Harley grabbed his backpack and walked into the shed, half hoping to find Mark sitting on the couch again.

He wasn't totally surprised that it wasn't, and a bit disappointed, but he shrugged it off and grabbed the "pinata" Tony had given him. was going back to school today too, and that meant he had to be prepared.

He considered putting it in his backpack, but then decided against it and put it in his pocket, repeating his cover story in his head.

"Why did you hurt Mr. Jones?"

"I didn't sir. This is only a powerful flashlight. He was threatening to hurt me, and so I was only defending myself."

Harley smirked. Hopefully this way EJ wouldn't beat him to telling the teacher what happened.

><><><><><

Harley made it most of the day without running into the bully. He knew it was only a matter of time though.

Sure enough, as he stepped outside, he heard the familiar voice behind him. "Hey Keener, whatcha got for me today?"

Harley turned around and faced him. "Nothing EJ. You know why? Cause I'm done putting up with your crap."

The bully glared at him. "You don't get to say that stuff to me."

"And you don't get to control my life."

EJ sneered. "Oh, you'll regret that." He went for Harley, and the boy wasted no time in grabbing the flare from his pocket as he was put in a headlock.

Harley flashed it in his face and ducked out.

"AGH," the boy shouted, stumbling back. "WHAT THE-"

A teacher came running out at his calls. "What happened?" he demanded. "I shone a bright light in his face because he was choking me."

The teacher turned to the rest of the students gathered. "Is this true?"

Harley held his breath, hoping that the others would confirm his story. Most of them got bullied by EJ too, after all.

Some hesitated, but most agreed right away. The teacher turned back towards EJ and led him away. Harley grinned and some boys came up and clapped him on the back.

><><><><><

Harley was a bit of a hero that day (oh my gosh that sounds so cliche). Students gave him grins and high-fived him in the hallways.

EJ had been sent home, suspended for hurting Harley. The teachers were confused as to why everyone was so happy, and no one bothered to tell them why.

As Harley walked out of school towards the bus, he realized he was tense and relaxed, reminding himself EJ couldn't ambush him. He boarded and enjoyed the bliss of no one flicking things at his head or insulting him.

As he stepped off, he saw his sister, Hailey, sitting on the front steps. She stood up and waved excitedly at him when she saw him.

"Harley! When I got home a fancy car drove down the street and there's all kinds of neat stuff in the shed!"

Harley ran to the shed and opened the door, his jaw-dropping.

He grinned widely, looking at all the amazing stuff in there. And at the center of it all, next to his potato gun, was a sign that said, 'The Mechanic.'

"Harley, where did all this stuff come from?" his sister asked excitedly. He smiled at her.

"You know Iron Man?"

She nodded.

"Let me tell you a story about him."