12. The first boss battle

My Mansion. Malibu.

Jarvis: "Welcome back sir, as expected Mr. Stane snuck into you house, while you where gone and stole the staged Arc Reactor." - "I'll give it to him. He has bigger balls then I gave him. How's Pepper?" - "Her suit isn't currently activated." - "Good. I need."

Rhodey: "TONY! TONY!"

Why's he here. I don't remember getting any call.

"DOWN HERE!"

He came down with a worried expression. "Thank god you're okay. Pepper called all worried." - "Where is she?" - "She's with 5 agents to arrest Obadiah." - "That's not enough. I got to go." - "You won't make it there in time."

I tapped the reactor on my chest and In front of his eyes, my suit formed over me.

Rhodey: "That's the coolest thing I've ever seen. I can't believe you actually made it." - "You know me when I get my mind in something. We can talk later. I have to stop Stane." - "Wait. Do you need me to do something?" - "Just keep the sky's clear."

I took off out of my garage ramp towards Stark Industries.

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In suit.

"Pepper? You there?" - "Tony. Tony. It's olObadiah. He's lost it, his suit." - "Put on the suit and get out of there." - "But."

"Jarvis." - "Right away."

As I rounded the corner I watched her suit form and blast Stane in the face before flying off.

"Stay away from here!" I few over him and grabbed his shoulders while turning them into clamps for grip. I went to fly away when he punched my stomach making us fall into the road.

When we landed I rolled away from his before I got up and we to attack when I noticed he picked up a car with a family in it.

Stane: "I love this suit." - "Put the car down." - "Callateral damage, Tony."

My right hand formed a Repulsor Cannon and shot him in the chest sending him flying.

I caught the car in a blue feild and sat it down behind me.

Stane ran and used his thrusters to jump and I did the same and met his fist with a Energy Mallet, shattering his hand.

In stead of landing I stayed airborne. Realizing we need to take this elsewhere, as there is a bunch of civilians around on the interstate.

Stane: "Your suit is impressive. I see you made some upgrades. But I made some upgrades of my own."

I'm counting on it.

As he engaged his jet boots I slowly took off and away.

When we got high enough where he started to freeze and make it look believable, I made myself go invisible and I popped behind Stane on his suit.

In between back of his neck and his helmet I shoved my hand between his suit to touch his real body.

"Any last words?" - "I won't die here Tony. My suit can make this fall." - "That's actually impressive it it's true, but doubtful.

Is that all you have to say?" - "You better hope I die. If not I'll finish what I started." - "As you wish." {Petrificus Totalus.} I pulled my hand out and did one more spell Before I let him fall. {Glacius Duo.} "let's see your suit survive the fall when it is as brittle as glass."

Jarvis: "From my scans his survival rate is 4%." - "Higher then I expected. I was shooting for zero. What gives him the 4%" - "That maybe somehow his internals of the suit didn't freeze enough to become brittle." - "I like my chances. Let's follow him down and see."

I landed next to a destroyed and scattered suit in my arc reactor parking lot.

I threw away some of the big pieces to find Stane laying there with blood all over him, but still in tact.

I put my hand on his chest. "J?" - "Dead. From internal bleeding, and head trauma." - "Good."

I turn around to see Pepper land not to far away from me and as she walked to me her suit fell away. "Are you okay?" - "What are you doing here?" - "Jarvis said he was dead so I rushed back. I had to make sure you are okay." - "Yeah, I'm fine. His suit was big, but was nothing much. My older suits could've taken him." - "Thank god."

My suit flowed away as The Agents that came with Pepper, came out of the building.

Coulson: "Everyone okay?"

"Everyone but Stane. He died from the fall. Unfortunately he's just not as smart as me and forgot to fix a simple problem. And it was his downfall."

Pepper: "Tony." - "What? It's true. He didn't fix the freezing problem above a certain level. He froze and all his systems failed and. Well you see him."

Coulson: "If you don't mind. We can handle all of this for you." - "Sure. But every last peice of these suits comes back to me. They are Stark property. I've scanned and know what's here." - "Of course sir. We will be in contact."

I looked at Pepper. "Where's you car?" - "In the parking garage." - "Let's take mine. I think we can let them handle all of this."

I pulled out what looks like a toy car but became full size once I stepped far enough away.

After helping Pepper in the passenger seat I sat down in the drivers and waved at a speechless Coulson. "See ya, contact me tomorrow. I know this will be all over the news."

Then I put the petal to the floor, getting away from having to do anything else as fast as possible.

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After a call and a chat with Agent Coulson we set up a press conference the day after the event.

On tv Rhodey: "You've all received the official statement of what occurred at Stark Idustries last night. There have been unconfirmed reports that a robotic prototype malfunctioned."

"I knew they'd want to call me Ironman but, it's not accurate. What do you think?"

