Fanfic #50 The Invincible Whitley Schnee by Nacoma23(RWBYXIronman)

This fanfic has Whitley as the mc. This fanfic takes a lot of elements from the Marvel world and has a lot of world building. I know people don't like Whitley, but I think he's really well written in this story.

Synopsis: Whitley Schnee wanted respect, which is why he sought the family fortune. He lived only for himself, and never for others. A fatal trip to Anima changes everything. Trapped on the edge of an endless game, his teenaged life will never be the same. With armor of high-tech ammunition, he will fight the corruption of the world, and learn what it means to be a hero. He is Iron Man.

Rated: M

words: 240k

https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13190467/21/The-Invincible-Whitley-Schnee

Here's the first chapter:

August 30th, 2008 KC

Mantle, Solitas

1:30 PM

"Why didn't you tell us your birthday was coming up?"

As they drove back to Rhodey's apartment, Whitley found himself with the unenviable task of weathering Neon's storm of questions. A task he was sure would last a while, given the conditions outside. While the weather has let up slightly, snow kept falling in droves onto the earth, making for terrible traffic conditions. If the boy were being honest with himself, he'd rather trudge his way through freezing snow than endure the grilling questions regarding the day of his birth.

"Look, Neon, I've told you before in the diner that I don't want to talk about it." He told the inquisitive girl.

"And like I told you then, that answer's not gonna cut it." Neon retorted. "And Zeke and Whitney took a cab home, so there's no one keeping me from finding the truth."

"What about Flynt?" He asked, gesturing to her partner.

Neon looked over at her partner, who was sitting to her left. The young man was once again reading his book, a pair of headphones plugged into his ears. From what little she was able to hear of the audio, it sounded like he was listening to one of his mother's performances. She returned her gaze onto the Schnee and smiled.

"He's currently occupied."

Whitley frowned at that, an annoyed grumble escaping his lips. He quickly told the girl, "Neon, listen, there are reasons for why I don't want to talk about it. But if you really do want to know, then please let me tell you when I want to."

Seeing that he was adamant in refusing her questions, Neon relented. She considered herself to be a very curious girl, but even she knew there was a limit to her curiosity. Her parents had taught her to respect a person's right to privacy. But she still wanted to know. When Whitley was ready to tell her, then she'll be all ears.

But there was one other thing that she still needed to know. And she had a feeling this was the one question that Whitley will answer.

She asked with a serious tone, "Can you at least me when your birthday is?"

Despite his prior reservations, Whitley felt that the least he can do is to tell Neon his actual birthdate. It might also sate her admittedly stubborn curiosity.

"September 3rd."

Neon blinked in subdued astonishment, "Huh... That's only a few days away."

"I know." He spoke calmly and succinctly.

His answer worked as Neon relented with a shrug. For his part, Whitley was just relieved that he didn't have to be grilled any further on his birthday. Of course, he knew for a fact that Rhodey was going to bring it up while they finish the armor. He had more important things to worry about, such as the finishing details on his new suit, investigating Blizzard and their robberies, and to look over his recorded video of Flynt and Neon's spar; and of course, his imminent call from the good Dr. Polendina.

It had been a week since Whitley had seen the doctor, whom he had given the unenviable task of building a newly redesigned, refined ARC reactor. With the superior materials being used, as well as having removed the design flaws of the original, the young man was certain the new reactor would be far more sustainable than the last one. Of course, he'll have to rework the armor's chest piece to accommodate it.

And then there was the favor he had asked of the doctor. Whitley knew that what he had asked the doctor to do, and what he had to find, was next to impossible. The chance of success for the old man to find a flexible, bullet-proof, temperate-controlling bodysuit, were equal to having a blizzard in the blisteringly hot West Sanus desert. But this was Pietro Polendina he was talking about. If there was one man who can make the impossible possible, it was none other than the doctor. The man was known for always going the extra mile for any of his patients.

The fact that Whitley had promised to befriend Dr. Polendina's daughter provided further incentive for the man to accomplish both tasks.

For now, all he can do is sit back and wait for the doctor to call him.

With nothing else to do in the car, Whitley turned his attention to the car window. He quickly pulled out his scroll and plugged his headphones in, intent on drowning the sound of rubber tires crushing ice. He pressed a button to play a random album. Seconds passed before the first few notes of a song started playing. He looked at his scroll and saw that the band was called the Beastly Boys.

