Finally, the third item appeared.
[Item: Perfect 50/50 Serum — How to Create an America's Ass. Price: $10 million]
(A/N: The phrase 'America's Ass' comes from Avengers: Endgame (2019), during the time heist sequence. Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Scott Lang (Ant-Man) are looFinnian at past Steve Rogers in his tight suit from the 2012 Battle of New York.
Tony Stark: "Mr. Rogers, that suit did nothing for your ass."
Scott Lang: "I think you look great, Cap. As far as I'm concerned, that's America's ass."
Later, when Cap defeats his 2012 self, he looks down and says:
"That is America's ass.")
"Not bad, not bad."
Finnian nodded with satisfaction as he turned at the intersection, heading toward Tony Stark's seaside mansion.
Even without a discount, the 50/50 Serum would definitely generate massive emotional value for his number one benefactor.
Tony's situation wasn't exactly great—there were still plenty of bomb fragments lodged in his chest cavity.
The 50/50 Serum's effects on the body should improve his condition, maybe even force the shrapnel out entirely.
Finnian sincerely hoped his generous benefactor would live a long time. After all, he was even ready to push Tony into worFinnian harder to make more money.
As for whether this would also turn Tony Stark into the second-generation "America's Ass"?
Heh. Gains and losses. Nothing in the world is perfect.
An hour later, Finnian's secondhand Mazda (which was great at one thing: getting stuck in traffic) finally pulled up in front of the beachside villa.
Before he could ring the doorbell, Tony's mechanical dog opened the villa door from inside.
"Good job, Darkie," Finnian praised.
The robo-dog led him downstairs to the lab beneath the living room, where Tony and Dr. Yinsen stood in front of a red-and-gold suit of armor, running diagnostic hand gestures.
When they saw him, they grinned.
"Hey, Finnian."
"Hey, you two pulled it off. Congrats."
Using the White Can Armor as a reference—and mixing in the transformation tech from the robo-dog—the two had skipped right past the clunky first-gen prototypes and created a foldable power armor.
It looked almost exactly like the suitcase-style Mark V we'd later see in Iron Man 2.
Tony suddenly remembered something. His eyes lit up. "Is it done?"
Finnian pulled out a vial of serum like a magician producing a rabbit. "It's no worse than Rogers's."
Tony snatched it up. "How do I use it? Drink it?"
"Injection. Straight in."
Finnian remembered Captain Rogers getting jabbed with a direct injection, transforming from a 5'4" skinny guy into a 6-foot-tall muscle god.
This stuff was basically a blessing for any short guy.
He couldn't help but imagine… if Peter Parker had this, would his web-swinging style become even more ridiculous?
"Ahhhhhh—!"
Tony's shrill scream yanked Finnian back to reality.
Tony tore off his shirt, clutching his chest as red lines spread across his skin, like something inside was forcing its way out.
Meanwhile, his body—hollowed out by booze and women—was suddenly hardening, strengthening before their eyes.
The screaming didn't stop.
Yinsen panicked and tried to hold him down. "Finnian, what's happening? What's wrong with Tony?"
As someone who'd shared life and death with Tony, he was frantic.
"Relax. He'll get used to the pain," Finnian said calmly. Then, realizing things were about to get messy, he added, "Doctor, grab a blanket. Cover him up."
Chunks of shrapnel began forcing their way out of Tony's chest, clattering onto the floor, blood following in streams.
After thirty long minutes, the screaming finally stopped.
Tony lay there, panting, drenched in sweat, every piece of clothing shredded, a blanket barely covering his waist.
"Fuck… that feels amazing. I feel twenty years younger."
Yinsen was speechless, pointing back and forth between Tony's body and the Mark Armor. It took him forever to choke out words.
"You're stronger now. The armor… might be a bit small."
"Oh shit," Tony groaned. "Fine. I'm showering. Doc, can you clean this up?"
"Of course," Yinsen nodded.
As Finnian looked around the lab, Yinsen sidled up to him.
"Mr. Murdock… what was that serum?"
"Super Soldier Serum."
He didn't bother hiding it. This one was mid-tier compared to things like the perfect Spider Serum anyway.
"The same as Captain America's?"
"Almost. A little better."
Truthfully, Finnian was debating whether he should bring up his own plans to Tony now.
So far, their cooperation had been smooth: Tony had spent a fortune renting the White Can Armor and robo-dog, building his Mark suits, and now getting this serum.
Finnian, in turn, had raked in huge profits—enough to buy powers like freezing and energy absorption, plus a nice villa.
Mutual benefit. Everyone winning.
After a moment's thought, Finnian decided to wait. He still had two years before he could legally run for office. Best to move in silence.
He checked his balance—$87.9 million left. It would last, assuming the dog system didn't refresh with nothing but overpriced crap.
Right now, he needed flight and a cure for his brother Matt's blindness.
Because let's be real: a superhero who can't fly just feels like he's missing something.
Without flight, even heroic entrances end up awkward.
Tony came back after his shower, "Finnian… thanks."
"You're welcome. Friends help friends."
"Yeah." Tony hesitated, regret in his voice. "Although I'm a little reluctant… you can take the White Can Armor and Darkie back with you."
"Huh?" Finnian blinked.
"You don't need them anymore?"
"No. From here on, Yinsen and I have our own ideas. Thank you for everything."
"In that case… I'll take them."
At his thought, the White Can Armor standing nearby liquefied, flowing across his body until it encased him fully.
The robo-dog shrank down into a cassette tape.
"I'll head back. Call me if you need anything."
"Will do."
Wearing the White Can Armor again, Finnian shot into the night sky, savoring the rush of flight as he headed back to Hyde Garden.
He'd been out all day—no idea if Skye had gotten used to being alone at the villa.
"Wait a sec…" Finnian suddenly remembered. Stark Industries' stock had tanked after Tony announced the permanent end of weapons development.
But now? With the Mark Armor finished? The stock was about to skyrocket.
"Buy, buy, buy. Absolutely buy."
He kept $900,000 for emergencies and dumped the remaining $87 million into Stark Industries stock.
All-in.
It was a gamble of wisdom. And he was sure the payoff would be massive.
Bang!
When he landed in the courtyard under cover of night, he faintly heard Skye's voice.
"Are you an alien? An alien Autobot?"
"Uh… beautiful lady, please keep your distance. The boss is back."
"Boss?" Skye tilted her head. "Who's your boss?"
Hearing that, Finnian's face darkened.
"Great. I should sell this guy."