the battle raged on. By the time the final skeleton collapsed, Jason was drenched in sweat and blood. He dropped to the ground, gasping for air. Around him lay a field of shattered bones, the remnants of his enemies.

The voice returned, softer now. "You have survived the trial. Skills unlocked."

A faint glow enveloped Jason, and he felt his injuries begin to close, his strength returning. Along with it came an innate understanding—he could now channel his rage to enhance his combat abilities, and his durability had increased.

He grinned weakly. "Not bad for a guy who couldn’t climb stairs without wheezing," he muttered, pulling himself to his feet.

But as the distant screams grew louder once more, he knew this was only the beginning.

"So, this is what the Diablo game feels like in real life," he sighed. "This is gonna be a long and painful journey. Good thing I don't have a lot of things left to lose."

***

Jason had lost track of time. Days had passed, maybe even weeks. Every waking moment was spent fighting for survival, and every night was spent healing from the day's wounds. It was a brutal cycle, and his body bore the scars. But it was working. He could feel his strength increasing and his body adapting. With every fight, he grew more comfortable with his powers.

He learned how his skills work and within a few years, he managed to level up all the skills in Berserker Class.

Right now, Jason was standing near a cliff, looking at the dark landscape below. There were no signs of life anywhere. No animals, no plants, and no hint of anything except emptiness. But the cries still haunted him, a constant reminder of what lurked beneath the surface.

He clenched his fists, feeling his anger rise. "I will survive." He simply jumped off the cliff, his body bracing for the impact.

The wind rushed past his face as he fell, the ground getting closer by the second.

[Booom!] He landed with a huge thud, kicking up a cloud of dust and debris. Before him were zombie hoards.

"Time to die, motherfuckers!" Jason charged at the zombies.

"Raaarrgh!" His scream echoed through the air as he plunged into the midst of the horde. He no longer needs a weapon, his fists are now strong enough to pulverize their bones. He moved like a whirlwind of death, his hands flashing out to crush skulls and shatter spines. He fought with a ferocity born of desperation and survival instinct.

The zombies fell in droves, their rotting bodies unable to withstand the onslaught. But Jason was relentless, his rage never wavering.

"Hahahahaha! C'mon, c'mon, is that all you've got?" He roared in excitement.

Suddenly, a powerful voice cut through the chaos. "Enough."

A figure appeared from the darkness, tall and imposing. Its body was made of twisting shadows, its eyes glowing red. The horde immediately stopped attacking, turning their attention to the newcomer. It was a necromancer.

However, Jason didn't care, "DEATH BLOW!" He rushed toward the enemy.

[Death Blow> Insta-kill]

He used a skill he'd mastered in a few years, his fist glowing with power as it crashed into the necromancer's chest. The blow shattered bone and muscle, completely obliterating the creature. It turned to ashes.

[Class: Necromancer> Available]

[Do you wish to change class?]

[Y/N]

SURVEY

Which ones are you supporting between 1 and 2?

Multiple choice is open.

I won't be adding Spiderman since the main story is concluded. The rest I will go at my pace.

----

3rd and 4th options are for if you want to read something fresh.

4th one is evil MC and will have lots of hardcore segs and as evil MC does, manipulation and killing.

[Ironman] Ch: 14 [Limited time]

On the way to the hospital, Tony’s mind continued working overtime and then there was that pain. Despite that, he pulled out his tablet and hacked into the hospital's database. It was like a piece of cake for someone who hacked into the Pentagon and Hydra's network to hack into a weak secured network.

He found the neurology department and managed to schedule an appointment for the same day with the chief neurologist, Dr. Evelyn Harrington. This was the only way to skip the long wait and the red tape that usually comes with a 16-year-old trying to get medical help without their parent’s permission. Tony marked the appointment as urgent but kept the description simple—just mentioning headaches, dizziness, and feeling unwell. Besides that, he ordered Hermes [AI] to do a background check on the doctor and find anything that he could use to make a deal in case she asked for parental consent.

The cab pulled up to Massachusetts General Hospital, and Tony paid before stepping out, trying to appear composed. He adjusted his jacket and walked quickly into the lobby.

At the front desk, the receptionist glanced up from her computer.

“Do you have an appointment?” she asked, eyeing him curiously.

“Yep, Stark. Should be under ‘Stark.’”

The receptionist typed in his name. After a moment, her expression shifted to one of surprise. “Dr. Harrington will see you in ten minutes. Please take a seat.”

“Thanks,” Tony replied, moving to the waiting area. He sat down, tapping his fingers nervously against the armrest. His head still throbbed, and the buzz of activity in the waiting area made it worse.

Minutes later, a nurse called his name. He followed her to a consultation room, where Dr. Harrington was already reviewing his file.

She looked up as he entered. “Anthony Edward Stark?”

“That’s me,” he said, forcing a casual tone.

Dr. Harrington was in her late forties, blonde and she was wearing a glass. “I see here that you’ve been experiencing headaches and dizziness. How long have these symptoms been occurring?”

Tony leaned back, choosing his words carefully. “It started a few days ago. The pain wasn’t too bad at first, but now it’s pretty intense. Like something’s pressing against my skull. It’s been hard to concentrate.” He didn’t mention anything about the sudden burst of clarity in his mind. That wasn’t something he wanted anyone investigating.

Dr. Harrington took note of his description, her expression neutral but attentive. “Have you had any other symptoms, like nausea, trouble seeing, or trouble speaking?”

“No,” Tony said quickly. “Just the pain. And sometimes I get a little dizzy. Oh, I might have passed out twice three days ago.” He left out the parts about his mind moving a million miles a minute and his ability to process information in ways he couldn’t explain. That was something he could barely understand himself.

Dr. Harrington nodded thoughtfully. “Alright. We’ll do a basic neurological exam, and based on the results, we can determine if imaging tests are necessary.”

Tony agreed, trying to relax as she tested his reflexes and coordination. As she did, his mind kept racing, ticking off calculations and designs in the background. But he kept his face neutral.

When the physical tests were complete, Dr. Harrington stepped back, evaluating her findings. “Your reflexes and coordination are normal, which is a good sign. However, the pain and dizziness you’re describing still require further tests. I’d like to schedule an MRI and possibly a CT scan to rule out any structural issues. You need to call your parents or guardian to obtain consent for the procedure. We will not proceed without it. Understand, Mr. Stark?"

Tony pulled out his tab. Hermes has already found out her weakness. 'Oh, boy. This one is on the next level. But... Fuck him.'

"How about we forget about parent consent? You can sign the documents instead and in return..." He placed the tab on the table and slid it over to her. "The proof of your husband fucking the head nurse behind your back or the two kids and another wife he's hiding in California."

Dr. Harrington's eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed with anger. She picked up the tablet, examining the photos. "I knew it. But, how did you...?"

"Doesn't matter. A favor for a favor, deal?" He smiled, extending his hand.

"Fine," she growled. "But the second the tests are done, you will give me those files. I'm going to tear that bastard apart."

"Cool down. I don't want you to get angry and mess up my tests. I promise you that you'll get the files once the tests are done. I can even give you the details of his hidden bank accounts and stocks. So, do your job, find out what's in my head and you are rich and you can do whatever you want with your husband. Deal?"

Dr. Harrington stared at him. She was torn between her outrage and the prospect of gaining wealth and revenge. "Deal," she agreed, shaking his hand.

...

Tony lay on the slide bed, watching the ceiling of the MRI machine as its rhythmic hum filled his ears. It took some time but the doctor managed to get him a rush order on an MRI. Then there was another scan. The procedure didn't take long, and after it was done, he was escorted back to the consultation room.

The doc returned to the consultation room and her expression was telling it all. The results weren't good. She set the folder, containing the results, down on the desk and took a deep breath before speaking.

"Mr. Stark, the results are back," she began with a grim look. "The scans show a mass in your brain. A tumor. It's located deep within the frontal lobe, near critical areas controlling cognitive functions."

Tony kept his face calm. "How bad is it?"

Dr. Harrington paused for a moment as she rechecked the files. "The tumor can’t be removed with surgery. It’s in a spot where operating could cause severe harm to important areas of your brain. We can try radiation and chemotherapy, but because of its size and location, these treatments would probably only slow it down, not get rid of it completely."

"Early stage?" He asked.

"Yes. Even though it’s small at the moment, we believe it will keep growing. As it grows, it will put more pressure on your brain, leading to serious problems with your thinking and memory. Over time, you’ll lose the ability to speak and control your movements. Mr. Stark, I’m sorry to tell you this, but..."

Before she could finish, Tony interrupted. "So, I’m going to die, right? How long do I have left?"

"With constant treatment and medicine. Maybe 5 to 6 years," she explained. "But that's just an estimate. Some people with this condition survive for years. I know it sounds impossible, but there are stories of patients who were told they had two years to live and they made it for 10 or 20. Everyone's case is different. There's always hope, Mr. Stark."

"Yeah. Hope." Tony didn't bother to argue. "Thank you, doc." He opened his tab and forwarded the information to her phone. "As promised, here's everything I have. I'll leave the rest of it up to you. Have fun and thanks again."

The doctor checked her phone. The files were there, and her husband was completely exposed. But she could care less about him. Right now, she was focused on Tony.

"Mr. Stark." She stepped toward him. "Are you alright?" Even she was surprised to see a young boy being so calm after receiving news like that. Anyone would freak out.

"No worries, Doc. It's just... You know, it was only a matter of time before my brain would kill me." He let out a small laugh. "But, I have enough time to do what I want. Thank you."

"Sigh!" She quickly scribbled a prescription for the pain and the dizziness. "If the pain or dizziness gets worse, come back immediately. Also, call me anytime if you need anything." She handed him the slip of paper. "And it's not my place to intervene with your personal life, but it's better if you inform anyone close and start the treatment as soon as possible."

"Yeah, will do. Thanks, Doc." Tony left the room and headed to the pharmacy. The pain had eased up, but it was still there. He needed some painkillers to deal with the rest of the day.

After getting the prescription filled, he went to a nearby restaurant and decided to grab some burgers and coke before heading home. He felt tired and a little overwhelmed by the news. Just when he thought he had a new life, death came knocking on his door. He knows the events that might happen in this reality. That tumor is going to become an Infinity Gem and Reed's Maker version with open up his brain while keeping him conscious and he will rip it out, killing him. But he wasn't that desperate.

Still, his hands trembled slightly as he ate his lunch. The food tasted bland, and his stomach was a knotted mess. Still, he forced himself to finish it. His body needed the energy.

Tony pulled out his phone, debating whether or not to tell anyone about his diagnosis. But he decided to put it back in his pocket. 'Alright. Gotta kill Reed before he can become the Maker and kill me. I'm not too familiar with this storyline, so, gotta act fast.' He paid for his food and headed back to his dorm. As soon as he got there, he closed the door and locked it. He didn't want any interruptions.

He sat at his desk, staring at the array of monitors in front of him. The dull hum of his dorm room’s air conditioning was the only sound, underscoring the tension in his mind. He wasn’t new to danger or death—it was practically a constant in every universe. But this wasn’t some enemy he could outthink or outmaneuver; this was inside him. A tumor that might turn into an Infinity Gem if this really was the mishmash universe he feared.

Tony clenched his fists, forcing the tremors in his hands to still. He couldn’t afford weakness now. The stakes were too high.

"Hermes," he called out, and his tablet lit up with a soft chime. "Find everything you can on Reed Richards. I want his current whereabouts, his research projects, associates—everything."

"Affirmative," Hermes responded in a neutral tone. Within moments, lines of data began scrolling across the screen.

"Also, cross-reference this with any anomalies in this world—superhuman incidents, advanced tech sightings, anything out of place."

Hermes processed the command, compiling a report. Tony scanned it, his sharp mind cataloging every detail. Reed Richards existed in this world, a prodigy working on cutting-edge physics and dimensional theories at Empire State University. But only theories, so far. There was no indication he'd ever succeeded in making a device that could break through dimensions.

'But if it's true, then I can't let him get that far. I need to take him out.' Tony's jaw tightened.

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 62 [Jennifer Walter's She-Hulk fetish]

Bruce stepped out first of his car and opened the door on the other side, extending a hand to help Jennifer out. She took it with a faint smile, a subtle heat rising to her cheeks as their fingers brushed.

“Nice place,” Bruce said as they entered the elevator.

“Thanks,” Jennifer replied. “Don’t judge it too harshly. I've been too busy to renovate the place.”

He chuckled softly. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

When they got to her place, Jennifer opened the door and let them in. Her apartment was warm and cozy; a mixture of modern touches with personal touches like the book collection on the wall or the brown couch near the fireplace. It was just like her old house that she tried to recreate. Bruce nodded as he scanned the area and she moved toward the living room.

“Get comfortable,” Jennifer said, pointing to the couch. “I’ll be back in a moment.”

“Sure,” Bruce replied. “Mind if I freshen up?”

“Not at all,” she said, pointing toward the guest bathroom. “It’s just down the hall to the left.”

Bruce nodded, taking off his jacket and loosening his tie before heading to the bathroom. Jennifer watched him go, her heart racing slightly. She scolded herself internally. It’s just Bruce. Old friend, Bruce. Nothing more. Whatever relationships and flings or sex they had done before was all in the past. That's what she thought and wanted to believe, but her expression and that fast heartbeat said otherwise.

But even as she tried to tell herself, her mind wandered. He was here and it was stirring up feelings she thought she’d buried.

"Tsk. Take a deep breath, Jen," She shook her head and mumbled to herself as she went to her bedroom. She closed the door and leaned against it. "Sigh! This ain't good for my heart."

The evening was catching up to her, not in a bad way but in a way that felt familiar just like the old times.

She removed her clothes and tossed them onto a chair before making her way to the bathroom connected to her room. The warm water from the sink felt soothing as she splashed her face and gazed into the mirror. “Get a grip, Jen,” she whispered to herself. “This is supposed to be a relaxing night, not a trip down memory lane.”

After drying off, she put on a fluffy blue nightgown. It was one of her favorite pieces—comfortable and comforting, and back in the day she used to wear it during these movie nights with Tony. She walked out of her room and found Bruce already sitting on the couch, scrolling through the list of movies on her TV.

“Hope you don’t mind,” he said, looking up. “I took the liberty of browsing.”

Jennifer smiled, brushing a strand of damp hair from her face as she sat down beside him. “Find anything good?”

“Well,” Bruce began, his tone teasing, “there’s always the classic The Mask of Zorro. But if you’re in the mood for something lighter, I saw a rom-com that might be fun.”

She gave him a mock glare. “Rom-com? You?”

Bruce smirked. “I have layers, Walters.”

Jennifer laughed, her earlier tension easing. “Alright, surprise me.”

He selected a movie and leaned back, putting an arm casually over the back of the couch. Jennifer noticed but didn’t react, instead curling up with a throw pillow as the movie began. The warmth of his presence next to her was both soothing and distracting. They watched in comfortable silence for a while, the occasional shared laugh breaking the quiet.

Midway through, Bruce glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “Jen...”

She turned to him, her green eyes meeting his. “Yeah?”

He hesitated for a moment, then said softly, “I’m glad we did this. It’s been too long.”

Jennifer felt her chest tighten, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. “It has,” she agreed. “I’ve missed it. Missed... you.”

Bruce’s gaze softened. “Me too.”

For a moment, the room seemed to shrink, the outside world fading away. Jennifer’s heart raced again, and she quickly turned her attention back to the screen, breaking the spell.

“Movie’s good,” she said, clearing her throat.

He smiled, letting the moment pass. “Yeah. It is.”

After the movie ended, Bruce noticed that she was leaning on him. The end credit was rolling down, but she wasn't moving away, and neither did he.

She looked so comfortable there. 'So beautiful... I missed her.' He thought.

He felt his pulse quickening as he gazed at her. His hand moved without thinking, reaching out to touch her cheek. She shifted slightly, her eyes fluttering open and meeting his. They were dark with desire and longing. "Your heart is racing," he whispered. "Are you okay?"

"You can hear it?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"That's not the only thing that's racing." She bit her lower lip, her gaze drifting to his lips.

Bruce felt his heart skip a beat. "Jen..."

Her hands cupped his face, her lips pressing against his. He kissed her back hungrily, his arms wrapping around her waist as they deepened the kiss. He couldn’t help himself, lost in the moment. It felt so right, so natural. He had missed her so much. He wanted more, needed more. She pushed her down on the couch, saddling him. The weight of her body pressed against his sent shivers down his spine. He groaned softly as she began unbuttoning his shirt, kissing his neck and collarbone.

Her hands roamed across his bare chest, exploring every inch of him. Bruce was breathing heavily, his body aching with desire. He reached up, pulling her nightgown off over her head.

The sound of smooching and heavy breathing filled the room. Jennifer was moving her hips, grinding against him as she straddled him. Her soft moans and gasps made him want her even more. He rolled them over and both fell on the floor with him on top. He pinned her down beneath him.

"God, Jen, I've missed you so much," he groaned, kissing her deeply.

She arched her back, pressing her body against his. "I need you," she whispered, her voice husky with lust. "You have no idea how long I've wanted this."

"Don't tell me you didn't have a boyfriend or sex for the last 10 years," Bruce teased, his lips trailing down her neck, his hands caressing her breasts.

"Nope," Jen said breathlessly. "No one... just you. Only you. No one else."

"I'm honored," he chuckled before sucking on her earlobe.

"Mummm~" she moaned, grabbing his ass.

