Chapter 1: First Discoveries
The air shifted sharply as Albedo was cast out from the White Hot Room. The warmth of the infinite light vanished, replaced by the cool, crisp breeze of the mortal realm. He stumbled slightly as his feet met solid ground, disoriented by the sudden change in surroundings.
When he looked up, towering skyscrapers loomed above him, their reflective windows glinting in the sunlight. The unmistakable skyline of New York City stretched out before him, but something about it felt… different. This wasn't the New York of his fragmented memories; it was something altered, reshaped.
Albedo adjusted the hood of his jacket, instinctively blending into the crowd as he walked along the bustling sidewalk. The city hummed with life—honking cars, distant sirens, and the constant chatter of pedestrians. He breathed deeply, allowing the cacophony to ground him.
This must be the Marvel Universe, he thought, his dark eyes scanning the unfamiliar city.
'Paradox must have left me with just enough knowledge to get by,' Albedo thought to himself. It was the only explanation that made sense to Albedo. His mind was filled with knowledge and memories that he most certainly didn't have before.
The idea irritated him. He hated having someone mess with his brilliant mind, yet he couldn't deny the practicality. Flashes of information surfaced in his mind—names, events, and key figures that defined this world. From what Albedo could gather it was all using the 616 universe as a baseline, as this universe was a branch from that universe. This information wasn't enough to make him feel at home, nor grant him an edge in this world, but it gave him a foundation to work from.
As Albedo walked through the streets of New York he paid close attention to the details around him, comparing the world to information floating around in his head. Bright digital billboards flickered with advertisements and news updates, but the names displayed were strange, unfamiliar. Unfamiliar to both Albedo personally, as well as the information floating around in his mind.
A massive display caught his eye as he entered Times Square. A billboard featured a striking image of the Avengers, posed heroically against a fiery backdrop. Their names scrolled across the bottom of the screen:
"Earth's Mightiest Heroes! Avengers Initiative: Protecting the Future!"
The roster was bizarre. Blue Marvel stood at the center, his cape billowing dramatically, while Captain Marvel hovered beside him, energy radiating from her hands. Thor loomed with Mjolnir raised high, flanked by Red Hulk and Hyperion. Spider-Man hung from a web (wearing a very different outfit from either Peter Parker or Miles Morales), Invisible Woman and Human Torch stood confidently together, and even Ultron towered in the background, his glowing red eyes an unsettling contrast to the other heroes.
Albedo frowned, his mind racing. Ultron? On the Avengers? This isn't right. Ultron is always a villain. A machine with bad programming. What kind of warped reality is this?
Nearby, two men chatted loudly as they walked past him.
"Did you see Thor's segment on The Late Show last night? Hilarious!" one said his arms waving around wildly.
Another chimed in, "And Ultron's drones? Total game changers. It's weird trusting a robot, but they're cutting crime like crazy."
Albedo clenched his fists. They're treating them like celebrities. The Avengers while celebrated aren't supposed to be treated like celebrities.
'This smells like the Makers work. Though I also can't rule out faulty information.'
At a newsstand, Albedo grabbed a copy of the Daily Bugle. The headline read:
"STANE ENTERPRISES DOMINATES TECH SECTOR: Military Drones Revolutionize Security."
Flipping through the pages, Albedo searched for familiar names, but Stark Industries was conspicuously absent. Instead, Obadiah Stane's name appeared repeatedly, praised as a pioneer in military technology and global security.
"Stane Enterprises?" he muttered under his breath. "What happened to Stark?"
Going through several more pages Albedo notes that the Avengers are creating more robots, similar to Ultron, to patrol the world. Already this has been occurring in Florida, and the crime has gone down, but it doesn't sit right with Albedo.
'Tech like this always goes sour. The media is also both biased and paid off. I'll have to do some research on my own later.'
He turned to another article. The accompanying image showed Magneto at the head of the X-Men, flanked by Storm, Cyclops, and Jean Grey. The headline read:
"SHIELD's Mutant Division Expands Under Magneto's Leadership."
