Chapter 37

{A/N: University has been exhausting, anyway here's a new chapter. Make sure to check out my patreon @ patreon.com/TheFudgeNPC for bonus chapters.}

3rd Pov

With his eyes set on his target, Tony Stark moved with single-minded purpose, approaching the elusive woman who had dethroned him as the richest person. He removed his glasses as he closed the distance.

Folding them up he tucks them into his suit pocket before assessing the woman and going over the profile Jarvis compiled for him. After seemingly appearing out of nowhere, the woman quickly rose to prominence with the success of her line of video games.

Showing immense creativity and a keen eye for business, the woman Morgana had silently risen from nothing. From there after the initial success of her video game industry she had pivoted into manufacturing computers.

The reason Tony wanted to see her though was because, instead of just a minor improvement her computers proved to be hundreds of times better than those currently on the market.

After sending her a few emails, Tony became distracted by his work on the Iron Man armour—a mistake he now regretted. Instead of plateauing, Morgan continued to release new and innovative technologies.

So now here he was, chasing down his better in the hopes of learning how to improve his own work. Sighing he runs his hand through his hair before breaking the silence.

"You are a difficult woman to contact, I'm not sure if you've seen but I've been trying to contact you to form a partnership." – Tony

*Sigh* "You probably should have figured out by now that I don't need your cooperation, or in anyway want it." – Morgan

Waving him off Morgan turns back to her friends, not willing to be brushed off Tony keeps pushing on.

"Think about it, Stark Industries and Horizon Industries working together. We could change the world, improve life for everyone on earth." – Tony

Sighing, Morgan cut off her conversation and turned to Tony. Locking eyes with him, she rolled her eyes, then stepped forward and jabbed him firmly in the chest.

"I'm already improving the lives of everyone Stark; my company has existed for less than a year and has done more for the world then your decade old company. Seriously though, a partnership? All you've shown yourself capable of is hoarding your technology and making weapons out of it." – Morgan

Fuming at the accusations Tony straightens his suit before standing up right.

"The Iron man armour is too dangerous to give away freely, and Stark industries was primarily a weapons company, something I'm currently working on changing. I am trying to improve the world, just in my own way." – Tony

Acting high and mighty at the end of his response, Tony subtly looks around for support from the gathered cloud. Morgan unperturbed though just scoffs at him.

"Really? The Iron Man armour isn't the only thing Stark Industries has. You could bring free energy to the world, modify the iron man armour into a exoskeleton to enhance peoples everyday strength, and so much more.

But you sit in your workshop doing nothing to help." – Morgan

Deflating slightly Tony's shoulders slump as his arrogant attitude drops.

"I know all that, but unlike you my company, my legacy, is bound to the selfish whims of the stockholders. I can't do anything against them or I'll lose everything." – Tony

Sighing Morgan rubs between her eyebrows, smiling suddenly she perks up whilst looking around.

"Okay then Tony if you can't do anything I'll have to force you. I challenge you to a humanitarian cold war. Our two companies shall compete to elevate humanity to a type one civilisation, I know I'm already working on it.

Now are you going to go against everything you just claimed in front of all these people, or will you accept my challenge and send Stark Industries to the forefront of progress alongside my company." – Morgan

Gasps ring out across the hall as Morgans declaration echo through the previously silent crowd, from the crowd cameras flash and reporters attempt to shove to the front but are held back by an invisible force.

Looking around at the gathered people, a small smile spreads across Tony's face. Straightening himself up and squaring his shoulders, he extends his hand to Morgan. Grasping his hand the two shake as he proudly declares his acceptance.

"I accept your challenge, from now on Stark industries shall work towards the betterment and elevation of the human race." – Tony

Chuckling Morgan releases Tony's hand as she reaches into her dress pocket, pulling out a small device she turns towards the nearby stage. Pushing through the crowd she proudly steps up onto the stage in front of everyone. Looking down at Tony she smirks before turning to the cameras.

"Well folks you all heard Stark industries declaration. Though unfortunately they're going to be playing catch up for a while. In other news tonight is a fitting time to promote Horizon Industries newest product." – Morgan

Raising the small device into view, the lights around the room focus on it as Morgan continues her speech.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm proud to introduce you to the BCND Mk-1 aka the Beyond. Now this little device may not look like much, but inside this device houses all the capabilities needed to remotely link the human mind to any computer." – Morgan

Instantly a wave of sound crashes over the room as everyone begins shouting questions, unperturbed still, Morgan continues her introduction. Going over the devices capabilities briefly and performing a brief demonstration she leaves the hall under the watchful eyes of all those in attendance.

The next day, the media was flooded with reports on the elusive trillionaires newest project. Everywhere a person could turn they would find someone talking about the tiny yet revolutionary device.

Waking up in his house alone, Tony trudges through his cold house rubbing his forehead in an attempt to relieve his migraine. After Morgan's dramatic reveal last night, he had drunk himself into a haze, throughout the whole ordeal he had completely forgotten about his original goal of getting permission to use Horizon Industries patented computers.

Groaning harshly, he drops down onto his couch whilst munching on a banana. Jarvis seeing Tony in front of the Tv and knowing his preferences, immediately turns the Tv onto the news channel.

Turning to face the television Tony groans again as he is immediately confronted by a picture of Morgan taken from last nights event. Looking at the image of her with her inhuman features, presenting the next step in human evolution was mildly ironic to him.

Shaking himself off, Tony pries himself from his spot on the couch and begins trudging downstairs to his workshop. After all he had accepted her challenge and as the self-proclaimed smartest man on earth he couldn't fall behind.