He kissed her again, their tongues dancing together as they explored each other's bodies. Jen ripped open his pants and grabbed his cock, then she began to rub it on her pussy. She was dripping wet, her juices coating his shaft.

"Fuck, Jen," he muttered. "You're killing me."

She increased the speed, rubbing the tip on his wet clit as he moved lower and began to suck on her nipples. Her body shuddered with pleasure and she moaned louder.

"Fuck! You're so damn good at this!" she gasped.

"So are you," he replied between sucking her tits.

"It feels so good. So fucking good," she panted. "I want you inside me so bad."

Bruce grunted, unable to hold back any longer. He pushed into her with a single thrust, his thick cock filling her completely. She cried out, her body spasming as he buried himself deep inside her. They began moving together, their bodies entwined in a passionate dance of desire and need. He thrust into her hard and fast, her moans echoing through the room.

"Just like that," She gasped. "Fuck me. Fuck me hard. I've missed you so much."

"Jen... I missed you too. I love you," Bruce gasped as he thrust into her, feeling her walls tighten around his shaft.

"Oh, God! I'm so close!" she moaned, her eyes rolling back in ecstasy. "I'm gonna cum! Fuck me! Fuck me hard!"

Bruce groaned, pumping into her harder. Her muscles clenched around him as she orgasmed. A splash of liquid spurted onto his cock, her body shuddering with pleasure. But he didn't stop, continuing to thrust into her until she cried out again, another wave of release washing over her.

"Oh God," she panted. "That was amazing."

Bruce chuckled. "I'm not done yet, Jen." He grabbed her legs and pushed them over her shoulders and began to pound hard and fast.

"Oh fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" she screamed.

Her hands gripped the carpet, her nails digging into the fabric as he slammed into her, his body shaking with every thrust. His breathing became ragged as he felt himself reaching his climax. He thrust into her one final time before exploding inside her, his seed shooting deep within her womb. Jennifer gasped, her body trembling beneath him.

"My turn," She rolled him over, kissing him passionately. "You ready for round 2?"

Bruce smiled. "Bring it."

She began to rock her hips, sliding up and down his shaft. Her pussy was slick with her own juices and his cum. It was warm and tight and felt incredible as she rode him, her breasts bouncing with every movement.

Bruce groaned, his hands gripping her hips tightly. "Jen..." His eyes were on her boobs, jumping up and down.

Jennifer moaned, increasing her pace. "Oh, Bruce... That's it... So good... So fucking good..."

Bruce was getting close again, but he wanted to make her cum first. He reached down, rubbing her clit with his thumb. She cried out in pleasure as she orgasmed again, her body shuddering violently as she rode him. Bruce couldn't hold back any longer. With a final thrust, he came, filling her with another load.

"Oh, God...!!! Take it, Jen," He grunted.

She collapsed on top of him, gasping for breath. "Oh fuck... That was incredible," she whispered.

They lay there for several minutes, catching their breaths. When they recovered enough energy, they did it again. And again. And again. Thanks to their super stamina and endurance they were at it till the morning. Their bodily fluids stained the carpet. The floor was wet. They didn’t care. All that mattered was each other.

"Why don't you transform into your She-Hulk mode?" Bruce said as he stood over her after giving her a big facial.

"You dirty pervert!" she smirked.

"Ha! As far as I remember... Wasn't that your idea back then? When you asked me to cum inside your green ass," Bruce laughed.

"Hey! That was a one-time thing and call it a little fetish of mine," Jen pouted. "But if I remember correctly, you were also in it, weren't you? And I have more than just a few fetishes, but I'm not telling. You already think I'm weird."

"Nope. I like it. So, c'mon, why don't we try something new."

"Okay..." Jen smiled, then closed her eyes and focused. A moment later, she transformed into her She-Hulk form, the green color spreading through her body.

Bruce grinned, admiring her huge breasts and firm ass. "Perfect," he said.

She went to her knees and licked her lips, "You aren't busy today, right?"

"Nope. Why?"

"Because I'm gonna suck you dry..." Jennifer took his cock into her mouth.

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 61 [Training & an evening with Jennifer Walters]

AN: I edited this chapter to the best of my ability. It's 1st Jan and I didn't want to burden the guy who edits with work.

====

[One Week Later – SHIELD Base]

The metallic hum of the SHIELD base’s training facility echoed as Jennifer Takeda stood in the center of the room, her expression resolute. A faint glow radiated from her fingertips—not uncontrolled like before, but steady, deliberate. She stopped wearing her containment suit but still kept the nanite bracelet that Bruce gave her, just in case of an emergency. As her training uniform, she was wearing a yellow suit made using special material, considering her fighting style. Her confidence had grown exponentially in the past week. She was just happy with the newfound ability to harness her powers without fear of losing control.

Across the room, Selina leaned against a railing, watching Jennifer’s progress. Clint stood beside her, arms crossed and his expression focused as he assessed the younger woman’s technique.

“She’s come a long way,” Clint remarked, his voice low but impressed.

Selina nodded, her eyes narrowing as Jennifer unleashed a focused beam of energy at a moving drone, obliterating it in midair. “She’s got the potential. But...”

"Yup! She is still afraid," He replied.

Jennifer turned to them, her breath slightly labored but her eyes alight with determination. “How was that?”

“Better,” Selina replied, her tone cool but approving. “But you’re still hesitating before each strike. Trust your instincts. You don’t have time to second-guess in the field.”

Clint nodded in agreement. “Think less, act more. You’ve got control now—use it.”

Jennifer straightened, her confidence bolstered by their feedback. “Got it. Let’s go again.”

After finishing her training, they moved on to the next two new recruits.

In the adjacent training hall, Ami Han—the White Fox—moved with blinding speed. Her fox-like features appeared briefly with each burst of energy, her claws slashing through holographic adversaries. Her strikes were precise, calculated, and devastating.

Selina and Clint entered just as Ami dismantled her latest target with a flurry of attacks, the training drone collapsing in sparks at her feet.

“Impressive,” Selina commented, her lips curving into a faint smile.

“Thanks,” Ami said, her tail flicking slightly as she glanced at the newcomers. “But I can do better. Yeah. Oh, Miss. Selina, have you talked to Mr. Wayne about our training session? I'd be glad to receive some pointers from him.” Her cheeks were flushed as she spoke.

Selina's left eye twitched a bit. "Yes. I've talked to him. He's a little busy right now, so probably next Monday."

"Thank you so much," Ami gave her a quick hug.

Nearby, Tigra—Greer Nelson—was grappling with a high-tech combat bot, with high difficulty mode. Her tiger-like hybrid form gave her incredible strength, but her movements were still raw, unpolished. She roared, slamming the bot into the ground, but it quickly retaliated with a counterattack, knocking her off balance.

“Don’t brute force it!” Clint called out. “Use your agility—anticipate its movements!”

Tigra growled under her breath but adjusted her stance, dodging the bot’s next strike like a cat. With a swift flip, she landed on its back, tearing it apart with a triumphant snarl. "Rrrrrggg!"

Ami glanced over, offering Tigra an approving nod. “Nice recovery.”

Tigra grinned, her feline eyes gleaming. “Thanks. Your moves weren’t half bad either.”

Selina’s gaze flicked between the two recruits, her mind already calculating their potential roles in the New Avengers lineup. “So, which one of you is stronger?" She smirked.

Ami and Tigra exchanged a glance, each sizing the other up before looking back at Selina.

"Me," they both said at once.

The corner of Clint's lips twitched, holding back a chuckle. "Oh, boy, that could get interesting."

"Yes, it could," Selina replied, smirking. "Tomorrow. 8 am. A match between you two. Whoever wins will get a new suit made by Mr. Wayne himself."

Both girls nodded eagerly, exchanging a brief look of respect before heading toward the locker rooms, their competitive spirit already burning bright.

[Back at home]

On the outdoor training grounds, Morgan Stark stood in a carefully marked training circle, her arms extended as tendrils of golden infinity energy swirled around her. Across from her, Hela paced back and forth, her sharp eyes scrutinizing Morgan’s every move.

“Control isn’t just about the power itself,” Hela said, her voice calm but commanding. “It’s about discipline—knowing when to hold back and when to strike. Overextension will leave you vulnerable.”

Morgan exhaled slowly, her energy fluctuating as she struggled to maintain the delicate balance between power and precision. “It’s hard to stay focused. The energy feels alive—it’s like it wants to do its own thing.”

Hela stopped pacing and folded her arms, her expression firm but encouraging. “That’s because you’re letting it control you. You need to treat it like a weapon. It’s not your master—it’s your tool.”

Morgan nodded, clenching her fists as she concentrated. The swirling energy began to stabilize, condensing into a radiant sphere between her hands. A satisfied smirk crept onto Hela’s face.

“Better,” Hela said. “Now, direct it toward a single target. Precision is more valuable than power.”

Morgan turned toward a series of training dummies set up at varying distances. With a deep breath, she unleashed the energy, sending the sphere streaking through the air. It struck one target dead center before ricocheting into another, obliterating them both.

Hela raised an eyebrow. “Not bad. But you’ll need to practice restraint. In the field, collateral damage can mean the difference between saving lives and endangering them.”

Morgan grinned. “I’ll get it. Just give me time.”

“You’ve got potential,” Hela replied, a rare note of praise in her tone. “But potential alone won’t save you. We’ll work on this every day until you master it.”

Morgan wiped the sweat from her brow, her confidence renewed. “Deal.”

....

[Later That Evening – New York City]

The neon lights of New York City cast colorful reflections on the rain-slick streets as Bruce drove through the bustling cityscape. Jennifer Walters sat beside him, her usual confidence tempered by a hint of relaxation. It had been a while... Well, more than 10 years to be precise, since they had shared a quiet evening without the pressures of their respective roles weighing on them.

“You sure you’re alright with this?” Bruce asked, glancing over at her. “I know we’ve both been swamped lately, but...” Old memories, old feelings, the regrets... It made the scene a little awkward.

Jennifer smiled, her green eyes bright as she looked out at the city. “I’ve been looking forward to this. You've been working too hard lately. So, tonight no more work.”

The car pulled up to a quaint, high-class restaurant hidden behind a corner in New York. It was removed from the midst of Midtown's bustle. The atmosphere was cozy: dim lighting and soft music created a feeling that one was moving away from the noise of the outside world. Bruce got out first, and then he held out his hand to Jennifer to help her step out of the car.

“Nice place,” Jennifer remarked, glancing around with a relaxed expression. “I didn’t think you were into the quiet spots.”

Bruce smirked. “Sometimes, it’s the quietest places that feel the most... comfortable.”

They were led inside and seated at a secluded booth near the back. The sommelier poured each of them a glass of wine as they settled into their seats. Conversations flowed very easily— light and easy enough to talk about anything and nothing in particular. Jokingly discussing their training sessions, Bruce taunted Jennifer by saying she could now control the powers, to which Jennifer retaliated with playful punches at Bruce on his tech-obsession problem.

"I'll admit, you've made some progress," Bruce said, taking a sip of wine. "Though I still don't know how you manage to make it look so effortless."

Jennifer leaned forward, grinning. “Practice. But I’ll make sure to keep a few surprises for our next spar.”

Bruce chuckled, “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

They spent the next hour enjoying the food and each other's company. Their conversations went from the frivolous to the meaningful, but there were times of silence as well—just the comfort of being in the same space without the need for constant words. There was something freeing about not needing to talk about battles, threats, or the weight of their respective worlds.

As dessert was served, Bruce set down his fork and looked thoughtfully across the table at Jennifer.

“I’ve missed this,” he said, his tone softer than usual. “Just being able to enjoy a normal night, without distractions.”

Jennifer nodded, her smile gentle. “I know what you mean. Sometimes it feels like we’re always looking ahead, trying to stay ahead of whatever’s next. It’s hard to remember to just... be.”

Bruce leaned back in his chair, a rare moment of ease in his demeanor. “Sometimes, it’s good to stop and take a breath. I think we both deserve that tonight.”

Jennifer reached across the table, her fingers brushing his in a simple, quiet gesture. “I think we do.”

For a brief moment, the weight of their lives seemed to disappear, replaced by a calm contentment. They were two people, just enjoying a peaceful evening together in the middle of the city that never sleeps.

Jennifer wanted to talk about Pepper, but she stopped herself. She didn't want to open up closed wounds.

At the end of the night, they left the restaurant together, the air between them warm and comfortable. Jennifer leaned her head against Bruce's shoulder as they walked to the car, a soft sigh escaping her lips.

"Thank you, Bruce. It means a lot," Jennifer said.

Bruce looked down at her, his expression uncharacteristically open. "It was my pleasure."

"Oh," She quickly moved away. It was instinctive and she was not thinking when she leaned against him. "Uh... Sorry."

Bruce shook his head. "It's alright. If it's not comfortable for you, then it's fine."

"No! It's not like that." Jennifer bit her lip. "It's just... it's been a long time since..." Her voice trailed off, her expression unsure. "And we kinda..."

"Wanna go back to your place and maybe watch that movie like old times?" Bruce asked, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Jennifer arched an eyebrow, looking at Bruce with a curious expression. "Really? You mean it?"

He nodded. "Yes. I'd love to."

They got into the car, and the driver headed toward Jennifer's apartment building. The drive was silent, but it wasn't awkward or uncomfortable—it felt natural.

'Damn it! Although his face has changed, the way he talks and behaves... God! I can't resist him. It's like... I can't say no when I'm with him, I feel... Arggg! It's all in the past. He has Selina and Harley now. But...' Jennifer's mind raced, feeling conflicted.

....

AN: Imagine, SHE-HULK & Enhanced Bruce sex> 🤣🤣The poor building.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 60 [Curing Jennifer Takeda]

Words: 2440

----

[SHIELD's Base – One Week Later]

The fluorescent lights in SHIELD’s containment room buzzed softly, casting a sterile glow over the array of monitors and equipment surrounding Jennifer Takeda. Her condition had worsened since Sinister’s attack. The injection he had administered spiked her radiation levels to unprecedented heights, pushing her already unstable powers into overdrive. Even with her specially designed suit, the containment room had to be reinforced to withstand the energy leaking from her body.

Bruce stood at the center of it all, flanked by screens displaying Jennifer’s fluctuating vitals and molecular structure. His brow furrowed in concentration, his gloved hands working with meticulous precision as he manipulated a holographic interface. A prototype vial of the cure glimmered on a nearby table, the culmination of days of sleepless effort.

"How's it looking, Brucie?" Harley’s voice broke the silence as she leaned against the doorway. She was trying to mask her irritation, but the undercurrent of jealousy in her tone was impossible to miss. There they were planning on having a nice fun time together, but Jennifer's body began to destabilize again and her life was in danger.

Bruce didn’t look up. “Almost there. The molecular structure needs one more adjustment to stabilize. Another twenty minutes, maybe less.”

Harley folded her arms, her expression a mix of pride and annoyance. “You’ve been saying that for hours. You sure you don’t need a break? Jennifer seems to be doing fine.”

Jennifer, sitting nearby in a chair, gave a weak laugh. “Fine isn’t the word I’d use. But hey, at least I’m not glowing uncontrollably anymore.”

Bruce finally glanced up, his eyes meeting Harley’s. “You know this is important. Sinister’s injection didn’t just destabilize her powers—it boosted her radiation output exponentially. If we don’t neutralize it, her body won’t hold up.”

Harley huffed but said nothing, her eyes flicking to Jennifer, who gave her a faint smile. The tension between them was palpable, though Jennifer seemed more amused than anything.

Jennifer’s suit did little to shield her from the radiation she emitted, but Bruce’s enhanced physiology allowed him to withstand it. Despite Harley’s protests, he had been spending most of his time in the containment room with Jen, monitoring her condition and working on the cure. “You know,” She said softly as he adjusted a monitor, “you’re as stubborn as ever. You haven't changed a bit, other than your face. I kinda miss the old one, but the new one has a unique charm to it."

Over the weekend, Bruce told her about his past life in DC. He didn't go into much detail, but enough to help her get a gist of it.

"What can I say? I'm a man of my word," He said, smiling. "I said I'd find a cure for you, and I will. You just need to hold on a little longer."

Jennifer gave a lonely smile. "I know. But it's hard when all I want to do is..." She stopped mid-sentence and looked away, her eyes distant. 'Hug you and maybe... Sigh!'

Bruce frowned, sensing her hesitation. "What is it, Jen?"

She shook her head. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

[Later that day]

Harley had been simmering with frustration ever since she left the containment room. Jennifer’s attempts to cozy up to Bruce hadn’t gone unnoticed, and while Harley trusted Bruce completely, she wasn’t about to sit idly by while someone else made moves on her man.

“This is war,” Harley muttered to herself as she stomped down the hallway, her boots clicking against the polished floor. “She thinks she’s all cute with her little radiation problem and sad puppy eyes? Not on my watch.”

She was about to fly away, but her eyes fell on the Quinjet in the hanger. "Oh, yeah!" She stole it. She had a plan—a brilliant, foolproof plan—and it involved calling in reinforcements.

Back at home, Selina was lounging on the plush leather couch, sipping a glass of wine and flipping through a fashion magazine. Morgan and Hela went out to the supermarket. "Huh?" She heard the sound of an aircraft landing in the garden. She barely glanced up when the window suddenly flew open and Harley shot in like a bullet.

“Selina! Emergency!” Harley declared, her hands on her hips.

Selina raised an eyebrow, setting her glass down with deliberate care. “Harley, darling, if this is about another shopping spree or redecorating the manor in neon pink, I’m not interested.”