Albedo's brow furrowed. Magneto, leading the X-Men? And working for SHIELD? This doesn't make sense. Magneto would be highly against mutants working under the thumb of SHIELD, even as its leader. Also where the hell is Charles Xavier?
He flipped to the next page, his unease growing. The article focused on the Avengers, but it read more like a tabloid piece than an account of their heroics. It highlighted their public appearances, charity events, and social media followings more than their battles.
"They're not warriors anymore," Albedo muttered. "They're… entertainers. They do hero work, but not nearly as much as they should."
His mind churned as he pieced together the fragmented knowledge he had. This isn't anything like the knowledge granted to him. One or two differences would've been ok, but this many couldn't be a conscience. Paradox is too meticulous to make such a mistake like this. The Maker's fingerprints are all over this. He's reshaped hero society, the mutant race as a whole, and the world's views of both.
Albedo's musings of the city were interrupted by the sound of shouting and gunfire. His head snapped toward the commotion, his sharp eyes catching sight of a group of masked robbers storming out of a nearby bank. Their weapons crackled with blue energy, clearly advanced beyond what most humans in this world should possess.
"Everyone on the ground!" one of the robbers yelled, aiming his weapon at the crowd.
Pedestrians screamed and scattered, some diving for cover behind cars or scrambling into nearby alleys. Albedo paused, standing on the edge of the chaos.
'Not my problem,' he thought, turning his back to the scene.' I'm not here to play hero. I have a mission, and this isn't it.'
He began walking away, but a piercing scream froze him in his tracks.
"Mommy!"
Albedo turned his head and saw a young child, no older than six, clutching his mother's hand. One of the robbers turned toward them, raising his weapon. The woman tried to shield the boy with her body, her face pale with fear.
For a moment, Albedo's vision blurred, replaced by fragmented memories of his own childhood. He saw himself as a young Galvan, standing in the shadow of his mentors. Their teachings echoed in his mind:
"A true Galvan uses their intelligence to aid others, not harm them. Our brilliance is a gift, meant to uplift, not destroy."
The memory twisted into bitter irony. He had abandoned those teachings long ago, consumed by his ambition and jealousy. Now, here he was, in a world that wasn't his own, standing at a crossroads.
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath.
Without another thought, Albedo activated his DNA manipulation. His body shimmered and transformed into Diamondhead, his angular crystalline form glinting under the sunlight. He stepped into the chaos, his heavy footfalls drawing the attention of the robbers.
"What the hell is that?" one of them shouted, spinning to face him.
Albedo didn't respond. Instead, he raised an arm and fired a crystalline shard at the nearest robber's weapon, shattering it in an instant.
"Take him down!" another robber yelled.
The others opened fire, their energy weapons crackling with bursts of blue light. Albedo raised his crystalline arms, forming a shield that deflected the blasts with ease. Moving with precision, he fired more shards, disarming the robbers one by one.
One robber charged at him with a blade-like weapon, but Albedo countered effortlessly. He formed a jagged blade from his forearm and parried the attack, striking with enough force to knock the man unconscious.
The remaining robbers hesitated, their weapons destroyed and their confidence shattered. Albedo took a step forward, his crystalline frame towering over them. For a second he contemplated going down a darker path, but he decided against it. There were children nearby.
"Run," Albedo said coldly.
The Robberts didn't need to be told twice. Dropping their remaining equipment, the robbers fled, disappearing into the alleys.
As the dust settled, the crowd began to emerge from their hiding places. The woman and her child stared at Albedo with wide eyes, gratitude written across their faces.
"Are you okay?" Albedo asked, his voice softer now as he crouched slightly to meet the boy's gaze.
The child nodded, his grip on his mother's hand tightening. "Thank you," the woman said, her voice trembling.
Albedo stood, turning toward the rest of the crowd. They stared at him, their fear giving way to awe.
"That was incredible!" a teenage girl exclaimed, pulling out her phone. "What's your hero name?"
"Are you an Avenger?" another person called out.
"Do you work with SHIELD?" someone else asked.
