Chapter 121 Ninja Turtles: Late Again?

After a brief exchange of words, the two combatants wasted no time and launched into battle.

Obadiah Stane fired micro-missiles from Iron Monger shoulder launchers. The missiles roared toward Cyborg, leaving trails of fire in their wake.

Cyborg swiftly dodged, jets of air blasting from his feet as he ascended into the sky.

As he moved, streams of data flowed through his mind, calculating Obadiah next movements and devising countermeasures. At the same time, his hand transformed into a cannon, generating a concentrated energy projectile that was fired at Obadiah in an instant.

Boom!

Obadiah had just sidestepped when the energy projectile struck Iron Monger left chest plate, leaving a significant dent.

Fortunately for Obadiah, his researchers had reinforced Iron Monger armor, significantly enhancing its defense. Otherwise, the attack would have dealt catastrophic damage.

"Don't think you're the only one who can fly!" Obadiah shouted.

Despite the heavy blow, he didn't panic.

He opted to close the distance, intending to use Iron Monger massive frame to overpower his opponent.

Both combatants were armed with a wide array of weapons. Prolonging the fight with ranged attacks would only drag things out—something unfavorable for someone of Obadiah age. Instead, he decided to go all in.

Obadiah strategy was straightforward.

What he didn't anticipate was that his approach played right into Cyborg hands.

Iron Monger thrusters ignited with a fiery blast, propelling the multi-ton suit into the air as it charged straight toward Cyborg.

But as Obadiah closed in, fist clenched and ready to deliver a devastating blow, he caught sight of a cold smirk on Cyborg face.

This isn't good!

The thought flashed through Obadiah mind.

Using his computational prowess and Anton wealth of combat experience, Cyborg effortlessly dodged Iron Monger attack. Jets of air propelled him to the back of Iron Monger head, where both of his hands had morphed into energy cannons. Without hesitation, Cyborg issued the command to fire.

Boom!!

The energy blasts struck Iron Monger head, leaving it reeling as the massive suit froze mid-air before plummeting tens of meters to the ground with a thunderous crash.

Crack, crack, crack!

The impact cratered the road, spiderweb-like cracks spreading across the asphalt as if a massive earthquake had struck.

Cyborg seized the opportunity.

Whoosh, whoosh!

In mere seconds, he soared hundreds of meters into the air and then plummeted like a meteor, aiming directly at the crater where Obadiah lay.

Boom!!

Cyborg full-force impact landed squarely on Iron Monger chest as it attempted to rise.

Crack, crack, crack, crack!

The sound of Iron Monger frame buckling under the pressure echoed through the area.

Those present could see it clearly: Iron Monger was utterly outmatched by Cyborg.

"Cyborg…"

Tony eyes reflected a mix of awe and disbelief.

He hadn't expected Obadiah, in the Iron Monger suit, to be so easily overpowered by Cyborg.

In comparison, Tony felt like a failure.

Of course, strictly speaking, that wasn't a fair assessment.

First, Tony wasn't in peak condition. With his arc reactor replaced by an older model, his energy reserves were less than half of their usual capacity, barely enough for two repulsor blasts, severely limiting his mobility.

Second, Obadiah had been smart in the initial encounter, targeting Tony inexperience and destroying his suit weapon systems in close combat.

This left Tony in a nearly unwinnable situation.

Though shaken, Tony inherent confidence remained intact. He didn't believe his armor was inferior to Cyborg but simply thought there was significant room for improvement.

He wasn't discouraged.

"Tony, looks like you've got some work to do!"

A voice, somewhat unfamiliar but no longer strange, reached his ears.

"Iron Man!"

Batman had appeared beside him, smiling faintly. "If you're serious about being a superhero, this is nowhere near enough."

"I'll do what I have to, Batman," Tony replied firmly, casting a glance at the man beside him.

As they spoke, the battle continued.

Despite the severe damage to Iron Monger, it was still operational. Obadiah struggled to his feet, determined to launch a counterattack with whatever strength remained.

Bang!

Cyborg didn't hold back. He placed one hand on Iron Monger head and shoved it into the asphalt, jets of air from his feet and back propelling him forward. The friction between Iron Monger and the ground carved a deep, jagged trench into the already fractured road.

