20 Master
Allen Stark. Visionary. Genius. Son of the genius, playboy Tony Stark and grandson of the legendary weapons developer Howard Stark, the new generation of Stark is nothing to scoff at, born on July 28, 1994, at age 10 he graduated high school and went straight to Harvard to study medicine. Within 4 years, at age 14, Stark graduated with honours. His life isn't just smooth sailing, at the age of 6, Allen Stark was kidnapped by unknown assailants and held captive for a month. Today he is rumoured to be doing his residency under the famous surgeon Doctor Clark Donald.
While the two generations of Stark's deal within the weapon industry, making a name for themselves, the third generation chooses to develop cures and to heal. Stark industry's future may look dull, but one thing is for certain; Allen Stark will be the future of medicine.
Current time - 2009 January Kamar Taj
*Bang*
"Gahhh fine fine I lose I admit lost" Wailed a girl.
A hand reaches over to her and she takes it, pulling her up to a stand.
"But you're cheating! Using the time stone is a cheat! I call a rematch"
"I'm just demonstrating the uses of the time stone to you" the winner chuckles.
Kiko, the sore loser pouts. "That was so many years ago! When will you let it go"
"Never!" Allen laughs. Green eyes settle back into light brown. At 14, Allen is beginning to lose his baby fat and his face is settling into a more mature, refined look. His height is a little below average, however, standing at 165 cm tall. His black hair, somehow messier with age, is cut short, bangs sitting atop his eyebrows.
(A/N dw he just doesn't have his growth spurt yet)
As the pair begin to make their way towards the food hall, Kiko winces. Her body arches and her hands wrap around her ankles. "Crap, I sprained it." Then she looks over at Allen with pleading eyes.
With a sigh, Allen bends down and lightly touches the swollen area. His brown eyes turn a vivid green and the swell settles visibly.
Kiko tests her points by bending her ankles a few times, with a satisfied huff she pats Allen on the back, "Thank you! Though I must ask", she begins, "Why don't you just rewind my whole body... y'know back a day, wouldn't that be much easier?"
"Oh, it's good practice for me, plus, it'll be a waste to lose the exercise you got today"
Kiko grumbles. "My body aches!"
"Yeah? No pain no gain!" Allen retorts and dashes forth, avoiding a rock thrown by Kiko. Before he could make it up a flight of stairs, The Ancient One stood nonchalantly at the base of the staircase. "Master!" he exclaims, rushing forward.
"Allen", she smiles, then she looks over his shoulder, "Master Kiko, so what is your verdict?"
"The Ancient One", Kiko bows, "Allen has shown remarkable progress within the years both with sorcery and with the time stone, he has also been able to consistently defeat me. I believe Allen should rise from the rank of Apprentice to Disciple, and with that, he should be allowed to possess an artefact of his own."
"Then, congratulations should be in order." The Ancient One replies, she switches her gaze to Allen, "Congratulations Allen. You are now a Master of the Mystic Arts, tomorrow we shall begin looking for an artefact that you will be compatible with. Until then rest." With that, she leaves.
"Just like that?" Allen asked with a dazed look.
"Just like that." Kiko laughs. "Congratulations Allen! Let me treat you to a meal at the food hall."
"Oh yeah ok thank you... WAIT! The food at the food hall is usually free!" He chases after her.
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Stark Residence Malibu
"Congratulations Allen" Tony exclaims while patting Allen on the shoulder.
"Thanks Dad, its no big deal really..." Allen shrugs.
"What do you mean no big deal! You're a master now! Doesn't that mean you get to do cool stuff".
"I could already do cool stuff."
"Yeah but now you can do cool stuff with a cool weapon."
"Pshh" Allen huffs. "What? You want me to hold a giant glaive into battle?"
"Yeah, that'll be so cool. Imagine that, rushing forth to fight extraterrestrial beings with a massive glaive. I couldn't be prouder. I mean... look at me and my puny guns and bombs, not cool at all..."
"Dad, you literally make weapons of mass destruction for a living..."
"And what? My son is making weapons of mass healing, did you see the news? Allen Stark, the future of medicine. Got a nice ring to it. Also, breaking Stark tradition? You couldn't have made me any prouder."
"You sure you're not mad at me for pursuing medicine?"
"Allen, I'm gonna keep reassuring you no matter how many times you need. I'm proud of you no matter what you do kiddo."
"Thanks Dad."
"No problemo kiddo"
A beat of silence as their chuckles die down.
"Can I ask you something? A serious question." Allen asks tentatively.
Tony looks at him curiously, straightening from the couch. "Of course, what's on your mind Allen?"
"When you know something bad is going to happen, but stopping it might cause something even worse. How do you decide what's the right thing to do?"
"Hmm that's quite broad, could you be more specific?"
"Suppose you knew a crisis was coming—one that could either break you or forge you into something greater. If you had the power to stop that crisis from ever happening, would you use it? Even if it meant you might never reach your full potential?"
Tony hums in thought, "These what-ifs sound pretty personal. Allen is this about your y'know." Tony points at his chest.
Allen winces, imagining a glowing blue orb sitting on Tony's chest. "Yeah. I can see paths not yet taken. I can change it, but I- It feels like I'm playing chess in real life."
"Listen, I've taken risks all my life—some paid off, others didn't. But every choice, every challenge made me who I am. If someone took away my chance to face those challenges... I wouldn't be me." Tony says seriously.
"BUT YOU'LL BE HURT" Allen raised his voice.
"You can't rob someone of their battles; they're what lead to growth, to strength. Allen, whatever's coming, if it's meant to test me, I have to face it head-on. It's the only way I'll learn, the only way I'll evolve."
"But- I don't want you to get hurt." Allen says again, this time quieter.
Tony gives him a reassuring smile, "Hey, what's life without a little excitement, right? I trust you, and if you see a storm coming my way, maybe it's one I need to weather."
"I promise you that I'm going to be there for you, no matter what Dad."
"Well aren't I lucky, I got a Master of the Mystic Arts for a son AND he can control time, protecting me." Tony laughs patting him.
"Thanks Dad."
"Now, go to sleep! It is past your bedtime mister!" Tony says with a fake huff.
"Good night Dad."
"Good night mini me"
Allen rolls his eyes and prepares to leave.
Tony laughs. "Oh and Allen?"
"Hm?"
Tony pauses, and a million thoughts rush through his head. After a few beats, he manages to muster up a "make sure to be safe okay?" You mean a lot to me goes unsaid.
"Yeah okay. Love you, good night"
Once Allen was out of sight Tony calls out, "Jarvis, do you think Allen is going to be safe out there?"
A monotonous voice echoes, "There are many things that we are unable to predict Sir, but with you there, I am sure Allen will have a place to fall back to."
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Allen lays awake on his bed. His hands playing with the time stone. He feels his heart hammering in his chest.
"I'm getting stronger." He mutters. "Then I can protect Dad."
He closes his eyes only to be plagued by visions of the future. His father was so tired, so sick and beaten. Sunken eyes stared through him, glowing chest lighting the cave.
'I don't want that to happen.' He thinks. But it is inevitable. Tony Stark's destiny is to become Iron Man and no matter what he does, he cannot change it. He's looked into the future. No matter the timelines, he will suffer and become Iron Man.
With Obadiah Stane, he has thought of getting rid of him, it was quite easy after all. However, he's checked the future, and there will always be a villain for Tony Stark to face, his first superhero battle, and honestly, Obadiah Stane is the one with the least amount of casualty. So grudgingly, he is letting that leech of a man live. For now.
He closes his eyes again, willing the visions to go away.
'I wonder what artefact I get,' he wonders. The Ancient One never allowed him to check.
