I own nothing but the OCs
Chapter 1: New Origins
In a small area just outside the city limits of Hollywood California lay a small area of old abandoned warehouses. At first glance it would seem like nothing more than what it appeared to be, but what no one knew was that inside a select row of these warehouses was a secret passage way that lead underground to a top secret laboratory that belonged to a government organization that was widely, if not completely unknown to the general public and many members of each nation's government save for specific government leaders of each nation. Inside this lab, was a massive, darkened room that held what looked like many armored suits that were mostly hidden by the lack of light, and on the main level of the lab, a test of one of these suits was being carried out by a leading figure for this division of the agency. One which had just recently failed, much to his chagrin.
"I just don't get it," He exclaimed. "We have done everything necessary, had multiple tests and simulations run, and yet the system still predicts a minimum of fifty five percent chance of failure to operating the suits effectively in the way that we both intend to and need them to operate."
"Perhaps the problem isn't with the suits or even the hardware," A feminine voice suddenly spoke up from behind him. "Maybe what we need to do is consider looking at it from another angle. Try thinking of the effectiveness of a new kind of pilot for the suits."
That last bit is what really had the man's attention, and got him to thinking. A new kind of pilot huh? Maybe, just maybe, it is time that we launched the program. It may be earlier than we had intended, but seeing how effectiveness is at its all time high as it is right now, we may not have a choice. He thought to himself. He then stood up and walked out of the room to the communications center for the central command. He typed in the necessary pass codes and then waited for a reply, and he did not have to wait long.
"This is Command. Go ahead Armory," the supreme commander said. Though one could easily tell that the supreme commander wished to keep his identity hidden just from the fact that his image was silhouetted and a voice synthesizer was used to alter his voice, there was no denying that there was something familiar about the person on the holographic screen that acted as the main monitor for the comm. line.
"Sir, we have been able to raise the effectiveness of the armors to their all time best with the current given conditions, but we have not been able to reach beyond a fifty five percent chance of failure in said conditions," the man reported. He then paused for a moment before continuing. "I believe it may be time to launch the program. We may not get better results in the meantime, and really this might be our best bet. We have never been more ready than we are right now."
The commander paused to consider what he was just told for a moment. One could see his silhouetted figure move into a thinking position as he did so, and that suddenly made the man feel somewhat nervous. After much time of thinking, the commander finally said, "Very well. You are now hereby authorized to jump start Project: Armored Avengers. Make sure you choose the operatives wisely, because only the best people can be allowed to pilot the armors, and that does not just apply to physical skills and levels of intelligence. Just keep that in mind."
"Understood sir," the man replied as he saluted before the communication ended and then holographic screen shut off. He then turned and headed for the elevator that led to the exit. "Tell everyone that testing has ended and that Project: Armored Avengers is now active and in progress," he told the woman on his way out.
"So are you going to find the first one yourself then," the woman asked.
"Why not," he replied. "After all whoever ends up wearing that armor will be taking on a legacy that I had helped bring to the big screen in four movies. You can understand why I would want someone that I personally approve of and pick to be in the real life versions of the suits I wore Hollywood copies of."
With that said he left the secret underground base and headed for the car waiting outside. He knew where he was going to head first, because they had been looking into the best candidates for Project: Armored Avengers for some time now, especially in the case of the one he was now going after. It was time to recruit the person that would become the pilot of the only suit category that could lead this team, and incidentally the person that would become this new team's leader.
Armored Avengers
"YEAH! WOO-HOO! GO IRON MAN," screamed an excited young fan as he watched the movie Iron Man 3 for what seemed to his roommate to be the hundredth time. The young man was one Robert James Landry, a huge fan of Marvel Comics, especially in the case of Iron Man with Captain America being a close second. He was dressed in his usual daily attire of a simple red long sleeved shirt, blue jeans, a belt that had a cell phone and iPod Touch clipped onto it, white socks, black sneakers, and a digital wrist watch on his left wrist. The 23 year old man was one of the smartest people you would ever meet, some would say that we was smart enough to be a real life Tony Stark, but his biggest problem was that despite all his genius, he could not figure out why he was unable to get a job. Seeing as that was the case, Robert spent all the time he was out of the apartment searching for jobs, and when he was not using the computer to submit an online application or to look for a job, he was here busy watching some of his favorite Marvel heroes in action, particularly Iron Man.
