Chapter 66: Iron Man (Part 3)

"Let Fury eavesdrop all he wants. I wonder how he'll react when they report back with this magical world I've spun for them," Daniel Davis mused with satisfaction, relishing the thought of confusing Nick Fury with tales from a parallel universe.

As he spoke, Daniel slipped his broomstick into his backpack. This act caught Stark's attention. How could such a long broom fit into such a small backpack? Stark's scientific mind grappled with the sheer impossibility of it. "Nanotechnology?" he immediately speculated, seeking a scientific explanation.

"No, it's magic. Don't break it," Daniel replied, handing the backpack to Stark. Despite his curiosity, Stark politely refrained from taking the backpack from Daniel initially. But once offered, Stark eagerly accepted it, abandoning his usual reluctance to take items from others.

The backpack, charmed with an Undetectable Extension Spell, had just enough space to hold the broomstick, though not much else. Unlike a woman's handbag, Daniel didn't need to carry a multitude of items.

"This is impossible," Stark muttered, repeatedly pulling the broomstick out of the backpack and then putting it back in, his disbelief growing with each attempt.

"Your wand," Coulson said, handing the wand back to Daniel after Stark had set it aside.

"Thanks."

"Why isn't the Captain here? Is he avoiding Stark?" Daniel asked, glancing around the Quinjet. Only Coulson and Melinda May were present; Captain America was conspicuously absent, likely staying in the cockpit.

The Super Soldier Serum had not only enhanced the Captain's physical abilities but also his learning capacity. Once just an infantryman, he had become proficient in piloting tanks, operating naval ships, and flying jets after his transformation.

"This is... Chocolate Frogs? Making chocolate into frog shapes... that's a strange sense of humor," Stark commented, rummaging through the contents of Daniel's backpack. Alongside a tablet and various snacks were several magical treats.

Hungry after his long ordeal in the desert, Stark opened a box of Chocolate Frogs, only to jump in surprise as the enchanted candy leaped out of the box, startling him into dropping it. A card tumbled out as the frog hopped away.

"What was that?" Stark asked, bewildered.

"A magical snack. They move like real frogs, so be careful when you open the box." Daniel demonstrated by opening another Chocolate Frog box and catching the frog before it could escape, breaking it in half. "Once it's broken, the magic is undone." He handed the pieces to Stark. "Magic can help you recover some strength. Want me to cast a spell on you?"

"Really? Sure, give it a go," Stark, chewing the chocolate, nodded eagerly. His curiosity about the magical world outweighed his usual wariness.

"Mr. Stark, I think it's best if you go to a hospital for a check-up," Coulson interjected, concerned.

But Stark waved him off. "Come on, do it," he urged Daniel.

"Reparifors," Daniel intoned, casting a rejuvenating spell. For now, he refrained from fully healing Stark's chest injury, considering the emotional significance of the arc reactor for Stark's personal growth—from a playboy to a more focused and dedicated individual.

"That felt good. Can you do it again?" Stark asked, seeming almost addicted to the revitalizing effect of the spell.

"No, I can't. In the magical world, there's a saying: magic isn't omnipotent. You still need to rest properly," Daniel cautioned. While magic could achieve many wonders, some mundane activities, like washing clothes, still needed to be done without it. Even with the Scourgify charm, wizards still had to do laundry, especially intimate garments.

"We're about to land at the base," Coulson noted as the plane descended.

"Got it," Stark nodded, setting aside his fascination with magic for the moment. His recent ordeal had profoundly affected him, making him more introspective than before.

As Stark rummaged through Daniel's belongings, Coulson helped pack them back into the backpack. He handed Daniel the wizard card that had fallen out earlier. 

"Nicolas Flamel," Daniel noted the name on the card. 

"Keep it; I already have this one. And take these," Daniel said, handing Coulson three more Chocolate Frogs. After a moment's thought, he added a fourth one.

The plane came to a halt, and the ramp opened to reveal Colonel James Rhodes, one of Stark's few close friends, rushing aboard.

Rhodes embraced Stark tightly. "You still want to ride your fun Jeep?" he joked, referencing their earlier decision to take different routes back from the Jericho missile demonstration. Stark had opted for a Jeep ride through the Middle Eastern terrain, which inadvertently saved their lives. Had he chosen the helicopter, he might not have survived the subsequent missile attack.

"Get me the details of those who protected me," Stark requested solemnly, surprising Rhodes with his seriousness.

