**Stark Mansion Workshop - The Next Morning**
Tony woke to the smell of coffee and the sound of Harry arguing with JARVIS about physics.
"—but that's assuming Newtonian mechanics apply, which they clearly don't when you're dealing with arc reactor energy—"
"Mr. Potter, with respect, I've been calculating arc reactor outputs for three years. The mathematics are quite settled."
"The mathematics are *wrong*. Or incomplete. You're not accounting for the quantum fluctuations that—"
"Good morning!" Tony announced, stumbling into the workshop in rumpled clothes and yesterday's despair. "Are we having a nerd fight? Because I need coffee before I can properly participate in nerd fights."
Harry turned, holding a cup that was probably his third of the morning. "Your AI is very confident about physics that I'm reasonably sure is incomplete."
"JARVIS is confident about everything. It's his primary programming trait." Tony accepted the coffee Harry handed him—perfect temperature, perfect strength, JARVIS had clearly been taking notes. "What are you arguing about?"
"Whether your father's theoretical element can actually be synthesized with current technology, or whether we need to account for dimensional bleed-through from—" Harry stopped. "Actually, that's probably not something I should explain before you've had caffeine."
"Dimensional bleed-through?" Tony's brain was already engaging despite the hangover. "You mean like... energy from other dimensions affecting our physics?"
"Something like that. The mystical arts operate on principles that overlap with but aren't identical to conventional science. Sometimes those principles interact in ways that change outcomes." Harry pulled up one of Howard's blueprints on the holographic display. "Your father was brilliant, but he was working with incomplete data. He didn't know about dimensional physics, about how energy behaves when reality gets flexible. But I do. And I think if we account for that—if we adjust his calculations slightly—we can actually make this work."
Tony stared at the blueprints, his mind already racing through implications. "You're saying magic and science overlap."
"I'm saying they're the same thing viewed from different angles. Magic is just applied physics using methods science hasn't catalogued yet." Harry gestured at the arc reactor equations. "Your arc reactor works by channeling energy in ways that conventional physics says shouldn't be possible. But it does work. Because you intuited something true about how energy behaves, even if you can't explain it in standard terms. Your father did the same thing with this element. He saw something true. We just need to figure out how to actually build it."
"Okay, I love this conversation. This is officially the best hangover I've ever had." Tony started pulling up more files, cross-referencing Howard's notes with modern particle physics. "JARVIS, start running simulations. Use Potter's dimensional bleed-through theory as a variable—"
"Sir, I don't have parameters for—"
"Make some up! Be creative! You're an artificial intelligence, this is what you're for!"
The workshop door opened. Natasha entered carrying breakfast—bagels, cream cheese, probably surveillance equipment disguised as condiments—and looking far too alert for someone who'd been up as late as they had.
"Good morning," she said, distributing food with professional efficiency. "Sleep well?"
"Barely slept," Harry admitted. "Too much thinking about physics and alchemically enhanced spies."
Natasha's smile was sharp. "Multitasking. Impressive."
Tony looked between them, eyes narrowing. "Did I miss something? Is there chemistry? There feels like there's chemistry. When did chemistry happen?"
"No chemistry," Harry and Natasha said simultaneously, which made Tony's grin widen.
"Definitely chemistry. Noted. Moving on—" He activated the holographic display, pulling up the film reel data. "So, my dad left me a message. Hidden in a blooper reel from his 1974 Stark Expo promotional material. Because apparently leaving important scientific breakthroughs in easily accessible formats was too straightforward."
"What kind of message?" Natasha asked, immediately professional.
"The 'I couldn't do this but you can' variety. Very inspiring. Slightly guilt-inducing. Peak Howard." Tony isolated a specific frame, zooming in. "He says the solution to my arc reactor problem isn't just theoretical. It's been sitting in plain sight for decades. He literally built a scale model of it and put it on display at the Expo."
"The diorama," Harry said, understanding clicking. "The original Stark Expo layout from 1974. That's not just a model."
"That's not just a model," Tony confirmed. "That's a molecular diagram. My father encoded the atomic structure of a new element into the architecture of his legacy project. He couldn't synthesize it with 1970s technology, so he left me a blueprint disguised as nostalgia." Tony's expression shifted—something complicated, emotional. "He was limited by the technology of his time, but he knew I wouldn't be. So he left me the answer. Trusted me to figure it out."
