Author's Note: Hello, everyone! It's taken XX years, but I've finally written this. If you've been waiting for it, sorry for the delay. If you've forgotten who I am and are wondering what this notification is for - sorry.
I wanted to first, thank my Beta, Mel, without whom this never would have gotten written.
Second, this is a sequel. If you're here and have never real An Iron Man Christmas Carol, you don't have to do that, but you should. Not just because I wrote it, but because - well - sequel.
If you've decided to opt out on the first installment (shame on you), here's the breakdown of what you should know before you delve into this fic:
'IM:IAWL' starts three years after Tony was held hostage in Afghanistan. Two years before 'IM:IAWL', 'AIMCC' takes place. Faced with spending another Christmas Eve drunk and alone, he was visited by four spirits - Yinsin, then his father was Christmas Past, his mother was Christmas Present, and Stane was Christmas Future. Their message was that if he didn't tell Pepper how he felt, horrible things would happen. Tony doesn't want to tell her because he doesn't think he's good enough for her and will only end up hurting her. Dad showed him his relationship with former girlfriend, Sunset Bain, who ripped him off. His mother emphasized the importance of love in his life in all forms, not just for a partner or with friends, but with his community. Stane showed Tony the tragic fate he and Pepper are destined for. Happy ending for all, yay! Go read it, it's better that way.
Thank you for reading. - KNH
Iron Man: It's A Wonderful Life
Chapter One
May
"Breaking News: The U.S. Embassy in Kabul was attacked this morning by members of an Islamic fundamentalist political group known as-
June
" -Gauntlet is accused of abducting more than a hundred women and young girls from their homes throughout the Kandahar province this afternoon. Their whereabouts are currently unknown, but in a video, their leader issued a challenge to..."
July
"My fellow Americans. Our country faces severe hardship; but we cannot meet them if
the challenges of our past are left unattended. The state of our economy is poor; jobs have been lost; many have suffered, and continue to do so. For these reasons, it would be irresponsible, at this time, for the United States to enter into a costly war with the terrorist organization known as Gauntlet, or with the country in which they reside. To do so would put undue strain on our already burdened country, and ailing communities.
"Non-combatant ground troops have been placed in Afghanistan, and will serve as a deterrent against those who have taken it upon themselves to threaten this great nation. I say to them that we are not weak, nor will we be idle. We will be vigilant, and will be prepared for-"
August
"…the bombing of a transport filled with American military personnel on their way to Kandahar has been confirmed. Gauntlet has claimed responsibility for the attack, and recent evidence has come to light, linking the organization to the terrorist cell known as the Ten Rings. This is the same organization involved in the kidnapping, three years ago, of billionaire Tony-"
September
" –Stark is nowhere to be seen."
"Bill, why is he even a part of this conversation?"
"Doesn't he have some sort of obligation? If we go to war, we're going to need weapons, and until three years ago, he was the best in the business. The President has called on all Americans to support our troops; this would be a much better way to do it than hosting those charity fundraisers of his."
"That raise millions."
"Let him raise money for other causes, Jon - or additionally."
"Doesn't he has a contract with the government? They could always enforce that. But he hasn't exactly been idle. He's got his hands in everything."
"This is a matter of whether or not he has a duty to use his talents for the good of his fellow man, and if so, where would his abilities best be of service. Considering the threat we're facing, devoting his energies to-"
October
"-Iron Man is a waste of time?"
"No one's saying that, Ann, but Iron Man is one person. An entire army of Iron Men would send a strong message to Gauntlet."
"I've heard that he's refused to allow anyone to even touch the Iron Man technology but himself. For someone who says he's lost his appetite for weapons, it looks like he just went and created a bigger and better one for himself."
"So, they used to call him the Merchant of Death. He spends three months in Afghanistan, doing who knows what, and suddenly, it's like he's born again. Now he refuses to manufacture weapons, even when they might be needed... If thousands are dying because he won't do his part, isn't that the same thing?"
"Alright, Pete. Let's be fair - there are other weapons manufacturers."
"Who, Hammer Industries? Be serious - there's a reason they call Stark the modern da Vinci, and it has nothing to do with an interest in egg tempura paint."
November
"…just two weeks after journalist Lane Park was executed by firing squad, humanitarian aid worker, Theresa Klein, was stoned to death this afternoon, bringing the number of American civilians in Afghanistan murdered by Gauntlet to thirteen. Whether the President will take action in light of these mounting hostilities…"
December
"...mounting criticism against industrialist Tony Stark, due to his continued silence in response to the suggestion made that Stark Industries reopen its weapons manufacturing division, which Stark personally closed four years ago next March.
"Meanwhile, employees of Stark Industries have reported encountering negative backlash for what a growing percentage of the country is beginning to perceive as Stark's 'crime'."
"I wore my S.I. security badge when I went out to lunch last week, and, ah, the woman behind the counter refused to serve me."
"Someone threw a can of soda at me yesterday as I was driving out of the employee parking garage. Damn near broke my windshield."
"My parents wants me to quit, but Mr. Stark has been so good to us. My brother, though, he gave notice this morning. He's worried about what to say on his resume, and his wife's real sick."
"Ms. Pepper Potts, personal assistant to Tony Stark, issued a statement today at Stark Industries, apparently speaking on behalf of her employer, providing the first glimpse we've had in months of what people in the Stark camp have been thinking amid this fury:
"We don't deny our past, here at Stark Industries; to do so would go against everything we have worked so hard to achieve since we ceased manufacturing weapons. We know that many of you encourage us to resume that line of work, and in that, you will be disappointed. We have seen Stark Industry weapons in the hands of men like those who now threaten us. Men who used our weapons to terrorize, to kill, and to control, others. We will not make more, even with the best of intentions - protecting our own - only to see them turned against us again. Instead, we will continue to find alternate means of defending this country, and her troops.
"A brief word to our employees - those who've stayed, as well as those who've left. We appreciate all the work you've done for us, as we apologize for all the hardship you've endured. We can't understand your personal struggles, but if there is anything we can do to support you in these difficult times, please come to us.
"That will be all for tonight. No questions - thank you."
"No word yet on why it was Ms. Potts who addressed the press today and not Stark Industries C.E.O., Tony Stark, who has become increasingly less visible over the past six months - his last sighting outside of Stark Tower, was over six weeks ago. - Bob?"
Now...