Silvanna's communicator buzzed to life, the familiar voice cutting through static.
Tony Stark.
"Silvanna," he said, calm but weighted. "It's done. The mastermind behind all this—handled. Avengers mopped him up before you even set foot back here."
Aurora froze mid-step. Vanessa blinked in disbelief. Juggernaut crossed his arms, muttering under his breath.
Tony continued, his tone softening just slightly. "You don't need to dig through the ashes anymore. Go home. Rest. That's an order."
The line went quiet for a moment, and then Tony added, almost hesitantly, "Silvanna… I want you to come to Stark Tower. There's something I need to show you."
---
The city still smoldered as she left the others, walking with purpose toward the gleaming silhouette of Stark Tower. Inside, the hum of repulsor tech and holographic displays welcomed her like old ghosts.
Tony was waiting in his lab, hands tucked into his pockets, expression unreadable. He wasn't wearing the armor this time—just a man, carrying truths heavier than metal.
"Glad you made it back in one piece," he said. "Now… about something I found."
He placed an object on the table between them. A necklace. Silver chain, slightly tarnished, with a small locket.
Her breath caught when she saw the tiny photo inside.
It was her sister.
Silvanna's fingers trembled as she picked it up. The weight of it felt unreal, as though it might vanish if she held it too tightly. "Where… where did you find this?"
Tony's gaze softened, his usual wit gone. "It was at the site. Buried under the rubble. Doesn't take a genius to connect the dots—though I happen to be one. Whatever's been pulling strings in the shadows… it ties back to her. Somehow."
Her throat tightened, questions clawing at her mind. Had her sister been here? Was she alive? Or was this just a remnant left behind by someone else?
Tony leaned closer, voice low. "This isn't over, Silvanna. Not for you. That necklace… it's a breadcrumb. And if there are breadcrumbs, there's a trail."
Silvanna closed her eyes, clutching the locket to her chest. She had faced monsters, robots, and armies across worlds—but nothing could steady her heart against this discovery.
For the first time in years, she had hope.