Anthony Edward Stark
In this universe, some things are the same.
Anthony Edward Stark is still born May 29, 1974.
He still is a genius. He still hacks the Pentagon in high school.
He still attends MIT at 15.
Still graduates summa cum laude 2 years later with 5 postgrads.
Still meets James Rhodes.
His parents still die when he’s 17.
He still creates JARVIS.
He still goes to Afghanistan. Still gets kidnapped.
Still blasts his way out and creates Iron Man.
<><><>
In this universe, other, far more important things are different.
Maybe, in this universe, Howard Stark is a little more abusive, a little more physical.
Maybe, Maria Stark was a little colder, a little more apathetic.
Maybe, Edwin Jarvis died when Tony was 10.
Maybe, there was nobody to protect him from his father.
Maybe, in this universe, the Winter Soldier didn’t kill Howard and Maria.
Maybe, they died because Tony was done being abused.
Maybe, it was a tragic accident. (Let him drive himself, Obadiah.) (You sure, Tony?)
Maybe, in this universe, Tony Stark drinks less.
Maybe, in this universe, at the conference in Bern 1999, Maya Hansen is found dead, and her Extremis formula stolen.
Maybe, Aldrich Killian was found on the ground in front of the building, clearly a suicide.
Maybe, Tony Stark was far more dangerous than anyone realized.
Maybe, in this universe, he finishes the formula, and injects it in himself.
Maybe, his eyes glow electric blue, and he has access to anything with an internet connection.
Maybe, in this universe, James Rhodes stops looking after 2 months, not 3.
Maybe, Afghanistan was just a little colder, a little darker.
Maybe, Tony Stark appears back in New York.
Maybe, no one knows how he got there. (Tony?! How’d you get out?) (You don’t want to know, Rhodey.)
Maybe, in the excitement, no one notices something slipped in Obadiah Stane’s drink. At least, not until his ‘heart attack’.
Maybe, in this universe, Virginia Potts never applies to work for Stark Industries.
Maybe, in this universe, Natasha Romanoff doesn’t work for SHIELD.
Maybe, in 2009, Natasha Romanoff gets a contract to kill him from one Justin Hammer.
Maybe, he’s stupid enough to pay up front, but she’ll do it anyways. Probably.
Maybe, JARVIS knows who she is before she steps through the door. (Sir?) (No, JARVIS. I want to see what she does.)
Maybe, in this universe, they fall in love.
(The two deadliest people in the world. Who’d have thought?) (Come back to bed, Tony.)
Maybe, in this universe, SHIELD’s Assessment on him says he is an extreme threat.
Maybe, he shows signs of machiavellinism, and malignant narcissism.
Maybe, in this universe, Stark Industries never does shut down their Weapons Manufacturing Division.