Superman in Marvel: Multiverse Ascendant

"Well... that's true."

"But how should I put it? I just learn and think faster. My creativity isn't necessarily better than yours."

Leon hesitated, worried that Tony might take it the wrong way. He decided to analyze his own abilities.

"The Iron Armor is a culmination of your most advanced knowledge. Every step reflects the highest level of application."

"Besides, you guided me step by step last night."

"That's why I picked it up so quickly."

"All I really did was copy your knowledge exactly into my own."

Leon nodded. "Learning and processing information like a supercomputer—this is the super brain."

"But when it comes to innovation, I still rely on my own talent."

"And the super brain has its limits in comics."

"In some DC works, most of Superman's brainpower is used to restrain his own strength."

"But I haven't encountered that problem yet."

Leon made a tiny gap between his thumb and index finger. "Only a small portion of my brainpower is spent suppressing my abilities."

"So, Tony, just wait—wait for me to beat you in three days, using your knowledge and my innovation!"

Tony, slumped in his chair, felt a little better after Leon's explanation.

But upon hearing that last remark, he shot up, looking annoyed. "Don't be ridiculous, kid! Have you ever seen a plagiarist surpass the original creator? My masterpiece will never lose!"

"Then wait and see. This is the wisdom of mortals." Leon smirked and headed upstairs.

In the garage, Tony's fighting spirit reignited.

There was no way he would admit defeat—especially not to his annoying brother!

However, before he could return to his workbench—

Leon suddenly appeared behind him.

"Oh, one more thing. Tony, you're in terrible shape. You need rest before continuing."

Before Tony could react, he felt a numb sensation on his neck—and instantly lost consciousness.

This is cheating!

That brat is playing dirty!

Just before he blacked out, Tony cursed Leon in his mind, calling him out for his underhanded tactics.

"Look at that—sleeping like a baby." Leon chuckled, picking Tony up and tossing him onto the bed.

"Master Leon, this seems unfair. Mr. Stark won't accept it," Jarvis commented.

"Good. I'm worried he'd suffer a mental breakdown after losing to me." Leon walked into Tony's lab.

"You sound very confident," Jarvis noted.

"Of course." Leon powered up the workbench. "At this stage, armor development is more about functionality than technological breakthroughs."

"And I happen to have a few modification plans that don't require advanced tech."

Just kidding.

Forget the dozens of Iron Man suits Tony made in the movies—

There were even more in the comics, ones Leon already knew about from his past life.

Back then, those designs were just fantasies.

But in this world, they were paths that other Tonys had already walked.

Leon only needed to follow those blueprints to stay one step ahead.

Poor Tony.

From now on, he'll live in my shadow.

Leon happily dragged DUM-E and Benben out of the garage and began working.

"Okay, DUM-E, put away the Ark Reactor Tony made—"

"Master Leon!" Jarvis suddenly interrupted.

"What's wrong?"

"Miss Pepper is here. She's looking for you."

"Not now. Tell her I'll be out in three days."

"But she's already downstairs."

"...Huh? Then tell her Tony is in the bedroom!"

"Apologies, but you may want to tell her in person."

Before Leon could respond, Pepper ran downstairs, stopping outside the transparent lab door.

She saw Leon, who waved at her awkwardly.

Her face darkened.

She slapped the partition glass, keyed in the access code, and stormed in.

"Hi, Pepper. Good morning," Leon greeted first.

Pepper glared at him. "You didn't go to the company yesterday, Leon!"

Leon had been too busy learning how to build armor. He completely forgot.

He forced a smile. "But Joe Bush was there. Old Joe is hardworking—he can definitely help you."

"That's not an excuse for you to hide at home!"

She noticed his messy hair and disheveled clothes from pulling an all-nighter.

Frowning, she instinctively reached out to fix his hair.

"...What were you doing last night?" She eyed him suspiciously. "Your hair, your clothes—oh my God, don't tell me you invited cover girls over like Tony—"

Her expression turned dangerous.

Leon was like a younger brother to her. If Tony was corrupting him—

She would absolutely chew Tony out for it!

"No, no, no!" Leon interrupted. "What do you mean again? I've never done that, and I never will! Pepper, you've got the wrong idea!"

"It's Tony's fault I look like this!"

He distanced himself from the accusation. "I went downstairs yesterday to drag him back to work, but he made me help him build armor instead!"

Rolling his eyes, he snatched an old Ark Reactor from DUM-E's hands.

"Look—Tony prepared a gift for you."

"Gift?" Pepper's curiosity was piqued. She looked at the reactor. "...Isn't this the one from Tony's chest?"

"Yep! That's the one!"

Leon added some flair to his words. "This little thing is an Arc Generator—a new cold fusion energy source, the future of mankind."

"Tony's been researching this for days."

"It's his next big plan for Stark Industries—to bring something greater to the world."

"And this, the Ark Reactor in my hands, is a gift from Tony to you."

Leon took over the explanation. "This is the life-saving device he built while trapped in that terrorist cave—the world's first small Ark Reactor."

"When he swapped it out, he originally planned to give it to you."

"But, you know him—he'd never admit it in a hundred years."

"So..."

Leon handed her the Ark Reactor. "You understand what this gift means, right?"

Pepper didn't take it.

She didn't say anything either.

Because she was too moved.

This gift carried so much meaning. It was incredibly romantic.

Covering her mouth with her hands, she was speechless.

"He… he really gave this to me?"

She hesitantly took the Ark Reactor, overwhelmed by the unexpected joy.

...

Next 20 chapters are available at: Pat reon. com (slash) LordMerlin