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The world had changed.
Not just for the people watching from their screens, but for those of us who lived through it.
The Chitauri Invasion had shaken the world. Aliens were no longer fiction. Gods walked among us.
And for me, Arjun Stark?
It meant that my life had only just begun.
I stood in Tony's R&D lab, staring at the holographic interface. Stark Tower—or what remained of it—was still undergoing repairs, but Tony had set up his lab in one of the underground facilities.
I could hear the faint sounds of metal being welded in the distance—repairs happening all over the building.
But I had something else on my mind.
Wanda. Pietro.
Where were they?
We had gotten separated in Sokovia. When the militants attacked, the three of us had been forced to flee.
And then as per the timeline probably— Hydra happened.
I clenched my fists.
I had seen Age of Ultron. I knew what was coming.
But knowing and doing something about it? That was a different beast altogether.
I tapped a few keys on the console in front of me.
"J.A.R.V.I.S.," I said, "I need you to run a deep search. Locate any information on Wanda and Pietro Maximoff."
The AI's voice responded smoothly.
> "Certainly, sir. Accessing global databases… this may take some time."
I exhaled, running a hand through my hair.
Please be safe.
---
I turned my attention back to the holographic interface.
I needed to do something.
Something that could give me an edge.
Tony had all but ignored me since the invasion ended. He was preoccupied—working on upgrades for his suits, talking with Fury about the future of the Avengers.
But I was still here.
And I wasn't going to waste this opportunity.
I had already designed the first version of V.E.D.A., my evolving AI assistant. But that wasn't enough.
I needed something for myself.
A tool that could compensate for my weaknesses.
I sketched out the concept—a combat enhancement chip.
It would be implanted in a wearable suit, feeding real-time combat data to the user.
Essentially, it would:
- Analyze an opponent's fighting style.
- Download and mimic different martial arts.
- Adjust the body's movement for optimized efficiency.
A combat algorithm, designed to make even a regular person into a fighter.
I called it "Project Mimic."
I smiled. This was it.
But before I could go any further—
The elevator doors slid open.
---
Footsteps echoed across the lab.
I looked up and—froze.
Steve Rogers. Natasha Romanoff. Bruce Banner.
The Avengers.
"Whoa," Bruce said, adjusting his glasses. "Since when did Tony hire a kid ?"
I sighed internally. Great.
Steve's sharp blue eyes studied me, his arms crossed. "You must be Arjun."
Natasha leaned against the wall, her expression unreadable. "We've heard about you."
I raised an eyebrow. "And?"
Steve shrugged. "Just curious what the son of Tony Stark does in his free time."
I gave them a tight lipped smile. "Apparently, I get interrogated."
Bruce chuckled. "Relax, kid. We're just here to check in with Tony. Didn't expect to find a mini-Stark buried in holograms."
I tapped the console, and the designs for Project Mimic shifted into view.
Natasha's gaze flicked over the schematics. "That's an interesting concept."
I hesitated. Should I explain it?
Before I could decide, Steve walked closer, looking at the suit's design. "A combat assist chip, like Tuxedo?"
I nodded. "Yeah, basically the same. Though mine would learn and adapt to different fighting styles. Real-time movement correction, combat strategy analysis… basically, it lets an ordinary person fight like a trained warrior."
Bruce whistled. "That's… impressive. A little terrifying, but impressive."
Natasha glanced at me. "Does it work?"
I sighed. "Eh.. Still working on the prototype. Need to test it."
Steve stepped back, crossing his arms. "If you get it working, I'd like to see it in action."
I blinked. Captain America wanted to see my invention?
"…Yeah," I said, trying to sound casual. "I'll let you know."
Just then—
The elevator doors slid open again.
And this time, Tony walked in.
---
Tony stopped in his tracks. His eyes flicked from me to the others.
"…Did I miss a science fair?"
Natasha smirked. "Your kid's got some interesting ideas."
Tony raised an eyebrow at me. "Should I be worried?"
I rolled my eyes. "No, but you should be impressed."
Tony walked over, glancing at the hologram.
I watched as his expression shifted from mild curiosity to intrigue.
"…A combat-assist system?" he muttered, analyzing the blueprints.
He turned to me. "You know what this reminds me of?"
I tilted my head. "What?"
He smirked. "Captain America's super-soldier serum. But for nerds."
Bruce snorted. Steve sighed. Natasha just smiled.
I crossed my arms. "So? What do you think?"
Tony was silent for a moment.
Then, he clapped his hands together.
"Alright, kid. You've got my attention."
I grinned.
-
That night, I sat on the rooftop of Stark Tower.
J.A.R.V.I.S. had finally finished his search.
> "Sir, I have located potential sightings of Wanda and Pietro Maximoff."
My breath hitched.
> "They were last seen near Sokovia's eastern border. However, Hydra activity has increased in that region."
I clenched my fists.
Hydra had them.
I had to act. But I wasn't ready.
Not yet.
I glanced down at my hands.
I was no soldier. No superhero.
But if Project Mimic worked, I wouldn't need to be.
I would make my own power.
I would carve my own path.
And one day—
I would get them back.
---
[End ]
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