The Stark Expo—once upon a time, this was where Tony Stark had planned to showcase his Jericho missile. But after his ordeal in the Middle East, Tony Stark arrived here without uttering a single word about missiles.
He simply used the venue as the site for the press conference he was holding upon his return.
The scene was chaotic, with reporters and photographers packed in like sardines in a can. Tony Stark sat cross-legged on the floor right up front, devouring a cheeseburger in huge bites.
Obadiah accompanied Tony Stark, sitting on the ground beside him as well, his arm draped around Tony's shoulders while he whispered questions incessantly.
At the very back of the reporters and photographers, Happy and Pepper stood quietly, waiting.
"Miss Potts, could I have a word?"
Just then, a voice suddenly spoke up beside Pepper.
"The press conference is about to start, and I'm not participating in the Q&A anyway," Pepper politely but firmly declined the man with the receding hairline.
"I'm not a reporter. I'm Agent Coulson, with S.H.I.E.L.D."
The guy who had appeared beside Pepper was none other than Agent Coulson. He hadn't left the area since his failed contact with Batman last time.
"I've never heard of S.H.I.E.L.D., but the Department of Defense and the CIA have already reached out to us," Pepper said, eyeing Agent Coulson.
"We're an independent agency with a more focused objective," Agent Coulson replied. "I'd like to ask Mr. Stark about the specific details of his escape from the Middle East."
"I'll make a note and pass it along to Tony," Pepper said.
"Thank you." Agent Coulson didn't press further; he thanked her and turned to leave.
In the Batcave.
The Oracle AI detected keywords and played the video feed. Batman silently watched the live broadcast from just minutes earlier.
Tony Stark, sitting on the ground, announced a message to the world through the dozens of reporters and photographers in front of him:
"...I personally witnessed innocent people being killed by the weapons I built to protect them, and I realized I had become part of a system that shirks responsibility."
"I saw the true face of this world. I realized I could do more for it than just make things that explode."
"Therefore, effective immediately, I am shutting down Stark Industries' weapons manufacturing division and all of its associated military factories."
In the footage, Tony Stark's words were cut short when Obadiah snatched the microphone and interrupted him.
Batman didn't bother listening to what Obadiah said next. He stood up, removed his anti-"anti-Venom" suit and set it aside, then changed into a dark business suit.
"Robin, stay here. I'll be back later."
Batman instructed, placing Venom into the ecological containment unit before heading up from the Batcave to the surface.
The everyday vehicle he'd purchased earlier was parked on the side of the road. As Batman drove toward Stark Tower, he dialed Happy's number:
"Happy, it's Peter."
"Peter?" Happy's voice rang out over the phone, unable to hide his delight. "You got the news about Mr. Stark's return? When are you planning to come by? I'll bump you to the front of the line."
"Good," Batman didn't turn down Happy's kindness. "After the press conference ends, take Tony straight back to Stark Tower. I'll be waiting for him on the roof."
"No problem! The conference is wrapping up any minute now. Where are you? Want me to come pick you up, Peter?" Happy asked enthusiastically.
Happy's face was all smiles. During the days Tony Stark had been missing, he'd been working hard to manage his expressions, but it was clear now that he'd failed miserably—his grin hadn't faded for ages.
But over the phone, Batman's voice turned serious:
"Happy, for the next questions, just answer 'yes' or 'no.' Don't look around, don't act nervous. Can you do that?"
"...Yes." Happy paused for a moment but complied.
"Is Obadiah Stane with you right now?" Batman continued.
"No... uh, no."
"Once you reach Stark Tower, don't let anyone up to the roof. This is about Tony's safety. Happy, can you help me?"
"Yes!"
Twenty minutes later, on the roof of Stark Tower.
Tony Stark stared at the man standing on the helipad, dressed in a dark suit—his aura completely different from the plaid-shirted guy he'd first met. It was Batman.
He poured himself a drink, downed it in one gulp, then poured another before walking over to Batman with the glass in hand.
"Listen, Parker, you're way more dangerous than I thought."
Batman hadn't even spoken yet, but Tony Stark beat him to it.
Seeing Batman remain motionless, Tony Stark shook his head to himself:
"Not the kind of dangerous that comes with a gun. It's your brain."
When Batman still said 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, don't you? From that bullet at the Queens precinct, all the way to me in a cave halfway across the world in the Middle East."
"I had my doubts at first, but after receiving the message you sent me in that cave, I knew all the media pressure and public opinion targeting Stark Industries before that came from you."
"So don't expect me to hand you a trophy just because you saved my life. I'd rather beat the crap out of you."
His words were tough, threatening a fight, but Tony Stark glanced at his watch:
"Alright, Happy's in position. From now on, no one can hear our conversation."
Only after Tony Stark finished saying that did Batman finally speak:
"Tony, I'm glad to hear you announce the shutdown of the weapons division, but Obadiah is still a threat."
"All the evidence I have on Obadiah was obtained illegally. It wouldn't hold up in court."
Batman got straight to the point. He'd left Obadiah alone until now precisely to settle the score after Tony Stark returned safely.
"I just got back and heard the Stark Industries board voted to push me out," Tony Stark said in a low voice, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Batman. "If I accuse a company veteran based on some video of unknown origin, the board will see it as PTSD and a purge of dissent. It'd cause chaos in the company and give Obadiah the perfect chance to strike back."
Both men were geniuses. They spoke at the same time:
"We need to dangle some bait to lure Obadiah into the trap."
"What's the bait?" Batman asked, even though he already knew.
Tony Stark unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the miniature arc reactor glowing with a cold white light.
Their eyes met, and Tony Stark knew they were on the same wavelength once again.
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