Maschera di Ferro

03: The Genius

"What the hell?!" When the screen paused, almost everyone started muttering and shouting, curses were flying everywhere and Loki simply cocked his head in genuine surprise and interest. Pepper's eyes were filled with tears when they finished watching the first scene.

Steve was filled with dread, guilt, and anger at the same time. He couldn't exactly comprehend what is happening right now. That couldn't be Tony, right? He tried denying, yet he knew in his mind and in his heart that that was Tony. "God," Steve grimaced slightly, he couldn't imagine that that happened to Tony. His heart was beating so quick that he was surprised that he wasn't having a heart attack right now.

"Are you okay, punk?" Bucky whispered worriedly, and so quietly that Steve almost hadn't heard him. He turned to look at him and showed a small smile; Everyone came to a stop when the screen flickered again and a voice was heard throughout the penthouse-like room.

"Visionary. Genius." a deep resonating voice echoed throughout the room. Magazines were shown and pictures of young Tony and his father were seen.

The loud voice over the speakers almost let Wanda let out a startled yelp because one of the speakers was beside her and she could hear everything, thank you very much.

"American patriot," the voice continued.

"As if," Steve scoffed and crossed his arms again causing Bruce to fiercely glare at him, Loki quirked an eyebrow at that, though, a smirk growing in his face.

"Even from an early age, the son of legendary weapons developer Howard Stark quickly stole the spotlight with his brilliant and unique mind. At age four, he built his first circuit board,"

"Woah!" Jane gaped and Thor looked on confusedly, seeing him like that, Bruce almost chuckled and replied,

"Maybe in Asgard years, the 4 years old here in Earth equals to maybe around 200 years old?" Thor widened his eyes in awe and even Loki's eyebrows raised higher. An amazing feat for someone so young. 'Maybe he might interest me, after all.' Loki thought grudgingly.

"At age six, his first engine,"

Clint joined the gaping club and Bucky secretly raised his head in fascination. Bruce's eyes widened significantly and Rhodes snorted, "All of you have forgotten what Tony was before the Iron Man suit. Didn't he told you? Genius, after all,"

"And at seventeen, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from MIT,"

"I didn't know that he achieved so many feats at a young age," Helen muttered, her eyes showing awe. Pepper quipped, "He graduated Summa Cum Laude, he majored in in Physics and electrical engineering and it was so easy for him, he received Master's degree in both. Then he received multiple PhDs in physics, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering,"

She hid a smirk at the dazed look from everyone, even Bruce had a fascinated look on him.

"So, why doesn't everyone call him Doctor?" Maria asked and Pepper shrugged, "People are too ignorant nowadays. They just saw Iron Man, not the genius who created the Iron Man suit and handled the Stark Industries at the same time,"

And finally, they came to a realization, Stark is a certified genius after all, not just a superhero, but a genius and businessman, rather.

"Then the passing of a titan." A newspaper was shown with the highlights of Howard Stark's death in a supposedly car crash along with his wife, Maria Collins Carbonell Stark.

"Howard died in a car crash?" Steve asked, seemingly surprised as if he hadn't known. He and Bucky shared a look together and Bucky's eyes widened significantly when he finally remembered. He remembered the look on Howard's face when he died. And the car crash wasn't the cause of it, the cause of it was because of him, the Winter Soldier. A look of horror drifted through his face when he remembered killing Howard, Maria, and Edwin Jarvis.

He swallowed loudly in panic and fled the room, shutting the door behind him, Steve immediately stood up while the others quirked an eyebrow and asked questions. Steve ignored them and ran quickly to follow Bucky but a hand stopped him. He glared at the one who dared stopped him and calmed down when he saw it was Wilson.

"Let him stay alone, for a while, Steve, he might need some time alone thinking." Scott added nervously and Steve glanced through the door and sighed, rubbing his head with his thumbs, sitting down and Wilson grinned.

"Howard Stark's lifelong friend and ally, Obadiah Stane, steps in to help fill the gap left by the legendary founder, until at age 21, the prodigal son returns and is anointed the new CEO of the Stark Industries."

"They make it sound so big and important," Clint scoffed while Natasha frowned and rolled her eyes, "It is, Clint. I hate to admit, but they are the biggest and richest company that supplied weapons, after all. "

"Is this the Obadiah you are speaking about?" Thor boomed loudly, frowning as he sensed a kind of danger around the man. "I don't like him!" He declared and the others seem to nod in agreement. Vision frowned secretly, he knew who that man was, being Jarvis after all and he knew that man was up to no good. Wanda also agreed, though silently, she shuddered. The look from the man immediately screamed danger, she knew and she shared a look with her brother who seemed to think the same thing.