Albedo blinked, caught off guard by the sudden wave of questions. He had expected fear or suspicion, but instead, they looked at him as if he were a savior.
"I…" he started, but the words caught in his throat.
The crowd pressed closer, their excitement growing. A man in a business suit asked, "Where are you stationed? I've never seen you around before."
"Are you a new hero?" a child asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.
Albedo stood in silence, unsure of how to respond. The praise and admiration felt foreign to him, a stark contrast to the derision and rejection he had known for so long.
For a brief moment, he allowed himself to bask in their gratitude. The memory of his Galvan teachings flickered again in his mind, but this time, it didn't sting as much. Maybe I haven't strayed as far as I thought.
Albedo, still processing their unexpected praise, raised a hand to calm them. "I'm… not part of any team," he said carefully, his dark eyes scanning the crowd. "I just—"
The hum of repulsor engines cut him off, the sound growing louder as a figure descended from the sky. Albedo turned, narrowing his eyes as a red and gold suit of armor landed with a heavy clang. The crowd fell silent, parting as Iron Man stood tall, his faceplate sliding open to reveal a smug-looking Obadiah Stane.
"Well, well," Stane said, his voice amplified by the suit's speakers. "Looks like we've got ourselves an unregistered hero causing trouble."
Before Albedo could respond, the ground trembled. Heavy footsteps thundered down the street as a massive, crimson-skinned figure approached. The Red Hulk—Theodore Ross—emerged from around a corner, his glowing yellow eyes locked onto Albedo with predatory intensity.
"You've got guts, kid," Ross growled, his deep voice rumbling through the air. "But guts don't mean squat without a registration number."
Albedo's gaze flicked between the two, his mind already racing. Iron Man and Hulk. This isn't good.
Raising his hands, Albedo took a cautious step forward. "I don't want any trouble," he said, his tone calm but firm. "I was just helping. Those robbers had advanced tech—someone had to stop them."
Stane scoffed, crossing his armored arms. "That's not how things work here, rookie. You don't get to play hero without following the rules."
"What rules?" Albedo asked, narrowing his eyes.
Ross cracked his knuckles, his massive frame radiating heat that distorted the air around him. "The Superhuman Registration Act. Every powered individual registers with SHIELD. No exceptions. You either sign up or you get put down. Everyone knows that."
Albedo frowned, his voice sharpening. "I'm not from around here, so please excuse my lack of etiquette. I didn't know about your laws, but I don't think this warrants a fight."
"Doesn't matter where you're from," Stane said, his smug grin widening. "You broke the law. And now, we're here to enforce it."
Ross stepped forward, his glowing eyes narrowing. "You gonna come quietly, or do I get to have some fun?. I really want to have some fun."
Albedo clenched his fists, his irritation bubbling to the surface. So much for diplomacy. It was obvious these two liked to flex their power on people. Albedo contemplated surrender, but from the looks on their faces that wasn't really an option.
'Maybe I should ask for a Supervisor? Maybe they function like police,' Albedo thought to himself.
Before Albedo could say anything to the "heroes", Stane raised an arm and fired a repulsor blast. Albedo, still in his Diamondhead, reacted by raising his arms defensively, the energy beam ricocheting harmlessly off his crystalline body. The crowd screamed and scattered, fleeing the scene as the fight began. Albedo mentally kicked himself for forgetting about the people.
"That's your first and last mistake," Albedo said coldly, firing a crystalline shard at Stane's suit. It struck his shoulder joint, sparking on impact but causing minimal damage.
Stane laughed, launching into the air with his thrusters. "You'll have to do better than that, rookie! This is the best technology this world has to offer." He fired another barrage of repulsor blasts, which Albedo deflected with a hastily formed crystal wall.
"Don't worry," Albedo muttered, sidestepping the blasts. "I'm just getting started."
He fired a rapid series of crystalline shards, targeting the weaker points of Stane's armor. One struck a thruster, causing Stane to falter mid-air.
"You little—!" Stane snarled, spiraling toward the ground.
