Chapter 144: Iron Man Never Looks Back at Explosions

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"How are you going to kill me?" the man with the shaved head asked.

"You'll find out," Tony Stark replied.

"You're currently tied up," the man with the shaved head taunted.

"This is how I'll kill you!" Tony Stark suddenly made a hand gesture, but because his hands were restrained, the movement was minimal.

The man with the shaved head and the man with the ponytail stared at Tony Stark like they were watching a clown.

"Like this!" Tony Stark made the hand gesture again, "Believe me, you will fall in a pool of blood. Five, four, three, two..."

"Stark, what are you doing?" inside the answer space, Thor said exasperatedly, "Frightening people away by acting crazy?"

"This performance is quite convincing," James Rhodes commented, "Hollywood owes you an Oscar."

"Why did we end up with someone like him?" in the video, the man with the shaved head said in disbelief.

"Well, I'll give you a chance to escape," Tony Stark continued, "Put down your weapons and tie yourselves to the chairs, and I won't kill you. Five, four, bang! You're dead now, should've died long ago."

"You really scared me," the man with the ponytail said, holding the gun.

The video paused at this point, and the question began.

[What was Tony Stark's "acting crazy" behavior actually doing?]

[A) Delaying time]

[B) Putting on the armor]

[This mini-question is correct; rewards five years of lifespan. Answering incorrectly will deduct one year of lifespan.]

No need to say anything more; as soon as the question came out, everyone knew to choose B. When Mandarin attacked Tony Stark's mansion, at the moment the missile hit the mansion, Tony Stark effortlessly made the armor appear on Pepper Potts by simple movements. After Pepper Potts was safe, he easily summoned the armor back to himself with just two gestures.

"Stark, your style of dressing is indeed convenient," Steve Rogers said, "If it were the previous armor, you'd probably have to act crazy to get it to come to you."

"Still, I copied it from me," Tony Stark said nonchalantly.

"It just doesn't look too cool. You made the gestures a few times, and the armor didn't come over," Sam Wilson said.

"Maybe it's because the distance was too far, and it takes time for it to fly over," Tony Stark said, "Remember when I asked the man with the ponytail about the distance between Tennessee and Miami?"

"That ponytail guy said 832 miles," James Rhodes said, shocked, "Tony, are you telling me that you can make your armor fly over from 800 miles away just by moving your hands in the room?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Tony Stark said.

"You're really an armor expert," James Rhodes praised.

"I am, who can compete with me?" Tony Stark made his choice, "I choose B!"

[Answer correct! Reward issued!]

Tony Stark gained another five years of lifespan, adding to the rewards from the previous questions. Tony Stark now had nearly twenty years of additional lifespan, enough for him to answer many more questions.

The paused video resumed.

"Here it comes!" in the video, Tony Stark began counting down, "Three, four..."

"Shut up!" the man with the ponytail said.

"Five, four, three, two, one!" Tony Stark rapidly finished the countdown.

At that moment, a miracle happened. With a bang, a palm pierced through the glass and flew in.

Of course, it wasn't a human hand but the hand of the armor.

After the armor's hand flew in, it immediately transformed and covered Tony Stark's entire forearm.

Swoosh!

Tony Stark wasted no time and immediately fired a repulsor blast, directly sending the man with the shaved head flying.

Tony Stark used the opportunity to free his hands, and the man with the ponytail rushed forward, attempting to engage in hand-to-hand combat with Tony Stark, but Tony Stark instantly grabbed his gun.

Snap!

At this moment, the glass above shattered again, and one of the armor's legs flew in, piercing Tony Stark's leg. Tony Stark lifted his leg and kicked the man with the ponytail away.

With the armor covering his left hand and right leg, and holding the man with the ponytail's gun in his right hand, Tony Stark stood imposingly, waiting for the other parts of the armor to arrive.

However, the other parts of the armor remained motionless.

"What about the rest?" Tony Stark questioned in surprise.

The camera switched scenes, showing Potato Gun Boy in the room, looking astonished at the garage. The garage door was banging and shaking continuously, as if something was about to burst out.

