Midtown
Alarms blasted through the air as sirens added to the symphony soon afterwards. Squad cars screeched to a stop before the jewelry store. A figure moved through the doorway, arms laden with bags of cash and jewels. Guns raised as the figure moved into the light.
“Freeze right there! You’re under arrest!”
A bright light began to glow at the end of the Iron Man’s hands as he raised them unleashing repulsor fury upon the cops. The first few squad cars were launched through the air as cops scurried for cover. One car blew up sending flaming debris down upon the streets.
Screams filled the air as jet boots kicked in sending Iron Man into the sky. Repulsor fire rained down on the streets sending the remaining people fleeing for their lives. As the red and gold armored figure blasted into the distance those left behind were left to pick up the pieces. One of Earth’s mightiest had gone rogue.
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Stark Solutions,
Tony Stark’s Office
“That was the scene just hours ago as the Avenger known as Iron Man robbed another in a string of jewelry stores in the city. Over the past week the hero has hit many high profile establishments draining them of cash and any product he can get his hands on. Two banks were hit shortly after this jewelry store today. What is the Iron Avenger up to? Has one of our heroes truly gone rogue, or is there more to the issue? This is Russ Brown reporting, back to you Tina.”
Two days straight she had watched the news reports on Iron Man’s activities. Yet she was no closer to any solution. Happy had been almost non-existent during the entire ordeal. Never answering his phone or even bothering to show up to work most of the days. Truth be told Pepper was beginning to worry about him as well.
Reaching for the latest readouts of Tony’s armor done before his fight against Ultimo, her ruby lips pursed in exasperation. Everything checked out to specs yet the night Tony went out she had seen the schematics of his armor and the strange modification. Whatever it had been hadn’t come over her desk. It was obvious that it wasn’t from before the incident with the sentient armor, which made it all the stranger. Ever since that incident Pepper had been alerted of all changes to the armor or any tech, as Tony wanted a second pair of eyes keeping an eye on him and their tech.
The sound of yelling echoed from outside the office door as the door burst open. An irate Asian woman entered the room yelling at the petite blond chasing after her. It was clear the smaller woman was trying to get the first one to leave. Papers dropped to the desk as she sighed as once again. The blond turned, terrified as the Asian woman stood firm her arms crossed in clear irritation.
“Ms. Potts I’m so sorry. I tried to stop her but she insisted on seeing Mr. Stark and then she just barged…”
Pepper’s hand shot up silencing the girl. “It’s all right Melinda. I’m sure Ms. Fujikawa is just concerned is all. Why don’t you go on back to your desk and I’ll take care of this.”
With a nod the young girl left the room the door clicking shut behind her. Crossing arms to match her guest Pepper sat back in Tony’s chair fighting the urge of placing her feet upon the desk.
“So what brings you my way, Rumi?”
“Tony.”
Last Pepper had heard, Rumiko had been furious for Tony for his last disappearance for six weeks. Upon his return he had made up with the woman only to get called away for the fight that lead to his current predicament. Missing for over a week, it was understandable why Rumiko would be furious again.
“I think he’s out of the office for the…”
“Don’t lie for him, Pepper. You’re always there to cover for his ass. The man doesn’t need a mother protecting him twenty-four seven. He needs a friend that knows what’s best for him.”
Cut off once again Pepper raised her hands up almost in defeat. “What do you want me to say?”
“I want you to tell me why he came almost banging down my door to apologize to me, sweeping me off my feet, and then vanished for over a week now. Why he continues to draw me into his game only leaving me a blubbering mass once he disappears again? Can you tell me why?”
It was so simple to just blurt out Tony’s secret. It would explain everything to the woman and she could finally have some peace of mind. Peace of mind that would be replaced with terror and worry over the profession the man she loved had chosen to undertake. Not many could be the girlfriend of a hero. It meant constant nights of worry and sleepless nights wondering when they would ever come back. Only the strongest women could do it. Rumiko was strong enough, but it wasn’t Pepper’s right to tell such a secret.
“I can’t. I wish I could, but I can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t? Tony trusts you implicitly. Now I know why.”
The door clicked shut as the woman disappeared. Sighing, Pepper sat back down staring at the desk. Tony had to be saved soon, or there would be nothing left for him to come back to.
