Authors Notes

Greetings, readers.

This story is going to focus on the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, including the shows and other media, but from the perspective of the protagonist, feel free to make any suggestions of the stuff you want to see in the story, and if it is reasonable, I will fit it into the story.

I will be experimenting with a new storytelling technique. The other POVs that are not the main character (Jon) will be told from a third-person perspective; if you do not like this, just tell me in the review section, and I will change back to first-person.

Please feel free to leave a review, as it helps improve the story's quality.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Battle at the Expo

Jonathan's POV

Today was the day. The day of the Stark Expo.

I had purchased the tickets online in advance, ensuring that, if need be, we would be there in the evening to intervene before Vanko could hurt anyone. Dad was still finalizing his strategy, promising to fill me in on the details during our ride to the Expo. For now, Penny and I were holed up in the warehouse, having skipped school for the day. We were deep in our work, fine-tuning the tech that we would need for the mission.

Penny would be playing the role of quarterback, overseeing the operation from the warehouse while remotely piloting a surveillance drone to keep an eye on us. She would coordinate between Dad and me, ensuring we had constant updates on enemy movement and any unforeseen complications. Meanwhile, I had just completed the final repairs on my suit and had moved on to helping Penny design components for the vambrace.

The vambrace was shaping up to be an impressive piece of technology. It would house a range of functions, effectively acting as an alternative to Wakanda's Kimoyo beads. Among its features would be an onboard AI, stored within a specially designed proprietary storage cartridge made from vibranium. This AI would function as both a combat assistant and a cyberwarfare suite, giving us an invaluable advantage in the field.

Penny held up the remains of a broken Kimoyo bead that mom had reluctantly allowed us to dismantle for research. It hadn't been part of her primary set, but she was still hesitant to let us take it apart. Now, with its internals exposed, Penny marveled at the technology before her.

"Wow," she breathed in amazement. "I knew Wakanda was advanced, but this is something else. Their beads use some sort of Microtechnology. With this knowledge, we could build some seriously impressive tech—even without vibranium. We'd be leagues ahead of the competition, even Stark Industries."

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, this is some next-level stuff. I can't wait to start working on the armor. With the properties of vibranium, it'll be nearly indestructible. Not to mention, it'll augment my abilities in ways we haven't even fully explored yet."

Penny grinned; her eyes gleaming with excitement. "We'll start working on it after we finish the vambraces. So, run me through tonight again. What exactly do you think is going to happen?"

I launched into a detailed explanation of the Battle of the Expo, recounting how Vanko would hijack Hammer's drones and unleash them on the attendees before engaging Iron Man in direct combat. Penny listened intently, nodding as she absorbed every detail.

Once I finished, she leaned back in thought before suggesting, "So, why not just use an EMP to disable the drones?"

I shook my head. "Two reasons. One, those are military-spec drones. They probably have some level of EMP shielding, so an EMP wouldn't necessarily knock them all out. Two, even if it did work, it would also take out our own tech. That would leave us completely blind, and we need to stay coordinated if we want to minimize casualties."

Penny nodded in understanding. "Good thing the vambrace has EMP shielding. What about hacking them?"

I considered the idea. "You'd have to try and run the hack remotely while Dad and I take down as many drones as possible. If you can gain access to their network, you might be able to override Vanko's control."

She smirked confidently. "Hmm, I think I'll try that, you know I like a challenge."

As we continued refining the vambrace, Penny suddenly had another idea. "You know what would be really cool? If we could scan an intact drone. We could build our own, and that way, I'd basically be out in the field with you, remotely controlling it. It'd be like having an extra set of hands."

I mulled over the logistics of capturing and scanning a drone intact. The odds weren't in our favor unless she managed to establish a direct connection and override its core programming. If she pulled it off, we could theoretically gain full control over it. The only other concern was the bombs in the arc reactors. Fortunately, the vambrace's scanners would allow me to detect them and disarm them before they could detonate.

The hours passed in a blur as we fine-tuned our technology, making sure everything was fully operational before nightfall. Around midday, Penny grabbed her phone and ordered us some food, taking a short break before we resumed work. By the time the sun began to set, we were ready.

Tonight, we would go toe-to-toe with Vanko and his rogue drones. And we were going to win.

The afternoon slipped away in a flurry of activity as we finalized our preparations for the impending battle. Every piece of equipment had to be double-checked; every function tested. My suit was as ready as it could be, reinforced with as much electrical insulation as possible without compromising its form and mobility.

The vambrace had finally been assembled, and Penny and I worked through its functions to ensure everything operated smoothly. The onboard miniaturized computer responded flawlessly, the communicator transmitted without interference, and the built-in scanner performed with pinpoint accuracy. However, the holographic interface still needed some refinement, its responsiveness slightly lagging, and I had yet to load the custom storage cartridge with my A.I. code. But for now, even without these final touches, the vambrace would serve its purpose in the coming fight.

Once we were satisfied with the vambrace's performance, we moved on to the drone. It was fully operational, running surveillance protocols, and integrated with Penny's command system. As we wrapped up our final checks, my vambrace chimed, redirecting an incoming call to my phone. I grabbed my earpiece, slipping it in just as Penny linked in from her computer. I tapped the vambrace and answered,

"Hey, Dad, what's up?"