Hmmm, not bad, not bad at all; He thought with a content smile. I've a feeling I'm going to like this group.

The young genius quickly adjusted his posture and sank his back further into the car seat, raising the volume of his headphones. Now lost in the rhythm, he subtly nods his head, his eyes closed and his mind opened to the new musical genre he had discovered. This moment here, this was true contentment he concluded.

However, as he immersed himself into a world of beat and rhythm, the young genius was oblivious to a certain pair of green eyes staring at him. Neon, despite now knowing the boy's birthday, found that she wasn't satisfied with just that knowledge. She looked over to her partner and nudged his arm. The trumpeter sighed and removed his headphones.

He turned to his partner, "Neon, I've told you once; I've told you a thousand times. Don't ever interrupt my-"

"Yeah, yeah, your reading, I know. Hey, did you know that Whitley's birthday is September 3rd?" She began, eliciting a raised brow from Flynt. "That's not that far off from yours. You know what this means, right?"

"That we share the same month of birth?" Flynt rhetorically asked. "Seriously, Neon, is there a reason why you're bringing this up?"

"Bring what up?"

Both teens looked ahead and saw Marrow poking his head from behind the driver's seat. They would have admonished him for taking his eyes off of the road, until they saw that they were now stuck in another traffic jam. They also saw, much to their disappointment, that the snow was falling in droves again. Knowing it'll be a while before the car resumed moving, the three hunters conversed.

"It's about Whitley's birthday." She told the specialist.

"Yeah, it's in a few days, what of it?" Marrow inquired.

"Well, yeah, also when did you find out?" She asked, knowing her superior hadn't fully caught the entirety of their talk.

"It's on his file. I read it before we even came to Mantle. Didn't either of you do the same?" He asked the two teens.

Flynt and Neon shared a look, wondering if they had been handed any dossiers before starting their mission.

"Neither of you read the mission dossiers?" Marrow incredulously asked. "Did you even get any?"

When they couldn't recall reading any such files, they promptly shook their heads. Their reply prompted a rather exasperated Marrow to pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"Seriously, this whole military is a damn mess..." He complained in a hushed voice.

He took a deep, calming breath and cleared his throat. He addressed his subordinates with a stern and serious tone. "All right, listen up. Yes, Mr. Schnee's birthday is indeed on the third of next month. And I also happen to know that Flynt's is on the fifteenth."

On seeing Flynt's surprised face, Marrow told the boy. "Don't be surprised. We have files on literally everybody. And they are very thorough and meticulously detailed. For instance, I know Neon is allergic to salmon and that you have Coulrophobia."

Flynt felt his cheeks heat up in embarrassment upon hearing that last tidbit. Of all the things Marrow had to bring up, it had to be his one fear. A fear that was quite childish and too humiliating.

"I'm sorry, but- Coulro-what?" Neon asked, unfamiliar with the term.

"In laymen's terms: Flynt is afraid of clowns." Marrow replied.

"Well, I already knew that. But what's the point you're trying to make, because I'm not following any of what you're saying."

"The point I was trying to make, before I lost track, is that you need to respect Schnee's wishes. If he doesn't want to celebrate his own birthday, then he doesn't. Whatever his reasons for why, it's none of our business." He lectured the girl. "If and when he chooses to tell us, as he had said before, then he'll do so. Okay?"

Neon relented with a pout, "All right... also, traffic's moving again."

"Shit!" Marrow shouted in alarm, quickly grabbing the steering wheel.

As the car started moving again, Neon told her partner. "We are not finished here."

Flynt can only roll his eyes at her words. If there was one thing in this world that he was sure of, it was that Neon Katt will always shove herself into other people's business. He didn't care in the slightest that the Schnee's birthday was next week. Celebrating a person's day of birth was not in the job description; especially if it was for the son of the man who had single-handedly destroyed his family's livelihoods.

With nothing else to do, he continued reading his novel.

Suddenly, the buzzing ringtone of a scroll went off. Knowing that it wasn't his going off, he looked to Neon. The girl was just as surprised as him, as she brought up her scroll to show she was not receiving any calls. They knew Marrow always turned his scroll off whenever he got behind the wheel, so that left only one suspect.

"Hello?"

Their suspicions were confirmed as they beheld the sight of the young Schnee pressing his scroll against the right side of his face, his ears freed from the small listening devices.

"Oh, hello, doctor," He spoke with a smile. They watched as his face lit up in excitement, "You're finished? You found what I was asked for?!"

