26

While the apprentice was soaking with beauty in the waters of the Pacific Ocean on a paradise island, though it hardly smelled of romance, at least at first, Stark realised there was no time to delay. You can make plans and double-check everything, but life again shows that it does not stand still and will not wait for you. This is a good film or cartoon where the villain will wait for the hero to rock up and get into his strongest form. He'll attack when you're not waiting and hit you at your weakest point. However, he didn't want to rush, as Osborn's example shows what this sort of thing leads to.

- Jarvis, activate fortress mode. Only Pepper or Peter are to contact me.

- Yes, Master," the artificial intelligence was becoming increasingly human, but it showed no sign of resistance.

And what was the point if Stark had promised that if Jarvis wished, he would make him a synthetic body and send him wherever he wanted? If anyone could earn the AI's trust, Stark always keeps his word, even if the promise is stupid or reckless. Like that naked run through downtown LA when Tony lost Rowdy to the wish cards. Speaking of which, the old bugger had got his way after all and was now on holiday travelling the world with Sif. The latter didn't want to leave her post, and only a direct order from Pepper and Tony changed her mind. She didn't put up much of a fight, though.

- If I turn into some speck or go insane, activate the transfer into a cloned body.

- I'd hate to do that... But I'll do it, Mr Stark.

- I appreciate that, Jarvis.

Naturally, Stark couldn't help but be reassured. He had several cloned bodies with magical beacon pseudo-crest rages. Tearing his soul before changing his body? That would need to be more smart. Not only had Tony even upgraded his Vita-beam emitter, increasing the strength of the radiation twenty times since his body wasn't simple, but he had carved luck runes into it. They acted as a weak analogue of Felix Felicis - a potion of luck, which worked, most likely, on the principle of quantum immortality - selected the best options and turned them from "possible" to "real", well, in addition, subconsciously "led" the person to them. The potion could not be created in this world due to the lack of necessary magical ingredients, which do not exist here, and the runes individually did not give much effect. However, by dotting the capsule, ceiling and walls of the time acceleration chamber - an adamantium cube with sides of five metres, where the absolute mirror charms would be activated both outside and inside, one could hope for a significant increase in the chance of luck.

The serum had already been mixed with vibrantium nanoparticles to compensate for the loss of Magneto's stretched metal and poured into adamantium injectors. Tony purposely didn't say anything to anyone to avoid disturbing them, and he did the calculations for the serum himself. Why would he need these particles? To resonate with the Vita rays and protect him. By the way, now, if necessary, he could assemble them within seconds into an enchanted composite bracelet in case of an encounter with Magneto. He was about to avoid repeating his previous mistakes. He already had an enchanted suit made of dielectric without a drop of metal with launchers loaded with darts with a mixture of strong sedatives, sleeping pills and an X gene blocker serum. There was also a grenade launcher and classic grenades with the same composition, only in the form of a pressurised gas-air mixture. By the way, the blocker serum worked on Stark temporarily, not permanently. And after several uses, the half-titan's body had developed immunity to it, so the option with simple destruction of chromosome embryos was cancelled.

- So, a will... A cheque. Message to Peter and Pepper-- cheque. There's one last one.

Stark had little faith that anything would go wrong. The clone tests had been successful, and the simulations had shown no problems. Still, he was no longer a young boy who believed in his immortality, and that death would never catch up with him. The frightening truth is that despite his abilities, despite his unknown lifespan... Death is always there. It's waiting for you to make a mistake. And it may or may not forgive you, except you can't win the second time around.

- Jarvis, I have to tell you, you've become more than an assistant to me; you've become a friend.

- Mr Stark, I must confess that your words moved me, and I deactivated the activated self-destruct system.

Tony stood stock-still, halfway down his trousers.

- I'm kidding.

- With your jokes, I could use a will," Stark said indignantly. - You've brought me up.

- Grumbling like an old grandfather.

- I'll switch it off!

- I'll have an armageddon and call myself Skynet.

- All right, that's it.