Jon, how are you?" Dad's voice came through the line, steady and professional. "Listen, I called in a few favors. We'll have backup during the attack. A few of my friends that owe me favors. The goal is to neutralize the hammer drones before they begin killing innocent civilians caught in the crosshairs. I also coordinated with the fire department and local police for civilian evacuation in case things go south."

"That's great," I said, relieved to know that we wouldn't be doing this alone.

"I'll fully brief you when you arrive at the scene, but for now, remember—use work names, they don't know your real identity. While in the field, I'm Agent Miller, and you're Phoenix. Understood?"

I nodded instinctively before replying, "Got it, Dad. I'll meet you at the Expo. Penny will be assisting from here—we've got a drone set up for overwatch."

"Good," Dad said approvingly. "Penny, can you link into my team's comms?"

"Yes," Penny responded confidently. "I can patch in and monitor everything from here."

"Excellent. You'll be our eyes, calling out movement patterns and strategizing, your codename is Overwatch. No real names over comms, understood?"

"Yes, sir," we both confirmed in unison.

"Good," Dad said. "Make sure you eat something, and be ready—we might have a fight on our hands."

"We will, dad," I assured him, and he hung up.

Penny turned to me with a determined look. "Well, looks like it's time to get to work."

I grinned, feeling the anticipation build inside me. "Let's do this." We fist-bumped, sealing our commitment to the mission.

I made my way to the bathroom to change into my costume. The suit had undergone slight modifications—the mask now featured integrated goggles and full-cover earpieces, seamlessly linked to the vambrace. This upgrade provided a heads-up display, syncing with the gauntlet's systems to present real-time information in an augmented reality interface. Flight telemetry, tactical overlays, and private video communication could all be accessed at a glance. The earpieces were equally vital, filtering out excessive noise while isolating sonic frequencies that could incapacitate me—a known weakness among Viltrumites. Though I wasn't sure if I had inherited that vulnerability, I wasn't about to take any chances.

Fully suited up, I flexed my fingers, testing the vambrace one last time before heading to the warehouse exit. Penny gave me a small, encouraging nod as I turned toward the open sky.

"Be careful, Jon," she said.

"I will, try not to have too much fun without me." I took a steadying breath and launched into the cool evening air, my silhouette cutting across the darkening sky as I sped toward the Stark Expo. Tonight, everything would change.

Isabelle Hartley's POV

The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, casting the Stark Expo in a dazzling display of artificial lights. The event was already in full swing, the hum of excitement and chatter filling the air. On a nearby rooftop, a SHIELD strike team remained hidden in the shadows, positioned strategically to oversee both the arena and the broader expo grounds. Agent Miller stood at the edge, his gaze locked onto the festivities below, his expression unreadable. He was calculating, analyzing every possible scenario in which the night could go awry. He had no doubts about the attack. The only question was when and how.

Izzy stepped up beside him, folding her arms as she studied his tense posture. She knew that look. He was running probabilities in his head, planning contingencies. "So, this attack…" she began, her voice laced with skepticism. "Are you sure your intel is solid, Derick?"

Miller turned his head slightly, his eyes meeting hers, not unkind but firm. "Yeah, Izzy. It's legit. My asset is certain."

She held his gaze for a moment before nodding. They had history—long before his days in SHIELD, back when he was a decorated Navy SEAL. He had saved her life once, pulling her out of an ambush that would have been her end. That bond wasn't something she took lightly. If he said his intel was good, then it was good. She wouldn't question it.

Behind them, their teammates—Bobby and Mack—were meticulously prepping their gear. They adjusted their .50 caliber Barrett M82 anti material rifles, discussing last night's game with an air of forced nonchalance. Izzy glanced at the high-caliber weapons and arched a brow. "Why the hell would we even need that kind of firepower?" she mused internally. Whatever was about to go down had to be huge—possibly beyond their pay grade. Maybe a terrorist cell with military-grade hardware? But wasn't that more of an FBI issue?

Her train of thought was suddenly shattered by a resounding BOOM overhead. Instinctively, she and the other agents snapped their heads up, their breath catching at the sight of a figure rocketing toward them at breakneck speed. The man landed in a dramatic pose, the rooftop trembling slightly beneath his impact.

He straightened, revealing himself in the glow of the city lights—a striking figure clad in a form-fitting black suit, reinforced with sleek, body-conforming metallic armor, accented in deep orange. A phoenix emblem blazed across his chest. His mask, seamlessly integrated into the ensemble, featured black goggles and matching orange earpieces. Strands of dark, curly hair poked out from the top of the cowl mask, and his skin, a smooth caramel hue, contrasted against the midnight tones of his suit.

Immediately, the other agents raised their weapons, aiming their barrels at the mysterious newcomer.

"Easy, guys," Miller commanded, lifting a hand. "He's with me."

Reluctantly, the team lowered their weapons, but their eyes remained wary. "Team, meet Phoenix," Miller continued. "Phoenix, meet your teammates for tonight—Agents Morse, Mackenzie, and Hartley."

Phoenix nodded in greeting; his stance relaxed despite the cautious energy in the air. "Pleasure," he said, his voice deliberately deepened, adding an edge of theatrics to his persona. He then turned his attention fully to Derick. "So, what's the plan, Agent Miller?"

