TEASER
EXT. MAIN ENTRANCE - WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
A huge warehouse apparently abandoned. There's a BARBED WIRE FENCE surrounding the place, and bars on the windows.
An UNMARKED CAR comes in through the half open gate.
EXT. LOADING BAY - WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
The car pulls up at the single LOADING DOCK to the building. The warehouse is right on the river's edge. THREE GOONS step out the car, surveying their surroundings.
GOON #1: This is the right place?
GOON #2: I just followed the map they sent us.
That's when the roll-up metal DOOR of the loading bay OPENS. The Goons turn to find a HOODED FIGURE standing on the elevated dock, SILHOUETTED against the light from inside.
HOODED FIGURE: You're late.
GOON #1: So next time choose a place closer to civilization.
HOODED FIGURE: If you want to work with me, then obey my schedule...
The Hooded Figure steps forward, revealing to be THE REAPER. His right hand is a HIGH-TECH PROSTHESIS that seems to hide something.
REAPER: ... or there won't be a next time. Do you understand?
GOON #1: Of course.
Reaper SIGNALS with his left hand, then a HYDRA THUG approaches him holding a METAL CASE. He hands it to the Reaper.
CUT TO:
NIGHT VISION BINOCULARS' POV: someone on the river watches the interaction taking place in the loading bay. Very discreet.
RADIO VOICE (FILTERED): Targets on sight. Green light to engage.
EXT. LOADING BAY - WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
Reaper tosses the case to Goon #1.
REAPER: When the job is done, you will receive new instructions. Stay alert.
GOON #2: How can we contact you guys?
REAPER: You will not. I will. We keep an eye on everyone.
GOON #3: We've been doing everything you say for months. Don't you think we deserve a little more confidence?
REAPER: You know shit about confidence. Now get out of here.
Reaper turns to get back in the warehouse. Goon #1 whispers to Goon #3, peeved.
GOON #1: Next time you keep your mouth shut to not get us killed, got it?
Before the Reaper could enter the warehouse, he STOPS as if he felt something wrong.
AT THAT MOMENT - SMOKE GRENADES come out nowhere, arching down toward the loading bay.
BOOM! The grenades EXPLODE and A CLOUD OF SMOKE swells up around the area. Reaper turns to the warehouse.
REAPER: Get ready for immediate departure!
A SHIELD STRIKE TEAM invades the place armed to the teeth. The first they see are the three Goons, still a little stunned by the smoke.
STRIKE LEADER: Hands up right now!
Not knowing what to do at that moment, Goon #2 slides his hand to grab his GUN from his belt.
STRIKE LEADER: I said hands up!
But SUDDENLY -
- REAPER LUNGES through the smoke curtain landing a FLYING KICK into the Strike Leader, knocking him down.
As the other team members turn to him, A SCYTHE ERUPTS FROM REAPER'S PROSTHESIS.
The Strike Team OPENS FIRE at Reaper, but he AVOIDS the shots using the smoke to his advantage, preventing the shooters from seeing him clearly.
With his sharp scythe, Reaper emerges from the smoke ATTACKING the agents with precision. At every swing, BLOOD flies everywhere.
The three Goons watch that scene PERPLEXED. And Reaper realizes them, just standing there.
REAPER: What are you waiting for?
The Goons return to reality and hurry to get in the car. One of the Strike Team sees the Goons about to leave, so he aims at them with his rifle.
Seconds before he could pull the trigger, Reaper SLICES THE RIFLE IN HALF with his scythe and drops the man with a KICK.
The Goons SPEED AWAY in their car. As Reaper watches them go, more BULLETS fly out narrowly hitting him. He hides inside the smoke.
The Strike Team members still standing seek for the villain. Reaper prepares to take them down, but...
... A HUMVEE RAMS FROM INSIDE THE WAREHOUSE and stops near the Reaper with its rear door open - and with some Hydra Thugs inside.
Reaper JUMPS into the Humvee as it pulls away. The SHIELD Agents FIRE at the vehicle, but in vain.
A moment later, the smoke settles. The team leader rises with some effort. He looks around, noticing half of his team DEFEATED.
Those still standing help the fallen comrades, some bleeding heavily.
STRIKE LEADER: Call a medical unit immediately.
STRIKE MEMBER: Yes, sir.
STRIKE LEADER (INTO COM): Ma'am, we lost them.
END TEASER
ACT ONE
EXT. LONG ISLAND - AERIAL - DAY
Establishing.
CHYRON: "LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK CITY"
EXT. LONG ISLAND AVENUE - DAY
A MODERN AUDI R8 WEAVES through the traffic at top speed.
INT. AUDI R8 - DAY
At the wheel is TONY STARK, maneuvering the car while chatting with his SECRETARY (Pepper) through his EARPIECE.
SECRETARY (OVER EARPIECE): Tony, where are you?
TONY (INTO EARPIECE): I'm coming in five minutes.
