Iron Maiden 2-1
"Is that a shark?" Clint asks in disbelief as they walk into the room, Jeff the Baby Landshark sitting on a cushion, the past Avengers looking stunned "That's just Jeff. Jeff go find Tommy." Arcane says, shooing the grumbling baby landshark away, ignoring the stunned looks on the past Avengers.
Toni's voice over repeats the last some lines from her speech. She says that she'll stick to the cards because its been a while since she's been in front of an audience.
She says that there's been speculation that she was involved in the events from the freeway and rooftop.
"Didn't we already see this?" Charles asks his twin who nods
Christine asks if she expects them to believe that it was a bodyguard who just happened to be there despite the fact that she hates bodyguards and that the bodyguard happened to be equipped with stark level tech.
"This is why I didn't stick to the cards, they would have seen through it." Toni says
"Because you're a terrible liar." Nikolai suggested
The scene shows a view of snowy rooftops. 'Moscow' Appears on the screen. Toni says she knows it's confusing but it's one thing to question the validity of the story and another to insinuate that she's a superhero. The 'I am Iron Maiden' press conference is on a TV.
Anton Vanko is shown lying in a bed.
"Who's that?" someone asks
"Anton Vanko." Toni says
He calls out for Ivan and Vanya while coughing.
Ivan walks over to him and helps him sit up and tells him, In Russian, that he should be where Toni is.
"Oh god it's that asshole." Henry says, groaning at the sight of Ivan.
Ivan says not to listen to it, he then apologizes and says the only thing he can give Ivan is his knowledge, then he dies. Ivan has tears in his eyes.
"I'd feel bad if he didn't try to kill me and my kids." Toni mutters
Ivan is shown building his own arc reactor with his fathers blue prints. Pictures of different newspapers and magazines adorn the walls of the room. Ivan's arc reactor starts glowing, he chuckles.
"This isn't good." Remus says
AC/DC' shoot to thrill starts playing. '6 months later appears on the screen. Toni, in the Iron Maiden suit, jumps out of a plane, flies through the roof of a building and lands on a stage. There is a group of women behind her, dancing. Something comes up from the floor of the stage to disassemble the suit.
Toni says that it's good to be back and asks the crowd if they missed her.
Someone in the audience tells her to blow something up.
"Um." Lily says
"Why would you yell something like that?" Steve asks
Toni repeats the question and says that she already did that.
"True." Henry says, nodding
She then says that she's not saying that the world is enjoying its long period of uninterrupted peace. She says that she's not saying that from the shadows of captivity never has a greater phoenix metaphor been personified.
She then says that she's not saying that Uncle Sam can relax on a lawn chair and sip iced tea because she hasn't come across anyone man enough to fight her on her best day.
Arcane winces at that. That had changed after Thanos. He just hoped this would actually change the timeline for the better
Toni says that it isn't about her.
"It's not?" Steve asks
She says it's not about the audience and it's not about them as a whole and says it's about legacy and what they chose to leave behind for future generations.
She says that for the first time since 1974 the brightest women and men of corporations and nations of the world will pool their resources and share their ideas to leave behind a better tomorrow.
She says its not about them and that if she's saying anything its welcome back to the Stark Expo.
"Nice speech." Dumbledore says
She introduces Howard to tell the audience more about the Expo.
"Wait what?" James asks, didn't his daughter say the man that had adopted her was dead for years at this point?
A video starts playing on screen as Toni walks off stage. Howard starts speaking, he says that everything is achievable through technology.
"True." Harley says
He says that better living, health and the possibility of world peace are achievable through technology. He says he would like to introduce the City of the Future and says that technology holds infinite possibilities for mankind.
Toni pricks her finger on a device. 'Blood toxicity 19%.' it reads.
"Why is your blood becoming toxic?" Hermione asks
"You'll see." Toni says, while she looks at her family. This had not been a good time for her or anybody else
Howard says that technology will effect the way people live their everyday lives.
"It already does." Henry says
He says that there would be no more work and it would leave more time for leisure activities.
"I don't want a robot taking over my job." Someone mutters
Then welcomes everyone to the Expo.
A reporter is talking she says that they are live from the kickoff of the Stark Expo and that Tony has just left the stage. She says not to worry if they can't come tonight because the Expo is a year long event and says that she is going to check out everyone's inventions.
"It's really a year long event?" Harry asks
"It's a large event. Though it didn't last the whole year." Pepper says, remembering the drones attacking everyone
The scene cuts to Toni, her kids and Happy walking out of the building, from Toni's point of view. Happy tells them to watch out because its a zoo out there. Toni is being crowded by a large group of people.
