Tony listened quietly. The shock and anger that had flashed across his face slowly ebbed, replaced by a calm that made him look almost dazed. He stared at Henry and realised, with a strange ache, that his younger brother had grown up overnight.
His mind drifted to their parents. He remembered Henry saying their father had been strict but secretly proud. He saw, in fragments, the complicated warmth in Howard's eyes. He had always told himself it didn't matter, but now that the truth was out, the hurt hit him full force.
Ethan stood by, solemn, and let out a quiet sigh. "Tony," he said slowly, "the terrorists who invaded my home and killed my family were only tools, puppets ordered by someone else. I don't care who pulled the strings. If I can't avenge them, I don't know how I can face their graves."
Tony sat for a moment longer, then slammed his wine glass to the floor. The crash sounded like a round of drums in the quiet lab.
"You're right, Henry!" he snapped, eyes burning. "I don't care if he was brainwashed. He killed our parents—he must answer for that. Weapons are tools. It's the hand that uses them we punish. If a weapon commits an unforgivable crime, the master must die and the weapon must be destroyed."
Henry nodded, relief and steel both in his gaze. "Then we remove Hydra. Clean them out. Kill the leaders who hide in the shadows and end that organisation for good."
Henry's plan extended beyond vengeance—clean S.H.I.E.L.D., confront Director Fury, and recover whatever Howard left behind. If they could, maybe they could finally control their own legacy. The thought made Henry smile; it felt, in a twisted way, like inheriting a father's business.
"We still have a lot to do," Tony said, forcing his voice level. "From now on, we head in that direction."
"So we won't be saving the world in spandex anytime soon," Tony added, a rueful edge to his grin.
"Saving people when the mood strikes is fine," Henry said. "But being Superman 24/7 is tiring and thankless."
"First, we teach that idiot Director a lesson," Henry continued, and Tony laughed—sharp, dark. He thought of the man who'd withheld the new element and couldn't help a cold flash of amusement. "We'll pay Director Fury a visit."
Tony composed himself, then let his usual venomous charm resurface. "But before we get diplomatic, someone should give us some practice."
"I can," Henry said, a challenge in his eyes. "But you can't beat me."
"Really?" Tony rolled his eyes. "I don't want to bully a country bumpkin fresh from space."
Ethan was about to intervene when Jarvis spoke up. "Gentlemen, I believe I have located a sparring partner for you."
Tony leaned forward. "What is it?" Henry listened with a grin forming on his face.
A holographic feed filled the lab: two titans clashing in Harlem. A green colossus and a khaki behemoth smashed through city blocks—every impact rattled the ground, every roar unsettled the air. The footage was raw, violent, and mesmerizing.
"These creatures engaged in a fierce battle in Harlem, New York," Jarvis explained. "Significant structural damage reported. You might wish to observe."
Tony's pupils narrowed with excitement. "How about it, Henry?" he asked, already baiting.
Henry's smile widened. "I've never had a proper opponent. Of course we go."
They rose together. Henry turned to Ethan. "You head back for now."
"No problem," Ethan replied. "Be careful."
"We're just going for a friendly academic exchange," Tony added so casually it sounded like a joke.
They moved upstairs. Tony grabbed his suitcase from a hidden locker; Henry did the same and began suiting up.
"Jarvis, be gentle," Henry joked as the suit sealed. "Don't pinch me."
"Noted, sir. With your current recovery rate, any bruises will likely heal within 0.1 seconds," Jarvis replied.
In minutes, two suits of sleek technology—gold-and-red and obsidian black—stood on the lawn. The two men stepped out into the night.
"Honestly, Tony, you're gaudy in that gold-and-red," Henry complained.
"Better than your brooding black," Tony shot back.
"It's simplicity," Henry said. "Simplicity!"
"Mr. Simple Tin Can," Tony snapped, then laughed. Henry floated up and offered a challenge. "Race to New York. Loser buys cheeseburgers for a month."
"Deal," Tony said.
In an instant Henry was a streak of black lightning, disappearing into the sky with a sonic boom that split the night. Tony gaped in surprise.
"That's low!" he shouted. "He launched a sneak attack!"
"Jarvis—full power. Catch him. I'll show him who the big brother is today!" Tony barked, then rocketed into the sky, a streak of red and gold chasing the black streak toward Harlem.