After confirming the situation through Hawkeye's senses, Marcus shifted his consciousness back into his true body. Hawkeye still retained a measure of independent thought — Marcus only needed to issue simple commands, and the man would obey perfectly. It felt almost like setting an NPC on autopilot — except this "AI" was highly intelligent and utterly loyal.
When Marcus next looked up, the evening light was fading over New York. It was already six o'clock. The Triskelion still stood tall and imposing, its sleek glass walls reflecting the orange glow of sunset. To an outsider, it appeared calm and majestic, though moments ago it had been the stage of blood and chaos.
"Hey, kid. Sorry to keep you locked in the car for so long. Come on — it's celebration time!"
That voice — full of confidence and arrogance — could only belong to Tony Stark. He entered a code on the reinforced door and gestured for Marcus to follow.
"Looks like you wrapped things up," Marcus remarked quietly.
Tony grinned, ever the egotist. "Hydra's infiltration was deep, but their people? Nothing but cannon fodder. Once I stepped in personally, those losers didn't stand a chance. I'd call it a warm-up."
Marcus gave no response. There was no one more incorrigibly self-assured than Tony Stark.
Tony checked his solid-gold Rolex as he walked. "We better move. If we don't leave now, we'll be late for the banquet — and while the guest of honor should arrive fashionably late, there's a limit."
"You don't sound too worried," Marcus called after him.
Tony chuckled without turning around. "Kid, I've seen too much to worry. Just this year alone, New York's nearly been destroyed by mad scientists, mutants, aliens, and the occasional godlike being. And yet, here it still stands. You know why? Because there's always a superhero — usually a handsome genius like me — who saves the day. So relax. Nothing's ever as bad as it seems."
Marcus said nothing. Deep down, he knew Tony wasn't wrong. Having lived inside the Marvel universe for some time now, Marcus had learned firsthand just how resilient this world could be.
But time was running out. In three days, humanity would launch its full-scale counteroffensive. Marcus needed to strengthen his undead army before that happened.
His next target: Tony Stark himself.
---
The celebration banquet that evening was as extravagant as one would expect from the world's richest man. Of course, the only person truly enjoying it was Tony. The rest of the heroes looked stiff, awkward, and painfully out of place — dragged there by Stark's insistence.
Marcus sat quietly in a corner, sipping champagne. He had no interest in making small talk with these would-be saviors of the world. In his position, silence was survival; the more he said, the greater the risk of exposure.
By eight o'clock, the city was shrouded in darkness. Tony, slightly tipsy, insisted on driving Marcus home himself. His sports car roared down the streets, headlights cutting through the night. The man never stopped talking, his speech slurred but his arrogance perfectly intact.
Marcus didn't bother replying. After all, there was no point engaging in conversation with a dead man.
When they finally reached Stark's seaside mansion, Tony ushered Marcus straight to the underground lab. He knew Marcus's powers regenerated overnight, so he intended to inject another dose of his custom anesthetic right away — just in case.
"You know," Tony said conversationally as he entered the security code, "the last time someone tried to invade New York — some guy named Loki, brought a few alien friends — I had to fly a nuke into a portal myself. Long story short, saved the planet again."
Marcus frowned impatiently. "I know. Can you just get on with it?"
After passing through layer after layer of automated defenses, they entered the massive subterranean lab. A mechanical arm extended toward Tony, holding a syringe filled with a glowing green liquid. Without hesitation, Tony plunged the needle into Marcus's neck.
[You have been injected with Tony Stark's specialized anesthetic. All abilities sealed. Muscles weakened. Rage state suppressed.]
[Antibody synthesis in progress… 100% complete.]
[Antibody fully activated. Anesthetic effect negating… 10%... 20%.]
Marcus felt strength returning to his limbs — a slow, exhilarating surge as his cells awakened and power coursed through him once more.
Meanwhile, Tony was distracted, inspecting the logistics of his workshop. "J.A.R.V.I.S., did the shipment of fuel boosters, solvents, and fire-suppression foam arrive this morning?"
"All components have been refilled, sir," replied the AI's calm voice.
"Excellent. Let's give the new armor a quick test run."
Mechanical arms descended from the ceiling, presenting one of Tony's newest Iron Man suits — sleek, radiant, and folded open for entry.
He barely had time to reach out.
Suddenly, the alarm klaxons blared — an ear-piercing wail that filled the room. Every light turned crimson.
"J.A.R.V.I.S.?" Tony barked.
"Sir," the AI reported, "our monitoring program just detected that the anesthetic in your test subject's bloodstream is rapidly losing effectiveness—"
Before it could finish, a flash of silver streaked through the air.
Marcus, his body fully reawakened, summoned a gleaming longsword — the metal so polished it reflected the red warning lights — and swung it straight for Tony's skull!
CLANG!
[Anesthetic deactivation: 90%.]
Tony reacted with acrobatic speed, diving into the armor just as the blade came down. The suit snapped shut around him, the faceplate sealing in a hiss of hydraulics. Marcus's blade left only a thin white scar across the chestplate.
[Anesthetic deactivation: 100%.]
Marcus clicked his tongue in annoyance. One second too late. He hadn't anticipated that Stark's so-called "tranquilizer" would come with a built-in monitoring system. Of course — it was designed to restrain the Hulk, after all.
He had underestimated this world's level of technology. And in doing so, he had allowed his prey to armor up.
Tony's voice echoed through the helmet speakers. "Kid, what is this? You think I didn't teach you enough last time? You really tried to kill me before I suited up? What are you, Hydra's newest spy?"
He raised his armored hand, repulsor charging with a bright blue glow aimed squarely at Marcus's head.
Marcus didn't answer — only smiled coldly.
"Sir," J.A.R.V.I.S. interjected, "shall I alert S.H.I.E.L.D. for backup?"
Tony laughed. "No need. I've got this under control. He's my prisoner — Fury can wait his turn."
Marcus's smile widened.
'You'll regret that arrogance, Stark.'
____
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