[The first person I ran into was actually Pepper Potts.]
[I'm quite familiar with Pepper—not just as Tony's personal assistant, or the future CEO of Stark Industries.]
[More importantly, she's Tony's wife and Morgan Stark's mother.]
[Lately, she's been coming to my café often. It seems she's finally able to relax a bit while Tony's away in the desert demonstrating weapons.]
[But she doesn't know that this time, Tony Stark will be attacked and kidnapped… or what he'll go through, and what he'll eventually become.]
[I think if Pepper knew what awaits Tony, she'd never let him go—even if he's destined to become one of the future superheroes who saves the world.]
[Just like Tony said after he returned: the only person he truly trusts is Pepper.]
Nick Fury frowned slightly as he read the latest entry in the black-gold diary.
He was aware of Tony Stark's trip to the Middle Eastern desert to demonstrate weapons.
He also knew from the diary that Tony would soon be kidnapped—eventually becoming the so-called "Iron Man."
But he hadn't expected it to happen this time.
The desert was outside S.H.I.E.L.D.'s direct jurisdiction. They had no base there, nor the authority to operate freely.
Although he'd sent Phil Coulson and a team to shadow the convoy discreetly…
…just in case something went wrong.
At that thought, Nick Fury immediately took out his phone and called Phil Coulson.
As soon as the call connected, the sound of gunfire erupted from the other end.
"Sir, as you predicted, Mr. Tony Stark's convoy is under attack. We are preparing to provide support."
Before Fury could speak, Phil Coulson reported urgently.
Through the phone, Fury could hear bullets whizzing and even the blast of shells.
He paused.
So it was true—just as the diary described, Tony Stark was being attacked and kidnapped during this weapons demonstration.
Did that mean this kidnapping would indeed turn Tony into the future Avenger mentioned in the diary?
After a brief silence, Fury responded without hesitation:
"Abort the support operation. Do not reveal your presence under any circumstances."
"Instead, discreetly track the group attacking Tony Stark and identify their location."
"Remember: no matter what happens to Tony, as long as his life is not in immediate danger, do not intervene."
In the desert:
Phil Coulson, who had been ready to lead S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to Tony's rescue, halted at Fury's command.
Though confused, he signaled his team to stand down.
They could only watch as the firefight intensified and military personnel fell.
Just as Coulson was about to relay another update to Fury, a shell landed right beside Tony—who had just scrambled out of his vehicle.
"Oh my god!"
Before the words left his mouth, Coulson saw Tony struggle to his feet—only to be thrown backward by the explosion.
Even from a distance, through binoculars, he could see Tony's chest bleeding heavily.
"Sir, are you certain we shouldn't intervene? Mr. Stark's condition appears critical."
"The fighting is dying down—they're preparing to take the unconscious Tony away!"
On the other end, as the gunfire faded, Nick Fury glanced again at the diary open before him.
His tone remained firm:
"Stand down. Continue covert surveillance until Tony escapes on his own."
Fury had chosen, for now, to trust what Su Che had written.
If this played out as described, the diary's contents could become an invaluable guide for handling future crises.
Having foresight was an incredible advantage.
Compared to that, letting Tony suffer a little—as long as it wasn't fatal—was a small price to pay.
"Understood, Director."
After hanging up, Phil Coulson watched through binoculars as Tony was loaded into a vehicle.
He turned to the agents beside him:
"Mission change. We track them—find their hideout and maintain surveillance."
"As long as Tony Stark's life is not in danger, we do not engage."
One of the agents couldn't help asking:
"Sir, is this really the Director's order? Tony Stark is Howard Stark's son. Should we really—"
"Don't question orders you don't understand. That's basic training at the Academy."
Coulson cut him off calmly.
As a veteran who'd risen through S.H.I.E.L.D.'s ranks, he wasn't about to entertain doubts from junior agents.
Back at S.H.I.E.L.D.:
After ending the call, Nick Fury's expression remained unreadable.
He turned his attention back to the diary, ready to continue reading.
Hopefully, this time, everything will unfold exactly as written.