"Tony, what the hell is going on with you?"
"Did you start working on genetic engineering?"
Pepper rubbed her eyes and cautiously stepped closer, examining Tony more closely, her heart filled with curiosity, though her voice carried a hint of excitement.
Tony's diving into genetic research could mean breakthroughs in longevity—something countless people would desire, especially women. As long as it didn't come with significant side effects, this could be a game-changer.
"Shut up!"
Tony's sharp command took Pepper by surprise, freezing her in place.
"…"
It was the first time Tony had ever spoken to her so harshly, catching her completely off guard. His tone had always been casual, even playful, no matter how stressful the situation. But now, something was different—Tony was different.
"Pepper, I know you have a lot of questions."
"I'll answer all of them. But one thing you need to work on is your habit of speaking out of turn when I'm talking."
"I don't mind it personally, but if we're around others, you'll need to rein it in."
Tony's voice was firm as he paced toward her, his face unusually serious.
Pepper's casual chattiness was fine in private, but if she acted that way in front of someone like Harvey Amberlock, things could go south quickly.
"Is that an order?"
Pepper, always quick to retort, found herself hesitant as she looked at Tony's authoritative demeanor. It was as if he'd become someone else entirely.
"It's not an order; it's advice."
"What I'm about to share with you is going to open your eyes to a whole new world."
"If you want to stick with me in the future, you're going to come with me to some very... unique places, meet some very... unique people."
"And those people and things will be far beyond anything you've encountered."
"There's a risk that certain behaviors—like speaking out of turn—could bring us trouble, trouble that even I can't handle."
Tony's eyes were sharp as he closed the distance between them, his words heavy with meaning.
"Are you proposing to me?"
Pepper's tone was half incredulous, half teasing. After all, she'd never seen Tony so serious, so... settled.
Tony Stark had always been the eternal playboy—billionaire, inventor, and heartthrob. He didn't need to rush into anything, especially not at nearly forty. But here he was, talking about their future in a way that seemed like a veiled commitment.
"You could say that."
Tony didn't deny it.
Pepper was stunned. She had fully expected him to dodge the question like he always did, but this time, he responded directly. It wasn't just unusual—it was shocking.
"Alright, then. Keep talking. I'm listening," she said, a soft smile playing on her lips.
"You asked me why I suddenly look younger, and I didn't answer you then."
"That's because, at the time, I wasn't sure whether I wanted to embrace what was happening."
"But now, I can tell you the truth. I can tell you the secret behind my transformation, and about a world beyond what ordinary people know."
Tony leaned back in his chair, calm and collected. Pepper listened intently, though something about this conversation seemed off to her.
"The reason I've become younger is because someone introduced me to a new world."
"A world that has given me an extended lifespan and growing power."
"I've come to understand the nature of life itself, the other side of reality, the vastness of the universe, and the true nature of gods."
"And the one who opened the door to that world for me is none other than Harvey Amberlock."
Pepper's expression froze for a second.
"Tony... did you join a cult?"
She was half-joking, but her unease was palpable. All these grandiose ideas about life, power, and gods sounded suspiciously like something out of a fringe movement.
Tony, however, wasn't surprised by her reaction. He didn't argue—he didn't need to. He raised his foot and stomped hard on the ground.
With a loud crack, the floor beneath him shattered.
Pepper's eyes widened in shock.
"How… how did you do that?"
Pepper stared at the broken floor, her mind racing. Tony was strong, sure, but not that strong. She knew his limits, and this was beyond anything he'd ever shown before.
"That's the power of the Void," Tony said nonchalantly, crossing his legs as if nothing had happened, though his foot still ached from the impact. He hadn't expected to shatter the floor that thoroughly, but the pain quickly faded—a testament to the new vitality flowing through him.
"This isn't just some minor change, Pepper. My strength has increased several times over. I'm stronger, faster, and healthier than I've ever been," Tony explained. Even J.A.R.V.I.S., his AI assistant, chimed in to confirm his newfound physical prowess.
Pepper was still processing what she had seen and heard, trying to reconcile the Tony she knew with the one now standing before her.
Tony's voice softened. "I know this is a lot to take in. I felt the same way at first."
"But once you look into the Void, you'll start to understand."
"The Void is about evolution, adaptation, and survival."
"I could go on about the philosophy behind it, but I'll cut to the chase."
"Joining the Void gave me these powers—and more importantly, it granted me a lifespan that could stretch for centuries, maybe even millennia."
"I've joined the Void, Pepper. That's why I look younger, and why I've gained this strength."
"I know you're not driven by the same hunger for power that I am."
"But let me ask you—do you want to stay young forever?"
Tony's words hit their mark, and Pepper's heart skipped a beat. Every woman wants to preserve her youth. But she was no fool.
"Of course, I want to stay young. Every woman does."
"But there has to be a catch, right? What's the price?"
"If this Void thing gives you powers and immortality, what do you have to give in return?"
"The price is that you'll develop an enormous appetite. You'll need to eat—a lot."
Pepper's mind immediately flashed to Harvey Amberlock's massive feasts.
"Like Harvey?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
"Exactly. But it's not just a cost—it's part of the process."
"The more you eat, the more you evolve. The stronger you become, the longer you'll live."
"The real challenge, though, is mental. You have to resist certain... temptations."
"Having this kind of power can change you, can make you reckless."
"I've already felt the difference in myself. In the past, I might have hesitated, might have been too proud or afraid to admit how I feel."
"But now... I don't have time for those old insecurities. I have centuries, maybe millennia, ahead of me."
Tony's eyes locked on Pepper's, and his tone grew more urgent.
"I went to Harvey, and I convinced him to give you a chance to join the Void, too."
"I want you with me, Pepper. I want us to share this life, to explore the other side of reality together."
"I hope you won't waste this opportunity."
Pepper's heart raced. Tony's confession was sincere, maybe the most sincere thing he'd ever said to her. But she still had questions—one, in particular, stood out.
"I do want to stay young. And I'm grateful you thought of me," she started, her voice soft.
"But I have to ask…"
"What if I end up... gaining weight?"
Tony blinked, caught completely off guard.
"That's your question?"
"Yeah! I mean, look at Harvey. The way he eats—how could anyone not worry about getting fat?"
Pepper's face was serious, but Tony's disbelief was palpable.
"I can't give you a perfect answer. But judging by Harvey's physique, it seems... manageable."
"Besides, we haven't even scratched the surface of what the Void can offer. There's so much more to tell you."
"But for now, I just need to know—are you in?"
"Will you join me in the Void, Pepper? Share this life with me?"
Pepper smiled softly, her nerves replaced by something warmer.
"I'm in, Tony. But what do I have to do?"
Before Tony could respond, a familiar purple energy began to swirl around Pepper's body. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she started to levitate, her figure surrounded by the eerie glow of the Void.
Tony watched in awe.
"The Void truly is mysterious and magnificent."
Pepper had been accepted, and together, they would face whatever the future held.