Neon and Flint watched as a very animated conversation played out. They were unsure as to what the person on the other end of the call was saying, but they imagined that it must have been something important. Whatever the subject was, it was important enough to have caused a complete 180 in the Schnee's mood. Still, they were worried upon hearing him mention the caller's title. They recalled an earlier conversation they had with Marrow, and concluded that this was the same doctor that the specialist had been referring to.

But they were still unsure as to what the Schnee was hiding from them. Perhaps they might be able to find out by listening in on his scroll call. Seconds passed as they watched Whitley discuss an "appointment" and "pick-up". As this happened, the Schnee never dropped the excited tone in his voice, even as he ended the call.

"Okay, very well. I'll be there soon. Again, thank you. Goodbye." Whitley turned his scroll off and pocketed it, an overtly eager grin still plastered upon his face.

Ignoring the stares from his two bodyguards, the young genius leaned over to Marrow and excitedly told him, "Mr. Amin, I need you to take me to Polendina Pharmaceuticals right now! I have to pick up a very important package!"

Marrow nodded in reply, bringing up his scroll to activate the map app. As the specialist followed the directions to the pharmacy, Whitley leaned back into his chair, his sunny mood a stark contrast to the cloudy weather. When he realized that Neon and Flynt were staring at him, he asked the two.

"What?"

"So, what was with the scroll call?" Neon inquired, her eyes scrunched in suspicion. "I know you won't tell us about your b-day, but can you at least tell us about this doctor? If it has anything to do with your health, we have a right to know as your bodyguards."

"Neon's right, Schnee, let us in on it." Flynt asked, sharing the same interest as his partner. "Marrow already told us you were seeing a doctor, and that was all he told us. So tell us what's going on."

"Am I to assume that there's an 'or else' attached to that sentence?" The Schnee asked with a snarky smile, eliciting an annoyed grumble from the older boy. "Oh, lighten up, Flynt, I was just joking. As to why I'm seeing a doctor, well, I'll tell you after my appointment. For now, just sit back, relax, and enjoy what little time we have left on the road."

"No-no-no, we're not finished here, rich boy!" Neon snapped in rage, her patience wearing thin.

Whitley stared in shock at the Faunus girl for the tone she used. Her eyebrows were furrowed, her eyes were practically vibrating with indignation, and her mouth was curled into a fierce frown. Put these all together and one gets a very outraged sneer. In all the time he had known the girl, not once had he seen her truly enraged. A quick glimpse behind the girl showed Flynt with a very knowing smirk on his face, his expression conveying "You're in for it now".

Desperate, the Schnee looked to their driver, who flashed him a very brief apologetic smile before returning his gaze on the road. It was right then and there that the young man realized that he had mucked up. It seemed that Neon's patience had a limit.

Neon jabbed a finger into his chest and tore into the boy, "I know you don't consider us your friends, and I'm okay with that! You don't have to share every detail about your life, even your birthday, because you have a right to privacy! But your physical well-being, that is the one thing we need to know about! You're hiding something, Schnee, and as your bodyguards we have a godsdamn obligation to know what it is! You've told Marrow, but you won't tell us!? Seriously, cut the bullshit and tell us what you're hiding! And don't you dare insult us by telling us, 'You wouldn't understand', like we're toddlers! TELL US RIGHT NOW!"

Having finished her tirade, Neon, red in the face and snarling at the teeth, tried to calm her rapidly beating with some deep breaths. What she hadn't noticed was that during very explosive rant, her face inched ever closer towards the Schnee's. The proximity between their faces was close enough for the boy to feel the heat radiating off of her.

While she regarded Whitley with a very enraged expression, he gave her a look that can only be described as both befuddled and impressed. The moment had been so intense that the young genius didn't realize that his cheeks had heated up. A small part of him knew that he deserved, consider that she was right, but the other part was completely flabbergasted.

As he struggled to provide a witty retort, a thought occurred to Whitley.

Who does she think she is!

Somehow, that very thought helped Whitley find his courage again. His eyebrows furrowed and his nostrils flared, shouting back. "Oh, where do you get off?! You're not my godsdamn therapist, so I don't have to tell you shit! What, you think that if you act all nice and cheery, pretending the world is all sunshine and rainbows that it'll get you everything you want? Well, newsflash, princess, it's not going to work with me!"

