Chapter: 363
"Roar——!"
After the regenerative serum entered Captain's body, it quickly took effect. Dense green scales grew on his body, a thick tail gradually formed behind him, and he now looked like a giant lizard.
However, even Captain's strong will couldn't suppress the biological instinctive changes brought about at the genetic level. He began to transform like the other lizard people, becoming savage and bloodthirsty.
He roared in anger, attempting to break free from the restraints on his body. Unfortunately, Mark had prepared thoroughly this time.
Apart from allowing Captain to have his head exposed for breathing, he had used ropes woven from graphene fibers with a diameter of one centimeter to tightly bind him below the neck, securely immobilizing him.
Compared to the restraints used on Green Goblin before, this time it was truly airtight. Yet, Mark now regretted not gagging Captain's mouth earlier because that earlier roar not only hurt Mark's eardrums but also sprayed saliva all over his face, leaving him in a sticky state.
"Now it's up to you, old man. I need to take a good bath. Who knows how long it's been since Captain last brushed his teeth..."
Tony didn't react to Mark's words. At this moment, Tony frowned with a serious expression. Even to those who were closest to him, it was difficult to see him wearing such an expression.
Mark noticed Tony's tense state and refrained from saying anything more. He silently left the laboratory.
Since Captain entrusted Tony and handed over the entire experimental process to him, Mark had no way to ease Tony's current stress. All he could do was hold onto the same trust and support, praying that this experiment would succeed.
After taking a shower, Mark joined the other Avengers outside the laboratory, waiting for the final results of the experiment. This time, he experienced the agony of being kept outside, unaware of the progress of the experiment, just like the others.
However, the most concerned among the group weren't Mark, but Falcon and Coulson, who were fans of Captain. This was evident from their pacing in front of the laboratory door.
It wasn't clear how much time had passed, but after what felt like an eternity to everyone, the laboratory doors finally opened.
As before, two figures emerged from the door, only this time, the other person changed from Mark to Captain.
"!"
Seeing two people appearing simultaneously in front of them, everyone knew that the experiment had succeeded.
Tony didn't keep anyone in suspense and directly announced to the group, "The experiment was successful. The serum's reversal effect is very good.
After being injected into the lizard person's body, the effects took place very rapidly. In less than three minutes, Captain's appearance returned to normal from that of a lizard person.
Five minutes after the injection, rationality completely returned to a normal state, and he can independently control his emotions."
"Since you guys were done in five minutes, why did it take so long for you to come out? It's been nearly half an hour!"
Upon hearing that the entire treatment experiment only took five minutes, Rhodes immediately complained. It ended in five minutes and they made them suffer outside for almost half an hour; no wonder Rhodes was unhappy.
"The treatment was done, but I still need to test the final effects of the reversal serum, right? In the time that follows, I've collected some blood and tissue samples from Captain.
After identification with the testing equipment, it was confirmed that both the genetic-level mutations and the residual amount of regenerative serum in the blood have met the compliance standards. Only then did I dare to come out and deliver this good news to you.
Otherwise, I could have announced the new information first. If problems arose later, then it would be false news.
And this time, the treatment I used was injection therapy, which might not be universally applicable to the current widespread mutations in Europe.
Next, we still need to test the effectiveness of the aerosol inhalation therapy.
If the results still meet expectations, then we can truly apply the reversal serum on a large scale in this incident.
Otherwise, further optimization and enhancement of the reversal serum's efficacy would be necessary."
"Well, what are we waiting for? Hurry up and perform the testing!" Rhodes stepped forward and pulled Captain out, then pushed Tony and Mark back into the lab.
"You two just stay here. Get ready for the aerosol inhalation therapy test. I'll bring those two lizard folks over!"
After saying that, Rhodes hastily left with Falcon to bring Lizard Doctor and Lizard Bucky to the lab.
"Wait!" Seeing Rhodes about to bring Lizard Doctor and Lizard Bucky into the lab, Mark quickly spoke up.
He had always been cautious and hadn't told Tony that the other lizard person was Bucky.
At that time, both Tony and Rhodes weren't present, so it hadn't been revealed through their unspoken understanding.
But if Rhodes brings Lizard Bucky over, once the treatment is successful, it will be impossible to keep this matter a secret.
At that point, Tony and Bucky might end up having a confrontation in their lab, and that's not a scene he wants to witness.
"Uncle Rhodes, let's leave this to Wanda and Pietro. Wanda has telekinetic abilities, and Quicksilver is fast enough to escape if needed. They'll be safer."
"Yes, yes, let us handle it. Safer, safer."
Scarlet Witch immediately understood Mark's implication and quickly chimed in.
Quicksilver was even more straightforward. He simply dashed over with a "whoosh" sound and had already returned Falcon and Rhodes to their original positions.
"Just remember to bring Lizard Doctor over, the other one can stay as a backup." Mark still had some concerns and reminded Quicksilver.
"No problem, leave it to my sister and me. Don't worry." After saying that, Quicksilver picked up Scarlet Witch and vanished.
...
"Baymax, administer the antidote for the sedative to him. After he's fully awake, release the aerosolized reversal serum into the airtight chamber."
"Don't forget one important thing, start with a low concentration of the aerosol and gradually increase it. We need to determine how much dosage will be required if the reversal serum is ultimately applied on a large scale in Europe." Tony stood beside Mark and reminded him.
"Okay. Baymax, follow what Dad said."
