Iron Ego

I already have 10+ advanced chapters ready for those who wish to read ahead on my

pat-reon/AnubisCreationz.

( A/N :- Idk why people care about power stones, but I guess I should too? Anyways give me your stones! Or give me death! Wait.. that's not right I mean give me freedom or give me death! And some stones.)

P. S :- Merry Christmas Everyone

Enjoy ;)

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I leaned backward on the bar as the crowd cheered and cheered, watching the fireworks shoot up.

Everyone was waiting for the man of the hour to drop down from the sky. I really didn't even want to go to the expo opening, but Kitty found out that I, of course, could get us in, so she begged me until I gave in. She also got Jean to come.

She went shopping for dresses and even got her hair and makeup done for the event.

Kitty wore a patterned rose-colored dress that the Vogue stylist said gave her gray eyes some color. Jean wore a short blue off-the-shoulder dress that made her red hair pop.

I looked up and saw Iron Man flying down from the sky.

He flew down and landed on the stage, and the crowd lost their shit. An American flag was on the screen, the lights and fireworks went off, and girls dressed in sexy Iron Man-inspired outfits started dancing. I groaned. Jean and Kitty busted out laughing.

Tony stood there in his armor, looking around, arms wide. The robots came up from the stage floor to take the suit off, and he grinned and bowed. As he waved and pointed to the crowd, the girls finished the dance and came up to him, posing.

"Oh, it's good to be back," he said, giving the crowd a good show. "You miss me?"

Someone in the crowd screamed at him: "Blow something up!" People laughed. I downed my drink, wishing he really would blow something up.

* Sigh*

" Come on, he's not that bad." Jean said.

I snorted. " You're right, he's worse."

Kitty giggled a bit " Are you still mad about 'that'. "

I didn't answer, which led to them laughing even more. My mind drifted to the first time I ever met Tony.

(1 month ago)

I was attending one of those rich people fundraiser parties, and I had Jean and Kitty with me.

I wasn't going at first but was talked into it by my PR team. Apparently, I was starting to develop a reputation for being a reclusive, mysterious billionaire, which was detrimental to my image.

" I should fire them." I stated.

" Come on, they're right you now. We barely get to see you anymore. You're either holed up in your lab or studying that strange crystal you took out of Juggernaut." Kitty said.

" It's called the Gem of Cyttrok. You should know this stuff by now. How can you call yourself a sorcerer? " I said.

She snorted." Who knew you'd have to study so much to do magic. Spending hours on end studying archaic texts. Surround by dusty old fossils."

" Don't let Mordo hear you say that. " Jean said.

I chuckled a bit and continued drinking and talking to the girls.

My presence was drawing a lot of attention. It wasn't often that one of the richest men alive was out and about, with two knockout beauties.

' I really should get out more' I thought to myself, noticing how many people were staring.

There was suddenly a large commotion and my attention was drawn by a rather large crowd.

I looked towards the entrance and found Tony Stark moving through the crowd, meeting and greeting people. His assistant, Pepper, was with him as well as his bodyguard and best friend Happy Hogan.

I noticed how he was moving towards us. He was certainly good with working a crowd.

"I should warn you, he's likely to hit on you, either, or, possibly both at once." I said.

Jean allowed a slight frown to appear on her face. While Kitty still had an excited look on her face.

"Well, too damn bad for him, playboys with goatees are not my cup of tea." Jean said.

It didn't take long before they came up to where we were sitting.

"Douglas Ramsay, a pleasure. " said Pepper, holding out one hand gesturing with the other to Tony, "May I introduce Tony Stark."

Tony was a man in his early 30s, spare of frame and in relatively good shape since. He had a goatee and a small mustache and wore a very expensive Armani suit like a second skin, and all in all, looked the perfect image of a rich playboy.

His eyes however were bright with intelligence, and they seemed to glitter as he bowed over Jean's hand grandly.

" And who is this lovely lady?" He said.

" Jean Grey. Nice to meet you, Mr. Stark. I have heard a lot about you." Jean said.

" All good things I hope." He said.

" Hi. I'm Kitty Pryde." Kitty excitedly said.

" Oh, another lovely lady." He said.

Noticing I was starting to get annoyed at being ignored and his blatant flirting. Pepper interrupted.

Tony's personal assistant Pepper was very good, and under her management, the company had slowly begun to change from a primarily weapons manufacturing company into a high-tech consumer goods company.

For his part, Tony was rather taken with the two young ladies in front of him. It was obvious he was completely out of touch with his company.

" Oh, so you're New York's second most eligible bachelor? Douglas Ramsay. You're certainly very young. " He said.

" Well, this is the future Mr. Stark people are always looking for what's newer and better." I said.

