Rowan spread his new wings wide in the underground lab. The black feathers gleamed with metallic edges, spanning nearly twelve feet from tip to tip.
"These feel incredible," he said, testing their movement. "The Thanagarian physiology merged perfectly with my vampire blood."
Shayera knelt beside him, her own transformed wings folded against her back. "Master, there's something you need to know about my people."
"Tell me," Rowan commanded.
"The Thanagarian Empire will invade Earth in ten years," she said seriously. "They're coming for your planet's resources. Gold, oil, minerals - everything."
Rowan's eyes glowed red. "How many ships?"
"Thousands. Maybe tens of thousands. They've been planning this invasion for decades."
Barbara stepped forward. "Can we stop them?"
"Not with current Earth technology," Shayera replied. "But we have their tech now."
Within hours, Rowan's team had moved all of Shayera's Thanagarian equipment to the secret laboratory. Advanced weapons, communication devices, and most importantly - Nth metal samples.
"This metal defies gravity," Rowan said, examining a piece. "We can reverse-engineer it."
"Master," Barbara called from across the lab. "The portal device is ready for another test."
The machine hummed with blue energy. Rowan activated it, and a swirling vortex opened in the air.
Through the portal, they could see another Earth - but the skyline looked different.
"It's an alternate universe," Rowan said. "Same planet, different timeline."
Suddenly, they saw something that made them all freeze.
On the other side, a car was driving down a dark road. A figure in black tactical gear stepped into the road - a man with a metal arm.
The Winter Soldier.
"That's Bucky Barnes," Rowan whispered. "But he's supposed to be controlled by Hydra."
They watched as Bucky's metal arm punched through the car's engine, sending it crashing into a tree.
Two people stumbled out - a man and woman in expensive clothes.
"Please," the man begged. "We have a son."
Bucky raised his metal fist without emotion.
"Those are the Starks," Rowan realized. "Howard and Maria. This is the night they die."
"Should we intervene?" Barbara asked.
"Yes," Rowan said firmly. "But not to save them - to take them."
Rowan stepped through the portal just as Bucky's metal arm came down.
"Stop," Rowan commanded, his voice carrying vampire compulsion.
Bucky turned, confused. His programming hadn't prepared him for supernatural interference.
"Who are you?" Bucky asked mechanically.
"Someone who's going to free you," Rowan replied.
The fight was brief but intense. Bucky's metal arm was powerful, but Rowan's vampire speed and new wings gave him the advantage.
Within minutes, Bucky was unconscious on the ground.
Rowan quickly checked on the Starks. Howard was bleeding from his head, Maria from her chest. Both were dying but still alive.
"Help us," Howard whispered weakly.
"I will," Rowan promised. "But not here."
He carried all three through the portal. Shayera immediately sealed it behind them.
"Lay them on the medical tables," Rowan ordered. "Quickly."
He bit his finger and let drops of his blood fall onto Howard and Maria's lips. The vampire essence began working immediately.
Then he turned to Bucky and forced his mouth open. A single drop of blood landed on Bucky's tongue.
"What will happen to them?" Barbara asked.
"Transformation," Rowan said. "All three will become my servants."
Blood-red cocoons formed around Howard and Maria's bodies. Inside, their wounds healed and their bodies changed.
Bucky's eyes snapped open first. His metal arm began to crack and fall away in pieces. New wings sprouted from his back - smaller than Rowan's but still powerful.
His face became sharper, more predatory. Cheetah-like spots appeared along his arms.
"I remember everything," Bucky said, his voice filled with pain and rage. "What Hydra did to me. What they made me do."
He fell to his knees before Rowan. "Thank you for freeing me."
"You're welcome," Rowan said. "But I have a mission for you."
"You'll return to your world as a spy," Rowan explained. "Pretend you're still under Hydra's control. Follow their orders like before."
"For how long?" Bucky asked.
"Twenty-five years. Maybe less. When Steve Rogers comes for you, that's when you can reveal the truth."
Bucky nodded firmly. "I understand."
Barbara activated the tech department's equipment. Within minutes, they had altered the security footage to show Bucky killing the Starks as planned.
"Perfect," Rowan said. "Hydra will never know what really happened."
The cocoons around Howard and Maria cracked open.
Both emerged looking decades younger. Howard's hair was thick and dark again. Maria looked like she was in her twenties.
Wings spread from their backs - elegant and powerful. Vampire fangs showed when they smiled. Cheetah-like tails swished behind them.
"What happened to us?" Howard asked, examining his hands.
"You died," Rowan said simply. "I brought you back. Better than before."
Suddenly, both Starks felt an overwhelming sense of loyalty and respect toward Rowan.
"Master," Maria said automatically.
"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Stark," Rowan said with a smile. "This is another universe. You're safe here."
Howard looked around in wonder. "Another universe? That's impossible."
"Not anymore," Rowan explained. "And you can't return to your original world. There are forces called the TVA and beings like the Ancient One who would notice timeline changes."
"What about Tony?" Maria asked desperately.
"Your son will grow up believing you're dead," Rowan said gently. "It's the only way to protect the timeline. But someday, maybe we can reunite your family."
Howard and Maria exchanged sad looks, but the loyalty magic made them accept this reality.
"We serve you now," Howard said firmly.
"Good," Rowan replied. "Because I have big plans for all of you."