"He really was behind it all!"
Although many had suspected Obadiah Stane was the mastermind, seeing him in Gulmira erased any lingering doubt. Those who hadn't yet guessed his role finally understood the truth.
Countless people cursed his name, especially in the main MCU universe. If Obadiah hadn't been vaporized in the final battle, they swore they would have dug up his remains just to destroy them again.
After seeing Gulmira's devastation, many curious viewers began researching the real-life conflicts in the Middle East. The public outcry grew louder, and the issue began to snowball.
Sympathy for war refugees exploded worldwide.
Even more unexpectedly, the growing pressure forced several major nations to intervene in these ongoing conflicts. With diplomatic influence mounting, many armed factions were forced to temporarily cease fire.
For the first time in a long time—there was a brief moment of peace.
[Pepper entered the basement, where Tony was hard at work on Mark IV.]
[The moment he saw her, he called out, "Are you free? I need your help."]
["With what?"]
["I need you to go to my office and hack into my computer."]
[Tony handed her a USB drive.]
["Pull all the recent shipping manifests. The files should be in the administrative folder. If not, check the hidden disk—look for the one with the smallest number."]
[Pepper blinked, surprised. "Why do you need to hack into your own system?"]
[She didn't push the question too hard, though. Instead, she asked, "And what exactly are you planning to do with this data?"]
["Same as always!" Tony shrugged, still focused on his designs. "They're making deals behind the scenes, and I'm going to stop them. I need to track down my weapons and destroy them."]
[Pepper's expression hardened. She could see where this was going.]
["Tony, you know I'd do anything for you, but… if you keep pushing like this, I can't be part of it."]
[Tony turned to face her. His expression was serious.]
["This is who I am now, Pepper. No more ribbon-cutting ceremonies, no more charity galas, no more signing contracts. This is my one and only mission. That's all that matters."]
["Then I quit."]
[Pepper firmly set the USB drive on the table and turned to leave.]
["For years, I helped you profit from war," she said, her voice strained. "And now that you want to undo it, I'm suddenly supposed to follow you into madness?"]
[Tony stared at her. "You think this is madness? I should have been dead already! But I survived—for a reason."]
["Pepper, I finally understand what I was meant to do."]
["I have no other choice."]
[Pepper let out a deep sigh, then walked back, picked up the USB drive, and held it tight.]
["I have no choice but you."]
[Then she turned and walked away.]
"Pepper is incredible," 2nd Gen Spider-Man murmured.
Watching her risk everything for Tony reminded him of Gwen from The Sky Screen—how she had also risked everything for him.
"like you"
2nd Gen Gwen brushed her hair back, smiling softly. "Because you're worth it. You're always worth the risk."
2nd Gen Spider-Man took her hand, pressing it to his forehead. "Yeah… me too."
"Tony Stark is finally realizing his responsibilities," 1st Gen Uncle Ben said, watching Tony's transformation. "Yinsen's final words… they've driven him forward."
"He knows what he's doing will put many people at risk—but he still chooses to do it," Aunt May agreed.
"He's evolving," Uncle Ben added. "From an arms dealer to the hero who will one day save the world."
[At Stark Industries Tower, Pepper took the elevator to Tony's office.]
[The room was empty. She quickly turned on his computer and inserted the USB drive.]
[Immediately, the security system was breached. She swiftly navigated to the hidden drive and uncovered a file labeled "Area 16."]
[Her eyes widened.]
["What are you up to, Obadiah…?"]
[She clicked on another file— and what appeared shocked her.]
[It was a video.]
[A video from the Ten Rings.]
[The moment it started playing, she gasped.]
[It was the ransom video Obadiah had received after Tony's kidnapping.]
[Her breath caught in her throat. "Oh my God…"]
[She immediately began copying the files. But before she could finish, a voice spoke behind her.]
["So…"]
[Pepper froze.]
["How should we handle this situation?"]
[She turned her head slowly—Obadiah Stane was standing in the doorway.]
[Obadiah casually walked over to a side table, pouring himself a drink.]
["I know what you're feeling right now, Pepper," he said, voice eerily calm.]
[Pepper's heartbeat pounded. She glanced at the USB drive—the transfer wasn't complete yet.]
[Obadiah sniffed his drink. "Tony always had a way of getting the best things, didn't he?"]
[Forcing herself to stay calm, Pepper offered a nervous smile.]
[Meanwhile, she subtly slid a newspaper over the USB drive, hiding it from view.]
[Obadiah sat down next to her, watching the screen saver roll across the monitor.]
["When Tony first came back," he said, swirling his glass, "I was so happy."]
["It felt like light in the darkness."]
["But now… I realize Tony never really came back. Half of him stayed in that cave. And now—he's breaking my heart."]
[Pepper forced a small laugh. "Tony's just… adjusting. He'll be fine."]
[Obadiah sighed, sipping his drink. "You're a rare woman, Pepper. Tony doesn't know how lucky he is."]
["T-thank you," Pepper stammered.]
[She casually grabbed the newspaper, taking the USB drive with it.]
["Well, I should go."]
[Just as she turned to leave, Obadiah suddenly looked out the window.]
[Then, in an offhand tone, he asked—
"Is that today's newspaper, Pepper?"]
[Pepper froze mid-step.]
...
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