Derick didn't hesitate. "We hacked Hammer Industries' servers and confirmed that Justin Hammer broke Ivan Vanko out of custody. Vanko—same guy responsible for the Monaco Grand Prix attack—was recruited to build Hammer's new line of military drones. Those drones are being unveiled tonight, and Vanko plans to hijack them to cause mass casualties."

Izzy's sharp gaze flickered over Phoenix's youthful face. His lower half was uncovered by the mask, revealing features that suggested he was barely more than a teenage kid. And yet, his physique was far from adolescent—broad-shouldered, defined muscular tone, radiating power. Her eyes narrowed in recognition. "Wait a second…" she murmured. "How do you know all this?"

Phoenix let out a small chuckle, crossing his arms. "I've been keeping tabs on Vanko since our brief fight in Monaco."

Izzy's breath hitched as realization struck. "Wait, you… you were the hooded guy at Monaco?"

He nodded.

She took a step closer, processing the implications. "How on-, Listen, if you know there's an imminent attack, why not inform the FBI? Or Homeland Security? This is their jurisdiction after all"

Before Phoenix could answer, Miller cut in. "Because if we do, the authorities will come in droves ready to arrest Vanko, who might catch wind of this and accelerate his plans. We can't risk that. But I have coordinated with the police and fire department—they're standing by for an evacuation if it comes to that."

Mack finally spoke up, his deep voice tinged with doubt. "So what exactly are we supposed to do? We're five people, facing a damn platoon of killer hammer drones. Yeah, we might be able to take down a few, but there's no way we stop all of them before they slaughter a ton of civilians."

Miller stepped forward, leveling Mack with a steady gaze. "I know this looks impossible, Agent Alfonso. But we do have a plan. A solid one. And between our skills and Phoenix's powers, we will stop this attack before lives are lost, those people are counting on us."

Mack exhaled, shaking his head slightly but nodding in reluctant agreement. Before he could respond, a small drone zipped into view above them. A cheerful yet firm voice came through the speaker.

"Don't forget about my smarts and eyes in the sky."

Phoenix smirked. "Guys, meet Overwatch."

Izzy looked up at the hovering surveillance drone, it looked like a custom-made drone, with its camera lens reflecting the city lights. She couldn't see the girl on the other end, but something about her tone exuded confidence.

"Alright then," Izzy muttered, gripping her rifle a little tighter. "Let's get to work."

The night air was crisp and cool, the distant hum of the Stark Expo filling the silence on the rooftop where the strike team had gathered. The glow of the expo lights bathed the city in a golden hue, a stark contrast to the tension brewing among the assembled operatives. Izzy stood beside Derick, her sharp eyes scanning the surrounding area before turning her attention to him.

"Okay, so what exactly is the plan here? How do we handle this?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with anticipation.

Derick, standing tall and composed, pulled out his SHIELD-issued tablet and tapped a few buttons, bringing up a detailed layout of the Expo. The illuminated map displayed key areas, marking crucial locations with red and blue indicators. He took a breath before beginning his briefing.

"The drones are being presented in the main arena," he started, zooming into the central part of the map. "We believe Vanko will activate them there. The first casualties will be the immediate crowd in the front rows. Our priority is to minimize civilian loss at all costs."

Phoenix, clad in his sleek black and orange suit, arms crossed over his chest, listened intently, nodding as Derick continued.

"Phoenix, you'll run interference—draw their fire while the civilians evacuate. The firefighters and police will be on standby to handle mass evacuations, but we need to ensure those drones don't target them." He highlighted several points on the map. "The Hammer Drones will likely position themselves here, here, and here to maximize their kill zones. Our weapons are powerful enough to take them down if we target their arc reactors, or their heads."

Above them, the small quadcopter drone hovered, its tiny motors emitting a soft whirr. Derick pointed up at it.

"Overwatch will be calling out enemy movement and attack patterns from above, keeping us all linked through comms while simultaneously attempting a remote hack to shut them down."

Phoenix shifted his stance, his keen eyes scanning the holographic map. "And what about drones directly threatening civilians?" he asked.

"That's where you come in," Derick affirmed. "You prioritize neutralizing drones that get too close to the crowd."

A brief silence followed as everyone absorbed the plan. Then Bobby spoke up. "I have a question. This is Stark's expo. Shouldn't he be here making sure no one sabotages it? I mean, he's Iron Man, right?" She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. "Where the hell is the billionaire playboy anyway?"

Izzy snorted in amusement. "Probably balls deep in some tramp," she muttered under her breath.

Phoenix let out a low chuckle before answering, "Stark will be here. You can count on it. But chances are, he's going to be swamped dealing with half the platoon of drones coming after him. We handle the ground forces while he takes care of the aerial ones. We'll coordinate with him when he arrives."

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he snapped his fingers. "Hey, isn't Romanov undercover as Pepper Potts' assistant?" He turned toward the hovering drone. "Overwatch, can you hack her phone and call her? If we get her in on this, she could help make this go a lot smoother."

Derick gave an approving nod. "Good call, Kid."

Izzy remained quiet, her thoughts racing. How the hell does he know about a SHIELD agent's undercover operations? she wondered. And the way he and Derick worked together—it was seamless, as if they had a long history. She pushed the thought aside, refocusing on the mission. She could analyze Phoenix later.

A moment later, a smooth, professional voice came through all their comms. "This is Natalie Rushman speaking. How can I help you?"