"You wouldn't like him after you would learn what he did to Tony," Rhodes huffed and they tried to not ask questions, they could see it was a sore object for him but they were just given a hint to what his true intentions are.

"With the keys to the kingdom, Tony ushers in a new era for his father's legacy, creating smarter weapons, advanced robots, satellite targeting. Today, Tony Stark has changed the face of the weapons industry by ensuring freedom and protecting America and her interests around the globe," the camera zoomed out, showing many people sitting in a large auditorium, clapping.

"Wow!" Darcy told in delight and almost a few chucked at the almost maniacal-crazy look in her eye. She almost looked like a mad scientist, there.

"As liaison to Stark Industries," said on-screen Colonel Rhodes into the microphone. "I've had the unique privilege of serving with a real patriot. He is my friend and he is my great mentor. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present this year's Apogee Award to Mr. Tony Stark."

"Whoa, that's kinda huge of an award," Helen exclaimed, her glasses almost falling of her face. Alongside with her, Jane and Darcy were nodding enthusiastically with awe shining bright in their eyes.

"Twenty bucks that Tony's not gonna be there," Natasha betted and stared towards Wilson with a mysterious mischievous glint in her eye. Sam didn't notice though and nodded, Pepper and Rhodes secretly pitied him. They knew Tony weren't going to be there. They experienced it after all.

"Tony?" Rhodey asked, a smile clearly fake on his face.

"Wilson," Natasha smirked at him, the definition of a boastful smile to her. Her hand was out and in a waiting motion, Sam grudgingly handed her twenty bucks and she smirked defiantly. Pietro was hiding a snort and Wanda seemingly looked amused.

"I can't believe him," Steve huffed and settled for a scowl instead. Of course, the usual Tony attitude, why was he even surprised?

Rhodey looked around slightly and glanced at Obadiah who shook his head before rising from his seat, "Thank you, Colonel."

"Thanks for the save." Rhodey muttered silently before handing over the award and stepping back.

"This is , ah, beautiful - thank you -, thank you all very much, this is wonderful," He kept glancing over the award with a dazed look on his face.

"He's hiding a very well poker face, huh," T'Challa sarcastically said, causing many chuckles to erupt. The man was right, Obadiah looked so constipated and so fake.

"Well, I'm not Tony Stark," said Stane, and the audience laughed gleefully. "But if I were Tony, I would tell you how honored I am, and, ahh, what a joy to receive this prestigious award,"

"No, he won't," Maria said bluntly, familiar with the man's ways, and Pepper nodded her head towards her. Suddenly, everyone startled when the door suddenly opens and Bucky entered the room silently, Steve immediately came towards him and everyone went back to their original places when they saw the two having a silent moment.

"Tony, you know, the best thing about Tony is also the worst thing. He's always working,"

Natasha hid a mischievous smirk and Clint scowled, he knew that look. That look that fooled many, Clint shot her a playful glare and Natasha simply arched a perfect eyebrow. Her hands were suddenly twirling a pen - who knows where it even came from - even though it wasn't a weapon, all of them knew what she can do with just a pen. She can injure people with just a single pen.

"Well, he's sure about—," Bruce stopped when he saw the next scene, drooping slightly with a sigh.

The scene abruptly changed and Tony was shown in a casino throwing a dice on a gambling table, smirking as his sunglasses covered his eyes as he watched where they fell.

"Work it! Come on!" Tony exclaimed and turned around to flirt with one of the women only to be distracted by the next one, who slipped her hands on his shoulders and over his chest as he turned to her.

"We should just... stay, till morning," he said with a smirk playing across his lips.

"Che, working? Maybe working into getting one of the girls," Scott scoffed and Thor smirked. Hidden behind them, a smirk was growing into Loki's lips, his eyes were mischievously glinting with mirth.

"You are unbelievable."

"Oh, no! Did they rope you into this?" Tony sighed, throwing the dice again.

"Nobody roped me into anything!" said onscreen Rhodey. "But they told me if I presented you with an award, you'd be deeply honored."

"Of course I'd be deeply honored, and it's you, and it's great, so when do we do it?" Tony responds, turning back to gaze over a woman to his right and almost completely ignoring the man.

