Marvel - The Blood God

It was Maverick who had landed gracefully. Standing up, he smirked at the disheveled Tony. "This your idea of a grand escape, Tony?"

Tony scowled, both frustrated and angry. "What took you so long?"

"Maybe because someone insisted I stay out of it. Now you're blaming me for your own mess?" Maverick retorted.

Tony was left speechless. At that moment, Raza eyed Maverick warily and shouted, "Who are you?"

"I'm the guy who's here to rescue Tony Stark," Maverick replied coolly.

"Rescue him? In your dreams. Kill him." Raza ordered sharply.

The terrorists raised their weapons, ready to fire. From the helicopter above, Frank pulled the trigger, unleashing a hail of bullets. Several terrorists were cut down instantly, and the rest scrambled for cover, firing wildly into the sky.

Just then, two more military helicopters swooped in, joining the fray. U.S. forces began their assault from the base of the mountain. Chaos erupted as explosions and gunfire filled the air.

"Are you American?" Raza shouted, both frightened and enraged. Ignoring Tony, he charged at Maverick, swinging his scimitar with lethal intent.

"What did he take earlier? His strength is at least double." Maverick thought as he sidestepped Raza's strike and aimed a punch at his elbow. Raza blocked it with his forearm.

"Why does this feel like a kung fu flick all of a sudden?" Tony muttered inside his armor. He tried to stand, but the suit was too heavy and one of his legs was damaged. He stumbled and fell again, feeling utterly humiliated.

"I have to destroy this piece of junk later. It's too embarrassing." Tony fumed.

"You're just a novice. You're no match for me." Raza sneered, realizing Maverick's skill after exchanging a few blows. He launched a series of lightning-fast attacks with his scimitars.

Maverick parried a few strikes, then left an opening. Seizing the moment, Raza slashed at his chest. At that instant, Maverick's right fist glowed with a dazzling red light. He thrust his fist forward like a thunderbolt, smashing into Raza's blade and sending it back into his chest. Raza screamed, coughing up blood as he was hurled into the mountain wall, rocks and dirt cascading around him.

"I still can't control it fully. Otherwise, I could have driven the blade deeper," Maverick mused, shaking his head. Raza pulled the scimitar from his chest, ignoring the bleeding wound, and glared at Maverick. "Who are you?"

"Iron Fist. And by the way, I was only using twenty percent of my power," Maverick replied, folding his arms confidently.

"Iron Fist? From Kunlun?" Raza's eyes widened. "So Kunlun wants to challenge the Ten Rings?"

"As if Kunlun fears the Ten Rings," Maverick scoffed.

Raza gritted his teeth. Seeing his men retreating under the assault of the helicopters and U.S. forces, he shouted in his native language, "Detonate the powder magazine. We'll escape through the secret passage."

Hearing his command, the terrorists fell back into the cave, lighting torches and hurling them at Stark's arsenal—a veritable powder keg, thanks to Tony's weapons.

"Not good. Maverick, get on my back. Everyone else, fall back." Tony shouted, recognizing the imminent danger.

Maverick glanced at Tony's Mark I suit with disdain. "Too ugly. No thanks."

Tony bristled. "Really? You're worried about aesthetics now?"

"Lower the rope ladder and meet me at the cave entrance." Maverick ignored Tony, dashing into the cave to retrieve Yinsen's unconscious body. Emerging, he leaped and grabbed the rope ladder dangling from the helicopter, hoisting himself and Yinsen into the air.

Seeing Maverick aboard, the helicopter sped away. Simultaneously, under Colonel Rhodes's command, the U.S. forces began their withdrawal.

"I hate guys who know kung fu," Tony grumbled. Activating the flight system, his suit belched flames and smoke as he slowly lifted off.

Just as the Mark I took to the air, the stockpile exploded. A massive fireball erupted, sending shockwaves and plumes of flame skyward. Maverick glanced back, admiring the spectacle. "Impressive," he murmured.

