Surprise Guest

Strange and Ladybug entered the dining room, their expressions tense. The lively chatter at the table ceased instantly as all eyes turned to them.

Peter froze in his seat, his gaze locked on the man trailing behind them. His fork clattered to the floor, forgotten. “No way…” Peter’s voice trembled. “Mr. Stark?”

MJ’s eyes darted between Peter and the new arrival, her face a mix of confusion and shock. Adrien and Ned exchanged uncertain glances, and Clea’s usually stoic demeanor faltered.

Tony Stark, pale but very much alive, stood just behind Strange. His eyes scanned the group, lingering on Peter, whose expression was rapidly crumbling from disbelief to a mixture of joy and fear.

“Hey, kid,” Tony said softly, his voice carrying a weight that silenced the room further.

Peter pushed back his chair and stood, his legs unsteady. “But… how? You— I—”

“It’s a long story,” Tony replied, a faint smile on his lips. “One I’m still trying to figure out myself.”

His wide eyes locked onto Tony, his lips trembling as though he was struggling to find the right words—or any words at all.

“Mr. Stark,” Peter repeated, his voice cracking.

Tony turned, the familiar sight of Peter Parker stirring something deep in his chest. “Hey, kid,” he said softly, his usual bravado tempered by an unspoken vulnerability.

Before Tony could say anything more, Peter crossed the space between them in a heartbeat, throwing his arms around Tony in a tight, almost desperate hug. The force of it made Tony stumble slightly, but he quickly recovered, wrapping his arms around the teenager with equal fervor.

“I missed you so much,” Peter whispered, his voice muffled against Tony’s shoulder. The floodgates opened, and tears streamed down his face, his body trembling with emotion. “I— I thought I’d never see you again. You— you were gone.”

Tony’s throat tightened as he held Peter close, feeling the depth of the kid’s relief, his joy, his heartbreak. “Hey, hey, kid,” Tony said, his voice gentle but laced with a sadness of his own. “Don’t get too attached, alright? This might not be permanent. I might not—”

“I don’t care,” Peter interrupted, his voice firm even as tears continued to spill down his cheeks. He pulled back slightly, looking up at Tony with red-rimmed eyes. “I don’t care if this isn’t forever. You’re here now, and I’m— I’m just happy to see you again.”

Tony stared at Peter for a moment, his own eyes misting slightly. He managed a small, wry smile as he ruffled Peter’s hair. “You’re one hell of a kid, you know that?”

Peter let out a shaky laugh, wiping at his face. “Yeah, well… you’re one hell of a dad to me.”

The two stood there for a moment longer, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them. For Peter, it was enough that Tony Stark was here, alive, and for however long it might last, that was all that mattered.

Strange cleared his throat, drawing the room’s attention, cutting the reunion short. His face was grim, his usual composure cracking under what's at stake. “This isn’t a happy coincidence,” he began. “Tony’s return is part of something larger—and more dangerous.”

As if to punctuate his words, the Eye of Agamotto around Strange’s neck began to glow faintly green. A hush fell over the group as the eerie light grew brighter, the faint hum of its power filling the room. Ladybug who dropped her transformation, instinctively moved closer to Adrien, who had tensed at the sight of the artifact’s activation.

“The Time Stone,” Strange muttered, his voice laced with dread. “It’s back.”

“Wait,” Clea interjected, her sharp gaze fixed on the glowing pendant. “You said the Infinity Stones were destroyed.”

“They were,” Strange confirmed, his eyes not leaving the artifact. “But if the Time Stone has returned, it means–.”

Tony’s expression darkened. “Let me guess. Thanos?”

The room collectively stiffened at the name. Peter clenched his fists, his face pale. Marinette exchanged a glance with Adrien, her mind racing.

“No,” Strange admitted. “The balance of reality has been altered, and we don’t know the full extent of the damage. This is because of the wish that was made when– Monarch– made the wish.”

“Monarch?” Tony laughed.

Marinette groaned at the thought. “Yes– Long story for another day.”

“What do we do?” MJ asked.

