The Astonishing Iron Man

Chapter 10- "Vanko" Part III

Too little, too late.

As Iron Man reached his destination of Volstok, Russia, he was immediately met by a graphic and harrowing display of sheer brutality. There had to be over two dozen mutilated bodies. And I do mean mutilated. Body parts cut into pieces, torn into shreds. Blood and gore everywhere. The warehouse was splattered gruesomely, bathed in the violence.

Police officials surrounded the area, multiple emergency vehicles as well. Tony could only hope that Iron Man was welcomed as he slowly, cautiously, lowered himself down to ground level.

"Iron Man," one of the policemen, presumably the Chief, spoke in a broken accent, "Thank god you are here. A horrible thing has occurred."

"I heard about a shipment of important technology being stolen," Iron Man explained his arrival, "I wasn't expecting to see this. What happened?"

"No witnesses were left alive," the Chief explained, "We have counted twenty-four dead. One of them has been identified as an employee."

"The rest?"

"We do not know for certain at this time, but my men believe they may be members of a criminal syndicate operated by a man named Gula Petrovich."

Identification for the most of these men seemed impossible, considering how they were taken care of. But, the ones inside were all dressed in suits. Mafia, perhaps? That was quite the straw to grasp, but if the shoe fits. As Iron Man was let inside of the warehouse by the Chief, everyone else staring in awe at the appearance of the world famous superhero, he discovered there were a number of different illegal shipments.

No A.I.M or Hammer Enterprises, though. Convenient. Just a bunch of different random companies and a small selection of Stark Industries shipments.

"The majority of these are all illegal," the Chief informed Iron Man, "We are working immediately with Interpol. We were unaware, but it seems this warehouse has been doing this for five years now."

"Illegal shipments were coming through this one place for the past five years and no one knew?" that seemed very unbelievable.

"People knew," the Chief acknowledged, "No one willing to talk. Sadly, the criminals have gripped Volstok in an iron fist."

"Not anymore." Iron Man walked around a couple more slayed bodies. "More Stark technology." he opened the crate with ease, Tony's eyes widening in shock and horror behind the iron mask. This crate wasn't filled with armor or smaller weapons. This one was carrying missiles. The kind that could level an entire city in under a few shots.

"Tony Stark is not such an honest man," the Chief commented, seeing what the hero saw, "No?"

"I guess not." Stark remarked, baffled.

Overheard, Iron Man and the Volstok Police Force heard a helicopter closing in. Gut instinct told Tony to just up and leave the scene. But, better judgement informed him otherwise. Upon closer inspection as the helicopter came in for a landing in a clearing nearby, the air vehicle was of the S.H.I.E.L.D. variety.

Just wonderful. Well, better to get it over with now, he supposed. Director Nick Fury was about to meet Iron Man for the first time. Considering how much bigger the armor made him and that his voice was altered dramatically when he spoke through the armor, at least Tony didn't need to worry about his identity being discovered.

From the helicopter came Nick Fury and who was once his Assistant, Maria Hill. Rumor had it, she had been demoted for some reason to Field Agent. Must have been eating her up inside. Along with them came four more Agents, weapons aimed and ready.

Iron Man put his arms up, noting silently that he would have to watch his attitude and mannerisms, just in case he started to accidentally act like himself a bit too much.

"Finally, we meet face to face," Fury was less than a dozen feet away from Iron Man at this point, motioning for his people to relax themselves, "Director Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D."

"I know who you are."

"Good, so we can cut the pleasantries," Fury liked that, straight to the point, "You and I are here for the same reason. Stolen Stark Technology that the asshole claimed was off the market. Between you and me, this ain't surprising in the least."

Idiot.

"Anyway," Fury continued, "Anything you can tell us?"

"Nothing you won't be able to find here," Iron Man gestured to the warehouse, "Bunch of guys are dead, and the Volstok Police are under the assumption that they're all part of the same criminal syndicate."

"All right," he had his agents search the area, "You're off to try and save the day, I assume?"