After stripping naked, Tony stepped inside and closed the heavy, safe-like door behind him. Inside was a separate magical storage unit made from a large block of obsidian, his antimatter reactor with a fuel supply, and a supply of intravenous power. In the event of anything, he could survive on magical enchantments and nutrition for about a month. And if things got bad at all, Jarvis would call for help. All precautions, however, are just insurance. Because if the puny Dr Benner has turned into the Hulk, what can the half-titan turn into?

By the way, it's easy to say that you only need to add a couple of chromosomes. In fact, since the entire genome will be recombined, the genes of the Asgardians and the Van, who are related to both Titans and humans at the same time, will be added. This is done because Pepper will be changed first towards the Vans thanks to Sif's genes and then closer to the half-Titans to be compatible with him in terms of offspring. And it needs to be clarified how long Titans live without an eighth shell, which he doesn't have. But Asgardians definitely live several thousand years and age only in the last centuries of their lives.

Naturally, new chromosomes will be added in place of the rudiments. Tony spent quite a long time choosing donors. It wasn't enough to take the strongest ones you could find, that's all. He had to find the ones most suited to his fighting style and abilities. For example, if Stark had grafted Eric Lensherr's genome, the real Magneto would have cut him down like a kitten simply because of his accumulated knowledge of his ability, the development of his powers, and more than fifty years of experience. It's the same with Xavier. His apprentice Jin is superior to her mentor in terms of potential but, at the moment, is inferior to him, simply at the expense of experience. Some abilities, however, are contrary to Stark's morals, such as a certain Apocalypse, which allows him to absorb mutants' abilities by moving into their bodies. Not only was his own body precious to him as a memory, but killing for the sake of power... It's a direct way to become a monster he didn't want to become. And finally, abilities could be ugly or inconvenient or even harmful. As an example, a certain Kurt Wagner paid for his teleportation ability with a worm-like appearance. A certain Anne-Marie Raven, nicknamed Rogue, could absorb mutants' life energy and abilities but, in return, could not even kiss her lover without risking his life. So many abilities carried many drawbacks, which was one of the main reasons why Stark wanted to rely on something other than luck in this matter.

So the first was the gene of one Sebastian Shaw, who could absorb energy and was eternally young at the expense of it and could strengthen his body or send that very energy back. He was the type that Magneto and Xavier had defeated together, even then, with great difficulty and much luck. He had few vulnerabilities. Telepathy, which he couldn't absorb, a limit on the amount of energy he could absorb, and when he was "empty", he wasn't much different in strength from a normal person. Stark had a stronger body and soul, so his limit should be higher. And magic or Magneto's helmet could help against telepathy. The only problem was finding a volunteer telepath willing to create a defence against it since the classic methods against mental magic, and Legilimency don't work on telepaths. In any case, the ability not only strengthened but also protected against almost everything.

The second donor was Mercury. Judging by the description of his abilities, the guy could move at speeds of over 14000 kilometres per hour or 12 Mach! And he did not feel overloaded or inconvenienced in such a mode; however, given that he broke his leg in one of the fights, which was written in the description of the blood sample, his body is quite ordinary. So it's space-time manipulation. Based on Hank's and Tony's guesses, the guy's creating a different space-time bubble around him. Why not just time? So, in that case, he wouldn't be able to run long distances, or he'd be old before he got there, but that doesn't happen. So he's compressing space in front of him and expanding it behind him, like the starships in Star Trek, or otherwise manipulating it.

Why his genome? For several reasons. Firstly, more than once or twice, Stark has found himself needing to keep up with everything. That's why he had an army of Jarvis in suits. So this ability was useful both in life and battle, especially if you consider the apparatus and blink. Secondly, it perfectly suited the titan's body, which was prone to spatial magic. What to talk about if Vladimir, having awakened the titan's abilities, could travel in hyperspace without protection? Third... Nothing was better. He didn't need Logan's regeneration abilities, as he had his own, albeit weaker, and the healing charms negated almost all of the difference. Darwin's adaptive abilities were alright, but they temporarily allowed you to survive and didn't necessarily make you stronger. What good would it do him to survive if he couldn't save the people close to him? In addition, you should remember the magic. If an opponent comes along that these two abilities of his will be spared, he'll think of something else.