Albedo moved to capitalize on the opening, but the Red Hulk charged, his massive fist colliding with Albedo's arms, as he raised them defensively, and his arms cracked from the force. The force sent Albedo skidding back, his crystalline feet grinding against the pavement.
Ross grinned, his massive frame towering over Albedo. "You're tougher than you look," he said, the heat radiating off his body intensifying. "But let's see how long that fancy body of yours holds up."
Albedo shifted tactics, forming crystalline spikes along his arms and striking at Ross with precise, powerful blows. The Red Hulk absorbed each hit with minimal reaction, his grin widening as he retaliated with a devastating punch.
The force cracked Albedo's crystalline surface, sending him flying into a nearby car. The metal crumpled under the impact, but Albedo quickly recovered, rolling to his feet.
'He's getting hotter,' Albedo realized. He noted that the waves of heat were distorting the air around Ross.' The longer this fight goes on, the stronger and hotter he gets. I can't keep this up forever.'
Ross charged again, his fists leaving trails of molten asphalt in his wake. Albedo dodged to the side, firing crystalline projectiles to slow him down. Each shard shattered against Ross's nearly indestructible skin.
Stane rejoined the fight, his suit sparking but still operational. "Running out of tricks, rookie?" he taunted, firing another repulsor blast.
Albedo deflected it, but the situation was becoming untenable.' I can take down Stane easily enough, but Ross is a problem. His strength and heat are only increasing, and I don't have time to waste. I could beat him with another form, but it would take some time. The reinforcements would come. Even ignoring that the people are in danger and the property damage would be too much. The only thing to do is retreat for now.'
The fight was rapidly spiraling out of control. Albedo dodged another thunderous swing from the Red Hulk, his crystalline form cracking under the heat radiating from Ross's body. The air around the behemoth distorted like a mirage, the ground beneath him glowing faintly from the sheer intensity of his rising temperature.
Meanwhile, Stane's Iron Man suit fired a barrage of repulsor blasts, forcing Albedo to divide his attention. Though Stane's attacks were relatively simple to counter, the combination of his persistence and Ross's brute strength left Albedo with no opportunity to turn the fight in his favor.
'I can't keep this up. I need a way out,' Albedo thought, his sharp mind racing for a solution. His gaze fell on a manhole cover a few meters away.' The sewers… tight spaces, limited visibility, perfect for escape.'
Ross charged again, his fists leaving trails of molten asphalt in his wake. Albedo shifted his form, his crystalline body dissolving into the sleek, ghostly figure of Big Chill. The sudden transformation halted Ross mid-step, his eyes narrowing in confusion.
"What the hell is that?" Ross growled, the heat around him intensifying.
"Something you can't hit," Albedo said coldly, his voice echoing with a spectral edge.
Before either opponent could react, Albedo spread his icy wings and unleashed a powerful frost breath. A swirling vortex of snow and freezing wind erupted from his body, enveloping the entire street in a blinding snowstorm.
"Can't see a damn thing!" Stane shouted through his suit's speakers, the sensors struggling to cut through the sudden blizzard. His repulsors fired blindly into the storm, the blasts going wide and harmlessly dissipating into the air.
Ross roared in frustration, his body glowing brighter as he tried to melt the encroaching frost. The ground beneath him sizzled and cracked, but the snowstorm obscured his vision, making it impossible to find his target.
"You coward!" Ross bellowed, his voice muffled by the howling wind.
Albedo, now fully invisible within the blizzard, moved toward the manhole cover. His ghostly form phased effortlessly through the solid metal, descending into the sewers below. As he passed through the layers of earth and stone, the swirling snow storm above began to fade, leaving Ross and Stane standing amidst a rapidly melting layer of frost.
The sewers were dark and damp, the air thick with the smell of decay. Albedo materialized in his physical form, his Big Chill body shimmering faintly in the dim light. He floated silently for a moment, listening for any sign of pursuit.
Above, muffled voices echoed through the street.
"Where is he?!" Ross roared.
Stane's tone was calmer but laced with frustration. "He's gone. Sensors can't pick him up. He must've phased out… somehow."
