Tony Stark lay on the ground in his Iron Man armor as dust rose across the plaza. His faceplate was shattered, revealing an anxious expression. Blood trickled down his forehead, leaving a bright red streak across the damaged machinery.
Aldrich Killian stepped toward Tony Stark, his gaze cold and sharp. Through the broken armor, he could clearly see Tony's face. Tony's expression was fierce, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes still shone with unwavering determination. His armor was badly damaged, covered in cracks, and the energy shields flickered with distortion.
"Tony Stark, you're nothing special," Aldrich said mockingly, his tone dripping with contempt.
Tony struggled to rise. His damaged armor beeped with warning alarms, but his eyes remained resolute. He stared directly at Aldrich, defiance blazing in his gaze.
"You think I'm going to lose to you? Don't forget—I'm Iron Man. I'm Tony Stark!" Tony said, his voice firm and confident.
Aldrich let out a cold sneer but didn't speak. His expression deepened, staring into Tony's face as though recalling something.
"I waited a long time for you on that rooftop back then. But you never showed up. I stood there freezing in the cold wind, and ended up developing a chronic illness," Aldrich said, voice low and icy.
Tony frowned slightly, fragments of memory surfacing but not enough for him to grasp Aldrich's meaning.
"I was desperate, dying… until I used that lethal virus. It cured me." Aldrich's eyes turned complicated, as though remembering the suffering he endured.
"But I refused to give up. I swore I'd stand at the peak of humanity. I wanted to become the best—superior to people like you, who look down on others," his voice rose, filled with rage and determination.
Tony's eyes widened slightly as understanding dawned. Had he truly left someone in danger atop a building and walked away without responsibility?
"And then, I found real power." Aldrich raised his hand. Flames gathered in his palm, forming a burning fireball filled with fury and desire.
"This power makes me stronger… and I'll never give it up! I refuse to be confined to a single city. I will surpass everything—stand at the summit—and become unmatched!" His voice grew more frenzied as the flames intensified.
Tony Stark listened silently. He could feel Aldrich's fury and ambition, reminding him of his own reckless arrogance from years past. Perhaps, in pursuing power, everyone goes through triumphs, failures, and painful lessons.
"I will defeat you. I will stand at the top of the world. And you—Tony Stark—are merely my stepping stone!" Aldrich said sharply.
"Aldrich, you've chosen a dangerous path. Power isn't the answer—it can just as easily destroy you," Tony warned, staring at the man engulfed in flames.
"Look, look, look." Aldrich twirled the flame on his fingertip, mocking Tony.
"Tony Stark, you're such a hypocrite. If this were you, you'd say you could control this power."
"Why?" Aldrich made a distorted face.
"Why am I on a dangerous path, but you're not?"
His face twisted with rage.
"That's because you always think you can handle everything alone. Because you think being Tony Stark means your power is right and controllable, while others' isn't. That's your definition of power—your arrogant self-confidence!"
"You think you can define me? Think you know me?" Tony shot back angrily.
"No, I don't understand you. But I know this—you're just like me. Flesh and blood. With desires, ambitions, and weaknesses. You're just blinded by power and have lost yourself," Tony said, his voice tinged with concern.
Aldrich's flames surged higher, his rage pushing his strength to the limit.
"Listen, Aldrich—power isn't everything. It can't fill the emptiness in your heart, nor heal your pain. Continue down this road and you'll only become more lonely… more hollow," Tony said quietly.
"Shut up!" Aldrich roared. His flames peaked, and he lunged at Tony, fist blazing.
His fiery punch slammed into Tony's armor. Energy rippled violently as debris exploded outward, the shockwave tearing through the air.
Tony's armor shrieked with alarms, systems failing one by one. He tried to defend himself, but the situation grew worse. The massive force sent him crashing down again, collapsing in the dust.
Tony lay in the rubble, armor almost completely shattered. A deep dent marked his chest. He was unconscious.
"Tony Stark, you have nowhere left to run," Aldrich said triumphantly, a twisted smile on his face.
But then—
A playful voice echoed:"So this world's version of Aldrich is actually pretty strong."
"Who's there?" Aldrich spun around. His smug grin froze instantly.
"You…" Aldrich's voice warped in shock.
"It's me—Tony Stark."The newcomer smirked, eyes gleaming sharply.
Among the ruins, two Tony Starks appeared—one unconscious and broken, the other emerging from nowhere, wearing strange attire and radiating overwhelming confidence. Aldrich grew tense. He realized things had become much more complicated.
"Who are you?" Aldrich demanded.
"You really think I'm that weak, helpless Tony Stark?"The other Tony sneered coldly, voice dripping with menace.
Aldrich's caution rose. This Tony felt different—harder, colder, carrying a dark power.
"As long as you're Tony Stark, you're my enemy!" Aldrich roared, flames rising again as he created a fiery barrier and dashed away.
"Extremis virus… mixed with something else? Interesting."Tony's lips curled in amusement.
"Fine. I'll play with you."
Raise your right hand. Then clench your fist.
"White Canister: Symbiosis."
Suddenly, Tony's clothes rippled. A white liquid formed in the air, swirling around him like a living creature. The liquid climbed over his body, coating his skin, becoming a flowing white membrane.
Mysterious runes glowed across the surface, pulsing with pale light.The liquid hardened into a suit—a white symbiotic armor.
Its helmet resembled a fierce beast, eyes glowing.Its chestplate was marked with shifting runes.Its shoulders were sharp like folded wings.White liquid flowed across the armor's surface, alive yet solid.
Tony had transformed into a White Tank Symbiote Armored Form.
Without hesitation, he moved sideways, ignoring Aldrich's burning flames scorching his armor, and slammed a punch directly into Aldrich's cheek.
Prosperity!
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