[The Stark Eco-Compound. Upstate New York. 2023.]
The woods were quiet. The lake was still.
A small girl, no older than four, sat at a small table in the garden. She wore a tiara made of twisted wire and a pair of Iron Man gauntlets that were clearly toys.
Across from her sat a large teddy bear, a stuffed rabbit, and a man in a black waistcoat.
Sebastian Michaelis poured imaginary tea from a plastic pink pot into a plastic pink cup. His movements were as precise as if he were serving the Queen of England.
"Your tea, Mistress Morgan," Sebastian said, placing the cup down. "Darjeeling. Second flush. Excellent vintage."
"Thank you, Sebby," Morgan Stark beamed. She picked up the cup with two hands. "Is the rabbit thirsty?"
"The rabbit is stuffed, my lady," Sebastian noted. "Digestion would be... problematic. But polite society demands we offer."
He poured a drop for the rabbit.
Sebastian looked tired. His skin was paler than usual, almost porcelain. He moved a fraction slower than he had five years ago. Without a steady diet of souls—and refusing to feed on the few humans left in this grieving world—he was existing on the demonic equivalent of starvation rations.
But his uniform was immaculate.
"Morgan!" Tony's voice called from the porch. "Lunchtime! Mom made... something green. We have to eat it."
"Coming, Daddy!" Morgan jumped up. "Come on, Sebby!"
She grabbed his hand. He stood up, wincing slightly as his joints popped.
"After you, Little Mistress."
[The Kitchen]
The cabin was warm. It smelled of garlic and woodsmoke. Pepper was plating salad.
"You're spoiling her," Tony said, watching Sebastian pull out Morgan's chair.
"I am merely instilling standards, Sir," Sebastian replied, taking his place standing by the wall. "If she is to inherit your empire, she must know how to command a room."
"She's four," Pepper laughed. "She commands the room by being cute."
"Effective," Sebastian nodded. "But unsustainable."
Tony looked at Sebastian. He noticed the slight tremor in the butler's hand.
"You eat today?" Tony asked quietly.
"I had... tea," Sebastian lied.
"Go into town, Seb," Tony said, his eyes serious. "Find a... bad guy. I don't know. A jaywalker. You need energy."
"The world has enough ghosts, Sir," Sebastian adjusted his cuff. "I will not add to them. Besides, my appetite has... waned."
It was a lie. He was starving. But he had made a silent vow: No more death in this house.
[The Arrival]
A car engine roared in the driveway. An Audi R8—Tony's old car—skidded to a halt.
Tony stiffened. " company."
Sebastian moved to the window. "Captain Rogers. Miss Romanoff. And... a man who appears to be shrinking."
Tony sighed. He stood up. "Stay here with Morgan."
He walked out to the porch.
Steve Rogers looked older. Tired. Natasha's roots were growing out. Scott Lang (Ant-Man) looked frantic.
"Tony," Steve nodded.
"Cap," Tony leaned against the railing. "To what do I owe the pleasure? Please tell me aliens aren't back."
"No," Scott stepped up. "Not aliens. Time travel."
Inside the kitchen, Sebastian listened. He heard the theory. The Quantum Realm. The Time Heist. The stones.
"We can bring them back," Steve said. "Everyone."
"And what about the ones who didn't disappear?" Tony asked, his voice shaking. "What about her?"
He pointed to Morgan, who was playing with a helmet in the garden.
"I can't risk it, Cap. I found something here. I finally... I sleep at night."
"Tony," Natasha pleaded. "We have a chance."
"I'm sorry," Tony turned away. "Table's set for six. But there's no seat for the past."
The team left. Dejected.
[That Night]
Tony sat in his study. A holographic model of a Mobius Strip floated in the air. He was trying to solve the eigenvalue.
"It's impossible," Tony muttered. "Paradox after paradox."
"Is it?" Sebastian stood in the doorway. He held a glass of warm milk.
"You shouldn't be up," Tony said. "You look like a corpse."
"A familiar look for me," Sebastian walked over. He looked at the hologram. "You are trying to navigate the currents of time without a rudder."
"I'm trying to protect what I have," Tony rubbed his face. "If I mess this up, Seb... I lose Morgan."
"And if you do not?" Sebastian asked softly. "She grows up in a world that is half-empty. A world of grief."
Sebastian placed the milk on the table.
"Sir. Do you remember what I told you? About falling?"
"Some are destined to fly," Tony quoted.
"Invert the strip," Sebastian pointed a gloved finger at the hologram. "Twist the time stream. Don't fight the current. Become it."
Tony looked at the hologram. "Invert the Mobius strip..."
He twisted the model.
PING.
"Model Successful," F.R.I.D.A.Y. announced.
Tony stared at the blue light. The key to time travel.
"Shit," Tony whispered.
"Language," Sebastian smiled.
Morgan walked in, rubbing her eyes. "Daddy?"
"Hey, Maguna," Tony picked her up. "Go to bed."
"Tell me a story," she mumbled.
"Once upon a time," Tony kissed her forehead. "Maguna went to bed. The end."
"I love you 3000," she whispered.
Tony froze. He looked at Sebastian. Sebastian looked at the floor, hiding the sadness in his eyes.
"3000," Tony repeated.
He put her to bed. He walked back to the living room where Pepper was reading.
"I solved it," Tony said.
Pepper closed her book. She looked at him. She knew.
"But we have a life here," Tony said, trying to talk himself out of it. "We have the alpaca. We have the garden. We have Seb."
"But will you be able to rest?" Pepper asked.
Tony looked at Sebastian. The demon was polishing a spoon, his reflection distorted in the metal.
"No," Tony admitted.
[The Garage]
The next morning. Tony pulled the cover off a massive shield. Captain America's shield.
"I kept it," Tony said. "For him."
Sebastian loaded a suitcase into the trunk of the car.
"Are you ready, Sir?" Sebastian asked.
"No," Tony said. "You?"
Sebastian looked at the cabin. He looked at Morgan's toys scattered on the lawn.
"I am weak," Sebastian admitted. "I am not the weapon I was in New York. Or Titan."
"I don't need a weapon," Tony put a hand on Sebastian's shoulder. "I need my friend."
Sebastian straightened up. A flicker of the old fire returned to his eyes.
"Then let us go," Sebastian opened the car door. "And let us bring the noisy children back."
[End of Chapter 45]
_________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀
👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️