On the familiar lawn.
Leon and Tony stood side by side, their hair swaying in the wind.
The West Coast's climate was rainy in July.
Dark clouds drifted overhead, taking turns blocking out the sun and casting the whole world in cold tones.
The grass beneath their feet rose and fell like layered ocean waves in the bleak, chilly wind.
Leon fell silent for a moment in the biting wind. "It's only eleven forty. We got here early."
"Being punctual is a good habit. Showing up early also gives us home-field advantage." Tony stood straight, looking imposing. "You don't want the Ten-Ring Gang finding their way to your home and tearing it down, do you?"
"I don't live there anymore."
"Oh! Interesting. Then how about I clear out your room and get a pet dog?"
"If you do that, I'll shove your head up your ass."
"...Gross. Can we change the subject?"
"Sure. I was just about to ask." Leon looked up at Mark IV, which hovered in the sky as a marker.
"Where's your new armor?"
He sized up Tony, who was dressed only in casual clothes. "Didn't you say you were going to use your new armor to beat Wenwu senseless today?"
Tony was clearly pleased by the question. A mysterious smile curled across his lips. "You'll see. I guarantee it'll leave your jaw hanging open all day."
"So mysterious? Very good. I'm looking forward to it."
Leon raised a brow. "Just try not to scream for help too loudly later."
"Heh." Tony sneered. "Scream for help? Absolutely impossible! All you'll see are those underpants-over-their-heads punks getting flattened by me!"
"Really? Those punks aren't the key. The important one is that ancient fossil leading them..."
Leon's ears twitched. "They're here."
"Where?" Tony looked around the lawn, but didn't