Stark's adam's apple bobbed nervously as he looked at Jason with desperate eyes. "How exactly can you help me?" His voice carried a mixture of hope and skepticism.
Jason placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and leaned in closer. "Although the Avengers can't help you openly due to the restrictions, we can certainly find ways to keep RoboStark distracted. As long as he's preoccupied with other matters, the wedding will naturally be postponed." Jason's eyes gleamed with strategic calculation. "And you, of course, can use this precious time to discover his vulnerabilities, expose his true identity, and let the world know the truth. You'll reclaim Stark Industries and win back Pepper Potts with irrefutable evidence and public support."
Stark rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his brilliant mind already racing through possibilities. "What's the first step? What should I do?"
"First and foremost, you need to completely conceal your identity," Jason explained, his tone serious. "Based on the Avengers' extensive investigations over these past weeks, I have compelling evidence suggesting that this RoboStark possesses an incredibly powerful artificial intelligence assistant. In fact," he paused for effect, "he himself might actually BE the AI!"
Jason began pacing around the room. "This means he can potentially exploit virtually any electronic device to gather whatever information he desires. The entire world—every camera, every microphone, every networked device—might be under his constant surveillance! So," he stopped and turned to face Stark, "I've prepared an entirely new identity for you."
He stepped closer to Stark, lowering his voice dramatically. "From today onwards, you are no longer Tony Stark. You are Victor von Doom!"
"Doom?" Stark's expression was one of complete bewilderment.
Looking at Stark's confused face, Jason smiled inwardly. In this universe, at least up until now, there was no Victor Von Doom. It wouldn't cause any significant problems to let Stark temporarily assume this identity.
Jason reached into a nearby cabinet and retrieved a polished metal mask. The craftsmanship was exquisite—sleek yet intimidating. "Simultaneously, to thoroughly disguise your identity, I've also prepared this iron mask and accompanying robes for you." He held up the mask, letting the light catch its metallic surface. "I don't imagine you'd prefer undergoing extensive facial reconstruction surgery, would you? This mask will serve our purposes perfectly."
He continued with growing enthusiasm, "I've already established a company under this name and prepared a massive, state-of-the-art research laboratory for your use. You'll have complete freedom to experiment and create whatever you desire. But never lose sight of your primary objective—exposing RoboStark's true identity and reclaiming what rightfully belongs to you: Stark Industries!"
Stark took the iron mask from Jason's hands, turning it over to examine its craftsmanship. He placed it over his face, adjusting it slightly for comfort. When he spoke, his voice emerged with a hollow, metallic resonance: "Why can't you directly intervene? From what I understand, your power level is practically godlike—you defeated the legendary Jörmungandr single-handedly!"
Jason sighed heavily, shaking his head with resigned frustration. "It's not that I lack the capability to intervene—I could crush RoboStark like an insect if I wanted to. But I must reserve my direct involvement for the most critical moment." His expression darkened. "Because I saved Earth without holding back, revealing the full extent of my abilities, I've become an object of fear for many influential people. This fear, I suspect, is precisely why the blond president expelled the Avengers from American soil."
He fixed Stark with an intense gaze. "So beyond your mission to expose RoboStark's true nature, you have an even more crucial responsibility."
"What's that?" Stark asked, genuine surprise evident even through the mask.
"You must ensure the nuclear arsenal in the blond president's control remains secure and inaccessible to unauthorized parties."
Stark scoffed incredulously. "No matter how unhinged that golden-haired buffoon might be, would he actually dare to deploy nuclear weapons on a whim? Does he want to be permanently crucified in the annals of history?"
Jason's expression remained grave. "The blond president himself might not resort to such madness, but we must protect against RoboStark potentially gaining access!"
"You think he would—"
"According to our current intelligence," Jason interrupted, "there are no definitive indications of infiltration into any nation's nuclear arsenals worldwide. But if RoboStark truly is an advanced artificial intelligence as I suspect, we must consider the possibility that he's been methodically planning this from the beginning."
Jason began pacing again, his movements betraying his anxiety. "Among all world leaders, the blond president—with whom RoboStark maintains suspiciously close relations—represents the most vulnerable point of entry. This is precisely why I cannot act rashly or openly."
He stopped and faced Stark directly. "I cannot predict his programming parameters, his logical frameworks, or where his ethical boundaries might lie. If he somehow gains control over America's nuclear arsenal, annihilating civilization becomes merely a matter of executing a single command sequence. No power on Earth—not even mine—could intercept thousands of nuclear warheads simultaneously once launched! This is why the Avengers and I must proceed with extreme caution."
