IRON MAN ANNUAL #2

THE YEAR 2099

By:Nathan Banks

It was the year 2099 as the world changed, the days of heroes, powered and unpowered of yesterday no longer exist in this world the people of Earth live in. They were either dead or living underground due to the fact that The Mandarin, no, Fin Fang Foom, no, the two of them combined thanks to the technology of PROTEAN took over the world. It made Fin Fang Foom covered in nothing more but iron steel but as The Mandarin, he would always stand on top of Foom's head, connected so that the they would not split apart. They made an unstoppable team, defeating not only heroes of the past but villains as well, even killing them if they refused to stand down to be thrown in confinement. It seems that The Mandarin/Fin Fang Foom controlled everything, rebuilding the world as they see fit, destroying everything and everyone in sight. Now it looks as if all hope is lost...but not all of it...

Arctic Circle

In a fortitude refuge hidden above the Arctic Circle of some kind of room laid a large cocoon on an operating table, but it wasn't anything like that. Inside of the cocoon was a human body of a younger man as an elder women with red hair in a ponytail. Wearing, jeans, a pink shirt , and a lab coat, the red head crosses her arms and waits for the cocoon to break open, but she felt a little impatient.

?: It shouldn't be taking this long, I knew the Extremis virus worked for Tony, and it should be working for our grandson.

Suddenly the cocoon started to crack as the redhead noticed it before it split in half, opening up as both sides of the cocoon fell to the ground. The man who laid on the table wearing only boxers slowly stood up as she quickly went to him.

?: Andros, it's alright sweetheart, it's me, your grandmother Pepper. How are you feeling?

Andros: What do you think grandma? It's like a sledgehammer hit me across the forehead.

Pepper: Well...that's what happens when you become Iron Man too much. You're grandfather was reckless and irresponsible when he was Iron Man until he saw how selfish he was and became a heart of iron. Anyway...can you stand?

Andros slowly got off of the operation table and stood as it felt Andros was going to fall but the grandson of Tony Stark and Pepper Potts kept his balance before looking at Pepper

Andros: Does it work?

Pepper: Command the suit to come on and see what happens.

Andros slowly nods his head before he looks at his arms, chest and legs.

Andros: On

The armor started to come to life as nothing but orange came out of the arms, slowly filling his entire body. Pepper watched in amazement and smiled, Andros was shocked and in awe of what was happening, as the suit covered all of him, except the front of his face where his helmet is.

Andros: It looks...futuristic...very orange...well too much of it. I can even feel the energy of this suit.

Pepper: That's why it's powerful than any other armor from the 21st century Andros, the connection to the armor is Extremis 16.5, not only a serum but also operating system. I knew it would work and now seeing that the armor works for you, I think it's time we test it out. Don't you think Andros?

Andros nodded his head as Pepper motioned him to follow him as they left the room as the two of them went outside in the Arctic Circle. Pepper helped Andros test everything about the suit, his strength, speed, enhanced durability, flight, the kind of weapons he had, sensor systems, etc. Seeing this made Pepper smile, knowing that his grandson was not only Iron Man but that he now has a new suit that's stronger and can finally defeat The Mandarin/Fin Fang Foom.

Pepper: Well since the suit looks good and ready to go...you know what you have to do, right Andros?

Andros slowly nodded his head.

Andros: Yes I do...I need to go back in time to the past and warn grandfather about Fin Fang Foom and The Mandarin merging together, so that we can prevent it from happening in their time.

Pepper: Yes, that's true and if you do succeed everything will come back normal...but the deaths of others thanks to The Mandarin and Fin Fang Foom won't come back...like your grandfather.

Andros saw the sad look on his grandmother's face as Pepper sighed before he put his hand on her shoulder with a sad smile on his face.

Andros: I know grandma, you miss him. I miss him too...but he would want me to do this and be the hero I need to be out there and make sure what happen to him years ago doesn't happen to grandfather in the other time.

Pepper: You're right Andros, it's just that your grandfather should be here right now, traveling to the past...not you.

Andros: Well things change grandma and I am sure he would want you to look out for the rest.

Pepper: Well you better get going Andros

Andros nodded his head as he walked away from his grandmother and stood on the ground before he turned his head, with a smile on his face.

Andros: Grandma?

Pepper: Yes Andros?

Andros: I love you and I promise I will come back to you.

It brought a tear to one of Pepper's eyes as she wiped it with her hand.

Pepper: I love you too Andros.

The front mask of Tony's helmet covered his face as he looked up to the sky.

Andros: System's online.

Andros can see the visuals in his helmet as everything comes on

J.A.R.V.I.S. : Systems are online sir.

Andros: Jarvis, please activate time travel.

J.A.R.V.I.S : Which destination sir?

Andros: The six one six universe please

Suddenly a portal opens up in the sky as Andro's boot jets start to come on.

J.A.R.V.I.S : Time travel activated.

Andros took off in and headed straight into the portal, as the portal closed once he was in it. Pepper looked up and sighed shaking her head.

Pepper: Godspeed Andros

Meanwhile back in the portal, Andros Stark travels through it seeing what the time traveling in the portal looks like. He noticed an opening of a blue sky up ahead as Andros started to reach it, leaving the portal as it closed. Andros looked around and realized where he was, seeing the city of Los Angeles, it was the Earth of the 616 universe. It was clear that Andros was here but he needed to find Tony, his grandfather as he contacted Jarvis to find where Tony is before he flew off.