"Ariadne," Arthur greeted when the call was picked up.
"Arthur," Ariadne's voice came from the speakers. "I was expecting your call."
"You heard about the attempt?" Arthur asked "Is there a new bounty on my head?"
"There is." She didn't sound surprised. "I traced the client. I'm sending the file now."
Encrypted documents appeared across his screens. Arthur skimmed them quickly.
"Richard Morse," Ariadne continued. "Lost everything in the financial crash a few months ago. His wife left him. His children cut ties. He believes you profited from his misery. If he's sinking, he intends to drag you underwater with him."
Arthur exhaled slowly. "I should've stayed in the background. It's not like I caused the crash. I just… positioned myself correctly."
"People don't care about nuance," Ariadne replied coolly. "They just see billionaires and blame them for their own pain."
"Fair enough," Arthur muttered. "Eve? Location?"
"Already acquired," Eve answered, her tone crisp. "I've transmitted the coordinates to Miss Ariadne."
"Good." Arthur's voice hardened. "Ariadne, Please send someone to clean it up. Make sure the message is clear—no one touches me or my family. A few more examples, and maybe the idiots will think twice."
"It's already being handled," Ariadne said. "It will be resolved within the hour."
Arthur nodded once. Softer, barely noticeable: "Thank you."
A beat. Then Ariadne's voice shifted , curious and edged with challenge.
"Arthur… introduce me to Eve someday. She gathers intel faster than my entire network. Is she some sort of god-tier hacker?"
"Something like that," he said smoothly.
He hadn't told Ariadne about Eve yet. Ariadne could keep secrets, but too many eyes surrounded her. No one could learn that his AI far surpassed anything human agencies had conceived — not even Stark's Jarvis. Kree tech had ensured Eve was the most advanced intelligence on Earth.
Let the world believe they still had the technological edge. Let them sleep peacefully at night. Arthur had no desire to become the villain in their nightmares.
He turned his thoughts to Ariadne.
How far she'd come from the lone, battle-scarred girl he'd found all those years ago. Nearly four years after he'd moved to New York, he'd returned to invite her to his wedding — and barely recognized the woman who greeted him.
— Flashback: Autumn 2003 —
The London warehouse that served as Ariadne's headquarters looked derelict from the outside - broken windows, rusted doors, graffiti-covered walls. Perfect camouflage for the heart of an underground empire.
Arthur slipped through the guards and other protections like smoke. They were impressive. Ariadne had learned well over the years scouting the Hand bases.
But Arthur's invisibility was beyond what even Gringotts could detect, much less mundane protections like those of this base.
Inside, the warehouse had been transformed into a functional operations center. Clean corridors lit by harsh fluorescent lights. Rooms that served as armories, training spaces, living quarters.
And in the central chamber, Ariadne held court.
Arthur floated near the ceiling, watching the scene unfold below.
Six men knelt on the concrete floor, hands bound behind their backs. Blood dripped from split lips and broken noses — they'd already been roughed up. Around them stood a dozen of Ariadne's people, silent and still as statues. All wore dark tactical gear, faces hard with controlled fury.
And at the center of it all stood Ariadne Anderson.
She looked different. Her dark hair was pulled back in a severe bun. She wore fitted black tactical clothing that allowed for movement but projected professionalism. No weapons visible, but Arthur knew she didn't need them.
But it was her presence that struck him most. Cold. Controlled. Dangerous.
This was the Ice Queen the London underworld whispered about in fear.
Arthur had never seen her like this. Not even during their many meetings over the years. Winky had been adamant that Ariadne visit them at least twice a year, so despite being busy, Ariadne had to make time - or face the ire of Winky.
And during those visits, Ariadne had been nothing like this. She'd been relaxed, witty, sometimes even playful. No coldness. No distance. Just herself. So this version was a surprise to Arthur.