"That's..." Natasha paused. "Actually, it's kind of beautiful. In a needlessly complicated way."
"Howard Stark in a nutshell." Tony was already moving, grabbing keys, pulling on a jacket. "We need that diorama. It's at Stark Industries HQ. In storage. Probably covered in dust and regrets."
"We should call ahead," Harry suggested. "Give Pepper a warning."
"No time! We'll apologize with strawberries! She loves strawberries!"
"She's allergic to strawberries," Natasha said. "You gave her hives last time."
"That was one time! A learning experience!" But Tony was already heading for his garage. "Come on! Let's commit mild breaking and entering at my own company! It'll be therapeutic!"
---
**Stark Industries Headquarters - Forty Minutes Later**
They arrived in one of Tony's cars—something expensive and excessive that made absolutely no sense for a quick trip to downtown LA but was apparently necessary for Tony's self-image. Happy was waiting at the main entrance, looking like he'd been expecting them but wasn't happy about it.
"Mr. Stark," he said, professional and distant in a way that made Tony visibly flinch. "Ms. Potts is in a meeting. She asked that you wait in the lobby."
"Happy—"
"*Mr. Hogan*, sir. We're keeping things professional." But Happy's expression softened slightly when he saw Harry. "Mr. Potter. Good to see you. Heard you kept Tony from doing anything too catastrophically stupid last night."
"I tried my best. Results were mixed." Harry shook his hand. "How's Pepper?"
"Stressed. Angry. Trying to run a company while Tony has his meltdown. The usual." Happy glanced at Tony. "You brought strawberries?"
Tony held up a basket, looking vaguely proud of himself. "Peace offering. Very thoughtful of me."
"She's allergic to strawberries, boss."
"I—what? Since when?"
"Since always. You've given her hives twice. She's mentioned it at least seventeen times." Happy took the basket. "I'll get rid of these. Maybe try actual apologizing instead of fruit-based gestures."
He disappeared into the building, leaving them in the lobby surrounded by corporate steel and glass.
"I'm a terrible person," Tony muttered.
"You're a work in progress," Harry corrected. "There's a difference."
Pepper appeared from the elevator bay—wearing power colors, heels that could be classified as weapons, and an expression that suggested she'd been preparing this conversation for hours.
"Tony." Her voice was professionally cold. "You destroyed your house, fought Rhodes in weaponized suits, and had a complete breakdown in front of the entire industry. I've spent the last twelve hours doing damage control while you were presumably sleeping off your poor decisions."
"I was actually synthesizing impossible elements, but I understand your point—"
"I don't want to hear it." But her expression softened when she saw Harry. "Harry. Thank you for keeping him alive. I know that's not your job, but I appreciate it anyway."
"Anytime. He's growing on me. Like mold, but well-intentioned mold."
"Hey!" Tony protested.
Pepper almost smiled. "What do you need? And please tell me it doesn't involve more property damage."
"We need the 1974 Stark Expo diorama. The one from storage. The big one. It's actually vitally important for curing my terminal illness, which I realize sounds dramatic but is genuinely true." Tony had the grace to look sheepish. "Also, I'm sorry. For everything. For being self-destructive, for pushing you away, for not trusting you to help. You deserved better."
Pepper was quiet for a long moment, studying him. "You're actually apologizing. Without deflecting or making jokes."
"I'm trying a new thing. It's very uncomfortable."
"Good. Be uncomfortable. You've earned it." But she was already moving toward the elevator. "The diorama's in sub-level storage. I'll authorize access. But Tony? This is your last chance. Fix yourself. Actually fix yourself. Because I can't watch you destroy yourself anymore. It's too hard."
"I will. I promise. Harry's helping. He's very good at keeping me focused and alive. It's his superpower."
"I thought his superpower was the magical armor."
"That's his other superpower. He's very talented."
They descended into the storage levels—concrete and fluorescent lighting, boxes stacked with decades of Stark Industries history. The diorama sat in the corner, covered by a tarp, exactly as impressive and absurd as Harry expected.
It was massive. Ten feet by ten feet at minimum, a miniature cityscape of the 1974 Stark Expo in meticulous detail. Buildings, walkways, landscaping—all frozen in tiny perfection.
