Chapter 22: Iron-man vs. Iron Monger

The night draped the city in shadows, and Hunter sat alone in his office, the soft glow of monitors casting a muted light across the room. The hum of technology filled the air as he observed the scene ahead of him.

Hunter took a sip of his coffee, the bitter warmth contrasting with the cool, calculated demeanor he maintained. The Ghost, a spectral presence in the digital realm, had positioned himself to observe the conflict from a distance, providing valuable insights into the unfolding events.

"Ghost, keep a safe distance, but make sure you get every detail" Hunter instructed, his voice low but commanding.

The microscopic surveillance drones, a technological marvel enhanced by Azmuth and Q, were deployed to hover near the epicenter of the conflict. Each drone was equipped with state-of-the-art cameras and sensors, relaying real-time information back to Hunter's monitors.

As he watched the scene unfold through the lens of advanced surveillance, Hunter couldn't help but appreciate the intricate dance of power between Stark and Stane. The clash of armor and the brilliance of technology painted a mesmerizing picture.

Hunter's mind, ever analytical, processed the data streaming in. Every move, every calculated strike, held significance. The conflict wasn't just a battle of metal suits; it was a clash of ideologies, a testament to the burdens carried by those who wore the mantle of power.

In the midst of the surveillance, Hunter's thoughts briefly drifted to the Skrulls, to the island being prepared as a sanctuary, and to the myriad challenges that lay ahead.

"Ghost, I want updates on their every move. Analyze their tactics, and let me know if there's any deviation from the expected patterns," Hunter instructed, his eyes fixed on the screens.

The city skyline provided a dramatic backdrop to their airborne battle, the glinting armor and fiery repulsor blasts cutting through the darkness.

The two armored titans circled each other like predators sizing up their prey. Iron Man, sleek and agile, moved with a grace that defied the weight of his suit. In contrast, Iron Monger, a hulking mass of metal, exuded raw power as he advanced with deliberate steps. Iron monger due to his heavy armour had high defence whereas Tony's armour more inclined towards agility, was able to hit more attacks but did less damage.

The clash of metal echoed through the city streets, drawing the attention of both the unsuspecting civilians below and the unseen observer in the sky. Unknown to Ghost there seemed to be a person in a suit with receding hairline, standing on top of a building.

Ghost's surveillance drones captured every moment of the confrontation, their lenses zooming in to witness the exchange of devastating blows. The suits, equipped with an array of advanced weaponry, unleashed a barrage of repulsor beams, missiles, and concussive blasts, each strike aiming to outdo the other.

Hunter, in his office, monitored the situation with unwavering focus. The screens flickered with the intensity of the battle, the data streaming in real-time.

As the battle raged on, Iron Man's agility became a key advantage. He danced through the air, dodging Iron Monger's relentless assaults and retaliating with precision strikes. The city became their arena, and the clash of titans threatened to leave a lasting mark on its landscape.

Ghost, perched on a high vantage point, relayed observations to Hunter. "Iron Man is maintaining a higher mobility, exploiting Iron Monger's slower movements. The structural integrity of Iron Monger's armor seems to be holding, but there's stress accumulating in the joints."

Hunter nodded, acknowledging the information. He knew that battles of this magnitude weren't just about raw power; they were strategic contests where weaknesses had to be identified and exploited.

As the clash continued, Iron Man executed a series of acrobatic maneuvers, leading Iron Monger into a high-speed pursuit through the city's canyons.

The frigid winds of high altitude whipped around Iron Man and Iron Monger as they hurtled through the night sky. The icy grip of the upper atmosphere began to take its toll on the massive armored form of Iron Monger. His movements became sluggish, and the once-imposing figure struggled against the numbing cold.

Seizing the opportunity, Iron Man executed a daring maneuver. He twisted and turned in the air, eluding Iron Monger's attempts to grasp him. Then, with a sudden burst of speed, Iron Man ascended higher into the freezing atmosphere, dragging his opponent with him.