"That is a shit ton of people." Charles mutters
Toni says that its nice to see them all and thanks them.
A couple of kids walk up to her and ask her to sign pictures.
Toni says it would be a pleasure and pats the boy wearing the iron maiden helmet on the head.
"That's nice." Remus says
"That's my friend Connor by the way. He wanted to thank you for signing the helmet." Harley says
Happy introduces Larry.
Toni says its a pleasure and that its nice to see him.
Happy says its Larry King.
Toni makes a comment about him being her people. They finally make it outside. Toni says it was very mellow.
Happy agrees and says and shows them the car then unlocks it there's a woman leaning against the side of it. Toni asks if she comes with the car.
Pepper smacks her on the arm
Henry mutters that he hopes so as Happy greets her.
"Really Henry? I expect it from her but you too?" Pepper asks
"He is his Mother and Father's son." Natasha says
Wanda raises an eyebrow "I only have eyes for you." Henry mutters in her ear, grabbing her hand
Toni does as well and asks for her name. Marshal gives her name. Toni points out the origin and says she likes it.
She says she's pleased to meet her.
Toni walks to the driver's side door after asking Marshal to let her past, then she asks Marshal where she's from.
"Why do you want to know that?" Clint asks
"Curiosity" Toni says
She says she's from Bedford.
She asks what she's doing there.
She says she's looking for her.
"I wonder why." Pepper says
Toni says she's found her and asks what she's doing later.
She says she's serving subpoenas, then tries to hand Toni a piece of paper, she doesn't take it.
Henry reaches across her and takes the letter and explains that Toni dislikes being handed things.
"Why?" Lily asks
"It's a long story." Toni says
Toni says she has a peeve. Marshal says that she is ordered to appear before the senate Armed Services tomorrow at 9am.
Toni asks if she can see a badge.
She asks for confirmation.
Happy says Toni likes the badge.
"It's for confirmation," Toni says as she sees several people looking at her
Marshal holds her badge out and asks if she still likes it. Toni says she does and starts the engine then asks Happy how far away DC is. Happy says its 250 miles.
'Washington DC' appears on the screen. Stern asks if they could pick up where they left off.
"Didn't you guys kill him?" Henry asks and Anastasia nods
Toni turns around and asks 'Yes dear'.
"You didn't." Steve says
"I did." Toni says
Stern asks if he could have Toni's attention.
Toni says he can.
Stern asks if she possesses a specialized weapon.
"This is about the suits?" Harry asks and they nod
Toni says she doesn't.
Toni says it depends on how the word weapon is defined.
Stern clarifies by saying the Iron Maiden weapon.
Tony says the suit doesn't fit the description.
"It kind of does." Clint says
Stern asks how she would describe it.
Toni said she would describe it by calling it what it is.
Stern asks what it is.
Toni says its a high tech prosthesis.
"Oh my god." Nikolai says
The courtroom laughs. Toni says that that's the most apt description she has.
"It still is." Toni says
Stern says its a weapon.
Toni suggests that Stern doesn't care for the well being of the American citizens.
"You didn't know how right you were." Natasha says
Stern says his priority is to get the Iron Maiden suit turned over to the people of the United States.
"Not a good plan." Bruce says
Toni says that he can forget that plan because she is Iron Maiden and the suit and her are one in the same.
She says to turn it over would be tantamount to indentured servitude or prostitution depending on which state they were in.
"Maybe prostitution isn't the best thing to bring up in the courtroom." Lily says
"Harley asked what prostitution was and Pepper scolded me when I told him." Henry says
"Of course, I did. You told your eight-year-old brothers what prostitution was." Pepper says
"And you wonder where Tommy gets his trouble side from." Quicksilver snorts
Stern says he isn't an expert.
Toni agrees that Stern isn't an expert in prostitution because he's a senator. She turns around to look at Pepper and the kids, Henry and the twins were grinning but Pepper was unimpressed.
Stern says he's no expert in weapons but they have someone who is and he calls Justin Hammer and says that he is their primary weapons contractor.
Natasha, Nikolai, Anastasia, Toni, Pepper, Henry, Rhodey, Happy, Harley and Peter burst out laughing
"Why are you laughing?" Harry asks
"He said weapons expert... and called in Justin Hammer." Peter says
Toni says to let the record show that she observed Hammer entering the chamber and she was wondering when an actual expert will be in attendance.
Hammer agrees that he isn't an expert and says that he defers to Toni and calls Toni wonder girl. He says that he may not be an expert but Howard Stark was. He says that Toni has built a sword with untold capabilities and she insists its a shield. He says that Toni asks them to trust her as they cower behind it. He says that he wishes he were comforted. He then says that he's love to leave his door unlocked when he leaves his house but they don't live in Canada.
