The Marvel's Brat

By Yan Ye

Protagonist Name: Luke Stark

Identity: DNF heir, Iron Man Tony Stark's illegitimate son

Codename: "Apostle"

Personality: Inherited narcissism and tsundere.

Age: 7 (cursed, permanently frozen).

Record: Defeated Thanos

New Goal: Grow taller, bring peace to the universe, and challenge "Death," one of Marvel's five gods!

Specialties: Throwing tantrums, fighting, and causing destruction!

Catchphrase: I'm a capable kid, I'm afraid of no one!

...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Yan Ye
• Release date: Sep 2, 2025
• ISBN: 9798231865826

Book preview

The Marvel's Brat

YanYe

––––––––

Protagonist Name: Luke Stark

Identity: DNF heir, Iron Man Tony Stark's illegitimate son

Codename: Apostle

Personality: Inherited narcissism and tsundere.

Age: 7 (cursed, permanently frozen).

Record: Defeated Thanos

New Goal: Grow taller, bring peace to the universe, and challenge Death, one of Marvel's five gods!

Specialties: Throwing tantrums, fighting, and causing destruction!

Catchphrase: I'm a capable kid, I'm afraid of no one!

...

Chapter 1: The Brat Returns

Over an island more than a hundred nautical miles from New York, a thunderclap split the sky. A tiny black speck appeared high above. The speck rapidly enlarged, and soon, a massive black mech descended straight from the heavens.

The 88-meter-tall black mech boomed to a halt on the island's helipad, kicking up a cloud of dust. The hatch beneath the mech opened, revealing a small, slender figure. He leaped down.

The little boy's stubby legs hit the ground with a soft thud.

Luke, whose physical age was frozen at seven, rubbed his sleepy eyes. He lifted his head and glanced around. The vast, plaza-like landing pad was completely empty except for him. Yawning widely, Luke stretched lazily and began walking toward the island's interior with his short legs.

Assistant, any news while I was away? Luke asked as he walked.

No one was beside him. Yet suddenly, a holographic projection materialized before him, moving step by step alongside him.

The projection showed a beautiful young woman with wine-red hair, dressed in a white lab coat.

The redhead smiled mischievously and teased, Master, welcome back! You were gone for 28 days, 5 hours, 19 minutes, and 33 seconds. During that time, there were 129 military conflicts worldwide classified as minor or larger. The Avengers were deployed three times. Additionally, one event requiring your special attention has occurred.

Oh? Which one? Luke's small face lit up with curiosity.

No sooner had he spoken than the screen before him flickered, projecting a news segment.

A blonde female anchor stated: "Cybercriminal Scott Lang, who calls himself a whistleblower, was convicted of robbery years ago for his involvement in the theft of millions from San Francisco industrial giant Vista Enterprises. However, he claims he only acted to return money Vista had stolen from its customers. This case once dominated headlines.

After serving three years, Scott Lang is scheduled for release from San Quentin Prison on July 17th. Lang has filed multiple lawsuits against industrial giants, alleging they defrauded customers out of millions. However, SEC investigations found no evidence to support these claims. We'll bring you Scott's first interview since his conviction. He'll join our live broadcast from San Quentin Prison before his release... For more news, stay tuned to WHIH News Frontline."

What's today's date? Luke asked after reading it.

July 9th.

Oh.

Luke nodded, tilted his head in thought, then continued walking forward on his short legs.

Ant-Man's release from prison was certainly a noteworthy milestone.

But compared to the other matter he was facing head-on, it seemed rather insignificant.

Not long ago, he had just eliminated Thanos in another universe, thwarting the tyrant's ambition to destroy the entire cosmos. But now, he must confront an even more terrifying foe—Death, one of the Five Great Gods of the Marvel universe.

Overwhelming evidence had proven that the mad Thanos was merely a pawn in Death's hands. Death sought to subjugate all universes into her realm. Should she succeed, all life across every universe would cease to exist!

This time, he brought back grim news: Death is secretly plotting a colossal conspiracy.

The specifics remain unclear for now.

The enemy is nearly invincible. No one can escape Death's decree. Unless, that is, the thirteen Apostles who have already descended upon the Marvel Universe unite their efforts—a scenario Luke desperately wishes to avoid.

For now, he must confront this threat alone.

He must prepare early.

This time back, he would develop a special model of the Gaebga, dubbed the Anti-Death Armor.

Designing a specific model for a single enemy was Tony Stark's favorite pastime. Luke planned to seek advice from his stepfather. He needed Tony to provide him with some technology, and secondly, he required large quantities of rare materials for his experiments.

These materials were too dangerous, and most were under S.H.I.E.L.D. control. They couldn't be bought on the open market.

Assistant, connect me to Tony, Luke ordered.

Right away, replied Christina, her auburn hair bouncing as she smiled.

Moments later, the video call connected.

Tony Stark—playboy, billionaire, Time magazine's Sexiest Man Alive—appeared on screen with a toothbrush in his mouth and a face covered in shaving foam.

Hey, son! When did you get back? Just arrived? How was the trip? Everything sorted? Tony greeted Luke cheerfully.

It was okay... Luke replied, rolling his eyes inwardly. He still wasn't used to being called son. But there was no denying the father-son bond between him and Tony.