Tony approached it with something like reverence. "He built this. My dad. Spent months getting every detail right. I always thought it was ego. Wanting to immortalize his achievement." He pulled off the tarp carefully. "Turns out it was a message. The most Howard Stark way possible to say 'I love you, here's a scientific breakthrough.'"
"Your father was complicated," Pepper said quietly.
"He really was." Tony was already photographing the diorama from every angle, JARVIS analyzing the spatial relationships. "Okay. JARVIS, map the atomic positions. Use the building placements as stand-ins for electron shells, the walkways as bonds. Treat the whole thing as a three-dimensional molecular diagram."
"Processing, sir. This is... actually quite elegant. The positioning suggests a stable heavy element, possibly period seven, with an unusual electron configuration that—" JARVIS paused, which was unsettling given he was an AI. "Sir, this would theoretically be stable. And produce energy output several orders of magnitude beyond conventional arc reactor cores."
"How many orders of magnitude?"
"Conservatively? Fourteen thousand percent more efficient."
Tony went very still. "Dad, you absolute madman. You didn't just solve arc reactor poisoning. You invented an infinite energy source and left it hidden in a model train set."
"Can you build it?" Harry asked.
"Can I build it? Potter, we're going to build it in my basement using components from a hardware store and spite. It's going to be beautiful." Tony was already moving, carefully loading the diorama onto a cart. "Pepper, I need to take this. For science. And my continued survival."
"Take it. Just... please be careful? Both with the element and with yourself?" Pepper touched his arm—brief, professional, but genuine. "I don't want to lose you, Tony. Even when you're insufferable."
"I know. I'll try not to die. Or explode. Or do anything that requires international incident reports."
They loaded the diorama into Tony's car—a process that involved careful spatial calculations and Harry using subtle magic to make it fit where it physically shouldn't.
"Did you just use magic to expand my trunk?" Tony asked as they drove back.
"Your trunk was already plenty large. I just convinced reality it was slightly larger than previously thought."
"That's terrifying and I love it."
Natasha, who'd been quiet during the entire Stark Industries visit, finally spoke. "So now what? You build a particle accelerator in your basement?"
"Exactly that! We're going to need industrial equipment, shielding, probably some components that are technically illegal without proper permits—"
"I'll handle the permits," Natasha said. "SHIELD can expedite things. Fury will complain, but he wants you alive and stable. This serves that goal."
"Fury wants me alive because I'm useful," Tony corrected. "But I'll take it. Enlightened self-interest is better than no interest."
Back at the mansion, they unloaded the diorama into the workshop—which was when they hit their first actual problem.
"The particle accelerator needs to be at least forty feet long," JARVIS announced. "Current workshop dimensions are insufficient by approximately fifteen feet."
"We could tear down walls," Tony suggested.
"Or," Harry said, raising his hand. Golden light bloomed, intricate patterns forming. The workshop's walls shimmered, and suddenly the space was larger. Not by moving walls or breaking through to adjacent rooms—the interior had just expanded while the exterior remained unchanged.
Tony walked the perimeter, running his hands along walls that shouldn't exist. "You just... made more space. Inside the same footprint. That's dimensionally impossible."
"Not impossible. Just operating on different rules. The mystic arts let you bend spatial relationships. I've essentially created a pocket dimension that overlaps with your workshop. From outside, nothing changed. From inside, we've got the space we need." Harry lowered his hands. "It'll hold for several weeks, plenty of time to build your accelerator."
"Okay, that's officially the coolest thing anyone's ever done in my workshop. Including my own inventions. I'm both impressed and slightly jealous." Tony was already mapping the new space, planning equipment placement. "JARVIS, new workshop dimensions. Let's design this beautiful disaster."
Natasha left to handle permits and supplies, leaving Harry and Tony to start the actual construction. What followed were three days of focused intensity that felt like both the longest and shortest period of Harry's recent life.
Tony worked with manic energy now that he had hope—brilliant, scattered, pulling thirty-hour shifts before Harry forced him to sleep. JARVIS coordinated deliveries, ran simulations, and occasionally made dry observations about Tony's coffee consumption reaching "concerning medical levels."
Harry helped where he could—using magic to stabilize equipment, to make precision cuts that would've required industrial tools, to hold components in place while Tony welded them together. They fell into an easy rhythm, trading jokes and physics theories and comfortable silence.