"Hey man, come on," Robert's roommate finally said after Robert's latest bit of excited cheering. "You've watched that movie like a hundred times now. Do you think you could tone it down a little on the excessively loud commentary?"
"I can't help it Caz," Robert replied. "This movie is just so awesome. I mean sure it is not The Avengers, but it is still the best Iron Man movie yet."
His roommate now identified as Casswell "Caz" Samuels, just sighed in exasperation. He was a taller, dark skinned, big man, who normally wore a simple black shirt that seemed to be a snug fit like a shirt some guys wore for a workout, dark colored pants, and simple white shoes. Since he was best friends with Robert, and they were almost always seen hanging out together, some people had said that since Robert was like a real life Tony Stark that made Caz his real life Rhodey. In a way that was somewhat true, because Caz was the type of big guy that would always stand up for the little guy simply because he hated seeing others getting pushed around, and he always made sure to look out for his long time friend, Robert. Some days it seemed like Robert would be completely or unable to survive the day without Caz watching his back, especially back in high school when the jocks would try to push him around. He was also a fan of Iron Man, like Robert, but he tended to lean more towards Iron Man's friend and partner, War Machine. "I do not understand why you like that movie so much dude," Caz told Robert. "It is not that great a movie."
"Oh you are just still miffed that War Machine did not get as much screen time in the movies as he should have gotten. At least in your opinion," Robert retorted.
"I am not," Caz retorted.
"Are too."
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am-. Hey wait a minute. You are just trying trick me into watching with you by starting a childish argument," Caz suddenly realized.
"Who? Me? Now why would I-," Robert was suddenly cut off when his phone went off, with a ringtone that was the theme song of Iron Man: Armored Adventures. Thinking it might be someone calling him about a job he quickly whipped out his phone and answered it saying, "Hello."
"Is this Robert James Landry," the voice on the other end asked.
"Yes this is he," Robert replied.
"I have a job for you that I would like to speak to you about in person. Come to the local mall right away. It is extremely important that you come now."
"Why is it that- Hello? Hello," Robert then looked at his phone and saw that whoever was on the other end had hung up on him. He paused for a moment wondering why it was so important to come right then, but then he just shrugged it off. After all, a chance for a job was a chance for a job.
"Hey I'm going to be heading out for a bit. Might have found a new job prospect," He told Caz as he grabbed one of his many jackets, this one in particular being a black one with a green stripe on the outside of each of the sleeves that went from the end of the sleeves up to the jacket's collar. "I'll probably be back late so don't wait up for me."
Caz just grunted an acknowledgement, glad that he would not have to deal with the loud commentary that his roommate always gave whenever he watched Iron Man 3, and switched off the player and the television as Robert headed out the door to his car. Caz prayed that Robert would get the job he was offered this time, not that he did not mind having Robert around, but after a while, he could only take so much of the Iron Man fan boy's joy at seeing the hero in action in any one of the movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe alone for so long.
Armored Avengers
Robert had gotten to the mall no problem, and had trouble finding a good parking space of course, and was now just wandering around the food court thinking that it would be the most likely place to meet whoever had called him out there. He kept thinking to himself how strange it was that someone, whom he had never met before as far as he knew, had suddenly called him out of the blue to offer him a job. Though he would be lying if he were to say that the voice did not sound familiar.
"Excuse me! Robert James Landry?" Someone suddenly called out. Robert instantly recognized it as the same voice as the person who called him on the phone. He looked towards the source and, to his surprise, saw that the person who was calling out to him and motioning for him to come over was none other than Robert Downey Junior, the man who played Tony Stark, better known as Iron Man, in all three Iron Man movies and in The Avengers.
"Um, are you really the one who called me? Mister Downey sir," Robert asked as he came over and sat down at the table that the famous actor was sitting at.
"Yes I am," Downey replied, "that is unless you see someone else waiting to meet you here. Like I said on the phone, I would like to recruit you for a special job I have for you."
"Why me though?"