Pepper: "I think you fell in love with it long ago."

Coulson walked up to us. "You might be correct. What can I do for you?" - "Here's your alibi."

I grabbed it and skimmed it as he continued to talk. "You where on your yacht. You where in Avalon all night. We have sworn statements from 50 of your guests." - "Why can't we say it was just me and Pepper. To you know. Celebrate." - "That's what happened. Read it word for word." - "I'll try."

Pepper sat next to me and leaned close to my ear. "We better get that Celebration trip for real. If you do I have plenty planned for night times you might enjoy." - "Next week?" - "Excited?" - "How can I not be? With a comment like that, I'm tempted to sweep you up now and have you show me."

Coulson cleared his throat. "You have 90 seconds."

Pepper: "Sorry about that."

"Yeah. I forgot you were there. It's quite easy to do that. do you get that often?.. never mind, Not the place or time."

He nodded before he walked to the door.

Pepper: "Oh, Agent Coulson."

I looked through the cards real quick before I got up to see a shocked and frozen Pepper.

"What's wrong?" She shook her head. "Sorry. Nothing to worry about right now. Your about to go on." - "Right….. should I?" - "What.. Oh, say it's you? I don't think you should, but." - "I've been wanting to for years." - "Exactly. Up to you. You can be open now. Show the world what you really have to offer."

I kissed her. "Your right."

.

Rhodey: "And now, Mr. Stark has prepared a statement. He will not be taking any questions. Thank you."

I walked up to the podium. "It's been a second since I've stood here. And this time I'm here to talk about the events that happened on the freeway and."

Christine: "Mr. Stark. Do you really think that we believe that it was a bodyguard in a suit that conveniently appeared, despite the fact that you.." - "I see you can listen to instructions well."

That made a couple chuckles. "But even though you can't, I'll answer it anyway. I've heard about you and I know you don't like to listen to the official statement so I want to see if you believe this.." I put the cards down which made Rhodes move to stop me but I put my hand out to stop him.

"I've had a secret for years. I've been known as many things in my life. Some public, some not. But I think I like the newest one."

Christine: "What? Are you telling us?" - "Yes, I'm telling you. I've been working on this project for years as a just in case, and last night was just that case.

I, Am, Ironman." I opened the button covering the reactor and smiled as the cameras started to flash.

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After everyone calmed down and stopped asking questions I made my way back to my room off to the side to see a nervous Pepper.

"What's wrong Pep? You knew I'd announce I'm Iron Man." - "No. it's not that. Have a seat." - "Now you are warring me. Spill."

She let out a long sigh. "You know how you have you blood at the DNA labs to have it tested to shut up any woman claiming to have your child?" - "Yeah. A lot just want money. Where's this going?" - "There was a match. Apparently a little girl was found by herself and she claimed you are her dad. And it was a match."

I stumbled to a chair and was speechless.

Pepper: "You okay?" - "Yeah… um…. Did.. did you. When did you find out?" - "Agent Coulson Informed me of such a thing before you went out." - "That's why you froze?" - "Yes. And met her while you made your announcement." - "She's here!" - "Calm it. Yes she is. I told her to go back with Coulson while I told you." - "Show me." - "What?" - "I know you. You have a picture of her. Show me.. please."

She took out her phone and handed it to me and it looked like Morgan from Endgame.

My eyes went wide with if's and why's and how. Before I calmed down and asked a question. "What's the girls name?" - "Jessica, but she goes by Jessi."

Weird. The same name I wanted to name my daughter if I ever had one.

I stood up and opened a portal home.

Pepper: "What are you doing?" - "Going home. I'll deal with this tomorrow. I.. just do what you feel is right for now. Please."

I walked through and went straight up to my room and layed face down on the bed.

Later that night I heard a noise so I turn over thinking it was Pepper getting home but I realized she was already next to me.

I dawned the suit and walked slowly downstairs.

Fury: "I am Ironman. You think you're the only superhero in the world? Mr. Stark, you just became part of a bigger universe, You just don't know it yet."

I recognize that voice. It's Fury. I put away the suit as I walk to the drinks near the stairs.

"Fury. It's nice to finally meet you."

With a hint of suprise in his voice that I can tell he's trying to hide. "You know of me?"

I smiled. "Of course. Nicholas J. Fury. Director. Of S.H.E.I.L.D." - "I see you're well informed." - "That I am. I expect you to come by soon. I was just hoping it wasn't today." - "The daughter surprise. That one surprised us to. Shouldn't of though. You got around in the 90's." - "Yeah it was fun. But I'm not going to talk about it with you. I know who you are and what you want. And I won't join. So please show your way out. Or I'll make you." - "Is that a threat. Mr. Stark?" - "Take it however you like. Just leave though. Have a nice night."

I sat the now empty cup down and walked back upstairs.

"Jarvis, lock up after he leaves." - "Of course sir."