SECRETARY (OVER EARPIECE): You said that twelve minutes ago.
EXT. LONG ISLAND AVENUE - DAY
Tony heads toward the massive STARK INDUSTRIES looming ahead.
INT. PARKING GARAGE - STARK INDUSTRIES - DAY
PEPPER POTTS - Tony's personal secretary - waits there holding a file folder.
Tony's Audi comes down the ramp and pulls over a few inches from Pepper. He gets out the car.
TONY: I see you missed me.
PEPPER: Considering that no one knows when you actually come to the office, it's understandable.
TONY: Fair enough.
They walk together toward the ELEVATOR.
INT. ELEVATOR - STARK INDUSTRIES - DAY
As the elevator goes up, Pepper flips through the pages of the folder.
PEPPER: I brought the reports of the new power plant in Queens for you to examine. And I'm getting e-mails from a group of podcasters asking for an interview with Iron Man. They claim to have a large audience.
TONY: I'll think about it.
Pepper notices that Tony is staring at the floor, pensive.
PEPPER: Still having those bad dreams?
TONY (SIGHS): There are days I feel that feeling again of being held captive in that cave, hopeless and on the verge of death. And I wonder if I deserved to get out of there.
PEPPER: You know we can talk about it anytime, don't you? Do not keep everything inside you, Tony.
TONY: Yeah.
The elevator door opens.
TONY: Thank you, Pepper.
They exchange smiles and Tony steps out the elevator.
INT. TONY'S OFFICE - STARK INDUSTRIES - DAY
The huge windows provide a wide view of the industrial complex outside. Tony enters his spacious office. He walks up to the wall and just stands there.
TONY: It's me.
There is a HUM as the WALL SLIDES OPEN just enough to allow a man entrance.
INT. IRON MAN'S HIDDEN LAB - DAY
It's PITCH BLACK in there. A secret room hidden behind the wall, hard to see more than that.
As Tony steps inside, the wall shuts behind him covering him in the shadows too.
TONY: Lights.
That voice command makes the whole environment come alive, illuminating everything and revealing to us:
A LARGE HIGH-TECH LAB. It's like the chaos inside Tony's head - ultra-modern drones and missile parts, scientific EQUIPMENT, several monitors and long-abandoned PROTOTYPES.
Tony walks across the lab, past all those paraphernalia around and stops in the center of the room, staring at something in front of him.
PULL BACK SLOWLY FROM TONY to a kind of ARMOR standing in the darkness a few meters from him. We still can't see many details of it.
CUT TO:
A LAPTOP SCREEN
A CNN-TYPE BROADCAST. The ANCHORMAN speaks. Behind him, a SHAKY FOOTAGE shows a MYSTERIOUS FIGURE with a couple of bright LED EYES and a BRIGHT CIRCLE on his chest.
ANCHORMAN: Again the vigilante known as "Iron Man" showed up, this time in Central America. Witnesses say he defeated the local guerrilla and destroyed all their weapons.
And suddenly, the stranger BLASTS into skies with ROCKETS on his feet, disappearing from the footage.
INT. FURY'S OFFICE - DAY
COLONEL NICK FURY sits at his desk. An eye-patch on his left eye, gray hair on the sides. A man who exudes experience.
He watches the report on his laptop.
ANCHORMAN (OVER LAPTOP): There are rumors that this armored warrior is just a Stark Industries marketing campaign to introduce their newest product.
As Fury closes his laptop, a FEMALE VOICE calls his attention.
FEMALE VOICE (OFF SCREEN): Do you trust him?
FURY: In this Iron Man? Maybe. I want to watch more.
REVEAL: AGENT MARIA HILL stands at the doorway - sexy, fierce and determined. She enters the office with a TABLET in hands.
MARIA HILL: Well, I don't. A man with much power generally not has a happy ending.
FURY: I can't disagree. Some good news?
MARIA HILL (CHECKS THE TABLET): The Strike Team reported that a car with the description similar to that of the target was seen leaving the city.
FURY: What about the Reaper?
MARIA HILL: Unknown whereabouts. The team is already mobilizing. They are on their own this time, we'll get them.
EXT. MANHATTAN - DAY
Establishing.
CHYRON: "MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY"
PRE-LAP: the sound of a BANK ALARM GOES OFF.
EXT. BANK - DAY
THREE ROBBERS rush out the bank carrying MONEY BAGS towards their GETAWAY CAR, parked across the street.
INT. GETAWAY CAR - DAY
A DRIVER ROBBER is already behind the wheel. The three robbers get in.
ROBBER #1: GO! GO!
The driver tries to start the car, but he can't. There seems to be a problem with the engine.
FEMALE VOICE (OFF SCREEN): I'm sorry but there was a sudden change in plans for you guys.
They hear the voice but do not see where it came from.
ROBBER #2: Who the hell said that?
SUDDENLY: the Driver Robber is HIT IN THE FACE by something that we cannot see.
