Cryotion City {The Ultimate Edition}

Volume 1 - Arc 3 [Return of the moth]

 After vanishing again for about a year before returning with captain stinger recovered back in action as he was hunting for tony with Hercules along with fighting against the mighty Komodo dragon. A man who is bounded to a cursed armor granting him super strength and sharp teeth with tough skin and a raging temper. Tony was flying nearby. Komodo dragon was out hunting when he spotted tony flying not wanting to be seen or found. "Hmmm..." Komodo was stalking tony getting more and more annoyed/impatient as he waited for tony to land to speak to him as he flew around in the storm following tony walking below staring up due to being unable to fly. "c'mon come on..." He grumbled following him until he finds Tony's apartment then waits for him to land nearby. Tony spotted Komodo dragon and scoffed annoyed that he still hadn't been arrested since his leave from the city flying down close to Komodo dragon. "There he is" Komo spoke to himself as he watched tony land. Komodo dragon questioned "hey can i talk with you?" He looked around in the dark to make sure no one was watching. "it's important. I won't bother you or hurt you or whatever you're thinking i just wish to speak with you if you'll let me." Komodo spoke quietly hoping tony would speak back to him instead of just running away. Tony then flew down landing softly keeping his wings opened in case. "What could you possibly want from me? Stinger and Herc might be on their way- neither of us should stay long." Tony snapped annoyed lighting a cigarette taking a long drag before exhaling. "I just wish to talk to you... I'm not here to ask for anything, not to threaten you, or to have a fight. " Komodo spoke softly not wanting tony to think he would hurt him before taking another step forward. "I'm just here to speak with you." He looked around as Tonys wings were spread open, and he took notice of his wings. "Why do you always have your wings spread open?" Komodo asked curiously chuckling. "You know me..." Tony shrugged. "So, what do you want to talk about...?" He asked curious as his crossed his arms slowly. "What happened to you canopy?" Komo spoke with a raised eyebrow as he looked at him with his arms crossed Aswell now. "You just up and started acting different one day and you're no longer a hero and have gone missing for around a year... why?" He asked softly taking a step forward sounding amused as if taunting at Tony's emotions. Tony scoffed irritated engaging into a vicious fight with Komodo dragon firing his guns at him. "Mind your own business you nosey overgrown lizard!?!" He gave an annoyed groan as he turned to see Hercules and Captain Stinger arriving as he stomped out his cigarette pulling a flask from his coat drinking down some whiskey he carried. Komo just watched as Tonys guns did little to no damage. He was a tough one to damage and seemed to only get hit in certain areas. Komo seemed unphased by the bullets but didn't want to actually fight. "Is it really that hard to talk with you?!" Komo stepped forward getting in Tonys face as Hercules walked over. "Tony!? What's going on here?" Hercules spoke confused he heard gunshots as he arrived with stinger over to see what all the commotion was. Tony groaned in an angsty manner spotting Hercules and Stinger then turned his attention back onto Komodo dragon gritting his teeth flying up attacking at Komo. "What is there to talk about-?! you just want to make me a villain huh- I'm not replacing gecko-! " Tony snapped furious. Komo saw the anger in Tonys eyes and started to worry. "Tony please... i don't want to fight... you don't get it... I'm actually rooting for you... i can offer you so much more than those losers-" Komo spoke trying to say that he was really trying to find out what the problem was to maybe fix the issue. Hercules and stinger both got closer watching Komo and Tony fighting in the street talking Aswell as Hercules spoke. "Tony no! Its Komo! What are you thinking?" Hercules shouted as he ran to meet Tony so he would stop attacking. Tony hesitated then attacked Komodo dragon again siding with Captain Stinger still as he moved his body to block Hercules and Captain. "Not a chance- i will be neither i prefer that but i will not let you hurt anymore people Komo!" Tony shouted. "If you don't stop this I'll have to intervene- you know that right!?" Hercules spoke sternly and took a step towards Tony trying to get him to focus on him. Hercules then looked over to stinger. "Stinger stay back I don't know what he is feeling and i don't want you injured." Hercules spoke now trying to keep tony stationary so he would talk... but if he attacked him, Hercules would have to get