Timeline Twist

Time Lapse: Two Weeks

The next few weeks at the villa were a blur of activity, a strange, new normal for everyone.

Mornings usually started with Jon and Wanda in the secluded clearing in the woods, the air often shimmering with their combined magical energies. Jon, didn't force her into rigid Kamar-Taj forms. Instead, he focused on channeling her raw, emotional power. He taught her to visualize, to feel the energy, to guide it with intention rather than just letting it explode. They'd stand opposite each other, Wanda's hands outstretched, crimson energy coalescing into solid, glowing shields that would ripple and hold against Jon's controlled golden blasts. Sometimes, she'd focus on manipulating the environment, making small plants grow rapidly, or causing gusts of wind to swirl around them with surprising force, her eyes shining with concentration. Jon would watch her, a quiet admiration in his gaze, sometimes lingering a moment too long on the way her hair fell around her face when she was deep in thought, or the sheer intensity of her focus. He'd quickly look away, if she happened to glance up.

Afternoons often involved Pietro. He'd be a whirlwind of motion, helping Jon's company operations from the villa. He'd zip out to deliver documents, gather intel, or even just check on properties, returning before Jon even finished his coffee. "Got it, boss!" Pietro would declare, dropping a signed paper on Jon's desk, a smug grin on his face. Jon would just shake his head, a smile playing on his lips. "You're too fast, Pietro. You're making me look bad."

Evenings were a mix of quiet downtime and casual outings. One sunny afternoon, Jon took Wanda and Pietro shopping in a quiet, upscale part of New York. Wanda, initially overwhelmed by the choices, slowly began to relax, even finding a quiet joy in picking out clothes that weren't drab or worn. Jon found himself subtly guiding her towards colors that complemented her eyes, or styles that seemed to suit her quiet strength. He'd catch her eye in the reflection of a shop window, and they'd share a small, knowing smile.

"Wow, Wanda, that red? It's like it was made for you. It really complements your eyes, especially when your magic glows," Jon commented casually, as she held up a silk blouse in a boutique, his voice a low, warm murmur as he leaned slightly closer. "Seriously, it looks amazing on you. Actually, everything you've picked today... It just suits you." He offered a brief, genuine smile, his gaze lingering for a moment, warm and appreciative, before he turned to browse a rack of jackets. Wanda's cheeks warmed slightly, and she hugged the blouse to her chest, a faint, pleased smile touching her lips. "Thank you, Jon," she murmured, a little shyly, looking down at the fabric.

A few days later, Jon arranged a group outing: a trip to a local art museum with Wanda, Pietro, and Elara. Pietro, surprisingly, found the modern art hilarious, making whispered jokes that only Wanda could hear, causing her to stifle giggles. Elara, ever the analyst, approached each piece with a thoughtful, almost critical eye, occasionally offering insightful comments. Jon found himself walking beside Elara for a while, discussing the market, then subtly shifting the conversation.

"So, Elara," Jon began, as they stood before a particularly vibrant abstract painting. "You know, even outside the office, you've got this incredible eye for detail. It's really something." He gestured vaguely at the painting.

Elara turned to him, a slight surprise in her hazel eyes, a faint smile touching her lips. "Oh? And what detail are you seeing in this particular... explosion of color, Mr. Thorne?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Jon chuckled, meeting her gaze. "Not just the painting. I mean, you always seem to notice the little things, the nuances. It's a rare quality, and it makes you incredibly effective at what you do. It's impressive, really." He paused, his gaze dropping briefly to appreciate her smart, tailored outfit. "And you always manage to look so put-together, even when you're probably juggling a dozen complex data sets in your head. It's quite a feat." He held her gaze a beat longer than necessary, a subtle warmth in his eyes, before turning back to the art. Elara, though professional, didn't miss the lingering look, a faint, almost imperceptible blush touching her cheeks as she turned back to the painting, a new thought stirring in her mind.