SLOW-MO as we CLOSE IN on the Driver's face to reveal - THE WASP (aka JANET PYM) STRIKING A FLYING KICK into the robber's chin in her MINIATURE FORM.
BACK TO NORMAL SPEED as the Driver falls out the car through the door, unconscious. The other robbers draw their GUNS, looking around, seeking.
ROBBER #1 POV: he stops at the tiny Wasp, hovering in front of his face. Her SYNTHETIC WINGS fluttering.
WASP: Looking for me?
Wasp FIRES HER STINGS - bioenergetics blasts from her bracelets - at the robber's eyes. He grabs his face, MOANING in pain. Then he's knocked out.
Scared, the two robbers in the back seat FIRE at the dashboard and the windshield, hoping to hit the target.
But Wasp GROWS BETWEEN THE TWO MEN and ATTACKS them before they can react. One of the robbers ELBOWS toward her, but Wasp SHRINKS just in time, letting him hit his partner instead, knocking him out too.
The last robber tries to escape, but Wasp BANGS his head into the window before that. He FAINTS. Wasp then lands on top of dashboard, viewing her job done.
POLICE SIRENS sound close.
WASP: Your ride is coming. Be good boys and wait.
Wasp flies up and off through a hole in the windshield, smiling to herself.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. TRISKELION - DAY
A massive military facility settled in Manhattan Bay. Only one bridge connects the base with the island.
CHYRON: "TRISKELION, S.H.I.E.L.D. HEADQUARTERS"
INT. HALLWAY - TRISKELION - DAY
Janet - now wearing a science outfit - walks down the hallway.
INT. PYM'S LAB - TRISKELION - DAY
Janet enters in this MODERN LABORATORY, packed with varied scientific equipment and flat screen displays. But there seems to be no one in there.
JANET: Hank?
VOICE (OFF SCREEN): Over here!
Janet walks over to the desk where lies a PROTOTYPE HELMET. From inside of it comes out an ANT-SIZED HANK PYM. He wears an ADAPTIVE SUIT and a HEADSET that amplifies his voice.
JANET: You don't know when to stop, do you?
As Hank JUMPS off the table, he ACTIVATES HIS HIGH-TECH BELT BUCKLE that makes him GROW TO HIS NORMAL FORM in a blink of an eye.
HANK: I was just improving my new communication equipment that uses pheromones instead of radio waves.
JANET: Great, now you will be able to make insect friends. I brought some food, by the way.
HANK: Was that before or after you caught some bank robbers?
JANET: Here we go again. We agreed to work for SHIELD to help the world, and I want to do that outside these walls as well.
HANK: I just don't want to see you get yourself hurt along the way.
JANET: Don't worry, I'll be fine. How about the big project?
HANK: We're almost ready. Fury said the test site would be available tomorrow. I think I don't feel as nervous as the day we met.
Janet wraps her arms around Hank's neck, tenderly.
JANET: It's always good to see you excited about work. I haven't seen it since the Voltron project.
HANK (CHUCKLES): It's Ultron.
JANET: Whatever. Come on, let's eat.
They leave together.
END ACT ONE
ACT TWO
INT. IRON MAN'S HIDDEN LAB - DAY
Tony stands at a table with several ADVANCED WEAPONS scattered on it - most of them DISMANTLED - whose make reads: "STARK INDUSTRIES".
He stares at them, thoughtfully. That's when we hear the wall opening. A new figure comes in: EDWIN JARVIS. The faithful steward of the Stark family, carrying a tray with a nice meal, which he puts on another table. The wall shuts again.
JARVIS: I brought your food, sir. There are days I barely see you eat.
TONY: Maybe later, Jarvis.
JARVIS: Busy being an international vigilante?
TONY: I designed weapons to maintain the legacy of my father's company and now I am paying for my mistakes and his. I couldn't just stand anymore.
JARVIS: What will you do with all those weapons that you collected in recent months?
TONY: Destroy. Reuse. I don't know for sure. But one thing I know... there will be more no one.
JARVIS: The news didn't stop talking about the Iron Man. Do not you think it's risked so much popularity?
TONY: You know I always liked the limelight, isn't it?
JARVIS: Well, they could get to you after a while. Besides... you trust in Miss Potts? She also knows that you fly around sometimes.
TONY: She is confident, believe me. It's not something I'll have to worry about so early.
A BEEP from Tony's COMPUTER. He knows what exactly is. He goes check it out.
ON THE MONITOR: it displays an image of the world map and a red dot in SOUTH ASIA.
TONY: I'm tracking every weapon I can and making them emit a signal locator.
Tony walks away from the computer.
JARVIS: But Mr. Stark, you have a meeting in forty minutes.
TONY: Postpone it, Jarvis. After all, there will no be first time, right?
Jarvis just turns and moves out. Tony walks down the room and stops, gazing at something in front of him. His face tenses.