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Stark Solutions
Conference Room
“I’ve seen the news feeds, Pep. We both know Tony wouldn’t do this. Do we know if the armor has gone sentient again?”
Pepper nodded softly as the image of Rhodey wavered before her upon the giant monitor. She had contacted him at Avengers Mansion hoping he could offer some help in helping Tony.
“He specifically had one of the older models retrofitted for use if he decided to pick the armor up again. None of the same materials that went into the sentient armor were used. Though from his notes it seems that the armor gave Tony it’s heart for lack of better terms while he had a heart attack on the island. Perhaps it’s interfering with the armor?”
“That’s a possibility, but if I know Tony he would have gotten a second opinion about the safety of that heart. Perhaps Jocasta?”
“I’ll have to check her records.”
“The one thing we’re failing to factor in is the robberies. Even if the heart was corrupting him or the armor, why rob these places? The sentient armor was focused on being with Tony and being the hero. Stealing was not the motivation.”
“You think someone is controlling Tony’s armor?” It was a thought that was distressing to Pepper on many levels. If someone had the tech to access the armor, who knows what they could do.
Rhodey paused briefly. “I’m thinking sabotage Pep. There isn’t any tech I’ve encountered that could crack the armor’s systems to the point that Tony couldn’t get out. I’m thinking an inside job.”
Her mind flashed as the thought of the requisition form for the addition to his armor she found before came back. An addition that had never crossed her desk or been discussed. Something that stood out from all the other tech in the suit. The type of thing that if inserted could be harmful to the suit and it’s bearer.
“Pep you okay?”
In her haste to send for Tony the order form information had been forgotten. But in that moment it all came back. Including the name signed upon it. “I know who did this Rhodey.”
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Stark Solutions
Rooftop
Repulsor jets flared as the red and gold blur came to a stop onto the roof. Striding forward the metal clanked as the door to the stairwell opened. High tech sensors sprang into action scanning every inch of the armor and the body within. Every scan confirmed the identity of Tony Stark.
The man within had nothing to do but stare at the outside as his metal shell continued down the stairs. “Why are we here?”
A crackle sounded as the voice that had tormented him for over a week filtered through the helmet speakers. “Where better to strike next? All that tasty technology ripe for the plucking. The key to destroying Tony Stark has always resided in your company, and I’ve always known this. Now it’s time to put thought and knowledge to practical use.”
Metal hands grabbed railing as repulsors fired sending the armor up and then over the said railing. Wind rushed past the helmet and gravity began its pull. Jets kicked in slowing the descent as the lower levels were reached. Settling down the armor began it’s trek again with it’s unwilling prisoner fighting for release.
“Who ever you are you’re a mad man! There is nothing down here but the reactor!”
A chuckle filtered in. “Exactly. Extra-extra! Daily Bugle special, Iron Man gone rogue, kills hundreds. I can see the headlines now. The great Tony Stark ruined. Tony, my boy, let’s play a game shall we? Russian Roulette. Barrel is set and ready and it’s your turn. Pull the trigger.”
One glance at the screens showed Tony the horrible reality. The giant pulsing reactor stood tall before him. A metal hand raised, repulsors glowing. “So…how many shots till oblivion?”
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Security Office
Papers shuffled about as stacks and stacks of them were shoved into the open bag. A handful of books followed suit, as did many personal knick-knacks from the desk. A photo of Pepper and Happy on their wedding day froze in hand as a frown colored the face. Tossing it in the bag as well Happy zipped the bag shut tightly before turning to give the office another look. Everything of any value to him had been moved out bit by bit over the last few days. Now was just time for the last bits of paperwork and small personal items.
“Taking a leave of absence?”
Eyes closed as he sighed and turned to the door. Even angry she was still beautiful. Pepper stood resolute in the doorway flanked by quite a few security officers. “No, I figured the office was too small for me. Desiring something a bit more roomy.”
“Plenty or room for you in prison.”
A smile appeared as his hand raised and a finger bobbed up and down. “I always knew, Pep. I always knew it would be you that pieced the puzzle all together. You’re smarter than everyone gives you credit for. No wonder Tony’s always been interested in you.”