"That is because you are unique. You have shown to have exceptional skills and extraordinary abilities that others do not posses, and because of that, you have been selected to become a part of something bigger than anyone could ever imagine. This is something that most people in society would believe to be impossible, something that has not been able to be done until now. This is something that would allow you to give people a reason to believe that heroes really can exist and do exist. I will not force you to agree of course, but if you want to help make a difference in the world, then I highly suggest you agree to see exactly what we are offering for you to become a part of."
This little speech threw Robert for a loop. It sounded almost as though the man before him had actually just paraphrased a line from the movie Man of Steel that had come out the same summer as Iron Man 3, but at the same time, it sounded like something that actually was for real. Robert was curious about that, but there was one thing that really had him hooked, when Downey had said that he would be able to make a difference. More than anything, that was what Robert was hoping to do with any job he would take on. Sure there were jobs that he was more than adequately qualified for, but the problem was just that he felt like he needed to take a job where he could help make a real difference, not just in his own life or in that job, but in the lives of everyone in the world. He wanted that more than anything else, and if it were possible for that to happen now, then he knew exactly what his answer should be. "Alright, I am interested. Now tell me, what exactly is it that you want me to see?"
Downey smiled at that answer, and then he stood up and motioned for Robert to follow him. They both walked out of the building, to a limo that was waiting for them outside. He allowed Robert to enter the vehicle first before getting in himself and telling the driver where to take them. He then turned to Robert and said, "Congratulations kid. You have now taken your first steps into entering the R.M.H.F."
"The what," Robert asked, confusion just as evident on his face as it was in his voice.
"The R.M.H.F. It stands for Real Marvel Heroes Force," Downey then clarified. "We are a new secret organization that has a simple mission of making the heroes of the Marvel Comics, some if not all the things they can do, and the technology they use a reality. We have not been able to get close to doing so in my division until now though. The only thing we are missing at the moment is the right operative to get things started."
"What is it exactly that your division does? And what is it called," Robert asked.
"Our division is known by the code name of Armory. Our responsibilities are simple and have a simple start. That start is..." he paused for a moment to add a little dramatic effect. "To create the first ever, real Iron Man."
Robert could only gasp in amazement at this, and the shock of this revelation was evident on his face. A real live Iron Man? As in an Iron Man that truly exists in real life and not just in a live action movie? It was unbelievable to say the least, and it was almost like a dream come true for him. He had always wanted to see someone create a real Iron Man armor, but he had no idea that someone was already working on it, or for that matter, was close to completing it. Still, that left the question of what any of that had to do with him unanswered. That was when he noticed something strange about his surroundings outside the limo.
He did not know how long it had escaped his notice, but it seemed for some time now, they had been on the outskirts of the city, and appeared to be heading for a section of old, abandoned Hollywood warehouses. The limo then pulled into one of these warehouses and then came to a stop. The next thing he knew, there was the sound of machinery starting up, and they began descending into what appeared to be an underground elevator. Where it lead to he did not know, but he did know that it had to be something really big if what Downey had told him really was true.
Moments later, the elevator had stopped and Downey gestured for him to get out of the vehicle, and the second Robert did, he saw that what he had been told was very much true indeed. The room he had stepped into was a massive complex with each of the walls having a space in it that housed what looked like exact replicas of each Iron Man Armor there had ever been, save for the ones with an entrance and exit door on opposing sides. He could see the Mark Forty Two, the Heartbreaker Armor, and every other armor that had been in the movies, including the suits that were in the final epic battle near the end of the third movie as well as suits that had only been in either the comics or certain animated series from television. Along with the various Iron Man Armors, there were also other suits for the other armored heroes of the Marvel Comics universes, and Robert could only stare in awe at the mere sight of all this. He could feel Downey smirking from behind him, as said Hollywood actor walked up to stand beside him, and said, "Welcome Robert, the Hall of Armors, the main hanger and repair center of Armory. I would get a good look at the Iron Man suits now if I were you kid, because you are the one who is going to become the pilot of them. You are the operative I was talking about."
Robert could not believe what he had just heard. Robert Downey Junior was actually telling him that he had been selected to become the first ever, real life Iron Man. As soon as Robert had absorbed the sight around him, along with the information he had just been given, he followed Downey to the elevator exit on the other side of the room. One elevator ride later, they arrived in the main lab, where a few technicians and scientists were seen working on multiple tasks that would no doubt ensure the success of a mission or that the armors would not fail in the field while in use. Once they were out of the elevator, Robert finally asked Downey an important question that had been bothering him. "About this whole thing and the need to select a pilot for the suit," Robert began, "Why did you choose me? I mean, isn't there anyone better suited or qualified to become a real life version of Iron Man than some random guy from the city? What makes me so much different from anyone else that you think that I am best suited to become Iron Man?"