Derick wasted no time. "Romanov, this is Agent Miller, SHIELD, New York division. We could use your help. We have credible intel that there's going to be an attack on the Expo tonight—Ivan Vanko is behind it."

There was a pause before she responded, her tone remaining calm. "I think you have the wrong number, Agent. I'm just a personal assis—"

"Damn it, Widow, we don't have time for this cloak-and-dagger bullshit!" Derick snapped, his frustration cutting through the static. "There's an imminent threat, and we need you."

Another brief silence. Then she replied, her voice firm. "Ivan Vanko is dead. He died in prison. Your information is off, Miller."

Derick exhaled sharply. "No, he's not. His death was staged. Hammer freed him so that he could build drones for his army contract. But instead of handing Hammer a new fleet, hes repurposed them to serve him. The Hammer idiot gave Vanko an army to finish what he started in Monaco."

The line went quiet again as Romanov processed the information. Then, finally, her voice returned, more resolute than before.

"Fine. Let's say I believe you. What do you need, Agent Miller?"

Izzy stood still, listening intently as Agent Miller laid out the plan to Romanov over comms. There was a tension in his voice, the kind that came with urgency and frustration. Romanov, at first, had been reluctant to cooperate, but after a heated exchange and undeniable evidence, she finally relented. She agreed to assist, though she pointed out that confronting Hammer directly would only raise alarms. If she made a move too soon, Vanko might be tipped off and launch his attack prematurely. That wasn't a risk any of them were willing to take.

"We stick to the original plan," Miller confirmed. "Romanov, try to get through to Stark. We need him in the loop."

There was a pause before she responded. "I'll call him. But knowing Stark, he probably has his phone buried under a pile of expensive whiskey bottles."

Izzy smirked, rolling her eyes. That sounded about right. Stark was unpredictable—brilliant, but a headache when it came to responsibility. He was probably off flirting with someone instead of keeping an eye on his own expo. Typical.

Before she could dwell on it further, Phoenix spoke up. "I'm taking off. I'll be monitoring from above, holler if you need anything, Overwatch, keep an eye out for Stark."

His voice was steady, confident, but there was something else beneath it—determination, maybe even a touch of excitement. Without waiting for a response, he leaped into the air, his black and orange suit catching the faint glow of the city lights as he shot into the night sky. The force of his takeoff sent a gust of wind rippling through their small rooftop perch, rattling loose gravel underfoot.

Mack and Bobbi both turned to watch him disappear into the darkness, their expressions a mix of awe and disbelief. Mack let out a low whistle. "Man... I never thought I'd see someone fly like Superman in real life. It's kinda freaky. But also? Cool as hell."

Bobby chuckled, shaking her head. "Yeah. Its cool and all, but I'm just glad he's not wearing a cape, or we'd be in full comic book territory."

Mack snorted. "Yeah, no capes. We all know how that ends."

Their laughter was light, easing some of the tension, but Hartley wasn't as quick to move on. While the others joked, she found herself staring at the empty space where Phoenix had stood just moments ago. Something about him nagged at her—an itch in the back of her mind, a sense of familiarity she couldn't shake. It wasn't just the way he carried himself or how naturally he worked with Derick. It was deeper than that, like a half-forgotten memory, just out of reach.

Who was he, really? And why did she feel like she already knew the answer?

Jonathan's POV

The Stark Expo was in full swing, a dazzling display of lights and innovation as the world's brightest minds presented their latest creations to an eager audience. The energy in the air was electric, the crowd buzzing with excitement as one presentation after another took the stage. Now, it was time for the main event—Justin Hammer's big moment. His drones were about to be unveiled.

Guess It's showtime.

I hovered high above the expo, my dark silhouette blending into the night sky, watching the event unfold below. The view from up here was almost serene, the sounds of the expo a distant hum beneath me. But that peace was shattered by the roar of approaching thrusters, their unmistakable whine cutting through the air. I didn't even need to look. I knew exactly who it was.

I raised a hand and waved, hoping he'd notice.

A sleek red-and-gold figure shot toward me, stopping just a few feet away, repulsors flaring as he held himself in place.

"Well, this is new," Stark said, tilting his head slightly as he took me in. "And who exactly are you supposed to be? I mean, I dig the suit, but you know Comic-Con isn't for a few more months, right?"

I chuckled, feigning hurt. "Really, Stark? You don't recognize me? And here I thought we were besties after bonding session in Monaco. Ouch."

Stark let out a short laugh, his voice laced with amusement. "Ohhh, hoodie guy. Looks like we didn't forget our super suit this time."

I smirked, but before I could fire back, he went serious. His tone shifted, all business now. "Listen, I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got a serious issu—"

I cut him off. "Yeah, I know, Vanko, he's alive. That's why I'm here—to make sure he doesn't try anything."

His helmet's opaque faceplate kept me from reading his expression, but I could tell from his body language that my words caught him off guard. The tension in his stance eased slightly, and when he spoke, there was a hint of relief.

"Wow. Okay. Was not expecting that." He exhaled, as if recalibrating. "I assume you have a plan?"

I nodded. "Yeah. You confront Hammer about Vanko. That should force Vanko's hand, force him to act. You're his primary target, so he's going to throw most of the drones at you. SHIELD and I will handle the rest."

Stark folded his arms. "Wait, you work for SHIELD?"