Natasha returned periodically with supplies and updates. She brought Chinese food at two AM, sat with them while they assembled electromagnetic coils, asked questions about the mystical arts that were clearly intelligence gathering but felt more like genuine curiosity.
"So when you expand space," she asked, watching Harry adjust the particle accelerator's focusing array, "where does the extra space come from?"
"Technically? It was always there. Reality has more dimensions than the ones we perceive. I'm just accessing space that exists in those other dimensions and making it available in this one." Harry tightened a bolt with a gesture, telekinesis making the wrench unnecessary. "It's like... imagine a house. Most people see three dimensions—length, width, height. But the house also exists in time, in quantum probability, in multiple dimensional axes you can't perceive. I'm reaching into those other axes and borrowing space from them temporarily."
"That makes my brain hurt," Tony said from underneath the accelerator assembly. "But in a good way. The kind of hurt that means I'm learning something that breaks my previous understanding of physics."
"Everything breaks previous understanding of physics if you look at it long enough," Natasha observed. "That's the whole point of science. Question, test, revise, repeat."
"See, you get it! Romanoff gets it! Potter, we're keeping her."
"I'm not a pet, Stark."
"No, you're a highly trained intelligence operative who could probably kill me seventeen different ways. But you're also helpful and you bring excellent Chinese food, so the net result is positive."
On the third day, the particle accelerator was complete. It stretched across the expanded workshop space—a beautiful, terrifying construction of copper coils, electromagnetic shielding, and Tony Stark's absolute refusal to accept the word "impossible."
"JARVIS," Tony said, standing before his creation. "Power up the accelerator. Let's make history. Or a crater. Either way, very exciting."
"Sir, I should note that synthesizing a new element carries substantial risk. If the calculations are incorrect, we could trigger a cascading reaction that—"
"Destroys everything in a three-block radius, yes, I'm aware. Hence why I asked Potter to reinforce the shielding with magic earlier."
Harry had indeed spent the previous evening layering protective wards over the workshop—enough that even a catastrophic failure would be contained. Probably. Magic was somewhat unpredictable when combined with experimental particle physics.
"Everyone clear?" Tony asked. "No one standing in the blast radius? Romanoff, you should probably leave. No reason for SHIELD to lose an agent over my science experiment."
"I'm staying," Natasha said. "Someone needs to file the incident report if this goes wrong."
"Your confidence is inspiring."
Tony activated the accelerator.
The copper coils hummed with building energy. Electromagnetic fields aligned, focusing particle streams toward the central chamber where Tony had placed a small triangular assembly—the new arc reactor core, waiting to be born.
The air tasted like ozone and possibility.
"Particle injection in three... two... one..."
A beam of pure energy lanced across the workshop, concentrated reality itself made visible. It struck the triangular core, and for a moment, nothing happened.
Then everything happened.
Light erupted from the core—not the blue-white of Tony's current arc reactor, but something new. Something that cycled through colors that didn't have names, that made Harry's magical senses scream with recognition of power that shouldn't exist.
"JARVIS!" Tony shouted over the accelerator's roar. "Containment holding?"
"Barely, sir! The energy output is exceeding predictions by four hundred percent! I strongly recommend—"
"Don't care! Keep it going! We're almost there!"
Harry felt the Hallows respond—not threatened, but interested. The Resurrection Stone pulsed against his chest, recognizing something about this new element. Life energy? Creation energy? Something that touched on fundamental forces the Stone understood instinctively.
The core stabilized. The light condensed, solidified, became a perfect triangle of crystalline energy that pulsed with gentle, infinite power.
Tony shut down the accelerator.
Silence fell, broken only by cooling metal and their collective breathing.
"Did we just..." Natasha started.
"Create a new element? Yes. Yes we absolutely did." Tony approached the core with reverent care, using magnetic handling tools to remove it from the chamber. "JARVIS, analysis?"
"The element is stable, sir. Energy output is consistent with theoretical predictions. No radioactive decay, no destabilization. It's... perfect. Your father was correct. This is a stable superheavy element that shouldn't exist according to conventional physics, but demonstrably does."
"What are you going to call it?" Harry asked.
Tony was quiet for a moment, holding the glowing core. "Badassium," he said finally.
"You're not calling it Badassium," Natasha said.