"It's right here. Here you go." The man glares as he hand over the award, Tony weighed it in his hand before replying back,

"There it is. That was easy... I'm so sorry." He apologizes again, although the other man is still upset.

"Yeah it's okay," the man sighs sufferingly, rolling his eyes.

Half of the population were confused, and then realized that Rhodey also sarcastically replied back. Rhodey huffed and snorted, looking indignant, "As if I would be a fool to not realize he was sarcastically saying that," He grumbled and Pepper looked at him pitifully, she knew exactly that feeling.

"Wow, would you look at that? That's something else. I don't have any of those floating around." Tony exclaimed, barely giving the trophy a glance before handing it over the woman in a black dress that caught his attention a while ago, before he leaned over to grab all of his chips from the table.

"Give me a hand, will you? Give me a little something-something," Tony smirks, holding up his hand of dice and the woman on his right blows seductively and gazed at him with lust-filled eyes.

Clint whistles loudly and Laura smacked him in the head, causing him to rub his head in pain. Sam snickered at him, causing him to turn his attention to the man.

He turned around to Rhodey, saying, "Okay, you too,"

"I don't blow on a man's dice," Rhodey growls, pushing his hand away causing the dice to fall out of Tony's hand and he looked expectantly towards the area where the dice flew over.

"You don't, huh?" Sam smirked, so much innuendos laced in his words. Rhodey narrowed his eyes and looked disgruntled while Scott high-fived him, snickering loudly and even Natasha let a smirk grow in her face a little. Clint decided to stay silent because if he says something, even something suggestive, he knew the consequences he would get from his wife, and it wouldn't be even funny.

"There it is! Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes rolls! And... two craps. Line away!"

"I swear Rhodey is the unluckiest person in Earth it's not even funny, excluding you guys, of course," Pepper muttered when the all of the superheroes glanced at her incredulously, obviously they have worst luck, every single time. Darcy snorted loudly, her glasses almost falling from her nose. Rhodey shifted his glare to the girl, and said girl ignored him, hiding chuckles and even Wanda looked amused.

"That's what happens," Rhodey utters, Tony rolling his shoulders as chips are taken from him.

"Worst things have happened. I think we're going to be fine," Tony shrugged.

"That's certainly true," said Pietro and the others nodded at him in agreement. Vision still looked tense, as if he knew what will happen next. 'Are you okay?' Wanda telepathically asked him worriedly. Vision slightly turned his head and nodded secretly.

The scene changes and they're seen walking outside as Tony left the casino with all of his entourage trailing after him, Rhodey shook his hand, "This is where I exit," he said.

"All right!" He replies.

"Tomorrow! Don't be late!" Rhodey reminded him as he walked away.

"What will happen?" asked Steve curiously.

"You'll see," Pepper replied back coldly.

"Yeah, you can count on it!"

Rhodey scoffed but didn't say anything. The man left him standing for three hours straight. He was still upset because of it and resented him because of that.

"I'm serious!" called onscreen Rhodey.

"I know, I know," replied Tony, and then as he passed a group of costumed employees he said, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and casually handed off the trophy to the shocked man dressed as Caesar. "There you go!"

"Just like that?" Darcy asked incredulously and even the others looked shocked that he would give a trophy into a stranger just like that.

"Well, stealing a quote from Tony's book: "It's too much a bother anyway, and I get so many trophies every year that I would just hand off some to strangers, it's not like I need it anyway." That's what he always said," Pepper shrugged her shoulders casually and crossed her arms.

Darcy continued to gape, her eyes gleaming with jealousy.

Tony continued to walk outside towards his black car, his entourage following behind him. He was just about to climb inside when a woman's voice from behind called him, her heels clacking loudly, "Mr. Stark!"

Tony turned around to see a pretty blonde woman about late 20's running up. "Excuse me, Mr. Stark," said the woman, halting in front of his followers. "Christine Everhart, Vanity Fair Magazine, could I ask you a couple of questions?" the lady named Christine asked and Tony turned to Happy.

"She's cute,"

"She's all right?" asked Tony, and Happy nodded.

"Just like that?" Steve asked, though Natasha noticed a lace of jealousy in his words, she almost smiled and turned to him incredulously.

"Yes, Steve, just like that." Natasha bluntly emphasized and shot him a look, a look that knows something, and Steve immediately turned away, red covering his face and huffed, looking annoyed even though he flushed slightly. Even Bucky almost smirked at the Steve beside him.

