Marvel: Playing Iron Man, Falling In and Out of Love with Jinx

"ROAR!!"

A thunderous metallic roar echoed throughout the lab, shaking the air itself with a visible shockwave. The granite tiles beneath Pride's feet exploded into fragments.

Countless shards flew toward Duke. He swayed slightly and dodged them all, but the lab equipment on the table behind him wasn't so lucky, it was smashed to pieces.

Duke dug a finger in his ear and muttered with a pained expression, "I get the excitement of being born, but don't overdo it."

"Understood!"

Pride's mouth shut with a snap, and silence returned.

Meanwhile, in the flower pavilion of the Blue Rose Manor, Camille's figure vanished, leaving only a half-finished cup of steaming tea on the table.

"How do you feel?" Duke stepped closer.

Pride slowly bowed his massive head. "Excellent, Father~!"

"That title again... there's no avoiding it, huh?"

Duke patted Pride's armored shoulder and opened his mission interface. Without hesitation, he selected Pride and submitted the task.

[Mission submitted. Evaluating creation: Sin Series No.1— Pride... Please wait.]

Lines of black text flowed across his vision. Duke didn't rush. Instead, he began running a diagnostic.

"Report your current status."

"Core engine stable. Alchemy drive running at optimal levels. Clockwork propulsion system functioning. All systems normal, Father!"

"Good. Transform to vehicle mode."

"Affirmative!"

Pride flipped mid-air and transformed into a fearsome heavy motorcycle, landing with a ground-shaking thud.

VROOM!!

The engine's explosive roar filled the lab. Duke nodded in satisfaction. "Combat mode and vehicle mode are both stable. Only the final fusion test remains."

Text scrolled past his vision, the evaluation result was in.

[Creation Rating: S+ (Requirement: A). Task cleared with perfection. Reward issued. Iron Man Fusion Rate increased to 27%.]

[Item "EDITH Smart Glasses" added to Inventory.]

[Fusion rate increased. Iron Man Skill Panel now 25% unlocked.]

[P.S.: Kid, interested in licensing this? I'll trade my Hulkbuster and throw in the Veronica system.]

Duke snorted. "Hulkbuster? My Pride has autonomous evolution. That pile of junk doesn't compare."

SWISH!

With a blade-skimming sound, Camille entered the lab gracefully. She eyed the motorcycle before her and sighed. "So this is what you've been tinkering on for so long? A giant toy?"

Before she could say more, Pride reverted to combat mode. Its back arched, tail whipping with energy, and it let out a defiant roar.

"ROAR!!"

Camille blinked, then smiled faintly. "Now that's more like it."

"Getting a compliment from you is harder than building this thing!"

"Pride begets limits, and limits breed demise." Camille circled Pride, visibly impressed. "But... this time, Duke, I must admit it:"

"You're a genius."

Duke cupped a hand to his ear, playing dumb. "Huh? What was that? I didn't quite catch it."

"You little..." Camille tugged his ear, smiling sweetly. "Such a cheeky brat."

"ROAR!"

Pride saw Camille touching Duke and immediately lashed out with his tail. "Step away from Father!!"

CLANG!!

His tail smacked against Camille's crystal shield, leaving spiderweb cracks. Camille frowned slightly and let go. "He still needs discipline."

"Sorry, ma'am. Pride's still a newborn. He doesn't know much yet."

"I know. That's why you, as his creator, must raise him properly."

She looked back at Duke. "And giving him that name... you've placed high hopes on him."

Duke just scratched his head sheepishly.

"Now that your big toy is complete, it's time for your first mission."

"First mission?"

"It relates to my past. I can't be directly involved, so I need you."

Duke immediately understood. Camille's past, could it be Nedley, the nephew of Kiham, coming to Piltover?

Kiham, Camille's former lover, designed her Hextech heart. He fell in love with his own masterpiece, Camille herself. Torn between love and duty, Camille chose her family due to her brother Stevan's deception.

She lived by House Ferros' motto: "For family, I give all."

Yet in the end, Stevan, consumed by jealousy and weakness, tried to betray her, and died by her own hand. Dakora succeeded him.

Now, that past was stirring again.

Duke bowed slightly. "I understand. I'll act according to your will."

...

Later That Afternoon

Zaun – Black Alley

RUMBLE...

Pride, now in dragon-headed bike form, roared down Zaun's streets. Pedestrians leapt aside, throwing glances of envy and awe.

"Who's that?"

"Never seen him before."

"Must be from Piltover."

"Definitely not local style."

"What's a topsider doing down here, flaunting like that?"

"Who knows. Upper folk are never up to any good."

"Looks like he's headed to the new Frogen Tavern."

"Let it be. We've got our own problems to worry about."

...

Wearing a long coat and EDITH glasses, Duke pulled up outside the freshly built Frogen Tavern. Pride scanned the surroundings curiously.

"Father, why do people here look different from above?"

"Because they're special. Full of talent and... charming words."

"Why are those two fighting?"

"Just exchanging fitness tips. Hands-on is quickest."

"And that couple sneaking into the alley?"

"They're researching the origins of life and cellular evolution."

"Wow, this place is magical!"

"Zaun's the best. I love it here!"

Duke patted Pride. "Wait here. Be good. If trouble comes, greet them... warmly."

"Understood, Father!"

Inside, the bustling tavern fell silent as Duke entered.

"A rare guest!"

Vander stepped from behind the bar. "Zaun's runaway inventor returns. What brings you back?"

"Everyone returns home sometime."

Duke dropped a pouch of gold on the counter and raised his voice. "Drinks are on me tonight!"

"YEAHHH!!"

The crowd erupted in cheers. Vander handed Duke a fruit liquor. "Light stuff. Just your style. Now talk. What's the real reason you're here?"

"Your eyes haven't dulled a bit."

Duke sipped and placed a badge on the table, the Ferros family crest. Vander's expression shifted.

"What do you need?"

"Need to find someone from Shurima. Name's Nedley. A researcher. Arrived recently."

"Give me time."

"I've already cleared it upstairs. From now on, you manage this zone. I answer directly to you. Keep things calm, and there'll be no more purges."

"If you've got needs, tell me. I'll pull strings. Some big projects are coming, I'll divert quotas your way."

"That's all I need to hear."

Vander offered his pipe. Duke declined, popping a malt candy in his mouth.

"Sugar boosts brain activity."

As Duke enjoyed his candy, a pink-haired tomboy approached. Vi sat beside him. Vander gave Duke a warning glance.

"How's Boom Boom doing?"

Vi got straight to the point.

Duke scratched his head nervously. "She should be... fine."

"Don't tell me you just dumped my sister at the Academy and vanished!"

Vi grabbed Duke by the collar.

"Calm down! You can go check yourself, "

"ROAR!!"

A feral roar shook the tavern. Outside, Pride raised a squirming figure and howled.

Duke sighed. "Kids these days... always so dramatic."

To be continued...

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