Tony wasn't as fortunate. The blast wave slammed into him, sending him hurtling into the desert. He crashed into the sand, debris scattering around him.

As the dust settled, the Mark I lay in pieces, with Tony half-buried and dazed.

The helicopter hovered above. Maverick released his grip, dropping down with Yinsen. He sneered at Tony. "Great craftsmanship from Stark Industries, huh?"

"This was a makeshift suit. It doesn't count," Tony retorted, struggling to his feet. Spotting Yinsen's limp form, his expression darkened.

Maverick smirked. "Why the long face? Wasn't it your actions that got him killed?"

Tony protested, "I didn't kill him. If he'd just stuck to the plan..."

"Still making excuses? Tony Stark, your recklessness cost him his life. If you weren't so stubborn and prideful, he'd still be alive."

Maverick's words hit hard. Tony looked at Yinsen's body, guilt washing over him. "You're right. It's my fault. I should've accepted your help from the start."

Maverick placed a hand on Tony's shoulder. "Tony, value your life. Good people have sacrificed themselves for you."

Tony nodded solemnly. "I will. I won't let Yinsen's death be in vain."

"That's good to hear. Maybe now Yinsen can rest in peace," Maverick said gently.

Tony was about to respond when he noticed Yinsen stirring. "Wait, you're alive?"

Yinsen opened his eyes weakly. "Touched by your words, Tony, but I'm not dead."

Maverick carefully set Yinsen down, chuckling. "Awake already? Thought you'd be out a bit longer."

Tony stared in disbelief. "But you were shot multiple times."

Yinsen smiled faintly. "Your friend here did something. I'm not sure how, but he saved me."

Maverick grinned. "Let's just say it's not exactly scientific."

Tony's shock turned to irritation. He pointed at Maverick. "You were messing with me."

Maverick smirked. "Guilty as charged. Need me to set a date for it?"

Tony clenched his fists, torn between gratitude and annoyance. He wanted to thank Maverick for saving Yinsen, but the man's attitude made it difficult.

Just then, a U.S. military helicopter approached. Colonel Rhodes was first to jump out, eyeing Tony's sorry state. "Next time, think about taking a regular ride, will ya?"

Tony collapsed onto the sand. "Any chance I could get a cheeseburger? I'm exhausted."

Rhodes shook his head, suppressing a grin. With the area too close to enemy territory, they quickly loaded everyone onto the helicopter and departed.

Maverick didn't mention retrieving the remnants of the Mark I suit. He had his reasons for leaving it behind and for allowing Raza and his men to escape.

"Obadiah needs to become the Iron Monger," Maverick thought. "Otherwise, how else will I acquire his shares?"

On the plane, Tony turned to Maverick. "Who sent you to rescue me?"

"Peggy Carter and S.H.I.E.L.D.," Maverick replied.

"Aunt Peggy? S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Tony was taken aback. "How do you know her? And since when does S.H.I.E.L.D. get involved in my affairs?"

Maverick smiled. "Your ties to S.H.I.E.L.D. run deeper than you think."

Tony frowned. "If I have connections to S.H.I.E.L.D., shouldn't I know about them?"

Maverick gave Tony a knowing look. Tony bristled, frustrated by the cryptic response. He wanted answers but couldn't bring himself to ask.

Maverick chuckled softly. "Still a kid at heart."

Three days later, they returned to New York. Pepper Potts and Tony's bodyguard Happy were waiting at the airport. Maverick's assistant, Mercury, was also there, her features hidden behind a high-tech mask.

Seeing Pepper, Tony's expression changed. He quickly moved to block her view and shouted back at Maverick, "Hey, don't look."

"Tony, what's gotten into you?" Pepper asked, puzzled. She glanced over at Maverick, realizing this must be the man Tony had mentioned—young, confident, and apparently returning with Tony.

