Chapter 9: Serpent Shield Bureau and Tony's Return
Sherlock could, of course, see Pepper's sorrow. Although he had done his best to comfort his future aunt and repeatedly assured her that Tony would be fine.
But in reality, it had little effect. Pepper visibly grew more haggard day by day, and her influence within the company diminished daily.
In contrast, Obadiah Stane, despite his setbacks on the board, actually gained more and more power within the company, even reaching a point where he was on par with, or even surpassed, Pepper.
Then, one day, half a month after that board meeting, news broke on television about an exceptionally large-scale explosion in a valley in Afghanistan.
After the Military investigated, they reported that it was a rebel Base.
Sherlock felt more at ease after seeing this news. It seemed his appearance hadn't triggered any butterfly effect; Tony still managed to escape from that cave by swinging a hammer.
It would likely only be a few days before Colonel Rhodes found the escaped Tony and brought this most famous genius of the Marvel Universe back to Pepper.
However, what Sherlock didn't expect was that the first person to find Pepper wasn't someone from the Military, but Phil Coulson, the good old man from the Serpent Shield Bureau.
Looking at this Agent, who was practically famous as a good old man in the Marvel movie World, Nick Fury's most renowned Agent, and the beginner's guide in countless fanfiction works, Sherlock almost couldn't resist going up to him for an autograph.
Of course, as a 'muggle' who had never revealed his special abilities, although Phil Coulson was puzzled by Sherlock's knowing gaze, he didn't press the matter. He simply introduced himself to the two.
Then he produced a stack of documents proving that clues about Stark had been found. Pepper initially thought he was there for a reward and immediately wanted to transfer money to Phil Coulson.
However, Phil Coulson refused with a wry smile, stating that he was a government official assisting Pepper.
Sherlock merely curled his lip and said nothing about Phil Coulson's explanation. Although Phil Coulson hadn't told the whole truth, it was even possible that S.H.I.E.L.D. was investigating how Tony managed to escape that Base.
But his identity was there, and it was also a safeguard for Pepper's safety, so Sherlock naturally had no objections.
As the saying goes, good things come in pairs. Just three days later, Rhodes called Pepper to inform her that Tony, who had collapsed in the desert, had been found and was currently on a plane back to the Base.
This made Pepper almost cry tears of joy. She immediately wanted to fly to Afghanistan to find Tony. Sherlock and Phil Coulson persuaded her with much effort to change her mind and wait for Tony at the airport instead.
Early the next morning, Sherlock, still in his dreams, was pulled out of bed by Pepper, who kept urging him to wash up quickly, as Tony was about to return.
Sherlock could only speed up his movements, full of morning grumpiness, and then, in a daze, was bundled into a car by Pepper and Phil Coulson, heading for the airport.
However, in fact, when they arrived at the airport, Tony's private plane from Afghanistan had not yet landed. Sherlock even felt like he had slept for a long time before being woken up.
He grudgingly followed everyone to the tarmac, watching as a plane steadily landed and then stopped not far from them.
After the jet bridge connected to the plane, a slightly disheveled Tony emerged from the aircraft. This was the second time Sherlock had seen his adoptive uncle.
Compared to the arrogant and narcissistic demeanor Sherlock observed during their first meeting, Tony now appeared more composed, and the arrogance in his eyes had vanished without a trace.
Coupled with his somewhat disheveled appearance, despite clearly having tidied up, it made Sherlock feel less annoyed than he had during their first encounter.
After Tony dismissed Phil Coulson, who had approached wanting to talk, and hugged his beloved Pepper, he finally turned his gaze to Sherlock, who was standing behind everyone.
"I didn't expect you to come too, my dear nephew."
The moment he faced Sherlock, Tony seemed to instantly revert to his original arrogant and narcissistic playboy persona.
Without even needing to use Mind Reading, Sherlock could tell that Tony had no ill intentions. Although Tony's disguise was good enough, his calm eyes directly betrayed Tony's thoughts.
Just as Sherlock was about to say something, Pepper gently pulled Tony from behind, frowning and shaking her head at him.
Seeing Pepper's expression, Tony seemed to understand something immediately. He turned to look at Pepper and asked quietly, a little puzzled.
"You told others about my relationship with this kid?"
To Tony's question, Pepper could only nod and then quietly answered Tony's question.
"I had no choice. As your only heir, I contacted him after you went missing."
Pepper cleverly did not tell Tony about the abnormality she had detected, merely stating the superficial situation.
Upon hearing Pepper's admission, Tony's feigned playboy image vanished without a trace. He then looked at Sherlock again and said seriously.
"Alright, let me reintroduce myself, little guy. I am your uncle, Tony Stark."
Looking at Tony, Sherlock rolled his eyes in annoyance and mercilessly quipped, "muggle."
Then he looked at Pepper, who was standing behind Tony, and said.
"Alright, my dear Aunt Pepper, since Tony is back, I'm going home. You know, it's been a long time since I've been back to my gun shop."
After speaking, completely disregarding Pepper, who had a deep blush on her face, he turned and walked towards the airport exit, intending to find a secluded corner to try out his Phantom Shift, and then drive his large raptor back to his beloved gun shop.
As he left, he didn't forget to pat Phil Coulson, who had been snubbed, signaling him to keep up the good work.
Everyone present, upon hearing Sherlock's use of 'aunt,' looked at Tony and Pepper, who were standing in the middle, with strange expressions. Surprisingly, Tony, being a playboy, did not object to Sherlock's teasing remark.
Everyone had an expression like they had just heard a huge piece of gossip, even after they all got into the car.
The only exceptions were Pepper and Tony.