112: Kamar-Taj’s Welcome

Fury already had a thorough understanding of Tony's past and found nothing particularly suspicious.

Even after returning from Afghanistan, Tony had made significant improvements to his previously problematic behavior.

It seemed that he now had a mindset capable of bearing the responsibilities of S.H.I.E.L.D.

The only concern left was that this guy might flirt with every female agent in the organization.

After all, just look at this background investigation report.

The worst thing Tony Stark had ever voluntarily done was hosting weeks of wild parties.

This particular entry in the report was dismissed with a trivial comment by the council, labeling it "frivolous."

However, in Nick Fury's view, this wasn't much of a problem at all.

Fury lazily flipped through the report in his hands, using it to pass the dull time during his confinement.

"Look at this — he once spent a million dollars to convince his brother's first girlfriend to leave him. Oh, our Iron Kid is quite the traditionalist parent!"

"And here… all these things he's done for his brother Lyon?"

"If Lyon wanted to start a company, Tony would invent things and give him money. If Lyon only got average grades, Tony secretly donated money to top universities nationwide. When Lyon wanted to fly to the skies, Tony personally built a spacecraft… I want a rich brother like this too."

Nick Fury swayed his head slightly as he read through the file.

Suddenly, his casual tone stopped, and for some reason, he slowly straightened his posture.

"Spacecraft…" Fury's gaze froze on the line mentioning the spacecraft.

He quickly flipped further through the document.

Then his eyes landed on one marked entry: "At the end of 2007, Lyon Stark ascended into space aboard the spacecraft."

However, as he continued flipping—even to the very last page—there was no record of the spacecraft's return.

It was impossible for the council to have overlooked such a detail during their background investigation.

This meant that the spacecraft, which had launched into space six months ago, had yet to return to Earth.

"Coulson! We all saw Lyon Stark about a month ago, didn't we?" Fury suddenly shouted towards the upper level.

The steady drumming sounds from above abruptly stopped.

Coulson replied, "That's correct, sir. The day Tony Stark publicly announced himself as Iron Man, we all met his brother Lyon. You were even thrown out of his villa by him."

"Quite a memorable experience," Nick Fury muttered as he lowered his gaze, tapping his index finger on Lyon's photo in the file.

"Now I understand why the council insisted I review this report."

"So, you're actually Superman, Lyon Stark... What a truth to make people sigh in relief."

The spacecraft was still drifting in space, yet he had already returned to Earth.

The timeline of his reappearance six months later coincided with the emergence of Superman.

Tony Stark had also shown a stance during the hearings that hinted at knowing Superman.

With all these clues laid out, no matter how unbelievable it seemed, the truth could now be pieced together.

Nick Fury paced back and forth in the room.

"Iron Man, M.I.B., Superman… these three seemingly separate forces that suddenly surfaced turn out to be one and the same."

"Could HYDRA's exposure also be their doing?"

"What's their objective in all this? Perhaps it has something to do with Howard Stark."

Nick Fury sat back in his chair, his gaze falling on Lyon's photo. "Well, at least we now know Superman's identity, and… we can tentatively trust them."

"Maybe we could bring the two Stark brothers into the Avengers—wait a damn second! Tony Stark has already renamed S.H.I.E.L.D. as the Avengers Initiative!"

Fury suddenly remembered that the Avengers Initiative, something he'd been eagerly planning, had already become Tony's project.

For a moment, he was so frustrated he nearly stomped his feet.

After calming down, his expression grew thoughtful as he realized something.

The Stark brothers had already seized the greatest power and the most significant authority on Earth.

They were now beyond anyone's control.

And among them, Tony had even been placed in his current position by Nick Fury himself.

This realization made Fury's mood suddenly chaotic.

"Perhaps once my confinement ends, it's time I visit S.W.O.R.D. and have a good talk with Rambeau," he muttered to himself.

…

The day after defeating the Ten Rings organization.

