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Chapter 53 – Fractured Paths
Cold mist rolled through the Tennessee woods.
Tony Stark trudged through the dirt inside the Mark 42 like a wounded animal. With injury on his face and left arm, the arc reactor flickering dimly beneath the cracked chestplate.
He'd managed to crash-land—barely.
"Jarvis?" Tony called, voice hoarse. "Where are we ?"
> " We are 5 mile outside Tennessee sir, Minimal reserves, sir. Estimated energy output—Zero percent.I might need to get some rest sir"
Tony sighed, resting against a tree trunk. "Jarvis don't leave me buddy. ."
He tore off the helmet, the cold air biting at his face. His mind, however, was already calculating—routes, resources, possible local help. The genius in him never slept.
"Let's find civilization," he muttered, slinging the damaged suit over his shoulder.
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Avengers Tower – Operations Floor
Steve stood beside the massive glass panels overlooking New York's skyline. Fury was gone for the moment, but Natasha remained—quietly reviewing satellite feeds and A.I.M. communication intercepts.
"Nothing yet," she said, closing another file. "No new signal from the Mark 42. Either the suit's fried or Stark disabled it to avoid tracking."
"Knowing him," Steve replied, "probably both."
Jarvis's voice came softly through the tower's comm.
> "Captain Rogers, Director Fury send information about the aim,would you like to check it."
Steve looked toward Natasha. "He's fast."
Natasha shrugged slightly. "Having spys all over the world helps.Lets get going."
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Hong Kong – Rooftop of an Abandoned Monastery
Rain slicked the ancient tiles, the city skyline glowing dimly in the distance.
Guardian stood beneath the shadow of a half-broken statue—a relic from a forgotten age. The markings carved into the stone glimmered faintly under his touch, reacting to his energy.
He closed his eyes, feeling the pulse through the air—the residue of something alien, old, and restless.
"The ring was taken,but the test is," he murmured. "Still active."
A faint ripple in the air responded—like the whisper of distant power.
Whoever wore those rings had them but have not awakened them fully.
From behind him, a voice spoke softly. "You look like a you found something interesting."
Guardian turned around and paused for a moment then said . "Yeah ,didn't expect them to get the ring without clearing the test why didn't you stop them,master ancient one."
Ancient one stepped out from the shadows, dressed in yellow monk clothes but unmistakable in her quiet grace. "It's wasn't my job.It was yours .And I feel a little sad that you didn't visit me after you became a guardian little Adrian.even your parents visited me when they became the guardians."
He didn't respond at first. His gaze stayed on the ancient script glowing faintly beneath his hand.
"Actually my parents didn't give me the manual on what to do when you become a guardian that would have helped," Guardian said smiling
Ancient one folded her arms. "Oh I thought you found what you should do by using bunny miraculous."
"I did." He finally turned, eyes steady. "I was just kinda intimidated by you."
Ancient one just laughed and said " So what do you want to know. "
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Tennessee – Inside a Garage
Tony had found refuge in a small-town workshop, its walls lined with dusty tools and half-repaired cars. A curious boy—maybe ten—stood by the door, watching him with wide eyes.
"If you move I will shoot," the boy said simply.
Tony gave a tired half-smile. "That pea shooter dont have enough power to hurt me."the kid fired it at a vase and it shattered tony looked at it and said "maybe it does have the power"
The kid eye wander and fall on mark 42 "Is that iron man. " " I am iron man " Tony correct.
The boy grinned. " is it broken are You gonna fix your robot?"
Tony crouched beside the Mark 42's chestplate. "Something like that. Gotta make it work again before the bad guys find me."
He paused, his tone softening as he studied the armor's scorched edges. "Because they always do."
He turned a wrench slowly, speaking half to himself, half to the kid.
"Hey kid can you get me some tools, a watch and a sandwich."
"Hey you don't order me in my house" Harley said.
Tony looked at the kid and said " Hey have you ever got bullied"Harley nodded "sometimes"
Tony took out a flash bang from armor and said " Here take this if someone ever bullies you just close your eyes and press the red button.All your bullies will go away. "
" Really "
"Really, you know what I am thinking now. "
"What"
"When I will get that sandwich. "
L
Tennessee – Midnight
Tony's makeshift repairs sparked once more, the suit humming faintly to life. He smiled in quiet relief, exhaustion in his eyes.
"Jarvis, bring up the diagnostics."
> "Partial mobility restored,Energy levels at 3 percent sir. Though I'd recommend against any midair heroics."
Tony chuckled weakly. "Noted."
He leaned back against the wall, the boy asleep nearby, the night outside silent.
But somewhere beyond the stars, something stirred—a resonance of energy, faint but growing.
Tony didn't know it yet, but his next step would bring him straight into Guardian's path.
And the storm that destroyed his home…
was only the beginning.
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End of Chapter 53 – Fractured Paths
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