Destroyer Through The Multiverse Ch 17

Tatsuya Kadoya settled into his seat on the private jet, his eyes fixed on the small screen in front of him. The plane hummed softly as it carried them back to California, leaving behind the chaos of Monaco. He flicked through channels, each one showcasing the same footage of Ivan Vanko's attack on the Grand Prix.

The images flashed by in a blur of twisted metal and crackling energy whips. Tatsuya's jaw clenched as he watched Tony, suited up as Iron Man, take hit after hit from Vanko's weapons. Even though he knew the outcome, his heart still raced at the sight of the battle.

A few rows ahead, Tony sat slumped in his seat, nursing a drink and pointedly avoiding the news coverage. Pepper worked quietly on her laptop, occasionally casting concerned glances in Tony's direction. Happy occupied himself with a magazine, though Tatsuya noticed he wasn't actually turning the pages.

The tense silence was broken by a familiar voice from the TV. Tatsuya's attention snapped back to the screen as Senator Stern's face filled the frame, his expression a mix of smugness and feigned concern.

"This is exactly why I've been saying all along that the Iron Man technology is too dangerous to be in the hands of one individual," Stern declared, his voice dripping with self-righteousness. "Mr. Stark's reckless behavior in Monaco is just further proof that he's not fit to wield such power."

Tatsuya felt a surge of anger at the senator's words. He knew firsthand the good that Tony had done as Iron Man, the lives he'd saved. To hear Stern twist the events in Monaco for his own agenda was infuriating.

"The American people deserve better," Stern continued. "They deserve to know that their safety isn't dependent on the whims of a self-proclaimed superhero. It's time for Mr. Stark to do the right thing and turn over the Iron Man technology to the proper authorities."

Tatsuya glanced at Tony, expecting to see a reaction to Stern's accusations. But Tony remained motionless, his gaze fixed on some distant point outside the plane's window. The lack of response was more concerning to Tatsuya than any outburst would have been.

As the interview continued, Tatsuya found his thoughts drifting to his own role in all of this. He was more than just Tony's bodyguard or a SHIELD agent. As Kamen Rider Decade, he had the power to intervene, to make a real difference. But at what cost? Revealing his true identity could have far-reaching consequences, not just for him but for the entire world he now found himself in.

The news segment shifted to footage of the aftermath in Monaco. Cleanup crews worked tirelessly to clear the debris from the racetrack, while officials made statements about increased security measures for future events. Tatsuya watched as they interviewed shocked spectators, each one recounting their version of the attack.

One interview caught Tatsuya's attention. A middle-aged man, his face still pale with shock, spoke directly to the camera. "It was terrifying," he said, his voice shaking slightly. "But then Iron Man showed up, and... I don't know. It felt like everything was going to be okay. Like we had a real hero looking out for us."

Tatsuya smiled slightly at the man's words. It was a reminder of why they did what they did, why Tony put on the suit and why Tatsuya himself became Kamen Rider Decade. In the face of danger and chaos, they offered hope.

The broadcast switched back to the studio, where a panel of experts began dissecting the implications of the attack. Tatsuya tuned them out, instead turning his attention to his fellow passengers.

Pepper had set aside her laptop and was now engaged in a hushed conversation with Happy. Their worried glances towards Tony spoke volumes about their concern for their friend and boss. Tony himself remained withdrawn, barely touching the drink in his hand.

Tatsuya watched as Pepper set her laptop aside and moved to sit across from Tony. The tension in her shoulders was visible, and Tatsuya could sense the impending conversation. He pretended to focus on the news broadcast, but his attention was firmly on the pair.

"Tony," Pepper began, her voice soft but firm. "We need to talk about what happened in Monaco."

Tony's eyes flicked towards her, then back to the window. He took a long sip from his drink before responding. "What's there to talk about? It's over. We handled it."

Pepper sighed, frustration evident in her tone. "That's not the point, and you know it. This was serious, Tony. You could have been killed."

"But I wasn't," Tony countered, a hint of his usual bravado creeping into his voice. "Look, why don't we forget about all this for a while? Let's go to Venice. You, me, a gondola ride under the stars..."

Tatsuya raised an eyebrow at Tony's sudden change of subject. He'd seen Tony use deflection tactics before, but this seemed different. There was an edge of desperation to it that Tatsuya hadn't noticed before.

Pepper shook her head, her expression a mix of disbelief and concern. "Venice? Tony, we can't just run off to Italy right now. Have you seen the news? The whole world is talking about what happened."

"Exactly," Tony said, leaning forward. "Which is why it's the perfect time to get away. Let things cool down a bit."

Tatsuya could see Pepper's patience wearing thin. She pinched the bridge of her nose, taking a deep breath before speaking again. "Tony, this isn't the time for a vacation. We need to deal with the fallout from the attack. There are press conferences to arrange, damage control to manage..."

"Pepper, come on," Tony interrupted, his voice taking on a pleading tone that Tatsuya had never heard before. "Just a few days. We could use the break, couldn't we?"

For a moment, Tatsuya thought he saw Pepper waver. Her expression softened slightly, and he could tell she was tempted by the idea. But then her professional demeanor reasserted itself.

"I'm sorry, Tony, but no," she said firmly. "We have responsibilities we can't just abandon. The company needs us. You need to make a statement about what happened."

Tony slumped back in his seat, the brief spark of enthusiasm fading from his eyes. "Right. Of course. The company. The statement. Always something, isn't there?"