Screeech!

Sparks flew as metal scraped against asphalt.

Cyborg only stopped when he dragged Iron Monger into the Stark Industries headquarters building. He then grabbed the joint connecting Iron Monger neck to its torso and used all his strength to tear open the chest cavity.

Crack, crack, crack!

In a display of raw brutality, Cyborg dismantled part of Iron Monger outer shell in mere seconds.

Sparks flew as internal circuits snapped and shorted.

Yet Obadiah refused to give up.

His eyes burned with fury as he redirected his remaining missile launchers toward Cyborg.

"Watch out!"

Pepper couldn't help but cry out in alarm at the sight.

Tony expression darkened slightly.

He noticed, however, that Batman remained motionless beside him, seemingly filled with absolute confidence in Cyborg. Batman showed no intention of intervening.

Aren't they supposed to be allies?

The thought had barely crossed Tony mind when—

Click!

The missile launchers activated.

In an instant, before Tony and Pepper shocked eyes, Cyborg raised his iron fist and plunged it straight into the missile launcher on Iron Monger shoulder.

Boom!!

The missile detonated within the launcher, engulfing both Cyborg and Iron Monger in a massive explosion. Shrapnel and debris flew in every direction.

With Iron Monger armor already torn open, the blast shockwave and flames surged into the interior, striking Obadiah directly. From within the inferno, they could hear his agonized screams.

Moments later, a figure emerged from the flames, unscathed.

It was Cyborg.

"It over," Cyborg said, nodding toward Batman. Jets from his feet roared to life, propelling him skyward. He disappeared into the night.

"He leaving just like that?" Tony muttered, still reeling from everything he had just witnessed.

Tony was a bit stunned.

That was so abrupt!

He had just been saved by Cyborg and didn't even get a chance to thank him.

I'm rich!

If not money, we could at least have discussed some tech!

Fascinated by the technology integrated into Cyborg body, Tony turned to Batman beside him with a mix of curiosity and frustration.

At least he hadn't left yet.

"Tony, we'll meet again," Batman said, locking eyes with him briefly. Without waiting for a response, he disappeared into the darkness, just like Cyborg, vanishing from Tony and Pepper sight.

You're leaving too?

Then why were you even here? Cyborg could have handled this on his own! Were you just here for the show?

Tony felt completely thrown off, glancing down at his disheveled appearance. He sighed, utterly speechless.

Moments later, the sound of police sirens broke the silence as NYPD vehicles arrived at the scene.

As always, George Stacy led the response team.

This time, the four Ninja Turtles were with him again.

But when they excitedly arrived on-site, they were greeted by the sight of Tony Stark standing in his battered armor, staring at the smoldering remains of Iron Monger and the charred corpse inside.

"Tony!"

George, who had been preparing to leave for the night when the alert came through, now stood before an alarming realization.

Late again!

Another easy cleanup!

"What?"

Beside him, the four turtles surveyed the aftermath in shock. Vehicles were overturned or on fire, the road was cracked, and there was even a massive crater in the ground.

The Ninja Turtles exchanged awkward glances.

Michelangelo, in particular, looked utterly defeated, on the verge of tears.

"Why are we always late!!" he exclaimed. "Why is it so hard to complete one mission properly!!"

...

George turned to Tony, about to ask a question, when another black car pulled up. It drove straight through the NYPD still-forming barricade and stopped directly in front of him and Tony.

"Who that?"

George frown deepened. Who had the audacity to barge in like this?

His question was quickly answered as a one-eyed black man stepped out of the driver seat, followed by a balding man from the passenger side. Two more individuals, a man and a woman, exited from the back.

"Captain Stacy, we're taking over," Nick Fury said, flashing his credentials with a calm but authoritative tone. "Now we need the NYPD to assist us in securing the area."

"S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

George scowl deepened further before he let out a cold snort and motioned to his team and the turtles.

"Hold your positions. Keep securing the perimeter!"

Meanwhile:

Coulson approached Tony and Pepper.

"Mr. Stark, Miss Potts, I believe it time we had a proper conversation."