Chapter 204: Serum
Amid the charred Stark Expo ruins, Tony Stark sat in dazed numbness.
Everything preserved here regarding his father had vanished with the flames.
Historically, every Stark Industries invention, discovery, or innovation received public unveiling at Stark Expo press conferences.
But now—following the crimson mech's arson attack plus Tony's subsequent Mark III engagement—only rubble remained.
"Pepper, take a headcount." Tony transmitted through Mark III's communications system.
Pepper currently positioned herself at the Expo's perimeter. Hearing Tony's dispirited tone—knowing he couldn't see her—she responded quickly:
"Already doing that. Where are you, Tony?"
Tony surveyed his surroundings, voice melancholic:
"Right here in the ruins."
"What's wrong, Tony?" Pepper detected his dejection, immediately offering comfort. "I'll contact the insurance company for damage assessment. We'll rebuild a new Expo quickly, Tony."
Tony smiled slightly without responding.
"Sir, based on your vital signs, I recommend immediately removing the armor and returning to the company for comprehensive medical examination." Jarvis reported.
Jarvis's reminder registered with Tony. But rather than complying, he stood, activating repulsors before levitating.
"Sir, palladium levels in your bloodstream have exceeded safe thresholds..." Jarvis issued urgent warning.
"I know, Jarvis." Tony launched toward Stark Tower. "I understand my own body. Haven't reached critical levels yet."
"Sir, due to base protocol restrictions, I cannot forcibly dial emergency services. However—"
Jarvis attempted continuation. Tony interrupted:
"Skip this topic, Jarvis. Help me contact Peter Parker."
Jarvis fell silent momentarily before responding:
"Unable to reach Peter Parker."
Tony experienced immediate frustration. Airborne, observing the bustling streets below, irritation intensified.
But suddenly—
CRASH!
Tony immediately oriented toward the sound source—unmistakably Manhattan's Oscorp Tower.
Oscorp Tower's twentieth-floor window shattered. A figure leaped outward.
Tony flew toward the falling figure without hesitation. Before covering one hundred yards, he observed the plummeting form twist mid-air, altering trajectory.
Tony's Mark III form halted instantly. He studied Oscorp's twentieth floor with confusion, glimpsing a golden humanoid figure appearing at the window edge. Seconds later, it transformed into electrical discharge before vanishing.
"Jarvis, replay footage Mark III captured just now."
Tony's eyebrow arched.
From Mark III's internal playback, Tony finally discerned both figures clearly: one with ash-gray skin and disheveled hair, the other crackling with golden electrical discharge.
"Oscorp experimental subjects escaped?" Beyond that explanation, Tony couldn't immediately conceive alternative scenarios.
Suspended in Mark III armor, Tony didn't immediately pursue those figures. Instead, he queried Jarvis:
"Jarvis, I recall approximately two weeks ago, something happened at Oscorp Tower. What did the news report?"
Jarvis rapidly indexed recent news archives before responding:
"The Daily Bugle dedicated an entire section to Oscorp events. A General Ross—U.S. Air Force Major General—entered Oscorp Tower under military oversight authority..."
"That's not what I need. Didn't the news mention 'Batman'?" Tony asked.
"Correct, sir." Jarvis confirmed.
"Let's enter Oscorp Tower for investigation. Maybe we'll find Batman-related intelligence. Those two creatures might connect to him."
Tony eliminated hesitation. Upper body tilted forward, center of gravity shifted, boot repulsors accelerated him toward Oscorp's twentieth floor, approaching the shattered window.
Tony had intended investigating Batman-related intelligence. But upon entering floor twenty, he immediately discovered Harry Osborn collapsed on the floor, struggling weakly—plus Miles Warren nearby, body bent unnaturally, barely breathing.
"Happy! Where are you? Stark Tower? Contact Metro-General Hospital—reserve beds, arrange emergency surgery!" Tony immediately dialed Happy, shouting urgently. "Hurry!"
Statement concluded, Tony rapidly scanned Oscorp's twentieth-floor laboratory, hoping to locate something enabling simultaneous patient transport.
But after surveying the space, Tony found nothing suitable.
Only damaged walls with exposed wiring, destroyed laboratory tables and equipment, numerous glass jars containing preserved biological organs, plus one insulated chair.
"Also, arrange an ambulance—" Tony issued additional instructions to Happy.
Observing Harry still struggling on the floor, Tony quickly advanced several steps, kneeling carefully before gently tapping Harry:
"Hold on. I've called an ambulance."
Tony's statement barely concluded before Jarvis responded:
"My apologies, sir. According to Mark III's bioscan readings, you're facing Oscorp's Harry Osborn and Miles Warren respectively. They cannot survive until ambulance arrival."
WHOOSH!
Tony's frustration intensified. Just as he prepared lifting one patient per hand for direct hospital delivery, Harry suddenly manifested faint vitality.
He didn't look toward Tony. Eyes staring vacantly forward, hand reaching as though grasping for something, voice extremely weak:
"Peter."
"I'm not Peter." Tony stated. "Wait—Peter? Peter Parker?"
Harry nodded slightly. This time he finally looked at Tony:
"You're not Peter. You're... Iron Man?"
Tony gritted his teeth:
"I'm Peter's friend. What happened here?"
Harry's mouth opened wordlessly. Blood streamed from his neck wound.
Tony fumbled attempting to seal the injury. But blood continued seeping between his armored fingertips.
"Go to floor sixty. Hidden compartment beneath the office desk. There's a serum vial inside—left by my father." Harry exhausted all remaining strength finally articulating complete instructions.
Statement concluded, Tony rocketed through the shattered window, ascending rapidly. One repulsor blast demolished floor sixty's window. He surged inside—