"Stark Tower. Home to the genius of its founder Howard Stark, a man who has single handily ceased world terror and pushed America to one of the Leading Super Powers. Though its founder has not gone without own personal heartbreak, with success comes defeat, and Howard Stark knows how to make well of an opportunity. Welcome to Stark Industries we hope you enjoy your stay"
James Rhodes rolled his eyes as the same mantra he could almost recite played with the clips showing various aspects of the same, cliché thing. Everyone knew who Howard Stark was and everyone knew about Stark Industries. And if you didn't you were well, Happy who stared at the screen ogling every clip as it showed.
Next to Happy was a very happy red haired girl, said red hair tied back in a side plait. James smiled as he watched the girl lower her head to look at a text message appearing on her screen, if Patricia Potts wasn't texting, talking, calling or complaining she may as well be dead. The girl was extremely peppy, if not annoyingly so. James smiled as he ducked around Happy to fall into step next to Patricia as the tour group started to move.
"They really need to start picking another place to take field trips" she said as she looked at James eyebrow raised. James nodded in agreement, she had a point. If they weren't at Stark, they were at Hammer Multinational and if they weren't there they were at Patricia's favourite spot, the Theatre. Shuddering internally James suddenly felt himself thanking his lucky stars they were at Stark. Another one of Patricia's raps and he may have to donate his ears to the Hospital.
"Yeah, though it's changed a little since I've last been here" he replied as they turned a corner, another woman appearing in front of the group. "Hello Tomorrow Academy, I would like to personally welcome you My Name is Trish and I serve as the receptionist for Howard Stark and I-" the woman named Trish stopped as a chorus of girls sighed. Looking at James Patricia huffed rolling her eyes.
Only one person was known to cause such a chorus, and that one person was the one, the only, self proclaimed prodigy Anthony Edward Stark. James smiled as his friend appeared to the left of the group giving a quick wave to the students. Turning his attention back to the woman James smiled at Patricia before leaning in to whisper in her ear "Don't deny it Pepper, you're just as bad as the girls" He said winking "Am not Rhodey" she replied crossing her arms.
"Aww, don't lie Pepperoni! You were just telling me on the way here about this amazing computer Howard Stark has invented" Happy teased giving the thumbs up to Rhodey. Pepper on the other hand was not amused and demonstrated said emotion with a small punch to Happy's arm. "Ouch, Pepsi don't be like that! It's a joke dudette" he replied as Pepper rolled her eyes before walking again.
"And this students is one of the greatest men to ever live, Howard Stark" Trish said as she stepped aside as a older, greying man stepped forwards, again followed by a chorus of collected sighs. "Thank you, Thank you. But please, it is you we should be congratulating! You are the future and you will shape what is to happen. Now! Pop Quiz. Who can venture a guess as to what Stark Industries main source of income is?" Howard asked.
Pepper muffled a groan, everyone knew that. Crossing her arms she waited for one of the many blonde's to answer Howards 'question'. "Is it weapons sir?" A Blonde in front named Jenny answered. "It is, yes! And weapons-"Howard began.
However Pepper's attention was otherwise pre-occupied as she saw the boy wonder himself slip out from a very suspicious looking door. Pepper smirked as she observed Tony's amused expression at the group. Pepper didn't seem to realise that Tony's attention had become otherwise occupied by a certain red head. Pepper narrowed her eyes as she noticed Tony's lasting gaze turning her back on him. Rhodey smiled next to her all too smug about the situation.
"Rhodey, you know what's behind the door?" Pepper asked not bothering to listen to Howard or acknowledge Tony. Rhodey shook his head before grabbing Pepper's upper arm "Pep, we're not supposed to leave the group" he warned. Pepper only shrugged as she looked over Rhodey's shoulder to Happy "Heya Happy I'm sorry for hitting you earlier you know PMS and all that?" "Gross Pepsi" Happy replied sticking out his tongue. Pepper sighed looking around for a plausible escape without boy wonder springing her.
Sighing she stuck up her hand "Yes?" Howard asked Pepper. Pepper's cheeks flushed slightly as she bit her lip, "Erm, Mister Stark where's the toilets?" she asked as laughter erupted from the crowd. Howard simply smiled gracious as ever as he pointed down the hall, the same hall which the boy wonder was occupying. Grimacing she held her arms either side of her as she trudged forwards heels clicking against the polished floors.
"Ah! Tony come here and tell them all about your latest invention" Howard exclaimed motioning over his son who looked non to impressed. Nice face Starky, Pepper thought menacingly as she opened the door to what was not a toilet. Peeking her head out making sure no one had seen her disappear. Ducking it back inside the room she turned.
"Well this in uneventful" she exclaimed at what looked like a bare room. Walking forwards she trailed a hand on the wall looking for a light switch when suddenly a mechanical voice sounded "This is JARVIS, What may I help you today with –insert name here-". Pepper jumped slightly at the voice looking around for a display panel. "Erm, hello JARVIS? I'm...uh...Pepper Potts" she said cursing herself for not coming up with a fake name. For all she knew this could be recorded.