Tony wiped his face with a towel and smiled. Now that you're back, come visit me. We can catch up. You know how annoying the media's constant attention is. I've been staying in Malibu lately to shake off those paparazzi. I've completely renovated this place—it's brand new. I suggest you come stay here too. The whole world now knows you're a Stark, my son. The moment you show your face in public, those damn cameras will lock onto you like a swarm of bees.

Luke pursed his lips at the remark. He thought to himself, Tony might not be the same playboy he used to be these past few years, but that deeply narcissistic attitude—well, old habits die hard.

Luke sighed and got straight to the point. I have something to discuss with you. I want to acquire all the latest Iron Man suit blueprints—every single one you're willing to disclose—in one package deal.

Acquire? Tony paused, staring at Luke with a look of genuine surprise, as if observing some rare animal.

What's the problem? Luke asked, puzzled.

Tony stared intently at Luke for a long moment before finally speaking. You're not an imposter, are you? When did you become so polite, son? Didn't you just come and take things before?

Damn it, get lost. Luke suddenly felt a surge of irritation and anger, muttering under his breath. He thought to himself, That's ancient history.

Remember to drop by sometime, Tony smiled. Pepper mentioned the other day that she misses you.

Hmph! Luke cut off the communication.

...

S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, Sky-Ship.

A stunned voice echoed from Director Nick Fury's office: Say that again? The kid's back?!

Agent Hill stood tall across the desk, her coldly beautiful face expressionless as she reported to the grim-faced Nick Fury behind it: Sir, it's just come in. Satellites have confirmed it. A giant suit piloted by Luke Stark landed on Apostle Island a short while ago.

Nick Fury pressed his hand to his forehead. For some reason, hearing this news made his head throb.

Just as he was about to speak, Agent Hill covered her earpiece, her expression shifting to surprise. She then looked at Nick Fury with a peculiar expression and said, It's Luke calling.

Nick Fury rubbed his temples and leaned back in his chair. Connect him.

Luke's youthful face immediately appeared on the video screen.

What is it? Nick Fury asked, his expression unreadable.

Luke said, You have several materials I need. I've already compiled the list and sent it to you. Prices are marked on the list. They're all restricted materials—I hope you can sell them to me.

Beside him, Hill nodded to Nick Fury. She pulled a tablet from her arms, displaying Luke's list.

Nick Fury scanned the list. His eyebrows shot up when he saw the figures, and his expression changed.

Luke explained, My offer is already extremely fair. It's three times the market price.

Nick Fury looked up, fixing Luke with his single piercing eye. No deal, he replied, enunciating each word deliberately.

Huh? Luke was taken aback.

He had offered a purchase price three times the market rate. While these were restricted materials, essentially unavailable on the open market, given the Apostle Island's history of good cooperation with S.H.I.E.L.D., Luke believed that as long as his offer was reasonable, the bald guy shouldn't refuse him.

Why? Luke pressed, puzzled.

What you're asking for is non-negotiable. Nick Fury's reply was as firm as a nail. In short, no deal.

Luke wondered: Was it because he'd been too polite?

He recalled his earlier conversation with Tony—it had been the same. Perhaps his excessive politeness made these guys uncomfortable.

It appeared his past reputation as a reckless troublemaker had become too deeply ingrained. They were already accustomed to that persona. His current politeness felt unnatural to them.

Luke silently nodded to himself. To get the materials, he'd have to revert to his old self a bit.

So Luke feigned indignation, thrusting his tiny hands on his hips. Pointing at Nick Fury through the video feed, he shouted: You jerk! Don't think I'm easy to push around just 'cause I'm young! Are you selling or not? I'm cutting you a third off the market price! If you won't sell, I'll just take it by force!

One-third of market price? Nick Fury raised an eyebrow, automatically filtering out the jerk remark.

That's right! You won't sell at triple the price, so I'll settle for a third. If you still refuse, don't blame me. Think I won't take it by force? Luke shouted.

Fine. Deal. Nick Fury seemed to lower some guard, suddenly relenting. But you must provide detailed records of how these materials are used. They're exceptionally dangerous and must never enter the market.

Deal. Luke nodded, inwardly groaning: Seriously?

The deal was sealed.

Nick Fury stated that S.H.I.E.L.D. would dispatch a Quinjet tonight to escort the shipment to Apostle Island.

After ending the call, Nick Fury exhaled a long breath of relief. He remarked to Hill, That's the little brat I know. He was being so polite earlier, I feared he was up to something underhanded again. At least now we know the brat is back to normal.

A wise test, sir, Agent Hill nodded sincerely. When a kid gets unnaturally quiet, you can bet he's up to something.

Chapter 2: He's Still Just a Kid

Apostle Island boasted beautiful scenery and a pleasant climate.

Inside the lab, Luke waved his small hand and issued a command to his mechanical assistant, Christina: Assistant, hack into Stark Industries' central AI immediately. Steal all data concerning the Iron Man suits from Tony's database.

Aye aye, Master! Christina, dressed in a white lab coat, saluted cheerfully.

Christina was an AI created by Luke. Through the layered integration of multiple DNF mechanic skills, she was ultimately imbued with human emotions and intelligence far surpassing that of humans.

For her work, Christina typically adopted this appearance: auburn-haired with a white lab coat, inspired by Steins;Gate. It was her favorite prosthetic form.

During combat, she switches to Neil's 2B prosthetic body.

Christina's AI level far surpasses Jarvis. Eliminating Jarvis and stealing data from Tony? Luke has done this more than once in the past.

