Destroyer Through The Multiverse Ch 19

The morning sun rose over Los Angeles, casting a warm glow on the city still buzzing from the previous night's events. Across the nation, people woke to their phones and televisions blaring with breaking news. Videos of Iron Man's drunken rampage and his confrontation with the mysterious Kamen Rider Decade dominated every screen.

In coffee shops, offices, and homes, conversations revolved around the shocking footage. Shaky smartphone videos showed Iron Man stumbling through his mansion, firing repulsor blasts at his own property. The arrival of Kamen Rider Decade and the subsequent battle had been captured from multiple angles, each new perspective adding to the growing online frenzy.

On CNN, a panel of experts debated the implications of Tony Stark's behavior. "This raises serious questions about the stability of the man behind Iron Man," a stern-faced commentator declared. "Can we trust someone so volatile with such powerful technology?"

Fox News took a different angle, praising the intervention of Kamen Rider Decade. "This unknown hero stepped in when no one else could," a pundit argued. "Perhaps it's time we consider alternatives to Stark's monopoly on superhero tech."

Social media platforms exploded with hashtags like #IronManMeltdown and #DecadeVsStark trending worldwide. Memes and gifs of the encounter spread like wildfire, with particular focus on the moment Decade disabled Iron Man's suit with a single touch.

In New York, pedestrians gathered around the giant screens in Times Square, watching replays of the fight. Street vendors quickly capitalized on the buzz, selling hastily printed t-shirts featuring blurry images of Decade alongside Iron Man.

Meanwhile, at SHIELD headquarters, agents huddled around monitors, analyzing every frame of the viral videos. Nick Fury stood at the center, his expression grim as he watched Tony Stark's fall from grace play out on repeat.

"Get me everything we have on this Kamen Rider," Fury barked to a nearby agent. "I want to know who he is, where he came from, and how the hell he took down Stark's suit so easily."

As the day wore on, the story showed no signs of losing steam. News helicopters circled Stark's Malibu mansion, hoping to catch a glimpse of the disgraced hero. Reporters camped outside Stark Industries, pestering employees for any comment on their boss's behavior.

Tatsuya stepped into Tony's mansion, his footsteps crunching on broken glass. The place was a wreck. Shattered bottles littered the floor, furniture lay overturned, and scorch marks scarred the walls. The stench of alcohol and smoke hung heavy in the air.

He made his way through the debris, careful not to disturb anything. In the living room, he spotted Tony. The billionaire sat slumped in a chair, staring out at the ocean. His usual swagger was gone, replaced by a defeated slouch.

Tatsuya approached quietly. Tony didn't turn. His eyes remained fixed on the horizon, unfocused and distant.

"Rough night?" Tatsuya asked.

Tony grunted. He looked like hell. Dark circles ringed his eyes, his hair stuck up at odd angles, and stubble shadowed his jaw.

Tatsuya surveyed the damage. Memories of the previous night's battle flashed through his mind. The clash of metal, the whine of repulsors, the desperate struggle to subdue Tony without hurting him.

"You really did a number on this place," Tatsuya said.

Tony finally looked at him. His eyes were bloodshot, filled with a mix of pain and self-loathing. "Yeah, well. I've always been good at destroying things."

Tatsuya moved closer, careful not to crowd Tony. He knew the man was volatile, unpredictable. "Want to talk about it?"

Tony snorted. "What's there to talk about? I'm dying, I trashed my house, and some guy in a pink suit kicked my ass. Just another Tuesday for Tony Stark."

The bitterness in his voice was palpable. Tatsuya felt a pang of guilt. He'd been the one in that pink suit, after all. But he couldn't reveal that. Not yet.

"It was magenta, actually, and you're not dying," Tatsuya said firmly.

Tony laughed, a harsh, humorless sound. "Tell that to the palladium poisoning my blood."

Tatsuya frowned. He'd suspected Tony was ill, but hearing it confirmed sent a chill through him. "There has to be a solution."

