Deep in the night
Stark Industries Complex, Sector Sixteen.
A S.H.I.E.L.D. squad, led by Level 7 Agent Coulson, swiftly arrived at Obadiah Stane's secret R&D facility, prepared to locate the Iron Man armor technology.
As the team started their search, two intense white lights suddenly cut through the darkness of the factory!
Accompanied by the whir of hydraulics, a massive steel giant, over three meters tall, fully materialized, its cold metallic surface radiating an oppressive aura.
"Open fire!"
Coulson reacted immediately, raising his weapon along with the surrounding agents, unleashing a torrent of bullets.
The hail of rounds struck the Iron Monger armor, sending sparks flying with each impact. Yet, attacks potent enough to pierce human flesh barely left scratches on the armor's thick plating.
"Move aside!"
Stane's voice boomed, metallic and harsh.
Before the echoes faded, the Iron Monger armor lunged, smashing into the nearest agent!
The agent had no chance to evade. The sheer force hurled him into the wall with a sickening crunch of breaking bones. His fate remained uncertain.
The remaining agents, witnessing the disparity in power, immediately took cover.
Fortunately, Stane's attention was elsewhere.
The Iron Monger armor ignored them, smashing through the factory wall and thundering into the middle of the road!
Drivers froze, stunned by the sudden appearance of the metallic colossus.
What is that?
A mini Iron Giant?
Panic erupted when the armor casually flipped a massive highway truck like a toy. Screams pierced the air, and car horns blared in chaos.
"Stane!!"
A furious roar split the night sky.
A red and gold figure, thrusters screaming, plummeted from above, crashing violently into the Iron Monger in the street!
Bang!!
The two armored giants collided, their clash shaking the asphalt. Sparks and lightning streaked across the road as they tumbled, rolling several times before finally halting.
The Iron Monger quickly regained balance. Its scarlet mechanical eyes locked onto the red and gold figure. Stane instantly recognized the pilot.
"Tony, how do you like my new outfit?" Stane's voice dripped with mockery through the loudspeaker.
"Shut up, you cheap knock-off!"
Tony's blood boiled.
A genius like him could tell at once: this was just the Mark I he had forged in that cave—scaled up and copied!
Even worse, the arc reactor powering the Iron Monger's chest was the one taken from his own body!
Could humiliation get any worse than this?
"Tony, you're brilliant, but sometimes the ideas you create aren't truly yours!"
Before Tony could respond, the Iron Monger's right arm lifted. The six-barrel Gatling gun whirred to life.
Da da da da da—!
Bullets rained down, forcing Tony into a continuous retreat. He grit his teeth and fired two blinding energy blasts from his palms, momentarily halting the assault.
"Sir, energy is down to 18%," J.A.R.V.I.S. warned.
"I know!"
Tony's heart sank. His chest arc reactor—the original prototype—was nearly depleted. Though the Mark III was more efficient than the Mark I, it wouldn't last much longer. Continued fighting meant the Mark III would soon become scrap metal, leaving him defenseless.
Boom-rumble—!
The Iron Monger charged again, the ground shaking under its massive weight.
"Damn it!"
Tony crossed his arms over his chest instinctively, bracing for impact.
Clang!!
The Iron Monger, with sheer tonnage and momentum, sent the Mark III hurtling through the air. Tony slammed onto the road ten meters away, creating a shallow crater. Before he could rise, the armor loomed over him, stomping hard.
Looking down, Stane sneered triumphantly: "Tony, your armor is no match for mine."
"Bullshit!"
Tony felt utterly powerless. Despite knowing the Iron Monger was a crude copy, its massive bulk and heavy plating made it nearly invincible against his nearly depleted energy. Humiliation washed over him.
The Iron Monger lifted the Mark III and hurled it toward a bus. Stane's heavy steps closed in.
"Listen, I built this company from the ground up. No one stops me—not even you!"
An anti-tank missile launcher rose from the armor's shoulder, locking onto Tony.
Familiarity froze Tony momentarily. The missile fired!
Just as Tony prepared for the blast, a figure appeared in front of him, wielding a completely ordinary frying pan. With a swing like a baseball bat, the pan struck the missile.
Clang! Boom!
The missile exploded instantly, flames and shockwaves erupting outward.
As the smoke cleared, Daniel stood before Tony, frying pan in hand, unharmed.
"You're fighting a boss without calling me?"