"Sunshine and rainbows?! What, you think that's what I'm all about? Do you really believe I'm some kind of airheaded party girl? You don't know me at all! But you, you're like an open book!" Neon retorted harshly with gnashing teeth. "Here's what I know about you! You don't let people in, because you're afraid that anyone who shows you even an itsy-bitsy smidge of compassion has some kind of ulterior motive! Yeah, I understand you suffered a terrible trauma, but that doesn't automatically make the world bend over for you! You know how I know that? because I've had to live with that kind of grief all my life, all because I was born with a tail!"

It was here that Flynt felt things were getting out of hand. He nudged his partners arm and pleaded, "Okay, Neon, I think you shou-"

"Oh, please, you have no idea the kind of hell I went through! You may have read my file, but you don't know what it was really like! All the pain and misery, the anguished screams and sadistic laughter, the fear that I could die any day and the world would just keep moving on! And you know what was the worst part? The thought that I would die believing that all I ever did was bring more death to the world! That I'm nothing but another link in the world's worst chain!"

"Then tell us, Whitley! Open up, talk to someone. It doesn't have to be me or Flynt, or even Marrow." Neon argued, her face inching closer to the Schnee's. "If you just talk about everything that happened to us, then maybe we can understand!"

"Like I'd ever tell anything to a hypocrite like you!"

Neon froze, taken aback by the boy's declaration. Flynt, who had been trying in vain to break up the argument, found himself falling still at those words. He didn't like where the Schnee's were going, and he doubted there was anything he or Marrow can do to smooth things over.

Neon felt a lump in her throat and croaked, "Wuh-wuh-What?"

"You say I'm an open book, but you, Neon, your life can be read like a whole series! You think I haven't noticed those nervous glances or those hushed conversations with Flynt? Yeah, I'm hiding something, but so are you. So why don't youtell me what you're hiding?" Whitley demanded, flipping the script on Neon. "So you tell me, princess, what kind of trauma forced you to act like this, huh? What do you feel so guilty about? Got some dirty little secret you'd like to share? C'mon, say something already!"

Neon didn't reply.

Guilty... All your fault... should've said something... filthy animals sleep outside... fight between some freshmen and seniors... Get lost, fur fucker!

"I-I-I..." Her mind had broken down, her thoughts a jumbled mess as an unpleasant memory played back in her mind.

She remembered the sight of four weapons baring in on her. The laughter of her tormentors as they attacked her in the ring. The sight of dead mice and birds scattered across her bed. The horrible messages that smeared the wall in viscous red paint, taunting her with their slurs and obscenities. And finally, the overwhelming guilt of watching her teammates being punished for defending her. The dam holding back her emotions had burst, as weeks of repressed guilt, anger, and sorrow flooded her mind.

Neon broke out into a cold sweat and her eyes dilated. She shook in her seat and her words died in her throat. Whitley noticed her reaction and immediately knew that something was up. Forgetting his past anger, the young man adopted a softer tone to his voice.

"Neon?" He asked in concern. "Neon, are you okay? Is everything all right?"

He watched as tears started pooling around her unresponsive eyes, before streaking down her stiffened face. Her mouth opened and closed, as though it were running on Autopilot. Watching her break down filled with Whitley with an immense feeling of guilt. He had crossed a line.

"Neon? Neon!" The Schnee cried in alarm, trying to snap the girl out of her stupor.

Suddenly, he heard Flynt sung in a hushed and soothing tone, "We're born with a dream... we wanna make come true... the best will climb to the top like me..."

"The rest will end up like you..." Neon started to sing, her quiet voice joining Flynt's.

Whitley watched as the two students sang together, their rhythm a very somber and melancholic one that contrasted with the otherwise upbeat lyrics. He looked to Marrow, hoping that he could explain what was going on, but the young faunus had headphones planted into his ears. The Schnee was all alone as he watched the impromptu musical therapy session.

"No one likes a girl with a silly frown..." Her downtrodden expression regain life as she sang with a smile. "Just wear a smile and you'll turn it all around!"

And like that, Neon's attitude swiftly became chipper again, a happy grin on her face. She retracted her face from his and leaned back in her seat, her hands behind her head, serving as a pillow. Disturbed by the sudden shift in mood, Whitley looked to Flynt. The trumpeter regarded the Schnee with an apologetic look, a first for him. The older boy's slumped shoulders and guilt-ridden eyes told him that he shouldn't press him for any answers.

Accepting the unspoken message, Whitley straightened his posture and took to observing the falling snow.

