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Tony stood frozen in place, staring at the damning images in Christine's hands. The sight of Stark Industries weapons in the hands of terrorists tore through him like a blade. His mind raced, every memory of his company's supposed good intentions now tainted by the reality before him.
The party continued around him, the music and laughter now distant and hollow. Tony handed the pictures back to Christine, his jaw clenched in anger.
"Thanks for bringing this to me," He muttered, his voice low but steady.
Christine nodded, her expression unreadable. "Do something about it, Stark."
As she walked away, Tony turned his attention to the glittering room, his gaze locking onto a familiar figure across the hall: Obadiah Stane.
Tony crossed the room, his pace was purposeful and his expression stormy.
Seph, who had been sipping a drink by the bar, noticed the change immediately. He set his glass down and quietly followed Tony, ready to intervene if necessary.
"Obadiah!" Tony called out, his voice carrying over the hum of conversation.
Obadiah turned, his usual jovial smile plastered across his face. "Tony, my boy! Enjoying the party?"
"Cut the crap," Tony snapped, stopping just inches away from him. "We need to talk. Now."
Obadiah's smile faltered. "Alright, let's talk. What's got you so worked up?"
Tony didn't bother with pleasantries. He pulled out his phone, displaying one of the images Christine had shown him. "Care to explain how our weapons ended up in the hands of terrorists in Gulmira?"
Obadiah's eyes flicked to the screen before meeting Tony's gaze. His calm demeanor shifted, and a shadow of irritation crossed his face. "Tony, this isn't the place—"
"No," Tony interrupted, his voice rising slightly. "This is exactly the place. You think you can keep hiding behind the board, behind excuses, while innocent people are dying because of our weapons? Not anymore."
Obadiah sighed, his mask of fatherly patience slipping. "Tony, you're being naïve. You think you can change how the world works overnight? Stark Industries is a weapons manufacturer. That's what we've always been. That's what we do."
Tony stepped closer, his anger boiling over. "Not like this. We're supposed to protect people, not arm the scum of the earth!"
A few guests began to glance in their direction, sensing the tension. Seph moved closer, positioning himself between Tony and the growing crowd.
Obadiah's voice dropped, his tone icy. "You really don't get it, do you? This is bigger than you or me, Tony. These deals keep the lights on, and keep the shareholders happy. And let's not forget, you're the one who built these weapons."
"I built them to protect us!" Tony shot back, his voice cracking with fury. "Not to line your pockets while you sell them to the highest bidder!"
Obadiah's expression darkened, and for a moment, his carefully maintained facade crumbled. "You're so arrogant, Tony. Always think you're the smartest guy in the room. Well, let me enlighten you."
He leaned in, his voice a low hiss. "You were never supposed to come back from that cave. That was me. I gave the Ten Rings the information they needed to take you out. And when they failed, I had to clean up your mess."
The revelation hit Tony like a punch to the gut. "You… you sold me out?"
Obadiah smirked. "It wasn't personal, Tony. Just business. And as for the weapons in Gulmira? Of course, I sold them. That's how the world works. You don't like it? Too bad."
Tony's hands balled into fists, but before he could act, Seph stepped forward, his calm voice cutting through the tension. "Gentlemen, perhaps we should take this outside?"
Obadiah sneered. "Stay out of this, whoever you are."
Seph's eyes narrowed, his tone deadly. "I'm the guy who makes sure Tony doesn't lose his cool and do something he'll regret. But you? You're pushing your luck."
Obadiah scoffed, stepping back. "This isn't over, Tony. But for now, enjoy your party. You're going to need the distraction."
As Obadiah walked away, Tony stood frozen, his mind racing. The betrayal, the lies—it was almost too much to process.
Seph placed a hand on Tony's shoulder. "You okay?"
Tony shook his head, his voice quiet but firm. "Not even close. But I know what I have to do."
----
Back at the mansion, Tony and Seph worked in tense silence. The holographic plans for the Mark III armor hovered in the air, every detail scrutinized as they prepared for what came next.
"You're really doing this, aren't you?" Seph asked, breaking the silence.
Tony nodded, his resolve unshaken. "I can't sit back and let this happen. If Obadiah wants to play dirty, fine. But I'm not going to let him use my name to justify it."
Seph smiled faintly. "Good. Because I'd hate to have to kick your ass for giving up."
Tony chuckled despite himself. "Thanks for having my back, Seph."
----
For hours, the two worked side by side, adjusting circuits, testing propulsion systems, and fine-tuning the suit's weapons. JARVIS guided them with precision, though even he couldn't hide the concern in his tone.
"Sir, this mission is highly dangerous," JARVIS said as Tony donned the armor piece by piece.
"I know, JARVIS," Tony replied. "But it's the right thing to do."
As the final piece of the suit locked into place, Seph stepped back, crossing his arms. "You look like a high-tech knight in shining armor."
Tony grinned behind the helmet's faceplate. "Damn right, I do."
Seph walked up to him, placing a hand on the armor's shoulder. "Tony, this isn't just about fixing your mistakes. It's about standing for something bigger. Don't lose sight of that."
Tony nodded. "Thanks, Seph."
Seph stepped back, giving him a small salute. "Good luck. And follow your heart to the end."
With a whirring sound, the suit's thrusters powered up. Tony rose into the air, hovering for a moment before rocketing out of the workshop and into the night sky.
----
The flight to Gulmira was both exhilarating and sobering. As Tony soared above the clouds, JARVIS provided updates on the terrain and potential threats.
"Approaching Gulmira, sir. Multiple hostile signatures detected," JARVIS reported.
"Good," Tony said, his resolve unshaken.
Descending into the war-torn village, Tony's heart sank at the sight of the destruction. Homes were reduced to rubble, and terrified civilians huddled together as armed militants patrolled the streets.
"Time to make a statement," Tony muttered.
The Mark III's weapons activated with precision, targeting the militants and their vehicles. Explosions lit up the night as Tony dismantled their operations piece by piece.
Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Seph watched the news feed, which had begun reporting strange activity in Gulmira. He smirked, knowing exactly what was happening.
"Go get 'em, Stark," he said quietly.
As the last of the terrorists fled, Tony stood in the center of the village, the glow of his reactor illuminating the darkness. The civilians looked on in awe, their fear slowly giving way to hope.
One man stepped forward, speaking in broken English. "Thank you… Iron Man."
Tony nodded, his voice firm. "You're safe now."
As he took off into the night, JARVIS's voice broke the silence. "Mission accomplished, sir. Returning to base?"
"Not yet," Tony replied. "We've got a lot more work to do."
----
Back in the mansion, Seph was waiting in the workshop when Tony returned. The Mark III armor was scorched and dented, but Tony's eyes shone with determination as he removed the helmet.
"Well?" Seph asked.
Tony grinned. "It worked. Every bit of it."
Seph chuckled. "Good. Because this is only the beginning."
As Tony set the helmet down, he glanced at Seph. "You were right, you know. About following my heart."
Seph shrugged. "Just don't let it go to your head."
The two men shared a laugh, their partnership solidified as they prepared for the battles ahead.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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