Tony was busy researching clean energy, upgrading his fortress, and assembling the Avengers Initiative.

Meanwhile, Lyon had already packed his bags and boarded a flight to Nepal.

The ultimate goal of this journey was to seek training at Kamar-Taj.

Lyon had reason to believe that from the moment he decided to knock on their doors, the Ancient One—possessing the Time Stone—had already foreseen everything.

To demonstrate his sincerity, he didn't even consider visiting the Sanctum in New York's Bleecker Street.

Instead, he chose the longer route, opting to find Kamar-Taj through the most ordinary means.

Taking a plane to Kathmandu to search for Kamar-Taj's headquarters.

In Lyon's plan, he imagined walking every inch of Kathmandu on foot.

It would be like a sightseeing trip.

While searching, he could also visit famous landmarks such as the Pashupatinath Temple and the Boudhanath Stupa.

To prepare, Lyon even asked J.A.R.V.I.S. to create a detailed three-day travel itinerary for him.

However, as soon as Lyon stepped off the plane, a figure in a hooded robe blocked his way outside the airport.

The robed figure placed one hand upright in front of their chest, bowing respectfully.

"Honorable Superman, the Sorcerer Supreme sends her regards. Please follow me. I have arranged for a vehicle to take you to Kamar-Taj."

"Huh? Oh, uh, alright, sure," Lyon stammered, still processing the situation as he followed the robed figure to the car.

"I am Karl Mordo. You may simply call me Mordo, Mr. Superman. You've just gotten off a flight, so feel free to rest for a bit—we'll arrive shortly."

"Ah, okay, thank you for your trouble," Lyon replied, watching the changing scenery outside the window.

The view shifted from the outskirts to the bustling city and then to the ancient temple district.

Lyon was caught off guard.

The three-day travel plan he had meticulously prepared seemed to have ended before it even began.

The Kamar-Taj he thought he would struggle to find had instead sent someone directly to the airport to meet him, offering a warm and respectful reception.

A few minutes later.

Mordo stopped the car at a street corner and, to Lyon's surprise, jogged around to open the car door for him.

"..."

He took Lyon's luggage with both hands and led the way, explaining that the Sanctum's location wasn't convenient for parking, so they would have to walk the rest of the way. He apologized for the inconvenience of making Superman take a few extra steps.

Lyon nodded repeatedly, saying it was no trouble at all.

But he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

He thought to himself: If you went as far as to pick me up from the airport, couldn't you, Mordo, as a great sorcerer, have just opened a portal and dropped me right in front of the Ancient One? Why bother with a car ride and a walk? It's almost like you're adding more ceremony to this than my own planned visit!

Lyon couldn't be blamed for overthinking—everything about this situation was completely contrary to his expectations.

Mordo led him to an old, worn wooden door, pushed it open, and escorted Lyon into the elegant and grand inner sanctum of Kamar-Taj.

Lyon was even more astonished.

As soon as he stepped inside, two female sorcerers kindly stepped forward to help Lyon remove his backpack and outer coat.

Two male sorcerers nervously placed a cushion for him, carefully dusting off imaginary specks of dirt, and gestured politely for him to sit.

"Ehm.."

Feeling slightly awkward, Lyon sat cross-legged on the cushion. The sorcerers then quietly retreated to the corners of the inner sanctum.

"Please, have some tea," came a refined and gentle voice from beside him.

"Oh, thank you," Lyon replied with a polite smile, accepting the tea. He was just about to take a sip and prepare to compliment its quality when he suddenly froze, eyes widening.

"Ancient One!?"

The person kneeling next to him, calmly pouring tea, was none other than the Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One.

"Yes, it is I. Welcome to Kamar-Taj, Mr. Lyon," the Ancient One replied with serene grace, clad in her brown and yellow robes.

Her expression remained composed, yet there was a faint smile at the corners of her lips, exuding the presence of a true master.

__________

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