"Tony…" Pepper glanced at Tony Stark anxiously.
Tony frowned, his gaze fixed on the stranger before them. "Jarvis, run a full identity scan on this guy."
Before the AI could respond, Su Zhan chuckled. "No need to waste your time. You won't find me in any database. The name's Su Zhan."
A second later, Tony's earpiece buzzed. "Sir, there is no record of this individual anywhere."
Tony grimaced. He hated it when someone got the better of him.
Pepper, however, looked at Su Zhan with cautious hope. Tony sighed. "I don't trust you, but… fine. You get one chance. If you try anything—anything—I'll turn you into a crater."
"Relax," Su Zhan replied casually. "I'm not here to make enemies."
He stepped closer to Pepper, extending his hand. "Don't fight it. You might feel some pain, but it won't hurt you. I promise."
Tony's eyes narrowed. "Hey—what do you think you're doing?"
"Don't get the wrong idea," Su Zhan said dryly. "I'm not interested in other men's women."
A faint glow began to rise from his palm. The air around him rippled with energy—an invisible force that felt like it could consume the world itself. His hand brushed lightly against Pepper's arm, and instantly, he could feel the Extremis energy flowing through her veins, burning like liquid fire.
Pepper gasped, her body trembling as the virus inside her reacted violently.
Tony stood rigid, watching every move. Five agonizing minutes passed before Su Zhan finally withdrew his hand, collapsing onto the ground, drenched in sweat.
"You okay?" Tony rushed to Pepper's side.
"I—I'm fine," she breathed, eyes wide. "I can't feel it anymore. The Extremis… it's gone."
Tony blinked. "Are you sure?"
Pepper nodded. "Completely."
Tony still didn't look convinced. "We'll run a full scan when we get home. Just in case."
Pepper smiled weakly. "What about him?"
Su Zhan waved his hand dismissively, still sitting on the ground. "Don't worry about me. I just need a minute to recover."
Tony hesitated, then finally nodded. "Let's go."
As the two of them left, Su Zhan's tired expression melted into a grin.
It worked.
It actually worked.
He could feel the raw power coursing through his veins—his blood boiling, his body stronger, faster, more alive than ever before. A faint red-orange glow flickered across his skin as he raised his hand; in an instant, his arm shimmered like molten magma. When he touched the ground, it hissed and began to melt under his palm.
Then, just as easily, the glow faded, his flesh returning to normal.
To test it, he grabbed a shard of broken metal and drove it into his arm.
The pain was sharp—but within seconds, the wound sealed itself completely.
He laughed aloud. The regeneration was astonishing—not quite Wolverine-level, but still far beyond anything human. Broken bones, burns, deep cuts—it didn't matter. He could heal it all.
"The first step… is complete," Su Zhan murmured, standing up. "And this is only the beginning."
Three days later.
A red convertible cruised down the streets of New York, music blasting. Behind the wheel, Su Zhan looked every bit the part of a carefree young millionaire—clean-cut, confident, and devastatingly handsome.
In three days, he had adapted perfectly to his new identity. A new wardrobe, a new car, a new life. He'd even had to politely decline several flirtatious women who approached him at stoplights.
As for where the money came from? Let's just say a "conversation" with a wealthy businessman had been… very productive.
Now, Su Zhan had a plan.
Join S.H.I.E.L.D.
It might sound counterintuitive, even stupid. But it was, in fact, the smartest move available.
The Battle of New York was over. S.H.I.E.L.D. was still reeling from the aftermath, and Hydra's infiltration was still hidden in the shadows. The organization was vulnerable—but also overflowing with opportunities.
More importantly, Su Zhan knew what was coming next: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Specifically, Agent Phil Coulson—the man who'd been "killed" by Loki and somehow returned from the dead. Soon, Coulson would form a small specialized team to investigate unusual incidents. That was where Su Zhan wanted to be.
Joining S.H.I.E.L.D. meant access to classified tech, resources, and—most importantly—people with powers he could devour.
He didn't need to be their servant. He just needed a cover identity.
The plan was simple: get in, gain trust, grow stronger.
There was only one problem—he wasn't exactly on good terms with Tony Stark right now. Tony was the kind of guy who'd definitely report a mysterious "fire-controlling Chinese guy" to S.H.I.E.L.D. But strangely, no one had come after him yet.
Maybe they were too busy cleaning up the city. Or maybe… fate was giving him a head start.
Either way, Su Zhan wasn't about to waste it.
He leaned back in the leather seat, smirking as a name crossed his mind.
Skye.
A brilliant hacker, member of the Rising Tide organization, and soon to be one of Coulson's top agents.
But that wasn't all.
In time, she would awaken her true power—she was Quake, a descendant of the Inhumans, capable of manipulating seismic vibrations. One of the only agents with clearance equal to Nick Fury himself.
Right now, though, she was still a civilian. A lost girl with a computer and a cause.
Which made this the perfect moment to make contact.
Su Zhan's grin widened as he turned the car toward downtown Los Angeles.
"Let's start with you, Quake."