Tony's flight was fast — blazing fast. Wearing his newly completed Mark III Iron Man Armor, he soared through the night sky.
"Jarvis, locate Pepper."
"Already done, sir. Miss Potts is at Stark Industries headquarters."
As expected, Pepper had nowhere else to go.
The long contrail left by Tony's armor streaked across the dark sky like a golden comet. In that instant, Iron Man became a shining beacon above New York City — a firefly of steel in the night.
The city below was alive as always — neon lights, crowds, music, and traffic. But when they saw a man flying in a red-and-gold suit, the whole city erupted.
"God! Is that an alien invasion?"
"Holy crap, it's a mech! That's straight outta a movie!"
"I wonder how much it costs… think they'll mass-produce it?"
"Bro, you can't even afford the Wi-Fi bill, shut up."
"Wait… that thing's flying toward Stark Tower! It has to be Tony Stark!"
"TONY STARK! IRON MAN!"
Everywhere Tony flew, people pointed, cheered, and screamed his name.
Tony's vanity was practically glowing brighter than his Arc Reactor. Damn, this feels good.
Maybe being Iron Man — a hero who protects the world — wasn't such a bad gig after all.
Of course, Leo's sudden appearance had already thrown the world's timeline into chaos. Every flap of that butterfly's wings now created storms across the MCU.
Tony hadn't planned on being a superhero before all this. He just wanted to build better armor, stronger suits — something that would make him feel secure.
After seeing Leo's power firsthand, that insecurity grew even stronger.
He was already thinking about it… an Anti-Leo Armor, specifically designed to counter Leo's ridiculous superpowers.
After all, Tony Stark was the man who once built Anti-Hulk, Anti-Magneto, Anti-Phoenix, and even Anti-Galactus Armors.
...And got his ass kicked by all of them.
But progress was progress. Every failure meant improvement.
Time passed quickly. Tony arrived at Stark Industries, his HUD lighting up with multiple heat signatures.
Pepper Potts was trapped in a cramped section of the tower — cornered by a rampaging monster in metal: Obadiah Stane, now inside the Iron Monger Armor.
"Pepper, listen — head to the rooftop! I can't lock onto your position from here!"
"Tony, no! Obadiah's wearing his own suit — it's huge, and he's chasing me right now!"
Tony froze mid-air. "What?! That bastard built one too? F*ck!"
Now it all made sense — the betrayal, the ambush — all for this moment.
But no matter what, he wasn't abandoning Pepper.
"Don't argue! Get to the rooftop now. I'll come for you!"
"I don't believe anyone can build a better suit than the great Tony Stark!"
Pepper's eyes filled with tears. This was the Tony she loved — arrogant, reckless, but always there for her.
"O-okay… I'll go!"
She hung up and sprinted for the rooftop, her heels clattering against the floor. Behind her, the Iron Monger stomped through walls and cubicles, crushing everything in its path.
"You can't run, Pepper!" Obadiah's distorted voice boomed through the armor's speakers.
On the other side, Tony had just ended the call — and made another.
"Leo! Save me!"
Yeah, the same guy who was all bravado a minute ago was now screaming for help.
[Ten billion dollars. One rescue.]
"Deal! DEAL! Big shot, save me already!"
Tony didn't even hesitate. Normally, he wouldn't fear Obadiah one-on-one, but Pepper was out there — vulnerable, terrified.
He couldn't take that risk.
Meanwhile, Pepper finally burst onto the rooftop. But Obadiah had already crashed through the glass wall and landed there ahead of her, armor glowing red-hot.
"Heh heh, I'll enjoy watching you die, Pepper."
Then — a metallic roar echoed.
A flash of red and gold burst through the clouds.
Obadiah turned. "What the hell— Tony?! You're still alive?"
"Damn it, you're like a cockroach! I tried to kill you once — and you're still breathing!"
Tony's HUD locked onto the massive armor ahead.
"Obadiah Stane…"
"Leo told me you'd come after me," Tony said, voice low and cold. "But I didn't want to believe him. You were like an uncle to me. Why, Obadiah?"
"Why?!" Obadiah roared back, his voice distorted by rage.
"You and your father lived like kings — inventing, playing, basking in fame! And me? I handled the board meetings, the paperwork, the politics. I got scraps — just 5%!"
"You blocked my path to real wealth!"
Tony sighed, understanding dawning in his eyes.
"So that's it… jealousy."
He smirked bitterly. "Maybe we gave you too much, old man. Made you greedy enough to think you deserved everything."
That was the last straw.
"Go to hell!"
Obadiah lunged, swinging a massive metal fist. Tony barely raised his arm in time — the impact sent a shockwave through the rooftop.
The Iron Monger's power was monstrous. One punch forced Tony to a knee.
"Hahahaha! Tony! You're fast, but your armor's weaker than mine!"
"I studied your design — you know nothing about me!"
Tony gritted his teeth, chest heaving. "Yeah? Maybe not… but you'll never catch me."
He launched backward, repulsors flaring.
At that exact moment, the rooftop door burst open.
"Tony!" Pepper screamed.
Tony's heart skipped a beat — terrible timing.
"Hahaha! Tony, looks like God wants you dead!"
Obadiah raised his arm cannon, ready to fire.