Tatsuya frowned, picking up on the bitterness in Tony's tone. There was something more going on here, something beyond the stress of the attack. He made a mental note to keep a closer eye on Tony in the coming days.

Pepper reached out, placing a hand on Tony's arm. "I know this is hard, Tony. But we'll get through it together, okay? We always do."

Tony nodded, but Tatsuya could see that his mind was elsewhere. The conversation lapsed into silence, the only sound the low hum of the jet's engines.

Tatsuya turned his attention back to the news broadcast, but his mind was racing. Tony's behavior was concerning, to say the least. The reckless decision to drive in the race, the desperate attempt to escape to Venice... It all pointed to a man trying to run from something.

As Kamen Rider Decade, Tatsuya was used to dealing with external threats. But this... this felt like something internal, something that couldn't be fought with energy blasts or Rider Kicks. He wondered how he could help Tony without revealing his true identity or compromising his mission.

The rest of the flight passed in tense silence. Tatsuya kept his eyes on the screen, but his mind was focused on the challenges that lay ahead.

Tatsuya stepped into Tony Stark's Malibu mansion, the cool air a welcome relief from the California heat. His eyes swept the expansive living room, taking in the sleek furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Pacific. The tension from the flight still lingered, hanging in the air like an invisible fog.

Pepper's voice cut through the silence, sharp and professional as she paced near the bar. Her phone was glued to her ear, her free hand gesticulating as she spoke.

"No, absolutely not. Mr. Stark will not be giving any interviews at this time," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "We'll be releasing an official statement tomorrow morning. Until then, no comment."

Tatsuya watched as she ended the call, only to immediately start dialing another number. Her fingers flew over the keypad with practiced ease, her brow furrowed in concentration. He admired her composure, the way she handled the pressure with such grace.

Tony had disappeared almost as soon as they'd arrived, muttering something about needing to check on his suits. Tatsuya made a mental note to check on him later, concerned by the billionaire's uncharacteristic behavior.

The sound of footsteps drew Tatsuya's attention. Happy Hogan appeared from a hallway, his arms full of what looked like party decorations. Balloons peeked out from behind a stack of streamers, and Tatsuya could see the edge of a "Happy Birthday" banner poking out from under Happy's arm.

"Hey, Tatsuya," Happy called out, his voice slightly muffled by the decorations. "Give me a hand with these, will you?"

Tatsuya moved to help, taking some of the items from Happy's overloaded arms. As he did, he noticed a calendar on the wall, a date circled in red. Tony's birthday was just a few days away.

"Thanks," Happy said, readjusting his grip on the remaining decorations. "Tony's birthday bash is coming up, and we've got a lot to do. You'd think after the Monaco incident, he'd want to keep things low-key, but..." He trailed off, shaking his head.

Tatsuya raised an eyebrow. "He still wants to have a party? After everything that's happened?"

Happy shrugged, a look of resignation on his face. "You know Tony. He's not one to let a little thing like a supervillain attack get in the way of a good time."

As they began sorting through the decorations, Tatsuya couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Tony's insistence on throwing a lavish party seemed at odds with his earlier behavior on the plane. It felt like another attempt at deflection, a way to avoid dealing with the real issues at hand.

Pepper's voice rose again, drawing Tatsuya's attention. "I don't care what TMZ is saying," she snapped into the phone. "There will be no comment on Mr. Stark's personal life. Focus on the facts of the incident in Monaco, nothing else."

She ended the call with a frustrated sigh, running a hand through her hair. Tatsuya could see the strain in her eyes, the weight of responsibility she carried.

"Everything okay, Pepper?" Happy called out, concern evident in his voice.

Pepper managed a weak smile. "As okay as it can be, given the circumstances. The press is having a field day with this Monaco situation. And now with Tony's birthday coming up..." She trailed off, shaking her head.

Tatsuya watched as she visibly steeled herself, squaring her shoulders and lifting her chin. In that moment, he was reminded of the strength he'd seen in her during the battle with Obadiah Stane. Pepper Potts was a force to be reckoned with, in her own way.

"I should go check on Tony," she said, already moving towards the stairs that led to the workshop. "Make sure he's not... well, you know."

As Pepper disappeared down the stairs, Tatsuya turned back to Happy, who was now untangling a string of lights.

"Is this... normal?" Tatsuya asked, gesturing vaguely at the party preparations and the lingering tension in the air.

Happy let out a dry chuckle. "Normal for Tony? Yeah, pretty much. He's always had a knack for turning crisis into spectacle. But this time..." He paused, his usual jovial expression faltering for a moment. "I don't know. Something feels different."

Tatsuya nodded, understanding all too well. He'd sensed it too, the undercurrent of desperation in Tony's actions. As he helped Happy hang streamers, his mind raced with possibilities. What was really going on with Tony Stark? And how did it tie into the larger mystery he was here to unravel?

The sound of rock music suddenly blared from the direction of Tony's workshop, causing both Tatsuya and Happy to jump. The familiar chords of AC/DC's "Back in Black" reverberated through the mansion.

Happy rolled his eyes. "Looks like Tony's back to his old self," he said, but Tatsuya could hear the note of uncertainty in his voice.

As they continued with the party preparations, Tatsuya couldn't shake the feeling that they were decorating for more than just a birthday celebration. It felt like they were preparing for a last hurrah, a final blaze of glory before... what?