Haki user in Marvel

The faint clatter of tools echoed through Stark's lab. Holographic projections shifted in the air, showcasing designs of circuits and armor plating. Tony Stark leaned over a workbench, muttering to himself as he adjusted a microcircuit. His new suit—the Mark III—was taking shape, but the man behind it was clearly reaching his limit.

Alexander watched from across the room, arms crossed and a faint smirk on his face. He admired Stark's ingenuity, but it was clear the genius was running on fumes.

"You know," Alexander began, his voice cutting through the hum of machinery, "all the tech in the world won't help you if you can't keep up physically."

Tony glanced over, annoyance flashing in his eyes. "I'm sorry, did the guy who sliced a truck in half with his foot just criticize me for being out of shape?"

Alexander shrugged. "I'm saying your suit is only half the equation. You need to be ready to handle the stress it's going to put on your body."

Tony sighed, setting down his tools. "Alright, sensei, what do you suggest? Yoga? Pilates? Maybe some guided meditation while I wait for my armor to charge?"

Alexander smirked. "We're going to start with the basics. Meet me in the gym. And don't make me drag you there."

Tony groaned, muttering something under his breath, but followed Alexander out of the lab.

The First Lesson

The gym in Stark Tower was state-of-the-art. Rows of weights, treadmills, and punching bags lined the room, along with training dummies and even a small combat mat. Tony entered, looking around with mild curiosity.

"So, what's the plan?" Tony asked, already sounding bored. "Push-ups until I pass out? Or are you going to make me run laps while shouting motivational slogans?"

Alexander didn't respond immediately. Instead, he walked to the center of the room and turned to face Tony. "You're going to learn how to fight. Properly."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "I'm building a suit that can fly and shoot lasers. Why do I need to know how to fight?"

"Because," Alexander said firmly, "there will come a time when the suit isn't enough. When it's out of power, or damaged, or ripped off of you. What are you going to do then?"

Tony opened his mouth to reply but stopped. The thought clearly hadn't occurred to him.

Alexander stepped forward, his tone softening slightly. "You're going to face enemies who don't care about rules. They'll exploit every weakness you have. If you're not ready for that, the suit won't matter."

Tony sighed. "Fine. Let's get this over with."

The Basics

Alexander moved to the fighting mat of the gym, gesturing for Tony to follow. "We're starting with the basics. No gadgets, no shortcuts—just you learning how to fight."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "You're aware that I'm a billionaire genius, right? This whole 'basic training' thing doesn't really mesh with my brand."

"Your brand isn't going to save you when someone rips off your helmet," Alexander shot back.

"First, your stance," Alexander said, circling Tony like a hawk. He reached down and nudged Tony's foot with his own. "Wider. You need a stable base, or you'll get knocked over in seconds."

Tony adjusted his footing, grumbling under his breath.

"Now your hands," Alexander continued. He grabbed Tony's wrists, raising them to chest height. "Keep them up. Protect your face. You're not in a bar fight; this isn't about looking cool."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "I always look cool."

The first hour of training was painful—for Tony, at least. Alexander started with simple drills: basic punches, kicks, and footwork.

"Keep your stance wide," Alexander instructed, adjusting Tony's footing. "If you're off-balance, you're an easy target."

Tony tried throwing a punch, but it was sloppy and lacked power. Alexander caught his wrist mid-swing, holding it firmly.

"No. Use your whole body, not just your arm. Power comes from your core."

Alexander shifted into a fighting stance, his movements smooth and deliberate. He threw a punch into the air, his entire body twisting with the motion. The force of the strike created a sharp whoosh that made Tony blink.

"See? It's all about using your core and momentum," Alexander said, straightening.

Tony rolled his eyes. "Alright, Alex, let me try again."

This time, his punch had more force.

"Better," Alexander said "Now keep practicing."

"This is ridiculous," Tony muttered, wiping his forehead. "I've got an IQ of 270. I could be building quantum reactors right now."

"And yet you can't throw a decent punch," Alexander retorted.

Tony glared at him but said nothing, focusing instead on his next punch. He swung with more force this time, his movements finally beginning to flow.

"Not bad," Alexander said with a nod.

"Not bad?" Tony repeated, breathing heavily. "That's it? No applause? No standing ovation?"

