Stella Pots had been living with Tony Stark ever since she was seven. Her parents had died in an accident and nobody would take her in even though she was a very intelligent individual. After being switched from relative to relative, she ended up with her Aunt, Pepper Pots. Pepper couldn't take care of Stella so she was somehow able to convince Tony to take her in. Tony accepted, realizing that Stella didn't need to be continuously watched over and taken care of- she was an independent person.
Soon, Stella and Tony were on very good terms. Being as smart as she was (along with Tony's teachings) she was out helping him work on various projects-including his iron man suits, as well as being Tony's "assistant". There was barely a moment in the day that those two weren't together. Even after Pepper had left Tony still requested that Stella stay with him. Now she is 17 and Tony just revealed to the people six months ago of his identity of being the iron man. Right now, they are in Washington DC, listening to Senator Stern ramble on about how the iron man suit is a weapon. Tony was sitting at the tables, ignoring the senator and instead turning around and goofing off with Stella.
Senator Stern was getting aggravated now and started banging his podium.
" Mr. Stark can we pick up where we left off now? Please." He pleaded with the stubborn billionaire.
"Yes dear?" Tony joked turning back around, causing laughter in the court room.
"Do you or do you not possess a specialized weapon?" He asked, ignoring the comment.
"I do not" Tony responded almost immediately.
"You do not?" Stern pushed.
"I do not-well,it depends on how you define the word weapon."
"The Iron man weapon" He stated as if it were obvious.
"My device does not fit that description."
"How would you describe it?" He inquired as he leaned further up in his seat.
"I would describe it as defining it as what it is." Tony shot.
"And it is..?"
"It's a …hm, high-tech prosthesis" He stated, once again causing the people in the room to laugh. "That is actually the most apt description I can make of it"
"It's a weapon Mr. stark I hate to in-" He was cut off before he could finish the sentence.
"If your priority was the well-being of th-" Senator Stern was offended by being interrupted so rudely by Tony that he was the one to interrupt tony at this time.
"My priority is to get the iron man weapon turned over to the people of the United states of America."
"Well, you can forget it" Tony said, pausing. "I am Iron man." He announced once more, "The suit and I are one. To turn over the iron man suit would be to turn in myself which would be indentured servitude or prostitution-depending on what state you're in. Can't have it."
"I'm no expert-" Stern began but was once again cut off by Tony.
"In prostitution of course not you're a senator!" He said, causing loud laughter, turning around and smiling at Stella.
"I'm no expert in weapons. But we have someone here who is. I would now like to call Justin Hammer, our current primary weapons contractor."
A man in a gray suit walked out, setting a briefcase on the table and looking over at Tony. He was an odd-looking man. He reminded Stella of somebody she pictures to be a suck up to everybody.
"Let the record reflect that I observed entering the chamber and I am wondering if and when any actual expert will be in attendance." Tony remarked, studying Justin up and down.
Justin gave a fake laugh-Stella already hated the guy.
"Absolutely" He laughed, "I'm no expert, I defer to you Anthony- you're the wonder boy" He paused. Stella scoffed at the fact that this nerd had not only called Tony by his full name, but that he'd also just called him a wonder boy. He continued. "Senator if I may, I may well not be an expert, but you know who was the expert? Your dad! Howard Stark. Really a father to us all-and to the military industrial age. We all know why we're here. In the last six months, Anthony Stark has a made a sword with untold possibilities, and yet he insists it's a shield and asks us to trust him while we cower behind it. I wish I were comforted Anthony, I really do. But We live in a world full of grave threats, Threats that Mr. stark will not always be able to foresee. Thank you. God bless Iron man God bless America." He finished, unnecessarily adding in the last part.
"Well said Mr. Hammer." Senator Stern agreed. "The committee would now like to invite lt. coronal James Rhodes to the chamber.
"Rhodey?" Tony said surprised.
Rhodey was a good friend of Stella and Tony and often hung out with the two. People with cameras started furiously snapping pictures of Rhodey as he walked in with his uniform on and a folder in his hand. He nodded to me in acknowledgement as he walked by. Tony got up to meet with him halfway.
"Hey buddy" He said "Funny seein you here."
Rhodey shook his hand and turned to the side, talking quietly.
