Inside the HQ
I drop the unconscious Basilisk, noticing that his skin turns back to its reptilian form as soon as he leaves my grasp. At least he is still unconscious for now.
Surveying my surroundings, I notice the eerie repetition of dozens of thugs stuck in a loop. Civilians, though terrified, continue to film the battle with their phones, capturing every moment of the chaos.
The environment is a chaotic mix of fear and fascination. I know I have to act fast to prevent the thugs from breaking free and causing more harm.
Hiding my hand behind my back within my cloak, I use my power Data Warping to create handcuffs.
These aren't ordinary handcuffs; they are the result of my research into Mutant Genetics and abilities. They are designed to suppress mutant powers, I cuff Basilisk hoping that these special handcuffs will provide some suppression for him, even though he isn't a mutant.
Rising up in the air with the help of my forcefield barrier, I fly towards the small stage with the unconscious Basilisk in hand, dropping him at a corner I use Metal Constructs and bind him tightly to a metal container.
I then fly towards each thug stuck in the time loop. With precision and efficiency, I reach them one by one, knocking them unconscious with a swift chop to the neck. The thugs are stuck in various different repeated motions: some shoving the air, others raising their weapons, and a few that keep shouting at empty air.
As I move through them, knocking each one out, the people around start to whisper and keep looking at me in awe.
"Did you see that?" one man murmurs, relief evident in his voice.
"He is incredible," another man exclaims, watching as I methodically take down the remaining threats.
"Look at his muscles," a woman whispers to her friend, her eyes wide with admiration. "He is so strong!"
"Do you think he's single?" another woman giggles, her phone capturing every moment.
With each thug I bring to the small stage, the noise in the crowd grows. Relief and excitement mix in their expressions. Men are visibly relieved, while women whisper to each other about my muscular frame and heroic actions.
I cuff each thug converting their own guns into handcuffs with the help of Metal Constructs. As I bring them back crowd gives me space, some afraid some still in awe of my powers and my golden-white suit.
For the Grey Gargoyle, I place him some distance away the others. The Anti-Mutant cuffs were also used on him and I also ensure that his right hand doesn't touch anything, I even go as far to tie his legs with metal bindings.
I then hover towards the Melter. Landing beside him, I first pick up his gun, attaching it to my belt with Metal constructs power, taking it as my trophy.
I lift the unconscious Melter and create another set of handcuffs with my Data Warping power. As I was using my invisible forcefield to rise up and move towards the stage, the black-haired woman who attacked the Melter looked on at me with gratitude.
"Thank you," she tries to say, her voice trembling with emotion. But I am already gone, focused on securing the last of the villains.
After cleaning everything up, I address the crowd. "The threat is dealt with. Please wait here patiently until the police arrive." My voice is calm and authoritative, offering reassurance. "Although there is still a small nuisance remaining" I murmur looking outside the building.
With that, I use my Invisible Forcefield to rise up and head towards the broken window, ready to assist Toni. Behind me, the crowd erupts into cheers and applause, people hugging and celebrating their safety.
"Wait!" The black-haired woman musters her courage and runs up to me.
As she is gazing up, she notices the prominent bulge in the hero's pants and blushes but still asks, "You saved me... Can you at least tell me your name?"
I hesitate, knowing I haven't settled on a hero name yet. "For now, think of me as a friend."
Someone else in the crowd calls out, "How did you make those thugs get stuck in a loop like that?"
I turn to face the crowd, a faint smile on my lips underneath the mask, "I can bend time to my will" I speak half truths and fly away, not wanting to tell them what my powers really are.
Pepper takes off her anti-cognitive mask and begins to arrange the crowd, ensuring things don't descend into chaos. She is worried about Lucas and Toni, but for now, she focuses on controlling the crowd.
---
As I descend from the building, I notice many security guards knocked out or frozen in stone, victims of the Grey Gargoyle's power. I even found Happy frozen in a corner, a hotdog halfway to his mouth. I know through D.A.I.S.Y. that this effects should wear off in an hour.
Flying out, I notice TV reporter vans outside the premises, packing up and heading towards the source of explosions and police sirens. Narrowing my eyes, I go straight towards the commotion, ready to handle Obadiah.
---
Outside the HQ
"You've got nothing, Obadiah," Toni taunts, her voice cold and cutting. "No innovation, no legacy. Even right now, you are wearing a stolen suit!"
Obadiah's face contorts with rage inside his helmet. "I will show you who has got nothing," he roars as another compartment opens up behind his suit.
A warhead emerges, guided by a laser targeting system that Toni instantly recognizes as one she had designed. Her eyes widen in horror as she realizes the imminent danger.
The laser-guided missile locks onto her and zooms straight toward her.
"Impact in three seconds, Miss Stark," Jarvis calm yet urgent voice warns her of the incoming threat, but Toni is already bracing herself behind her shield, gritting her teeth.
BOOM!
The explosion is massive, shaking the ground and sending a shockwave through the surrounding area. Fire and smoke billow into the sky as the warhead impacts her shield, shredding it to pieces. Her Mk-III armor, already weakened, is utterly decimated. Toni is blown back, her body slamming into the ground with bone-jarring force.
From afar, the onlookers who had been filming the battle scream in terror as the explosion rocks the street. Some drop their phones, while others scramble for cover.
As the dust begins to settle, the road is littered with debris and the remains of Toni's once-formidable armour. She struggles to sit up, gasping and writhing in pain. Her HUD is completely shattered, rendering her helmet useless. With great difficulty, she removes it to see clearly.
Obadiah, seeing her still alive, smiles with sadistic pleasure. "You know the first thing I will do after taking over your company," he says as he strides toward her. "I will remove the filthy Stark name from it and rename it to Stane International!"
He pauses as he reaches her, the massive mech suit towering her. "You know your father was correct about you Toni, you were always a disappointment!"
As he prepares to use his minigun on her, Toni looks up at him with anger in her eyes. She hasn't given up yet! Despite her broken armour, she still has the bracelet Luke gave her, which can tank some hits.
Toni hopes that her right gauntlet is still operational, as she lifts her hand in a final effort to strike back.
---
Just then, I arrive at the scene, hovering in the air using my forcefield barrier. The sight of Toni's battered form fills me with a mix of shock and rage. I know I have to act promptly.
Several options race through my mind:
Forcefield Envelopment: Envelop Toni in a protective barrier and pull her away from Obadiah, I can even make her invisible to him.
Leave Toni be: I think that Toni can handle herself; leave her be as I focus on attack.
Surprise Attack: Use my invisibility and attack Obadiah from above, floating silently towards him with my forcefield.
Anti-Force Rocket: Utilize my anti-gravity power and a forcefield push to rapidly launch myself at Obadiah like a rocket, closing the distance in seconds.
Ground Rush: Land on the ground and charge at him directly, using my superhuman speed and strength to engage him up close.
Metal Constructs: Upon reaching him, use my Metal Constructs power to manipulate metal and turn his armour into a useless pile of scrap.
Physical Assault: Simply pummel him with my fists, relying on my strength.
Forcefield Blast: Maintain my distance and use a powerful forcefield blast to damage his suit.
Holy Fire Magic: Attack him with Holy fire from far away.
Angelic Spark - Thunder's Whisper: Call down a small thundercloud to strike him with lightning.
Melter's Gun: Lets see how effective the Melter's weapon I acquired earlier is, use it to melt Obadiah's armor.
I think that the best option is to reach him and use my metal constructs power to end this fight decisively.