Feared or Respected?
"Tony Stark." The screen cuts from black to the view of a stage, a picture of Tony on both sides and banners hanging from the ceiling that say 'Apogee Award.' Words appear on the bottom of the screen now in white font, reading 'Las Vegas, 36 Hours Earlier.'
And now they will get to see how much of a douchebag I was. Thought Tony bitterly.
"Visionary, genius." The pictures of Stark change into one of him on a magazine cover, arms folded across his chest. The camera focuses on one of them and the voice from the video continues talking, "American Patriot."
Clint snorted slightly, Natasha glared at him.
The picture is now black and white, and shows Tony as a child, "Even from an early age, son of the legendary weapons developer Howard Stark quickly stole the spotlight with his brilliant and unique mind. At age four, he built his first circuit board."
“Woah,” whispered Peter.
"At age six, his first engine. And at seventeen, he graduated summa cum laude from MIT."
Quill whistled and Rocket looked at him.
“What’s MIT?”
“It’s a technology school,” explained Quill. “That’s a super young age to go there.”
"Then, the passing of a titan," The picture changes to one of Howard in a newspaper article titled 'Howard and Maria Stark Die in Car Accident on Long Island.' Below it, the subtitle reads, 'Thousands to Attend Funeral in Manhattan for Founder and President of Stark Industries,' accompanied by a picture a casket draped in an American flag, being carried by a group of soldiers.
Bucky winced and Steve nervously glanced at Tony. Tony was looking absolutely anywhere but at him.
"Howard Starks lifelong friend and ally, Obadiah Stane, steps in to fill the gap left in by the legendary founder, until at age 21, the prodigal son returns, and is anointed the CEO of Stark Industries." A few more pictures pass by before the screen shows one of Tony with Stane behind him, looking over his shoulder.
“And I never thought I’d see the day.” sighed Natasha Tony looked at her.
“What?” He asked. Natasha smirked.
“You without a goatee.”
The crowd applauds and the voice continues speaking, "With the keys to the kingdom, Tony ushers in a new era for his father's legacy, creating smarter weapons, advanced robotics, satellite targeting. Today, Tony Stark has changed the face of the weapons industry, by ensuring freedom and protecting America and her interests around the globe." The video ends and the podium on stage now has a spotlight shining on it, revealing a man in uniform.
“Right, sorry about that,” Tony muttered to Rhodey, Rhodey just rolled his eyes.
"As liaison to Stark Industries," He begins, "I've had the unique privilege of serving with a real patriot. He is my friend, and he is my great mentor."
“Aww, Platypus, I never knew I meant so much to you.”
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honour to present this year's Apogee award to Mr Tony Stark."
“Not bad,” muttered Bruce.
There's another round of applause, and award music begins playing. When no one walks up, Rhodey speaks into the mic, "Tony?"
The Colonel looks into the audience for his friend when he spots the man identified as Obadiah Stane, who shakes his (very bald) head. He stands from his seat and makes his way up to the podium, accepting the award on the billionaire's behalf.
“He couldn’t have told you I wasn’t there before?” glared Tony at the screen.
“Or, you could’ve been there,” mentioned Rhodey.
“I was doing… other things.”
"Thank you, Colonel."
"Thanks for the save." He replies and steps aside as the older, white-bearded man begins to speak into the microphone.
“He wouldn’t need saving if you told him beforehand,” growled Tony. People looked at him startled. Wasn’t he Tony’s Godfather?
"This is beautiful. Thank you. Thank you all very much. This is wonderful." He holds it up and stares at it for a moment before continuing, "Well, I'm not Tony Stark."
“Ha, Ha,” said Quill sarcastically.
The crowd laughs a bit before he keeps talking, "But if I were Tony, I would tell you how honoured I feel and what a joy it is to receive this very prestigious award. Tony, you know… the best thing about Tony is also the worst thing; He's always working."