As it turned out, the other parts of the armor didn't rush in because the armor was malfunctioning; it was because the armor didn't know how to unlock the door.

Potato Gun Boy stepped forward and opened the garage door. One by one, the armor components flew out and soared into the sky.

Meanwhile, Tony Stark had already encountered more enemies. Several gunmen charged at him.

Tony Stark's left hand and right leg emitted energy, suspending him in mid-air, spinning around. His right hand held a gun, rapidly firing and driving the surrounding enemies back.

In the air, Tony Stark finished a full circle of shooting, then spotted a cover. With a push of his left foot against the wall, he flew over, and there were two enemies right above his head. He raised his hand and fired a burst of bullets.

Boom!

While shooting with the gun, he raised his left hand and fired a repulsor blast.

In this manner, Tony Stark, using only one hand and one leg of the armor, managed to take down all the enemies.

At this moment, the remaining parts of the armor finally arrived, and each component transformed and extended on Tony Stark's body. Tony Stark was finally fully suited up.

Just then, Tony Stark saw another suit of armor flying in the sky. The scanning result displayed as "Steel Patriot."

"Alright, let's go!" Tony Stark extended both palms, wanting to fly up and pursue the Steel Patriot suit. However, the armor's energy was insufficient, and it remained on the ground, unable to take off.

"Oh, how useless," Tony Stark couldn't help but comment.

The scene switched, and James Rhodes was lying on the ground, hearing the alert "All units, Stark has escaped to the control room."

James Rhodes became alert and immediately got up, knocking down the enemies around him and making his escape.

James Rhodes also noticed the suit of armor flying in the sky and quickly grabbed a cellphone from one of the enemies to make a call, "Tony."

"Rhodes, tell me that suit of armor is you," Tony Stark said.

"No, where's your armor?" James Rhodes replied.

"So, not only did Mandarin capture you, but me as well?" inside the answer space, James Rhodes said, "And it looks like he also took my armor. Mandarin is much more formidable than I thought."

"They have some 'spicy' enhanced women who can capture both of us, not surprising," Tony Stark said, "But what's up with your armor, Steel Patriot? Come on! That name is absolutely awful!"

"It sure is terrible," James Rhodes agreed.

"Why did the color change?" Tony Stark asked, "Did you repaint it?"

"Definitely not me," James Rhodes denied.

The video continued.

Tony Stark and James Rhodes were on a yacht.

"If he's right, we'll be able to see Pepper in another 20 minutes," Tony Stark said.

"But we still need to deal with the Vice President's situation," James Rhodes said.

"Right," Tony Stark said, holding his phone, "I was just about to call someone, oh, it's the Vice President!"

Then Tony Stark called the Vice President. It seemed like the Vice President was preparing for Christmas; two tall Christmas trees were visible in the room. When he received the call, he said, "Hello?"

"Sir, I am Tony Stark," Tony Stark said.

"Good to hear you're still alive," the Vice President replied.

"We believe you are also a target of Mandarin. We need to take you to a safe place immediately," Tony Stark said.

"Mr. Stark, I'm about to enjoy the finest honey-glazed ham. The President and Colonel Rhodes are on Air Force One," the Vice President wasn't moved by Tony Stark's words, "I believe we are just fine."

"Sir, I am Colonel Rhodes," James Rhodes spoke up, "They used the Steel Patriot as a Trojan horse to target the President. We must notify them immediately."

"Alright, I will have the security agency take action. If needed, F22 can be airborne in half a minute," the Vice President said, "Thank you, Colonel."

"Understood," James Rhodes replied.

"Is there anything else, sir?" after hanging up the call, a Black man with an unknown position came over and asked.

"Nothing at all," the Vice President smiled, handed the phone to the man, and went inside to accompany his daughter.

"This Vice President is suspicious!" Thor exclaimed, "He clearly knows the President is in danger, yet he says nothing is happening!"

"The Vice President is in cahoots with Mandarin!" James Rhodes' face turned grim. The secret revealed in this video was too significant; the second in command of this country was conspiring with evil!

