Chapter 136: Birthday Party

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Under the night sky of New York, Tony Stark drove his red sports car as usual, heading back to his seaside villa...

Having just returned from his trip to Monaco, his anxious mood had eased slightly.

Although the palladium poisoning issue remained unresolved, along with a pile of troubles at Stark Industries, Tony simply wanted to fulfill his dreams while he still had time... whether it was hosting the Stark Expo or ushering in a new energy era.

"At least this way, someone will remember me," Tony muttered, his words carried away by the wind.

But what troubled him most was that he had recently angered Pepper. His usually attentive secretary now wore a cold expression, seeming indifferent and uninterested in engaging with him.

"I hope Pepper won't cry too hard when the time comes."

With his hands on the steering wheel, Tony imagined his own funeral. Rhodes would undoubtedly show up and deliver some touching eulogy. Pepper, once she learned the truth, would probably cry her eyes out, blaming herself for not noticing sooner. As for the board members, they'd likely pop champagne in celebration...

Lost in his thoughts, Tony silently tallied things up and was dismayed to realize that, aside from Rhodes and Pepper, he truly didn't have many friends.

"Ahem... geniuses are always lonely," Tony consoled himself after a moment of silence.

The roar of the wind outside the window and the city lights piercing the ink-black night accompanied the growl of the sports car's engine. Feeling the exhilaration of speed, Tony's lips curled into a smile. This was the only way he could truly experience the vibrancy of life, using it to resist the looming specter of death.

The scenery along the highway flashed by in a blur. As Tony reveled in the sensation of speed, his peripheral vision caught a familiar figure. Instinctively, he eased off the gas pedal, slowing down and pulling over.

"Well, well, if it isn't the great genius of New York? Did you get mugged by some street thugs? They didn't even leave you cab fare... how unprofessional."

Ignoring Tony's sarcastic remarks, Sean propped himself against the car door and hopped inside. Arguing with this playboy was a waste of time, and he had no desire to be photographed by paparazzi.

Otherwise, tomorrow's headlines would read something like, «Umbrella Founder Spotted Streaking on Highway» or «New York Genius Stages Bizarre Performance Art»...

Ever since the Daily Bugle exposed Worthington's scandals, tabloids had followed suit, using exaggerated headlines to grab attention.

Not long ago, after Mr. Fantastic and his team demonstrated their abilities on a talk show, one particularly unscrupulous tabloid ran the headline: «Shocking! Famous Superhero Suffers from Erectile Dysfunction!»

Although Reed later clarified that his rubber-like body didn't hinder his daily life (and certainly not in the way people insinuated), the joke still spread far and wide.

"Take me to Long Island," Sean said, leaning back in the seat and closing his eyes.

His conversation with the Ancient One had left him unusually weary. Compared to the Sorcerer Supreme who frequently traversed the river of time, he fell short in both power and wisdom.

This served as a wake-up call. Even after allying with Professor X and defeating Magneto, the road ahead remained long. This planet was never short of formidable individuals, and he was far from being invincible.

"I'm not your chauffeur," Tony grumbled, glancing at the frowning young man beside him before dropping the subject.

Setting aside personal biases, his impression of Sean wasn't bad. The guy had both capability and a sharp mind, nothing like that incompetent Justin Hammer.

Of course, that was just an objective assessment...

The moment Tony remembered this bastard dancing with Pepper, he immediately regretted stopping. He should've taken a photo, sold it to the press, bought a newspaper tomorrow morning, and then called to mock him... that would've been the right move.

"This isn't the way to Long Island," Sean remarked after resting his eyes for a while. The tree-lined road suggested they were heading toward Tony's mansion.

"Party tonight. A whole crowd is waiting, and the star of the show can't be late!" Tony said lazily.

Sean studied the playboy thoughtfully, noting the blackened veins on his neck. Even without a blood test, it was clear the palladium toxicity was worsening.

"Still not reconsidering? Find a top surgeon to remove the shrapnel. Stop using that little gadget, and you might still be throwing pool parties with bikini models at eighty."

Tony shook his head, his expression resolute. Iron Man was an irreplaceable part of his life. No one could make him give it up.

"You don't get it," he said, tapping the arc reactor in his chest, "That feeling of being invincible, soaring through the sky, doing the impossible... For the first time, I'm using my power to help others. That's the life I want to chase, even if it's short."

The blinding headlights cut through the darkness of the tree-lined path like a sword. In the distance, the seaside villa perched on the cliffs came into view, the faint pulse of music already audible.

"What, feeling sorry for the great Iron Man's impending demise?" Tony tilted his head, a smug grin playing on his lips.

Sean remained silent for a moment before replying, "I was just thinking that after you're gone, as a former business partner, I might need to console the grieving Ms. Potts. No need to thank me, it's the least I can do."

Tony's smile froze. If he hadn't been gripping the steering wheel, he would've strangled this scheming bastard right then and there!

....

~Kathmandu, Kamar-Taj~

The Ancient One returned to her quarters, the sling ring's glow fading as the sparking portal dissipated. Her foremost disciple, Mordo, stood waiting in the courtyard.

"How was your trip to New York?" Mordo asked.

Though many sorcerers trained in seclusion at Kamar-Taj, Mordo was the only one who had inherited the Ancient One's teachings. To others, he was the obvious successor as Sorcerer Supreme.

"I met an interesting fellow," the bald sorcerer replied with a smile, hands clasped behind her back as she strolled under the night sky, "Across countless timelines, I couldn't glimpse his future..."

"You once said he was an extradimensional soul. Perhaps he simply doesn't appear in the future," Mordo suggested softly.

Having studied under the Ancient One for years and living in seclusion, he never doubted the wisdom of the great teacher who had saved him from the mundane world.

"No. I've seen fragments in the river of time. He's one of the biggest variables, which is why I chose to let him be."

The Ancient One sighed, gazing up at the starry expanse. She cherished the beauty of this world deeply, but couldn't stop death's approach.

Stepping quietly into the depths of the sanctum, she approached the Eye of Agamotto resting on its altar. Beneath layers of enchanted casing, the deep green stone pulsed with light.

"Will he become a threat to this world?" she murmured to the empty hall.

Her hand hovered over the Eye before she quickly withdrew it, as if reluctant to wield the powerful artifact again.

"He's a conqueror, a predator driven by desire. I shouldn't place hope in him... but without him, how can we avert the coming crisis?" The hesitation in her eyes lingered briefly before vanishing.

With a flick of her sleeve, the Ancient One departed. The green gem dimmed, awaiting the next Sorcerer Supreme...

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