The scene changes to Tony in the casino, surrounded by women. He rolls his dice and everyone cheers as he turns around giving a bow to Happy and chanting, "Work it! Come on!"
“Yes… ‘working.’” sighed Sam. Rocket snickered.
A woman has her hands all over him as Rhodey approaches from behind, just as Tony is saying something to her, his voice low and barely audible, "We should just stay till the morning."
"You are unbelievable," He cuts in, obviously annoyed.
Tony turns to his friend and the woman backs off. "Oh, no! Did they rope you into this?"
"Nobody roped me into anything!" Rhodey replies, shaking his head.
"I'm so sorry."
Wow, he apologized. Wanda thought nastily.
Rhodey just ignores him and continues, "But they told me that if I presented you with an award, you'd be deeply honoured."
“If I had been there I would be deeply honoured,” reassured Tony.
“You gave the award away in like a minute,” said Rhodey rolling his eyes.
"Of course I'd be deeply honored! And it's you, that's great. So when do we do it?" Tony interjects.
"It's right here; here you go." He holds up the award and Tony takes it, obviously disinterested.
"There it is; that was easy." At the irritated look from Rhodey, he adds, "I'm so sorry."
"Yeah, it's okay."
"Wow, would you look at that," The genius turns away from his friend and hands the award off to woman from before, "That's something else. I don't have any of those floating around." He bends over and gathers the dice in his hand, "We're gonna let it ride!" He holds the dice up to the woman, "Give me a hand will you? Give me a little something-something." She blows on the dice before Tony brings it toward Rhodey next, "Okay, you too."
"I don't blow on a man's dice."
"Come on, Honey Bear!"
“Do you give everyone an alternate name Anthony?” asked Thor.
“It’s called a nickname brother.” sighed Loki.
“Point Break, I give most people a nickname,” smirked Tony.
"I don't blow on a man's dice," Rhodey repeats, shaking his head and swatting Tony's hand away, causing the dice to fly out and roll on the table.
"There it is! Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes rolls! And…"
The roll is bad and Rhodey shrugs, to which Tony just says, "Two craps, line away."
“Ouch,” said Scott sympathetically. Rhodey rolled his eyes at Tony, who was smirking.
"That's what happens."
"Worse things have happened; I think we're going to be fine. Colour me up, William."
"This is where I exit. Tomorrow, don't be late!" Rhodey says, pointing to his friend.
"Yeah, you can count on it."
“You’re always late.” sighed Natasha, Tony shrugged tensing ever so slightly at communicating with the Rogues others.
"I'm serious!"
"I know I know!" Tony points back as Rhodey walks away, holding up his award, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's!" He hands the award to a man dressed in costume, "There you go."
“You just gave it away?” asked Bruce surprised.
“I get plenty every year,” said Tony shrugging.
The scene changes and Happy is opening a car door for Tony, who stops short when his name is yelled.
Peter grinned at seeing Happy.
"Mr. Stark! Excuse me, Mr. Stark!" An attractive young blonde starts walking up to him but is stops by one of Tony's guards. "Christine Everhart, Vanity Fair Magazine. Can I ask you a couple of questions?"
Tony groaned, realising what was coming.
"She’s cute," Happy mumbles next to Tony.
"She's alright?" He spins to face her, "Hi."
"Hi. It's okay?"
"Yeah, okay, go." He steps closer and she holds a voice recorder up to him.
"You've been called the Da Vinci of our time. What do you say to that?"
"Absolutely ridiculous, I don't paint." He deadpans, and she immediately continues with a follow-up question.
Shuri snickered at that.
"And what do you say to your other nickname? The Merchant of Death." She raises an eyebrow, her jaw set.
“What?” asked Steve confused.
“From when I sold weapons,” muttered Tony.
"That's not bad. Let me guess, Berkeley?"
"Brown, actually." She corrects him.
"Well, Ms Brown. It's an imperfect world but it's the only one we've got. I guarantee you, the day weapons are no longer needed to keep the peace, I'll start making bricks and beams for baby hospitals."
