Four days after Tony Stark's rescue and return, a sensational global press conference was held at Stark Industries headquarters.
Artoria didn't go to the scene; she and Minerva watched it at home on television. Tony on the screen was wearing a perfectly tailored dark gray suit. Although his face still bore a trace of lingering fatigue and paleness, those caramel-colored eyes had reignited with his signature light—a mixture of genius and arrogance. He stood on the stage, facing countless flashing cameras, his tone steady yet powerful:
"...Yes, I saw young people being killed, killed by the weapons we manufactured to protect them. I saw... the serious flaws in this system. I witnessed firsthand... my technology being used for purposes I never imagined and would never condone."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, appearing even sharper for a moment.
"Effective immediately, Stark Industries will permanently close its Weapons Manufacturing Division. Until, until I can find the direction this country, this World, truly needs."
The room erupted. Reporters raised their hands frantically, shareholders' faces turned ashen, and Potts pressed her lips together tightly offstage, her eyes rimmed with red. Tony simply put down the microphone calmly, ignoring the suddenly darkened face of Obadiah Stane behind him, and turned to walk off the podium.
The press conference ended in chaos.
"He announced it." Artoria turned off the TV and looked at Minerva, who was quietly "watching" the screen beside her. Minerva was wearing simple loungewear but still stood with a straight posture, her black eye mask facing the now-dark screen, her thoughts unknown.
"This decision will trigger a strong backlash. His safety risk will rise sharply," Minerva analyzed calmly. "According to data models, vested interests within Stark Industries, external competitors, and various factions whose weapon sources he has cut off will all see him as a target. The energy source in his chest will also become a focus."
"I know." Artoria nodded. This was exactly what she was worried about. The butterfly effect had already begun. Tony closing the weapons division earlier than in the "original plot" put him in the eye of the storm sooner. And inside his body, there was still a ticking time bomb.
In the evening, that matte silver Aston Martin parked outside the small house. Tony had arrived, alone, without bodyguards, carrying what looked like a heavy cooler.
It was still Minerva who opened the door. She wasn't wearing her eye mask today—in an environment with only "family," she would occasionally take it off—revealing a pair of calm, waveless blue optical sensors with subtle mechanical structures. However, her posture still blocked Tony at the door until Artoria's voice came from inside.
"Please let him in, Minerva."
Only then did Minerva step aside, but her gaze (sensors) remained locked on Tony, watching him walk into the living room and place the cooler on the table.
"Hey, Miss Neighbor, and... Minerva." Tony forced a smile, but it lacked some of his usual flippancy and held more sincere exhaustion. "I brought this," he patted the cooler, "a 1945 Romanee-Conti, stol... er, borrowed from my dad's wine cellar. And," he pulled a small velvet box from his suit's inner pocket and opened it, revealing a pair of exquisitely designed, sapphire-encrusted white gold earrings that shimmered with a quiet light under the lamps. "A small gift for my savior. Don't worry, I designed them myself, they're one of a kind, and no eavesdropping or tracking devices are installed—I guarantee it in the name of Stark Industries." He pointedly glanced at Minerva.
Artoria looked at the earrings; they were beautiful, and she could feel a faint, stable energy field within them, seemingly some kind of passive protection device. "Thank you, Tony. Have a seat. You look like you still need rest."
"Rest? Ha, I wish." Tony sat down on the sofa and rubbed his brow. "But with the weapons division closed, there's a mountain of a mess. Those old fossils on the board are nearly blowing up my phone. Stane, in particular, looks like he wants to swallow me alive." He looked at Artoria, his expression becoming serious. "But those are small matters. I came today primarily to say thank you again, solemnly. Also, Yinsen has been safely delivered to his family, and he asked me to convey his deepest gratitude as well."
"It's good that you're both okay." Artoria gestured for Minerva to pour some water. Minerva paused for a moment but went anyway, soon bringing two glasses of water and placing them before Artoria and Tony. Then, she walked to the armrest of Artoria's sofa chair and leaned there, relaxed yet still alert, her optical sensors "watching" Tony calmly.
