Chapter 293: The Reclaimed Battle Suit

"High-altitude vacuum sealing device? What does Toomes want to do with that?" Tony frowned, deep in thought as he analyzed the meaning behind the term that had appeared multiple times.

"As the name suggests, it's likely a mechanism that ensures stability at high altitudes, unaffected by internal and external pressure changes—similar to how an airplane maintains cabin pressure at high speeds," Banner speculated, rubbing his chin.

Rhodey, who was standing nearby, asked curiously, "Why specifically a high-speed aircraft?"

"Because only airplanes reach such high altitudes, where the pressure inside and outside differs significantly. Wait… Shit! He's not planning to hijack an aircraft or some flying structure, is he?"

Tony's casual explanation suddenly turned into an alarmed exclamation as he pieced things together.

"It's highly possible, but we still don't know which specific target he's after. However, it must be something significant! Otherwise, Toomes wouldn't have rejected Mason's offers so many times before," Banner agreed with Tony's deduction.

Rhodey added, "Now that he's desperate, he'll definitely be going all out."

Nick Fury had reached the same conclusion, but his mind was already racing toward a more concerning possibility—their aerospace carrier. Aside from the one already operational, three more were still under construction.

[The screen shifts to Spider-Man, who sits on the rooftop, hood removed, silently looking down at the city below. Tony flies toward him.]

["Just a quick recap of 'Peter's Trouble'—I told you to stay out of this! And instead, what do you do? You hack a multi-million-dollar suit! Just so you can go behind my back and do exactly what I warned you against!"]

[Spider-Man listens to Tony's scolding in silence. His thoughts remain unreadable as he blinks and asks, "Is everyone safe?"]

[Tony responds with a calm but firm tone, "It's not because of you!"]

[Spider-Man turns around, facing Tony. "Not because of me?" He hops off the railing, frustration evident in his voice. "Those weapons are still out there! I tried to tell you, but you wouldn't listen!"]

[Tony watches as Spider-Man speaks, lowering his flight altitude.]

["None of this would've happened if you had just listened to me!" Spider-Man huffs in exasperation before scoffing. "If you really cared, you'd be here in person!"]

[Assuming Tony was once again controlling the Iron Man suit remotely like before, Spider-Man is stunned when Tony suddenly disengages the armor, stepping out in front of him.]

[Spider-Man instinctively takes a few steps back as Tony approaches. "I am here, kid."]

["Who do you think called the FBI? Huh? You know I was the only one who believed in you? Everyone said I was crazy for recruiting a 14-year-old into the team!"]

[Tony's words carry weight as he takes slow, deliberate steps forward, his presence almost overwhelming. Spider-Man, feeling the pressure, continues to back away.]

[Hearing that, Spider-Man quickly corrects him, "I'm 15 years old!"]

[Tony's irritation flares even more. "NO! You shut up now, okay? The adults are talking!"]

["What if someone died tonight, huh? That'd be different, wouldn't it? Because then it'd be your fault! If you died, I'd have to live with that guilt! And I don't want to have that on my conscience!"]

[Realizing his mistake, Spider-Man immediately apologizes, "Yes, sir. I'm sorry."]

[But Tony, still glaring, responds coldly, "Yeah? Well, what's the point of apologizing?"]

[Spider-Man, trying to prove himself, stammers, "I just… I just wanted to be like you."]

[But Tony shakes his head. "And I wanted you to be better than me."]

[Disappointed, Tony makes a decision. "Alright! Since this clearly isn't working, I'm taking the suit back."]

[Spider-Man, panicked, asks, "For how long?"]

[Tony doesn't hesitate. "Forever. That's right—this is the rule."]

[The reality of the situation dawns on Spider-Man, and he pleads, "NO! NO! Please! Please!"]

[Tony doesn't budge. "Hand it over."]

[Spider-Man has grown too accustomed to the suit, unable to accept losing it. "You don't understand! This is all I have! Without it, I'm nothing!"]

[Tony grabs his wrist, looking him straight in the eye. "If you're nothing without this suit, then you don't deserve it. Do you understand?"]

[Even Tony himself flinches at his words, running a hand down his face before muttering, "God, I sound just like my dad."]

[Spider-Man stares at him, determination flickering in his gaze. He has made up his mind for what comes next. He glances into the distance, lips pressing together before admitting, "I don't have any other clothes."]

[Tony realizes the awkwardness of the moment and sighs. "Alright… We'll figure something out."]

"Peter, huh…" The first-generation Uncle Ben sighed as he watched the scene unfold. He hadn't expected Tony to take back the suit, nor did he expect Spider-Man to be so dependent on it.

"He doesn't seem to realize that his strength comes from himself, not the suit Tony Stark gave him," Aunt May murmured.

"Yeah. Even without all the high-tech gadgets, wearing just a simple homemade suit, our Peter was still Spider-Man," Uncle Ben reflected. Though 1st Gen Spiderman had faced his fair share of struggles in life and love, he never relied on external technology to be a hero.

Before meeting Tony, this Spider-Man had crafted his own suit and web-shooters. But as the saying goes—it's easy to move from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go back to frugality.

Tony rubbed his face, feeling more certain than ever that he had unknowingly been raising Spider-Man like a son. He also knew that he'd never truly take the suit away forever.

Because he understood Peter too well. This was just a punishment, a lesson. And watching his future self, Tony realized—Howard Stark had once had the same expectations for him. It was just a shame that he never got the chance to tell Howard that he finally understood.

At that moment, Rhodey suddenly remarked, "Y'know, what you said to Peter sounds a lot like what the Sky Screen said to Thor before."

"Yeah, I know. Thor told me about it," Tony admitted, his expression shifting as he processed it. If he stripped away the Iron Man suit, what was left of him—besides his wealth?

This very thought had been a driving force for him for years. The title of 'savior' once fed his ego, but now? Now it was a burden, a duty.

Carrying that name meant carrying responsibility. And Tony had resolved to protect the world at any cost.

He didn't want to keep playing defense. He didn't want to always be one step behind. Why couldn't they be prepared in advance?

If possible, he'd arm the entire world in Iron Man suits.

And in truth, every major country was already working toward the same goal. Behind the scenes, unseen by the public, the government's vast machinery was operating at full throttle—producing weapons and technology, preparing for the inevitable war against extraterrestrial threats.

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