Harry Potter: Iron Magician
Interlude I: Rumble in the Concrete Jungle
2019
Harry let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair. The door to the kitchen opened, and Edwin stepped through, balancing a tray with a pot of tea and two cups upon it. He walked over quietly, smiling kindly as he sat beside him.
"Still at it, then?" he asked. Harry nodded, taking the pot and pouring them both a cup. Edwin nodded, thanking him silently. He glanced towards the bundle of blankets and limbs curled up on the couch. "Mrs. Stark is still keeping an eye on you then?" Harry nodded, letting lose a sigh.
"She hasn't left me alone since I got back, Ed." He replied; voice urgent as he stared at the cup in his hands. The butler let loose a sigh of his own, before shrugging his shoulders.
"Well, sir, in her defence, you did almost die". Harry nodded.
"And I think without Adam and Strange, I would have." Edwin nodded, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"What was it like? What was he like?" Harry stared into the swirling liquid, contemplating the past as they sat silently. Finally, taking a sip, he spoke. "It's hard to explain. He has this insane, vindictive politeness to him. Awfully charismatic. And he's the most sadistic, dangerous creature I've ever met. I've never fought as hard in my life". He put down the cup.
"Anything from Steve?"
"They're returning to the compound soon. Heavy losses." Harry winced sympathetically, nodding.
"I think the fight's just about done, to be honest."
"No victory from the jaws of defeat, then sir?" Harry shook his head, staring once more at the helmet lying on the table between them.
"Not this time". The old man placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "If you don't mind, sir, I think I shall follow Mrs. Stark's lead".
"Of course. Good night."
"Good night, sir."
-HPIM-
"So, I'd just defeated the Iron Monger, and met the director of shield. For a while after becoming Iron Man, life was relatively simple. Though, with all the monsters, Super soldiers, Alien / Human hybrids, and Demigods, that was soon going to change.
-HPIM-
Harry glared at the intruder as they took their seats across from him. He smiled.
"Alright then. So, talk." The intruder nodded.
"First of all, let me tell you who I am. Nick Fury. Director of Shield." He didn't offer his hand. Neither Harry or Edwin asked for it.
"I decided it was time to meet you. I want to offer a deal." Harry and Edwin glanced at one another. No doubt on both their minds was the same thing, Harry thought; what Janet had told him about shield. Edwin turned to look at their guest.
"How do you know the name Harry Potter?" he demanded. Fury smirked, turning his attention to Harry. "Kinglsey Shacklebolt is an old friend. He and I met on assignment. He told me you'd disappeared from magical Britain. After that, it was just a matter of double-checking dates and putting the pieces together. It didn't take much. Miss Granger's smart, but she's not so subtle as she thinks".
"And what do Shield intend to do with this information Fury?" Fury stared at him for several moments before responding. "We intend to do the same thing we've been doing since the start; absolutely nothing. Except keep it secret, and keep other interested parties off your back. Of course, what we will actually end up doing does depend on you."
"How so?"
"On whether or not you take our deal" he responded, reaching for a file by his side on the couch. He flicked through it. "Says here you don't do well with governments. Keep doing what you're doing, dealing with terrorists and other threats, and keep your head down. In return, Shield will stay out of your affairs, and continue to keep MACUSA and the rest off of your back for you. We'll also be utilising your services from time to time – as a consultant. You'll receive a Shield agent as a bodyguard. One you're already familiar with; agent Romanoff". Harry and Edwin stared at him.
"In other words, she's spying on us," the old man replied. Fury shrugged. "Call it what you will. Unless you accept, this – all of this – comes out. Choose wisely". Harry snorted. He glared at Fury, who stared impassively back at him. "Fine. You aren't giving us much choice." Fury nodded, standing up as he did so. "Excellent. Your AI will be back online once I leave the building. We'll also have the snipers stand down. Glad I didn't have to use this," he tapped the pistol at his side. With a frown, Edwin stood, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'll show you to the door. And do take care, there are all sorts of strange characters about late at night". If Fury recognised the jibe at his expense, he didn't show it. The door was slammed shut and locked once he was standing on the porch.
