IRON MAN #3

THE PHOENIX RISES FROM THE ASHES PART 3

By: Nathan Banks

A bunch of news reporters from the ABC, NBC, CBS, and other stations in New York were sitting in attendance for the press conference coming to all live outside of Stark Towers. There were even security for the press conference, better yet, for Tony'sprotection after the incident at the restaurant. They were waiting for Tony to come out and begin since he called for this press conference to address some things, such as the incident at the restaurant with Rhodey and the possibility of an old foe coming back to send a message to Stark. The podium and everything else is set up outside of Stark Towers as everyone waits for Tony to come out. Suddenly just as it looks like Tony is coming, Pepper emerges from the front doors of Stark Towers, walking up to the podium and adjusting the mic before speaking.

Pepper: Hello everyone and welcome to today's press conference, so without further ado, please welcome...Tony Stark!

Tony comes out from the doors, looking professional as always for stuff like this, as everyone stands up, the paparazzi snap their pictures as the camera's flash, but that did not stop Tony as he walked up to the podium. Pepper stood out of the way so Tony can go up to the podium, not before Tony kisses Pepper on the lips softly before he smiled at Pepper, who blushed a bit. Tony and Pepper didn't care if the people were watching or saying something out loud, so they have been there before, despite making it a little professional. Tony walks up to the podium and tests the mic for a bit before speaking as everyone sits and listens.

Tony: Hello all and welcome to this press conference, I know that you all must be wondering about what happened a couple of nights ago, but now I will take questions?

Tony looks at the reporters who asks these questions at the same time before Tony picks one of them as the reporter speaks.

Christine Everett: Mister Stark, Christine, Everett from Vanity Fair, we meet again. Let's just cut the chit chat and get right down to it...what happened?

Tony: Miss Potts and I were heading out to dinner at The Legend Bar Restaurant. Along the way, I had to answer my phone, but the call I received was from some weird calling me. Once I was done, James Rhodes, one of my best friends and allies, took a bullet for me.

Christine: So are you saying that someone was trying to kill you?

Tony: Yes, next question

He then picks another reporter as the reporter starts to talk

Chess Roberts: Chess Roberts from CNBC. Mister Stark, who do you think is trying to kill you? An enemy coming back to haunt you?

Tony chuckled a bit before answering the question

Tony: Well of course Chess, why wouldn't it happen? Ever since I announced to the world that I was Iron Man, I became a rock star, a leader of the free world. But with that comes the consequences so I am not surprise that someone wanted to take me out.

Chess: Could that someone be...The Mandarin?

Tony: Quite possible but the person that tried to take me out wasn't The Mandarin...it was someone associated with him.

Chess: Someone like a hitman for The Mandarin?

Tony: Yes.

Tony looks at another reporter as he points to her

Katy Kiernan: Katherine Kiernan from the Daily Planet. What is the condition on Colonel Rhodes?

Tony: Colonel Rhodes is doing great by the way, thanks to SHIELD and their medical division for all the hard work they do to make people better.

Katy: Do you think The Mandarin will strike once again?

Tony: I won't be surprised if he does and if so I will be ready for him.

As Tony takes some more questions and answers them, Pepper looks on and smiles a bit, seeing Tony loosen up and be his normal self in front of the media. Suddenly her cell phone starts to ring as Pepper steps away for a bit with Tony continuing the press conference. She presses the 'accept' button before placing it next to her ear.

Pepper: Hello?

David Beaumont: Ms Potts?

Pepper: Yes David?

David: Mister Stark needs to get down here at Stark Industries, were being attacked!

Pepper: *Arches eyebrow* Attacked? By who?

David: A bunch of robots are attacking the facilities as we speak!

Pepper: Oh god...get everyone out there right now and bring them to safety.

David: Yes Ms Potts

Ending the phone call, Pepper quickly walked up to the podium and right up to the podium
Tony before tapping his shoulder. Tony looks behind him to see Pepper who was worried about something

Tony: What's wrong Pepper?

Pepper whispers in Tony's ear about the call she got from one of the heads of security told her, including the attack on the facilities at Stark Industries. Tony frowns and shakes his head before he gets back on the mic and speaks.

Tony: Um...i'm sorry everyone there's just been an emergency with Stark Industries, a meeting I need to attend. Miss Potts here will take over, peace

And with that, Tony leaves the press conference before heading back inside Stark Towers. This left the reporters confused and shouting, asking questions as Pepper reaches the podium and tries to do damage control while Tony goes to the elevator. He presses the button to go up as the doors open before he steps inside and the doors close with the elevator moving up.

Tony: Jarvis, what's going on at Stark Industries facilitates?

J.A.R.V.I.S : Three dreadnoughts sir are attacking the facilities as we speak

Tony: Dreadnoughts...really? I thought I had enough of those already...prepare the Renaissance Armor for me please?

J.A.R.V.I.S : Yes sir

As Tony reaches the top floor the elevator doors open as Tony walks out to the main room .Tony took off his suit he wore before grabbing his tech suit then going inside the bathroom. A few minutes later, he comes out in his tech suit and reaches the room where he stores his armor. He bypassed the code using the communicator before reaching the platform,spreading his legs and arms out as the difference pieces of the Renaissance Armor cover Tony. The HUDactivated as the roof of the room opened before he took flight, leaving Stark Towers. Meanwhile back at the press conference, Pepper, along with everyone else looks up and see's Tony flying out of New York.

Pepper: Be careful Tony.

After a couple of hours, Tony reaches the facilities at Stark Industries before he lands,looking up and seeing the Dreadnoughts creating havoc, destroying some of the warehouses including other things that were important to the company. The Dreadnoughts stopped what they were doing and turn their attention to Iron Man. Tony looked at each of the deadly robots before speaking.

Iron Man: Alright, you guys are so going to pay for ruining my stuff after I kick your asses to the curb

Tony raises his arms and starts to fire repulsor beams from his hands, right at the Dreadnoughts...

TBC In Part 4