The workshop hummed softly with controlled chaos.
Holographic screens floated midair, shifting between energy readings, alien schematics, and half-finished designs that only one person in the world could fully understand. Robotic arms moved in precise, mechanical ballet, adjusting components and holding tools at exactly the right angle.
At the center of it all stood Tony Stark, coffee in one hand, the other gesturing wildly at a floating projection.
"…Nope," Tony muttered, flicking a hologram aside with his free hand. "That is definitely not supposed to glow like that."
Behind him, JARVIS spoke with calm precision. "Sir, I would like to remind you that you said the same thing approximately six times in the last hour."
"And I was right every time," Tony shot back, squinting at another screen. "Glowing is bad. Glowing means excited. Excited means—"
A new screen flashed red.
Thermal spikes.
Unstable energy readings.
Multiple locations.
Tony's expression shifted instantly. The coffee cup lowered. The humor drained from his face.
"JARVIS."
"Yes, sir."
"Tell me that's not what I think it is."
A pause. Then: "I'm afraid it matches the Extremis profile, sir. Multiple signatures. Spreading rapidly."
Tony exhaled slowly, the weight of the moment settling onto his shoulders.
"…Great."
Several hotspots lit up across the city. Moving. Unstable. Dangerous. Each one a walking bomb waiting to happen.
"Alright," Tony said, already moving toward his suit. The robotic arms shifted gears, plating beginning to fold into place. "Looks like people are trying to explode again."
He paused mid-step.
Then smirked slightly.
"Let's call backup."
---
Somewhere Else…
Eli sat on the edge of a rooftop, legs hanging over the side as he absentmindedly spun a small piece of metal between his fingers. Below, the city moved like it always did—busy, loud, alive. Taxis honked. Pedestrians hurried. Somewhere, a street vendor was yelling about something.
For once, nothing was trying to kill him.
It was suspicious.
His phone buzzed.
Unknown Caller
Eli stared at it for a second.
"…This is either important," he muttered, "or I'm about to be very annoyed."
He answered.
"…Hello?"
"Kid, tell me you're not busy."
Eli blinked. "…Tony?"
"I prefer 'genius billionaire calling you for a very important reason,' but sure, Tony works."
Eli smirked, leaning back slightly. "What did you break this time?"
"First of all, rude," Tony said. "Second of all, technically not me this time. These ones came pre-broken."
"That's how I know it's serious."
"Incredibly. Now get airborne. I'm sending coordinates."
---
Back in the Sky
Metal folded around Tony as the Iron Man suit sealed into place with a series of satisfying clicks. The HUD flickered to life, displaying threat assessments, heat maps, and the rapidly moving Extremis signatures.
Thrusters ignited.
He shot into the sky.
"We've got Extremis signatures popping up across the city," Tony said, his voice crackling through the comms. "Multiple targets, high heat output, very explode-y. The kind of explode-y that takes city blocks with it."
On the other end, Eli stood up from the rooftop, the piece of metal dropping forgotten.
"…Of course it's explode-y."
"Everything is explode-y," Tony replied. "That's kind of our brand now. We specialize in explode-y."
Eli stretched slightly, rolling his shoulders. "Location?"
"Sending it now."
A ping hit Eli's phone. Coordinates. Multiple. Moving fast.
His expression sharpened, the easy humor fading. "I see them. They're spreading out."
"Yeah," Tony said. "So here's the plan—"
"You distract them while I fix it?"
Tony paused mid-flight. "…I was going to say I distract them while you don't accidentally level a city block. Minimal property damage, kid. Think you can manage that?"
Eli smirked, stepping to the edge of the rooftop. "No promises."
"Fantastic," Tony muttered. "I love working with you. It's like having a slightly less chaotic version of me."
"Debatable."
Tony's voice came back through the comms as Eli prepared to launch.
"Oh, and one more thing."
Eli sighed, already knowing it was going to be something. "What?"
"Romanoff asked if you were nearby."
Eli paused mid-step. "…Why?"
Tony smirked inside the helmet. Even without seeing it, Eli could hear it.
"No reason. Just thought I'd let her know her favorite—" He paused dramatically. "—white-haired mystery problem is on the way."
Eli froze.
"…Don't."
"Oh, it's happening."
"Tony."
"I'm workshopping names," Tony continued, clearly delighted. "White Lightning? Snowstorm? Rapunzel—"
"Stop talking."
"—I like Rapunzel. It's got range. You've got the hair and the looks. It fits."
Eli pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm hanging up."
"You literally can't. I'm already in your comms. We're connected now. Spiritually."
"…I hate technology."
"You say that while flying without wings."
"Details."
---
Launch
Eli stepped forward—
Then dropped.
For a split second, gravity took him, the wind rushing past as he fell toward the city below.
Then—
BOOM.
Air compressed beneath him as he shot forward, tearing through the sky like a missile. Wind roared past his ears. Clouds split around him. His speed climbed rapidly, the city blurring below.
Tony tracked him on his HUD, watching the signature accelerate past normal parameters.
"…Okay," Tony muttered. "That is still not normal. Every time I see it, I think it's going to stop being impressive. It doesn't stop."
"Race you there," Eli said, his voice calm despite the speed.
"You're already cheating," Tony replied. "You don't even have engines."
"I have me. That's better."
"Debatable. Highly debatable."
Impact
The city came into view.
Smoke rose from three separate locations. Fire flickered between buildings. Movement in the streets—panicked civilians, and among them, the too-bright heat signatures of Extremis operatives.
Tony's tone shifted, the humor fading into mission focus.
"Alright, kid. Multiple hostiles. Civilians in the area. Try to keep collateral low."
Eli's voice came back calm and focused, the teasing gone. "When have I ever not?"
Tony didn't hesitate. "Do you want the list alphabetically or chronologically?"
Eli smiled slightly despite himself. "…Fair."
Tony slowed slightly in the air, targeting systems coming online. "Alright. Let's go to work."
Below them—
The first explosion went off.