Hmm?
Aah!
The Mandarin!
Yeah, looks like
we're gonna need
someone else on the temple.
Mr. Rhodey!
Mr. Rhodey.
It's Mr. Rhodes
or just Rhodey,
not both, remember?
The rains are
nearly upon us,
and you are very far
behind schedule.
Not my fault.
If the underground rivers
continue to swell,
the ruins will collapse.
Mr. Tony promised you would...
You wanna blame someone,
try the Jade Dragons.
Their little commando raids
have cost us weeks.
That is a security issue,
and Mr. Tony promised us...
I know.
He promised a lot of things.
What happened?
You were due yesterday.
Inspections in Shanghai.
One more strip-search
and my price goes way up.
Mr. Rhodey.
Mr. Ling, it's gonna be fine, really.
We now have enough liquid steel
to start pumping it
under the excavation.
But will it be enough
to raise it safely
above the ground?
Look, it's a sound plan,
and I'll do my best.
That's all I can promise.
Our gratitude, Mr. Rhodey.
I got that one.
Aw, Tony.
Mmm, chocolates and ladyfingers,
my favorite.
Rhodey, I'm kind of
in the middle
of something here.
We got hit again.
How are the ruins?
Any damage?
The ruins? No.
And I'm fine, too.
Thanks for asking.
Hey, I knew you'd be okay.
You just don't get it, do you?
These lunatics
mean business, Tony.
Better finish dessert
without me, sweetie.
I'm gonna have to take this.
Okay, so what happened?
We can't defend ourselves.
That's what happened.
We've been over this, Rhodey.
Yeah, and I'm
guessing that's why
you bumped the shipment
of weapons from the cargo.
What are you talking about?
I didn't authorize any weapons.
Tony.
You went behind my back?
What choice did I have?
The closer we are to raising
the Mandarin's temple,
the closer we are
to getting our butts blown off
by those crazy zealots.
The Jade Dragons aren't
trying to kill anybody,
but if guns get thrown
into the mix, people will die.
So you're telling me
you didn't KO the shipment?
No. Would I have? Yes.
Because I knew they'd
most likely be stolen.
Look, one way or another,
I gotta get some support here.
All right, Rhodey.
I'll fly over.
You said that last week
and the week before that.
This time, I promise.
I'll clear my schedule.
Just hang in there.
Now it's time for something
that really needs my attention.
Pepper, darling,
you look concerned. Am I late?
40 minutes,
and they're not happy.
So what else is new?
I say we keep it casual today.
Smudged lipstick might
be a little too casual.
Mr. Chairman, gentlemen.
Okay, I take it we're not here
to form a company softball team.
Cavalier as always, Mr. Chairman.
This is just one more example of
how little respect Tony Stark has
for this company
and its shareholders.
Ah, the shareholders.
You know, I bet they'd
love a softball team.
That's right, Tony.
Laugh it off,
just like you do
everything else.
Let's see how funny
you think this is.
We're correcting
a grave mistake today.
Remind me,
which mistake is this?
Handing you your own
Advanced Technologies division.
It was a colossal error in judgment
giving you that much freedom.
Need I not remind this board
I was against that decision
from the very beginning?
You need not.
Then let me get to the point:
you're being charged
with gross malfeasance.
On what grounds?
Let's try your little
excavation in China,
with a price tag of 226 million
and climbing.
You not only agreed to do
this without board approval,
you're doing it all for free.
You wanna know
about China?
Call it a gesture of goodwill.
But their government
is so grateful
that they've just
awarded us contracts
worth 20 times
what we're spending over there.
Here. Look them over.
I think you'll be
quite impressed.
Now, is there anything else?
How about the half a billion dollars
you've spent so far
on some secret project,
again without board approval?
Believe me when I say
that what I've been working on
is the future of this company,
a company that my innovations
have built into an empire,
making every person at this table
indecently rich,
despite the fact that this board
has done nothing but get in my way.
It is our job to control
loose cannons,
just as it's our job
to cut them loose.
What are you saying?
Mr. Chairman,
I motion that Tony Stark
be relieved of his duties
and that his division
be shut down.
You can't do that.
I second.
Dad, say something.
All in favor, say "Aye."
Aye.
You want my father to drive
this company on his own?
Because he will,
right into the ground!
It was the right decision, Howard.
Relax and enjoy
the show, gentlemen.
Today you get to witness
a 3,000-year-old city
rise from the dead.
Okay, let's do this.
Commencing infusion
of liquid fiber steel.
Lookin' good.
