Marvel - The Blood God

"These unseasoned potato chips aren't half bad," Ivan said, grabbing a handful and tossing them into his mouth. He then threw a camera to Maverick and added, "Wear this so we can get a better view."

Maverick frowned. "Who's the boss here, you or me?"

"The more I see, the better armor I can build. Better armor means more money for you," Ivan retorted arrogantly from the sofa.

Maverick was momentarily speechless. This was the legendary tech genius—even the boss had to cater to him.

But Maverick wasn't just any boss. He flipped Ivan off, turned off the surveillance feeds with a remote control, and said, "I'll record it. You can watch when I get back."

"No." Ivan and Anton protested in unison.

Grinning smugly, Maverick strode out of the villa. "Who are you kidding? I don't need the money; why should I bend over backward for you?"

Respect was one thing, but letting them push him around was another.

Once Maverick left, Ivan and Anton, who had seemed furious moments ago, exchanged sly smiles. Ivan pulled out his phone, tapped a few buttons, and the screen lit up again.

He switched the view from the drone's perspective to Maverick's—the camera was still on his chest.

For a genius like Ivan, hacking into surveillance systems was child's play. Munching on another chip, he said, "With that kind of temper, he can't be too cunning."

Anton nodded. "I heard he's only twenty-one and already loaded. It's normal for someone his age to be a bit hot-headed. Ivan, remember: the Vanko family repays kindness and avenges wrongs."

"I know, Dad. I'll surpass Tony Stark and show the world that the Stark family are nothing but thieves, liars, and butchers."

"I'll help you," Anton declared passionately. "Our family won't lose to the Starks. Ivan, I'll make up for what I couldn't give you."

"Dad, you know I don't care."

"But I do. When you have a child, you'll understand the feeling. Every father wants the best for his kid."

At Stark Industries, in the Area 16 lab housing the large Arc Reactor, Pepper Potts, Agent Coulson, and others were tied up on the floor, surrounded by armed terrorists.

Growing impatient, Raza asked Coulson, "Did you lie to me? Is Iron Fist really coming?"

Coulson glanced at Raza and the two unusual figures beside him—one burly, one lean—and replied calmly, "He'll come, but that might not be good news for you."

"If he shows up, he's dead." Raza sneered. He didn't believe Iron Fist was much stronger than him. With his two associates, Iron Fist wouldn't stand a chance.

Pepper glared at Obadiah Stane, who stood near the Iron Monger suit, and shouted, "Tony won't let you get away with this."

"There won't be a Tony anymore, Pepper. You chose the wrong side," Obadiah retorted. He was about to order Raza to proceed when suddenly, the glass ceiling shattered. A red-and-gold figure descended, landing with a resounding crash.

"Tony." Pepper exclaimed excitedly.

Raza eyed Iron Man skeptically. "That landing pose seems familiar."

Tony felt a twinge of annoyance, sensing his style had been copied. He stood tall, aiming his glowing palms at Raza and Obadiah. "Surrender now, or face the consequences."

"Shoot him. Kill him." Raza ordered. The terrorists opened fire, but Tony's repulsor blasts quickly incapacitated several of them as he moved to protect Pepper.

Just then, a massive figure charged forward. A steel arm swung out, sending Tony crashing through a wall and tumbling outside.

Obadiah had seized the moment to don the Iron Monger suit. He thundered through the wall, chasing after Tony. "I built a suit too, Tony. Let's see who's stronger."

"Now this is real armor." Ivan cheered from the villa, watching the scene unfold through hacked surveillance. "Come on, take down that pretty boy."

Unaware of Ivan's encouragement, Obadiah focused solely on destroying Tony.

Tony struggled against Iron Monger but was outmatched in size, strength, and firepower.

Their battle spilled onto the streets. Despite the late hour, traffic flowed steadily. Iron Monger showed no concern for bystanders. He hurled a car at Tony, which missed and collided with another vehicle, causing a chaotic pileup.

Panicked drivers couldn't react in time, and subsequent crashes ensued. Trapped in their cars as flames erupted, people screamed for help.

"Help us. Please." The cries echoed amid the chaos.

In a matter of moments, innocent lives were lost—a stark reminder that the real world isn't like the movies where mass destruction results in minimal casualties.

"No." Tony wanted to rescue them but was kicked aside by Iron Monger. Obadiah then unleashed the suit's Gatling gun, firing wildly at Tony without a care for collateral damage.