Tony picked up the glass and took a sip, his gaze shifting between Artoria and Minerva. Suddenly, he asked, "So, that day... those abilities, and Miss Minerva... who exactly are you people? Mutants? Aliens? Or some... secret project I haven't heard of?"
Artoria was silent for a few seconds, exchanging a glance with Minerva. Minerva gave a slight nod, meaning "It's up to you."
"We are just... some special people." Artoria spoke slowly, deciding to reveal a part of the truth. "My abilities come from the gift of a... you can understand it as a 'Higher Existence's' gift. It allows me to temporarily borrow the power of certain 'Characters,' like the healing ability that day. And Minerva," she looked at the silver-white figure beside her, her voice softening, "she is my most important family member, a Guardian I created myself using the knowledge from those gifts and a bit of luck. She comes from another story, but now, she is my Minerva."
"Created? You mean..." Tony's gaze snapped onto Minerva, his engineer's instincts thoroughly ignited. "Artificial Intelligence? Bionic Machinery? No, that level of flexibility and reaction... and that material!" He instinctively wanted to lean in for a closer look, but Minerva immediately leaned forward slightly, blocking him from Artoria, a flash of blue light passing through her optical sensors.
Tony raised his hands to show he meant no harm, but his eyes were still bright. "Sorry, professional habit. But... this is incredible! You created a self-aware, such advanced Mechanical Life? This technology... surpasses everything known!"
"Yes, she has her own consciousness; she is my family, not a tool or an object," Artoria emphasized, gently squeezing Minerva's hand resting at her side. Minerva's fingers squeezed back slightly, warm and steady. "Regarding our specific situation, I hope you can keep it a secret, Tony. This is very important for us, and for you."
"Of course! I swear by... er, by my new arc reactor?" Tony pointed to his chest, where a faint blue light shone through his shirt. He then said seriously, "Rest assured, your secrets are safe with me. I'm just... as a fellow professional, feeling shocked and full of admiration." He looked at Artoria with more respect than ever before.
"Speaking of the reactor," Artoria's expression grew serious; this was one of her most important goals today. "Tony, I need to talk to you about that thing in your chest."
Tony's smile faded slightly. "It saved my life, for now."
"Only for now." Artoria looked directly into his eyes. "Palladium, Tony. You're using it as the core of the reactor. You know that while it generates energy, it's also slowly releasing toxicity into your blood. You don't feel it now, but it will accumulate. Eventually, Palladium Poisoning will kill you. And this process might be faster than you think."
The relaxation on Tony's face completely vanished. He was silent for a few seconds, his fingers unconsciously tapping his knee. "...Yinsen mentioned the risks, but I didn't have a choice. The Shrapnel is too close to my heart; only this Electromagnet and reactor can hold them back for now. Palladium is the only element currently available that can maintain this output power and size."
"What if I said," Artoria leaned forward, her tone sincere, "I could help you heal completely? Not just the external trauma and infection from that day. I could try to clear the Palladium that's already started accumulating in your blood, stabilize your heart, and even... get rid of those Shrapnel pieces so you no longer need this 'magnet' in your chest. You could live like a healthy person."
The living room fell silent. There was only the faint sound of waves in the distance.
Tony's Adam's apple bobbed. The temptation was too great. To escape the shadow of death, to be rid of this cold metal lump in his chest that constantly reminded him of his fragility and dependence. As a man proud to his core, he almost blurted out "Yes."
But he was Tony Stark. He was the genius who used a pile of scrap metal and missile parts in a cave to build a miniature arc reactor and the first Iron Man Suit. His arrogance, his stubbornness, his curiosity, and his obsession with "solving problems himself" were etched into his soul.
More importantly, he looked at the ghostly blue light in his chest. It wasn't a curse; it was a key. It was the key to a brand-new door, the starting point that allowed him to transcend his mortal body and achieve the "impossible." If he were healed, this starting point would disappear.
