A flicker of surprise crossed Tony Stark's face at Jarvis's report.
Unreadable?
The armor integrated Stark Industries' most advanced biometric, electromagnetic, and exotic-energy detection systems.
Nothing living — or artificial — should return blank data.
A nuclear device about to detonate would be easier to quantify.
That was what made this unsettling.
Tony internally elevated his threat assessment to maximum priority.
Outwardly, he shrugged.
His expression relaxed into practiced arrogance.
"Cool suit, kid," Tony said lightly. "But my scanner usually only blanks out for ghosts. You sure you didn't wander out of a cemetery?"
At the center of the encirclement, Joren didn't even look at him.
His gaze went past Stark… to the one-eyed director.
"I need eight hours of sleep every day," he said calmly. "It's already late."
He paused.
"I haven't finished my calculus homework."
"So whatever this is… we can discuss it tomorrow."
Silence
The night went still.
Even Nick Fury blinked.
Maria Hill's lips twitched — a microscopic crack in her iron composure.
Tony Stark, who always had a line ready, opened his mouth…
…and closed it again.
Homework?
He had just neutralized a supernatural catastrophe.
And he wanted to leave because he hadn't finished calculus?
Tony and Fury exchanged a glance.
Both saw the same thing:
Absurdity.
Was the boy psychologically abnormal…
or expressing supreme indifference?
Tony broke first.
"Wow," he whistled. "Midtown High must be brutal. Fury, maybe we need to talk to the Department of Education."
Jarvis Background Pull
Inside the helmet, Jarvis had already compiled public data.
Joren Joestar
Parents: historians, frequently abroad
Academic performance: exceptional
Behavioral record: minor disciplinary issues; truancy, physical altercation (isolated)
Social network: minimal
Known close contact: Peter Parker
Personality descriptors: aloof, distant, intimidating presence
A profile so clean it felt curated.
Given tonight's events, that perfection was the greatest anomaly.
Private Channel: Stark & Fury
Tony's voice dropped to Fury's earpiece.
"Let him go."
"Stark," Fury replied quietly, "that's a walking unknown. Releasing him into the population is like dropping unstable nitroglycerin into a kindergarten."
"Wrong analogy," Tony said calmly.
"He's not nitroglycerin."
"He's a nuclear device."
"You don't try to restrain a nuclear detonation. You figure out its parameters."
Tony watched Joren.
"And right now, his parameter is clear."
"He wants to go home and do homework."
Fury remained silent.
Tony continued:
"Jarvis's preliminary behavioral model suggests low aggression and strong conflict avoidance."
"Everything tonight reads as reactive defense."
"He has boundaries. Principles."
"That means he's reachable."
"Push him, and we manufacture an enemy."
"Work with him, and we gain an ally."
"Your Avengers Initiative needs power like that — not a hostile variable."
Fury's jaw tightened slightly.
His instincts demanded control.
His experience demanded restraint.
The Hulk had taught him that lesson.
Finally:
"…Alright."
"Stark, he's your responsibility now."
"If he becomes a problem, Stark Industries gets the bill."
Tony smiled.
"Wouldn't expect anything less."
Stand Down
Fury raised his hand.
Agents lowered rifles in synchronized motion.
A corridor opened.
Joren didn't acknowledge the decision.
He simply walked past Iron Man.
Hands in pockets.
Like a student heading home after late study hall.
Then he disappeared into the night.
Tony watched him go.
"…Interesting kid."
Thrusters ignited.
Iron Man launched skyward in a streak of red and gold.
Containment Phase
Only SHIELD personnel and destruction remained.
"Sir!"
An agent ran up.
"All Hand operatives captured during perimeter setup… they've turned to ash."
Fury's expression hardened.
"Secure the site."
"Retrieve everything. Biological and non-biological."
"Yes, sir!"
Strike teams moved into the theater's dark interior.
Moments later, comms crackled.
"Sir… we have a body. Female. Identified as Madam Gao."
"Vital signs absent. Seven-orifice hemorrhaging. Cause of death unknown."
A pause.
"We also located Wilson Fisk. Alive. Unconscious."
"Orders?"
Fury's voice was ice.
"Recover all remains."
"Madam Gao goes to a Level-10 forensic lab. I want Phil Coulson overseeing the analysis personally."
"As for Fisk…"
He paused.
"…transport him to the Raft."
"Maximum isolation protocol."
"Yes, sir."