"Thanks for taking out the trash, Ed".
"But of course, sir".
-HPIM-
Natasha Romanoff arrived with the New Year, but did not join them in their celebrations to welcome 2009. She spent most of her time in the rooms assigned to her – talking to someone named Clint, from what they had learned – and not bothering with them. It had not escaped Neville's notice that they were – with JARVIS' aid – spying on her more than she was (at least, ostensibly) on them. That had made the whole group chuckle.
Harry and Edwin wasted no time in prepping the Manor for Iron Man's activities. The third floor was hastily renovated. In place of bedrooms went a system of state-of-the-art computerised navigational instruments, radar, and communications array. Harry and co. kept their own quarters to the second floor. Soon enough rooms were set up for Janet – and later Hank – which they used whenever staying in the manor so that Iron Man could collaborate better with the two heroes. Hank also received his own lab, where he spent an increasing amount of time. it was clear he was working on something, though none – even the master spy – knew what.
A massive steel wall, 12ft high was erected around the property to improve security. JARVIS was uploaded with security protocols to identify all newcomers as they approached the gates. In addition, he was granted sensors to detect any unauthorised entrants before they reached the front door. Another attack like the one in Malibu would not be allowed. On the ground floor were the library and massive dining facilities. All in all, the house could comfortably support eighty people, and would allow them an impressive degree of protection and privacy.
Harry, for his part, did everything possible in both his lives to help wherever possible. As Tony Stark, he redoubled his inventive efforts, committing to cracking clean energy and improving famine across the world. He also re-opened his military contracts, providing the army and navy with improved armour and medical equipment for the troops, and developing better engines and safer armour and parachutes for planes. Yet still, to their chagrin, he kept to his vow; no weapon developed by Stark enterprises would leave Iron Man's arsenal.
As Iron Man, he hunted down the ten rings, then started on other terrorist cells as they disappeared, either wiped out or driven underground. He stopped bank heists and other violent crimes across New York and the east coast. Helped with massive construction jobs whenever possible. Even rescued cats from trees. Of course, behind the scenes, work was still on going with Iron Man. Due to the damage sustained in the fight with the Iron Monger, the MKIII was deemed obsolete. To replace it, he developed three new suits; the MKIV, the first, was the MKIII with a few adjustments and a new paintjob to cover the scratches. No real change. The MKV was developed out of a need for a portable version. In Berlin, at a conference, he'd been attacked by a group of fundamentalists intent of killing the 'al-hadid taghia', 'iron tyrant'. After that, he'd vowed never to go anywhere without his suit. His magic made him the most powerful individual in almost any room, but it was useless if he couldn't wield it. After all, how could a muggle like Tony Stark explain to the wizarding world that he possessed their abilities? Much safer, and much easier, to just have his armour always with him.
The result had been a suit capable of being transported as a briefcase. In return for increased mobility, the suit sacrificed armour integrity and weapons. To compromise, more and more runes had been added to the exoskeleton, both to strengthen the weaker than average protective capabilities, and extend his limited arsenal. It also carried a hidden feature, carried over from the fight in Malibu, as a final gambit.
Then, finally, the MKVI, Iron Breaker, which had been developed to aid in his construction binge. Packing no ballistic weapons, a heavier exoskeleton, and plenty of explosive and strength enhancing runes, the Iron Breaker was built for two purposes; lifting immense weights, and demolitions. It was for that reason, the sheer explosive power, that Harry had not taken the suit into any actual combat. It also drastically altered his combat style. With the heavier bulk, he and Edwin had theorised that it would force him to face his opponents on the ground, and in the suit, they had found that both his land and flight speeds were much slower than the MKIV and MKV. It also chewed power more than any other, forcing the need for a larger and stronger reactor in the chest piece. This was of course also a larger target.
