After Tony's kidnapping and harrowing escape from the Ten Rings, he returned to the States a changed man. The experience had left a deep impact on him, and it was not just the physical toll. The revelation that Stark Industries' weapons were being used by terrorists—gnawed at him constantly.
As Tony secluded himself in his Malibu mansion, he became obsessed with building something better—something that could redeem his mistakes and protect the world from the chaos his own inventions had caused. Thus, in the solitude of his workshop, Tony began work on a new project: the Iron Man armor.
Weeks later
Tony had been working tirelessly, and after many sleepless nights, the Mark II armor was taking shape. This wasn't just about a weapon anymore—it was about something far more personal. Every bolt, wire, and circuit was meticulously crafted by his hands, a reflection of his desire to regain control over his life and legacy.
And today, after returning from his own party where he wasn't invited, Tony watched the news. The news that reporter promised to him, he watched as his creation wreak havocs, as Tony tightened the last bolt on the gauntlet of his suit, he remembered Dave's gift—the Gauntlet of Hellfire. He hadn't yet fully grasped its potential, but now it was meticulously fitted into his own armor's gauntlets. According to Jarvis, the power source within the gauntlet was stronger than the entire armor, and the firepower it unleashed could melt rock in just a few seconds of sustained burst.
"Jarvis, power up the suit for a full diagnostic," Tony commanded, his voice filled with wrath as the more he watched the news.
"As you wish, sir," Jarvis replied, and the whirring of the suit's internal systems hummed to life.
Tony slipped into the suit, feeling the familiar weight settle over him. It was heavier than the original armor he had built in captivity, but this one was refined—sleek and capable of far more than just survival. He flexed his hands, watching the gauntlets respond in perfect synchronization with his movements.
The dragon-maw-like gauntlets activated, their "eyes" glowing ominously as they came to life. Along his whole arms, the gauntlets extended, and with each flex, Tony felt the surge of new strength coursing through him. He clenched and unclenched his fists, feeling the immense power at his command.
"Let's see what this baby can do," Tony muttered, stepping forward, eager to test the full extent of his upgraded armor.
And soon he took off, testing his creation.
Meanwhile, at Stark Industries
Obadiah had been watching Tony's every move since his return. He knew Tony was up to something, but even he couldn't have predicted what his former protégé was creating. The Iron Man project remained a secret, known only to Tony, Pepper, and a few trusted allies.
Obadiah had his own plans. He was still furious that Tony had announced the cessation of weapons manufacturing, a decision that had sent the company's stock into a tailspin. Worse yet, Tony had survived the kidnapping—something Obadiah had not accounted for.
Back in his office, Obadiah clenched his fists. "If Tony won't run this company the way it should be, then I'll have to take matters into my own hands," he muttered darkly.
He had began his own covert project, commissioning a group of engineers to reverse-engineer the Mark I armor Tony had left behind in the desert. The Iron Monger armor was going to be his answer, his way of taking back control.
Back at Tony's Mansion
After running countless tests and tweaking the suit's systems, Tony stood in front of his large panoramic window overlooking the Pacific Ocean. He could feel the weight of everything—his responsibilities, his company, his past mistakes—but now, in this armor, he felt hope for the future.
"Jarvis, begin the navigation," Tony ordered, stepping into position as the thrusters on his feet and hands came to life. The hum of energy vibrated through the suit, and for the first time, Tony felt truly powerful—not because of a weapon, but because he was in control.
He launched himself into the air, bursting through the roof of his workshop and soaring into the night sky. The thrill of flight overtook him, and for a brief moment, all of his worries faded. The wind roared around him, and as he climbed higher and higher, Tony grinned.
"Jarvis, lets go and get rid of our past toys"
"As you wish, Sir, " Jarvis replied as he showed him the path towards the terrorist.
Meanwhile, Dave watched the news
Sitting calmly in his luxurious penthouse, Dave smiled faintly as he saw a clip of Tony Stark flying through the night sky on the news. It was all going according to plan.
He knew that once Tony embraced his role as Iron Man, the world would change. The world of Marvel will took a deep dive in a mystery world as one by one the world everyone felt was normal will shift to abnormal direction.
"Well, Tony," Dave muttered to himself, "I wonder how you will use my little gift."
Dave turned off the TV and headed to bed, accompanied by Trish. Before they slept, she made him engage in a bit of "exercise," a playful way to unwind. The next morning, as he flipped on the TV, he was greeted by breaking news: mass destruction in Afghanistan, caused by a man in a robotic suit of armor.
The world was buzzing. Everyone, from governments to tech companies, scrambled to uncover the identity of the person responsible for this new technology. The Iron Man suit was now at the center of global attention.
Meanwhile, Obadiah sat in his office, watching the same news. His eyes narrowed as he recognized the tech. Fury rising within him, he slammed his fist into his desk, shattering the monitor in a fit of rage. "Tony... now you're hiding things from me," he muttered, seething at the thought of his protégé keeping such a powerful invention to himself.
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