Cold Open
A trail of cars driving along a desert road with mountains in the background set to ACDC’s Back in Black.
“Oh I love Lead Zeppelin!” Peter exclaimed, proudly.
Tony sighed. He’d have to teach that kid properly some day.
The others rolled their eyes. This was definitely Tony’s movie.
Location card: Kunar Province, Afghanistan appears.
“Oh, God.” Pepper whispered to him. “Is this when it happens?”
Tony narrowed his eyes at the scene. “Must be.”
“When what happens?” Quill said, munching on his popcorn.
“When Iron Man is born.” Tony smirked, dramatically.
Inside one of the armoured trucks is a stereo playing the music. There are awkward looks from some of the soldiers. Tony Stark sits with his sunglasses and whisky in hand. He exchanges silent eye contact with the young soldier in the back seat with him.
“So this is the fun-vee.” Rhodey said, nudging Tony.
“I feel like you’re driving me to a court marshel, this is crazy. What did I do?” Says Tony. “I feel like you’re gonna pull over and snub me. What, you’re not allowed to talk?”
As Tony talks, the soldiers relax into a conversation. Tony notices the female soldier in the front and starts flirting with her.
“Oh my God, Tony. Do you have to be so disrespectful to everyone?” Clint said, rolling his eyes.
Tony raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, I’ll be the first to admit I was a bit of an asshole back then, but that’s just who I was.”
Pepper sighed. “It’s sad, but it’s true. He was quite reckless and self absorbed back in those days.” She winked at him.
The young soldier in the back is a clear fan and asks to take a picture. Tony ‘humbly’ obliges.
“Always so modest.” Sam mumbled.
Tony bit his lip nervously, knowing what is about to happen.
As they pose for the soldier in the front, the truck in front of them blows up.
“Holy shit!” Peter exclaimed.
Others jolted, shocked at the sudden change in tone. Even though Tony knew what was coming, it didn’t make it any less shocking. Pepper gasped, placing a hand over her mouth.
There’s gunshots and chaos outside as they panic on the inside. Tony is confused. As the soldier’s exit the car to defend it, they are shot down and killed.
“Stay here!” The young one yells before exiting the car.
A shotgun fires and the solder is killed.
“Oh my God.” Steve breathed. This was eerily similar to what he’d endured in the war.
Through the ringing in his ears, Tony looks at the chaos. He panics and exists the truck as bullets and missiles are fired. Soldiers die around him.
“For once in your life, do what you’re told!” Steve said, worriedly.
“If I stayed in that truck, I’d have been killed.” Tony defended.
He runs and hides behind a rock before a missile lands in the ground beside him. It reads STARK INDUSTIES.
Wanda inhaled sharply. This was much to similar to the moment her parents were killed by a Stark Industries bomb.
Tony snorted. Fucking ironic.
It explodes and Tony is thrown back, pools of blood form on his shirt. He opens his shirt to reveal his bullet proof vest has been shot through.
Pepper gasped again, clutching Tony’s hand tight.
“So that’s how you got your chest machine?” Thor boomed from the front.
Tony nodded. “Pretty much.”
There’s a bright light and a sack is pulled off Tony’s head. As he struggles to regain his focus, he sees the camera. The camera pulls back to reveal the guards with guns surrounding him and a man speaking a message. The symbol of the ten rings behind them.
The screen cuts to black and the title IRON MAN is revealed.
“Well that was exciting.” Tony said sarcastically.
“The violence was very entertaining.” Drax chortled from the back.
“Our vehicles in Wakanda could have stopped that from happening.” Okoye muttered to T’Challa.
Pepper squeezed Tony’s hand. “Tony, I know that you get into trouble all the time and that you survived what we’re seeing now. But I don’t know if I can handle seeing you almost die every second.”
“I know, Pep.” Tony reassured her. “But we’re gonna have to get through this. It’ll all be fine.”
“I hope you’re right.” She said in return.