REVEAL: THE IRON MAN ARMOR. Red and gold. Hanging there by chains, lifeless. An empty shell just waiting for its owner to use it.
EXT. MILITIA COMPOUND - DAY
A base in the middle of the jungle, surrounded by high walls. There is a WATCHTOWER with a SNIPER monitoring everything, and more soldiers circling the compound itself.
They wield very SOPHISTICATED WEAPONS. All of them stolen from Stark Industries.
CHYRON: "BANGLADESH"
Soldiers open the main gate as a TRUCK pulls in. The GENERAL in charge there approaches.
His men remove a GROUP OF PRISONERS - civilians from the nearby city - from the rear compartment of the truck. They are extremely frightened, begging for mercy.
GENERAL: Take them to the others.
The soldiers escort prisoners to a row of CONTAINERS near the compound wall, and force the people to enter one of them. Meanwhile, the General walks back to his office.
TIME CUT - the soldiers around are distracted by a strange rocket-streak in the sky. Some of them look up, confused.
THEIR POV: SOMETHING in the sky moves toward the compound, SILHOUETTED against the sun. Hard to see what it really is.
FINALLY -
- IRON MAN lands before them, slamming his fist to the ground in the classic comics fist smash. All eyes lock on Iron Man, everyone AWESTRUCK.
INT. IRON MAN SUIT - DAY
The armor display scans all the weapons. All data appears on the HUD SCREEN.
EXT. MILITA COMPOUND - DAY
Each soldier there aims his weapon at that mechanical figure in the middle of the compound.
INT. GENERAL'S OFFICE - MILITA COMPOUND - DAY
Hearing the commotion outside, the General opens the window and sees Iron Man a few feet away. His jaw drops.
EXT. MILITIA COMPOUND - DAY
Iron Man is surrounded by armed soldiers from all sides.
IRON MAN: Drop those weapons and I promise to take it easy with you guys.
Iron Man has a DIGITIZED VOICE. Deep and expressive. The soldiers look at each other in doubt.
ANGLE ON: THE GENERAL, from inside his office, shouting through the window.
GENERAL: What are you waiting for? Kill the bastard!
Immediately, everyone OPENS FIRE upon Iron Man.
INT. IRON MAN SUIT - DAY
We hear the rounds hitting the armor outside. But Tony is not worried at all.
TONY: Well, I tried to be nice.
EXT. MILITIA COMPOUND - DAY
Iron Man fires his REPULSORS FROM HIS PALMS, throwing some men fifty yards while the bullets BOUNCE OFF his body.
In one SWIPE of his arm, Iron Man throws a soldier into a parked Jeep. He then PROPELS himself in one burst of his JET BOOTS toward another soldier, lading his metal FOOT into his chest.
Scared, some soldiers start to FLEE. Elsewhere, a soldier grabs a GRENADE from his belt and HURLS it toward the Golden Gladiator.
INT. IRON MAN SUIT - DAY
A WARNING MESSAGE pops up on the HUD, alerting Tony about the incoming grenade.
EXT. MILITIA COMPOUND - DAY
Iron Man spins and BLOWS THE GRENADE UP in mid-air with his repulsor rays. Then he BLASTS the soldier BACKWARDS, into one of the containers - leaving a DENT on the bodywork.
As Iron Man walks toward the containers, he's jarred by a SNIPER BULLET.
IRON MAN'S POV: A THERMAL SILHOUETTE locates the sniper on the watchtower.
He takes aim with his palm, but the armor's ARTIFICIAL VOICE breaks him off.
ARTIFICIAL VOICE: Target out of range.
IRON MAN: Great.
Iron Man notices a Jeep and gets an idea. He approaches the vehicle and RIPS ITS WHEEL OFF with one hand. Another sniper round hits Iron Man's shoulder. Iron Man then WHIPS the wheel like a discus toward the watchtower.
The sniper is hit by the wheel, flying off the watchtower. Iron Man goes to one of the containers and opens it.
The container is packed with STARK WEAPONS. Rocket launchers, machine guns, missiles - a real arsenal.
INT. IRON MAN SUIT - DAY
Another alert flashes on the HUD.
ARTIFICIAL VOICE: Weak vital signs detected.
Tony frowns. That's not for him.
EXT. MILITIA COMPOUND - DAY
Iron Man opens the container next to the one with the weapons, finding SEVERAL PRISONERS inside. All dirty and tired.
They raise their hands in fright when they see Iron Man, speaking in their local language. Clearly begging for him to do nothing with them.
At that moment, MACHINE GUN ROUNDS shower on Iron Man's back. He glances over his shoulder and sees more soldiers coming for him.
Iron Man enters the container, locking himself with the prisoners inside.
The General grabs one of his man by the arm.
GENERAL: Prepare a car to get me out of here right now.
INT. CONTAINER - MILITIA COMPOUND - DAY
The prisoners are still frightened by that metal creature in front of them.
