Stark's Arrogance

"Understood, sir. I guarantee I'll get the job done." Coulson hung up and sat in the car, staring into space.

Just yesterday, the U.S. military had announced that Tony Stark, who had been missing for a long time, was found in a desert in Afghanistan. The news had sent shock waves around the world.

Since Tony Stark had been missing for so long, people had assumed he was already dead. But that wasn't the case at all. He was alive and well, and seemed to have changed.

The day after his rescue, Tony Stark had flown back to the United States on a military plane. This time, the military had been so afraid that Tony might be in danger again that they'd even sent several fighter jets to escort him.

Normally, after being held captive for three months, the first thing Tony should have done upon returning home was go to the hospital or take some time to recover.

But he hadn't. The first thing he wanted to do when he got home was hold a press conference and eat a cheeseburger.

This had caused a huge stir among people from all walks of life. No one knew what the billionaire was up to this time.

Coulson had come to investigate the details of Tony Stark's escape.

More importantly, S.H.I.E.L.D. had uncovered a vital piece of information: the people who had kidnapped Tony seemed to have ties to a senior executive at Stark Industries. If the information was true, Coulson would have to find a way to warn Tony to watch the people around him.

These things sounded easy, but they were anything but.

Tony Stark was Howard Stark's only son. Though exceptionally gifted, he was eccentric and arrogant, and reportedly difficult to get along with. Want to speak to Tony alone?

Sorry, that depended on whether he was in a good mood—or whether some other beautiful woman had caught his eye.

Coulson also had something else troubling him lately: William Lister.

He'd visited a few people with superpowers before, but William was different from all of them. He claimed to come from the future.

Any ordinary person would have thought he was crazy. But after hearing the story of Judgment Day, Coulson had gradually begun to believe that what William said might be true.

That was just the kind of strange organization S.H.I.E.L.D. was. They dealt with all sorts of bizarre things every day.

He'd spent the past few days poring over all kinds of records, trying to find clues. He'd even used S.H.I.E.L.D.'s access to search for information about Overwatch, but he'd found nothing.

Coulson had always thought William's abilities amounted to little more than increased speed and strength. But after investigating for a while, he'd realized it wasn't so simple. William's powers might be even greater than he'd imagined.

As he was lost in thought, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom slowly drove toward him. Coulson couldn't help looking over. Through the window, he saw a man with a battered face happily munching on a hamburger.

"Tony Stark!"

"He's back!"

The people gathered at the entrance to the press conference cheered and applauded Tony's return.

A middle-aged man wearing sunglasses opened the car door for him. The man was dressed in a suit, broad-shouldered, bald, and sporting a white beard. He was none other than Obadiah Stane, one of the founders of Stark Industries.

"Tony!" Obadiah gave him a perfunctory hug. "Why aren't you lying in a hospital bed like a good boy?"

But Tony ignored him and pulled out another cheeseburger.

Watching them disappear through the entrance, Coulson hurried after them. Talking to Tony wouldn't be easy. First, he had to find Tony's secretary, the charming Pepper Potts.

Pepper was standing at the back of the crowd. Seeing Tony finally surrounded by people, she breathed a sigh of relief. Just then, Coulson came to stand beside her and smiled. "Ms. Potts, do you have a moment?"

Pepper glanced at Coulson's attire and, mistaking him for a reporter, politely replied, "Sorry. I'm not authorized to attend this press conference, but it's about to begin. If you have a question, you can ask it over there."

"I'm not a reporter," Coulson answered solemnly. "I'm Phil Coulson, with the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division..."

"What? Say that again. What division are you with?" Coulson had spoken too quickly, and Pepper hadn't caught a word.

"My mistake, my mistake. Just call me Coulson," he said helplessly, handing her his business card.

It wasn't his fault, either. He'd already suggested to the agency that they just call it S.H.I.E.L.D., but changing the name wasn't that simple.

It required multiple layers of approval from the higher-ups, and even the World Security Council had to sign off before they could change it. For now, they had to keep using that absurdly long name.

"Mr. Coulson, was there anything else?" The press conference was about to begin, Pepper asked.

"I need to learn the details of Mr. Stark's escape," Coulson said, finally remembering his assignment. He had to talk to Tony Stark as soon as possible and warn him about the people behind the kidnapping.

"I'll find some time for you."

The press conference had begun, and Pepper didn't want to talk any longer. Coulson nodded and thanked her.

He looked ahead. Obadiah Stane was at the podium, making a few polite remarks, while Tony Stark sat on the floor and pulled a cheeseburger from his pocket.

What a strange guy.

Tony unwrapped the burger and gestured for everyone to sit down. The crowd was surprised, but they already knew Tony Stark was unconventional. The hundred or so people in attendance all sat down, wondering what Tony was up to.

"I don't know if my father ever had doubts. There are things I'd like to ask him. What our company is really for." Tony finished his burger, his expression turning serious as he thought of the doctor—the man who had saved his life.

"I saw young men killed with my own eyes. Killed by weapons made by our company. I never thought I'd become the executioner!"

The reporters were bewildered. One raised his hand and asked, "Mr. Stark, what exactly happened?"

"Oh, nothing. I just woke up." Tony stood and walked up to the podium. "I've decided that, starting today, I'm shutting down Stark Industries' weapons manufacturing division for good..."

Before he could finish, the reporters, who had been quiet until then, erupted into an uproar.

Why? This was huge news.

Stark Industries had been built on weapons manufacturing, and now Tony was planning to shut down the weapons division. The reporters weren't the only ones worked up; even Obadiah rushed over to try to save the situation.

But none of it mattered. Tony had made up his mind after returning from Afghanistan, and no one could change it.

The hall was in chaos. No matter what Obadiah Stane said, he couldn't salvage the situation. Tony strode out of the venue, but as soon as he reached the entrance, a man in a suit stepped in front of him.

"Hello, Mr. Stark." Coulson smiled. "I'm with the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division..."

Before Coulson could give his name, Tony cut him off. "Did you make an appointment with my secretary?"

"I did. She said she'd find a time," Coulson replied.

"I'm busy today. Reschedule for another time." Tony grinned.

Coulson: "..."

To be fair, I'm Nini's die-hard fan~