"That is an excellent question," Downey answered. "You are actually quite correct, because in terms of capabilities there are people who are more qualified to pilot any one of the Iron Man armors. The problem there is that most of those people are either soldiers who know of nothing but combat or are simply just big guys who are bullies. Now if we were looking for someone who was to pilot a different suit in the category designation of War Machine then we probably would not have a problem, emphasis on probably; however, our mission objective states that we cannot start this officially until we have recruited and deployed someone in one of the Iron Man suits. The best person to pilot Iron Man armor cannot be a soldier, because Iron Man is not a soldier. He is a hero, and only someone who truly understands what it means to be Iron Man can be the pilot of the suit, or more specifically someone who understands that such technology should be used to help people and save lives, not to destroy them. As soon as I found out about you I knew that you were the best person for this job."
The whole time Downey was talking, Robert could not help but be amazed and honored all at once. To think that someone could truly believe that he could be able to become Iron Man was incredible to say the least, but the man who actually played Iron Man in the movies himself was here not only saying he could do so to his face but he was actually telling him that he was actually going to do it for real, and the only person who would know if someone could be a real life Iron Man best, aside from Stan Lee, would be the man standing before him. The Iron Man fan boy in him was jumping around cheering like a fan girl meeting her favorite rock star, but the man himself just had a permanent look of shock on his face that said that he was amazed that this was actually happening. He knew people always believed he was like a real life version of Tony Stark, but not only was he now actually going to prove them right, but he would actually have the high-tech suit to go with it all. Now there was only one question he had left. "Where do we start?"
Downey smiled when the kid asked that, as he hoped he would. He then asked him to follow him and they stepped into Armory's medical lab, which was where Robert's journey would begin. "Here in the medical lab, we will be able to start your process to becoming Iron Man," Downey told him. "What do you know about Extremis?"
"I know it is the title of a six part Iron Man story arc from the comic title The Invincible Iron Man. In the story, an old friend of Tony Stark's, Maya Hansen, called him asking for help after her project was stolen by a terrorist, Mallen. When Mallen over powers Iron Man in battle, Stark has Maya inject him with an improved version of the Extremis formula so he could become, and I quote, 'Iron Man inside and out'. It allowed him to call the armor to him and form it around him by simply thinking at it. A number of the elements in the story arc were actually used in some of the Iron Man movies and The Avengers, in a sense. Most notable being Iron Man 3, where Extremis itself was actually used by A.I.M."
"Well, it would seem that you really are quite the Iron Man fan. Your knowledge on the subject is quite extensive. I ask because we have created a similar process that will allow you to use all of the Iron Man armors and call them to you from anywhere at any time. This is actually your last chance to back out if you want, because once you are injected with Extremis R, as we call it, there will not be any more chances to back out. You will be Iron Man for good until the day you die."
Well if Robert was not worried about this before, he most definitely was now. Admittedly, he was a little nervous about becoming Iron Man, but after hearing that he was more than a little nervous. He began weighing the pros and cons to all this. On one hand he would not only be able to have a guaranteed form of protection at all times that he could call to him instantly, but he would also finally be able to use highly advanced technology to help people and make a real difference in the world. On the other hand, however, he would also more than likely be facing serious life threatening danger and eventually people that would want to try and kill him, because everyone knew that becoming a superhero meant that eventually you had to deal with supervillains as well. After much considering though, which took only a few moments, he finally gave an answer as he looked to Downey and the scientists. "Do it."
After what felt like hours later, which was really just a few minutes or so, Robert had been fully injected with the Extremis R serum, which he later found out was short for Extremis Real. He was then led back into the lab, which doubled as the main control center and launch zone for the armors, which could deploy four armors at once. Downey had Robert stand near the middle of the room near the launch pad and prepared to instruct him in what to do. "Alright kid, now we are going to start you off with the Iron Man Mark Forty Two armor," he instructed as said armor was raised into the control center to prep for deployment, "All you have to do is just think at it. Imagine it as nothing more than an extension of your own body like an outer shell that can instantly come on or off through your own will. Then tell it to come to you."
