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Chapter 17 - Chapter 17: Catalyst

The days following the courtroom victory were a welcome reprieve, but the team at Stark Industries knew it was only a matter of time before the next storm hit. The lawsuit had been a critical victory, but there were still unresolved challenges looming on the horizon: the palladium poisoning threatening Tony's life, Rhodey's ongoing mastery of the Mark II, and the deepening bond—and secrets—within the team.

Alexander remained the steady center of it all, balancing his roles as trainer, mentor, and strategist. With each passing day, the team grew stronger, their training advancing steadily as they prepared for whatever lay ahead.

Morning Reflections

Tony sat in the corner of the workshop, tinkering with a scaled-down model of the Arc Reactor. The faint hum of machinery filled the air as holographic projections floated around him.

Pepper entered, carrying a tray with two cups of coffee. "You're up early. Or did you not sleep again?"

He glanced up, offering a tired smirk. "Sleep is for people without genius-level problems."

She set the tray down beside him. "You mean people without death clocks hanging over their heads?"

Tony's expression sobered. "You're not wrong."

She leaned against the table, studying him. "How's the progress on the new element?"

"It's... a work in progress," he admitted. "I'm close, though. I think my dad left the breadcrumbs in the Expo model for a reason. I just have to follow them."

Pepper nodded. "And if you can't?"

He met her gaze, his voice quieter. "Then we go with Plan B."

"Plan B?"

"Alexander's been training me on internal Haki techniques," Tony explained. "If I can't replace the palladium, maybe I can contain its effects long enough to find another solution. It's not ideal, but..."

Pepper placed a hand on his arm, her voice firm. "You're not doing this alone, Tony. Whatever it takes, we'll figure it out."

He gave her a small smile. "That's why you're the boss, Pep."

Training with Alexander

In the expansive training room, Alexander stood in the center, addressing the team.

"Today's focus is precision and control," he began. "Tony and Pepper, you'll be refining your Rankyaku. Rhodey, you'll be working on Soru and integrating Observation Haki. Remember, this isn't about brute force. It's about finesse."

Rhodey frowned. "Let's not forget I'm still playing catch-up here. They've got months on me."

"And yet," Alexander replied smoothly, "you've got years of discipline and combat training. Use that. That gives you an edge. We'll start with Soru—master that, and the rest will come easier"

Rhodey nodded, rolling his shoulders. "Alright, let's do this."

"Alright," he began, addressing Tony, Pepper, who stood ready in their training gear. "Today, we're focusing on precision with Rankyaku and refining your Observation Haki. Accuracy is just as important as power."

Tony rolled his shoulders. "So, what? We're kicking cans again?"

Alexander smirked. "Something like that."

He motioned to a series of targets set up around the room—metal panels of varying thickness and size. "The goal is to cut through these without damaging anything else. It's not just about generating force; it's about control."

Pepper stepped forward first, her movements steady. She focused, channeling her energy into a sharp kick that released a crescent blade of air. It struck the target cleanly, slicing through the metal without disturbing the surroundings.

"Good," Alexander said, nodding. "Now increase your power. You need to cut through the reinforced panel."

Tony followed, his first attempt producing a blade of air that wobbled before dissipating. He groaned. "This thing hates me."

"Or you're not focusing enough," Alexander replied. "You're overthinking again. Observation Haki isn't just for reading opponents—it's for understanding yourself. Feel the strike before you deliver it."

Tony sighed, adjusting his stance. He took a deep breath, letting his Observation Haki guide him. When he delivered the next kick, the blade was more stable, slicing halfway through the target.

"Better," Alexander said. "But you're not done yet."

Pepper's attempt was more fluid, her blade slicing cleanly through the target. Alexander nodded approvingly. "Good. Now try to maintain that precision with more power."

Rhodey Starts with Soru

Alexander directed Rhodey to one end of the mat. "Soru is about explosive speed. It's not running faster—it's focusing your energy and releasing it in a single, controlled burst."

To demonstrate, Alexander disappeared in a blur, reappearing across the room.

Rhodey let out a low whistle. "Show-off."

"Your turn," Alexander said, gesturing.

