Vanko Strikes Back

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Just as Tony left, Ivan Vanko, still in prison, received a note tucked inside his meal tray. The note read: "Please enjoy mashed potatoes."

Hidden beneath the mashed potatoes was a small but potent time bomb. Moments later, a prison guard escorted a man with a similar build and identical uniform number into Ivan's cell — a decoy.

Wasting no time, Ivan took down the decoy with ease, snatched the key dropped by the guard, activated the bomb, and escaped.

The explosion rocked the prison, plunging the facility into chaos. Amid the confusion, Ivan was blindfolded and taken away.

It was Justin Hammer who had orchestrated the escape, hoping to recruit Ivan to create technology capable of rivaling Tony Stark's Iron Man suit.

Hammer brought Ivan to his Iron Soldier manufacturing plant, handing over control software for the Iron Soldiers and appointing Ivan as chief engineer.

Meanwhile, Tony returned home and instructed Jarvis to dig into Anton Vanko's background. The search finally revealed the name.

"Anton Vanko, Soviet physicist. Defected to the United States in 1963. Accused of espionage and deported in 1967. His son, Ivan Vanko, is also a physicist."

Rhodes visited Tony, urging him to manage public perception before the military stormed in to seize his Iron Man suits. But Tony, absorbed in learning about Anton Vanko, brushed Rhodes off.

Kai, observing the conversation, stepped in.

"Tony, I actually know a bit about him," Kai said.

Tony turned to Kai with interest.

"Anton Vanko worked with your father, Howard," Kai explained. "They built the reactor together. But your father wanted to expand the technology's potential, while Anton Vanko just wanted to profit from it. Their falling-out ended with your father having Anton deported."

Hearing this, Tony finally understood the past.

"Well," Tony said with a grin, "for once, I think my dad and I agree on something."

With that, Tony, Rhodes, and Kai went upstairs to attend Tony's birthday party. Despite rising concerns about the military or corporate rivals, Tony refused to let anyone pressure him into giving up his suits.

At the party, Tony gifted Rhodes a customized Iron Man suit, making Rhodes the second person after Tony capable of wearing one.

Meanwhile, Ivan Vanko pretended to cooperate with Justin Hammer, developing Hammer's Iron Soldiers. In truth, Ivan secretly improved his own whip armor and quietly seized control of the Iron Soldiers.

Then, Ivan called Tony directly.

"Forty years ago, your family destroyed mine. In forty minutes, I'll return the favor," Ivan warned coldly.

Realizing Ivan's target was the Stark Expo, Tony sprang into action. He ordered Jarvis to prepare his newly designed reactor and turned to Kai.

"Can you get me to the Expo fast?" Tony asked.

Kai smiled. "No problem. Just say the word."

At the Expo, Justin Hammer proudly took the stage, seizing the opportunity to criticize Tony.

"Tony Stark refuses to share his technology with the world," Hammer declared. "But don't worry! We've built something better — safer."

He introduced his Iron Soldiers — various models tailored for the Navy, Army, and Air Force — which rose dramatically onto the stage.

As Hammer boasted about his new line of armored soldiers, Ivan Vanko secretly seized control of the units.

Meanwhile, Hammer called Rhodes to the stage to showcase his own upgraded suit.

The crowd murmured with excitement — but their excitement turned to awe as Tony arrived, landing smoothly on the stage.

The audience erupted in cheers, starkly contrasting the lukewarm applause for Rhodes.

Tony strolled confidently to Rhodes' side.

"Hey, man," Tony said with a grin, "I didn't give you that suit so you could back Hammer. Actually... scratch that. Hammer's not even my competition. So, what's he paying you?"

Tony waved to the crowd, playing along with the excitement.

Rhodes shook his head.

"Tony, I'm just following orders. Don't make a scene here."

"Brother," Tony whispered urgently. "We've got trouble. Big trouble. Everyone's in danger, and we need to get them out of here. Trust me on this."

"Wait... what?" Rhodes frowned.

"I think Hammer's working with Vanko," Tony warned.

"Vanko's alive?" Rhodes asked, stunned. "Didn't his prison cell blow up?"

"Yeah, and somehow he's walking free. He just called me."

Before Rhodes could respond, Tony turned to Hammer.

"Where's Ivan Vanko?" Tony demanded.

Hammer put on an innocent face.

"Who?"

"Don't play dumb," Tony pressed. "Where is he?"

Before Hammer could answer, Rhodes' suit display lit up with flashing red warnings.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Rhodes shouted as his armor locked up. The shoulder-mounted minigun whirred to life, aiming directly at Tony.

Simultaneously, Hammer's Iron Soldiers turned, their weapons locking onto Tony as well.

"Is that you?" Tony asked.

"It's not me!" Rhodes said in panic. "I can't move! He's got control of the system!"

"Get everyone out!" Tony yelled as he rocketed into the sky.

The audience, sensing danger, began scrambling for the exits.

Ivan Vanko's Iron Soldiers opened fire on Tony as he soared above the Expo. Bullets shattered the glass ceiling, and shards began to rain down on the fleeing crowd.

Seeing the imminent danger, Kai reacted instantly. With a wave of his hand, he used his spatial magic to teleport every piece of falling glass into a pile in the corner, safely out of harm's way.

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