Tony stared at Rhodes, his heart filled with confusion and disbelief.
He regarded Rhodes as his closest friend, but at this moment, he couldn't understand why Rhodes would stand against him—why he was stopping him from helping his friend Alex Ray.
He stood there, eyes locked on Rhodes, trying to comprehend why his best friend was preventing him from doing what he believed was right.
"Tony, you know I wouldn't stop you without a reason," Rhodes said, his voice steady and resolute. Each word was firm, without a trace of doubt. "But this time, I can't let you go."
Tony frowned. He didn't understand. Why?
He thought Alex Ray was his friend, someone who needed him.
He couldn't just stand by while Alex and the people of Hell's Kitchen faced an onslaught from the federal government alone.
"Why? Alex is my friend—he needs help now!" Tony's voice was thick with frustration.
There was a determined fire in his eyes, as if they were ready to ignite.
"Don't give me that federal government crap. I don't care, and I'm not afraid. If you still consider me your friend—don't stop me!" he shouted, voice rising with emotion.
He was clearly agitated, but beneath it all was a fierce loyalty to his friend and a deep concern for Alex Ray.
In Tony's mind, Alex's conflict with S.H.I.E.L.D. stemmed from his own past actions.
He carried guilt—he felt responsible for the trouble Alex and the people of Hell's Kitchen were in.
For days, he'd been searching for a solution, mobilizing every resource and connection Stark Industries had, trying to diffuse the crisis.
But the outcome had been disheartening.
The federal government seemed determined to crush Hell's Kitchen. No compromise. No negotiations.
Tony wasn't about to accept that—not at any cost.
He had never given up, and now that things were escalating into open conflict, he knew this was the moment to act.
What he hadn't expected… was for Rhodes to try and stop him.
And that's what left him stunned—because the man standing in his way was the same one he called his brother.
Rhodes looked back at him, eyes filled with conflict.
He took a slow breath and began, "Tony… you know you're not the same as Alex. Stark Industries has long-standing ties to the federal government—and the military.
Those relationships have generated countless contracts, massive revenue, and essential support to national defense.
If you go to Hell's Kitchen now, you'll be declaring war on all of that. You'll be dragging Stark Industries into open rebellion.
Thousands of employees could lose their jobs. Are you ready to be responsible for that?"
His words weren't delivered in anger, but with the heavy weight of reality.
He was hoping—pleading—that Tony would think it through.
But Tony Stark wasn't ignorant of the stakes. He knew exactly what Rhodes was talking about.
And he didn't care.
He had absolute confidence in his intellect, in his innovation, and in the future of his company.
If the government wanted to cancel their contracts—fine. Stark Industries had already phased out weapons manufacturing anyway.
As long as he was alive, Stark Industries would survive.
He pressed the visor of his helmet down and said clearly, "I'm going to help Hell's Kitchen as Tony Stark—the man. As Iron Man. Not as the CEO of Stark Industries."
His voice was unwavering. It was a declaration—to the world, and to himself.
He wasn't a billionaire in a suit, or the playboy the world loved to gossip about.
He was a friend.
A friend to Alex Ray.
A friend who couldn't stand by any longer.
And with that, Tony turned without hesitation, launching himself toward Hell's Kitchen in a burst of light, his armor streaking across the night sky like a falling star defying gravity.
But what he didn't expect—was the ambush.
A sudden flash of light, and Rhodes—War Machine—appeared in his field of view.
No warning. No hesitation.
A blast from Rhodes' repulsors hit him hard, sending him spiraling to the ground. He crashed, rolling several times before finally skidding to a halt.
Tony lay there momentarily, stunned.
He pushed himself to his feet, staring in disbelief.
"You're actually using the armor I gave you… to stop me?" he asked, voice low, trembling with betrayal.
Rhodes met his gaze, eyes filled with regret.
"There was no other choice," he said. "I can't let you drag Stark Industries into this. And it's a direct military order—I was told to stop you."
Tony's chest tightened.
A military order.
He looked at his friend, but all he could think of was Alex Ray—how he'd never used their friendship as leverage, how he never played politics.
If it were Alex in this situation, would he have obeyed a military order?
Tony doubted it.
Alex would've defied it to protect a friend.
Tony shook his head.
"I'd rather be friends with Alex and his crew. At least with them… there's no conflict of interest. No split loyalties. Alex doesn't care about power or politics—he only wants money," Tony thought bitterly.
And he didn't even see that as a flaw.
In Tony's eyes, Alex Ray had helped him. Saved his life. Helped him uncover the real murderer of his parents.
And now, because of him, they were at war with the government.
If all Alex wanted in return was money—then so be it.
What a simple, honest request.
In Tony's heart, he respected that.
Alex was so "greedy," he was practically incorruptible.
So rich… the only thing he wanted was more money.
Tony raised his eyes, meeting Rhodes' once more, and something hardened inside him.
He couldn't back down now.
Not for Stark Industries. Not for the military. Not even for an old friend.
His voice cut like steel: "Then stop me if you can. Just remember—that armor? You're wearing it because of me."
And with that, he ignited his thrusters and rocketed into the air once more.
Rhodes didn't hesitate. He followed immediately.
Their battle had begun.
They were no longer friends. Not in that moment.
They were opponents, each driven by duty—but on opposite sides.
Tony, with his more advanced Iron Man suit and superior combat instincts, quickly gained the upper hand.
He dodged Rhodes' attacks with precision, launching counterstrikes that tested every inch of Rhodes' armor and resolve.
Each clash made Rhodes more exhausted, and he couldn't deny—Tony was a genius. Not just in the lab, but in battle.
But Tony knew time was running out.
Defeating Rhodes wasn't his goal.
Getting to Hell's Kitchen was.
With a sudden burst, Tony blasted Rhodes back, giving himself the opening he needed.
He turned and sped off at full power.
Rhodes, left behind, watched the shrinking silhouette of his friend in the sky.
His fists clenched.
He understood. Deeply.
He knew what Tony was doing, and why.
And that's what hurt most.
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As the plot unfolds, it dives deep into the Spider-Verse, Avengers War and the Marvel Multiverse, weaving in epic elements from Endgame, God of Stories Loki, Kang the Conqueror, the Council of Kangs, the Council of Reeds, and even Franklin Richards.
Expect mind-bending twists with Deadpool breaking the fourth wall, going on a rampage that includes killing everyone... even the authors themselves.
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Bonus Chapter - 150 Power Stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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