Right! First off, this is a major AU(alternate universe) story. I'm making this simply because I can. So, please enjoy and leave a review on your way out. (No flamers please! Constructive criticism and questions are appreciated)

Disclaimer : Don't own; will never own.

WARNING : EXPECT OOC-NESS (Out-of-character-ness)

My name, here at least, is Tony Stark. In a way, I suppose, you can call me a human. In many other ways, though, I am both more and less than human.

15 years ago, I met a man people called Howard Stark. He was…impressed, I suppose, with my affinity and talent for technology.

So, he decided to adopt me as his heir. He fabricated a story to keep the press' questions at bay; something about maintaining my emotional well-being.

Howard was charming, compassionate and caring when I first met him; a man of great honour and virtue.

He taught me the greatest lesson one creature could teach to another.

He taught me that humans are liars. (You said my life would be better with you!)

He also taught me that humans are terrifying creatures. (Get that thing away from me! I am not some dog you can collar!)

But, most of all, he taught me that humans believe they can do anything they want to; no matter how much pain and suffering they cause others. (… let me go. Please! You have NO right to keep me here against my will!)

He bound me to him, made me a slave to him. Forced me to continue inventing; forced me to create weapons; turned me into the Mercenary of Death.

And then he died.

I immediately took steps to ensure that the reformation of the company from the arms business would be effective. It was a long and arduous process which could only be implemented after my abduction by the Ten Rings rebel group.

Every day, I try to believe I am happy and contented for I am doing something for this world; for I am making a difference, a good difference in the quality of living.

But then, I touch the cool metal encircling my neck, and I know without a doubt that I will never be free.

Then, my heart shatters again.

Age 1-12 – Unknown

Age 12-22 – Living with Howard Stark

Age 23 – Howard Stark dies is a freak car accident.

Age 23-25 – Tony Stark has taken over the company. He makes very little appearances in public. He has been called an eccentric playboy by many people.

Age 26 – He gets kidnapped from Stark Towers by agents of a rebel group called the Ten Rings for both information and weaponry. Tony Stark is tortured and returns 3 months later with an arc reactor fitted into his chest.

Age 27 – Loki steals the Tesseract.

P.S. 1) Howard never married Maria in this universe.

P.S. 2) Obadiah Stane's business with the Ten Rings is never discovered.

P.S 3) The Iron Man suit was never created. However, the majority of the Ten Rings group HAVE been disposed of. The hows and whys will probably be explained throughout the story.

By the way, I have no idea if I'm going to continue this story or not. It's just something I decided to write when I was tired. Have a basic idea of where it's going.

I guess the continuation of this story depends on how much positive feedback I get.

So, please leave a review!