"No matter when, infighting

"Rhodes, the Mandarin's attack happened after the Battle of New York, and that's all we know. We have no idea whether it was one year, two years, or three years after the battle," Tony Stark said, "The current Vice President may not be involved with the Mandarin. If you go and warn the President without concrete evidence, won't it be baseless accusations? Let's consider the worst-case scenario. Even if the Vice President does have ill intentions now, without evidence, why would the President believe you?"

"Stark is right. This matter must absolutely be kept confidential," Steve Rogers added, "We can't let any information leak."

"Are we just going to ignore it?" James Rhodes asked, "I know the President might be in danger, and I should do nothing?"

"We can approach this from two angles," Steve Rogers said, "First, we take down the Mandarin and the Ten Rings. Without the Ten Rings, the Vice President will be isolated, and even if he has intentions against the President, it won't be easy for him to act. Second, we gather evidence secretly of the Vice President's ambitions. If we have solid proof, the President will have no choice but to believe you."

"Rhodes, don't worry, I'll help you," Tony Stark said.

"So will I," Steve Rogers chimed in, "I may not care about the President, but we cannot let him be killed, as it would bring suffering to the people."

The video continued.

On Air Force One, the President stood on the red carpet, getting ready to board the plane. Suddenly, a red and blue suit of armor descended from the sky and stopped in front of the plane.

"Colonel Rhodes, I'm glad you could make it. I feel much safer now," the President turned around and saluted the suit of armor. Unbeknownst to him, it wasn't James Rhodes inside, but one of the Mandarin's people.

Steel Patriot saluted the President and then boarded Air Force One alongside him.

Meanwhile, on the yacht, the vessel cut through the water at high speed.

"We need to make a decision. We can't focus on both the President and Pepper. Who will you choose?" James Rhodes looked at Tony Stark and asked.

The video paused at this point, and a question appeared:

[Please choose whether Tony Stark will choose to save Ms. Pepper Potts or the President?]

[A: The President]

[B: Ms. Pepper Potts]

[Answer correctly to gain 5 years of lifespan. Answer incorrectly to lose 1 year of lifespan.]

"Nobody is more important than Pepper. I will definitely save her." Tony Stark said, "I choose B!"

[Answer incorrectly! Lifespan reduced by 1 year!]

Unexpectedly, Tony Stark's instinctive response was wrong.

"Stark, it just shows you have more sense of responsibility than you think," Steve Rogers said.

"Captain, to save someone, you gave up your dance with Carter. Stark, to save the President, you also gave up saving Pepper," Bruce Banner said, "You and the Captain are of the same breed."

"I actually chose to save the President?" Tony Stark found it surprising.

The video continued.

Inside Air Force One, Eric Savin, wearing the Iron Man armor, glanced at the clock on the wall and walked towards the President's room.

"He's coming, he's coming," a young Black man on the plane looked at the Iron Man armor excitedly and handed his phone to his companion, "Quick, take a picture."

His companion took the phone, and just as Eric Savin approached, the young man quickly struck a pose, but before his companion could take the picture, Eric Savin forcefully pushed him into the room.

Then, Eric Savin extended his hand from the armor's palm, which turned fiery red. He pressed it against the lock on the door, melting it instantly.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The guards in the room immediately pulled out their guns and opened fire, but it was futile. Eric Savin, wearing the armor, easily dealt with the men in suits using their guns.

It was like cutting vegetables, and Eric Savin effortlessly took down all of them.

Even the President, who had been passive all this time, had to pick up a gun in the end, but before he could fire, Eric Savin grabbed him by the neck and pressed him against the wall.

The faceplate of the armor opened, and Eric Savin smirked, "I'm honored, Mr. President."

"If you're going to do something, just do it," the President said.

"Take it easy, Mr. President," Eric Savin said, "No, don't worry. This is not the Mandarin's style."

Eric Savin took off the armor, allowing the President to step into it, and then he used the armor to carry the President away.

In casual attire, he walked inside the plane when he suddenly heard abnormal sounds in the air.

He walked to the window and was about to take a look, but a mechanical arm suddenly broke through the glass and lunged at him. With a swift repulsor blast, he sent it flying.

