Scene: Tony's Mansion — After the Discovery of the New Element
Tony's mansion looked like it had survived a small war—which, after last night's brawl between Tony and Rhodey, wasn't far from the truth. SHIELD agents moved in and out carrying boxes of recovered research, fragments of destroyed tech, and Howard Stark's old files that Fury had "returned." Tony had already threatened a lawsuit for that, loudly.
Roy stepped through the ruined living room, brushing aside a chunk of drywall. He spotted Agent Phil Coulson exiting the basement lab, expression as calm as always.
"Coulson," Roy greeted.
"Roy," Coulson nodded back warmly. "Good to see you again."
"Heading somewhere important?" Roy asked casually.
"New Mexico," Coulson replied. "Some kind of… hammer fell out of the sky."
Roy smirked. "If you find a giant muscle-head with long blond hair and a superiority complex, tell him I said hi."
Coulson blinked, confused but too professional to question it. "I… will keep that in mind."
He walked off, still unsure whether he should prepare for a thunder god or a bodybuilder.
Roy headed down into the lab.
Tony was in the middle of a storm of activity—sparks flying, holograms rearranging, the new triangular arc reactor core floating in a stabilization chamber. The moment Tony snapped it into the containment ring, the device flared to life with a clean, crystalline blue glow. His eyes widened like a kid opening a Christmas gift.
"A new element, Stark!" he yelled triumphantly to himself. "Take that, palladium poisoning!"
Then he noticed Roy leaning against the railing.
"How long have you been standing there?" Tony demanded.
"Since about the moment you figured out the lattice," Roy said, amused. "Congratulations. Howard would be proud."
Tony puffed up proudly—like a peacock with an IQ of 300. "Of course he would. I'm amazing."
Roy snorted. "Sure. Let's go with that."
Tony held up the new arc reactor for him to see, grin huge. Roy clapped him on the shoulder.
"Nice work."
"Damn right."
A beat passed as Tony looked at the glowing core.
"…I should really go make a new suit."
"Go," Roy smirked. "I'm sure you've already got five ideas."
Tony didn't deny it—he sprinted toward the assembly platform like an excited child.
Roy turned and headed out of the lab, his expression softening for a moment as he watched Tony's manic determination. Tony Stark might not know it, but he was racing toward his future as Iron Man—and Roy was quietly helping shape that path.
Outside, SHIELD agents were still packing things up. Roy walked past them, hands in his pockets, cloak of calm confidence around him.
Soon, Thor would fall.
Soon, the real threats would rise.
And soon… Nick Fury would learn exactly who Roy truly was.
But not yet.