He found that he was unable to keep a straight head for the duration of the ride, his heart beating rapidly and his thoughts playing back that intense argument. A small part of him felt that Neon had no right tearing into him like that, but he felt that crossed a line that he didn't know existed.

He glanced at the Faunus girl and realized, She's like me.

Neon hid her pain behind a mask. She feared what might happen should her secret be let out. And the overwhelming guilt that felt so intense, it would make one sick. And of course, the anger and self-hatred that poisoned the soul. He had seen it play out all over the girl's face. He had seen that look before.

He saw it every morning when he looked at his own reflection.

I'm such an idiot. I should have reined it in, but no, I let my anger get the best of me. He thought despondently.

She's been having some of the same problems that I suffered. He observed the girl as she smiled. She's either stronger than I gave her credit for, or she's just as broken as I am.

Still... I have to admit, she's not afraid to speak her mind. Not many people have the guts to say all of that to a Schnee. It was actually kinda... hot, to be honest. He mused, only to blink in surprise at the strange thought.

Wait, what?

Pietro Polendina had a lot of things on his mind. When he had woken up this morning, he knew that today was going to be eventful, in ways he never imagined. The foremost thought running through his brain was the imminent meeting with Whitley Schnee, whom he suspected was the vigilante that had become the talk of the town. More specifically, what he was currently thinking over was the fact that he was giving aid to a vigilante. If the police knew what he was doing, they'd throw him in a cell before the jury even decided on a verdict.

He can't even begin to imagine what Ironwood might do should he ever find out.

"Father, is there anything I can do for you?"

If there was one thing that the doctor was certain of, it was that Ironwood will hand Penny over to the military. The old doctor dreaded the thought of his daughter being treated more as a weapon than the living being she was meant to be.

Quickly adjusting his glasses, the doctor turned his mecha-chair to face his daughter.

He told her, "No, Penny, there's nothing that I need help with right now."

The cyborg girl gave him a pleading look, her shutter-like eyes widening to invoke what she had learned was called the "Puppy Look". She quickly curled her lips downward into a pouting frown. From what she had read from the social media posts of typical girls, the so-called puppy look was a surefire to have a parent cave in to their child's demands. From what she read, the technique had a success rate of about 75%, the variable being the target's strength of their parental fortitude.

Unbeknownst to her, the technique was practically ineffective against Pietro Polendina. The man had already decided to give her a task. Despite this, he let out an amused chuckle and played along with her little display. If Penny wanted to act like a normal girl, then he'll do everything in his power to help her; even if it was something as trivial as this.

"Well, I don't know..." He spoke with a teasing grin.

"Please, oh, please, father!" She begged. "There must be some way I can assist you."

"Well, I do need someone to mind the counter for me." He began, stroking his beard. "Oh, but who can I find to do that for me."

Penny jumped excitedly, her hair bouncing with bound as she spoke' "Ooh, me!"

"Oh, all right then." He relented jokingly. His daughter thanked him with a hug.

Of course, she made sure not to fully crush him with her strength. The first time she hugged him, the girl had nearly broken his arms. She released him from her hold and stood at the ready. Polendina addressed her as he would an employee.

"Now, Ms. Polendina, I have an important task for you. It is vital to the continued operation of this pharmacy, and I trust only you to see it through. You are to watch over the register." She nodded vigorously. "I am also expecting a patient to come in. When they arrive, you must inform me immediately. Do you understand the responsibility bestowed upon you?"

She gave him a crisp salute and beatific smile, saying, "I do!"

Pietro reciprocate the salute with one of his own and told her, "Then hop to it."

With a final nod, the girl skipped her way out of the examination room, eager to perform the task assigned to her. The doctor sat there in silence for a moment, a soft smile across his aged features. Once he was sure that his daughter was out of reach, he steered his quadrupedal chair toward a steel door located at the far end of the pharmacy. Behind this door, locked in place by a very complex security system was his private lab. Within this lab laid two items he was to give to young Whitley.

His smile turned into a concerned frown at the thought of the Schnee. He wasn't upset that he was helping the boy, but that he had to hide that fact from the cybernetic girl. The moment Penny was brought to life, the doctor made a promise to himself that he'd never lie to her. Penny was young, a pure, innocent soul despite her origins, and she has yet to fully grasp the darker nature of humanity. He'd rather she learn at a moderate pace rather than jump headlong into this cruel world.

