Dawn of New Change

PREVIOUSLY ON: Dawn of New Change

Taeyong is thirteen years-old which is a pretty big deal to him! He’s a teen which technically means that he shouldn’t be treated like a child. Normally this would come in the form of having leniency towards bedtime, the ability to go out when he wants without anyone looking over his shoulder and some general freedom. 

Instead, a new terrorist by the name of Manadrin is starting up some shady business and his dad seems more stressed than ever.

***

Taeyong snickered watching as his father, a literal superhero, ran around with slight panicked movements as he tried to pick out presents for Pepper. “I feel like I should tell him,” Taeyong whispered. 

“He’ll figure it out eventually,” Jarvis whispered right back. 

Tony looked at Taeyong suspiciously, his eyes narrowed as he looked back down at his tablet. “Wait a minute…” Taeyong snorted. “It’s not our anniversary!” he shouted. Taeyong squealed, as his dad picked him up and spun him around. “You little minx,” he chuckled, putting him down. Taeyong looked down at his body, wondering how his dad could possibly pick up his much too big body. He was a teenager for god sake! 

Tony turned back to the tablet, showing off the custom-made bunny he had been planning to give to Pepper. “At least I don’t have to get her anything,” he muttered.

Taeyong nodded, “True. S’not like you forgot to get her a Christmas present or anything,” he grinned. Skipping away from the Labs. Taeyong chuckled under his breath, when he heard his dad let out a long groan. 

Taeyong in the meantime, had run into the kitchen unit of his house and was steadily setting out recipes that he could make in under an hour. “What do you think J?” he asked, fingers skimming the different variety of foods that he could make with the ingredients the kitchen supplied. 

“How about a simple pasta dish?” Jarvis asked, “I shall assist you, of course, Sir.” 

Taeyong nodded, starting to get out all the ingredients and laying them in order of what he would cook first. “Jarvis, if I boil the pasta, can you keep an eye on it?” he asked, already filling up a large pot with some water. 

“Of course, Sir.” 

Together, Taeyong and Jarvis managed to finish making a simple tomato and cheese pasta dish. The pasta was overcooked, because Taeyong kept ignoring Jarvis to finish grating their cheese. But overall, it looked nice. Taeyong added a leaf of basil on top and instructed Jarvis to turn off all the electrical appliances. 

His attention was caught out by his dad’s newest project. Mark-42, Taeyong recognised. His dad was sitting on their sofa and waiting for a certain girlfriend. “Dad, what are you doing?” he asked.

“I’m working.”

Taeyong arched his brow, tilting his head slightly as he gazed at his dad. “You’re not in the suit are you?”

“How could you tell?”

“I was literally there when you were designing that specific feature!” he exclaimed. “Wow, did you forget that I was there?”

“He was running on another 72 hours of no sleep, in your father fairness, sir.” Jarvis tried to defend. 

Taeyong furrowed his brows, “J, you’re not on dad’s side.”

“He’s mine,” Tony said. 

Taeyong pursed his lips, ready to retort when Pepper’s presence made herself aware. “I’m sorry I was late- I was… what the- what is that?” she turned to give Taeyong’s hair a quick ruffle. “We gotta talk about cutting your hair soon, bud.” Her gaze was still fixed on Tony’s suit. “You’re wearing this in the house now? What is that? Like, Mark-15?”

“42,” Taeyong supplied, giving Pepper a hug and then turning to return to the kitchen. 

Pepper watched Taeyong leave and then turned to narrow her eyes at Tony. “42, huh?”

“The kid sold me out- rude. You know, everyone needs a hobby.”

“Oh, and you have to wear your hobby in the living room?”

Tony shrugged, “just breaking it in.” He stepped up to stand at full height, towering over Pepper. “You know, it’s always a little pointy in a gooey bag at first so…” Pepper chuckled, putting her arms around Tony’s metal shoulders. “Well hey! Did you see your Christmas present?”

“IT CAME?!” Taeyong shouted. Pepper and Tony jumped away from each other to stare at Taeyong, the kid running out of the kitchen and out the front door. “Holy shit!” his screeching was heard from outside as a thump soon followed after. Tony quickly flicked a wrist to see the CCTV from the front porch area. Taeyong had tackled the bunny and was pretending to fight it. 

