29: The final stubbornness in Tony’s heart

"Perhaps it was for a girl, sir," Jarvis replied thoughtfully.

"For a girl, huh? That explains it. The kid has the same gentlemanly charm as I do, treating all girls..." Tony trailed off, suddenly realizing something. "Wait, did you say a girl?"

"Could it be that one of his ex-girlfriends was kidnapped by the US military? Or maybe a girl he met locally was being bullied by them?" Tony's interest was piqued.

"She's a local girl. You could say she was indeed bullied by the weapons the military released, sir," Jarvis responded truthfully.

"Wow, now this is a big scoop. Tell me about this girl. I'll share it with Pepper when I get back." The gossip-loving side of him was starting to emerge.

"I'm searching for the information now... Shafiqa Mazari, seven years old, born in Kabul, Afghanistan..."

"Wait, what? Seven years old?" Tony's eyes widened.

"Yes, seven years old. Is there a problem, sir?"

Tony was silent for a moment. "Did you not tell Lyon that he's committing a crime?"

"Sir, while Master Lyon did kill two terrorists while helping the Mazari family escape the harassment of the Ten Rings, that would be - according to the Stark family's morals - considered as an act of bravery, not a crime."

"Oh? So you're saying he didn't... um, I mean, he felt compassion for this girl, and that's why he attacked the military base?"

Tony felt a twinge of shame, embarrassed by the unsavory thoughts that had momentarily crossed his mind.

After spending so much time in the limelight, it seems like everything has taken on a certain hue. How did it come to this? Looks like it's time to quit drinking and gambling!

"Is that so? Do you have a different interpretation?" Jarvis asked, puzzled.

"Ahem, actually, I agree with you. Enough about that, Jarvis. Help me navigate to Lyon's current location," Tony changed the subject.

"Apologies, sir, but Master Lyon's current speed exceeds Mach 20, making it difficult to pinpoint his location."

"He's in that much of a hurry? Then navigate to where he's headed."

"Understood, sir."

A few minutes later, Tony Stark arrived over a base.

He looked down at the ruins below, covered in a layer of frost, and the large group of soldiers huddled under wool blankets, shivering and waiting for rescue. He was silent for a moment.

"Jarvis, you said Lyon was here?"

"Sir, this was Master Lyon's destination a few minutes ago. He left three minutes ago."

Tony grumbled, "You should've told me sooner."

"Now let's head to his next destination... no, his final destination!"

Tony gritted his teeth. "Looks like he's planning to take out all the bases directly. We'll have to get there before him and deal with his target!"

No need to think; Tony could already guess Lyon's plan.

—To destroy all of the US military bases in Asia!

Even if he didn't kill a single soldier, destroying all the bases that the govt. spent years building would force them to retreat, whether they wanted to or not.

This plan aligned perfectly with Tony's own thoughts. However, his original plan was just to destroy the weapons and ammunition in the military bases. Compared to Lyon's approach of uprooting everything, Tony's plan seemed a bit insignificant.

"Sir, I'll navigate for you, but you seem a bit unhappy?" Jarvis inquired.

It could analyze Tony's emotions based on his tone and expression but was puzzled.

"Master Lyon eliminated all of the Ten Rings' bases to avenge you, and by destroying the bases with big-wigs related to Hydra, he indirectly stood up for you. Shouldn't that be a good thing?"

"Of course, it's great, it's incredibly touching!" Tony felt a tightness in his chest. "But it also makes me feel stifled, Jarvis. Do you know what 'stifled' means? Hmm? Analyze that."

"'Stifled' refers to the negative emotions experienced when encountering unfavorable situations, with no way to express or release those feelings."

"Exactly! That's it! Lyon isn't leaving a single enemy for me, and that's what's making me feel stifled!" Tony suddenly raised his voice. "Don't you feel like he's treating me like a little kid?"

"I'm not sure I understand. Legally speaking, you are Master Lyon's older brother..."

"That's the problem! I should be the one protecting him, I should be the one doing these things!"

Tony cracked his neck. "Speed up, Jarvis. We have to reach the last military base before Lyon does!"

"Yes, sir!"

...

Although Tony's intentions were admirable, with a strong will to protect his dignity as an older brother and plenty of motivation, unfortunately...

When he arrived at the last US base, all he saw was another frozen wasteland.

All the battle plans in Tony's head and the fighting spirit in his chest instantly cooled, even more than the shivering soldiers below.

"Jarvis, where is he?" Tony asked, dazed.

"He's above you, sir."

"Hmm? Above me?" Tony perked up and looked up to see Lyon descending with his cape fluttering.

"Tony, you finally made it," Lyon teased as soon as he saw him. "I was beginning to think you'd wait until I took a nap before showing up."

Tony was furious. "Don't talk about anything related to sleep! Like, are you kidding me? I was dragged out of bed by Jarvis and rushed over here, only to find you charging ahead like a freight train, not leaving a single enemy for me!"

Lyon shrugged. "I had Jarvis pass the message to you: if you want revenge, head west. There are plenty of Ten Rings members waiting there."

"How is that the same?" Tony fumed.

"What's the difference?" Lyon said indifferently. "They're all Ten Rings scum. They don't have 'ABC' carved on their foreheads—it's the same evil, no matter where you go."

As he spoke, Lyon glanced at the Super Mark 1 armor that Jarvis was controlling nearby.

"But I can see you're serious this time. You even brought my suit. Planning for a long battle?"

"You mean a battle where the enemies are either dead or shivering in the cold?" Tony said, flames bursting from his feet. "Listen, I'm heading west now. The Ten Rings over there are all mine."

Even though Lyon had already cleaned up Afghanistan, Tony still wanted to do something.

The damage he unknowingly caused to the world was irreversible, but he still wanted to do whatever he could to make amends.

Even if, to others, it seemed like he was only trying to comfort himself or ease his guilt.

"Alright, I'll leave everything over there to you, and I won't interfere for now!" Lyon checked the time. "But keep an eye on the clock, Tony. I'll be home preparing lunch, waiting for you to return."

"You might want to prepare dinner instead!" Tony replied, suggesting he could fight the Ten Rings all day.

Lyon shrugged, about to say something more when he suddenly looked up at the sky.

His gaze pierced through the clouds, spotting a large group of satellites moving overhead, hundreds of kilometers away.

"They tracked me pretty quickly," he remarked with a sigh.

He then shouted to Tony, "Tony, my Superman identity has caught the attention of various countries. For now, make sure not to interact with me while I'm in costume to avoid suspicion!"

Already flying westward, Tony waved his hand backward to indicate that he got the message.

________

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