Towards the end of June, on the 25th, Neville and Luna opted to take a holiday, heading to Japan for a month. They vowed to return by the 24th of July, the week set aside to celebrate his and Neville's birthdays. A few days later, Hermione also left, leaving the house empty but for him, Edwin, and their stowaway. It was odd, spending the time without his friends. He spent it working in the lab or playing cards with the Widow. In Romanoff, he found a strange – but welcome – companion. They often sat in his kitchen throughout the late hours of the night, swapping stories and the wine bottle as they sat playing poker. His money, naturally.
Occasionally, Edwin would join them. Not always, but when he did, he won. Neither of them had beat the old man, though not for a lack of trying. Every now and again, Jan and Hank came by. Jan would join them, though Hank would make his excuses. Taking a bottle of wine to himself, he would slip off to his personal lab. Upon occasion, Harry contemplated seeing what he was working on. It wouldn't be hard to have JARVIS unlock the door and take a peek. And he could always point out that as it was his house, it was his lab anyway. Despite respecting his friend's right to privacy, there was always a small niggling warning at the back of his mind, some forewarning of an unseen threat. Perhaps it was the strange looks he sometimes caught in his fellow scientist's eye, or the sudden questions about JARVIS's operating features. Harry himself put it down to stress.
After about three weeks, he finally trusted Romanoff enough to bring her along on a mission. He, Hank, and the Widow had infiltrated the base of operations of a people smuggler operating near the Wakandan border. They had delivered the criminal to the king, who thanked them greatly, showering them with praise and gifts. He wasn't grateful enough to allow Harry to take some Vibranium and experiment with working it into suits, however. Although, the whole encounter had given him an idea.
Harry and Natasha were sitting on the couch, each drinking a beer as they watched some movie or other on his plasma TV when Edwin entered the room, looking urgent. He seized the remote, and paused the movie, much too their annoyance. As they shouted and raged, he merely flicked on the news. The scene was a catastrophe.
Tearing through Harlem was a monstrosity, the likes of which Harry had never seen. It vaguely resembled the Hulk, in a superficial way. Its skin was a sickly shade of green, rather than the emerald shade of the other behemoth however, and a line of scuts ran down its spine. It seemed to be of a thicker build as well, though it was hard to gage its height as it charged down the street on all fours towards the line of soldiers and tanks firing on it. Fire raged across the city streets. Its ears were a strange fin shape. Walking behind the beast at a safe distance was a figure with a green head at least twice the regular size. This second figure stood on a flipped car, laughing at the scrambling soldiers. He flicked a finger lazily as a shard of concrete soared through the air towards the troops.
Harry leaped to his feet, turning to Edwin. "up to the lab," he instructed, "we'd better get to work." The older man nodded, making his way towards the elevator. Harry followed, before turning to Natasha. "Stay here, but get your gear ready. Stay on standby in case I need your help with this". She stared at him in stunned silence.
"you're going to go fight that thing?"
"I'm going to kill that thing, if need be". With that, he joined Edwin in the elevator. The older man slapped the button for the third floor.
"Bravado, sir?" he asked, smiling slightly. Harry shrugged.
"We both know how difficult this is going to be, but we'll need to get it done if there's to be anything left of Manhattan. A little healthy self-confidence never hurt anyone." Edwin nodded.
"So long as it's not turned to arrogance."
They stepped into the lab, Edwin moving to the computer and Harry stepping up onto the dais. Edwin sat at the machine, setting up his communications equipment as he did. JARVIS was as ready and able as ever. "Which suit will you require this evening, sir?" he asked. Harry glanced at Edwin. The older man shrugged.
"Start with the MKIV Jay. I don't want to get bogged down brawling here," he turned to Edwin once the job was done and the roof slid open. "Keep iron breaker on standby, though. Just in case".