Not to mention the fact that she was unable to lie. Just one small hiccup and he can tell whether she's telling the truth or not.

So for now, he will withhold himself from telling her the full truth. The most he can tell her was that young Whitley had asked for certain items that would save his life. That was the truth, albeit with some details withheld.

"Salutations, welcome to Polendina Pharmaceuticals, how can I- Oh, Whitley Schnee, it is very nice to see you again!" He heard Penny cry jubilantly from the lobby. "Oh, and it appears you have brought company, as well. Please, will you all take a seat? I will inform my father that you have arrived."

Polendina let out a small chuckle. No need to tell me, since you've pretty much announced it.

Once again, he steered his chair to face the door leading to the lobby. Composing himself, the doctor prepared himself for his arrived patient. A second later, Penny opened the door, a certain white-haired prodigy standing right behind her.

"Father, Whitley Schnee is here for his appointment. He is late by approximately an hour." She told him.

The boy stared at the girl and deadpanned, "Don't really need to tell him that. Also, you can just call me Whitley, you know?"

"My apologies," She replied with a timid smile. "I will endeavor to remember that for future interactions."

A small part of Pietro cringed at his daughter's choice of vocabulary. She still had much to learn, and social interaction was among those many lessons.

"Thank you, Penny. I can take it from here, dear. Please, go keep his guests company." He ordered her, motioning the boy to enter the room.

Penny acknowledged the command with a salute and allowed the Schnee entrance into the examination. She closed the door behind her, giving the two geniuses some privacy to discuss their business. Whitley approached the doctor and shook his hand.

"It's nice to see you, Mr. Schnee." Polendina greeted, only for his eyes to squint when he noticed something strange. "You're looking a little red there, son. Do you have a fever or something?

A slightly flustered Whitley Schnee replied, "No, I'm not sick. I'm just feeling a bit... warm."

The doctor blinked confusedly, "But it's close to 8° outside."

"Yes. Yes, it is." The boy spoke, his face stiff as stone as it slowly regained its pale pallor.

"Uhm... yes, indeed it is." The old man agreed with an awkward tilt to his voice. "Would you like to see what I've prepared for you?"

"Yes, I would like that very much."

Polendina motioned for his patient to follow him, to which the boy acquiesced. The duo walked over to the metal door. After entering the code for the security lock, the metallic door slid up, revealing the room behind it. The Schnee followed the doctor in and immediately his flustered state was transformed into that of awe. The boy was absolutely star-struck.

He was standing in Pietro Polendina's own laboratory!

He was standing in the very place where the Atlesian Knight had been developed. As well as the man's various groundbreaking advances in prosthetics; and where he helped develop the hard-light technology used at Amity Coliseum! This was a dream come true! This was the culmination of years of hard work and studying! This was...

"Son, are you sure you're feeling all right, because you've been staring at the ceiling for the past two minutes." The doctor inquired, concerned for the young man.

The awe that Whitley felt immediately turned to embarrassment; Feeling the heat rushing to his face once more, the young man shook his head in an attempt to shake the embarrassment away. As his head shook, his eyes landed on a very long table in the center of the room. Upon this table sat two cases, one small and cubic and the other long and rectangular.

His interest piqued, he turned to the doctor and asked. "Are those what I think they are?"

With a proud smile, Polendina replied. "They are... Would you like to see them?"

Whitley wasted no time, his answer given by way of him approaching the table, with the doctor joining him.

The doctor reached over to long rectangular case, slick and black, and entered an eight-digit code into its lock. A green light lit up on the lock, followed by a soft hissing sound as the case opened. Once the case was fully open, the boy gazed inside and beheld an amazing sight. Situated within the case's foam-padded interior was a bodysuit, black in color and appearing to be form fitting.

Whitley breathed in awe, "Wow..."

The doctor chuckled at the boy's reaction. "Heh-heh-heh, I'm glad that you approve. When I was designing the suit, I was trying to find a balance between style and functionality, so I'm glad that I was able to do it right."

"But this suit doesn't just look good. How's about we get to the good stuff?" Polendina asked with a proud smile."

The young Schnee nodded dumbly, giving the older genius permission to explain the finer details of the suit.

"What you're looking at is an advanced prototype meant for use in the field by Atlas' soldiers. Though it looks skin-tight, which it is, the suit is actually three layers of different materials." Polendina explained, with Whitley listening with rapt attention.

