AutumnXd
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CHAPTER 23
🕑 Added 2025-06-22 15:26:03 +0000 UTCAidan's intervention in the cave had altered the timeline. Dr. Yinsen, who would have died on a cold, stone floor, was now sitting on the plush leather seat of a Stark private jet, alive.
On the other side of the cabin, Tony and Pepper Potts were having a quiet, emotional reunion. He was leaning close, his public bravado replaced by a softer, more intimate demeanor, whispering something that made her laugh through her tears. Aidan watched them for a moment with a subtle roll of his eyes, a teenager’s mild disdain for overt adult romance. He then turned to Yinsen, who was looking out the window at the clouds, a lifetime of new possibilities before him.
"Dr. Yinsen," Aidan began, his voice low but clear. "Are you interested in a job?"
Yinsen turned, his expression curious. "A job? Doing what?"
"I'm creating a company. Baymax Medical Technology," Aidan explained. "My path forward depends on Mr. Stark. If he gives up the weapons business, as I believe he will, I'll join Stark Industries as a subsidiary. If he doesn't, I'll create the company independently. Either way, I need people I can trust to help me run it." He saw the intelligence and profound peace in Yinsen's eyes. "You're a physicist, a doctor, and a diplomat who speaks multiple languages. More importantly, you believe in peace, and you've proven you're willing to die for your principles."
Yinsen considered this. "And you believe I would be a good fit for this… company?"
"I wouldn't be looking for an assistant who is a beautiful, hot girl," Aidan said with a wry grin. "I'd be looking for someone with integrity and experience. Someone like you."
Yinsen looked at the boy—the rescuer, the genius, the killer—and laughed, a warm, genuine sound. "Alright, Mr. Parker. You've made your point."
"Baymax Medical will focus on healing technologies, advanced vaccines, charitable aid, and establishing hospitals in war-torn regions," Aidan continued, his voice now filled with a quiet, burning passion. "It will serve no government, only the people. My ideal is to see it spread across the globe, reducing tragedy and suffering wherever it goes." He leaned forward, his expression solemn. "That is my goal. And I need you, Yinsen." He extended his hand.
Yinsen looked at the boy for a long moment, searching his face for any hint of vanity or delusion. He found none. All he saw was unshakeable, indomitable confidence. This boy wasn't a dreamer; he was a force of nature who had bent reality to his will in a desert cave. "It is good to be young," Yinsen sighed, taking Aidan's hand and shaking it firmly. "I would be honored to join you."
"I'm glad," Aidan said, a genuine smile lighting up his face. With Yinsen, he had the foundation of his company's leadership. Now all he needed was a chief AI developer.
Soon, the jet was on its final approach. After washing up on the plane, the three men felt refreshed, almost human again. The moment the ramp was down, Tony Stark was already shouting.
"Happy! Did you get the cheeseburgers? Tell me you got the cheeseburgers!"
"Ready and waiting, sir," Happy Hogan said, holding up a paper bag from which a heavenly greasy aroma was emanating.
"Here," Tony said, tossing a wrapped burger to Aidan as he strode toward the waiting Rolls-Royce. "An American classic. Try not to hate it."
"As long as there's no ketchup on it," Aidan said, opening the wrapper.
"No ketchup, just chili sauce," Happy confirmed, surprised that his boss was sharing his sacred post-disaster meal.
"Dr. Yinsen, you want one?" Tony asked, already taking a massive bite of his own burger.
"No, thank you," Yinsen said, waving a hand as he walked toward a separate town car. "After weeks of scraps, I think I would prefer a simple bowl of hot soup."
"Happy," Tony said casually through a mouthful of food, "get the man a bowl of the best lentil soup in the city. Put it on my tab." He slid into the back seat of the Rolls.
"Of course, sir," Happy replied solemnly.
"Tony, we should go straight to the hospital," Pepper suggested, her face etched with worry.
"Nope," he said, rejecting the idea instantly. "First thing, you're going to call a press conference."
"But your body…"
"Is fine," he said, his expression suddenly serious. "Trust me, Pep. Just do it." Looking into his determined eyes, she pursed her lips and nodded.
As they returned to Stark Industries, greeted by a relieved Obadiah Stane, Aidan and Yinsen were led to a separate car. Aidan stared out the window, a knot of dread tightening in his stomach. I should have waited a day, he thought. Let the cover story settle. Now I have to face her.
"I'll take you to the Tandar laboratory first," he said to Yinsen. "You can stay there for now."
"That would be perfect," Yinsen replied, sipping from a container of soup the driver had procured. "I must go back to my hometown tomorrow, to see what is left. I will be back in a week."
"Okay," Aidan said. "Try not to get kidnapped again."
Yinsen smiled. "If every kidnapping ends with a rescue from someone like you, I might be willing to take the risk."
"Your sense of humor is weird," Aidan said, frowning as he subtly shifted away from him.
After dropping Yinsen at the secure desert lab, Aidan took the long, apprehensive car ride home. He walked up the familiar path to his front door, his heart pounding with a fear no terrorist could ever inspire.
Inside, the house was unnaturally quiet. Aunt May sat on the sofa, her expression haggard, the corners of her eyes red-rimmed and puffy with shed tears. Beside her, a silent, withdrawn Peter clutched the small fighting robot Aidan had made for him, his last gift from a brother he now believed was gone forever. Am I going to lose another loved one? the boy thought, his heart aching.
On the television, a news anchor's voice cut through the somber atmosphere. "...we are now getting confirmed reports that Stark Industries CEO Tony Stark has returned to the United States. He is scheduled to hold a press conference within the hour…"
May’s head snapped up. She sat bolt upright, her eyes glued to the screen. After a lengthy report on Tony, the anchor continued. "Mr. Stark was not the only American caught in the attack. He was accompanied by two others, including this young man…" A fleeting, grainy image of Aidan, looking disheveled but very much alive, flashed on the screen.
A choked sob of pure, unadulterated relief escaped May's lips. Tears began to flow again, but this time they were tears of joy. "Peter," she cried, grabbing him and pulling him into a tight hug. "Peter, your brother is alive!"
"Really?" Peter looked at the screen, his own depressed heart suddenly kicking back to life. "He's alive!"
Ding-dong.
At that exact moment, the doorbell rang. May scrambled up from the sofa, her hands trembling with excitement and hope, and ran to the door, yanking it open.
