It was an exciting day in Sydney, Australia Thursday as Iron Man himself, Tony Stark, helped a plucky young hero defeat a villainous android on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.
The hero in question? Nine-year-old Domenic Pace, a child battling cystic fibrosis who got to live out a dream thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the New South Wales Police Department, and actor Robert Downey Jr.
Pace’s day began around 9 a.m. local time, when he was flown via helicopter to New South Wales police headquarters.
There, he received his mission: rescue “reporter” Hope Joy from the clutches of the evil android Ultron. He also received his suit of Iron Man-style armour and a sidekick, Air Force Colonel James Rhodes AKA War Machine, played by Pace’s older brother Joseph Pace.
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Ferried by police speedboats to Sydney harbour, Iron Boy managed to defeat Ultron’s henchmen, subdue the evil robot himself, and rescue his hostage.
And in true Iron Man fashion, he also found time to bask in front of his adoring public.
“On behalf of a grateful police force and indeed the people of Sydney, I would like to thank Domenic for his tremendous efforts today,” New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said in a press release.
“It can’t be easy dealing with an illness like his and we feel privileged to be able to work with Make-A-Wish Australia to ensure his wish to be a famous superhero came true,” he added.
Pace’s day wasn’t over yet, though. Having beaten the bad guy, rescued the girl, and saved the day, Iron Boy got a special message from Iron Man himself, Tony Stark, played by actor Robert Downey Jr.
“I hear you’ve had quite the day,” Downey mused in his video message to Pace. “It’s hard work saving the world, isn’t it?”
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The 50-year-old actor, who made the character a household name with his performances in both the solo Iron Man films and the crossover Avengers franchise, finished his message by welcoming “Iron Boy” into the elite superhero team.
“I don’t do this very often. I’m making you an honorary member of the Avengers,” Downey said. “I hereby dub thee, because, guess what? Iron Man loves you.”
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Pace isn’t the only kid to have his superhero dreams come true in recent years. A five-year-old leukemia patient donned Batman’s iconic cape and cowl to become Batkid in San Francisco in 2013.
Then last September, a six-year-old Edmonton girl who lives with acute lymphoblastic leukemia pulled on the webs to become Spider-Mable and rescue Edmonton Oilers captain Andrew Ference.
As a last thank you, the police awarded Iron Boy the with Commissioner’s Award for Gallantry, both for defeating Ultron and for the bravery he displays in battling his own condition.
“Not only has Domenic battled villains and saved his city, he’s stared down his illness and won the day,” the commissioner said.