"Well, newer doesn't always mean better. Sometimes if you want something reliable, you go with something tested and more trusted. Something you know that works." He said.

" What are you implying, Mr. Stark? Are you saying my products are second rate? You must have me confused with Justin Hammer. Not all your competitors are mumbling idiots. " I said.

He chuckled a bit. " You're not wrong, he does mumble. No, I am not implying your products are second rate. We just make them better, that's all."

I snorted "Yeah at triple the price. That's why most people go for the Cypher X instead of a Stark phone."

" We don't skimp out and buy cheap materials to keep cost down. Quality over quantity and all that, but I am sure that's a new concept for you." He said.

I was about to go off on him and give him a piece of my mind , but was interrupted by his assistant.

"Gentlemen, let's keep this civil. Why don't I go and get us all a few drinks? " She said.

Pepper then went and got us all a few drinks. She chatted with Jean and Kitty for a bit . Tony was busy talking to a reporter, but it was more flirting than talking. I was left with Happy Hogan.

" You're boss is certainly interesting." I said.

" He gets a little competitive sometimes, but he means well." He said.

"Could have fooled me." I snorted.

We stayed at the party for a bit. I talked to Pepper and found out that she was trying to get a meeting with me for a while now.

Although Cypher Solutions and Stark Industries were competitors.

Stark industries focused more on manufacturing hardware, while Cypher Solutions was primarily a software tech company with a few flagship products. We talked business for a while and scheduled an appointment for further talks.

(Back to the present)

Tony! Tony! Tony! Tony!

" I missed you too. Blow something up? I already did that. I'm not saying that the world is enjoying its longest period of uninterrupted peace in years because of me. I'm not saying that from the ashes of captivity, never has a greater 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘅 metaphor been personified in human history. " Tony said.

[People cheering Tony]

Jean almost choked on her drink. Kitty and I couldn't stop laughing.

He continued his speech "Please, it's not about me. It's not about you. It's not even about us. It's about legacy. It's about what we choose to leave behind for future generations. And that's why for the next year and for the first time since 1974, the best and brightest men and women of nations and corporations the world over will pool their resources, share their collective vision, to leave behind a brighter future. It's not about us. Therefore, what I'm saying, if I'm saying anything, is welcome back to the 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼."

( A few days later)

I was at the base training with Jean in the Danger room. We had gotten closer over the years, but never really took the leap. She still had some trust issues and was wary of getting into a relationship. She was in constant fear of losing control and was still apprehensive.

I think she was still traumatized by that time she lost control and still hasn't forgiven herself over what happened.

Monaco happened a few days ago. I watched on T. V as Wiplash took on Tony only to get knocked out. I also heard about the birthday party he threw for himself.

His behavior was becoming more and more destructive as the days went by. He was acting like a man who only had a few days to live.

I could have simply gone to Russia and picked up Vanko before the events of Iron Man 2, but unfortunately some events needed to happen. It just meant I'd have to make sure no one died.

Things were about to get busy this week. Sophie informed me that Tony already discovered Howard Stark's Hidden Element. Which Tony dubbed Badassium.

He was currently building his Iron Man Armor Mark VI in preperation for tomorrow night's Expo.

Dr. Bruce Banner was also spotted at Culver University and reports of an unidentified satellite in New Mexico were reported two days ago.

After I finished my training session with Jean. We went to the lounge to relax for a bit. I had Diana make a call and patch it through my ear piece.

"Mardox. I need you and Callisto to go to New Mexico. I've got a new mission for you guys. "

"Is it another Meta-human?" He asked me.

" No, this time I need you guys to keep an eye on a God." I said.

*Silence*

" What?" He said.

" I'll send you the details. Surveillance only. If anything big happens let me know right away." I said.

" Boss, wait what do... "

I hanged up and called Pitor.

" Colossus. I have got a mission for you. Take Kitty with you and portal to Culvar University. I need you to keep an eye on Dr. Bruce Banner. If he turns green don't interfere unless absolutely necessary." I said.

" What do you mean turn green? " He asked confused.

" You'll know it when you see it. I'll send you the details. " I said.

" Anything else? " He asked.

" Yes no matter what happens don't make him angry. " I said.

I then turned to Jean.

"How would you like to go to the Stark Expo with me?" I asked, her head whipped up to look at me with a grin.

"I'll take that as a yes."

( Chapter End)

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"Living as a mortal -- abiding by the civilized laws of Midgard -- hath tamed me! Here -- and fore'ermore -- does that affliction end!"

-Thor Odinson (Earth-616)

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I already have 10+ advanced chapters ready for those who wish to read ahead on my

pat-reon/AnubisCreationz.