A week into their stay, Jon decided it was time for Wanda to see Kamar-Taj. "It's a place where magic is real, Wanda," he explained over breakfast. "Where people dedicate their lives to it. I think... you need to see it. To understand the scale of what you're a part of. It's where the knowledge of generations of sorcerers is kept, passed down. Your kind of magic, it's ancient, and understanding its roots here can help you control it in ways I can't teach alone."

Wanda's eyes widened. "Really?" Her voice was filled with a mix of awe and a newfound seriousness. "So, it's not just about learning spells, but understanding why it works, and how it connects to everything before me?"

"Exactly," Jon confirmed, giving Pietro a look. "It's about connecting to that inheritance, that deep well of knowledge. And it's just you and me for this trip. "

Later that day, Jon opened a portal directly into a quiet courtyard at Kamar-Taj. Wanda gasped, her eyes wide with wonder, taking in the ancient architecture, the hushed atmosphere, and the subtle hum of magic in the air. Monks moved silently, their robes rustling, some practicing glowing forms in the distance.

Jon gestured around the quiet courtyard, a soft smile on his face. "This is it, Wanda. Kamar-Taj. Pretty amazing, right? It's where all the real magic happens, literally." He watched her eyes, wide with wonder, taking in the ancient architecture and the subtle hum in the air. "It's a lot to take in, I know."

"Jon," a familiar voice rumbled, and Wong emerged from a doorway, a stack of scrolls under his arm. He looked at Jon, then his gaze softened slightly as he took in Wanda, a flicker of surprise in his usually stoic eyes. "It's good to see you, Jon. And you've brought a guest."

"Wong, good to see you too!" Jon replied, a genuine smile on his face. He put a friendly hand on Wanda's shoulder. "Wanda, this is Wong. He's... well, he's basically the keeper of all the cool books here. Wong, this is Wanda. And she's got a really unique connection to magic."

Wong's observant eyes lingered on Wanda for a moment, a subtle shift in his expression. "Welcome, Wanda. The path of the mystic arts is indeed long, but profoundly rewarding." He then turned back to Jon, a hint of his dry humor returning. "I almost thought you'd finally settled down for good, instead of causing more problems" He raised an eyebrow playfully.

Jon chuckled, shaking his head. "Never, Wong. Too much to do. But yeah, I really wanted Wanda to see this place. To understand. It's a lot different from... what she's used to." He glanced at Wanda, who was still looking around with wide, fascinated eyes.

"I can imagine," Wong replied, his gaze following Jon's to Wanda. "Her energy signature... it's quite unique. A strong presence, indeed." He gave Jon a more serious, knowing look. "So, Jon. How are you finding the challenge of teaching such a... new student? Are you sure you're up for it?"

"Oh, I wouldn't have it any other way, Wong," Jon said, a warm, confident smile directed at his friend. His eyes found Wanda's again, a proud glint in them. "She's a natural. A real prodigy."

They spent the afternoon walking through Kamar-Taj. Jon showed Wanda the training grounds, the library, and the meditation chambers. Wanda was quiet, absorbing it all, her face a mixture of awe and deep contemplation. She saw others practicing, their golden energy mirroring Jon's, and it seemed to ground her, giving her a sense of belonging she hadn't felt before.

Later, Jon managed a private moment with the Ancient One by the lake. "Master," Jon began, "Wanda's progress is... remarkable. Her connection to Chaos Magic is strong."

The Ancient One nodded, her eyes fixed on the distant mountains. "Indeed. Her potential is vast, but so is the burden. You are a good teacher for her, Jon. Your approach, tailored to her emotional core, is wise. Kamar-Taj's rigidity might have stifled her." There was a knowing look in her eyes, a subtle acknowledgment of his larger plans, and perhaps even his growing feelings for Wanda. 

