“Tony, you’ve been petting me for half an hour.
Can I change back now?” A panda lay sprawled across the floor while a hand continuously rubbed its head.
Its face radiated pure existential despair.
“Come on, just a little longer.
It’s a panda!
When Pepper gets here, you have to let her pet you too.” Tony looked completely intoxicated as he enthusiastically cuddled the panda.
Rowan finally struggled free from Tony’s grasp and hurriedly transformed back into his human form.
“What a shame.” Tony reluctantly pulled his hand back.
“So what abilities do your different forms have?” “The flying form is incredibly fast.
Definitely faster than your armor.
I haven’t tested the limit yet.
The aquatic form can survive and move freely in any body of water, and it’s extremely fast too.
The cheetah form can turn invisible, while the bear form has amazing defensive capabilities.” Rowan quickly explained.
“That’s ridiculously useful.” Tony couldn’t help admiring the versatility.
Then a mischievous grin appeared on his face.
“Rowan, turn back into the panda.
I want to take a picture and send it to Pepper.” “Nice try.
JARVIS already recorded everything.
You just want an excuse to pet me again.” Rowan refused immediately.
At this rate, he’d end up becoming the world’s first bald panda.
“Fine.” Tony smacked his lips regretfully.
“What a waste.” Just then, a news report appeared on television.
Stark Industries was hosting a charity gala.
Tony blinked.
“JARVIS, did I get an invitation?” “No, sir.
No invitation was sent to you.” Rowan instantly burst out laughing.
“Hahaha!
Tony, that’s just sad.
Your own company is holding a charity gala and nobody even invited you.” Tony wasn’t bothered.
He had never cared much about social events.
Besides, if Pepper hadn’t mentioned it, it probably wasn’t important.
After thinking for a moment, he grabbed his car keys.
It had been a while since he’d shown his face publicly.
Might as well stop by.
“Rowan, coming?” Rowan waved his hand.
“No thanks.
I hate those kinds of events.
They’re way too uncomfortable.” “Suit yourself.
Stay here.” With that, Tony left.
Left alone in the mansion, Rowan quickly became bored.
Then a thought suddenly struck him.
“What if…” A grin spread across his face.
“…I fly back to Silvara for a late-night snack?
Then have breakfast there tomorrow and come back afterward.” The more he thought about it, the better it sounded.
“Perfect.
Let’s do it.” A moment later, the giant Roc appeared once more.
With a single flap of its wings, it shot eastward and vanished beyond the horizon.
Flying high above the clouds, Rowan noticed something interesting.
His speed had long surpassed the speed of sound.
Yet there was no sonic boom.
No rushing wind.
No noise at all.
“Magic really doesn’t care about physics.” He couldn’t help shaking his head.
Just over an hour later, he had already crossed the Pacific and arrived in Silvara.
“Now where should I eat first?” Rowan immediately ran into a serious problem.
There was simply too much good food.
Choosing was impossible.
“Barbecue first.” He nodded decisively.
“I really want hotpot too, but eating hotpot alone feels wrong.
Next time I’ll drag Tony and the others along.” After thoroughly satisfying both his stomach and soul, Rowan returned to Malibu.
When he arrived, he noticed the lights were still on in the underground garage.
“Huh?” “Tony’s already back?” “And he’s working in the lab again?” Curious, Rowan headed downstairs.
Tony sat alone in the workshop.
Part of the Mark armor was attached to one arm.
He stared into space, lost in thought.
Rowan had walked right up to him before Tony even noticed.
“Tony, you okay?” Rowan already had a pretty good idea what had happened at the gala.
Tony slowly looked up.
“Rowan…
you were right.” His voice was heavy.
“Obadiah really is involved.” His expression was filled with disappointment.
“He’s been secretly selling weapons to terrorists.” “Yinsen found me tonight.” “He showed me photos from his hometown after a Ten Rings attack.” “The weapons they used…” Tony’s voice faltered.
“They were all made by Stark Industries.” Silence filled the room.
After a moment, Tony spoke again.
“Rowan…” “Do you think I was wrong?” “My inventions weren’t supposed to create this.” “They weren’t supposed to hurt people.” “They were supposed to bring peace.” His voice carried a bitterness Rowan had never heard before.
Rowan shook his head immediately.
“No.” “Absolutely not.” “The weapons aren’t at fault.” “The people using them are.” Tony looked at him quietly.
Complex emotions swirled in his eyes.
“But if I hadn’t built them…” “They wouldn’t have had those tools.” “No.” Rowan’s response was firm.
“Even without your weapons, people like that would find another way.” “Your technology was created to protect people.” “The problem is that bad people got their hands on it.” Tony remained silent.
Rowan continued.
“You’re too hard on yourself.” “You always expect perfection.” “But sometimes the world doesn’t work that way.” He gently patted Tony’s shoulder.
For several moments, Tony said nothing.
Then he took a deep breath.
The tension in his expression eased slightly.
“Thanks, Rowan.” A faint smile appeared.
“I needed to hear that.” “Maybe it’s time I rethink what I’m trying to accomplish.” Rowan nodded.
“Exactly.” “No matter what happens, I’ll always support you.” “You’re one of the greatest inventors in the world.” “And your genius is going to change it.” “As long as you stay true to what you believe in, things will get better.” Then Rowan smiled.
“Tony.” “You’re going to become the greatest hero this world has ever seen.” “I’ve always believed that.” Tony stared at him for a moment.
Then he laughed softly.
“Thanks, Rowan.” “I feel a lot better.” He stepped forward and briefly hugged him.
Then his gaze fell upon the Mark armor.
And he became silent once again.
A moment later, Tony stood up.
The flight stabilizer mounted on his arm transformed into a repulsor cannon.
BOOM!
A nearby glass display shattered.
Then another.
And another.
As fragments rained across the workshop, the hesitation slowly vanished from Tony’s face.
His eyes became increasingly resolute.
Rowan understood.
Tony had made his decision.
If others couldn’t use his inventions responsibly— Then he would use them himself.
“Tony, when you go to Gulmira, take me with you.” Without stopping his work, Tony answered immediately.
“Deal.” Over the following days, Rowan practically lived in the workshop.
He watched Tony continuously improve the Mark II.
Eventually, Tony rejected the flashy silver prototype design.
Instead, he chose a red-and-gold color scheme inspired by a classic car sitting in the garage.
Rowan’s opinion?
The new colors were somehow even more flashy.
But…
Damn.
They looked incredible.
Watching Tony stand on the platform while dozens of robotic arms smoothly assembled the newest suit around him— The Mark III.
Rowan almost started drooling.
This was peak male fantasy.
The ultimate fuel station for every man’s soul.
Of course, the armor still wasn’t perfect.
Tony would continue refining it.
And when the time came…
Rowan fully intended to convince him to build a custom suit for his panda form.
The giant panda had amazing defense, but almost no offensive power.
After all…
He couldn’t seriously rely on defeating enemies through sheer cuteness, right?
…Right?