Chapter Four: The Coming of War Machine

It was the beginning of a sunny spring day; the sunlight had just started to fill the rooms of the Stark Industries tower when a stern voice came in over the intercom.

"Steve, it's six-thirty, it's time for your mixed martial arts training, so grab some breakfast and meet me and Jarvis downstairs."

Steve rolled over lazily and looked out the window. After a few moments, he rolled back over and pressed the button on the intercom and said "Ok dad, just gimme a few minutes to get dressed."

He clicked off the intercom and got ready for the day ahead of him. Steve walked downstairs and grabbed some toast that was still on the table and headed to the training room.

He was met by his father, Tony and his butler and good friend, Jarvis. When Steve arrived at the foot of the stairs, he grabbed the gear from the wall. As he was doing this, Tony's cell phone rang. "Yes…Ok…He will… 8 is fine" he heard his dad saying over the phone.

After his father hung up, he looked at Steve and said "Steve, I have to run up to my office and do some paper work, Jarvis will escort you to your interview at the school, so get ready when you're finished sparring."

"Ok, no problem dad, but I really don't think I need to go to a school, even if it is a private school, I have everything I need right here." Steve said.

Tony looked back at his son and replied, "But there's one thing you don't have here; life experiences, meeting new people, you know how important that is, I've taught you that."

He looked back at his father, and then at the ground "Yeah, yeah, I know, "A true man of honor is measured by his wisdom and friendships."

"It's an important thing son, it's the outside experiences that build our character" Tony said sternly.. "Now, I'll see you after the interview, Ok?"

"Yup, bye" Steve said waving to his father.

As he turned around and continued putting his gear on, Jarvis walked towards him, and waited until Tony was out of earshot.

"So, how did the little test run go Steven?" Jarvis asked curiously.

Steve looked back at him with a grin and replied "It couldn't have gone any better, the suit definitely needs more work, but I think in a matter of time, it will surpass even my father's suit."

Jarvis gave Steve a puzzling look and said "You do know that your father has neural enhancements that make his abilities run far deeper than that of his suit."

"Oh, I know that Jarvis, my father has told me about that, which is why I'm going to ask him to give me the surgery." Steve said.

"Steven, it is a very dangerous procedure that your father almost gave up his life for, you will be hard pressed to convince him to perform it on you." Jarvis said, now becoming concerned.

"That's why I need a huge favor from you Jarvis; I need you to help me convince my father to perform the surgery.." Steve said in a pleading voice.

Jarvis considered the thought for a few moments and then looked back at him. "No." he said. "Absolutely not, the risk is too high for me to condone it." Jarvis replied.

"Oh come on, if you can just tal-" But Jarvis' mind was already made up.

"I apologize sir, but it would just be out of the question for me." Jarvis said to Steve.

Steve looked almost defeated after hearing those words from him, but he turned back and said "I understand, I'll just speak to my father myself, and show him that I am ready for this."

Jarvis placed the protective gloves and face mask on and said "Let's begin the training shall we?"

Steve came out of his daze and replied, "Oh yeah, almost forgot"

Both of them began training instantly, and didn't stop until the interview. Meanwhile, Tony Stark was in his limousine being driven to the S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters. An LCD screen appeared in the back, allowing Tony to communicate with Dr. Dremel, his most trusted scientist. "I contacted you as soon as I received your message Tony" Dremel said on the screen.

"Good, because this is an important matter Eliza… I think Steve is ready." Tony said to her.

"I agree, he is in top physical and mental form, this would be the peak time to perform the operation, if he is willing." Dremel replied.

Tony stared at the screen for a moment and said "Yes, I am going to have him brought to the headquarters at 8 o'clock, everyone back at the tower thinks he is going for his school interview, but that's not scheduled until next week. So if you don't mind Eliza, please prepare the charts and data for when I arrive."

"Sure thing Tony." She said, and the screen went black.

Back at Stark Tower, Steve had just finished sparring with Jarvis. "You are becoming an exceptionally skilled fighter, something your father should have focused on more in his youth." Jarvis said.

"Thanks" Steve said as he began hanging the gear back up. "I'm gonna go get ready for the interview, I'll meet you in the lobby in twenty minutes."

"Sounds good sir, see you there." He replied.