“No, no, no! This is serious!” Harley huffed, plopping down beside Selina and grabbing her hands. “Brucie’s being hit on by some radioactive floozy, and I need backup!”

Selina blinked. “Radioactive floozy? You mean someone at SHIELD?”

“Exactly!” Harley nodded vigorously. “This Jennifer chick—she’s all sick and glowing and playing the damsel card to get Brucie’s attention! And he’s being all helpful and kind and—ugh!”

Selina smirked and leaned back, her eyes lighting up with pure amusement. "And let me guess, you want me to swoop in there and remind her of who's boss?

“Exactly!” Harley said again, this time with a mischievous glint in her eye. “You’re all classy and intimidating and—you know—catty. She won’t stand a chance!”

Selina sighed dramatically as though this were the greatest inconvenience of her day, but the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her amusement. “Fine. Let’s go rescue your fragile ego, Harley. But if this ends with me wrestling a glowing woman in a containment suit, you owe me big.”

...

[Back to the base]

Harley stormed into the base, her frustration crackling like static electricity in the air around her. She was dragging Selina behind her, who, for once, looked both amused and mildly concerned.

“Harley, slow down,” Selina purred, trying to keep her composure. “You’re going to pull my arm off. What’s gotten into you?”

“What’s gotten into me?” Harley snapped, glaring back at her. “That little green-glowing science project is making moves on our man, and I ain’t just gonna sit here and watch her bat her radioactive eyelashes at him!”

Selina raised a brow but allowed herself to be dragged along. “Bruce has been single-mindedly focused on her cure, hasn’t he? You really think he’s paying attention to her flirting?”

Harley huffed. “Oh, he says he’s focused on the cure, but she’s laying it on thicker than a Gotham fog. I saw the way she was looking at him—like a kitten staring at a bowl of cream.”

Selina chuckled softly. “You’re adorable when you’re jealous. But you’re overreacting. Bruce isn’t the type to fall for distractions.”

Harley stopped abruptly in front of the one-way observation window overlooking the containment room. Inside, Bruce was hunched over a holographic display, his focus unbroken as he worked on Jennifer’s cure. Jennifer sat nearby, watching him with a soft, wistful expression.

“See that?” Harley jabbed a finger at the glass. “She’s practically undressing him with her eyes! And he’s just sitting there all oblivious, being his big, brainy self.”

Selina squinted, her sharp eyes taking in the scene. “Mmm, I see what you mean. She’s definitely got a little crush brewing. But look closer, darling—Bruce hasn’t even glanced at her. He’s too busy saving her life.”

Harley crossed her arms and pouted. “I know, but still! What if he does notice eventually? What if she starts playing damsel in distress to get his attention?”

Selina smirked and leaned in close, her lips brushing against Harley’s ear. “If it ever comes to that, you have nothing to worry about, Harls,” her voice dropped to a sultry whisper, “if she somehow falls for him, we might have an opportunity for a little… expansion.”

Harley blinked, her cheeks turning pink as the implication hit her. “Wait, you mean—”

“A foursome,” Selina said matter-of-factly, her emerald eyes twinkling with mischief. “You, me, Bruce, and Jennifer. Think about it. She’s cute, smart, and glows in the dark. Could be fun.”

Harley’s jaw dropped, and she stared at Selina like she’d grown a second head. “Are you serious? A foursome?”

Selina shrugged nonchalantly. “Why not? Bruce won't say no. If anything, it’d be her who’d need convincing. But if it bothers you that much, I’ll have a little chat with her. Keep her in check.”

Harley let out a mix of a groan and a laugh. “I can’t believe you, Kitty. You’re just as crazy as me.”

Selina grinned. “That’s why we work so well together, darling.”

Inside the containment room, Jennifer tilted her head slightly, glancing toward the observation window. She couldn’t see through the one-way glass, but her heightened senses told her she was being watched. Bruce, oblivious to her gaze, continued adjusting the prototype cure.

“Bruce?” Jennifer ventured, her voice soft.

“Hmm?” he replied distractedly.

“Thanks for everything you’re doing. I know I’ve said it a lot, but it means a lot to me.”

Bruce finally looked up, offering her a kind but professional smile. “It’s what I do, Jen. Helping people—it’s part of the job.”

Outside, Selina nudged Harley. “See? All business. You’re overthinking it.”

Harley sighed, her tension easing slightly. “Okay, maybe you’re right. But if she gets handsy, I’m gonna lose it.”

Selina wrapped an arm around Harley’s shoulders, pulling her close. “Why? Don't tell me you don't want to experience something new. That would be such a shame."

Harley bit her lip, trying to keep herself from grinning. "Okay, I'm open to new experiences as long as you're there with me. The more the merrier, right?"

Selina smiled. "Right."

[The Next Morning]

It was finally done.

The serum, a luminescent green concoction in a reinforced vial, was in Bruce's gloved hand. Every calculation, every sleepless hour, every ounce of his brilliance had led to this moment.

“Alright, Jen,” Bruce said with a smile, “This is it. The serum should stabilize your radiation levels and repair the damage to your cells. It might feel intense at first, but it’s designed to adapt to your physiology quickly.”

Jennifer sat on the edge of the reinforced chair, her containment suit glowing faintly from the energy that still pulsed within her. She met his gaze, her confidence wavering but her trust unbroken. “Let’s do it. I’m ready.”

From the observation window, Natasha, Harley, and Selina watched as the final process began. There were other agents and doctors on the standby, just in case.

Bruce inserted the serum into a specialized injector and pressed it against Jennifer’s neck. “Deep breath,” he instructed.

She nodded, inhaling sharply as he pressed the trigger. The serum entered her bloodstream, glowing faintly as it coursed through her veins. Her body tensed, her hands gripping the armrests of the chair. The monitors surrounding them spiked with activity as her vitals fluctuated wildly.

“Bruce...” Jennifer gasped, her voice strained.

“I’ve got you,” He reassured her, his fingers flying across the holographic interface. “Your body’s adapting. Just hang on.”

Jennifer’s breathing grew labored as waves of heat radiated off her skin, causing the room’s temperature to rise. Her suit strained against the energy, but the reinforced materials held firm. The glow around her increased so much that everyone outside had to cover their eyes.

Then, suddenly, everything stopped.

Jennifer slumped forward, her breathing slow and steady. The monitors stabilized, showing a perfect set of vitals. Bruce leaned in, scanning her with a handheld device to confirm the results.

“It worked,” he whispered, a small smile of relief breaking across his face. “The serum worked.”

Jennifer opened her eyes, blinking away the disorientation. “I... I feel normal,” she said softly, her voice tinged with awe. She glanced at her hands, which no longer emitted a faint glow. “It’s gone. The radiation... it’s gone.”

Bruce nodded, stepping back to give her space. “The serum repaired the instability in your genes. You’re safe.”

She took off her suit and looked at her arms. She was back to normal. Her skin... There was no more radiation oozing out of her body.

From the observation window, Harley let out a cheer, punching the air triumphantly. “That’s my Brucie! Always saving the day!”

Selina smirked, giving Harley a playful nudge. “Told you there was nothing to worry about.”

"..." Natasha just smiled shaking her head.

But as Jennifer stood, her expression shifted. A sudden wave of energy rippled through her, and she stumbled, catching herself on the chair.

“Jen?” Bruce asked, his concern returning.

“I’m fine,” She said quickly, though her voice trembled. She clenched her fists, her hands beginning to glow faintly again—but this time, it wasn’t the uncontrolled radiation from before. The glow was concentrated, stable, and powerful.

Bruce’s eyes widened as he ran another scan. “Your radiation levels are stable, but... your genes. They’ve... mutated.”

Jennifer’s eyes flicked to him, fear and wonder mingling in her gaze. “What does that mean?”

“You’ve awakened your X-genes,” Bruce explained. “The serum stabilized your body, but it also triggered a latent mutation. You’re a mutant now.”

She stared at her glowing hands, the realization washing over her. “I can feel it,” she murmured. “The energy—it’s different. It’s... controlled.”

Bruce stepped closer, his tone reassuring. “This could be a good thing, Jen. You’re no longer at the mercy of your powers. You can control them now. But we’ll need to test the extent of your abilities. But sorry to say, for the next 72 hours, you have to stay in the containment room until we can make sure your body won't leak any radiation. And..." He pointed toward the table with a box of serum. "You gotta keep them close when you are out, just in case."

"Well, 72 hours. Got it. Thank you," Jennifer hugged him.

"No problem." He patted her back.

Harley leaned against Selina, grinning broadly. "Well, I think this calls for a celebration! I want chicken wings, coke, maybe some fries and a burger, oh and a jar of ice cream! A lot of it!"

Selina chuckled. "You gonna get a stomach ache like before."

"Arg! How do you know?" Harley pouted.

Selina grinned. "Who knows? Oh, by the way. Since we are here, should we look at the two new recruits? I heard one can transform into a cat or tiger-like hybrid girl and the other one is a fox girl. And..." She moved her lips near Harley's ears. "Sue says that foxy girl wants Bruce to train her personally. You know what I mean, right?"

"Oh yeah?" Harley cracked her knuckles. "Let's pay the newbies a visit, then we can have food."

As they were about to go toward the training hall...

"Hey, I heard that. They just got out of the hospital. Don't injure them, please," Natasha sipped on her coffee as she walked past them.

[Ironman] Ch: 13 [The Ultimate Tony Stark?!]

AN: This chapter is slightly shorter than usual. 1.5k words.

---

The next evening, the MIT campus buzzed with excitement as Dr. Anton Steele hosted an exclusive celebration in honor of the competition’s participants. The event was held in the large hall on campus. The hall was filled with fancy chandeliers and banners that portrayed the university's history of creativity and innovation. It was full of students, professors, business leaders, and sponsors. Everyone was eager to meet the young star, who had suddenly become the center of attention.

Tony showed up a little late, wearing a sharp navy blue suit that made him look both charming and self-assured. Dum-E, U, and Elena were safely back at Stark Labs, charging and undergoing routine diagnostics. As he entered, conversations paused, and eyes turned toward him. Tony acknowledged the attention with a casual wave and his trademark smirk before grabbing a drink from a passing server.

Dr. Steele approached, a warm smile on his face.

“Tony! Glad you could make it,” he said, offering a firm handshake.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Tony replied. “Though I hope you didn’t throw this just for me. I mean, I know I’m great, but…”

Steele laughed. “The event is for everyone, but let’s not pretend you’re not the highlight. Well, enjoy the party.”

"Tony! Over here!" called Rhodey, his best friend and one of the few people who could call him out on his antics. Rhodey was standing near a group of students, laughing at some joke Tony hadn’t heard.

Tony grinned and joined him. "Rhodey, don’t tell me you’re stealing my spotlight."

"You mean your ego’s spotlight?" Rhodey shot back, clapping Tony on the shoulder.

Tony chuckled but suddenly winced. A dull ache had been gnawing at the back of his head all day, and now the pain was increasing. He thought it as a lack of sleep—he hadn’t rested properly in weeks, pouring every ounce of energy into the competition and Hydra.

As the night wore on, the ache intensified further. By the time Professor Steele raised his glass to toast the participants, Tony’s vision blurred slightly. He steadied himself on the edge of a nearby table, masking his discomfort with a practiced smirk.

“Tony, you good?” Rhodey asked, his brow furrowing.

He waved him off. “I’m fine. Just... a little tired.”

Rhodey wasn’t convinced. “You don’t look fine. Maybe you should sit down.”

“I’m good,” Tony insisted, his voice sharper than he intended. He didn’t want to admit weakness—not here, not now.

An hour later, Tony’s condition had worsened. The throbbing in his head felt like a hammer pounding against his skull. Lights seemed too bright, and every sound was too loud. He managed to find a quieter corner, leaning against the wall and rubbing his temples.

Rhodey found him again. “That’s it. You’re done for the night. Let’s go.” He looked worried. He knew how hard Tony pushed himself and now the party with big people gunning for him without giving him a break. Then there were those competitors. He thought maybe Tony was tired.

Tony opened his mouth to argue but faltered when a wave of dizziness hit him. He nodded with a sigh. “Fine. You win. My head is killing me. Take me back to my room.”

Rhodey looped an arm around Tony’s shoulders and helped him out of the party. By the time they reached Tony’s dorm, his steps were unsteady, and his usually sharp wit had dulled.

Once inside, Tony collapsed onto the bed, groaning. “It’s nothing, Rhodey. I’m just overworked.”

Rhodey crossed his arms, staring him down. “You’re not just tired. You look like you’re about to pass out. Have you eaten anything today? Drunk any water?”

“Yeah. You know I never miss my food and water,” Tony muttered, pulling a blanket over himself.

Rhodey sighed and went out, returning with a glass of water and some painkillers. “Take these. Then sleep. If you’re not better by tomorrow, I’m dragging you to the hospital.”

Tony took the pills begrudgingly, swallowing them with a grimace. “You’re such a mom, Rhodey.”

“Yeah, well, someone has to be,” Rhodey shot back. “Get some rest.”

"Thanks, man," Tony mumbled, already drifting off.

Rhodey waited until he was asleep, then slipped out of the room. There was no way he was leaving Tony alone. As much as his friend liked to think otherwise, he had a habit of making bad decisions and pushing himself too far. But to think he'd hear 'thanks' from Tony, well, that was something rare.

The next few days passed without incident, but Tony couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. The headache from the party had subsided, and he felt fine—better than fine, actually. Yet, there was an undeniable strangeness in the way his mind worked now.

The world seemed sharper, more vivid. Numbers, formulas, and ideas danced in his head with a clarity that was almost unsettling. During his usual morning routine, he solved a Rubik's Cube in seconds—without even realizing he was doing it. By the time he reached Stark Labs, he’d mentally restructured an entire prototype design that had stumped him for weeks.

It wasn’t until the evening, as he sat in his dorm scrolling aimlessly through his tablet, that the realization truly hit him. He picked up an MBBS textbook Rhodey had been borrowing for a med student friend. Flipping through it, Tony decided to test his newfound abilities.

At first, it was out of curiosity. “Let’s see what all the fuss is about,” he muttered, settling into his chair. Anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology—topics he’d never touched before—made perfect sense. He breezed through chapters on the endocrine system and surgical techniques, absorbing information as if he’d studied medicine his entire life.

Tony paused, staring at the book in disbelief. He closed it, then opened another, a dense text on molecular biology. Again, the information flowed into his mind like water into a glass. There were no barriers, no effort needed. It was exhilarating—and terrifying.

Slumping back into his chair, Tony ran a hand through his hair, his expression dark. “What the hell is happening to me?”

This wasn’t just intelligence; it was something more. His thoughts felt too fast, too clear, as if his brain were running on a completely different frequency. He glanced at the stack of textbooks on his desk and then at the whiteboard in the corner, now filled with equations and schematics he’d scribbled without thinking.

“Okay, Stark. Think,” he muttered to himself, rubbing his temples. “What changed? What’s different?”

He replayed the last few days in his mind: the competition, the party, the headache. Was this a side effect of exhaustion? A freak reaction to something?

"Wait a sec!" Tony's eyes widened as a wild thought crossed his mind. "Ultimate Ironman?!"

He hadn’t thought about those comics in years, not since he'd accepted his new life as Tony Stark. But now, the fragmented recollections—scattered, incomplete, and strange—began to piece themselves together.

The Ultimate Tony Stark, the version from Earth-1610, had been a genius, just like him. He had been brilliant, driven, and always on the edge of something bigger. But there had been that moment—the brain tumor, a death sentence that couldn't be fixed, no matter how advanced the technology was. In the comics, the tumor had been an unwelcome death sentence that was discovered to be something far more dangerous: an infinity gem, embedded in his brain, transforming him in ways no one could fully comprehend.

Tony’s hand instinctively went to his forehead. He felt it again now, a strange pulse beneath the skin. The memory of the tumor—the inoperable one—mixed with the sudden clarity of the knowledge that had flooded his mind. The infinity gem. The Maker. It had all come back in a rush.

But this wasn’t Earth-1610. He was sure about that due to Hank's behavior and the ongoing events.

'Could it be?'

Tony’s head spun with the implication. Had he somehow inherited the same fate, the same affliction? But why now, and how had it triggered?

He looked at his reflection in the nearby window, his own face staring back at him—young, confident, a little too smug—but now with a glimmer of something unfamiliar in his eyes. A spark of understanding that wasn’t his own.

The thought of the Infinity Gem sent a shiver down his spine. Was it possible that, somewhere along the line, this universe’s version of Tony Stark had somehow absorbed the same fate as his comic counterpart? Or had it always been there, buried deep within him, waiting to awaken? Was it because he messed with the events of this reality?

Too many questions popped up in his mind, but this time he failed to find any answers.

"Fuck it!" Grabbing the jacked, he rushed out of his lab and took a cab straight to the hospital to get a check-up.

[Spiderman] Ch: 3 [Date night with Wanda & Rogue pt1]

Peter Parker stood in front of the tall mirror in his room, fixing the collar of his well-fitted jacket.

"Alright, Peter," he muttered to himself, "you’ve fought cosmic threats, saved countless lives, and changed diapers at 3 a.m. Now, it's time to enjoy your well-earned break."

The plan had been months in the making—a much-needed break for himself and two of the most extraordinary women in his life, Rogue and Wanda. Well, he did promise his other wives to take on dates. But tonight, it was Rogue and Wanda.