violent as well... even though he hated having to fight his friend. Stinger sighed worried and stood back watching closely as he held his hand on Hercules shoulder wanting to watch it play out. Tony kept a stern glare at Komodo dragon. "Fuck- i have to side with you guys-" Tony sighed accepting things are they are assisting Hercules in a fighting stance at Komodo dragon beside him like old times. Hercules sighed in relief "i appreciate that Tony... Thank you..." He stepped towards Komodo dragon standing next to tony. Komodo had a smirk on his face like he knew Tony couldn't kill him, but he didn't know this fight would be one he couldn't win. Hercules spoke after sighing with a grin. "What's happening to make you act this way?" Hercules didn't even bother to try to attack the large monster in front of him. "Why are you fighting Komo?..." "Tch- just because i left for a while doesn't mean I'm abandoning the city-" Tony stated as he pulled out dual pistols at Komodo dragon. "I play by my own rules now-" Tony scoffed grinning. Hercules then bravely questioned "I know that but you're acting like some sort of antihero or villain and i really... hope you aren't one of those because the city could use you and your powers to help the people." Hercules took a step back after speaking and looked up at tony before looking back at Komodo. "How long do you plan on fighting?" Hercules kept his arms crossed as he looked between the two with a confused look on his face while Komodo simply smirked like the outcome was predictable. Tony looked at Hercules annoyed a moment. "You think I'm some antihero- would an antihero be helping you right now you beetle brat?! now get your tank ass over here and help me take him down." Tony grinned to Hercules playfully talking like they used to in the training room. Hercules smiled happily seeing his old friend acting familiar and more like how he always was back in training. "Oh alright. I'm coming!" Hercules got into a fighting position and sighed as he looked at Komodo who was smirking back at them. "You ready to fight?" Hercules spoke loudly to Komo getting his attention. Tony grinned seeming his similar old self just more mature and braver now with a different attitude and demeaner. "You read my mind-" Tony laughed smirking as he fist bumped Hercules opening his wings wide with his pistols ready. Hercules nodded and laughed along. "Lets do this!" Hercules lunged forward and attempted to punch Komodo who dodged the attack easily not showing a sign of fear or anger. Hercules stepped back and sighed before charging at the Komodo again. He jumped up and down then tried to kick Komodo who once again dodged the attack... Hercules was starting to get annoyed and angry with Komodo for thinking this whole thing was a joke... Hercules sighed again and bent his head down and charged like a bull towards Komodo. Meanwhile tony was flying around behind Komodo firing bullets at his back repeatedly while reloading every few minutes. Komodo heard Tony's gun and looked back for a moment before turning back to face Hercules who was angry at the fact Komodo wasn't even showing care at being shot. Komodo took the bullet to the chest not feeling a thing and smirked in Hercules face before speaking. "Now now Hercules... this is no way to fight... you should know that being on a team with Canopy you should use more tactics then just trying to be aggressive all of the time... you're letting your anger get the best of you." Komodo laughed mockingly as Hercules stood still a little flustered humiliated. Tony grunted noticing Hercs humiliation feeling angry for him finally working as a duo together lifting Hercules into his arms flying up into the air sky dropping Hercules so he can strike Komodo from above. "Dropping in~" Tony saluted as he dropped Hercules as he then flew circling around Komodo firing bullets at the weaker points of his armor. Komodo growled slightly seeing Tony trying some strategies... he was caught off guard and got hit by Hercules's attack while also getting bullets fired towards his weak points. "What have you become Tony... you've just gotten so much smarter with your strategies and fighting..." Komodo got hit and fell down before quickly getting up and trying to attack Hercules while also trying to avoid Tony's attack at once... the bullets were hitting him, but he couldn't feel them due to his thick skin. "I will show you never to underestimate a moth!!" Tony spat as he kept up his firing. It was clear during Tonys time away he had been training and improving on his own. Tony then spotted captain stinger with a plan flying to him to hear it out while Hercules has Komodo busy. "What's up cap- we got to wrap this up-" Tony panted asking. Captain