My Dad, the Boy (*Man) Who Lives

November 2008
Hunan, People’s Republic of China

Since his dad informed him about Bruce’s sightings in a China wizarding village, Tony has been thrilled to find his science bro. Rhodey and Teddy were happy for him since they knew how much Tony missed talking science with his best partner about the topic.

And as much as he didn’t want to raise Betty’s hopes up, he didn’t feel it was right to keep Bruce’s location from her; hence, he called her right after his birthday party was over. Pepper warned her to inform the female scientist calmly. She insisted he made sure to Betty that he would try to find her fiancé but the time would be indefinite.

Of course, Pepper was right, but Tony was too excited that he forgot to warn her not to be hopeful. Thank Merlin for his girlfriend, who took the phone from him and talked to Betty, making sure she was being realistic about Tony’s ability in finding the ever-on-the-run-scientist.

After the call, Pepper looked at him exasperatedly and gave him a peck on the cheek. She informed him that the scientist was just happy that her fiancé was alive and the woman was relieved Tony told her. She promised not to get her hopes up.

But, Tony being Tony, he didn’t want to let Betty down; so, he has been taking business trips back and forth to China for eight times since last year. Pepper has been very understanding, which could be seen from the way she has scheduled him more trips to China more than necessary in a year and a half.

His red-headed angel even went along on half of the trips with him, even if she had stayed in the hotel most of the times. It was quite hard to convince her to stay and enjoy the hotel’s facility while Tony continued on the search in China’s wizarding areas.

The inventor couldn’t wait for them to be married, so that Pepper could enjoy the marvels of the world of magic. The billionaire didn’t enjoy keeping this particular secret from the woman he loved. Some laws were made to be broken; sadly this one was a necessity for the safety of the world of magic.

He wished she could come along more times because when he’s not hunting for Bruce, he could spend his time together with Pepper, either professionally or personally he didn’t care as long as he could be with her. He’s so sappy, it’s quite embarrassing.

On the other hand, the CEO did need his girlfriend to represent him in the company. Pepper has been more of his representative rather than just his PA since before they started dating. He trusted her intakes and opinions on the business since she has more knowledge and experience in that area. Tony was a great businessman but he excelled more in the science and tech department, while Pepper, his wonderful lover was born for the cut-throat world of business and corporation.

When Pepper couldn’t accompany him on the business trips, uncle James or even Teddy on one occasion went with him. For the past year, he has been searching for the man in more than 1 area. He has been sighted 3 times already in the past 18 months as his mean green giant self and twice as himself, which was a lot more than the few years he has been on hiding somewhere.

Tony speculated that the physicist had accidentally stumbled upon more magical beings since he first appeared as the big guy in China. There’s a possibility of it happened since China has the largest population of magical beings and second largest wizard-populated country in the world with America being number 1 of course. This could especially happen if his friend stayed as far away from the city and kept to the villages and forest.

He also discussed this with his dad. The billionaire has a suspicion that his friend has a little help from magic. He suspected that whatever Bruce has experimented on himself had made him somewhat of a half giant when he transformed since he’s not as big as full-grown giant but stronger than a full-grown one.

It would explain how he was able to penetrate the wizarding village’s ward. Or why the spells didn’t work on him when the Chinese aurors were sent to hunt him. Besides, they wouldn’t know how to find him if they kept looking for a certain green giant after Bruce had transformed back to his human self.

This November, it would be the ninth time he’s going to search for Brucie-kin in China. After he conducted his last inspection at his tech facility in Hunan yesterday, he and Uncle James could finally go and search for Bruce in the earliest morning at Zhangjiajie.

“Are you ready for this?” Tony asked his uncle, who looked as sour as he could be in this very nice morning.

The photographer showed no expression whatsoever, besides disapproval and disgust. Even without looking, Tony could sense his annoyance for their mode of transport of the day.

“This thing should be banned. It’s an atrocity, “the former brainwashed assassin spat.

“We had this argument before and I’ll tell you again, “Tony smirked. “It’s easier to use portkey to transport us close to the wizarding village in Zhangjiajie. It’s fast and it gives us almost two whole days to search for him before we have to fly back to New York at night.”

Uncle James grunted intelligibly, but since he didn’t make anymore protests towards using the magical item, Tony considered this as a win. He opened the black box that has been lying down on the desk in the bedroom. Inside it, laid a normal looking ink brush with bamboo handle and the typical white hair, possibly from goat’s hair.

“Ready?”

The older man grunted before giving a quick nod of his head. Tony counted slowly from 3 to 1 before they touched the portkey at the same time. The genius immediately felt a quick uncomfortable tuck around his lower abdoment and he felt the whole world turning upside down before he felt the ground beneath his feet once more.