Five seconds
to maximum dispersion.
Three, two, one.
All stuffed.
Initiate sonic bombardment.
Gentlemen, what's happening here
is that sonic vibrations
are causing the liquid steel
to expand,
kind of like cotton candy
or steel wool.
When we cease
the sonic bombardment,
the steel will harden.
See these foundation balloons?
As they begin reaching
full capacity,
they'll push up against
the base of the excavation
and raise your ancient city
to ground level.
After that, my friends,
it's there to stay.
Move.
Li Mei.
I've told you I will
not take innocent lives.
I decide what lives
are innocent,
and anyone involved in
the raising of that city is not.
Now you will take
as many lives as I command,
or I will take yours.
East and West
have joined in preserving
an important part of our heritage.
Heh. Too bad not everybody
agrees that's a good thing.
You must understand
the Mandarin's was the darkest,
most violent of all dynasties.
Hundreds of thousands died
under his brutal reign.
But that's ancient history.
Some fear that
by raising his temple,
it is inviting history
to repeat itself.
And what do you think?
Many will pay tribute to this place,
and prosperity will follow.
To me, that is a good thing.
Go! Run!
Aah!
Aah!
Uhh!
Ahh!
Hmm. Pepper, you minx.
You just couldn't stand it
any longer, could you?
The ruins in China
were attacked again.
Ah. Well, tell Rhodey
I'm dealing with a crisis here.
I'll fly out when I can.
Tony, Rhodey's missing.
What?
And the workers,
they're all dead.
Uhh!
What do you want from me?
Not you,
Tony Stark.
Sir, we have
an obstruction ahead.
I don't care.
Just detour around it
and get me to the dig site.
Yes, sir. Go right.
We're taking the side street.
This isn't right.
The streets here
are never empty.
Look out!
Back up. Back up.
Move! Move!
Go! Go! Go!
Tony!
My God, what have you done?
You butchers!
Huhh!
Will he live?
For the moment,
but his heart
has suffered great damage.
Understand me, old man.
If he dies, you die.
Aw, man.
We gotta do something
to keep him alive.
You are a man of medicine?
An army medic,
but that was a long time ago.
It's just gonna have to do.
You dare show concern
for that man?!
- Ach.
- Uh!
He may have doomed us all.
Ohh!
I will never understand
why you do not show such courage
on the battlefield.
There is much about me
you will never understand.
I would advise you
not to lose sight
of your responsibility, Li Mei.
My responsibility is the only
thing that keeps me here.
Master Chu, four elementals
have awakened.
Where are they now?
They have risen into the sky
and set off upon their
quest for the rings.
I hear someth...
uhh...
Howard, listen,
Tony's disappearance,
as painful as it is,
may be the best thing
for the company.
You know, you lawyers
are all alike.
That's my son
you're talking about.
Even so,
you need to hear this.
I've been contacted
by the Chinese government.
They've got questions,
like how our weapons ended up
in the hands of known radicals.
They can't blame Tony for that.
Let them blame
whoever they want,
because if they
start looking at you,
the board's gonna
throw you to the wolves.
I don't believe that.
It's my company!
It's a public company,
and don't think for a second
they won't do whatever's
necessary to protect it.
Tony, easy, man.
Just relax.
Ho Yin.
That's right.
You're gonna be okay, buddy.
Just breathe.
What happened?
You were attacked.
It got pretty bad, man.
Wh... Rhodey.
Sorry, Tony,
but this hardware's
all that's keeping you alive.
You saved my life.
No, he did.
Thank you.
How is he?
Ask him yourself.
Tony, meet Li Mei,
the only decent soul
in this den of cutthroats.
Pardon me for not getting up.
I am happy to see you are alive.
That makes two of us.
Thank you.
Li Mei, can you tell me...
why are we prisoners?
I must go.
Huh. Well, heh heh.
That's a first.
You scared off a woman.
Easy to do when you
look like Frankenstein.
How about we find a way
to streamline this a bit?
Your weakness sickens me.
If only I possessed your strength.
Then you would be my son
instead of my disgrace.
I am sorry, Father.
Do not call me that.
I am angry, Li Mei.
I am angry that when
the Mandarin rises,
it is you who will
face him, not me.
It was my right.
I do not want this life.
Your life means nothing.
You are on this earth
to serve another purpose.
It is served with honor.
When it's time, do not fail.
Amateur video shot by tourists
revealing powerful entities
tearing through Trafalgar Square...
The elementals have the first ring.
We are running out of time.
But Tony Stark has
not yet recovered.