"Fine. Killjoy. What about... Howardium? After my dad?"
"Better. More dignified." Harry studied the element, feeling its energy. "It's beautiful. Really beautiful. Your father would be proud."
"Yeah." Tony's voice was rough. "Yeah, I think he would be. Took me forty years and a magical immortal wizard, but I finally finished what he started." He carefully installed the new core into a fresh arc reactor assembly. "Moment of truth. Let's see if this actually cures palladium poisoning or if we just made a very expensive nightlight."
He placed the new reactor against his chest. There was a mechanical click as it locked into place, and then—
The light changed. The sickly blue-white of palladium poisoning became clear, clean white-blue. Healthy. Stable.
"JARVIS, blood toxicity levels?"
"Dropping rapidly, sir. Palladium concentration decreasing to negligible levels. Cardiovascular function improving. Neural pathways stabilizing. You're going to live, Mr. Stark."
Tony stood there for a long moment, hand over his new arc reactor, feeling his body heal in real-time.
Then he laughed—loud, relieved, slightly hysterical. "I'm not dying! I'm actually not dying! Potter, we did it! We actually did it!"
"You did it," Harry corrected. "I just helped with the magic bits."
"The magic bits were critical! This is a team victory! Science and sorcery working together to tell death to fuck off!" Tony grabbed Harry in a hug that was probably too enthusiastic for someone who'd just undergone rapid biological healing. "Thank you. Seriously. Thank you for helping me, for believing I could solve this, for not giving up on me even when I was being insufferable."
"You're always insufferable. That's your default state." But Harry returned the hug. "I'm glad you're not dying. The world needs Tony Stark. And I... I'm glad we're friends."
"Friends! Yes! We're friends! Magical immortal wizard and genius billionaire, best friendship of the century, someone should write a book!" Tony released him, turning to Natasha. "You're witnessing history! Mark this down in your SHIELD report! The day Tony Stark invented a new element and stopped dying! It's going in the biography!"
Natasha was smiling—genuine, unguarded. "Congratulations, Tony. Really. You earned this."
"I really did. I earned the hell out of not dying." He was already moving toward his armor assembly area. "JARVIS, start fabricating a new suit. Mark VI, incorporate the new arc reactor, increase power output by—what did you say, four hundred percent? Make it five hundred. I want to *fly*."
"Sir, perhaps you should rest? Your body is still healing—"
"Resting is for people who aren't running on pure adrenaline and vindication! I'm going to build a new suit, call Rhodey and apologize, grovel to Pepper, and then probably sleep for sixteen hours! It's going to be great!"
Harry's phone rang. He glanced at the screen—Master Daniel.
"Hello?"
"How did it go? Did Stark successfully synthesize an impossible element, or did you have to contain a catastrophic explosion?"
"Successfully synthesized. He's currently experiencing the manic joy of not dying. It's very loud."
"Good. The Ancient One was monitoring. She's pleased. Says this timeline is proceeding optimally." Daniel paused. "Also, we have a problem. Ivan Vanko isn't dead. He's working with Justin Hammer. They're planning something at the Stark Expo. Soon. Possibly tonight."
Harry's stomach dropped. "How soon is soon?"
"SHIELD intercepted communications. Vanko's weaponized Hammer's drone program. Remote control, arc reactor power, military-grade targeting. He's planning to attack the Expo with Rhodes's stolen armor and approximately forty combat drones. Casualties could be catastrophic."
"Shit. Tony just cured himself. He's not going to want to hear this."
"Then don't tell him. Just be ready. The Crimson Knight's about to make his second public appearance. Try not to destroy too much of the Expo. Property damage reports are a nightmare."
The line went dead.
Harry turned to find Tony and Natasha both watching him.
"That was a very concerned expression," Tony said. "What's wrong?"
"Ivan Vanko. He's not dead. He's working with Justin Hammer, and he's planning to attack the Stark Expo. Tonight. With weaponized drones and Rhodes's armor."
Tony went very still. "You're sure?"
"SHIELD intercepted communications. My organization confirmed it." Harry let the armor begin manifesting—not full transformation yet, but ready. "You just cured yourself. You're at full power for the first time in months. And we're about to walk into a fight that's going to be very public, very dangerous, and probably broadcast on every news channel in the country."