Pepper chuckled, “how is it even going to get through the door?” 

Tony shrugged, “well actually that’s a good question- I got a team of guys coming tomorrow, they’re gonna blow out the wall.”

“Okay…” Pepper went to sit on the sofa, bending down to take her heels off. Tony looked around before turning up behind her.

“So, uh… tense? Good day? Huh?” He places his hands on her shoulders, massaging the muscles there. “Ooh shoulder a little knotty. Naughty girl. I don’t wanna harp on this, but did you like that custom rabbit?”

“Did I like it?” Pepper asked.

“Nailed it, right?” 

“Wow,” she smiled. “I appreciate the thought very much. So why don’t you,” she stood up and tapped on Tony’s mask. Her height was even shorter now. “Lift that face mask and give me a kiss?” 

“Oh beep boop- yep. Dammit, no can do. You wanna just kiss it on the… the… the facial slit?” 

Pepper smirked, “well why don’t I run down to the garage and see if I can find a crowbar to jimmy this thing open.” 

“Crowbar,” Tony said, “Ooh yeah.” He watched Pepper leave for the Labs, and quickly followed after her. “Oh except there’s been a radioactive leak.”

“I’ll take my chances,” she said, voice now stoic. 

“That’s risky,” Pepper entered the lab to see Tony in the middle of doing another pull-up as his head set relayed all his words to the suit. “Let me get you a hazmat suit you can…. A geiger counter or something like that.” Tony could hear her scoff from behind him and quickly let go of his bar. “Busted…” 

He turned around to find his Mark-42 prototype right behind Pepper, and DUM-E there holding a plate of hors d'oeuvres at her. Pepper, in her pristine white suit and straight hair, glared at Tony. She pushed away the plate and frowned, “this is a new level of lame.” 

Tony sat down on his work bench, a video of Taeyong assaulting the new bunny present still playing somewhere in the background. But within his peripheral vision. “Sorry.” 

“You ate without me? Already? On date night?” Pepper’s frown turned into a pout as she looked down at their food. 

“Taeyong and I cooked a pasta dish for everyone,” Jarvis intervened. Wow, Jarvis really was here to help escalate situations. 

“Thanks Jarvis,” Tony grinned, “make sure Taeyong comes in at some point too.” Pepper was not smiling, in fact her frown seemed to get deeper. Tony gestured to his suit, “he was just-”

“You mean you?”

“Well yeah, I just mean we were hosting you. While I finished up a little work.”

“Uh huh,” she did not believe him. 

“And yes, I had a quick bite. I didn't know if you were coming home or if you were having drinks with… Aldrich Killian.” Ooh that was probably a bad thing to say. 

Pepper glared out right at Tony, her ears seemed to be getting redder too. The Mark-42 was staring at her, Pepper turned to it, “what?!” She then narrowed her eyes at Tony, walking closer, “Aldrich Killian? What, are you checking up on me?”

“Happy was concerned.” 

“You’re spying on me.” 

“I wasn’t-”

“I’m,” Pepper took a step back, turning away. “I’m going to bed.” 

Tony stood up quickly, “hold on! Come on! Pep?” Pepper had already left past the door, a couple steps on the stairs. “Hey I admit it! My fault! Sorry.” He watched her stop, turning to stare at him with a pout. “I’m a piping hot mess. It’s been going on for a while. I haven’t said anything. Nothing’s been the same since New York.” 

“Oh really?” Pepper walked back into the room, “I didn’t notice that at all.” 

Tony shrugged. “You experience things. There they’re over and you still can’t explain them. Gods, aliens, other dimensions. I’m just a man in a can. The only reason I have cracked up is probably because you moved in.” He watched her walk closer, until she placed her hands over his shoulder. Tony felt more grounded with Pepper close to him. “Which is great. I love you. I’m lucky. Bit honey, I can’t sleep.

“You go to bed, I come down here, I do what I know. I tinker- I…” Tony sighed, dropping his head on Pepper’s shoulder. He felt his breath loosen as she rubbed his back. “Threat is imminent. And I have to protect the one thing I can’t live without. That’s you and Taeyong… and my suits, they're uh…” Tony lifted his head, tilting it slightly. Trying to come up with the right words.

