[Third Person Pov]
As Tony and the rest of the group made their way forward, they followed the narrow path that had been forcibly carved through the relentless waves of reporters and camera crews. Flashbulbs popped incessantly, voices shouting questions from every direction, but the presence of security—and Tony's own reputation—kept the chaos barely contained.
Eventually, they reached the front gates of Power High, the towering iron bars already open to receive them.
Waiting just beyond the gates stood the school's principal, flanked by a few faculty members and officials. Tony immediately recognized him. Of course he did—Tony Stark never went anywhere unprepared. He had already done his research on the school, its staff, and especially its leadership on his way here after his mother told him he was meeting his uncle.
The principal was a sharp-looking man with neatly styled black hair streaked with whitening side strips at the temples, lending him an air of authority and experience. As Tony studied him, he could almost imagine a familiar voice echoed vividly inside his head.
(Present Mic's Voice):
Name: Alan Issac
Quirk: Absolute Authority
Type: Emitter
Description: When Principal Issac gives a direct verbal command within earshot, those who hear him experience an overwhelming compulsion to obey.
Tony couldn't help the faint smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Forgive us for the spectacle," Principal Issac said apologetically as he stepped forward, extending his hand toward Howard. "I truly don't know how word of your visit got out so quickly."
Howard let out a tired sigh as he shook the principal's hand firmly. "It's alright. The leak didn't come from your side—it was mine. You don't have anything to worry about."
Tony half-listened to the exchange as his attention was drawn elsewhere. Standing a short distance away was a tall, powerfully built man with a broad frame and a stern, almost intimidating expression. A thick but meticulously groomed beard covered his chin, adding to his imposing presence. He wasn't looking at the reporters, the staff, or even Howard.
His focus was entirely on one person.
Maria.
She stood staring up at him with equal intensity, her posture stiff and unyielding. The air between them felt heavy, almost charged.
"Kane," Maria said at last, her tone clipped and almost cold.
"Maria," Kane replied, his brows furrowing slightly as he frowned.
The tension thickened further, pressing down like an invisible weight.
"I thought you said they were on good terms," Tony whispered urgently, glancing up at Howard with a hint of panic creeping into his voice.
Howard simply sighed again and chose not to answer.
Suddenly, Kane lunged forward.
Tony reacted on instinct, his body tensing as he nearly moved to intercept—only to freeze mid-action as the scene resolved itself in the most unexpected way possible.
Kane wrapped Maria in a crushing hug, his arms locking around her as tears welled up in his eyes.
"It's been so long, you brat!" Kane exclaimed emotionally. "When was the last time you called me, huh?!"
"A call goes both ways, you know," Maria replied with a long-suffering sigh as she tilted her head away slightly, enduring the overly affectionate embrace. "And I did call you to tell you I was expecting another child, didn't I?"
"Yeah, but that was ages ago!" Kane shot back before finally pulling away and looking her over from head to toe. His stern expression softened almost instantly. "Pregnancy suits you, by the way. It's a good look."
Kane's voice wavered as emotion caught up to him, and he sniffled loudly. "Man… how the years have gone by."
Maria smiled faintly at that, a rare softness crossing her features. As Howard continued speaking quietly with the principal, Maria reached out and pulled Tony closer to her side.
"Anyway," she said, regaining her composure, "this is my son, Tony. It's strange that you two haven't formally met before, but I suppose there's a first time for everything."
She gently but firmly nudged Tony forward, pride evident in her expression. "Tony, this is your uncle—Kane Carbonell."
(Present Mic's Voice):
Name: Kane Carbonell
Quirk: Crushing Force
Type: Emitter
Description: Capable of compressing objects using an invisible psychic pressure.
"Uncle," Tony greeted, extending his hand politely.
"So you're Tony Stark, huh?" Kane said with a wide grin as he returned the handshake. "I've heard a lot about you." His grin widened further as he tightened his grip slightly. "What a strong handshake you've got there, son!"
"Wah—!" Tony yelped as Kane suddenly pulled him into a powerful hug. "Okay, so you're a hugger. Noted."
"Of course I am," Kane replied warmly, patting Tony's back with unmistakable familiarity. "We're family, after all. You probably don't remember, but I was there the day your mother first gave birth to you."
Tony smirked. "What about the second and third time?"
Kane blinked, processing the comment. It took him a second—then realization hit, and he burst out laughing, clapping a heavy hand onto Tony's shoulders.
"Hahaha! Took me a second to catch that one," Kane said between laughs. "That was good. Real good."
Kane suddenly turned and motioned toward a boy standing slightly off to the side, who had been quietly observing the scene without drawing attention to himself.
"Eric!" Kane called out loudly. "Get over here and greet your aunt and cousin!"