"So, standard Tuesday." But Tony's expression had shifted—no more manic joy, just focused determination. "JARVIS, how long until the Mark VI is operational?"
"Current fabrication estimates nine hours, sir."
"Make it three. Prioritize mobility and energy output. We're going to war." Tony was already pulling up schematics, optimizing designs. "Romanoff, contact SHIELD. Tell Fury we need tactical support at the Expo. Evacuation protocols, emergency response, the works. Potter—"
"Already planning to suit up. The Crimson Knight and Iron Man, saving the day together. Very superheroic. Your fans will love it."
"Our fans," Tony corrected. "We're a team now. Partners. Avengers—wait, is that a good team name? Make a note, JARVIS. 'Avengers' as potential superhero team designation."
"Noted, sir. Though I should point out you currently have exactly one other superhero as a teammate."
"Details! We'll recruit more later! Right now, we've got to stop a mad Russian physicist from killing thousands of people with my own technology!" Tony was moving through the workshop like a whirlwind, gathering equipment, adjusting suit parameters. "This is either going to be the greatest moment of my career or the worst. Possibly both."
"Those aren't mutually exclusive," Harry observed.
"Exactly! You get it! This is why we're friends!"
Natasha was already on her phone, voice clipped and professional as she coordinated with SHIELD. Harry heard her mention Director Fury, tactical teams, evacuation procedures.
This was happening. Really happening.
Three hours later, as the sun set over California and the Stark Expo prepared for its evening showcase, Tony stood in his new armor—the Mark VI, gleaming with fresh paint and powered by an element that shouldn't exist.
"How do I look?" he asked, helmet retracting.
"Like a man who just told death to fuck off and meant it," Harry said. He let his own armor manifest fully—the Armor of Agamotto in all its crimson glory, spiked pauldrons and amber eyes, the Deathly Hallows symbol blazing on his chest. "Ready?"
"I've been dying for months. I synthesized a new element this morning. I'm about to fight a revenge-driven physicist with an army of killer robots. I've never been more ready for anything in my life." Tony's faceplate slid closed. "Let's go save the Expo. Again. Apparently that's just what we do now."
They flew—Tony with his repulsors, Harry with the armor's mystical flight—streaking across the Los Angeles sky toward the Expo grounds that were about to become a battlefield.
Below them, thousands of people gathered for an evening of entertainment and innovation, completely unaware of the danger descending.
"JARVIS," Tony said as they approached. "Status on Hammer's presentation?"
"Currently in progress, sir. Mr. Hammer is introducing his drone fleet. Colonel Rhodes is present in the weaponized Mark II—now designated War Machine by the Air Force. No hostile action yet, but Mr. Vanko's signature is active in the system. He has remote access."
"How long until he activates?"
"Unknown, sir. But based on dramatic timing and his psychological profile, I'd estimate shortly after maximum crowd attendance is achieved."
"Of course. Can't have a proper terrorist attack without an audience." Tony's voice hardened. "Potter, when this starts, protect the civilians. I'll handle Vanko and the drones. We're not letting anyone die tonight. Not on our watch."
"Agreed." Harry's armor pulsed with readiness. "Let's show them what heroes look like."
They descended into the Expo just as Justin Hammer took the stage, all showmanship and spray tan, presenting his military drones like they were the future of warfare.
Which, Harry reflected, they might be.
Just not in the way Hammer intended.
---
**Stark Expo - Main Stage**
Justin Hammer was in his element—literally center stage, spotlights blazing, crowd of thousands hanging on his every word. He'd waited years for this moment, to upstage Tony Stark, to prove Hammer Industries could innovate, could build the future.
The irony that he was about to facilitate mass slaughter wasn't lost on Harry, watching from the sky.
"—the future of combat!" Hammer was announcing, gesturing to the rows of sleek military drones arranged in formation. "Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines—each branch gets its own specialized unit! And leading them—" He pointed dramatically to Rhodes, standing in the weaponized Mark II, now painted in military colors and bristling with enough armament to level a building. "War Machine! The Iron Man armor, perfected for military application!"
The crowd roared approval.
Rhodes looked uncomfortable even behind the helmet, clearly aware something was wrong but unable to pinpoint what.
"Tony," Harry said quietly through their comm channel. "Vanko's signature just spiked. He's activating now."