He had originally intended to purchase the technology amicably from Tony Stark. But now that these guys refuse to take the hint, he won't be held responsible. As it turns out, sometimes calmness simply won't solve the problem.

Luke silently counted to three: One, two, three.

Done, Master. I breached Stark Industries' core database, isolated Jarvis, and made a complete copy of Tony Stark's latest Iron Man suit research data, Christina reported.

Well done, Luke said, giving her a thumbs-up.

Heavenly Tech—truly awe-inspiring!

Meanwhile, at the Malibu coast villa, Tony received Jarvis's report on the matter.

Tony merely smiled, seemingly unsurprised. He appeared deeply gratified: That's my boy!

Compared to the minor issue of data theft, Tony was far more curious about what Luke was up to.

In the lab, Luke nodded with satisfaction at the dense array of parameters displayed on the screen. He instructed, Begin analysis immediately. Combine this with existing Terra Tech data and design a brand-new Gae Bo Ga unit for me. No weapon systems for now. We'll call this one Unit Four.

Unit 4 symbolized a prototype designed to gather next-generation development data.

This was the first step in Luke's vision to obtain foundational data for the Anti-Death Mecha.

Gaeboga was a mech powered by Terra Tech, its technological prowess far surpassing anything Earth had to offer. If Celestial Tech could awe the human heart, then Terra Tech would astound the entire universe.

Luke believed that when Tony Stark's genius ideas merged with Terra Tech, it would spark the most brilliant innovation!

With the technological foundation in place, the next hurdle was funding.

Purchasing materials from S.H.I.E.L.D., even at one-third the price, required a massive sum. Most of those rare elements originated from outer space, and Earth held the sole source—no other supplier existed. The bill was nothing short of astronomical.

Money is a bastard. — Lu Xun.

As the saying goes, without money, you can't move an inch. Luke's most pressing problem now was a severe lack of funds.

To combat Thanos, he had spent every last penny of his accumulated assets over the years. After building four Gae Bolg units one after another—the prototype, Unit 1, Unit 2, and Unit 3—his funds were completely depleted.

He was now penniless.

I need to find a way to make some money, Luke thought to himself.

There were countless ways to make money. For instance, selling the exclusive formula for Shit Alloy from Apostle Island.

However, Nick Fury had recently made a large purchase from him, and S.H.I.E.L.D. was currently saturated with the material, unlikely to buy more anytime soon. Tony had also acquired a batch not long ago.

Beyond these two big spenders, Shit Alloy was a high-end material not everyone could afford.

That money-making avenue was temporarily off the table.

Truthfully, with an AI of Christina's caliber at his disposal, Luke could easily make a fortune on the global financial markets. Banks worldwide had countless bad debts every year. By quietly tweaking some numbers, he could effortlessly pocket the money.

Luke actually did just that.

Christina used this method to secure him a sum of money every month. But it wasn't much.

Compared to the astronomical sums needed for material procurement and further investments in developing the anti-death armor, it was merely a drop in the bucket.

As for stock market arbitrage, hedge funds, and futures speculation—those tactics need no elaboration. Even having Christina print counterfeit currency could yield quick profits. No one could trace it back to him.

But a man as upright and socially responsible as him would never stoop to such unethical practices.

Luke then hit upon a brilliant idea.

Thanks to his cheapskate father, he held the legally certified inheritance rights to Stark Industries.

Tony had recently transferred half his shares to Luke, stating that upon his death, Stark Industries would formally pass to Luke.

Kill Tony now? Luke pondered. Well... maybe not. Instead, I'll sell off this existing half stake to raise some funds. Yeah, that's the way to go.

His brilliant idea was to sell off Stark Industries.

Luke immediately instructed Christina to call Nick Fury.

Nick Fury was startled to hear Luke calling again. He thought, The little brat must have gotten himself into another mess he needs me to clean up.

The call connected quickly. Luke swiftly explained his purpose.

Luke stated he was willing to sell Stark Industries stock at a fire-sale price. Yes, a fire-sale. Half price per share. He asked Nick Fury if he was interested.

Nick Fury sucked in a sharp breath and froze for a moment. Selling Stark Industries stock at half price? Did he think it was carrots?

But instead of worrying, Nick Fury felt relieved. He thought, That's exactly the brat's style. Perfectly normal.

Nick Fury flatly refused Luke. S.H.I.E.L.D. already had enough messes to clean up; he didn't want to add Stark Industries to the list.

After hanging up, Nick Fury interlaced his fingers, propped his chin on his arms resting on the table, and sank into deep thought.

Agent Hill frowned beside him. Isn't Luke being a bit too much?

Meanwhile, Black Widow Natasha Romanoff, clad in form-fitting leather that accentuated her stunning figure, couldn't help but chuckle. She pursed her lips and smiled, Don't blame him, Maria. He's still a kid.

Nick Fury sighed. The little brat needs spending money? With Stark Industries' market value, even one percent of the stock is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. How many shares does he plan to sell? One percent? Two percent? It can't be more than that. Fine, let Stark deal with the headache.

But after mulling it over, he still couldn't shake his unease. Turning to Black Widow, he instructed, You go see him.

Chapter 3: Negotiating a Big Deal

Early the next morning, Luke was preparing to launch a high-profile stock auction when an unexpected visitor arrived.

