The world erupted into chaos the moment news broke of Tony Stark's sudden return. For two months, the billionaire genius had been missing, presumed dead after his convoy was ambushed in Afghanistan. Stark Industries' stock had plummeted, investors had panicked, and the media had speculated endlessly about the future of the company without its charismatic leader. But now, Tony was back—alive, unharmed, and ready to make waves.
The moment Tony stepped out of the taxi and into the familiar surroundings of his new york mansion, he felt a surge of relief.
This is one of his mansion, the faint hum of Jarvis's systems—it was all a stark contrast to the grim, oppressive cave where he had spent the last two months. But more than anything, he was glad to be home.
---
Tony had barely stepped inside when he heard the sound of hurried footsteps. Pepper Potts, his ever-efficient and fiercely loyal assistant, came rushing down the stairs, her eyes wide with disbelief and relief. She stopped short when she saw him, her breath catching in her throat.
"Tony…" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Tony gave her a tired but genuine smile. "Hey, Pep. Miss me?"
Pepper's eyes filled with tears, and she closed the distance between them in a few quick strides, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. Tony hesitated for a moment, then wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. For all his bravado and playboy persona, he had missed her more than he cared to admit. In the cave, when death seemed imminent, it was thoughts of Pepper that had kept him going.
"You're so skinny," Pepper murmured, pulling back to look at him. Her hands cupped his face, her thumbs brushing over his pale, gaunt cheeks. "And you look exhausted. What happened to you?"
Tony shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Long story. I'll tell you everything later. But right now, I need to change into something that doesn't make me look like a college student."
Pepper let out a watery laugh, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "You're impossible. But… I'm just glad you're back."
Tony's expression softened. "Me too, Pep. Me too."
---
Tony headed upstairs to his bedroom, leaving Pepper and Ho Yinsen in the living room. He quickly changed out of the borrowed T-shirt and sweatpants, opting for one of his tailored suits. The familiar feel of the fabric against his skin was comforting, a reminder of who he was and what he needed to do.
When he returned downstairs, Pepper was on the phone, her tone brisk and professional. "Yes, arrange the press conference for this afternoon. And make sure the media knows it's a major announcement. No, I don't care if it's short notice. Just make it happen."
She hung up and turned to Tony, her expression a mix of concern and determination. "Obadiah is on his way. He's been running the company in your absence, and he's going to want to know what happened."
Tony shook his head. "No meetings with Obadiah. Not yet. I need to make an announcement first."
Pepper frowned. "Tony, you've been through hell. You need to rest, get checked out by a doctor, and then we can deal with the press."
"No time," Tony said firmly. "This can't wait."
Pepper studied him for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. "Alright. But at least let me introduce you to Dr. Yinsen properly."
Tony glanced at Ho Yinsen, who had been standing quietly in the corner, observing the reunion with a small, knowing smile. "Right. Pepper, this is Dr. Ho Yinsen. He saved my life in Afghanistan. Yinsen, this is Pepper Potts, my assistant—and the only person who can keep me in line."
Pepper smiled warmly at Yinsen, extending her hand. "It's an honor to meet you, Dr. Yinsen. Thank you for bringing Tony back."
Yinsen shook her hand, his expression humble. "The honor is mine, Ms. Potts. Tony is a remarkable man. I'm just glad I could help."
---
An hour later, Tony stood backstage at the hastily arranged press conference, his heart pounding with a mix of nerves and determination. Pepper was by his side, her presence a calming influence. Yinsen had opted to stay behind at the mansion, preferring to avoid the media frenzy.
"Are you sure about this, Tony?" Pepper asked, her voice low. "This is going to shake things up. A lot."
Tony nodded, his expression serious. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."
Pepper studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Let's do this."
Tony stepped out onto the stage, the flash of cameras and the murmur of the crowd immediately enveloping him. He walked up to the podium, his eyes scanning the sea of reporters. For a moment, he felt a pang of anxiety, but he pushed it aside. This was too important.
"Good afternoon," Tony began, his voice steady. "I know you all have a lot of questions, and I'll do my best to answer them. But first, I need to make an announcement."
The room fell silent, every eye fixed on him. Tony took a deep breath, then continued.
"Two months ago, I was in Afghanistan, demonstrating our latest weapons to the U.S. military. During that trip, I was ambushed and captured by a terrorist group known as the Ten Rings. They held me captive, demanding that I build them a weapon of mass destruction. But what I saw during my captivity changed me. I saw our weapons—Stark Industries weapons—in the hands of terrorists. Weapons that were being used to kill innocent people."
The room erupted into murmurs, but Tony pressed on, his voice growing stronger.
"Stark Industries was founded with the goal of promoting peace and security. But what I saw in Afghanistan was the opposite of that. Our weapons are being used to perpetuate violence and suffering. And that is not something I can stand for."
He paused, letting his words sink in. The room was dead silent now, every reporter hanging on his every word.
"That's why, effective immediately, I am shutting down the weapons manufacturing division of Stark Industries. We will no longer produce or sell weapons of any kind. Our focus will shift to developing technology that promotes peace and improves the lives of people around the world."
The room exploded into chaos, reporters shouting questions and cameras flashing like mad. Tony held up a hand, silencing them.
"I know this is a lot to take in, and I know there will be consequences. But this is the right thing to do. Thank you."
With that, Tony turned and walked off the stage, leaving the stunned reporters in his wake.
---
The announcement sent shockwaves through the world. Stark Industries' stock, which had been climbing steadily since Tony's return, plummeted almost instantly. Investors panicked, and the U.S. stock market, which had been on the rise, began to falter. Meanwhile, shares of other weapons manufacturers soared as they scrambled to fill the void left by Stark Industries.
Tony watched the fallout from the comfort of his mansion, a glass of scotch in hand. Pepper was beside him, her expression a mix of concern and admiration.
"You really did it," she said softly. "You changed everything."
Tony nodded, his gaze distant. "Yeah. Let's just hope it's for the better."