"Of course, sir", the old man replied. He soared off into the night air, angling towards Harlem. "JARVIS," he instructed brusquely as they shot over the city streets, "give me a sweeping scan of the city. Isolate emergency personal". The tell-tale ping of the suit's sensory equipment coming to life sounded in his ears.
"Shall I hack military communications for this region, sir?" Harry grinned, and let out a slight laugh. Trust JARVIS to think of something like that, he thought bemusedly.
"What, you haven't done, already?" he teased.
JARVIS' response did not come at first.
"I had, sir. I elected to take a play from your book, however; better to ask forgiveness, than permission". Harry chuckled as they landed in front of the line of troops. The men let out several whoops and cheers. Harry stepped forwards, staring at the creature, which snarled at him. "alright then big ears. Noddy left town a while ago, so you better back up and take off too." Edwin's tired voice sounded in his ear.
"Is antagonising the creature really the best idea right now sir?" he asked. Harry shrugged, rolling his shoulders back as it prepared to charge.
"I figure if it's pissed at me, it's distracted. Likely to make a mistake. At the very least, it won't go for the civilian housing now. Jay, prep the firestorm will you darling?" as it charged sluggishly towards him, shaking its head as it did, Edwin responded.
"I'm not so sure you need to worry so much about him, sir. The other one. The fellow with the big head, he's giving off strange energy signals. Signals which appear to target his large friend".
"You think he's controlling it."
"Precisely, sir".
"Duly noted". The creature lunged forwards; forelimbs extended like claws. As it ran towards him, the suit erupted in a chorus of sound. Over a dozen missiles slammed into its sickly green flesh, exploding on impact. It let out a roar, leaping through the smoke towards him. He braced himself, determined not to abandon the men behind him. Letting lose with a blast from both repulsors, he managed to hold the creature back.
"Emergency personal on their way sir. Mostly fire fighters. Military chatter indicates they too are sending reinforcements. The name 'ross' keeps coming up." Harry grunted. Thunderbolt ross had tried to bring Iron Man into the fold, and have him kill the Hulk. Thus far, Harry had denied him. The Hulk had caused no problems yet, so harry felt no need to intervene. The man was also a complete arse.
"Contact Janet or Hank," Harry grunted. "See if either of them can lend a hand. Get Natasha on speed dial too." The beast leaped forwards once more. Harry forced even more power into the repulsors, and activated the Runic array to fire off a stunner and a blasting hex. The Hex missed, slamming into the street and kicking up debris. The stunner bounced off the thick hide harmlessly, and the repulsor beams seemed to be getting ever smaller as the thing approached.
As it pushed closer, he heard the commanders behind him issuing orders to fall back. The sound of tanks withdrawing down the road as they fired off a salvo filled his ears. Machine gun pellets rippled across the hide of the monster like stone against the surface of a lake. It reached him all the same, lunging forward. As he flew above its head, firing repulsors towards its skull, he felt a strange force overtake him. Despite his thrustors, he was falling towards the ground.
He slammed into the cement with a clang. Within moments, the raging behemoth was upon him. It lifted him by the feet, and swung like mad. He flew through the air, slamming into a wall. Rubble and shards of metal struck him on the chest, piling on top of him. With a panic, he realised he was trapped. Desperately, he shoved his shoulder against the concrete, desperate to move it. Giving up on that, he quickly forced his hands into a ready position, launching blasts from his repulsors into the dome, cracking it slightly. There was a terrifying sound of roaring outside, and something large slammed against the rubble from the other side. It cracked, splitting in two. The monster fell on top of him, and he forced the thrusters to fire. He shot slowly out from under the beast, scratching the suit along the road the entire way. Standing in front of him was Hank, at least nine foot tall. He nodded in Harry's direction as he slammed a knee into the fallen monster. The other figure was screaming in rage.