"Yeah." Iron Man prepared for launch.

"Listen," Fury couldn't let him leave just yet, "When this is sorted out and we're back home, you need to contact us at the Triskelion. We have a lot of talking to do."

Giving no response, Tony hit the boosters and spiraled into the sky high above Volstok. Iron Man had some more investigating to do.

:::Meanwhile:::

Igor Vanko struggled against the bonds his son had used to keep him still. Anton had said his goodbyes, but he was no longer Anton Vanko. No longer Igor's son. Something else entirely. Different altogether. All that armor, that mask, the long green hair and those damned whips he made. Anton claimed he was now an avenger. That he was now a symbol of freedom for Volstok.

Igor continued to struggle, trying to break free. Amazing just how strong bed sheets could be. They were burning into his wrists and arms, leaving deep and painful red marks. How could this have happened? How could his own flesh and blood undergo a transformation like this? Where did Igor go wrong? Yes, he blamed himself.

Eventually, he broke free, immediately rubbing his arms and wrists as he got up. The authorities needed to be alerted of the danger Anton Vanko now posed.

:::Elsewhere:::

Once again shrouded by a cloak to hide his identity, Anton Vanko stood on a rooftop ledge, looking down. In moments, night would fall. He looked up into the sky, counting the stars already visible. Under the blanket of darkness, it would be much easier for him to move through Volstok. The police were speeding through the streets, their sirens crying loudly, warning everyone of danger. If only they knew the truth. If only they knew that innocent civilians had nothing to fear.

If only they knew that Whiplash was a slayer of the guilty.

:::Stark Tower:::

Pepper Potts had taken so many calls in the past few hours, that she honestly thought her ears would start to bleed at any second. Everyone wanted to hear from Tony, and his pre-recorded messages were stretching only so far. They worked to quench a few hungers, but not all of them. And certainly not the majority. If he was going to do something like this again, he would need to prepare a bit more. No, a lot more.

That scared Pepper.

Tony was dead-set on remaining the world's first superhero in Iron Man. There was no denying that he was doing a lot of good. But, at what cost? In Pepper's own personal view, it was only a matter of time before it all caught up with him. What if something happened to him? What would happen next? What would she do?

This instance of him being stretched a bit too thin by having to be two places at once was only the beginning. In time, Pepper feared this may turn into the norm. Tony would always be away fighting crime as Iron Man when he was needed back home. The world was waiting on him, waiting on his words, waiting for him to give them an answer to the question on all their minds...

"Is Stark Industries actually out of the weapons business or not? Simple question, right? Yes or no. Because, people, it's looking more and more like Mr. Stark not only lied to you and I, but the entire world when he claimed he was done. Now, okay, I realize that I may be jumping to conclusions. But, why does he refuse to comment in public? Why is he supposedly hold-up in that god-forsaken Stark Tower of his? Why not just come out, meet the people face to face, and say what needs to be said? My friends, people who hide only do so because they have something to hide. And, mark my words, Tony Stark has something to hide."

:::Volstok, Russia:::

Night had once again fallen over Volstok. A group of shady characters had huddled together behind an old building, plotting their next moves. They were what was left of the syndicate slaughtered at the distribution warehouse earlier in the day. They were afraid, fearful of what would happen next. Would the attacker search for them? Come looking for their blood, sniffing them out and punishing them with death?

"They're on their way," one said to the others, "But, they won't arrive until morning. We just have to hold on until then."

"Hold on until then?" one laughed sarcastically, "You make it sound so easy, Yuri. I almost believe you."

"What else can we do?" Yuri responded, "Your negativity isn't welcomed."

They all heard a sudden thud.

"No," a voice spoke from the shadows, "You aren't welcomed here anymore."

They all scrambled, trying to catch a glimpse of the attacker. Who was it? Where was it? Under the blanket of night, it was impossible to see him clearly.

"Leave us alone!" one of them shouted, "We've done nothing to you!"

