Chapter 22: Iron Monger
Realizing there was no time for any further conversation, Tony flew up, chasing after Stan in his Iron Monger suit. Abel, using his Levitation Charm as before, quickly ascended and caught up to the scene. While Tony's arc reactor, made during his captivity, was low on power, he couldn't use the full combat potential of his suit and had to rely on close combat tactics.
Once they both landed on the ground, Abel quickly released the Levitation Charm and raised his wand, aiming a Diffindo spell at the center of Stan's Iron Monger armor. The spell struck the chest, denting it slightly but not causing significant damage.
Most of Abel's offensive spells were designed to affect living beings, meaning they weren't very effective against such strong, mechanical defenses. Moreover, Abel hadn't yet regained the strength needed to cast the more advanced and powerful spells, such as Bone-Breaking Hexes or devastating lightning strikes. What he could use now was limited and required precision against human targets or weaker points in armor.
As Stan retaliated with the Gatling gun on his armor's arm, Abel quickly cast Protego, summoning an invisible barrier. The powerful rounds from the gun peppered his shield, making it difficult for Abel to maintain the defense. The wand in his hand emitted a faint white glow, struggling against the force of the continuous barrage.
Just then, Tony landed a punch on the Iron Monger's arm, causing the Gatling gun to misfire, and Abel took the opportunity to shift positions. Running swiftly to avoid Stan's attacks, Abel raised his wand again and shot another Diffindo at the joints of the Iron Monger's legs, aiming for its weaker spots.
Boom!
The spell landed, impacting one of the legs. While the armor was tough enough to resist immediate destruction, the spell managed to damage the leg joint, causing the Iron Monger to kneel.
"What did you do to my armor?!" Stan roared as he struggled to control the damaged machine.
Despite the damage, Stan forced the Iron Monger to stand again, though the leg was now far weaker. "You'd better surrender, Stan!" Tony called out.
"The fight's not over yet, Tony!" Stan yelled back, sending a violent punch that knocked Tony away. He then launched a rocket at Abel.
Abel reacted swiftly, swinging his wand to the ground. A thick stone wall erupted from the street in front of him, intercepting the rocket before it could hit its target. The explosion left the wall crumbling but saved Abel from harm.
Transfiguration magic like this took a significant amount of energy, and Abel wasn't at his full strength yet. However, he pressed on.
Diffindo... Expulso!
With another burst of magic, Abel targeted the damaged leg joint again. The second attack completely destroyed the joint, rendering Stan's Iron Monger incapable of standing. The massive suit fell to its knees, and this time, Stan couldn't get it to rise.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY ARMOR?!" Stan screamed in rage, sending another rocket at Abel. But this time, Abel conjured an invisible barrier, causing the rocket to explode harmlessly in mid-air.
"Tony!" Abel called out, "Destroy his armor's targeting system!"
Tony, already considering this strategy, realized the Iron Monger's Gatling gun and rockets were relying heavily on automated targeting. If they could disable the system, Stan would be forced to rely on manual aiming, putting him at a disadvantage.
"Cover me!" Tony shouted to Abel before flying into the air and circling the Iron Monger, looking for an opening.
Thanks to Abel's assistance, Tony had enough power left in his suit to maneuver agilely, waiting for the right moment.
Confringo!
Abel fired a burst of fiery magic, creating a visual distraction by blasting the Iron Monger's body. Flames and smoke obscured Stan's view. In that moment, Tony seized the opportunity, flying behind the Iron Monger and gripping onto its back. Using his enhanced strength, Tony tore out the armor's visual transmission system, rendering its automated targeting useless.
"Damn it!" Stan bellowed, swinging wildly and managing to land a hit on Tony. The force sent him flying, bouncing off the ground a few times before coming to rest next to Abel.
Cough, cough "I disabled the targeting system... What's next?" Tony asked, coughing from the impact.
Abel, sensing the need for caution, summoned a thin veil of black smoke that began to obscure his figure. His plan wasn't just about helping Tony; it was also about laying the groundwork for a future connection. Rushing things wouldn't help, and it was better to keep some mystery while building trust gradually.
"Leave the rest to me," Abel said calmly. "You destroyed his targeting system, so Stan will either surrender or be forced to open his armor and rely on manual aiming. That's when we strike."
Just as Abel finished speaking, the chest of the Iron Monger suit hissed open, revealing Stan, exposed and vulnerable inside the damaged armor.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone