The Chitauri invasion had ended, and New York was finally breathing again.
Sunlight washed over the city, reflecting off repaired glass and steel as if the destruction had already begun to fade into memory. Outside the Avengers base, Locke lay stretched out on a bench, eyes half-closed as he soaked in the warmth, completely at ease for once.
In front of him, Xiao Tun darted across the grass, chasing bees and butterflies with endless enthusiasm. Its movements were clumsy but energetic, tumbling over itself more than once, yet never giving up the chase.
Further out, the open field had turned into a lively playground. Groups of mutant students ran, trained, and laughed under the supervision of older members, turning what used to be a battlefield into something resembling normal life again.
The Avengers' fame had exploded after the battle, and the antidote developed from the leech-based research had spread quickly. Many mutants who had chosen to return to ordinary lives had already left, blending back into society.
But just as many had stayed.
They had chosen this place, this strange sanctuary, as their home.
Beside Locke sat a woman in a clean, sharp uniform, her posture straight and disciplined. Maria Hill, the hidden director of S.H.I.E.L.D., now waited quietly for orders.
During the invasion, Ebony Maw had deemed her and her forces expendable, sending them directly against the Avengers base as cannon fodder. The result had been predictable.
Lady Deathstrike, the Nine Spiders, and the others had crushed the assault effortlessly and captured Hill alive.
After returning, Locke had personally released the Mind Scepter's control over her—only to replace it with something far more permanent.
He had turned her into a vampire.
"So," Locke said lazily, not even opening his eyes, "you're telling me S.H.I.E.L.D. still has more than a dozen bases and thousands of personnel active?"
"Yes," Hill replied without hesitation. "Most of them are experienced agents or specialized operatives."
Locke gave a low chuckle, finally glancing her way. "That old fox Fury really knows how to leave backup plans."
He shifted slightly, tone turning colder.
"I'll assign you a few heavy hitters. Take every base down. Capture whoever you can. Anyone who resists… eliminate them. No one slips through."
Hill didn't even blink. "Understood."
The team assigned to her wasn't small.
Juggernaut, Pulse, the Clone, Black Dwarf, Ebony Maw—all monsters in their own right. With the Mind Scepter assisting in tracking and manipulation, the operation would be swift and silent.
Hill stood, saluted briefly, and left without another word.
Not long after she disappeared, another figure approached.
Steve Rogers dropped onto the bench beside Locke, his gaze drifting toward the mutant children playing in the distance.
He shook his head slowly, letting out a long breath.
"Damn… this world turned into something I don't even recognize anymore," he muttered. "Mutants everywhere. What did those greedy corporations feed people to cause this?"
Locke turned his head, eyeing him with mild curiosity. "Captain, instead of worrying about that, maybe tell me who taught you to swear like that. 'Madfake'? Really? What happened to you?"
Steve shrugged casually, leaning back. "Feels weird if I don't curse a few times a day now. As for what changed… guess I went through something like mental liberation."
Locke frowned slightly. "Mental liberation?"
"Yeah," Steve said, nodding. "Like breaking out of a cage in my head. Everything just… feels clearer. Lighter. Like I'm finally being myself."
Locke studied him carefully, his expression tightening just a bit. "And who helped you with that?"
Steve shook his head. "No idea."
"Fury?" Locke pressed. "The guy who dragged you out of the ice?"
Steve snorted. "Not a chance. That guy kept talking trash about you, but I never bought it. The moment I saw him, I knew he was the scheming type. I've seen enough politicians to recognize that."
Locke's eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing.
"How'd you even get out of the S.H.I.E.L.D. base?" he asked after a moment.
"He let me go himself," Steve replied casually.
Locke raised an eyebrow. "And that vibranium dagger?"
"From Stark Tower. Gift from Howard's kid. Funny thing, they really look alike."
Locke's expression shifted instantly.
"Wait," he cut in, voice sharpening. "You said you experienced that 'mental liberation' at Stark Tower?"
Steve paused, thinking back, then nodded. "Yeah… that's right."
Locke's eyes darkened.
So it was that little bastard.
...
Standing before the heavily damaged Stark Tower, Tony Stark stared up at the wreckage, jaw clenched tight.
The once-pristine structure was now scarred and broken, its glass shattered and its exterior torn apart by the battle. The repair estimate displayed on his tablet made his eye twitch.