Albedo smirked to himself, satisfied that his escape had worked. He phased further into the sewer system, letting the shadows and darkness envelop him. Once he was certain he was far enough from the chaos, he allowed himself to rest, leaning against the damp wall.
The sewers were dark and silent, save for the faint sound of trickling water. Albedo sat against the damp, moss-covered wall, catching his breath after the chaos above. His human form had returned, and he stared at his hands, still adjusting to the unfamiliar strength and control this body provided.
For a moment, he allowed himself to simply rest, his mind briefly quiet. But as the adrenaline wore off, the weight of what he had learned began to press on him.
"The Superhuman Registration Act," Albedo murmured, his voice echoing faintly in the narrow tunnel. "What is it, really?"
He had heard the term thrown around by Stane, by Ross, even by the murmurs of the crowd. It was clearly a law that dictated how people with powers operated, but its exact nature eluded him.
'It sounds like the Civil War I'm familiar with,' he thought, his brow furrowing. 'A fight over control, identity, and freedom. But this one ended differently. The registration side won here, didn't they?'
Albedo stood,and began walking deeper into the sewer system. The sound of his footsteps echoed softly as he pieced together what he knew.
'Stane mentioned registration numbers. Everyone with powers is accounted for, tracked. Is it voluntary? Or is it enforced?' He paused, running a hand through his hair (?).' If it's enforced, what happens to those who refuse? Are they treated like criminals? Like me?'
His mind churned as he replayed the confrontation above. The crowd's reaction, the way Stane and Ross arrived with immediate hostility—it all pointed to a system of control that left no room for dissent.
"SHIELD is involved," he muttered. "That means this goes deeper than simple law enforcement. This isn't about safety—it's about power."
Albedo's musings about the Superhuman Registration Act were interrupted by a faint hum echoing through the sewer tunnel. His steps slowed as he listened carefully, his instincts sharpening. The sound grew louder, accompanied by a faint blue light bouncing off the damp walls.
'Repulsors,' Albedo realized, his body tensing.
Before he could react, a blast of energy shot down the tunnel, striking the wall beside him and sending a shower of debris in all directions. Albedo dove to the side, activating his DNA manipulation as his body transformed into Chromastone. His crystalline form absorbed the next blast, his body glowing faintly as it absorbed the energy.
"I was wondering when you'd show up," Albedo muttered, his voice cold.
A familiar figure stepped into view, his upgraded armor gleaming in the dim light of the tunnel. The design was sleeker than before, with glowing blue lines coursing along its surface and additional plating around key joints. Stane's Iron Man suit was clearly designed to adapt to the confined space of the sewers.
"Upgraded already?" Albedo said, folding his arms. "I'm impressed—though not by much."
"Don't flatter yourself," Stane replied, his voice amplified by the suit's speakers. He raised his arm, the hum of a charged repulsor growing louder. "I've fought bigger threats than you."
Albedo smirked. "Where's Ross? Didn't want to get his hands dirty?"
Stane chuckled, the sound laced with mockery. "Exactly. The big guy doesn't do sewers. But trust me, I don't need him to handle you."
"We'll see about that," Albedo replied, shifting his stance.
Stane didn't wait for Albedo to make the first move. He unleashed a volley of repulsor blasts, the narrow confines of the sewer amplifying the sound of each discharge. Albedo absorbed the initial hits, his Chromastone body glowing brighter with each impact.
But the barrage didn't let up. Stane's attacks intensified, so Albedo decided to shift into XLR8. The velociraptor-like alien zipped through the tunnel with blinding speed, dodging the beams effortlessly.
"You're fast," Stane admitted, his suit tracking Albedo's movements. "But speed only gets you so far."
Stane activated a new weapon, a concussive pulse that sent shockwaves rippling through the tunnel. The force knocked Albedo off balance, forcing him to switch forms again. This time, he transformed into Fourarms. As he was in the air he did a backflip to land on his feet. His massive red-skinned form filled the narrow space of the sewer.
"Let's test your armor against real strength," Albedo growled, his voice deep and resonant.
