Even though the Iron Demon God that had conjured a mechanical army was gone, the military still had a laundry list of issues to discuss with Stark. But considering the overwhelming power displayed by Stark, they didn't dare to use any coercive means.
Since Stark hadn't publicized the fact that he was Iron Man, the military believed he wouldn't participate in any public hearings. Therefore, they had attempted to privately invite Stark for talks.
But there were many obstacles against the plan. The S.H.I.E.L.D sought to prevent Stark from interacting with the military in fear of jeopardizing their collaboration. Furthermore, after Obadiah's return, the Stark Group appeared to have gained renewed vigour, Obadiah was strongly against collaborating with the military, making it difficult for them to bypass him and contact Stark.
Currently, Stark wasn't a porcupine, but he was surrounded by a bunch of them. The military was at a loss.
But it was impossible for them to stand idly by. They wouldn't let such vast power slip from their control. Even when knowing they were dealing with a ticking time bomb, there would always be someone trying to benefit from the situation.
Eventually, the military turned to The World Security Council.
They certainly found the right people. Watchng Nick Fury's power grow, alongside the increasing strength of the superheroes surrounding him, Alexander Pierce was restless.
Originally, he and Nick shared common interests, such as the Eternal Life Factor industry. But as Nick strengthened and expanded his operations, Pierce's reliance on him lessened. Seeing his chosen agent gradually slipping from his control, Pierce wanted to weaken Nick's power and reassert his authority.
The change in interests led to a shift in stance. Soon, Nick received a call from The World Security Council.
On a plainly normal weekend morning in fall, The Global Times published a bombshell piece: "Tony Stark - The secret behind Iron Man's metal mask."
Stark put down the newspaper, placed his coffee cup on the table, and cheerfully said, "Well, now I don't have to reveal it myself. They did it for me."
Across from him, Pepper reluctantly said, "This has significant implications. Many people, stirred up by the military, believe you have a responsibility to hand over this advanced technology to them, in the interest of world peace."
"World peace, my ass!" Nick yelled into his phone in his office, "Do not try to fool me with the same lines you use on a toddler!"
"When will you stop with this charade? Continual provocation, demands, pressure from public opinion, economic sanctions, have you all lost your minds?"
"Why can't you understand that your tricks won't work on Stark anymore, and if you provoke him, the whole Earth will be in danger, with the final mess left for S.H.I.E.L.D to clean up!"
After hanging up, Nick sighed, turned to Hill next to him, and asked, "What was the name of that black symbiont's host from last time? Is he a reporter for the Global Times? Get in touch with him immediately..."
At this moment, Eddie was arguing with Venom at a hot dog stand in Hell's Kitchen: "I warned you the last time. The Mexican chili is really spicy but you still wanted the extra-spicy dog. I was about to breathe my last due to the spiciness. I definitely won't..."
"You're the most cowardly human I've ever seen. You're all whiny over a bit of chili."
"One extra spicy, thanks." A hoarse and deep voice emitted from Eddie's throat, then he twitched and said, "No! Not extra spicy, just a mild one..."
"Hey, wait, there's a beauty!"
"Don't think you can distract me, this trick won't work anymore."
"Hello, my name is Hill, are you Eddie Brock?"
As Eddie turned around, he saw Hill, dressed professionally, standing behind him.
"I am, what's the matter?"
"Hello, I'm SHIELD Agent Hill, we have some work that requires your cooperation." Hill flashed her badge.
"Hello Phantom, long time no see. Last time on the battlefield was too hasty, are you free lately?"
"Wait!" Eddie interrupted Venom, he muttered under his breath, "Didn't you hear what she said? She's a SHIELD agent..."
On the other side, Phantom was telling Hill in her mind: "I've always said, Venom is insane. He wants to make his host swoon over you!"
"I don't think he wants to make his host swoon over me. Don't you think he's trying to swoon over you?"
"Stop joking," Phantom said, "Symbionts don't have gender, because we don't need to reproduce like humans do. My form is female because the human host I'm parasitizing on is female..."
At this moment, a subtle strain appeared between the two pairs of symbionts and hosts. Eddie thought that Venom was hitting on Phantom. Phantom thought Eddie was trying to control her host to swoon over Hill. But Hill believed, like Eddie, that Venom was trying to hit on Phantom...
This resulted in them standing in front of each other, not knowing what to say, and talking to their respective symbionts in their minds.
Standing behind the hot dog stand, Gonzalez tapped his tray and asked, "Do you guys still want hot dogs?"