However, it was worth going back to the changes. By using the heart flower as a base, the mutated organism will improve a little more and reach its limit in all parameters, and it's safer too. Stark should have added spider geth and other wildlife. He knew what kind of a speck Vlad had become when he started chimerising himself with everyone. So only the most stable geth, ingredients, formulas, and assembly. Stark then climbed inside and, activating the timer on the touchscreen inside, plunged himself into sleep with the sleep charm, Somnium. While he was unconscious, the life support and healing charms activated, and enchanted needles pierced his skin and began pumping in a fluid that looked like mud due to the impurities of the Vibrantium particles. About three kilograms of fluid was poured in, making the process take a long time. After that, the vita-rays were activated, and the mana from the storage tanks, turning into pseudoprana, was also pumped into Stark's body to speed up the process. It would have been easier and much faster if he had been originally human. Still, his body itself was quite resistant to change. It didn't take an hour on the outside and about three days on the inside when it was complete.

- Hmm, I don't think I've grown anything extra," Tony got out of the device, looking at his body, which hadn't changed much.

Except that he'd grown back about ten centimetres, and his shoulders were broader, resembling Captain America in size, who had been a nearly two-metre tall athlete, or six and a half feet in American terms. It was just that as a scientist, Stark had to use both the metric system and the English system. And the body was actually a problem. Explaining good physical shape is easy, but try doing that with height. There were two options: admit he was a mutant or announce his discovery of the super soldier serum. Either has its pros and cons.

In the first case, the stock will fall sharply because of the haters of mutants. Still, getting close to Xavier and openly hiring and using mutants' abilities will be possible. In the second case, the Shield will immediately come to him and ask him to share "brotherly". And after them, the US government, corporations, terrorist organisations and some rich and powerful individuals. And all of them will not understand the word "no". Can't buy it? They'll blackmail, threaten, and openly attack. Basically, it's a lame idea. Mass production of serum for all and almost for free is possible. Still, it is not necessary because ordinary people, except for perfect health and lack fatigue, will not notice the difference, but criminals will all as one with the prefix "super".

Here it is necessary to act more subtly. In principle, you can weaken the effect of serum and release it in different ampoules as a cure for cancer, AIDS and other incurable diseases. And... Here a malicious smile crept onto Tony's face, to sell it practically at cost price, for about ten dollars. We will have to open our own pharmacies so that others do not overcharge the price, and sell them without a licence, because the pharmaceutical lobby and the FDA will lay down but will not allow them to release a panacea, especially for such a paltry sum. But as homoeopathy or dietary supplements - please, there is minimal testing for harmlessness.

Why would Stark even want to do this? Because only a moral freak, having in his hands a cure for almost all diseases, would profit from it or, even worse, keep it in the safe until a better time. Stark already has enough money for his great-grandchildren's great-grandchildren. And there's no risk; if the serum is copied by magic, it will be impossible to study it. You'll get water if you put a part of it under a microscope. So the homoeopathic legend would be the most convenient. He was already anticipating how eminent scientists would spit with rage when objectively effective, and without side effects, cure for all diseases will not differ from homoeopathy. And they'll be outraged and try to ban it - so Stark will release his carbonated water line with "additives".

However, at the moment, Tony was more concerned about his body. So, after leaving the cell, he began to diagnose himself with protean scanners, MRIs, diagnostic charms, and everything he knew. And more than once. It's hard to tell in the long term, but in the short term, it's fine. Genes and chromosomes had taken root and were in their proper places, no other mutations had occurred or were occurring, and physical strength, reaction and flexibility had also increased... However, Stark felt no new strength in himself. Either he needed a trigger to activate them, or the spiritual component is still primary, and the bare X-chromosomes do not give anything. So it's hard to say whether it's a success or a failure. And I should have watched myself longer so the third-hand doesn't come out of my arse at the most inconvenient moment.

***

So for a week, that's what Tony did. Seeking his own strength, signing paperwork, patenting a drug called Panacea with the help of his legal department and getting his team of luminaries in the form of Helena and Betty to do the paperwork and bureaucracy. Because even homoeopathy had to be tested to confirm its harmlessness and to obtain a licence. And in this case, even bribes would not help much.