“...machines,” Pepper said sadly. 

“They’re a part of me.”

She gave a wobbly smile, “they’re a distraction.” 

“Maybe.” He pulled Pepper into a tight hug, feeling her untense in his arms. 

“I’m going to go eat some of Taeyong’s food,” she whispered, letting go. 

“Okay.”

Pepper tilted her head, “and you’re going to join us.” 

Tony gave a small smile. “Better.” 

***

Taeyong was oh so casually sleeping in his room when the bedroom lights started to flash on and off. This was a small psychological experiment he had been constructing on himself, with the help of Jarvis (who was very against the idea) to help wake him up in extreme situations. 

The desired effect was for the lights to pass through his eyelids and tell his brain that something was happening outside of the dream world and Taeyong was needed urgently. Jarvis said that trying to experiment on sleeping schedules with the room's lighting wasn’t how you’re supposed to do it. But, Taeyong didn’t care. 

This was the first time that it was being used without practice and Taeyong woke up within the first two seconds of the flashing lights. “I’m up! I’m up!” he shouted, springing out of his bed and tripping over his duvet. He groaned, against the cool ground, before blinking at the bright light of his room. “What’s up?”

“It seems as if your father has had a nightmare. His breathing is erratic and he may be close to having another anxiety attack, Sir.” Jarvis was quick to tell him this as he gathered a woolly jumper and wore it quickly. 

Taeyong nodded, taking in the A.I.’s words very slowly as he rushed outside the hallway. He almost bumped into Pepper, who seemed very shocked. She almost screeched. 

“Jesus Taeyong- what are you still doing up?” 

“Uh… that is a very good question. At some point I’ll give you a good answer, but I’m in the middle of something!” he raced past her and started to run up the stairs to his dad’s floor. Taeyong burst into the bedroom, almost startling his father. 

“Pep- oh Taeyong?”

“You’re so disappointed I’m not Pepper aren’t you,” Taeyong teased, walking into the room and jumping into his dad’s bed. “How’s it?” he grinned, taking off his jumper and settling himself under the covers. 

“What- what are you doing here?” Tony asked. Taeyong pouted, noticing the way his father’s chest was moving too quickly for his liking. Taeyong whined, pulling his dad down. He lay next to his dad, staring up at the dark ceiling. “Taeyong?” Tony was still trying to catch his breath. 

Taeyong bit his lip, turning his head to stare at his dad. “I have a good reason for being here,” he said. 

“And that would be?”

“Well, when I think of it, I’ll tell you.” 

Tony snorted, lips pulling themselves into an easy grin. “I’m good, you know. You don’t have to worry about me. That’s not your job here.”

Taeyong was quiet for a moment, mulling those words in his head. “I know,” he decided to say. His heart was beating a little fast at being woken up at such an hour. He didn’t feel the need to sleep anymore and judging by his father’s look, it seemed that the billionaire didn’t want to sleep any time soon. “We should probably sleep,” he whispered.

“Yeah…” Tony exhaled long and slow. 

“It would be best, you know. Health and all that.” 

“Most definitely.” 

“...wanna start a new show with me?” 

“Sure.” 

***

In another part of New York, specifically the Chinese Theater, a very serious and poised Happy was watching. His eyes were scanning around the area, but intently watching over the shady guy that seemed to be working for Aldrich Killian. He had been following him all day and watched his moves well into the night. 

Happy stood by a stall selling all different kinds of Chinese souvenirs. The sketchy man was moving in on a man sitting by a bench. Happy took the sunglasses that the vendor seller was waving at his face. He put on the glasses and checked his reflection, looking through the mirror to continue keeping an eye out for Mr Sketchy Man. 

Looking at the other man, who was sitting on the bench, Happy couldn’t get a good read of him. His hands were shaking and his legs were bouncing in a way that showed his obvious discomfort and anxiety. It rolled off him like waves. There was a small exchange between the two when Mr Sketch handed his pal a briefcase of sorts and then walked away. 