Harry lunged at him, firing a sectumsempra and a cutting curse as he went. The cutting curse slit his arm, leaving a thin trail of blood. He ducked, and the sectumsempra sailed safely over his head. Harry snarled, colliding with him in a bundle of limbs, driving a fist into his head. He stood, lifting his opponent over his head. The other man whimpered, tears building in his sickly yellow eyes.
"Please, don't hurt me Stark," he whispered. Harry frowned. "Call off your pet, then!" he snapped, slamming him against the ground before lifting him up once more. In the distance, he heard the sound of an approaching helicopter. The other man smirked nastily, "Catch them if you can, hero." Harry's head flicked around. The chopper was falling from the sky, despite there appearing to be no damage to the structure. A small figure was falling through the air.
Harry tossed the cretin aside, pushing off into the air. He glanced back to see Hank flying through the air down the street away from the pair of radioactive freaks. Pushing more power into the thrusters, he soared upwards. As he approached, he could hear the falling figure – a woman – screaming as she fell towards him. "I've got you," he assured, grabbing her.
Turning in mid-flight, he moved in the direction of the waiting troops. The woman wrapped her arms around his neck, hanging on for dear life. He turned to look at her, flipping the face plate up so she wasn't staring at it. "Congrats," he told her with a grin to ease the tension, "you're my first damsel." She smiled weakly.
"You're welcome, I guess. Sorry I'm not a very good damsel." Harry chuckled. What did good damseling look like, anyway? Come to think of it, was that even a word?
"As damsels go, I could have got a lot worse," he assured her, shuddering as he thought of Umbridge. "What's your name?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"Be-betty. Betty Ross." Harry nodded.
"You Thunderbolt's daughter?" he asked. She nodded. Harry chuckled once more. "Well," he replied, "there goes this nice rapport we had, I guess". She frowned, raising a questioning eyebrow.
"How come?"
"Well, I did kind of screw your old man over when I stopped selling weapons. Plus, I refused to hunt down his monster for him". To his surprise, Betty Ross grinned and actually laughed. When she stopped, she was still smiling.
"I would have paid good money to see the look on his face when you told him that", she replied, still grinning.
Harry frowned, "My old man and I don't exactly agree when it comes to the hulk," she explained. Harry smirked.
"Miss Ross," he replied as they landed behind the defensive line, "I do believe this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." She smiled.
"Thanks for the rescue, Iron Man." He slid the face plate back into place.
"Don't mention it. Thanks for coming out to damsel for us. Call me Tony". She nodded, stepping back to allow him room to take off as general Ross's chopper hovered down in front of him, and the man himself clambered out. He glared at Harry.
"So Stark, what's the plan here? You and the big guy just going to take turns swinging at that Abomination?" Harry glared.
"I don't see you helping Ross. More importantly, what do you know about this?" With that, Ross fell silent mid bluster, and Harry turned towards the soldiers.
"Who here is Ross's second-in-command?" he demanded. Hesitantly, one of the men pointed to the creature. Harry sighed.
"Of course, it is," Edwin muttered in his ear. Harry grunted in reply.
"Alright then. Who's next?" one of the men stepped forward. Harry nodded. "Good," he told the man, recognising him from somewhere he couldn't place, "bring in your big guns," he ordered, "as many as you've got."
One of the young soldiers beyond pointed at the sky, where the helicopter had returned after dropping Ross off. He, betty, Thunderbolt, and the other officer tilted their heads in that direction. Sailing through the air, growing bigger as he approached the ground, was a man wearing a white lab coat and brown jeans. "I believe that's taken care of, sir". The soldier replied. The man slammed into the ground, and let out a colossal roar as he charged towards the other rampaging beast.
"Oy vey" Harry muttered as Ross started shouting, demanding to know why Banner had been released. "Edwin," Harry began, as the Hulk proceeded to smash Ross's 'abomination' into the pavement. "Any idea how to deal with this new problem?" Edwin gulped.