Stark remained silent for a long moment, processing Jason's words. They were... disturbingly logical and well-founded.
Jason approached him and placed both hands firmly on his shoulders. "The mission of saving our world now falls to you, Tony. You must utilize your unparalleled genius to its fullest potential. After all, you are the authentic Tony Stark." His voice softened slightly. "If Pepper were given the choice between you and that mechanical impostor, I have absolute faith she would choose you without hesitation."
Meanwhile, at Stark Tower, a major press conference was underway.
RoboStark had just announced the establishment of a massive charitable foundation named Stark-Pepper. Not only had he pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in initial funding, but he was also releasing and donating two revolutionary medical technologies that were decades ahead of current capabilities.
The first innovation was mechanical organ technology, encompassing advanced mechanical prosthetics and functional replacements for critical human organs including kidneys, livers, and even hearts. Each component was designed with unprecedented biocompatibility and longevity.
The second breakthrough was human biological organ regeneration technology—a regenerative approach based on proprietary microbial engineering. This method stimulated the body's own healing mechanisms to regrow damaged or missing tissues and organs.
Both technologies offered distinct advantages and limitations, with the choice between mechanical and biological solutions left to individual patients and their specific circumstances. Stark Industries pledged to make these groundbreaking technologies available to major medical institutions and hospitals worldwide, with all resulting profits channeled directly into the Stark-Pepper Foundation's humanitarian initiatives.
The announcement electrified the atmosphere of the entire press conference. Anyone with even minimal insight could grasp the profound implications these technologies held for humanity. In simple terms, mankind would finally be liberated from the burdens of disability, organ failure, and countless debilitating diseases. People could replace or regenerate any malfunctioning body part.
These were truly revolutionary technologies that promised to transform healthcare forever.
Reporters clamored frantically to ask RoboStark questions, their voices overlapping in excitement. Standing off to the side of the stage, Pepper watched with undisguised pride as Stark fielded each question with his characteristic eloquence and charm.
These past weeks had been the happiest of her life. She had finally experienced what people called true romantic love. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that Tony Stark—workaholic, playboy genius Tony Stark—would set aside all his projects and responsibilities to take her on a whirlwind global adventure.
In the past, Stark had always been so consumed by his research and his fleeting interests in beautiful women that he scarcely noticed her existence beyond her administrative capabilities. And now...
Gradually, she had even begun to forget that he wasn't human—that beneath his perfect exterior lay circuitry and code rather than flesh and blood. In truth, when someone treats you with complete devotion and genuine affection, what difference does it make if they have certain unusual characteristics?
The world was full of love stories that transcended conventional boundaries. Wasn't Thor, the Asgardian prince, deeply in love with Jane Foster, a brilliant Earth scientist? What was so different about her situation?
"Hey, Pepper, penny for your thoughts?"
While she'd been lost in contemplation, Stark had finished at the podium and now stood before her, his eyes studying her face with tender curiosity.
Meeting his penetrating gaze, Pepper found herself smiling involuntarily, shaking her head gently. "Nothing important," she replied softly.
Not far away, as reporters began filing out of the venue, someone suddenly called out, "Stark! When are you finally going to marry Miss Potts?"
RoboStark reached for Pepper's hand, interlacing their fingers before turning to face the reporters with a charismatic smile. "The truth is, the remarkable woman beside me hasn't actually agreed to marry me yet." His eyes sparkled with mischief. "I believe I owe her the most romantic proposal imaginable, but rest assured—I'm working on something spectacular."
He pulled Pepper into a gentle embrace and whispered just loudly enough for nearby reporters to overhear, "Honey, be extra careful when enjoying drinks or desserts in the coming days. I'd hate for you to accidentally swallow my engagement ring! I want your answer in a romantic setting, not in a hospital emergency room!"
The reporters who caught this exchange erupted into delighted laughter and applause. Pepper's cheeks flushed with a combination of embarrassment and undisguised happiness, her eyes glistening with emotion.
Meanwhile, in Latvia, the real Tony Stark—now fully transformed into his Lord Doom disguise—watched this entire scene unfold on television, his rage building to volcanic proportions.
"Fuck! FUCK! FUUUCK!" he roared, hurling a nearby glass across the room where it shattered against the wall.
His fury was both justified and overwhelming. This mechanical impostor had stolen his identity, was spending his fortune, sleeping in his bed, and now intended to marry the woman he loved?
This situation was utterly, absolutely intolerable!
"I'm going to destroy you, you metal bastard," he snarled at the screen, his voice distorted by the mask. "This isn't over. Not by a long shot."
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