Happy cleared his throat, taking the glasses off and giving them back to the vendor seller. He shook his hand away from the overreacting business man and turned to walk over to the man with the briefcase now. He continued walking until he bumped into the man, causing him to drop the briefcase open. 

“Oh I’m sorry, buddy.” Happy bent down, helping the desperate-looking man gather all the weirdly shaped metal objects from where they scattered. Happy slipped one of the objects into his pocket and handed the mess of a briefcase to the man. 

As he made eye contact with the man, Happy was greeted with a red, pulsing glow from the man’s cheek. As soon as he saw it, it was gone again. The man looked like he was about to be sick; his skin sweating buckets. Happy gulped, quickly standing up and walking away before Mr Sketch bumped into him. 

“Oh how are you buddy?” the man grinned teasingly, his eyes glimmered with mischief. “You out by yourself? A little date night? Seeing our favourite chick-flick maybe?”

Happy narrowed his eyes and set his back straight to appear taller. “Yeah, a little movie called ‘The Party’s Over’ starring you and your junkie girlfriend. Here’s the ticket,” he mocked, pulling out the object he stole from his pal. 

The man’s teasing smile immediately dropped. “No kidding. That doesn’t belong to you.” He made a quick jab to get it before Happy blocked his arm and pushed him back. They both stared at one another before Happy punched the guy in the face, moved to push him back, but was intercepted easily. The man had some sort of power, because he gave Happy one punch to the ribs and the bodyguard flew into the sunglasses stall he was at a couple minutes ago. 

Happy watched as the man who had the briefcase, starting to glow an even brighter red. But this time all over his entire body. Happy’s eyes widened, before he shouted for everyone to run and quickly hid behind the broken stall. A giant explosion of cosmic energy shot out of the man and everyone near him were immediately vapourized. 

Protected by the stall, Happy groaned and rolled to the side. He looked at the damage, but couldn’t concentrate as his entire body fell into shock. A world of pain being unwelcomed as his eyes screwed on a pair of army tags a couple metres away from him. He pointed at the army tags with shaking hands, before black took over his vision. 

***

“True story about fortune cookies. They look Chinese. They sound Chinese. But they’re actually an American invention. Which is why they’re hollow, full of lies and leave a bad taste in the mouth. Cheap, American knock-off. The Chinese Theatre, Mr President… I know this must be getting frustrating. But this season of terror is drawing to a close. And don’t worry the big one is coming to your graduation”

Taeyong changed the channel, his eyes were watery and glued to the television. Pepper had tried her best to get him to eat breakfast, or do anything but watch the news, but his mind was running with thoughts about Happy. Who was in a hospital room, probably fighting for his life, all because Taeyong was the one who told him to go and investigate the weird sketchy guy that worked with Mr Killian. 

The Mandarin had attacked the Chinese Theatre last night and Happy was there too. Maybe there wasn’t a coincidence at all, and maybe Happy was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. But, now that his dad was a known Avenger, Taeyong couldn’t shake off that something bigger was going on. The Mandarin. The Ten Rings. The sketchy dude that Happy had been following. 

Taeyong was sure they were all connected. 

He pursed his lips and continued watching a live stream of the press standing right outside of the hospital room Happy was currently recovering at. His dad had gone in the morning, with a selection of DVDs from Taeyong who wanted to join but couldn’t because of the press. Taeyong scowled, hating them more for stopping him. 

He watched through the screen as his dad left the building and other press journalists continued to invade his personal space and ask him demanding questions about what happened. 

“Mr Stark, Mr Stark! Hi there, our sources are telling us that all sins are pointing to another Mandarin attack. Anything else you can tell us?”

“Hey Mr Stark. When is somebody gonna kill this guy?”

Taeyong furrowed his brows, watching intently, as his dad froze and turned to the reporter. “Is that what you want? Here’s a little holiday greeting I’ve been wanting to send to the Mandarin. I just didn’t know how to phrase it until now. My name is Tony Stark and I’m not afraid of you.”

Taeyong furrowed his brow, “Pepper!”

“What is it, sweetie?”