"None, sir".
"Spectacular." He turned to take off, but felt a soft grip on his arm. He spun around, only to find Betty. "Don't hurt Bruce," she pleaded, "he just wants to help." Harry stared at her incredulously, but nodded.
"Alright," he assured her. "As long as he doesn't get in the way or cause trouble, I'll let him do his thing." She smiled, stepping back.
"He won't," she assured. "I promise." Harry shot off, firing repulsors at the Abomination as he approached. As he flew in beside the Hulk, hovering beside the green goliath, he set off several spells at once, slamming into the other beast's thick hide. In let out an enraged roar.
"Hey big guy," Harry greeted the Hulk, "need a hand?"
"Metal man help Hulk?" The Hulk stared at him, clearly suspicious.
Harry nodded, "Well, yeah. I mean, what are friends for?" Hulk peered at him, before snorting air through his nostrils, and gesturing to the other creature, which was currently flinging Hank around like a rag doll.
"Metal man help by dealing with him." He replied. Harry nodded, "If you say so big green."
"What's the plan sir?" Jarvis asked.
"Well, we've got the element of surprise while Hank's distracting him getting tossed around. Hopefully, between the two of us, he and I can land a few good hits".
"So, we will be going with your usual metric of success then, sir; attack" Harry nodded.
"Precisely," with that, he leaped into action. He slammed into the telepath's back, swooping across the road with him caught under his arm. Hank, released from the telekinesis, stood. As Harry soared past, he grabbed the unwilling passenger, flipping him over his shoulder and slamming him into the ground. Harry landed behind the fallen telepath. He levelled his blasters towards him.
"Given up yet?" he let out a snarl, picking himself up off the ground. he flung a hand out, slamming Harry into a nearby car as he fired the repulsors. They struck the target on the chest, sending him flying into Hank, who punched him in the back of the head. He fell to the ground. harry shook his head, trying to regain his balance. He watched in fascination as an army of ants clambered on top of the green-skinned man, smothering him in a dome of wreathing insects.
Harry made his way over to Hank, pointing his repulsors at the mass. They watched silently, waiting. The ants were enshrouded in the sickly green mist of telekinesis as they were flung off of the other man. He lunged at hank, kicking him in the head and flinging him into the air with his telekinetic power. He twisted on the spot, turning to face Harry. The young hero felt the metal of the suit crumpling and constricting around him. He couldn't move as he was slowly entombed within his own suit. The HUD switched off and his communications device shorted out as the suit continued to crumple. He let out a groan, reaching for his wand. Thinking quickly, he cast a banishing charm, throwing the suit off of himself. His assailant grinned nastily as the armour hit the ground around them. Harry groaned, pocking his wand discreetly.
His attacker moved closer, striking him on the forehead and punching him in the chest. Harry winced as he hit the ground. The shorter man stood over him, face contorted in a sadistic grin. "So predictable as ever, Stark," he snarled.
Harry glanced up at him, "You know me?" he asked. The man's grin fell. He nodded, lifting Harry by the collar.
"You refused to fund my research. You said it wouldn't work. That it was too dangerous! Well, look at me now, Stark!" Harry's eyes widened as the man punched him before using his telekinetic power to throw him down the street. He strode towards him, standing on his hand.
"Sterns?" Harry whispered, coughing.
"No. Not anymore," snarled Doctor Samuel Sterns. "Now, I'm the leader. I will guide humanity to a new golden age. A nuclear age. But unfortunately, you won't be alive to see it." Harry let out a scream as he felt his bones contort under telekinesis. He heard the roar of an engine behind him and a shot rang out through the air. Almost as suddenly as it had begun, the sensation in his bones ceased. Stern staggered back, clutching his bleeding hand. Harry turned around. Natasha was sitting in his open topped Mercedes, having shot 'the leader' in the hand. She climbed out of the car, tossing his suitcase suit to him. He nodded his thanks.
