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Chapter 54 – Shadows of the Past
Cold air rolled off the Hong Kong harbor, carrying the distant hum of the city — neon lights shimmering against rain-slick glass.
Deep within a Ten Rings hidden base beneath the skyline, Zhang stood before a circular chamber bathed in orange light. The Makluan Rings rested on the fingers of his right hand, glowing faintly. Energy pulsed in slow, deliberate rhythm — beautiful, but unstable.
Dr. Aldrich Killian observed from a screen in Miami, his voice calm and clinical. "Your vitals are fluctuating again. The rings' energy output is exceeding human tolerance."
Zhang's breath came ragged, but his expression was cold and composed.
"They answer to me now," he said. "But they're killing me. You said you can solve this."
Killian adjusted his glasses, eyes narrowing. "Yes — but at a cost. You're burning through your life every time you use them. Once I get rid of Tony and the President, we'll both have what we need. I'll have my revenge and America… and you'll get your life extended using the new element Stark created. Until then, please bear with it."
"I can bear it." Zhang extended his palm, the energy flaring brighter before fading. "Just keep your end of the deal. Once Extremis reaches perfection, I want my share. The Ten Rings will help you and take the blame for the President's assassination. Just make sure that puppet of yours doesn't become a problem."
Killian smiled thinly. "Don't worry — we have a mutually beneficial arrangement."
Zhang's gaze turned to the screen beside him, displaying live satellite imagery of the United States — a small red marker blinking near Tennessee.
"Iron Man survives," he said quietly. "Find him before the Avengers or S.H.I.E.L.D. does."
Killian tilted his head. "That won't be a problem. I've already sent some people after him."
"Good. Just secure the new element once you capture him," Zhang interrupted. "Stark's reactor contains impossible amount of energy,once the serum created , I won't just use these rings…" His eyes glimmered faintly with green light. "…I'll master them."
Killian hesitated, then nodded. "I'll send my men."
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Tennessee – Dawn
Tony woke to the sound of tools clinking. The Mark 42 lay on a workbench, scattered like a dismantled puzzle. Harley sat cross-legged beside it, eating cereal and watching him curiously.
"Morning, mechanic," Tony muttered, rubbing his neck. "You touch anything that explodes?"
The kid grinned. "Only once."
Tony smirked faintly. "You're learning fast."
He moved stiffly toward the armor, checking diagnostics on a flickering holographic screen. Most systems were fried.
"Jarvis?" he called.
> "Diagnostics complete, sir. Power reserves holding at two percent. Long-range communication offline. I recommend a new arc capacitor, though I imagine Radio Shack isn't open yet."
Tony sighed. "We'll improvise."
Harley tilted his head. "You sure you can repair this?"
Tony glanced down, catching his reflection in the cracked metal — tired eyes, faint bruises, and a man who looked far older than he should.
"I made my first suit in a cave, brat," he said softly. "Just watch."
He picked up a wrench, muttering, "Let me show you how I turn junkyard scraps into world-saving tech again."
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Kamar-Taj – Hours Later
Mist swirled through the courtyard of the ancient temple as Guardian stepped through a blue portal, his boots echoing lightly on the stone.
The Ancient One was already there, seated calmly beneath a pavilion, steam rising from her cup of tea.
She gestured to the seat opposite her. "Sit, then."
He did, resting his forearms on the table. "I came to ask about the rings. You already know they've resurfaced."
"I do."
"And you're not going to tell me anything useful, are you?"
Her eyes sparkled with quiet amusement. "You're more perceptive than your parents."
Guardian sighed. "So you are holding a grudge for me not visiting."
"I hold no grudges," she said serenely. "But I also don't intervene in a child's game. If I am silent, it is because you still have a chance to fix what's been broken."
"So it's not dangerous yet," he said dryly. "That's comforting."
The Ancient One sipped her tea, saying nothing more.
Guardian leaned back, glancing toward the sky beyond the temple roof. "Then I'll find my own answers."
"You will," she said softly. "But be warned — the path you walk was once tread by another who thought he understood balance."
He frowned. "Can you be specific?"
"Perhaps" she said, her gaze distant. "Or perhaps but who knows"
Guardian rose, opening a shimmering portal beside him. "If you ever decide to be less cryptic, send me a postcard."
The Ancient One smiled faintly. "And ruin your journey? Never."
He chuckled under his breath before stepping through.
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A.I.M. Headquarters – Later
Killian watched the monitors as Zhang's vitals steadied after another use of the rings. The rings hummed faintly, their alien light casting long shadows across the lab.
"How much longer do you think you can use these?" Killian asked.
"As long as it takes," Zhang replied without looking at him. "But every moment, it feels like they're absorbing my chi."
Killian hesitated. "Chi? What — like in those old novels?"
Zhang turned slightly, the green light in his eyes deepening. "Chi is life energy — the difference between something having a soul and not having one. It's a binding force."
He raised his hand, and the rings spun in a slow, elegant orbit — energy rippling through the air like the heartbeat of a storm.
But as the light faded, Zhang's knees buckled slightly. For a moment, his skin cracked faintly with glowing veins before the energy subsided.
He steadied himself, breathing hard.
Killian stared at him with mild concern. "So if you keep using them, your soul will burn out before your body does. You should stop — at least until I find the new element."
Zhang smiled thinly. "I'll die before I stop using these rings. You just focus on finding Stark."
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Avengers Tower
"So Jarvis found the location of the Ten Rings?" Natasha asked.
"Yes — in Miami," Steve replied, fastening his shield to his arm. "Let's move."
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End of Chapter 54 – Shadows of the Past
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