Then, Tony Stark emerged, pressing Eric Savin against the wall, and asked, "Where's the President? Tell me!"

"He's not here," Eric Savin's palm turned fiery red again, and he grabbed Tony Stark's armored arm, causing the armor to malfunction.

"You should leave now," Eric Savin took out a remote control and pressed it. With a loud explosion, a large hole was blasted in the plane's fuselage, and seven or eight people were sucked out by the air currents, floating like drifting leaves in the sky.

Tony Stark straightened his chest, and with a swift sound, he fired a repulsor blast, creating a large hole in Eric Savin's chest.

"Aren't you supposed to be tough, you bastard?" Tony Stark exclaimed, watching Eric Savin collapse before quickly flying out of the plane.

"How many people in total?" Tony Stark asked, floating in the air.

"Thirteen people," JARVIS replied.

"How many can I take?" Tony Stark inquired.

"Four people, sir," JARVIS answered.

The video paused at this point, and a question appeared:

[Did Tony Stark save all the people?]

[A: Saved all of them]

[B: Only saved a part of them]

[Answer correctly to gain 5 years of lifespan. Answer incorrectly to lose 1 year of lifespan.]

"Those Ten Rings people are despicable, depriving others of their lives just to get rid of Stark!" T'Challa said.

"That's why the Ten Rings is so infamous," Tony Stark remarked, "This cancer must be eradicated!"

"I thought they only wanted to kill the President, but it seems like there's more to it," Thor said, "They've taken the President!"

"They must have a bigger conspiracy!" James Rhodes said, "It's not just about terrorist activities, there's something else going on!"

"Rhodes, calm down. No matter what the Ten Rings' plan is, we still have time to stop them," Tony Stark said.

"Stark is right. We still have time before the Mandarin's attack," Steve Rogers said, "Now, let's look at the question. Stark, do you think you can save all thirteen people?"

"It's not very likely," Tony Stark hadn't even spoken yet, and Thor said, "The armor has only two hands. Even if Stark uses both hands to carry, hug, and hold people on his shoulders and between his legs, he can only save a certain number of people. Thirteen people are definitely too many."

"That's true, Tony. Unfortunately, you won't be able to save all of them," James Rhodes agreed with Thor, "Thirteen people are indeed too many."

"JARVIS is an artificial intelligence, and the number four is the result of his calculation," Steve Rogers said, "I trust JARVIS's judgment. Stark can only save four people, not all of them."

"It's a pity," Sam Wilson said, "If only four are saved, there will still be nine people sacrificed."

"I don't have any extra hands, but they do," Tony Stark suddenly said.

"Are you suggesting they grab onto your armor?" Thor asked, "But it's in mid-air, with airflow. It's unlikely they can hold on!"

"Thor, you've flown enough times, can you use your brain a little?" Tony Stark said, "Do you know the difference between an armor carrying people in the air and a car carrying people on the ground?"

"One is in the sky, and the other is on the ground," Thor answered.

"The difference is that a car has to have everyone inside it, but an armor doesn't need to have everyone on it," Tony Stark explained, "The armor has only two hands, so I can only hold onto two people. But who says everyone has to be grabbed by me? Can't other people do the grabbing? I grab onto two people, these two people grab two more, and those grabbed by them grab others. Why wouldn't this work?"

"Theoretically, it could work, but there's still a great risk," Steve Rogers said, "As Thor mentioned, this is in mid-air with airflow, and holding on won't be easy."

"That's easy to solve. Just give everyone a little electric charge," Bruce Banner said.

"Dr. Banner is right. A little electric charge would do the trick," Tony Stark gave his answer, "I choose A!"

[Answer correctly! Reward granted!]

The paused video resumed playing.

Tony Stark's boots propelled him downwards at extreme speed, and he caught hold of a woman wearing a black dress.

"Ah!!" The woman kept screaming even when Tony Stark held onto her.

"Calm down, relax. What's your name?" Tony Stark asked before the woman could respond, he saw her name on the badge, "Heather?"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

At this moment, Air Force One also suffered a huge explosion right above a few survivors, making them scream even louder.

(End of this chapter)

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