"I see it. Rhodes, if you can hear me—get out of there. Vanko's got control of your suit. You're about to become his puppet—"
Rhodes's helmet snapped toward Tony's position, movements jerky and unnatural. His weapons systems activated—every gun, missile, and cannon swiveling to target Iron Man.
"Oh shit," Rhodes's voice came through, strained. "Tony, I can't—I'm not controlling this—"
The drones activated simultaneously. Forty units, weapons hot, targeting systems locking onto the crowd.
Panic erupted instantly.
Thousands of people screaming, running, trampling each other in their desperation to escape. Parents grabbing children, security trying to maintain order, complete chaos unfolding in seconds.
Harry dropped from the sky like a crimson meteor.
He landed between the drones and the fleeing crowd, and the Armor of Agamotto *sang*. Golden shields erupted around him—not the delicate mandalas he practiced, but massive constructs of pure force, hemispherical barriers that could've contained explosions.
"Everyone run!" he shouted, voice magically amplified. "Away from the stage! Find the exits! SHIELD teams are waiting outside to evacuate!"
The drones opened fire.
Bullets, missiles, energy weapons—all converging on Harry's position. The shields held, absorbing impact after impact, the armor's power cycling through the attacks like they were rain.
But the drones were smart. They split formation, flanking, trying to get around his defenses to reach the crowd.
Harry opened portals.
Not to escape—to redirect. Portal discs appearing in front of drone weapons, paired exits opening to aim those same weapons back at their sources. Drones firing missiles that traveled through impossible space to hit other drones.
"Creative!" Tony's voice came through the chaos. He was engaging War Machine directly, trying to disable Rhodes without hurting him. "But you're fighting forty-to-one! You need help!"
"Then help faster!" Harry caught a drone trying to flank him, grabbed it with telekinesis and threw it into three others. The armor was showing him attack patterns, predicting movements, making him faster than the drones could adapt. "How's Rhodes?"
"Locked out! Vanko's got complete control! I need to physically disable his suit, which means getting close, which means—" Tony grunted as Rhodes's minigun spun up. "Which means dodging excessive ordinance! Little busy here!"
Harry's shields were holding, but barely. The drones had adapted, focusing fire on single points, trying to overload his defenses through sheer volume.
He needed to change tactics.
The Cloak of Invisibility—not the physical cloak, but the power integrated into his armor—activated. Harry vanished from sight and sensing, the drones' targeting systems losing lock immediately.
He moved through them like a ghost, invisible hands wrenching weapons from mounts, portals opening to dump drones into the Pacific Ocean, sometimes just punching through their chassis because the armor made him strong enough to crumple metal like paper.
Three drones down. Five. Ten.
But more kept coming, and Harry could sense Vanko's programming adapting, the AI learning from his tactics, distributing more units around the Expo to find civilians who hadn't evacuated fast enough.
"Tony!" Harry called. "We've got strays! Drones breaking formation, heading for the fairgrounds!"
"I see them!" Tony had finally gotten close to Rhodes, literally wrestling the War Machine armor mid-flight. "Rhodes, I'm going to rip out your control interface! This is going to hurt your suit but not you!"
"Do it! Just stop me before I kill someone!"
Harry took down two more drones, then felt his armor *scream* a warning.
Incoming threat. Massive energy signature. Something that made even the Hallows take notice.
He turned just in time to see Ivan Vanko.
Not the broken man from Monaco. This was Vanko 2.0—wearing a complete combat armor of his own design, powered by arc reactor technology he'd built from scratch, wielding energy whips that crackled with enough power to cut through buildings.
---
Hey fellow fanfic enthusiasts!
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Whether you loved it, hated it, or have some constructive criticism, your feedback is super important to me. Feel free to drop a comment or send me a message with your thoughts. Can't wait to hear from you!
If you're passionate about fanfiction and love discussing stories, characters, and plot twists, then you're in the right place! I've created a Discord (HHHwRsB6wd) server dedicated to diving deep into the world of fanfiction, especially my own stories. Whether you're a reader, a writer, or just someone who enjoys a good tale, I welcome you to join us for lively discussions, feedback sessions, and maybe even some sneak peeks into upcoming chapters, along with artwork related to the stories. Let's nerd out together over our favorite fandoms and explore the endless possibilities of storytelling!
Can't wait to see you there!