Harry Potter: The Revenant

The hum of the cargo plane's engines was the only sound filling the air as the team settled in, their mission drawing nearer with every passing minute. The plane was spacious, each member of the team seated or standing in a designated area, checking over their gear and preparing for what lay ahead.

Adler, always the strategist, stood near the center of the room, flanked by Peggy Carter. She was the perfect partner for this mission—intelligent, capable, and always ready to fight for the greater good. Adler adjusted his suit—tailored but still practical enough for combat—and nodded to Peggy, signaling for the team's attention.

"Alright, everyone," Adler began, his voice calm yet authoritative, "our objective is simple: we infiltrate the Hydra facility in Siberia, where they've been storing and experimenting on Winter Soldiers too unstable for active duty. These are the ones that didn't make the cut—dangerous, unpredictable, and dangerous in ways we can't fully comprehend. We need to retrieve the data, neutralize any threats, and, if possible, extract anything useful for research. But our priority is clear—get in, get out, and leave no trace behind."

Peggy nodded in agreement, her eyes sharp. "We've trained for this. We know the layout of the base, we know the defenses, and we know the risks. Our stealth and speed will be our greatest assets. We move fast, and we hit hard when necessary. But most importantly, we stay focused. Hydra isn't the same enemy we've faced before. We're dealing with shadows, and shadows need light to be exposed."

A quiet moment passed, the tension palpable, before Steve Rogers spoke up. His voice was steady, but the confidence in it was clear. He stood tall in his Stars and Stripes armor, his shield secured firmly on his back.

"We've all faced enemies that seemed impossible to defeat. I've fought wars, seen friends fall, and survived the worst odds. But there's one thing I've learned—when you've got a team, when you trust each other and stand together, you can face anything." He let his words sink in, his blue eyes scanning the team. "This mission isn't just about taking down Hydra—it's about showing the world that there's no place for them to hide. We're doing this for those who can't fight for themselves. We're doing this for freedom. And most importantly, we're doing this together."

A collective nod ran through the group. There was no hesitation, no second-guessing—just unity in purpose.

Meanwhile, in the back of the plane, Harry Potter—also known as The Revenant—sat with his arms crossed, staring out of the small window. The crimson armor he wore seemed to shimmer with energy, the red hood casting shadows over his face. His mask, a gift from Lily, distorted his voice whenever he spoke, giving him an edge of mystery.

Lily, James, and Sirius approached him, their faces a mix of concern and amusement. The three of them, now in their own tactical gear, exchanged a glance before approaching Harry, who was lost in thought.

"Harry," Lily started gently, a soft smile on her face as she sat beside him. "You alright? You're awfully quiet."

James leaned in, his usual grin replaced with something more serious. "Yeah, it's your first real mission with us. You nervous?"

Sirius, ever the jokester, chuckled as he put an arm over Harry's shoulder. "If anyone can handle the pressure, it's you. But hey, I'm still waiting for the part where you freak out a little. Don't let me down, Potter."

Harry remained still for a moment, his fingers tapping against the edge of his armor, the sharp sound echoing through the silence between them. Then, finally, he let out a long breath and spoke, his voice distorted by the mask but still recognizable to those who knew him well.

"I'm not nervous," Harry said, his tone steady but with an undercurrent of something more, something deeper. "But I can't say I'm not... thinking. This is a big mission. And we're going up against a kind of enemy I haven't faced before. These Winter Soldiers—they're a different kind of monster."

"Yeah, well," Sirius chimed in, "you're not exactly a rookie anymore, mate. You've got the gear, the skills, and the support. Besides, you've faced worse odds before. What's the worst that could happen?"

"Let's not tempt fate," James added with a wry smile. "But seriously, Harry, you're ready for this. You've been training for this moment. You've got this."

Lily placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "We've all been through a lot, Harry. There's no shame in being anxious. What matters is what you do when it counts. And I know you'll make the right call when the time comes."

Harry met her gaze, nodding slightly. "Thanks, everyone. I know I'm not alone in this. But it's different when you're facing the unknown, you know? No matter how much prep you do, nothing can really prepare you for the chaos."

Sirius clapped Harry on the back. "True. But chaos is where we thrive. We'll get through it together."

Harry stood, pushing back the thoughts of uncertainty that had been clouding his mind. "Let's just focus on getting through this mission first. After that, I'll think about how to deal with the fallout."

The camaraderie in the group was palpable. Each one of them had their own reasons for being here, their own burdens and fears. But in this moment, they were united by a single purpose.

