“Rowan, let’s go!” Fully geared up, Tony called out excitedly.
It was finally time to play hero.
“Coming, Tony!” Rowan was just as excited.
This was Iron Man’s very first official mission.
The two shot into the sky.
“Rowan, can you even keep up with me?” Rowan looked offended.
“Tony, who are you looking down on?
The real question is whether you can keep up with me.” “Oh really?” Tony didn’t buy it.
“Wanna race?” “You’re on.
Watch closely.” Rowan grinned.
“You won’t even see my backside.” With a single flap of his wings, the Roc exploded forward.
In an instant, Tony was left far behind.
Watching the giant bird disappear from sight almost immediately, Tony stared in disbelief.
“JARVIS, what’s my current speed?” “Mach 3, sir.” “Holy crap.” Tony blinked.
“Then how fast is Rowan?” “Over Mach 10, sir.” Tony was silent for several seconds.
“What an absolute monster…” Five minutes later, Rowan reappeared beside him looking thoroughly embarrassed.
Not because he was slower.
Because he had absolutely no idea where Gulmira was.
The area didn’t even have cellphone reception.
Navigation was impossible.
“Tony, when we get back, you have to build a navigation system for my flying form.” Rowan complained.
“This place doesn’t even have signal.
Last time I flew all the way to Silvara and didn’t get lost.” “No problem.
That’s easy enough.” Tony paused.
“Wait.
When did you go to Silvara?” “The night you went to that gala.” Rowan shrugged.
“I got bored and flew over for some barbecue.” “…” Tony fell silent.
A few moments later, he spoke.
“Next time, take me with you.” “Deal.” Gulmira A terrorist was preparing to execute a villager in front of everyone.
The man’s wife and children watched helplessly.
Despair filled their eyes.
Suddenly, the young boy in his mother’s arms looked up at the sky.
His eyes widened.
A humanoid suit of armor descended from the heavens.
Like a metal angel.
The terrorists panicked immediately and opened fire.
Bullets hammered against the Mark III armor.
They barely left scratches.
Tony remained completely calm.
Repulsors flashed.
One terrorist after another fell.
Then the armor’s targeting system locked onto the hostage-takers.
Several precise shots later, the villagers were free.
Watching from the sky, Rowan couldn’t help muttering: “What a showoff.” But…
It was undeniably cool.
Rowan never landed.
He simply cast several buffs on Tony and floated above the battlefield, watching him enjoy his dramatic entrance.
Then his eyes suddenly lit up.
“Oh?” “Aren’t you my old friend, Beard Guy?” Hidden behind a dirt wall was the same bearded terrorist leader from the cave.
The man was currently celebrating his good fortune for escaping Tony’s attention.
Then he looked up.
A gigantic bird landed in front of him.
The bird transformed into a familiar-looking teenager.
The teenager smiled and waved.
“Hi~” The terrorist froze.
Then Rowan transformed again.
This time into a giant panda.
SLAP!
A massive paw smashed directly into the man’s face.
He felt a burst of pain before being launched several meters through the air.
Rowan felt instantly refreshed.
“That’s for dunking me in freezing water.” “If the system hadn’t taken away my Meteor Fall spell, I’d have dropped ten meteors on your head.” He cracked his knuckles and prepared to finish the job.
Then Tony’s voice came through the comms.
“Rowan, leave him.” “The villagers deserve some payback.” “We’re going to blow up the base.” Without waiting for a response, Tony spun dramatically and blasted into the sky.
As he flew away, he casually tossed out: “He’s yours.” The surrounding villagers slowly turned toward the terrorist leader.
Their expressions were anything but friendly.
Rowan clicked his tongue.
“That was such a smooth showoff move.” Transforming back into a Roc, he flew after Tony.
Behind them, terrified screams soon echoed across the village.
Tony reached the Ten Rings base and prepared to strike.
BOOM!
A tank shell slammed directly into him.
The Mark III was sent crashing into the ground.
When Tony finally climbed back to his feet, the armor was covered in dust and dirt.
He looked thoroughly miserable.
Rowan nearly laughed himself unconscious.
“Hahahaha!” “Got a little too dramatic there, didn’t you?” “Talk about instant karma!” Naturally, he pulled out his phone.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Several photos later: Embarrassing Iron Man Photos: +1 Tony stared at him with pure resentment.
Then he raised one arm.
A miniature missile launched from the armor.
The tank that had shot him exploded instantly.
Without even looking back at the explosion, Tony ascended into the air.
Bullets bounced harmlessly off the armor.
Then he fired an enhanced repulsor blast directly into the ammunition stockpile.
A massive explosion engulfed the entire base.
Without saying another word, Tony turned and flew away.
Rowan chuckled.
He knew Tony wasn’t hurt.
The Mark III’s protection was excellent.
And with Rowan’s buffs layered on top, getting injured was practically impossible.
No.
Tony was just embarrassed.
“Hehehe…” “This is nothing, Tony.” “One day I’ll host an entire exhibition dedicated to embarrassing Iron Man photos.” “Then you’ll truly understand a little brother’s love.” Rowan’s evil laughter echoed through the sky.
Five minutes later, Rowan was no longer laughing.
Because he was lost.
Again.
There was still no signal.
And he had absolutely no idea which direction home was.
With no better option, he picked a random direction and started flying.
Eventually he’d find reception.
Hopefully.
After a while, something felt off.
The mountains ahead seemed unusually tall.
“Wait…” “I definitely didn’t see mountains this high on the way here.” Then he noticed something else.
A large structure near the summit.
“A temple?” Curious, Rowan flew closer.
As the distance shrank, he could see people gathered in the courtyard below.
They were practicing synchronized movements.
Then he finally recognized the place.
And nearly had a heart attack.
“HOLY CRAP!” “It’s that bald woman!” The urge to immediately turn around and flee was overwhelming.
At the temple below, a bald woman slowly lifted her head.
Her gaze settled on the approaching Roc.
Rowan nearly panicked.
“Don’t run.” “Don’t run.” “Act natural.” “You’re just a normal bird.” “She definitely won’t notice.” He desperately tried convincing himself.
Maintaining a perfectly innocent expression, he casually flew over the temple.
Then accelerated away as fast as possible.
Only after the temple disappeared beyond the horizon did he finally relax.
“Whew…” “She didn’t notice me.” “Probably.” “Thank goodness.” “Now is definitely not the time to get involved with her.” Far below, the bald woman continued watching the distant Roc.
A mysterious smile appeared at the corner of her lips.
Back at the Malibu mansion, Rowan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Finally home.” “I’m exhausted.” “JARVIS, is Tony back?” “Yes, sir.” “Mr.
Stark is currently in the laboratory.” Rowan headed downstairs.
Tony was busy working on something when he arrived.
“Tony, I’m back.” Tony glanced up.
“What took you so long?” “I got lost.” Rowan immediately pointed a finger at him.
“You need to build me a navigation system.” “Satellite-linked.” “As soon as possible.” “That can wait.” Tony shook his head.
“I need a favor.” His expression grew serious.
“I asked Pepper to gather evidence against Obadiah.” Rowan frowned.
“And?” “I want you to protect her.” “Your cheetah form can turn invisible, right?” “Why are you sending Pepper?” Rowan looked horrified.
“That’s dangerous.” “I can do it myself.” Tony sighed.
“You don’t know where any of the evidence is.” “Pepper does.” Rowan paused.
“…Fair point.” Then he nodded.
“When is she going?” “Probably within the next couple of days.” “Then stay close to her until it’s done.” Rowan immediately stood at attention and saluted.
“Understood.” “Mission accepted.”