"You were told the rules when you joined," Ariadne said, her voice carrying clearly through the warehouse. It was soft, almost gentle - which somehow made it more terrifying. "No drugs. No human trafficking. No evil. These weren't suggestions. They were commandments."
One of the kneeling men, brave or stupid, spoke up. "We were just making extra money on the side! Small stuff, nothing major…"
Ariadne moved.
She covered the distance in a blur, her fist connecting with the man's jaw with surgical precision. He crashed to the floor, spitting blood and teeth.
"Nothing major?" Ariadne's voice never rose above conversational volume. "You were caught smuggling hard drugs through my cargo routes. Drugs you intended to sell in the communities we protect."
She crouched beside him, her voice still maddeningly soft.
"I gave you a chance for something better. Offered you work that didn't prey on the desperate and vulnerable. And you threw it away for what? A few extra pounds in your pocket?"
"I'm sorry—" the man whimpered.
"Sorry?" Ariadne stood, her expression hardening further. "Say that to the addicts you were planning to create."
She turned to her assembled people. "Let this be a lesson. We are not the old guard. We don't profit from misery. Anyone who breaks these rules doesn't get a warning. They get this."
A flash of white chi crackled around her fist - pure, blazing fire threaded with gold. The bound men recoiled in terror.
"Take them to processing," Ariadne ordered. "Then release them to the streets. I will see how long they can survive in this cruel world without help."
Four of her people stepped forward, hauling the prisoners to their feet.
"Wait!" Another prisoner called out desperately. "We have information! About the suppliers. We can tell you…"
"No deals," Ariadne said flatly. "You made your choice. Now live with the consequences."
The prisoners were dragged away, their protests echoing down the corridor.
When they were gone, the remaining people looked to Ariadne for directions.
"Double patrols on the eastern sector," she said crisply. "And I want a full audit of everyone who's joined us in the last three months. If there are more rotten apples, I want them found before they poison the tree."
"Yes, ma'am," came the unified response.
"Dismissed."
The room emptied quickly, leaving Ariadne alone.
She stood in the center of the empty space, her shoulders slumping slightly as the Ice Queen façade cracked just a fraction. She rubbed her temples, exhaustion showing through.
"You can come out now, Arthur," she said without turning around. "I know you're there."
He materialized and dropped down with a small smile. "Your senses are getting sharper."
"Or you're getting predictable." She stood, and suddenly she wasn't the ice queen anymore - just Ariadne, tired but fierce. "How long have you been watching?"
"Since the drug smugglers. Impressive display."
"They needed a lesson." She moved to pour two glasses of whiskey. "The organization needs to know my boundaries are absolute."
Arthur accepted the drink. "Love the new look. Where was that during the summer?"
"No comment." But a faint smirk tugged at her lip.
Arthur glanced around the warehouse - efficient, organized, frighteningly well-run.
"You've built something remarkable. Four years ago this was nothing. I'm honestly impressed. Was keeping it from me part of the plan? Surprise reveal?"
Ariadne snorted. "Everything isn't about you, Arthur. You were busy. And I didn't want to drag you into my mess."
"Well, color me impressed." Arthur raised his glass. "How much of the underworld answers to you now?"
"The United Kingdom," she said casually. "Ireland. Portions of Germany." A small, lethal smile touched her lips. "The rest is getting there."
Arthur blinked. "How? And that fast?"
Ariadne's smile was sharp. "Carefully. Violently when necessary. I started small — just removing old Hand operations. But then people started coming to me. Former victims of the old system who wanted revenge. Soldiers tired of working for monsters. Even a few cops who preferred my rules over anyone else's."
Arthur shook his head, half amused, half proud. "I underestimated you. Didn't think you had the temperament for empire-building."
"I didn't either," she admitted, "but it suits me. And I'm good at it."
Arthur studied her for a moment. "Are you happy?"
It surprised her—he could tell. A soft smile crept up.
"Yes," Ariadne said simply. "I'm making the world better. My way."
Arthur nodded. "Good. That's all I wanted to hear. Now, show me your chi."