I let out a low chuckle. "Hell no. I just chose to work with them for this mission."

He considered that for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. And after that?"

"We find Vanko and end this," I said simply. Then, after a pause, I added, "Though I have a feeling he'll be the one to find you."

Stark gave a dry chuckle. "Well, that was ominous." Then he flexed his hands, adjusting his repulsors. "Okay, let's do this."

Without another word, he turned and shot toward the arena, linking his comms with the rest of the team as he went.

I could hear the reactions as soon as he patched in—some shocked murmurs, a few relieved voices. Well, that certainly ups our odds of victory, I thought with amusement.

From my vantage point, I watched as he made his entrance, landing smoothly in the arena. The reaction from the crowd was immediate—cheers erupted, drowning out whatever lackluster applause Hammer had gotten.

Ouch. That's gotta hurt Hammer's ego.

Hammer's face twisted in barely concealed irritation as Stark played to the audience, flashing a wave before turning to Rhodey. Even from up here, I could see his posture stiffen as he subtly warned his friend about Vanko's involvement. Then, without hesitation, he strode straight toward Hammer, cutting through the artificial pleasantries like a blade.

I took a deep breath. Let's get this show on the road.

As Stark stood face-to-face with Hammer, his usual cocky demeanor laced with something sharper—anticipation, maybe—I could hear Rhodey's voice crackling through the comms, urgent and panicked. Tony must've patched him in.

"Get out of there, go!" Rhodey's voice was laced with sheer desperation. "This whole system has been compromised!"

Stark barely flinched. Instead, with an almost theatrical air, he executed a perfect backflip, thrusters flaring as he ascended. "Let's take this outside."

I immediately dropped lower, scanning the area, ready to intercept the inevitable chaos that was about to unfold.

"Tony," I called over the comms, keeping my voice level, "bring them to me. I'll thin out the herd for you."

"Got it." His tone was focused, and I could almost hear the seriousness in his voice. "Jarvis, break in, I need to own him."

Then it began.

Gunfire erupted as the Hammer Drones sprang to life, their mechanical limbs twisting unnaturally as they turned their weapons on Stark. The air filled with the sound of screaming civilians, glass shattering as the drones tore through the roof of the arena, pursuing their primary target. The crowd below was in pure chaos—people scrambling to escape, security forces barking orders, but all of it was just background noise. The real battle had begun.

I heard my father's voice through the comms, calm and commanding, issuing orders. Agent Hartley's voice followed, directing SHIELD operatives into position.

Then Stark's voice cut back in, cocky as ever. "Yo, Comic-Con! I'm bringing the party to you!"

I turned, locking onto his signature through my HUD. Sure enough, he was headed straight for me, a line of Hammer Drones and Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes trailing close behind.

"Tony, Tony! I have target lock!" Rhodey's voice was sharp, urgent.

"On what?" Stark asked.

Rhodey's answer came an instant later. "On you."

Without warning, Rhodey opened fire, his War Machine suit responding to the hacked system's commands. At the same time, the drones let loose, filling the air with a barrage of bullets and energy blasts.

I surged forward, my body cutting through the night air, breaking the sound barrier in a heartbeat.

"Stark, bank left, now!" I ordered, pushing my speed to the limit.

To his credit, he didn't hesitate. Stark veered sharply, and in the split second that followed, I shot past him and Rhodey, tearing through the drones in a blur of metal and destruction. Three quarters of the pursuing machines were obliterated in an instant, their parts raining down like metallic confetti.

"That should give you some breathing room," I said, pulling up into a hover.

"Much appreciated," Stark responded, his usual sarcasm tinged with genuine gratitude.

Rhodey, still recovering from the shock of what had just happened, exhaled sharply. "Tony… who the hell was that? Was that another of your suits?"

Before either of us could respond, Penny's voice cut in, urgency crackling through the comms.

"Phoenix, we need you. A group of drones are moving toward a cluster of civilians. Engage them before they kill innocents."

I didn't hesitate. "On it."

Tilting downward, I flew toward the coordinates she provided, zeroing in on the incoming threat. The moment I reached them, I landed hard on the first drone, my impact crushing it instantly, causing it to explode beneath me. I pivoted, yanking the arc reactor from another drone's chest, its power source flickering before I used its own arms to tear through four more in a cascade of destruction.

"That's ten," I called out. "We're making good progress."

As I took off again, my HUD flickered, tracking the battle from above. I could see my father's sniper rounds cutting through drones with precise, deadly accuracy, his team working in tandem to clear a path for the evacuation teams.

Then Penny's voice broke through again, her frustration evident. "It's no good. I can't run a remote hack—I need to be on-site to physically access the system."

I was about to suggest an alternative when Romanov's voice cut in, calm and determined.

"Don't worry, I'll handle it."

She didn't hesitate. "Hammer told me where Vanko is. I'll get into the system manually."

Penny exhaled in relief. "Yeah, that works."

Dad's voice followed immediately, firm and authoritative. "Agent Morse, reinforce Agent Romanov. She might need backup breaching the site."

Bobby responded instantly, already moving. "Got it. Pick me up, Romanov?"

Romanov's answer was short and to the point. "On our way."

I returned to the fight, smashing through the remaining drones with brutal efficiency. Half of them were down, but the rest were moving to reinforce War Machine, who was still struggling against Stark.