"Rehearse that much?" She raises her eyebrow again, obviously not convinced.
"Every night in front of the mirror before bedtime."
"I can see that."
"I'd like to show you first-hand."
Quill snorted and Gamora glared at him.
"All I want is a serious answer."
"Alright, here's serious. My old man had a philosophy, 'Peace means having a bigger stick than the other guy.'"
Steve raised an eyebrow at that.
"That's a great line coming from the guy selling the sticks." She retorts.
"My father helped defeat the Nazi's. He worked on the Manhattan project. A lot of people, including your professors at Brown, would call that being a hero."
"And a lot of people would also call that war profiteering."
"Tell me," He leans a little closer to the voice recorder, "do you plan to report on the millions we've saved by advancing medical technology or kept from starvation with our intelli-crops? All those breakthroughs, military funding, honey."
"You ever lose an hour of sleep your whole life?"
“Too many.” sighed Rhodey, several people glanced at Tony upon hearing that.
He shrugs, "I'd be prepared to lose a few with you."
Immediately Tony put a hand over Peter’s eyes. Peter immediately began squirming.
“Mr S- Tony? What’s happening?”
The scene immediately changes and the two are falling onto a bed together, Christine on top with much less clothes than before, until Tony rolls them over and they fall off the bed with a laugh.
Most everyone groaned at that.
“I really did not want to see that.” moaned Clint closing his eyes.
“What is it?” asked Peter squirming some more.
“Just me being an idiot.” sighed Tony pulling his hand away when the scene changed.
The next thing we see is the reporter lying nude on the bed, asleep beneath the white sheets.
Realising what had happened Peter went tomato red, immediately glad Mr Stark had covered his eyes.
"Good morning," The familiar British voice can be heard and the woman snaps her eyes open with a startled gasp,
Vision jumped ever so slightly at hearing JARVIS, it was odd having the voice and sort of memories of the AI now on the screen.
"It's 7:00 AM; the weather in Malibu is 72 degrees with scattered clouds. The surf conditions are fair with waist to shoulder high lines." The windows light up as Christine stands from the bed, moving to look out the window. The view zooms out over the AI's voice to reveal Tony's Malibu home and the ocean around it. "High tide will be at 10:52 AM."
“That’s your house?” asked Scott in awe.
“Was my house.” corrected Tony.
“Oh yeah, didn’t it get blown up?” asked Bruce.
“Something like that.”
The interior of the house is shown, where Christine is wearing Tony's dress shirt from the night before, and her panties.
"Tony? Hey, Tony?"
The blonde wanders around a bit, taking in her surroundings before she comes to a blue panel on the wall. She hesitates for a minute, but curiosity wins and she reaches for it. Immediately there is a beeping noise, and the panel blinks red before the AI speaks up again, "You are not authorized to access this area."
"Jesus!" She recoils, reeling around when another voice is heard, though this one is familiar.
"That's JARVIS. He runs the house."
Several glances were thrown towards Vision at this, especially from the people who didn't know.
A strawberry blonde appears, dressed in professional dress clothes and holding clothes on a hanger. "I've got your clothes here. They've been dry-cleaned and pressed, and there's a car waiting for you outside that will take you anywhere you'd like to go."
The blonde strides up to her with a grin, "You must be the famous Pepper Potts."
"Indeed I am."
“I forgot she used to be your personal assistant,” said Sam.
“What is she now?” asked Mantis curiously.
“The CEO of Stark Industries and my wife,” replied Tony.
"After all these years, Tony still has you picking up the dry-cleaning."
“She’s gonna pay for that.” smiled Tony.
Pepper hesitates for a moment, and if she's taken aback by the rude comment she does a pretty good job at hiding it. "I do anything and everything that Mr Stark requires," She gives a fake smile and a nod, "Including, occasionally, taking out the trash. Will that be all?"
Everyone laughed.
“Burn.” chuckled Sam.
“Is this woman trash?” asked Drax confused. Quill just shook his head sighing.