The temperature plummeted, and the moisture in the air crystallized, creating a frosty sheen on the armored suits. Iron Monger's movements became more labored, and his suit's systems strained under the extreme conditions.

At the peak of their ascent, Iron Man enacted his plan. With a swift motion, he disengaged from Iron Monger, allowing the plummeting descent to begin. As they descended, the bitter cold intensified, and the air became a freezing whirlwind.

Iron Man, equipped with a suit designed for high-altitude flight, maintained control over his descent. In contrast, Iron Monger, encumbered by the freezing effects and the sheer bulk of his suit, struggled to maintain stability.

The descent turned into a chaotic freefall, the two armored figures spiraling downward like meteors. Iron Man's repulsor thrusters flared to life as he expertly guided himself through the cold maelstrom.

As the ground approached, Iron Man executed a controlled landing, his boots making contact with the pavement with a resounding thud. Iron Monger, however, crashed with a thunderous impact, sending shockwaves through the surrounding area.

The city streets trembled as the colossal form of Iron Monger lay motionless, encased in a layer of frost. Iron Man, standing tall amidst the aftermath, surveyed the scene. The freezing effect had taken its toll, rendering Iron Monger temporarily incapacitated. Tony took off his damaged gauntlet and helmet, sat on the ground taking a breather.

In his office, Hunter observed the conclusion of the battle. The screens displayed the aftermath, and Ghost relayed the status. "Iron Monger is down. Freezing effect took a toll on his systems. Iron Man seems to have the upper hand."

Hunter said, "Don't be so sure. Common sense doesn't apply here!"

Iron Monger or Stane recovered and aimed the missile towards Tony and fired it off. Fortunately, the missile was off target, the night sky crackled with the remnants of Iron Monger's failed missile assault. Stane, undeterred by the malfunctioning targeting systems, aimed to eliminate Tony Stark with a barrage of explosive projectiles. The glass roof under Tony's feet creaked under the pressure of impending danger.

As the missiles streaked towards Tony, his quick thinking and resourcefulness came into play. He instructed Pepper Potts, who was anxiously watching from below, to override the arc reactor, a risky maneuver that would deprive both Iron Man and Iron Monger of their power source.

Iron Monger, comprehended Tony's intent. With a swift and lumbering movement, he shifted away from the intended blast zone. The missiles whizzed past Tony, missing their target due to the erratic aiming systems.

In the midst of this chaos, Hunter, observing the unfolding events with a keen eye, recognized the deviation from the expected sequence. This unexpected turn could lead to dire consequences. Quickly assessing the situation, he issued a decisive order to Ghost.

"Neutralize Stane," Hunter commanded, a sense of urgency in his tone. The directive was clear, and Ghost, with a swift response, retrieved a sniper rifle from his equipment bag. Positioning himself with precision, he took aim at Iron Monger's arc reactor core.

The crack of the sniper rifle echoed through the night, and the projectile found its mark. Iron Monger, caught off guard by the unexpected attack, staggered as the arc reactor core suffered a critical hit. Hunter's intention was a precision headshot, but unclear orders had dictated a different outcome.

Over the intercom, Hunter's voice resonated, explaining the deviation from the initial plan. "By 'neutralize,' I meant a headshot, but this outcome works as well. This was mistake on my part". Ghost replied, "Then 'eliminate' is the right word."

Hunter acknowledging the mistake said, "Yeah I will make sure this doesn't happen again"

As the dust settled, Iron Monger, now incapacitated and with his power source compromised, stood as a testament to the strategic decisions made in the heat of the moment. The culmination of Hunter's intervention had corrected the course of the battle, leaving Iron Man with a narrow victory and Iron Monger in a state of defeat.

On the rooftop, Ghost received Tony Stark's thumbs-up acknowledgment. It was a silent exchange of gratitude and recognition between the two figures, each understanding the role they played in the unfolding drama below. Tony's security team and Pepper Potts rushed to his side; concern etched on their faces as they assessed the situation.