Natasha Romanoff, dressed casually with a baseball cap pulled low over her wavy hair and sunglasses, landed on Apostle Island's guest helipad via a S.H.I.E.L.D. helicopter. She was immediately surrounded by a swarm of hovering security robots.

Facing the security robots' cameras, Natasha smiled and waved. Hey, Luke. It's me.

Aunt Natasha? Luke exclaimed in surprise.

The security robots promptly returned to their respective stations.

Black Widow navigated the scenic tree-lined paths with ease, arriving at the headquarters building of the Yingxiong Alliance. Luke, standing at 1 meter tall, was already waiting at the entrance.

Black Widow was one of the few individuals Luke genuinely respected within both S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers. Her striking appearance played a part, but more significantly, she had always looked out for him, treating him with the care and attention of a parent watching over a child.

Guided by the principle of reciprocity and fostering goodwill—hoping for deeper connections in the future—Luke didn't mind creating a whitelist and adding Black Widow to it.

Welcome, Aunt Natasha, Luke said to Black Widow with a beaming smile.

Hi, dear. I heard you were back, so I came straight over. Long time no see! Natasha bent down to look Luke over, her lips curving into a smile that instantly radiated charm.

Luke thought to himself, Black Widow truly lived up to her reputation. With skills that allowed her to infiltrate enemy territory solo to steal intelligence, and take on dozens of burly men with grace and composure, this top-tier S.H.I.E.L.D. agent was terrifyingly formidable.

Luke's long-buried heart couldn't help but thump wildly. Oh dear! Who could resist that?

He quickly changed the subject. Um, please come in, Aunt Natasha. What brings you here? Surely not just to tell me all this?

Of course not, Black Widow replied with a faint smile, making no attempt to hide her purpose. I heard you're considering selling your shares in Stark Industries? Are you serious?

That's correct. Luke nodded. He immediately understood—it seemed the Halogen Egg had sent her as a mediator.

The two entered the living room, where Black Widow noticed the unusual quiet. Normally, this space buzzed with activity as the young members of the Yingxiong Alliance gathered here for entertainment and rest. Today seemed to be an exception—everyone must be out on missions.

Only Christina, dressed in a gothic maid outfit, stood nearby, tea already brewed and served on a tray. Her cybernetic body was a Rem II model with blue shoulder-length hair.

By the way, the Type I was accidentally damaged by Luke.

Christina offered a cup of hot tea to the Black Widow as she sat down. The aroma of tea wafted through the air, its fragrance filling the room.

Thank you, Natasha said with a smile to Christina.

Then, lifting her teacup, she turned to Luke: From what I understand, Stark Industries' market value has reached 75 billion USD this year. How much of your shares do you plan to sell? One percent? Or two percent?

Luke lifted his little face and answered proudly, Sell all of it, of course.

Pfft! Natasha sputtered, the tea she'd just taken a sip of spraying out.

Sell... sell it all? She stared at Luke in utter shock, her beautiful eyes wide with disbelief, wondering if she'd misheard.

Luke looked perfectly reasonable. I have the right of inheritance to Stark Industries. I can access half the shares. I need money.

Natasha froze for a moment. Logically, it seemed sound?

But they were talking about Stark Industries here. Not some fly-by-night operation.

Did... did Tony agree? Natasha ventured.

Him? He probably doesn't know yet, Luke replied nonchalantly.

Natasha sighed inwardly. She knew it would be like this. This kid was just too mischievous. This time, he'd set his sights on Stark Industries' stock.

While this matter technically fell outside SHIELD's jurisdiction and operational scope, Tony Stark was, after all, a consultant hired by the agency and a founding member of the Avengers. If Luke had indeed dumped his Stark Industries shares, Nick Fury would find it impossible to claim ignorance when questioned.

That little brat is capable of anything, were Nick Fury's exact words.

She came here to talk Luke out of acting impulsively.

But what she never expected was that Luke intended to sell off half of his Stark Industries shares—not just 1% or 2%. If Nick Fury found out, he'd likely jump out of his skin and come down personally.

Luke, maybe... you should reconsider? Half of Stark Industries is worth $37.5 billion. Do you even grasp what that means? The Avengers Headquarters building cost a mere $600 million. Natasha pleaded earnestly.

I need the money, Luke declared firmly.

But this is excessive... Natasha sighed, torn between amusement and exasperation.

Most American kids would be dismissed with a single bill by their parents. This boy, however, was extraordinary.

She had witnessed firsthand how Luke had assembled a war machine from a pile of scrap metal.

Natasha was certain Luke wasn't asking for money to buy candy.

She'd heard from Nick Fury that Luke had purchased a batch of rare materials from S.H.I.E.L.D. But even if it were for those materials, it would only cost a few hundred million dollars at most. Why sell off Stark Industries like this?

Natasha couldn't help but wonder what Luke was really up to.

Seeing Black Widow's troubled expression, Luke felt a twinge of sympathy. But he reminded himself: he couldn't back down now. He was still just a brat—if he caved, it would only invite suspicion like last time. Black Widow was one thing, but if Iron Man suspected he was plotting something and cut off the material supply... that would be the end of him.

Sigh. This was all for the sake of cosmic peace, sacrificing his dignity... no, his manhood for the greater good. What a noble sacrifice.

Just as Black Widow hesitated over whether to offer further persuasion, Luke declared with unwavering certainty: Don't say another word, Aunt Natasha. I've already made up my mind. Sell it all—every last share. Not one less!

