Marvel : Copycat System

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"Okay, Master, I've got it," Turbo's voice rang out.

Hearing the confirmation, Kai Vale finally let out a sigh of relief. If he hadn't remembered to tell Turbo about the stock strategy, he might have suffered a major loss.

Fortunately, he had planned ahead. Now all he had to do was sell while the stock price was high, then wait for Tony's announcement to send Stark Industries' stock plunging before buying it back at its lowest point.

When Tony later revealed his Iron Man identity, the stock price would inevitably skyrocket. Combined with future breakthroughs like the Arc Reactor, Kai knew this was his ticket to becoming a rich man.

And if he invested enough when the stock hit rock bottom, he might even become one of Stark Industries' shareholders.

Thinking about it, Kai lay down on his bed, finally ready to rest after the exhausting search for Tony in the desert.

Meanwhile, Tony had showered, changed, and was now sitting in Happy's car, savoring a cheeseburger on the way to his press conference.

Back at home, Yinsen watched the event unfold on TV.

Tony had just finished his burger when the car pulled up at the venue. Obadiah Stane greeted him at the door.

"Oh, Tony, I thought I'd have to visit you in the hospital," Obadiah said with forced concern.

"No, no, no, I'm fine," Tony assured him, glancing around for something.

Happy appeared with a bag of cheeseburgers, and Tony grabbed one.

"Is there one for me?" Obadiah asked.

"Sorry, last one," Tony smirked, unwrapping it as they walked inside.

By the time they reached the podium, Tony had devoured his burger. Obadiah joined him on stage while Pepper stood in the crowd, watching quietly.

Just then, a man with a high hairline approached Pepper. If Kai had been there, he'd have recognized him immediately.

"Ms. Potts, could I have a word?"

"I'm not here for the press conference, and it's about to start," Pepper replied quickly, pointing toward the stage.

"I'm not a reporter," the man clarified. "I'm Agent Coulson from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division."

"That's quite a mouthful," Pepper muttered. "But we've already been contacted by several agencies."

"We're a separate branch," Coulson explained. "We just need to understand the details of Tony Stark's escape."

"Alright, I'll let him know," Pepper said, though her attention was still on Tony.

On stage, Tony addressed the reporters.

"I'm ready to do something for society," Tony announced. "So I plan to shut down Stark Industries' weapons manufacturing division immediately."

The room fell silent.

Pepper's eyes widened in shock.

Watching from home, Kai leaned back, satisfied. He knew this was the moment the stock would nosedive.

Yinsen, meanwhile, smiled with quiet pride. Tony's decision meant a better future.

But Obadiah wasn't smiling. He quickly stepped forward, taking control of the podium.

"Our purpose today was to announce Tony's safe return," Obadiah said smoothly. "We'll hold an internal meeting to discuss the future of our company and provide updates when available."

After the conference, Obadiah cornered Tony.

"Tony, what the hell was that?" he demanded. "We're an arms company! If we shut down weapons production, what are we supposed to sell — baby bottles?"

"We'll focus on new technology," Tony countered.

"Oh, like reactor tech?" Obadiah scoffed. "We haven't made any breakthroughs in thirty years."

Tony crossed his arms. "Just tell me — who told you?"

"That's not important," Obadiah said, eyeing the glowing arc reactor in Tony's chest. "Just let me see it."

Tony hesitated but eventually pulled down his shirt collar to reveal the device.

Obadiah grinned. "Tony, I need you to get this thing out so I can calm down the board."

Tony shook his head firmly. "No. That's mine. I'll develop other tech, but this stays with me."

"Alright," Obadiah said with fake sympathy. "I'll do my best to convince the board. Go home and get some rest."

Tony gave a grateful smile. "Thanks, Stan."

Back home, Kai watched the whole thing unfold on TV. He knew Tony would soon start building his Iron Man suit — and that the battle with Iron Monger wasn't far off.

"Turbo, did you follow the plan?" Kai asked.

"Yes, Master," Turbo confirmed. "I sold Stark Industries' stock at the peak and prepared to buy it back when it drops."

"Good," Kai said, satisfied. Turbo never let him down.

Meanwhile, Tony was in his basement, building a new arc reactor to replace the one in his chest.

But as he tried to switch them out, something went wrong. Frustrated, Tony called Pepper.

"Hey, Pepper," Tony's voice crackled through her phone. "Can you come down to the basement and — uh — let me see your hands?"

Curious, Pepper headed downstairs.

"Is that the thing that saved your life?" she asked, staring at the glowing device in his chest.

"Yeah," Tony nodded. "But it's outdated."

He held up a sleeker, more advanced reactor. "This is the new model I need now."

"I need you to help me replace it," Tony explained. "There's a wire inside — I need you to reach in and pull it out."

Pepper froze. "Wait… reach in?"

"It's fine," Tony assured her. "I trust you."

After a tense moment, Pepper swallowed her fear and reached in. Following Tony's instructions, she carefully removed the wire and inserted the new reactor.

As Tony powered up the new device, Pepper exhaled in relief.

"Please," she said breathlessly, "please don't ever make me do that again."

Tony gave her a warm smile. "But… I have no one else but you."

Pepper smiled back, still shaken. Then she picked up the old reactor.

"What should I do with this?" she asked.

"Destroy it," Tony said with a grin. "Burn it!"

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