"There's crime in Canada you idiot." Henry sneers under his breath
Hammer says that they live in a world of grave threats that Toni wont always be able to foresee. He then thanks everyone and says 'God bless Iron Maiden and God bless America.'
"Which translates to 'Ha ha, beat that Stark, you fucking bitch'." Toni says
Stern says that what Hammer said was well said and then calls Rhodey to the chamber.
Toni looks shocked and gets up and tells Rhodey that she didn't expect him to be there.
Rhodey says he is and tells Toni to deal with it and move on.
"I'll have to use that sometime." Spider-Woman says
"I heard that." Arsenal spoke up
Stern says he has a report on the Iron Maiden weapon compiled by Rhodey and then he asks Rhodey to read the 4th paragraph on the 57th page.
Rhodey asks if Stern is requesting that he read specific selections from his report and says that he was supposed to be testifying in a more comprehensive and detailed manor.
Stern says that things have changed and asks Rhodey to read.
Rhodey says that reading a single paragraph out of context doesn't reflect his full report.
"That's not he sees it." Lily says
"He was Hydra and he's dead. Fuck him and his opinions." Henry mutters
Stern says he understands and asks Rhodey to read.
Rhodey reads, reciting that since Toni doesn't operate in a definable branch of government she presents a potential threat to the security of the nation and her interests.
Molly nods in agreement
He then says that he went on to summarize that the benefits outweigh the negatives.
Stern says that that's enough.
Toni says she's not a joiner but she'll consider secretary of defense if they ask nice.
Stern says he'd like to show the imagery connected to Rhodey's report.
Rhodey says its premature to unveil it at this time.
Stern says he understands and asks to show the images anyway.
Images of attempts to recreate the Iron maiden suit appear on the screens on either side of the table.
"They didn't have the style to create the suits." Toni says, flicking her brown hair over her shoulder
Rhodey says that intelligence suggests that these are attempts to recreate the Iron Maiden armor. Henry does something on a stark device and shows it to Toni.
"What are you doing?" Lily asks
"You'll see." Henry says
Rhodey says that the suits are possibly operational.
Toni says to let her see something and connects Henry's device to the two screens. 'Welcome Miss Stark' appears on both screens. Toni says she commandeered the screen because she needs them and says she wants to see what's really happening with the suits.
"You hacked them in front of their faces?" Sam says and Henry nods
Stern asks what's going on.
Toni says to direct their attention to the screens and that the first video is of North Korea. The suit takes a few steps and falls over and accidentally starts to shoot.
Stern asks to turn it off.
Hammer gets up to do so.
Toni says the next video is Iran. A suit crashes into the camera. Justin is still trying to turn the screens off. Tony says that there isn't a threat there.
A new video starts to play. Toni rhetorically asks if its Hammer and how he got in the game. Hammer is shown controlling the suit. Tony tells Hammer to focus up because he's on TV.
"Him too?" James asks
The suit freezes and breaks. Hammer swears. Hammer finally gets the screen turned off.
Toni says that most countries are 5 or 10 years away and that Hammer Industries is 20 years away.
"The only reason he did was because of Vanko." Toni says
Hammer says he wants to point out that the test pilot survived.
"That's not helpful." Natasha says
Stern says they're done with the point that Toni's making.
Toni says that point is that they're welcome.
Stern asks what for.
Toni says she's a nuclear deterrent and its working. She says that America is safe and secure and if they want her property they can't have it.
"Damn right." Happy says
Toni asks what more could they want and that she tried to play ball with them and calls them ass clowns. She gestures to Stern.
Stern says 'F*** you Miss Stark. F*** you, you f****** bitch.'
"Did he just say that on live TV?" Lily asks in disbelief
"He did." Henry says
"Can you imagine if someone said that to Wanda?" Arsenal asks Quicksilver, who both smirk at the image of Wanda turning her rage on the person.
Stern says that they're adjourned. Tony puts on her sunglasses and blows two kisses at the senator.
Rhodey sighs and shakes his head as Henry and the twins snicker.
The camera pans out and Ivan Vanko is shown watching this on TV. Toni says that her bond is with the people and that she'll serve the nation at the pleasure of herself. She then says if there's one thing she's proven its that they can count on her to pleasure herself.
Ivan does some engineering, creating a weapon of his own. A large rope like object starts sparking. He puts it on and slices his TV in half.
"I have a bad feeling about that man." Lily tells James