The shot changes to Tony working in his shop, music blasting in the background.
"Give me an exploded view," He glances at a monitor off to the side showing the engine he is currently working on.
"The compression in cylinder three appears to be low."
"Log that."
In the background, Pepper is typing in the access code to his workshop. When she enters, the music lowers and she can be heard talking on the phone, "I'm gonna try again, right now."
"Please don't turn down my music," Tony doesn't even look up from his task as he says this.
"I'll keep you posted." She ignores him and hangs up the phone before addressing him, "You are supposed to be halfway around the world right now."
"How'd she take it?"
"Like a champ."
He's studying a piece of the engine when he asks, "Why are you trying to hustle me out of here?"
The view widens to reveal Tony kneeling on the floor in front of the car he's working on when Pepper continues, "Your flight was scheduled to leave an hour and a half ago."
“Great job at not being late,” commented Valkyrie.
"That's funny, I thought with it being my plane and all, that it would just wait for me to get there."
“That is a sensible point,” Shuri commented. T’challa rolled his eyes at her.
"Tony, I need to speak to you about a couple of things before I get you out of the door."
He ignores her and moves to sit on the wheel of the car, "Doesn't it kind of defeat the whole purpose of having your own plane if it departs before you arrive?"
"Larry called. He's got another buyer for the Jackson Pollock in the wings. Do you want it, yes or no?"
“Jackson Pollock…” thought Rocket. “Didn’t you say your ship would look like that under a blacklight Quill?” Everyone glanced at Quill who went slightly red.
“For good reason,” he replied, Gamora rolled her eyes.
"Is it a good representation of his spring period?"
"No. The springs was actually the neighbourhood in East Hampton where he lived and worked- not spring like the season."
"So?"
"I think it's a fair example. I think it's incredibly overpriced."
“The selling point.” sighed Bruce, Tony grinned.
"I need it. Buy it. Store it." He stands and walks past her, where she quickly follows behind.
"Okay. The MIT commencement speech-"
"Is in June," He cuts her off, "Please, don't harangue me about stuff that's way, way down..."
“You remembered when it was, I’m impressed.” said Rhodey. Tony rolled his eyes.
"They're haranguing me, so I'm gonna say yes."
"Deflect it and absorb it. Don't transmit it back to me."
"I need you to sign this before you get on the plane," she shuffles through some papers and opens a folder, handing him a pen.
"What are you trying to get rid of me for? What, you got plans?"
"As a matter of fact, I do."
"I don't like it when you have plans."
She shakes her head, "I'm allowed to have plans on my birthday."
"It's your birthday?"
"Yes."
"I knew that. Already?"
“Of course you didn’t remember,” said Wanda but her voice lacked its usual bite.
She gives him a genuine smile before she responds, "Yeah. Isn't that strange? It's the same day as last year."
"Get yourself something nice from me." His voice is gentle and he smiles back, taking the pen.
"I already did."
"And?"
"Oh, it was very nice."
"Yeah?"
"Very tasteful. Thank you, Mr Stark."
"You're welcome, Miss. Potts." He gives her a genuine smile, and she returns it.
“Why did it take so long for you to start dating again?” asked Natasha curiously. Tony didn’t answer but thought, She deserved someone better.
Pepper hands him a cup and he drinks its contents before handing it back to her with an, "Okay."
The next shot is of a white sports car speeding down the road, a black car not far behind. They both pull into a parking lot, where Stark Industries is written on almost everything. There's a plane waiting and Rhodey is standing at the top of the stairs. Tony steps out of the white car and Happy out of the black one.
"You're good! I thought I lost you back there!" Tony shouts to Happy who is walking around to the back of his car.
"You did Sir. I had to cut across Mulholland." He replies as he grabs a few bags out the trunk.
"I got you. I got you."
“He seems a lot less grouchy,” commented Peter before realising what he said.
“The joys of being young.” sighed Tony.
