The Discovery:
Isa stood in her training room, sweat glistening on her brow as she delivered precise, calculated strikes to the reinforced dummy before her. Each punch crackled with faint sparks of lightning, the air around her charged with energy. The repetitive hum of her movements was broken when Sai's voice echoed in the room.
Sai: "Mistress, the location of Tony Stark's captors has been confirmed. The stealth drones are also operational and ready for deployment."
Isa paused, her clenched fist hovering mid-air. She slowly lowered her hand, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.
Isa: "Finally."
Across the room, Gale—currently in his human form—was lazily perched on a bench, sharpening one of his throwing daggers. His ears perked up at Sai's announcement.
Gale: "About time. Sitting around was starting to bore me."
Isa wiped her brow with a towel, her gaze sharp. "Get ready. We're leaving immediately."
---
Arrival in Afghanistan:
Isa and Gale arrived in Afghanistan aboard a private jet Isa had arranged beforehand, keeping their movements quiet and off the grid. After landing, they checked into a modest hotel under false identities. The room was plain but functional, with a window overlooking the barren desert landscape.
Isa spent the afternoon reviewing their plan, Sai feeding her details of the terrain and satellite imagery of the area. Gale, sprawled on the bed, glanced at her from time to time but said nothing, knowing her focus was critical.
As night fell, the two donned their armor suits. Isa's sleek black armor reflected no light, her hood drawn up, and her mask in place. Gale's suit, inspired by his tiger heritage, added a feline agility and ferocity to his movements.
Isa: "We move now. Stay sharp."
---
Approaching the Hideout:
The drive was uneventful, the barren terrain rolling past under the cover of darkness. When they reached a vantage point overlooking the terrorist compound, Isa motioned for Gale to stop.
The compound was a patchwork of small buildings and tents surrounding a central cave. A handful of armed guards patrolled the area, their rifles slung over their shoulders.
Isa: "Sai, deploy the drones. I want full visual and thermal coverage of the compound."
Small, silent drones zipped out of their storage units, blending seamlessly into the night as they infiltrated the compound. Sai's voice fed Isa and Gale live updates.
Sai: "The central cave houses Tony Stark. There are four additional buildings—two barracks, an armory, and a communications hub. Hostiles total forty-five, spread out in groups. Five patrol the perimeter."
Isa: "Understood. Gale, cover us. You know what to do."
Gale smirked and stepped forward, raising his arms. The air grew heavy as clouds rolled in, blotting out the stars. A cool mist crept across the desert floor, shrouding the compound in a ghostly haze.
Gale: "Fog's in place. They won't see us coming."
---
Stealth Infiltration:
Isa moved first, her steps silent as she approached the nearest guard. With precise movements, she grabbed his rifle, twisted it away, and struck him in the throat, sending him crumpling to the ground.
Nearby, Gale dispatched two guards with his claws, dragging their bodies into the shadows.
Sai: "Two guards approaching from the north."
Isa crouched behind a stack of crates, waiting. When the guards passed by, she emerged, delivering a wind-enhanced kick that sent one flying into the wall. The second barely had time to react before Gale appeared behind him, slitting his throat with feline precision.
The team continued their silent takedown, eliminating guards one by one until—
Sai: "Alarm triggered. Hostiles alerted."
The compound erupted in chaos. Spotlights flickered to life, scanning the misty terrain as shouts echoed through the air.
---
All-Out Combat:
Gunfire erupted, bullets whizzing through the mist. Isa raised a barrier of wind to deflect the incoming rounds, retaliating with a bolt of lightning that crackled through the air, striking a cluster of enemies.
Gale: "You sure know how to make an entrance!"
Isa: (grinning behind her mask) "Shut up and focus."
Gale leaped into the fray, his claws charged with electricity as he tore through their ranks. Isa followed closely, her movements fluid as she combined magic and martial arts to dispatch enemies with ruthless efficiency.
The chaos intensified as more enemies poured out of the buildings. Isa conjured an earth barrier to block an RPG, the explosion shaking the ground but leaving her unharmed. Gale summoned a mini-storm, sending enemies sprawling with gusts of wind and crackling lightning.
When the dust settled, the compound was silent once more.
---
Rescuing Tony Stark:
Isa and Gale entered the central cave, the air thick with the scent of oil and scorched metal. Sai guided them through the winding tunnels until they reached a large metal door.
As they approached, a deafening explosion rocked the cave, and the door was blasted off its hinges. A torrent of flames surged toward them.
Isa: "Stay back!"
She raised a wall of ice, the flames hissing and crackling against its surface before subsiding.
From inside, panicked voices echoed.
Tony: "Damn it! The system's jammed! Come on, you piece of junk, work!"
Yinsen: "Mr. Stark, what do we do?!"
As the smoke cleared, Isa and Gale stepped forward.
Isa: (dryly) "If I'd known the famous Tony Stark would thank his saviors like this, I might not have come."
Tony, startled, turned toward her. His suit was crude and steaming, sparks flying from the exposed wires.
Tony: "Who the hell are you? And what do you mean, 'saviors'?"
Isa: (crossing her arms) "Exactly what it sounds like, Stark. You're welcome, by the way."
Tony straightened, regaining a sliver of his usual arrogance.
Tony: "Well, thanks, but if you wanted my number, you could've just asked."
Isa: (coolly) "Oh, please. I wouldn't waste my time."
Tony opened his mouth to reply, but Isa cut him off.
Isa: "Now, here's the deal. You'll survive because I made sure of it. But my identity stays between us. Understand?"
Tony: (raising an eyebrow) "And why should I trust you?"
Isa stepped closer, her voice firm. "Because you're alive right now, Stark. That should be reason enough."
She paused, then continued. "Knight Innovations, Stark Industries… we may not be competitors yet, but don't forget this moment. It won't be the last time you hear from me."
Tony blinked, for once at a loss for words.
---
The Exit:
Isa and Gale led Tony and Yinsen away from the compound, keeping their movements quick and silent. Once they were a safe distance away, Isa handed Tony a bottle of water.
Isa: "Stay here. I've already sent a signal to the U.S. Army base nearby. They'll be here soon to pick you up."
Tony frowned. "And what about you?"
Isa smirked. "I've got bigger things to do than babysit a billionaire."
With that, she and Gale disappeared into the night, leaving Tony and Yinsen behind as the sound of helicopters began to fill the air.