Chapter 23: Tony Stark (Part 3)
"What exactly does the Daily Bugle want to ask me?"
"Mr. Stark, we'd like to ask about the specifics of how you were captured," Peter replied in a careful tone.
"The specifics? What's there to say? A missile hit the vehicle I was in, I was knocked unconscious, and when I woke up, I was being held prisoner. That's it." Tony shrugged, sounding detached.
"Uh... could you be a bit more detailed?"
Tony's version matched the public military report word for word, which made it practically useless for the Bugle.
"That's not detailed enough for you?"
"Tony, maybe share some of what you were thinking at the time," Pepper suggested.
"The only thing I was thinking was that I shouldn't have sold those damned weapons to the military," Tony snapped, his composure cracking
Seeing the situation escalating, Peter quickly moved to the next question.
"Next question, Mr. Stark. Could you tell us what you experienced during those three months you were missing?" he asked.
"Terrorists wanted me to build weapons. I pretended to cooperate, but used the opportunity to slip away. Simple as that." Tony said dismissively.
His time in that cave was a wound he didn't want anyone touching. He had no desire to relive it for a reporter.
Peter immediately noticed Tony's reluctance and didn't push further.
He knew what Tony had gone through, and his questions were merely a formality to appease Jameson.
"Alright then. Thank you for your answers, Mr. Stark," Peter said politely.
"You're done?"
"Yes. Thanks again for your cooperation."
"Good. Since you're done, it's my turn. I've got something to ask you."
"Ask… me?" Peter pointed at himself in surprise.
"Yeah. Not the Bugle. You, Peter Parker," Tony clarified.
"Tony?" Pepper said, completely bewildered by Tony's sudden change in direction.
"It's alright, Pepper." Tony reassured her with a wave of his hand.
Peter nodded. "Alright then. Ask away. I'll tell you whatever I know."
"You're the only person at the Bugle who managed to get a photo of Spider-Man, right?"
"Right. I'm guessing Spider-Man probably wanted the Bugle to give him some exposure, but uh… my boss apparently isn't a big fan," Peter replied.
As soon as the words left his mouth, he noticed Tony and Pepper staring at him with identical blank expressions.
"My joke was totally inappropriate, wasn't it?" Peter muttered.
"Absolutely. And terrible. And not funny," Tony answered flatly.
"As the only person who's photographed Spider-Man, what's your personal impression of him? And I mean *your* opinion, Peter Parker's, not the Daily Bugle's," Tony pressed.
"My impression of him?" Peter hesitated for a moment. "Spider-Man is… he's a hero. A real hero. My hero. He's saved so many people. I look up to him a lot… I probably praised him a little too much, didn't I?" he added, cheeks turning pink.
"Not a little too much. *Way* too much. You almost put him on the same level as someone like Captain America," Tony said.
He hadn't expected the Bugle's Spider-Man photographer to turn out to be a hardcore Spider-Man fanboy.
"Alright, fine. I admit he isn't as legendary as Captain America. I might've hyped him up a bit too much."
"You really admire Spider-Man?" Tony asked, eyeing him with curiosity.
"Yes, I do, quite a bit," Peter admitted.
"Then tell me. Why do you think he chose to protect New York? To protect the people?"
"Uhm… Maybe he's after fame or money?" Peter tested the waters, unsure where this was going.
Tony's questions were making him uneasy. Was his identity blown?
"Peter Parker, I'm asking you seriously. I hope you can answer seriously."
Peter didn't respond right away. He watched Tony closely, trying to read him, searching for any hint of suspicion. But nothing showed. Tony was far too used to dealing with politicians and cameras for Peter to pick up anything meaningful.
"Peter Parker, are you even listening?" Tony locked eyes with him.
Peter's silence was clearly pushing Tony toward irritation.
Staring into Tony's eyes, Peter suddenly understood. He recognized that look. It was the same one he had when he first got his spider-powers. The same confusion. The same lost expression.
Seeing Tony so adrift, Peter made a decision. He would guide him, just as Uncle Ben once guided him, even if it risked exposing too much.
"I'm not Spider-Man. I don't know what he thinks… but I believe he could answer that question better than I can," Peter said gently.
"Spider-Man? You can contact him?" Tony leaned forward.
"No. I can't reach him. But I asked him that same question once."
"And what did he tell you?" Tony asked, unable to hide his urgency.
"He told me that with great power comes great responsibility."
Peter's voice softened as he continued. "If the world gives you something extraordinary, it's for a reason. You have to use that gift wisely. The kind of person you become depends entirely on your choices. Spider-Man chose to be a hero and protect New York. What about you, Tony? What will you choose?"
His words pulled Tony straight back to that cave.
Don't waste your life.
With great power comes great responsibility.
The kind of person you become depends on your own choices.
Peter's voice blended with Yinsen's final words, and together they unlocked a door Tony had been afraid to face.
Sweat beaded on Tony's forehead. His whole body felt hot and damp. But he didn't care. Everything finally made sense. He understood what he needed to do.
For the first time since returning to New York, Tony smiled, and it was a genuine, liberating smile. He smiled broadly, knowing how to value the life he had been given now.
"Thank you, Peter. You helped me realize something important," Tony said, his voice lighter than before.
"Mr. Stark, I didn't do anything. Everything I told you came from Spider-Man. He deserves the credit."