Stane didn't hesitate, engaging his thrusters to launch himself forward. Albedo met him head-on, catching the armored suit mid-flight with one of his massive hands. The impact sent vibrations through the tunnel as Albedo hurled Stane into the wall, cracking the concrete and sending debris raining down.
"Not bad," Stane muttered, his suit sparking as he rose to his feet. Two energy blades extended from his forearms, their edges glowing ominously. "Let's see how you handle this."
Stane lunged, slashing at Albedo with rapid strikes. Albedo deflected the blades with his forearms, each hit sending sparks flying. He retaliated with a powerful punch, his fist slamming into Stane's chest plate and denting the armor.
"You're persistent," Albedo said, smirking as he grabbed Stane by the arm and swung him into the opposite wall.
Stane grunted in pain but quickly recovered, activating his thrusters to create some distance. He fired another series of blasts, forcing Albedo to retreat slightly.
As the fight continued, Albedo's sharp mind quickly analyzed the weaknesses in Stane's upgraded armor. The enhanced design allowed for better mobility in the confined space of the sewers, but it lacked the durability and adaptability to withstand prolonged combat.
"This model is definitely new for you. I can tell as you've patched up the flaws in your thrusters," Albedo remarked, his tone almost conversational as he dodged another repulsor blast. "But your power core is still vulnerable. And those energy blades? They drain your systems far too quickly."
"Shut up!" Stane barked, firing another barrage of blasts in frustration. Albedo clapped his hands together, causing an air wave to go through the sewers.
As Stane staggered, and Albedo capitalized. Albedo moved in close, a smirk curling his lips. "You use your armor as if you don't even understand it," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "From what I've seen, you're nothing more than a thief. Someone who's taken another man's work and passed it off as your own."
Stane gritted his teeth, his armor sparking as he struggled to stabilize himself.
"You're not smart enough to make even this disaster," Albedo continued, his tone cutting deeper. "Every flaw in that suit screams incompetence. It's obvious that someone far more intelligent built the foundation—and you've been riding on their brilliance ever since."
"Say that again!" Stane roared, his voice shaking with fury as he lunged forward, his energy blades slicing through the air.
Albedo easily evaded the attack, shifting into Big Chill. Phasing through the blades, he reappeared behind Stane, releasing a powerful frost breath. The icy blast froze the joints of Stane's armor, locking him in place as the frost spread across the surface of the suit.
"You don't have the skill, the intelligence, or the creativity to wield something like this properly," Albedo said, his voice calm and unwavering. "You're nothing but a pretender. Though even if you had all three in spades, I'd still win."
Before Stane could break free, Albedo shifted into Diamondhead. His crystalline form reflected the faint light of the sewer as he approached the immobilized Iron Man. With a single, precise strike, he shattered the frozen thrusters, rendering the suit immobile.
Stane collapsed to the ground, sparks flying from his damaged systems. Albedo began stepping forward with slow, deliberate steps.
"You're done," Albedo said, crouching down to grip the helmet. His dark eyes glinted with cold determination. "Now, you're going to tell me everything I want to know."
Obadiah Stane groaned as Albedo tore the helmet from his damaged armor and tossed it aside, sparks flying from the suit's fractured plating. Slamming Stane back against the grimy sewer wall, Albedo leaned in close, his dark eyes narrowing.
"You're going to tell me everything," Albedo said coldly.
Stane coughed, glaring up at him with a mix of defiance and confusion. "Everything about what?" he spat. "You've got no clue who you're messing with, do you?"
Albedo didn't answer. He yanked Stane forward and slammed him against the wall again, hard enough to send cracks spidering through the concrete.
"Start talking," Albedo growled. "What is the Superhuman Registration Act?"
Stane froze, his confusion deepening. "Wait… what?" he said, blinking at Albedo. "You don't know what the Registration Act is?"
"Do I look like I know?" Albedo snapped, his grip tightening on Stane's armor.
Stane stared at him, his disbelief evident. "You're joking. You're out here running around with powers and don't even know the most basic law of the land? What rock have you been living under?"
