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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones. or 500 Collections
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Inside the tower, a game of hide-and-seek was in full swing.
BOOM!
A micro-missile detonated at the far end of the corridor.
The blast flipped Shabby head over heels.
Cough, cough, cough…
Natasha! I can't hold out much longer!
Shabby stared in despair at the Iron Man suits darting through the air.
They've sealed the stairs and killed the elevators—I'm trapped!
Stay calm, Shabby." Natasha's voice stayed level, the Mark of a top-tier Agent. "Friday's algorithms are logic-based. Do something illogical.
Illogical? Like stripping off and dancing right now?!
Anyone here to see it?!
Bio-respiration detected—target locked.
The cold voice of an Iron Man suit rang out beyond the door where Shabby hid.
Thud. Thud.
Heavy footsteps drew closer.
Two suits raised their arms; repulsors began to charge, glowing blindingly bright.
Guess it's needle time…
Shabby gritted his teeth, ready to risk it all.
Suddenly—
Zzzt—
The wall behind him slid open without warning, revealing a hidden room.
Shabby froze for a second.
Get in here!
A woman's voice called.
Whatever—
With no other choice, Shabby spun and slipped inside.
BOOM!!
An explosion echoed at his back.
The hidden door clicked shut again, seamless, as if it had never existed… Shabby panted, heart hammering like it might jump out of his throat.
Where am I?
He groped along the wall and stood up.
It's not on any blueprint
Natasha said, bewildered. "There's no such space in the Avengers Tower schematics.
It was a roughly twenty-square-meter panic room.
No windows, but its own ventilation and emergency power.
Walls of screens showed feeds from every corner of the tower—including the top floor where Lorelei was, and Tony's lab.
In the center stood a woman.
She wore a sharp gray business suit, hair disheveled, face grave, brows knitted.
Pepper Potts.
CEO of Stark Industries, the love of Tony Stark's life.
Jarvis, loop static footage for that sector
Pepper said to thin air, voice trembling yet decisive.
Very well, Miss Potts. Loop in place; Friday won't spot us for now
the gentle British butler replied.
It was Jarvis.
When the tower fell under Lorelei's control, Jarvis had sensed Tony's mental enslavement, contacted Pepper inside the building at once, and hidden his core code.
Pepper turned, facing the empty room.
She couldn't see Shabby, but she knew someone had entered.
Who are you?
Are you with Vought?
Yes—I'm The Invisible Man of The Seven, codename Shabby
he answered.
I came to rescue you… though right now it looks like I'm the one who needs saving.
Pepper exhaled in relief.
Thank heavens.
She stepped to the screens, pointing at the frantic Tony on the feed.
That woman—that devil…
Fury flashed in Pepper's eyes.
She's controlling Tony, making him do things that could destroy the World.
I know
Shabby said, studying the monitor. "We're here to stop her. Too bad my partner's a useless flirt who freezes at the sight of a pretty face.
We still have a chance
Pepper said, taking a hard drive from the desk.
Jarvis may have lost main control, but he still commands the tower's underlying power core.
The power core?" Shabby's eyes lit up.
The big arc reactor
Pepper explained. "That woman's broadcast rig needs massive energy. If we cut the tower's main power at the critical moment—
…V.G.D. Base.
A phone rang shrilly.
Ashley, get me Anthony. Right now!
Beep—beep—
What's up, Natasha? Mission accomplished and you're treating me to a late-night snack?
No time for jokes, boss. Pietro's down, Shabby's MIA, and Thor's charging in head-first.
I'm going in too. If you don't want to collect our corpses, get over here.
Click—call ended.
Homelander lounged on the sofa, pondering.
Interesting.
Ashley.
Yes, sir!" Ashley stepped in.
Tell PR to work overtime. Draft a release for every outlet—headline: 'Avengers Civil War: Who Should Protect Our City?'
Homelander gave a meaningful smile.
Oh, and the mayor of New York will be calling soon—handle next year's contract.
Understood, sir.
…On a gargoyle atop the Chrysler Building opposite Avengers Tower.
Thor tightened his grip on mjolnir.
I knew better than to trust these Midgard gimmicks
he said, watching Natasha check her glider. "Still no word from the transparent guy?
Nothing—he may be in trouble
Natasha replied.
I'm done waiting.
Thor straightened, red cape snapping in the wind.
Asgardians don't lurk in shadows waiting for chances.
Thor!" Natasha tried to stop him. "Don't be rash—if you get controlled too, we're finished!
Ha!" Thor laughed proudly, raising his hammer. "I am Odinson, God of Thunder! I was careless before; I won't fall for her tricks again!
I'll solve this the oldest, simplest way—
By knocking them all flat!
RUMBLE—!
Thor spun Mjolnir.
The next instant he shot off like a thunderbolt, a human cannonball aimed straight at Avengers Tower.
Damn it…
Natasha watched the streak of lightning disappear, sighed helplessly, then leapt.
Black wings snapped open in the night, a silent bat chasing the thunder toward the steel fortress…
CRASH—!!
The top-floor windows of Avengers Tower took another devastating hit.
Thor slammed down amid a storm of lightning. The shockwave hurled furniture aside and even rattled the iron throne.
Lorelei!" Thor roared. "The farce ends now!
The music died.
Lorelei sat flushed on her throne, smiling seductively at the bristling god.
So crude. Couldn't you change your line?
I don't like loud noises. Quiet him down, my warriors.
As you command, my queen.
Tony Stark, fully armored, spoke through the faceplate.
I really hate to ruin the carpet I just laid, but the queen's word is absolute.
Mark 43's thrusters roared as Tony struck first.
Sorry, Thor—but I'm throwing you out.