The plane rumbled slightly as it began its descent toward Siberia, and with a collective sense of determination, the team braced for what lay ahead. Harry's heart beat a little faster, but the tension had been replaced with clarity. This wasn't just about surviving. This was about standing together, fighting for what was right, and making sure the world didn't fall into the hands of those who would corrupt it.

"Let's move," Steve said, his voice unwavering as he turned toward the door. "This isn't just about us. It's about showing Hydra—and everyone else—that we won't back down."

The rest of the team followed his lead, their resolve strengthened. The mission had begun.

—

The cargo plane touched down with a soft bump on the snowy ground, the vast Siberian wilderness stretching out around them in every direction. The cold, biting wind immediately greeted the team as the ramp of the plane lowered, revealing the stark, frozen landscape. The base loomed in the distance, half-hidden by the towering trees and snowdrifts, its high walls and barbed wire fences barely visible in the harsh winter night.

Steve Rogers stepped off the plane first, his shield strapped to his back and his expression hard as he surveyed their surroundings. "Stay sharp, everyone. We move quickly and quietly. This is a stealth operation until we have no choice but to fight."

Peggy Carter followed closely behind, her Union Jack shield gleaming under the pale moonlight. "We know what we're dealing with. The perimeter is lightly guarded, but the farther we go inside, the more we'll encounter. No heroics, just efficiency."

Bucky Barnes, the White Wolf, had his rifle slung over his shoulder, and his eyes were scanning the surroundings like a hawk. He turned to the group, his voice low but firm. "Let's clear the perimeter and make sure no one alerts the rest of the base. Keep your comms open."

Harry, the Revenant, stood near the back, his crimson armor almost blending in with the shadows. His mask distorted his voice, giving it an eerie edge as he surveyed the area. "I've got the outer perimeter covered. I'll take the rooftops, get a better angle on things."

James, Sirius, and Lily moved swiftly and silently alongside them. They were prepared for this, having spent weeks training for operations like this one. Lily, her keen mind always analyzing the situation, held her hand up to signal the group to stop. She was already working through the security systems in her head, but they needed to be quick—every second counted.

Adler stood by her side, his eyes scanning the icy horizon as he began calculating their approach. "Lily, I'm scanning for any magical wards or security measures. You should work on shutting them down, but I'll need a second set of eyes to make sure we don't miss anything. This facility is old, and Hydra is known for having both technological and magical defenses."

Lily nodded and pulled out her wand, her focus narrowing as she began silently muttering incantations under her breath. Her sharp mind was already working overtime, tracking the magical signatures in the area. "We've got some wards around the entrance. I can take care of them, but we'll have to move fast once I disable them. Hydra might be using something a bit more advanced, so be on alert."

Adler raised his eyebrows, impressed by Lily's calmness under pressure. "I'll handle the technological side. There's a control panel just past the perimeter gate. I'll bypass their firewalls and unlock the security measures."

The group split up to carry out their tasks. Steve, Peggy, Bucky, and Harry moved in perfect synchronization, dispatching the guards at the perimeter with swift, silent takedowns. Steve's shield whistled through the air, knocking out the first guard with a precise throw to the back of the head. Peggy, with the grace of a seasoned spy, took down another guard with a fluid strike to the throat, rendering him unconscious before he could even react.

Bucky moved like a shadow, his combat skills honed to perfection. He incapacitated the next guard by disarming him, twisting his arm behind his back, and slamming him into the cold ground with a quiet grunt. The last guard, seeing the danger, reached for his gun, but Harry was already on him, a blur of red and silver as he knocked the weapon from the guard's hand and sent him sprawling in the snow.

"Clear," Bucky muttered over the comms, his eyes scanning the area as he kept watch.

Harry adjusted his crimson hood, his voice coming through distorted. "The upper levels are clear too. No signs of any movement. I've got eyes on the building's roof. No alarms yet."

"Good," Steve replied, his voice carrying an air of quiet authority. "Now we move inside."

Lily's voice crackled through the comms as she and Adler began their work on disabling the wards and hacking the security systems. "The first set of wards is down. I'm moving to the next level now."

Adler, standing beside her, tapped away at his portable device, his fingers flying over the screen. "I'm bypassing their tech now. We should have access to the internal cameras and doors in just a moment."

The team moved closer to the entrance, their boots crunching through the thick snow, barely making a sound. They arrived at the facility's massive metal door, standing tall and foreboding against the night sky.