Ariadne groaned. "And here comes Professor Arthur. How many times are you going to poke and prod at it?"
"As many as I want."
She lifted her palm. White chi blossomed, swirling around her fingers. Golden threads shimmered inside the light—thin, beautiful, unmistakable.
Arthur leaned forward. "Your transformation is a miracle. Do you know how much blood, sweat, and literal fortune I went through to evolve my chi?" He tapped her glowing hand lightly. "And you just got upgraded by accident."
Her answering laugh was exasperated but warm. After the night she'd nearly died facing Alexandra, Arthur had healed her with his dragon-touched chi. Neither expected the side effect. When Ariadne discovered her chi could regenerate outside of K'un-Lun - no recharge needed - she'd nearly screamed through the phone.
"Impressive," Arthur said genuinely. "Much stronger than in the summer. You've been training."
"I train every day." She let the glow fade. "Still nowhere near your level though, right?"
"No." Arthur was honest as always. "If it were that easy, there'd be dozens of Iron Fists walking around. But give it twenty or thirty years? You might hit true Iron Fist levels."
Ariadne shrugged. "I can live with that."
"Or," Arthur added, "you could go back to K'un-Lun and claim the mantle officially."
"I'll think about it."
"You've got time," Arthur said. "That battle is still years away. And you're already strong enough to face the Five Fingers."
"Thanks." Ariadne's face hardened for a second. "I heard Alexandra's back in Europe. I'll have to deal with her."
"You beat her once," Arthur reminded her. "You can do it again—and you're much stronger now."
"It wasn't easy. I had Winky's help then." She paused, studying him. "So… you came all the way to London just to check my chi?"
"No." Arthur let a smile spread. "I came to invite you to my wedding."
For a heartbeat the announcement hung between them. Then Ariadne's eyes widened.
"You're getting married? To Eileen? So soon?"
"Yes. October twenty-fifth. Scotland. Small ceremony. I want you there."
"I..." Ariadne seemed genuinely touched. "I'd be honored. Thank you."
"Eileen will be happy. So will I."
Ariadne studied him, eyes softening. "You've changed, Arthur. Changed for good. A few years ago I never would've imagined you settling down and being this happy about it. You're… happier than when you first learned chi."
"She's the best thing that ever happened to me."
"Good. You deserve the happiness." She topped off their glasses. "Maybe now you can rest from all that training and work."
"Never." Arthur set his glass down. "Speaking of work - have you thought about starting a legitimate business?"
"Why? Everything's running fine."
Arthur gave her a pointed look. "You shut down half your illegal revenue streams. Your people are probably bored, and your accounts definitely feel lighter."
Ariadne sighed dramatically. "Unfortunately… yes. I've noticed. So?" She raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to donate? If one of the richest men in the world supports my noble cause, all my problems vanish overnight."
Arthur snorted. "You wish."
She grinned. "Can't blame a girl for trying. So? What are you proposing?"
"A security company," Arthur said without hesitation. "Private security, bodyguards, executive protection. Europe's drowning in CEOs, politicians, and celebrities who think the world revolves around them. They'll pay obscene amounts for competent protection."
Ariadne blinked. "That… actually sounds promising."
"That's because it is." Arthur leaned forward. "It gives your people legitimate employment. A clean public identity. And it makes you harder to target. Once you're a respected business owner with government contracts, authorities can't just vanish you in the night. They need warrants, evidence, paperwork—things criminals never had to worry about."
A slow grin spread across her face. "Perfect. I'll have my people start setting it up tomorrow."
"Good. Phoenix Group will be your first client. Full contract. Premium rates."
She narrowed her eyes. "Arthur—"
"It's business," he said, cutting her off. "Daniel's been chewing my ear off about security ever since that kidnapping attempt on one of our star employees. Just give my company the best team you've got."
Ariadne's smile sharpened—ambition and satisfaction threading together.
"No problem."