“This was only 10 years ago.” mentioned Strange, Tony shushed him.
They're walking up to the plane and a very annoyed looking Rhodey.
"What's wrong with you?" He shouts as Tony makes his way up the steps.
"What?"
"Three hours."
“Whoops,” said Scott.
"I got caught doing a piece for Vanity Fair," Tony replies, trying to sound innocent.
There was a general snicker at that.
"For three hours. For three hours, you got me standing here."
“You could’ve sat down,” suggested Wong.
"Waiting on you now." He says, stepping into the plane with Happy behind him, "Let's go. Come on." When Rhodey steps in, Tony can be heard from inside, "wheels up! Rock N Roll!"
There is a brief shot of the Stark Industries plane before it reveals the interior, where Rhodey and Tony are sitting across from one another. A flight attendant lays down a pair of forks before walking off. Tony gives her a quick glance then turns back to Rhodey.
"What you reading, Platypus?"
The Colonel doesn't even look up from his newspaper, "Nothing."
"Come on sour patch, don't be mad."
“I have the most nicknames lined up for you,” smirked Tony. Rhodey sighed.
“Whatever you say, Mr Stank.” Tony’s smile immediately disappeared and he rolled his eyes.
"I told you I'm not mad. I'm indifferent, okay?"
"I said I was sorry." The billionaire says, just as another flight attendant approaches.
"Good morning, Mr Stark," She smiles at him.
"You don't need to apologize to me, I'm your man," Rhodey continues.
"Hi, I told him I was sorry, but he…" He looks up at the woman now, who seems to be ignoring the men's bickering.
"Hot towel?"
"I'm just indifferent right now. You don't respect yourself, so I know you don't respect me." The Colonel continues talking despite the woman's presence.
"I respect you-"
"I'm just your babysitter, so when you need your diaper changed… thank you," He glances at the flight attendant who handed him a towel, "Let me know, and I'll get you a bottle, okay?"
Tony doesn't even seem to acknowledge the statement. "Hey! Heat up a sake, will you? Thanks for reminding me."
“Do you always drink?” asked Loki remembering when from the tower. Tony shrugged.
“Only when I want to, or am nervous.” Or trying to suppress emotions.
"No, I'm not talking… we're not drinking! We're working right now." Rhodey protests, but Tony isn't having it.
"You can't have sashimi without sake!"
“You’re having sashimi as well now?” asked Sam. Tony nodded.
“You can’t have sake without sashimi.”
"You are constitutionally incapable of being responsible."
"It would be irresponsible not to drink. I'm just talking about a nightcap." The genius explains as the woman reappears.
"Hot sake?"
"Yes, two, please," Tony answers before his friend can refuse.
"No, I'm not drinking. I don't want any."
The next second there's music playing and Tony and Rhodes can be seen sitting on the couch with their drinks. Rhodey has his arm on Tony's shoulder and starts rambling on about something the billionaire is showing no interest in.
“You got Rhodey drunk?” said Bruce. “I’m impressed.”
“How were you not drunk?” asked Rhodey. “You had twice as much as me.”
“Not many humans can hold alcohol like you my friend.” boomed Thor.
"That's what I'm talking about. When I get up in the morning, and I put on my uniform, you know what I recognize. I see in that mirror that every person that's got this uniform on got my back!"
Rhodey groaned at that as the others snickered.
Tony sits up a bit before replying to his intoxicated friend, "Hey, you know what? I'm not like you, I'm not cut out-"
"No, no! You don't have to be like me! But you're more than what you are!" Rhodey cuts him off.
The genius gets comfortable and gestures to the flight attendants who are now visible and dancing, their shirts rolled up and drinks in their hands, "Can you excuse me if I'm a bit distracted here?"
“Why did they agree to that?” asked Wanda disgusted.
“I think they actually suggested it,” said Tony.
"No! You can't be distracted right now, listen to me!"
