6. Start of the fight

February 2009.

Rhodey: "As liaison to Stark Industries, I've had the Unique privilege of serving with a real patriot. My friend and he's my great mentor.

Ladies and gentlemen, it's my honor to give this year's Apachee award to Mr. Tony Stark."

I made my way to the stage and shook his hand as I grabbed the award. I looked down at it as I spoke. "Wow. I'm speechless. You guys do not know how honored I am to receive this award here today this means a lot. And I feel very privileged to one here today and be added to the very few who can say they have one with there name on it.

The only other things I can say is.. does anyone know if there's food here? I'm starving."

Everyone chuckled. "No but seriously it is a great honor and I don't take this lightly. Thank you."

I made my way down to my table and handed Pepper the reward as I kissed her. "Want to leave?" - "Already? You just got the reward. You don't want to stay longer?" - "Nope. I have to leave tomorrow, let's go home so I can give you your birthday gift."

She smiled. "If you insist."

Me and Pepper snuck out the back to head home.

In 2003 I got a ping on the name Virgina Pepper Potts. I invited her into my office and was straight with her. I made it so obvious clear I wanted to be with her, you couldn't ignore it.

I told her she was well over qualified so she could have the job if she gave me a chance. I would've given her the job if she didn't but I had high hopes it would work.

Unlike the original after that night in Switzerland I stopped my playboy, partying ways.

For one I decided it was time to change since the age of hero's wasn't to far away. And because when I Successfully made and injected the Extremis Nanites. Alcohol might as well be water to me. So it wasn't as fun anymore.

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I rolled over to see Pepper waking up. "Happy Birthday." - "Thanks. Do you really have to leave?" - "You know I have a demonstration." - "Yes. But you don't have to stay there for 3 months." - "I do. It keeps what I know in tack, and it'll make Obi think he won. Remember you need to work with Jarvis to buy all the stocks the go on the market when it labeled missing."

She moved on top of me, then made out with me that leaves me breathless. "How about now."

I flipped her over , making me on top. I gave her a kiss. "Sorry." I got up and the windows became transparent.

Pepper: "Fine. But you owe me when you get back." - "Oh. I will. Please don't destroy my house." - "I live here too." - "I know. But I still stand. Don't destroy my house." 

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Rhodey: "You actually showed up on time." - "I try to every once in a while. It mixes things up, keeps everyone on their toes." - "You can count me surprised."

I passed him as I walked into the plane. "let's go. We have a place to be!"

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As I stepped out of the plane I got my normal greeting from the military. "General." - "Welcome, Mr. Stark. We are looking forward to your weapons demonstration." - "You should. it's impressive."

We all just stood there in silence for a moment. "Should we get this started." - "We have everything set up not to far from here." 

I clapped my hands together. "Great."

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"Many question if it's better to be feared or respected. I can tell you with the crowned jewel of the Stark Industries, freedom line, you can have both." I waved my hand to indicate to release the missile. "Set one of these off and whoever you fire them at will have no choice but to respect you as they run in fear." As they all hit the ground. "I humbly present you, The Jericho." I held my arms out as the dust hits me from the explosion.

I love this, it never gets old.

As I get in the hummer, Rhodes comes up to me. "Great presentation out there." - "Do you expect anything less from me?" - "You are something you know that." - "Yep" I smacked the side of the door. "Lets move it."

We all started down the road and no matter what I said no one spoke. "Come on people. we aren't heading to a frunal here. can't anyone speak? Hey, Forest. can you speak?" - "We can speak sir." - "I see. you have something against me then."

Woman: "You intimidate them."

I pulled some tiny disks out of my pocket. "Wow. you're a woman." I leaned forward and patted the two in the front on the shoulder placing a disk on them. 

"Being a woman in the military. how do you like it?" - "I'm an airmen" - "Well you have the best bone structure I've seen in an airmen before." 

everyone laughed. "There we go! We are getting somewhere now."

passenger seat: "Is it cool if I ask you something?" - "Fire away." - "Are you really dating your assistant?" - "I still can't believe I'm getting questions about this. Yes, for almost 6 years now."

the soldier next to me raised his hand. "Are we back in school? What is it?" - "Is it cool if I take a picture with you?" - "I was wandering when someone would ask. of course you can." he handed a camera to the person in the front. 

"If you get it printed and I see you again I'll even sign it. But I better not find it up for sale." 

he held up a peace sign. "Oh, yeah, everyone loves peace." I patted his back to place the last disk I took out.

While the guy in the front was trying to take the picture, the vehicle in front of us exploded, putting everyone on high alert.

The woman got out and immediatly got shot but the bullets just hit a faint blue barrier not harming her. the guy in the passage seat got out and set up on the hood to get git with a bigger round but once again his barrier took the shot but threw him back knocking him out. the last one in the car, knocking him out and like the other got immediately shot but didn't get hit but got thrown into the car door and got knocked out. 

at least they didn't die. They are my prototype full body shields.

I got out myself and made my way behind the rock to get into passion where I know a missile should be and waited while thinking its been a long time since I've been in a active shootout.

When one of my missiles landed next to me I put up a shield, while letting the blow back throw me. When I landed I put a sleeping spell on myself and go into my astral self as I felt like had a visitor.

Ancient One: "I see you haven't slacked on your training." - "I'm afraid to. you can be really mean you know." - "I've been told." - "What brings you hear today?" - "Just came to see one of my favorite students." - "Don't play around with me. I haven't seen you in almost 10 years, and you show up on a day like today." - "Fine. I just came to ask if you really plan on going through with this?" - "What? Playing a disappearing act on the world for a couple months, finally killing Obi, or coming out as Iron Man?" - "All of the above." - "Then yes. I want Stane to think he's won, to realize I'm still alive, which will make him look for another way to kill me or at least shut me out of my company which I've made impossible. so his last choice is to do it himself and that's when I kill him for what he did to my parents and tried to do to me." - "I can see you are dead set on killing him, but why come out as Iron Man." - "You can see the future. you know wants coming and it'll be easier to be known as Iron Man to battle these threats." - "I tried. That's all I can say. have fun on your little vacation." she walked through a portal so I looked down to realize they already took my body. "Hey come back, I'm attached to that."