The Call That Broke the Line
The call came late.
Pepper's voice was tight.
"Alex. Veronica. You need to come. Now."
Alex didn't ask questions.
Veronica already knew.
"…He's spiraling," she said quietly.
They left immediately.
Stark Mansion — Chaos
Music blasted.
Lights flashed.
Guests froze as two armored figures crashed through furniture.
Iron Man.
War Machine—unfinished, unstable.
Tony and Rhodey were throwing punches, metal against metal.
Alex stepped forward.
Calm.
Then—
He caught both of their fists mid-swing.
The room went silent.
Music cut.
Everyone stared.
Tony and Rhodey both froze.
"…What the hell?" Tony muttered.
Alex didn't even strain.
"Enough."
He let go.
Truth Surfaces
Alex looked at Rhodey first.
"What's going on?"
Rhodey exhaled sharply.
"The military's breathing down my neck. They want the suits. All of them."
Alex nodded once.
Then looked at Tony.
"Let him take the suit you're wearing," Alex said calmly.
"But only that one."
Rhodey hesitated.
Alex met his eyes.
"Only you can wear it."
Rhodey nodded.
Understood.
He turned—and left.
Family First
Veronica didn't wait.
"What were you thinking?" she snapped.
"Drinking, fighting, lying—!"
Tony looked away.
Alex raised a hand gently.
"Veronica."
She stopped—but stayed close.
Alex turned to Tony.
"How much time do you have left?"
Tony stiffened.
"…What?"
"The palladium," Alex said evenly.
"How much of your system is compromised?"
Tony swallowed.
"…Sixty-five percent."
The room went cold.
Pepper covered her mouth.
Veronica stared at her brother.
"…You hid this?"
Answers, Not Yet
Alex turned slightly.
"JARVIS."
"Yes, Master Ashborn," the AI replied instantly.
"Prepare the Stark Expo model."
"…Model construction initiated," JARVIS confirmed.
Veronica blinked.
"…Why the Expo model?"
Alex looked at Tony.
"You'll find the answers you're looking for," Alex said calmly.
"Exactly where your father intended."
Tony stared.
"…You knew?"
Alex met his gaze.
"I've always known."
Tony exhaled shakily.
Alex continued.
"When this is over," he said quietly,
"I'll tell you who I really am."
Tony nodded slowly.
Veronica nodded too.
Pepper—who had been listening silently—nodded as well.
Calm After the Storm
The party was over.
The chaos faded.
But the truth was out now.
And Tony Stark—
For the first time—
Was no longer facing it alone.