AN: Any work you recognise is probably not mine. I obly own my original charachters and works. Most of the work here is owned by Marvel and such none of it is cannon, obviously.
Nyaga, Wakanda 07 January 2001
The sun was barely peeking over the horizon as I followed the other children to the testing room. It was early morning, and the air was filled with a crisp, refreshing energy. As always, I couldn't help but notice the advanced technology embedded in the everyday life of Wakanda—automated gates, drones delivering supplies, and holographic displays providing information about the day's schedule. It was a far cry from the world I remembered, where even basic necessities were a struggle.
"Victor, this way," the matron called, guiding me through the bustling hallway. I was just six years old, but the maturity and intelligence that set me apart were impossible to hide completely. The caretakers had noticed my quick understanding of concepts and my thoughtful responses. Today, I would take the mandatory entrance test that all Wakandan children took to determine the best school for their talents.
The testing room was sleek and modern, filled with high-tech equipment that seemed more fitting for a science lab than a classroom. We were seated at individual stations, each equipped with a holographic interface.
"Welcome, children," a gentle voice echoed from the speakers. "Today, you will be taking the entrance test. This test will help us understand your strengths and potential, and place you in the best school suited for you."
I glanced around at the other kids, some of whom looked nervous, while others seemed excited. For me, it was a strange mixture of both. I was curious about how this test would compare to the rudimentary exams of my past life. I had never encountered technology like this before, and yet, I felt a thrill at the prospect of engaging with it.
"Begin," the voice instructed, and the holographic display in front of me came to life.
The first question appeared, showing a bright red circle. "What color is this?" the gentle voice asked.
"Red," I answered confidently.
The next question showed various shapes of different sizes. "Which shape is the largest?"
"The square," I responded without hesitation.
As the test continued, I found myself both fascinated and amused by the simplicity of the questions. They ranged from identifying colors and shapes to basic arithmetic and pattern recognition. Each question was designed to engage and encourage young minds, and the technology made it feel more like an interactive game than a test.
A sequence of objects appeared, each one illuminating briefly before disappearing. "Now, repeat the sequence," the voice instructed.
I concentrated, recalling the order and pressing the corresponding icons. The system responded with a pleasant chime, indicating a correct answer. It was a far cry from the monotonous and often intimidating tests of my previous life.
Midway through the test, there was a section on problem-solving. The holographic display showed a small, animated character needing to cross a river with a set of items. "Which item should the character take first to ensure all items are safely transported?"
I pondered the scenario, quickly deducing the correct sequence. The challenges were simple but cleverly designed to stimulate critical thinking.
"Excellent, Victor," the voice praised after I completed the task. I felt a small flush of pride at the recognition.
As the test concluded, I leaned back in my seat, reflecting on the experience. It was evident that Wakanda invested heavily in its children, ensuring they received the best education and opportunities from a young age. This was a world where potential was nurtured, not stifled by the harsh realities of poverty and systemic neglect.
"Congratulations, children," the voice announced. "You have completed the test. Your results will be evaluated, and you will be placed in the school that best suits your abilities."
The matron entered the room, a proud smile on her face. "Well done, everyone. Let's head back now."
As we walked back to the orphanage, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and hope. This test was just the beginning. The opportunities that lay ahead in Wakanda were beyond anything I could have imagined in my past life. I was determined to make the most of this second chance, to embrace the education and resources available to me, and to shape a future where I could make a real difference.
In bed that night, I stared at the ceiling, a habit I had grown to have, my mind buzzing with possibilities. The entrance test had shown me a glimpse of what was possible in this new world. For the first time, I allowed myself to dream not of my past struggles but of a future where I could truly excel and perhaps even change the world.
As sleep finally claimed me, I knew that this was just the beginning. Wakanda was a place of endless potential, and I was ready to seize every opportunity that came my way.
Los Angeles, USA 26 December 2012
The sea around the shattered remnants of the cargo ship was calm once more, the echoes of battle fading into the night. Tony Stark stood on the deck, his Iron Man suit battered and smoking, but his determination unyielding. Pepper Potts, bruised but safe, stood beside him, her hand tightly gripping his arm.
