Rescue

Tony soared through the night sky, the quiet hum of his suit a calming contrast to the whirlwind of thoughts racing through his mind.

The Mandarin and his allies had fallen with relative ease—a fact that lingered in Tony's thoughts as he pushed toward Pepper's last known location. He replayed the encounter in his mind, analyzing every detail.

"The Mandarin has all those powers in the rings," Tony mused. "In the comics, he's nearly invincible with them. Each one controls a different aspect—ice blasts, fire beams, energy manipulation. Yet, in the end, they're still predictable. They follow certain patterns, have energy signatures."

A small smile tugged at his lips as he considered the countless hours he'd spent preparing. "Knowing what each ring does gives me an edge. It lets me counter and exploit their weaknesses. The cloaking tech, the randomized decoy patterns… they weren't just gimmicks. They let me stay two steps ahead, keep Mandarin guessing."

He considered the other villains as well. Blizzard, Ghost—each one powerful on their own, yet outmatched because he'd anticipated their moves. "It's not just about firepower," Tony thought. "It's strategy. It's thinking six, seven moves ahead."

Tony allowed himself a quick laugh. "The Mandarin's power doesn't mean much when you've planned for it. With the right tech, prep, and a bit of clever engineering, even the deadliest powers can be outsmarted."

As MARVEL updated him on Pepper's location, he shifted his focus to the task at hand. The Iron Legion suits he'd dispatched earlier were already closing in on the kidnappers, a small faction of Hydra operatives. They weren't exactly top-tier villains—just hired muscle, low-level players in a game they barely understood.

Moments later, Tony arrived at the scene, landing smoothly as the Iron Legion kept the Hydra agents contained. He quickly assessed the situation, noting the scattered bodies of Hydra goons who had foolishly tried to engage the Legion. This was hardly a challenge for his suits, and Tony's irritation was evident.

"Alright, let's wrap this up," Tony said, addressing the Legion units. "No need for containment in the Infinity Chamber—just hand them over to the authorities."

He turned to one of the captured agents, a smug smirk crossing his face. "I'm only going to ask this once. Who ordered the kidnapping?"

The Hydra operative hesitated, then spat out a name: "Killian. Aldrich Killian. Said it was personal—something about revenge."

Tony's eyes narrowed as he processed the information. Killian… he's the one behind the Extremis project. He knew the potential dangers of Extremis—an experimental virus that could turn ordinary humans into living weapons. If Killian was involved, this wasn't just a simple vendetta; it was a threat that could become very real.

"Thanks for the info." Tony gestured to the Iron Legion. "Get him out of here."

With the situation under control, Tony turned his attention to Pepper, who had been watching from a safe distance, her expression a mix of relief and frustration.

"Tony," she said, her voice trembling slightly, "you're alright."

Tony's hardened exterior softened as he looked at her. "Of course. You know me, I don't go down that easily."

They stood in silence for a moment before Tony finally spoke. "Let's get you home."

They flew back to her place in silence, the cool night air providing a calming reprieve after the chaos. Once they arrived, Tony helped her inside, sensing her exhaustion.

"You know Tony, it's unlike you to be so reserved."

As they settled in, he hesitated, glancing at her thoughtfully. "Pepper… you know me. You know I don't do well with… feelings. Getting too close, it's… complicated."

Pepper's gaze softened as she looked up at him, a small smile forming on her lips. "I know, Tony. Just for ton..."

They shared a quiet, knowing look, the tension between them dissolving as they moved closer. Tony's defenses faded, and for once, he allowed himself to let go of the walls he'd so carefully built. They leaned in, and the night passed as they shared a moment that had been long overdue.

As Tony held her close, he realized that maybe, just maybe, he was ready for something more. The world outside could wait, if only for a night.