The fallout from Tony Stark's latest fiasco wasn't all that massive.
Only a handful of New Yorkers caught sight of the shattered glass at Stark Tower, along with Steve Rogers and Tony Stark flying out the window before vanishing into thin air.
Stark Industries' PR rep spun it to the public as Tony Stark testing some new holographic tech.
As for the broken glass? Just a minor hiccup while tinkering with a next-gen suit.
Those timid citizens claiming they were "traumatized" by the glass shattering at Stark Tower? Their opponents were Stark Industries' elite squad of high-powered lawyers.
Settle with cash?
Nah, that's not Tony Stark's style.
Even after walking the tightrope between life and death, his personality hadn't budged an inch.
Of course, that "life and death" bit was according to Ronan.
Pepper Potts wasted no time calling Ronan to thank him.
Over the phone, she gushed her gratitude repeatedly and, under the guise of appreciation, invited Ronan and Gwen Stacy over for dinner.
According to her, when Tony Stark rocketed back to her in his Iron Man suit, she knew instantly—this was the real Tony Stark.
Sure, his voice hadn't changed a bit, and his face… well, it had some light battle scars.
But compared to before, it was like night and day—two totally different people.
Ronan had his doubts about her take but kept his mouth shut with high-EQ tact, not asking why.
They set a date for a cozy "family dinner."
As for Ronan, right now he was parked at Gwen Stacy's place, waiting for her to come downstairs.
Sitting next to him was George Stacy.
The future father-in-law eyeballing the future son-in-law—something about that look made Ronan feel off.
Meanwhile, he was muttering to himself: Didn't Doctor Connors just bust out of that military base recently?
Why's this bargain-bin father-in-law of mine sitting here staring me down instead of tracking Connors to save New York from its woes?
Is George Stacy really *that* free?
"So… I hear that Lizard's been spotted again lately?"
Ronan figured he'd break the ice.
Sitting there in silence, staring at each other, felt weird no matter how you sliced it.
Where's the mother-in-law?
Somebody save me!
"Yeah, this time we can't pin down his trail."
"He pops up every now and then, but by the time we get there, he's gone."
"And this time, he seems smarter. The reports we've gotten are all from the outskirts of New York—by the time we arrive, he's had plenty of time to hightail it far, far away."
Maybe it was the recent headaches, but George Stacy's expression shifted a little.
New York's police force only had so much manpower. Even with the county sheriffs and extra help, they couldn't get to the scene fast enough.
So, they were stuck.
"You don't actually have to play defense like this. Just keep an eye on one person, and you're golden."
Ronan thought it over and decided he'd better give his future father-in-law something to do… cough, cough.
No, scratch that—he meant give George Stacy a nudge in the right direction.
"You're saying that Lizard's got a grudge against someone?"
"Or maybe there's some other reason he's gotta track down a specific person?"
With years of cop instincts, George Stacy caught on quick.
Ronan's point was clear as day. If he didn't get it, he might as well turn in his badge.
"Exactly. A buddy of mine did a little digging."
"He found out that when the Lizard first showed up, his target was crystal clear: the cars on that bridge."
"So, he looked into the vehicles that were there."
"Guess what he found?"
Ronan cooked up a quick story. To help his father-in-law climb the ranks and snag a raise, he was really stepping up as a son-in-law.
After all, once George Stacy got promoted, he'd be too busy to hover.
Then Ronan could do whatever he wanted…
Cough, cough.
"He found some big shot?"
George Stacy zeroed in on it sharp.
The reason was simple.
A giant lizard with human smarts? No average Joe could cook that up in a lab.
So, barring some VIP, no other explanation held much water.
Of course, this was because George Stacy's worldview was still pretty grounded.
If he knew about "mutations"—like Peter Parker getting bit by a spider and turning into Spider-Man—he'd have other theories.
But that worked just fine for Ronan's pitch.
"Yep. He traced one car back to its owner—none other than the head honcho of Oscorp Industries."
"Norman Osborn."
"And get this: another pal of mine's interning at Oscorp."
"One of the projects in their lab? Lizard-based experiments."
"And even wilder—they've got a lead scientist on that project, Doctor Connors, who's been MIA for days."
"The day he vanished? Same day that Lizard first showed up."
Ronan laid the whole truth out for George Stacy.
Now, George didn't need to do much—just head back to the precinct and poke around based on what Ronan said.
He'd see Ronan was spot-on.
And the question of whether that Lizard was human or just some mutated reptile? Answered.
"You're saying that Lizard *is* Doctor Connors?"
"And the guy he's after is Norman Osborn?"
George Stacy bolted upright on the couch.
If Ronan was right, did that mean the Lizard case was cracked just like that?
"Of course, it's all just his hunch—no hard proof."
"Neither Norman Osborn nor the missing Doctor Connors would ever admit it."
"Not without some serious evidence."
Ronan shrugged, tossing George Stacy a heads-up.
Against a guy like Norman Osborn, without solid proof, he'd be up against a top-tier legal army.
The best of the best in the good ol' U.S. of A.
"I know that much."
"I've been NYPD chief for years—think I don't know how those types operate?"
George Stacy shot Ronan a look, like he thought Ronan was underestimating him.
Ronan just tugged at the corner of his mouth, pretending he didn't notice.
Right as they were about to lapse into awkward silence again, Gwen Stacy finally came downstairs.
Today's Gwen wasn't rocking her usual school combo of jeans and a tee.
Instead, she'd slipped into a stunning dress.
Her face was touched up with light makeup.