IRON MAN: Listen, I need you to step aside. Get away, please.
When the prisoners make room, he BLOWS A HOLE on the container back with his repulsor ray, consequently on the wall right behind it too.
The prisoners exchange looks.
IRON MAN: Go!
Iron Man's shout makes them RUN AWAY into the jungle.
EXT. MILITIA COMPOUND - DAY
More soldiers swarm the container where Iron Man is. One of them approaches carefully towards the doors.
As the man touches the container doors to open it... BLAM! THEY EXPLODE OUTWARD, sending the soldier onto another, knocking both to the ground.
Iron Man exits the container firing blast after blast at the soldiers, knocking everyone down in less than a minute.
When all the men were defeated, an ENGINE sound draws Iron Man's attention to a Jeep coming his way - with the General on board and another soldier driving.
The Jeep speeds closer and closer. Iron Man stands in the path of the car, almost motionless. When the Jeep is about to run Iron Man down, he raises his palms with the ROUND MECHANISM on them GLOWING HOT WHITE.
Iron Man FIRES and the entire FRONT OF THE JEEP CRUMPLES, as if it just ran into an invisible wall. The car stops dead on its tracks.
The inertia LAUNCHES THE GENERAL THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. Iron Man GRABS him in mid-air and SLAMS him onto the crumpled Jeep hood.
IRON MAN: Time of questions and answers. Who gave these weapons to you?
But the General only moans in pain.
IRON MAN: Talk!
His forces are few to be able to speak, the man just shakes his head "no".
IRON MAN: You are saying you don't know? What kind of trader are you?
GENERAL (WEAK): Hail... Hydra...
After these words, the General passes out. Iron Man looses him and turns to the weapons container.
A FOREARM PANEL pops open on the Iron Suit, revealing a MINI MISSILE POD. He fires and EXPLODES the container into a fireball.
Iron Man RISES INTO THE AIR like a human rocket, leaving the havoc behind.
END ACT TWO
ACT THREE
EXT. TRISKELION - DAY
Establishing.
INT. TRISKELION TEST BASE - DAY
The place is crowded with SCIENTISTS and TECHNICIANS working at their stations. Janet approaches the MAIN CONSOLE and turns on the MIC.
JANET (INTO MIC): How are we doing, Hank?
INT. TEST CHAMBER - DAY
Hank is dressed in a TEST SUIT - and with his shrinking belt - while other two scientists plug electrodes around his body.
A third scientist injects a strange fluid into Hank's arm - THE PYM PARTICLES. When they finish, everyone exits leaving Hank alone inside.
HANK (INTO COM): I think the suit is too tight.
INT. TRISKELION TEST BASE - DAY
Janet watches Hank through a glass panel.
JANET (INTO MIC): If you do not feel uncomfortable with... anything... can tell me that we will stop the test.
HANK (OVER SPEAKER): I know.
A scientist turns to Janet.
SCIENTIST: We're ready.
INT. TEST CHAMBER - DAY
JANET (OVER SPEAKER): Okay, Hank, it's time.
HANK: 's go.
SCIENTIST (OVER SPEAKER): Giant-Man Test 01. Ready to proceed. 5... 4... 3... 2... 1. Activation of Pym Particles.
Hank takes a deep breath, gathering all the courage needed for this moment. Then he TWISTS HIS BELT BUCKLE.
The belt emits a LIGHT - something is happening.
INT. TRISKELION TEST BASE - DAY
Everyone attentive. Janet doesn't take his eyes from the monitors showing Hank's vitals.
TECHNICIAN: Pym Particles are still stable.
HANK (OVER SPEAKER): Guys?
WE BEGIN AN INTERCUT WITH:
INT. TEST CHAMBER - INTERCUTTING
Hank looks at his hands and realizes that his test suit is STRAINING GRADUALLY.
BACK TO THE LAB:
Janet and the team see Hank on the monitors suffering some reaction.
JANET: Physiological change in progress. Are you okay, Hank?
HANK: I don't know... I think everything is shrinking instead of me.
BACK TO HANK:
As he falls on one knee, still GROWING. His clothes are RIPPING every second.
JANET (OVER SPEAKER): It's just your perceptions changing, don't worry.
Hank GRIMACES, as if he felt something wrong in his body.
BACK TO THE LAB:
One of the scientists is surprised to see the data on the monitor.
SCIENTIST: He's exceeding 39 feet tall.
In that moment, the power of the facility SHUTS OFF.
JANET: What happened?
TECHNICIAN: I think it's just a technical glitch.
Then - they hear Hank's MOAN OF PAIN from inside the chamber.
JANET: Hank, do you hear me? Please answer if you are fine.
She waits, but there is no answer. Worried, Janet runs to the door of the testing chamber.
JANET: Hit the auxiliary power and unlock the door!
The technician taps a key on his keyboard and the mechanized door opens. Janet rushes in.
