---
"…So you're saying you're an Omega-rank mutant… with the ability of trade. You can bring magical things to sell… and you even have an authentic magical library?" Tony raised an eyebrow, skepticism practically radiating off him as he lazily twirled the espresso cup in his fingers.
Nova simply nodded, sipping the coffee Pepper had brewed personally for their unexpected guest. He didn't rise to the bait. "Accurate."
Tony looked at Pepper, then back at Nova. "Right. And next you'll tell me you're also Santa Claus."
"You think Santa could manage interdimensional logistics?" Nova said mildly. "Besides, I'm more selective with my gifts."
Pepper tried—and failed—not to smile.
Tony narrowed his eyes. "So let's cut the crap. You show up out of nowhere. You save my life with something that isn't on any medical chart. Pepper trusts you—which is already the strangest part of this conversation—and now you want me to help you and your science fair club avoid heat when you blow the lid off what I assume are a bunch of rules-breaking chemical miracles?"
Nova leaned forward, setting his cup down with a quiet click. "Close. I want Stark Industries' influence. Legitimacy. Public protection. And in return, you live."
Tony raised an eyebrow and glanced down at the arc reactor glowing in his chest. "Well, damn," he muttered. "And here I thought I was finally ahead of the curve."
He leaned back, studying Nova with a little more interest now than sarcasm. "Alright, fine. Let's talk value. How effective are these miracle serums of yours?"
Nova's smile was faint, but confident. He reached into his coat and withdrew a sleek, slate-black device—his Omni-Dex. With a flick of his wrist, it activated, projecting a crisp hologram into the air between them.
The footage began.
A man in a wheelchair, both legs amputated above the knees. Facial scars. The unmistakable signs of long-term trauma and hopelessness.
Then—he took the serum.
Within moments, color returned to his skin. Bone and muscle regenerated, sinew stretched and formed. The man gasped as legs reformed beneath him. First bone, then tissue, then skin.
Seconds later, he stood—shaky, stunned, whole.
Tony leaned forward, mouth slightly open as he watched. "…You're kidding me."
Nova didn't respond. He didn't need to.
The video ended with the man walking out of the frame, overwhelmed with emotion.
"That's one of dozens of successful trials," Nova said quietly. "Regenerative capacity that doesn't rely on machines. No nanotech. No implants. Just a single dose. You can use this AI of yours to view the videos legitimancy."
Tony let out a low whistle. "Okay. That's... not just ahead of the curve. That is the curve."
"And I've only scratched the surface," Nova said. "But if I'm going to share this? I need power behind me. Enough to protect Peter, Harry, Ned—and anyone else that signs on."
Tony was silent for a long moment. Then he looked at Pepper, who simply nodded once.
He sighed. "Guess I'd better read that contract you signed."
Nova smiled and made a small, fluid gesture with his hand. With a faint shimmer, a scroll-like document materialized in his palm—sleek, glowing softly with golden lines of script that moved and shifted on their own.
Tony raised an eyebrow. "You know, usually contracts don't come with a light show."
Nova extended it toward him. "Consider it a user-friendly interface. One that binds intent as well as action."
Tony hesitated before taking it, watching it for a second like it might explode. "Is it… humming?"
"A side effect of the soul-binding clause. Nothing invasive. Probably."
Tony's lips parted, then closed again. "Right. Comforting."
As he took the contract, the runes adjusted—shifting language and script until it settled into perfect English with Stark Industries' letterhead etched along the top, almost mockingly.
Tony began to skim through it, his brows slowly climbing. "This is… weirdly professional. Magical clauses, accountability enforcement, economic strategy proposals. There's even a PR contingency plan."
Pepper leaned in slightly, arms still crossed. "It scared the legal team into silence for an hour."
Tony gave a low whistle. "Now that's impressive."
Then, under her breath, Pepper added, "Still feels like I made a deal with the devil."
Tony didn't look up. "If this is hell, at least it's well-organized."
Nova gave the faintest smirk, saying nothing as Tony kept reading, page after page, his skepticism slowly giving way to reluctant interest.
---
CONFIDENTIAL AGREEMENT OF MUTUAL INTERVENTION & PROTECTION
Parties Involved:
Party A: Nova Ashbourne, Omega-Ranked Mutant, The Trader.
Party B: Pepper Potts, acting in full executive capacity on behalf of Anthony Edward Stark, CEO of Stark Industries.
---
PREAMBLE:
This contract serves as a binding agreement between the above parties. The objective is to authorize life-preserving intervention upon Party B's principal (Anthony Edward Stark), by Party A, using experimental or proprietary biotechnological methods not currently available within conventional medical frameworks. In return, Party B shall fulfill the obligations listed below to support and shield Party A and his named associates from institutional, governmental, and corporate retaliation following the release of classified biological enhancement products.
---
SECTION I: Nova's Obligations
1. Emergency Intervention: Party A shall, upon execution of this agreement, enact full-spectrum healing protocols to stabilize and repair the physical condition of Anthony Edward Stark. This includes:
Removal of all lethal shrapnel and foreign matter.
Repair and restoration of cardiac tissue, circulatory systems, and associated trauma.
Restoration of full physiological function, eliminating the necessity for the arc reactor as a life-support device.
2. Non-Lethality Guarantee: Party A guarantees that all substances and technologies used shall not cause long-term harm or mutations inconsistent with the subject's original physiology.
