By day twenty-five, Tony achieved what he'd been working toward. He could punch a reinforced testing wall with exactly calculated force.
Not too much power. Not too little. The impact left a precise dent exactly where he aimed and at exactly the depth he intended. No more. No less.
Perfect control at last.
The Mark Infinity Supreme armor took shape around him during those final days of training. M.A.R.V.E.L. fabricated each piece using the chamber's advanced manufacturing systems.
Neural interface technology was built into the helmet that connected directly to his brain through quantum entanglement. Power regulators were installed into every joint to help stabilize his output.
A complete training system was integrated throughout the whole suit to provide real-time feedback.
The armor itself was beautiful in its design. Sleek lines of Starktonium alloy mixed with Vibranium composite.
Black and red colors marked the primary sections. Blue quantum energy conduits glowed softly along the arms and chest. The arc reactor in the center pulsed with power.
This one was different in that it can also receive power from Tony's own energy directly.
The Mandarin's ten rings had been perfectly integrated into the armor's core systems. Tony had spent a lot of time studying those rings after defeating their previous owner.
Now each ring's unique power was accessible through the suit's neural interface.
Matter manipulation from the first ring. Ice projection from the second. Mental amplification from the third. Flame generation from the fourth.
The other six rings provided lightning control, wind manipulation, energy blasts, darkness projection, light emission, and molecular restructuring.
All ten powers were now under his direct control through thought alone.
Tony ran one final diagnostic check. Every system showed green. The armor responded instantly to his mental commands. Power output remained stable across all tests.
He opened his eyes slowly and looked at his reflection in the polished chamber wall.
His appearance had changed.
The quantum energy was visible in his eyes even when he tried to suppress it. His body posture was different too. More confident. More controlled. He stood like someone who understood exactly what they were capable of.
Tony raised his right hand and watched as quantum energy danced across his fingers. Then he closed his fist and the energy disappeared completely.
"Time to go to work," he said quietly to himself.
---
Tony materialized in the hidden bunker through a swirling portal of blue light. The portal crackled with quantum energy as it opened.
The light bent around him slightly as he stepped through the dimensional gateway, making his outline shimmer and distort for a moment.
Then the portal collapsed behind him with a soft sound.
Every head in the large room turned toward him immediately.
The bunker was located deep underground in one of Tony's secret facilities. Reinforced concrete walls surrounded the space.
Emergency lighting cast everything in a dim glow. A large tactical table dominated the center with holographic projectors built into its surface.
Captain America stood near the tactical table with his arms crossed over his chest. His shield rested against the table edge within easy reach.
Captain Peggy Carter was beside him wearing her full tactical gear.
Shang-Chi leaned against the far wall with his arms crossed and his eyes watchful. Iron Fist stood in a meditation pose nearby with his hands clasped in front of him.
Daredevil tilted his head slightly to the side, his enhanced senses clearly picking up something different about Tony's presence.
Black Widow and Hawkeye were checking their weapons at a side table, but both stopped to look. Falcon adjusted his wing pack straps while standing near the entrance.
Doctor Strange floated slightly off the ground near the corner with his Cloak of Levitation draped over his shoulders.
Complete silence filled the room as everyone stared at Tony.
The silence stretched for several seconds. Nobody spoke. They all sensed that something fundamental had changed about him.
Peggy spoke first, breaking the quiet tension. "Stark. Fury said you'd be coming." Her British accent was clear and professional.
They had already been briefed about Tony's return. Although they expect to hear more about what had happened...the situation doesn't allow for it.
Tony walked forward into the better light near the tactical table. His footsteps echoed slightly on the concrete floor.
His eyes shimmered with quantum energy for just a second before the glow faded and they looked human again. But everyone had seen it.
"The plan we discussed is go. I'm ready now," Tony said in a calm voice.
"Ready?" Steve Rogers studied him carefully with narrowed eyes. His expression was concerned. "You look... different."
Tony could feel their stares. They were all trained observers. They noticed the small changes. The way he moved. The energy that seemed to radiate from him. The quantum shimmer that appeared and disappeared around his outline.
"Long story." Tony stopped at the edge of the tactical table and placed both hands on its surface. "Short version: I encounter some issues and I did a make-over."
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