INT. TEST CHAMBER - DAY
It's all too dark to see anything in there. But that wouldn't stop Janet.
JANET: Hank? Come on, babe...
The emergency lights finally come on, and Janet FREEZES seeing something beyond the camera. She tilts her head up, wide-eyed.
The rest of the science team come in. Their jaws drop.
HANK (OFF SCREEN): I think I managed to cause a good suspense.
REVEAL: A 60 FEET NAKED HANK PYM crouched in the middle of the chamber. He waves to the that tiny people.
JANET (GRINS): You brilliant bastard.
INT. HALLWAY - TRISKELION - DAY
A door whooshes open as Colonel Fury marches across the hallway. Maria Hill appears, keeping up with him.
MARIA HILL: Director Fury, we have info about the suspects.
FURY: Tell me.
EXT. OLD SHACK - DAY
An old, abandoned shack by the side of the road is surrounded by several armed SHIELD AGENTS. The car used by the Goons has been parked outside for some time.
MARIA HILL (VOICE OVER): The car was located in a rural area, close to highway 35.
INT. OLD SHACK - DAY
BLAM! The agents SMASH open the front door and enter, but there is no one there.
MARIA HILL (VOICE OVER): When we arrived, they were gone.
INT. HALLWAY - TRISKELION - DAY
Fury and Hill keep walking.
MARIA HILL: They must have switched cars. I had the highway cameras checked to try to find something.
FURY: Do whatever is necessary. Until we know what they are carrying, let's consider that it's something of extreme danger.
MARIA HILL: And sir, there is something you need to see about the Pyms.
EXT. FRONT CURB - AIRPORT - DAY
A BEAT-UP WHITE VAN pulls up in the crowd.
INT. WHITE VAN - DAY
That THREE GOONS from the beginning are inside. In the back compartment, Goon #3 sets up a strange DEVICE inside a METAL CASE. A kind of weapon? Maybe.
GOON #2: Hey. You only have one chance, do not waste it. They will be ready to receive the package when you arrive.
A bit nervous, Goon #3 nods. He takes a deep breath and gets out the car, heading toward the airport.
INT. LOUNGE - TRISKELION - DAY
Hank, Janet and their science team CELEBRATE with drinks and a lot of food. Fury reads the Giant-Man experiment report.
FURY: I must say that was really impressive, doctor Pym.
JANET: We thank you for giving us this opportunity.
FURY: I always saw potential in you two. I have a question. Why exactly 60 feet tall?
HANK: Easy. It is the exact size that the human skeleton could stand. A little more than that...
JANET: ... and his bones would break like glass. But that's not what happened, right? Come on, Colonel, drink with us.
Fury picks up a glass of drink on the table.
FURY: Call me Nick.
EXT. SKY - NIGHTFALL
AN AIRPLANE streaks across the orange sky.
INT. AIRPLANE CABIN - NIGHTFALL
Hundreds of people inside talking, sleeping, watching their laptops and mobile phones. In one of these seats is Goon #3.
The metal case rests discreetly between his feet.
AIRPLANE PILOT (OVER PA): Attention all passengers, we will arrive in New York in thirty minutes.
INSIDE THE SUITCASE: the strange device that resides in there releases a small SPARK. Then, another one. It's as if it's about to be activated.
A BUZZ starts to sound from the device. Growing LOUDER. The Goon looks down, not knowing what to do.
THEN - the device spontaneously UNLEASHES AN EMP that BLACKOUTS the entire airplane. PANIC erupts in the cabin.
EXT. SKY - NIGHTFALL
The plane's TURBINES are SLOWING DOWN. Its altitude is lowering.
INT. CONTROL ROOM - TRISKELION - NIGHT
The brain of Triskelion. Dozens of ANALYSTS working dutifully at their stations. Maria Hill walks in and approaches an ANALYST.
MARIA HILL: I hope this is important.
ANALYST: We intercepted an emergency call from a commercial plane heading New York. It looks like the engines are out - they are adrift.
Off Hill's shocked face...
INT. HANGAR - TRISKELION - LATER
An intense commotion of Shield agents takes place there and outside. HELICOPTERS take off. Fury coordinates everything.
FURY: Hurry up, ladies!
Maria Hill joins him.
FURY: Do we have a location?
MARIA HILL: Our Calculations point that the plane may be heading towards the Brooklyn Bridge, sir.
FURY: My God. Send an alert to the media. We have to clear that bridge.
Fury turns and comes across with the Pym couple.
HANK: We want to go too, Colonel.
FURY: What? No way!
HANK: You saw with your own eyes what I could do, maybe... maybe I can help.
FURY: How? Exposing a top-secret project for the people of New York? I don't think so.
JANET: If you do not take a chance, many lives will be lost! Please, Nick.
Fury pauses, considering. But he knows he will not be able to convince those two.
FURY: All right. But you two will have to follow my command.
Hank nods.
