Chapter 177: Balance Between Two Identities
At Oscorp, Warren, Morbius, Harry, and Dillon each departed the laboratory following the failed electric shock treatment, returning to their respective responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Batman had removed the Arkham suit and changed into a wool suit he'd prepared in advance. As Peter Parker, he arrived at Stark Tower's penthouse.
Batman's first words upon seeing Tony Stark:
"Tony, take off your shirt."
Tony Stark's expression turned peculiar:
"Excuse me?"
"Your reactor uses palladium core construction, correct?" Batman said. "After I left the other night, I researched that metal..."
Tony smiled dismissively, responding with casual indifference: "Palladium poisoning, right?"
"Relax. As long as I'm not wearing the Mark III flying around twenty-four hours a day, normal human metabolism handles any potential palladium toxicity." Tony said. "My body's completely fine, Peter."
Batman appeared to accept this, dropping the subject. He didn't continue demanding Tony remove his shirt to examine the chest cavity area surrounding the reactor.
Batman changed topics:
"Tony, you mentioned wanting to transform the company into a clean energy enterprise. Any concrete plans?"
Tony Stark poured himself a drink and drained it in one gulp: "Initially I wanted to commercialize the miniature arc reactor technology, but Obadiah's betrayal convinced me to postpone that business."
"What about you, Peter? I heard Parker Industries is preparing to enter the energy sector."
Doctor Octavius had created an artificial sun. Parker Industries' energy sector movements couldn't escape Tony Stark's notice—not when he was planning his own company's transformation.
Besides, beyond concealing Doctor Octavius's existence itself, Batman hadn't particularly hidden the energy project. Tony Stark knowing Parker Industries' direction was perfectly normal.
"I'm not here seeking partnership, Tony." Batman said.
"Peter, you're intelligent. So am I." Tony Stark looked at Batman. "We don't need to dance around subjects. You don't have to worry your words will trigger another impulsive decision from me."
"The Middle East trip once was enough to last a lifetime."
Batman ignored Tony Stark's statement. He was constantly using language to probe Tony's psychological and mental state, ensuring that after his New Mexico mission, Tony Stark wouldn't create problems as "Iron Man":
"Obadiah and his company are finished. You treated a symptom, but the disease remains."
"Tony, you announced closing the weapons division. Then what? This massive vessel that is Stark Industries—where are you steering it? Continue drifting aimlessly at sea until the next Obadiah appears?"
Tony Stark listened as Batman finished, then poured himself another drink. As he started to down it, Batman rose and walked over, pressing his hand over the glass.
"At least let me have one drink?" Tony looked helplessly at Batman.
Batman shook his head: "Tony, you should have quit drinking long ago."
Batman held the glass, but Tony Stark simply grabbed the bottle and drank directly from it, draining the entire contents before finally answering Batman's earlier question:
"Like I said before, I'd planned to enter clean energy. But now medical technology, automotive, aerospace—those fields clearly deserve more investment. Stark Industries has many potential directions."
Batman looked into Tony's eyes, seeing the slight confusion from excessive alcohol:
"Too many directions equals no direction. Your shareholders and employees need a clear new identity, not an empty slogan. Otherwise, external panic and internal division will breed the next enemy themselves."
"So what do you suggest? Publicize arc reactor technology? Give everyone free energy?" Tony Stark's voice carried a trace of displeasure.
"Childish." Batman said.
Tony Stark froze, staring fixedly at Batman.
He'd once told Happy that "Peter Parker always gave him a feeling—like his father had come back to life and attached himself to Peter's body."
That sensation had almost completely vanished after returning from the Middle East. But now, Batman made Tony Stark remember that feeling again.
Tony Stark was about to explode, wanting to reject Batman's "childish" assessment, but Batman left him no room for rebuttal:
"Tony, you already have the answer, don't you? You built Stark Industries into the world's largest arms dealer. You made the ruthless decision to shut down the weapons division. You certainly have a method for genuine company transformation."
"Stability and reputation are long-term wealth. They'll let you sleep more peacefully. Not like now—relying on a secret identity to seek inner peace."
Tony Stark didn't grow serious from Batman's words. He maintained his playboy demeanor, casually strolling to the mirror beside the bar to examine himself:
"Are my dark circles really that obvious?"
He was deflecting with humor, but Batman didn't continue lecturing. Instead, he nodded matter-of-factly:
"Extremely obvious."
The slightly tense atmosphere between them dissipated somewhat. Tony Stark told Batman:
"I'll consider what you said... Actually, I've been thinking about specific transformation plans this entire period. And about balance between two identities."
"I trust you'll make the right choice, Tony." Batman said.
---
"Tony Stark is lying. His body already has palladium poisoning. He can't wear the Iron Man armor long-term. Otherwise, the suit protecting him will kill him."
Leaving Stark Tower, Batman didn't retrieve the Arkham suit stored in the adjacent building. He drove directly toward Oscorp instead.
The Arkham suit's newly added medical module had constructed Tony Stark's complete body model. Batman could clearly see problems developing in the blood vessels around his chest.
Palladium poisoning had spread across half of Tony's chest cavity. But as long as he didn't abuse the armor and miniature arc reactor, there was no immediate life-threatening danger.
Tony Stark wasn't Robin. Batman couldn't lecture him at length. He could only use language to guide.
Fortunately, Tony hadn't become intoxicated by the Mark III's power. Conversely, Batman judged that Tony Stark was currently trapped in his life's greatest spiritual dilemma.
He didn't know which direction to take. Didn't know how to balance the relationship between playboy Tony and Iron Man. Didn't know what to do next.
Tony didn't even know whether the frivolous billionaire or the serious superhero was truly him.
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