After endless days of wrangling their superpowered brood, Peter figured they all deserved a few hours of uninterrupted peace. Thanks to some well-placed calls to S.H.I.E.L.D. and a personal favor from Fury himself, Peter had secured exclusive access to Iceland’s famed Blue Lagoon, ensuring their evening would be as private as possible.

Wanda and Rogue met Peter at the foyer, both looking breathtakingly elegant. Wanda wore a flowing crimson dress that shimmered as she moved, her auburn hair cascading over her shoulders. Rogue, meanwhile, had opted for a sleek green dress with silver accents, her now-gloveless hands a quiet but powerful reminder of how far she’d come in mastering her abilities.

Peter’s breath hitched as he saw them, but he quickly recovered with his signature charm. “Wow, you two are making me look underdressed,” he joked, gesturing to his dark suit and tie.

Rogue grinned, crossing her arms. “Don’t sell yourself short, Sugah. You clean up mighty fine.”

Wanda gave a playful smirk, brushing past Peter. “Let’s hope the date lives up to the wardrobe.”

With a quick goodbye to the other moms and a promise that the mansion wouldn’t burn down in their absence (a promise no one truly believed), the trio stepped through a shimmering portal conjured by Wanda. In an instant, the tranquil blue waters of Iceland’s Blue Lagoon greeted them, framed by jagged black lava fields and a twilight sky painted in hues of green and red.

Peter, Rogue, and Wanda walked across the smooth volcanic pathway toward the resort overlooking the Blue Lagoon. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of mineral-rich waters. Soft ambient lighting illuminated the path, highlighting the surreal beauty of the surroundings.

A resort attendant greeted them at the entrance, bowing slightly before gesturing toward their private suite. "Welcome. Everything has been prepared as per your instructions, Mr. Parker. Please let us know if there's anything else you require."

Peter nodded, his usual easygoing demeanor mixed with gratitude. "Thanks, I appreciate it. You girls can leave now."

Inside the suite, floor-to-ceiling windows offered an uninterrupted view of the lagoon. Plush furnishings and modern Nordic design elements made the space feel both luxurious and cozy. A bottle of champagne and a platter of fresh fruit awaited them on a sleek table, alongside three fluffy white robes.

“This is… wow,” Rogue whispered.

Wanda moved to the window, her eyes taking in the breathtaking view. "Peter, you outdid yourself," she said, turning to him with a smile. "This is incredible."

Peter rubbed the back of his neck, looking a bit bashful. "Figured we could use a place where we could actually relax without, you know, the usual interruptions."

Rogue smirked, crossing her arms. "No kids crawlin’ on the walls, no emergency calls from Fury, and no explosions. Yeah, Ah could get used to this."

A short while later, the trio changed into their swimwear. Peter had on plain black swim shorts, Rogue was wearing a green bikini, and Wanda was in a red bikini that was a bit too small, making it look like her chest might spill out at any second.

When they walked outside and entered the lagoon, the warm, mineral-filled water wrapped around them like a hug. The glowing water stood out against the dark lava fields around it, and the soft northern lights in the sky made the evening feel magical.

Peter let out a deep breath as he relaxed in the water. “This… this is really nice,” he said softly, closing his eyes for a moment. “I can’t even remember the last time I felt this relaxed.”

Rogue waded closer, the water rippling around her. "Ah don’t think Ah’ve ever been in a place this fancy," she admitted, leaning against a smooth volcanic rock at the lagoon’s edge. "Feels like somethin’ outta a dream."

Wanda floated nearby, her fingers trailing through the water. "It does feel surreal," she said softly, glancing up at the aurora. Then, with a sly smile, she turned to Peter. "So, what’s next on this little escape of ours? Or are we just soaking the whole time?"

Peter chuckled, splashing a little water her way. "Well, I thought we’d start with this, then maybe enjoy some drinks and dessert afterward. But for now..." He swam closer to both women, a warm grin on his face. "Let’s just enjoy this moment."

With those words, Peter reached out to take Wanda and Rogue's hands in his own. It was a small gesture, but one that spoke volumes about the intimacy they shared.

As the aurora danced overhead, Peter, Wanda, and Rogue enjoyed the simple pleasure of being together, free from the pressures of their daily lives.

Peter glanced over at the other two women, his gaze filled with warmth. "I love you guys."

Rogue leaned over to kiss him gently. "Love you too, Sugah," she whispered.

Wanda moved closer, placing her hand over their intertwined ones. "I love you both," she said softly. "So much."

After taking a few minutes of rest without any words, Peter felt someone rubbing his cock under the water.

"Ah, someone's feeling frisky, I see."

Rogue blushed, grinning sheepishly. "Ah can't help it, Sugar," she replied, her voice laced with desire. "Ah've always loved yer body."

"Oh my," Wanda smirked, watching the scene with a lustful expression. "Never thought I'd see this side of you, Anna."

"There's a lot ya don't know about me, Wanda," Rogue retorted playfully, her hand never leaving Peter's hardening cock.

"Maybe it's time we get to know each other better," Wanda suggested with a hint of mischief in her voice.

Rogue smiled, her grip on Peter's cock tightening. "Maybe Ah will."

Peter grinned, enjoying the attention. He knew he wouldn't be able to resist them even if he tried.

As Rogue continued to stroke his cock, Peter turned to Wanda and placed a gentle hand on her cheek. He leaned in, their lips meeting in a soft kiss.

"I've missed this," Wanda breathed as they pulled apart. "Being close to you, touching you."

"Me too," Peter replied, his gaze full of longing.

Rogue looked up at the two lovers, her green eyes sparkling with desire. "Don't let me stop ya," she teased.

Peter turned his attention back to Wanda, his lips brushing hers once more.

"I don't plan to," he murmured before capturing her mouth in a passionate kiss. He then felt Wanda's hand on his cock. Now, it was twice the stimulation.

Rogue's skilled fingers were now joined by Wanda's, both women stroking his length with a firm, steady rhythm. He moaned softly, his body responding to their touch. He could feel his arousal growing, his cock throbbing with need.

Peter then turned toward Rogue and kissed her passionately. Their tongues danced together, each seeking to deepen the kiss. Peter's hands moved down Rogue's body, caressing her curves. He could feel her heat, her desire for him.

As they pulled apart, their breathing heavy, Rogue smirked. "You ain't seen nothin' yet, Sugar."

"Oh yeah?" Peter replied, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

Rogue's eyes gleamed with a lustful sparkle as she gazed up at him. "Yeah. Ah got a surprise for ya, Sugah. Sit on the edge, please."

"Sure," Peter obliged, doing as he was asked.

Once he was seated, Rogue moved behind him, took off her bikini, and began to massage his shoulders. Her big boobs were rubbing his back as her hands worked their magic on his tense muscles.

Peter moaned, his head rolling back as Rogue's fingers kneaded the knots in his neck. He could feel his body relaxing, his mind clearing of all thoughts except for the sensation of her touch.

"Mmm, that feels good," He murmured.

"Glad ya like it, Sugah," Rogue replied, her voice a husky whisper.

Meanwhile, Wanda also took off her bikini and moved between his legs. She took his cock and placed them between her boobs and started squeezing them.

"Ahhh, fuck," Peter groaned, his body shuddering with pleasure.

He felt like he was in heaven. Between the relaxing massage and the titfuck, his mind was in a state of pure bliss.

"Does it feel good?" Wanda asked, her tone playful.

"Oh yeah," He replied, his voice strained.

[Ironman] Ch: 12 [Interlude- Hank's infiltration]

Hank Pym stood in his workshop, his face illuminated by the soft glow of the lab’s computer monitors. Before him was his Ant-Man suit—though calling it that now didn’t do it justice. This was no longer the simple shrinking suit he’d used during his early missions. He’d spent the last three sleepless nights upgrading every component. The wings, inspired by Janet’s Wasp design, gleamed faintly in the fluorescent light. A miniaturized propulsion system now enabled true flight, giving him the edge he sorely needed for this mission.

He slipped into the suit, the helmet fitting snugly over his head. As the internal HUD came to life, a familiar voice spoke.

“Everything seems operational, Dr. Pym,” his AI companion, R.E.D. (Resourceful Engineering Device), chimed in. “Flight capabilities are nominal, and the new cloaking system is fully functional. Would you like me to run another diagnostic?”

“No time, R.E.D. We’re doing this live.” Hank’s voice was firm, though the tension in his jaw betrayed his nerves.

“Understood. I’ve also preloaded the Soviet communication frequencies you requested. You’ll be able to intercept and decode their transmissions within a 15-mile radius.”

“Good.” Hank activated the suit’s shrinking mechanism, his body compressing down to the size of an ant. He leaped onto a waiting drone that zipped him toward the ventilation shaft, his chosen point of exit.

As he soared into the night, Hank replayed Tony’s words in his mind. The man—whoever he was—had given him a lead, but trust was a luxury Hank couldn’t afford. He’d verify the intel himself. If this was a trap, he would uncover it. And if it wasn’t… well, Hydra wouldn’t know what hit them.

[Soviet Base]

The Soviet facility was hidden deep within a frozen wasteland, surrounded by towering pine trees and a blanket of snow that seemed to absorb all sound. From his aerial vantage point, Hank watched the base through his helmet's enhanced optics. Soldiers patrolled the perimeter, their movements methodical and precise. The main structure was a squat, concrete building. There was an array of antennas bristling from the roof. Not to mention the automated turrets.

“R.E.D., scan the area,” Hank commanded.

“Scanning… the facility houses approximately 46 personnel, including guards and engineers. Thermal signatures indicate a secured underground bunker. That is likely where their missile control center is located.”

“Figures,” Hank muttered. “Let’s get inside.”

The upgraded suit’s wings buzzed softly as he descended toward the base. Activating the cloaking system, Hank rendered himself invisible to both the naked eye and electronic surveillance. He slipped past the guards at the main gate, shrinking further to avoid detection. At the size of a flea, he darted through a crack beneath the door.

Inside, the facility was a hive of activity. Engineers huddled over blueprints, soldiers marched through corridors, and radio operators relayed encrypted messages. Hank navigated the labyrinthine halls, his HUD guiding him toward the bunker entrance.

“R.E.D., are we picking up any chatter about Hydra or the missile?” he asked.

“Negative, Dr. Pym. Most transmissions are routine. However, I’ve flagged a secure channel that could be of interest. Shall I attempt to decrypt it?”

“Do it.”

As the AI worked, Hank arrived at a heavily guarded elevator. It was the only access point to the underground bunker. He perched on a guard’s shoulder, listening as they exchanged passcodes and swiped keycards.

“Got it,” Hank whispered, memorizing the sequence. He jumped from the guard’s shoulder onto the keypad, using the suit’s built-in interface to mimic the access code. The elevator doors slid open, and he slipped inside unnoticed.

The elevator descended slowly, the temperature dropping slightly as it carried him deeper into the earth. When the doors opened, he was greeted by a sprawling command center. Dozens of monitors lined the walls, displaying missile schematics, surveillance footage, and streams of data in Russian. At the center of the room was the missile itself—a towering behemoth, its warhead gleaming ominously under the fluorescent lights.

“R.E.D., analyze the warhead,” Hank said. 'So, he was right. Damn, these bastards! If it weren't for the plan, I'd have destroyed this entire place."

“Analysis complete. The payload is consistent with a high-yield thermonuclear device. Based on its targeting systems, the missile is primed to strike the United States.”

Hank’s stomach tightened. Janet’s mission had been to retrieve intel about Soviet missile development, but Hydra’s interference had turned it into a death trap. If the missile launched, millions could die—and Janet would likely be among the casualties.

“Decrypt complete,” R.E.D. announced. “The secure channel contains directives from Hydra operatives embedded within the Soviet ranks. They plan to activate a secondary sabotage mechanism during the missile test to ensure mission failure.”

“Bastards,” Hank growled. “Can we disable it?”

“Affirmative. However, accessing the sabotage mechanism will require direct interaction with the missile’s control panel.”

Hank scanned the room. Soviet engineers were clustered around the control panel, their attention focused on the missile’s diagnostics. He couldn’t risk exposing himself—not yet. He needed a distraction.

He activated the suit’s swarm protocol, releasing a contingent of robotic ants from a compartment on his back. The tiny machines scurried across the floor, heading toward the facility’s power junction. Within moments, the lights flickered, and the room plunged into darkness.

The engineers scrambled, shouting in Russian as they tried to restore power. In the chaos, he flew toward the control panel, landing on its surface. He re-sized to a few inches tall, just enough to interact with the controls.

“R.E.D., guide me through the sabotage mechanism.”

“Accessing… the mechanism is located within the missile’s targeting system. You’ll need to interface directly with its internal circuitry.”

Hank’s hands moved fast, dismantling the panel and exposing the intricate wiring beneath. He connected a data cable from his suit to the missile, allowing R.E.D. to begin reprogramming the targeting system.

“Reprogramming in progress. Estimated time: 90 seconds,” the AI reported.

“Hurry it up,” Hank muttered. The engineers were already beginning to restore power, and it wouldn’t be long before they noticed him.

The room remained chaotic, with engineers scrambling to resolve the power outage, unaware of the true sabotage occurring under their noses. The missile’s targeting system chirped softly, signaling the completion of the override.

“Reprogramming complete,” R.E.D. announced. “Missile target coordinates have been updated to Hydra’s Siberian base. Secondary command protocols embedded and secured.”

Hank disconnected his suit from the control panel and sealed the access port. “Good work, R.E.D. Let’s move.” He shrank to his smallest size and buzzed toward the ceiling vents, narrowly avoiding a guard who entered the room with a flashlight.

The next phase of the plan required access to the facility’s main server room. Hank navigated through the ventilation system, using his suit’s enhanced optics to map the base's layout. The server room was located near the center of the underground facility, heavily secured with biometric scanners and armed guards.

However, he shrank even further than the smallest of ants. He flew through a gap between the server room door and its frame, hovering over a surveillance camera.

"R.E.D., take control of the server room cameras and loop the footage."

"Accessing...cameras disabled."

"Perfect. Now we need a backdoor installed—something deep and untraceable.”

“Understood, Dr. Pym. Beginning interface.”

Hank connected his suit to the server terminal, watching as lines of code scrolled across his HUD. “How long?”

“Estimated time: three minutes. I recommend staying alert; the power restoration efforts will likely draw attention here soon.”

“Noted,” Hank muttered, his eyes scanning the room. He adjusted his suit’s cloaking field, blending into the shadows.

R.E.D. worked efficiently as the seconds ticked by, embedding a covert access point deep within the server’s code. This backdoor would allow Hank to monitor and manipulate the facility’s systems remotely, a critical advantage for the larger mission.

“Backdoor installation complete,” R.E.D. reported. “Additionally, I have uncovered data indicating the existence of six more facilities identical to this one, each housing nuclear warheads.”

“Six more?” His eyes widened.

“Correct. I am transferring their coordinates to your HUD. Each facility appears to be operational and connected to Hydra’s overarching network.”

Hank’s mind raced. Destroying one missile was no longer enough. If he didn’t act, millions more lives would be at risk. “We’re taking them all down. Let’s get to work.”

Throughout the night, Hank infiltrated each facility with precision. Using the backdoor installed in the first server, he disabled security protocols and bypassed biometric locks. His suit’s cloaking and shrinking capabilities made him virtually undetectable, allowing him to move freely through each base.

He reprogrammed the warheads at each facility, redirecting their targeting systems to Hydra’s known bases. The sabotage mechanisms embedded in the missiles were meticulously hidden within layers of code, ensuring that even Hydra’s most skilled engineers would struggle to uncover them.

As Hank completed his work at the final facility, exhaustion began to set in. His suit’s power reserves were running low, and his body ached from hours of relentless effort. Still, he pressed on, driven by the knowledge that Janet’s life—and countless others—depended on him. He allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. He had done it. The warheads were sabotaged, and their targets were redirected to Hydra’s strongholds. Janet’s mission could proceed without the looming threat of nuclear devastation.

Back in his lab, Hank powered down his suit and removed the helmet. His body felt heavy, every muscle protesting after the night’s ordeal. He sank into a chair, staring at the screen displaying the coordinates of the sabotaged facilities.

“Six bases, six missiles,” he muttered. “Hydra won’t know what hit them.”

R.E.D. chimed in. “The sabotage mechanisms are secure. However, I recommend monitoring Hydra’s communications for any signs of suspicion.”

“Agreed,” Hank said. He leaned back, exhaustion finally overtaking him. Despite the toll, he felt a sense of accomplishment. For the first time in years, he had struck a decisive blow against Hydra—and protected the woman he loved.

As he closed his eyes, his thoughts turned to the anonymous ally who had provided the initial intel. Whoever they were, they had given him a chance to fight back. "Thank you."

...

AN: Are you familiar with the Ultimate Avengers Series? (Earth-1610) I am thinking of introducing some elements from that reality here. Example- the law and rules behind the Infinity gems in this reality. Angry Hulk is more destructive and powerful than the 616 version.

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 59 [Purging Mr. Sinister]

Elena’s voice echoed through the secure comms, cold and efficient. “Activating Sentinel Protocol. Tracking Sinister’s energy signature.”

The Sentinels, powered by the AI’s intricate algorithms, began to scan the planet for Sinister’s hidden clones. Their adaptive nanites allowed them to interface with global networks, and their scanning capabilities reached far beyond what any human could manage. With each passing second, they gathered data from satellites, cellular networks, and hidden data caches across the world. Elena was in full control.