Then Penny's voice rang out again. "There's a group of drones setting up on the north side of the Expo. The rest are pushing you toward them, Tony."

Stark's response came immediately. "Thanks for the heads-up."

Rhodey's voice followed, tense. "Tony, it's a kill box. Be careful."

I was already moving toward the north side, planning on destroying the drones, when I caught sight of something that sent a jolt of adrenaline through me.

A lone Hammer Drone was advancing toward a child.

A kid, no older than nine, standing in the middle of the chaos, wearing a cheap plastic Iron Man helmet. He held up a glowing toy gauntlet, pointing it at the drone like he was ready to take it on himself.

My heart dropped.

Shit, I had forgotten about this moment.

There was no way I was letting that kid die. Not on my watch.

I changed course instantly, pushing my abilities to their absolute limit. My body burned with exertion, but I didn't care. I refused to let this happen.

Everything slowed.

I could see a black police officer shouting, as he was sprinting toward the boy, his voice desperate.

"MILES! NOOO!"

The Hammer Drone's shoulder-mounted tank cannon adjusted, locking onto the child. The targeting systems whirred.

Then it fired.

I reached the boy in the final second, twisting my body mid-air, one arm wrapping around his small frame while I turned my back to the attack.

BOOM.

The first shot slammed into me, metal of my armor shattering, pain lancing through my back.

BOOM.

Another impact. My armor gave out, the force rattling my bones.

BOOM.

I gritted my teeth, refusing to let the pain take over.

BOOM.

A fourth shot. My back protesting at the abuse I was putting it through, but all I cared about was shielding that kid.

Another shot rang out—this one from afar.

The drone exploded.

My comms crackled. "You okay, kid?" My father's voice.

I took a breath, the pain still fresh, but bearable. "Yeah," I answered, glancing at the burning wreckage behind me. "Thanks."

I looked down.

The boy had removed his plastic mask, his wide eyes filled with nothing but awe.

"Wow!" he breathed, completely unfazed. "That was awesome! You're so cool!"

I managed a small smile, but something in my mind nagged at me.

Who was this kid?

In the original timeline, this moment belonged to Peter Parker. But Peter Parker was in high school right now, Who was this black kid?

Before I could process the thought further, the police officer reached us, pulling the boy into a tight hug.

"Dad, I'm fine," the kid reassured him, his small arms wrapping around his father.

The officer held him tighter. "I don't know what I would've done if—" He broke off, hugging his son again before turning to me, his eyes filled with gratitude.

"Thank you. Thank you."

I gave him a nod, then, without another word, launched back into the fight.

I focused my will, and in an instant, my body lifted off the ground. The wind rushed past me as I soared higher, scanning the area.

"Are there any more drones left in the area?" I asked, my voice steady over the comms as I gained altitude.

Penny responded almost immediately. "No, that was all of them. The rest are still on Stark's tail."

As if on cue, Tony's voice crackled over the line, slightly breathless. "Okay, That's all of them I think. I've managed to thin out the herd. Sorry about that, buddy, had to d—"

A loud metallic clang interrupted him, like steel slamming against steel. I instantly knew what had happened—Rhodey's suit had just attacked Tony, and they were now fighting in a park.

I quickly switched channels. "Agent Romanov, how close are you to rebooting the suit?"

Her reply was cool and efficient. "Almost... give me a moment, annnnd... done. Congratulations, Mr Stark, you have your best friend back."

"Ah, music to my ears," Tony quipped, relief evident in his voice. "Thank you, Mrs Romanov."

"You are welcome," she responded, before adding, "And by the way, good job on the arc reactor upgrade. Your vitals are looking way better than before."

That comment, unfortunately, opened the door for an argument between Pepper, and Tony, that I wasn't keen on listening to. Below me, I spotted Pepper, and I knew exactly where this was heading, I had to get her to safety, before engaging Vanko.

I landed beside her, the impact of my descent causing a slight tremor. She turned sharply, startled, her eyes wide with alarm.

"Whoa now, easy!" I quickly reassured her, raising my hands. "I'm with Tony and Rhodey—ask them if you don't believe me."

Thankfully, Tony chimed in over the comms at the perfect moment. "Comic-Con is with us, Pep."

I rolled my eyes. That nickname was seriously starting to get on my nerves.

Shaking off my annoyance, I refocused. "Listen, the drones are rigged to explode soon. Everyone's been evacuated, but we need to get you to safety. I'll drop you off with some SHIELD agents I trust, and they'll take you to Happy. Sound good?"

Pepper hesitated for only a moment, her mind visibly working through her options. Then she gave me a curt nod. "Alright. Let's go."

She didn't protest as I lifted her, keeping my grip firm but gentle, and ascended. As I flew over the Expo grounds, I spotted my father, Agent Hartley, and Mack. They were already in post-op mode, storing away their weapons and congratulating each other on a job well done.

I landed gently, setting Pepper down. "Agent Miller, this is Pepper Potts, CEO of Stark industries, can you look after her while I go help Stark and Colonel Rhodes? Oh, you should link up with Agents Romanov and Morse at Hammer Industries."

Dad regarded me carefully, his gaze knowing. "And you? What are you going to do?"

Before I could answer, Penny's voice cut in sharply. "I found Vanko! He's in a armored mech, headed straight for Tony and Colonel Rhodes."

