Chapter 110: Reunion at Stark Tower

After walking through the streets for a while, Marcus ducked into an empty alley and transformed into Titania. The butterfly-like Warframe took flight, soaring toward Stark Tower.

It had been a long time since he'd seen Tony, and this seemed the perfect opportunity to visit his old friend.

"Auntie, look! Butterflies!" exclaimed a young boy on the street below, pointing upward at the cluster of shimmering blue forms gliding through the air.

Pedestrians raised their heads to admire the unusual sight as Marcus continued his aerial journey toward the iconic skyscraper.

Upon reaching Stark Tower, he reverted to his human appearance and seamlessly joined a tour group entering the building.

The tower's interior remained largely as he remembered, though the display booths had changed significantly. Where weapons had once been proudly exhibited, various energy models now stood instead.

Following Stark Industries' restructuring, the company had pivoted to focus primarily on energy technologies. The exhibits chronicled humanity's energy evolution—from primitive wood-burning to coal and electricity, then oil and gas, culminating in nuclear power.

Each booth featured detailed explanations. As civilization advanced, the exhibits grew increasingly elaborate. The nuclear energy section proved particularly interesting, showcasing both conventional thermonuclear applications and Stark Industries' proprietary cold fusion technology.

A life-sized wax model of Tony in his Iron Man suit occupied a place of honor. Marcus smiled—his friend remained as flamboyant as ever.

Leaving the exhibition area, Marcus ventured into restricted sections of Stark Tower, quickly drawing the attention of security personnel who noticed his lack of identification.

"Sir, visitors aren't permitted in this area," a guard said, stepping forward.

"I understand," Marcus replied with a smile. "Would you happen to know where Tony Stark's bodyguard, Happy Hogan, is at the moment?"

The mention of Happy caused several security staff to exchange confused glances.

Happy Hogan was well-known to them all—he was Stark Industries' head of security, their direct superior, and Tony Stark's personal bodyguard.

"Director Hogan is in his office," one guard answered cautiously. "Would you like me to contact him?"

"That would be perfect," Marcus nodded.

Still uncertain about this stranger's identity, the guard dialed Happy's office number.

Meanwhile, Happy sat at his desk reviewing Stark Tower's security blueprints. Recent events had left him questioning his team's effectiveness. During the Hammer Industries incident, he and Natalie had infiltrated the facility, but his performance had been embarrassingly outshined by Natalie's combat skills.

Since then, he'd grown increasingly concerned about conventional security measures. If someone with Natalie's abilities targeted Stark Tower, the building might as well have revolving doors.

Ring Ring

"Security Director Hogan speaking," he answered professionally.

"Director Hogan, we've intercepted someone on the restricted floor. He claims to be your guest," the guard reported.

Guest? Happy frowned. He wasn't expecting visitors, especially not at Stark Tower.

Then, a familiar voice came through the line.

"Happy, is Tony around?"

That voice...

Happy's mind immediately conjured an image of someone who had disappeared more than a decade ago—a man he had idolized, despite their competitive dart matches.

"Mr. Marcus? Is that really you?"

"Who else? I see from the news that Tony's been having some exciting adventures with his 'assistive devices' lately."

The familiar sardonic tone confirmed it. Happy's eye twitched involuntarily.

Only Marcus and Tony would refer to the powerful Iron Man suit as "assistive devices."

"He has indeed, though the boss emerged victorious as always," Happy replied. "I'll have security escort you up immediately."

"No need. I'll find my way."

After returning the phone to the security guard, Marcus boarded the elevator to the top floor, where Happy was already waiting when the doors opened.

As Marcus stepped out, he was momentarily startled by Happy's appearance.

"Haven't you been exercising these years? Last time I saw you, you were quite fit. Now..."

Happy was no longer the muscular bodyguard Marcus remembered. He had grown significantly heavier, his once-toned physique now soft and rounded—hardly the image of a professional security director.

Though, Marcus mused, at least Tony could use him as a human shield now.

"I've admittedly let my physical conditioning slide," Happy chuckled good-naturedly, "but my professional skills remain sharp as ever."

Happy led Marcus through the executive level toward Tony's personal laboratory, a familiar smile on his face.

As they approached, a woman with a sleek ponytail emerged from the lab.

"Happy? Are you here for Tony's training session?" she asked before noticing Marcus. "And this is...?"

Pepper studied Marcus with curiosity. With her exceptional memory for faces, she was certain she'd never encountered him during her tenure at Stark Industries.

"This is a Stark Industries shareholder who's been... away for over ten years," Happy explained somewhat awkwardly.

That explained it—he'd departed before she joined the company.

"Hello, sir. I'm Virginia Potts, though everyone calls me Pepper," she said, extending her hand.

"A pleasure, Pepper. I'm Marcus."

The three entered Tony's laboratory together, though "laboratory" seemed a generous description. Rather than scientific equipment, the space contained mostly recreational items—a bar stocked with premium spirits, comfortable seating, and minimal actual research tools aside from a few robotic arms.

Marcus raised an eyebrow at Happy, who smiled sheepishly. This certainly didn't resemble any traditional laboratory.

As they entered, a boxing ring came into view. At its edge, Tony sat in a chair, drenched in sweat and rehydrating after what appeared to be an intense workout.

"Well, well—has the original vagrant finally evolved into a machine?" Marcus called out teasingly.

Tony began to form a retort, but upon recognizing Marcus, he froze mid-motion. The water bottle in his hand dropped to the floor, forgotten.

"Why are you back, you bastard?!" he blurted.

Happy and Pepper couldn't suppress their laughter at Tony's uncharacteristic loss of composure.

"Your memory seems intact, at least," Marcus replied with mock seriousness. "Still want me to beat you at darts again?"

Though clearly delighted by Marcus's return, Tony maintained his defensive façade.

"Pfft, you probably couldn't handle me now," he countered, gesturing toward several suits of armor displayed in illuminated cases around the room. "See those? I'm Iron Man now."

"Impressive. Already preparing your future body, I see," Marcus nodded approvingly. "Though what did you call yourself? Battery Man?"

Pepper watched their exchange with fascination. In all her years working with Tony, she had never witnessed someone who could so effortlessly puncture his carefully cultivated armor of sarcasm and bravado.

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