Orville: Lost in the Multiverse

Chapter Three: The New Armor

The low hum of Tony Stark’s lab filled the room as Ed Mercer stood in front of a glowing platform, feeling more than a little out of his element. Around him, machines whirred, robotic arms moving with precision as they assembled something Stark had been working on for the last hour.

“So, this suit you’re giving me,” Ed said, shifting uncomfortably. “It’s not just for looks, right?”

Tony grinned as he worked at his console. “Oh, Captain Mercer, this isn’t just a suit. You’re about to step into something that’ll make you feel like a true Avenger. Think of it as an upgrade from that uniform of yours—courtesy of Stark Industries.”

Ed glanced over at Lucy, who was standing nearby in her own newly fitted combat gear. She looked entirely transformed—like a Black Widow in every sense. Her suit was sleek and tactical, all black with subtle red accents, and it was equipped with advanced weaponry and tech. She had twin electrified batons strapped to her back, a set of Widow’s Bites fastened to her wrists, and the confident stance of someone more than ready for the fight.

“You’re looking ready to take on anything,” Ed said, admiring her new look.

Lucy shrugged, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I’m definitely feeling the part. This suit is incredible—built for agility and packed with enough tech to keep me ahead of whatever Loki and Strange Supreme throw at us.”

Tony strode over, flashing his signature smirk. “Yeah, you’re both going to be a real headache for those guys. But Ed, let’s talk about your suit.”

With a gesture from Stark, a robotic arm lowered something large and metallic onto the platform in front of Ed—a suit of armor that looked unmistakably like an Iron Man design but customized specifically for him. It was painted a deep navy blue with white accents, similar to the Orville’s color scheme, and trimmed with gleaming silver plates. The chest plate bore the signature arc reactor, glowing bright blue like the sky before a storm, and the helmet, now lifted open, looked every bit as advanced as Tony’s own.

“This,” Tony said with a flourish, “is the Iron Orville suit. Fully equipped with flight capabilities, repulsors, and an energy shield system. It’s not as powerful as my Mark models, but it’s perfect for someone who’s not used to wearing a suit of armor. Consider it a crash course in kicking ass—literally.”

Ed blinked, taking it all in. “You built this for me? In like, what, an hour?”

Tony shrugged nonchalantly. “What can I say? I’m a fast worker. Now, step up. Let’s get you suited.”

Ed hesitated for a moment, but curiosity—and a healthy dose of excitement—pushed him forward. He stepped onto the platform, feeling the magnetic clamps in the floor lock him into position. In seconds, the armor started assembling itself around him, each piece clicking into place with mechanical precision. The chest piece snapped down, followed by the gauntlets, and the helmet finally slid into position, locking down with a sharp hiss.

The heads-up display inside the helmet lit up, showing all sorts of readouts and tactical information. Ed’s eyes widened as he saw his vital signs, a city-wide map, and targeting systems all appear before him in glowing blue outlines.

“Whoa,” he breathed, testing the movement in the suit. It felt surprisingly lightweight, though he could sense the immense power contained within the metal frame. “This is… incredible.”

“Damn right it is,” Tony said, clapping him on the shoulder, the metallic thud echoing through the lab. “You’ve got thrusters in the boots, full repulsor systems in the hands, and an auto-targeting HUD that’ll help you lock on to any threats. Try not to crash into any buildings, yeah?”

Ed lifted his hands and flexed his fingers. Energy pulsed in the palms, the repulsors glowing softly. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think I’m ready for this.”

Beside him, Lucy crossed her arms, smirking. “You look the part now, Captain. Feeling like an Avenger yet?”

“Let’s just say I’ve upgraded from starship captain to something a little more… hands-on,” Ed said, his voice slightly distorted by the helmet’s comms system. “Though I’ve got to admit, the idea of flying in this thing still freaks me out a little.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Tony assured him, stepping back. “Alright, now let’s go show Strange Supreme and Loki why messing with the Avengers—and our newest recruits—is a big mistake.”

Just as Tony spoke, the overhead alarms blared once again. A hologram flickered to life, showing the city streets outside, where Loki’s forces were tearing through another part of Manhattan. But what was even more alarming was the sight of Strange Supreme, floating above a growing rift in the sky, manipulating reality itself.

“We’ve got incoming,” Steve Rogers said as he entered the lab, already suited up in his Captain America gear, shield strapped to his back. “It’s worse than we thought. Strange Supreme is warping the fabric of reality. We need to stop him now.”

Lucy drew her electrified batons and tested the Widow’s Bite gauntlets with a quick flick of her wrist. “Looks like it’s go time.”

Ed gave a curt nod, feeling the weight of the situation. This was no ordinary fight—this was a battle for reality itself. He activated the thrusters in his boots, feeling the sudden lift as the suit powered up. It was surreal, the sensation of hovering off the ground, but the Iron Orville suit responded to his movements with smooth precision.

“Okay,” he said, steeling himself. “Let’s do this.”

The team rushed out of the lab, heading toward the rooftop for deployment. As they burst through the doors and into the open air, the sight of the crumbling skyline filled their view. The sky was dark, twisted with swirling energy as Strange Supreme’s magic tore through the atmosphere. Chitauri ships filled the sky, and Loki’s army rampaged below.

Ed launched into the air, the suit’s thrusters roaring to life. For a moment, he was weightless, rocketing into the chaos above the city. He couldn’t help but grin beneath his helmet. This was a far cry from the command chair of the Orville, but somehow, it felt right.

Lucy, agile and swift as Black Widow herself, swung between rooftops, her batons crackling with energy as she prepared to take down the enemies ahead. Ed watched her move with ease, blending stealth and speed like a shadow in the battlefield.

Together, they soared toward the heart of the battle, ready to take on whatever Loki and Strange Supreme had to throw at them. Ed, now clad in his Iron Orville armor, was no longer just a captain of a starship—he was an Avenger.

“Alright, team,” Steve’s voice came through the comms, steady and strong. “Let’s show them what we’re made of. Avengers, assemble!”

And with that, they dove headfirst into the fray.