Albedo's voice dropped, cold and sharp. "The only thing you need to worry about is how long you'll stay conscious if you don't start explaining."
Stane gritted his teeth, his glare faltering under Albedo's unrelenting stare. "Fine," he muttered. "The Superhuman Registration Act. It's the law. Every powered individual—mutants, aliens, people like you—has to register with SHIELD. Real names, powers, abilities, the whole package. If you're not in the system, you're a criminal."
"And those who register?" Albedo asked, his tone dangerously calm.
"They work for the government," Stane said, sneering slightly. "They get a number, a badge, and orders. SHIELD decides who's a hero and who's not."
Albedo's brow furrowed. "And what happens to those who don't register?"
Stane's grin widened, bitterness creeping into his voice. "They're treated like they deserve. Like you deserve. Like an outlaw. A criminal. Rogue heroes. You either join the system or end up in prison—or worse."
Albedo absorbed the information, his mind racing. The act sounded eerily similar to the Civil War he knew of, but the consequences here seemed more deeply ingrained.
"This law caused a civil war, didn't it?" Albedo asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Yeah," Stane admitted grudgingly. "When it was first proposed, it split the hero community right down the middle. The pro-registration side, led by SHIELD and Richards, fought against the anti-registration heroes. Cities burned. People died. But in the end, registration won. Now, everyone plays by the rules—or else."
Albedo frowned. 'This world's heroes are nothing more than enforcers now,' he thought. 'Just like Stane and Ross.'
Albedo leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a growl. "What about Stark? What happened to his legacy?"
"Stark?" Stane echoed, confused. "What's Howard Stark got to do with this?"
"Answer the question," Albedo demanded, slamming Stane against the wall again. Albedo noted that Stane noted Howard Stark, and not his son Tony.
Stane winced but finally answered. "Howard Stark was a genius, sure. But he trusted the wrong people. People like me."
"You stole from him," Albedo said coldly.
Stane smirked, though it was bitter. "Call it what you want. Reed Richards and I took Stark's work—his designs, his inventions, all of it—and we built SHIELD and Stane Enterprises. We saw the potential for something bigger than Stark ever imagined. He didn't see it coming."
"You buried him," Albedo said, his tone dripping with disgust.
"Buried, erased, forgotten—it doesn't matter," Stane replied. "The world doesn't remember Howard Stark. They remember me."
"And Tony Stark?" Albedo pressed. "What happened to him?"
Stane's smugness faltered, replaced by genuine surprise. "Tony? What about him?"
"Where is he?" Albedo demanded, his voice sharp.
Stane hesitated, his lips tightening. Finally, he sighed. "Tony didn't inherit anything. Without Stark Enterprises, he had to work his way up from nothing. He clawed his way through life—college scholarships, engineering degrees, you name it. After graduating, he started a mechanic shop with Ben Parker. Small-time stuff. Cars, tech repairs, nothing like what Stark Enterprises would've been."
"And now?" Albedo asked.
Stane sneered. "Now he's just a guy with a family and a business. He married Maria Hill, if you can believe it, and they had a kid—Tony Stark Jr. The kid runs the shop now, along with Peter Parker, Ben's nephew. Both are in their twenties, working hard but staying small. They're nobodies."
Albedo's grip on Stane's armor tightened. "They survived," he said softly, more to himself than to Stane. Even in a fractured world, they found a way to build something real.
"They're no threat," Stane added bitterly. "Let them tinker with cars and computers. The real power lies with SHIELD and Stane Enterprises."
Albedo stared at Stane, his dark eyes glinting with cold determination. "You don't even realize how much of a pawn you are, do you?"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Stane snapped.
Albedo's lips curled into a faint smirk. "You'll find out soon enough."
Without another word, Albedo slammed Stane against the wall one final time, leaving him dazed and slumped in his broken armor.
'From what I've gleaned Tony Stark is a genius that could be of some use. He was robbed of a legacy of being a hero and an empire. Maybe I can have him join me. I could form a team like Tennyson did. Or maybe form something similar to the Plumbers. Thought what should I call this team?'.