Chapter 13: The Otaku Meets Iron Man (And Becomes a Shareholder)
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Three days had passed since the Vampire Lord's visit.
Three days of relative peace. Three days of training, meditating, and avoiding Anastasia's increasingly obvious surveillance. (She wasn't subtle. At all.)
Meliodas sat on the rooftop, watching the sunset, when Miguel found him.
"Got something for you," Miguel said, dropping a tablet in his lap. "Look at this."
On the screen was a news article.
STARK INDUSTRIES ANNOUNCES ENERGY DIVISION
Tony Stark to revolutionize clean energy with arc reactor technology
Meliodas's heart skipped a beat.
Tony Stark. Iron Man.
His otaku brain immediately flooded with information. The palladium poisoning. The new element. The suit upgrades. The battle of New York. Ultron. Thanos. So much information, so many ways this could go wrong.
'And if I say the wrong thing, I could derail everything. Or worse—end up on some government watch list as a precognitive asset.'
He'd been careful so far. Mama Rose knew something, but not everything. The Ancient One knew he was anomalous, but not why. Vladimira and Anastasia were attracted to him, but had no idea about his origins.
Tony Stark would be different. Tony was a genius. Tony would ask questions. Tony would dig.
Meliodas needed to be very, very careful.
"Tony Stark," he murmured carefully.
"You know him?" Miguel asked.
"Everyone knows him. Billionaire genius. Recently revealed as Iron Man." Meliodas kept his voice neutral. "What about him?"
Miguel nodded. "He's hosting a charity gala tomorrow night. In Manhattan. Biggest event of the year. Every rich person in New York will be there."
"And?"
"And we need money. Legitimate money. The safehouse runs on donations and favors, but that's not sustainable. If we could get someone like Stark to throw some funding our way..." Miguel shrugged. "It's a long shot, but it's worth trying."
Meliodas stared at the screen, thinking.
'This is an opportunity. But it's also a trap. If I reveal too much, I become a target. If I reveal too little, I waste the chance.'
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[NEW QUEST DETECTED: THE STARK CONNECTION]
---
[QUEST: THE STARK CONNECTION]
{Establish a working relationship with Tony Stark. Secure funding for the safehouse AND acquire legitimate wealth through strategic investment.}
Primary Objectives:
· Gain access to Tony Stark at the charity gala
· Successfully trade ONE piece of verified information for funding
· Invest in Stark Industries stock at its lowest point
· Reveal NO MORE than absolutely necessary about your origins or abilities
Rewards:
· 15 Destiny Shards
· 10 Hero Shards
· Unlock: Mount Acquisition Quest
· Unlock: Stark Industries as a long-term resource
Bonus Objective: {Make Tony Stark curious enough to want to help, but not suspicious enough to investigate deeply}
Reward: Additional 5 Destiny Shards
---
Meliodas read the quest carefully.
'Reveal no more than necessary. That's the key. Give him just enough to earn his trust, but not enough to make him dig.'
He looked at Miguel.
"We're going. But we do this my way. No volunteering information. No answering personal questions. I'll do the talking."
Miguel blinked. "That's... unusually cautious for you."
"I'm learning."
---
The Next Evening - Manhattan
The Stark Industries Charity Gala was, as expected, the most ostentatious event of the year.
Meliodas stood across the street, {Indistinct} active, watching the crowd. He'd already planned his approach. Find Stark. Give him one piece of information—just enough to prove he knew things. Let Stark draw his own conclusions. Get funding. Leave.
Simple.
Beside him, Miguel fidgeted nervously. "I still can't believe this is your plan."
"It's a good plan."
"Your plan is to walk up to Tony Stark and... what? Ask him for money?"
"Basically. With one carefully chosen piece of information as leverage."
"And you're sure this information is accurate?"
Meliodas smiled. "Very sure."
---
They didn't have invitations. They didn't have suits—Miguel had borrowed something passable from Danny, and Meliodas had used {Dapper} to conjure something that looked expensive but wasn't.
Meliodas walked up to the front entrance, Miguel trailing behind.
The security guard held up a hand. "Invitations?"
"We're with the entertainment," Meliodas said smoothly. "Last minute addition. Mr. Stark's people called this morning."
The guard looked skeptical. "I wasn't notified—"
"It was last minute." Meliodas smiled. "I promise, he's expecting us."
The guard hesitated.
There was something about this kid. Something that made him want to help. He couldn't explain it.
"...Fine. Go ahead. But if there's trouble—"
"No trouble. Promise."
They walked inside.
Miguel whispered: "How did you do that?"
"I honestly don't know. People just... believe me."
---
The gala was overwhelming.
