After the ceremony was over Rhodes called Tony to find his whereabouts. John already knew where Tony was so he directly went to the casino after the awards slowly. After he came to the table where Tony was, he saw Rhodes having a conversation with Tony. After losing the money in the gambling table he was ready to go home only to see John standing and looking at him on the opposite side of the table. Rhodes left after reminding Tony to be on time for the flight to Afghanistan.

"Hey kid you didn't come to ruin my luck in the gambling table. Did you?" Tony said as he approached John. Behind Tony stood Happy. John looked at him for a couple of seconds as in the original world Happy's actor was the director of Iron Man movie. He looked at Happy but didn't say anything.

"No Mr. Stark I just came here to see you. I was in the award ceremony and I just walked in here only to see you." John lied

"Well don't drink here. If you get caught the media will tear your good image apart" Stark said with a laugh

"I never drink Mr. Stark. Well I heard you are going to Afghanistan tomorrow. You should be careful there as that place isn't safe now." John reminded me once

"Don't worry I will be fine, the US military will protect me as this weapon is important for them." Tony replied without much care. John just shrugged and didn't say anything. He didn't want to change his trajectory as this journey is important for him to change himself.

After saying goodbyes to each other John moved away and saw from afar as Tony took a reporter into the car after she interviewed him intensely. John just smiled after he saw that. John returned home by flight the next day.

As per the original timeline Tony arrived late by 3 hours to his private plane to Afghanistan. As the flight attendant closed the doors of the plane felt a gust of wind pass by her. But she didn't feel anything wrong about it.

Stolen novel; please report.

Somewhere in Afghanistan

"... They say the best weapon is when you never have to fire. I respectfully disagree. I prefer the weapon you only have to fire once. That's how Dad did it, that's how America does it and it's worked out pretty well so far... " Tony said a long speech and continued "For your consideration, The Jericho"

After showing off the missile's capabilities he went to the military Humvee. Soon he got a call from Obadiah asking about the situation and Tony replied happily.

After Rhodes leaving in a separate way, Tony and the convoy rode towards the military base. Suddenly there was an sound and the forward Humvee exploded. They were being ambushed. There was a fierce battle between the soldiers in the convoy and the the people who ambushed. The soldiers were outgunned and outnumbered. Tony after realising the dire situation made a run for his life but soon a missile flew and got stuck near him. Tony after seeing the name tag on the missile tried making a run but it exploded before he could do so.

As soon as the convoy was hit, SHIELD got the immediate information about the ambush and sent agents to find out what happened. After Fury knew the whole process he was agitated. He immediately called Coulson to start searching for Tony. Even after 2 weeks he couldn't find Tony. Fury was really stressed now and he immediately called Kazekage.

"Hello Kazekage, I would like to apply for a mission. I want a team of your ninjas to be sent to Afghanistan to find Tony Stark. He is an important asset for SHIELD"

"Ohh. I have got the information. But sadly I can't help you in this. Because there is another person from another world who has his eyes on Tony. We don't want to be in conflict against him. But don't worry he is a good guy. I am sure he will bring Tony back" Gaara replied.

"Another guy from another world? " Fury stopped for a couple of seconds "OK I understand. Thank you Kazekage" Fury replied and immediately called Coulson.

"Coulson stop all your activities in finding Tony and come back. We need to go to meet our consultant. We have a new visitor." Fury said. Coulson understood the meaning and asked his team to stop all operations and return home.

After returning the next day, Coulson and Fury went to the new home of Jameson. Jameson bought a new home in Long Island with a view of the ocean. Much further away from Stark Tower. And even the Daily Bugle news headquarters shifted to a new building far away from Stark Tower.