Meanwhile, back at the lab entrance, a terrorist stood guard when a sleek silver sports car barreled toward him.

"Someone's coming." he shouted, stunned as the car showed no signs of slowing down.

Terrorists scrambled out of the way as the car crashed through the glass doors, sending shards and debris flying. The vehicle screeched to a halt inside the lobby.

Maverick emerged, looking displeased. He addressed the shocked Raza, "You thought you could mess with me without consequences?"

Raza held up a hand to stop his men from shooting. With his two associates beside him, he spat, "The consequence is that there will be no more Iron Fist in Kunlun."

"You and what army?" Maverick smirked. The odd duo beside Raza might be unusual, but they didn't concern him.

The muscular man, built like a tank, cracked his knuckles. In broken English, he taunted, "I heard your fists are strong. Let's see if they're stronger than my body."

Raza quickly cautioned in Arabic, "Aku, this guy is powerful. Don't engage him directly."

"Why not? The Mandarin enhanced my body—bullets can't even pierce me." Aku boasted. He charged at Maverick like a rampaging beast, the ground trembling beneath his steps.

"Bring it on." Maverick shouted. His right arm glowed with a fiery red aura, resembling a coiled dragon. He unleashed a thunderous punch, the air echoing with a dragon's roar.

Sensing danger, Aku crossed his arms to block. The impact was catastrophic—his arms shattered instantly, the force driving him backward like a cannonball.

Aku crashed through a wall and lay motionless outside. Raza rushed over, only to find his associate broken and bleeding.

"How is this possible? How are you this strong?" Raza exclaimed in disbelief. "Last time, you were barely my equal."

"Last time, I used just twenty percent of my strength. Now it's fifty," Maverick replied coolly. "I was just playing around before, but since you came looking for trouble, I had to take it seriously."

"You were telling the truth?" Raza felt a chill run down his spine.

"Of course. Being too strong can be a hassle—I'm always worried about accidentally killing someone, so I hold back," Maverick said nonchalantly.

Pepper and Coulson exchanged bewildered glances. Was he for real?

Realizing the threat, Raza barked at his men, "Shoot him. Now."

The terrorists opened fire, but Maverick didn't flinch. He thrust his hand forward, and the bullets halted mid-air, glowing red before flying back toward the shooters. They fell, one after another, struck down by their own gunfire.

Everyone stared in shock. Pepper's mouth hung open. "Is this actually happening?"

Maverick clasped his hands behind his back, exuding calm confidence.

Seeing this, Raza's fear turned to desperation. "Distract him." he shouted to his remaining associate.

The lean man drew twin scimitars and darted around Maverick at incredible speed, becoming a blur.

Most would be disoriented, but Maverick chuckled. "Trying to outpace me? Amateur move."

He stomped the ground, sending a shockwave that disrupted the man's footing. Before he could recover, Maverick's fiery fist connected, and the man met a swift end.

"Messy. Note to self: avoid headshots," Maverick muttered, grimacing at the gruesome scene.

Just then, a bright electric light flashed. Raza had activated a ring on his finger, sending a bolt of green lightning toward Maverick.

"Die, Iron Fist." Raza shouted.

"Resorting to tricks? So much for a fair fight," Maverick scoffed. His body dissolved into a swarm of bats, the lightning passing harmlessly through before he reformed.

Everyone gaped. What was he?

"No matter what you are, I'll destroy you." Raza snarled, aiming the ring again.

In a blink, Maverick appeared before him. A swift slash, and Raza's arm fell away.

Raza screamed, but it was cut short as Maverick grasped his neck and snapped it effortlessly. "You overestimated yourself."

He tossed the body aside, discreetly pocketing a vial of red liquid from Raza's belongings. "This might be worth studying," he mused.

Picking up Raza's severed hand, he eyed the two rings—one bearing the Ten Rings insignia, the other glowing green. As he reached for the second ring, it dissolved into light and vanished.

"So it was just a projection of power. The Mandarin is more formidable than I thought," Maverick noted. "But no matter. I'm not exactly a lightweight myself."

He discarded the hand and approached Pepper, untying her restraints. "Are you okay, Miss Potts?"

"Mr. Cassain, please. Tony needs help—he's in danger." Pepper pleaded.

Before Maverick could respond, a battered Tony Stark crashed through the shattered ceiling, landing heavily. He lifted his helmet visor with a cocky grin. "Who's in danger? Need some assistance?"

Tony had managed to exploit Iron Monger's design flaw—the suit froze at high altitudes—causing Obadiah to crash.