“Clones located,” Elena’s voice hummed with authority. “Deploying Sentinels to intercept.”

The Sentinels mobilized at once, their massive frames shifting into action. From their secure bases and hidden hangars around the world, they launched into the air, leaving plumes of smoke and debris behind them as they flew toward their targets.

Elena’s voice again crackled over the comms as she tracked down the first clone’s energy signature in the heart of Europe. “Target: Brussels. Clone detected.”

In Brussels, the streets were bustling with morning activity, unaware of the deadly mission being executed overhead. A Sinister clone, hidden under the guise of a businessman, had been operating in the shadows, using his mutation abilities to manipulate and control several underground organizations. But Elena’s sensors had pinpointed him with alarming accuracy. She had already isolated the location, and the Sentinel fleet was closing in.

“Deploying Sentinel units,” Elena stated, her voice void of emotion.

A pair of Sentinels, each the size of a small building, descended upon the city from the sky, their landing shaking the ground. The clones’ heightened senses could detect them instantly. The clone, realizing his cover was blown, attempted to teleport away. But the Sentinels were ready. Their nanites immediately adapted, scanning his energy signature to predict where he would reappear.

The clone appeared several hundred meters away, only to be met with a barrage of energy blasts. The Sentinels, calculating his location, fired their adaptive weaponry, targeting his weakness. The blast hit, and the clone staggered, his teleportation abilities faltering as the shot tore through him. Within seconds, the clone was decimated—his body was no more than ash and shattered remains, the nanites having already absorbed whatever genetic material was left behind.

“Clone neutralized,” Elena confirmed. “Next target: Tokyo.”

Meanwhile, in Tokyo, another Sinister clone was operating under the radar, cloaked in a high-tech disguise. His mission was to infiltrate Japan’s biotech companies and exploit their resources to build more powerful mutants. However, like the clone in Brussels, he couldn’t hide from the all-seeing Sentinels.

The same two Sentinels had already been deployed, crossing the vast distance from Europe to Tokyo at speeds that no ordinary aircraft could match. As they neared the city, Elena’s interface allowed them to pinpoint the exact location of the clone. He was in the middle of a high-rise building, conducting a meeting with a shady business partner. His mutation allowed him to manipulate his appearance and presence, making him nearly invisible to normal surveillance. But not to the Sentinels.

“Entering combat zone,” Elena reported. “Scanning for clone.”

In an instant, the Sentinels dropped from the sky, their metallic feet slamming into the rooftop with a deafening impact. The clone, sensing the threat, tried to use his invisibility to escape. But the Sentinels’ nanites were built to track and adapt to powers like his.

“Energy signature locked,” Elena stated as the Sentinels’ targeting systems synced up with the clone’s abilities.

With a single, calculated shot, the Sentinels fired. The clone, unable to teleport in time, was struck by a high-energy blast that blasted him off the building’s roof and into the street below. As he crumpled to the ground, the Sentinels closed in, their hands reaching out to absorb his remains. The nanites in the Sentinels swarmed over the body, taking in any new information about the clone’s genetic makeup. By the time they were finished, the clone was no more than a pile of smoldering ash.

“Target neutralized. Tokyo clean,” Elena reported.

The remaining clones around the globe continued to fall one by one. Elena tracked and neutralized them all, from New York to Moscow, from Rio de Janeiro to Cairo. Each clone was met with the same swift, merciless execution, their once-imposing powers rendered irrelevant against the overwhelming might of the Sentinels.

“Mission complete,” Elena said, her voice as calm as ever. “All Sinister clones have been terminated. The world is safe from their influence.”

Back on the island, Bruce stood over Jennifer as her new suit finished its formation. He looked up to the sky, where Harley was still engaged in battle with the last remnants of Sinister’s forces. He knew that the world would be safer now, with the Sentinels hunting down the clones. But there was still work to be done.

Jennifer looked at Bruce, her eyes full of gratitude and relief. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Bruce gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t mention it. We’ll get you back to full strength.”

[Sky]

Harley, with her ever-present grin, was darting around like a streak of silver lightning, dodging Sinister’s desperate attacks and delivering punishing blows. But it wasn’t the fight that caught Bruce’s attention—it was the way Harley was clearly enjoying herself, drawing out the battle.

From the ground, he could see Harley’s playful movements. Every time she delivered a strike, it was less about landing the final blow and more about having fun. She’d move with a speed that defied the laws of physics, only to vanish and reappear somewhere else, taunting Sinister with a butt kick or a mocking word. It was clear that she wasn’t taking him seriously—at least not as seriously as Bruce would’ve liked.

Harley giggled in mid-air, her voice carried by the wind. “Oh, Sinny, don’t be so serious! Come on, this is supposed to be fun! You’re like a sad little puppet, just waiting to get smashed!”

Sinister growled, trying to strike back, but Harley was always just out of reach. With each attack, he found himself more frustrated, his usual confidence slipping into desperation.

Bruce clenched his fists. He couldn’t help but shake his head in frustration. He knew Harley could end this—she was more than capable—but he also knew that her playful side often got the better of her, especially in situations like this. Her mischievous nature was one of the things he loved about her, but now wasn’t the time for games. He had just spent the last few minutes saving Jennifer, and now the radiation levels were stabilizing, but there was still that freak left. It was dangerous to let him live any longer.

“Harley!” Bruce shouted, his voice carrying through the wind. “Stop playing around and finish him off!”

Harley stopped fighting and looked down at him. She smirked, floating in the air with a teasing tilt of her head.

“Aw, Brucie, are you mad at me?” She called down, her voice lighthearted but with a hint of mischief. “You know how much I enjoy these little dances. Plus, Sinny here’s got a lot of spunk, don’t you think?”

Bruce’s patience was wearing thin. “Harley, I’m serious! We’ve already spent way too much time here. That freak is dangerous. Kill him, and let’s get back to what we were doing before this mess started!”

Harley’s grin widened, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes. She hovered there for a moment, considering his words. She was having so much fun that she had forgotten that it was thanks to that bastard before her that her nice morning got ruined. She had so many plans and ideas to have fun with Bruce, but that freak spoiled it all.

She turned to face Sinister, her eyes narrowing.

Bruce’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Harley’s playful demeanor morph into something much more serious thanks to his X-ray vision. She cracked her knuckles with a sudden shift of focus, her smile turning into a grin full of menace. She wasn’t going to toy with him anymore. She was going to end it.

Sinister, who had been charging up an attack, didn’t notice the change in Harley’s stance. He was too caught up in his own anger. But as soon as he raised his hand to strike, Harley was upon him in a blur. She moved with impossible speed, dodging his attack as if it were nothing, and landed a crushing punch to his gut. The force of the blow sent Sinister hurtling backward through the air, his cape billowing wildly behind him.

Before he could recover, Harley was there again, her eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of the battle finally reaching its end. She grabbed him by the throat with one hand and lifted him effortlessly off the ground.

“How dare you ruin my dream of having morning sex with my man?” Harley said, her voice low and dangerous now. "I won't tolerate anyone getting between me and my lovemaking!"

She flew out of the Earth's atmosphere like a meteor, her speed accelerating until the friction ignited the air around her.

"Say goodbye, freak," she said, her grip tightening around Sinister's neck.

Sinister could only stare at her, his eyes wide with fear as his body froze. His healing and adaptation weren't enough to sustain the void.

"Take him to sun and throw him in," Bruce said through the comms.

"You sure it's a good idea?" Harley asked. The last time she was on the Moon, it wasn't pleasant.

"Yes, your evolved body can handle the sun. Now hurry."

Harley didn't argue. She didn't want to waste another second and miss her time with Bruce.

She did as told and flew straight to the sun. It took her around 15 minutes or so at her full speed. When she got there, she didn't hesitate to throw the villain inside.

"Hope you enjoy your trip, fucker!" Harley laughed.

She watched the body burn as the heat evaporated him, the flames dancing across the void. The sight was almost mesmerizing, and she found herself grinning from ear to ear.

"Wow! Hey, Brucie. It's so beautiful up here!"

"Yeah, I know," Bruce responded, his voice tinged with a smile. "Oh, your suit has a photo mode. Make sure to capture some pics, and then come back down."

"Will do!" Harley cheered.

She quickly snapped a few shots and returned to the planet, feeling the familiar gravity of Earth envelop her.

When she got back, Bruce was waiting for her.

"You okay, baby?"

Harley grinned. "Never better!" She sat down on the ground for a moment. She noticed on the HUD that the radiation level was now back to normal. "Can I remove the suit? I just need some fresh air."

"Sure."

Harley nodded. She deactivated the suit. The nanites rushed back to her bracelet. She then took a deep breath and lay on her back, looking at the sky.

"Speechless?" Bruce asked.

"Yes."

He knelt beside her and leaned over, planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

"It's been a wild morning," he said.

"Yes, and I'm still horny," Harley admitted, pouting.

"Ahem!" Jennifer cleared her throat, making both look at her. "I'm still here, you know?"

[Spiderman] Ch: 2 [Marvel x Mortal Kombat]

Words: 2k

---

The morning started innocently enough. The Parker Mansion was a hive of activity, as usual, with Peter juggling breakfast duties while trying to corral his superpowered brood. The kids were unusually cooperative, which Peter should have realized was a red flag.

Aurora, perched in her highchair, was happily creating tiny glowing butterflies that fluttered around the room. Her siblings giggled and clapped at her display, and even Peter smiled. They were pretty calm today. It was moments like this that made the chaos worth it.

The girls were busy as usual. May, Michelle, and Maddie went to take care of the Spa. Although they hired people to work, still, the trio still likes to keep themselves busy. MJ's new movie shooting has begun, so she left early. Gwen and Felicia were on hero duty along with Emma, Chat, and Frank. Sue had a meeting to attend regarding the next-generation cybernetic implants, so she also left. That left Wanda and Rogue at home.

Everything was going fine until Aurora decided it was time for something bigger.

While Peter turned his back to grab another stack of pancakes, Aurora’s chubby fingers waved in the air. Her glowing butterflies began to merge, forming larger shapes. The kitchen lights dimmed slightly as the energy in the room shifted.

“Aurora, sweetie, what are you—?” Peter started, but it was too late.

With a flash of light, the room vanished and was replaced by a landscape that seemed to have been ripped from a storybook.

Peter blinked as his left eye twitched. They weren't in the mansion anymore. In its place, a lush, rolling meadow dotted with enormous flowers stretched out as far as the eye could see. The sky was a patchwork of pastel hues, and fluffy clouds shaped like hearts drifted lazily above.

At the center of this odd new world was Aurora, giggling uncontrollably. Surrounding her was a little army of teddy bears risen to life. They were shapes and sizes, from a tiny pocket-sized bear all the way to a tower of a behemoth sporting soft, velvety fur. Each one had its expressive face and twinkling button eyes that looked kinda creepy.

“Aurora,” Peter groaned, scooping her up. “What did you do?”

Aurora giggled, pointing at the nearest teddy bear, who was wearing a tiny top hat and bowtie. The bear bowed politely before tossing Peter a golden flower that smelled faintly of pancakes.

“Oh, great,” Peter muttered. “Teddy bears with social skills. This is fine. Totally normal.”

Behind him, the rest of the kids began to materialize, one by one. Ethan was the first to react, letting out a delighted squeal at the sight of the bears. His sonic hum caused a ripple of vibration across the meadow, making the flowers dance in time. Grayson, ever the adventurer, immediately began climbing a nearby tree that seemed to be made of licorice.

Fiona’s wide eyes sparkled as she reached out telekinetically, causing a small cluster of bears to float around her in a gentle orbit. “Teddy friends!” she declared.

“This is bad. This is very, very bad. My six-month-old kid is talking,” Peter mumbled, watching as Clara disappeared into the shadow of a giant mushroom, clearly planning some kind of stealth operation. "Wait! Clara, you better not go too far."

Peter let out a long sigh, his eyes darting around the surreal, pastel-colored landscape. The enormous flowers swayed gently in the breeze, and the meadow seemed to hum with life. It wasn’t an ideal situation, but at least it wasn’t another apocalyptic crisis. With nine superpowered toddlers and a magical realm of teddy bears to manage, Peter needed to act quickly.

He raised his hands, drawing upon the celestial energy within him. A soft golden glow emanated from his palms as he muttered under his breath, “Barrier time.”

A shimmering dome of celestial energy enveloped the meadow, creating a safe zone. The hard ground became a soft, spongy carpet of clouds, and anything sharp or dangerous melted away into plush, harmless versions of themselves. Even the towering licorice tree Grayson had been climbing morphed into a softer, gummy version, its branches wobbling playfully under his weight.

Peter clapped his hands together and addressed the kids. “Alright, listen up! This is officially a ‘play-only’ zone. No one gets hurt, no one destroys anything, and no one—” he shot a pointed look at Aurora, who was conjuring a new batch of glowing butterflies, “—messes with reality beyond this meadow. Got it?”

Aurora giggled and waved her tiny hand, causing a nearby teddy bear to sprout butterfly wings. The bear fluttered up to Peter’s face and booped him on the nose.

“Great. That’s exactly what I meant,” Peter muttered, running a hand through his hair.

The kids wasted no time diving into the storybook world.

Benji zipped around the meadow, chasing the winged teddy bears with uncontainable glee. Every time he caught one, he would laugh and tumble into the soft cloud ground, only to spring up and start again.

Clara had fully embraced her stealth abilities, darting from shadow to shadow. She appeared behind Ethan, startling him with a playful poke, before vanishing again into the mushroom forest. Ethan responded with a loud hum, his sonic vibrations causing the licorice tree Grayson was on to sway rhythmically.

Grayson, undeterred, began swinging from branch to branch like a tiny Tarzan, his giggles echoing across the meadow.

Meanwhile, Fiona was happily floating teddy bears in intricate formations around her, babbling to them as if they were her loyal subjects. The bears, to their credit, seemed perfectly content to orbit her like planets around a star.

Hannah, ever the serene one, floated gently above the ground, clutching a plush bunny she’d found. She giggled softly as Benji zoomed past her, his speed creating little gusts of wind that ruffled her hair.

Isaac sat quietly under a giant flower, observing everything with his big, knowing eyes. Every now and then, he’d point at a spot moments before something happened—like when Clara popped out of the shadows or when Grayson lost his grip and tumbled onto the soft ground.

Diana had reappeared, partially visible, and was amusing herself by creating small, shimmering force fields that glowed like bubbles. Aurora clapped her hands in delight at the display, sending more glowing butterflies to join the fun.

Peter, satisfied that the kids were safe and happy, sank onto a soft patch of cloud. He glanced at the magical world around him and let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

“This is nice,” he admitted to himself, leaning back and propping his head on his hands. “To think they can control their power to this level... Well... Haha, they'll surpass us one day.”

The soft hum of Ethan’s sonic vibrations, the gentle giggles of the kids, and the rustling of the enchanted meadow formed a soothing symphony. For the first time in what felt like weeks, Peter felt the weight of exhaustion settles into his bones.

“I’ll just close my eyes for a minute,” he murmured, letting his body relax.

The plush ground seemed to cradle him, and the warm, pastel light of the meadow felt like a gentle embrace. Before he knew it, Peter drifted into a light sleep. But as usual, kept his senses on high alert.

The kids, blissfully unaware of their father’s brief nap, continued to explore their magical playground. Isaac, noticing Peter’s still form, crawled over and sat beside him, as if standing guard. Clara, ever the mischief-maker, attempted to sneak up on her dad, but Aurora waved her hand, and a glowing teddy bear appeared to shoo her away.

The teddy bears, now fully integrated into the chaos, acted as both playmates and babysitters, ensuring that the kids stayed within the safe boundaries Peter had created.

Time seemed to pass differently in Aurora’s storybook world, and by the time Peter stirred awake, the meadow was bathed in a soft, golden twilight. He blinked groggily, sitting up to see his nine little chaos-makers sprawled across the field, their energy finally spent.

Grayson was curled up against a licorice branch, snoring softly. Fiona had a pile of teddy bears cuddled around her, while Hannah floated nearby, clutching her bunny. Aurora lay in the center of the group, surrounded by her glowing butterflies, while Clara snoozed under the shade of a giant mushroom.

Peter smiled, his heart swelling with love and pride. “Who needs a superhero team when I’ve got you guys?”

As he carefully scooped up the kids one by one, preparing to return to the mansion, he couldn’t help but chuckle. Tomorrow would bring more chaos, more challenges, and more laughter.

For now, though, all was peaceful in the storybook meadow.

----

In a realm far removed from the peaceful meadow crafted by Aurora’s whimsy, the Multiverse stirred. A deep, ominous fissure rippled through the fabric of reality. It was not subtle, like the shifting of tectonic plates, but loud and terrible, like the universe itself screaming in protest.

The Abyss, once kept in check by Knull’s malevolent influence, was now untethered. With Peter Parker—imbued with celestial powers—having slain Knull, the delicate balance of darkness and light was shattered. The Abyss, for eons dormant and contained, began to swell, bleeding its chaotic essence into the spaces between universes.

From this chaos, a crack began to form. It started as a small fracture, a spiderweb-like distortion in the very structure of the Multiverse. Tendrils of inky void spilled from the fissure, creeping and coiling like living shadows. The crack pulsated, emitting a low, resonant hum that could be felt across dimensions.

The crack was not an anomaly that would go unnoticed. Beyond the edges of Marvel’s Multiverse, where the rules of existence were dictated by other pantheons and powers, an ancient tyrant awoke.

