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Ending: 10/08/25
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The private jet touched down smoothly in Macau, the bright city lights gleaming like scattered diamonds across the skyline. As soon as they disembarked, reality set in.
The Monaco incident had been a distraction, but the real game was just beginning.
Everyone returned to their usual routines as if nothing had happened.
Pepper immediately dove back into business mode, overseeing Stark Industries with her usual efficiency. There was no room for distractions, no space to breathe. The company had already been under scrutiny thanks to Tony's antics, and now, with the added controversy surrounding Ivan Vanko, she had even more fires to put out.
Natalie—or rather, Natasha Romanoff—continued assisting her, seamlessly handling public relations while keeping a watchful eye on Tony. She had already suspected that something was off about Seph, and after what happened in Monaco, her curiosity only grew stronger.
Hela, on the other hand, was enjoying herself. She had never cared for the mundanities of business, yet she found a certain amusement in watching mortals scramble for power and influence. Still, she occasionally lent a hand to Pepper—not out of obligation, but simply because it gave her something to do.
While the others busied themselves with their work, Tony locked himself away in his lab.
He had discovered something—a key to a new element that could potentially save his life. The arc reactor in his chest, powered by palladium, was poisoning him. Every day, every hour, every breath brought him closer to death.
And yet…
The answer was right there, hidden in the past. He could feel it.
But there was a problem.
Something was missing.
"Ugh!" Tony groaned, throwing himself onto the couch in frustration. "Why does it always have to be so damn complicated?"
"Because you insist on making things complicated," Seph remarked as he stepped into the lab.
Tony lifted his head to see his friend standing there, arms crossed, wearing his usual unreadable expression.
"Oh great," Tony drawled. "Did you come to lecture me? Or are you here to tell me that I should be 'careful' again?"
Seph smirked. "Maybe both."
Tony sighed dramatically. "Fantastic. Exactly what I needed—Seph, the all-knowing oracle of wisdom, here to tell me how to live my life."
Seph walked over, glancing at the holographic projections floating around the lab. The blueprints, the calculations, the energy simulations—it was a mess of data, but there was progress.
"You've already figured it out," Seph noted. "You just don't realize it yet."
Tony shot him a look. "Oh, thank you for that incredible insight, oh wise one. I'll just magically realize the answer any second now."
Seph chuckled. "Well, if you want a hint…"
He paused, then added cryptically, "Look to the past."
Tony blinked. "The past?"
Seph nodded. "You already have everything you need. The answer isn't in new research—it's in something that's already been done before."
Tony narrowed his eyes, contemplating. "You know something, don't you?"
Seph smirked but said nothing.
"Oh, come on—"
Seph turned to leave. "You'll figure it out. Just try not to die before then."
Tony huffed. "Wow. Encouraging."
While Tony buried himself in work, someone else had their sights set on Seph.
Natalia had been observing him since they returned. Something about him didn't sit right with her.
Who was he, really?
He was stronger than anyone she had ever seen, his reflexes were beyond human. He was calm, confident, and always one step ahead—as if he had already seen how things would unfold before they even happened.
And the way he handled Ivan Vanko?
That was not normal.
So she watched and paid attention to the small details.
Because one way or another, she was going to figure out exactly who Seph really was.
Meanwhile, Hela was having the time of her life.
Tony's suffering? Entertaining.
Pepper's endless work? Intriguing.
Seph's usual mysterious behavior? Fascinating.
She found herself drawn to him more and more, though she would never admit it.
One evening, as Seph stood on the balcony, gazing at the city below, Hela approached.
"You're always watching," She mused. "Like a god looking down on his creations."
Seph smirked but didn't look at her. "That's an interesting way to put it."
Hela leaned against the railing. "You know, most people would be enjoying themselves right now. But you? You're always waiting for something. What is it?"
Seph glanced at her, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Are you concerned for me, Hela?"
She scoffed. "Hardly. I just find it… interesting."
Seph chuckled. "Let's just say… I have a feeling that things are about to get a lot more complicated."
Hela raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Oh," Seph confirmed. "And when it happens… it's going to be fun."
Hela smirked. "Then I look forward to it."
----
The evening had settled over Macau, painting the sky in hues of deep purple and gold. At Stark's villa, things had been relatively calm—at least on the surface.
That was, until Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes showed up at the front door, his expression dark and unreadable.
"I need to see Stark," Rhodes said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Standing at the entrance, Natalia Romanoff folded her arms, her piercing gaze studying him.
"He's busy," She stated flatly.
Pepper Potts, who had just entered the room, gave Natalia a brief glance before sighing.
"He's in the lab," She corrected. "With Seph."
Rhodes nodded in appreciation. "Figures."
Without another word, he strode toward the elevator, scanning his military pass before heading straight down to the lab.
Natalia watched him go, her sharp mind already piecing things together.
Something was off.
The doors to the lab slid open with a quiet hiss as Rhodes stepped in. Immediately, the sound of holograms flickering and Jarvis' synthesized voice filled the air.
"Tony," Rhodes began as he walked forward, "I swear, do you have any idea how much of a mess that stunt in Monaco caused?"
Tony, who was seated at the center console, barely acknowledged him. He was deeply engrossed in the glowing blue screens before him, scanning over the details of Ivan Vanko's past.
Rhodes exhaled heavily, clearly frustrated. "I spent the entire day fighting off the Pentagon, the military, and half the damn government, trying to keep them from storming in here and ripping your suits out of your hands!"
Still, no response from Tony.
Rhodes scowled. "Tony, are you even listening?"
Seph, who was casually seated on a nearby chair, chuckled. "Oh, he's listening, alright. He's just pretending you don't exist."
Tony lazily raised a hand and waved it dismissively. "I acknowledge Rhodes' existence. I just choose to ignore him."
"Unbelievable," Rhodes muttered before turning to Seph. "Does he do this to you too?"
Seph smirked. "All the time. It's his love language."
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