Thinking of what Downey had just told him, Robert looked directly at the suit of armor that was sitting in its storage unit, imagining it as an extension of his body. He then raised his right hand in front of him as a way to indicate that he wanted it to come to him and help him focus. Almost immediately after he had raised his arm, the appropriate piece of the armor instantly responded and flew right to him and formed around his hand and lower arm. Then the rest of the armor up to the shoulder came to him and did the same, followed by the left leg, then his right leg, and the rest of the armor finishing up with the helmet and its face plate, which led to him finishing in the iconic Iron Man pose of having one of his fist on the ground with the other in the air while he was crouched down. "Well? How did I do," he asked.
"Not bad kid," Downey replied with a smile. "Now we just need to run through a few more tests to make sure that-"
"Mister Downey sir," a voice over the intercom suddenly interrupted. "We have just intercepted an emergency alert. There is a massive fire raging in a hotel building and people are still trapped inside. The firemen cannot get to them in time before the fire causes the building to start collapsing around them."
"We are not ready yet," Downey spoke into the intercom system's microphone. "The kid has only started training to get used to the armor and the Extremis R. We cannot just launch without being-"
"I am going out there," Robert interrupted. "And I am going to save those people."
"What," Downey cried. "Kid, you are not ready yet. You have only just started training and you have not even started flight or combat training."
"We do not have time to train, and those people are not going to wait for me to complete any of that," Robert argued as he ran over to the launch pad designated for Iron Man. "Now you can either let me go and save those people or you can stay out of my way, because I will not stand by and do nothing when I know I can do something to help."
Downey did not need to see Robert's face to know the kid was serious and there was no way to change his mind. "Alright," Downey finally relented. He then moved over to the command center's central command station so he could provide full support for the rookie as he continued saying, "Iron Man launch sequence is now on standby. All personnel clear the launch zones. Repeat all personnel clear the launch zones. This is not a drill people. We are now officially becoming fully active."
He then looked to the Robert who gave an affirmative nod. Downey nodded back and typed in the final commands to finish activating the launch zone's systems and opened the respective launch zone doors. "Checking final launch preparation systems," Downey said. "All systems are go. Launch zone doors are now open and course is clear. Landry, you are clear to launch when ready."
"Roger that," Robert responded. "Iron Man Mark Forty Two Armor, launching now!"
With that Robert blasted off through the launch zone exit. From there the suit's systems and those of the launch zone guided him out of the complex and into the air. He then followed the suit's navigator systems to where the emergency call had come from and moved around to fly in that direction. It took him a few moments to get a handle on how the flight system's controls worked, as well as getting used to the fact that he was flying period, but eventually Robert was able to gain a good grasp of the whole thing and was at the burning hotel building in no time. He then had the suit, the A.I. of which was known as J.A.R.V.I.S. like in the movies and a number of the animated series that Iron Man was in these days, locate the heat sources of human beings that were in the building.
"Mister Landry sir," J.A.R.V.I.S. said. "I have located a total of five human heat sources still within the confines of the building. At least two of them have been positively identified as rescue officials and they are transporting two of the heat signatures to safety."
"Will they be able to make it," Robert asked.
"Affirmative."
"What about the fifth heat signature?"
"It has been confirmed to be trapped on the top floor, and it would appear that they are unable to move due to being paralyzed from the waist down. Rescue workers will be unable to reach the individual in time."
"Then that is where I am going," Robert said, his voice full of determination, as he rocketed up to the top most floor of the building and into an open window. The flames licked against the metal of the armor as he made his way through the inferno to the trapped civilian.
At last he finally saw the person he was trying to save, trapped by the flames and sitting in a wheel chair. The woman, who had dark hair and was probably in her mid to late thirties, appeared to be barely conscious as he approached. She tried look up and caught a glimpse of Robert in his armor walking through the flames. "Who are you," she barely whispered out.
"I am here to help," Robert replied. He then picked her up so that he was holding her in his arms bridal style as he said, "Do not worry. It is going to be okay."