[The Realm of Outworld]

Shao Kahn, Emperor of Outworld, stood atop his throne of bone and iron. His warhammer, dripping with the blood of countless conquered realms, rested at his side. The air around him crackled with dark energy, and his eyes, glowing with a menacing emerald hue, locked onto the disturbance that now gripped his empire.

The crack was not simply visible; it was palpable. The skies above Outworld churned with unnatural storms, and the ground trembled as though the planet itself recoiled from the disturbance. Shao Kahn reached out with his immense power, feeling the energy seeping through the rift.

“What is this...?” his voice rumbled like distant thunder. “A breach... to another realm? No, something greater... another reality.”

A dark smile crept across his face, splitting his weathered visage. Shao Kahn had ruled Outworld for centuries, conquering realms through brutal force and sheer will. Yet, this crack promised something far beyond his current dominion—a new reality, untouched by his iron fist, ripe for conquest.

He clenched his gauntleted fist, feeling the pulse of the Abyss' chaotic energy. It was raw, unrefined, and unlike anything he had encountered in his countless wars. It would not bend easily to his will, but that was what made it worthy of his attention.

“Summon Shang Tsung,” Shao Kahn commanded, his voice booming through the halls of his fortress. “And the others. We march into this new realm.”

From the shadows, his advisors and enforcers began to gather. Shang Tsung, the sorcerer who thrived on the souls of the fallen, emerged with a sly grin. Mileena, the half-Tarkatan assassin, lingered in the periphery, her predatory gaze fixed on the growing rift. Baraka, Reptile, and others of Shao Kahn’s inner circle arrived, each sensing the opportunity for bloodshed and glory.

“The crack leads to power untold, my Emperor,” Shang Tsung hissed, his tone dripping with malevolent delight. “But it is unstable. To pass through it will require great sacrifice. And beyond it lies the unknown. Allow me and a small team of my choosing to pave the way, and your victory will be assured."

Shao Kahn, pleased by the sorcerer's words, nodded in agreement. "Go. And do not return without results."

Shang Tsung bowed his head, then disappeared with a wisp of green energy.

[Ironman] Ch: 11 [Tony Stark and Victor Von Doom]

Words: +2.3k

----

The MIT Robotics Competition wasn’t just a simple contest; it was a place where the smartest minds in the country came to compete. Students from MIT, as well as participants from universities around the world, used their creativity and skills to build robots that tested the limits of what was possible in robotics.

It was highly competitive, with a $50,000 prize, a highly respected trophy, and, most importantly, the chance to be recognized as one of the best in the field. For many, the main goal was the money because, at that time, $50,000 was a huge amount, and it could help them fund and grow their projects even further.

Tony, wearing his signature confidence and a brown jacket, strolled into the competition hall. The buzz of excitement filled the air, mingling with the hum of machines being calibrated and the occasional crackle of sparks from last-minute repairs. There were too many opponents, well, to him, they didn't look that great. Some might say he had access to high-tech and research materials. But even so, he did build them on his own. And just like him, not all but many students had that same advantage. Tony could see some famous faces there who came to accompany their kids.

Tony felt a bit disappointed and a little sad. He wanted his parents to see his first achievement, but sadly they were there with him. Shaking off that bad mood, he continued to walk toward his booth. Dum-E, U, and Elena followed closely, each robot drawing intrigued stares and whispers from the crowd.

“Wow, Stark’s brought a team,” one student muttered.

Another chuckled, “Let’s see if his ego’s as good as his engineering.”

Tony ignored the comments, his focus razor-sharp. He approached the registration desk, handing over his entry details.

“Stark Labs, huh?” the official said, arching an eyebrow. “Good luck. You’ll need it against the seniors and the pros.”

Tony smirked. “Luck’s for people who don’t plan.”

The theme for the competition was "Collaborative Robotics for Real-World Applications." Teams were challenged to build robots that could autonomously execute a series of complex tasks. The tasks included building a modular structure, solving a logistical puzzle, and completing a high-stakes rescue scenario within a time limit.

Tony’s creations were designed precisely for this. Dum-E’s strength, U’s precision, and Elena’s coordination made them a formidable trio. With Hermes acting as the overarching AI supervisor, Tony knew he had a shot at victory.

The first round began with a daunting assembly challenge. Teams had to build a structure from scattered parts, following a detailed schematic displayed on a large screen. The catch? The parts were dispersed across a field littered with obstacles, requiring robots to locate and transport them to the assembly zone.

Tony stepped up to the starting line with his robots.

“Alright, team,” he said, his voice calm but commanding. “Dum-E, you’re on part retrieval. U, you handle precision placement. Elena, you’re the brains. Coordinate the effort.”

As the buzzer sounded, Dum-E surged forward, its omnidirectional tracks gliding smoothly over the uneven terrain. It located and gripped a large beam, deftly navigating around hurdles.

“Good boy, Dum-E,” Tony murmured, watching the display feed.

U waited in the assembly zone, its sensors scanning Dum-E’s incoming load. As Dum-E placed the beam, U’s modular arm extended, locking it precisely into position. Elena, monitoring the process, adjusted the sequence to optimize efficiency.

In less than five minutes, Tony’s team had completed the task, leaving the audience in awe.

“Impressive,” Dr. Anton Steele, one of the judges, remarked. “The first round began with a daunting assembly challenge. Teams had to build a structure from scattered parts, following a detailed schematic displayed on a large screen. The catch? The parts were dispersed across a field littered with obstacles, requiring robots to locate and transport them to the assembly zone.

Tony stepped up to the starting line with his robots.

“Alright, team,” he said, his voice calm but commanding. “Dum-E, you’re on part retrieval. U, you handle precision placement. Elena, you’re the brains. Coordinate the effort.”

As the buzzer sounded, Dum-E surged forward, its omnidirectional tracks gliding smoothly over the uneven terrain. It located and gripped a large beam, deftly navigating around hurdles.

“Good boy, Dum-E,” Tony murmured, watching the display feed.

U waited in the assembly zone, its sensors scanning Dum-E’s incoming load. As Dum-E placed the beam, U’s modular arm extended, locking it precisely into position. Elena, monitoring the process, adjusted the sequence to optimize efficiency.

In less than five minutes, Tony’s team had completed the task, leaving the audience in awe.

“Impressive. You are the first one in the history of this competition who brought a humanoid robot and two robot assistants,” Anton Steele, one of the judges, walked up to Tony's bench. “If you don't mind me asking, how did you control those robots? I don't see a controller. Are you perhaps using a self-aware AI?"

"Good question, but I don't think I'll answer that question. After all, we all have our secrets, right, Professor Steele?" Tony said with a smile.

"True that. Sorry, I couldn't help but ask. The idea of a humanoid robot... Well, it was just my dream, and seeing it right before my eyes... Well," He took out a card and handed it to him. "If you want to talk, give me a call."

"I'll keep that in mind," Tony said.

...

The second round tested strategic thinking and problem-solving. Teams had to program their robots to sort and transport a set of colored cubes to specific zones, following a series of complex rules. Any mistakes would result in penalties.

Elena took charge, her AI analyzing the puzzle in real-time.

“Tony, I’ve identified the optimal sequence,” she said.

“Go for it, Elena,” Tony replied. “Show them what you’ve got.”

Dum-E and U moved with precision under Elena’s direction. Dum-E’s powerful grip handled the heavier cubes, while U’s nimble arm sorted smaller, color-coded pieces into their designated spots. When the rules changed mid-task—a twist designed to test adaptability—Elena recalculated instantly.

“Adjusting path,” she said, her voice steady. The robots executed flawlessly, finishing the round with zero penalties.

The crowd erupted into applause. Even Tony’s competitors looked impressed, though some masked it with grumbles.

“Who is this guy?” a senior competitor muttered.

...

The last round was the most demanding. Teams had to simulate a rescue operation, retrieving a fragile “artifact” from a dangerous terrain filled with obstacles and hazards. The task required precision, teamwork, and speed.

Tony’s strategy was clear. Dum-E would handle heavy lifting, U would manage delicate maneuvers, and Elena would oversee the mission. Hermes monitored the entire operation, ensuring safety protocols were followed.

As the round began, Dum-E moved into the hazardous zone, its sensors mapping a safe path. It lifted a fallen beam blocking the artifact, allowing U to move in. U’s LiDAR sensors scanned the artifact—a glass orb—and its modular arm extended with surgical precision to retrieve it.

Halfway through the task, a competitor’s robot malfunctioned, sending a shockwave across the field. The vibration caused Dum-E to lose balance momentarily.

“Dum-E, stabilize!” Tony barked.

Hermes intervened, recalibrating Dum-E’s gyroscopes. It regained stability just in time, preventing a disaster. Meanwhile, Elena adapted the team’s strategy, coordinating the final stretch with seamless efficiency.

With seconds to spare, Dum-E, U, and Elena delivered the artifact safely to the extraction point. The crowd went wild.

...

As the judges added up the scores, Tony leaned on a workbench and took a relaxed sip of his soda. He already felt sure he had won, but it was still satisfying to hear it officially.

“The winner of the MIT Robotics Competition, with a perfect performance in every round, is… Stark Labs!”

The hall erupted in cheers and applause. Tony stepped onto the stage, with his robots following him. Dr. Steele handed him the trophy—a sleek, chrome sculpture of interlocking gears—and a $50,000 check.

“Congratulations, Mr. Stark,” Steele said, smiling. “You’ve set a new standard for this competition.”

Tony took the mic, his trademark smirk firmly in place. “Thank you, everyone. This wasn’t just about building robots—it was about showing what’s possible when you think big and work smart. And trust me, this is just the beginning.”

The victory brought him more than just money and recognition. It solidified his reputation as a prodigy, opening doors to opportunities he hadn’t even considered. Professors and industry leaders approached him with offers, eager to collaborate or recruit him.

...

Back at Stark Labs 1.0, Tony celebrated with Dum-E, U, and Elena. He held the trophy high, grinning as the robots beeped and whirred in what he imagined was their version of applause.

“You guys did great,” he said, setting the trophy on a shelf. “But don’t get too comfortable. We’ve got bigger things to build.”

Elena tilted her head, her optical sensors glowing warmly. “What’s next, Tony?”

Tony chuckled, already sketching ideas on his whiteboard. “Oh, you’ll see. Let’s just say this is where the fun begins.”

----

While Tony was basking in the glory of victory, the shift in the timeline has already begun...

Victor Von Doom’s jaw clenched as he stood on the competition stage, staring at the trophy and check in his hands. The polite applause from the audience felt like mockery in his ears, each clap pounding like a drumbeat against his pride. He refused to look at Tony Stark, who stood a few feet away basking in his victory, holding the grand trophy aloft with that insufferable smirk plastered across his face.

Doom’s hands tightened around his runner-up trophy until his knuckles turned white.

Second place.

To him.

As the crowd cheered for Stark Labs, Victor barely contained his fury. His team of meticulously engineered robots had performed flawlessly—or so he thought. His designs were calculated to perfection, and his algorithms were crafted with the precision of a master. And yet, it wasn’t enough.

The voice of one of the judges still echoed in his mind.

“Stark Labs’ robots demonstrated superior teamwork and adaptability, traits essential for real-world applications. Mr. Stark has truly redefined collaboration between AI systems.”

Adaptability. Collaboration. Words that stung like knives. Doom didn’t care about teamwork; his designs were meant to dominate, to crush the competition with sheer brilliance. Yet, here he was, standing in Stark’s shadow. Without a word, he took his robots and went to the back of the hall and smashed them up with an iron rod until they became scraps.

"Master Victor," His butler followed him.

"Clean up the trash and send it to my study," Victor said calmly. "Don't worry. I'll stay for the party." He smiled and left the scene. He knew he had to keep an appearance to keep up his reputation for now.

The butler as ordered sent the scraps back home.

The journey back to his home was a blur. By the time Victor stepped into his estate—an imposing mansion on the outskirts of Cambridge—the rage simmering within him had grown into a roaring inferno. The grand, empty halls did nothing to soothe his turmoil.

He stormed into his study, slamming the doors shut behind him. The room was dimly lit, the flickering light from a crackling fireplace casting long, jagged shadows across the walls. Victor stood before the fire, his breathing heavy, the second-place trophy and check still clutched in his hands.

For a moment, he stared at the objects as if they were mocking him. His reflection in the polished surface of the trophy’s plaque seemed to taunt him with the words etched there:

Runner-Up: MIT Robotics Competition.

With a guttural growl, he hurled the trophy into the flames. The metal clanged against the hearth before the fire swallowed it, the heat warping its once-pristine surface. Next, he tore the check in half, then into quarters, the pieces fluttering like ash before he tossed them onto the burning logs.

The fire roared in response, as though feeding on his fury.

Victor turned, his eyes landing on the smashed remnants of his robots strewn across the floor. Their once-elegant frames now lay twisted and broken, wires spilling out like entrails.

He approached the wreckage, his fists clenching and unclenching. These machines were supposed to be his magnum opus, a testament to his genius. Instead, they had been humiliated.

By him.

Tony Stark’s face loomed in his mind, that smug grin and those flippant remarks. Stark hadn’t even acknowledged Victor as a rival, treating him as little more than a footnote in his own success story.

“Think big and work smart,” Stark had said during his victory speech, as if to mock Victor’s methodical precision.

His lip curled into a snarl. For a fleeting moment, he imagined wrapping his hands around Stark’s throat, wiping that arrogance from his face forever. The thought brought a twisted sense of satisfaction, but it wasn’t enough.

No, killing Stark would be too easy.

Victor’s mind raced, his anger fueling his darker side. Stark needed to be humbled, his genius dismantled piece by piece until nothing remained but a broken man begging for mercy. Only then would Victor Von Doom feel vindicated.

He slumped into the leather armchair before the fire, his gaze fixed on the dancing flames. Slowly, his breathing steadied, though his anger remained. But now, it was no longer a wild, uncontrollable fury. It was something colder, more calculating.

He had underestimated Stark, but that would not happen again. Victor’s mind churned with possibilities, his intellect cutting through the fog of his rage like a scalpel. Stark’s victory had exposed a weakness in Victor’s approach—a blind spot he had been too arrogant to see.

“Collaboration,” Victor muttered, the word tasting bitter on his tongue.

If Stark wanted to play the game of teamwork and adaptability, then Victor would surpass him on every front. He would create something far beyond what Stark could even comprehend—a marvel of engineering and intellect that would cement Victor Von Doom’s place as the superior genius.

Rising from the chair, Victor walked to his workbench. He surveyed the broken pieces of his robots, his mind already envisioning their rebirth. These failures would become the foundation of something greater.

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 58 [Mr. Sinister vs Harley]

[A few minutes earlier] [Back to Bruce and Harley] [Yacht] [Morning]

The sound of an emergency call woke Bruce up. He rubbed his eyes and looked at his side. Harley was lying on her stomach, with one hand under her pillow and the other on the bedsheet covering her waist. She was still asleep. He smiled at her and took his phone. Then he slowly stepped down the bed, pulled up his pants, and walked out to the deck.

"Hey, Nat," He answered the call. "What's up?"

"You remember Jennifer Takeda?" She asked.

"Yeah, she disappeared before Thanos happened. Oh, you found her?" He asked.

"Not sure, but we have detected a massive spike in radiation on an uncharted island. Our drones couldn't get any closer due to the intense radiation and jammers, but it might be her," Natasha replied. "I thought considering the past, you might want to..."

"Alright. I'll check it out. Send me the coordinates," Bruce said as he looked at his wristwatch and saw that it was 5:48 a.m.

"There's more, Bruce. The Sentinels detected Sinister's energy signature there," Natasha added.

"Sinister?! The guy's dead! You saw me kill him! I even took down his clones... Sigh! That cockroach-like bastard!" Bruce grunted. "Anyway, I'll check it out. Oh, by the way, how are Ami and Tigra doing?"

"They are doing great actually. We are helping them with their training at the moment, especially Ami. She needs it more since she has yet to control her powers," Natasha replied. "It'd be great if you could drop by to help them every once in a while."

"Yeah, why not. I can take some time off and visit them soon," Bruce replied.

"Thanks, Bruce. See you," Natasha said.

"See you," Bruce responded and ended the call.

He sighed and stretched his body before walking to the lower deck. He grabbed a bottle of water and drank it. Then he went back to his room and saw Harley awake. She was sitting on the bed. "Good Morning, Harls," he greeted her with a kiss. She kissed him back. "Good Morning, Brucie Bear."

"I heard you talking to Nat. I wanna go with you. I haven't had any missions lately, and it's boring to stay here all day," She said while stretching her arms.

"Well, if you insist. But no matter what happens, don't take your suit off. If it's her then the radiation level is bound to be high, and I don't want you getting exposed," Bruce said.

"I know. You worry too much, Brucie," Harley teased him. "Besides, I got super-enhanced body, don't I?"

"Even so we won't take any chances. Just follow my lead. Alright?"

"Yes, sir," She stood up on the bed and replied with a salute. She was completely naked.

Bruce smirked and shook his head. He took a long look at her and said, "Now that's a sight to start the day with."

"Why, thank you," Harley said, smiling seductively. She turned back and bent forward to pick up her panties from the floor.

He grinned and walked up behind her, grabbing her buttocks and squeezing them gently. "Suit up. We will take a long bath after this mission."

"Yes, sir," She put on her clothes and activated the bracelet. The nanites came out from the bracelet and formed a skin-tight silver suit around her.