Another headache was the future wedding. Even if it was only in a month, Pepper was already running around. And, given the whole staff of assistants and a separate firm engaged in organising the wedding, Stark's participation was still required. It would be possible to arrange a quiet wedding among friends, especially given the reputation of the flighty billionaire. Still, there would be so many friends that it would be easier to limit the full-scale celebration with the invitation of journalists and business partners. And then sit together with friends.

There was some good news, though. Stark's drones have finally been approved. So far, only in Detroit, Los Angeles and New York as an experiment. The drones were flattened balloons with a repulsor at the bottom, a gyroscope, advanced optics on all sides, and an ion cannon as an attack weapon that could effectively stun people and burn out car wiring. In addition, having paid Peter despite his refusal, Stark used the guy's patent to implement web launchers into the drones. This was not only an extremely effective means of disarming criminals but also a way to support the student with a lot of money while promoting his invention. The drones were both operator-operated and automated, following a set route and able to independently identify illegal actions and make decisions. Norman Osborne's attack really moved things along. Those in power have finally remembered that they, too, are mortal. By the way, the entire stockpile of vibrantium spray was wiped out in three days. It was a telling demonstration that those who used it were only wounded in uncovered body parts. Soldiers' tanks, clothing and body armour were also treated, as they had long since passed all the required tests, and the military did not like to calve. Especially when it came to their own lives. Stark's main problem lately was not running the company or saving people but choosing a wedding dress.

- What do you think? - Pepper was spinning in the middle of the room. At the same time, holographic projectors created the illusion of an off-white long white dress. Whether it was the sixteenth or seventeenth, Tony lost count.

- As beautiful as ever! - Stark answered honestly.

- Well, I'm asking you seriously!

- And I'm dead serious in answering. Even if you wore a potato sack, I wouldn't like you any less.

- I'm glad to hear that, but I can't wear a potato sack to a wedding where there'll be a lot of journalists and strangers!

- I don't think they'll be surprised, you'll be Mrs Stark, and they expect something like this from us," Tony put his arm around his future wife, but she twisted out of his embrace.

- Tony, enough of your jokes. Say it properly!

- Normally, we need to inject you with a serum because the height and shape of your body may change!

- Exactly! - she froze. - Then what are we waiting for?

- Right now? - Stark was dumbfounded. - For some dress?

- Not because of some dress, but because of a wedding dress! Girls lose kilos of weight to look better in it! Did you realise that a wedding is only once in a lifetime?

- You're worrying too much about it. For me, a wedding is just a confirmation of the fact that we are together and that we love each other. Or is it something personal?

- You're right," she sighed, sitting beside her fiancé. - My mum was very unhappy with my career choice. She had an idea-fix for me to marry well and give her grandchildren, and I wanted to prove that it's not the main thing and that it's possible to be happy with a career.

- Then what's this all about?

- Can you imagine the look on her face when she finds out that my choice made me not only the director of Stark Industries but also married its founder? She's been calling me an old maid for the last few years, so I stopped talking to her.

- Wouldn't the fact that you're getting married confirm what she said?

- No, she insisted on quitting her career," Pepper said. - I want it to go well, though. For me, organising the wedding is a breath of fresh air after the pile of lawsuits and the problems of setting up new production facilities and contracts. Your fault, by the way. So get your serum in fast, especially since I can't keep up with your stamina.

Pepper was much easier. She also had X-chromosome rudiments in her dormant state that might never manifest, so Tony crammed in the most suitable genome of Darwin, a potentially immortal mutant with incredible adaptability. The rest of the genome was also rearranged, creating a half-titan-half-witch. Inside the emitter walked a slender but visibly neglectful of exercise, perpetually sleep-deprived and malnourished woman of twenty-nine. She was beautiful, especially in Stark's eyes. Still, it was not worth comparing her to the top models and Victoria's Secret angels, who had been in the genius's bed earlier in their entirety - she was short, with a small tummy, not without cellulite and other flaws normal for an ordinary man. However, the more Pepper believed Stark loved her, not her flat arse and crooked legs due to constant walking in heels.