The words 'Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan' appear on the screen, showing a brief view of the base and the soldiers there. The Stark Industries plane has landed and Tony is coming down the steps, buttoning his suit before walking up to the line of men in uniform.
“And we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming.” sighed Tony leaning back in his seat.
"General," He holds out his hand and they shake.
"Welcome, Mr Stark. We look forward to your weapons presentation." He clasps his hands behind his back and gives the genius a nod.
"Thanks," He turns to the man next to the general and shakes his hand as well, saying something in what must be his native language.
Tony is standing in his suit and sunglasses, a view of mountains in the background, "Is it better to be feared or respected? I say, is it too much to ask for both?"
Tony sighed leaning his head in his hand.
"With that in mind, I humbly present the crown jewel of Stark Industries ' Freedom Line," He puts his hands in his pockets and continues, "It's the first missile system to incorporate our proprietary repulsor technology. They say the best weapon is one you never have to fire. I respectfully disagree. I prefer the weapon you only have to fire once. That's how dad did it. That's how America does it. And it's worked out pretty well so far." The view is further out now, revealing a wider shot of the mountains, the soldiers present, and the missile in question. The billionaire gestures to the weapon, "Find an excuse to let one of these off the chain, and I personally guarantee you the bad guys won't even want to come out of their caves."
So he actually thought they were for the ‘bad guys’ thought Wanda surprised.
He makes a motion with his hand and there's a close up on the weapon. The soldiers turn their attention towards it once it angles upwards, one of the missiles firing up and shooting into the air. The camera follows it and it breaks off into a number of smaller missiles, which begin flying towards the mountain in the background.
Suddenly the shot is back on Tony, just as the missiles make contact with the landscape, "For your consideration," He raises his arms as a huge explosion sends clouds of dust into the air, "The Jericho." The blast pushes forward, almost causing the billionaire to lose his balance, and blows the hats off of the soldiers.
Bucky winced along with Tony who had paled again. Rocket gaped at the screen in admiration. Steve was quite shocked, how had he and Bucky beaten Tony? Actually now that he thought of it Tony barely used any of his actual weaponry when fighting and mostly just stuck to close combat. Steve paled. Tony had gone easy on them and Steve had flipped out.
A crate is opening now, cool air escaping as a shelf of alcoholic beverages rises up. Tony takes what appears to be scotch, "I'll be throwing one of these in with every purchase of 500 million or more; to peace!"
“Can I have one of those for my room?” asked Valkyrie interested.
“Sure,” replied Tony shrugging. “I have several in storage.”
He raises his glass and takes a sip just as his phone begins to buzz. He takes it out of his pocket and flips it open, revealing the bald man from the award ceremony.
"Tony!"
"Obie, what are you doing up?"
"I couldn't sleep until I found out how it went. How'd it go?" The man on the screen replies.
“Yeah, sure. How the ‘weapons presentation’ went.” hissed Tony so no one but Rhodey heard. “Not the other things you had planned.”
"It went great. Looks like it's going to be an early Christmas."
"Hey! Way to go, my boy! I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"
"Why aren't you wearing those pyjamas I got you?"
"Goodnight, Tony."
The billionaire climbs into the vehicle from before, a soldier shutting the door for him just as Colonel Rhodes walks up.
"Hey, Tony."
"I'm sorry; this is the Fun-Vee." He leans his head out the window and looks behind him, "The Hum-Drum-Vee is back there."
“I think I prefer the Hum-Drum-Vee,” muttered Rhodey, Tony sighed.
"Nice job." He ignores the comment and taps the door of the vehicle.
"See you back at base."
'Back in Black' can be heard again, and the view of the cars driving down the road is back on the screen before the lead vehicle blows up.
“And here is where shit gets serious.” sighed Tony rubbing his face.
“What happened?” asked Scott curious.
“I’m sure it will be shown, I just hope it doesn’t show the whole 3 months,” Tony replied. Rhodey glanced at him worried, although admittedly he wanted to know what happened after all Tony never talked about the past. Though it was for good reason.