Knowing Luke's mind was made up, Black Widow could only offer a resigned, bitter smile: This kid...

...

Black Widow left. After she departed, Luke realized he needed to change his strategy.

Holding an auction was undoubtedly the most direct and effective way to get cash, but doing so would make it common knowledge, inviting complications. If a third party suddenly emerged midway, it could ruin his grand plan.

Better to find a buyer discreetly, sell Stark Industries to them as a package deal, and make it a done deal. Then no one could interfere, no matter who showed up.

How brilliant I am!

Luke nodded, his small hand stroking his chin as he pondered earnestly: Who should I approach?

First, the buyer must be wealthy—at least on par with Tony. Second, they must not fear offending Tony. Ideally, they should be Tony's business rival, someone willing to gladly snap up a large stake in Stark Industries.

Few people met both criteria. Luke counted them over and over, coming up with only three and a half.

First was Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin, chairman of Osborn Enterprises and Spider-Man's arch-nemesis. Osborn Enterprises specialized in high-tech biopharmaceuticals. Though they had little dealings with Stark Industries, as a potential business rival, the Green Goblin would likely relish swallowing Stark Industries whole.

The second was Reed Richards, the Phantom Doctor and leader of the Fantastic Four, hailed as the greatest mind in humanity. Richards' enterprise also possessed the capacity to acquire half of Stark Industries' shares. However, he was rumored to have gone missing in recent years.

Third is Hank Pym, the original Ant-Man. Dr. Pym is a leading scientist in nanotechnology, quantum physics, and artificial intelligence. In an alternate universe, it was Dr. Pym who created Ultron. Crucially, Dr. Pym harbors a grudge against the Stark family—a factor Luke values most highly.

As for the other half, it belongs to King T'Challa of Wakanda, also known as Black Panther. If there were a ranking for The Richest Man on Earth, Black Panther would claim second place—no one else would dare claim first. That's how powerful a monopoly on vibranium is.

However, as fellow Avengers, Luke has reason to doubt T'Challa would want to antagonize Tony or acquire shares in Stark Industries. He simply has no need. Wakanda is rich beyond measure.

Besides, Luke and Black Panther had a bit of history—things had gotten a little messy between them... well, mostly on T'Challa's end. Luke had blown up Wakanda once, trying to get his hands on vibranium.

After much deliberation, Luke finally made his decision. He let out a wicked chuckle and said, Assistant, contact Hank Pym for me. Ask him if he's interested in settling the score from back then.

Chapter 4: The Tearful Clearance Sale

Ant-Man Hank Pym had a motto: Never trust Stark.

Years ago, Hank Pym suspected Tony's father, Howard Stark, of stealing his Pym Particles, leading to a feud with the Stark family.

Dr. Pym, originally one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s founders, withdrew from the organization because of this.

Luke only recently learned that it wasn't Howard Stark who stole the Pym Particles—it was Captain America, traveling back in time from the future (Avengers: Endgame).

It was probably in the early 80s, Luke said. Dr. Pym's wife, the Wasp, was killed in action. His relationship with his daughter became strained because of it. Dr. Pym's family fell apart, and then he discovered his life's work had been stolen. His life hit rock bottom.

That's so sad, Christina said.

Yeah, pretty rough. Luke nodded. Initially, Dr. Pym didn't suspect Howard of stealing the Pym Particles. But years later, when he accidentally discovered some in Howard Stark's lab, he became enraged, convinced Howard was trying to take what little he had left. Dr. Pym stormed out of S.H.I.E.L.D., and from that moment on, an irreconcilable feud between him and the Stark family began.

Master, Hank Pym has accepted your invitation. He will come personally to discuss matters with you, Christina reported cheerfully.

Hmm, make sure he's well taken care of, Luke chuckled. The guest must be thoroughly entertained.

When Luke extended the invitation, Dr. Pym was deeply suspicious. The Stark family? What do they want now?

Dr. Pym considered himself an expert on Tony. As Howard's son, Tony had inherited his father's arrogance, conceit, and utter lack of trustworthiness.

And I hear he's a playboy too, living lavishly beyond measure, throwing money around like water. Though he does have a tiny bit of talent. In Dr. Pym's mind, witnessing the son of his arch-rival sink so low brought him a certain satisfaction.

The signature on Luke's message read Luke Nelson Stark, which immediately put Dr. Pym on guard.

Over the years, he had heard rumors about Apostle Luke.

Given the Stark surname, Dr. Pym had initially no desire to engage. Yet the terms of Luke's proposed negotiations left him unable to remain indifferent.

Stark Industries, founded by Howard Stark, had until recently been a military contractor notorious for manufacturing and selling high-powered, high-tech weapons. To Dr. Pym, it was an infamous enterprise.

Only in recent years had Stark Industries pivoted toward clean energy. Yet this shift did little to alter Dr. Pym's perception of the company's fundamentally corrupt nature.

The young Stark is selling his shares in Stark Industries? It must be said, Dr. Pym found this highly intriguing.

Stark Industries was undoubtedly a prime asset. If he could infiltrate the shareholders' meeting, then...

Dr. Pym graced the Apostle Island with his presence the following afternoon.

Accompanying him was his daughter, Hope.

Though their relationship was strained, their family interests aligned.

Welcome to Apostle Island.

