We’ve Only Just Begun
Previously in Chapter Fifteen: Daddy’s Back:
Anthony Edward Stark has been returned to Midgard much different than when he left it. His family members – J.A.R.V.I.S. and the bots as well as Miss, Colonel Rhodes, and Happy – all know him to be returned. J.A.R.V.I.S. has stopped his strike against the past enemies of his creator – much to confusion of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers, and we have found that Tony used his one resurrection to bring back the late Queen Frigg of Asgard.
Anthony Edward Stark did nothing in half measures. Neither did his son, J.A.R.V.I.S. (something else could be said for his boys Dum-E, U, and Butterfingers, but at least they tried, dammit). As the formerly dead – and now forever immortal – superhero completed his shower he knew he’d have to face the proverbial firing squad. A communal living room full of Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel – and would you look at that, Agent Agent really was alive or an absolutely fuming Pepper Potts flanked by an irate Rhode and a not so happy Happy in the Penthouse Suit… choices… choices. Not to mention the grenade he’d left – pin out ASSHOLES – in Asgard; but there was really no way for him to get there right now so he came to a decision.
“Jay, assemble everybody in one place for the reunion… Pepper probably isn’t the only one that is gonna try to kill me…” he trailed off. Picking out the best of his Armani suits, Gucci loafers, and Tiffany cufflinks, Tony Stark was dressing like he was going to war.
“Of course Sir. Miss is already on her way to the Communal Living Room with Colonel Rhodes and Happy. I would suggest you… hurry,” J.A.R.V.I.S. trailed off.
“That pissed, hunh?”
“That would be an understatement, Sir. You died.”
“You’ve got me there. Okay Jay. Let’s do this,” was Tony’s response as made his way to the elevator from his workshop. He knew that this was not going to be easy… How to explain that yes he died, now he never could again? And FUCK – was he supposed to tell THOR that LOKI was ALIVE?
~*~
The trio from the Penthouse Suit stepped from the elevator into chaos – formerly known as the communal living room. For the people that held the fate of the world in their hands on a regular basis it was rather frightening to see and hear those same people crying, laughing hysterically, or just staring off into space. These were the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes? And their backend support? It was a goddamned train wreck – and there was even a god of thunder in the damn room.
No one noticed their arrival. Agent May stared off into space as she held Agents Skye and Simmons – both of whom were crying. Coulson and Hill were busy watching Rogers and Wilson trying to get a screaming Barnes back under control. Barton and Romanoff just laughed and laughed and laughed. Thor smile with them – if you can’t laugh at the maybe end of the world – when can you? The Hulk had finally shrunk down to Banner – and he was starting to stir – good just in time. Pepper could hear the elevator moving behind her.
Colonel James Rhodes cleared his throat – effectively getting the attention of everyone in the room. Considering that attention included two super-soldiers, three/four master spyassassins depending on how you classed Coulson, a couple of extra agents, a god of thunder, and a really, really cranky scientist… he wasn’t glad for it. But they had an announcement to make – and judging but the sounds of the elevator, he was almost here.
Coulson spoke first, establishing himself as a go-between for the two groups. The ones J.A.R.V.I.S. likes… and ones he doesn’t. “Colonel Rhodes, Miss Potts, Mr. Hogan, I’m not sure, how much you are aware of the past few hours… but can you presently tell us what is going on?” he finally settled on. He didn’t know if they knew about the attacks J.A.R.V.I.S. launched – but they might be the reason that the attacks were stopped.
Virginia ‘Pepper’ Potts answered, “You failed in your promise to me Coulson. I told you, should you fail, your world would burn. J.A.R.V.I.S.? What has happened in the time that I was sedated until now?” A shudder went round the room. Pepper’s voice had never been so cold.
“Using the data compiled by Sir, I systematically destroyed the entirety of H.Y.D.R.A., Miss. Sir originally planned to turn over his findings to Former Director Fury so that appropriate steps could be taken. When Sir was turned down and his health declined, I was given full access to the manufacture sets.”
Pepper knew that Tony was in the elevator directly behind her now. Listening to every word that was being said. “And what does Tony giving you full access to the manufacture sets have anything to do with… oh! That’s how you were able to mass produce the suits!”
“Yes, Miss, along with Weapon BFS259-AESNSLOD.”
“J.A.R.V.I.S., I don’t understand. Tony stopped making weapons! What the hell is that?”
“Sir did stop making weapons, but he never stopped designing them. The Designation is the 259th weapon on the Black File Sever, designed by Anthony Edward Stark, that, must Never See Light Of Day.”
“Then why did you make it! Mass produce it? J.A.R.V.I.S. what have you done?”
“The weapon is an untraceable ‘smart’ tactical warhead that can be programmed to attack a certain feature such as creed, race, or as was used in this case – emblem. Anywhere in the world the H.Y.D.R.A. emblem showed prevalence, the warhead was snuck in and detonated. What makes this weapon so dangerous is that it will only kill or destroy it’s intended target – leaving no civilian causalities or property damage. There is no way to trace it back to its origin point.”
“Then why would Stark hide it on a ghost server?” the Black Widow spoke up. She’d been inside his company – she’d never seen even the barest trace of such a server – let alone one caching designs of weapons of that magnitude.
“Because, Agent Romanoff, it would be just as easy to use the S.H.I.E.L.D. or Avengers emblem for a strike basis,” was J.A.R.V.I.S.’s answer.
“Why did you stop the strikes? Earlier you mentioned had you needed to continue, you would have went after so and so… so what changed?” Barton finally spoke up – ignoring the glare Coulson was sending him.
Imagine the surprise that ran rampant through the room when J.A.R.V.I.S. took that moment to open the elevators. DUM-E, U, and Butterfingers rolled out to greet Pepper, Rhodey, and Happy. That wasn’t what shocked the room though… that honor belonged to the no longer dead Anthony Edward Stark, who came strutting out after them.
To be Continued In: Chapter Seventeen: We Do What We Want