In the Administration, the director and others watched in awe as Tony deftly wielded earthen weapons to dismantle the enemy. Each expression of surprise grew more intense than when Tony had created his steel battle suit.
Darwin remarked, "Tony's using his intelligence to the fullest. Honestly, I think I like him even more now."
Several military leaders nodded in agreement. "Tony's fighting instinct is exceptional."
"We all thought he relied on his steel suit to fight," someone added.
"But it turns out he's also capable of teaching us a lesson with pure wisdom."
The crowd exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
The broadcast continued, and Tony appeared to be delving deeper into the situation.
[ Tony had arrived at the villa after eliminating those outside. Seeing two people chatting, he used his click gloves to take down a man from behind. He then quietly picked up a pistol and slipped inside. ]
[ Just after entering the room, he noticed a lot of photographic equipment. An image of the black-robed master was displayed above. Tony stepped inside and saw someone on the bed, holding a pistol and yanking the quilt, only to realize they were two models. ]
[ Suddenly, the sound of a toilet flushing echoed behind him, and Tony swiftly hid behind the bed. ]
[ The man walking and chatting with the models was the Mandarin. ]
[ Tony frowned, raising his gun to aim at the black-robed figure. But before he could speak, the Mandarin raised his hands and said, "Bloody hell, bloody hell." ]
[ Tony ordered, "Don't move." ]
[ The Mandarin responded, "I'm not moving. If you want something, just take it. But all these guns are fake, your buddy here doesn't trust me with the real ones." ]
[ Tony's face was filled with suspicion and confusion. Suddenly, he pulled the bolt and pointed his gun at him. "You're not the master of the black robe. Where is he?" ]
[ Tony's anger boiled over. He had come seeking revenge for the black-robed master but found himself face-to-face with someone who looked the same as the master, yet was vastly different from what he'd seen on TV. ]
[ "Where!" Tony demanded, voice trembling with fury. ]
[ The man quickly replied, "He's here, but not here. The situation's complicated." ]
[ "Uncomplicate it," Tony snapped, forcing the two models to leave. When he looked back, he saw the Mandarin trying to crawl away. Without hesitation, he shot to stop him. ]
[ The man uttered his name, causing veins to bulge on Tony's neck. "What are you? A decoy? A double?" ]
[ Tony aimed his gun, and the man panicked. "Don't shoot! I'm an actor." ]
[ Tony's face burned with frustration, his hands trembling. "You've got a minute to explain." ]
[ The man explained, "It's just a character, the Mandarin. It's all made up." ]
[ Tony didn't lower his gun. His suspicion deepened. ]
[ The man suddenly spoke, "Uh, I've been missing some substances, and I had to do some things, street things, man's work. They knew about it and asked me to perform the role." ]
[ Finally, Tony understood. Angrily, he gritted his teeth. "Killian? You fabricated all of this? A staged terrorist attack?" ]
[ The man nodded quickly. "Exactly. It's what his think tank came up with. And there's a pattern, serial murderers using Western iconography. It's all part of the act." ]
[ Tony sank onto the sofa, staring at him. "And the people you killed? Those scenes, were they real?" ]
[ The man opened a can of beer, replying casually, "Look around, costumes, green screens. Honestly, half of those 'killings' were just special effects in movies. The horror scenes? All green screen magic." ]
The broadcast suddenly fell silent. No one expected this revelation. The so-called Mandarin was just an actor. The terrifying scenes, the murders, all illusions, illusions created with green screen tricks.
"This… what a joke!" someone whispered.
"Damn! All this time, it was fake?"
"So Killian = Mandarin = Terrorist?"
"It's over! Isn't Pepper in more danger now?"
"What's Killian planning? Revenge on society?"
"Or just revenge on Tony?"
"Using this method to coerce officials?"
"Tony's furious!"
He worked tirelessly, twisting through every obstacle to find the truth, only to discover it was all a staged act, an actor, not a real villain. Tony's teeth clenched in silent rage.
"Killian doesn't hold grudges from the past?" someone asked anxiously.
"No," another replied. "Although Tony did too much, retaliating like this is extreme."
"Tony, watch your back!"
The audience watching the broadcast nearly stood up in panic. Someone was walking behind Tony, visible on the screen.
[ Tony rose abruptly, aimed at the actor, and declared, "Sorry, but an old friend of mine is in a coma and might not wake up. You're responsible for this." ]
[ "I still need to take care of it..." Before Tony could finish, he saw the actor signaling behind him. ]
[ Tony instinctively reached for his gun, but the opponent grabbed his arm, punched him in the head, and Tony blacked out. ]
"It's Savin!"
"Savin is here, so it's true!"
"Tony's knocked out! They've caught him!"
"Pepper and Tony are both heading home."
Panic swept through the crowd. Killian and his team planned to use Pepper to threaten Tony. But now, Tony had walked right into their trap.
Everyone's nerves were on edge.
"What? Who can save Tony?"
"Rhodey's been caught!"
