Chapter 95: The Battle at the Stark HQ: Part-4

Inside the HQ

You drop the unconscious Basilisk, noticing that his skin turns back to its reptilian form as soon as he leaves your grasp. At least he is still unconscious for now.

Surveying your surroundings, you see the eerie repetition of dozens of thugs stuck in a loop. Civilians, though terrified, continue to film the battle with their phones, capturing every moment of the chaos.

The environment is a chaotic mix of fear and fascination. You know you have to act fast to prevent the villains from breaking free and causing more harm.

Hiding your hand behind your back with your cloak, you use your power of Data Warping to create handcuffs.

These aren't ordinary handcuffs; they are the result of your research into mutant genetics and abilities. They are designed to suppress mutant powers, you cuff him hoping they will provide some suppression for Basilisk, even though he isn't a mutant.

Rising up in the air with the help of your forcefield barrier, you fly towards the small stage with the unconscious Basilisk in hand, dropping him at a corner you use Metal Constructs and bind him tightly to a metal container.

You then fly towards each thug stuck in the time loop. With precision and efficiency, you reach them one by one, knocking them unconscious with a swift chop to the neck. The thugs are stuck in various different repeated motions: some shoving the air, others raising their weapons, and a few that keep shouting at empty air.

As you move through them, knocking each one out, the people around you start to whisper and look at you in awe.

"Did you see that?" one man murmurs, relief evident in his voice.

"He's incredible," another man exclaims, watching as you methodically take down the remaining threats.

"Look at his muscles," a woman whispers to her friend, her eyes wide with admiration. "He's so strong!"

"Do you think he's single?" another woman giggles, her phone capturing every moment.

With each thug you bring to the small stage, the noise in the crowd grows. Relief and excitement mix in their expressions. Men are visibly relieved, while women whisper to each other about your muscular frame and heroic actions.

As you cuff each thug using their own guns with the help of Metal Constructs, the crowd gives you space, some afraid some still in awe of your powers and your golden-white suit.

For the Grey Gargoyle, you place him a bit away from the others. You use your Anti-Mutant cuffs on him and ensure that his right hand doesn't touch anything, you also tie his legs with metal bindings.

You then hover towards the Melter. Landing beside him, you first pick up his gun, attaching it to your belt with your Metal constructs power, taking it as your trophy.

You lift the unconscious Melter and create another set of handcuffs with your Data Warping power. As you use your invisible forcefield to rise up and move towards the stage, the black-haired woman who attacked the Melter looks at you with gratitude.

"Thank you," she tries to say, her voice trembling with emotion. But you're already gone, focused on securing the last of the villains.

After cleaning everything up, you address the crowd. "The threat is dealt with. Please wait here patiently until the police arrive." Your voice is calm and authoritative, offering reassurance. "Although there is still a small nuisance remaining" You murmur looking outside the building.

With that, you use your Invisible Forcefield to rise up and head towards the broken window, ready to assist Toni. Behind you, the crowd erupts into cheers and applause, people hugging and celebrating their safety.

"Wait!" The black-haired woman musters her courage and runs up to you. Looking up at you, she notices the prominent bulge in your pants and blushes but still asks, "You saved me... Can you at least tell me your name?"

You hesitate, knowing you haven't settled on a hero name yet. "For now, think of me as a friend."

Someone else in the crowd calls out, "How did you make those thugs get stuck in a loop like that?"

You turn to face the crowd, a faint smile on your lips underneath the mask, "I can bend time to my will" you speak half truths and fly away, not wanting to tell them what really your powers are.

Pepper takes off her anti-cognitive mask and begins to arrange the crowd, ensuring things don't descend into chaos. She's worried about Lucas and Toni, but for now, she focuses on controlling the crowd.

As you descend from the building, you notice many security guards knocked out or frozen in stone, victims of the Grey Gargoyle's power. You even found Happy frozen in a corner, a hotdog halfway to his mouth. You know through D.A.I.S.Y. that this effects should wear off in an hour.

Flying out, you see TV reporter vans outside the premises, packing up and heading towards the source of explosions and police sirens. Narrowing your eyes, you go straight towards the commotion, ready to handle Obadiah.

Outside the HQ

"You've got nothing, Obadiah," Toni taunts, her voice cold and cutting. "No innovation, no legacy. Even right now, you are wearing a stolen suit!"

Obadiah's face contorts with rage inside his helmet. "I'll show you who's got nothing," he roars as another compartment opens up behind his suit.

A warhead emerges, guided by a laser targeting system that Toni instantly recognizes as one she had designed. Her eyes widen in horror as she realizes the imminent danger.

The laser-guided missile locks onto her and zooms straight toward her.

"Impact in three seconds, Miss Stark," Jarvis calm yet urgent voice warns her of the incoming threat, but Toni is already bracing herself behind her shield, gritting her teeth.

BOOM!

The explosion is massive, shaking the ground and sending a shockwave through the surrounding area. Fire and smoke billow into the sky as the warhead impacts her shield, shredding it to pieces. Her Mk-III armor, already weakened, is utterly decimated. Toni is blown back, her body slamming into the ground with bone-jarring force.

From afar, the onlookers who had been filming the battle scream in terror as the explosion rocks the street. Some drop their phones, while others scramble for cover.

As the dust begins to settle, the road is littered with debris and the remains of Toni's once-formidable armour. She struggles to sit up, gasping and writhing in pain. Her HUD is completely shattered, rendering her helmet useless. With great difficulty, she removes it to see clearly.

Obadiah, seeing her still alive, smiles with sadistic pleasure. "You know the first thing I will do after taking over your company," he says as he strides toward her. "I will remove the filthy Stark name from it and rename it to Stane International!"

He pauses as he reaches her, the massive mech suit towering her. "Your father was correct about you Toni, you were always a disappointment!"

As he prepares to use his minigun on her, Toni looks up at him with anger in her eyes. She hasn't given up yet! Despite her broken armour, she still has the bracelet Luke gave her, which can tank some hits.

Toni hopes that her right gauntlet is still operational, as she lifts her hand in a final effort to strike back.

---

Just then, you arrive at the scene, hovering in the air using your forcefield barrier. The sight of Toni's battered form fills you with a mix of shock and rage. You know you have to act fast.

Several options race through your mind:

Forcefield Envelopment: Envelop Toni in a protective barrier and pull her away from Obadiah, you can even make her invisible to him.

Leave Toni be: You think that Toni can handle herself leave her be as you focus on attack.

Surprise Attack: Use your invisibility and attack Obadiah from above, floating silently towards him with your forcefield.

Anti-Force Rocket: Utilize your anti-gravity power and a forcefield push to rapidly launch yourself at Obadiah like a rocket, closing the distance in seconds.

Ground Rush: Land on the ground and charge at him directly, using your superhuman speed and strength to engage him up close.

Metal Constructs: Upon reaching him, use your Metal Constructs power to manipulate metal and turn his armor into a useless pile of scrap.

Physical Assault: Simply pummel him with your fists, relying on your strength.

Forcefield Blast: Maintain your distance and use a powerful forcefield blast to damage his suit.

Holy Fire Magic: Attack him with Holy fire from far away.

Angelic Spark - Thunder's Whisper: Call down a small thundercloud to strike him with lightning.

Melter's Gun: Lets see how effective the Melter's weapon you acquired earlier is, use it to melt Obadiah's armor.

You think that the best option is to reach him and use your metal constructs power to end this fight decisively.