1st Pov

Waking up the next morning, I take a few minutes to appreciate the comfort of Jean hugging me in her sleep. Hugging her back I let myself idle and relax, shifting slightly Jean hugs me a bit tighter but stays asleep. 

Running my hand through her hair I casually think about the future, after my announcement last night I'll have a bit of work to get done to ship out all the devices. Next, I'd have to deal with nosy politicians and navigate varying state laws.

I'd already fabricated the needed testing results and expedited them through the relevant authorities so that was in order. Still, it was mildly annoying always having to deal with politics when I just wanted to build.

It wouldn't matter too much soon though, with the spread of my robots and BCND's I would soon be able to declare myself as the ruler of the world. Sure, people might object. Some might even riot. But what could they do against an army of machines that meet their every basic need?

Humanities current social systems couldn't work at a larger scale, democracy and capitalism whilst amazing in theory had shown to be sorely inadequate in reality. So, with the rise of robots to handle menial labour, the economy would collapse as billions lost their jobs.

So, I'll just remove the economy and remake my own, that way it is without flaws and is far more efficient.

Happy with my casual plotting, I began freeing myself from the clutches of a sleeping Jean. Gently shifting out of her arms, I create a mimic clone to stay and hug Jean while I cook up breakfast.

As I stepped out into the hallway toward my room, I carefully stepped over a sleeping lizard girl, sprawled across the floor like a car crash victim. Chuckling lightly to myself, I use my psionics to gently lift Tessa into the air and deposit her on the couch as I walk passed.

Stepping into my kitchen I begin gathering the ingredients and placing them atop the counter, then grabbing the utensils I begin slowly mixing up the batter. A few minutes in I'm enjoying the simple task of cooking pancakes when I hear some movement from down the hallway.

Stepping out of the dark hallway Jean winces at the bright morning light cascading in through the open blinds but being hungry she stumbles her way over to the counter and takes a seat. Absorbing the mimic clone back into my body, I place a plate in front of Jean and flip a pancake in a perfect arc landing it square on her plate.

Deadpanning Jean shoots me a small smile before digging into her breakfast, halfway through the batter a certain doctor wakes from her slumber on the couch. Walking over with her eyes mostly closed, Tessa's reptilian tongue flickers outside her mouth as see accurately navigates to a open seat by smell alone.

Applauding her skills I start some small talk, going over the basics of Tessa's projects and Jeans studies, we eventually get to talks on the release of the new device. Shrugging it off I briefly mention wanting to attend the first release in person but don't commit myself to it.

Receiving a call, I take a glance at the number before picking up the phone, answering the call I'm immediately yelled at by an angry pirate. Putting the phone to the side I let Nick yell whilst I keep cooking pancakes.

Breathing deeply after yelling continuously for over three minutes Nick finally begins to calm down, grabbing the phone I place it on speaker and address the pirate.

"What's up Nick? You seem pretty angry." – Morgan

"Angry? ANGRY!? You have every government in the world yelling at me at once. Why did you think it was a good idea to publicly announce the release of such revolutionary technologies without consulting the world governments first!?" – Nick

Nick's rage was palpable even through the phone, but instead of being intimidated, I found myself increasingly annoyed by his attitude and accusations.

"Mind your tone Nick, I don't work for you, and you don't control me. I chose to release my device because I felt like it, either you can let me do what I want with humanity or I'll do it anyway. No government or group on this planet can decide what I can and can't do.

So, what if it affects how much control those ancient fossils known as politicians can exert on the masses. I believe in freedom of though and will always listen to my beliefs above anyone else." – Morgan

Sighing through the phone Nick's voice calms down as it echoes out of the phones speaker.

"Okay, Okay. I get it, I'll talk to the politicians but I might be out of a job soon." – Nick

Chuckling darkly, I reach out to hang up the phone after a final remark.

"You don't have to worry about your job Nick, you're a friend." – Morgan

Ending the call before he could respond, I flip the final pancakes out of the pan and onto a nearby plate. Loading the dishwasher the utensils are instantly cleaned and carried back to their cupboard by little spider bots.

Sitting down opposite Jean and Tessa I cut a piece off my pancake and offer it to Jean, leaning over Jean eats the offered piece with a wide smile. Cutting off a piece of her own pancake she offers it back to me, smiling widely I happily accept the sweet treat.

Continuing our back and forth we are eventually interrupted by Tessa.

"Uhh, stop it you two you're making all the single people sick with envy." – Tessa

Sticking out my tongue at her I offer another piece of pancake to Jean.

"Why don't you get yourself a boyfriend or girlfriend? I ship you and Bruce." – Morgan

Seeming to briefly consider my words it takes a moment for her to consider the actual implications of that, turning a bright red Tessa stammers out a half-hearted rebuttal which is drowned under Jean and my laughter.

Laughing and joking for the rest of breakfast and eventually comes to an end and I begin tidying up, then escorting Jean and Tessa to the door I give Jean a deep kiss on the lips before waving her off as she heads to the Meta-Manor.

Waving off Tessa as well I'm left alone as the two women drive away. Kicking some rocks in the driveway, I slowly walk around to my garden/training area. Breathing in the fresh sea breeze I ponder what to do for the day.

Briefly considering dropping by the Triskelion to troll Nick, I decide to put that off for now. Instead, I notice an interesting article in the daily bugle, fact checking it quickly because Jonah is the epitome of modern journalism, I find what to do for the day.

It's time to run for mayor of New York.