The most powerful thing is not the suit, but the person

The audience at the Hammer weapons launch included many dignitaries, nobles, and influential reporters. As chaos erupted, War Machine immediately shouted, "Everyone, run!" before diving at the nearest Iron Warrior, just in time to prevent bullets from hitting the crowd.

Meanwhile, Alex stood in front of Pepper Potts and Natasha Romanoff. "Natasha, take Pepper and go first," he ordered.

Recognizing the voice, Natasha grabbed Pepper's hand and they ran towards the fire escape. The hall was filled with the sounds of bullets hitting the war machines and Alex's suit. Despite the chaos, the Iron Warriors' primary targets remained War Machine and Alex.

War Machine urged, "Tony, save people first, we can't start a war here, there are too many people."

Alex responded by ripping up the huge carpet and throwing it over the Iron Warriors, buying precious seconds. He then accelerated with a sonic boom, tearing through Iron Warriors one by one, disabling them rapidly.

Within moments, the Iron Warriors in the press hall were down, leaving War Machine and Justin Hammer stunned. "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Hammer shouted.

Ignoring Hammer, Alex demanded, "How many Iron Warriors have you made in total? Where is Ivan?"

Hammer realized that Ivan was behind everything. "He's in the Hammer Building," he admitted.

Alex communicated through Black Widow's earpiece, "Natasha, the person behind this is in the Hammer Building. It's Ivan, the one I asked you to investigate. Subdue him; I'll handle the Iron Warriors outside."

"Understood," Natasha replied, heading off.

Hundreds of Iron Warriors activated and flew into the sky. At this moment, Tony Stark, Iron Man, arrived. "Busy night? What's going on?"

"Tony, take care of evacuating the people with War Machine. I'll handle the Iron Warriors," Alex directed.

"Got it," Tony said. The three suits then separated.

Alex accelerated into the sky, intercepting the swarm of Iron Warriors. With his immense strength, he tore through them like paper, sending mechanical debris raining down.

War Machine, witnessing this, radioed, "Tony, has your suit become this powerful?"

Tony replied, "It's not the suit; it's the person inside."

"Who is he?" Rhodes asked.

"You've met him," Tony answered.

Realization dawned on Rhodes. "The guy who took down those two F-22s?"

"Let's focus on the task at hand," Tony deflected.

After clearing the skies, Alex flew to the Hammer Building, fearing Natasha might need assistance. He arrived to find Happy Hogan fighting a bodyguard. A flick of Alex's finger rendered the bodyguard unconscious.

"You'd better go help Natasha," Happy said, still catching his breath.

"Evacuate the crowd," Alex instructed, moving on.

Alex soon caught up with Natasha, who was now in her combat uniform, looking fierce and determined. As they reached the control room, they found it deserted except for a few unconscious security guards.

"Natasha, go after Hammer. Tony and I will handle Ivan," Alex directed.

"Got it," Natasha responded, turning to leave. But before she did, Alex pulled her close for a long kiss, leaving her blushing.

Re-equipping his suit, Alex flew to the city botanical garden, where Iron Man and War Machine were already engaged in battle with Ivan. The garden was in ruins from the fight. Ivan, with his upgraded suit and a fleet of Iron Warriors, was holding his own against the two heroes.

Alex arrived just in time to witness Iron Man using his lasers to cut down a group of drones, but the fight was far from over. Ivan's drones were relentless, and the enhanced Iron Warrior suit he wore made him a formidable opponent.

Realizing the potential for disaster, Alex knew he had to act fast to prevent Ivan from triggering the detonation of the remaining drones.

"Ivan, stop it."

Ivan was shocked, recognizing the voice. "It's you?!"

Immediately, a section of the unmanned aerial vehicles diverted to block Alex's approach. Seizing the moment, Ivan turned to flee.

Alex had left an indelible impression on Ivan during their prison encounter, where Alex had dug out his heart and then miraculously healed him. Witnessing Alex tear apart Iron Warriors earlier had further cemented Ivan's fear. He could fight Iron Man and War Machine, but against Alex, he had no chance.

Alex, frustrated by Ivan's unexpected retreat, scattered the Iron Warriors blocking his path. With a sonic boom, he was instantly in front of Ivan.

Ivan, desperate, unleashed the full power of his electric whips, cutting through the nearby vegetation. Simultaneously, he activated all his suit's weapon systems, bombarding Alex with bullets, lasers, and micro-missiles.

Alex stood his ground, catching the electric whips and absorbing the barrage of attacks. Explosions surrounded him, but when the smoke cleared, Alex stood unscathed, his suit damaged but still functional.

"Ivan, let's end this," Alex said. "The grudge between your father and Tony's father was caused by the clash of two superpowers. There's no clear right or wrong."

Ivan, panting and cornered, replied, "If I fail today, I'm not leaving the United States alive."

Alex smirked, "Then why did you run?"

Ivan, realizing the futility of his situation, lowered his weapons. "What do you want? Do you want me to resolve my grudge with Stark?"

"No, the grudge is insignificant," Alex replied. "There are greater threats on the horizon, and humanity will need top scientists like you."

Ivan's guard dropped slightly. Alex's miraculous intervention in the past and his current words suggested a looming crisis.

Iron Man, overhearing, asked, "Don, is there really a big crisis? Nuclear war?"

War Machine shook his head. "Nuclear powers are very restrained. Unlikely."

Alex interjected, "Don't speculate. You'll find clues soon enough."

Turning back to Ivan, Alex said, "Today, no significant casualties occurred. You can still change your path."

Ivan was silent, conflicted about joining his adversary.

Alex added, "If you don't agree, I'll threaten you."

Iron Man was taken aback. Alex's threats seemed out of character.

Ivan, equally shocked, asked, "What can you threaten me with? I'm not afraid of death."

"I'll roast your bird and eat it," Alex said nonchalantly.

Ivan was stunned. "How do you know about my bird?"

Alex explained, "I've got it. Haven't tasted it yet."

"You dare!" Ivan shouted. "It's a living creature. How can you even speak of such cruelty?"

Alex shrugged. "It's just a bird to me. If no one wants it, I'll eat it."

After a moment, Ivan asked, "Where is my bird?"

Alex called out, "Ethan, are you there?"

From behind a boulder, Ethan emerged, holding a birdcage. "Mr. Tang, the bird is here. Tony, long time no see."

Iron Man embraced Ethan. "Long time no see, Ethan."

Alex continued, "After your arrest, your neighbor abandoned your bird. My people saved it just in time."

War Machine, initially confused by the bird conversation, was now dumbfounded by Ivan's reaction.

Ivan, taking off his armor, approached the birdcage and bowed slightly. "Thank you. I'll work for you, but I won't associate with Stark."

War Machine was astounded. All this over a bird?

Alex reassured Ivan, "Don't worry, Tony and I are just friends. But in a future crisis, we'll need to work together."

Ivan, though reluctant, agreed. "I'll help, but only to prove I won't lose to Stark."

With that, a formidable scientist was now under Alex's wing. The fallout from this incident left Hammer Company in ruins, with Hammer himself heading to jail.

After the event, Iron Man's reputation soared, with the media attributing much of the heroics to him. Alex, uninterested in fame, allowed Iron Man to take the spotlight, strengthening his leadership role for future Avengers.

Alex reviewed his gains: several hundred more recovery potions, compensating for previous expenditures on Iron Man. With the "Iron Man 2" plot resolved, Alex decided it was time to move on.

---

In a desert town in New Mexico, Alex, in his battle suit, landed quietly at the edge of the town. If the original plot held true, Thor was already here.

Thor's journey to Earth was a long story, and Alex was ready to see it unfold.

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