"Hello Miss Pepper Potts may I be of your assistance?" JARVIS asked Pepper. Pepper bit her lip looking around. "Er, actually you can JARVIS! Where's your control panel?" Pepper asked looking around. She could have sworn she heard JARVIS laugh at her, "It's approximately under thirty centimetres from your left hand Miss Potts". Pepper whipped her head around to search for the panel, smiling when she did. Walking to it she smiled pressing a button "So JARVIS what exactly where you programmed for?" Pepper asked not believing she was holding small talk with a computer.
"I was programmed to assist in the lives of human beings, I am however a prototype" JARVIS answered Pepper who smiled. "Well JARVIS if it makes you feel any better I for one think you're a wonderfully appealing prototype. Does JARVIS stand for anything?" Pepper asked cocking her head to the side as she ceased pressing buttons and relocated her attention to finding a place to sit. "Many thanks Miss Potts, you are a wonderfully pleasing human being yourself. JARVIS Miss, stands for Just A Really Very Intelligent System" he responded.
Pepper stifled a snort, really? Who named him? "Aside from being obvious that's an intresting name, hey JARVIS? What's the time?" Pepper asked knowing if she was gone to long she'd miss the bus. "It is exactly 3 o'clock Miss Potts, If I were you I would return the group" JARVIS advised an amused Pepper. "Thanks JARVIS I should be heading off, and JARVIS? Delete all history of this talk ever happening if Mister Stark asks about it" Pepper ordered as she opened the door striding out and rejoining the group who were leaving.
"Find something interesting Miss disappear?" Rhodey chided her as she rejoined the group. Pepper simply rolled her eyes waving to Mrs. Rhodes as they left. Pepper smiled to herself thinking of JARVIS and unfortunately Tony Stark himself and the look he gave her.
"So son what did you think? Smart bunch weren't they?" Howard said clapping his son on his back as they watched the students leave. Howard could sense Tony's arrogance as he watched the students leave. "No offence dad, but I much better prefer you teaching me" Tony replied smiling as he watched his friend Rhodey clamber on to the bus.
"Well next lessons just about to start, come on we're going on a small trip- nowhere special" Howard said pushing Tony towards the awaiting Limo.
"That's where we're going? Dad no offence but this has got to be one of the worst lessons you've taught yet, it's challenging "does anyone want to venture a guess as to what Stark Industries does?" "Tony teased reclining in his chair. Howard simply smiled looking at Tony shaking his head "I wouldn't start teasing me about taking an interest in the students today Anthony- what was her name exactly?" Howard replied smiling.
Tony simply snorted as he turned his attention to the area they were currently flying over. "Great isn't it? We've uncovered something massive Tony. It's like nothing else, and it's all to do with technology" Howard said as a phone rang. Pressing the button on the centre console Howard's face turned stern "Trish?" He said as the woman's face appeared. "I'm sorry Mister Stark but I couldn't re organize time that wouldn't crash with the Hammer appointment" she said as her face disappeared and Obadiah Stane's face appeared "Howard, I hate to interrupt your lesson with Tony but it's urgent, it's about the earth movers" Howard leaned forwards before turning to Tony "Hey- uh Tony how about you ask the captain to swing the plane around looks like duty calls" before turning back to Obadiah.
Tony walked away straining his ears to hear what his father was discussing with Obadiah. Opening the door to the Pilot's Cabin he walked in "Heya Jack? Think we can turn back to Stark Tower? Dad's got business to attend to" he asked. "We can sure try kiddo, we aren't that far away luckily" Jack replied. "Come on kid sit here" Jack said motioning to the second chair. Tony sat looking at the controls "Heya Jack, what do you have to do to keep something like this in the air- and spare the aerodynamic explanation I know that" Tony asked. Jack smiled turning to Tony "Well I just won't talk at all" he replied smiling as he guided the jet back to Airport.
Suddenly Tony turned as a fluorescent ball of light gathered speed heading straight towards the jet. "What in the-" Jack exclaimed as the light hit the plane knocking Jack and Tony out of their chairs, leaving the plane to nose dive which luckily wasn't very far off the ground.
Tony squinted opening his eyes as his surroundings filled his vision. The plane was in pieces, smoke was everywhere. Tony could hear the ambulance and police forces rushing to the scene. Gathering what little strength he had Tony clambered forwards towards what he hoped was his Father alive and hopefully not severely hurt. What Tony was met with made his inside's churn. Jack was lying with a piece of metal impaled in him eyes wide and blood everywhere. Tony winced in pain as another course of pain, nearly unbearable emitted from his chest.
Collapsing next to his dead friend Tony blacked as the feet of what he hoped was rescue invade his vision.
"Come on Tony wakey wakey" Rhodey pleaded with his friend as he tried to stir him from sleep. Tony blinked a couple of times looking up at Rhodey as he came to. "Ugh..Rhodey what..what day is this?" Tony asked rubbing his head as propped himself up. "It's Tuesday Bro. You were out for two weeks" Rhodey explained at the end of Tony's bed. "And?" Tony asked wondering if his friend could fill in the blanks.