Rhodey bent his knees, focusing on his legs. His first attempt sent him forward, but he stumbled and landed awkwardly.

Tony, observing from the side, grinned. "That's a ten out of ten for effort."

"Quiet, Stark," Rhodey muttered.

Alexander's voice was calm. "You're overthinking. Stop forcing it. Focus on the motion—on the intent."

Rhodey tried again, this time moving with slightly more control. The burst of speed was short, but he stayed upright.

"Better," Alexander noted. "Now do it again. Repetition builds instinct."

Rhodey, in his suit, was tasked with using soru while maintaining balance in the suit. He moved about 10 before nearly collapsing.

"Sloppy," Alexander said, crossing his arms.

Rhodey landed, frowning. "You want me to be precise while in this suit? That's asking a lot."

"Combat won't wait for you to be comfortable, Balanced or Precise you should know this already" Alexander replied. "Do it again."

The session continued, with each of them making incremental progress. By the end, they were exhausted but visibly improving, their confidence growing with each success.

Progress and Persistence

As the session continued, the team's progress was evident. Rhodey's movements with Soru became smoother, though his attempts to integrate Observation Haki were still clumsy. Tony's Rankyaku grew sharper, and Pepper demonstrated an impressive balance of strength and control.

By the end of the session, they were exhausted but visibly more confident.

Alexander surveyed them, his expression calm but satisfied. "Not bad. But remember, mastery takes time. Stay consistent."

Tony collapsed onto the mat, panting. "I miss the days when my brain was the only muscle I needed to use."

Pepper smirked. "Think of it as personal growth."

Rhodey chuckled. "Or a reality check."

Alexander and Natasha

Later that day, Alexander returned to his office to review the latest updates on Hammer's compliance with the court ruling. As he sifted through the documents, a knock at the door interrupted him.

"Come in," he called.

Natasha entered, her expression neutral but her posture tense. "Got a minute?"

 "Always," Alexander set the papers aside, gesturing for her to sit.

She closed the door and leaned against the frame instead. "You're good at reading people, aren't you?"

"I've had practice," Alexander replied evenly. "Why?"

Natasha tilted her head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "You've been keeping an eye on me since day one. What's your read so far?"

Alexander leaned back in his chair, studying her. "You're efficient, focused, and good at keeping people at arm's length. But underneath that, there's a part of you that wants to belong."

Her smirk faded, replaced by something quieter. "And what do you think I should do about that?"

"That depends," Alexander said. "Do you see this team as a mission—or as something more?"

"It's not easy for me," she admitted, her voice quieter. "But this team... it's different. They're different."

Alexander studied her, his gaze steady. "And that scares you."

She nodded. "I'm not used to relying on anyone but myself. But here, it's hard not to feel... connected."

"That's not a bad thing," Alexander said. "It means you're human."

She smirked faintly. "I suppose you'd know all about that."

He leaned forward slightly. "Natasha, you've proven your value here. But trust goes both ways. They'll never know your full story unless you let them. And if you want to be part of this team, you have to let them in. But this is your decision"

She exhaled slowly. "I haven't decided yet."

He nodded. "Fair enough. But if you want their trust, you'll have to meet them halfway. Secrets only last so long in a group like this."

The Puzzle Pieces Align

Later that night, Tony sat in his workshop, staring at the Expo model. The holograms projected around him flickered as he adjusted the configuration. His mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle his father had left behind.

"Jarvis," he said, leaning forward. "Pull up everything we've got on the Expo. I want the original schematics, the speeches—everything."

"Yes, sir," Jarvis replied, the holograms shifting to display a cascade of files.

Tony sifted through them, muttering to himself. "It's not just an Expo model... it's something else. What am I missing?"

Alexander entered quietly, holding two cups of coffee. "You look like you're in a staring contest with a hologram."

Tony glanced at him, taking one of the cups. "My dad left me a puzzle, and I'm stuck on the last piece."

Alexander studied the model, his expression thoughtful. "Sometimes the answer isn't in the details. It's in the intent. What did he want you to see?"

Tony frowned, his gaze sharpening. "What he wanted me to see..."

He turned back to the model, rearranging the holograms. Slowly, the pieces began to fit together, forming the blueprint for a new element.

