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Scene Two: "Three Months of Order"
Stark Industries – CEO Office – Month 3, Day 89, Hour 08:01
Otto Octavius stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of the executive suite, arms behind his back, coffee untouched, watching the city breathe below. Stark Tower gleamed — not just as a monument to Tony Stark's legacy, but now, for the first time, as a well-oiled machine of logic, progress, and ruthless efficiency.
"Adele," he said quietly, "How are we?"
"Stark Industries' quarterly revenue is up 11.6%, employee productivity has risen by 38%, and your AI-driven department restructure has reduced operational redundancy by 44%."
Otto allowed a small, satisfied smirk. "As expected."
"Oh," Adele added, "and your request to rename the cafeteria to the 'Canteen of Superior Sustenance' has been denied by HR. Again."
"Cowards," Otto muttered, before turning back to the table stacked with departmental reports.
Each file bore colored tabs — all updated hourly by Adele. Otto didn't just manage departments — he oversaw them, personally conducting spot inspections, initiating performance audits, and, in one memorable case, physically ejecting a nepotism-hired executive out of the building (not out the window, though the temptation was strong).
Under Otto's rule, Stark Industries became more than a tech giant. It became a fortress of progress.
R&D was rebuilt into a military-precision operation. Finance ran smoother than ever thanks to predictive modeling. Marketing? Still annoying, but marginally tolerable — he gave them one entire floor just to stop them from "vibing near engineering."
The employees both feared and admired him. No one was late. No one was sloppy. There was a new slogan on the internal comms:
"Be Superior or Be Replaced."
---
Stark Tower – Lab 4B – 1:32 PM
Gwen Stacy, still an intern but now unofficially dubbed "Queen of Controlled Chaos," peeked over a pile of test tubes as Otto entered. Unlike most, she didn't flinch.
"Hey, Boss. We only had two minor accidents today."
"Minor?"
She pointed. "We only melted one glove this time."
Otto crossed his arms. "Progress. Congratulations. You'll make a proper mad scientist yet."
Gwen smirked. "And you're surprisingly not grumpy today."
Otto handed her a tablet. "Because the company is now running like a Swiss watch. Also, because I haven't spoken to Justin Hammer in 62 days."
A beat.
"…You're counting?"
"Wouldn't you?"
---
Stark Tower – Conference Hall – 3:00 PM
Otto stood before the board of directors, giving the quarterly presentation. Every graph surged upward. Every projection outpaced the last. Even the notoriously tight-fisted CFO looked like he was having a mild spiritual experience.
"We have increased R&D output by 22%, reduced budget waste by 19%, and our new vertical farming lab will go live in Brooklyn within the next month."
A director raised his hand. "And, uh, how's morale?"
Otto blinked. "They're... content."
Adele whispered in his earpiece:
"Employee morale is unusually high. One intern said, and I quote, 'It's like being managed by Batman if he had a PhD in every subject.'"
Otto ignored the warm feeling in his chest. "Satisfactory. Next question."
---
Stark Tower – Executive Lobby – Day 90 – 8:45 AM
A roar of repulsors echoed through the skies as Tony Stark landed in style. His goatee was a bit longer, his sunglasses more expensive, and Pepper beside him looked radiant in vacation whites.
"Hey, Friday," Tony called out. "Tell the tower: Daddy's home."
Inside, Adele pinged Otto:
"Mr. Stark has returned. He is using phrases like 'Daddy's home' and 'Where's my throne?' Proceed with caution."
Otto didn't react. He was already halfway to the elevator.
---
CEO Office – 9:03 AM
Tony strolled in, taking in the office. Everything was cleaner, smarter. Even the snack bar had been alphabetized.
Otto stood behind the desk, arms folded.
"You've upgraded my tower," Tony said.
"I saved it from mediocrity."
"Fair," Tony admitted. "Rumors say the stock went up because of your glare alone."
Otto didn't blink. "I replaced all inefficient staff, restructured logistics, and forced Hammer into a silent partnership where he's legally not allowed to speak during board meetings."
Tony's eyes widened. "You're a monster. I love it."
Pepper peeked in. "Play nice, boys. And Otto — thank you for keeping things from exploding."
