"So, should I sue you for trespassing?"
Tony said jokingly, pausing before adding, "Want a drink?"
Seeing Natasha Romanoff and the one-eyed bald man nod, he took out a bottle of whiskey and poured two glasses, walking over to hand them to the two guests before pouring himself a glass at the bar.
Taking a sip, Tony leaned casually against the counter, his sharp eyes sweeping over the two visitors.
"So, you found me this way. What is it that you need from me?"
Natasha Romanoff and Fury exchanged a brief glance before Fury stepped forward, handing Tony a file."Do you know S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"Yeah~ You've been quite the big deal these past few years."
Tony gave him a skeptical look, set his glass down, and flipped through the file. His eyebrows rose slightly as he recognized familiar names — his father, Howard Stark, Captain America Steve Rogers, and Peggy Carter.
A flicker of emotion passed through his eyes, though his expression remained neutral. Closing the file, he handed it back.
"So, you're the current director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury?"
"That's right."
"What do you want from me? Don't tell me you're short on funds — are you looking for technical support? I'll have to think about that."
"No." Fury shook his head, then gestured toward Natasha. "I'm just here as company. She's the one who really wants to talk to you."
Tony raised an eyebrow, glass in hand. "Oh?"
Natasha took a sip of her drink and said calmly, "On behalf of the Avengers, I'm inviting you to join us, Tony Stark."
Her voice was even — neither overly polite nor cold — perfectly composed.
Tony wasn't put off by her attitude, only mildly surprised. "Why the sudden invitation? Don't tell me…"
His face changed slightly.
"Your performance yesterday was quite impressive, Mr. Stark."
Natasha tapped on her wristwatch. A holographic projection flickered to life, showing footage of Tony's silver MK armor streaking through the sky, engines flaring.
The scene showed his flight test — breaking the 26,000-meter altitude mark before the outer shell froze, causing an energy failure. Then, just before crashing into the sea, Tony reactivated the auxiliary thrusters and regained control.
He crashed back through his own ceiling and into his underground lab.
Tony glanced at the footage and smirked shamelessly. "I have to admire my composure under pressure."
"I only saw you making a fool of yourself," Natasha replied flatly.
"Hah. Didn't you just invite me to join your team? Maybe you should improve your tone," Tony said helplessly.
To others, he might have been arrogant, but not toward her.
He lacked detailed information about Natasha, but from leaked battle footage, he knew she was terrifyingly fast — perhaps even rivaling the Hulk in close combat.
A humanoid monster, he thought.
Better to be polite.
"So, what's your answer, Mr. Stark?" Natasha asked with a faint smile.
Tony considered for a moment, then asked seriously, "Can I see your weapon?"
"Weapon?"
Natasha raised an eyebrow but didn't refuse. She reached under her arm and produced a short staff, setting it on the table.
When Tony reached for it, Natasha pulled it back slightly.
"This weapon is mine alone. Others can't lift it."
Tony froze for a moment, then examined it curiously.
The staff was covered in intricate runes and metalwork — reminiscent of divine craftsmanship.
"The material and engravings aren't ordinary," Tony murmured. "This came from the Sanctuary, didn't it?"
Natasha's eyes narrowed. "You know?"
Tony smiled faintly. "So I was right. You're connected to the Sanctuary… or maybe even a Saint Seiya."
He exhaled. "Tell me, are you here as an Avenger — or as an emissary of the gods?"
Natasha didn't answer directly.
Tony continued, "The changes in the world these past few years… they make me uneasy. The God King and the Sanctuary are powerful — divine even. But who can say they'll always keep their promises? Gods aren't bound to mortal loyalty."
He met her gaze steadily. "Mortals need their own strength."
Fury smiled slightly. "That's exactly why I formed the Avengers."
Tony chuckled, swirling his glass. "To be honest, I'm no hero. I'm just… tired of feeling powerless."
He took another drink, eyes distant.
"I hate that feeling — of having no control. I don't even know what I want… but I want to try. Maybe take responsibility for once."
"I've seen people like you fight with everything they have. But me? I'm just a man — an ordinary man. What can I do?"
He glanced toward the holographic armor model projected by J.A.R.V.I.S.
"I can build," he said softly. "I can create something that lets us stand a chance."
Natasha and Fury remained silent — their expressions complex.
Tony continued, voice low but firm. "This armor is a miracle of technology, far beyond anything humanity's created. But it's still not enough. Against those things — those devils, those Saints — it's not even close."
He gestured to the projection.
"The materials, alloys, energy core — everything I've built surpasses human science. But for beings like them, it's just a toy."
"It can block artillery, survive explosions, even fly at Mach speed. Yet compared to true power… it's still slow, still weak."
Natasha finally spoke. "You want to strengthen your armor through enchantment?"
"Maybe. Science alone won't be enough." Tony nodded.
But Natasha shook her head. "I'm sorry, Mr. Stark. I can't help with that. I may have ties to the Sanctuary, but their secrets are not mine to share."
Tony smiled. "Relax. I just want to scan your staff — study its energy signature. Nothing more."
Natasha and Fury exchanged glances.
"Is that your condition for joining?" she asked.
Tony shook his head. "Not a condition — just a request. I'll join either way."
Natasha thought for a moment, then turned toward the balcony, gazing out at the horizon.
Fury and Tony clinked glasses and spoke about S.H.I.E.L.D. — about Howard Stark's early days and the history Tony never got to see.
After a while, Natasha returned.
"You can study the staff," she said finally, "but it stays at the Avengers headquarters."
"Deal," Tony said immediately.
"Welcome to the team."
Natasha extended her hand, smiling slightly. Tony shook it.
Bucky… No…
In a frozen wasteland, a man fell from a speeding train — the sound of the wind roaring past as pain and darkness swallowed him.
Fragments of memory flashed — hands dragging him through the snow, blood pooling beneath him, a short man in a white coat grinning over a surgical table.
Then came flashes of gunfire, explosions, and a beautiful, cold-faced woman descending from the sky — her presence divine, unstoppable.
In the laboratory, that same face loomed over him as toxins coursed through his veins — destroying and repairing, over and over again.
He remembered his skin rotting, his flesh melting, his organs dissolving — a living skeleton screaming in purgatory as demons tore at him.
Suddenly, Bucky jolted awake, gasping for breath.
His eyes were unfocused as he looked around. Sunlight streamed through the window, warm against his bare chest.
"Where… am I?" he muttered.
He lifted the blanket, then froze.
His left hand — flesh and bone. Whole again.
"...My hand?"
In his memory, that arm was gone — replaced by cold metal after he fell from the train. HYDRA had made him a weapon.
But now — he was whole.
Memories flooded back — childhood, the war, Steve, the Howling Commandos, HYDRA, and then… her.
That woman.
He shivered involuntarily. Fear — deep and primal — gripped his heart.
After a long moment, he calmed himself and got dressed.
Outside the door, a poised blonde woman in a tailored suit and white gloves was waiting.
When Bucky stepped out, she smiled politely.
"Good morning, Mr. Barnes. Since you're awake, please follow me. Lady Ophelia is waiting to see you."
End of Chapter)
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