Luke's small face beamed with a bright smile on the helipad.

Hi there, Hope stepped out of the helicopter, smiling as she greeted Luke. His deceptively childlike appearance prevented her from harboring any hostility.

Behind her stood Dr. Pym. He appeared reserved and distant.

Let's get started, Dr. Pym declared decisively. He intended to give the Stark family no opportunity to play tricks.

Certainly, Luke replied cheerfully. I've prepared all the contracts. Follow me.

Leading them into the reception room, Christina served tea first. Luke then eagerly got down to business, awkwardly pulling out a thick stack of contract documents and handing them over.

Hope took them, glanced at them, and immediately gasped in shock, then hurriedly passed them to Dr. Pym.

Dr. Pym glanced down, his eyelids twitching violently. How many shares are you planning to sell? he demanded of Luke.

Luke replied, I hold half of Stark Industries under my name. I intend to sell it all.

Are you joking? Dr. Pym looked utterly shocked, thinking, That would mean selling off the entire Stark Industries!

I never joke, Luke's small face was utterly serious. Then, he sighed, his expression suddenly filling with sorrow. Never mind. I'll tell you the truth. The Stark family hasn't had much liquid assets these past few years. Someone has squandered it all. Where do you think those Iron Man suits came from? That's money.

Dr. Pym nodded upon hearing this. Indeed, he knew full well the immense cost of crafting a single suit. Tony Stark's reckless production of one suit after another must have squandered a staggering amount of money.

Don't be fooled by appearances. The truth is, this year I couldn't even afford Christmas presents. For Thanksgiving, we ate leftover turkey from last year. We're practically out of rice at home. I had no choice—who else would sell it?

Luke shot him a look that screamed, You have no idea how much this hurts, then squeezed his eyes shut, forcing out a single tear. He flicked his little hand, sending it splattering onto the floor.

Dr. Pym: ...

Hope: ...

Both thought: Is this really your reason for selling Stark Industries? Yet you look downright gleeful about it.

Does Tony Stark know about this? Hope asked Luke.

Luke replied, Of course... he doesn't.

Dr. Pym stared at the contract for a long time.

At first, he assumed there must be a catch in the terms. Nothing this good ever comes for free.

But after reading every word from start to finish, he found nothing amiss.

The contract stated plainly: half of Stark Industries' equity, valued at $37.5 billion, was being voluntarily sold.

Though the sum was astronomical and the price certainly not cheap, once this contract was signed, Stark Industries would immediately change its name and become Pym's property.

Even if Tony retained a substantial remaining stake, it wouldn't change anything. The Stark family would no longer be the largest shareholder of Stark Industries.

This is truly...

Dr. Pym pondered for a long time, but ultimately, only one adjective came to mind to describe Luke's actions.

Prodigal. Utterly prodigal!

Given that, should he sign?

Sign! Absolutely sign!

He believed he'd regret it for the rest of his life if he missed this once-in-a-lifetime chance to strike back at Stark.

The expense would drain his savings, but so what? Once he secured the equity, everything would fall into place.

After Dr. Pym had meticulously confirmed the contract contained no issues, he picked up the pen and signed his full name: Henry Jonathan Pym.

Luke's heart immediately leapt with joy, though he had to stifle it. With a sleight of hand, he produced several copies of the contract.

Stark Industries had once been in the arms business. Though it had since transitioned, it still possessed numerous production lines and fixed assets.

These contracts covered everything Luke could find under Stark Industries' name—factory equipment, fixed assets, even employee records.

Sell it all as a package. You decide the price, Luke pleaded with pitiful tears in his eyes. The employees are unsellable. Help us out.

As the helicopter lifted off Apostle Island once more, Dr. Pym, seated in the back, looked visibly relaxed, his face glowing with satisfaction.

Across from him, Hope frowned. I thought you said never trust Stark. Today's events felt too suspicious.

Don't you get it? He's just a brat. I bet he doesn't even know what he's doing.

He does look only six or seven.

Hmph. I've heard about this kid causing SHIELD headaches for ages. But I never imagined his actions would be even more despicable than Tony Stark's! Dr. Pym clutched the contract in his hand, his face beaming with satisfaction as if he'd avenged a great wrong. Howard, who'd have thought? This day would come for you too.

News of the deal's completion swiftly reached Nick Fury's ears.

Nick Fury stared blankly at the briefing in his hands: That brat actually sold Stark Industries!? For $37.5 billion. All assets bundled and sold—leaving almost nothing behind...

Fury was well aware of the deep-seated animosity between Dr. Pym and the Stark family. He could easily picture the old man's face now, beaming with satisfaction.

That old bastard got a bargain, Nick Fury muttered, setting the report aside.

Will Tony Stark just let this slide? Hill asked.

The S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel present exchanged glances, none able to predict what would happen next.

Black Widow Natasha Romanoff sighed wryly: Luke, that boy... he really is a handful.

Chapter 5: The Pitfall

Two days later, Luke pulled off another bizarre stunt that left many utterly baffled.

New York.

A large group led by Luke appeared at the entrance of a Citibank branch. Aside from Luke, each member was burly and menacing, carrying oversized cash boxes.

The African-American security guard inside the bank turned pale with fright as the group burst in. He immediately sounded the alarm and darted under a desk.

The lobby erupted in screams. Someone yelled, Bank robbers!