Within seconds, he was once more armoured up. Sterns was still howling in agony as Natasha fired a second shot into his knee. "Edwin," Harry spoke, "drop me in the Iron Breaker, would you?" Edwin responded in the affirmative, and harry launched a blast from the repulsors into Sterns, keeping him pinned down as they waited. Natasha took a step up next to him.
"I've got this," she assured him. "If he moves, I'll put another bullet in him. Save your power." Harry nodded. Together, they watched the good doctor lying on the ground, whimpering pathetically. He was slowly pushing himself to his feet, using his power to push the bullets from his body as the Iron Breaker armour deployed over Harry's suit. He stepped forward, grabbing sterns by the arms. With the suit's augmented strength, he shattered the bones in his hands, before tossing him to Romanoff.
"Get that to Ross," he instructed. She nodded, hoisting the scientist up as she did so.
"Come on, you" she said, walking back to the car. Harry turned to the two fighting behemoths.
"Jay," he began, staring up at the sky, "any word from Hank?"
"Yes, sir. He said he got away by using his ants. He will return once he has spoken to general Ross. He is trying to find out how the army plan to deal with the Abomination." Harry nodded.
"Let's get its attention, shall we?"
"I was afraid you would say that, sir".
"Full power to the chest reactor, then get me out of the iron breaker."
"Yes, sir." As the abomination drove Hulk into the ground and placed its foot on Hulk's head, the reactor fired. A massive beam of energy slammed into its back, blowing a massive crater in its hide. The power on the HUD read zero. The suit fell off of his frame, leaving him in the smaller mark V. The beast let out an enraged roar, abandoning the struggle with Hulk as it charged towards him. Harry stood his ground, waiting. The Hulk slowly picked himself up, pushing with his hands and knees. The emerald goliath leaped through the air, wrapping abomination's arms behind its back. Harry sprung forward, wrapping his own arms around the creature's neck. As it bucked and struggled, he clung on for dear life.
"Ed," he stated, "you may want to bail me out of the suit right about now," he felt himself falling towards the ground. "Jay," he ordered with a shout as he slid his sun glasses on, activating them as he did, "cook the reactor," he continued quietly. The suit exploded as he hit the ground in a blast of light and heat. He closed his eyes, but the fire never hit him. Slowly, he opened his eyes. It was dark, though he could make out a hint of colour; green. The explosion dissipated after a few moments, and he could once again see the night sky as his protector stood up.
They were alone in the street, surrounded by destruction. there was no sign of the Abomination. He glanced at his saviour. "You saved me?" he asked, stunned. The Hulk grinned.
"Metal man Hulk's friend. Hulk protect metal Man."
"well thanks, big guy." With that, the hulk staggered forward, shrinking down to a regular size, slightly shorter than Harry himself. He reached out, catching the unconscious man as he fell. "Thanks, again, Bruce." Harry muttered.
-HPIM-
"So, let me get this straight," Bruce Banner clarified as he sat in Harry's kitchen with him, Edwin, and Betty Ross. "The other guy saved your life?" Harry nodded, smiling slightly as he took a sip of his coffee.
"My guess is it was because I helped him out earlier," Harry replied lightly. Bruce nodded, although he still didn't seem convinced. Betty smiled, rubbing his hand with her thumb as she did so.
"You see," she grinned, "the Hulk can help people". Bruce smiled awkwardly at her.
Bruce and Betty stayed for a few days after that, leaving once they were sure of where they were going. Bruce thanked Harry for saving him from Ross, and promised to help if ever it was needed. Harry handed the other man a Stark Phone with a secure connection, allowing them to communicate whenever necessary. He practically ordered the two to call him if they ever ran into trouble, and gave them his private jet to take them wherever they wanted to go.
All in all, not a bad experience, he thought, as he watched the plane take off. He'd made three new friends, and only needed to repair two suits.