In the depths of Hammer Industries, at a secret research facility buried beneath layers of high-tech security, Justin Hammer was giddy with excitement.
He stared at the holographic headlines lighting up the internet, all swirling around one name: Tony Stark.
But unlike Nick Fury, who viewed the situation with suspicion and unease, Justin Hammer's reaction was completely different.
It was joy. Pure, unfiltered joy.
"What the hell is Stark doing?" he muttered to himself, pacing across the gleaming lab floor with an almost dance-like rhythm. "I don't know what's gotten into him lately, but something's off."
He chuckled, then reached for a bottle of aged Bordeaux, popped the cork, and poured himself a celebratory glass. The red liquid swirled in the glass like victory.
"Whatever's happening to him... it's beautiful."
As Stark Industries' chief rival in the arms market, Justin Hammer had spent years living in Tony's shadow. While he chased defense contracts and military commissions, Tony was out there stealing headlines, building flying suits, and becoming a media darling.
Hammer couldn't stand him.
In his eyes, Tony was just another spoiled rich kid—arrogant, self-indulgent, and recklessly idealistic.
"A steel suit? Really? You invent something that powerful, and instead of monetizing it properly, you use it to play hero? Pathetic."
Justin was convinced that Tony's crusade to shift Stark Industries into clean energy was an act of madness.
"You're an arms dealer," he scoffed aloud. "Start acting like it."
Every time Tony threw away another billion-dollar opportunity in favor of some self-righteous ideal, Justin felt a surge of glee.
If Tony Stark kept spiraling like this, Hammer Industries would take the lead by default. And recently, things had started going very well for him.
First, there was Tony's disastrous Senate hearing, where he humiliated the government and tarnished his own reputation.
Then came his public falling out with Colonel Rhodes, a split that strained Stark's ties to the military.
In retaliation, the U.S. military canceled their bulk contracts with Stark Industries.
And redirected them all... to Hammer Industries.
"Just keep self-destructing, Tony," Justin whispered gleefully, raising his glass in a mock toast. "Because when my Iron Soldier press conference hits, the world will finally see—our weapons tech has surpassed yours."
He took a long drink.
"I'll be crowned the true king of the arms industry. And you? You'll be nothing but a washed-up mascot in a tin suit."
He slammed the empty glass on the table and turned toward the far end of the lab.
There, hunched over a workbench, stood a man with greasy black hair and arms like steel cables—Ivan Vanko. The disgraced Russian physicist and engineer had been rotting in a prison cell before Justin pulled strings to spring him out.
A man who, just like Tony, had mastered the Arc Reactor.
Ivan didn't look up as Hammer approached. He didn't have to. He felt the billionaire's eyes on him.
A faint smirk played across his face.
Tony Stark had no idea what was coming.
...
Back in Stark Tower, the morning sunlight poured through the penthouse windows.
Joseph stretched lazily in the massive bed, blinking away sleep. The moment his mind cleared, a soft warmth settled behind his eyes—today's magical insight had arrived.
Five-Ring Magic: Early Warning.
"Huh... interesting," Joseph murmured, sitting up.
This wasn't an attack spell or an illusion. It was passive—an always-active ward that alerted him to danger. A true sixth sense. When active, the spell would sync with his heartbeat, flaring with tension the moment threats approached.
A magical version of Spidey Sense.
He grinned. "Yes, I'll take that."
The spell was locked into his system like a new subroutine. Constant. Automatic. One less thing to worry about.
Feeling good about the day, Joseph headed to the kitchen and began preparing breakfast. He stir-fried rice with ham, pork shreds, and eggs, filling the penthouse with mouth-watering aromas.
Moments later, a whoosh echoed through the room, followed by two familiar faces.
Shadowcat and Jubilation Lee had arrived.
"Joseph!" Jubilation gasped, already reaching for a plate. "What is that smell?!"
"I swear, no matter how long we stay in America, nothing compares to this," Shadowcat added, snatching a fork and digging in.
Joseph laughed. "So you two are reincarnated from starving ghosts."
He filled another plate, just in time to see Tony Stark shuffle out of his lab, eyes bloodshot but shining with excitement.
"Joseph!" Tony grinned, holding something in his hands. "The new Arc Reactor—it's complete!"
He raised the triangular device triumphantly. It pulsed with clean white light, the glow as steady as a heartbeat. Tony's exhaustion was clear—he hadn't slept in days—but his pride was impossible to miss.
Then he froze.
His gaze swept over the suite. Beds, a kitchen station, even a dining table had appeared. His pristine office now looked like a cozy apartment.
"Wait, when did this become a dormitory?" Tony blinked. "And are you seriously cooking here? You know you could've just asked J.A.R.V.I.S. to order food—right?"
Joseph handed him a steaming plate.
"Eating and filling your stomach aren't the same thing, Tony. This is a whole different experience."
Tony took one bite... and his eyes practically rolled back in his head.
"Oh my god," he groaned. "What is this sorcery? Did you cook with magic?"
"Cooking is a kind of magic," Joseph said, grinning.
Even the Arc Reactor—his precious invention—was forgotten for the moment as Tony sat at the table and devoured the fried rice like a starved man.
Across the room, Joseph snapped his fingers. The temporary kitchen equipment and beds floated up like leaves in the wind, folding themselves neatly into a box tucked in the corner.
Tony watched, mouth still full. "How the hell did you just... that shouldn't even fit in there…"
Shadowcat chuckled, patting his shoulder. "Tony, magic isn't just for battles. As a partner, you'll have to get used to things like this."
She then picked up the Arc Reactor from the table and examined it.
Tony, still chewing, explained between bites. "The new core's output has increased by hundreds of times. It maxes out at eight gigajoules per second."
Jubilation choked on her food. "Eight what?!"
Shadowcat's jaw dropped. "That's not just advanced—it's borderline impossible. You've created an energy source that surpasses anything humans have invented in the last century."
Tony nodded, swallowing his bite. "That's why Joseph wants it to power Oasis. With this, we can fuel an entire simulated universe."
Joseph smiled. "Perfect. Then let's get the Energy Tower started."
"Sure," Tony said, wiping his mouth. "After I upgrade the suit, I'll begin construction…"
But he was interrupted by the calm voice of J.A.R.V.I.S. echoing through the room.
"Mr. Stark, you've received an invitation from Justin Hammer. He's requesting your presence at the Hammer Industries Expo."
Tony didn't even hesitate.
"No."
He stabbed another spoonful of fried rice.
Joseph raised an eyebrow. "If you're not going… maybe we should?"
Tony looked up, blinking. "Why?"
Joseph's eyes twinkled. "I feel like having a little fun. Besides, who knows? Maybe he'll show off something… interesting."
He turned to J.A.R.V.I.S. "Can you get us a few more invitations?"
"Of course, sir," the AI replied.
Jubilation Lee leaned back, stretching. "I love field trips. Especially ones with chaos."
Shadowcat smirked. "Let's crash a party."
And thus, the stage was set.
While Hammer Industries polished their weapons and prepped their big reveal…
Joseph and company were about to steal the spotlight.
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