Luke reached up to scratch his ear. The tiny, one-meter-tall figure emerged from behind a burly muscle-bound man and beckoned toward the counter. There, a pale-faced branch manager stood.

The group of menacing musclemen beside him were Luke's hired bodyguards (movers), all ex-military veterans who had tasted blood on the battlefield.

One of them stepped forward and roughly escorted the trembling manager out from behind the counter.

He was a balding middle-aged white man in a suit, trembling all over.

You're the manager here? Luke asked, staring at him.

No... no, the manager shook his head frantically, wanting to say he was just a janitor. Cold sweat drenched his body, and his heart ached bitterly—he was supposed to retire tomorrow.

Don't be afraid. I'm not here to rob the bank. Luke rolled his eyes and casually tossed a check onto the counter. Help me cash out the entire amount on this. Go now.

Huh? The manager was stunned. Not a robber?

What 'huh'? Cut the nonsense. Don't make me do it myself. Luke narrowed his eyes.

The manager slapped his forehead. Suddenly remembering who Luke was, he recognized him and exclaimed excitedly, You're Apostle Luke? Luke Stark!?

Luke gave a faint Hmph, neither confirming nor denying it.

The manager wiped sweat from his cheeks with his chubby hands, his face now beaming. My son is your biggest fan! Could you sign an autograph for him?

Sure, Luke waved impatiently. But work first.

Yes, yes. How much would you like to cash... The manager took the check Luke handed him, glanced down at it, and instantly paled. His face twisted in disbelief. Looking up, he asked weakly, One... one hundred million dollars? Is... is this some kind of joke?

Luke shot him a sideways glance. Do I look like I'm joking?

The manager's expression crumpled. That's... that's too much...

The check isn't counterfeit. If I tell you to cash it, you cash it. Stop all this nonsense. Luke's voice turned cold. I'll do it myself.

The manager broke out in a cold sweat. Logically, Luke was right, but to have this much cash withdrawn without so much as a word? His days as manager were numbered. This wasn't ten thousand dollars—it was one hundred million!

He could practically see his retirement bonus waving goodbye.

That's far too much—you can't possibly take it all... The manager frantically wiped his brow.

Luke waved his hand. Dozens of burly men lined up in a row, each holding a cash box.

This... this could destabilize the financial markets! the manager pleaded earnestly.

My ass. Forget it, we'll do it ourselves. Luke's patience snapped. Get out of the way.

You can't do this!

I said get out of the way.

Please give me a moment to report to my superiors...

Beat him into a pig's head, Luke ordered his bodyguards. The rest of you go inside and count the money—one hundred million dollars, not a cent less.

Aye, sir!

The burly leader in camouflage grinned, waved his massive hand, and led his pack of wolf-like henchmen charging behind the counter. Instantly, shrieks erupted from the staff inside.

These veteran mercenaries cared little for the consequences. Their job was to collect the money. The employer was exceptionally generous, promising each of them a hundred thousand dollars afterward. Moreover, the employer’s identity was extraordinary. Even if things escalated, it wouldn’t concern them. They trusted this employer could handle it himself.

Who in the entire United States hadn't heard of the renowned Apostle Luke?

Chaos erupted inside the counter area.

Box after box of green Franklins was counted, packed, and carried out to be loaded onto trucks. Everyone inside and outside the bank stood speechless. The 911 emergency lines were already overwhelmed, and squad after squad of police cars arrived outside.

Yet when these local New York officers learned the full story and realized who was inside, they were stunned.

The chief immediately ordered his men to stay outside.

So a large contingent of officers remained outside the bank to help maintain order. More and more passersby gathered to watch, pulling out their phones to take pictures.

Meanwhile, the police chief hurriedly called his superiors. This was not a situation they could handle. Such matters were best left for the President to deal with.

Sir, one hundred million dollars has been loaded onto the truck, not a penny missing, the veteran squad leader saluted at attention.

Well done. Pack it up. Next bank. Luke snapped his fingers sharply, then led his team out of the bank.

The officers outside dared not intervene, letting Luke's convoy drive down the bustling street. They watched as the vehicles sped off toward the next bank.

Bystanders captured the scene on their phones. The footage quickly surfaced online, spreading like wildfire across the internet.

YouTube comments:

Bank robbers on Lexington Avenue! Twelve vehicles involved! Suspects engaged in intense gunfire with NYPD at the scene!

CNN upstairs, save yourself the embarrassment. Get your facts straight.

The real story is, someone filmed an Asian boy, about six or seven years old, surrounded by people in camouflage gear, walking out of Citibank carrying multiple boxes.

Why aren't the cops stopping them? Isn't this robbery?

Huh, that boy in the footage looks like Luke?

Luke? Which Luke?

The Apostle Luke, of course.

Oh! My God, it really is Apostle Luke! No doubt about it—I once had the honor of meeting him.

Good heavens... Little Luke actually appeared on the streets of New York! I'd love to get his autograph. I'm his most devoted fan!

Get in line!

By the way, I'm also a fan of the Apostle. And I've taken a photo with him!

Envy the person above.

To the one with the photo—I'll pay $50 for it. Sell it to me.

I'll pay $500.

Damn capitalists deserve to die!

Wow! It really is Apostle Luke. I want to have Luke's baby!

You beast, he's just a child...

Luke spent the entire morning raiding over a dozen banks, nearly emptying their cash reserves. In the end, he amassed a billion dollars in cash. When stacked together, describing it as a mountain of money was no exaggeration.