Tony, however, reassured them with a nonchalant wave, indicating that he was unharmed. The resilient genius, accustomed to navigating through perilous situations, displayed a calm exterior despite the chaos that had ensued. Though unknown to them the observer have seen the whole exchange.

He connect a call and spoke, "Director Fury, there seems to be a variable here of which we have no idea about."

Fury, "Skill level?"

"Able to snipe 3 inches target from 150m. Trained veteran."

Fury replied, "Ok Coulson, return to base and give me the full briefing and ID the motha…"

Down in his office, Hunter acknowledged Ghost's contribution with a simple yet meaningful statement, "Good job." The words conveyed a sense of appreciation for Ghost's precision and prompt action. With the immediate threat neutralized, Hunter issued a follow-up command, instructing Ghost to return.

Ghost, having fulfilled his role in the night's events, disengaged from his vantage point. The rooftop, once a strategic perch, became vacant as Ghost made his way back to the base, but before leaving, he looks at another rooftop at his 7. He shrugged off the uneasy feeling and returned.

As Ghost faded into the darkness, the aftermath of the battle lingered in the air. Tony, Pepper, and the security team, though relieved by the resolution, were left to grapple with the implications of the night's events. Hunter, from his office, continued to monitor the situation, ready for whatever challenges the ever-unpredictable landscape of this new world might throw at them next.

A system prompted.

[Successfully made contact with 'Tony Stark'.

Summoning system active]

Hunter smiled at the notification. The corridors of the Red Room echoed with the subtle hum as Hunter hummed a tune in happiness. Hunter, en route to the secure chamber, found himself accompanied by the ever-inquisitive Jiraiya, a figure whose curiosity matched the labyrinthine depths of the Red Room itself.

As they walked, Hunter's steps were measured, a reflection of the gravity that often accompanied his movements within these secured confines. Jiraiya, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by the air of secrecy that enveloped them, his eyes keenly observant of the surrounding technology.

"So, Hunter," Jiraiya began, breaking the silence that lingered between them, "summoning active again?."

Hunter nodded, acknowledging the observation. "Yeah, it's active again."

Jiraiya's eyes lit up with intrigue. "Summoning, huh? Always wondered what kind of beings one could bring into this world. Anything exciting in the pipeline?"

Hunter offered a cryptic smile. "Well, you know how it goes. Sometimes, it's a hero, other times, it's a ghost from the past. The system seems to have a mind of its own."

Jiraiya chuckled. "Ah, the mysteries of technology or well system. Reminds me of my younger days when we were still figuring out scrolls and seals. Those were the good days."

As they continued through the Red Room's intricate passages, the atmosphere shifted, and they approached the secure chamber. The entrance was guarded by advanced security measures, a testament to the importance of the activities transpiring within.

Hunter keyed in the necessary codes, and the heavy door slid open, revealing the chamber beyond. The room was bathed in a soft, ambient glow, emanating from the neon lights on the walls of the chamber.

Hunter nodded and said, "Here we go! We might have some unexpected guests dropping by, and your expertise might come in handy."

Jiraiya's eyes sparkled with a mischievous gleam. "Who knows? Maybe I'll find a fellow ninja from my era. That'd be a trip, wouldn't it?"

Hunter chuckled, appreciating Jiraiya's sense of humor. As they entered, the door slid shut behind them, sealing the secrets of summoning within the confines of the Red Room.

Hunter clicked on summon, the notification read

[Summoning: Anbu Platoon (Naruto Universe)]

[Applying Peak Summoning Token

Sorting out timelines.

Extracting peak from time line]

[Summoning successful]

A white smoke emerged and silhouette were visible. Hunter, instantly recognizing few of the character just from silhouette grinned, "Oh now we are talking."

Jiraiya as well recognized the new summoned characters and smiled.