Chapter III: Return of the prodigal son
JARVIS dropped the President down by the waterside, just as Tony and Rhodey ran towards their awaiting boat, graciously lent to them by the Mandarin, aka: Trevor.
Rhodey hid behind a metal crate, and saluted the country's leader, while Tony waved at him.
'You look damn good, Sir,' Rhodey smiled.' But I'm gonna need that suit back.'
Stark frowned at the Colonel. 'Hey! What about me?' He asked angrily.
'Not an issue, Sir: Mk.42 inbound.' JARVIS informed him.
Tony looked towards the sky again, and saw his latest, albeit rather battered suit fly towards him. 'Well I'll be damned: the prodigal son returns...' Tony murmured.
The prehensile armour triggered its airbrakes, slowing down to latch onto him. The billionaire raised his arms to call it to him; until it hit the roof of their boat, and broke into pieces.
'Whatever,' Tony sighed.
Rhodey laughed as he stepped into the Patriot armour, while Ellis leant against a metal container for support.
'Nice.' Rhodey snickered. 'Real sleek, Tony.'
Tony made a false laugh, while the mechanisms closed around the Colonel.
'Oh yeah?' Tony asked. 'Watch this.'
He snapped his fingers, and the pieces of the Mk.42 reassembled, then the gauntlets, boots and other segments flew onto him. Before Rhodey could say anything, Tony, wearing a smug look on his face, said, 'top that, Rhodey.'
The faceplate slid down, and the eyes lit up, before Tony shot up to join his 'hobbies'. As the Iron Patriot closed up, Rhodey shook his head, and faced the President.
'Show-off,' he muttered. 'Sir, if you get into the boat and sail out a bit, you should be safe there; we'll be with you shortly.'
Ellis nodded, and held a thumbs-up wearily, before climbing into the boat. Rhodey closed the helmet and flew up to help the other armours.