"You've done plenty!" one of the shadows leaped forward, revealing Anton in all his glory, a whip extending from his right wrist and wrapping around the criminal. The thug was thrown into another, which caused him to accidentally fire his weapon and kill yet another.

Multiple dings and ricochets came next as their bullets did nothing but make little scratches in his armor. Not even so much as denting it. He turned toward the others, ready to deal the lethal blow. With them out of the picture, the most significant portion of Volstok's infection would be cured. He readied his right arm, raising it high above his head...

A sudden sound cut through the atmosphere, distracting everyone in the area, especially Anton. He cocked his head just in time to see a red and yellow blur landing behind him. It was Iron Man. The first superhero from America had come to help him? Incredible!

"Stop this," Iron Man warned in his robotic sounding voice, "No more need to die."

"No," Anton quickly cleared the air, "I'm not one of them. I am getting rid of them. A superhero, like you."

"Not like me," Iron Man took a step forward, "Not like this. If you keep going like this, you're going to end up out of control."

Anton then noticed that the other criminals had escaped. No! He was so close to ending the struggle. If only Iron Man hadn't shown up. Hadn't distracted him. Damn it!

Tony couldn't believe what he was seeing. Especially the power core residing in this man's chest. Which made him think... Was this his fault? Was the blood on his hands? Had he given this maniac the idea? No, Iron Man wasn't like this. Iron Man wasn't a vigilante slaughtering bodies left and right. He wasn't a villain.

"I need you to come with me," Iron Man extended a slow hand toward the other man, "We'll get this all sorted out."

Anton thought about it for a moment, looking at the red hand. This wasn't help. Iron Man viewed him as a criminal, and wanted to bring him to justice. Anton had to explain and fast...

"They deserve this," he gestured with his own armored hands to the mutilated bodies, "They have terrorized my home for years. And now, it will finally end."

"I understand," Iron Man took one step forward, hand still extended, "But, I still need you to come with me."

"No." Anton stood defiant, the slits in his mask appearing just a little more devious upon speaking the word.

"What you have there is stolen Stark Technology," Tony explained the obvious, "Couple that with all the men you've slaughtered and you have yourself a one way ticket to the Triskelion."

"My home will see me as a hero."

"Your home is terrified of you," one more step forward, hand now down, "The Volstok Authorities, Interpol and S.H.I.E.L.D. are here and have you on their radar. Your best chance is coming with me."

"I see," Anton acknowledged, finally extending his hand toward the superhero, "In that case, I will turn myself in..." Iron took his hand, only to have Anton wrap a whip around his wrist and fling him into the air, right into the back of a brick building, "... AFTER I FINISH!"

Stark definitely wasn't expecting that. Crumbled brick all around him, he picked himself up off the ground, trying to shake the cobwebs out of his head, "I should have known it wasn't gonna be that easy."

Whiplash was nowhere in sight. Guy was quick. Determined too. He was doing this for Volstok. The only bad thing being he was going about it the wrong way. Slaying criminals left and right wasn't the way to do it. Now, Tony realized that's what he had done in the cave. But, that was different. Completely different set of circumstances altogether. Ever since he became Iron Man, he was all about bringing people to justice rather than playing the role of executioner.

Iron Man took to the skies, finding no signs of Whiplash on the ground, but seeing a S.H.I.E.L.D. helicopter approaching from the West. Perfect. Two run-ins with Fury in one day. Whatever the polar opposite of Christmas was, it was happening now for Tony.

"Well?" Director Fury spoke through a connection established between he and Iron Man, "Where is he?"

"Not here." Iron Man answered regrettably.

"Aren't you supposed to be a superhero?" sarcasm bled through Fury's words.

"Isn't Volstok out of S.H.I.E.L.D. jurisdiction?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"I don't have a jurisdiction."

"Okay, cut the bullshit," Fury was in no mood, neither was Tony, "We caught a tip. It seems this character's real name is Anton Vanko. A citizen of Volstok since birth. Goes to school at a local community college. His father, Ivan, gave him up. Said that Anton is behind this because he wants to protect Volstok like Iron Man protects the United States."

