Marvel: Playing Iron Man, Falling In and Out of Love with Jinx

Bilgewater, a Certain Port

Siren's Cabin

"Since you plan to make your move tomorrow, what's your next step?"

Having reached a preliminary agreement with Duke, Miss Fortune crossed her legs and held a boxy cigar between her fingers.

"Can you get in contact with Gangplank?"

"I can, but let's just say he doesn't exactly take my calls. I've been avoiding him myself."

"Remember that railgun I showed you before?"

Duke took a sip from his glass, a bluebird perched on his shoulder. He was referring to the terrifying railgun he had previously used to threaten Miss Fortune. She rolled her eyes at him.

"Of course I remember. You whipped that thing out and nearly scared my heart into failure."

She patted her chest, still unsure why he brought it up again. Her mouth opened slightly as a thought formed.

"You're not thinking of..."

"Close. But I don't plan to just blow up his ship. That's too easy."

"Then what?"

"I'm going to board his ship, send him to the depths with my own hands, then blast his ship into splinters with the railgun. I'll even bring back his sail as a souvenir."

"He's got way more men than we do. A frontal assault..."

Duke released Pride. The moment the massive mech emerged, the floor groaned under its weight. Hunched and heavy, Pride noticed Miss Fortune and exhaled hot steam in irritation.

"Is this the mechanical beast that killed Gangplank's envoy?"

"News travels fast, huh?"

"What did you expect? It happened just last night, and the High Mountain Hotel is crawling with spies from every faction. You kill someone, and word spreads faster than a plague."

"Exactly why I'm launching a preemptive strike. Sure, I could wreck his ship alone, but I want a clean sweep. No survivors."

"Don't underestimate me. I can hold my own in a fight!"

Miss Fortune huffed proudly.

Whoosh!

Duke's fist stopped just a millimeter from her face. The air pressure messed up her hair, and even her delicate features distorted slightly under the force.

"What did you say again?"

Miss Fortune stood frozen, cold sweat beading on her forehead. That sudden strike made her feel like she was staring into death itself. One more millimeter, and her skull would've burst like a watermelon.

Duke slowly pulled back his fist, only to get pecked on the head by the bluebird Janna had transformed into.

"Geez, you startled me!"

"Just reminding her of the gap between us," Duke said, brushing the bird aside.

"This isn't your domain, you know," Janna muttered.

"I know, but you can clear the Black Mist of Harrowing Night, can't you?"

"Sure, but it would burn through my divine power. And this isn't even my turf."

"Still, anywhere air flows, you can appear. Just follow my lead. Clear the fog at the right moment. When Nagakabouros' followers are still scrambling, reap their faith, and return to Piltover. I'll handle the rest."

"I can do that, but what about you?"

"Nagakabouros can't manifest here. The Butcher's Pier has been steeped in beast blood for generations, turning this entire bay into a forbidden zone for sea monsters. The stench alone keeps them away."

It was ironic. From the very founding of Bilgewater, Butcher's Pier had been a necessary evil, but over time, it became a cursed zone even sea monsters feared.

Even Pyke's title, the Bloodharbor Ripper, referred to this very place. The water was so saturated with blood that no tide could ever wash it clean. This made Bilgewater a no-go for Nagakabouros' children, who otherwise could have protected the city from the Black Mist.

As a result, Bilgewater became the only city in the Serpent Isles vulnerable to Harrowing Night.

And as a True Believer, Illaoi needed to perform long rituals to summon Nagakabouros' power and clear the fog.

In simpler terms: it was a long cast time ultimate. One so slow that even the worst ADC could kill her seven times before she finished it.

During that time, Illaoi would be holed up in her temple.

That was Duke and Janna's opportunity—a perfect moment to slip in under the fog.

Just imagine it: Illaoi finally finishes her ritual, charges out, brimming with divine might... only to find that the fog is already gone.

What a look she'd have on her face.

Duke wasn't worried about Illaoi. She was a rules-oriented person. Even her ex, Gangplank, had to pass her trials to earn her support.

And most of Nagakabouros' other followers hated Bilgewater and refused to guard it.

Even if Illaoi went rogue, Duke still had a final trump card.

"Alright, I'll do it your way," Janna agreed.

"Then go back to Piltover and Zaun," Duke said. "Tell Camille I'm crowning a new pirate king. In fifteen days, she needs to send people and ships to take over."

"And you, make sure you return the night before Harrowing Night."

"Yeah, yeah, you just love treating me like a messenger."

Janna pecked his head again, then vanished with a gust of wind. The cabin's breeze slowly died.

Only then did Miss Fortune come back to her senses. Pale-faced, she glared at Duke.

"Pull that surprise move again and I'll..."

"You'll what?"

Duke gave her a teasing look. She huffed, crossed her arms, and turned away with a pout.

"Want to have power like mine?"

That got her attention.

"You'd teach me how to fight like that?"

"Even if I taught you, you wouldn't master it in less than ten years. Instead, I plan to give you something special."

Duke had his own abilities thanks to inherited knowledge and a unique legacy space.

He raised a hand, and WALL-E appeared.

"Is this a new type of exosuit you made?" Miss Fortune asked.

"Lovely lady, don't lump me in with outdated junk," WALL-E said, full of pride. "I am Father's greatest creation!"

Pride promptly pressed a claw on WALL-E's head and hissed steam. WALL-E's blue eyes dimmed and turned red in fear.

"One of the greatest!" he quickly corrected himself.

"It's alive? With its own mind?" Miss Fortune stepped closer.

Duke knocked on WALL-E's frame. It obediently opened its armor plates, revealing the wearable suit inside.

"He's my personal battle armor, sentient and built to aid me in combat."

"That's way too valuable!"

She smiled and stood, gently cradling Duke's face.

"Want a reward from big sis?"

"I never said I was giving him to you."

Miss Fortune dropped her hands, crossed her arms, and plopped back in her seat.

"Then what's the point of saying all this?!"

Duke gave her a disdainful look.

Women.

She glanced back with a smirk.

Men.

"WALL-E is my base model. I'm showing him to you because I plan to make you one too."

"But we start tomorrow. Is there even time?"

"Don't tell me what I can't do!" Duke snorted and patted WALL-E.

"With these two helping, I can build you a powerful Hextech armor in a single night, as a gift to mark our partnership."

"With that, you'll rise beyond mortal strength. You'll have enough power to rule Bilgewater."

"Fine. Tell me what you need, I'll get it."

Miss Fortune finally revealed her decisive nature. Duke stood and stretched.

"I need a forge and plenty of raw metal. I'm going to make you a suit of high-grade Hextech battle armor."

"I'll get on it right away."

Miss Fortune left the captain's quarters, while Duke quietly recalled her skins, thinking about which one to use as a template.

Giving her a new battle suit was like giving her a new skin.

And really, who doesn't love a fresh, stylish skin?

End of chapter...

To be continued...

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