"Everyone has received the official statement from Stark Industries regarding last night's incident. According to unconfirmed reports, a prototype robot malfunctioned, leading to severe damage to the Arc Reactor. Fortunately, one of Tony Stark's personal bodyguards used Stark's top-secret technology to defuse the crisis..."
On the screen behind them, Rhodey was giving an official press briefing to the media.
"Iron Man?"
Tony was holding a newspaper with the headline "Who is Iron Man?" and chatting with Pepper Potts.
"The name is interesting. He's got a cool ring to it. Although it's not quite accurate, the suit is actually made of gold-titanium alloy, but who knows what people will think..."
Pepper peeled the band-aid off Tony's nose and was tidying up his appearance for his upcoming appearance.
Coulson walked over and handed Tony a few small slips of paper, saying, "An alibi."
"Okay." Tony put down the newspaper and started looking through the official statement.
"You were on a yacht at the time," Coulson explained.
"Okay," Tony responded.
"The IRS has verified that you were docked at Avalon Harbor all night, and we have the testimonies of fifty guests."
As Pepper applied concealer to Tony's bruised face, Tony looked down at the slips of paper and said, "Honestly, I think it would be better to say it was just me and Pepper on the island that night."
He glanced over at Pepper, but she ignored him, finishing her task and walking away.
"We can't fabricate things," Coulson gently refused.
"Fine."
"Just stick to the script."
"You didn't mention Obadiah."
Tony quickly scanned the slips of paper and then looked at Coulson skeptically.
"And no mention of Lyn?"
"No need," Coulson replied. "We handled it. Obadiah went on vacation, you know how unsafe small planes can be..."
"But how do you explain the fabricated bodyguard?" Tony frowned. "He's me. I mean, how do you explain this weak point?"
"This isn't the first time I've done something like this. As long as you follow the official statement, everything will be fine..." Coulson said calmly.
Tony had no choice but to accept, but...
"What about Lyn? More people know about him than about Iron Man. Everyone knows they fought side by side and left together..."
Tony looked at Coulson, clearly expecting a straight answer.
Coulson responded with an innocent, pleading look, "You can avoid those questions. Just stick to the Iron Man topic..."
"So, you're not ready to handle the Lyn situation, are you?"
"No," Coulson replied. "I don't know. This isn't my responsibility now."
With that, he quickly turned to leave, fearing Tony would pursue the matter further.
"You have ninety seconds," Pepper said as she escorted Coulson to the door.
"Agent Coulson, I want to express my deep gratitude for all your help," Pepper said sincerely.
"It's my duty," Coulson smiled, "We'll work together again."
"You're from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division..." Pepper began, slightly furrowing her brow at the long name of S.H.I.E.L.D.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. for short," Coulson smiled and then turned to leave.
"Okay."
Watching Coulson walk away, Pepper turned to Tony and said light-heartedly, "Your turn to take the stage."
Tony responded with a bit of sarcasm, "You know, it seems faking things isn't that hard, even if I don't believe I'm Iron Man."
Pepper held out a suit jacket, and Tony took a slip of paper and bit it, turning his back so Pepper could help him put on the jacket.
"You're definitely not Iron Man."
"No, I am," Tony mumbled with the paper still in his mouth.
"You're not."
"Fine, whatever you say," Tony conceded.
"You know, if I were Iron Man and had a girlfriend like you who knew all my secrets, she'd worry I'd die someday. But she'd also be proud of me. She'd feel conflicted because that would make her love me even more," Tony said, turning to face Pepper.
At that moment, Tony had no idea that these words, full of foresight, would come true years later.
But maybe, with his extraordinary intellect, Tony had already prepared for this outcome when he made today's decision.
That's just the kind of person he was.
Arrogant, sarcastic, hard to get close to, and a bit petty, but these flaws only made him more vibrant and highlighted his extraordinary wisdom and sense of responsibility.
"Oh, it seems I came at a bad time."
A voice filled with apology came from the hallway.
They both turned to look.
"Lyn? You really came?"
Tony said, surprised and delighted.
Then he signaled Pepper with his eyes to let them talk alone.
"How have you been?"
"Great."
Lyn smiled.
...
"Mr. Stark has prepared a statement, but he will not be taking any questions. Thank you."
Rhodey's voice rang out as the seated reporters all simultaneously aimed their cameras at Tony Stark, taking a flurry of photos.
Tony took his place at the podium, glanced at the reporters, and began casually, "Well, it's been a while since I've been in front of you all."
He looked down at his script, "I'll just read it as is."
"Some people speculate that I was involved in the incident on the expressway and rooftops..."
Halfway through his speech, a young, attractive female reporter in the front row rudely interrupted by raising her hand and saying, "Do you really expect us to believe that was a bodyguard, who just happened to show up in armor, when in fact you usually..."
"I get what you're saying."
Tony interrupted her as well, forcing a fake smile.
"It's fine to question the official statement, but it's completely out of line to make baseless assumptions and call me a superhero."
The female reporter smiled smugly, as if she had caught Tony in a verbal trap: "I never said you were a superhero."
"You didn't..." Tony stammered, "Good, because that would be ridiculous, absurd even..."
Tony muttered to himself, "I... I'm not cut out to be a hero. Clearly, I have too many character flaws, I've made too many mistakes, and the impact has been terrible..."
Seeing Tony go off-script, Rhodey leaned in and whispered, "Just stick to the script."
"Okay, I got it." Tony picked up the script again. "In fact..."
Holding the script, the next words stuck in his throat.
He looked up and silently scanned the room, taking in all the reporters, security, Rhodey, Pepper, and...
Lyn.
Here it comes! The iconic moment is about to happen!
Standing in an inconspicuous corner, Lyn felt a surge of excitement.
Even though he possessed superhuman strength, he didn't consider himself a hero.
But the man in front of him was a true superhero, who stood shoulder to shoulder with gods despite being a mortal.
Today marked the first chapter of his widely-known legend.
How could Lyn not feel a thrill at such an iconic moment?
But after a while, Lyn keenly sensed that something was off.
Why was Tony staring at him?
Say your line, Tony!
Tony stared at Lyn for a full ten seconds, drawing the attention of many in the room toward Lyn.
"Could I be a good superhero?"
Tony recalled their last conversation.
"Of course, you're the best!"
With that in mind, Tony made his decision. He calmly set the script aside and uttered the iconic line:
"I am Iron Man!"
The room erupted.
"Wait, I have one more big announcement." He spoke up, and the room quieted down.
"I have a superhero friend..."