Interception

The hospital seemed very different today.

Tony parked the car and didn't see a single person all the way to Yinsen's room.

There were no patients, no family members, not even any doctors.

"Did you guys book the whole hospital? I like that style."

Now that he had recovered his spirits, Tony started rambling again.

"But what's with there not being any doctors either?"

"I'm enough."

Oaks shrugged, though Coulson's handling of the matter also gave him a headache.

"Agent Coulson, isn't this a little excessive? I thought you'd at most move the patients into special wards."

"The relationship between Dr. Yinsen and Mr. Stark isn't suitable for public exposure for the time being."

Coulson spread his hands innocently.

"You instructed us to do this, Consultant Oaks. Besides, the hospital is upgrading this building's fire safety system. The doctors and patients are in the other ward building."

"All right. In any case, let's make this quick. You have experience handling this kind of thing, so I won't say more."

The three entered the room. Looking at Dr. Yinsen lying quietly in the hospital bed, Tony sighed softly.

"It's up to you, Oaks. I promised him he'd see how I put this life of mine to good use."

"Don't worry."

After patting Tony's shoulder, Oaks went to Dr. Yinsen's bedside, took a deep breath, and raised both hands, each of them glowing with emerald-green light.

In an instant, the entire room filled with the scent of nature—Tony and Coulson almost thought they had arrived in a forest park.

The green light seemed to take the shape of phantom leaves, swirling around Dr. Yinsen. At the same time, grass and flowers actually began blooming across the bed!

Triple combo... no, Three Flowers Gather at the Crown.

Healing, Rejuvenation, and Life Bloom.

However, he had used a little too much force, and Oaks had also unleashed Hundred Flowers Bloom, a multi-target healing spell. Glimmering healing flowers carpeted the entire room.

"That's way too dazzling."

Tony's lips curled upward, but he covered his face with one hand.

"There should've been a beautiful woman lying there. Then, when she woke up, she could see the flowers offered by Prince Charming himself...

Instead, there's an old man slowly waking up in a bed of flowers. And he's bald."

"..."

Coulson rubbed his nose and said nothing.

Though he thought the same thing, he knew the consultant was somewhat petty—the kind of person who didn't even give Director Fury any face.

Better not provoke him.

But this spectacle was supposed to be an experimental accident? Who the hell would believe that?

Calling it magic would be more convincing!

This senior agent had seen plenty and wasn't incapable of accepting unusual circumstances...

If he had known Oaks was this capable, why the hell had they gone through all that trouble with the Tahiti Project?!

Those goddamn Kree should have been tossed into an incinerator and burned to ashes. Earth had no shortage of extraordinary people!

"Oh... hearing your voice again, only for you to complain about my baldness... How regrettable, Stark."

Nourished by natural energy, all the lingering injuries Dr. Yinsen had suffered from his delayed treatment were thoroughly and unreasonably healed. At last, he opened his eyes.

Such injuries couldn't be treated with brutal methods; they could only be addressed gradually. And Druids... excelled at precisely this kind of treatment.

Of course, Oaks could have used a single Healing Touch to restore Yinsen's body to its peak condition, but excessive vitality might instead interfere with the natural recovery of his consciousness.

If he had to beat Yinsen awake afterward, it would be rather unsightly.

"Welcome back, Yinsen."

Tony stepped up to the bed and gave the rosy-cheeked Yinsen a huge hug.

"And call me Tony."

"All right, Tony... but can someone explain what's going on?"

Yinsen jumped out of bed, moved his body around, and stared in astonishment.

"I feel even better than before I was injured. Does growing flowers in a hospital room have this kind of effect?"

"Let me introduce you. This is Oaks Lin, a... biologist."

Tony introduced Oaks and Yinsen to each other before remembering Coulson, who had been quietly standing to one side.

"You want to know how we escaped. I can't tell you yet, but I will when the time is right. And please don't try to get information from Yinsen."

"Of course, Mr. Stark."

Coulson nodded helplessly.

"The consultant has already reminded me. We're very patient... but I hope that day won't be too far away. After all, the news that Dr. Yinsen has awakened can't be concealed for long."

"...I understand."

Tony thought seriously for a while. He understood Coulson's implication. In fact, Tony had initially considered finding other people to work with on the armor.

But after Colonel Rhodes rejected him before he could even finish voicing the idea, Tony had decided to complete it himself—though Yinsen's awakening was an exception.

Strictly speaking, that armor belonged to both of them. Yinsen had given it a reason to be born, as well as the mission it was meant to fulfill.

"Yinsen, come help me, like before."

Tony looked earnestly at the physicist, who had finally accepted that he had been saved by unbelievable "biotechnology."

"Uh..."

Before Yinsen could speak, Oaks waved a hand.

"Tony, you're rushing things. Dr. Yinsen has only just awakened. If he doesn't want any lasting complications, he still needs to rest and recover properly.

I suggest that Dr. Yinsen recuperate at my place for a while. You too, Tony."

"I... I won't go. Let Yinsen recuperate. Yes, you really should rest properly. Sorry, I was being too presumptuous."

Tony came to his senses. Oaks was right, but that meant he would have to finish developing the armor alone.

"Listen, Tony."

With a slight nod to Yinsen and Coulson, Oaks pulled Tony out the door.

"I know you're trying to resolve Stark Industries' current predicament, and I firmly believe you can do it.

But the problem now is that most people at Stark Industries no longer trust you—

Can you believe Obadiah actually showed up at a Benevolence Society event and never even considered bringing you along? You're a shareholder of the Benevolence Society."

"I still stand by what I'm doing, and I'll never regret it."

Tony snorted, utterly unconcerned.

"I'll make every last one of them shut up with my actions. Stark doesn't only make explosions."

"Of course. You're a genius."

Oaks smiled and casually glanced at the Reactor in Tony's chest.

"It's just a shame I can't help much. It's outside my field..."

"No, man, you've already helped me a lot."

Tony smiled, something he had rarely done since returning from Afghanistan.

"With your bracelet, I can speed up development by thirty percent.

And now that Yinsen's awake, I think I can finish it in half the original time—

But could you make this bracelet smaller? It gets in the way. A necklace would work too."

"..."

Oaks' mouth twitched. Then he rubbed his chin.

"That's not impossible... but it'll take some time. Also, I want to stress this: don't let Yinsen have too much contact with you for now—

You're Stark, but he isn't. Until you truly have the strength to strike back at every enemy, the lower his profile, the better. Understand?"

"...Got it. Then I'm counting on you."

"Don't worry."