"Cool, I expect new achievements from you," Tong said, patting me on the shoulder.

That was all the reaction I got... Although, what else could you expect from such a narrow-minded character as Tony Stark, except his all-encompassing love for himself?

"Pepper, I'm flying out to my yacht with models from Austria. I'll be gone for a couple of days..."

"Again?! When are you going to get down to business?" the girl pounced on him again, her chest heaving with rage boiling inside her.

"As soon as possible! Don't worry, I still have plans to install an arc reactor in Stark Tower so it runs on clean energy only. But I have to be mentally prepared for such work. A little rest will do me good," he lied without batting an eye.

And anyway, what's going on here? Judging by their behavior, these two still haven't met. Just don't tell me this is a story from the comics and not the Marvel Cinematic Universe? But the latest chronological events have shown that the film plots are at work here. For example, Tony developed a new element just like in his second solo film.

Damn, this universe really does mix everything. It seems the relationship between these two is the same as in the comics. Or rather, they aren't... Tony and Pepper only became a couple in the cinematic universe, while in the comics, Pepper dated Happy Hogan, then married him. Although, it doesn't concern me, so it doesn't matter what kind of Santa Barbara they have there.

Although, on the other hand... No, no, no! Remember, you have more important things to do; you have to focus.

I waited a whole fifteen minutes before Tony and Pepper finished their verbal battles and came to a reconciliation. The latter even managed to tell her boss the purpose of my visit today.

"Do you need the 'TS' element? For what purpose?" Stark asked.

"Can I not get it without telling my purpose?"

"Ha-ha, that will not happen. Tell me, maybe I will approve the deal."

I went over various options in my head and eventually decided to tell him everything. I doubted that a genius like Tony Stark would be interested in my little project of hologram glasses, so I didn't have to worry about the safety of my invention. I laid out everything about my development, even showed a drawing of the model. Fortunately, the data was on a flash drive.

And what answer do you think I got?

"What a mediocre job."

"Why so rude?! Of course, I understand that in essence everything is like that, but...This is my first attempt, it could have been softer," I mumbled, offended.

"I only told the truth, kid. Trust me, technology is not your thing. Give this up and do what you do best: compose music, write books, develop games. Don't waste time on useless things. The idea is certainly interesting, I don't argue. But the implementation is terribly shoddy."

And then I realized something… He knows so much about me? And he recently claimed that he didn't even recognize me. I can't figure out what thoughts are running through his head. Although, how could I even know? This is Tony Stark, Iron Man, one of the smartest people on Earth.

To be honest, he reminded me of Bruce in some way. I can't figure out why... Maybe it's because they both really irritate me? Hmm, in that case, I should offer Anthony a free service — mind-blowing therapy. I'm sure we'll get along, heh-heh…

"Don't you think that instead of dissuading someone from giving up science, you, as one of its ardent representatives, should, on the contrary, do your utmost to encourage bright minds to study it?" I threw a reproachful glance.

"Um... No, I don't think so!" the man said without a shadow of remorse.

"I see. So you'll give me the 'TS' element?"

"Did you hear what I just told you?" Stark blurted out irritably.

"Yeah. Well, what's up with the element?" I pretended to be a fool.

"You're not as simple as I thought," he crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze taking on an appraising look. "You know what... Have it your way. Stark Industries is willing to oblige you in this matter."

"Wow, why such a change?" I doubted.

"Exactly," Director Potts intervened in our conversation. "Why?"

"You could call it intuition," Tony said. "I think this decision is the right one. I sense something mysterious in all of this. Like I'm standing on the threshold of something important right now...And besides, his request isn't that impossible."

What was that just now? It all happened too quickly and easily. What did he feel? Changes in canon? Are you saying that important characters can sense when their destinies change? Wait, Bats told me something similar, although I didn't pay attention at the time. It seems things aren't so clear-cut here. It's worth investigating this case in the future.

It doesn't matter. The main thing is that I achieved my goal: I got access to a miniature energy source, met Pepper, and, of course, Iron Man himself. Having discussed a detailed plan of cooperation, I shook both of their hands and, politely saying goodbye, left the office.

**********************************

[Pepper Potts' POV]

"Tony," I turned to the man, tearing him out of his thoughts. "What was that? Why did you agree? This is not your style."

"Sorry, Pepper," Stark sighed, and his gaze gained clarity. "I myself do not understand the reason for my rash act. This guy is an unusual person..."

"Do you know anything about him?"

"A little. Only that he is a close friend of Bruce Wayne..."

"You don't really like him," I reminded him, hearing the boss mention his rival from Gotham.

"That's not the point. Alex Reath appeared less than six months ago and has already managed to declare himself to the whole world. Too sudden, and such an unprecedented talent."

"Yes, it is strange," I agreed. "But why are you even thinking about it? You are not interested in anything except your personal life. And don't lie to me that you are some kind of fan of his."

"Well, I am really delighted with his songs! I was ready to hit him with something, but there's more...He is in the S.H.I.E.L.D. database," he dumped the stunning news on me.

"Why? He is an ordinary person, isn't he?" I couldn't collect my thoughts.

"I'm telling you, everything is too strange with him. Himself, his surroundings, his actions… All this attracts the attention of higher-ups. I read his dossier, and here are the most interesting moments: freed the hostages and forced the psychopath Joker to surrender; personally defended himself from the League of Shadows; made contact with Supergirl in Midvale; freed a pretty dryad from a mental hospital and hired a mutant as the director of a music studio.

Nobody knows his intentions, but one thing is for sure... Soon he will let the world know about himself from a completely different side."

While I was listening to Tony's explanations, an image of a young man who literally a minute ago left this office appeared before me. There really was something in him — mysterious. Something hidden from public eyes. But at the same time, I felt that he was like an open book. He did not hide; on the contrary, his whole appearance expressed sincerity.

I do not know what Alex Reath is hiding, but I do not think he is a bad person. Perhaps my first impression of him is wrong, but I hope it is not so. I look forward to our next meeting, bright knight of Gotham.

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Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed the chapter.

We are real close to 200 power stones, currently at 182, and I promised to upload one more chapter on 200. So I'll upload it a bit early.

Enjoy the chapters.