"Understood, Master."
Everything was ready, and from here on, they could entrust Baymax with the entire automated operation and supervision. They didn't need to invest too much of their own effort.
Taking advantage of this moment, Mark turned to Tony and posed a dilemma, "Dad, how do you intend to handle the issue between you and Captain?
This incident has shown that there are certain problems that must be solved by the collective efforts of all members of the Avengers.
As long as both of you haven't given up your roles and responsibilities as Avengers, sooner or later, you'll have to work together and fight alongside each other.
We can't keep relying on situations like this where cooperation is awkward, you don't communicate or work together until a critical moment arrives. Continuing like this, we'll inevitably encounter accidents during missions."
The question Mark raised was very realistic. Even if we don't consider the deep friendship between the two, for the stability of the Avengers and the success rate of their missions, resolving the issues between them is indeed a crucial matter.
"Then one of us should leave the Avengers. I'm willing to be the one to leave. If there are situations in the future where you need my help, I can provide support as an outsider... Is that not a good solution?"
"Dad, please don't say things like that! I'm having a serious discussion with you about this issue."
"I'm also seriously answering your question and not just speaking out of anger. After all, who between us has done something wrong?
No one!
I want revenge against Winter Soldier Bucky to seek justice for my parents. Is that wrong?
But Captain America wants to protect his best friend, a comrade-in-arms. Is that wrong either?
The problem is that the friend he wants to protect and the person I want to take revenge on are the same. Unless one of us is willing to compromise and back down, this issue can't be fundamentally resolved.
That's why I said I'm willing to leave the Avengers. This way, it's the best choice for both him and me, as well as for the whole team. It avoids division and conflicts.
And Pepper and I broke up. I haven't told you about this matter all this time, nor have I told anyone else.
There are people in the world who need the help of superheroes every moment. Iron Man can't help everyone.
I've been doing my best to play the role of Iron Man, but unintentionally, I neglected Pepper's feelings and lacked care and companionship for her.
So, that is why I wanted to create Ultron and agreed to sign the "Seoul Accords."
There are many superheroes in the world: you, Captain, Natasha, and the new generation like Pete and Wanda.
But for Pepper, there's only one Tony Stark. It's also time for me to give her an explanation.
This time, it's an opportunity for me. Leaving the Avengers would allow me to spend more time on my relationship with Pepper."
"What?! Dad, you're really disappointing!
I've gone this far to help you and Aunt Pepper, and now you're letting her slip away?"
Mark looked at Tony in shock and asked.
Tony hadn't expected Mark's focus to be on this matter rather than his decision to leave the Avengers.
Being questioned by Mark, Tony also felt a bit embarrassed.
It was true that Mark had helped facilitate Tony's pursuit of Pepper in the first place, and now that he had messed things up, it was somewhat embarrassing.
"Alright, if you want to leave, just leave. I'll handle the Avengers' affairs, considering it as passing down the family business.
However, if you fail to win Aunt Pepper back, I won't let you off easily!
I'll expose your impotence issue and all the ugly things from the past. I'll make sure you can't hold your head up in public again."
*Cough cough cough!* "You... you're too harsh! Right now, let's focus on the matter of the reversal serum.
I'll devote all my energy to dealing with Pepper's issue after this incident ends."
"Hmph! Don't think you can divert the topic and placate me. If you don't meet my requirements, just wait and see!"
"..."
Just as Tony didn't know how to respond to Mark, the savior, Baymax, suddenly descended from the sky, "Master, the experimental results are in. The aerosolized reversal serum achieves the same effect as the injection therapy.
When the aerosol concentration reaches 0.02 milligrams per cubic meter, the reversal serum starts to take effect. At a concentration of 0.1 milligrams per cubic meter, optimal therapeutic results can be achieved.
It's estimated that at this concentration, from the moment the serum takes effect to complete recovery, it would take approximately twelve minutes, meeting the standards for large-scale treatment application."
"So, to completely resolve the issues in the European continent, how much reversal serum do we need to prepare?"
"Conservatively, we would need 5,000 liters of concentrated serum with an effective ingredient concentration of 95%. Given the current equipment capacity in the laboratory, it would take around 100 hours to complete the preparation."
"That's too long. Preparing under the lab's conditions won't work. We don't have that much time to waste." Hearing Baymax's response, Tony shook his head and directly denied the approach.
"It's a pity Stark Industries doesn't have any pharmaceutical-related businesses; otherwise, things would be much simpler."
Suddenly, it seemed Mark had thought of something. Looking at Dr. Curt Connors before him, who had already returned to his original appearance, he revealed a mysterious smile.
"Perhaps things aren't as complicated as we imagine."
"What do you mean?" Tony asked, puzzled.
"Just because Stark Industries lacks biopharmaceutical equipment doesn't mean other companies do. I believe for the world's largest pharmaceutical company, Osborn Group, a capacity of a mere 5,000 liters shouldn't be a problem.
Moreover, since this trouble was caused by their company's founder, we can't just clean up after them. It's time for Osborn Group to pay a price too!"
"So what are we waiting for? Quickly gather all the experimental data for the reversal serum and approach the Osborn Group!"
"Not so fast. Handling this ourselves might not necessarily yield results. Professional matters should be left to professionals. And who's more professional at coercion and pressure than government agencies?
Baymax, summon Coulson for me, and let him know that I have an urgent task for him to complete."
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