70 S.H.I.E.L.D. Joins the Investigation

"So, you're telling me that the person you met in the Monaco prison was an imposter, a fake Ivan who was swapped out?" Nick Fury asked.

"And the guy who died was actually a Hydra agent?"

"Yeah, pretty much," Kagura Hitomi said, opening her third burger and taking a big bite.

"This evil organization, Hydra, born decades ago in the Third Reich, still seems to be incredibly powerful."

"Your intel is quite valuable," Nick Fury said.

"Looks like we'll need to proceed cautiously from here on out."

"I plan to continue tracking Ivan's movements. I don't think he's going to give up that easily," Kagura said, taking another bite of her burger.

"If he really has Hydra's backing, he'll definitely be back."

"We'll help you," Nick Fury assured her.

"I'll send some of our best agents to track and investigate. We'll keep you updated on any progress."

"That's great!" Kagura said, her mouth still full of burger.

"I was starting to hit a wall trying to track Ivan."

"Also, next time you're crossing a border, let me know," Fury added.

"I can help you get the airspace identification signal. I know it's unlikely, but it'd be bad if you got shot down by some clueless people, got it?"

"Got it," Kagura said, still chewing her burger.

"By the way, does Tony Stark know about this?" Fury asked.

"About what?" Kagura responded.

"About 'Flashblade,' of course! Or were you thinking I meant your burger habit?"

"No, Mr. Stark probably doesn't know yet. But when the time's right, I'll tell him," Kagura replied.

She hadn't told Tony Stark that she was "Flashblade" because she was concerned he might worry about her and even try to stop her from continuing as a superhero.

So, revealing it to him at the right moment was important.

"I see," Fury said, standing up.

"Alright, we'll continue tracking Ivan's movements and take care of this threat. If we can expose the Hydra forces behind him, that would be even better."

"Mm-hmm," Kagura said, giving a nod and another bite of her burger.

Fury watched her for a moment.

"What?" Kagura said, raising an eyebrow at Fury.

"…Can I have one?" Fury asked.

"…These are my burgers! I'm not sharing!" Kagura retorted.

At Hammer Industries, New York

Justin Hammer was meeting with a mysterious guest who preferred to keep their identity hidden.

The guest, dressed entirely in black, wore a cape and mask that concealed their face.

"Mr. Hammer, you want technology, you want status, you want to overthrow Stark Industries and Rhodes Industries, right?" the guest said.

"Who are you?" Hammer asked, suspicious.

"I heard you were a reporter from some publication, here for an interview?"

"Just call me Strack," the guest replied.

"Or you can refer to me as Baron Strucker."

"Oh, so you're a gentleman, huh?" Hammer remarked.

"Alright, Baron Strucker, what kind of technology can you offer me?"

Baron Strucker straightened up and leaned in.

"Arc reactor technology, Iron Man suit systems—everything you've ever wanted, we have."

Hammer's eyes widened.

"You're not joking, are you, Baron Strucker?"

"Ivan Vanko is in our hands," Strucker said slowly.

"You should understand his value, Mr. Hammer."

"Alright, wow…" Hammer was silent for a moment, realizing the weight of the offer.

He had previously tried to get Ivan Vanko out of the Monaco prison through a prison swap, but somehow it had failed, leaving only a suicide note.

"So, what's the cost?" Hammer asked, still cautious.

"What do I have to pay for your help?"

Strucker tilted his head slightly and pulled out a card from his pocket. On it was a red skull with six snake legs.

"The price is your everything."

"What do you mean?"

"Once you get the arc reactor and Iron Man suit technology and dominate the market," Strucker explained, "you will serve us. We help you achieve your dreams, and you help us achieve ours. It's fair, don't you think?"

"Who… are you?" Hammer asked, feeling the weight of the situation.

Strucker paused before responding, "Mr. Hammer, knowing our identity means you can't back out."

"I understand," Hammer said.

"I'll join. As long as I can take down Stark and Wayne, I'll assist you. Hammer Industries will assist you."

"Good," Strucker said, clearly satisfied.

"Hydra will rise."

...............

Malibu, California

"Jarvis, how's the upgrade simulation for the arc reactor going?" Tony Stark asked as he brought up the blueprints for the upgrade on a holographic display.

"I've simulated all known elements and combinations. There's no alternative to palladium. The power ceiling for palladium seems to be the limit, Mr. Stark," Jarvis replied.

"Ugh…" Tony sighed. "What about the analysis on that whip guy?"

"The enemy in Monaco used an exoskeleton combined with an arc reactor. His plasma shock whip, thanks to the arc reactor's energy output, can be a deadly threat to all Iron Man suits, including Mark 4," Jarvis explained.

"Given the current power conditions, I can't come up with a better suit design."

"What if I used two reactors?" Tony suggested. "Two reactors would give the suit a huge performance boost, far surpassing that guy."

"Sir, continuing to increase power would result in severe palladium poisoning for the wearer. I highly recommend against it."

"Got it," Tony replied, leaning back in his chair. He glanced at the screen displaying the news headlines.

"Iron Man dethroned, who will protect us now?"

"Tony Stark should hand over the Iron Man suits, it's clear he can't guarantee our safety on his own."

"Shocking scene in Monaco: Iron Man's first defeat."

"Should we rely on 'Flashblade' instead of Iron Man?"

"New superhero: Female hero 'Flashblade' saves Iron Man in Monaco."

"Did the attacker commit suicide or go missing? Monaco prison is investigating."

The news was overwhelming, and for a moment, Tony Stark felt like he was no longer the center of the world.

The new world order he had created was shattered by a man wielding an electric whip.

"What should I do, Jarvis?" Tony muttered. "Did I not do enough? Or did I do too little?"

Tony sat in deep thought, lost in his own frustration.