Alexander smirked. "You'll get applause when you stop telegraphing your punches like a kid in a playground fight."

Pepper's Entrance

Midway through the session, the door to the gym opened, and Pepper Potts walked in, carrying a tablet. She paused in the doorway, taking in the sight of Tony sweating and panting while Alexander stood over him like a drill sergeant.

"What… is going on here?" Pepper asked, her voice a mix of amusement and concern.

"Training," Alexander replied without missing a beat.

"Hell," Tony corrected, glaring at Alexander.

Pepper raised an eyebrow. "Training for what?"

"To not die," Alexander said simply, crossing his arms. "He needs to be ready for anything."

Pepper sighed, setting the tablet down on a nearby bench. "Tony, you've barely slept since we got back. Now you're letting him beat you up?"

"I'm not beating him up," Alexander said, smirking. "Not yet."

Tony groaned, collapsing onto the floor. "He's a sadist, Pep. A sadist with abs and superpowers."

Pepper glanced at Alexander. "Superpowers?"

Alexander shrugged. "Long story. Let's just say I know a thing or two about combat."

Pepper crossed her arms. "Well, as long as you don't kill him, I suppose this is... productive."

Alexander smiled. "Don't worry. I'll keep him in one piece. Besides after averything that has transpired he needs this."

Progress and Perspective

By the end of the session, Tony was drenched in sweat but standing taller. His punches were sharper, his footing more stable, and his confidence beginning to show.

"You're improving," Alexander said, handing Tony a towel. "Slowly, but it's progress."

Tony wiped his face, glaring at Alexander. "You have a funny way of saying 'thank you for your hard work, Tony.'"

Alexander chuckled. "You want praise? Earn it."

Tony groaned but couldn't hide the small smile on his face.

As they left the gym, Pepper stopped Alexander. "Thank you," she said quietly.

"For what?" Alexander asked.

"For pushing him," Pepper replied. "He needs someone like you right now."

Alexander nodded, his expression softening. "He's got potential, Pepper. More than he realizes. I'm just making sure he's ready to use it. He will need you to, so stand by him no matter his choice."

With that, he followed Tony out of the gym, ready for whatever came next.

Breaking Through the Ego

"You good?" Alexander asked, grabbing a water bottle and tossing it at him.

Tony drank some water , glaring half-heartedly. "Oh yeah, I'm peachy. Remind me to never let you talk me into this again."

"Sure," Alexander said with a smirk. "Right after we do the next set."

Tony groaned but didn't argue. Instead, he leaned back and stared at the ceiling, his voice quieter now. "Why are you even doing this, Alex? You don't owe me anything. You saved my life, and now you're sticking around, teaching me how to throw a punch like some kind of guardian angel. What's your angle?"

Alexander paused, his smirk fading. "You remind me of someone I used to know. Someone with a lot of potential but too much ego to see it." He walked over and sat down on the bench next to Tony. "The truth is, I've seen what happens to people like you when they aren't prepared. I've seen them fail, and I've seen the destruction it causes—not just to them, but to everyone around them."

Tony frowned, turning to look at him. "So, what? You're trying to make sure I don't end up as a cautionary tale?"

"Something like that," Alexander replied. "You've got the brains to change the world, Stark. I'm just here to make sure you've got the backbone to survive long enough to do it."

Tony was silent for a moment, then let out a short laugh. "Well, that's a hell of a pep talk."

The End of Day One

By the time the session ended, Tony was exhausted but standing taller. His punches had improved significantly, and his footwork was no longer laughable.

"You're getting there," Alexander said as they walked out of the gym. "You're still slow, though. We'll fix that tomorrow."

Tony groaned. "Tomorrow? Can't we just call it a win and take a week off?"

"Not if you want to survive your next fight," Alexander replied.

Pepper joined them as they walked toward the elevator. "You know, Tony, for someone who hates exercise, you're taking this surprisingly well."

Tony shrugged. "What can I say? He's a good teacher. Annoying, but good."

Alexander smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."

As the elevator doors closed, Tony leaned against the wall, his expression thoughtful. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he was moving in the right direction—not just building something great, but becoming something better.

And Alexander, standing silently beside him, knew that this was only the beginning.