"Great," Tony replied, his voice dripping sarcasm as he tried to mask his pounding heart. "Glad to know I've got fans. You should see the autograph line when I'm not held hostage."
Seph chuckled softly, a sound that felt far too relaxed given the situation. "Oh, I'm not here for an autograph. I'm here to help."
Tony blinked. "Help?"
Yinsen finally looked up from the computer, his brow furrowed with suspicion. "You are with the Ten Rings, yes?"
Seph tilted his head, his grin fading into something softer but still enigmatic. "Not quite, Stark. Let's just say Virginia would be… upset if I left you here to die."
Tony froze, his nerves fraying further. "Pepper?"
"Yeah, Pepper," Seph said, casually brushing dust off his leather jacket. "My girlfriend. Apparently, you're important to her. Me? I'm just here to do a favor."
Tony's mind raced. He didn't have time for riddles or shady knights-in-shining-leather routines. But Seph's presence explained the eerie quiet outside the cave—too quiet.
No gunfire, no shouting.
"What do you mean, a favor?" Tony asked, glancing at Yinsen. The older man's brow furrowed, and he subtly pointed to the computer screen. The progress bar sat stubbornly at 98%.
"Simple," Seph replied, flashing his sharp grin again. "I cleared the rats outside. The Ten Rings won't bother you… for now. All that's left is to get you out of here."
Yinsen stared at him, his voice sharp. "Why go to such lengths? Who are you?"
Seph waved off the question. "Names don't matter. Let's call it a karmic favor. What matters is we're burning daylight, and your shiny invention there…"
He nodded toward the suit. "…is the only thing standing between you and a premature funeral."
"We're almost done," Tony muttered, eyes darting back to the screen. His chest tightened. The suit wasn't just a means to escape; it was a testament to survival. "Just a little more."
Seph's gaze roved over the hulking, unfinished armor, admiration flickering behind his eyes. "You built this in here? You're either a genius or completely insane."
Tony ignored the comment, his focus on the progress bar. Then, with a sharp beep, the computer finished.
"It's ready," Yinsen whispered, relief washing over him.
Tony grinned, pulling on the final pieces of the suit. "Good. Because we're out of options." He snapped the helmet into place, his voice muffled but steady. "Stay close to me, Yinsen."
"You don't have to tell me twice," Yinsen said.
As Tony stood, the suit's bulk magnified the sound of every movement. He flexed his fingers, testing the gauntlets. Seph's grin widened as he leaned casually against the wall.
"Before we head out," Seph began, his tone almost playful, "I'd like to see it in action."
Tony turned toward him, exasperation clear even through the helmet. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Humor me," Seph said with a wink. "I cleared the path; the least you can do is give me a show. C'mon, Stark, light it up."
Tony hesitated, but Yinsen nudged him.
"It's a small price to pay for a clean escape," Yinsen murmured.
Tony sighed. "Fine. Watch closely, Seph."
He stomped forward, his suit's heavy footfalls echoing. Raising an armored arm, he unleashed a controlled blast from the makeshift flamethrower. A wave of fire roared down the empty corridor, illuminating the space in an inferno of light and heat.
Seph's eyes gleamed with genuine awe. "Now that is something. I can see why Pepper's so interested in you."
"Glad you approve," Tony snapped, lowering his arm. "Now, can we go?"
Seph laughed, pushing off the wall. "Yeah, yeah. Let's move. My ride's waiting."
The truck Seph had commandeered sat camouflaged just beyond the cave's mouth, its engine purring softly. The three men hurried across the rocky terrain, the suit's weight slowing Tony down.
But Seph moved with the ease of someone who'd done this a hundred times before.
"Pop the back," Seph called to Yinsen as he helped Tony haul the suit into the truck bed. It landed with a resounding thud, the crude armor too heavy to maneuver easily.
Seph gave an appreciative whistle. "You really outdid yourself, Stark."
Tony clambered into the cab, his exhaustion palpable. Yinsen followed while Seph hopped into the driver's seat, adjusting his jacket.
"Hang on," Seph said, flooring the gas pedal. The truck roared to life, barreling down the rocky path away from the mountains. Behind them, the smoldering cave grew smaller and smaller.
For the first time in weeks, Tony allowed himself to breathe. The weight of captivity lifted with every mile.
"Pepper," Tony said suddenly, breaking the silence. "How does she know you?"
Seph smirked but kept his eyes on the road. "Long story. Let's just say she's good at picking the right people for the job."
Tony leaned back, his mind buzzing with questions he wasn't ready to ask. For now, it was enough that they were alive.
As the truck bounced over the uneven terrain, Seph continued speaking, his voice calm yet tinged with curiosity. "I have to say, though, what you built in there… it's more than just a suit. It's a statement."
Tony glanced at him, brow furrowed. "A statement?"
"Yeah," Seph said, nodding. "Not everyone could've done what you did. Locked in a cave, under constant threat, you didn't just survive—you created something. Something powerful."
Yinsen interjected softly, his voice carrying a note of pride. "He turned fear into innovation."
Tony's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Didn't feel like innovation at the time. Felt like desperation."
"Desperation or not," Seph replied, his tone serious now, "It worked. And it's going to change things. I can feel it."
They fell into a brief silence, the hum of the truck's engine filling the space.
Tony stared out the window at the rugged landscape, the weight of Seph's words settling over him. He hadn't thought beyond escaping, beyond surviving. But now, he realized, the suit wasn't just a means of escape—it was the beginning of something much larger.
As they reached a smoother stretch of road, Seph's grin returned. "So, Stark, what's the plan when we hit civilization? Gonna build more of those bad boys?"
He gestured toward the truck bed.
Tony's eyes narrowed slightly. "Not sure yet. But one thing's certain… I'm not going back to business as usual."
Seph chuckled. "Good answer. Pepper would approve."
The truck sped onward, the mountains shrinking into the horizon behind them. For Tony Stark, the road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: his captivity had forged more than just a weapon.
It had forged a new purpose.
Tony glanced at Seph, his brow furrowing in thought.
"By the way," He said slowly, "how did you manage to take out the entire Ten Rings camp by yourself? There had to be at least fifty of them."
Seph's smile widened, mysterious and unnerving.
"Oh, Tony," He said, his voice almost playful. "Some secrets are better left untold."
Before Stark could press further, the truck hit a bump, jolting them both, and Seph turned her gaze to the horizon, her expression unreadable.
The air in the truck felt heavier, charged with unspoken truths, as the mountains faded into the distance.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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