Naah! He's well enough.
We must begin now.
Hey, Tony.
Rhodey, we have to figure out
what they plan to do with us.
Whatever it is,
it ain't gonna be good.
In the end,
Wong Chu will kill you.
No doubt.
Why are the Jade Dragons
so up in arms?
What you have
accomplished in months,
they have spent 3,000 years
trying to prevent.
You mean raising the city?
What could they
possibly be afraid of?
The Mandarin.
But he's nothing but dust now.
Many do not see death
as the final step in one's existence,
and the prophecy
foretells his return.
So because I lifted the ruins,
people think the prophecy
is coming true?
It is as written:
"The city will rise,
and the demon elementals
will awaken.
They will gather the bands
of the underworld
and with them
resurrect their master."
That's just crazy.
If that is what you believe,
there is no point in saying more.
I'm sorry. It's just hard
for me to swallow.
Tell me, what are
these bands of the underworld?
Five were fashioned
for the Mandarin
as conduits to the afterlife.
Upon his death,
four were stolen by monks
who sacrificed
their lives to hide them.
They were the first Jade Dragons.
These are the locations
of those bands.
So once these things are found,
the Mandarin is supposed
to come back to life?
Yes.
His demon elementals have
already begun to gather them.
Stop the elementals
and you prevent
the Mandarin from rising.
Me? But I...
Stand up!
Do you want to live?
If I have a choice, yes.
Then you will reverse
what you have done
to the ancient city.
Look, the fiber steel
that's holding it up
is pretty much indestructible.
You will find a way.
We will provide you
with your own technology.
What if I can't do it?
You owe your life to this man.
See how your unwillingness
repays him.
Please, just stop.
I'll help you.
You have one week,
or he dies.
What are we gonna do now?
We get to work.
Oh. Hi.
Thank you.
What will that device do?
It's a macrobiotic nullifier.
If it works, it'll soften
the fiber steel under the ruins.
Will you finish it in time?
Hope so.
I will let you get back to work.
Li Mei.
You don't belong
with these murderers.
Why are you doing this?
The Mandarin will rise,
and many will die
in the East and in the West.
Their souls will be
offered as payment for...
Okay, that's the company line.
Now what about you?
I have a responsibility.
It has been passed down
from father to son
ever since the Mandarin Dynasty.
Father to son. But...
I had no brothers.
And your father?
He...
is dead.
I take it he wanted a son.
No.
He needed a son.
Instead he got me.
You would not understand.
Maybe I would.
You're not the only one who's
faced a father's disappointment.
Tony...
do you know why you
are on this earth?
Does anyone?
Yes. I do.
I have always known.
So this is the life
you wanna live?
My life does not matter.
This thing's amazing.
Where'd you get this idea?
Just something I came up with.
- Tony.
- What's going on?
Wong Chu is coming.
You must escape.
No!
Get back.
Demonstrate your device now.
Hey, no problem.
Allow me.
Okay, sample is in place.
Let's see. Activating
thermal scan constrictors.
Setting atomic, uh,
nine iron to 350 and, uh...
adjusting
the permanent press settings.
And, um...
hmm.
Ahh.
Your deception will
cost you your life.
Aah.
This way!
Master Chu.
Whoa.
Yaah!
Whaah!
Li Mei, it's okay.
It's me, Tony.
Go. Leave.
Not without you.
Just get out of here
and promise me
you'll never come back.
I won't leave you here.
Goodbye, Tony.
Come on, man.
We gotta go.
Climb on.
Phew. Stuffy.
That's the last time I ever
wanna put this thing on.
What should we do with him?
Why are you asking me?
You are now
the senior member.
I do not care.
He is the one.
No, it is not him.
Li Mei, look at it.
It is undeniable.
The prophecy
continues to unfold.
He is the Iron Knight.
He is destined to battle
the risen Mandarin.
It cannot be him!
What is the matter?
It is a good thing.
The Mandarin
can now be defeated.
We do not know
who will be victorious,
only that one will die.
Stark Air 6-0-1,
you are cleared for landing.
Proceed to runway three.
Hands in the air.
What's going on here?
SHIELD Agent Drake.
I'm placing you under arrest.
For what?
Arms dealing.
The Chinese government
is charging you
with selling weapons
to known radicals,
the Jade Dragons.
You guys got this all wrong.
Listen to me.
The Jade Dragons
only have Stark weaponry
because they stole it
from our cargo jet.
We've received documents
linking you to the sale.
What documents?
There was no sale.
Uhh!
Cease fire! Cease fire!