Polendina reached for the suit's neckline and pulled out a hidden zipper, which slid down, cutting through the chest much like a scalpel would skin. The doctor pulled on one of the opened flaps and turned it over, showing the suit's interior. When he took a closer look at it, Whitley was surprised to see small protrusions within the fabric, resembling tubing.

The doctor spoke, "The first layer, which can be considered the nervous system, is where the suit's temperature control system is located. A series of micro tubes are woven into the innermost layer, creating a network spanning the entire body. Water is pumped through these tubes, with a small device situated on the right wrist controlling a mixing valve that adds a fluid that can create a cold and warm fluid loop. In order to prevent damage to the skin, I covered the tubing with a layer of thermal fabric, itself layered over with a think sheet of silk for comfort."

"You took some inspiration from the spacesuits meant for the abandoned space program, right?" The boy asked, recalling the project that his grandmother took part in.

"Yes, but I doubt you're going to space any time soon." Polendina jested.

Whitley whistled in astonishment. The doctor continued on to explain the next layer of the suit, "The second layer of the suit is comprised of a series of individual plates covering the vital parts of the body, such as the torso or the groin, among others. The plates are composed of Kevlar with a titanium dipped fiber. These plates can stop anything short of an armor piercing round. So you best be careful in picking who you're going to fight."

Whitley gave the doctor a sly smile and asked, "Now, why would anyone want to shoot me, Dr. Polendina?"

With a lighthearted smile, the doctor replied. "Well, let's just say that charming personality of yours won't work on everybody, my boy."

The two geniuses shared a small laugh before Polendina explained the final layer of the suit. "Finally, we come to the outermost layer of the armor, it's 'skin', as it were. The fabric was made using aramid fibers, nanotubes, and graphene and other such materials, allowing for great flexibility and resistance, as well as a Kevlar bi-weave for further protection. The second layer's Kevlar plates might protect your body's most vital areas, but this layer will protect everything else."

Polendina zipped the suit up and turned it back to its original position.

"Of course, we're going to have to resize for you, as well as cut a hole for that reactor of yours to fit through; and I'll have to rework some of the tubing, but this should take only a few hours with your help." He explained to the young man, stroking his bearded chin in deep thought.

Now finished with the suit, the doctor closed its container. Quickly, he moved to his right, his hands settling on the smaller case. Unlike the first case, this one had no electronic lock, but a common padlock. Quickly, he twisted the dial, entering the code, unlocking it. Now free of its metallic restraint, the lid was pushed upward by the doctor.

Whitley's eyes gleamed in wonder at the item within the case. Secured in foam, with a sleek silvery design and a polished lens was the new-and-improved Arc Reactor. Polendina caught the look in the boy's eyes and smiled, taking that as a signal of approval. Carefully, the doctor removed the small device from its foamy confinement, holding it up for the Schnee.

"I was able to improve upon the original design you gave me- again, they are a true work of art- and I was able to use the materials you requested. I ran a few tests and found that it generates a significantly greater amount of energy than the first. The superior metals and interior wiring will also ensure a longer lasting charge!" He explained with manic glee.

"However," His voice turned solemn. "I'm a bit worried about the palladium core. While this reactor may be more refined, the core still poses a serious health risk. There is a very high chance that the palladium might poison you, unless you find a better alternative. Any extraneous work could exacerbate the problem, so my advice for you is to not try and stop another runaway train."

"I'll take that into consider-" Whitley's eyes bugged out in surprise. He looked to his idol and asked. "I'm sorry, but what was that last part?"

"Young man, there's no need to deny anything. I know full well what you're doing." The doctor replied, cutting straight to the point.

"I, uh, well- you know, I- but..." The revealed vigilante let out a resigned sigh. "When and how?"

"Last week, a couple hours after left; I recognized the reactor from the photos floating around the net." The doctor admitted with a serious tone. "You do realize that you've been the number one story on all the news networks, right?"

For the second time today, Whitley Schnee was rendered speechless. After Neon's outburst and sudden breakdown, he had thought that nothing else would have surprised him. He was wrong. He had been completely, terribly, and unbelievably wrong. Someone had found out that he was Iron Man. And that someone was none other than one of his childhood idols, whom also happened to be a close associate of General Ironwood; aka one of the few people who should NEVER find out his secret.

When his mind caught up to him, the young man let out the one sentence that summed up the day he had been having.

"Well, this is just effing brilliant."

If there were an award for mucking things up, he was sure it would be Gold.