The Curtain Rises, Return to the Main Universe

Afghanistan

Kunar

In a deserted desert somewhere, the United States military was testing the power of Stark Industries' new bomb.

Tony stood hands outstretched before a group of soldiers, looking as dashing as ever.

Behind him, an old bomb Tony had developed years ago exploded, its shockwave sending dust and smoke billowing over the soldiers, making them quickly turn away.

The military was very satisfied with the test.

Thinking of the amount written into the contract, Tony nodded in satisfaction as well. Stark Industries had taken another step toward catching up to Stark Communications Group in market value.

After refusing to share a military vehicle with Rhodes, Tony rode with the accompanying Bucky toward the military base.

Inside the vehicle.

Tony's playful words broke the silence.

The gossip-loving soldier in the passenger seat asked excitedly,

"Sir, I have a question."

Tony raised his glass in one hand and nodded.

"Go ahead."

"Have you really... connected with all twelve cover girls from Maxim magazine?"

Tony froze for a moment at the question.

"That's a good question. Yes, but also no. How should I put it? The idea was my brother's, but that year's March girl conflicted with my schedule. Luckily, the Christmas issue had twins on the cover."

Everyone in the vehicle burst into laughter at Tony's answer.

The soldier asked again,

"What has Mr. Qin Yi been busy with lately? We haven't heard anything about him in a long time."

"Him? He's busy developing some other things. You'll see the results soon enough."

Another, younger soldier hesitated for a long time, then timidly raised his hand halfway and looked at Tony.

Bucky, cold as ice, sat between him and Tony.

Tony turned to look at the young soldier.

"Are you seriously raising your hand?"

The young soldier looked at Tony expectantly and asked,

"Can I take a picture with you?"

Tony nodded.

The soldier excitedly took out the latest Ikong phone and handed it to the soldier in the passenger seat.

Tony glanced at the expressionless Bucky.

"Hey, brother, cheer up."

As the phone clicked, a shell struck the convoy behind Tony's vehicle with perfect accuracy.

Boom!

A large number of terrorists opened fire on the military convoy from all directions.

The soldier in the passenger seat shouted at the younger soldier,

"Protect Mr. Stark!"

He and the driver were gunned down by the terrorists the moment they got out of the vehicle.

Tony told the frightened young soldier, "Stay in the vehicle."

Then, carrying the briefcase he had brought with him, he jumped out alongside Bucky.

Bucky's Vibranium armor instantly covered his entire body. He stood in front of Tony, while Tony opened the briefcase and pulled out the Mark 5 armor to put it on.

The two charged toward the terrorists.

Bucky, who had consumed the Heart-Shaped Herb and wore Vibranium armor, and Tony, clad in the Mark 5 armor,

eliminated all the surrounding terrorists in no time.

Tony knocked on the window and spoke to the young soldier inside.

"Soldier, we'll have to walk back."

As portable armor, the Mark 5 could not carry two adult men in flight.

Just when they thought it was all over,

a figure slowly descended from the sky.

Before Tony lost consciousness,

the last image in his mind was of a man effortlessly knocking him and Bucky unconscious with several rings.

News of Tony's kidnapping soon caused an uproar across the globe.

The United States military began frantically deploying forces throughout Afghanistan to search for him, but they had no leads at all.

Until a group of terrorists released a video.

In the video, Tony and Bucky were covered in injuries and tied to wooden stakes by the terrorists. The terrorists demanded to speak with the person in charge of Stark Industries for negotiations.

The United States stock market reacted the fastest. The stock prices of Stark Industries and Stark Communications Group plummeted.

After all, Tony had been kidnapped, while the other major shareholder had not appeared in public for years.

Illuminati Base

After Wolverine Logan walked up to Charles, he spoke in a low voice.

"Charles, Stark's been kidnapped. Can you get in touch with Old Qin?"

Charles shook his head upon hearing that.

"I haven't been able to contact him for about two years."

Charles wondered, Could it be that he had already left Earth?

"Are we going to rescue Stark?"

Charles recalled the original purpose of the Illuminati: not to interfere in Earth's internal conflicts unless the outcome would bring irreversible disaster to Earth.

He shook his head and said to Logan,

"Logan, we don't interfere in Earth's internal battles."

Ignoring the no-smoking sign nearby, Logan lit a cigar and took a deep drag.

"He's Old Qin's brother, Charles. Don't forget that Old Qin has helped us more than once."

Faced with Charles's indifference, Logan left behind a single sentence before turning and walking away.

"You're not going? I am. I don't want to keep owing Old Qin favors."

Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division

Because of the Skrull invasion incident, Nick Fury, who had been under investigation, was unexpectedly promoted to director of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.

He sat leisurely in his office with one leg crossed over the other, humming,

"You're that... that... that... that..."

The office door was suddenly pushed open, and a figure rushed inside.

Nick Fury looked up and said,

"Natasha, how many times have I told you? Knock first."

The red-haired Black Widow curled her lips.

"Fury, Tony Stark was kidnapped in Afghanistan."

Nick Fury stood up, unable to process it for a moment, until Black Widow spoke again.

"Do we need to arrange a rescue for Stark?"

Nick Fury sat back down.

"No need."

Black Widow was baffled. Wasn't this guy always looking to latch onto a rich backer? Why was he passing up such a good opportunity?

Did the Division suddenly get money again?

They still haven't paid me for months. It's gotten to the point where I want to join that game company called Prototype. Look at their benefits, then look at this damn Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.

Other than having a much longer name than theirs...

Nick Fury watched Natasha give him a baffled look before turning and leaving.

He muttered bitterly to himself,

"With him there, why would they need us?"

Nick Fury did not know that Qin Yi had already been missing for two years.

Howard Estate

Little Pepper felt as though she had lost the pillar supporting her heart. The terrorists had demanded negotiations with Stark Industries, yet those damned shareholders had actually refused.

She frantically comforted little Morgan. The once-lively child had only just recovered from the deaths of her grandparents, and now Tony had been kidnapped too.

For a moment, Pepper could not think of anyone who could help her. In an earlier phone call, Rhodes had assured Pepper that he would definitely bring Tony back safely.

But the military had been searching for a month. Afghanistan had practically been turned upside down, yet there was not a single useful piece of information.

Thinking of this, Pepper could not stop the tears from falling. But she knew she could not cry. This family still needed her to hold it together.

"Morgan, Daddy will be back in a few days."

The seven-year-old already understood some things. She shook her head, sobbing uncontrollably.

"You're lying to me. You... you also said Uncle would be back soon."

Pepper tightly held her daughter in her arms. Morgan was her last emotional anchor.

At that moment, a spatial vortex appeared in the living room, followed by a familiar voice.

"My adorable little Morgan, who made you cry? Uncle will go beat him up."

At those words,

Pepper and little Morgan raised their heads, looking hopefully at the spatial vortex behind them, until a figure stepped out from within.

Little Morgan wiped the tears from her face and quickly ran toward the figure.