Questions and Laser Tag
It was mere days until his wedding, but Tony found himself wandering the streets of New York in search of answers. He was doing his best to remain incognito and was reminded at how much easier it was to do in the heart of Manhattan vs Los Angeles.
With a scarf, hat, and sunglasses, he looked like just another person braving the brisk March afternoon. It was rare for Tony to get chances to be this incognito and the rare times it happened, he cherished it. He’d always lived his life in the spotlight and while he didn’t regret the voice it gave him, he sometimes wished he could go and live his life without the eyes of the world on him.
Hence why he’d retired after the first snap. He’d done all he could and it had gotten him little more than a devastated planet and a Peter-sized hole in his heart. Getting used to the spotlight again had definitely been an adjustment coming back to 2008.
Arriving at the familiar building in Greenwich, Tony approached the front door and knocked. For several moments, there was nothing more than quiet on the other side. Finally, the door opened revealing the Ancient One.
“Stark. I wasn’t expecting you this close to your weddings. I extend my congratulations on you and your fiancee finding happiness in two timelines.”
“Thank you. I came with some questions for our mutual friend.”
She nodded, understanding. “Be careful what you ask. But then, you know better than most of the power which is in our care.”
“You have no idea.”
Conceding, she nodded her head. “It’s not often I find someone who knows more about the stone in our possession than I. I find it oddly refreshing. Come, let us see if you can get the answers you seek.”
She opened a portal and the pair made their way to Kamar Taj. It was a bit of a shock to the system to go from the brisk winter of New York to the balmy summer of Southern Asia. Luckily, Tony had ditched his winter wear in the New York Sanctum and the pair made their way to the library.
In the courtyard, hundreds of sorcerers worked on training. Some were obviously novices, others skilled in their craft. Still, Tony witnessed no feats here like the ones that Stephen Strange had performed on Titan that day.
Arriving in the library, some of the tables were filled with people crouched over books. They all looked up as the Ancient One passed and out of the corner of his eye, Tony felt some of them do a double take at his presence. After all, you’d have to live under a rock to not know who he was.
They descended the stairs to the familiar room where the Amulet sat. As he arrived in the room, it flashed green.
You’ve returned.
Tony nodded, stepping closer. The Ancient One stayed at the door.
“I have.” Tony picked up the amulet and with a flash of Green, he found himself on Titan again. He took a few steps back, shaking.
“Unfortunately, this is the place where you and I interacted the most.” The form of Stephen Strange appeared but Tony knew it wasn’t the Wizard. “You have questions.”
“I have several.” Tony sat down on some rubble. “I’m worried I’m changing too much too quickly.”
The Time Stone stared off into the distance. “You’re worried you’ll lose the advantage of foresight.”
Tony nodded.
“Fear not, Chosen One. Some things are destined to happen.”
“And I can’t change them.” Tony felt his shoulders drop at the confirmation of one of his fears.
“I didn’t say that. I merely said some things are destined to happen. How they occur and end can change depending on what you change now. For example, New York must happen. But perhaps you can prevent some of the damage and death that occurred.”
Tony looked up sharply. “The idea is to change what I can to give me an advantage for what’s ahead.”
“Precisely.”
The scene around him flickered and he found himself in the penthouse of Stark Tower just after the Battle of New York.
“Do the Avengers have to happen? Do I have to work with them to save everyone?”
There was a weighted pause. “This is a load too large to be carried alone. But who you choose to face it with and how those relationships form, is up to you.”
“It’s not just up to me, it’s up to everyone you sent back.” Tony walked over to the windows and looked out. Despite the destruction, the view of Manhattan was incomparable. This time around, he wouldn’t sell the tower.
“It is. As I said, this load was too heavy for you to carry on your own. I gave you a support network. Your wife, your two best friends, your sons and the women who co-parent them with you, and the two members of the trio that made Spider-Man who he was.”
“I thought that was largely me,” Tony smirked.
“You helped. But they were there for the things you were not. While he is young now, he will grow up. Those children are the future. It is up to your and your family to make sure they’re ready to face the challenges ahead.”
“I did say they would be better than we were.”
“You’re correct in that assumption.”
The scene shifted again, this time to Avengers Compound and Peter running through an obstacle course that had initially been designed for Cap, Barton, and Natasha. But none of them were running the course, instead, it was teenage Peter. Tony stood by the group and he watched the memory of the two chatting while Peter ran the course.
“You fear placing weight on him. Of not being able to stop the future you saw.”
Tony watched as the memory Peter reached the end of the course with a flourish and headed over to the other him. “I can’t let that happen. He’s faced so much and I have to protect him from that.”
“The best way to do that is to stop Thanos. I will be here if you have questions and my brothers and sisters will join once you find them.”
Tony stared at the personification of the Time Stone. “Am I playing God here by deciding what to change regardless of how it affects others?”
“I can see where you’d think that.” Time walked, Strange’s cape flowing behind him as he went. “But there are nearly endless possibilities as to how you win. Your challenge is to make sure you end up on a path to defeat the Mad Titan.”
Tony nodded. “Thank you, for easing some of my worries.”