Looking up from below, Ronan could see…
Nah, scratch that—some unseen force blinded him. He couldn't see a thing.
Anyway, today's Gwen Stacy was drop-dead gorgeous.
"Oh, honey, you look beautiful."
Gwen Stacy's mom poked her head out of the kitchen at the sound.
Seeing Gwen all dolled up, she couldn't help but gush.
George Stacy, sitting next to Ronan, was all smiles too—like he was bursting with pride over his daughter.
But then something hit him. His face shifted, and his gaze swung back to Ronan.
This kid—this punk—stole his adorable, gorgeous daughter?
Fists clenched!
Ronan ignored the dagger-like stare drilling into his back. He stepped forward to Gwen Stacy.
"Gwen, you're stunning."
Ronan praised her from the heart.
"You like it?"
Gwen Stacy turned to him.
Faced with that question, Ronan had no answer but a nod.
"I love it."
With that, Ronan took Gwen Stacy's hand—right under George Stacy's murderous glare.
Gwen's mom, on the other hand, was the total opposite. She flashed that legendary "auntie smile."
A hot guy and a gorgeous gal—together, they'd light up any room.
"Gwen, you've really grown up."
"You're not that little girl who wanted to build a chocolate house anymore."
Sure, George Stacy's glare at Ronan could kill, but for Gwen, his eyes were pure softness.
Ronan smirked internally.
Talk about a double standard!
"Dad, I'm seventeen already!"
Gwen Stacy pouted playfully.
Kid-talk innocence always ends up as grown-up laughs.
That's true anywhere in the world.
"Alright, alright, you're seventeen."
"But you'll always be my favorite daughter."
George Stacy stepped up and hugged Gwen.
For some reason, he felt like he was sending her off to get married.
Even though Gwen Stacy had only just hit New York's legal marriage age.
"Okay, okay, you two—stop dawdling."
"First visit to Ronan's place—don't be late."
Gwen's mom chimed in with a laugh.
Anyone with a lick of manners knows being late is a lousy habit.
Intentional or not.
Especially for a first trip to Ronan's home.
At that, George Stacy let go of Gwen and turned his gaze to Ronan.
"Kid, take care of my daughter."
"If she's even slightly upset, you'll know what's coming."
George Stacy "threatened."
"Don't worry, George—I can promise my family's not like that."
Ronan grinned. Whether it was him, the Ancient One, or anyone else, they'd all welcome Gwen Stacy.
Especially Wong—he'd even told Ronan to bring Gwen to Hong Kong for Lunar New Year, the East's grandest holiday.
Hearing Ronan's assurance, George Stacy's glare softened a touch.
"Alright, be safe on the road."
George Stacy patted Ronan's shoulder, stepping aside.
Ronan nodded, said goodbye to Gwen's mom, and the two headed out.
They hopped in the car. Only when it vanished from George Stacy and his wife's sight did Ronan speak.
"Gwen, you ready?"
Ronan asked with a sly grin.
To his slightly random question, Gwen Stacy just smiled.
She'd heard from Ronan that his home was far away.
But how far could it really be?
Before she could answer, a familiar golden ring swallowed them whole.
*Whoosh.*
Gwen Stacy felt the ground drop out. The car she'd been in? Gone.
Before she could react, Ronan's solid arm wrapped around her.
"Ready to see a totally different world?"
Ronan's voice hit her ears. Next second, her vision blurred, and she was somewhere entirely new.
Her first sensation? *Cold!*
Yep, a chill way frostier than New York's hit her, and she sneezed.
But then a warm current flowed through her body.
This weird warmth didn't just heat her up—it blocked the icy wind completely.
What caught Gwen Stacy's eye next was a massive, awe-inspiring palace.
"Welcome to my home."
"The paradise of mages."
Ronan gently set Gwen Stacy down, letting her catch her breath.
Right then, the Sanctum's doors swung open, and the Ancient One stepped out slowly.
"Welcome, Gwen."
The Ancient One smiled warmly at Gwen Stacy, her face full of approval.
Seeing the Ancient One, Gwen froze for a sec, then glanced at Ronan.
Like she was asking, "Who's this?"
The Ancient One seemed to read her mind.
"I'm Ronan's foster mom—and his mentor."
"My name's the Ancient One."
"And, like him, I'm a mage."
The Ancient One chuckled, answering Gwen's unspoken question.
The Ancient One?
Hearing that kinda odd name, Gwen Stacy mouthed it once, then snapped to.
She's Ronan's foster mom?
"Hi, Aunt Ancient One—I'm Gwen Stacy."
"Just then… I didn't mean…"
Gwen Stacy realized she'd been a tad rude.
Muttering someone's name under your breath isn't exactly ladylike.
"No need to be so stiff."
"Just relax."
"We don't fuss over worldly rules here."
"Come on, let's chat inside."
The Ancient One stepped forward, gently taking Gwen Stacy's hand and leading her in.
Ronan stood there, tugging at his mouth.
What about him?
Other families worry about sons forgetting their moms after getting a wife.
How'd it flip here—his "mom" and "wife" hitting it off like they're on the same team, while he's the odd man out?
Ronan sighed.
Life's tough!
When will guys get their day?
"Ronan, if you don't come in soon, I'm shutting the door."
Just then, the Ancient One's "ice-cold" voice drifted out.
Colder than the peak of Everest!
Ronan pouted, a flicker of defiance sparking.
He wasn't about to let his family status tank for no reason!
He'd fight back!
He'd stand up for all the guys out there!
"Alright, I'm coming!"