"Tony, we did it," Pepper said, her voice a mixture of relief and exhaustion.
"Yeah," Tony replied, his gaze scanning the horizon. "But at what cost?"
Some time later, SHIELD agents moved swiftly around them, securing the surviving members of AIM and loading them onto transport vehicles. Killian, weakened and defeated, was among them, his eyes locked defiantly on Tony.
"You'll never understand, Stark," Killian spat, his voice strained. "I was trying to save the world."
Tony shook his head, his expression grim. "You went about it the wrong way, Killian. And now you'll face the consequences."
As the SHIELD agents escorted Killian away, Tony turned to Jarvis, his AI assistant.
"Jarvis, status report," Tony requested, his tone serious.
"Sir, the majority of AIM's personnel have been apprehended," Jarvis reported. "The cargo ship has been secured, but there was an anomaly during the evacuation. One individual managed to escape on a small boat. Our sensors detected him briefly, but he vanished before we could track him further."
Tony frowned, his mind racing. "An anomaly? I did hear you mention it during the fight but I was too focused on other things. He escaped huh, any idea who it was?"
"The individual displayed enhanced speed and agility, similar to an Extremis subject," Jarvis replied. "I'm currently analyzing the data to identify him."
Tony nodded thoughtfully. "Keep me updated, Jarvis. But for now, I need a break. Contact Fury and let him know what's happened. We'll need SHIELD's help cleaning up this mess."
"Understood, sir," Jarvis acknowledged.
Tony and Pepper boarded a SHIELD transport helicopter, heading back to Stark Tower. The adrenaline of the battle began to ebb, replaced by a bone-deep weariness. Pepper squeezed Tony's hand, offering silent support.
"You did what had to be done, Tony," Pepper said softly. "Now let SHIELD handle the rest."
Tony managed a faint smile. "Thanks, Pep. I just need some time to process everything."
Back at Stark Tower, Tony retreated to his lab, shedding the damaged Iron Man suit and sinking into a chair. Jarvis displayed the decrypted files from AIM, detailing their experiments with the Extremis virus and their plans for global domination.
Tony rubbed his eyes wearily. "Jarvis, set up a secure line to Fury."
"Connecting now, sir," Jarvis replied.
Nick Fury's holographic image materialized before Tony. "Stark. What's the status?"
"We took down AIM," Tony began, his voice tinged with fatigue. "Killian's in SHIELD custody. But one of his people escaped, an Extremis subject. Fast, agile. I need SHIELD to track him down."
Fury nodded, his expression grave. "We'll get on it, Stark. Good work out there."
"Thanks, Fury," Tony replied, his shoulders slumping with relief. "I'll provide all the intel we recovered from AIM. And... I could use a little downtime."
Fury's eye narrowed slightly, but he nodded. "Understood. You've earned it. We'll handle the cleanup and keep you updated on the search for the escapee."
"Appreciate it," Tony said, ending the call. He leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes briefly. The weight of the battle and its aftermath pressed down on him, but for now, he allowed himself a moment of respite.
As the night deepened, Tony Stark, Iron Man, reflected on the events that had unfolded. The battle was won, but the shadows of AIM's ambitions and the escapee's unknown agenda lingered. With SHIELD on the case, Tony hoped for a brief reprieve, a chance to recharge before the next inevitable threat arose.
But he knew, in the world he lived in, peace was always fleeting. And Tony Stark would be ready for whatever came next.
Los Angeles, USA 26 December 2012
Maria Hill watched as Tony Stark's holographic image flickered and disappeared. She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her. The recent events with AIM were just the latest in a long series of crises SHIELD had been managing.
She turned to her console, issuing rapid commands. "Hill to all available units. We need immediate support for cleanup and containment at the Los Angeles site. High priority. Also, initiate a search protocol for the escaped Extremis subject. Use all available resources."
Her orders were met with a flurry of acknowledgments. Hill didn't waste a moment; there was no time to rest. She reviewed the incoming reports from various SHIELD operations around the globe. The rise of superhuman activity was becoming a significant concern, and it was her job to keep a lid on.
A few hours late so forgive me.
Thanks for reading, see you next week.