"If there is, I haven't found it," Tony said. He turned back to the ocean, his shoulders sagging. "Maybe this is karma. The Merchant of Death finally gets his due."

Tatsuya shook his head. "That's not you anymore. You've changed."

"Have I?" Tony's voice was barely above a whisper. "Or am I just fooling myself?"

The vulnerability in Tony's tone caught Tatsuya off guard. This wasn't the cocky, self-assured Tony Stark he'd come to know. This was a man grappling with his own mortality, his legacy.

Tatsuya moved to stand beside Tony, looking out at the vast expanse of water. The sun glinted off the waves, a stark contrast to the gloom inside the mansion.

"You have changed," Tatsuya said quietly. "I've seen it. The world's seen it. You're not perfect, but you're trying to make a difference. That counts for something."

Tony didn't respond. His gaze remained fixed on the horizon, as if searching for answers in the endless blue.

Tatsuya places his hand on Tony's shoulder. "You're not alone in this, Tony. Whatever you're facing, you don't have to face it by yourself."

Tony tensed for a moment, then relaxed. He didn't shrug off Tatsuya's hand. "Thanks," he muttered, so softly Tatsuya almost missed it.

They stood there in silence, watching the waves crash against the cliffs below. The destruction around them faded into the background, overshadowed by the weight of unspoken words and shared burdens.

Tatsuya tensed as the sound of footsteps echoed through the mansion. He turned to see a group of people in suits entering, led by a tall, imposing man with an eye patch. Nick Fury. Tatsuya recognized him immediately from SHIELD briefings.

Fury strode into the room, his one good eye surveying the destruction. His face was a mask of irritation and resignation. He stopped in front of Tony, who hadn't bothered to stand.

"Stark," Fury said, his voice a low growl. "You've really outdone yourself this time."

Tony shrugged, a ghost of his usual smirk playing on his lips. "What can I say? I like to keep things interesting."

Fury's eye narrowed. "Interesting? Is that what you call this mess? Do you have any idea how much damage control I've had to do?"

Tatsuya watched the exchange, feeling like an intruder. He shifted his weight, unsure whether to stay or leave.

"I didn't ask you to clean up after me," Tony shot back, some of his old fire returning.

"No, but someone has to," Fury retorted. "We can't have Iron Man running around like a drunken frat boy."

As they argued, Tatsuya noticed a familiar face enter the room. Natalie Rushman, Tony's new assistant. But there was something different about her now. She moved with a fluid grace that spoke of years of training.

Fury caught sight of her and gestured for her to come closer. "Stark, I believe you've already met Agent Romanoff."

Tatsuya's eyes widened. Agent Romanoff. The Black Widow. He'd heard whispers about her in SHIELD, but he'd never connected them to the seemingly innocuous Natalie.

Tony looked between Natalie - no, Natasha - and Fury, confusion and betrayal warring on his face. "What's going on here?"

"Agent Romanoff was assigned to keep an eye on you," Fury explained. "Given your... condition, we thought it prudent to have someone close by."

Tatsuya felt a surge of indignation. He'd been right here, watching over Tony. Why hadn't they trusted him with this task?

Before he could stop himself, Tatsuya spoke up. "Director Fury, if I may ask, why couldn't I have been assigned to watch over Mr. Stark? I've been here as his bodyguard already."

Fury turned his piercing gaze on Tatsuya. "Agent Kadoya, while your work has been commendable, this situation required a specific skill set. Agent Romanoff has experience in dealing with... difficult personalities."

Tony snorted at that, but Tatsuya wasn't finished. "With all due respect, sir, I believe I could have handled the situation just as effectively."

Natasha raised an eyebrow at him, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "No offense, Kadoya, but there's more to this assignment than just playing bodyguard."

Tatsuya felt his cheeks heat up. He knew he was more than capable, but he couldn't exactly tell them about his abilities as Kamen Rider Decade. The frustration of keeping his true identity secret gnawed at him.

