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*****
"Look at how the President is handling this. He actually just found some colorful War Machine!"
"Same armor, just painted red, white, and blue. The military even named it 'Iron Patriot,' just in case people didn't know those were the colors of the flag!"
"What we need is the Knight of Punishment, we need Iron Man. They are the ones who can deal with this Mandarin, not some 'Iron Patriot'!"
"I strongly suspect the Knight of Punishment is behind this. Only he could pull this off. That Mandarin is probably just what he looks like under the armor. He's finally revealing his true ambitions."
Fini flipped through the television channels, watching various media outlets express dissatisfaction with the President or call for him to come out and help. Of course, there was no shortage of those taking the opportunity to smear him.
Since the Battle of New York, although the alien influence had been suppressed, New Yorkers were well aware of how the world had changed. This made them exceptionally calm—almost indifferent—toward this latest terrorist threat.
Turning off the TV, Fini got up to discuss the matter with Tony. Rhodey alone wouldn't be able to defeat Killian; in fact, even Killian's subordinates would be a handful for him.
Arriving at Tony's villa, Fini found that he wasn't there. After a quick phone call, he learned Tony wasn't in New York at all, but was currently with Rhodey—the very man the media had been mocking on television.
"Rhodey, huh!? Is he satisfied with that 'Iron Patriot' nickname?" Fini asked over the phone, his expression full of amusement.
"Well..." Tony glanced at a confused Rhodey beside him and smiled as he replied, "He thought 'War Machine' sounded a bit too aggressive, so he seems to quite like this one."
"Hahaha!"
Fini couldn't help but laugh. For a man who wanted to pack an entire armory onto his back to claim his armor was "too aggressive" was simply ridiculous.
Rhodey, realizing Tony was speaking to a close friend, expressed his slight dissatisfaction with the answer. "That was the result of a focus group. Plenty of people like it."
Sensing that Tony and Rhodey were likely discussing the Mandarin, Fini decided to join them. "Where are you guys now?"
"You're coming over?" Tony was surprised. He gave Fini their current coordinates.
Soon, a ring of fire sparked into existence beside the two men. Clad in 'Incursio', Fini stepped through the portal, instantly sending the surrounding diners into a frenzy of excitement.
"It's the Knight of Punishment!"
"Oh my god! I'm seeing Iron Man and the Knight of Punishment at the same time!"
"Wow, it's really him! He's real!"
Fortunately, there was a reason Tony and Rhodey had chosen this meeting spot. Although the crowd was ecstatic, no one rushed forward to harass them.
"Long time no see, Rhodey!"
Fini offered a greeting. When they first met, the two had gotten along quite well. Since Rhodey was one of Tony's most trusted friends, they had crossed paths occasionally at the villa.
However, between Fini's half-year stint on Vormir, the Battle of New York upon his return, and his busy graduation schedule, it had been a while since they last saw each other.
"Long time no see!"
Rhodey stood up happily and gave Fini a hug. He knew Fini's true identity, but in this public setting, he knew better than to use his name.
Tony watched the crowd—which was now significantly more excited than when he had first arrived—and felt a twinge of annoyance that his popularity seemed to be eclipsed by Fini's. "What brings you here so suddenly?"
Fini pulled out a chair and sat down. Instead of answering, he asked, "Were you two discussing the Mandarin?"
"You know about him?"
Tony's expression turned serious. He had been talking with Rhodey for a while and knew that the Mandarin had been responsible for far more than just three bombings. The most critical issue was that, so far, no traces of explosives had been found at any of the scenes.
"Did you forget what I told you before?"
Fini shot Tony a glance. He had thought that by giving Tony a head start, Killian would have been found quickly. He hadn't expected the Mandarin to surface regardless.
"Extremis!?"
Tony froze, the memory of Fini's warning clicking into place. A look of realization dawned on his face. "No wonder they can't find the bombs!"
"You guys know what's going on?" Rhodey perked up, looking between the two. From their dialogue, it sounded like they knew exactly how the explosions were being triggered.
"Let's talk at my place," Tony said, looking around. This wasn't the safest place for such a conversation.
"Agreed." Rhodey stood up immediately. With the President's public promises weighing on him, he was desperate to solve this case and prove himself.
"I just got here!" Fini muttered, slightly speechless. But seeing Rhodey's urgent expression, he didn't argue. With a flick of his wrist, he carved a portal in front of them.
The crowd gasped in awe once more.
"Jarvis, we're leaving."
"Yes, sir."
Tony spoke into his phone. The armor that had been standing guard at the shop entrance walked inside under Jarvis's control.
Though it wasn't the first time Rhodey had seen a portal, it was his first time attempting to step through one. Amidst his anticipation, he felt a flicker of doubt. "If I used water, could I put these sparks out?"
"It's energy, not fire," Fini replied, exasperated. Seeing Tony and the armor pass through, he prompted Rhodey, "Get moving!"
Rhodey obeyed and stepped through. Fini waved a hand to the cheering, reluctant crowd before stepping through himself and closing the gate.
Once they reached Tony's villa, Fini deactivated 'Incursio'. Since Rhodey had already seen his face, there was no need for secrecy.
"This is incredibly convenient," Rhodey remarked, marvelling at how they had suddenly arrived at the villa. "If you're hungry, you don't even need delivery. Just open a circle and you're there."
Fini rolled his eyes and sat on the sofa. "So, how are you currently planning to handle this Mandarin?"
"That's a military secret," Rhodey replied, shaking his head and choosing not to disclose the details.
"Fine. When you get captured, don't expect me to come save you," Fini shot back, leaning back. He remembered that there was a mole in the military working for Killian; Rhodey's plans were likely compromised before they even started.
Rhodey's expression turned conflicted. After a moment's thought, he asked, "What exactly is this 'Extremis' you mentioned?"
Fini mimicked Rhodey's earlier tone and answered solemnly, "That's an internal secret."
Meanwhile, Tony had pulled up data on the various bombing sites. After analyzing the information and cross-referencing it with his recent research on Extremis, he was certain the virus was the cause.
The realization infuriated him. Extremis was injected into the human body. This meant there were no traditional bombs—only human ones.
"Alright, the military found some leads on one of their outposts. We should have results soon, and then it'll be my turn to head out," Rhodey confessed, finally spilling the "military secret."
"It's likely a trap," Fini said, shaking his head. He looked over at Tony, who was approaching with a grim face. "What is it?"
"It was definitely caused by Extremis," Tony said, looking at Rhodey as he explained. "They don't have bombs. They're using human bombs."
(End of Chapter)