"Sure, but first, let's get you to a hospital," Rhodes suggested, aware of Stark's ordeal.

"No need. I need to get back to New York immediately," Stark replied, nodding at Coulson before heading to his private jet.

"See you around," Daniel waved to Coulson and May as he followed Stark. For now, he would hitch a ride on Stark's jet back to New York.

"I'm fine. Heading back to New York. Set up a press conference and get me a cheeseburger," Stark instructed Pepper over the phone as they walked.

News of Stark's safe return quickly spread throughout New York, sparking a mixture of relief and frustration. 

"Useless, all of you," Obadiah Stane raged, yelling into his phone at the terrorist leader. Stane had meticulously orchestrated the Middle East trip to trap Stark, even convincing him to go personally for the Jericho missile demonstration. Had Stark chosen to enjoy his usual luxuries instead of the desert trek, things might have been different.

In response, the terrorists sent Stane two videos: one showing Stark imprisoned in the cave and another of their discussions with Stane. They demanded three times the original ransom, threatening to release the footage online if he refused. Furious, Stane smashed his phone and wrecked his office before regaining his composure. He had no choice but to comply to prevent his ruin.

As news of Stark's return buoyed Stark Industries' stock, Daniel excused himself to the bathroom on Stark's jet to make a call. He instructed the Red Queen AI to execute a series of strategic trades.

"After this, I wonder how many on Wall Street will be jumping out of windows," Daniel mused, watching the rapid rise in Stark Industries' stock. "Stock markets are risky; caution is crucial."

Few would anticipate that upon returning to New York, Stark would announce the closure of Stark Industries' weapons division. Though he couldn't manipulate the markets before due to the late notice of Stark's disappearance, Daniel wouldn't miss this opportunity. Even using his personal funds, the profits would be immense, measured in billions.

"Unfortunately, the Arc Reactor's design is too complex. I'll have to find a way to acquire the manufacturing method." Daniel had discreetly used his Op-Op Fruit abilities to examine Stark's chest reactor. Its intricate design gave him a headache. Despite his knowledge of magic, Daniel wasn't a physicist. Given his magical studies, reaching the level needed to replicate the reactor through conventional learning was implausible. He'd likely need to explore other avenues, such as obtaining the design from Whiplash.

The miniaturized Arc Reactor, despite its small size and Stark's seemingly rudimentary construction methods, held immense technological value. Even Whiplash, who recreated it using similar methods, demonstrated its sophistication. While Obadiah Stane, with numerous scientists at his disposal, failed to replicate it, Stark had managed to build it in a primitive cave setting.

Stark's private jet landed at a military base rather than the usual media-filled airport. But as Stark stepped out at Stark Industries' headquarters, swarms of reporters descended. Only with Happy Hogan's security detail did Stark and his companions navigate through to the press conference room.

True to his character, Happy handed Stark two cheeseburgers as soon as he exited the car. Stark devoured the first in a few bites.

After briefly embracing Pepper Potts, Stark walked to the podium. To the surprise of the gathered reporters, he didn't take his place at the microphone but instead sat in front of the stage. Happy quickly repositioned a microphone for him, and the reporters, disregarding the cleanliness of the floor, followed his lead and sat down.

Taking a few gulps of water after finishing his second burger, Stark finally spoke into the microphone. "I'm here to announce that Stark Industries will cease all weapons manufacturing. We are exiting the arms market." With that, he dropped the microphone and walked off.

"Mr. Stark!" the reporters erupted into a frenzy, trying to chase after him. Happy and the security team struggled to hold them back.

"Tony must be joking. He's still recovering from his ordeal," Obadiah Stane hastily grabbed the microphone, attempting to downplay Stark's declaration. But the reporters ignored him, focused solely on Stark.

"Tony, have you lost your mind?" Stane caught up with Stark upstairs, blocking his path.

"I've made my decision."

"But how do you plan to justify this to the board?" Even though Stark held the majority control in Stark Industries, the interests of other major shareholders couldn't be ignored.

"I'll handle it," Stark dismissed Stane's concerns with a wave, continuing on with Pepper.

Nearly dying from his own company's weapons had profoundly impacted Stark. The memory of Yinsen, the doctor who saved him at the cost of his own life, and the horrors inflicted by Stark Industries' armaments weighed heavily on him.

With

 the Arc Reactor technology at his disposal, Stark felt unburdened by the board's expectations. For investors, profit is the bottom line, and Stark's ventures would ensure returns, regardless of the industry.

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