Tony Stark fell silent.
He hated to admit it, but Jessica's argument—rough around the edges as it was—made an uncomfortable amount of sense.
"You didn't go talk to Steve first?" Tony asked suddenly.
"I did," Jessica replied. "An hour ago. He's already agreed."
"The fossil's actually coming?" Tony raised an eyebrow. "If I don't show up now, I'll look like the heartless one. And letting him teach those kids?" He winced. "Great. He'll turn them all into salute-happy Boy Scouts."
Tony paused, lifted his glass, and swirled the amber liquid.
"Alright," he said at last. "I'm in."
"But," he added, raising two fingers, "my appearance fee is twenty percent of the show's ad revenue."
"Twenty percent?!" Jessica's eyes went wide. "Why don't you just rob us at repulsor-point?"
"Hey, I'm Tony Stark." He flashed a smug grin. "Me standing there is the ratings. And besides—" his tone sharpened just a touch, "—that money's going to Damage Control. Fixing the streets we superheroes keep blowing up."
Jessica ground her teeth.
"…Deal."
-----
Three Days Later
New York City — Vought Studios
The brand-new Vought soundstage blazed like a second sun against the night.
Who Is the Next Superhero?
Top 100 contestants—assembled.
Floodlights turned darkness into daylight. Tens of thousands of fans screamed outside, waving glowing signs despite the biting winter wind. Homeland… no—Antony wasn't here. But Vought's promise of "mystery guests" had whipped the entire country into a frenzy.
Backstage—
Jessica Jones stood in her brand-new Jewel suit.
Deep purple tactical armor, clean lines, black leather cape. It kept her rough-edged style intact while looking sharp, authoritative. The emblem on her chest had changed too—no crown this time, but a dark-gold, gem-shaped V.
She inhaled slowly, palm pressing against her chest.
The Ether inside her stirred—but remained stable. For now.
"Ready?" came a familiar voice.
Steve Rogers stepped up beside her, dressed in his classic red, white, and blue. No helmet. Shield strapped to his back.
"A little nervous," Jessica admitted. "I've never hosted something like this."
Steve smiled gently and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Just be yourself. You're their leader."
"And don't swear into the camera," another voice cut in lazily. "Though I know that's a tall order."
Tony Stark strolled over in a loud red suit, grin firmly in place.
"Shut up, Tony."
"Heroes, fifteen minutes!" Ashley's voice crackled through the earpieces, vibrating with excitement. "Get ready to go live!"
-----
Showtime
The curtains exploded open.
"Ladies and gentlemen!!"
"Our leader, Antony, is currently among the stars—defending Earth beyond our skies!"
"But he has left us his will—!"
"He has left us… his friends!"
"Tonight, please welcome—America's strongest mentor lineup ever assembled!!"
The LED wall behind the stage detonated into red, blue, and white particle effects. The countdown hit zero.
First spotlight.
Steve Rogers rose slowly on a lift, shield gleaming under the lights. The crowd erupted instantly.
"CAPTAIN AMERICA!! CAPTAIN AMERICA!!"
He waved—formal, dignified, parade-perfect. The wholesome smile. The unmistakable silhouette. Even the curve of his—
Yes. That too triggered screams across several demographics.
Second spotlight.
Purple and gold.
Jessica Jones—now Jewel—strode out from the side curtain, expression carved from stone.
She looked like she'd rather punch the audience than greet them.
And somehow… that made her cooler.
"JEWEL!! JEWEL!!"
Then—
Heavy metal hit like a sonic grenade.
🎸 Shoot to Thrill 🎸
A shadow plummeted from the ceiling.
No armor.
A man in a bright red suit, arms spread wide, falling straight toward the stage.
"Oh my God!!" the audience gasped.
Ten meters from impact—
"C'mon, prodigal son."
Gold-and-red streaks shot in from every direction.
Mark 42—deployed.
Clack-clack-clack—!
Legs. Torso. Arms. Helmet.
One second. Perfect alignment.
HISS—THRUM.
The repulsors fired.
Iron Man hovered ten centimeters above the stage.
Wind blasted the front rows.
Tony flipped once, landed in a textbook superhero kneel—
BOOM!
The impact rattled the studio.
His faceplate slid open. Blue eyes glinted beneath the lights.
"Alright," Tony smirked at the camera, "you may scream now."
The building lost its mind.
"IRON MAN!! IRON MAN!!"
…
Steve sighed from the mentor's chair.
"Does he have to do that every time?"
Jessica slumped into her seat beside him.
"That's Tony Stark. If he doesn't show off, his arc reactor shuts down."
Tony dropped into his chair on the other side.
"Don't act like you weren't wondering how awkward it'd be if I splattered."
"Don't even joke," Jessica muttered.
"That headline would've been amazing," Tony replied casually.
Steel Avenger Falls—Jewel Loses Closest Ally. Ratings through the roof."
"…You're unbelievable."
The host rushed back onstage.
"Mentors! Each of you has 10 team slots! See someone you like—slam the button! If multiple mentors light up, the contestant chooses!"
"Top 30 advance to the next round of hell-level training!"
"And for those eliminated—don't worry! Vought offers City Hero A-Class contracts across all 50 states!"
The lights dimmed.
The entrance doors slid open.
"Contestant number one—step forward!"
--------------
T/N:
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