"...No." He finally spoke, his voice somewhat raspy, but his eyes had become sharp and determined again. "Thank you, Artoria. Really, thank you for the kind offer. But... no thanks."
Artoria didn't seem surprised; she just watched him quietly.
"This reactor, it's bad, I know." Tony pointed at his chest, his speech quickening as if convincing himself as much as explaining. "Palladium Poisoning is a problem, a big problem. But... it's also a challenge, a technical puzzle that needs to be solved. And, it connects to some... possibilities. If I choose to be 'healed' now, to take the easy way out, then I might never know if I could find a better element, to build a more perfect, safer, and more powerful next-generation reactor. I might just stop here forever."
He looked up at Artoria, his eyes burning with that flame known as being "Cursed by Knowledge." "You gave me a perfect choice, a safe choice. But me... sometimes I just like to pick the hard road. Because at the end of that road, there might be a better view. And..."
He suddenly smiled, with a touch of self-deprecation and defiance. "And, if I just let you heal me like that, wouldn't I owe you two lives? Too much debt is hard to repay, Miss Neighbor. This life, I want to try and see if I can snatch it back using my own methods."
Artoria looked at him for a long time, then let out a soft sigh, but also revealed a smile of understanding. "I knew you would say that, Tony Stark. Stubborn, proud, refusing to accept charity even if it's to save your life."
"Hey, it's called having principles." Tony tried to regain some of his playfulness but failed; his expression remained serious. "However, your healing ability... is indeed amazing. If, and I mean if, one day in the future I really can't handle this Palladium Poisoning and I'm about to kick the bucket... could you save me one more time? Of course, I'll pay a Consultation Fee, a sky-high one!"
"Anytime, Tony," Artoria promised solemnly. "As a friend. No Consultation Fee needed."
"Friend... that's a good word." Tony smiled, a truly more relaxed smile this time. He stood up. "Alright, thanks given, secrets shared, and heavy topics discussed. I have to go back and deal with those old fossils. The wine is for you, and I hope you like the earrings. As for this," he tapped his chest, "I'll find a way. I promise."
"I believe you." Artoria and Minerva saw him to the door.
Tony walked to the car and looked back at Artoria and Minerva standing side-by-side at the door. Under the moonlight, their figures appeared quiet and harmonious. He waved his hand and got into the car.
The engine roared, and the sports car drove into the night.
Artoria closed the door and returned to the living room. Minerva watched her quietly.
"You're not going to persuade him?" Minerva asked.
"That is his choice, his path." Artoria picked up the sapphire earrings and looked at them under the light. "Everyone has their own trials they must face and paths they must complete. We can offer help, but we cannot walk it for them. Especially someone like Tony."
Minerva seemed to think for a moment, then walked up to Artoria and naturally reached out, helping her put on the earrings. The cool white gold touched her earlobes and quickly warmed to her skin temperature. That faint protective energy field quietly expanded, forming an almost imperceptible layer of protection.
"The way he looks at you is different from how he looks at others," Minerva said suddenly, her voice calm. "Even knowing the danger, knowing your capabilities, he still chose a harder path, one closer to you. He wants to prove himself, to... be worthy of standing by your side, in his own way. This is very dangerous, for him and for you."
Artoria was stunned, not expecting Minerva to offer such an analysis. She touched the earrings, feeling the lingering warmth from Minerva's fingertips.
"I know. That's why we have to guard our own boundaries and lives even more, don't we?" She looked at Minerva and smiled. "No matter how the wind and rain rage outside, at least here, with you, it's safe and warm."
Minerva's optical sensors flickered softly. She didn't speak but simply reached out and gently pulled Artoria into her arms. A warm, steady embrace of family.
Outside the window, the night was deep. The great changes at Stark Industries had only just begun, and the path of Iron Man had already commenced. Meanwhile, in the cottage by the sea cliff, the creator and her Guardian continued their peaceful and warm daily life under the tranquil moonlight, quietly guarding their own Small World while watching their friend's destined-to-be extraordinary journey in the distance.
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