"Hello, Miss Potts," Maverick said, ignoring Tony's antics. He approached Pepper, extending his hand. "Maverick Cassain, from the Council of Blood. Pleasure to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Cassain," Pepper replied, attempting to shake his hand, but Tony intervened.

"Don't. Happy, stop her." Tony called out.

"Tony, that's rude." Pepper scolded.

"I'm protecting you. This guy has X-ray vision." Tony protested.

"X-ray vision? Are you serious?" Pepper looked skeptical.

Maverick retracted his hand, smiling. "Miss Potts, I'd like to offer you the position of vice president at the Council of Blood. Mr. Stark seems worried I'll steal you away, so he's making up wild stories."

"Vice president?" Pepper was surprised. She turned to Tony, annoyed. "Tony, that's for me to decide, don't you think?"

"He's the one who said he could see through things." Tony exclaimed.

"I didn't say that. Please, don't make things up," Maverick denied smoothly. He addressed Pepper again. "If you're interested, perhaps we could discuss it over tea."

"I appreciate the offer, Mr. Cassain, but I'm not looking to change jobs right now," Pepper said, pushing past Tony to shake Maverick's hand. "Also, please excuse Tony. He can be a bit childish at times."

Tony was fuming. Pepper believed Maverick over him. Spotting Mercury nearby, an idea struck him. He approached her. "You work for the Council of Blood?"

Mercury glanced at him coolly. "I'm Mr. Cassain's assistant."

"How about coming to work for me? Name your price," Tony offered.

Mercury gave him a disdainful look and walked away without a word, heading toward Maverick.

Tony blinked in disbelief. Did she just treat him like an annoyance? He, Tony Stark, being dismissed so easily?

"Tony." Pepper called out, exasperated. She turned to Maverick. "Mr. Cassain, I apologize. Tony's been through a lot recently."

"No worries. I know him well. Miss Potts, we'll be on our way," Maverick said with a nod.

He departed with Mercury and Frank. As they left, Maverick shot Tony a teasing glance, nearly causing Tony to explode with frustration.

"That guy is insufferable." Tony grumbled.

As they walked away, Mercury asked, "Maverick, now that Tony Stark is back, should we stop shorting Stark Industries?"

"Not yet. The real profits are just beginning," Maverick replied with a grin. "Our Mr. Stark is about to make an announcement that will shock the world."

Frank chuckled. "Sounds dramatic. What's he gonna do? Shut down Stark Industries?"

Maverick feigned surprise. "How'd you guess?"

"Your poker face needs work," Frank smirked. "Even if Tony lost his mind, he'd never shut down the company."

Maverick shook his head. "He's not shutting down the whole company, just the weapons division."

"That's practically the same thing," Frank said skeptically.

Neither Frank nor Mercury believed him, but soon they watched Tony Stark on live television announcing to the world, "Effective immediately, I'm shutting down the weapons manufacturing division of Stark Industries."

Frank was stunned. "Maybe he did hit his head out there."

Mercury's eyes lit up. "Maverick, we're about to make a fortune."

And they did. In a single day, Stark Industries' stock plummeted by forty points, wiping out billions in market value.

Having shorted the stock in advance, Maverick's wealth skyrocketed.

"Once the stock drops another ten points, start buying back to cover our shorts," Maverick instructed. "Then, under the Council of Blood's name, acquire a four percent stake in Stark Industries. No more than that—we don't want to draw too much attention or trigger an investigation."

"Maverick, you're not planning to take over Stark Industries, are you? The government won't allow it," Mercury cautioned.

Maverick smiled. "Relax. I'm just here to make money. Stark Industries holds no real value for me."

Mercury sighed in relief and went to relay the orders to their financial team.

Just then, Maverick's phone rang. James was on the line, sounding excited. "Maverick, I've located Anton Vanko and his son, Ivan. They're willing to come to New York to meet you, but there's a problem with their visas. They can't enter the U.S."

"Good work, James. I'll arrange for temporary passes. Get them here as soon as possible," Maverick replied, his excitement evident. This was excellent news.

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