Thump-thump-thump-thump— As two helicopters roared overhead, Rowan knew his desert adventure was finally coming to an end.
Sure enough, the helicopters quickly landed nearby.
A large group of American soldiers rushed toward them.
Leading the charge was none other than Tony’s best friend, Colonel James Rhodes.
Rhodes had expected Tony to look exhausted.
Starving.
Traumatized.
After all, the guy had spent months kidnapped in the desert.
Instead, what he saw completely broke his expectations.
Tony looked a little dirty.
A little tanned.
And he had some strange glowing thing in his chest.
But other than that?
The man looked healthier than Rhodes himself.
“Tony.” Rhodes stared at him.
“Did you go on a desert vacation or something?” Tony grinned.
“Yep.” “Wonderful trip.” Then he pointed toward Rowan and Yinsen.
“These two are Dr.
Yinsen and Rowan.” “They saved my life.” Rhodes immediately stepped forward and shook hands with both of them.
“Thank you.” Then he hugged Tony tightly.
“Come on.” “They’ve been waiting for you.” “Let’s go.” When the transport aircraft landed at a U.S.
military airfield, two people were already waiting anxiously.
Pepper Potts.
And Happy Hogan.
During Tony’s disappearance, neither of them had slept properly.
Neither had ever stopped searching.
Happy especially blamed himself for failing to protect Tony.
The moment the military informed them Tony had been found, they rushed over immediately.
As the cargo ramp slowly lowered, both of them held their breath.
Then Tony appeared.
And both froze.
The image they’d imagined completely shattered.
Where was the weak, starving hostage?
Where was the exhausted survivor?
Instead, Tony walked out wearing a perfectly tailored suit.
Healthy complexion.
Confident posture.
Aside from being slightly tanner than before, he looked better than he had prior to the kidnapping.
Pepper and Happy exchanged a look.
What the hell?
How does someone get kidnapped for three months and come back healthier?
That wasn’t scientifically possible.
Tony walked down the ramp and immediately waved away the medical staff pushing a stretcher.
“Honestly.” “You people have no observational skills.” “Do I look like someone who needs a stretcher?” Then he grinned.
“Hey, Pep.” “Hey, Happy.” Pepper suddenly felt like all the tears she’d cried were wasted.
This man looked like he’d just returned from a luxury resort.
“Tony…” She stared at him.
“Are you okay?” Tony spread his arms.
“Do I look injured?” Then he leaned closer.
“Were you crying?” “For your beloved missing boss?” Pepper rolled her eyes.
“I was happy.” “I just didn’t want to look for another job.” Tony laughed.
“Well, your vacation is over.” Once everyone climbed into the car, Pepper immediately tried convincing Tony to undergo a medical examination.
Tony refused instantly.
“Look at me.” “Do I seem injured?” “I’ve been locked up for three months.” “There are only two things I want right now.” “First—” “A cheeseburger.” “Second—” Pepper cut him off before he could finish.
“No.” “Whatever you’re thinking, no.” Pfft!
Rowan immediately sprayed water across the car.
As expected of Pepper.
She understood Tony far too well.
To be fair, Tony’s previous lifestyle made her assumption completely reasonable.
Tony looked disgusted and handed Rowan a tissue.
Pepper blinked.
That was unusual.
Very unusual.
This was the first time she’d ever seen Tony voluntarily take care of someone.
Even if it was just handing over a tissue.
Only now did Pepper properly notice the two passengers.
“And these are…?” Tony casually introduced them.
“This is Rowan.” “My little brother from now on.” “And this is Yinsen.” “My friend.” “I wouldn’t be here without them.” Pepper froze.
Little brother?
Tony Stark had just personally acknowledged someone as his brother.
That carried a lot of weight.
A terrifying amount of weight.
She immediately smiled warmly.
“Hello, Rowan.” “I’m Pepper Potts.” “It’s nice to meet you.” “And thank you for helping save Tony.” Rowan grinned.
“My pleasure.” “Tony-ge saved me several times too.” “Pep.” Tony suddenly spoke again.
“The second thing I want is a press conference.” “Immediately.” Pepper frowned.
“A press conference?” “What for?” Tony simply smiled.
“You’ll find out.” Then he pointed toward Happy.
“Happy.” “Buy me a cheeseburger.” “Right away, boss.” Inside the luxury car, Rowan stared at the burger in his hands.
Then at Tony, who was devouring his own burger like it was the greatest food on Earth.
“Tony-ge.” “This is the food you’ve been dreaming about for three months?” Yinsen looked equally satisfied.
“I think it’s pretty good.” Rowan sighed.
“If you guys say so.” Then he shoved the entire burger into his mouth.
Mmph.
Once things settle down…
I’m finding real Chinese food.
The convoy soon arrived at the headquarters of Stark Industries.
A bald man stood outside with a crowd of employees, applauding enthusiastically.
Welcoming Tony home.
Tony adjusted his suit collar.
Then glanced at Rowan.
“Stay with me.” “Got it.” Rowan followed him out of the car.
The bald man immediately approached with a huge smile.
The two embraced warmly.
Then walked together toward the press conference hall.
Rowan quietly followed behind.
He knew exactly who this man was.
Obadiah Stane Tony’s guardian.
Mentor.
Trusted ally.
And the mastermind behind Tony’s kidnapping.
I need to warn Tony somehow.
The problem is whether he’ll believe me.
Inside the conference room, reporters were already packed wall-to-wall.
Tony Stark had disappeared for three months.
And now he’d returned and immediately called a press conference.
Everyone knew something major was about to happen.
The atmosphere was electric.
Tony waved to the cheering crowd as he walked toward the stage.
Nearby, Pepper smiled unconsciously.
This looked right.
This looked like the Tony Stark she knew.
Rowan nodded in agreement.
“Now that’s more like it.” Then a calm voice spoke beside him.
“Mr.
Rowan?” “May I have a moment?” Rowan turned.
And immediately recognized the man.
Village Chief of Marvel’s Beginner Zone.
Phil Coulson The legendary Agent Coulson.
The hairline wasn’t much better than Yinsen’s.
The agent extended a hand politely.
“My name is Phil Coulson.” “I’m with the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.” Rowan blinked.
“…You’re with what?” “The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.” “The Strategic what?” “The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.” “The Homeland what?” “The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.” “What Logistics Division?” “The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.” “The Strategic what division?” “…” “…” “…” For the first time in Agent Coulson’s professional career, he felt an overwhelming urge to shorten the name of his organization.