INT. IRON MAN'S HIDDEN LAB - NIGHT
Tony is on his laptop searching for any information about HYDRA when Pepper hastes into the room.
TONY: Forgot to knock before entering?
Pepper ignores him. She picks up the REMOTE and turns on the TV on the news.
PEPPER: You need to see this.
TV VOICE: - the information doesn't confirm if it's a flaw in the airplane system or if it's a terrorist attack. All we know is that there are hundreds of civilians on the plane heading for New York.
PEPPER: You need to do something, Tony. There are many people up there.
TIGHT ON Tony, he knows what he has to do.
Tony gets up and walks toward the suspended Iron Man suit. He stands on a small landing pad open-armed.
TONY: Suit up.
PANELS SLIDE OPEN in the walls and floor as HIGH-TECH DEVICES emerge. ENORMOUS AUTOMATED ARMS hanging over the room move with an INDUSTRIAL WHINE.
Each of those arms takes the Iron armor piece by piece and wears Tony gradually, turning him into Iron Man at the end of the process.
Then last piece of the suit, the helmet. Tony swings the FACE PLATE down. It locks with a FSSSH. He looks up - A VERTICAL SHAFT stretches above Iron Man, up, up, finally lost in the shadows.
SMOKE BILLOWS OUT FROM UNDER HIS FEET, like the rockets of space mission on take off, and slowly Iron Man RISES off the launch pad as a HYDRAULIC GATE opens in the end of the shaft.
EXT. STARK INDUSTRIES - NIGHT
IRON MAN BURSTS OUT THE TOP OF THE BUILDING like a human missile. His feet jets ROARING like small rockets.
IRON MAN: Operation: locate the plane.
ARTIFICIAL VOICE: Tracking position.
EXT. BROOKLYN BRIDGE - NIGHT
Hundreds of vehicles in a TRAFFIC JAM. Police officers and SHIELD agents help people to get out of their cars and get off the bridge as soon as possible. Fury, Janet and Hank are also there.
SHIELD HELICOPTERS transport women, children and the elderly away. Although the evacuation is going well, Fury does not believe it is fast enough.
FURY: Dear Lord... there are a lot of people.
JANET: Keep moving!
Something in the sky catches Hank's attention. We can see the HORROR in his eyes.
HANK: Janet...
Janet follows his gaze just to find THE AIRPLANE coming down toward the bridge. More people also realize that and PANIC erupts.
EXT. SKY - NIGHT
The airplane PLUMMETS lower and lower. At the same time, Iron Man approaches it like a bullet.
Using all his speed, the tiny Iron Man moves to beneath the belly of the plane, bearing the aircraft on his shoulders.
INT. IRON MAN SUIT - NIGHT
Several EMERGENCY ALERTS pop up on the HUD.
ARTIFICIAL VOICE: Warning. Overweight on the armor.
TONY'S POV: the helmet ZOOMS in on the path that the plane is doing. The Brooklyn Bridge is on their way.
EXT. BROOKLYN BRIDGE - NIGHT
The situation got out of control. People run everywhere. Fury grabs his RADIO and barks:
FURY: All air units - spread out! Spread out now!
EXT. SKY - NIGHT
ANGLE ON: IRON MAN, still under the aircraft trying to change its course. But it's very heavy.
IRON MAN: Enable auxiliary thrusters!
In the Iron Suit ribs, SMALL THRUSTERS FIRE FROM VENTS on each side, driving Iron Man up. Only now he can lift a little the plane.
INT. IRON MAN SUIT - NIGHT
Tony clenches his teeth with the effort.
TONY: Come on!
EXT. BROOKLYN BRIDGE - NIGHT
The plane is about to crash on the bridge, there is no more time to escape and Janet knows it.
JANET: GET DOWN!
In the midst of screaming, people get down quite frightened. The plane PASSES ABOVE THE BRIDGE thanks to Iron Man. Hank looks up and spots the armored hero on there.
But one of the plane's wings HITS the wall of the bridge, crumbling some DEBRIS toward the ground.
Janet realizes that a poor woman will be crushed by the debris. Janet runs towards her as she TWISTS the buckle on her HIGH-TECH BELT... and SHRINKS!
She weaves across the bridge and through car windows quickly. And when she's about to get the woman...
... JANET GROWS BACK jerking the civilian out of the way just as the debris hit the ground where she was. The rescued woman stays in SHOCK.
JANET: Are you all right?
INT. IRON MAN SUIT - NIGHT
More alerts flash on HUD frantically, but Tony tries to ignore them.
ARTIFICIAL VOICE: Armor power falling dramatically. Charging need.
Tony sees the surface of the East River approaching.
EXT. EAST RIVER - NIGHT
After passing the bridge, Iron Man fights to keep the plane's pitch optimum, the nose up.
ARTIFICIAL VOICE: Brace for impact.
And - SLAM. The plane hits the East River. Dark water splashes on all sides.
