Lights sparkled in the big Hart house. The air smelled like cake and flowers. People in fancy clothes laughed and talked. It was granny Victoria Jack's wife's Grandma birthday party. She sat at the head table like a queen. Her white hair was in a tight bun. Her cane was lying next to her chair.
Jack Ironheart stood in the corner. He wore an old shirt and pants. His black hair was short and neat. His blue eyes watched everything. He had a scar on his face. He held a small box in his hand.
Victor Hart, his father-in-law, walked up to him. Victor was short and round. His beard, which was gray, twitched. "What are you doing here, Jack? Go help in the kitchen."
Jack nodded. "Yes, sir."
He turned to go. But Alex Hart blocked his way. Alex was skinny and tall. He was Jack's wife's cousin. His blond hair was slick. He had sneaky brown eyes. "Hey, you useless thing. Don't forget to clean up after."
Jack said nothing. He just walked past.
Emily Hart saw it all. She was Jack's wife. Her pretty dress was covered by her long brown hair. Her eyes were green and sad. She sipped her drink and stayed quiet.
The party continued. The guests gave presents. Victoria was given a shiny watch by a man. "Mrs. Hart, this is for you. It has a high value."
Victoria smiled meanly. "Thank you."
Another guest gave her a big necklace. "This is from far away. Very rare."
Victoria nodded. "Good. How thoughtful of you."
It was time for family gifts. Victor stood up. "Mother, this is from me." He gave her a box. Inside was a gold ring. "To show how powerful our family is."
Victoria put it on. "Nice one, son."
Alex went next. He grinned. "Grandma, look at this." He gave her a fancy phone. "This is the newest phone. You deserve the best."
Victoria laughed. "Smart boy. Thank you."
Emily stood up. "Grandma, happy birthday." She gave her a soft scarf. "I made it myself."
Victoria touched it. "Wow. Thank you honey."
It was Jack's turn now. All eyes turned to him. He walked to the table. "Happy birthday, Grandma." He gave her a small box.
Victoria opened it quickly. Inside was an old watch. Simple. Not shiny.
The room went quiet. Then Alex burst out laughing. "What is that? Junk from the trash?"
The guests whispered. Victor's face turned red. "You really bring this? To my mother?"
Victoria tossed the watch onto the table. "Get rid of this. You shame us."
Jack picked it up. "It's from my past. It means a lot to me."
Alex grabbed a microphone from the band. "Listen up, everyone. This is our son-in-law. He does nothing all day. Lives off us. And here he comes with this gift? A beggar's watch!"
Laughter filled the room. People pointed. "Look at him. Useless man."
Emily looked down. She bit her lip.
Victor waved to security. Two big men showed up. "Get him out of here. Now."
The men grabbed Jack's arms. They dragged him toward the door. Jack did not fight. His face stayed calm.
As they reached the door, Alex ran up. "Wait!" He slipped something into Jack's pocket. Fast. No one saw.
Then Alex yelled. "Thief! He stole my necklace!"
Victor turned. "What?"
Alex pointed. "Check his pocket. The gold one I had. It's gone!"
The security men stopped. They searched Jack. A gold chain came out.
The guests were shocked. "Thief!"
Victoria stood up. Her cane hit the floor. "Call the police!"
Emily whispered. "Jack? No way..."
Jack looked at Alex. His blue eyes were sharp. "You did this."
Alex smiled in a sneaky way. "Prove it, you piece of trash."
The police sirens came quickly. Two police officers ran in. "What's happening?"
Police sirens came fast. Two cops ran in. "What's going on?"
Victor pointed to Jack. "He stole. Arrest him."
The cops handcuffed Jack. Cold metal clicked on his wrists. They pushed him out the door. Into the night.
In the police car, Jack sat still. Rain hit the windows. One of the cops said. "Another rich family fight, I see."
Jack didn't say anything. They took him to the police station. Shoved him into a cell. The door shut with a bang.
Alone, Jack sat on the bench. His scar itched. He reached into his shoe and pulled out a hidden small phone.
He dialed one number.
It rang once.
"Mike," Jack said. "It's time."