Chandeliers. Champagne. People in outfits that cost more than the safehouse's annual budget. And in the center of it all, holding court like the king he was, stood Tony Stark.
Meliodas's {Knowledge Mage} activated.
[TARGET IDENTIFIED: TONY STARK]
Alias: Iron Man
Age: 38
Status: Recently revealed as Iron Man. Currently suffering from palladium poisoning (undiagnosed).
Notable Achievements: Revolutionized weapons technology, created Iron Man suit, shut down Stark Industries weapons division.
Current Emotional State: Confident, slightly bored, looking for interesting conversation.
Weaknesses: Ego, guilt, curiosity.
Threat Level: Low (to Meliodas personally) — but his curiosity could become a threat if not managed carefully.
Meliodas read the information and filed it away.
'Curiosity. That's the danger. I need to give him enough to satisfy it, but not enough to feed it.'
He stepped forward.
---
"Mr. Stark?"
Tony turned, eyebrow raised. He took in Meliodas—young, handsome, dressed well but not ostentatiously. Not someone he recognized.
But there was something about him. Something that made Tony pause.
"Do I know you?"
"No. But I have information you need."
Tony's eyebrow climbed higher. "Direct. I like that." He waved away his admirers. "Give us a minute, folks. Let's see what this young man has to say."
The crowd dispersed, leaving them alone.
Tony sipped his scotch. "You've got thirty seconds. Impress me."
Meliodas chose his words carefully.
"How's your chest feeling?"
Tony's expression flickered—just for an instant. Then it smoothed. "My chest is fine. Why?"
"The arc reactor keeping you alive? It's powered by palladium. And palladium is poisoning you. You probably haven't noticed the symptoms yet—fatigue, nausea, the veins in your neck getting darker—but you will. Soon."
Tony's face went very still.
"That's... a very specific thing to say to someone you just met."
"It's also true. You're running out of time, and you don't have a solution yet."
"And you do?"
"Maybe." Meliodas kept his voice calm. "I'm not here to threaten you or blackmail you. I'm here to offer a trade. One piece of information for funding. A safehouse in Harlem—helps people who fall through the cracks. Mutants. Runaways. People with nowhere else to go. It needs money. Legitimate money. You provide that, and I'll tell you where to look for answers."
Tony studied him for a long moment.
"That's it? One piece of information? No ongoing relationship, no constant demands?"
"One piece. Enough to save your life. After that, what you do with it is your business."
"And if I just have security throw you out and try to figure it out myself?"
"You'll die before you find the answer. It's hidden too well, and you don't have enough time."
Tony was quiet.
Then: "You're either incredibly confident or incredibly stupid."
"Probably both."
That got a small laugh. "Alright, kid. Let's hear it. Where do I look?"
Meliodas leaned in.
"Your father left you something. A message. A project. It's hidden in the diorama at the old Stark Expo—the one of the future city. Go look. You'll find what you need."
Tony's eyes narrowed. "That's it? That's your big secret?"
"That's the starting point. What you find there will lead you to the rest." Meliodas stepped back. "Now. About that funding..."
---
Twenty Minutes Later
They sat in a private room upstairs.
Tony had dismissed his security, poured himself another drink, and was now staring at Meliodas with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
"You know, most people who approach me want something. Money, fame, a job, a night in my bed. You just want funding for a safehouse."
"It's a good safehouse."
"And the information? The thing about my father? If that's true, it's worth millions. You could have asked for anything."
Meliodas shrugged. "I don't need millions. I need the safehouse to keep running. That's all."
Tony studied him.
"Who are you, really?"
"No one important."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one you're going to get." Meliodas met his eyes. "I'm not your enemy, Mr. Stark. I'm not a threat. I'm just someone who happened to learn something that could save your life, and I'm trading it for something I need. That's it. No strings, no secrets, no ongoing relationship."
Tony was quiet for a long moment.
Then he laughed.
"You know, I've been threatened, bribed, seduced, and manipulated by the best in the world. But I've never had someone just... walk up to me, give me life-saving information, and then try to LEAVE."
"First time for everything."
"Yeah." Tony set down his glass. "Alright, kid. I'll check out your tip. If you're right, the safehouse gets funded. If you're wrong..." He smiled. "Let's just say you don't want to be wrong."
"I'm not wrong."
"We'll see."
---
The Next Morning - Miguel's Laptop
Meliodas found Miguel hunched over his computer.
"Look at this." Miguel turned the screen around. "Stark Industries stock. Down forty percent. People are panicking."
Meliodas's eyes narrowed.
'This is exactly what happened in the movies. The stock tanked, then skyrocketed when the arc reactor tech took off.'
"We should buy," he said carefully.
Miguel stared. "Buy? The stock is in freefall!"