"Killian's team is unstoppable, caught everyone!"
"Where's Rogers? Thor? Come on, save your friends!"
"I just praised Tony's heroism, but the enemy's even more dangerous!"
"Savin, enhanced by the Extremis virus, he's probably stronger than Tony!"
"Damn it!"
"Is Tony really going to join Killian? Hand over new weapons and Extremis?"
"It's not impossible."
"If Tony does, will Jarvis control the suit remotely? Like the Mark 42?"
"No, Mark 42 needs Tony to activate it."
Suddenly, chaos broke out in the Administration Bureau. Their concern wasn't just Tony's safety but the dangerous mind behind Killian.
The director's brow furrowed, a wry smile forming as he stared at the screen.
Johan sighed softly, "Don't worry. Tony's situation looks grim, but he's resourceful. Even if he joins Killian, he might be helping us, revealing their plans from within."
Everyone looked stunned.
Tony, with a bitter smile, added, "Johan's seeing it clearly. History often gives us clues. If Tony had joined Killian in a previous life, maybe it wouldn't have been so bad."
They nodded, some grimly, recognizing the truth.
The screen flickered.
[ In a dark basement, Tony suddenly awoke. Struggling, he realized he was tied to an iron frame. Opposite him, Maya turned her head to face him. ]
[ Maya looked at him and asked, "Is it the same as before?" ]
[ Tony avoided her gaze, replying coldly, "Helping your arm was fun." ]
[ Maya shook her head. "That's not my idea." ]
[ Tony pressed on, "So you really took Killian's business card?" ]
[ Maya admitted, "I took his money." ]
[ Tony challenged, "And now, thirteen years later, you're trapped in this cellar?" ]
[ Maya denied, "No, you're the one trapped, you can leave whenever you want." ]
[ She stepped closer. "We've been through a lot, Tony. But we're almost there." ]
[ Tony strained against the ropes, but they held firm. ]
[ "The Extremis virus is stable," Maya said softly. ]
[ Tony snapped, "I told you he didn't! I saw people explode on the street, blood splattered everywhere. Maya, you're fooling yourself." ]
[ Maya pulled out a card with Tony's old calculation formula. "Then you'll fix it for me." ]
[ Tony's eyes burned with anger. "This is what I wrote. You used to have morals, ideals. You wanted to help others. Look at you now." ]
[ Tears welled in Maya's eyes as she stepped back, overwhelmed. ]
[ Suddenly, Killian's voice echoed at the door: "You know what my father used to say? The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese." ]
[ Tony asked coldly, "Aren't you still angry about that rooftop?" ]
[ Killian set down a box and smiled bitterly. "How could I be mad at you, Tony? I'm here to thank you, your greatest gift: despair." ]
[ He approached, voice trembling with emotion. "Remember that day? We met on the roof. For twenty minutes, I thought you'd come back." ]
[ Killian's eyes gleamed as he recounted, "Then I just wanted a shortcut to the hall. Do you understand what I mean?" ]
[ Tony questioned, "What happened to the first mouse?" ]
[ Killian didn't answer directly. Instead, he continued, "Looking out over the city, no one knew I was there. Invisible, unnoticed. That gave me an idea, my guiding light for years. It's just a mask, Tony." ]
[ Turning to Maya, Killian added, "Thanks to you, I have this powerful weapon, right?" ]
[ "You see, behind the mask, you're no longer an ordinary person, you're a target." ]
[ He opened a box, revealing a holographic projection sphere. "I guess you've seen him?" ]
[ Tony responded coldly, "Yes, Mr. Actor." ]
[ Killian nodded. "Sometimes his performances are over the top, but I can't blame him, he's a stage actor." ]
[ Tony, eager to end this, asked, "What's your next move?" ]
[ Killian smiled calmly. "To repay you for what you gave me, by doing the same." ]
[ As he spoke, he activated the projection ball. An image flickered to life. ]
[ "Despair," Killian whispered. ]
[ The image showed Pepper, restrained and writhing in pain. Lava-like lines spread across her exposed skin beneath the despair virus. Killian injected her with the virus. ]
Countless viewers watched in horror. Tears streamed down Tony's face as he saw Pepper struggling, agony etched into her features.
In the Administration's control room, almost everyone slammed the table in anger.
"Damn, Killian! You're not human, how could you do this?"
"Waiting for nothing! You're going to kill her partner?"
"Damn! If I were there, I'd shoot you!"
"This virus is unstable!"
"Killian, true terrorist!"
"Who could do such a thing?"
"God, why put Pepper through this?"
"Tony, you're a genius and a hero, find a way!"
"Yes! Tony must have a plan."
"Mark 42! Is the armor charged? Can it fly?"
"Even if it can reach him, it's too far!"
"Tony will save her; he loves Pepper too much."
"Come on! Develop something to stabilize the Extremis virus!"
"Is there still hope?"
The crowd's eyes filled with hope and despair. Tony was immobilized, watched from afar. Friends were gone. What could be done?