[At this point, Trevor hesitated before speaking evasively: "Well, I um... I had some issues! Uh... substance-related problems, and then I had no choice but to do certain things!"]
[He pointed at Tony with a knowing expression. "Certain connections that a man really shouldn't make!"]
[Tony urged: "Go on!"]
["And then!" Trevor gestured vaguely toward the window. "They found me and offered me this role! They knew about my, uh, recreational habits!"]
["What did they promise? Rehab?" Tony frowned at him.]
["They said they'd give me more! They gave me so many things—this mansion!" Trevor spread his arms wide. "They gave me plastic surgery, and just... everything!"]
[Trevor reclined in his chair and closed his eyes, savoring the memory of his good fortune.]
["Are you taking a nap? Hey!" Tony kicked his foot impatiently.]
[Trevor had hoped to delay, but reluctantly continued: "No! There was also a lovely speedboat. The condition was that he needed someone! To take responsibility for some 'accidental explosions'!"]
[At this point, Tony began connecting the dots. He turned around thoughtfully before asking, "He? Killian?"]
[Trevor nodded. "Killian!"]
["He created you!"]
[Trevor parroted back: "He created me!"]
[Tony pieced it together: "A custom-made terrorist threat!"]
["Yes! Yes! His think tank came up with all of it!" Trevor raised a finger enthusiastically, then walked to a nearby table and grabbed two cans of beer.]
["Complete with pathological backstory, classic serial killer indicators! Blended with all the right elements of Western iconography! Ready for another lesson? And so forth!"]
[Tony listened carefully as he slowly sank into a chair. Trevor offered him a beer, but he waved it away.]
[Undeterred by the refusal, Trevor continued: "Of course, it was my performance that really brought the Mandarin to life!"]
[Tony's expression hardened. "Your performance? What about the people who died?"]
[Trevor replied with shocking indifference: "No one died! Look around you—costumes! Green screen!"]
["Oh! Honestly, I wasn't even on location for half these 'attacks'! When I was, everything was special effects, darling!"]
[Tony stood up, staring at him coldly. "I'm sorry, but an old friend of mine is in a coma! He might never wake up! So you're going to answer for that! I'm going to deal with you! You know, buddy..."]
[As Tony prepared to confront Trevor, he was unaware that Eric Savin had silently approached from behind, watching him with predatory focus.]
[Tony finally noticed the shift in Trevor's gaze and realized someone stood behind him. He turned quickly, attempting to raise his weapon.]
[But Eric Savin seized Tony's wrist with superhuman speed and delivered a devastating blow to his face, knocking him unconscious immediately.]
[Eric dragged Tony's limp form to a nearby bed, then glanced at Trevor. "Alright, Trevor. What did you tell him?"]
[Trevor looked at the fallen Tony, shaking his head with practiced nonchalance. "I didn't tell him anything!"]
["Nothing?"]
[Trevor rolled his eyes and smiled unconvincingly. "Nope!"]
[Eric was skeptical. "You must have been terrified."]
[Trevor demonstrated his acting skills, calmly opening his beer. "Well! I was shocked at first, but I handled it rather well, I think!"]
"What the hell?! The Mandarin is actually just an actor?!" exclaimed one of the viewers watching the broadcast.
"Killian is such a genius! How did he come up with this plan?" another marveled.
"Oh my God! Trevor! I knew him before his plastic surgery! I thought he was dead!" someone recognized the actor beneath the makeup.
"Damn it! This guy has played the whole world for fools!" came an angry response.
Around the globe, people were buzzing about the revelation of the Mandarin's true identity, with many recognizing Trevor Slattery from his earlier, less illustrious career.
Tony frowned as he watched. They had initially thought Trevor was simply lying, but it turned out he really was just an actor following a script.
Tony had already verified Trevor's identity through JARVIS, and comparing it with what they heard in the broadcast, the stories matched almost perfectly. The evidence was conclusive.
However, since Killian was already dead, Tony didn't see any point in dwelling on these revelations. He'd leave the cleanup to Nick Fury and SHIELD.
Soon they would announce Killian's death to the world. AIM's operations would be completely shut down and subjected to a comprehensive investigation.
Maya didn't seem particularly affected by Killian's death. Although they had once been involved, that relationship had ended long ago.
What concerned her more now was whether Tony could help her perfect the Extremis virus. Both Tony and Banner understood her priorities and weren't opposed to the idea.
If the Extremis virus could be perfected, it would benefit humanity enormously while also providing them with enhanced combat capabilities—an advantage they might need for the coming war.
After all, they had witnessed the Extremis soldiers' effectiveness in battle. Though still vulnerable to overwhelming firepower, these enhanced individuals were far stronger than ordinary humans.
Killian had even managed to briefly hold his own against Thor. Although he was ultimately defeated, everyone present recognized Thor's incredible power. Except for Captain Marvel, perhaps even the Hulk might struggle against the current Thor.
"The potential of a stabilized Extremis is undeniable," Bruce commented thoughtfully. "The regenerative capabilities alone could revolutionize medicine."
"If we can remove the explosive instability," Tony added. "Otherwise we're just creating walking bombs."
"At least this time we have the research in more responsible hands," Steve noted, glancing at Maya.
[The scene changed to show Tony bound to a metal bed frame with thick straps, while Maya sat on a chair with her back to him, studying a computer screen.]
["Ah!" Tony strained against his restraints to no avail.]
[Maya heard the noise and turned around, looking at him with a smile. "Just like old times, right?"]
["Oh yeah! Restraints are so much fun!" Tony replied sarcastically.]
[Maya shook her head slightly. "That wasn't my idea!"]
["So you really did take Killian's business card!" Tony couldn't even bring himself to look at her.]
["I took his money," Maya nodded, making no attempt to deny it.]
["And thirteen years later, you're trapped in this dungeon," Tony concluded, assuming Maya was another prisoner.]
["No," she replied, surprising him.]
["Yeah!" Tony insisted, unable to believe otherwise.]
[Maya repeated firmly: "No! You're the one trapped in this dungeon. I can leave whenever I want!"]
["Well then," Tony replied, sizing up his situation calmly despite being restrained.]
"So Maya was working with Killian willingly the whole time," Natasha observed. "I suspected as much from the moment she showed up at Tony's house."
"People will justify anything if it advances their research," Bruce said quietly, his expression troubled. "I've been down that road myself."
"She doesn't seem completely comfortable with the situation though," Aunt May pointed out. "There's hesitation in her eyes."
"Moral compromises rarely bring satisfaction," Uncle Ben added wisely. "She got her funding, but at what cost?"
The second-generation Harry leaned forward, watching intently. "I wonder if she's just another pawn in Killian's game, or if she's truly complicit in everything that's happened."
"Everyone has their reasons," Rhodes said. "But intentions don't excuse actions. People got hurt because of what they did."
Captain Marvel nodded. "The question now is whether she's too far gone, or if there's still a chance for redemption."
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