"Exactly. That's when you buy low."
"You can't know it'll go back up."
"No. But I have a feeling." Meliodas met his eyes. "How much do we have? Legitimate money?"
"Maybe five thousand. From small jobs and donations."
"That's enough. Buy Stark stock. Hold it. Don't sell, no matter what."
Miguel hesitated. "This is crazy."
"Probably. But trust me."
---
Three Hours Later
Miguel had done it.
Eighty-three shares of Stark Industries stock, purchased at the lowest point.
"We're officially shareholders," he announced.
"How much shareholder?"
"Very, very minor. But technically, yes."
Meliodas nodded.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[QUEST OBJECTIVE COMPLETE: THE STARK CONNECTION]
{Successfully invested in Stark Industries at its lowest point.}
Progress:
· Gained access to Tony Stark: ✓
· Traded ONE piece of information for funding: ✓
· Revealed no unnecessary information: ✓
· Invested in Stark stock: ✓
[REWARDS EARNED SO FAR:]
· 10 Destiny Shards
· 5 Hero Shards
---
Three Days Later - The Safehouse
Meliodas's phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
He answered.
"Kid." Tony Stark's voice. "You were right."
"Good."
"The element works. It'll save my life."
"Good."
There was a pause.
"How did you know about my father's project? No one knew about that. Not even me."
Meliodas chose his words carefully.
"I have sources. That's all I can say."
"Sources that know about classified Stark Industries projects from thirty years ago?"
"Like I said. Sources."
Another pause.
"You're hiding something."
"Everyone hides something, Mr. Stark. The question is whether what I'm hiding matters to you."
"And does it?"
"Not right now. Maybe not ever. But if it ever does, you'll be the first to know."
Tony laughed—a surprised, genuine sound.
"You're good, kid. Really good. Most people can't stonewall me for thirty seconds. You've been doing it for three minutes."
"I've had practice."
"Clearly." There was a rustling sound. "Alright. The funding is set up. Pepper's handling it. Your safehouse gets an annual grant—enough to keep it running indefinitely."
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me. Thank your 'sources.' And kid?"
"Yeah?"
"If you ever want to talk—really talk—about whatever you're hiding, my door's open. No pressure, no strings. Just... I'm curious."
Meliodas smiled. "I'll keep that in mind."
He hung up.
---
Tandy appeared beside him. "That sounded promising."
"Very promising." He pocketed the phone. "We just became legal."
"Legally what?"
"Funded. By Tony Stark." He paused. "Also, we own about five thousand dollars worth of his company's stock."
Tandy stared. "We WHAT?"
"Long story. Basically, when the stock was down, we bought in. When it goes back up, we'll have real money. Legitimate money."
"You're telling me you used safehouse savings to gamble on the stock market based on a 'feeling'?"
"Something like that."
Tandy shook her head. "You're impossible."
"Thanks. I think."
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[QUEST COMPLETE: THE STARK CONNECTION]
{You have successfully established a working relationship with Tony Stark without revealing your secrets.}
Final Rewards:
· +15 Destiny Shards (total)
· +10 Hero Shards (total)
· Stark Industries unlocked as a long-term resource
· Mount Acquisition Quest unlocked
[NEW QUEST UNLOCKED: A STEED WORTHY OF A PROTAGONIST]
{You now have the resources to acquire a magical mount. Choose wisely.}
Options:
· Atronach Horse (15 Hero Shards) - Summonable elemental horse with three forms: Flame, Frost, Storm
· Ghost Horse (10 Hero Shards) - Summonable, tireless, arrows pass through it
· Nightmare (15 Hero Shards) - Unique unicorn empowered with magicka, can heal, fly during full moon
Note: You currently have 10 Hero Shards. Complete additional quests to afford your preferred mount.
---
Meliodas stared at the notification.
'A magical horse. I can get a magical horse.'
He smiled.
'But first, I need more shards. And more information. And to make absolutely sure no one figures out where I really come from.'
---
In the Shadows
Anastasia watched the safehouse with narrowed eyes.
The boy had met with Tony Stark. Secured funding. Bought stock. And revealed almost nothing about himself.
She'd watched the entire gala from the shadows, close enough to hear every word.
'Clever,' she thought. 'Very clever. He gives just enough to earn trust, but not enough to become a target.'
She was impressed.
Marcus appeared beside her. "The bakery—"
"I told you, NOT NOW."
"But I found the PERFECT location! It even has a back room that could double as a—"
"I will stake you in the sun, Marcus."
Marcus subsided, muttering.
Anastasia returned to watching Meliodas.
'Mine,' she thought. 'Definitely mine. And I'm going to enjoy unraveling all his secrets.'
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[END OF CHAPTER 13]