"Look it's me, I'm here, deal with it. Let's move on" He said, knowing tony wouldn't be too happy with the fact that his friend would be reporting him.
"I have before me a complete report on the iron man weapon written by coronal Rhodes." Stern said. "And uh, for the record coronal could you please read page 57 paragraph four."
"Your requesting that I read specific selections from my report sir?" Rhodey asked.
"Yes."
"It is my understanding that I was going to testify in a more comprehensive and in detailed-"
"I understand a lot of things have changed today." Stern interrupted.
"You do understand that reading a single paragraph does not reflect the-"
"I do coronal just read it." Stern interrupted for the second time. Stella couldn't stand this man.
There was an awkward silence as Rhodey and the Senator stared each other down. Rhodey had no choice in the matter though, so he sighed and began reading.
"As he does not operate in any definable branch of government…" Rhodey paused as he took in a deep breath and shook his head "Iron man presents a potential threat to the security of both the nation and to her interest. I did however go on to summarize that the benefits of the iron man far outweigh the liabilities and that it would be in our interest to-"
"That's enough coronal!" Stern shouted. Stella was mad. Senator Stern was trying to make everybody think Tony was the bad guy here. Tony was the complete opposite of the bad guy! She knew better than to say anything though, so she just sat there quietly.
Now it was Tony's turn to add in. He'd been sitting leaned back in his chair as if this whole thing had bored him to death."I'm not a joiner but I'll consider secretary of defense if you ask nicely." He retorted, causing laughter yet again. Stella was glad that none of this was bothering Tony as much as it was bothering her.
"I'd like to go on and show, if I may, the images connected to your report."Stern said, signaling for Justin to get up.
"I believe it is somewhat premature to reveal these images to the general public." Rhodey defended with a look of obvious displeasure and dislike on his face.
"Carnal I understand and if you could just generate those images for us we'd be very great full"
Rhodey motioned angrily for the images to be put up on the screen.
Rhodey went on to explain that the images the people were viewing were attempts of other people and countries of making the Iron man suit. Tony wasn't listening and instead was using one of his high-tech devices to easily over ride the data being shown and show his own.
"If you'll direct your attention to said screens, I believe that's North Korea." He said, zooming in on a failed attempt of making the suit. Senator Stern was getting nervous and was asking anybody in the room to turn it off. Justin was the one to get up.
"Iran." Tony said nonchalantly as he showed another failed attempt.
Justin couldn't figure out how to stop the images on the screen.
"Is that Justin Hammer? How did Hammer get in the game?" Tony asked as the next video showed Justin together with someone in a suit. He was giving out orders, telling the man in the suit to lift his knee up. "Justin you're on TV look." Tony said. Justin was still having trouble figuring out how to turn off the screens. The committee members had started whispering worriedly to each other. After a failed attemt to turn it off, he finally just yanked the cord out of the outlet, leaving the sound of everybody murmuring left.
"I'd say most countries five to ten year away-Hammer industries 20." Tony said as he referred to the image of the man in the suit spinning 180 degrees as you heard cracks and screams. Rhodey smiled and shook his head as Stella held a proud grin.
"I'd like to point out that that test pilot survived." Justin said, defensive and nervous.
"Point is" Tony said waving his arm casually as if he were telling a story "You're welcome"
"For what?"
"Because, I'm your nuclear deterrent. It's working. We're safe. America is secure. You want my property you can't have it" Tony raised his voice as he slammed his hand on the table. "But I did you a big favor. I have successfully privatized world peace. " He got up and turned to everybody, lifted both of his arms and threw up peace signs-classic Tony Stark for you. Everybody stood and cheered as the paparazzi clicked pictures nonstop. "What more do you want?! For now! I try to play ball with these ass-clowns" He pointed over to the committee-mainly Senator Stern, who was standing up now, irritated.
"F*** You Mr. Stark, f*** you buddy" He said as Tony smiled at him. Pretty immature for a senator to say. Tony put on his sunglasses and blew kisses to Stern as Justin sat and stared at him. Rhodey just put his head down to hide his smile. Tony began walking out of the chamber shaking hands left and right with Stella following behind.
"My bond is with the people, and I will serve this great nation at the pleasure of myself. Because one thing that's proven, Is that you can count on me to pleasure myself." With that, Tony grabbed Stella's arm and walked her to the car.