He knows it's bulletproof,
because he built it for us.
What are you doing?
We must hurry.
What of the fifth elemental?
If we destroy the temple,
the Dragon will fall.
Fine. I will go in first.
It is safe.
Now move, quickly.
Okay, that is far enough.
Set up here.
Ahh!
Ahh!
Forgive me.
Why is this happening to us?
I don't know, but we're
cut off from our offices.
Man!
Hey...
those locations are...
Ho Yin drew them on this map.
You think the old man was right?
Something's going on,
and I want some answers.
Where are you going?
After the third ring.
I beg your pardon?
Hello.
Oh, hi, Mom.
- Mom?
- Yes, I'm fine.
Busy busy busy.
Lots of company.
What have you
gotten yourself into?
I'll explain later, Pep.
Right now I need into my office.
That's going to be a bit difficult
since I have SHIELD agents
crawling up my...
Pepper, I know.
Can you arrange it?
You know the east stairwell door
that leads to the outside?
I'll make sure it's unlocked.
Hello.
Tony, I-I can
hardly hear you.
Well, how did you two
sneak into the lobby?
You have to get out of there
before the agents... Tony? Tony?
Oh, darn.
Suspects are in the lobby.
I repeat: suspects are in the lobby.
Remind me to move my office
to the first floor.
So I want assets from these
three offshore accounts
made available,
and keep it on the downlow.
What? We came here
so you can do business?
Not exactly.
Access code: Maria.
Access granted.
What the?
Greetings, Mr. Stark.
Since when do you have
a secret room?
Come on, Rhodey.
Pepper, I owe you one.
And I'm keeping track.
Lights.
Whoa.
Interactive exosuits.
With these things,
one person can accomplish
what it normally
would take dozens,
exploration of any hostile
environments, deep sea,
volcano, space... anything.
These armors
will change the world.
And since the next place on the map
is on the floor of the Atlantic,
the aquatic model
is going to get me there.
Something wrong?
Just something
you came up with, huh?
I know. Sorry, but I just
wanted to keep it top secret.
Top secret?
Aw, you're full of it, Tony.
Rhodey.
This is what you
hired me for, isn't it,
to work with you
in development?
I was going to bring you in
when the time was right.
When the time was...
why don't you just
own up to it, Tony?
You didn't trust me enough
to be a part of this project.
Rhodey...
I mean, I'm your closest friend.
I've always been in your corner.
Come on, Rhodey.
You're making this personal.
We're friends.
Why are you overreacting?
I'm the only one who sees it
for what it is.
Remember when your father
took your stuff
and put it into
his weapons program,
how betrayed you felt?
Well, guess what, Tony.
You're just like him.
You know what?
You're right.
We've got a lot to talk about,
but right now I need your help.
This must be the place.
Spectrum analysis.
Unknown energy source detected.
Aah! Uhh.
Whaah!
Ow.
Sweet dreams.
Aah!
Warning. Warning:
suit integrity compromised.
Warning: armor breach.
Life support failing.
Looks like
it didn't go so well.
It's real, Rhodey, all of it.
What I fought today, I can't even
begin to explain, but it is real.
What have I done?
It's not your fault.
Release armor.
Rhodey, I raised
that ancient city.
I set this in motion.
It is my fault.
And true to form,
my father has made
everything worse.
You're not gonna do
something stupid, are you?
Absolutely.
You sold me out!
I did no such thing.
You needed a fall guy
for the Chinese government,
so you trumped up
a phony arms deal.
Underhanded ethics are
your domain, not mine.
Don't talk to me about ethics.
You loaded weapons
onto the cargo jet for Rhodey
knowing I was against it.
They got stolen and people died.
Now they're blaming me
for those deaths.
Rhodey needed protection.
You left him out there with nothing.
They attacked us
with our guns, Dad.
I wouldn't be on the run
if you'd just stayed out of it.
Why don't you drop
this pacifist bull?
Military contracts are
what built this company.
No, it started the company.
I built it
and without a single weapon.
Listen to you.
You sound just like...
Go on!
Like my mother?
She hated the work I did,
and she got you believing
that weapons were...
How dare you blame her
for any of this?
She stood by you, Dad.
She defended you.
When are you going to stop
blaming me for her death?
I lost her too.
Yeah, but I lost you both.
Pepper.
Hi, Tony.
Tony?
Ohh!
Oops. Clumsy me.
You're aiding and abetting
a fugitive, Ms. Potts.
I don't know how
you're helping him,
but you are,
and that's enough
to take you into custody.
