The Portal to Freedom

Tony Stark stared at the teenage boy standing in the doorway of his makeshift workshop, his mind struggling to process what he was seeing. The kid couldn't have been older than seventeen or eighteen, with a lean but muscular build and a face that still carried traces of youthful innocence. But his right hand was covered in blood—fresh, dripping blood—and his eyes held a cold, calculating intensity that sent a shiver down Tony's spine.

"Who the hell are you?" Tony demanded, his voice hoarse but laced with defiance. He took a step back, instinctively positioning himself between the boy and Dr. Ho Yinsen, who was standing behind him, wide-eyed and silent.

The boy—Paramveer—smirked faintly, his expression a mix of amusement and exhaustion. "The guy who's getting you out of here," he said, his voice calm and steady.

Tony's eyes narrowed. He didn't trust easily, especially not after weeks of captivity and torture at the hands of the Ten Rings. "And why should I believe you? For all I know, you're one of them."

Paramveer raised an eyebrow, holding up his bloodstained hand. "Does this look like I'm one of them? I just wiped out this entire base. You're welcome, by the way."

Tony's gaze flickered to the blood on Paramveer's hand, then back to his face. The kid didn't look like a killer, but the evidence was hard to ignore. "You're telling me you took out an entire terrorist base by yourself?"

"Yes," Paramveer replied simply. "And now I'm here to collect my reward. You owe me a hundred million dollars."

Tony blinked, caught off guard. "A hundred million—what?"

"Stark Industries put out a reward," Paramveer explained, crossing his arms. "Ten million for information leading to your rescue, and a hundred million for bringing you back alive. I'm here to collect the latter."

Tony stared at him, his mind racing. The kid was serious. Dead serious. And if he had indeed taken out the entire base, he was far more dangerous than he looked. "Alright, let's say I believe you. How exactly are you planning to get us out of here? This place is in the middle of nowhere, and I doubt you've got a private jet parked outside."

Paramveer's smirk widened. "I've got something better."

He raised his hand, the Karma Seal glowing faintly as he channeled his chakra. The air around him seemed to ripple, and a swirling portal of light and energy materialized in the center of the room. On the other side, Tony could see a familiar sight: a modest apartment, with a couch, a coffee table, and a window overlooking the New York City skyline.

Tony's jaw dropped. "What the—"

"Portal," Paramveer said, cutting him off. "It's a long story, and we don't have time for it. Are you coming or not?"

Tony exchanged a glance with Yinsen, who looked equally stunned. "Is this… real?" Yinsen asked, his voice trembling.

"As real as it gets," Paramveer replied. "But we need to move. Now."

---

Tony hesitated for a moment, his mind racing. This was insane. Portals? Superpowers? It defied everything he knew about science and reality. But the alternative—staying in this hellhole and risking recapture—was far worse.

"Alright," Tony said finally, stepping forward. "But if this is some kind of trick, I'm going to be very pissed."

Paramveer rolled his eyes. "Noted. Now hurry up."

Tony and Yinsen stepped through the portal, their hearts pounding as they crossed the threshold. The sensation was unlike anything they had ever experienced—a brief, disorienting rush of energy, followed by the sudden, jarring transition from the dim, oppressive cave to the bright, familiar surroundings of Paramveer's apartment.

Tony stumbled slightly as he stepped onto the carpeted floor, his legs unsteady. He looked around, his mind struggling to process the fact that they had just traveled thousands of kilometers in the blink of an eye. "This… this is impossible," he muttered.

"Welcome to New York," Paramveer said dryly, stepping through the portal behind them. The portal closed with a faint *whoosh*, leaving no trace of its existence.

---

Paramveer walked past Tony and Yinsen, heading straight for the bathroom. "Make yourselves at home," he called over his shoulder. "I need to wash this blood off."

Tony watched him go, his mind still reeling. He turned to Yinsen, who looked equally shell-shocked. "Did that just happen?" Tony asked.

"I… I think so," Yinsen replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

Tony ran a hand through his hair, trying to steady his thoughts. This was the first time he had encountered something that defied all logic and science. Portals? Superpowers? It was like something out of a comic book. And yet, here he was, standing in an apartment in New York City, thousands of miles away from the terrorist base in Afghanistan.

Paramveer emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later, his hands clean and his expression calm. He tossed a towel to Tony and Yinsen. "You two look like you've been through hell. There's a shower down the hall if you want to clean up. I'll find you some clothes."

Tony nodded numbly, still trying to wrap his head around everything. "Thanks," he said, his voice uncharacteristically subdued.

---

After showering and changing into the borrowed clothes—a loose-fitting T-shirt and sweatpants for Tony, and a button-up shirt and slacks for Yinsen—Tony and Yinsen rejoined Paramveer in the living room. Tony's mind was buzzing with questions, but he forced himself to stay calm. This kid had just saved his life, and he didn't want to push his luck.

"So," Tony began, sitting down on the couch, "how exactly does this whole portal thing work? Is it some kind of advanced technology? Or… something else?"

Paramveer leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "It's not technology," he said simply. "It's… complicated. Let's just say I have abilities that most people don't."

Tony frowned. "Abilities? Like superpowers?"

Paramveer shrugged. "If that's what you want to call it."

Tony opened his mouth to press further, but Yinsen placed a hand on his arm, shaking his head slightly. "Perhaps it's best not to pry," Yinsen said gently. "Our host has already done more than enough for us."

Tony hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "You're right. Sorry. I'm just… trying to make sense of all this."

Paramveer's expression softened slightly. "I get it. But some things are better left unexplained."

---

After a brief silence, Yinsen spoke up. "Sir, we cannot thank you enough for what you've done. But… are we free to go?"

Paramveer nodded. "You're free to go. But remember, don't tell anyone about me or how you got here. I'd prefer to stay off the radar."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "Off the radar? Kid, you just pulled off the most insane rescue mission I've ever seen. You're not exactly low-profile."

Paramveer's gaze hardened. "I mean it, Stark. No one can know about me. Not the government, not the media, no one. Understood?"

Tony held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. Your secret's safe with me."

"And the hundred million dollars," Paramveer added, his tone serious. "Don't forget about that. Consider it my retirement fund."

Tony smirked faintly. "Don't worry, kid. You'll get your money. Stark Industries always pays its debts."

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---

Tony and Yinsen stood at the door, ready to leave. Tony turned to Paramveer one last time, his expression uncharacteristically sincere. "Thank you," he said. "For everything."

Paramveer nodded. "Take care of yourself, Stark. And Yinsen… it was an honor to meet you."

Yinsen smiled warmly. "The honor was mine. Thank you for giving us a second chance."

With that, Tony and Yinsen stepped out of the apartment and into the bustling streets of New York City. Tony flagged down a taxi, his mind already racing with plans for the future. But one thought lingered in the back of his mind: 'Who is that kid, and what else is he capable of?'