Billions.
"Damn aliens… damn military… damn Avengers… damn Locke," he muttered under his breath, each word sharper than the last. "This isn't over."
His phone vibrated suddenly.
A message from JARVIS.
Tony's expression shifted instantly, cold focus replacing irritation.
"Happy," he said into the comm, already turning away. "Get me a car. I've got… a date."
...
Inside a quiet café, Tony Stark dropped into a seat across from a woman working on her laptop.
He removed his sunglasses slowly, a familiar smirk forming.
"Hey, Maya Hansen. Long time no see."
The woman looked up, eyes widening in disbelief.
"Tony… Stark? What are you doing here?"
Tony clasped his hands together, leaning forward slightly, his gaze softening into something almost convincing.
"I came to see you. Hard to forget that night thirteen years ago. Took me this long, but I finally found you again."
Maya frowned, studying him carefully. "You seem… off."
Tony didn't react. "Think we can go back to that night?"
She rolled her eyes. "It was a one-night stand, Tony."
Tony sighed dramatically, though his eyes remained sharp. "I didn't want to hurt you. But if you won't cooperate…"
He leaned closer, voice dropping.
"Then at least tell me about your boyfriend Killian. And where his little lab is."
Maya stiffened. "Why do you want him?"
Tony smiled faintly. "Because I'm suddenly very interested in your research. You and Killian have been doing impressive work lately. I'd like to… join the fun."
Her face changed instantly as realization hit.
"You're Iron Man… and you're acting like this?"
Tony spread his hands slightly. "You don't build something like Stark Industries by being nice."
A tiny mechanical insect dropped onto her arm, its legs piercing into her skin.
Maya screamed, trying to shake it off, but the pain only intensified.
"What did you do?!"
Tony raised a finger to his lips. "Relax. I don't want to hurt you."
His smile remained calm, almost gentle.
"But now, all it takes is a thought… and you're dead."
Fear flooded her expression as she stared at him.
"What do you want?"
Tony tilted his head slightly. "I already told you."
Her jaw tightened.
"…Fine. I'll tell you."
...
Not long after, Tony walked out of the café, information secured.
Behind him, Maya shouted in panic, demanding he remove the device.
Tony only laughed.
"It'll fall off on its own. Maybe use some alcohol after."
...
At Killian's secret base, preparations were already underway.
Aldrich Killian had big plans. Capturing the President. Rewriting the balance of power. Revenge against Stark.
Everything was set.
But before he could act—
The sky darkened.
Armors. Drones. Dozens of them.
They surrounded the base completely.
Killian frowned, confusion flashing across his face.
Who leaked this?
A single suit descended, landing in front of him.
Tony's voice came through clearly.
"Killian. Long time no see."
Killian smirked. "Impressive you still recognize me."
Tony chuckled. "I recognize talent. Ever thought about working for me?"
Killian glanced at the machines surrounding him, eyes cold.
"Doesn't look like a job interview."
Tony shrugged. "Those are just for safety. Ignore them."
Killian didn't even finish responding before his arm flared red-hot, punching straight through the armor.
Sparks exploded.
Tony's voice echoed through the failing suit.
"You really think you're worth my personal attention?"
The next second—
Gunfire erupted.
Flames swallowed the base.
A specialized unit stepped forward, its design clearly different.
It struck Killian with a single punch.
Killian's body ignited, heat surging through him as his clothes burned away. He countered instantly, but his fist shattered on impact.
Shock flashed across his face.
His Extremis-enhanced body—strong as steel—had failed.
The robot advanced, completely unharmed.
Killian roared, unleashing a torrent of flames that engulfed it entirely.
For a moment, he laughed.
"Is that all you've got, Stark?"
The flames parted.
The robot stepped forward.
And hit him again.
Tony's voice returned, calm and almost amused.
"Forgot to mention. This one's built specifically for you. Heat-resistant, vibranium-coated, nearly titanium-level durability."
The robot grabbed Killian and slammed him into the ground. Then again. And again.
Even with Extremis, Killian couldn't stay conscious.
Around them, the rest of the base fell apart.
Guards were wiped out instantly. Extremis subjects were neutralized with liquid nitrogen bursts, their flames extinguished before they could even fight back.
Within minutes—
The base was gone.
Captured.
And somewhere far away—
Tony Stark had already landed in San Francisco.
....
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