stinger quickly spoke in a stern tone "Alright listen up tony... if you can't defeat him you're going to have to be the one to keep his attention so we can get a shot on him to defeat him together, but he shouldn't be too hard to defeat once we actually get the chance to fight him together..." Captain spoke a bit worried as he had never seen Tony act this way and was hoping that Tony's plan would work. Hercules had Komodo busy and was hoping Komodo would get the message that Hercules was not to be underestimated. He was holding back but getting angrier as the fight continued. "If me and Herc can hold his attention- can your venom stun him if you inject two doses?" Tony questioned looking at the fight analyzing a plan. Stinger nodded "yes... my venom should be able to paralyzes him for at least ten maybe twenty minutes it has always worked on enemies before i have no doubt it won't work a on Komodo." Stinger seemed confident that the venom would work but unsure whether or not Komodo was too tough for it to be effective. "We don't have many options- that's enough time to get him arrested and locked up so let's try it... and cap- it's good to be home..." Tony saluted as he flew off back at the fight whistling at Komodo waving his arms landing on the ground. "Hey!! Over here you giant meat head!!!" Tony shouted as loud as he could. Komodo was angered by being called a meat head and it was clear he wanted to go for Tony once he saw he returned "hmmmm" Komodo spoke mockingly before looking up at Tony "well well... it's my pet. So, you are coming back now just to play around?" Komodo chuckled mocking Tony hoping he could hurt him if he annoyed him enough, but he had a feeling he wouldn't be getting that lucky. Komodo was so focused on catching Tony who was acting like a moth playing around with a light about halfway to hitting Tony before he caught himself before it was too late. Komodo was annoyed as he noticed stinger getting closer. His attention was on Tony but seeing stinger sneak up on him irritated him like no other. He then tried to get up and look behind him at stinger while still trying to keep Tony as his main focus but also keeping an eye out for Hercules. A little hard to do but he tried his best. Tony then gave Hercules a signal to jump in so he can't pat focus on stinger. "Look over here you armored raging toddler!!" He snapped mockingly. Hercules saw the signal and waited for the perfect time to jump in... just then stinger crept up behind Komodo trying to get behind him while Hercules was to his left ready to jump in and attack. Tony continued to be annoying and flying around Komodo in circles making sure to keep his attention on him while also making it seem like he was trying to fly behind him and attack his back. "NOW!" Tony snapped to stinger who had an open window for injecting Komodo. Stinger quickly took this moment he was given and got in as close as he could and gave Komodo two huge doses of his venom making sure to get it all in Komodo's system. He pulled away quickly then watching as Komodo began paralyzed dropping to his side still able to control his face but not his body. "Yes! We did it!" Hercules said excitedly as he jumped up to Tony's level. Tony landed down on the ground closing his wings to his back kneeling down at Komodo's side. "Komo Hiyota i place you under arrest... under captain sting." Tony scoffed standing back up walking to stinger with his hand out. "Look- I know I have explaining to do- if you would... train me- help me... I may have become stronger alone but- I still need that man who raised me when my parents died... redeem me stinger..." Tony spoke softly looking captain stinger in the eyes serious and genuinely wanting help through his depressive battles. Stinger stood there staring at Tony for a moment. He didn't want to see tony like this... especially the hero he once knew... he knew what it was like to be alone in a sense as well... "You know me too well tony... I'll do it... I'll become your trainer but only you and me know this information... you aren't allowed to tell anyone of this information, or you cannot be a hero and I'll have to kick you out of the league... do you agree with these rules?" Stinger spoke with a stern but soft tone looking Tony dead in the eyes. Tony nodded shaking stingers hand instantly. "You have my word." He nodded with a soft smile on his face for the first time since he came back with a glint of hope for redemption in his eyes. "I'm keeping the guns though- " Tony gave a cheeky grin laughing. Stinger nodded and gave Tony a smile. "You know what... how about we fight so i can see what you have learned and what you still need improvement on." Stinger spoke with a lot of determination as