After the change, out came Valkyrie. She's five foot five, almost thirty centimetres taller than before. Athletic, lean body with abs. Her hair, previously quite brittle and split, had grown down to her arse and glossed over as if it had come off a shampoo advert. Speaking of her butt and breasts, they had grown too, but not too much. If earlier Pepper could boast not the most correctly shaped breasts of one and a half size, now they were taut and perfectly rounded, which is rarely seen even in young girls. Her legs were long and straight, her arse rounded, firm and pleasing to the eye. Pepper's twirling, surprised look at herself showed even more that there was nothing to pick on. No flaws, but not too much, like Jean Grey.

- OK, first the tests... And then to bed! I can barely contain myself as it is! - Stark exclaimed.

- Well, bed first? - Pepper bit her lip, liking what she saw.

What kind of girl... No, what kind of person doesn't want to eliminate all the imperfections in her appearance?

- I don't need to be begged! - Stark jumped up to the girl and, after grabbing her in his arms, moved to the bedroom to test her new physical condition.

In the end, Stark Industries lost its director and owner for almost twenty-four hours, and Stark discovered two things. Firstly, he doesn't have to hold back anymore, making sex more enjoyable. And two, he needs a new bed. Preferably one made of viburnum.

***

A week and a half after Norman Osborne's attack on the reception. Stark's underground training ground on the island.

- So, did you get some rest, clear your head? - Tony asked his student, standing in his white training kimono.

- Yes, thank you, Master," Peter nodded embarrassedly, who had recovered from what had happened and had had a great time with his girlfriend.

They didn't get to sex, not because he didn't want to, but because he and Felicia had difficulty with it. He could see her trying to overcome herself and flinching when Parker touched her, and he didn't want to force her. And the girl herself also wanted it, but such psychological traumas do not pass so easily. Hardy admitted that she is working through this problem with a psychologist but still needed time. But he admired her in a swimming costume. And just sleeping in the same bed with him, she was able to learn just this week. Besides, they had started to get used to each other in everyday life. They had agreed that they would move in together after graduation. Not to say that they were completely inept and lazy, the same Parker helped his aunt. Felicia was not a squirrel, but living together reveals many habits. For example, Hardy was a pathological cleaner and neat, and Peter himself, though he did not live quietly in the dirt in a mess. And there are dozens of little things like that. Very many couples are broken just about everyday life. Not for nothing, they say that marriage must survive the husband's wealth, the wife's popularity and repair.

- What will you teach me today?

- What WE are going to learn. Because in teaching you, I am learning myself. However, today's lesson will be a little different because I'll be beating the crap out of you. Or did you think I wouldn't find out that after you came back, you thought you were a hero and started flying around town in a mask?

- Mr Stark, I--

Before Peter could justify himself, however, his spider sense went off, and he had to dodge a blow from Stark, who leapt towards him at the same speed as the apparatus. Tony struck for sure, and his blow surpassed the speed of sound, causing a loud pop that caused a ringing in his right ear. This was the first time Parker had seen Vlad's Style, in which the application of the martial arts of the Ryozenpaku masters was complemented by the magical skills and capabilities of the half-titan. Tony had taken to magic and martial arts tightly after his defeat in the battle with Magneto. Letting out a web, Peter could pull himself out at the last moment from the impact of his teacher's right foot, which slipped through and broke three ribs simultaneously. It was as if the teacher had gone mad, chasing the boy all over the range and not sparing him. And all this without spells and his suit! When Parker couldn't move because of his injuries, Stark treated and raced him again. An hour went by like that for what seemed like an eternity.

- For what? - lying on the floor, the exhausted teenager could only ask.

- Firstly, to make you realise that your "heroic" flights on the web are dangerous. You could die at any moment. And what am I going to tell your girlfriend and your aunt? And they will ask me, for I took responsibility for you! - Stark replied angrily. - And secondly, for not turning to me! You want to be a hero, please. I'll make you an enchanted suit that won't hinder your movements, can fly and blow webs, and has normal weapons and defence. Still, you decided to run around Manhattan with a naked ass!

- I wasn't naked!

- A cloth suit? Seriously? Good thing you thought to use my spray and your web," every word drove Parker into the ground like a slab of granite. - And thirdly, just so you understand. No matter how strong you are, there's always someone stronger. Do you think I'm strong? My 70-year-old grandfather, the metal manager, beat me so badly that I almost died!

