Aftermath of the Iron Monger

In the end, Tony chose to meet Coulson in the living room out of curiosity. Just what kind of organization could make Fanny reluctant to come into contact with?

"Hello, Mr. Stark. I am Phil Coulson. We met last time."

Coulson smiled, extending his hand. He was honestly a little surprised that Tony would meet him. He just thought to check on Tony for formality's sake, but Tony actually came out and met him directly.

"Yes, what's the matter?"

Tony didn't shake Coulson's hand and went straight to the table, putting some snacks into his mouth. He must admit he missed the Sumire Karaage Rolls a little.

Coulson naturally retracted his hand and put his kind face on full strength. "I wish to know your and Miss Potts' itinerary for the last afternoon."

Tony turned around and looked at Coulson, "Why would we have to report our life to you?"

"Of course, you don't have to." Coulson maintained his smile. "I was curious about how Mr. Stark suddenly disappeared from our surveillance."

"Maybe your subordinates were just too tired,"

Tony said with a perfect poker face. He took a sip of his tea.

"Well, it seems that I would have to scold them when I return," Coulson replied, similarly nonchalant. He followed Tony's example and sat on the sofa. He sighed, "Mr. Stark, we have gained some lead on the people who kidnapped you."

"Well, I've found their murderer." Tony looked straight at Coulson. "Hurry up and get to the point. Talking with a man in the middle of the night isn't my hobby."

"Who is the man in the silver armor?"

Coulson bluntly asked. He felt Tony would kick him out if he insisted on more chit-chat.

"He doesn't want to see you

," Tony answered honestly without betraying Fanny. They would hound him forever if he didn't throw them some bones.

"Are you the red-gold robot that was fighting the giant robot in the news?"

"It's not a robot!"

Tony corrected him in irritation. "That's my Mark II armor."

"So that giant is Mark 1?" Coulson asked curiously.

Tony did not know what name Obadiah had given to the Iron Monger. After hesitating for a moment, he shook his head and said, "It was a modified version of the Mark I."

"Did Obadiah Stane pilot it?"

Coulson's grin stretched to his eyes, overjoyed at Tony's cooperation. He wasted no time confirming all the uncertain factors.

"I didn't expect you to investigate that far already. Yes, he kidnapped me, and now he tried to steal my tech." Obadiah had taken the critical evidence that Pepper had obtained, but he was now buried under the avalanche. They have all the time in the world to get that evidence again.

"Where did you go after the battle?"

"Snowy mountain!"

"Where is Obadiah Stane?"

"He was buried by an avalanche. Perhaps he is already dead."

"Are you really unable to reveal the identity of the silver armor?"

Coulson asked again. He had already guessed Tony and Obadiah's identity, but there was no information at all about the mysterious person behind that silver armor.

He was only certain that Tony's sudden disappearance and reappearance were related to that person.

"That's on him to decide."

Tony stretched his body and stood up. He said to Coulson, "If he wants to see you, I will give you a call. If there is nothing else, I need to rest."

"Thank you for your cooperation!"

Coulson smiled in understanding. He was satisfied with the information Tony had confirmed for him but was also disappointed that he couldn't get any new clues about Fanny.

"Right

," Coulson recalled something just as he was about to leave. "We will hold a press conference about the news for you tomorrow. You'll just have to read the script we prepared."

Tony watched Coulson leave with complicated emotions. He sighed and returned to work in his workshop. Obadiah had taken his miniaturized ark reactor, forcing him to use the old prototype. He needed to quickly build a new one.

Coulson reported to Nick Fury after leaving Tony's house.

"Sir, Tony has admitted that he was one of the combat robots. He called his equipment the Mark II, while the other was a modified version of Mark I built by Obadiah Stane. Obadiah was also the mastermind behind Tony's kidnapping, and the reason for the battle seems to be the acquisition of Tony's technology."

"About the person in silver armor, Tony's tone and attitude suggested that they hadn't known each other for long. This person seems to be aware of us and wishes to stay outside our radar."

"I have judged that it would not be productive to come into conflict with Tony Stark, so I did not press him further. As long as we keep watching Tony, we will eventually discover the identity behind the silver armor. In addition, I suggest to arrange a press conference for Tony, so we can suppress the influence of this event as soon as possible."

There was a long silence on the other side of the line, and Nick Fury's voice came faintly, "I understand. Keep close attention and don't take drastic actions. Report to me if anything happens."

Coulson breathed a sigh of relief. He had advised based on what he judged as the best option, but nobody knew whether his hot-tempered superior would approve of his judgment.

"But you still have to find out about that silver armor."

Nick Fury hung up the phone, and Coulson sighed. He would have to continue investigating through Pepper, after all.

The next day, everyone was looking forward to Tony's press conference regarding the battle within the Stark Industry complex last night.

But nobody could find him.

"Are you sure he never left the place?"

Coulson was holding the cover story he had spent the night writing when he questioned his subordinates. No calls could go through to Tony's number, and nobody responded when the agents visited his house.

"I am certain." The subordinate promised. They had been watching the door without a blink of sleep after getting blindsided last time. The thick dark circles under their eyes proved that they weren't lying.

"Okay, I understand." Coulson nodded and let his subordinates leave. He hesitated while looking at the door... but he finally decided against breaking his way in. Instead, he dialed Pepper's number again.

...

Tony had received Jarvis' report that Coulson was calling his phone, but he was too lazy to pick it up. Besides, he was not home.

"Are you sure he was right here?" Fanny asked Tony doubtfully. He was floating in the air while wearing 'Demon Armor Incursio' over the site of their battle yesterday.

"Kid, who do you think I am? I am Tony Stark! Trust in my skill!" Tony said, irritated. "Hurry up and dig. I really don't want to stay here any longer."

The two of them were preparing to retrieve the remains of the Iron Monger. They had determined the suit's final location after getting dragged by the avalanche through Tony's sensors.

Now, it was finally time to confirm whether Obadiah was dead or alive.