Two weeks and two days after their arrival, Jon was back at his company office, a faint hum of satisfaction in his chest. Pietro was a blur of efficiency, zipping between desks, seemingly just a very fast assistant, but in reality, acting like a human AI, organizing data, cross-referencing information, and delivering documents with impossible speed. Elara, engrossed in her screens, was still unaware of Pietro's true nature, simply marveling at his "unusual efficiency."

"Mr. Thorne," Elara called out, her voice crisp, as Jon entered her office. She gestured to a complex web of diagrams on her main screen. "I've compiled the initial intelligence on Stark Industries' connections, as you requested. It's... extensive."

She tapped a few keys, and a detailed network map filled the screen. "Their primary suppliers are numerous, but a few key ones stand out, especially for their advanced materials and energy components. They have deep-seated political ties, influencing several key senators and congressional committees, particularly those related to defense contracts and technological regulation. Their investment portfolio is vast, but I've identified several smaller, seemingly unrelated companies that Stark Industries holds significant, often majority, shares in through various holding groups. These aren't publicly advertised as Stark subsidiaries, but they feed directly into their research, development, or supply chain. Pietro's... rapid data retrieval has been instrumental in cross-referencing public records with less accessible information."

Jon leaned in slightly, a casual confidence in his posture. "Excellent work, Elara. Truly, your analytical skills are unparalleled. You've managed to map out their entire ecosystem in record time. It's quite impressive." His gaze flickered from the complex diagrams to her, a warm, appreciative look in his eyes. "And you look... remarkably sharp today, even amidst all this data." He straightened up, a subtle smile playing on his lips. 

He continued, his tone shifting to a more strategic, almost hushed confidence. "Here's the new directive, Elara: I want you to focus specifically on Stark Industries' non-firearm sectors. Think energy divisions, advanced robotics, medical technology, sustainable solutions , anything that has nothing to do with weapons manufacturing. Make contacts within those specific sectors. We want to start quietly acquiring stakes there, building influence. The goal is to gain significant control, not just a small piece."

Elara's eyebrows rose slightly, a flicker of understanding in her eyes. "A strategic pivot. And the funding for such a substantial acquisition?"

Jon gave a knowing smile. "The necessary capital will be deposited into the company account in a week. Rest assured, the funds are substantial enough for the acquisitions we're targeting."

Jon's thoughts: I can't use the gold, jewels, and cash I 'acquired' directly for the company. That's too much, too untraceable, and would raise massive red flags with any legitimate financial institution. Even with my new identity, a sudden influx of billions would scream 'illegal activity.' But I know from my past 'acquisitions' , specifically from the minds of those high-level criminals and corrupt officials about certain foreign banks. These aren't your typical, reputable institutions. They specialize in discreet, no-questions-asked transactions for clients with... unconventional assets. They'll gladly accept the gold and other valuables I've amassed and, in return, provide my company with legitimate, traceable corporate loans. It's the perfect laundering mechanism, turning illicit gains into clean capital for my legitimate ventures.

This is the critical part. Once Tony Stark escapes his captivity and he will escape, he's going to shut down Stark Industries' weapons division entirely. When that happens, the value of those non-firearm sectors will skyrocket. If we've already secured significant stakes, we'll be perfectly positioned to gain immense influence, or even outright control, over those valuable parts of his empire. It's a long-term play, a strategic leverage of future events, but one with immense returns. Elara doesn't need to know the 'how' or the 'why' of my foresight, just the 'what' and the 'when' for her tasks.

Elara's eyes widened almost imperceptibly as she processed the implications of the vast sums of money. She didn't voice her doubts, however. Jon's calm certainty, combined with the sheer audacity of the plan, was compelling. "Understood, Mr. Thorne. I'll prioritize identifying those specific non-firearm assets and initiating contact for acquisition." She gave him a sharp, professional nod, a flicker of deep intrigue in her eyes. She still didn't fully understand Jon's motives, but his methods, and the results, were undeniably compelling.

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