The younger boy pointed at the screen. They both watched Tony continue to talk to the press. “I know you’re a coward. So I’ve decided that you just died. I’m gonna come get the body. There’s no politics here, there’s just food old-fashioned revenge. There’s no Pentagon. It’s just you and me. And on the off chance that you’re a man.” Tony took off his glasses and stared right at the camera. “Here’s my home address. 10-8-80 Malibu Point. 9-0-2-6-5. I’ll leave the door unlocked.”

Taeyong stood up from the sofa, eyes plastered to the screen. He watched his father throw some reporter's phone to the wall and get in his car to drive off. Pepper started to call people on her cell and left Taeyong. 

The younger boy decided that instead of waiting for someone to tell him what to do, he'd do something first. “Jarvis, you got an eye on dad?” he asked.

“Of course, may I ask why you’ve decided to open up your suits, Sir?” the A.I. spoke. 

Taeyong was down in the Labs without much thought, he opened up a small rack of where his own suits were. There were definitely not as many as his father’s collection but Taeyong had enough to work with and design. He put on the one he wore during the Battle of New York and waited for his dad to get home. 

“I’m just taking extra precautions. Dad literally told the entire world where we live now and also invited a terrorist organisation to the doors too.” Taeyong didn’t have to wait long for his dad to come back, because it seemed like the screaming match between Pepper and Tony was happening once again. Taeyong rolled his eyes, “they really need to sort out their priorities…”

“Thought I’d find you- what are you wearing?”

“My own suit,” Taeyong drawled. “It’s the safest thing, because of your stupid decision.” 

“Well,” Tony sighed. “At least you’re not trying to leave. Pepper’s called Mrs Seo, you’re going to stay over at Johnny’s for some nights.” 

Taeyong would usually try to argue but he didn’t actually mind staying at Johnny’s and Mark’s. He just minded his dad, “and you? Where are you staying?”

Tony looked at him like it was obvious, “here. This is the safest building-”

“Yet, I’m leaving.” 

“Extra precautions.” 

“Should have thought about that before you decided to tell the entire world our home address.” 

“Taeyong this isn’t up for discussion-”

“I know. I’m leaving, but I’m not leaving without you. So deflate that big head of yours and come with me. I know you’re fond of Johnny and Mark too,” the younger smiled. He flew over to his dad, mask flying up. 

Tony stared at Taeyong, “let’s just wait and see if anything actually happens. In the meantime, put that ‘Murder, She Wrote’ head of yours to action. We’re going to investigate everything that happened last night.” 

Taeyong grinned, taking his suit off and walking over to his dad. He sat beside the man as he pulled up a holographic picture of the crime scene. Even seeing the blue, pixelated holographic image of Happy, made Taeyong feel incredibly guilt-ridden. 

“I’ve compiled a Mandarin database for you sir. Drawn from S.H.I.E.L.D., FBI and CIA interceptors.” Jarvis started to pull up files all around the room, Taeyong’s eyes were glazing over the entire image. 

“Okay what do we got here,” Tony mumbled. 

Taeyong read up on the nearest file. “The name is an ancient Chinese war mantle, meaning ‘advisor to the king’.”

“South American Insurgency tactics… There’s lots of pageantry going on.” 

“Like theatrics?” Taeyong asked. 

“Close,” Tony said. 

Jarvis started to talk about the actual attack. “The heat from the blast was an excess of 3000 degree Celsius. Any subjects within 12.5 yards were vapourised instantly.” 

Taeyong gulped, looking back down at Happy’s figure. His brows furrowed, as looked at Happy’s arm. His fingers pointing to something. Taeyong got down from the table he was sitting at and he crouched down to Happy, “he’s pointing at something.” 

Tony walked over, eyes fixated on a pair of army tags. “Jarvis, give us a close up, any war victims?”

“Not according to public records, Sir.” 

Taeyong looked at his dad, they were starting to get on the same page. Something suspicious was going on here. “J? Bring up the thermogenic signatures again, falling to 3000 degrees.” 

“The oracle cloud has conducted analysis.” Taeyong watched as the A.I. changed the landscape to different parts of America that had been attacked. “Accessing satellites and plotting the last 12 months of thermogenic occurrences now.” 