"On your mark, Lily," Steve said, his voice low but commanding.

"Done," Lily said, her voice a soft exhale as she finished her incantation. The shimmering magical wards around the door faded away, and Adler immediately began typing in the bypass codes. Within seconds, the door clicked open, revealing a dimly lit hallway beyond.

"All clear," Adler said with a satisfied smirk, his confidence unwavering. "Let's move."

They infiltrated the base with precision, the group splitting into smaller teams to cover more ground. As they moved deeper into the facility, the air grew colder, and the oppressive silence inside was only broken by the soft hum of machinery. The team knew they were getting closer to the cryogenically frozen Winter Soldiers—unstable, deadly, and terrifying in their own right.

But they also knew that they had a greater purpose. This mission wasn't just about stopping Hydra—it was about saving lives, taking down dangerous weapons, and making sure that the world didn't fall prey to Hydra's twisted experiments. Together, they were an unstoppable force.

As they rounded a corner, a sudden blast echoed through the facility, followed by the hiss of a security door sliding open. The team paused, their hearts racing, ready for the next challenge.

Steve's voice came through their comms, steady and focused. "This is it. Stay sharp. We're not just fighting Hydra anymore. We're fighting for everyone who's ever been affected by their madness."

The group moved forward, their resolve hardened, prepared for whatever awaited them in the depths of the Siberian Hydra base.

—

Inside the darkened corridors of the Hydra base, the atmosphere was thick with tension. As the rest of the team pressed forward, James and Sirius moved separately, each taking on their own role in the mission.

James, clad in his family's Invisibility Cloak, blended seamlessly into the shadows. He was a ghost in the cold, dark halls, moving unnoticed as the sounds of the team's stealthy assault continued in the background. His eyes narrowed, focused on the task at hand. The USB drive in his pocket pulsed with a sense of importance. Howard Stark had entrusted him with this device, which was the key to extracting Hydra's most sensitive information. The data contained everything about their experiments with the Winter Soldiers—their creation, their failures, and potentially something even worse.

"Alright, Howard," James whispered, pulling the small Communication Mirror out of his pocket. He activated it with a swift gesture, and the holographic interface flickered to life, displaying Howard Stark's grinning face. The man was in his workshop back in New York, fiddling with some tech as always.

"Everything's in place on your end?" Howard's voice crackled through the mirror. "You know the drill, kid. If anything goes wrong, don't hesitate. Get out of there fast."

James smirked, adjusting his grip on the USB drive as he approached the door to the Winter Soldier chamber. "All good, Stark. I've got your back. Let's just hope I don't need to make a hasty exit."

Howard's face flickered with an expression of mock seriousness. "You better not. I'm not doing this just for kicks. I'm counting on you."

The door in front of James slid open with a low, mechanical hum. The chamber inside was dimly lit, but the rows upon rows of cryogenically frozen soldiers were visible, suspended in thick glass tanks, their eyes shut in eternal sleep. Each figure was eerily still, their bodies encased in the frosty preservation chambers.

James' heart clenched as he looked at the super-soldiers, many of them scarred and disfigured from failed experiments. Their eyes, if they could open them, would likely show the trauma of lives forcibly altered in Hydra's pursuit of power. He couldn't help but wonder if they were even capable of feeling anymore, if their minds had been wiped clean, or if they still held on to fragments of who they used to be.

But there was no time for sympathy. He pulled the USB drive from his pocket and plugged it into a nearby terminal. As soon as it connected, the system whirred to life. Howard's voice came through the mirror, crackling in his ear.

"Copying the data now, kid. Stay low, stay sharp."

James nodded to himself, scanning the room as he moved with quiet precision, his Invisibility Cloak making him almost entirely undetectable. He had to act quickly—while Howard accessed the files remotely, James placed small, strategically hidden explosive charges throughout the chamber. The explosives were low yield, designed to disable the cryogenic tanks without triggering a catastrophic chain reaction. He had to ensure that the Winter Soldiers remained frozen, but the facility would be thoroughly compromised.

Outside, Sirius was causing a distraction, shifting into his Animagus form. As a large, black dog, he bounded through the facility, disrupting Hydra's guards with expertly timed chaos. He knocked over equipment, growled menacingly, and gave Hydra agents just enough to worry about, forcing them into frantic maneuvers. Each moment Sirius wasted, every distraction he created, bought James more time to finish his task.

"You're good, James," Sirius' voice came through their comms, his tone filled with mischief. "I'm just about to lead a couple more of them on a merry chase. Keep doing your thing, and don't get caught."