Fury sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Look, Kadoya, this isn't a reflection on your abilities. We needed someone who could blend in seamlessly, someone Stark wouldn't suspect. You were too close to the situation."

Tony, who had been watching this exchange with growing interest, chimed in. "Wait, so you're telling me that everyone around me is a spy? Is Happy secretly James Bond too?"

Tatsuya watched as Natasha moved swiftly, producing a syringe from a hidden pocket. She approached Tony, who eyed her warily.

"This isn't going to be another one of those 'this won't hurt a bit' moments, is it?" Tony quipped, his voice tinged with resignation.

Natasha didn't respond. She simply grabbed Tony's arm and injected him with practiced efficiency. Tony winced, more from surprise than pain.

"What was that?" Tatsuya asked, his eyes narrowing. He felt a twinge of concern, mixed with a hint of jealousy at being left out of the loop.

Fury turned to him. "Lithium dioxide. It'll help with the symptoms of the palladium poisoning."

Tony blinked, his eyes clearing slightly. "Huh. Not bad. Got any more of that magic juice?"

"It's not a cure," Natasha said coolly. "It just abates the symptoms."

Tatsuya frowned. He'd known Tony was ill, but the reality of the situation was hitting him hard. He'd grown to respect the man, despite his flaws, and the thought of losing him to something as insidious as poisoning didn't sit well.

Fury motioned for everyone else to leave the room. Tatsuya hesitated, torn between his duty as a SHIELD agent and his growing loyalty to Tony. Fury caught his eye and gave a slight nod. Tatsuya understood. He was to stay.

As the others filed out, Fury sat down across from Tony. The atmosphere in the room shifted, becoming more serious. Tatsuya moved to stand near the window, giving them space but remaining close enough to hear.

"I got a 2 a.m. call from your little circus act," Fury began, his tone matter-of-fact.

Tony scoffed. "I was out of control. It won't happen again."

"Damn right it won't," Fury agreed. "Now, about your old man..."

Tatsuya saw Tony tense at the mention of his father. He'd read about Howard Stark in SHIELD's files, but he sensed there was more to the story than what was on paper.

"What about him?" Tony asked, his voice carefully neutral.

Fury leaned forward. "He left something for you. Something that might help with your current... predicament."

Tony's eyebrows shot up. "What, dear old dad left me a cure for palladium poisoning? How thoughtful of him."

Tatsuya could hear the bitterness in Tony's voice. He wondered about the complicated relationship between Tony and his father, feeling a pang of empathy. His own relationship with his father, Tsukasa, was far from simple.

"Not exactly," Fury replied. "But he did leave you a legacy. One that might point you in the right direction."

Tony's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Fury stood up, pacing the room. "Your father was on the verge of a major breakthrough when he died. Something that could change the world. But he couldn't finish it. He left that task to you."

Tatsuya watched Tony carefully. The man's face was a mask of skepticism, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes. Curiosity? Hope?

"And how exactly am I supposed to finish what he started?" Tony asked. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly at the top of my game right now."

Fury stopped pacing and fixed Tony with a steady gaze. "That's where we come in. We've got some of your father's old things. Notes, prototypes, that sort of thing. We think they might hold the key to solving your little element problem."

Tatsuya's mind raced. A new element? Was that even possible? He'd seen some incredible things since becoming Kamen Rider Decade, but this seemed beyond even his experience.

Tony was silent for a long moment, his eyes distant. Tatsuya could almost see the gears turning in his head, weighing the possibilities.

Finally, Tony spoke. "Alright, Fury. You've got my attention. What's the catch?"

Fury smiled, a rare sight that made Tatsuya uneasy. "No catch, Stark. Just a chance to save your own life and maybe finish what your father started."

Tony nodded slowly. "Okay. Let's see what dear old dad left behind."

As Fury began to outline the details, Tatsuya found himself torn. Part of him wanted to help, to use his abilities as Kamen Rider Decade to ensure Tony's success. But he knew he couldn't reveal his secret, not yet. For now, he would have to watch and wait, ready to step in if needed.