Marvel: Alchemist

Chapter 35: The Birth of Iron Man

2008 – Stark Industries, Los Angeles

The night sky above Stark Industries blazed with fire and chaos. Tony Stark, clad in his Mark III armor, rocketed through the air, dodging incoming repulsor blasts from the Iron Monger suit piloted by Obadiah Stane. The battle raged across the industrial complex, sending shockwaves of energy through the ground as the two armored titans clashed.

Edward Lin sat in his penthouse, sipping a glass of fine whiskey as he watched the news broadcast of the escalating conflict. The world was witnessing the dawn of a new era. Superheroes were no longer confined to myths or isolated incidents—Tony Stark was making them real.

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A Battle of Titans

"You think you're the only one who knows how to build a suit?" Stane's voice crackled through the comms as his massive metallic frame lumbered forward. His Iron Monger suit, a crude but powerful imitation of Stark's sleek design, gleamed under the moonlight.

Tony's voice was labored. "This wasn't just about building a suit, Obie. It was about responsibility! Something you clearly don't understand."

Stane launched forward, swinging a massive steel fist. Tony barely dodged in time, his boosters flaring as he soared backward. The industrial yard around them erupted in destruction—shipping containers crumpled under the sheer force of their fight, while explosive sparks rained down from electrical grids torn apart in the chaos.

Edward watched with keen eyes. Tony was skilled, but he was still learning. The difference between a genius in a lab and a warrior forged in fire was evident. Stane, for all his treachery, was using brute force and had the upper hand in raw strength. But Tony had ingenuity.

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The Fall of Obadiah Stane

Tony struggled, his armor battered, energy reserves dwindling. His only chance lay in an all-or-nothing gambit. He lured Stane to the rooftop of the arc reactor facility.

"You had your time, Obie!" Tony shouted through gritted teeth.

Stane growled. "And now it's mine!" He raised his massive arm, charging up for a final, devastating blast.

"Pepper, now!" Tony's voice rang out over his comms.

Inside the control room, Pepper Potts pressed the emergency overload button on the arc reactor. The massive energy core beneath them hummed violently before erupting in a pillar of blinding white light.

Stane barely had time to react. "What—?!"

A surge of energy enveloped him. The Iron Monger suit seized up as the reactor's energy surged through its core. Sparks danced across his armor as systems failed one by one. Then, with a final, ear-splitting scream, Stane and his monstrous suit plunged into the reactor's core.

A deafening explosion followed. When the light faded, there was nothing left of Obadiah Stane.

Edward leaned back in his chair, smirking slightly. Another player removed from the board.

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The Press Conference

The next morning, the world buzzed with speculation. Stark Industries had suffered catastrophic damage, and rumors swirled about the emergence of a new weaponized suit. The press gathered at Stark Industries' headquarters, hungry for answers.

Tony Stark, bandaged but very much alive, stood before the podium, flanked by Pepper Potts and James Rhodes.

"Mr. Stark, what happened last night? Who was in that suit?" a reporter shouted.

Tony smirked, clearly reveling in the attention. "Well, I'd say it was one hell of a light show."

Laughter rippled through the crowd, but the reporters pressed on. "There are reports of an unidentified armored figure assisting in the destruction of a rogue military weapon. Can you comment on that?"

Tony hesitated. He glanced down at the carefully prepared statement SHIELD had provided him. The plan was to deflect, deny, and maintain secrecy.

But then, a smirk played across his lips. He was Tony Stark. He never played by the rules.

He set the cards down. "The truth is..." He paused, letting the suspense build.

Then, with a confident grin, he delivered the words that would change history forever.

"I am Iron Man."

The room exploded with chaos—reporters shouting, cameras flashing, the world hanging on to every syllable. Edward chuckled to himself. Stark had just set the world ablaze.

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The Rise of Stark Industries

In the days that followed, Stark Industries' stock prices fluctuated wildly. The panic that had gripped investors turned into a frenzied buying spree. Edward moved swiftly.

"Acquire another three percent," he instructed his brokers. "Don't let Obadiah's shadow investors reclaim their shares."

The markets shifted. With Stane gone and Stark's name reaching unprecedented heights, Golden Enterprise's stake in Stark Industries solidified. Edward remained in the background, a silent but ever-present force ensuring William had what he needed in the future.

As he closed the market report, Edward exhaled. The age of superheroes had begun. And he intended to make sure it unfolded exactly as he wanted.

To Be Continued…