James' response was brief, focused on the task ahead. "Stay close, and don't get yourself caught. I'm nearly done."

As the countdown to the data transfer reached its final stages, James glanced around once more, checking his explosives and ensuring they were all set. The digital interface before him flickered with Howard's progress.

"Got everything," Howard said, his voice crackling through the mirror. "I've copied the files. You need to get out now."

"Roger that," James muttered. He was already on his way, taking the last look at the cryogenically frozen soldiers. A heavy silence hung in the air as the data transfer completed. There were so many lives Hydra had destroyed, and James couldn't help but feel the weight of that loss. But he had a job to do, and now, he'd done it.

Sirius' voice came through the comms again, this time tinged with urgency. "James, get moving. We've got company incoming. You've got less than five minutes before the entire place knows you're there."

James felt the pressure mounting. He slipped back toward the exit, weaving through the shadows, his heart pounding. As he reached the door to the hallway, a sudden crash echoed from down the corridor—someone had triggered the alarm.

"Dammit," James muttered under his breath. "Time to go."

With a final glance over his shoulder, he disappeared into the darkness, his Invisibility Cloak shrouding him once more. Outside, the rest of the team was in position, waiting for him. They knew the mission wasn't over yet—it was just beginning.

James reached the rendezvous point, where Peggy, Steve, and Bucky stood, weapons ready, their eyes alert.

"Mission's a go," James said, his voice low and controlled. "Let's get out of here."

A loud explosion shook the base, and the team instantly moved into action, prepared to fight their way out if necessary. The sound of distant shouting and chaos filled the air as alarms blared across the facility.

Peggy looked at James, a proud yet intense look in her eyes. "Nice work. Let's finish this."

The team sprinted into the night, the sounds of their boots crunching in the snow the only indication of their departure. Behind them, Hydra's secrets—dark, twisted, and dangerous—had been exposed. But there was still much work to be done. The Winter Soldiers would not be forgotten, and neither would the sacrifices made to stop Hydra.

—

The team returned to the cargo plane in near silence, the weight of their successful mission hanging in the air, but there was a shared sense of purpose. The snow outside continued to fall in thick, white blankets, as though the world was trying to bury the chaos that had unfolded within the Hydra base. They moved with efficiency, the adrenaline still coursing through their veins as they boarded the plane, eager to get out of enemy territory.

As the ramp closed and the engines roared to life, Peggy Carter and Adler settled into the cockpit, making the necessary course adjustments. Steve Rogers, his shield resting against the seat beside him, turned to face the rest of the team. His eyes, though filled with the usual calm resolve, held a deeper weight tonight. This mission had been a success, but it was clear to all of them that this was only the beginning.

"We did good," Steve said, breaking the silence. "But we need to stay vigilant. What we uncovered tonight isn't just Hydra's past—it's their future."

"Agreed," Peggy added, her voice steady but tinged with the same seriousness. "We can't afford to let our guard down. There's more to this than just frozen soldiers."

The cargo hold was filled with quiet murmurs as the team settled in for the long flight back. Each of them processing the weight of the mission in their own way.

James, who had been unusually quiet, stood up from his seat and moved toward the rear of the plane, his eyes scanning the horizon through the small porthole window. Sirius followed him, his presence a calming one as James needed to think—he always did after a mission like this. It wasn't about the mission itself; it was about what came next. What Hydra had been doing, what they had uncovered, and what it meant for the world.

"You did well back there," Sirius said, his voice quiet but firm. "That was some serious work you pulled off."

James smirked, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Yeah, but it's never easy. Not with them. They're always one step ahead."

"Well, at least you got the data out," Sirius replied, his voice taking on a softer tone. "And we stopped another Hydra scheme before it could really get rolling."

"True," James admitted, but there was a hint of doubt in his voice. "Still doesn't sit right with me. These are people we're dealing with. They've been turned into weapons, just like Bucky. Some of them may not even know what they've done."

Sirius clapped him on the back. "You know what they say. The first step to changing things is confronting the truth. You've got the truth now. We all do."

As the words settled, the holographic interface in the middle of the cargo hold flickered to life, and Howard Stark's face appeared, grinning as usual.

"Well, well, well," Howard's voice crackled through the speakers. "Look who's back in one piece. I have to say, I'm impressed. You all actually pulled it off."

"Always a pleasure to make you proud, Stark," Peggy replied, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "What have you got for us?"

