REVIEWS AND POWERSTONES PLSSS!!!!!
Chapter 134: The Bait
Stark Expo. Once, Tony Stark had planned to use this venue to showcase his Jericho missiles. But after his Middle Eastern ordeal, Tony Stark arrived here without mentioning missiles at all.
He merely used the location as the site for his post-return press conference.
The scene was chaotic and noisy. Reporters and photographers were packed like sardines in a can. Tony Stark sat on the floor at the very front, eating a cheeseburger with large bites.
Obadiah accompanied Tony Stark, also sitting on the ground, his arm around Tony's shoulder while constantly whispering questions.
At the very back of the reporters and photographers, Happy and Pepper stood quietly, waiting.
"Miss Potts, may I have a word?" At that moment, a voice suddenly sounded beside Pepper.
"The press conference is about to start, and I'm not participating in the Q&A session anyway." Pepper politely and tactfully declined the man with a receding hairline.
"I'm not a reporter. I'm Agent Coulson from SHIELD."
The person appearing beside Pepper was indeed Agent Coulson. He'd never left since his failed attempt to contact Batman.
"I haven't heard of SHIELD, but the Department of Defense and CIA have already contacted us." Pepper addressed Agent Coulson.
"We're an independent department with more focused objectives." Agent Coulson said. "I'd like to inquire about the specific details of Mr. Stark's escape from the Middle East."
"I'll note that and tell Tony." Pepper said.
"Thank you." Agent Coulson didn't press further. After expressing gratitude, he turned and left.
---
In the Batcave.
The Oracle AI detected keywords and played the video footage. Batman silently watched the live broadcast from minutes earlier.
Tony Stark sat on the ground, announcing a message to the world through the dozens of reporters and photographers before him:
"...I witnessed innocent people killed by weapons I created to protect them. And I discovered I'd become part of a system unwilling to bear responsibility."
"I saw the world's true face. I realized I could do more for this world than just manufacture explosions."
"Therefore, effective immediately, I'm shutting down Stark Industries' weapons manufacturing division and all subsidiary arms factories."
In the footage, Tony Stark couldn't finish before Obadiah seized the microphone and cut him off.
Batman didn't listen to what Obadiah said. He stood, removed his Anti-"Anti-Venom" suit and set it aside, changing into a dark suit.
"Robin, stay here. I'll be back later."
Batman spoke, letting Venom enter its containment unit, then left the Batcave for ground level.
His previously purchased daily commuter vehicle was parked by the roadside. As Batman drove toward Stark Tower, he dialed Happy's phone.
"Happy, it's Peter."
"Peter?" Happy's voice rang through the phone, making no attempt to hide his delight. "You received word of Mr. Stark's return? When are you coming? I'll put you at the front of the schedule."
"Good." Batman didn't refuse Happy's kindness. "After the press conference ends, bring Tony directly back to Stark Tower. I'll wait for him on the top floor."
"No problem! The conference is almost over. Where are you now? Should I come pick you up, Peter?" Happy asked enthusiastically.
Happy's face beamed with smiles. During Tony Stark's disappearance, he'd tried hard at facial management—but apparently quite unsuccessfully. Happy's smile hadn't dropped in quite some time.
But over the phone, Batman's voice turned serious. "Happy, for my next questions, you only need to answer 'yes' or 'no.' Don't look around. Don't appear panicked. Can you do that?"
"...Yes." Happy hesitated but complied.
"Is Obadiah Stane near you?" Batman continued asking.
"Not... uh, no."
"After reaching Stark Tower, don't allow anyone to come to the top floor. This concerns Tony's safety, Happy. Can you help me?"
"Yes!"
---
Twenty minutes later, atop Stark Tower.
Tony Stark studied Batman standing on the helicopter landing pad, wearing a dark suit—his demeanor completely different from their first meeting when he'd worn plaid.
Tony first poured himself a drink, downed it in one gulp, then poured another and approached Batman with the glass.
"Listen, Parker, you're more dangerous than I imagined." Before Batman could speak, Tony Stark spoke first.
Seeing Batman remain motionless, Tony Stark shook his head on his own accord.
"Not gun-dangerous. Your brain."
Seeing Batman still say nothing, Tony Stark felt like he was arguing with a block of wood. He couldn't help flicking Batman's chest with his finger.
"You see farther than anyone else, don't you? From that bullet at Queens police station all the way to me in that Middle Eastern cave."
"I had some doubts initially. But after receiving the information you sent in the cave, I knew all the previous public opinion and pressure against Stark Industries came from you."
"So don't expect me to make you a trophy just because you saved me. I'd rather punch you."
Though claiming he wanted to fight Batman, Tony Stark raised his wrist to check his watch.
"Alright. Happy's in position. From now on, no one can hear our conversation."
Only after Tony Stark finished speaking did Batman finally respond:
"Tony, I'm glad to hear you announced closing the weapons division. But Obadiah remains a threat."
"All my evidence on Obadiah was obtained through illegal means. That evidence holds no value in court."
Batman got straight to the point. He'd left Obadiah untouched precisely to wait until Tony Stark returned safely before settling accounts.
"I just got back and heard the Stark Industries board voted to push me out," Tony Stark stood shoulder to shoulder with Batman, speaking quietly. "If I accuse a company veteran based solely on an anonymous video, the board will view it as post-traumatic symptoms and purging dissent—triggering internal chaos and giving Obadiah a chance to counterattack."
Both were intelligent men. They spoke simultaneously:
"We need to put out bait to lure Obadiah into the trap."
"What's the bait?" Batman asked knowingly.
Tony Stark unbuttoned his shirt. The miniature arc reactor glowed with cold white light.
The two men exchanged glances. Tony Stark knew they'd once again synchronized their thoughts perfectly.