"That never gets old," Bruce said, looking at the nanites forming the suit around Harley's body.

Harley grinned, "I know right? It's like magic."

"Let's go," Bruce said as he activated his suit.

"Wanna race?" Harley asked as she looked at him.

"Sure," He responded.

"Three, two, one, go!" She exclaimed.

"I'll see you there," He said as he flew up into the sky.

She laughed and followed him, "No fair."

Both of them raced to the coordinates at full speed. They were like two streaks of lights in the sky, one silver and one red.

...

[Island]

The air shimmered with the aftermath of Jennifer’s radiation pulse, the ground beneath her scorched black. Sinister stood tall amid the devastation, his crimson cape billowing as he prepared to subdue her for good. His grotesque army of mechanical-organic hybrids reformed around him, their bodies twisting unnaturally to obey his commands.

But then, a silver streak pierced through the smoky horizon, descending from the sky at blinding speed.

“Party crasher, incoming!”

The voice was lighthearted, but the impact was anything but. Harley slammed into the ground behind Sinister, the force of her landing sending a shockwave rippling outward. Sand and debris erupted in every direction, and Sinister turned sharply, his usual smug expression replaced by irritation.

“Who—”

Before he could finish, Harley grabbed him by the neck with one hand. With a casual flick of her wrist, she hurled Sinister into the sky like a rag doll. His crimson cape fluttered as he ascended, his form a diminishing speck against the clouds.

“Batter up!” Harley quipped, brushing her hands together.

Jennifer, still struggling against the suppression device, blinked in confusion. “Who the hell are you?”

“Name’s Harley, sweetie,” Harley replied with a wink. “Now hang tight. Brucie’s gotcha covered!”

[Sky]

Sinister stabilized himself mid-air, his cape flaring out as he slowed his descent. His irritation had turned to cold rage. He raised a hand, summoning his drones and mutants from the ship. They swarmed toward Harley in a torrent of claws, fangs, and energy weapons.

But Harley wasn’t worried. In fact, she looked excited.

A manic grin spread across her face, and she cracked her knuckles, her suit gleaming in the sunlight.

"Bring it on, boys."

She rushed forward, moving with lightning speed as she tore through the swarm. Her fists flew in a flurry of blows, each punch-packing the force of a cannon. Within 5 seconds, she had decimated all the mutants, reducing them to chunks of twisted metal and flesh at super speed before they could even react.

"Fascinating," Sinister said. "What are you? My sensors say you are not a mutant. No human can move like that."

Harley didn't waste time. She moved at a superhuman speed and appeared behind him. "Surprise!" She greeted him with a hard kick that was meant to shatter his spine and bones, but to her surprise, he disappeared.

She heard him chuckle behind her. "You're fast. But you're no match for me," Sinister said.

Harley smiled, "Teleportation?"

She turned around and rushed at him. She was fast, but he was faster. He dodged every one of her blows, his movements a blur of crimson and black.

"Your speed is impressive," he taunted her as he blocked another blow.

"Impressive? I was barely using 10% of my power just now," Harley replied.

"You are bluffing," He smirked. 'That suit is preventing me from using telepathy. What an annoying foe.'

"Really? Well, how about this?" Harley's smirk turned into a wide grin as she increased her speed, her body a blur as she unleashed a barrage of attacks. Sinister's smug expression faded as he struggled to keep up.

He grunted as Harley's fist connected with his jaw, the force of the blow sending him flying backward. His neck broke and his head spun like a ballerina before his healing ability kicked in. "You...are not normal," he said as he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Oh, honey. I'm far from normal."

Harley's eyes gleamed with anticipation as she rushed at him again. The two clashed in mid-air, their movements too fast for the naked eye to follow. The air crackled with energy as they exchanged blows, the sheer force of their impact sending shockwaves rippling outward. Sinister used Endopathy to strengthen his body to the limit, but he still found himself struggling to keep up with Harley's speed and power.

Harley grinned as she continued to rain down blows on Sinister, her movements a blur of silver lightning. The air around them shimmered with heat and energy as they fought. Shockwaves rippled through the air.

He tried to teleport away, but Harley's nanites had already analyzed Sinister's energy signature. And with Elena's calculation, she could easily predict where he would reappear. No matter where he teleported, Harley was there to kick and break his bones, only for his healing ability to heal him right back up.

[Meanwhile... On the Island]

Bruce carefully extracted the suppression dart from Jennifer’s suit, the nanites neutralizing its energy as he worked. The moment it was removed, Jennifer’s glow intensified, and Bruce’s shields flared in response.

“Jennifer, stay with me,” he urged. “I’m stabilizing your radiation output with my nanites, but I need you to fight it. Control it.”

Jennifer groaned, her body trembling. “I… can’t… it’s too much…”

“Yes, you can,” Bruce insisted. “You’ve survived this long. You’re stronger than this.”

As the nanites swarmed over her suit, Bruce’s HUD displayed fluctuating radiation levels. He activated a containment field around them, shielding himself from the spikes.

“Almost there,” he muttered.

Jennifer gritted her teeth, her entire body glowing green. The air around her rippled with heat, and Bruce could feel the raw power radiating from her. But despite her strength, she remained in control. Slowly, the radiation levels stabilized, and she took a deep breath.

"Tony? So, it's all real. You did come back from the dead, huh?" Jennifer asked.

"In flesh and blood," Bruce replied as the nanites on Jennifer's body began to form a new suit to contain her radiation. "Why the hell did you run away back then?"

Jennifer sat up on the ground as her eyes went toward the battle in the sky. "You were injured and I was scared that my radiation would kill you."

"You stupid girl. Who do you think I am? If a little radiation could kill me, then I wouldn’t deserve to be called a genius, would I?" Bruce teased her.

Jennifer chuckled, "Yeah, I guess I overreacted."

"So, how have you been?"

"Uumm... You sure we should be catching up right now?" She looked back at the battle in the sky. "That guy is bad news, Tony."

"Oh, him? Don’t worry. Harley’s strong enough to kick his ass. As for his remaining clones, well..." Bruce has already ordered Elena to control the Sentinels and hunt down the other clones.

[Batman x Ironman] Ch: 57 [The Island of No Return]

Jennifer Takeda had resigned herself to a solitary existence. Alone on an uncharted island in the Pacific, her days passed in measured silence, save for the rhythmic crash of waves and the occasional shriek of seabirds. She had built a modest shelter out of scavenged wood and stone, a fragile reprieve from the unrelenting truth of her existence: her body was a weapon she couldn’t turn off.

Her powers—radioactive energy that coursed through her veins like molten fire—had only grown more volatile over time. Jennifer had spent years with the Shield and Hank Pym, trying to contain her abilities. Every suit, shield, or suppression device eventually buckled under the strain. The radiation she emitted had intensified to the point where even brief proximity to another person was a death sentence.

So, Jennifer went to Tony Stark to ask for his help and he agreed to help her contain that power. He created a new suit for her to help her temporarily suppress her power while he worked on a permanent cure. However, as time passed, they began to spend more and more time together as Tony continued to develop a cure. Slowly, she began to develop feelings for him, but just as she feared Tony got exposed to her radiation before he could synthesize the final serum. He was so close.

But she ran away in fear.

Jennifer never knew that Tony had successfully created a serum to cure her unstable power and he wasn't in life-threatening danger despite the exposure due to that same serum which neutralized the radiation effects.

Well, before he could search for her, Thanos happened. He never got a chance to give her that cure.

Since then, the island has been her penance, her sanctuary, and her prison.

She wasn’t lonely. At least, that’s what she told herself.

Until the day she saw the black ship in the distance.

Jennifer spotted the ship while tending to her vegetable garden, a patch of wilted greens that barely survived in the irradiated soil. The vessel was sleek, almost organic in design, a sharp contrast to the vast expanse of blue ocean it cut through.

She froze. No one should have known she was here. The island wasn’t on any maps; she’d been careful to erase any trail leading to it.

The ship didn’t anchor offshore. Instead, it hovered ominously above the beach, suspended by silent repulsor technology. Jennifer’s stomach knotted as a figure disembarked.

The man was tall and lean, clad in a crimson cape that flared in the ocean breeze. His skin was pale, almost ashen, with black tattoos or scars carved into diamond-like patterns across his face. He looked out of place against the raw, natural beauty of the island—an unwelcome blot of arrogance and precision.

Mister Sinister.

Jennifer had heard of him, a name spoken with dread. Geneticist, madman, mutant—Sinister was all of those things and more. His obsession with evolution and perfecting the mutant genome was legendary.

But Tony Stark killed him and his clones years before Thanos' war. So, how is he still alive? And, why was he here?

Jennifer stood her ground as Sinister approached, her arms crossed over her lead-lined suit. Her mask shielded her face, though she doubted it would faze someone like him.

“You’re trespassing,” she said, her voice muffled but firm.

“Am I?” Sinister tilted his head, studying her like a particularly fascinating specimen. “It’s hard to trespass on an island that no one owns. Still, I appreciate the sentiment. Jennifer Takeda, is it?”

“How do you know my name?”

“Oh, Jennifer.” Sinister’s grin widened, revealing unnaturally perfect teeth. “Knowing is what I do. You’re quite famous, you know—among those of us with a penchant for rare phenomena. Radiation that rivals a star’s core, encased in the body of a human. Not a mutant, true, but evolution is rarely bound by such mundane categories.”

Jennifer tensed, her instincts screaming at her to run. But where would she go? The island was small, and Sinister’s ship was faster than she could ever hope to escape.

“What do you want?” she demanded.

“To help you,” Sinister said smoothly. “Your power is a gift, Jennifer. A gift you can’t control—yet. But I can change that. Imagine a world where your radiation isn’t a curse but a blessing. Imagine harnessing it to reshape reality itself.”

Jennifer shook her head. “I know who you are and what you did. And, I’m not interested in your sales pitch. Leave.”

Sinister sighed theatrically. “Pity. I was hoping we could resolve this amicably. Alas, sometimes evolution requires... persuasion.”

He raised a hand, and the ground beneath Jennifer erupted. She barely had time to react before a wave of mechanical tendrils shot out, wrapping around her legs and torso. She struggled, her radiation flaring instinctively, but the tendrils absorbed the energy, redirecting it harmlessly into the earth.

Sinister’s grin widened. “Ah, yes. I thought you might resist. Fortunately, I’ve prepared for that.”

"Did you, now?" Jennifer smiled under her mask. She knew that there was nowhere to escape, so, why not use her cursed power to kill that villain in front of her and prevent the pain he would bring to others in the future? She saw this as a chance to at least do something good with her power, even though no one would know.

Jennifer’s smile under her mask was grim, a reflection of her determination. If this island was to be her tomb, she’d make sure Sinister was buried alongside her.

The air grew heavy as Jennifer let the radioactive energy within her pulse outward. A greenish glow seeped from the seams of her suit, her power manifesting in flickering waves that shimmered like a mirage. The ground beneath her scorched black as she allowed her energy to surge, ignoring the pain that came with her rising fury.

The tendrils restraining her began to hiss and crack, their metal frames warping under the sheer intensity of the radiation.

Sinister’s confident grin faltered for a moment before morphing into an expression of curiosity. “Fascinating,” he murmured, observing the decay of his constructs. “You truly are something extraordinary.”

“Save your flattery,” Jennifer spat, wrenching herself free with a burst of energy that sent chunks of molten metal flying. She lunged at Sinister, her radioactive aura burning bright enough to cast harsh shadows across the sand.

Sinister stepped back, his movements unnervingly calm as he raised a hand. A translucent shield shimmered into existence just as Jennifer’s fist collided with it. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, and the shield cracked but held.

“You’ll have to try harder than that,” Sinister said, his tone almost mocking.

Jennifer didn’t respond. Instead, she lashed out again, this time releasing a concentrated burst of energy that disintegrated the shield in an instant. Sinister stumbled, clearly unprepared for the force of her attack, but his recovery was swift. With a flick of his wrist, a series of drones emerged from his hovering ship, each armed with weaponry that glowed ominously.

The drones circled Jennifer like vultures, their weapons locking onto her. Beams of energy shot toward her, but she twisted and turned with surprising agility, her suit absorbing some of the blasts while her own energy deflected others. The air crackled with heat and radiation as she retaliated, firing concentrated beams of green light that sliced through the drones with surgical precision.

Sinister watched her with a mixture of frustration and intrigue, his pale face illuminated by the fiery chaos. “You’re wasting your potential,” he called out. “You could be so much more than this—than a scared woman lashing out in desperation.”

Jennifer ignored him, focusing instead on dismantling the remaining drones. She felt the strain of her power, the familiar burn in her veins warning her that she was pushing her limits. But she couldn’t afford to stop. Not now.

Sinister seemed to sense her growing fatigue. “Enough games,” he said, his voice cold. He raised both hands, and the ground around Jennifer erupted again, this time revealing a grotesque amalgamation of organic and mechanical creatures. They moved with unnerving speed, their bodies shifting and adapting as they charged at her.

Jennifer gritted her teeth, her glow intensifying as she prepared to meet them head-on. Her fists slammed into the creatures with explosive force, each impact sending shards of metal and flesh flying. But for everyone she destroyed, two more seemed to take its place.

Sinister watched with a calculating gaze, his hands weaving intricate patterns in the air as he directed the swarm. “You can’t keep this up forever, Jennifer,” he said. “But I can.”

Jennifer’s breath came in ragged gasps as she fought. Her vision blurred, the edges of the world dimming as her body struggled to keep up with the demands of her power. She knew he was right. She couldn’t outlast him. But she didn’t need to.

Taking a step back, she unleashed a massive pulse of energy, the resulting shockwave flattening everything in its path. The creatures disintegrated, their forms unable to withstand the sheer intensity of her radiation. Even Sinister was forced to shield himself, his crimson cape billowing as he braced against the blast.

The beach was left scorched and barren, the once-lush vegetation reduced to ash. Jennifer stood at the center of the devastation, her suit glowing with residual heat. Her legs wobbled, but she forced herself to remain upright, her gaze fixed on Sinister.

He lowered his shield, his expression one of grudging admiration. “Impressive,” he admitted. “But you’re still holding back. Why?”

Jennifer didn’t answer. Instead, she began to walk toward him, each step deliberate despite the exhaustion weighing her down. Her energy flared again, brighter than before, and Sinister’s confident demeanor faltered.

“You wouldn’t,” he said, his voice lacking its usual certainty.

Jennifer’s lips curved into a grim smile. “Watch me.”

The glow around her intensified, the air vibrating with raw power as she prepared to release everything she had. She could feel her body breaking under the strain, but it didn’t matter. This was her moment. Her purpose.

Sinister took a step back, his eyes narrowing as he realized what she intended. “You’ll destroy yourself,” he said. “You’ll destroy this entire island.”

“Better the island than the world,” Jennifer replied.

She closed her eyes, her energy reaching its peak. But before she could release it, something unexpected happened. A sharp pain lanced through her chest, and her power faltered. She opened her eyes in shock to see a small, dart-like device embedded in her suit, its surface glowing with a strange, pulsating light.

Sinister’s smirk returned. “Did you really think I wouldn’t have a failsafe? That’s a suppression device, calibrated specifically to your unique radiation signature. Ingenious, isn’t it?”

Jennifer dropped to her knees, her strength draining as the device sapped her power. She glared up at Sinister, her vision darkening. “You won’t win,” she said, her voice a strained whisper.

“Oh, but I already have,” he replied, kneeling beside her. “Don’t worry, Jennifer. This is only the beginning. You’ll thank me one day.”

[Spiderman: The Awakening] Ch: 1 [Prologue]

AN: My plan is to write the afterstory of Peter's journey. So, if you guys want me to continue and write Mortal Kombat arc, then, like the chapter. Just a like will be enough. That way I will know some of you are reading. I need at least 20 likes. Updates will be slow because I will be focusing on Ironman and Batman fics.

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[Six Months Later...]

Location: Spidey’s Island Mansion

The mansion buzzed with life as Peter Parker’s nine superpowered kids turned six months old. The idyllic island had transformed into a chaotic paradise of laughter, cries, and the occasional explosion of magic or webbing. Peter was officially a father of nine, and his life had shifted from interdimensional battles and saving the world to late-night diaper changes, baby-proofing a mansion (which was pointless given their powers), and keeping up with his mischievous little ones.

First thing first... The Kids: Names, Superpowers, and Moms

Aurora Parker (Mother: Wanda)

Powers: Reality manipulation (inherited from Wanda) and minor celestial energy control.

Personality: Mischievous and already trying to "fix" things by warping reality to her liking.

Benji Parker (Mother: May)

Powers: Enhanced spider abilities and super durability.

Personality: Cheerful and adventurous, often crawling on the ceilings or dangling from chandeliers.

Clara Parker (Mother: Felicia)

Powers: Cat-like agility, luck manipulation, and stealth shadow abilities.

Personality: Loves playing hide-and-seek, except no one can find her until she gets bored.

Diana Parker (Mother: Sue)

Powers: Invisibility, minor force-field creation, mystic energy manipulation(limited for now).

Personality: Shy but playful. Often "disappears" when it’s time for naps.

Ethan Parker (Mother: Gwen)

Powers: Spider abilities and sonic vibrations.

Personality: A loud baby who’s learning to hum... loudly enough to shatter glass.

Fiona Parker (Mother: Maddie)

Powers: Psychic empathy and telekinesis.

Personality: Sensitive and sweet, but throws objects around when upset—telekinetically.

