---
The silence that followed Ron's declaration wasn't just heavy—it was historic.
"I will build a new Earth," Ron repeated, his eyes glowing faintly with cosmic white light. "You can stand beside me… or be swept away."
Tony Stark exhaled slowly, tapping on the arc reactor embedded in his chest. "You really know how to make a first impression, don't you?"
Ron didn't smile. "Not here to impress."
Steve stepped forward. "Ron, this isn't a dictatorship. Earth isn't perfect, but we've fought for it—bled for it."
"I know," Ron said calmly. "But people are still dying. Kids are still starving. Nations are still fighting over illusions of power. You're all heroes—but the system you protect is broken."
Tony raised a brow. "And you plan to fix it… with what? An army of super clones? A throne made of ideals?"
Ron stepped closer. "No. With truth, and with power that enforces it. I'm done watching from the shadows."
Natasha moved beside Ron, her hand gently brushing his. "He's not trying to become a tyrant, Stark. He's trying to stop another one from rising."
Strange narrowed his eyes. "And who decides who the tyrants are?"
Ron looked him dead in the eye. "Me."
Everyone flinched slightly—not at the words—but at the conviction behind them.
Tony's expression darkened. "Then maybe we need to discuss some boundaries before you start rewriting world laws."
Ron tilted his head. "Boundaries are made by the weak… to protect their fear."
But then, Tony smirked. "Well, you'll love what I'm about to say then."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a sleek, black device, no bigger than a pen. It pulsed with strange red and blue energy.
"This little thing?" Tony said lightly. "A gift from Reed Richards. Quantum-coded to lock onto your specific frequency. We call it the 'Ron Protocol.'"
Ron's gaze shifted, sharp. "You made a weapon against me?"
Tony raised both hands. "Insurance. Not an attack. I like you, Ron—but I've lived long enough to know every god bleeds eventually."
Steve frowned. "Tony—"
"No," Ron cut in. "He's right."
Everyone turned to him.
"I'd do the same if I were you," Ron said. "But just know… the moment you use that thing…"
He stepped forward. In a blink, he vanished—then reappeared behind Tony, holding the device gently in his hand.
"…will be your last moment."
Tony didn't even react, though his pulse had spiked. "Point taken."
Ron placed the device back in Stark's pocket and walked to the edge of the rooftop.
"But I'm not here to destroy. Not unless I'm forced to."
He turned back, facing them all.
"I'll give you time. To think. To decide."
Then he smiled—a calm, terrifyingly confident smile.
"But the world is already changing. Every second I breathe… I become stronger. My army grows. My reach expands. If you want peace, join me. If not…"
He raised his hand, and a portal of glowing black-and-gold opened behind him.
"…stay out of my way."
With that, he vanished.
---
Later – Inside Stark's Lab
Tony stared at the device in his palm.
Bruce approached, nervous. "Are we going to use it?"
Tony didn't answer.
He just stared into the dark… and wondered how long they had before choice was no longer an option.
---