"Mr. Stark isn't someone you can just approach, especially not if you're on his bad side," Jarvis observed, his tone pointed.
James glanced down at Clarice, who was leaning against him. "Hey, Clarice, do you want me to pick a star for you?"
"Pick a star..." she replied, her eyes lighting up momentarily.
Jarvis stayed silent, his lack of response subtly indicating Tony's feelings toward James—an unspoken tension that hung in the air. Even in his own territory, Tony wasn't one to shy away from confrontation, but a fight here would only lead to more trouble.
As the evening deepened, two movies played on the large screen in the entertainment room. Pepper still hadn't returned, and Tony was busy tinkering with equipment somewhere in the depths of the building. The three of them—James, Clarice, and Jarvis—felt somewhat forgotten in this expansive space.
"Brother, I'm hungry," Clarice said, her voice breaking the silence. She looked up at James with wide, pleading eyes. "I want to eat."
"There must be something here. Jarvis, can you help us find something to eat?"
James had been caught up in a discussion about cultivation techniques with Shang-Chi, diving deep into their different practices. Shang-Chi's training focused on harnessing internal energy, much like martial arts, while James's approach involved drawing from the natural world, seeking a more mystical understanding.
The two had been exchanging insights, trying to blend their methods, but ultimately found themselves struggling to adapt to each other's styles.
Suddenly, James realized Shang-Chi had been absent for a while. "Where did Shang-Chi go?" he asked, looking around.
Clarice shrugged. "He went out a bit ago. Maybe his stomach is upset."
"Let's go check on him," James said, taking Clarice's hand as they made their way out of the entertainment room. The living room was elegantly lit, but eerily quiet. Shang-Chi was nowhere in sight.
A loud crash echoed from downstairs, followed by a series of clattering noises. Adrenaline surged through James, and he scooped up Clarice, rushing down the stairs, fearing the worst.
As they reached the bottom, James's heart sank. A man lay on the ground, his face pale and a gaping hole in his chest. The broken remnants of a glass reactor lay scattered around him.
"Is this really happening? Is this the day Iron Man faces Obadiah?" James thought, horrified. He had completely missed the signs of danger.
"Shang-Chi, what are you doing?" James demanded, spotting his friend standing over Tony Stark, holding what appeared to be a miniature reactor.
"James, this man is the executioner behind countless weapons of destruction," Shang-Chi declared, his voice steady but charged with emotion. "His company has fueled conflicts, hurting innocent people. He's an accomplice to the suffering of my people."
James's heart raced. He understood the weight of Shang-Chi's words, but he also knew the context. "He's not the same person he was before. He's trying to make amends!"
Shang-Chi tightened his grip on the reactor. "I'm going to put an end to this. No more weapons, no more lives lost because of his greed and ambition!"
"Wait!" James shouted, panic rising in his chest. "You don't understand what you're doing! If you destroy that reactor, Tony will die! This isn't just about the past; it's about the future!"
But it was too late. Shang-Chi yanked out wires, and James could almost hear the sound of hope shattering as the reactor dimmed to nothing.
"No! Not like this," James whispered, kneeling beside Tony, who was now twitching and gasping for breath, his life slipping away.
Shang-Chi's face was conflicted, but he turned away, unwilling to reconsider. "I can't let him continue creating weapons. This is justice."
James reached into his pocket, pulling out a small chalice he always carried. He filled it with water and gently poured it into Tony's mouth, desperate to help. "Come on, Tony. Don't do this. You're meant for more than this. If you can hear me, just hold on!"
Tony's eyes flickered open, now more aware, but the damage was done. James felt a swell of regret. "I came all this way, and it led to this. If you have any last words, I'll do my best to honor them. But I can't promise I'll understand your science."
As Tony's gaze met James's, a flicker of recognition crossed his face. In that moment, the weight of choices hung heavy in the air, and James realized that sometimes, the line between justice and vengeance could blur in the darkest of times.
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