Howard's face sobered a bit, his grin fading as he leaned closer to the holographic interface, the data behind him flickering across the screen. "Alright, I've gone through most of the files you sent me. It's... pretty damning. We've got a whole batch of cryogenically frozen Winter Soldiers. The ones you took out? Those were the ones that Hydra considered 'too unstable' for active missions. The ones who couldn't be controlled, who were... well, who were just too far gone for their plans to succeed."

"How far gone?" Steve asked, his voice sharp. "Do we have anything useful on them?"

"Not much, Captain," Howard replied, his tone grim. "Most of these soldiers are beyond saving. Their bodies have been twisted and experimented on—twice the power of a regular soldier, but also twice the fragility. Their minds... shattered in the process. Some were enhanced with unnatural compounds, chemical injections, and even magical practices. It's no wonder they went rogue."

Lily, who had been listening intently, glanced at Adler. "And the others? The ones we didn't take down?"

"Yeah, there's a whole database on them," Howard continued. "Hydra was trying to create a perfect soldier—some with complete mental conditioning, others who were literally designed to be the next generation of Winter Soldiers. They're locked away in some deep underground lab somewhere. And trust me when I say, it's not over. They have a backup plan. We need to find those other labs."

James raised a brow. "Sounds like this is just the tip of the iceberg. What else did you find?"

Howard sighed, rubbing his temple. "Well, there's a pile of heavily encrypted files, the kind that take a while to break into. I'll need a few days to crack them. But based on the files I have so far, Hydra's plans were far more extensive than we anticipated. This was just one part of their twisted agenda."

"Any leads on who's behind it all?" Adler asked, his voice cool.

"That's the kicker," Howard replied. "No names yet. Just initials and a lot of security clearance logs. Someone high up. But I'll need time to figure out who exactly is pulling the strings. They knew how to cover their tracks. This is far from over."

Steve nodded, his jaw set. "We'll be ready. Just keep us posted, Howard."

"Of course, Cap," Howard said, his voice tinged with humor again. "Now get some rest. You've earned it. But don't get too comfortable. This is only the beginning."

As the hologram flickered off, the team exchanged glances. The weight of the mission hung over them, but their resolve was stronger than ever. The information they had gathered would be key, but there was still so much more to uncover. With Hydra's network still intact, it was clear the battle wasn't over.

As the cargo plane flew on through the night, the team braced for what would come next. Whatever Hydra had planned, they were ready to face it—together.

—

Back in their dorm room at MIT, the night had fallen into its usual rhythm. The hum of the campus outside was accompanied by the quiet buzz of excitement within the walls. Tony Stark, in his signature style, had a clutter of half-disassembled gadgets scattered across his desk, while Rhodey, in a rare moment of repose, lounged on his bed flipping through a textbook he probably hadn't read more than a few pages of.

Tony was still distracted by thoughts of Cynthia, his mind running in a dozen different directions. His usually sharp focus was thrown off track by the memory of her—the way she had carried herself with confidence and mystery, making him work harder than usual for her attention. He was used to getting the upper hand, but with her, he felt like he was scrambling just to keep up.

"So, uh, you all packed for the party?" Rhodey asked, breaking Tony out of his thoughts.

"Party? What party?" Tony looked up, momentarily confused, before the smirk reappeared on his face. "Oh, right, the usual college shindig. I've got the suit ready."

Rhodey raised an eyebrow. "The suit? You know this isn't a gala, right? It's just a frat party."

Tony threw him a grin that bordered on cocky. "It's never just a party when I'm involved, Rhodey. Besides, I need to keep up appearances."

Rhodey snorted. "Right, because showing up like you're auditioning for the next James Bond movie is gonna help you blend in."

Tony threw a jacket over his shoulder, ignoring Rhodey's jab. "You don't understand, my friend. I'm a walking spectacle. They'll thank me later."

Rhodey rolled his eyes but didn't argue, knowing full well that Tony had a knack for turning even the most mundane events into something worth talking about. They were heading out, Tony adjusting his sunglasses despite the fact that the sun had long since set, when Tony's gaze fell on someone across the courtyard.

There she was. Cynthia.

She stood by the entrance of one of the dorms, talking to a group of students. Her dark hair framed her face in a way that seemed to make her stand out even in a crowd. Tony could feel a familiar sense of curiosity spark in his chest—this time, not just for her beauty, but for the enigma she represented.

Rhodey noticed Tony's distraction. "You're not gonna go over there, are you?" he asked dryly, his tone making it clear he didn't think Tony needed any more drama tonight.

