IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Robert Downey Jr. names 'Iron Boy' with cystic fibrosis an honorary Avenger

A 9-year-old with cystic fibrosis became "Iron Boy" and was welcomed to the Avengers by Iron Man himself, Robert Downey Jr.
/ Source: Today

The newest Avenger is only 9 years old, but he's already saved a city and gotten a special message from Tony Stark himself.

Domenic Pace, 9, an Australian boy with cystic fibrosis, transformed into his alter ego, Iron Boy, to help save the day in Sydney on Thursday with the help of Make-A-Wish Australia.

Wearing his specially made Iron Boy suit, he defeated the evil Ultron at the Sydney Opera House, saved reporter Hope Joy on Clark Island, and received a special Medal of Valor from the New South Wales Police Force. All in a day's work for Iron Boy.

RELATED: Robert Downey Jr. gives 7-year-old boy 'Iron Man' prosthetic arm

Not only that, Pace received a special message from Iron Man's alter ego, Tony Stark, as Robert Downey Jr. officially welcomed him to the Avengers and told him to keep up the good work.

Pace has been an Iron Man fan his entire life. At one point, he wouldn't even answer to his first name, only the name "Tony," his mom told Make-A-Wish Australia.

RELATED: Marvel features Max Levy, a boy with hemophila, in 'Iron Man' comic book

His big day started at 9 a.m. when he fielded an urgent call from NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione that the police needed help. Pace was then flown by police helicopter to headquarters, where he threw on his armored suit to go rescue captive reporter Hope Joy on Clark Island in Sydney Harbor. Right alongside him was his older brother, Joseph, 12, who played Colonel Rhodes, Iron Boy's sidekick.

From there he rushed to the Sydney Opera House for a final showdown with Ultron in front of a cheering crowd.

Scipione then gave him a special commendation for defeating the forces of evil to cap off an unforgettable day.

“Not only has Domenic battled villains and saved his city, he’s stared down his illness and won the day,'' Scipione said in his speech.

Follow TODAY.com writer Scott Stump on Twitter.