Episode 5 of *Ironheart* opens with N.A.T.A.L.I.E. intently observing videos of Riri and the real Natalie engaged in conversation, meticulously attempting to mimic the girl's expressions. Suddenly, Slug swoops in and grabs the device, trapping the suit in the back of a truck.
Meanwhile, Zelma enlightens Riri on the fact that Dormammu, a formidable demon and the chief antagonist in *Doctor Strange*, is the mastermind behind Hood's newfound abilities. Just as he did in his clash with Strange, Dormammu must be exploiting Parker's ambition to be summoned to Earth. However, their urgent discussion is abruptly interrupted as the blood-siblings storm in, intent on taking Riri out.
Once everyone else has vacated the premises, leaving the restaurant to their exclusive use, a fierce battle erupts. Riri gives it her all, trying to outrun and overpower her adversaries, managing to gain the upper hand to some degree. Yet, they swiftly corner her, leaving her with little room to maneuver.
Fortunately, Riri's protective watch had previously tumbled to the ground near the sisters. So, when they unleash a shot at the girl, a mysterious sphere materializes out of nowhere, ensnaring the siblings within it, along with their gun and the bullet.
But the peril is far from over.
As Riri makes a beeline for the exit, Clown steps into the fray. She's impervious to Riri's pleas and continues to hurl bombs in her direction. However, it doesn't take long for Riri to outwit her, delivering a knockout blow to the criminal.
Just as Riri steps outside the restaurant, Slug speeds up, aiming to mow her down. This time, it's N.A.T.A.L.I.E. who outsmarts the villains, skillfully sawing its way out of the truck's confines. Realizing the futility of his efforts, Slug has no choice but to abandon the chase and flee, witnessing Riri and the suit reunited once more.
To the girl's utter astonishment, the last line of defense standing against her turns out to be Ezekiel Stane. Employing biological implants, he has metamorphosed himself into a makeshift robot, driven by a thirst for vengeance. He remains perplexed by his father's actions and motivations, yet now finds himself gripped by an insatiable craving for even greater power. Riri attempts to unleash a blast from her suit upon him, but it fails to leave so much as a scratch. Alas for her, his retaliatory strike is far from feeble.
With the girl sprawled on the ground, Zeke commences the methodical dismantling of her armor, piece by excruciating piece. Though he revels in the spectacle, his resolve wavers when she pleads with him, tears streaming, not to end her life. Realizing her suit is now useless, he spares her, ordering her to flee Chicago before anyone else discovers her. However, unbeknownst to them, Clown has witnessed the entire ordeal.
Later, Riri returns home and engages in her first heartfelt conversation with her mother. She expresses her desire to leave the city, but her mother stands firm, refusing to let her go. Everywhere she's run, the girl has evaded her battles, her mother points out. Now, it's time for her to stand her ground. Problems will inevitably resurface wherever she goes, especially if she continues to attempt constructing another suit. So, they make their way to Gary's garage.
Being surrounded by all of Gary's belongings proves to be an overwhelming experience for her. She's unable to see beyond the tragic incident that claimed the lives of her stepfather and Natalie. In response, the AI projects a cherished memory of them together. Riri watches, captivated, as a younger version of herself dances and jokes with Gary, completely carefree. She needs to grasp that dwelling solely on the negative also blinds her to the precious moments they shared.
Her mother then reveals the car Gary had last worked on. After Riri's return home, her mother had bought it back, ensuring the girl now possesses all the necessary components for crafting a new suit.
As she gears up for her next confrontation, the villains revel in what they perceive as their recent "triumph." Ezekiel, however, is at a loss to explain how he supposedly vanquished Riri, which raises Parker's suspicions. Nevertheless, Clown concocts a cover story on his behalf, and Hood, though starting to doubt her leader, accepts it for now. She even goes as far as to ask Slug to procure Rampage's autopsy reports.
The following day, she confronts Parker about Rampage, brandishing the report as evidence. He vehemently denies any involvement in the murder, yet, without a shred of hesitation, he fires her on the spot. As tensions escalate and others attempt to intervene in their heated altercation, Parker's fury spirals out of control, nearly resulting in Slug's demise. The Hood's influence over him intensifies with each passing moment, and now, Parker wants none of his former crew by his side.
Struggling to find a sufficiently potent power source for her suit, Riri resorts to calling Zelma as her last hope. She's determined to combat magic with magic. Gathering her friends, they rally together to assist her in constructing the new suit. Even Xavier, moved by a note hidden in the gift Riri had given him episodes prior, offers his forgiveness. Though he disagrees with her methods, he comprehends her motivations.
Meanwhile, the Hood seizes the opportunity to assert his dominance, taking control of Ezekiel's body modifications and forcing him to comply with Parker's every command. Under the bright glare of daylight, they march to the mansion Parker had once attempted to rob alongside his cousin. With Zeke as his unstoppable sidekick, Parker's power knows no bounds.
In a shocking twist, it's revealed that the mansion belongs to Parker's own father. All the companies he'd plundered in recent months were linked to his patriarch, and now, Parker is hell-bent on claiming everything the man possesses. Driven by years of neglect and abandonment during his childhood, he seeks vengeance. After the Hood employs magic to intimidate the elderly man, Parker's father finally capitulates, surrendering all he has.
Concurrently, Riri completes the construction of her armor. The only task remaining is connecting it to the power source. Despite Zelma's warning that magic always demands a price, Riri is resolute in her decision to proceed. Little does she anticipate that magic's toll will be the loss of Natalie once again. Helpless, she can only watch as the AI glitches and fades into oblivion.