"Heh," Fury chuckled dryly, "Ain't that a good ol' fashioned kick in the pants?"

Iron Man turned his armor to fly away. But, before he could...

"Don't forget about our lil' meeting."

Of course not.

:::Meanwhile:::

Ironic in a way, Anton had set out to eliminate the scum from Volstok, only to now be standing knee-deep in literal scum. Needing to collect his thoughts, Anton had retreated into the sewers below his homeland. It was quiet, dark, a good place to think. An ideal place to re-evaluate his plans and modify them at the same time.

Iron Man. Anton was still in disbelief that he had actually met the superhero. If only their meeting had gone better than it did. If only Anton had the opportunity to fully explain himself to Iron Man. There seemed no chance of doing that, though. No chance of Anton changing how Iron Man saw him. He saw Anton as a villain, a mass-murderer. When, in reality, he was so far from that. Anton... No... Whiplash... was a savior. Whiplash was a superhero.

Anton found a dry place to sit, his determination shaken. Had he gone about this the wrong way? Was he actually a villain? No, no, he couldn't be. They deserved death. They deserved to die! Those monsters had caused so much trouble, so much fear, so much pain. Nothing less was suitable. Nothing less was acceptable. If Iron Man, the Volstok Police Force and anyone else didn't realize or understand that, then it wasn't Anton's fault.

Volstok was in dire need of liberation. No matter the cost.

Wasting time like this was foolish. With so many on his tail, trying to dissuade him, Anton had to move faster than ever. If he didn't, his chance at saving Volstok may be lost forever. No one would stop him. No one would stop... Whiplash.

:::Stark Tower:::

"This just in, Iron Man and S.H.I.E.L.D. have been spotted in Volstok, Russia. While early reports indicated that they were there investigating the stolen technology, it is now apparent that something else has happened. There has been multiple murders taking place. The suspect's identity has not been released to the public at this time, but we will keep you informed as we learn more on this breaking story."

The phones had finally settled down enough for Pepper to be awarded a much needed break. Thank goodness, maybe the throbbing in her head would go away now. She was sitting in the comfort of a chair with a little wine in her hand when a voice belonging to Jarvis came on over the intercom system...

"Ms. Potts?"

"Yes, Jarvis?"

"Lt. Rhodes is at the door," he explained, "What shall I do?"

Oh no. No, no, no. What was she supposed to do? If it was her fault that Tony's secret was leaked, she would either never hear the end of it or end up being fired. Though, honestly, she couldn't picture him firing her. It just didn't seem like something he would do. Of course, if pushed hard enough...

"Let him in, Jarvis."

Damn, what was she going to do? To say? She had to let him inside. Not only was he Tony's best friend, but he had always been a good friend to Pepper as well. In fact, she was the only one he ever let call him Jimmy. She was pacing the floor, mind frantic. She was great at lying. Being Tony Stark's assistant... You needed to lie. But, she had never needed to lie to Rhodey. Never. Truth be told, she wasn't even sure if she could.

Breaking her from her thoughts was Rhodey entering the room with Jarvis in the background before excusing himself. There was this look from Jimmy. Just a look. But, it spoke volumes. It told Pepper that there was no need to lie. That there was no need to cover for Tony.

"Pepper..." Rhodey started before being interrupted.

"Hey buddy, how goes it?" Tony's voice through the intercom system.

Wait, what?

"Tony?" Rhodey and Pepper asked at the same exact moment.

"Yeah," Tony replied like they were the weird ones, "Who else would it be? Listen, Rhodey, bad time. I'm down here in the lab workin' on a few things."

"You're..." Rhodey was downright lost, "... I thought for sure..."

"What, dude? Spit it out."

"Iron Man's in Russia right now," Rhodey stated, Pepper still at a loss for words, "And you mean to tell me, you're down in your lab?"

