In which Dum-E escapes
"Hey Mr. Stark!" Dum-E did not know this voice. He spun around to see who had spoken to Daddy.
"Hey kid!" Daddy seemed pleased to see him, so Dum-E was glad, by default, to see him. The kid that had entered the lab looked very friendly and happy, this exited Dum-E. He liked happy people. Daddy was smiling. This also made Dum-E happy. Dum-E loved seeing Daddy smile. It was so rare.
Dum-E was helpful while Daddy and the kid worked. He put out three fires! He was very proud of himself. Several hours passed and then the kid left. Daddy stopped smiling. This was a problem. It upset Dum-E. He decided to cheer Daddy up by drawing him a picture. Instead he made a mess.
"Hey, Dum-E go back in your corner and stop making a mess!" Daddy sounded angry. Dum-E didn't understand. He had just been happy a few minutes ago. Dum-E knew mood swings were bad.
Daddy's change in mood confused Dum-E. He also wanted Daddy to be happy. Dum-E wanted Daddy happy again. He needed a plan.
Daddy sat down and poured himself a drink. He looked depressed.
"Boss, Peter's flight takes off in three hours. You should go wait with him at the airport," FRIDAYS voice sounded. Why was the kid leaving?
"No FRIDAY. You know I hate saying goodbye to people," Daddy sounded very forlorn.
"Sir, the kid is going away to college in London. He is probably scared. You should go be with him. You'll regret it if you don't."
"No!" Daddy grumbled angrily, "Be quiet FRIDAY."
Friday didn't say anything else.
Dum-E had an idea.
Dum-E also needed a distraction, and the lab doors open. Dum-E flashed FRIDAY a message of ones and zeros, Can you distract Daddy so I can get out of the lab?
Why? Friday replied.
Daddy needs to got to the airport. I know how to get him there.
Alright. Friday agreed with no further questions.
"Boss, there is a malfunctioning robot in the jet hanger," Daddy sat up as FRIDAY spoke.
"Alright, I'll go look into it," Daddy got up and left the lab. Now was Dum-E's chance. As soon as Daddy was out the door Dum-E moved quickly from his corner. Friday, give me one hour and then alert Daddy that I am gone. Dum-E beeped to the AI as he wheeled out of the room at top speed.
Be careful Dum-E. was all FRIDAY replied.
As soon as Dum-E left the lab he realized he had no idea where he was going. He needed help. He screeched down the compound desperately searching for the exit.
"What the hell?" Dum-E screeched to a stop right in front of an astonished Steve.
Can you help me find the exit? Dum-E beeped. Steve just looked at him in confusion, Did you hear me?
Steve just slowly scooted away shaking his head confused. Why hadn't he replied? No big deal Dum-E could figure out how to get out on his own.
Dum-E rounded a corner, and discovered Natasha and Clint playing chess. They both looked up in surprise.
Can you help me? I need to get outside so I can go to the airport.
Natasha and Clint exchanged confused glances.
Clint patted Dum-E
"Sorry buddy, I don't speak Robot. Go talk to Bruce or Tony," Clint sounded remorseful. Dum-E was discouraged. He didn't know where Bruce was. At this rate he wouldn't get to the airport on time. Dum-E continued frantically searching the hallways.
"Dum-E?" Pepper's voice sounded from behind him, "What are you doing out of the lab?"
Dum-E beeped desperately, and explained the whole story to Pepper. She looked confused. She didn't speak much robot.
"Does Tony know your out?"
Dum-E shook his reacher hand.
"Are you out here on purpose?"
Dum-E nodded. He was growing impatient. He needed someone who could actually understand him. He needed Bruce. Dum-E turned around and zoomed away quickly. Leaving Pepper alone and very confused. Dum-E soon found himself very lost. He was going to fail. he zoomed frantically around in a circle. Dum-E didn't know what to do. Dum-E was scared. What if he couldn't find his way back to the lab?
"Whoa there buddy!" Bruce's voice brought Dum-E out of his panic, "What are you doing out of the lab?"
Dum-E beeped out the whole story, spinning frantifly the whole time. Bruce nodded in understanding
"I can't drive you to the airport, but I can show you how to get out of here. Do you have gps?" Bruce asked.
yes i have gps, it just doesn't work inside. Dum-E explained.
"Alright, come on this way," Bruce said and led Dum-E through the halls, "I hope this plan of yours works. I tried convincing Tony to go with Peter to the airport, but he insisted on not going. Tony has a hard time letting go. He is really going to miss Peter, and I think he thinks that it will be easier if he doesn't say goodbye at the airport. I disagree. The kid needs his father figure there."
Bruce rambled on like this for a long time, until they reached a door.
"Okay Dum-E the airport isn't far from here. Good luck and please do not get hit by a car," Bruce warned and opened the door. Dum-E sped outside. Outside was very big. Very green, and also blue. Dum-E would have liked to admired it for a minute, but he had a mission. Dum-E zoomed down the driveway, and out onto the road.
"Boss, Dum-E is missing from the lab," Tony sat up abruptly and accidently banged his head on the robot he was fixing.
"Ouch- What?! How the hell did he get out?!" Tony exclaimed and slid out from under the robot, "Is he he still in the building???"
"His tracker has him heading toward the airport."
"Why the hell is he going there?" Tony jumped up, and ran to one of the pickup trucks. He started it and slammed his foot on the gass. Fear spiked in the back of Tony's mind. He needed to get to Dum-E before something happened to him. The truck squealed out of the hanger.
Peter sat in the airport alone. He wished Mr. Stark had come with him... He wished any of them had come with him. He didn't want to get on the plane and have no one to say goodbye too. He wanted a hug before he got on the plane. Peter sniffed a little trying not to cry.
"Flight 221 to London now boarding," A voice over the loudspeaker rang out. That was him.
A screeching noise made him stop. He looked over his shoulder to see a robot that looked exactly like Dum-E screech around the corner.
"Damn it Dum-E get back here!" Mr. Stark came around the corner a few seconds later. They made eye contact. Mr. Stark stopped, a smile spreading across his face. Peter dropped his bags and ran to Mr. Stark. Mr. Stark opened his arms and accepted Peter's embrace.
"I thought you weren't coming!" Peter cried.
"That dumbass robot had different plans for me," Mr. Stark laughed. His shoulders shook, and he sniffled, "I'm sorry kid. I didn't have the-"
"Shut up Mr. Stark!" Peter said through his own tears. He would miss Tony while he was gone, "You're here!"
Dum-E watched Daddy embrace Peter. Both of them were crying, but also laughing. This confused Dum-E.