NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23: Tony Stark
Maria Hill walked briskly down the corridor toward the Shield' training center, still thinking about Fury's message and the weird supernatural situation with Trish and the demonic scimitars. As she reached the heavy training room door, she grabbed the handle and pushed it open, while her mind was occupied with Demons and other supernatural things.
'Coulson did mention about Blade the Vampire Slayer, so well I think Demons don't matter much now' She thought and suddenly, a scorching wave of heat rushed toward her.
"Maria, move!" Natasha shouted from inside, her voice filled with urgency.
Before she could react, a flaming slash from Agni's scimitar came flying directly at her. Maria's eyes widened in shock. She barely had time to throw herself to the side, the searing heat grazing her as the flames whooshed past, slamming into the reinforced wall behind her with a loud crack, leaving blackened deep scorch marks.
Maria scrambled to her feet, her heart pounding. She instinctively reached for her sidearm, her fingers trembling from the near-death encounter. Peeking inside the training room, she saw Natasha standing tense, gripping Agni's glowing, flame-engulfed scimitar. Her face was a mixture of frustration and worry and relief seeing her unharmed.
"I didn't mean to—" Natasha began, but Agni cut her off.
"Puny human, if you can't control me, you have no right to wield my power!" Agni's voice rumbled, fiery and contemptuous, reverberating through the room.
Natasha clenched her jaw, holding the scimitar tighter. "I'm trying! But you're not making it any easier," she retorted.
Maria, still catching her breath, cautiously stepped inside the room. "Is this… normal?" she asked, eyeing the still-smoking walls, not just the one blow that also almost scorched her, but the whole training room walls.
Natasha exhaled sharply, lowering the scimitar for a moment. "It's been like this for the last half hour. Every time I try to use the fire, it gets out of control."
"That's because you are weak," Agni snarled, flames flaring again from the blade. "You think you can command me? You should've burned with that first strike."
Before Maria could speak, Rudra's calmer voice echoed in the room. - "Brother, enough. She is learning. Give her time."
Maria exchanged a concerned look with Natasha. "How much longer can you keep them in check?"
Natasha sighed, still feeling the overwhelming energy pulsing through her hands. "I don't know… but I'm not giving up."
"We'll see about that," Agni muttered darkly, though this time his flames were less aggressive.
Maria, still shaken from the near-miss, rubbed her neck. "Just… next time, don't send another fireball my way, alright?"
Natasha managed a small, weary smile. "I'll try. But if you hear these scimitars talking again, maybe stay outside the door."
Maria chuckled as she nodded. "But you know, I'd advise learning from Garcia. He seems good at controlling them. He may not have complete mastery, but at least he doesn't lose control like you did earlier." She glanced around the training room, which was in complete disarray, scorched walls and debris scattered everywhere.
"Will he even teach me?" Natasha asked, shaking her head as she sat down next to Maria for a break. "I don't think he likes us S.H.I.E.L.D. agents."
Maria handed Natasha a bottled drink, smirking. "Maybe not, but who says you can't use a little charm? He strikes me as a bit of a playboy. I mean, his girl Trish only needs a bit of physical contact to channel her powers yet he kissed her. What's a handshake or even a kiss to get on his good side?" she teased, chuckling.
Natasha looked at Maria, raising an eyebrow. "Are you seriously suggesting I seduce a kid?" she asked, eyeing her friend suspiciously.
Maria winked as she stood up. "I wouldn't call him a kid. He's manly enough, don't you think? I'm sure you'll see that too."
Natasha shook her head, letting out a small laugh. "I'll pass, thanks. I think I need to figure some things out on my own first," she said, glancing at the scimitars resting beside her.
Maria nodded, walking toward the door. "It's okay to ask for help, you know," she said with a smile before leaving.
Natasha watched Maria leave and took a deep breath. She closed her eyes, focusing, as the anklets she wore began to transform back into the fiery and windy scimitars. With a determined expression, she stood up, ready to continue her training.
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Back at Dave's home, after an intense workout session with Trish, the two of them were now relaxing in the bathroom. The warm steam filled the air as they both soaked in the tub, Trish leaning back comfortably, clearly enjoying the moment.
"Mmm, I can't get enough of this," Trish murmured, settling even deeper into the bubbles.
Dave glanced at her and shook his head with a small smile, already stepping out of the tub. He reached for a towel and began drying himself off.
"I'm done," he said as he finished, leaving her to relax on her own.
Trish watched him leave, amused, before shrugging and slipping on her headphones. She closed her eyes, sliding further into the bathwater, surrounded by bubbles and the warmth of the tub.
"Dave, we've got an invitation to Stark's party," Diana called as she knocked on his door.
"Perfect timing," Dave mumbled to himself. Then, raising his voice, he said, "Alright then, get ready. We're leaving tonight."
"Okay," Diana nodded, turning to leave.
Dave glanced at his reflection in the mirror, a small smirk forming on his face. "It's time to meet the savior himself… Tony Stark," he murmured, wondering how this little meeting was going to play out.
For the night, Dave decided to go with a simple yet striking outfit—one that exuded confidence without being overly flashy.
He wore a perfectly tailored black suit with sharp, clean lines that hugged his athletic frame just right. The fabric had a subtle sheen under the light, hinting at luxury without being ostentatious. His crisp white dress shirt added contrast, buttoned up but left open at the collar, giving him a relaxed yet refined look. Instead of a traditional tie, he opted for a sleek black satin pocket square tucked neatly into his breast pocket.
His shoes were polished black leather, reflecting the minimalist elegance of the ensemble. He wore no accessories except for a matte black wristwatch—understated, functional, and a subtle nod to his efficiency. The overall effect was a blend of modern sophistication and effortless style, making him stand out without trying too hard.
Dave took one last glance in the mirror, satisfied with the balance of simplicity and power that his outfit conveyed.
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'My Charity System Made me Too OP'
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