Horror twisted Whiplash's face. He hadn't expected to be humiliated and defeated by Tony Stark, to have his precious armor shredded and be brought low by sheer firepower. But before Tony's bullets could turn him into a beehive, four metallic claws shot out from nowhere, spinning wildly to block every shot.
"Haha! Doctor! I knew you'd show up! Our plan is working perfectly, right?"
"Well, Ivan, how did you end up in such a state?"
A man in a lab coat hovered nearby, his body almost melding with the mechanical arms sprouting like an octopus—none other than the infamous Doctor Octopus. Four metal tentacles lashed out, shielding Whiplash from certain death.
"Not unexpected," Doctor Octopus said, his eyes calculating. "But today's little complications make things… interesting."
Whiplash's ashen face lit up with renewed confidence at his reinforcements. He didn't notice the lifeless form of Obadell nearby, who had been rendered utterly powerless, leaving only Ryuuto and Tony to witness his downfall.
Tony raised a hand sharply, signaling his commandos to hold fire. The battlefield shifted.
Around Whiplash and Doctor Octopus, a new wave of soldiers emerged—Hanmer Steel Soldiers, upgraded by Ivan himself. Cold, ruthless, and lethal, these enhanced troops could level blocks of New York City if left unchecked. The air was thick with tension, and stalemate loomed.
"What's going on? Did Ten Rings' plan fail?" Whiplash muttered, realization dawning.
"Half-success," Doctor Octopus admitted, eyes narrowing. "Everything was going smoothly… until Spider-Man showed up."
Ryuuto smirked at the mention of Gwen. The friendly neighborhood Spider-Woman was a minor complication, sure—but she was a future protector of New York and the United States. All the better for practice.
"Whiplash! No escape! Hands where I can see them!" Tony barked, activating his protective mask and calling in several hovering helicarriers. Commandos moved into formation, all-out resolve gleaming in their eyes.
"Ha! And if we don't agree?" Whiplash sneered, swinging his whips recklessly.
"Think you can handle us all with that little strength?" Doctor Octopus added, spinning his four claws menacingly.
Across the battlefield, Ryuuto strode forward with effortless confidence. His gaze cut through the soldiers like a predator spotting a line of helpless prey.
"Delicious snack," Ryuuto muttered under his breath, eyes glinting.
Then, like a storm descending, familiar voices rang out. "Yes! There's still us!"
"No matter who it is, if they harm innocents or destroy peace, the X-Men will never forgive!"
One by one, Bobby, Steel, Storm, and other X-Men operatives landed around Ryuuto, dramatically reversing the momentum. Tony and his commandos' morale skyrocketed.
"Whiplash, now what? Do you still think your power can match us?" Ryuuto called, smirking.
"Don't get cocky! More people doesn't mean anything!" Whiplash snapped, seething with anger, but secretly calculating a retreat. Doctor Octopus mirrored his hesitation, though both tried to mask weakness with sneers.
"Lucky for you today! But hey, Iron Man—maybe you should worry more about your Pentagon," Whiplash taunted, voice dripping with malice.
"Run? Don't make me laugh," Tony shouted, unflinching.
"Alone, my armor can crush you! And with New York in chaos, do you think the Hulk alone can protect Obama?" Whiplash's grin widened.
"Dream on! Even if Ross' capture team is after Banner, it's not enough!" Doctor Octopus cackled, as if victory were already theirs.
Ryuuto's eyes narrowed. "No. Banner mustn't fall into trouble. We can't let them succeed."
"Understood," he added, nodding firmly.
"Great Iron Soldiers! Wipe out these ants!" Whiplash roared, commanding the upgraded Hanmer Steel Soldiers into action. Gunfire erupted, filling the air as battle ignited. Whiplash bolted for an airship amidst the chaos, while Doctor Octopus hurled smoke bombs and lashed his mechanical arms at Ryuuto and the heroes.
The streets of New York became a war zone in seconds, the showdown escalating into a citywide spectacle.