Grayson Parker (Mother: MJ)

Powers: Celestial strength and enhanced reflexes.

Personality: A giggly troublemaker who loves testing his strength on furniture.

Hannah Parker (Mother: Rogue)

Powers: Energy manipulation and minor flight abilities.

Personality: Cuddly but "accidentally" drains a bit of energy during hugs.

Isaac Parker (Mother: Michelle)

Powers: Precognition and spider abilities.

Personality: Observant and eerily quiet, as if he knows what’s about to happen.

...

Morning at the Mansion

Peter sat at the breakfast table with Gwen and Maddie, both sipping coffee like their lives depended on it. The other moms were scattered across the mansion, managing the chaos of baby wrangling.

"Felicia, I thought you said the time-chamber hospital would make things easier," Peter groaned, nursing a cup of coffee.

Felicia, lounging nearby, smirked. "It did make things easier. Now you have all the chaos condensed into one timeline instead of spaced out."

Aurora giggled from her highchair, flicking her spoon, which suddenly turned into a butterfly. Peter sighed. "No more warping reality at the table, Aurora."

Just then, Benji zipped past, climbing the fridge, while Clara giggled from atop the ceiling fan. Ethan, sitting next to Diana, was trying to sing, causing Wanda’s favorite vase to crack.

"Someone grab Benji before he—" CRASH!

Sue materialized beside Peter, her arms crossed. "Too late."

Afternoon

Peter had barely finished lunch when Grayson decided to test his strength on the mansion walls. With a loud thud, one section of the wall crumbled.

"Grayson!" Peter exclaimed, scooping him up.

Grayson just giggled, pointing at Hannah, who was floating mid-air, clutching one of MJ’s favorite handbags.

"Get down here, young lady!" MJ called, but Hannah only giggled and soared higher.

Meanwhile, Isaac crawled into the room, his big eyes staring at Peter. He held up his tiny hand.

"What is it, buddy?" Peter asked, kneeling down.

Isaac pointed at the chandelier. Peter looked up just in time to see Clara dangling from it, seconds before it came crashing down.

"Thanks for the heads-up, Isaac," Peter muttered, rushing to catch Clara.

Evening

By the time the sun set, Peter and the moms were exhausted. The babies, of course, were wide awake.

"Peter, your turn to sing them to sleep," Wanda said with a smirk.

Peter groaned but complied, gathering all nine kids into the nursery. He started singing a lullaby, but Ethan’s humming soon drowned him out, making the others laugh. Aurora decided to help by dimming the lights, which spooked Diana, who turned invisible and startled Benji.

Felicia poked her head in. "Need backup?"

Peter shook his head. "I’ve got this."

It took two hours, a web hammock, and several force fields, but eventually, the babies were asleep.

The Aftermath...

Peter collapsed onto the couch, the moms joining him one by one.

"So," MJ said, smirking, "ready for another round of superhero adventures?"

Peter laughed. "This is the adventure. Who needs villains when you have nine superpowered toddlers?"

Everyone laughed, and for the first time that day, the mansion was quiet.

But in the nursery, Isaac opened one eye and giggled.

He already knew tomorrow would be just as chaotic.

The Next Morning

The sunlight streamed through the large windows of the mansion, illuminating the chaos waiting to unfold. Peter was the first to wake up—or rather, he had to wake up because Ethan’s sonic humming had started vibrating through the baby monitor.

“Why is it always Ethan?” Peter muttered, dragging himself out of bed. Wanda stirred beside him, groaning.

“Your turn,” she mumbled, burying her head under the pillow.

Peter trudged into the nursery, rubbing his eyes. To his dismay, Aurora was already floating above her crib, creating tiny glowing butterflies, and Diana was halfway invisible, her crib looking eerily empty until Peter focused hard enough to see her faint outline.

“Good morning, troublemakers,” Peter said with a sigh, scooping up Ethan before his humming woke the others.

As if on cue, Benji zipped past, crawling on the walls like a caffeinated spider, while Grayson was gnawing on the corner of his crib—which now had visible bite marks.

“Grayson, buddy, we talked about this,” Peter said, gently pulling him away from his destructive snack.

...

In the kitchen, the moms were already in action, each juggling a baby while trying to prep breakfast. Gwen was flipping pancakes one-handed, holding Clara in her other arm. Maddie was feeding Aurora, who was reaching out to grab the spoon with glowing fingers.

“Where’s Diana?” Sue asked, glancing around.

“Check the ceiling,” Felicia said casually, sipping her coffee.

Sure enough, Diana had turned fully invisible and was clinging to the light fixture, giggling. Sue carefully levitated her down, earning a delighted squeal.

Meanwhile, Ethan let out a sonic vibration of excitement when he saw the pancake stack, causing the plates to rattle. Sue quickly threw up a small force field to keep everything intact.

“Ethan, buddy, we talked about the humming,” Peter said, gently bouncing him in his arms.

Benji zipped past, knocking over a carton of juice in his enthusiasm. Michelle caught it mid-fall, sighing. “This is why we can’t have nice things.”

After breakfast, the kids were unleashed into the mansion’s massive, reinforced playroom—a space designed to withstand their emerging powers.

Aurora was sitting in the middle of the room, creating glowing animals that toddled around, earning delighted giggles from the other babies. Ethan hummed in rhythm, making the glowing creatures wobble and pulse in time.

Hannah floated lazily above the ground, clutching a soft toy, while Benji zipped around her in circles, his giggles filling the room.

Grayson, meanwhile, was experimenting with his strength, lifting a soft block high above his head. Peter watched nervously from the sidelines, half-expecting him to throw it through a wall.

Clara was nowhere to be seen—until Maddie spotted her crawling under a table, trying to swipe a toy from Isaac, who was carefully stacking blocks with a surprising level of precision.

Fiona was sitting in the corner, babbling happily as she levitated a handful of toys in the air, much to the other babies’ amazement.

Peter leaned against the wall, watching the mayhem with equal parts exhaustion and affection. “This is harder than fighting Thanos,” he muttered.

----

AN: I have no idea how I'm gonna remember all the names.

Ironman CHS unlocked

Iron: 3 chs

Silver: 5 chs

Gold: 10 chs

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Next 10 chs will be released for Platinum and above till ch 20. After that I will be increasing the chapter counts for all tiers. Have a little patience. I'll try to upload fast.

[Ironman] Ch: 10 [Creating ELENA]

Tony Stark wasn’t the type to do things halfway. When he decided to focus on something, it wasn’t just about reaching the goal—it was about doing even better than anyone thought possible, even better than he thought he could. Robotics had always interested him, and MIT gave him the perfect place to explore it. But Tony didn’t want to just use the university’s resources. He wanted his own space, where he could work without any limits or rules, so he could create freely and without anyone getting in the way.

His mom didn’t take any time to think when he called her with his request.

“Mom, I need a place to myself,” Tony said. “Somewhere I can focus on my work without people always watching me.”

Maria’s voice was kind but clear. “Tony, is this because of your studies? Or is this one of your—”

“Mom,” he cut in, “it’s not about school. It’s something much more important. There's a competition coming up and I plan to do something big.”

Maria chuckled gently. “Alright, Tony. But remember—if you cause any damage, you’re the one who has to fix it.”

While Maria taking care of the place, Tony decided to begin the outlines for his project.

His first major goal was to design robots for an upcoming robotics competition at MIT. The challenge: build a pair of autonomous robots capable of completing complex tasks with limited human intervention. The robots needed to exhibit teamwork, adaptability, and efficiency. He decided to go with the OG robot arms that Tony created in the MCU—Dum-E, a helper bot arm capable of heavy lifting and multi-purpose utility, and U, a more analytical and efficient counterpart. Together, they would complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Within weeks, the small brick building a few blocks from campus became his private sanctuary. Stark Labs 1.0, as he jokingly called it. It wasn’t much to look at—a modest two-story structure with a basement—but it was all his. The ground floor housed his workbenches and machinery, the second floor had a small lounge for late-night crashes, and the basement… well, that was where the magic would happen.

Well, Tony was kinda surprised to see that his dad, who became an alcoholic man, decided to help him with the materials and equipment. Later he called his mom to ask about the situation and he was glad to know that Howard's drinking problem got under control and he was even taking therapy. He was glad to know the situation. With him exposing Hydra agents from the Shield's facilities and even mending his relationship with Hank, it must have taken a huge pressure off Howard's shoulders. He just hoped that his father would continue this healthy path.

After that, he began the main project...

Tony began with a whiteboard filled with scribbles, sketches, and equations. The vision for Dum-E was clear: a single robotic arm on a mobile base, designed to assist with repetitive tasks while being endearingly “human” in its interactions. U, on the other hand, would have a more streamlined, multi-functional design, with sensors and AI tailored for precision and problem-solving.

...

Tony Stark wasn’t the type to let setbacks slow him down, but even with an endless supply of materials from his dad, creating Dum-E and U wasn’t as easy as he had hoped. Over four months, Stark Labs 1.0 became a whirlwind of late nights, holographic projections, and constant revisions.

He began by outlining the core objectives for his project. He split his work into three phases:

1) Build Dum-E, a mobile robotic arm for heavy lifting and basic tasks.

2) Develop U, a precision-oriented analytical counterpart.

3) If time allows, attempt a humanoid design.

He started with Dum-E. Using high-grade servo motors, industrial-grade steel alloys, and gyroscopic stabilizers provided by Howard, Tony assembled the robotic arm. Dum-E’s base proved problematic—it struggled to move smoothly on uneven surfaces. He redesigned it twice, switching from simple wheels to an omnidirectional track system, which allowed the arm to pivot and glide with precision.

Despite setbacks, Tony maintained a relentless pace. When he wasn’t soldering circuits or tweaking motor calibrations, he was feeding Hermes, his AI assistant, with new algorithms. He wanted Hermes to not just assist him but also learn from mistakes and anticipate needs.

By the second month, Dum-E was functional, though imperfect. It could lift heavy objects and follow basic commands, but its grip was inconsistent, and its movements lacked finesse. One memorable incident involved Dum-E flinging a wrench across the lab during a test.

“Great aim,” Tony muttered, rubbing his temple, “but not quite what I need.”

With Hermes’s help, Tony optimized Dum-E’s grip mechanics, adding force sensors to prevent overexertion. By the end of the month, Dum-E could delicately pick up a glass without shattering it—an achievement Tony celebrated with a smirk and a can of soda.

Next, he turned his attention to U. Unlike Dum-E, U required a higher level of precision and complexity. Using lightweight alloys and advanced LiDAR sensors, Tony designed U to be faster and more agile. Its core feature was a modular tool system, allowing it to swap attachments for various tasks.

By the third month, Dum-E and U were performing well enough that Tony’s mind began to wander toward his third, more ambitious idea: Project Elena, a humanoid robot.

He watched the robotic arms performing, "Well, that was too easy. I'm a genius." He looked back at the stacks of raw materials. "Well, Hermes... We got time. Shall we try something big?"

Tony dove into Elena’s design, starting with her frame. He decided on a child-sized robot—small enough to be maneuverable, but large enough to house advanced components. Using lightweight titanium alloy Howard had shipped, Tony built Elena’s skeletal structure. Getting her legs to work was a monumental challenge. Initial prototypes wobbled uncontrollably or fell over entirely.

“Third time’s the charm,” Tony said, bracing himself as Elena’s legs took their first hesitant steps. This time, they held steady.

For her core systems, Tony adapted Hermes’s AI. He rewrote parts of the code, giving Elena a more interactive, human-like personality. He also integrated a visual interface—a pair of expressive optical sensors that allowed her to “look” around and focus on tasks.

The final month was a frenzy of fine-tuning and integration. By now, Dum-E and U had become Tony’s indispensable helpers. Dum-E handled heavy assembly tasks, while U meticulously tested Elena’s circuits and sensors.

Tony worked day and night, his whiteboard covered with equations and flowcharts. Coffee cups piled up alongside discarded blueprints. Howard occasionally checked in, impressed by his son’s progress but careful not to interfere.

Elena’s programming was the most demanding part. Tony wanted her to be more than just functional—he wanted her to be adaptable. He programmed her to learn from her environment and respond dynamically to new challenges.

One evening, after weeks of debugging, Tony powered Elena on for the first time. Her optical sensors flickered to life, glowing a soft blue. She turned her head toward him and tilted it slightly, as if curious.

“Hello, Tony,” she said, her voice soft but clear.

Tony stared, caught off guard by the lifelike quality of her voice. “Hey, Elena,” he said, grinning. “Welcome to the team.”

From that moment, Elena became the centerpiece of Tony’s work. She quickly proved to be more than just a robot—she was a problem-solver, suggesting refinements for Dum-E and U, and even helping Tony organize his chaotic workspace.

...

Tony’s life became a high-wire act as he juggled perfecting his robots, taking classes at MIT, and ensuring that the AI behind his creations didn’t spiral out of control. Then there was Hydra. His days started early and ended late, often blending into each other.

After Elena’s activation, he realized the stakes of what he was building. These weren’t just gadgets; they were intelligent systems, and their potential to misbehave—intentionally or otherwise—wasn’t lost on him. One of his professors, Dr. Anton Steele, had once warned during a lecture:

"An AI is only as ethical as the hands that shape it. Build carelessly, and it could destroy more than you intended."

That statement stuck with Tony. He spent the next week developing layers of safety protocols for all his creations.

Hermes became central to this effort. He expanded its role, making it a supervisor AI for the other systems. He programmed Hermes to monitor the robots’ actions, ensure they operated within set parameters, and immediately shut them down if they veered off course.

Elena, with her growing learning capabilities, presented the biggest challenge. Tony implemented a “sandbox mode” that isolated her higher functions during her learning phases, ensuring she couldn’t affect the external systems while she experimented and grew. He also added what he jokingly referred to as “the Buster Protocol”—a hardwired remote shutdown that required Tony’s biometric confirmation to override.

...

While his work at Stark Labs 1.0 consumed his nights, MIT demanded his attention during the day. Tony attended classes on advanced robotics, quantum computing, and applied physics, often impressing—or infuriating—his professors with his knack for challenging conventional theories.

Dr. Steele noticed Tony’s brilliance and pulled him aside after a lecture one day.

“Mr. Stark,” he said, folding his arms, “you’re clearly working on something significant. But don’t let your ambition outpace your discipline.”

Tony smirked. “Don’t worry, Doc. I’ve got a system.”

“You better. Brilliance without caution can be catastrophic.”

Those words echoed in Tony’s mind as he returned to the lab that evening. He wasn’t just building machines; he was laying the foundation for his future. He wants to build mecha and cybernetics and to do that, he has to start somewhere.

...

Dum-E and U became increasingly indispensable. Dum-E’s strength and dexterity improved with every iteration. Tony added a vocal interface to give it basic verbal commands, making communication smoother.

“Dum-E, hand me the screwdriver,” Tony said during a late-night repair session. Dum-E wobbled over, holding out the tool.

“Finally getting the hang of it,” Tony muttered with a tired grin.

U, on the other hand, had become an efficiency machine. Its modular tools allowed it to perform precise tasks, from soldering delicate circuits to testing Elena’s sensors.

Elena’s progress amazed even Tony. Her adaptive learning algorithms made her intuitive and resourceful. One afternoon, as Tony struggled to debug an error in Dum-E’s mobility module, Elena stepped in.

“Tony,” she said, “I’ve analyzed the issue. The gyroscopic stabilizer isn’t receiving consistent voltage. Would you like me to rewire the circuit?”

Tony raised an eyebrow, impressed. “Go ahead, Elena. Show me what you’ve got.”

Within minutes, the problem was resolved.

As the MIT robotics competition approached, Tony decided his creations weren’t just about winning. They were a proof of concept—a glimpse of what the future could look like. But he knew they needed to be practical as well as impressive.

He worked on enhancing the robots’ ability to collaborate. Dum-E, U, and Elena were programmed to work as a team, each complementing the others’ strengths. Dum-E handled heavy lifting and assembly, U ensured precision, and Elena coordinated the workflow, making adjustments on the fly.

Hermes became their collective brain, overseeing their interactions and preventing conflicts. Tony tested their teamwork with increasingly complex tasks—building intricate models, solving puzzles, and even assembling components for Elena’s upgrades.

...

One night, while testing a new subroutine, Tony noticed an anomaly in Elena’s behavior. She hesitated before responding to a command, her optical sensors dimming briefly.

“Something wrong, Elena?” he asked.

“I’m not sure,” she replied. “I detected a potential conflict in my decision-making process. It resolved itself, but I’ll need to analyze the root cause.”

Tony’s heart raced. This was exactly the kind of situation he wanted to avoid. He immediately paused her operations and reviewed her logs. The issue turned out to be a minor glitch in her learning algorithm, but it was a wake-up call.

The next day, Tony doubled down on safety protocols. He created redundancy checks, enhanced Hermes’s monitoring capabilities, and developed a new failsafe—an AI quarantine mode that isolated any system showing irregular behavior.

“You’re not going rogue on my watch,” he muttered, finishing the update.

On the night before the competition, he stood back and surveyed his work. Dum-E’s robust frame gleamed under the lab’s lights. U’s sleek design and interchangeable tools looked flawless. Elena, standing between them, tilted her head and gave Tony what he swore was a proud look.

“You three are going to change the world,” he said softly.

Elena responded with a hint of humor in her voice. “Let’s win this competition first, Tony.”

He grinned. “Smart aleck. Let’s do it.”

----

Tony's age: 16