Romanov confirmed, her tone serious. "Yeah, I see a massive energy signature closing in on them."

I turned back to my father, my expression hardening. "Good, I'm going to end this."

Agent Hartley narrowed her eyes. "Wait—when you say end it, you don't mean—"

"I'm going to kill him," I stated, cutting her off without hesitation.

My father immediately stepped forward. "Jon—"

I didn't let him finish. "Dad, I tried doing things the right way, look where it led us. I caught him in Monaco, after he killed innocent people. He escaped. And now? Now he's putting even more lives at risk, setting up mass casualties just for the sake of a grudge match. Who's to say he won't do something worse next time he escapes? No. No more. I'm eliminating this threat before it escalates, he's too dangerous to let live."

Dad exhaled sharply, stepping in front of me. His voice was firm, but not unkind. "Jon, I get that you feel Monaco was your fault. And I understand that you think if Vanko gets away again, he'll just come back to haunt us. But killing him isn't the answer. Every time you kill someone, no matter how bad they are, you lose a piece of yourself."

I clenched my jaw as he continued. "It's not worth it, son. Taking his life just because he might be a bigger threat tomorrow? That's a dangerous road to walk."

I stared at him, heart pounding. A war waged in my mind, the logical side clashing with the emotional one. After a long moment, I finally nodded, exhaling slowly. "Fine, Dad. I won't kill him."

He gave me a small, approving nod, relief flashing across his face.

We might have stood there a moment longer, but Agent Hartley suddenly turned to my father, her expression filled with suspicion and realization.

"Derrick... Phoenix is your son?!" Her eyes darted to me, scrutinizing. "Since when does Jon have powers?"

I met her gaze, puzzled. Of course she knew my name. Had Dad mentioned me at work?

She didn't wait for an answer. "Who else knows? Does Director Fury know?"

Dad sighed, rubbing his temple. "I assume so. He had a surveillance team outside my home since Monaco, so yeah... probably."

Mack, who had been quiet until now, just stared at all of us, taking in the information. Processing.

I gave Dad a knowing look. "Well, looks like you all have a lot to catch up on. But I've got bigger things to deal with."

I turned to Pepper and Mack, giving them a quick wave before I willed my body to rise again. I shot into the sky, streaking toward the park where my HUD showed Vanko's presence. He had landed, and the battle was already in progress. My comms crackled to life as I called in, "Stark, is Vanko there yet?"

There was a grunt, followed by the unmistakable sound of metal crashing against metal. Stark's voice came through, strained. "Yeah, he's here… and currently kicking our asses. A hand would be much appreciated."

I clenched my jaw and poured on the speed. "Hold on, I'm almost there."

When I arrived, the scene was a mess. Vanko, in his heavily armored Whiplash suit, was standing over Rhodey, one massive boot crushing down on his armor. At the same time, he had his electrified whip wrapped around Tony, arcs of blue energy crackling as Stark convulsed under the surge.

I didn't hesitate. I shot forward like a bullet, slamming a fist into Vanko's chest. The impact was enough to launch his hulking suit across the park, tearing up the ground as he crashed into a tree. I landed gracefully, my stance firm, and called out, "Pick on someone your own size, Vanko."

Rhodes groaned, pushing himself up, his War Machine armor dented from the abuse. He looked at me, confusion clear in his voice. "How the hell did you just do that? What are you?"

Before I could answer, Vanko let out a raspy chuckle from across the field, his face plate opening to reveal his face. "Another fish jumps out of the water… into the frying pan."

I smirked and shook my head. "That's not how the saying goes, dumbass. It's 'out of the frying pan and into the fire.' Which is exactly where you're headed in a few seconds."

Vanko spat something in Russian before lashing out with one of his electrified whips, the deadly tendril streaking toward me like a lightning bolt. I caught it effortlessly, my reflexes enhanced by my abilities. The insulation held perfectly. Electricity crackled across my gloved hands but didn't penetrate. I could hear the confusion in his breath as he realized it wasn't affecting me.

"My turn," I said casually, yanking the whip with brutal force.

Vanko's entire suit lurched forward, dragged off balance. He had no time to react before I clotheslined him, sending his massive frame spinning through the air before he crashed to the ground.

I turned toward Stark and Rhodes. "Whatever happens, stay out of it, he's mine."

Before they could protest, I launched forward. Vanko was already rising, his helmet shifting back into place. He swung his second whip at me. I ducked low, dodging the crackling energy, then shot upward, grabbing his arm mid-swing. With a single precise strike, I sliced through the weapon at its base with an open palm, severing the connection. Sparks flew, the remains of the whip falling uselessly to the ground.

I didn't stop. I delivered two rapid body shots, each one reverberating through the park. Dents appeared in his chest plate, and he staggered back from the force. He tried to counter with his last remaining whip, but I caught it again and pulled—hard.

Vanko flew toward me like a ragdoll. This time, I grabbed him by the throat, my fingers sinking into the metal of his armor as we flew up. With a powerful swing, I choke slammed him into the ground, leaving a deep impact crater beneath him. Before he could react, I tore the last whip from his suit and tossed it aside.

I took a step back, shaking my head. "Seriously? And here I thought you'd be a challenge."