The confession sealed everything she had suspected, and her heart broke in the process. The whole way down she had hoped that it was all some mistake and Happy would work with them to find those responsible. Tears threatened to break through her calm exterior and she fought each and every one of them back. Now was not the time for sorrow.
“Why? Tony is like family.”
“Family…we were a family Pep. We had something special. But every time he got in the way. It was always Tony. What can I say, I’m a romantic at heart. No Tony in the way…our family can finally be what it’s supposed to be.”
His hand slid from the pocket pulling out a small control device with red lights blinking.
“It was simple really. A small modification to the armor. A little money. And bam, hero on a leash. Complete control of the Iron Man armor. Send ‘em on a few crime sprees and then get arrested and reveal the identity of Iron Man. Leaving us to be happy with our lives. And now with the press of one button the plan goes forward and the headlines are made tomorrow as Iron Man kills hundreds in this very building.”
“Happy, what happened to you? Killing hundreds just to get me back? Why would I come back to you after that, Happy? The man I used to love isn’t there anymore. We were in love, and we had our time, Hap. Now’s the time to let go and live your life. You can blame Tony all you want, but the only thing that broke us apart was ourselves.”
As the words left her mouth she made careful steps towards him. Reaching out she took his hand in her own holding it tight. Tears formed at the corner of his eyes as the words sank in. Slowly moving her other hand she settled it upon the device. Pulling it away softly she backed up allowing the security guards to take him into custody. With a flick of the switch the red lights ceased flashing on the device turning it off.
“Why did our love leave, Pep?”
As the men dragged him from the office she reached her hand out towards where he once was. “I never stopped loving you.”
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Tony’s Office
Two Days Later
“Are you sure you’re okay Tony?”
His eyes slid from the spot on the desk he had been staring for almost an hour. After Happy had been taken into custody and the device deactivated full control of the armor had returned to him. A trace of the signal used determined that Happy’s device controlled the armor but the voice transmission had come from elsewhere. Someone else was involved in the plot against him, and there was something eerily familiar about it all.
“I’m fine, Pepper. Back to business as usual. Do we have the second quarter reports yet?”
Nodding, she settled into the chair across from him her legs crossed as the folder slid across the desk towards him. The folder opened and silence reigned as he read over the numbers. Tapping her fingers on the desk the urge to break the silence finally hit her.
“Are we going to talk about Happy?”
“What is there to talk about?” His eyes never once left the paperwork.
“Your best friend betrayed you and used you to steal and almost kill everyone that works here. I think there is quite a bit to talk about Tony. We can’t just ignore it as if it never happened.”
A sigh escaped his lips as he glanced up. “We can, and we will. I don’t know that man that is sitting in prison right now. I don’t want to know him. The case is closed. Now drop it.”
As he went back to the paperwork a frown colored her face. Nodding she scooped up the paperwork and headed for the door. Pausing and turning back she raised her hand. “No matter what, you know that Happy is your best friend. That man we send to prison is not the Happy Hogan we knew. Maybe you need to get out there and figure out what took that man away from us.”
As the door shut his pen hit the table. Her words rattled around pushing his own aside. Once again Iron Man interfered in his life and he lost something. It was time to take the fight to them.
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New York State Penitentiary
Eyes slid up as a guard marched before the door opening it. Nodding at Happy he gestured for the prisoner to rise. “You got a visitor, Hogan.”
His gaze ran across those incarcerated around him. No doubt they were far more hardened criminals than himself. Within their ranks were probably even those put away by Tony and the other heroes. It was more than intimidating.
The guard pushed open the door to a small meeting room and pointed within. Raising an eyebrow Happy pushed past as the door shut behind him. A figure rose from the table and strode forward to stand before him. Shaking their head lightly they took in his situation. Recognition flared in his eyes as the figure smiled.
“You…. what are you doing here?”
Happy’s words were cut off as they figure grabbed him roughly and shoved the cold barrel of a gun in his chest. Staring into his eyes full of terror they pulled the trigger. The muffled sound echoed as his chest exploded in pain. Stumbling back his eyes never once left his attacker.
Wiping the end of the gun barrel, it slid back into the figure’s jacket. Bending down, lips settled against his ear as words were whispered. “Mr. Stane sends his regards.”
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