As Steve headed up to his room, he checked to see that no one was watching. After he made sure the coast was clear, he moved the bed in his room to the other side, revealing a bare wooden floor. He went over to his computer and entered a code that made the bottom of the floor slide in to reveal his life's work. The iron suit resembled that of his father's but looked very different when given a closer look. His dad had given him time very day where he could work on his own projects, and he quickly took advantage of this. He began building the suit when he was nine years old and had been drawing the blueprints when he was seven. He smiled and marveled at his work while he got ready for the interview and the day ahead of him. Steve met Jarvis out in the lobby and they both headed to the car. They pulled out of the underground parking entrance and headed for their destination. "So is this a good school? What's it called again?" Steve asked.

Jarvis turned around from the front seat and replied, "York Preparatory, and it is a fine school sir, they host many gifted children all over the country."

"Woo-hoo" Steve said sarcastically under his breath.

The car approached a stoplight; while waiting, there was a loud rushing sound of wind and the streetlight was torn clear off the wires. Suddenly, Steve saw all of the windows in the limousine shatter and a figure in green appeared in front of the car. "Steve Stark, son of Tony Stark, is that correct?"

"Who the hell wants to know?" Steve said.

"My father is an old friend of your fathers. You might know him as the mutant Whirlwind! And I am his son, Cyclone!" he said maliciously. "You'll pick us up quite a ransom kid, I'll tell you that!"

"Jarvis" Steve said under his breath, "I need you to get back to distract him, have him chase you while you drive; I have to make a stop back at the Tower.

"Ah, I understand perfectly sir, do hurry back" He replied nonchalantly.

"Sure thing" Steve replied, as he broke into a sprint down the street and back to the lobby of Stark Tower. He ran up into his room and pulled out the suit from under his bed. He activated the suit and put it on, making sure everything was working.

"Propulsion: Green"

"Weapons: Green"

"Shielding: Green"

Steve looked down the street from his window as Cyclone was creating havoc below. "Looks like it's time the world met War Machine" The armored Steve quickly ran up to the helicopter port on the top of Stark Tower and looked down.

"Hope this goes as good as the test flight last night" Steve muttered under his breath. After a few moments, he jumped off the building into a freefall, heading straight towards the street. Within seconds, the jet propulsion unit on the suit came to life and launched him back into the air, where he was able to maintain speed and height.

Back down town, Cyclone was creating havoc and taunting the police officers that tried to chase after him. Suddenly, he spun around and saw a red figure flying straight towards him.

"What the hell?!" He yelled. As the figure came closer and showed no signs of stopping, Cyclone flew out of the way, just barely dodging it. The large iron suit landed on the ground and slid to halt, crushing the pavement under it. "You, you're not Iron Man!" Cyclone exclaimed, with fear and surprise in his eyes.

"No." Steve said, smiling behind the mask. "I'm War Machine."

Cyclone stared for a few seconds and said "I'll just take you out anyway."

"That depends" War Machine said while charging the repulsor rays in his palms.

"On what?" Cyclone replied, clearly frustrated at his foe's confidence.

"Are you fast enough?" he said.

"Was that some kind of joke? Do you know who you're dealing with?" Cyclone exclaimed.

After he said this he charged full force at War Machine, using his powers to create tornados along the way. As the twisters traveled, the picked up objects like cars and fire hydrants, hurling them at War Machine. Seeing this, he ducked and rolled out of the way, and fired three pulse bolts from his forearm, one connecting with Cyclone, and the other two spiraling out and missing.

"You'll have to be better than that War Machine!" Cyclone said, getting up from the blast he took. "If you were any good, all three would have hit me."

"Well if I did that, what would have knocked down those telephone poles on each side of you?" Steve replied.

Cyclone looked on each side of the street and watched as each pole came crashing down towards him. Spinning quickly, he was able to push them away, and launched them towards a bus. War Machine quickly pushed the bus out of the way, and sent the poles crashing into a building. Cyclone quickly seized the opportunity and flew straight towards War machine. He came up behind him and trapped him in the middle of a whirlwind. As he closed in to strike, he yelled "Looks like you're new to this hero thing kid, let me show you the downside!"

When Cyclone got close enough, War Machine raised his hand and implanted his palm into his face and said "Still too slow."

The fully charged repulsor ray ignited and exploded directly on Cyclone's face, launching him across the street and into a wall. War Machine walked over to the limp Cyclone, who could barely breathe and turned to the police and said, "He'll live, barely." And he flew into the air and headed back to Stark Tower. After meeting up with Jarvis, he put the suit away and they headed out. The car escorting Steve arrived at the SHIELD headquarters and came to a stop at the gate.

