[Third Person's PoV]
After getting everything sorted, Tony and Melissa flew off to Tony's family home, where they found Maria waiting for them by the front entrance.
"Sorry for intruding," Melissa said, looking toward Maria apologetically.
Maria gave her a hug before kissing the top of her head. "Oh, nonsense. You should know I've long since seen you as my own daughter."
Melissa blushed at the attention Maria was giving her. Maria then looked teasingly toward Tony and Melissa. "Not to mention, when the two of you get married, you'll officially become my daughter-in-law."
Melissa covered her face in embarrassment while Tony rolled his eyes and shook his head as he walked past them into the house. Tony and Melissa then spent time with Maria, waiting for the time to leave.
---
A few hours earlier…
As Kurogiri headed to the Doctor to get treated, Taiyo appeared carrying some tools.
"So, Kurogiri couldn't get these cuffs off you?" Taiyo asked, raising an eyebrow.
Tomura slapped the cuffs onto the bar table. "THEY WOULD BE OFF IF HE COULD!!" he shouted, looking furious.
"Calm down. I was just asking a question... now, let's see here."
Taiyo began examining the cuffs, running his fingers along the material, trying to find a keyhole or opening. "That's weird…" he mumbled.
"What is it?" Tomura sighed.
"These... these don't have any openings, like they weren't meant to be opened." The tips of Taiyo's fingers began to pulse with electricity due to his quirk.
As Taiyo brought his fingers closer, an invisible energy was released, causing his quirk to dissipate.
"Fascinating…" Taiyo muttered, focusing his eye quirk on the cuffs in front of him.
"What? What is it?"
"How do I explain this in a way that makes sense? Different types of energy have different wavelengths. Whoever made these cuffs figured out the wavelength needed to disrupt quirks. And that's not all; it also disrupts the effects of quirks, which is why Kurogiri couldn't take them off you. It's honestly genius…" Taiyo said in awe.
"This thing you're praising was created by none other than Tony Stark, so keep praising it," Tomura scoffed.
Taiyo grimaced. "As much as I hate that kid, there's no denying his genius. I'd be a fool to deny it. But that's beside the point—"
"Enough talking! Get this thing off me!!" Tomura snapped.
"I was getting to the second problem," Taiyo continued. "From what I can tell, this thing only opens with a specific energy wavelength. So, figuring that out will be extremely difficult."
Tomura groaned in frustration and began smashing the cuffs against the bar table again, like a child throwing a tantrum. "If you can't use a quirk, then make something technological and blast this thing open!"
Taiyo tapped the cuffs and sighed. "These cuffs are extremely durable. Most of what I have, or could make, probably wouldn't work. I could try making a Molecule Disrupter, but it would take me about a month to build. So, you'll have to live with these for at least that long."
"A MONTH!? HELL NO!! I have things to do! Get them off now!!"
"Saiki…" All For One called out ominously. "I'll give you a week to figure it out…"
"A WEEK!? That's impossible! I'd have to go without sleep for days, which would only slow me down," Taiyo said, trying to reason with him.
"Make use of the gifts I've given you, Saiki... You have one week. I don't need to say more."
Taiyo clicked his tongue. "Alright, alright, no need to threaten me…" he grumbled, ruffling his hair in frustration.
"What!? Does that mean I'll be stuck like this for an entire week? That's bullshit!" Tomura shouted, repeatedly slamming the cuffs on the table, trying to break them off.
"Tomura…"
Hearing All For One call his name, Tomura froze.
"Think of this as punishment for losing to the heroes a second time," All For One said with amusement. "And Saiki, wait until Kurogiri recovers before you begin."
Tomura clicked his tongue and began sulking. "Now he's treating me like a little kid again…"
…
Present:
Tony and Melissa were now saying their goodbyes to Maria as they had to be on their way.
Maria hugged both of them dearly. "I'm going to miss you two while you're away."
Tony looked at Maria strangely. "We've been away from home for far longer. What are you on about?"
"Shhh, just let me have this moment," Maria whispered.
Tony rolled his eyes in exasperation before they both stepped back. They transformed into their hero suits and blasted off into the air. Maria waved them goodbye before heading back inside once they were out of sight.
They rapidly flew through the air, making their way to the location Star and Stripes had given them.
Soon, they arrived at what appeared to be a private airspace, where a private jet awaited them. Tony and Melissa slowly descended and saw Star and Stripes waiting for them.
"As usual, you two are punctual," Star said, nodding her head in appreciation.
"So, where's the President?" Tony asked, looking around in confusion.
"He's on his way as we speak—Ah, there they are," Star said, looking ahead where multiple cars appeared, with a limousine in the middle.
From one of the cars, a man dressed in all black with sunglasses and an earpiece stepped up and opened the door to the limousine.
Out came a man with thick black hair and a beard, wearing a tight three-piece suit that appeared snug due to his large frame and muscles. He adjusted his blazer before holding out his hand. A soft, delicate hand took his, and he helped a woman step out.
She was dressed in a beautiful green pencil skirt and formal wear. The man confidently approached them and nodded at Star and Stripes.
"Star," he said.
"Mr. President," Star nodded.
The President then turned to Tony and Melissa. "So, you must be the young Stark. As you may know, I'm Jonathan Steel, the President of the United States," he said, extending his hand to Tony.
A part of Tony's suit retracted from his hand as he shook the President's hand. "Tony Stark, the one and only," Tony smirked.
"Strong grip you've got there, son," Jonathan nodded, impressed.
"I could say the same about you, sir."
The President chuckled before turning to Melissa. "And you must be Ms. Shield. I've met your father once—he's a good man."
"Melissa Shield, sir, thank you," Melissa replied respectfully.
The President then placed a hand on the green-haired woman beside him. "This is my wife, Evelyn Steel. She'll be joining us during our travels, so please protect her as you would me," he said with a serious expression.
Tony gave a two-finger salute. "Leave it to us. She'll be in capable hands."
The President laughed boisterously while his wife, the First Lady, giggled behind her hand.
"From what I've seen and heard about you two, I don't doubt that," the President said, patting Tony's shoulder.
"Now then, let's get going. I want to get this over with as soon as possible," said the President.
As they were boarding the plane, Tony asked Star and Stripes, "So how are we going to do this? You could be inside with them while Melissa and I guard the plane from the outside?"
"That's not a bad idea. Sure, let's go with that," Star and Stripes agreed. "Keep me informed if you spot anything suspicious. This is important, so you can't act on your own. You won't have as much freedom as during the last mission."
"Yes, ma'am," Tony said, giving a two-finger salute once more. Star and Stripes nodded, satisfied, and headed inside the plane with the President, while Tony and Melissa floated off the ground.
The plane began to taxi down the runway, with Tony and Melissa flying alongside each wing. As the plane took off, they kept pace, ensuring the President's safety.
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