Tony muttered under his breath, glancing sideways as the boy began to approach. "Are we seriously about to have an entire family reunion right here at the front gate of this school?"
Both Momo and Melissa failed to suppress their giggles at that, covering their mouths as they laughed quietly.
As Eric walked closer, Tony immediately noticed how little he resembled his father. Where Kane was tall, broad, and radiated an almost crushing presence, Eric was slimmer, softer in build, and noticeably reserved. Tony instantly guessed he must take after his mother. Even the way Eric walked—measured, careful, and slightly withdrawn—gave away his quiet disposition.
Eric paused briefly, adjusted his glasses, and offered Maria a polite bow of his head. "Hello, Aunt Maria."
Maria's expression softened immediately. She smiled warmly and reached out, gently patting him on the head. "It really has been a while," she said fondly.
Kane placed his large hands on Eric's shoulders, clearly proud, and guided him forward slightly. "This is my son, Eric," he said to Tony. "He's here for the summer program. I figured the two of you could get to know each other and—hopefully—get along."
(Present Mic's Voice):
Name: Eric Carbonell
Quirk: Psychic Barrier
Type: Emitter
Description: Able to generate a thin psychic layer over his body, functioning like a second skin that significantly enhances durability.
"Bring it in, Cuzzo!" Tony exclaimed dramatically, throwing his arms wide as if inviting an embrace worthy of a stage performance.
Eric immediately stiffened and took a step back, eyes widening slightly as he stared at Tony with visible apprehension. After a brief pause, he simply nodded. "Hello," he said from a safe distance.
Tony slowly turned his head toward Maria and Kane, his brow furrowed in confusion. "I thought this was a hugging family?"
Maria promptly smacked Tony upside the head—not hard, it was a playful little whack. "That's just Kane being Kane," she said flatly. "Not everyone is like that. And behave—stop messing with him. You two just met."
Tony chuckled, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "Alright, alright, I was just joshing." He turned back to Eric, surprisingly composed for once, and extended his hand properly. "Name's Tony."
"Eric," he replied, shaking Tony's hand briefly before letting go. He muttered under his breath, almost unconsciously, "And who even says 'joshing' anymore…"
While Kane and Maria resumed catching up with one another, Howard guided Tony toward Principal Issac.
"So you're the famous Tony Stark," the principal said with a genial smile. "It feels like I've been hearing your name everywhere I go lately."
"And you're going to keep hearing it," Tony replied with an unapologetic smirk.
Principal Issac laughed heartily at that. "I admire the confidence."
After greeting Melissa and Momo as well, the principal clasped his hands together. "Shall we begin the tour?"
"I'd rather just take the exam and be done with this," Tony groaned, already looking bored.
"Ignore him," Howard said with a sigh, rubbing his temples. "We'll take the tour."
The adults led the way as the group moved inside the school grounds, while Tony, Melissa, Momo, and Eric naturally fell behind.
Once Melissa and Momo introduced themselves, Eric noticeably stiffened again. His ears turned red, and he quickly looked away, clearly flustered. After all, it was impossible to deny that both girls were exceptionally beautiful—and Eric wasn't exactly prepared for that.
As they entered the main building, Eric glanced sideways at Tony. "Mind if I ask you a question?"
"Depends," Tony replied casually. "What do you want to know?"
"Did you really remake the sun," Eric asked seriously, "or is that just propaganda or something?"
Tony stared at him. "Out of everything you could've asked, that's what you went with?"
"It's honestly the only question worth asking," Eric replied without hesitation.
Melissa leaned forward slightly. "I was actually there," she added cheerfully. "And he really did remake the sun."
Eric nodded slowly as he processed that information. "Hm. I see… cool."
Tony's eye twitched. "Seriously? 'Cool'? That's all you've got?"
Eric glanced at him, genuinely confused. "What else would you like me to say?"
"I don't know," Tony gestured wildly. "Something like, 'Wow, you're so cool and awesome, let me get your autograph so I can show all my friends!' Or maybe, 'Dude, no way! That's insane! Let me get your autograph!'"
Eric frowned. "Why do both of those end with me getting your autograph?"
Tony had already pulled out a pen and clicked it confidently. "Because I know you want it. Now come on—where do I sign?"
Eric rolled his eyes and turned forward again. "I'm going to ignore you now."
Tony sighed and slipped the pen away. "He's just a little shy," he said to Momo and Melissa.
"I don't know," Momo replied teasingly. "It seems to me he really isn't interested."
"Preposterous," Tony scoffed, marching ahead with exaggerated confidence. "Who wouldn't want my autograph? It could be a priceless family heirloom in a few years."
Melissa snickered quietly as Eric pretended very hard not to hear him.
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