Tony gave him a wink. "Oh, I'm just going to say hello. What harm could that do?"

With a determined step, Tony walked over toward her, pushing through a couple of students who were caught up in their own conversation. When he reached her, he flashed that signature Stark grin.

"Well, well, well. What are the odds?" Tony said smoothly, his voice carrying a playful edge. "I was just about to head to the party, and here you are."

Cynthia, looking a bit surprised but not flustered, gave him a nod. "I guess we must have similar taste in parties," she said, her smile a touch amused. "Actually, I'm here because my cousin invited me."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "Your cousin, huh? I didn't realize the party was such an exclusive event."

She shrugged, her demeanor still cool and composed. "It's more of a family thing, I guess. But, yeah, I thought I'd check it out."

"Well, lucky for you, you've just run into two of the best chaperones MIT has to offer," Tony said with a wink, gesturing to Rhodey, who had now caught up with him. "This is Rhodey. I'm sure he'll be a delightful, responsible influence. I, on the other hand, will just provide the entertainment."

Rhodey shot Tony a look. "I don't know about delightful, but I'm definitely responsible," he said, offering a friendly smile. "If you're tagging along, though, you might need to help keep Tony out of trouble. That's a full-time job right there."

Cynthia's smile widened, clearly amused by the banter. "I think I can handle myself," she said, looking at both of them. "But thanks for the offer. I guess I'll take you up on it."

As they all made their way toward the party, Tony couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation growing. This wasn't just about making his usual dramatic entrance. There was something about Cynthia that intrigued him, something deeper than the usual superficial interactions he was used to.

Rhodey, walking beside Tony as they neared the entrance, gave him a knowing look. "You're not fooling anyone, Stark," he muttered.

Tony grinned back. "If I was fooling anyone, I'd be impressed. But the game's on, Rhodey. The game's on."

—

From a nearby rooftop, hidden in the shadows, two Hydra agents observed the unfolding scene below. They were perched in their usual quiet surveillance post, their dark uniforms blending seamlessly with the night, only their eyes visible through the slits of their black tactical gear.

The first agent, a man with a steely gaze and a scar running down the side of his face, spoke into his comms device, his voice low but urgent. "Target is interacting with the asset. Proceed with caution."

His partner, a woman whose sharp features were partially obscured by the hood of her cloak, nodded silently, scanning the group below through the lens of a high-powered scope. The pair had been tracking Tony Stark for weeks, ever since Sinthea Schmidt—aka Cynthia—had given them the assignment to monitor him.

"It's only a matter of time before he slips," the woman murmured. "His arrogance is his downfall."

The man's lips twisted into a smirk. "No doubt. But we need him to stay oblivious a little longer. Let him think he's in control of the situation. That's when we strike."

Below them, Tony was still engrossed in his conversation with Cynthia. The chemistry between the two was undeniable—Tony's charm and quick wit seemed to bounce off her cool, collected demeanor. She had an ease about her, a confidence that made her more than just another face in the crowd, and it didn't escape the Hydra agents' notice. She wasn't just a pretty face, no. Cynthia—or rather, Sinthea Schmidt, as they knew her—was a well-placed operative in Tony Stark's orbit.

As Tony made a sarcastic remark to Rhodey, the woman agent narrowed her eyes. "Cynthia's positioning herself well. She's gained his attention," she said quietly. "Is this the right moment to make contact?"

Her partner adjusted the scope and leaned back slightly. "Not yet. She's playing him well. We don't interfere unless she signals. She's working her angle, and we stay in the shadows for now."

The woman frowned, almost as if considering something. "You know, I'm surprised they didn't sense her sooner. She's not exactly subtle."

The man shrugged. "No, but that's the point. She's not here to reveal her hand just yet. She'll get closer. And when the time comes… Stark will be in her web before he even knows it."

They watched as Tony gave Cynthia a charming grin, and Rhodey rolled his eyes, likely dismissing the situation as another one of Stark's antics. "See, there it is," the man said, tapping the comm. "She's playing her part perfectly. This is why we don't rush in."

The agents continued to observe from their elevated position, waiting for the signal. Their role was clear: remain undetected, observe, and report. They were the silent watchers, while Sinthea was the predator, drawing in her prey with grace and precision.

Back on the ground, Tony had no idea that his latest interaction, one of many that seemed like nothing more than a typical night out, was being watched by the very person whose orders would soon change the course of his life.

---

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