The entire world had gone quiet. Only the two of them remained — and those eerie, mute figures.
Leo flicked open a lighter.
Natasha frowned. "What are you doing?"
"Barbecue," he said casually.
Natasha blinked. Barbecue? With a lighter? For a split second, she imagined using it to burn off his hair instead.
Ignoring her thoughts, Leo manipulated the small flame — and in an instant, it transformed into a roaring Fire Dragon.
"Oh my God! You have Fire Element abilities too?!"
Natasha gasped, her eyes wide with a mix of awe, envy, and disbelief. God, are you blind? Why him? Why such unfairness!
She clenched her fists. The thought of being just an ordinary human made her chest tighten.
Under her stunned gaze, the Fire Dragon devoured one mute creature after another, leaving behind only scorched marks.
After finishing, Leo glanced at her smugly. "Didn't I tell you? I'm omnipotent."
"Hmph. Show-off."
Despite her tone, the shock in her beautiful eyes was impossible to hide. She dealt with superpowered cases every day, yet she was just a normal human — powerless among gods and monsters.
And that realization scared her. If things continued this way, would she one day become obsolete?
Leo suddenly smirked. "Heh, Natasha. Look at me."
She immediately understood his signal. Years of training had sharpened her instincts — she pulled out her earpiece and turned it off.
Only then did Leo speak softly.
"I can help you become something more... a super Black Widow. The kind that could crush ten Captain Americas without breaking a sweat."
Natasha froze. "What? That's impossible... right?"
He grinned. "Of course it's possible. The poor rely on mutation, the rich rely on technology."
He began listing his thoughts. There was the Heart-Shaped Herb in Wakanda — no way that thing only worked for the Black Panther.
He could politely discuss it with them. And there were countless other enhancement technologies across the world — Arc Reactor tech, nano-suits, and more.
In the Marvel Universe, everything was possible.
Leo continued, "But nothing comes for free. I'll help you become stronger... in exchange for one thing. I need you to go undercover in S.H.I.E.L.D. for me."
Natasha's breath caught. His calm tone contrasted with the weight of his words.
Her mind spun. Betray S.H.I.E.L.D.? After all I've done?
Leo didn't press. He just smiled faintly. "Think about it. Here's my card."
He tossed a business card her way, got into his Lamborghini, and drove off — engine roaring like thunder.
Natasha stood there, staring blankly at the card in her hand.
Stronger... eternal life... power.
She remembered how Nick Fury once promised her the Infinity Formula when she defected from the Red Room. That was the reason she joined S.H.I.E.L.D. in the first place.
And now, another offer lay before her — one even more tempting.
"There's only one chance," she whispered, clenching her fists.
But then a cool breeze brushed against her legs — and she froze.
"Damn Leo, that shameless bastard! He didn't just start a fire... he lit me up too!"
Muttering curses, she hurried into the car. After checking no one was around, she tugged off her panties and stuffed them into her bag. They were completely soaked — thanks to that infuriating man who kept teasing her.
"Achoo!"
Leo sneezed hard as he drove. "Who's thinking about me right now? Must be a cutie."
His blue Lamborghini tore through the streets, leaving behind a trail of angry shouts.
"F*ck! Rich guys and their toys!"
"Do they even see normal people as human?!"
Leo just grinned and floored the pedal.
Moments later, he screeched to a halt outside the small villa Wanda had rented. She was still fast asleep — impressive, really.
He opened the door to another room, locked it behind him, and grinned. "Time for serious business."
"System, begin fusion!"
[Please wait, host.]
[Ding! Extracting Colossus's Steel Transformation ability. Beginning fusion. Please wait, host.]
[Ding! Fusion successful!]
Leo raised a finger — it instantly transformed into solid steel. "Nice. This could drive women wild."
"Continue."
[Ding! Extracting Iceman's Ice Element ability. Beginning fusion. Please wait, host.]
[Ding! Host already possesses Ice Element abilities. Fusing the two. Please wait, host.]
[Ding! Fusion successful!]
A chilling vortex formed in his palm — ultra-low temperature, around minus 150 degrees. Even Colossus's steel body or Wolverine's healing factor wouldn't survive that!
This was an Omega-level ability — his most powerful one yet.
"System, continue!"
[Ding! Extracting Red Devil's Teleportation ability. Beginning fusion. Please wait, host.]
[Ding! Fusion successful.]
Leo's eyes gleamed. "Perfect."
He finally had a proper escape tool. If he couldn't win a fight, he could teleport away instantly.
Red Devil's ability was deadly — teleporting enemies high into the sky, into locked cages, or straight into the ocean. There were endless possibilities.
During their confrontation, Leo had been prepared to steal that ability — and now it was his.
With these powers combined, he had finally secured his place in this chaotic world.
When the Time Variance Authority eventually showed up... he would make sure they came, but never left.