UNDERWATER:
As the plane slides across the surface, Iron Man is sucked back by the force of the impact and the thrust of the water.
SURFACE:
The plane glides over the water until finally stop. The nightmare is finally over.
INT. AIRPLANE CABIN - NIGHT
The passengers don't believe in what happened. They look through the windows and see the water in the middle of the plane.
But moments later, the water level begins to RISE inside of the cabin. Despair flares up again.
EXT. BROOKLYN BRIDGE - NIGHT
Hank and Janet watch the airplane SINKING gradually.
JANET: Hank, you have to help them. Only you can.
Hank strips off his casual outfit revealing his special adaptive suit and the belt. He wears a MASK WITH LENSES that protect his eyes.
Then he LEAPS off the bridge and dives into the river.
EXT. UNDERWATER - EAST RIVER - NIGHT
Like the plane, Iron Man also sinks, with the lights of his armor FLICKERING nonstop.
INT. IRON MAN SUIT - NIGHT
More and more emergency alerts pop up on HUD. Water leaks wet Tony's face.
TONY: Hurry, use the reserve power! I need to get that plane out of here!
ARTIFICIAL VOICE: Recharge in 52%.
But Tony sees something strange in the water too.
TONY (CONFUSED): What the hell...?
INT. AIRPLANE CABIN - NIGHT
The water is almost reaching the ceiling. People are hopeless until a RUMBLE outside SHAKES the plane.
Moments later, the water level starts to LOWER and people return to breathe.
EXT. EAST RIVER - NIGHT
A GIANT HANK PYM EMERGES FROM UNDERWATER HOLDING THE PLANE with his bare hands. The river covers only his hips.
The people on the bridge are impressed by what they see. Janet just smiles, proudly. Fury's single eye widen.
Hank looks around and sees some NEWS HELICOPTERS hovering above him, recording everything.
Then Iron Man bursts out the underwater and flies to Hank's height. They both glance at each other for a moment.
IRON MAN: Good job, big guy.
He turns around and flies off, disappearing in the night.
Hank turns his attention to the plane. With his index and thumb finger, he plucks out the aircraft door. Some flight attendants and passengers come across that giant figure.
HANK: Everything is fine now. You are safe.
EXT. SKIES ABOVE NEW YORK - NIGHT
Iron Man streaks above the buildings with the power of his armor still flickering. It can shut down at any time.
IRON MAN: How much power yet I have?
ARTIFICIAL VOICE: The recharge was not complete, still It remains 42% energy.
IRON MAN: All right. Put everything in stealth mode.
In a matter of seconds the armor CAMOUFLAGES itself in the night sky becoming imperceptible.
EXT. ROOFTOP - STARK INDUSTRIES - NIGHT
Iron Man descends. But before he can land safely...
... the whole armor POWERS OFF in mid-air. Iron Man hits the terrace rolling over the floor like a lifeless doll.
And finally he stops, chest upwards facing the starry sky. The armor is dark.
The armor comes back to life, but with power flickering.
IRON MAN: I should have calculated this better.
ARTIFICIAL VOICE: Energy levels at 6% and lowering.
IRON MAN: It's enough to walk.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. NEW YORK CITY SKYLINE - MORNING
A new day. The sun gleams in every building in the city.
INT. IRON MAN'S HIDDEN LAB - MORNING
Tony is sitting on the floor, his back propped up against the wall. One of his knees is up, the other leg is lying flat, his arms resting at his sides. Hanging head.
A half-full BOTTLE OF DRINK is beside him along with a glass. Tony wakes up and takes a deep breath.
INT. TONY'S OFFICE - STARK INDUSTRIES - MORNING
Still a little dizzy, Tony walks out the lab wearing social clothing and buttoning his shirt. The wall closes, sealing the hidden room.
FURY (OFF SCREEN): I must admit, you have a good taste for drinks.
Tony STARTLES with the voice as he realizes Nick Fury seated at his desk, drinking a glass of whiskey.
TONY: How... how long did you know?
FURY: Come on, it was not so hard. I know three people who could build something like that, but only you would be saving people. Also, I highly doubt that Tony Stark would let anyone play with such a special toy.
TONY: I have free time. But I do not remember letting you walk into my office and drink my expensive whiskey.
FURY: Your secretary authorized me. Not that it was going to stop me anyway.
TONY: You love to make everything very simple, do not you, Nick?
FURY: Well, it's part of my job. I solve many problems. Even when you stopped selling weapons to us, I -
TONY (INTERRUPTING): If you came here to ask me to come back to make weapons for SHIELD, you are mistaken. I'm done.
FURY: That cave really changed you, Stark. But actually I came here to make a proposal.
TONY: What proposal?
Fury pulls a FILE FOLDER out of his coat and places it on Stark's desk.
FURY: To put an end on Hydra.
ON TONY as he lets that words sink in, considering.
CUT TO BLACK.
END OF THE EPISODE