บท 22: Chapter 22: Iron Man in the Basement
(Vote plz....)
"Already looking for me, Ancient One? Quite fast." When Li Cheng learned from the system that the Ancient One was searching for him, he remained calm and composed, just like an old dog.
Because the system had informed him long ago that it would shield all inquiries. Whether it was the Ancient One, the TVA, or any other powerful being, none of them would be able to find Li Cheng.
Although he possessed the consciousness of Uncle Punishment and the body of Captain America, Li Cheng continued to work diligently without displaying any abnormalities.
In the eyes of his colleagues and family, he was still the young man who seemed strong but was somewhat shy and reserved, not much of a talker.
"I'm really looking forward to the next answering session." This was Li Cheng's biggest anticipation every day, aside from work and life.
Of course, he also kept a close eye on the news, whether a certain frozen veteran had been thawed out, whether the hammer of a certain electrically vulnerable Thunder God had struck the earth's flowers and plants, or whether a certain playboy billionaire had caused any more trouble. He was highly interested in all of it.
Bored, he turned on the TV, and to his surprise, he saw the figure of Tony Stark on the screen, immediately piquing his interest.
"Stark, do you possess a special weapon?" asked a plump senator.
"No, I don't," Tony Stark replied into the microphone, denying it outright. "I don't!"
"You don't?" the senator questioned.
"Indeed, I don't," Tony Stark paused and then amended, "Well, it depends on how you define 'weapon.'"
"I consider Iron Man as a weapon," the senator stated.
"My inventions are not weapons," Tony Stark asserted.
"Then how would you describe it?" the senator asked.
"It is what it is, Senator," Tony Stark replied.
"What is it then?" The senator leaned forward.
"It's an advanced high-tech prosthesis. That's the best description I can think of," Tony Stark gave an answer that caused laughter throughout the room.
The senator, of course, refused to give up and continued to try to make Tony Stark hand over Iron Man. But Tony Stark's eloquence was beyond what any senator could match, and he was able to defeat his opponents in the exchange.
Even when the senator brought in Justin Hammer, the defense contractor, Tony Stark still managed to defeat him with just a few punches and kicks.
"I can prevent nuclear weapons from being used as threats. Iron Man is very useful. We are safe, America is safe, and I alone can maintain world peace!" The hearing ended with Tony Stark's arrogant declaration.
Iron Man on the TV appeared heroic and passionate, but Li Cheng, sitting in front of the TV, could feel the tremendous burden that Tony Stark carried.
One person maintaining world peace? That was just something said to satisfy those pigheaded politicians. After learning about the Chitauri and Loki, Tony Stark had long realized his own insignificance.
Watching Tony Stark's admirable display on the screen was not only Li Cheng, but also a muscular man with long hair, Ivan Vanko.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Ivan Vanko held a toothpick in his mouth and swung his hammer fiercely, striking a glowing red piece of metal.
"That should be you."
"I'm sorry, all I can offer you is my knowledge."
The thought of his father dying in front of him made Ivan Vanko wish he could tear Tony Stark into pieces.
"Tony Stark, you thief! When I finish building my device, it will be the end of you!" Glancing at the radiant figure of Tony Stark on the TV screen, Ivan's eyes burned with hatred.
But whether it was Li Cheng or Ivan Vanko, Tony Stark had no idea that he was hiding in the basement.
Tony Stark sat in a chair, with a pile of complex holographic images floating in front of him, along with various data and graphs. To an ordinary person, it would be overwhelming, but Tony Stark glanced at it without any secrets.
"The person who designed this hoverboard has some clever ideas." Tony Stark reached out and held a small holographic module in his hand. The technology behind the hoverboard wasn't particularly advanced, but there were some clever design elements that impressed him.
Clank, clank, clank~
The sound of small footsteps echoed, and Tony Stark didn't even turn his head. He knew that there was only one person who would come down at this time, Pepper Potts.
"Tony, you're here again!" Pepper Potts hurriedly approached, holding some food and drinks in her hands.
"Isn't that a good thing? You can find me anytime." Tony Stark put the holographic module back and picked up another one, examining it closely.
"This meeting is very important, and you didn't show up..." Pepper Potts complained.
"But you're here, right?" Tony Stark turned around, looking at Pepper Potts, and a rare hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes. "With you here, I have nothing to worry about."
"But I'm worried. Do you know that you haven't been involved in the company for a long time? The shareholders are very unhappy with you."
"Let you handle these trivial matters."
"Trivial matters?" Pepper Potts was speechless. "Tony, if you keep going like this, you might be fired from your own company, just like Steve Jobs."
"How am I like Steve Jobs?" Tony Stark said, "I'm much more handsome than him, and more talented."
"Tony..." Pepper Potts shook her head and handed him the food. "You haven't been up there for a week. Since the hearing, you've been obsessed. Tell me, how long have you been sleep-deprived?"
"Pepper, during this time, I've been fighting criminals. My Iron Man suit is invincible. I've become an idol to countless people, and I thought I finally made the world a better place." Tony Stark was truly hungry and quickly devoured a sandwich. "But then I realized that the world isn't better! No, it is, but that beauty is fleeting, like a flash in the pan."
"Tony, do you have a fever?" Pepper Potts thought Tony Stark had been pushing himself too hard and was getting sick. She reached out to touch his forehead. "You can't stay down here anymore. Go take a shower and get some rest."
"No, I can't rest, Pepper. There's no time left."
"Tony, what are you thinking again?"
"Pepper, this world is about to face a greater threat, a more powerful enemy is coming. When that time comes, it will be a real catastrophe. Compared to the criminals I'm fighting now and the impending enemy, they are nothing."
"There's no greater enemy, and you've already reclaimed all your weapons. Even if something does happen, it's not your responsibility anymore."
"No, Pepper, it is my responsibility!" Tony Stark said firmly, "
When the catastrophe comes, if people like me who have the ability to stand up don't do it, then who will? Should we let your beautiful hands pick up the guns? No, your hands were not made for holding guns!"
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check out my other projects too:
-Sailing with Whitebeard: Starting with a Question
-The day of studying in Hogwarts
Join my P@treon young_sunlight to read advanced chapters of these chapters
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(End of Chapter)
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