"It's a new core," Tony said, his voice filled with awe. "He didn't just build an Expo—he left me the key to fixing the reactor."

Alexander smiled faintly. "Looks like you just needed a fresh perspective."

Tony grinned, his energy renewed. "Jarvis, prep the lab. We're about to make history."

Late-Night Reflection

The team gathered in the lounge later that night, the faint hum of the city outside providing a soothing backdrop to their rare moment of calm. A tray of snacks and drinks sat on the coffee table, evidence of Alexander's handiwork in the kitchen.

"To progress," Rhodey said, raising his glass.

"To not dying," Tony quipped, earning a round of chuckles from the group.

Pepper, sitting beside Tony with her legs tucked underneath her, leaned into him slightly. "I don't know about you all, but I'm starting to think this team is turning into something special. Chaos and all."

Tony wrapped an arm around her shoulders, a small smile tugging at his lips. "It's the chaos that keeps it interesting."

"I'll drink to that," Rhodey said, taking a sip.

Alexander, sitting in an armchair across from them, nodded thoughtfully. "Special or not, you'll need more than camaraderie for what's coming. Stay focused. Stay united. That's the only way you'll be ready."

His words were serious, but his tone carried a quiet warmth that softened the weight of his message.

Food and Humanity

The smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air as Alexander stood in the adjoining kitchen, slicing a loaf he'd made earlier. A pot of soup simmered on the stove, its rich aroma drawing Tony's attention.

"You're full of surprises, you know that?" Tony said, craning his neck to watch Alexander work.

Alexander smirked. "You didn't think I spent all my time training and fighting, did you? A good meal can be as restorative as any technique."

Pepper tilted her head, smiling. "I think it's nice. It makes this feel... normal. Like we're just a group of friends hanging out instead of, you know, preparing for world-ending threats."

Alexander carried a tray of soup bowls into the lounge, setting them on the coffee table. "Sometimes, it's important to feel human. Moments like these remind us why we fight."

Natasha, sitting quietly on the far end of the couch, picked up a bowl and murmured, "You're not wrong."

Rhodey grinned as he tasted the soup. "Not bad, Sensei. You might have missed your calling."

"Don't get used to it," Alexander replied, though his faint smile betrayed his amusement.

Tony and Pepper's Quiet Moment

As the conversation flowed around them, Tony leaned closer to Pepper, his voice low. "You know, I think Alexander might be onto something with this whole 'stay united' thing."

Pepper glanced up at him, her expression soft. "It's not a bad idea. Considering what we're up against, we could use all the unity we can get."

Tony brushed a strand of hair from her face, his touch lingering. "I just don't want you to think I'm dragging you into all of this. You could've had a normal life, you know. No suits, no explosions."

She gave him a look, half-amused and half-exasperated. "Normal is overrated. Besides, I think I made my choice a long time ago."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," she said, resting her head against his shoulder. "You might be a genius, but you're not getting rid of me that easily."

Tony chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Noted."

Natasha's Reflection

From her seat, Natasha watched the easy interactions between the group. Rhodey's laughter, Tony and Pepper's quiet affection, Alexander's calm presence—it all felt strangely alien and familiar at the same time.

She had spent so many years operating alone, keeping everyone at a distance. But here, for the first time, she felt the faintest flicker of something she hadn't allowed herself to feel in years: belonging.

Alexander caught her eye from across the room, his expression knowing. She gave a faint nod, silently acknowledging the unspoken understanding between them.

Ending the Night

As the evening wound down, the team began to disperse. Rhodey stretched and stood, clapping Tony on the shoulder. "Alright, Tony, I'm calling it a night. Try not to tinker with anything too dangerous before morning."

"No promises Platypus," Tony replied with a grin.

Pepper stood as well, holding her hand out to Tony. "Come on, genius. You need sleep as much as anyone else."

Tony groaned but took her hand, letting her pull him up. "Fine, but only because you asked nicely."

Natasha lingered as the others left, her gaze flicking to Alexander. "Thanks for the food," she said quietly.

He nodded. "Anytime."

As the room emptied, Alexander leaned back in his chair, the faint smile lingering on his face. For a moment, the weight of their challenges felt just a little lighter.