067. No One Can Beat Mandarin

As Iron Man and the heroes rushed back, unaware of Mandarin's calculated assault, a grim silence blanketed the conference center. Mandarin's vendetta was a chilling reminder of the terror he once wrought, casting a heavy shadow over the gathering. Each minute he roamed free heightened the dread among officials who knew the cost of their failure to recapture him.

President Matthew Ellis, his face etched with anxiety, glanced toward Colonel Rhodes. "What's the latest update?"

Rhodes shook his head. "No contact with Pyro yet, and Tony's still en route."

General Chris, unable to hide his frustration, scoffed. "Pyro? What's he going to do? Find the Mandarin?" He sneered, bitterness coating his words. "He's nothing but a coward."

President Ellis's patience thinned, and he snapped, "Watch your tone, General. This is hardly the time."

Chris, undeterred, glared at Ellis. "And am I wrong? We exhausted every resource, yet we're here, scrambling in the dark. And Mandarin? He's right in our faces, taunting us!"

Tensions erupted. Ellis rose from his seat, slamming his fist on the table. "I won't tolerate this!" The conference room fell silent, shocked by the usually composed President's outburst. But Chris, unswayed, let out a low chuckle, challenging Ellis with cold disdain.

"Why are you really angry, Matthew?" he asked, voice icy. "Because you doubt them too, don't you? Deep down, you're afraid they won't find Mandarin. You're terrified they'll fail."

Ellis clenched his jaw, his face a mixture of frustration and resignation. Chris had struck a nerve. Truthfully, the Mandarin's cunning left Ellis uneasy. The idea that no one could truly stop him gnawed at his mind. But did they have any other choice?

Just then, an aide burst into the room. "Sir! We've located the Mandarin!"

Everyone's eyes darted to the screen, where Stark Industries loomed ominously in the dim glow of artificial light. Mandarin had chosen Tony Stark's own company as his battleground. The screen showed a chilling darkness swallowing the facility, one the officials recognized too well: the darkness wrought by Mandarin's Black Body Ray, blanketing the area in dread.

"He's back…" murmured a congressman, trembling.

"It's his revenge!" someone whispered. Panic swept the room. The Congress, already crippled by recent losses, now faced an unsparing reality—the Mandarin's retaliation had begun. The room was gripped by an almost unbearable tension as all eyes fixed on the screen, praying for deliverance.

"No one can beat the Mandarin," General Chris muttered coldly. His words hung heavily, capturing the despair saturating the room.