Tony began sealing himself into the Iron Man armor.
Karl watched the tactical display as four Stark Industries armed helicopters hovered in standby formation above the estate. The feed showed weapons payloads, targeting systems, and electronic countermeasures running through J.A.R.V.I.S.
Then Karl suddenly spoke.
"Tony… do you still have Jericho missiles? Bring out everything. I'll have the Shadow Ninjas deploy them."
Tony paused mid-movement.
"…Oh hell," he muttered. "The Xavier Institute is about to have a very bad night."
He sealed his helmet.
"The remaining weapons stockpiles are stored in one of our decommissioned facilities. Come on."
He ignited his thrusters and blasted skyward.
Karl followed, ice wings unfolding behind him, telekinesis boosting his velocity.
Behind them, the four Stark tactical helicopters lifted off and fell into formation, their navigation systems linked to J.A.R.V.I.S.
Stark Weapons Depot
Minutes later, Tony descended inside a massive Stark Industries storage facility.
Lights flickered on.
Karl took in the sight.
Crates stacked to the ceiling.
Missile racks.
Heavy ordnance.
Vehicle-mounted weapon systems.
High-caliber machine guns.
Mortars.
Mini-missiles.
Targeting systems.
And dozens upon dozens of Jericho missile units — Stark Industries' devastating multi-stage bunker-buster system once designed for battlefield shock deployment.
Tony opened his helmet.
"It's all here," he said. "Stark Industries is out of the weapons business. No point letting this rot."
Karl looked at him seriously.
"Thank you, Tony."
Tony waved him off.
"Oh stop. If we're doing this, we're doing it right."
But the grin inside the helmet betrayed his excitement.
Karl rolled his eyes.
Then shadows flooded the facility.
More than a thousand Shadow Ninjas emerged, moving with eerie coordination. They began transporting the entire weapons stockpile into the Shadow World.
Crates vanished.
Missile systems disappeared.
Heavy weapons dissolved into darkness.
Thirty minutes later, the warehouse stood empty.
Karl raised the Niga mask and transmitted combat knowledge to the shadow warriors — weapons operation, targeting procedures, and coordinated deployment tactics.
The army was ready.
Tony resealed his helmet.
Repulsors ignited.
He launched skyward.
Karl's ice wings crystallized into full span, and with telekinetic propulsion augmenting his flight, he shot into the air behind him.
The helicopters rose and followed.
J.A.R.V.I.S. plotted the course.
Destination:
Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.
Xavier Institute – Emergency Assembly
Jean Grey pushed Professor Charles Xavier into the conference chamber.
The X-Men were assembled.
Logan (Wolverine) stood near the window, arms crossed.
Scott Summers (Cyclops) stood beside him, visor gleaming.
Ororo Munroe (Storm) remained composed but alert.
Dr. Hank McCoy (Beast) reviewed data on a handheld monitor.
Peter Rasputin (Colossus) stood like a silent wall of steel.
Bobby Drake (Iceman) leaned against the table, nervous energy visible.
Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat) sat forward anxiously.
John Allerdyce (Pyro) flicked a lighter open and closed, flame dancing between his fingers.
Charles spoke gravely:
"I have angered a powerful individual. He is associated with Stark Industries… and with Tony Stark himself."
A heavy silence settled over the room.
"He may arrive shortly," Charles continued. "Our priority is the safety of the students."
Pyro scoffed.
"One guy? I'd like to see him try something."
Logan's claws slid out with a metallic snikt.
"If he threatens the kids, he goes through me."
Storm's voice was calm but firm.
"This is not a battlefield, Logan."
Cyclops stepped forward.
"If Stark is involved, we must de-escalate. Any conflict here brings government response within hours."
Beast nodded.
"The Institute cannot withstand federal military intervention."
Charles closed his eyes briefly.
"We seek resolution — not war."
The Arrival
The air outside shattered with a sonic boom.
BOOM —
Tony Stark descended from the sky in gleaming armor, landing in the courtyard.
Karl followed seconds later, ice wings dispersing into mist as he touched down.
Four Stark tactical helicopters hovered overhead, rotors thundering, weapon systems idle but unmistakably ready.
Spotlights cut across the grounds.
Wind from the rotors bent trees and rippled the grass.
Tony's helmet turned slowly.
Karl's eyes glowed faint blue in the twilight.
The night held its breath.
And the Xavier Institute prepared for what came next.
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