After heaving a breath, he looked at his godfather. For a man who hated wizarding mode of transport so much, he never once looked uncomfortable or sick after arriving at their destination. He just looked downright unamused.

It was a little rainy at the moment, thus Tony charmed their clothes to be water-resistance and casted an invisible umbrella above them.

“Where to first?” the ex-assassin grunted, patting his pants and jacket from the invisible wrinkle.

Tony quickly held his wrist watch up and clicked a button that brought up a holographic map of Zhangjiajie. He started walking southeast of the area. “If the coordinates was right, the village should be around here.”

The wizard took his spare wand out of his jacket. While around other wizards beside his family friends, Tony always took a great measure to hide the ability of his tech to function as a wand.

He loved all of his creations that he found a way to combine magic with tech, which invention he had shared with the wizarding world, such as making electricity worked in wizarding buildings and produced computer and such for wizard’s use that wouldn’t short-circuited around magic.

But when it came to infusing his tech to act as a replacement for a wand, Tony came to a sudden grave realization. This type of invention was dangerous. Tony refused to make this public to the wizard’s community since this type of thing could be a double-edge sword. In the hands of wizards and witches with dark intentions, his founding could be used in so many nefarious ways. The billionaire couldn’t risk it.

Therefore, he made it a secret. Of course he could just make people think that he used wandless magic. But wizards and witches that could use wandless magic were quite rare and easily known and famed for around the world, like his dad. Everybody loved and worshipped his dad, but the other few people of the world feared him for his power since he’s the strongest wizard after the deceased Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.

The reason why people didn’t try to touch or defeat his dad was because liked his former headmaster, dad was a pacifist and he was greatly respected by everybody, socially and politically. Attacking him would be a political suicide and literal one as well. Just asked Bronx Bellamy, who dared to attack Tony when he was in his fourth year.

As the son of one of the greatest duelist in the world, the 12-year-old genius managed to hold his own battle against the proclaimed new dark lord. He’s quite stupid for going alone against the son of the boy who lived alone. If Tony was him, he would try Grindelwald or Voldemort’s strategy of building a secret army first.

Rushing towards a battle without thinking was such a Wampus thing to do, no offense towards Teddy bear though.

In the end, dad came and in his daddy bear way, he destroyed the man. Literary obliterated the man. There were no body parts available to collect, except dust. Tony and his dad had to supply a memory for the pensieve for the MACUSA as a proof that Harry had killed the most wanted criminal in America’s wizarding world (only wanted for a year) and not just some bystander.

Usually, his dad was a calm and collected person, the sort of person who thrived under pressure. But when it came to the people that he loved, he could be the most dangerous person in the world. Nobody wanted to cross path with his dad when he’s pissed. So, as long as people didn’t touch what’s his to care, his dad would be the most laid back person in the world.

Anyway, being known to have an ability to do wandless magic was a pain in the ass. He’s already had a famous dad and he didn’t feel the need to be more famous than he already was for being a metal-charmer as well as spell creator. Apparently, being able to infuse tech and magic, which was made of metal had categorized him into one of the sought out master for the occupation.

It’s a good thing he wasn’t easy to recognize since he was after all a so-called hermit in the wizarding world.

Tony found a big gray rock in front of one of the sandstone columns. He tapped his wand onto the top of the rock twice and the left side thrice before a great big metal gate appeared in front of the tall column. The gate opened to a great big meadow with wooden houses. It looked like a normal Chinese village except for the kids flying with brooms on the open fields, racing after one another.

Even the weather was nice again and not raining. Tony dispelled his charm and put his wand back inside his holster, inside his jacket.

“Well, that was unexpected, “Uncle James said in awe.

“Chinese or not, wizard community are still dramatic as ever, “Tony rolled his eyes.

As they entered, the photographer asked him, “Wait, ragazzino (Italian). Don’t you need to camouflage the gate? I don’t think the Chinese Magical government would be happy if normal people could see a big door on one of their big column.”

“Don’t worry Uncle James, “Tony waved off his concern. “The gate is designed to disappear after we went through it.”

As a matter of fact, it disappeared, leaving only an ordinary dark brown tall column behind them.

His godfather looked surprised for a sec before pinching the bridge of his nose and shook his head. “Magic.”

***

By the end of the day, they managed to interview everybody in the village with a universal language charm and found out that none has seen Bruce’s alter-ego. On the other hand, they have seen a bespectacled young western man with dark messy curly hair. This was the third time he had received such information in his trips to China.

Most villages that Tony encountered had called Bruce yīnshēng(doctor) with his tendency to use no-maj’s medicine when wizarding medicine didn’t work. They mostly considered him as a squib but couldn’t explained why a squib could come and go from one wizarding village to another.