This money came from selling his shares in Stark Industries. Luke exchanged a small portion of it, enough for his next move.

No one knew what Luke intended to do with this fortune.

Even Nick Fury was completely baffled.

This sum far exceeded what Luke needed to pay for his materials list.

What's that kid up to now? What does he need all that cash for? The S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel were utterly perplexed.

For God's sake, I hope he doesn't burn it all, Hill worried, unable to fathom what one billion dollars in cash could possibly be used for.

Nick Fury sighed, almost as if to reassure himself: At least he hasn't blown up the Pentagon like last time, right?

Everyone seemed to have grown accustomed to Luke's utterly baffling actions. Besides, ten billion dollars in cash sounded like a lot, but it wasn't enough to shake the financial markets.

So Nick Fury quickly put the matter out of his mind. As Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., he had far more pressing matters to attend to each day.

As for Luke, keeping one eye on him would suffice.

Afternoon.

Luke accepted Tony's invitation and arrived at Tony's luxurious villa on the Malibu coast.

It was a family gathering. Only Tony, Pepper, Luke, and Jarvis were present.

Jarvis greeted Luke in his impeccable British accent: Pleased to meet you, Luke. I do hope you'll refrain from instructing Christine to make a mess of things. Next time, please state your requirements directly.

Tony emerged wearing a black wool sweater, his chest reactor glowing softly. With a smile, he said to Luke, You're right on time. Pepper's delicious stew will be ready soon—just a little longer.

Sir, you have several unread letters, JARVIS reminded him.

Mail? Tony walked to the door, picked up several letters delivered that morning, and skimmed them briefly. Several were bank statements, and one was from a credit rating agency.

After glancing at them, Tony tossed them into the trash without a second thought.

Come on, I'll show you my new lab, Tony said to Luke with a smile, ruffling Luke's hair affectionately.

Luke was a bit speechless. He hated it when people touched his head. But his appearance was just too devastatingly charming—everyone loved him. Exhausting...

Luke's attitude toward Tony had long since shifted. From his initial, heartfelt resistance upon learning of their blood relation, he gradually softened as Tony's ever-present affection and unreserved doting gradually won him over. To say Luke wasn't moved would be a lie—that would be inhuman.

But calling him Dad? That was out of the question. Where would that leave his reputation as an Apostle?

Luke felt he should confess to Tony about selling off Stark Industries.

After carefully choosing his words, Luke walked behind Tony and said, I sold some shares.

Tony paused at the words, then asked with a smile, Running low on cash? How much do you need? Want me to help out?

Not really. The money from the shares is enough.

Good. Though I hear Stark Industries stock is quite valuable—best not to sell lightly. Selling a few shares isn't a big deal; you can just buy them back later. Tony showed no hint of blame as he led Luke to his lab door, preparing to enter. How many shares did you sell?

Luke thought for a moment. Half. I didn't count the exact number. But it must be... hundreds of millions of shares.

Tony froze in his tracks.

His mouth fell open. A few... hundred million shares!?

Chapter 6: Iron Man's Low-Carbon Lifestyle

This had to be a joke. And not a funny one.

Luke's words echoed in Tony's mind. Hundreds of millions of shares...

What did that even mean?

If he remembered correctly, Luke owned half of Stark Industries. So... he sold it all??

When did this happen?

Tony suddenly remembered something. He rushed back upstairs, rummaged through the trash bin, pulled out those letters, grabbed them, and tore them open in a hurry. His heart sank instantly.

Several bank statements informed him that certain fixed assets had been seized indefinitely, demanding his explanation for the financial shifts at Stark Industries.

A letter from a credit rating agency informed him they were considering downgrading his rating. The reason? He might no longer be the largest shareholder of Stark Industries.

Tony was stunned.

Could selling cabbages be this fast?

Luke delivered the final blow: Oh, and the factory, the production lines inside, and all the employees—they've been sold off as a package deal too.

Tony clutched his chest in shock, eyes wide. Everything?

Yeah. Didn't get much for it, honestly. The workers demanded too high wages. If it were me, I'd have fired those lazy bastards ages ago. Luke said with an expression of utter certainty.

Those people worked for Stark for two generations...

But they were lazy. They only wanted to work three hours a day, demanded two hours of uninterrupted lunch breaks, and an hour for coffee. Their wage demands could only go up, never down—otherwise they'd strike. These people were parasites. Selling them off wasn't a loss at all. I did my research.

Tony opened his mouth, thinking: Three hours a day? Well, that is a bit low. But Stark Industries has plenty of money; they can afford to keep these slackers around. Compared to high employee benefits, he valued corporate cohesion more.

But it was too late to discuss that now.

Tony asked, Who did you sell the shares to? Who has the money to buy so many shares? Don't tell me it's...

Hank Pym. The transaction was smooth—he agreed without hesitation.

Tony clutched his chest again, his mouth half-open, his body swaying as if he might faint.

It was a terrible feeling called heartache.

All that money... How many Iron Man suits could that have built...

Why did it have to be him?

Tony felt like crying, yet no tears came. It was like having his wife and children snatched away.

He rarely cared about money. But this time, he couldn't afford not to.

Stark Industries seemed to be facing its greatest crisis since its founding by his father, Howard Stark. Stark Industries might no longer belong to the Stark family.