Outside, the floor they were on appeared to explode, and the crowd below became very worried but none more so, than a young woman screaming out for her mother with tears in her eyes. Then someone cried out to look up, and everyone looked to where the explosion had happened. What they saw was unbelievable to say the least, as there, from the inferno and smoke of the explosion came what looked like a man in red and gold flying down from the building towards the crowd carrying a woman in his arms.
"Mom," the woman who was screaming with tears in eyes earlier cried out as she ran towards where the man was setting her down on a stretcher for the paramedics.
"Oh sweetie, do not cry. I am fine. Thanks to him," the woman told her daughter as she looked at her rescuer, who seemed to bow his head in shyness.
"Yes. Thank you so much," the younger girl said to the mystery hero. "Tell me, who are you?"
The armored hero looked around and saw everyone in the crowd staring at him, waiting in anticipation for his answer. He paused for a moment, almost like he was thinking of what he should say, but really he did know what to say. He then looked to the crowd and replied, "I am Iron Man."
To say the gathered crowd was both amazed and shocked was putting it mildly, but when Iron Man crouched a bit and then blasted off into the sky to help put out the fire before flying off into the distance, they were most definitely true believers.
Armored Avengers
Later that day, Robert was finishing up the last of his training sessions for the day. Since he had already used the Mark Forty Two so much that day, it made the most sense to make that his default armor and practice in it for now. "Simulation Complete," the computer then said.
Downey then walked in as the program shut down. "Not bad kid," he congratulated Robert. "And nice work out there today. The reports of your rescue work are already all over the news. You really helped a lot of people today, and this is only the beginning."
"You're right about that Downey," Robert agreed. "I have always wanted to use my genius to help build and use technology that could help people and make a real difference in the world. Now, I can do that and more, because now that is exactly what Robert James Landry…no that is what Iron Man is going to do."
"Well, I am certainly glad to hear that kid," Downey told him. "Because we are only getting started."
When Robert gave him a confused look, Downey motioned for him to come over to the main computer in the control lab. "As you may have noticed, we do have more than one category of armor in the Hall of Armors, and as such, we are going to need more than one pilot," Downey explained. "So as of now, your job is to help us find people who would be best suited to fill in the remaining three positions of armor categories and become the leader of this new team, that we are calling the Armored Avengers."
"Well then," Robert stated, "Let's get started."
Armored Avengers
Meanwhile, in an unknown location, a man hidden in the shadows was viewing multiple monitors that showed multiple news stations and security camera feeds from all over both the city and the world as a man dressed in a black, leather-like material came in and saluted him before giving a report.
"Sir, I am afraid that our plans with the inferno at the hotel complex have failed," the leather wearing man reported. "There was an unexpected interference from an unknown individual."
"No my lesser intelligent lackey," the shadowed man responded. "The plans did not fail. We have now confirmed that some old friends of mine have completed phase one of their operations. That was the intention all along. We have now confirmed that the first armor category is operational and a pilot has been found for it. To put it in terms that your simple mind can comprehend, we have confirmed that the one obstacle to our plan now exists. We now know that Iron Man exists, and we are now able to begin preparations to deal with him once and for all. Now I suggest you make yourself useful, and commence with those preparations immediately."
"By your orders," the lackey replied as he saluted. "Mister Fix."
AN: Next time on Iron Man and the Armored Avengers, the word is now officially out that Robert is working as an assistant to Robert Downey Jr. and some people are a little skeptical. "Rob man, come on. I'm just saying it's a little strange." "I know Caz, but that is just how it is."
And our hero gets a visit from not one but two stunning red heads. "Robert, I would like you to meet Gwyneth Paltrow. Armory's head medical expert and field technician." "Hey Rob! It is so good to see you again." "Kari! It's been a long time, and yet you're still as beautiful as ever. Well, you know for a doctor I mean." "You'll never change Robert, but that's just one of the things I like about you."
Unfortunately, some people don't want Robert to see only red, but Crimson as well. "The Iron Man. Long have I awaited this moment." "Yep, this day has definitely redefined the old saying about seeing red. Except now I'm seeing crimson too." Can Iron Man handle an enemy that can almost match him in all aspects of armor strength so soon in his hero career? "It's time to Armor up!" Find out on the next exciting chapter of…Iron Man and the Armored Avengers!