Tony pursed his lips, “take away everywhere that there’s been a Mandarin attack.2 

Taeyong looked at the six that were left. One in San Rafael in California. Another in Springfield, Missouri. Taeyong stood in front of the Rose Hill, Tennessee one, when he noticed the heat signature, 3000 degrees Celsius. “This one,” the boy said. 

“Jarvis?”

“It predates any known Mandarin attack the incident was the use of a bomb to assist a suicide.”

“Bring her around.” Taeyong watched his dad start to work. 

“The heat signatures match up,” he said. 

“That’s two military guys. This isn’t a coincidence.” Tony looked over at Taeyong, “You ever been to Tennessee, Taeyong?”

The younger one smiled, “I’m coming with?” 

“Sur-” they were interrupted by the doorbell. Taeyong furrowed his brows, not used to people using the doorbell since he lived there. He looked back at his dad, who was equally as confused. “We’re still at ding-dong?” We’re supposed to be on total security lockdown. Come on, I threatened a terrorist, who is that? Taeyong suits up.” 

The younger didn't need to be told twice, and then suddenly there were two Starks in suits waiting in the living room. A woman entered, and a quick scan of her by Jarvis, gave them both an insight onto her. 

“You’re not the Mandarin,” Tony said. 

Taeyong opened his mask and squinted his eyes at her, “she could be. She could be working for him?” 

“Are you?” Tony asked, “Are you the Mandarin?” 

She looked between the two, and shook her head. Maya Hansen, that was her name. “You don’t remember. Why am I not surprised?” 

Taeyong rolled his eyes, watching his dad interact with the pretty girl, whom he had found out (courtesy of Jarvis) was some MIT scientist in that world under Aldrich Killian. “Look now is not a good time-” Taeyong flinched when a bag fell from the floor above. 

“Tony?” Pepper’s voice called. Another bag fell just a couple feet away from him. “Is someone there?”

Taeyong stepped out of the suit, watching as Pepper tried to come down the stairs but was blocked by the giant bunny from last night. Taeyong ran over to help her out, “thank you Taeyong.” The boy was too busy staring at the bunny to even think about the new intruder in their house.

“I need your help,” she told Tony.

“What for, why now?”

“Well I read the papers and I honestly don’t think you’ll last a week.” 

“I’ll be fine.” 

“I’m sorry,” Pepper gave a fake smile, “With Happy in the hospital, I didn’t know we were expecting guests-” 

“We weren’t,” Tony said. 

“And old girlfriends.” 

“No I-”

“She’s not really-”

“No really,” Maya said. “It was just one night.” 

Pepper grinned, looking at Tony, “that’s how you did it, huh? Well, you save yourself from a world full of hurt,” she said.

“Excuse me?”

“I’m sure.” 

“We’re going out of town.” 

Tony sighed, “Okay we’ve been through this nope.”

Pepper was adamant though. “Yep!” 

“The man says no!”

“Immediately and indefinitely-”

“Honey-”

“Great idea, let’s go,” Maya said, ready to leave.

“I’m sorry that’s a terrible idea, please don’t touch her bags.” He turned back to Pepper, “I can’t protect you out there!” 

“Is that normal?” Maya asked, pointing to the bunny. Taeyong was attempting to climb up it’s body. His determination was truly commendable. 

“YES THAT’S NORMAL!”

“Calm down,” Pepper said.

“IT’S A BIG BUNNY RELAX ABOUT IT!”

“Tony,” Pepper sighed. 

“I got that for you!”

“I’m aware-”

“You haven’t even told me you liked it yet-”

Pepper shook her head, “it’s because I don’t.” 

“You- well you don’t-”

“I love it,” Taeyong called, finally sitting on the bunny’s head. How he managed to climb the very unstable bunny, no one knew. Taeyong frowned, looking outside the large windows of the house, before he froze up. “Dad! Bomb!” he screamed. 

NEXT TIME ON: Dawn of New Change

"Deal?" Tony asked, waving the weapon around the boy, "do we have a deal?"

"Deal," the boy said, taking the weapon and looking at it closely. 

"...what's you name?"

"English name is Harley, Korean name is Donghyuck. But everyone calls me Haechan."