"What are we doing here Jarvis?" Steve asked, looking out the window.

"There has been a change of plans sir" he replied, as the gate opened, and the car drove in. The car eventually arrived at the SHIELD laboratory building.

"Your father would like to see you now Steve" Jarvis said, opening the door.

"I wonder what he wants…" Steve replied walking in the building.

When he stepped inside he saw his two lifelong friends in the lobby, Timothy Danvers, who also went by the name of Marvel, and Shannon Carter who went by the name of Captain. "So what are you guys doing here?" Steve asked, relieved to see them.

"Well we heard something big was going down at SHIELD and we just had to come. But your dad said to meet him in room Five; he needs to talk to you." Tim said.

"Ok, so I'll catch up with you guys later, bye!" Steve said walking down the hall.

"See ya!" Both said at the same time.

Steve knocked on the door of room number five and entered. He saw his father sitting in a chair looking at papers, accompanied with the lab's top scientist, Dr. Eliza Dremel. "So you needed to talk to me dad? Steve asked, looking around the room.

"Yes Steve, did you happen to catch the news today? Because I did." Tony said sternly.

"Uh-oh" Steve said to himself.

"Apparently," Tony continued "A huge metal machine stopped a crazy mutant from killing a bus full of people, and this hero, happens to share a striking resemblance to Iron Man… Know anything about that?" He asked.

Steve just looked at the ground and said nothing; he knew how much his father knew before he even said it.

"I've known about the suit for a long time Steve, but to tell you the truth, I am actually impressed. You've proven yourself and your abilities today, and I couldn't be more proud of you."

"Really?!" Steve said, shocked.

"Yes, because ever since you were adopted; even before you were, you had potential and I saw that. I knew that with the right training and focus, you could be something great. That is why I've been training you for all of these years."

Steve looked at his father with astonishment and finally said, "So you're not mad at me?"

"No son, it was the perfect test that proved you're ready."

"Ready for what?" Steve asked.

"The operation." Tony replied. "If you agree to this, you're body will be enhanced greatly; speed, senses, strength and agility. The surgery will be on your neural system as well as your nervous system, using techno-organic viruses. It will also make you one with your suit. After the operation, you will go under personal training and surveillance by me for a while. During the procedure, I will head back to the tower and make sure your suit has no bugs or anything."

"Come on, do you not trust my skills that much?" Steve said laughing.

Tony smiled and replied "I just trust mine more. Now follow Eliza, she will prep you for the surgery, I will be back before you wake up. Good luck son." He turned and walked out of the room and Eliza walked over to Steve.

"Ok, this way to the prep station, we'll begin the procedure momentarily; you're in good hands Steven." She said, with a caring voice.

"Ok." Steve replied and followed her down the hall to the prep station.

Down in the lobby, Tony saw Tim and Kimberly. He walked over to them and said, "Stay here until the surgery is over, I'll be back in a bit."

"Sure thing Mr. Stark" Tim said.

"Of course, what are friends for? Kimberly replied. Tony got into the car and headed for Stark Tower.

Meanwhile, Three hours into the operation…

"Everything is looking good so far Dr. Dremel."

"Good, all we need to do now is implant the TOV into his body." Dremel replied.

Steve came out of consciousness hours later and saw Tony, Tim and Kimberly standing over him. He was still in a fog, but could make everyone out. "How did it go?" Steve asked drowsily.

"Couldn't have gone any better, you'll come out of the drowsiness soon, and you'll feel like a whole new person." Tony said.

Dr. Dremel entered the room and said, "Oh, good, you're awake Steve, we just need to run some tests now, so if everyone else can please leave the room, we will start."

"Sure." Tony said, and he, Tim, and Kimberly walked out.

Out in the hallway Shannon asked Tony, "How long will it take for him to be normal again?"

Tony looked at the door and said, "If it's what the doctors say, he will be good as new by tomorrow morning."

"No way! After that huge surgery?" Tim asked.

"Yes; this was an enhancement surgery and he was the perfect candidate, physically and mentally, he will be a whole new person, but the same Steve you kids know." Tony replied.

"Well that's good news, I'm just glad he's ok." Kimberly said.

"Definitely." Tim three of them left the lab and headed back to the SHIELD headquarters.