Chapter 40: Iron Man
"This is Mr. Stark's technology, isn't it?"
Spider-Man reached out and tore the arc reactor straight out of Iron Monger's chest.
"No!" Obadiah let out an unwilling roar.
Without Tony Stark's arc reactor, the armor was nothing more than scrap metal.
"That's it for you, Iron Monger," Spider-Man said.
He flipped open the helmet and pulled Obadiah out from inside.
"Spider-Man, you've ruined my grand plan. You've destroyed the future of Stark Industries. You'll regret this," Obadiah snarled through clenched teeth.
"Your 'grand plan' looks like it'll only exist in your imagination, behind bars. As for me destroying Stark Industries' future? I doubt it. I think the company will do far better without you than with you."
"Well said, kid," a voice rang out from the sky above Stark Industries headquarters.
"Iron Man…" Spider-Man looked up.
"Tony!" Obadiah roared.
"Iron Man?" Tony said as he hovered overhead. "Not a bad name. Looks like I'm a bit late, Spider-Man."
"Not really. You showed up just in time for the highlight, me catching the criminal."
"I can imagine how brutal that fight was," Tony commented, eyeing the Iron Monger armor with its reactor missing. "You two nearly demolished Stark Industries headquarters. Pepper is probably getting a headache already. Rebuilding this place is going to take some time."
"This was all his doing," Spider-Man quickly added. "Agent Coulson can back me up. I tried my best to minimize the damage. The results just weren't great."
"Relax. I'm not asking you to pay for anything. On the contrary, I should be thanking you for helping me take care of a huge problem."
"It was nothing," Spider-Man replied, pleased to receive Tony Stark's gratitude.
"Stane, it looks like you're in worse shape than I expected," Tony said, turning his attention to Obadiah.
"Don't get too smug, Tony," Obadiah snapped. "What you're doing will ruin Stark Industries. You're destroying the legacy your father left behind."
"I'm simply trying to guide Stark Industries onto the right path."
"The right path?" Obadiah scoffed. "What is the right path? The whole world is at war. We should seize the opportunity and make Stark Industries even stronger. Not like you, shutting down weapons production and handing the market to Hammer Industries and Oscorp."
"Stark Industries' weapons only cause hundreds of thousands of lives to be lost, families to be broken."
"Hahahaha. Deaths. Broken families." Obadiah laughed wildly. "You, Tony Stark, actually care about that?"
"Don't forget who spent sleepless nights developing weapons," he continued. "And who was always eager to show the military how powerful those weapons were, all to prove how brilliant you were. Tony Stark, the way you are now makes me sick."
Thud.
Iron Man landed on the ground and began walking toward Obadiah.
Spider-Man, reading the room, wisely let go of him.
Released without warning, Obadiah dropped hard onto the floor, landing squarely on his backside.
Iron Man stopped in front of him and opened his faceplate.
"Stane, I'll admit it. Everything you just accused me of used to be true," Tony said. "That's exactly why I shut down Stark Industries' weapons division. It's my way of making up for my mistakes."
"You think that just because you were kidnapped by terrorists, you suddenly understand their suffering? That you can clear your conscience and play the hero?
Go ask them. Ask the families of those who died because of Stark weapons. Ask them if they hate you, or if they think you are a hero."
"I'll tell you this, Tony Stark. They'll hate you for the rest of their lives. They'll hate Stark Industries forever," Obadiah jabbed a finger at him.
"I've never thought of myself as a hero," Tony replied quietly. "And I've never expected their forgiveness. I'm a sinner, someone who carries blood on his hands."
Obadiah paused. Tony's words left him momentarily speechless.
"You'll drag Stark Industries into ruin," he muttered, repeating the line over and over. "You'll regret this…"
"Save those dreams for prison, Stane," Tony said with a weary sigh.
He had once treated Obadiah like family. Now, that trust was shattered beyond repair.
"Prison? No, Tony, I can't go to prison," Obadiah protested frantically. "I'm a major shareholder of Stark Industries. You can't do this to me!"
"From this moment on, you're no longer a shareholder," Tony declared coldly.
"Tony, you can't treat me like this," Obadiah pleaded. "I was your father's friend! I helped raise you! I always treated you like my own son!"
"I'm begging you. Just this once. I'll give you all my shares. I'll disappear, I swear. You'll never see me again," Obadiah dropped to his knees.
"Before I discovered you were reselling Stark Industries weapons, I always regarded you as a respected elder," Tony said.
Obadiah saw that Tony seemed moved by his words and a smile crept onto his face.
"Tony, I knew you'd—"
Before Obadiah could finish, Iron Man delivered a swift punch, knocking him unconscious.
"But that was before. Now you're just a criminal who sold Stark Industries weapons," Tony said, looking down at the fallen man.
"Uh… Mr. Stark, are you alright?" Spider-Man asked, having watched the entire exchange.
"Honestly? Not really."
"Mr. Stark, I get it—"
"Stop," Tony cut in. "I don't need a kid comforting me."
"Okay, I may be young, but I've been through a lot."
"Of course," Tony replied dryly. "Most kids don't fight crime while wearing an outdated outfit."
"Outdated? Come on, this suit is pretty popular. I think your taste needs some work."
"My taste is impeccable. Every trust-fund kid in New York agrees. Yours is what needs help. But considering what you did tonight, swing by Stark Industries sometime. I'll design you a suit."
"No need. I already have one that'll definitely meet your standards."
"Really?" Tony raised a brow. "My standards are high. Most suits don't make the cut."