…
On the way back, Leon said, "Tony, when we get home, make me a Miniature Arc Reactor too. My flight ability is way too inconvenient without a steady power source."
"Oh, that?" Tony replied casually. "I already made an extra one before we left."
"…Excuse me?"
Leon turned sharply. "Then why didn't you give it to me?"
"You didn't ask," Tony said innocently—though the smugness in his tone gave him away. "I assumed you didn't need it."
"Tony, you—"
Leon laughed in disbelief. He had been planning to share certain research insights about a new element with Tony once they got back.
Now?
Well.
"You didn't ask."
"Hey, hey—what are you doing?" Tony yelped as Leon reached toward his chest again.
"Tony, my dear big brother," Leon said sweetly, "if you don't want to get shot down by Rhodey's fighter jets, stay still and let me handle propulsion."
Without waiting for approval, Leon siphoned power from the Arc Reactor again.
Golden light enveloped them both.
In a streak of radiance, Leon pulled Tony forward in a blazing arc—
Blasting past a patrolling F-22 at extreme speed.
Arcee, meanwhile, escorted Yinsen's wife and daughter along a safer coastal route by sea.
They agreed to regroup at Malibu Mansion.
Edward Air Force Base – California
"What the hell was that?!"
The F-22 pilot stared at the golden streak that had just overtaken him at Mach 1.5.
Within minutes, Edwards Air Force Base was in chaos.
Radar data showed:
Estimated speed: over Mach 5
Radar cross-section: minimal
Visual confirmation: golden energy arc
Duration on radar: less than a second
If that technology belonged to a foreign power—
They were already outmatched.
"NSA got anything?"
"They're asking if it was ours."
"CIA?"
"Same question."
"Damn it!"
"Get Colonel Rhodes in here!"
Soon enough, Colonel James Rhodes arrived.
"What's going on?"
An officer replayed cockpit footage on the main screen.
A brilliant golden streak flashed across the frame—clean trajectory, deliberate movement.
Not a natural phenomenon.
Rhodes replayed it several times.
"What's the projected flight path?"
"Mid-Pacific… Malibu coastline… Los Angeles—"
"Malibu?"
Rhodes' eyes narrowed.
The Stark brothers' cliffside mansion was located precisely along the Malibu coast.
"I'll make a call."
Malibu Mansion
Tony, assisted by Leon and Dum-E, was in the middle of awkwardly removing the damaged Mark III armor when Rhodey called.
Click.
Tony: "Hey, Rhodey. What's the good news?"
Rhodes: "Tony, I need a favor."
Tony: "Sounds promising. Go on."
Rhodes: "A golden unidentified flying object just overtook one of our patrol fighters."
Leon (off to the side): "Cool. Must've been fast."
Rhodes: "Leon? You're there too?"
Leon: "Yep. Tony and I were out for a spin."
Rhodes: "Well, that object is heading toward your house. If you know anything, I need to know now."
Tony: "No worries—ah! Leon, easy!"
Rhodes: "What are you two doing?"
Leon: "Tony tripped getting out of the car. I'm applying hydrogen peroxide."
Tony: "That is blatant slander—ah! Watch it! Be careful with that area! Think of your future nieces and nephews!"
Rhodes: "…"
Rhodes: "Tony. Please don't tell me you injured your… cavernous body."
Tony: "AAH—! Rhodey, I'm busy. Gotta go."
Click.
Rhodes lowered the phone slowly.
Before the call, he was 90% sure the UFO was Tony.
After the call?
100%.
"Unidentified object is friendly," Rhodes announced dryly.
He removed his uniform jacket.
He was going to Malibu.
Stark Tower – R&D Division
Dr. Ho Yinsen, now serving as Chief Scientific Consultant, sat in his office watching live news replays.
"…Fifteen miles outside Gulmira have been described as a living hell. Armed militants backed by what appears to have been Obadiah Stane have displaced countless civilians…"
Yinsen closed his eyes.
"Maya… Aiya… I'm coming to find you."
"Looking for someone?"
Leon and Tony entered without knocking.
"Tony," Yinsen began, "I don't believe I'm fit to continue as Chief Scientific Consultant. As a husband and father, I—"
He froze.
Behind the Stark brothers—
His wife.
His daughter.
Alive.
"Maya? Aiya?!"
They ran into his arms.
"How are you here?!"
"Mr. Leon and Mr. Tony saved us," Maya said tearfully.
"And Sister Arcee!" Aiya added brightly.
Yinsen's eyes reddened.
"I don't know how I can ever repay you."
"That's easy," Tony said, snapping his fingers.
"I just established the Gulmira Relief Foundation. It needs a president."
"…You did?"
"Just now."
Yinsen didn't hesitate.
"I accept."
Rebuilding his homeland alongside his reunited family—
There was no greater calling.
Leon stared at Tony.
"When did you set that up?"
Tony turned, walking away with effortless swagger.
"Just now."
Leon clicked his tongue.
"Unbelievable. He pulled that off again."
He hurried after Tony, leaving Yinsen and his family in their long-awaited reunion.
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