Tony didn’t want to get his hope up, since Bruce was always a flight-risk. But this time, there’s a clue. It seemed that the neighboring village was in need of his work. Thus the village head recommended him to the village in need.

The CEO was pleased with this new direction in his search. The village head was quite reluctant to lend his floo network to be use. He was quite protective of Bruce as well and even tried to use legilimen against him to look for malicious intent against Bruce.

Let’s just say, his occlument barrier was as tight as his iron man suit. It frustrated the old man, but nonetheless impressed him. After a considerable amount of time used to reassure the wizened shaman (Chinese wizard), he told them that he needed to discuss this with the other elders.

As he apparated away, Tony and James were left sitting in the village head’s home.

“I guess all we can do is wait for the verdict, “uncle James said calmly, clasping his hands on his lap.

“Or we could talk about your daughter’s love life, “Tony waggled his eyebrows.

“Please don’t, “he let out a suffering sigh.

“Oh come on, “the genius whined. “ They’ve been dating for a year. I wanna talk about it. Let’s gossip.”

“10 months, “he muttered under his breath. “Not a year.”

“Potato, potahto, “Tony drawled out. “Let me tell you. Every time we met, all he could talk about is Nat this and Nat that. Teddy has been so besotted with her. Now I know how he felt when I crooned over Pepper.”

His uncle humph in agreement.

“I didn’t know how he could still be in that lovey dovey state with their busy schedule. I mean, they only met like in between missions, probably…” he counted in one hand and looked incredulously. “only five dates so far.”

“Your gadgets certainly help them a lot, “the former SHIELD operative grunted.

“You mean the bobby pin?”

A month into dating, Teddy requested Tony to make a communication device that would allow him and Natashalie to talk to each other. It needed to be inconspicuous and discreet for them not to be notice while they’re on their ‘day’ jobs. It took some time (a week) for the inventor to come up with the charm. Mostly he struggled with choosing the metal items.

Eventually, he came up with a couple of ideas. For the black widow, he charmed a simple black bobby pin and for his best friend, he presented him with a simple black tie clip. They only need to brush the metals when they wanted to talk to each other. It designed to grow warm when one of them wanted to chat and cold as ice when the other one was currently unavailable to accept the call.

The devices were specifically designed for them so they could only work with the brush of their thumbs, in case the items were lost and strangers found them. They also had a mufliato charm to ward against nosy people or spy bugs.

“Yes, the one you charm to be a magic undistinguished earpiece,” he grumbled.

“Wait, did they talk every night or something?”

Uncle James huffed and gave a quick short nod. “At least once a day. Break time, lunch time, sleep time, you guess it.”

“Wow,” Tony looked dumbstruck. “That’s what I call devotion.”

“At least she was discreet not to confide in me about the details,” James sighed.

Then the American wizard grinned. “I know someone that’s more miserable than us.”

James looked intrigue.

“Bird brain,” Tony smirked. “He had to listen to Teddy raved over her on our foodie outings. And who do you thing Nat talked to about her boyfriend?”

“No,” his godfather frowned in disbelief. “She wouldn’t do that. She’s very discreet.”

Subtly, Tony held his phone and he played a voice recording from it. Barton’s voice came through the speaker, complaining and ranting in low volume. “You! I blamed you for introducing them to each other. It was enough that I have to hear teddy gushed about my best friend, but now I have to listen to Nat bashfully talking about him?! Do you know how scary it is to see black widow in love? It’s so out of this world, damn it. And it’s your entire fault!”

With that, Tony ended the recording looking smug as he could be.

“I felt sorry for him,” Uncle James said in a daze. “But somehow, it made me feel better. So much better.“

***

When the head of the village came back, the sky has turned dark. After a long discussion with the elders and discussing it with the neighboring village leader using Chinese version of Patronus charm, the decision was made to let them used the floo network.

The Americans arrived at the neighboring village in the home of the leader shortly. The leader was an old wise shaman, whom seemed to be more accepting towards outsiders and pointed out that Bruce lived in the hut near the edge of the village.

The old shaman offered them a place to stay for the night, but Tony refused gently.

“I need to find my friend, elder, “he smiled, trying to curb his enthusiasm. “His fiancé has been worried sick.”

“Ah, you need to stop him from running away?” The elder asked.

“Something like that, “he grinned. “But thanks for the offer.”

“I think I’m going to stay here, “Uncle James said, sitting across from the village head, accepting the offered tea.

“Are you sure, James?” Tony looked from him to the door, eager to walk out and find his friend but at the same time he was reluctant to leave his godfather.

“Yeah, I’m fine here, “the man motioned his hand to shoo Tony. “Go. Find your friend. I will stay here and enjoy my tea.”

“It’s a very good tea, “the oldest man in the room offered his opinion while resting his hands on the clay cup and smiled serenely. “It helped to repel fatigues.”

