Chapter 39
{A/N: So I'm actually gonna fast forward through iron man 1. I'll cover the parts that is different since I'm pretty sure everyone has seen it. If you haven't, go fix that and watch it. Anyway things will diverge more heavily after Thor and Mikael will start to really mess with things.}
A black Chevrolet Corvette raced down the road at over 200 miles an hour alongside a silver and black Audi. The two cars tore past the other vehicles littering the streets as the corvette slowly started to pass the Audi. Mikael looked back in the rear view mirror at the silver car that was now directly behind him as he gradually began to slow down as he approached the concert hall. In moments both vehicles came to a halt as two of the valets ran to their sides. Mikael stepped out of his car and handed his keys over to the valet before turning back to watch as Tony Stark did the same.
"Not bad old man. You almost kept up." Mikael taunted as he walked to him.
"I was holding back. I don't like bullying kids." Tony retorted as he turned to look at him.
"Mikael Argent." Mikael introduced himself as he stretched his hand out and shook Tony's.
"Rumors said you weren't going to show up tonight, Mr. Stark." Mikael said as they began walking towards the building.
"Well I couldn't deprive this party of my presence now could I? You're the kid who started that new company right? Argent Tech?" Stark asked as the reporters quickly noticed their presence and started taking pictures.
"You got me. And you're the weapons manufacturer that has chosen to stop developing weapons." Mikael responded as the reporters drew closer to them.
"You're not going to say that I made a mistake too are you?"
"A mistake? No. Actually I respect your decision to do so. As a matter of fact it's the reason I was planning to pay a visit to your company to see if you would be willing to cooperate with a couple of projects I've been working on." Mikael answered as he watched as a bald bearded man he recognized as Obadiah Stane looked in their direction with a fake smile on his face.
"Yeah? And what did you have in mind?"
"Well a couple long term projects were clean energy and transportation. I'm also looking into expanding into space travel but I have a couple other ideas I want to work on first though."
"Really? Space travel? You're ballsy aren't you?" Tony asked in surprise.
"Sometimes you gotta take a risk to make a difference. But those are projects for later. Right now I've been trying to expand my humanitarian aid into the Middle East. Unfortunately I've ran into a bit of a…roadblock. There's this town called Gulmira that I wanted to give relief to but the military has yet to give me their approval. Apparently the area is a hotspot for terrorists at the moment. It's a shame really, those people really need help." Mikael said with a look of disappointment as he watched Tony's expression from the corner of his eye.
"Gulmira?" Tony asked as his brows narrowed.
"Yeah, are you familiar with it?"
"I've… heard of it. Tell you what. Why don't you swing by my company and we'll talk about these projects." Tony responded as he looked up at the man on the stairs.
"Great. How's the 24th at seven sound?"
"That sounds good, we'll talk later." Tony agreed as he watched Mikael walk past Obadiah and into the building. Tony watched Mikael disappeared from view as he remembered his time in captivity. The doctor that saved his life and the man who sacrificed his life so he could live. He snapped himself out of his thoughts and put on a smile as he saw Obadiah walking towards him.
"Was that that Argent kid? What were you talking about?" Obadiah asked with a smile as he patted Tony on his shoulders.
"Just a small project, don't worry about it Obie. I'll see you inside." Tony answered as he started to walk past before Obadiah grabbed his arm.
"Hey take it slow alright? I think I have the board where we want them." Obadiah whispered turning away from the crowd.
"Don't worry. It's just some cabin fever. I'll just be a minute." Tony responded as he walked inside the building. Mikael spoke with the guests while he watched from the corner of his eyes as Tony looked around the room before walking towards the bar. He watched as Tony shared a couple of words and a handshake with Coulson before going off to join his assistant on the dance floor. It didn't take long after that for them to head outside. Mikael spotted the blonde reporter beginning to approach Tony as he came back inside for a drink. As the two spoke, he felt a sudden burst of anger coming from Tony before he stormed outside.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Apologies but I will have to leave now. I have some business I need to take care of." Mikael said before he began to leave the building. As Mikael stepped outside he saw the familiar silver and black care drive off into the night before noticing Obadiah walking towards him.
"Hello Mikael! It's great to finally meet you!" Obadiah said with a smile.