Fine. I could use the rest.
I've pulled data
on the fourth ring's location.
It looks like it's right
in the center of an active volcano.
We've got bigger problems.
They're onto us,
and Pepper's been arrested.
Slipping past them is definitely
gonna be a problem.
Then I'll lure them away.
What? No, Rhodey,
they'll arrest you.
Look, I'm open
to other options,
but face it...
we're trapped in here,
and you've gotta get
to Central America.
Rhodey, thanks.
Hey, it's what friends do.
Hey, Jake and Elwood.
We got him on the roof!
I'll take that.
Okay, fellas, take it easy.
Ahh!
Uhh!
Huhh!
Just...
stay down!
Aah!
Uhh.
Lose something, rock slide?
Tony.
Li Mei.
What are you doing here?
I did not know where else to go.
I tried your building, but...
Yeah, it's complicated.
Li Mei, listen, I went after
the Mandarin's rings.
I know.
Why would you do that?
I had to.
- Did you get them?
- Just one.
And what of the elementals?
Only the Earth Mover is left.
Then you are not safe.
He will seek out
that ring wherever it is.
Please, give it to me.
It is my responsibility.
There's no way I'm letting
that thing come after you.
Tony, it is not your burden.
There must be another way.
No. There is not.
What about the tomb?
What if I destroy it?
Will it end?
Li Mei, tell me.
I don't know.
Then it's worth a try.
But I'm gonna need
some armor.
Hello.
Is this line secure?
Tony.
Son, yes, of course it is.
Are you okay?
I've been so worried.
Dad, what's going on?
Nothing. Everything's fine, really.
Tell me, what do you need?
They've got Pepper and Rhodey.
Can you get me
into the building?
Absolutely, Tony.
I'll clear the way.
Just come on up, okay?
I'll take care of everything.
I love you, son.
They were listening.
He was warning me away.
I don't know what else to do.
Unless...
come on.
Uhh!
Huhh!
Uhh!
I have had enough of you!
Uhh!
Here. Take these.
I'm going after the temple.
Maybe the fifth ring is
still in the tomb with him.
It isn't.
It's here.
Your bracelet.
You must go. Please.
Li Mei, what is going on?
I begged you not to come.
I've done everything
I could to keep you away.
What?
I gave the government
those documents so they'd arrest you.
- Why?
- To save your life.
I told you, I have
a responsibility.
I know, to stop the Mandarin.
Not to stop him,
to ensure his resurrection.
What are you saying?
You mean
joining the Jade Dragons,
the things you said to me...
I am the last descendent
of the Mandarin.
It falls to me.
I must be his vessel
so he may walk the earth again.
Li Mei, listen.
You don't have to do this.
This... it's the only
reason I even exist,
the very purpose of my life.
Please, go while you still can.
I'm not going anywhere.
Then you will die.
Li Mei!
Uhh!
Aah!
Uhh!
Aah!
Ahh!
Uhh!
Whaah!
Li Mei, where are you?!
Li Mei.
Are you all right?
What happened?
Don't touch me.
She has served
her purpose, Iron Knight.
As for you, your blood
must now be shed
and the prophecy will be fulfilled.
Li Mei, I know you're in there.
Please, don't do this.
Huhh!
Listen to me!
Remember who you are!
You are Li Mei!
Kill him.
Kill him!
Get away from him!
Aah!
Li Mei.
Tony.
I'm right here.
You...
saved me.
You saved me too.
Ohh.
Hmm?
Hmm?
Tony.
Tony, thank you
for coming in.
I apologize for being late.
I had to finish my last
interview with SHIELD.
We're happy to hear
the Chinese government
cleared you of all charges.
Uh, Tony, let me
get right to the point.
We've just learned
that over the last week,
someone has been
buying up stock, so much stock
that this board no longer
has controlling interest.
And you suspect that
I'm that someone?
Well, yes.
You're correct.
Stark Enterprises is mine.
Um, I would just like
to remind you, Mr. Stark,
that as a board of directors,
we have always always
had the company's
best interests at heart.
Now sometimes
we may have acted...
I have two orders of business.
One, I'm promoting
James Rhodes
to Chief Engineer for
Advanced Technologies.
Thanks, man.
You've earned it.
And two, I'm handing
control of the company
over to my father.
What?
It's yours, Dad.
The future of the company
is now yours to decide.
You know, I've always seen this
as a father-son enterprise.
Wonderful news, Tony, Howard.
We'll support you both 110%.
Shut up, Boyer.
My first order of business...
you're all fired.