3. Confidentiality Clause: All intervention procedures shall remain confidential, unless disclosure is required under mutual agreement or emergency conditions.
---
SECTION II: Stark Industries' Obligations
1. Institutional Shielding: Upon public release of proprietary enhancement serums (developed by Party A and associates), Stark Industries shall use its full influence to provide legal, political, and corporate protection for the following individuals:
Nova Ashbourne
Harry Osborn
Peter Parker
Ned Leeds
2. Public Legitimacy: Stark Industries shall formally endorse the legitimacy and scientific merit of the released products, and—when necessary—provide limited corporate backing through partnerships, public statements, and legal defenses.
3. Resource Assistance: Party B agrees to provide non-invasive logistical and resource support for distribution, communication, and manufacturing infrastructure, when feasible.
---
SECTION III: Additional Clauses
1. Non-Disclosure: No third party may be informed of the contract's existence or contents without consent from both parties. Also it's forbidden to reveal the details of rescue.
2. Termination Conditions: This contract may only be terminated if:
Either party is found in breach of their obligations.
Mutual consent is given in writing.
Party A is deceased or permanently unreachable by natural or supernatural means.
3. Binding Nature: This contract is sealed with both legal and metaphysical enforcement runes. Violation of the core clauses shall result in proportional retribution consistent with interdimensional trade law and Earth-bound legal standards.
---
SIGNED:
Pepper Potts
Executive Officer, Stark Industries
Signature Confirmed.
Nova Ashbourne, The Trader
Signature Bound via Soul-Key & Omni-Dex Mark.
----
Tony looked at the contract for a while, flipping back to the healing section. His brow furrowed slightly.
"So… it says here you'll 'restore full physiological function' and 'eliminate the necessity for the arc reactor as a life-support device.'" He tapped the line with his finger. "You're telling me you can pull shrapnel out of my heart—without opening me up—and fix everything like I never got blown up in the first place?"
Nova leaned back slightly, clasping his hands. "That's true. But there are few complications. If we just inject the serum, it will heal the hole in your chest but those sharpnels will remain in your chest."
Tony frowned. "So I do need surgery?"
Nova smiled and shook his head, leaning back in his seat like he was settling into a favorite story. "I have a better magical method."
Tony narrowed his eyes, recognizing that grin. "Looking at your smile, I feel like I'm gonna regret asking… But fine. What's your better magical method, O Wise One?"
Nova's smile widened, eyes twinkling. "Make a wish."
Tony blinked. "What is this, Aladdin show now? You granting wishes?"
"Just one," Nova said smoothly. "Call it a free trial. So… wish for something. Anything. It doesn't have to be useful. Could be fun. Stupid. Filthy. Up to you."
Tony scoffed, setting down his cup. "Alright, let's play." He leaned back dramatically, hands behind his head like he was addressing a cosmic game show host. "I want a wall-sized, framed picture of a ridiculously sexy redhead in black lingerie. None of that artsy blurring. I'm talking definition, power, and confidence—legs, curves, attitude. The kind of woman who could crush your soul and look good doing it."
Pepper immediately groaned from the side. "Tony…"
Nova didn't even blink. His eyes glowed a warm gold, fingers snapping in one smooth, practiced motion.
A soft shimmer of light danced across the far wall. In its place appeared a luxurious, gold-trimmed frame nearly six feet tall. Inside was a photo that looked like it belonged in a high-end underground gallery: a dangerously beautiful redhead with icy green eyes and a smirk that screamed confidence. She lounged on a deep leather chair, arms rested behind her head, black lace hugging her body like it had been custom-spun for sin. Her platinum-blonde hair was cut in a stylish asymmetrical bob, one side slightly tucked to reveal a sharp jawline and intense stare. The lighting was dramatic—her curves kissed by soft shadows and just enough exposure to tease and tempt without crossing into vulgarity.
Both men whistled in perfect unison.
"Damn," Tony breathed, momentarily stunned. "That's… that's craftsmanship."
Pepper groaned again, louder this time. "You were fine until now, Nova. Now you're just a perverted genie."
Nova chuckled, clearly unbothered. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
"I liked you better before the conjuring," she muttered.
Tony stood up, hands on hips, staring at the framed masterpiece. "Okay, yeah. This is going in the tower. Right in my private study. You know what—screw that—I'm starting a collection."
Nova raised an eyebrow. "That's going to be one hell of a center piece."
"Oh, it already is," Tony said, still staring in awe. "You're telling me she's real?"
Nova's smile deepened slightly. " Yup, definitely real. You'll meet her in time. Former assassin, wicked sense of humor, lethal in five languages. Or maybe you will meet her spy sister before her."
Pepper narrowed her eyes, ignoring spy sister part for later. "Did you just conjure a real person like that?"
"I didn't conjure her," Nova corrected with a grin. "Just a wish-aligned representation. Manifested based on Tony's, let's say, colorful parameters."
Tony turned with a cocky grin. "That means I've got great taste."
Pepper shook her head and muttered something under her breath about "men and their toys."
Nova sipped his drink. "Now that the demo's over… ready to make a real wish?"
Tony didn't look away from the picture. "Honestly? I'm starting to think you are the deluxe package."
Nova smirked. "You haven't even scratched the surface."
XxxxX
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