Chapter 45: Obadiah’s End IV
Dave walked up to him, inspecting his creation. "You feel that power, don't you?" he asked, eyes glinting with curiosity.
Obadiah's crimson eyes flickered as he clenched his fists, feeling the energy coursing through him. "Yes... but it's... different," Obadiah said, his voice gravelly, distorted, almost inhuman. "What have you done to me?"
Dave smirked. "I made you into something better. You're no longer just a man in a suit. You're something far more powerful—both machine and demon. Fully loyal to Tony, of course. You'll protect him, won't you?" Dave's words dripped with irony, knowing full well the history between Obadiah and Tony.
Obadiah looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers. He didn't answer, but the conflict in his eyes was evident. Whatever feelings he had before were now buried under layers of demonic influence and forced loyalty. Still, somewhere deep down, the man who had once sought to destroy Tony Stark was struggling to break free.
Dave shrugged. "Well, I'll leave you to it. When Tony calls, follow his orders. For now... you should get used to your new form."
With a final glance, Dave turned to leave, but not before whispering, "You'll serve him well, I'm sure." He walked away from the wreckage, leaving Obadiah standing alone in the darkness.
Meanwhile, at Stark Tower...
Tony landed on the balcony, setting Pepper down gently. She looked at him, her face pale and eyes wide with concern.
"Tony, what was that?" she asked, the tremor in her voice betraying her fear. "That wasn't just about Obadiah, was it? What did Dave do to him?"
Tony hesitated for a moment, glancing back toward where they had left Obadiah. "He... turned him into something else," Tony admitted. "Some kind of demon hybrid. I don't know what exactly, but he's loyal to me now. Dave said I could use him."
Pepper crossed her arms, staring at him. "And you're okay with that? With what Dave did?"