"Ugh," Tony sighed heavily, "Jimbo, I love ya like a brother, but you gotta let this go. I'm not Iron Man."

Tony wasn't actually Iron Man? That didn't make a damn bit of sense to Rhodes. Not one damn bit. And here he was thinking he had it all figured out, that he had finally backed Tony into a corner he couldn't maneuver himself out of.

Eating a few pieces of humble pie, Rhodey left Stark Tower without so much as another single word.

With the coast clear, Pepper finally spoke up, "How did you do this?"

"Cell phone type deal," the simple answer, "I had Vision make sure to alert me if Rhodey showed up. Once he did, it was nothing more than a simple little dial of the phone."

"But, it sounds like you're right here."

"Power core amplified the signal. Listen, I can't talk right now. I'll be home soon."

"Wait Tony!" she called out, "Tony?" but he was already gone.

Always a step ahead.

:::Volstok, Russia:::

The home of Igor and Anton Vanko. Well, what once used to be Anton's home. As far as his father was concerned, that boy had worn out his welcome. His betrayal and deceit was something unforgettable as well as unforgivable. As it stood now, Igor would be filled with happiness if he was to never see his son ever again.

S.H.I.E.L.D. had arrived at the house while Iron Man resumed his search for Whiplash. The helicopter was still in the air, flying elsewhere. Fury and Agent Barton had been dropped off in a safe location. From there, they walked to the address. Agent Barton stayed outside, hidden from plain sight, as Director Fury went inside to speak with the father of the murderer.

"He will not be back," Igor spoke in very broken English, "I know that."

"I need to know everything there is to know about your son and the warehouse you work at."

"He is not my son," Igor shook his head in disgust, "I no work there, either. No more."

"Be that as it may," Fury took a seat at the kitchen table where Igor sat, "I need to search this house."

Igor may not have been a physicist like his son was destined to be, but he held his own intelligence. He knew what this Director Fury would be looking for, "I burned everything."

In that moment, Fury wanted to let his anger get the best of him. He wanted to punch that man right square in his face. He burned everything? Everything? "I thought you hated your son now?"

"Without the blueprint, he won't make it again."

"Unless he memorized it," Fury stood back up, "He is a physicist. They tend to have good memories."

"Not yet."

"Huh?"

"He did not graduate," Igor enlightened Director Fury, "He is not smart enough. He will make mistake. He will fail. Your Iron Man find him."

:::Meanwhile:::

Tony could never recall seeing a place this quiet before. The citizens must have been alerted, because there was nobody outside. Nobody at all. Which should have made finding Anton all the easier, but it hadn't. Volstok wasn't large by any means. But, that did little to nothing to shake the whole needle in a haystack effect. This was the first time Tony had ever laid eyes upon Volstok, let alone visit. This Anton Vanko knew it like it was the back of his hand. Every twist and turn, every nook and cranny.

How the hell would Iron Man find him?

Think, think, think.

You just committed a crime. You know everyone is looking for you. You realize everyone is off the streets. So, where do you go? Where do you hide?

No.

You don't hide. You have a mission. You know your time is limited and running out. But, this means so much that there's just no way you'll allow yourself to be denied. You make a move. It's bold and quick. There's no other choices, though. You have to finish this. You have to complete the mission. You have to eliminate the rest of the Petrovich family before you lose the chance to ever do it again.

"Vision, log onto the Internet and hack into the personal Volstok Police Force files. Anything on the Petrovich crime syndicate is what I'm looking for. Especially an address."

"Of interesting note; The Petrovich syndicate has ties to the Nefaria family," Vision answered, "There is only one known address in all of Volstok. A Mansion. It is being uploaded to your Heads-Up Display now."

"Nice," Tony silently read the address, "North side of Volstok... Here I come!"

THE ASTONISHING IRON MAN

This chapter. Ahhh... This chapter. I like the idea but I don't like the execution. I could have written it a lot better. But, there it is.

Arc Finale is up next.