he took his gloves off and threw them to the ground waiting for Tony to get ready. "Only a friendly sparring- no cheap tricks or powers-" Tony nodded setting his guns aside putting his coat on to handicap his wings raising his fists while Hercules handled taking Komodo dragon away to the police officers who have arrived. Hercules and some other members of the hero league were taking Komodo to the police station so he could be arrested and put in a cell and hopefully not be able to escape... or possibly find a way to be allowed to walk free again. Stinger had both his fists raised and was ready to fight and wanted to know how much tony had improved on his fighting. "Are you ready tony!?" Tony saw Hercules take Komodo away as stinger spoke up to him. He was ready to fight now and looked to stinger with a ready look. Tony smiled nodding as he ran at stinger throwing punches and swings with a cold focused gaze. Stinger quickly dodged the punches and attempted to go for a kick at Tony's stomach while grabbing him by the arms knowing Tony couldn't fly from the handicap while being hit by the kick. He grabbed Tony's arms because he thought it was the best way to keep Tony's focus on him without him flying away to get an easy victory in the sparring fight. Once he had Tony's arms, he kicked him in the stomach and let go to give Tony a bit of distance. Stinger then took a defensive position waiting for Tony's next move. He felt his blood boiling but refused to show it in his expression. Tony let out a loud grunt recovering catching himself before he dropped raising his fists up again knowing he won't be winning but ready to show how much stronger he has gotten before running at stinger throwing jabs and swings the sounds of fists smacking echoed the area with Hercules leaning on a bent out light pole Komodo had damaged watching amused. Stinger was impressed at how much stronger Tony had become but still wasn't fazed at all by his punches as he stepped inside of Tony's range trying to land more hits on Tony but being careful not to actually harm him too much. Once he got a good hit on Tony, he tried taking his arms again like he did before. "Not bad but you're not on my level yet." Stinger spoke with a smirk as he looked at Tony knowing it would drive him mad. Tony smirked laughing allowed. "Yeah, I know-" Tony chuckled as he attempted to sweep kick stingers legs. Stinger seemed surprised at the sudden sweep Tony attempted... he was expecting another punch, so it caught him a bit off guard. He fell back after the kick. Not expecting it. Stinger fell back onto the ground looking up at Tony and smiled at him. "You almost made me fall... I'll give you that one... nice kick you did there..." Stinger chuckled as he stood up before looking at Tony and getting ready in that same defensive position that he had before waiting for Tony's next move. Tony started to shuffle around with his feet a bit almost dancing around stinger swinging and ducking under stingers swings engaging into a heavy close combat fight with stinger. "Told ya i have been improving cap-" Tony stated. "I can see that tony your improvements are incredible... I'm proud of you, my student." Stinger spoke with a stern look before suddenly attempting to land a kick on Tony's chest before quickly trying to swing Tony around his body and into a headlock from behind. He was using the handicap to his advantage over Tony not having his wings to use if he was in such a position. Tony grunted annoyed stuck in the headlock. "Fine fine- ! I tap out-! Let go-" He groaned annoyed at his defeat. Stinger smiled and let go of Tony as he took a deep breath after the rough sparring fight with Tony. "Well I'll be damned! You really have improved!" Stinger got a good laugh out of the spar as he watched Hercules walk over to Tony and pat him on the back. "Good job Tony... you've earned yourself some bragging rights." Hercules laughed as he looked at Tony with a proud smile on his face. "Tch- good to be back..." Tony laughed smiling warmly recollecting himself. "I look forward to our future lessons captain." All three of them walked towards the headquarters laughing a bit as Tony continued to remember more memories from the past of the team he was once apart of and being an important part of. Stinger spoke up a few times along the way with the three of them catching up on everything he and Tony missed out on over the past few years. Once they got back to the headquarters the three of them parted ways with Stinger heading back into his office and Hercules going back to the quarters since he still had to stay. Tony had a small office since he was a hero he needed to still be on call if anything happened.

[End of Arc 3- Return of the Moth]