Tony stepped forward, his commanding presence filling the room despite the uncertainty hanging over him. “First, we figure who came back. Then, we prepare for the worst.”

Strange nodded. “Agreed. Marinette, Adrien, Clea—stay on alert. Peter, MJ, and Ned, stay close. I’ll start researching the miraculous wish’s connection to this anomaly.”

Peter finally found his voice. “Mr. Stark, if you’re back, does that mean others—like Black Widow, Vision…?” His words trailed off, hope and fear mingling in his tone.

Tony’s gaze softened, but his reply was grim. “I don’t know, kid. But if they’re back, we’ll find them. And if it’s someone we don’t want back, we’ll stop them.”

-

The Sanctum Sanctorum was quieter now, the rest of the group settled in their respective corners, attempting to process the monumental return of Tony Stark and plan the next move. In one of the dimly lit hallways, Strange and Tony walked side by side, their conversation hushed but heavy with the weight of the unknown. Marinette followed a few steps behind, her curiosity piqued, her presence almost unnoticed until Tony glanced over his shoulder and smirked.

"Got ourselves a shadow?" Tony teased, his voice breaking the tension.

Marinette straightened, her cheeks tinting pink. "I just thought I could learn something from listening in." She gave Strange a sheepish smile. "I hope that’s okay?"

Strange sighed, though there was a faint trace of a smile on his lips. "She’s persistent like that."

Tony chuckled, shaking his head. "Persistent enough to deal with Mr. Doom and Gloom here? Interesting."

Strange shot Tony a warning look but didn’t argue. “Let’s stay on topic.”

Tony’s smirk faded as he ran a hand through his hair. “Fine. You asked earlier if I went home—to Pepper and Morgan.”

Strange nodded. “Did you?”

Tony hesitated, his gaze distant. “No. Not yet. Not until I know this…” He gestured vaguely at himself. “Whatever this is, if it’s real. If I’m… permanent.” His voice dropped, laced with pain. “I’m not putting them through that, just for it to be ripped away.”

Marinette’s heart sank at the raw emotion in his words. She stepped closer, her voice soft. “That’s… very selfless of you.”

Tony’s grin returned, though it was weaker this time. “Don’t give me too much credit, little bug. I’m also scared out of my mind about how Pepper’s gonna take this.” He gave Strange a pointed look. “And you, what’s your plan here? Big wizarding answers for little ol’ me?”

“We’re working on it,” Strange replied, his tone clipped. “The miraculous wish altered reality on a fundamental level. We need to determine the scope of the change and whether it can sustain itself.”

Tony hummed thoughtfully, then turned his attention to Marinette. “And you, what’s your role in all this? Mystical errand runner?”

Marinette bristled but stood her ground. “I’m training in the mystic arts,” she said firmly. “Doctor Strange is teaching me.”

Tony laughed, a genuine, hearty sound that echoed down the hall. “Wait, wait, hold up. This guy? Mr. Serious Wizard over here is your mentor?” He turned to Strange, feigning shock. “How have you not scared her off yet? I thought you had the charm of a damp sock.”

Strange rolled his eyes and, to Marinette’s shock, actually chuckled. “She’s more resilient than most. And she’s good—very good.” He placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice softening. “At the rate she’s going, she may be greater than me one day.”

Marinette’s face turned a vivid shade of red. “I—uh, that’s not—”

“Greater than you, huh? What a compliment from Dr. Wiz himself.” Tony interrupted, raising an eyebrow. He turned back to Marinette, his tone half-joking but edged with curiosity. “Should I be worried? Strange is already scary enough as it is.”

Strange sighed, exasperated, but Marinette managed a small, nervous laugh. “I think we’re a long way from that.”

“Well,” Tony said, clapping his hands together. “If you’re going to be the next big thing, Bug, I expect you to help keep this guy in check. Deal?”

Marinette smiled, her nerves fading slightly under Tony’s lighthearted tone. “Deal.”

Strange shook his head. “Oh really now?”

Tony grinned. “That’s the spirit, Wiz.”