Hey there, it's been a while... I've made a new chapter for you though! I mean, it's a shorter chapter made purely to streamline the transition into the final story arc, but this means that the story will be finished before the end of December :P
I'd also like to sincerely thank you for your patience. I really hope that you find it was worth it in the end.
Chapter 8: Resting Place
This was his chance. The weight of the dark presence had finally lifted, even if it was only temporary. No one could know the resting place of the final ring.
"I need you to delete that location from every database you have."
"But sir-"
"Delete them."
"We have-"
"DO IT!" There was no time for arguing with a low level A.I.M. agent. The aging man's time was growing short, regardless of what happened now.
xXxXx
A strong empty feeling surged through the young genius head as he continued to sit before the computer. He started to feel alone again, triggering another loud fit of sobbing to escape him.
Why can't this stop?
Why is this happening?
Why?
xXxXx
He had to have felt it by now.
Despite the scientist's best efforts to hide the location, Gene Khan already had 9 rings. The Mandarin could not be kept from his birthright.
xXxXx
I was chosen to unite them all.
I was chosen to bring order to this world.
It is my-
Gene Khan's thoughts were interrupted by what felt like an electric pulse through his mind. The tenth ring had been located.
xXxXx
An orb of pure light began forming less than an arms length away from the man, alerting him of the dark entity's arrival. It was the end for the genius... he was mere inches from an embodiment of Death.
"Stark tried to hide the ring from you, Great Khan," the A.I.M. agent confessed snidely, with no doubt in his mind that he would be rewarded for revealing this to his leader. The dark figure showed no surprise as the expressionless mask slowly dropped to be directed to the perpetrator. The cold light emitting from the black tyrant's eyes grew brighter as a single emotionless sentence echoed throughout the cracked psyche of the once happy father.
"This was how it was meant to be, Stark."
The Mandarin's hand rose to rest directly in front of the dead man's heart.
I'm sorry Tony. I'm so, so sorry.
The last thing Howard Stark would ever see was the memory of Maria Stark smiling warmly, inviting him to join her in watching over their newborn son.
xXxXx
The shadow of the man evaporated as if it were never there. No one would dare stand in the way of his birthright and survive.
"Where is it?" his deep voice boomed.
"According to this map, it's located somewhere in New York." the fool stated nervously, growing anxious to receive the prize that he believed he deserved.
As a gift for his service, he was met with his own disintegration.
I was chosen to unite them all.
I was chosen to bring order to this world.
It is my destiny.
Chapter 9: Destiny - Coming soon
The wait for the next chapter shouldn't be nearly as bad as this one was. I actually know where I'm going from this point on, so I got this ;)