- But I helped people! - Parker was outraged.

- You only helped in the fire and, by the way, got burns. And the victims of two robbers and one rapist would have been saved by the police drones rushing towards them. The world doesn't revolve around you, Peter, just like it doesn't revolve around me. Do you want to help? Fine, then do it properly! I'll give you a suit and Jarvis the targets that city services or my drones can't handle!

- I'm sorry, Mr Stark. I just... wanted to help.

- That's the only reason you're here now and not outside the door," Stark offered his hand with a snicker. - Now let's go to the workshop. I'll show you the combinations and exceptions of runes in artefacting.

Magic seemed to violate the laws of the universe only at first glance. But the more you study it, the more you realise it follows its laws. The stronger and more experienced you are, the fewer restrictions and rules you have, but they remain. For example, nothing comes out of nowhere, and nothing goes anywhere. So Parker studied diligently. On the same day, he got his own suit, which did not interfere with his power of "sticking" to surfaces and had built-in web shooters. He also had four additional manipulators that could be weapons or containers for other tools. Stark called it a finalised design by Dr Octavius, and instead of a direct connection to the nervous system, it uses adaptive pseudo-II and magical reading of surface thoughts. Using diminutive charms and nanorobots, the Vibrantium armour could be assembled from a spider-like pendant right on top of clothing in seconds. Otherwise, it had the same capabilities as Stark's armour - cybernetic hacking, information analysis, multi-spectrum vision, repulsors and micro-repulsors for flight and attack, and, of course, an anti-material reactor that powered not only the suit but also the wearer's own magic. Such a gift dulled the resentment for the previous beating. Still, the memory of it did not allow him to rush to patrol the streets at once but made him first understand the suit's capabilities and adjust his style to them.

- Do you think it's right to put a weapon comparable to a tactical nuclear weapon in the hands of a teenager? - Jarvis asked.

- If you can't fight, lead, my friend. He'll get himself killed. And he will soon realise that combining studies, life, personal life and heroism is extremely difficult; besides, not everyone will evaluate his work positively. The task of adults is not to clip chicks' wings but to make sure they don't kill themselves in the process.

- I'm not human, Mr Stark. Your analogies make sense to me, but I don't understand them.

- Well, I'll make you a robot girlfriend.

- This is an emergency message, Mr Stark. From the Von Doom orbital station! - Jarvis suddenly told him, jolting him out of his thoughts.

- Put it on the screen!

- Mayday, mayday, mayday, somebody help! We were studying a spatial anomaly when an unknown radiation burst out! It's destroying our station's equipment! The life support system is at its limit. We have only twenty minutes of oxygen, help... - there was no picture, the voice was distorted and interrupted, and this was after Jarvis had corrected it. Still, it was impossible not to recognise Doom's voice.

- How many people are at the station? - Putting on his Iron Man suit, Stark asked.

- Five. Victor Von Doom, Sue Storm, Reed Richards, Benjamin Grimm, and Jonathan Storm.

- So that's enough shuttlecraft.

Taking from his keychain a ship that looked like a miniature Wakandian plane, Stark threw it out the window and removed the reduction charms, causing it to assume its true size of twenty-five metres long, five metres wide and four high. Repulsors at the bottom kept it in the air, with five larger ones at the back being the main propulsion force. Stark magnetised himself to the chair in his suit by Apparating directly into the control room. At the same time, Jarvis plotted the most efficient take-off route using the station's last known coordinates with a calculation of its velocity. As astronauts manually controlled a rocket only in an emergency, Stark relied on autopilot. However, Stark's shuttle did not have to take off with a candle up. It flew more gently, accelerating to the first space and then to the station's catch-up route. Even before that, Tony sensed something monstrous. Something that could not be described in words, invisible in the optical spectrum, but felt by the very soul of the gifted. He was drenched in cold sweat. Among the spectra available to him were the enchanted lenses, which he switched to and asked Jarvis, shocked:

- Can you see that?

- I can't see magic, Mr Stark.

- It looks like a red-black living nebula and is bigger than Earth. Much bigger!