“You heard the man, “James shrugged. “I’m tired and old. Need to rest my feet and etcetera.”

“But you’re a super soldier, “Tony frowned in confusion. “You didn’t need…”

“Lille dreng (danish), I’m trying to give you an excuse to have a private reunion with your long lost friend, “he cocked an eyebrow.

“Oh, oh, “the genius looked at his uncle with sudden clarity. “Okay then. Bye.”

“And be careful, Érzi (son). Yīnshēng lived near the Guàiwù sēnlín (Monster forest),” the old shaman sipped his tea carefully. “He’s a good man. Drink too many calming drought though, but still a very good man. Good guàiwù. He protected us from the forest.”

Tony was quite shocked at what the old man was saying. He knew about Bruce’s alter-ego, so that meant that the villagers knew too. Bruce needed more people who were as understanding as these wizarding villagers. The genius was relieved that these people accepted his friend.

“Thank you,” Tony thanked the old man with a genuine smile on his face. “Thank you for accepting him. Both of them.”

The old shaman just gave a simple nod and continued with drinking his tea. Without further ado, he walked out of the house and looked for Bruce’s hut. In the end, it was quite easy to find his friend’s living place.

As he stood in front of the door of the hut, Tony took a long deep breath. After a long time he’s been searching for his friend, in between missions and business, he finally arrived at this moment. His palms were sweating out of nervousness and he wiped them on his pants before he knocked on the door.

When there was no one answering from behind the wooden door, Tony began knocking once more and he patiently waited. Then again, patient was not one of his main traits; hence, he pushed the door slowly and found that nobody was inside.

Before he could look around the hut, he heard a scream. The billionaire hurriedly went outside and searched for the direction of the scream. Once more he heard the shouting and he immediately ran towards it, which unfortunately was in the direction of the dangerous forest.

He ran into the dark forest and casted lumos with his wand. There were so many trees and protruding roots from the ground he had to jump on to get to the source of the shout. Finally, Tony arrived in a grassy land with broken trees around.

There, in the middle of the big space sat a young man with his wand up, casting spell to attack what appeared to be a mountain troll several feet away from him. Tony heard about some mountain trolls migrated towards this side of the pond after Voldemort has been defeated, but seriously, he never seen a live one in China until now.

Red sparks of spell kept flying towards the troll with no avail. But since mountain trolls were known to be tolerant against magic, the young shaman’s spells resist to work.

It was hard to see, but under the moonlight, Tony saw a blur running towards the young shaman to cover him when the troll decided that it had enough and swung his club up to smash.

“Expecto Patronum,” Tony shouted. A bright light in the form of beaver shot out of his wand and running in a circle around the troll’s head, drawing its attention away from its victims.

As fast as lightning, Tony ran towards the pair and animated the trees around them to constrict the giant being and held it there. He stood in front of the pair and began to levitate the troll’s club. As the troll tried to break itself out of its restraint, he transfigured the club into a big blade sharp enough to cut its head off. Blood gushing out of its cut-off neck as its head fell off.

The head rolled towards the American wizard where he stepped on it to stop its roll.

“Hope I didn’t get into too much trouble for this,” he muttered under his breath.

“Tony?” A familiar voice called his name from behind him. “Is that you?”

Tony held his breath when he heard his friend’s voice. He could feel his heart beat a mile per second. He took a deep breath to calm himself before turning around to face his long lost friend.

Tony curled up a smile at him and casted lumos so that he could confront the scientist’s face to face for the first time in five years. “Hiya Brucie bear. You don’t call, you don’t write. You’re a horrible horrible friend.

Before he could continue to incense his 5 years worth of frustration out, Bruce stood and embraced him tightly.

“Oh Tony,” the scientist’s voice sounded watery. “I miss you, old friend.”

“Miss you too, Brucie-kin,” he hid his face on his friend’s shoulder. “Damn Bruce. You need to make it up to us, especially Betty. Betty Lou is worried. We all are.”

“Yeah,” he mumbled, still holding onto Tony. “I bet she’s angry.”

“Oh, she’s furious, alright,” Tony choked on his laughter. “But she mostly worried. You need to come home, green bean.”

At the nickname, Bruce tensed up.

“I will help you figured out your green problem, ‘kay?” Tony pulled away from his friend and gripped his shoulder tightly. “There’s no need to keep drinking the calming draught.”

The billionaire still couldn’t believe that he had found his science-bro. It all felt so surreal after all these years.

“Does the solution have to do with your glowing stick?” The fugitive lips twitched a little.

Tony grinned, relieved at the light comment thrown by his friend. “Oh, Brucie-kin. I’m so full of surprises; you will be dizzy by the end of this discussion.”

***