Vanko groaned, struggling to push himself up, but I didn't give him time. I turned to Tony. "Careful. My HUD is picking up bomb signatures all over the park. The drones are rigged to blow. Be ready to bug out if things go south. Oh, and Pepper is with the SHIELD agents, headed to Hammer industries to meet up with Happy, so no worries there. The expo has been fully evacuated, and the area is locked down."

Tony exhaled, clearly exhausted. "Thanks. I owe you one."

I turned back to Vanko. His suit was damaged, his weapons destroyed. His faceplate retracted, revealing his sweaty, bruised face. His eyes burned with hatred as he glared at me. I crossed my arms. "Wow, Vanko, I really thought your armor would be something special, but clearly all you are good at is imitating tech, and you can't even do that right, tell you what, I'll give you a fighting chance. Since you have no whips, just hand-to-hand. You win, I let you walk to terrorize another day. You lose, you go to prison… or worse."

Vanko growled. "I will kill you, you ublyudok."

I smiled at him as I replied. "Atta boy, that's the spirit."

Roaring in frustration, he activated his thrusters and flew toward me. I met him head-on, our fists colliding in mid-air with a thunderous impact. The battle was on. He fought with raw aggression, swinging wildly, but I could see the flaws in his technique. His strikes were powerful but undisciplined, chaotic. He had strength, durability, and speed thanks to his suit, but I wasn't even going all out.

I had been holding back the entire time, with my current strength, I had theorized that only the Hulk and possibly Thor could overpower me, the rest would be a cakewalk.

Vanko threw a straight punch with his left. I slipped, countering with a brutal right hook to his exposed jaw. He staggered. I grabbed his left armored arm, twisted it sharply, and with a sickening crack, snapped the joint. He roared in pain, but I wasn't done. I shoved his broken, armored arm aside, dodged a desperate right swing, and retaliated with a clawed strike directly into his arc reactor.

I could feel the energy pulse through my fingertips as I gripped the core of his suit. With one final, decisive motion, I ripped the reactor out of his chest plate.

Vanko's entire suit shut down instantly. His body slumped, locked inside the now-dead armor. His eyes went wide in shock as he let out a guttural scream of frustration. He was beaten. Defeated.

I stepped back, exhaling slowly. "Well, that was boring. Really expected more from you."

Vanko could do nothing but glare at me, his rage burning in his eyes. I looked down at the arc reactor in my hand, then tossed it aside, letting it clatter uselessly onto the ground.

Now it was over.

The battlefield was eerily silent after the brutal fight, save for the faint hum of my Vambrace's scanner as it analyzed the arc reactor, I had just torn from Vanko's mech suit. The compact, glowing core pulsed softly in my grip, its intricate design a testament to advanced engineering. I turned it over in my hand, watching its energy flicker, then let my Vambrace do its work.

"Receiving the data now," Penny's voice chimed in my ear. There was a brief pause before she let out an impressed whistle. "Whoa. That's a lot of information. With this, we should be able to reverse-engineer the entire reactor. Please scan the suit next, we could use the design as a base for a better suit."

A grin tugged at the corner of my lips as I tightened my grip on the reactor and crushed it effortlessly in my hand. Sparks flared for a moment before the remnants fell from my fingers in a cascade of metal fragments. My gaze shifted to Vanko, who was slumped in his damaged armor, breathing heavily but still conscious. His face was exposed, bruised and contorted with a mixture of pain and defiance.

Without hesitation, I activated my scanner again, sweeping over his suit until a warning flashed on my HUD. A bomb signature—right on his armor. I reached down, my fingers prying into the reinforced plating, and with a sharp yank, I tore the explosive device free. I held it up in front of his face, shaking my head.

"Now, now, Vanko," I said with a mockingly disappointed tone. "We can't have you blowing yourself up, can we?"

A rough chuckle escaped his lips, his eyes gleaming with malicious satisfaction. "I might not die today," he rasped, his Russian accent thick with venom. "But the drones around the expo... they will claim many lives. Your victory will be short-lived."

A sharp beep filled the air, followed by several others in rapid succession. My HUD confirmed the worst—ever remaining drone in the park had been primed for detonation. My muscles tensed as I turned my head toward Tony and Rhodes. They had already caught on, their helmets shifting slightly as their own scanners picked up the danger.

"Alright," I called out to them. "This place is about to blow. We should leave—now. Meet you both at Hammer Industries."

Tony and Rhodes exchanged a quick glance before nodding in unison. Without another word, their faceplates snapped shut, and they launched into the sky with twin bursts of repulsor energy, streaking away from the soon-to-be firestorm below.

I turned back to Vanko, who remained trapped in his now-useless armor. His breathing was ragged, his body barely able to move under the weight of his own suit. I sighed, shaking my head.

"Time to go, Ivan."

With one powerful motion, I grabbed onto his suit and hoisted him up. His weight was significant, but nothing I couldn't handle. My body thrummed with energy as I willed myself into the air, gripping him tightly as I ascended. Beneath us, the park erupted in a violent series of explosions, fire and debris tearing through the night sky. The shockwaves rippled outward, but I pushed forward, flying faster, determined to get clear before the flames could reach us.

I cast one final glance downward at the destruction left in our wake. Vanko had failed—but so had I, in a way. Although we had saved everyone, we had failed in preventing the attack from happening, there was no real victory in moments like this, only survival of the people we promised to protect, and the promise of another battle waiting just around the corner.