"And you are very lucky you're alive so take it easy alright? Though if you're up to it I have here your Fathers will" Rhodey's Mother explained as she entered with a piece of paper in hand. Tony's heart dropped at the mention of 'will'. His Father was dead, and there was nothing he could do about it. "Erm, yeah I want to hear it. But only about what'll happen to me and the company" Tony said not noticing Rhodey's lingering gaze on his chest.
Roberta nodded shuffling Rhodey off the bed and taking his spot. "Well Tony you are entitled to the company, however only when you turn the legal age of eighteen until then Obadiah Stane will take position as CEO of Stark Industries and you will attend high school with James" Roberta concluded. Tony gawked slightly at the last part "Wait, run that part past me again" he asked as Roberta sighed "You will attend school and you will keep an acceptable GPA Tony or the board and Obadiah gain power over the company" Roberta said as she patted his leg.
"Now get some rest Tony that arc reactor can't keep you alive if you don't keep your body in check" Roberta said pointing to his chest. Tony looked down at his chest and jumped internally. Instead of his normal, skin coloured chest there now stood a glowing circle of light emitting from right in the middle of his chest. "Ah! Roberta..ugh..what. is. That?" Tony exclaimed.
However Roberta wasn't paying attention. A doctor had entered whilst Tony was examining his chest. "He can leave? Doctor's that cant?" Roberta exclaimed as she turned to look at Tony. "Well Tony it seems you'll be leaving sooner than expected. Get dressed, we can go supplies shopping and possibly get you some new clothes" Roberta said as Tony tugged on a shirt, smiling at Rhodey.
"James, you best come with us. Come on then" Roberta instructed as she thanked the Doctor and walked out.
"Rhodey do we have to do this? You know the whole school thing?" Tony complained as the two boys clambered the stairs of the Tomorrow Academy. Rhodey sighed as he opened the doors to the school, pushing Tony to the administration office. Gathering his timetable Rhodey inspected it smiling "Looks like we have nearly all the same classes though looks like you've been put in Drama- have fun that's first up" Rhodey said as he stopped at Tony's new locker which had been conveniently placed next to his.
Tony grimaced slightly as he slung his bag with the books he needed for first and second period. Closing his locker he walked with Rhodey to the Drama classroom which had unfortunately already started. Rhodey parted ways with Tony who gave him a supportive smile as Tony turned the knob to the classroom.
"Uh sorry I'm late Miss, I got lost" Tony explained as a few sniggers erupted from the first row. Sighing he walked in and smiled slightly as he found a spot next to the red haired girl from before, only today her hair had been twisted into a French braid. "Class as you are all probably aware we have a new student. So please give a warm theatre welcome to Mister Anthony Stark" The fragile looking teacher in the front said.
Tony gave a small sheepish smile and wave before opening his bag to find the drama book he had been given. "Hey Stark! Looking for your Dad?" A boy in the front row exclaimed. Tony suddenly picked up his head and raised himself from his chair. "What's the matter Stark? Miss your Daddy-" "Mr. Williams that is more than enough out of you. Detention" the teacher spoke as she turned back to the board. Tony sat back down fists clenched as he breathed heavily feeling for the light in his chest, he knew nothing, nothing of what this felt like, being at school, not allowed to be involved in your own company.
"Don't listen to Marcus he's a prick. Hey?" The red head sitting next to Tony exclaimed softly as she passed him a bottle of water. Tony took it eyebrow raised, letting the cool water run down his throat. "Thanks, yeah I get that feeling. Erm sorry I didn't catch your name?" he asked politely noticing the smudged eye makeup adorning her eyes that crinkled as she smiled sympathetically. "Oh, sorry It's Patricia Potts, but everyone calls me Pepper" she replied shrugging as she opened her own book. Tony smiled slightly as he set her water bottle back on the table and opened his own page looking down.
Knitting his brows together Tony looked up at Pepper who seemed to be scribbling something important down. Noticing his gaze Pepper smiled lightly as she snatched his book from him flicking the pages to the one they were on. Giving him a piece of paper, she smiled as he rummaged around for a pen looking down at Pepper. "Basically we're taking notes on Shakespeare's language- all interesting stuff, did you know he wrote in Iambic Pentameter?" Pepper rambled smiling as Tony scribbled down Shakespeare and Iambic Pentameter.
Well this just got a little interesting.
A/N: Now I know most of you are going, is she re-writing IM:AA ? and to that I say yes C: I wanted to develop the character's a little more and introduce some familiar bits of Iron Man fun like JARVIS. Also in this version unfortunately Tony's dad is staying dead. But if you want to know what the characters look like Pepper's a red haired version of Cher Lloyd, Tony's a Chace Crawford and Rhodey is Lil Romeo.
Also * means time skip.
Hope you enjoy, and I don't own IM:AA nor do I own any characters.