Otto nodded. "Explosions are for amateurs."
Tony gave him a genuine smile. "You did good, Doc. Might have to keep you around."
"I'm not your intern, Stark."
"No," Tony replied, "you're the guy that kept the empire standing while I was on a beach with sunscreen in my eyes."
They shook hands.
Tony paused. "One question though. What happened to the cafeteria?"
Otto smirked. "I may have renamed it the 'Superior Bistro of Sustenance.'"
Tony blinked.
"…You know what? That's better than 'Taco Tuesday with Thor.' Carry on
Scene Three: "Spotlights & Promotions"
Stark Expo – Main Stage – Evening
The buzz was electric. Spotlights danced across a crowd of eager press, fans, scientists, and influencers trying to understand science through hashtags. Stark Expo was back, shinier than ever — but this year, the spotlight wasn't on Tony.
It was on Otto.
From backstage, Tony peeked out, sipping a sparkling water with the exhaustion of someone who's been politely introduced as "Mr. Potts" at least five times.
"I haven't been this nervous since Pepper found my secret suit closet," he muttered.
Beside him, Otto Octavius adjusted his high-collared dark gray blazer, crisp black shirt underneath, and no tie — a power move. His signature spider insignia subtly adorned his lapel. The Iron Spider necklace pulsed faintly with life. His wolf-cut hair had been freshly trimmed, giving him the air of a man who could out-logic a quantum AI and pull off runway fashion.
"Relax, Stark," Otto said. "I'll only mildly overshadow your entire legacy."
"That's what I'm afraid of."
As the announcer boomed through the arena: "Ladies and gentlemen… the mind behind Stark's meteoric rise over the last quarter… Dr. Otto Octavius!", Otto stepped into the spotlight.
Cheers erupted — actual cheers. People were clapping, some even chanting, "Superior! Superior!" J. Jonah Jameson was visibly in the front row, wiping away a single proud tear. ("He's the menace we needed!")
Otto spoke calmly, confidently.
"Innovation is not about ego," he began. "It is about necessity. Evolution. Responsibility. The age of chaotic genius is over. We are now entering the era of superior structure."
Behind him, visuals of his upgraded divisions played — new eco-reactors, AI-enhanced urban farming, clean defense drones. One slide read "Projects with Purpose," and another simply said "NO MORE FLAME DECALS ON TANKS – Mandatory."
Tony leaned against the wall, whispering to Pepper, "I created a control freak with charisma. What have I done?"
Pepper smiled. "Delegated brilliantly."
---
Stark Tower – Biology Lab – The Next Morning
Gwen Stacy was at her desk, messy bun in place, scribbling furious notes while checking a strange mutation pattern on-screen. Her coffee had gone cold hours ago. Around her, other interns buzzed like caffeinated bees. And then—
Click. Click. Click.
The unmistakable sound of Otto's mechanical limbs tapping the tile behind him. The lab went silent in 0.5 seconds. Gwen looked up, brow raised.
"Doc. You're early. You never visit this floor before noon."
"I make exceptions," Otto said, placing a folder on her desk. "Congratulations, Miss Stacy."
She blinked. "On... not burning anything today?"
"No," he said, lips twitching. "On your promotion. You're officially a Junior Research Developer under the Experimental Biology division. You'll receive full access to Lab 3, a secure parking space, and most importantly... your own intern to torment."
Gwen's mouth dropped. "Wait, what?"
Otto handed her a badge. "Your analysis of the Stark-particle-infused arachnids has already contributed to the vaccine prototype. You've earned this."
She looked stunned. "Wow. Thanks... Boss. Wait, did you smile just now?"
"That was a data-based facial expression. Don't read into it."
Behind them, one intern whispered, "She got promoted? And I've been growing mold for three months…"
Another muttered, "She is dating the boss."
Gwen turned and shot them a look. "Not helping, Kyle!"
Otto cleared his throat. "I'll expect you in the Tower Biology Briefing Room at 3 p.m. sharp."
She saluted sarcastically. "Aye, Supreme Commander of Cells."
He raised an eyebrow, turned, and walked off — though if one listened closely, they might've heard Adele giggle in his earpiece .