The man he had met last night must have been Bucky after losing his memories, transformed into the Winter Soldier by Hydra.
This one must have been the original Bucky. After Tony's treatment, he had not only woken from his coma but even recovered his original memories.
With that realization, Tony, who had been planning to force Bucky into the Dark Alliance, had no choice but to change his plans.
"Do you remember exactly what happened?"
Tony took the initiative to prompt him.
At those words, Bucky began to think back. As he sank into his recollections, every memory from after his amnesia came flooding into his mind.
The memories of last night surfaced as well.
Once he had sorted through his thoughts, his gaze grew complicated as he looked at Tony and Happy.
"I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to do what I did last night. I don't even know how I ended up like that."
Bucky kept apologizing and trying to explain himself.
A faint smile appeared on Tony's face. "It's all right. I know you didn't mean to do any of that last night."
With Tony's forgiveness, Bucky seemed to feel much better.
"By the way, I sent someone flying in the Laboratory last night. Is he all right?"
"He's fine. I already saved him."
"And I saved you, too."
Tony waved it off casually, taking the opportunity to mention that he had saved Bucky's life.
He was no selfless saint who saved people without expecting anything in return. He would much rather use that debt to his advantage.
After all, he really had saved Bucky. It was only right for Bucky to repay him.
When Bucky heard that Tony had saved him, he grew even more embarrassed. "So you're the one who saved me. Thank you. I don't have anything to repay you with, though. How about I do you a favor?"
"As long as it doesn't break the law, of course."
Clearly, Bucky had become a good man after recovering his memories.
But good men were great. Tony liked them best.
His lips curved into a smile as he said, "What a coincidence. There's something I could use your help with."
"I founded the Bright Alliance to help people, but since we've only just started, we're very short-handed."
"I think you'd be a good fit. Why don't you join my Bright Alliance?"
"That'll count as repaying me. How does that sound?"
Tony coaxed Bucky as though he were luring a little kid.
Bucky felt that something was not quite right, but his head was still muddled after just recovering his memories. Besides, Tony had saved his life, so he ought to repay him.
After thinking it over, he nodded.
"In that case, all right. I'll join."
At those words, Tony smiled, his face positively radiant.
A system notification had sounded in his ears. "Ding! A new member has joined the Dark Alliance: Winter Soldier Bucky. Your rewards have been issued."
Name: Tony Stark Gender: Male Identity: Heir to the Shadow Kingdom Abilities: Horse Talisman, Dragon Talisman, command over the Shadow Ninjas, command over the Shadow Blades, command over the Shadow Night Bats Draws remaining: 1 Dark Alliance members: Spider-Man, Winter Soldier
Looking at his newly acquired command over another shadow army and the extra draw, Tony found Bucky considerably more pleasing to the eye.
"All right, get some rest. If you need anything, tell Happy. He'll be looking after you for now."
With that, Tony turned and left, completely ignoring the changing expressions on Happy's and Bucky's faces.
He acted like a scumbag who walked out after getting laid, caring only about his own pleasure without the slightest regard for anyone else's feelings.
Leaving the two grown men staring at each other, Tony returned to his room.
The familiar prize wheel appeared before him again. Rubbing his hands together excitedly, Tony chanted, "Spirits of heaven and earth, Buddha, the Three Pure Ones, God, bless me! Here we go!"
Muttering his prayers, Tony swiftly set the prize wheel spinning.
The pointer whirled rapidly. Tony watched the wheel nervously, then gave the command when he felt the time was right. "Stop!"
The pointer rapidly slowed to a halt. A sheep appeared on the wheel, charged toward Tony, and plunged headfirst into his mind.
Boom!
A roar echoed through his mind as a gentle surge of power flowed into it. His head instantly cleared, leaving him more alert than ever.
Not only that, but his vision now felt strange.
Human eyes could normally see a field of view of only 124 degrees in front of them, with focused attention providing a clearer view within 25 degrees.
But now, Tony felt as though a heavenly eye had opened. He could see a full 360 degrees with incredible clarity, down to the finest detail.
As he concentrated, he could even feel an invisible force spreading out from his mind.
To test it, he deliberately turned toward the glass of water on the table and instinctively willed it to move.
The glass actually floated into the air.
"Telekinesis!"
Tony murmured in surprise, delight swelling in his chest.
According to the information that had flowed into his mind, the Sheep Talisman strengthened mental power and allowed the soul to leave the body.
He had never expected that enhancement to produce an incredible power like Telekinesis.
To test its limits, he kept moving various objects around the room, having the time of his life.
His mental power seemed inexhaustible. Even after playing for half an hour, he felt no discomfort at all.
He still had not determined the maximum strength of his Telekinesis. All he knew was that it could easily control everything in his room at once.
He almost wanted to try lifting the villa beneath his feet.
But to avoid the trouble of having to move house, he abandoned the idea.
Withdrawing his Telekinesis, Tony tried letting his soul leave his body. A chill immediately washed over him. Looking down, he found that his body had become completely transparent.
Behind him, "another Tony" stood motionless with his eyes closed.
With a thought, Tony flew upward, passed through the villa's ceiling, and emerged outside.
Gazing at the blue sky, white clouds, and endless ocean, Tony did not venture far. He moved around a little before returning to his body.
He did not know whether leaving his body posed any hidden risks, but he was used to having a physical form and preferred to stay inside it.
Just as he returned to his body, JARVIS spoke.
"Sir, Mr. Reed has finished preparing the Enhancement Serum and would like you to come to the Laboratory."
"All right, understood."
After answering, Tony used his Telekinesis to put everything in the room back where it belonged, then headed downstairs to the Underground Laboratory.
When he entered the Laboratory, Reed, who had been waiting, brightened. "Boss, everything's ready. Shall we begin?"
"Go ahead."
Tony nodded.
Before you continue