On the other end, Mike Ramirez, Jack's friend, answered. "Jack? You okay?"
"No more hiding," Jack said. "Bring the Legion."
Mike's voice was strong. "Yes, sir. We're coming."
Jack ended the call. He stood up. He made a fist.
The door to the cell was locked. But Jack was an expert on locks.
He twisted his cuff. A small tool popped out. Hidden in the metal.
Click. The cuffs fell off.
He went over to the door. Listened to the guards talking outside.
Jack kicked the door. Hard. It bent.
The guards ran in. "Hey!"
Jack moved fast. He punched one. The man fell.
The other grabbed a stick. Swung it.
Jack dodged it. Grabbed the stick and twisted it. The guard dropped.
Jack walked out. The police station alarm went off.
It was raining heavily outside. Jack ran into the darkness.
A black car was waiting. Mike sat inside. Big and strong with tattoos on his arms.
"Get in," Mike said.
Jack jumped in without thinking. The car quickly drove off.
Sirens chased them. But Mike drove fast and they lost them in alleys.
"What now?" Mike asked.
Jack's eyes were cold. "The Harts pay first."
Back at the party, the lights were bright. Laughter continued.
Victor raised a glass. "To our family!"
Alex grinned. "Yes."
But outside, shadows moved. Black trucks rolled up.
Men in dark clothes got out. Their guns are ready.
One man whispered. "Phantom Legion is here."
The door burst open. The guests screamed.
Jack stepped inside, rain dripping from his hair.
The scar on his skin looked sharper when the lights shone on it.
Victor's champagne glass fell.
It broke into pieces in the silence.
"You… how?"
Jack looked at them all. "This game ends now."
Alex stepped back. "How did you..."
Jack pointed at him. "You framed me."
Emily stood up. "Jack?"
Victoria gripped her cane. "Guards!"
But the guards were down. They were held by legion men.
Mike stood by Jack. "Boss?"
Jack nodded. "Take Alex."
Alex tried to run. But he was grabbed by two Legion troops and made him kneel on the floor.
Jack walked to Victor. "How dare you throw me out."
Victor shook. "It was a mistake."
Jack smiled coldly. "Too late."
He turned to the room. "Listen. I am not worthless–"
Before he could finish his words, phones buzzed. Guests checked.
"My account balance!" one yelled. "Zero!"
"Mine too!"
Victor looked at his phone. His face was pale. "What did you do?"
Jack said. "One call. That's all."
Emily whispered. "Who are you?"
Jack looked at her. "The man you married. But more."
Outside, helicopters whirred with no lights.
The city lights flickered.
Victoria stood up. "Stop this!"
Jack turned to her. "You called me names."
She shook her head. "I didn't know then."
Jack stepped close. "Now you will."
A man in a black clothes ran in. "Boss, we found something. In the safe."
He held out papers that looked like old letters.
Jack took them. Read it fast.
His face changed. "Darius Kane."
Victoria took a sharp breath.. "How do you know that name?"
Jack turned to her. "He paid Alex to frame me tonight.
He's been inside your house for months."
Guests quietly talked to each other.
Alex, still kneeling, shouted. "I had to do it!. He told us he would kill us!"
Jack looked down at him.
"You chose wrong."
Outside, the night sky filled with black helicopters. No sound until they were right above the roof.
A soldier ran in, holding his helmet under his arm.
"Commander, explosion confirmed. Hart Tower downtown is on fire."
Jack's eyes turned to ice.
Mike was already at the door.
"Vehicle ready."
Jack looked back once at the scared family.
Emily's lips moved, but no sound came out.
He stepped into the storm.
The SUV sped down the wet road, with police lights red and blue far behind.
Rain hit the glass hard.
Jack stared straight ahead.
"Darius wants a war?"
His mouth formed a cold smile.
"He just got one."
Across the river, in a dark warehouse, Darius Kane watched the burning tower on ten big screens. He had gray hair, a scar across his whole face, and he wore black coat.
He let out a deep laugh.
"Welcome back, Jack Ironheart.
I've waited three years for this."
He pressed a red button on the table.
Somewhere else in the city, another building shook.
BOOM.