"I'm busy. Make an appointment if you have business with me." Mikael said plainly as he walked past the large man and headed towards his vehicle. He could feel Obadiah glaring at him as he took his keys from the valet and entered his car. Mikael gave him one last glance as he drove away and headed back to his company's complex.
A week later Mikael sat down next to Coulson in the Stark Industries building and picked up a newspaper. The latest story was about a training exercise that resulted in the destruction of a fighter jet. He slowly turned the page as Coulson turned to look at him in surprise.
"Mikael? What are you doing here?"
"I have an appointment. Although it seems we may have to reschedule." Mikael answered as he pointed at the blonde woman that was briskly walking down the stairs.
"Miss Potts? I thought we had an appointment? Should we reschedule?" Coulson asked as he noticed the look on her face.
"No, we'll have it now. Walk with me." Pepper answered as she power walked past Mikael and Coulson before glancing behind her at the man leaning over the walkway above. Mikael patted Coulson on the shoulder as he quickly followed after her. The trio quickly made their way into Coulson's vehicle before driving away towards the Shield office nearby. Coulson led them inside where Pepper immediately informed him of Obadiah's treachery and his plans. Shocked Coulson quickly called for a team of agents to join him in arresting Obadiah as Pepper attempted to call Tony to warn him. As the group headed towards the Stark Industries complex Mikael could see the panic growing in Pepper's face when she failed to reach Tony on the phone.
"Does Stark have another friend you can call to help him?" Mikael asked forcing Pepper to refocus and dial a different number. They quickly made it to their destination as everyone filed out of the vehicle and started making their way into the building. As the group made their way deeper into the building, Mikael pressed a button on his watch causing a message to appear on its surface.
[Medical Team Charlie deployed.]
Mikael looked up to watch as Coulson blew open the door barring their path. They slowly made their way through the dimly lit corridor as the agents spread out to cover more ground. Mikael leaned against the doorframe as he watched the group search the large room. Mikael glanced at the old mark one armor that hung across the room as well as the curtain of chains that hung loosely from the ceiling. He could even see the outline of the large suit of armor hiding behind the chains.
'How do they not see that thing?' Mikael thought to himself as he watched Pepper slowly approach the curtain of chains. The mechanized suit immediately burst through the curtain of chains forcing Pepper to run away. The agents were tossed through the air as Obadiah pursued her through the room. Mikael walked outside as Pepper came running around the corner with the giant metal suit stomping after her.
"Tony! Are you okay? It's Obadiah, he's gone insa-Mikael?! You need to run!" Pepper yelled as she rushed out of the building and turned around to notice Mikael leaning against the glass.
"Hmm, no. I don't think I do. You should keep running though." Mikael responded as he pointed towards the ground that was starting to bulge up from underneath. Pepper stumbled backwards as they watched a hand pierce through the pavement.
"Where do you think you're going?" Obadiah asked, his voice distorted by the suit as he climbed out of the ground.
"Where she's going isn't really your concern." Mikael responded as he walked in front of Pepper.
"Argent. So you came too. I was planning on visiting you later. Guess you saved me the trip." Obadiah said as he raised the arm of his suit and armed his weapons.
"Well I couldn't miss the show." Mikael replied with a grin.
"What show?" Obadiah asked as his arm dropped momentarily.
"Stane!" Tony's voice echoed out as he crashed into Obadiah like a meteor and sent them both tearing through the nearby warehouse.
"That show." Mikael said as he watched the pair crash into the street. Mikael walked over and looked through the hole to see the two figures tumble across the highway. As Mikael watched the fight unfold a squad of eight men rushed through the alley and stopped beside Mikael.
"Sir! Charlie Team reporting! Highway had been evacuated as ordered!" One of the men stated as Pepper looked at them in shock.
"Send a team downstairs to tend to the injured agents. The other team ensure the safety of the civilians." Mikael ordered as the squad immediately divided into teams of four and went in their separate directions.
"You should get to safety miss Potts. You can stay close my people, they'll keep you safe." Mikael said as he turned around to look at Pepper.
"What about you?"
"Eh. I'll be fine, I've seen worse." Mikael shrugged and waved Pepper away as he watched the two suits flew up into the night sky.