"Tony." Pepper exclaimed, moving toward him, but Maverick held her back. "Wait. Show-offs often have rough landings."

"Excuse me?" Tony retorted, overhearing.

Before he could argue, Iron Monger, not as defeated as Tony thought, plummeted back down. Tony barely had time to react before being slammed into a wall.

"See what I mean?" Maverick quipped.

"Mr. Cassain, this isn't the time. Please help him." Pepper urged.

"On it. You go free the others," Maverick replied, striding toward Iron Monger.

Obadiah aimed his Gatling gun at Maverick. "Let's see you dodge this."

As he fired, Maverick vanished, reappearing behind Iron Monger. "Looking for me?"

Obadiah frantically searched. "Where did you go?"

Maverick's entire body glowed with intense red energy. Channeling it into his fists, he struck Iron Monger's back with immense force.

Iron Monger was sent flying, the impact leaving deep dents in the armor. Obadiah screamed, blood splattering inside his helmet.

"Now's my chance. Jarvis, all power to the chest repulsor." Tony commanded.

His suit's chest reactor glowed brightly before unleashing a powerful blast. The beam hit Iron Monger mid-air, propelling him through the glass ceiling and into the Arc Reactor below.

The Reactor's energy became unstable, lightning arcing wildly.

"It's gonna blow. Everyone out." Maverick shouted, sprinting toward his car. Pepper, Coulson, and the others followed suit.

Tony tried to move but realized his suit was out of power. "Help. I'm low on juice."

"Seriously? What kind of hero doesn't keep a backup?" Maverick sighed. Abandoning his car, he grabbed Tony, slung him over his shoulder, and raced out.

"Is he... dragging his car while carrying Tony?" Coulson remarked, astonished.

Seconds after they escaped, the Arc Reactor exploded. The blast knocked everyone except Maverick off their feet.

Setting Tony down, Maverick glanced back at the burning facility. "Hope you had insurance."

"Don't worry, I did. And I'm not just a walking battery," Tony grumbled.

"Could've fooled me. Your suit's endurance is lacking," Maverick teased.

"What did you say? I lack endurance? Ask any of my exes." Tony shot back.

"I'm talking about your suit. Touchy, aren't we?"

"Who's touchy?" Tony huffed.

Pepper rushed over. "Tony, are you okay?"

"He's fine," Maverick interjected. "Though he plans to check his stamina with his ex-girlfriends."

"Tony." Pepper glared.

"What? No. He's twisting my words." Tony protested. "My suit's stamina is fine."

"But you didn't deny seeing your exes," Pepper retorted.

Tony opened his mouth but couldn't find a reply. Maverick chuckled. "Well, my work here is done."

Agent Coulson approached, extending his hand. "Mr. Cassain, thank you for your assistance. I'm Phil Coulson with S.H.I.E.L.D."

"Pleasure," Maverick said, shaking his hand. "So, Coulson, are you handling my appearance fee?"

"Uh... appearance fee?" Coulson stammered.

"Just kidding," Maverick laughed. "Alright, Tony, Pepper—the situation's under control. I'll be on my way."

"Thank you, Mr. Cassain," Pepper said sincerely.

Tony muttered, "I could've managed without him."

"Tony." Pepper admonished.

Tony sighed, glancing at Maverick. The guy was not only wealthier but also stronger. How was he supposed to compete?

Maverick didn't seem to care. "Pepper, feel free to call me Maverick. With Obadiah out of the picture, it's your time to shine."

He hopped into his sports car and drove off. Pepper stood there, recalling a recent fortune-telling session. Could she really become CEO of Stark Industries?

The aftermath required explanations. The battle had caused significant destruction and loss of life. At a press conference the next day, S.H.I.E.L.D. provided a carefully crafted cover story. But Tony, ever the maverick, declared to the world, "I am Iron Man," causing an immediate sensation.

"Agent Coulson, I'm sorry," Pepper apologized.

Coulson shook his head. "It's Tony Stark. We should've expected this."

He stepped aside to contact Director Fury about their next steps. Nearby, Dr. Ethan glanced at Pepper. "I think I understand what Maverick meant by 'a great cause.'"

"A great cause? Becoming a superhero?" Pepper pondered. Maverick's predictions seemed to be coming true.

Did that mean she might eventually leave with Happy Hogan? Pepper silently wished Happy well. After all, someone had a reputation for being quite possessive.

---

Want to read ahead? Support this work at [email protected]/OneSword