Time returned his nod. “You need only ask. Now go, marry your beloved. You go with the blessing of my brothers, my sisters, and I.”
“Thank you.” Tony watched as the scene faded back to the room under the library at Kamar Taj. Turning around, he saw the Ancient One lingering in the doorway.
“I trust you found the answers you seek?”
“I did.” He walked over, ready to head back to New York, to his family, and to his upcoming wedding.
#
Tony remembered all the articles that came out after his very public engagement with Pepper Potts. How they wondered if his playboy days would return with a bachelor party unlike one ever seen.
What they didn’t know if that his stag party was nothing more than Happy, Rhodey, and him hanging out at the recently finished cabin. They played cards, laughed, and had a quiet night.
Tony had loved it. It was a chance for him to remember that no matter what he’d lost in the snap, he still had his two best friends. They would get through this.
This time around, things were different, ignoring the decade difference in timing.
Magazines, blogs, and television speculated as to what awaited guests of his bachelor party - though they had no idea as to who was on the invite list. Barely a year removed from his playboy days in their eyes, he could see why. He may have even encouraged it if only to keep the media focused on everywhere but his actual bachelor party.
It was a simple affair being held in New York. The wedding was the next morning, the rehearsal was done, and now it was his two best friends, Ben Parker, and two rambunctious boys.
A lot of thought had been put into what he wanted to do. In the end, he did flash his wealth a bit and rented out a skating rink that had an arcade, laser tag arena, and play area for the boys. They’d goof off, have fun, and feast on greasy pizza, popcorn, and sodas until the boys fell asleep.
Arriving at the arena, the boys started to excitedly chatter at what awaited them. It was the main reason he’d set it here. His idea of the perfect night was watching his sons have a good time. Besides, it had been a while since he’d let himself do something so mundane and he was overdue.
The place was empty when they arrived, a skeleton crew in place to watch over everything for the night. Immediately, the boys scurried for the play area, shoes and socks deposited at a nearby table. Within a minute, their excited chatter could be heard as they made quick work of discovering every inch.
Grabbing a soda from the snack bar, Tony happily took a seat and watched them have fun. Sure, he’d organize a game of laser tag and he was excited to skate around the rink a little, but for now, he was happy to sit. His conversation the other day had lifted a weight he hadn’t been entirely aware of, but still, his thoughts were busy.
“So, I heard a rumor that Tony Stark had been spotted in Greenwich Village the other day.” Ben sat down.
“I had an errand to run. Some questions that needed to be answered.”
“You went to talk to the magic man.” Tony raised his eyebrow and Ben held up his hands. “That’s what Peter called him. Said you called him a wizard but he called himself a sorcerer but also that Peter had read some of his papers on neurology.”
“He’s more or less right. But, I went to talk to his predecessor. Strange won’t step into the role for a few more years.”
Tony was fairly certain this was an event he couldn’t stop. As much as he hated what had happened to the acclaimed neurosurgeon, Strange would make an invaluable ally when the time came.
“I… just had some uneasiness I wanted to be settled before tomorrow. The meeting I had… helped.”
Happy and Rhodey joined them at the table and Tony decided he didn’t want any more serious conversations tonight. He was getting married (again) tomorrow!
“But enough serious talk. Platypus, they have pinball in the arcade. This is my official challenge.”
“Bring it on, Tones.” Rhodey grinned.
“Also, Morgan was just getting into a skating phase before everything happened. It’s been a bit.” Tony grinned, hearing excited squeals from the play area.
It was nearing the boy’s usual bedtime when Tony finally summoned everyone to the laser tag arena. He’d already that he was snagging both kids for his team. Both of them had a competitive streak a mile long and their energy seemed perfect for this. Plus, he wanted the excuse to run around with them (not that he overly needed a good one, he was always inclined to get involved in their antics as long as it wasn’t too dangerous).
The attendant fitted everyone with their vests and read through the rules (including the fruitless attempt to prevent the running that was about to happen). Peter and Harley were practically bouncing in anticipation of what was to come.
“Are you sure you want to be on the JV squad, Boss?” Happy smirked.
“Bring it on, Happy.” Peter crossed his arms. “You’re just jealous you’re not on the cool team.”
Tony snorted. “I’m perfectly happy where I am.”
The group went into the arena and the boys promptly found a good hiding space. “Alright boys, we’re going to take advantage of your height here. You can sneak around easier than I can and grab the others.”
Both boys nodded, the very picture of seriousness.
“What about you, Mechanic?”
Tony grinned. “I’m the bait, but don’t worry I’ll get some hits in too. Peter, oh, no you know what- there are cameras in here.”
Peter let out a slight huff of reluctance but nodded. Tony was half tempted to build one into the Tower so the boy (and anyone else enhanced that they ran into) could play without fear of their identities being revealed.
The attendant announced the match had begun and both teams launched into action. Both boys quickly vanished from Tony’s view and he knew they had already made their way to various corners of the room.
Around the world, news outlets were hypothesizing about what Tony Stark was doing on his last night as a free man. But none of them would get it right and that was just the way he wanted.