Marvel: Silver Hand

Alexander Athos stood across the street from Stark Tower, hands buried in his jacket pockets. The sleek, modern skyscraper stretched into the sky, the glowing blue "A" at the top visible even through the haze of the city. Stark Tower wasn't just a symbol of technological innovation—it was the headquarters of the Avengers. And somewhere inside, there had to be information about Thor.

"Impressive," Celebrimbor said, voice resonating through Alexander's mind. "A fortress of steel and glass. Yet it lacks the defensive presence one might expect."

"It's a tower, not a castle," Alexander muttered. "And if we get caught, we're screwed."

As if on cue, the sound of thrusters filled the air. Alexander looked up just in time to see Iron Man rocket out of the top floors of the tower, leaving a trail of blazing orange propulsion behind him. The armored figure soared into the sky, sunlight glinting off the polished metal.

"Armor that grants flight," Celebrimbor mused, his tone tinged with wonder. "The ingenuity of mortals never ceases to amaze me."

"Yeah, yeah," Alexander said with a smirk. "Think we can sneak in without getting caught?"

"Perhaps. But we must be cautious. The magic of this tower lies not in spells but in technology—and technology sees much."

"Good thing we have a few tricks of our own."

Alexander took a deep breath, shifted his stance, and activated the ring's power. His body shimmered like heat waves rising from asphalt. His clothing darkened, his height diminished, and his features softened until he looked like an unassuming sixteen-year-old kid wearing a touristy New York hoodie.

He crossed the street, blended with the crowd, and stepped through the rotating doors into Stark Tower's lobby. The polished marble floors reflected the bright lights from above, and dozens of people bustled in and out. Most wore suits or Stark Industries badges clipped to their collars. Security guards stood at every exit, their eyes sharp and their postures stiff.

Near the center of the lobby, a group of children gathered around a young woman wearing a Stark Industries visitor badge. She gestured toward a holographic display of the tower, explaining the building's features.

"—and while the first seventy floors are dedicated to research and development, the top ten are reserved for the Avengers and their operations," the guide said with a bright smile. "Today, we'll be going up to the 83rd floor for an exclusive look at how Stark tech is changing the world."

"A perfect opportunity," Celebrimbor said.

Alexander nodded. He focused, letting the ring's power ripple through his body again. His shoulders hunched slightly, his posture shifted, and his clothes morphed into a nondescript school uniform similar to what the kids wore. His face became younger, softer.

He merged into the back of the group without anyone noticing.

"Alright, everyone, into the elevators," the guide said, waving them forward.

Alexander followed the group toward the sleek, silver elevator doors. A security guard scanned a keycard, and the elevator opened with a pleasant chime. The kids piled in, talking excitedly. Alexander kept his head down and shuffled in last.

The doors slid shut, and the elevator shot upward, the numbers ticking higher with a faint hum.

"Remarkable," Celebrimbor said, his tone awed. "Such speed without a single steed or mechanism of magic."

Alexander stifled a chuckle. "Welcome to the twenty-first century."

The elevator stopped at the 83rd floor, and the doors slid open. The kids surged out, gasping in awe at the expansive, glass-walled observation deck. Interactive displays lined the walls, showcasing Avengers technology and historical moments from their battles.

The guide opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Alexander turned his head just as a tall figure in a dark-blue suit stepped into view. The figure wore a helmet with an "A" emblazoned on the forehead and carried a vibranium shield across his back.

"Good afternoon, kids," said Steve Rogers, Captain America himself.

The children erupted into excited whispers. Alexander froze. His heart skipped a beat as childhood memories flooded back. Captain America had been one of his heroes growing up—a symbol of strength, resilience, and justice.

"Focus," Celebrimbor said, sensing his distraction.

Alexander swallowed hard and forced himself to turn away, blending into the displays. He walked along the edge of the room until he reached a hallway leading deeper into the floor. A quick glance over his shoulder showed that all eyes remained fixed on Captain America.

He slipped away.

The hallways were quieter here, lined with glass offices and workstations. Most were empty, but one desk had a man working behind it, typing away at a keyboard.

Alexander placed his palm against the wall and sent a pulse of power through the ring. The silver light shimmered, invisible to normal eyes, and lanced toward the man. The worker's eyes rolled back, and he slumped forward, asleep.

Alexander slid into the chair, his eyes scanning the screen. The system required a passcode. He placed his palm on the keyboard and whispered, "Open."

The ring pulsed again, and the screen unlocked.

"Let's see where Thor is," Alexander muttered.

He navigated through files marked "Avengers Operations." Most were heavily encrypted, but eventually, he found a report labeled Asgardian Prisoner Escape.

He opened the file. Thor Odinson was on Earth, tracking an escaped Asgardian prisoner. The location was redacted, but Alexander had confirmation: Thor was here, not in Asgard.

Before he could dig deeper, a flicker of movement appeared in the reflection of the monitor.

Alexander ducked.

The vibranium shield smashed into the desk, shattering the screen and embedding itself in the wall. Alexander turned and saw Captain America standing in the doorway, hand still extended from the throw.

"You're not supposed to be here, kid," Steve Rogers said.

Alexander didn't answer. He triggered the ring's power. His face shifted into a featureless blur as he lunged toward the shattered window.

Captain America charged. Alexander conjured flames in his hands and melted the glass with a single blast. The weakened window gave way as he hurled himself into the open air.

The wind roared past him. The ground raced up to meet him.

"Fly!" Celebrimbor commanded.

Alexander extended his arms and ignited the fire beneath his feet. The flames roared to life, arresting his fall and sending him soaring into the city skyline. He twisted in midair and rocketed between buildings, his form a blur of heat and light.

Behind him, an alarm blared from Stark Tower.

"That was close," Alexander muttered.

"Indeed. Captain Rogers is formidable. Had he struck you, it might have ended differently."

"Noted."

Alexander angled downward and landed on a rooftop several blocks away. He extinguished the flames, let the ring shift his features back to normal, then walked the rest of the way home.

When he entered the apartment building, Charlotte was still at the front desk. She gave him a nod.

"Back already?" she asked.

"Yeah. Just... sightseeing," Alexander said with a half-smile.

Charlotte snorted. "Weird hobby."

Alexander chuckled, then climbed the stairs to his apartment.

Inside, he locked the door and sat on the edge of the bed. His body ached from the strain of maintaining the disguises and using the ring's power so much in a short time. He closed his eyes and exhaled.

"We have a lead," Celebrimbor said. "Thor is here. Somewhere on this world."

"But we don't know where," Alexander said, rubbing his temples.

"No. But if Thor is hunting an escaped Asgardian, then danger follows him. We must track the signs of that danger."

"Yeah," Alexander agreed, his mind already racing through possible next steps. "We find Thor. We find answers."

He leaned back against the wall, eyes fixed on the faint glow of the city beyond his window.

The hunt had begun.