Tony stepped forward, "Hi."

"Hi!" Christine Everhart replied cheerily.

"Hey, okay go,"

Christine smiled and launched into interviewer and reporter mode at once, "You've been called the Da Vinci of our time, what do you say to that?"

"Absolutely ridiculous, I don't paint," replied Tony immediately with no hesitance in his voice.

"And what do you say to your other nickname, the Merchant of Death?" Christine asked sneakily, her eyes glinting.

Pepper almost growled and Steve looked angry, and Thor looked on confusedly, even Loki was curious. "Why is he called the Merchant of Death? Did he trade with Death?" Thor inquired and Bruce immediately replied to him... and Loki, he could certainly see the Trickster was curious too,

"He was called the Merchant of Death because he made weapons that could destroy cities and towns, Thor." Thor looked shocked and a horrified look spread through his face before he looked mournful and sad. How sad that his friend be named by such thing.

"That's not bad," said Tony with an approving nod. "Let me guess. Berkeley?"

"Brown, actually." Christine replied hotly, a scowl in her face clearly showing she was unamused.

"Well, Ms. Brown, it's an imperfect world, but it's the only one we've got. I guarantee you, the day weapons are no longer needed to keep the peace, I'll start making bricks and beams for baby hospitals."

"Really?" Clint asked incredulously and Maria Hill shot him a look that obviously says, Are you kidding me?

"Of course not," Peter snorted as he heard the distinct lack of humor in Pepper's voice. He is obviously enjoying this back-and-forth arguments.

"Rehearse that much?" Christine sarcastically replied as her eyes narrowed.

"Every night in front of the mirror before bedtime,"

"Sometimes every other day too," Vision quipped and a few chuckles were heard around the room.

"I'd like to see that,"

"I'd like to show you firsthand," Tony replied suggestively.

"Ooh!" Clint mumbled suggestively, his eyebrows saying it all. Natasha looked at the corner of her eyes and saw that Steve and unexpectedly, Bucky and Loki looking distinctly annoyed. She smirked to herself and mumbled in Russian so quietly that no one heard her, "Похоже, что есть любовь квадратный пивоварения."

"All I want is a serious answer," Christine said impatiently.

Fury snorted quietly and muttered so quietly that no one heard him, "As if, Tony was never serious."

"Okay, here's serious," Tony folded his arms. "My old man had a philosophy: peace means having a bigger stick than the other guy."

"That's a great line coming from the guy selling the sticks," the woman countered.

"Straight-forward, eh." T'Challa said and Clint nodded in agreement, the woman was so blunt and had a confrontational reply after all.

"My father helped defeat the nazis, he worked on the Manhattan project. A lot of people, including you professor would call that being a hero."

"And a lot of people would also call that war profiteering," snarked Christine

"She has a point." Jane pointedly said.

"Tell me," Tony removed his sunglasses looking distinctly annoyed and aggrieved. "Do you plan to report on the millions we've saved by advancing medical technology or kept from starvation with our telepromts? All those breakthrough - military funding, honey."

"Wow." Christine said, "You ever lose an hour of sleep in your whole life?"

"I'm prepared to lose a few with you,"

And in the next scene —

Everyone groaned and Wanda blushed so hotly that her face was almost redder than her hair. Steve folded his arms and Pepper, Rhodey, and Happy looked obviously annoyed and groaning. Darcy paled along with Jane and Helen and Maria just rubbed her head sufferingly. Some whistled— Sam, Scott, and Clint, causing Clint to have a major migraine again, caused by his red-faced wife, Laura. Vision looked tensed however they could see him faltering there and now.

Steve flushed hotly while Loki's eyes were filled with mirth, they could obviously see that behind his impassive facade, he could be laughing loudly right now. Bucky just covered his eyes behind his arm and Natasha could see the three of them secretly looking so jealous, however, no one could see it other than her. She smirked to herself, obviously enjoying the show.

"посмотрите на них сейчас Тони , они явно ревнует."


Похоже, что есть любовь квадратный пивоварения - There's clearly a love square brewing.

посмотрите на них сейчас Тони , они явно ревнует - Look at them now, Tony, they're obviously jealous.

Hey everyone! So I apologize for updating so late, however, I will make this author's note very short; Thank you for everyone who reviewed, followed, and favorited my story! I deeply appreciate it and I'm grateful for the viewers! And ooh, look's like there's a romance brewing. *wiggles eyebrows*

Love, Shadow Sylpheria