[Malibu Mansion. 10:00 PM.]
The bass dropped so hard the windows vibrated.
The mansion was packed. Models, celebrities, and hangers-on filled every square inch of the living room. Alcohol flowed like water.
In the center of it all, wearing the Mark 4 armor (helmet off), was Tony Stark. He was holding a bottle of champagne in one metal gauntlet and a microphone in the other.
"I love you guys!" Tony slurred, swaying dangerously. "You're the best! Who wants to see me shoot a watermelon off a mannequin's head?"
The crowd cheered wildly.
In the kitchen, away from the madness, Pepper Potts was frantically trying to shut down the power.
"Mr. Michaelis!" Pepper screamed over the music. "Do something! He's drunk! He's in the suit!"
Sebastian stood by the counter, mixing a complex cocktail with liquid nitrogen. He looked calm, almost bored.
"It is his birthday, Miss Potts," Sebastian said, straining the drink into a crystal glass. "And likely his last. Let the boy play."
Pepper froze. "What do you mean, his last?"
Sebastian didn't answer. He placed a cherry on top of the drink. "Take this to him. It's a 'Blackout.' It seems appropriate."
"You're helping him kill himself," Pepper hissed. She stormed out of the kitchen to find Rhodey.
Sebastian watched her go. He took a sip of the drink himself.
"He is killing himself regardless," Sebastian whispered to the empty room. "I am merely providing the soundtrack."
[The Living Room]
"Pull!" Tony yelled.
A bottle was thrown into the air.
PEW.
The repulsor blast vaporized the bottle. Glass shards rained down on the guests, who laughed and danced in the debris.
"Tony!"
The crowd parted. Colonel James Rhodes stood there, wearing his dress uniform. He looked furious.
"You need to get out of that suit," Rhodey ordered. "Right now."
"Rhodey! My honeybear!" Tony stumbled forward, the servos whining. "Come on, have a drink. Sebastian! Get the Colonel a drink!"
Sebastian materialized from the crowd, holding a tray. "Vodka tonic, Colonel? Or perhaps something stronger to numb the disappointment?"
Rhodey slapped the tray out of Sebastian's hand. Glass shattered.
"Get everyone out," Rhodey growled at the butler. "Now."
Sebastian looked at the broken glass. His eyes flashed a dangerous red. But he bowed. "As you wish, Colonel. But I believe the Master of the house has not dismissed them."
"I don't care!" Rhodey turned to Tony. "You're a danger to yourself and everyone here. Take it off."
"You want the suit?" Tony sneered, his face flushed with toxicity and rage. "You want it? Take it."
Tony lowered his faceplate. The eyes glowed white.
Rhodey stared at him. He turned and ran toward the basement.
[The Basement Lab]
Rhodey punched in the override code. The glass case opened. The silver Mark 2 stood there—the prototype.
"Fine," Rhodey muttered, stepping onto the platform. "If you want to play war, let's play war."
[The Living Room. 5 Minutes Later.]
CRASH.
Rhodey, clad in the silver armor, smashed through the floor into the living room.
"Get out!" Rhodey commanded the guests via the external speakers. "Party's over!"
The crowd screamed and stampeded toward the exits. Only Sebastian remained, standing calmly by the DJ booth, adjusting the volume knob.
"You killjoy," Tony's voice boomed.
"You don't deserve to wear that machine," Rhodey countered.
Tony charged.
The two metal titans collided. It was a brawl of titans. They smashed through the coffee table, through the drywall, through the grand piano.
CLANG. BAM. CRUNCH.
Tony fired a repulsor blast. Rhodey grabbed a gym weight and smashed it into Tony's helmet.
"Put the hand down, Tony!"
"You put it down!"
They stood facing each other in the center of the ruined living room. Both raised their palms. The repulsors whined, charging to maximum.
Sebastian watched from the balcony, leaning on the railing. He could stop this. He could move faster than the repulsors could fire. He could catch both beams with his bare hands.
He didn't move.
He inhaled deeply. The air was thick with ozone, betrayal, and the sweet, rotting scent of a friendship dying.
Delicious, Sebastian thought.
BOOM.
The beams collided. The resulting shockwave blew out every window in the mansion. The ceiling collapsed.
Dust filled the air.
When it settled, Tony was lying on his back in the rubble, his suit scorched.
Rhodey stood over him. He looked at his best friend, then turned away.
"I'm taking this," Rhodey said, looking at his silver suit. "The military will know what to do with it."
Rhodey engaged his thrusters and flew off into the night, stealing the Mark 2.
Tony didn't move. He lay in the ruins of his life.
"Sir?"
Sebastian walked through the debris. He wasn't dusty. He held a small box.
"I believe the party was a success," Sebastian said dryly. "The house is destroyed, your best friend hates you, and Miss Potts has resigned as CEO. You have successfully alienated everyone who loves you."
Tony opened his faceplate. He looked broken.
"Give me a donut," Tony whispered.
Sebastian opened the box. Randy's Donuts. He handed a chocolate one to Tony.
"Eat up, Young Master," Sebastian smiled, his eyes glowing in the darkness. "We have a lot of work to do. And you are running out of time."
[End of Chapter 14]
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