Disclaimer I own only my OC's

Fair warning: This is a rough one guys. I changed the genre from humor because of this here Chappy. Enjoy!

Friday, Day Six

"I'm calling the suit The Hound," I tell Tony as we drive to the Charity Ball/Banquet thing. I don't know, all these rich people things sound the exact same.

Tony snorts, "Why?"

"Because the suit has a Grade A tracker and Face trace system. Plus, I added hella thrusters so it's much faster than your other suits." I say, leaning back in my seat.

"Is that illegal? Aren't those SHIELD's?" Pepper asks eyebrows scrunched together; she's been taking this all surprisingly well. She cried when Tony told her what I did, and we, being men, freaked out. Until she told us they were happy tears and I'm so much like Tony and she's so hormonal lately. Still made me just the teeniest bit uncomfortable.

"I don't know, but this kid thinks he's better than me. You think you're better than me, huh?" Tony narrows his eyes at me in the rear-view mirror.

"Just a little," I joke as I look out the window. I adjust the piece in my ear that lets me communicate with JEEVES. Hey, I don't know when my robot buddy will come in handy.

Tony pulls his Lamborghini up to the curb of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I gawk at the giant building, red carpet laid out and paparazzi swarming around. This is one place I've always wanted to go to.

"What kind of ball is this?" I ask in wonder.

Tony runs a hand through his hair as he checks himself in the mirror, not paying attention. Pepper rolls her eyes, "It's for keeping the Arts alive in schools. Tony just donated a lot of money to the organization a couple of days ago."

"Huh," I respond vaguely.

"Ready?" Tony asks.

"We don't have to pose, right?" I eye the red carpet suspiciously.

"No, just walk through and smile. The red carpet is only used for pompous actors." Tony tells me as he opens his door. A large cry erupts from onlookers and paparazzi turn their cameras, eager to take a picture of Iron Man. He walks to the other side of the car and opens Pepper door for her right as I open mine. I walk out into the bright lights, shielding my eyes slightly as all eyes and cameras are suddenly upon me.

The bastard, that's what they're all thinking, but I really don't care. Words don't really affect me.

Tony smiles and with a wave and a hand on Pepper's waist he begins walking up the carpet and to the entrance of the Museum. I walk beside them, hands in the pockets of my suit and smirking some. God damn I hope Manny is seeing this right now. Guess I can make something of myself, asshole, I think to myself as we mount the steps.

The inside is one of the best things I've ever seen. Vaulted ceilings, big marble pillars, people in glamorous clothes milling around. Everything is… Really, really good, and I haven't been this happy in a long time. Huh.

People whisper and glance at us as we pass, well, mostly at me. Tony Stark has a pregnant girlfriend and a son who they've never heard of before.

"… Heard he doesn't speak English…"

"Star Magazine says he is a gangbanger."

"…His mother's a heroin addict and died. Now Tony is stuck with him. The poor man has to put up with so much."

That's just some of the gossip; earlier I Googled Tony Stark and a bunch of news about me popped up. At least MTV thinks I'm hot. Thanks MTV. It's cool, though, they can watch me, and talk all they want. I know the truth.

We pass one old woman who eyes me with a look of pure contempt and I raise an eyebrow at her, causing her to huff and turn to the man next to her. Tony snorts, "Ha, that women's husband has about for illegitimate children that she pretends not to know about."

"Hypocrites," I mutter under my breath. A man approaches us, dark skin and a close cut haircut with a Marine Corps uniform approaches us with a smile.

"Well, look who decided to show up," The man greets a grinning Tony with a hug and a pat on the back. "Took a break from saving the world."

"Good to see you too, Rhodey." Tony replies as he tucks his hands into his suit pockets.

"You look great, Pepper, great, and very pregnant," He embraces her also before he finally notices me.

"You must be Luis, right?" He asks good-naturedly.

"Right, but we can skip the hug, don't worry."

He laughs and holds out his hand which I shake, "I'm Colonel James Rhodes, but you can call me-."

"War Machine," I reply with a smirk. That's why he's so familiar. He's on the news all the time.

"-I was going to say Rhodes." He finishes with a glance at Tony, "And the politically correct term is Iron Patriot."

I shrug, "War machine sounds cooler."

"I told you!" Tony exclaims, tossing his hands into the air.

Pepper lets out a sigh, "What are you doing here, anyway? Is the military funding the Arts?"

"Not really, but we have to show that we support America's youth's choices, no matter what we are; the army is just one option in a sea of many." Rhodes explains.

I nod in agreement, "A very good response."

"Thanks, I've worked on it all night," He chuckles and we all join in. I stop laughing when I'm struck by the strangeness of the situation. Me in a suit at a ball laughing with my dad's old friend. Never thought I would find myself here.

"I'll see you guys around. I have to go talk to some other rich people and promote. Let's catch up later," With a wave of his hand he disappears into the crowd.

"He seems nice," I muse aloud.

"He is. I've known him for forever." Tony responds as we walk through the people to the paintings on the walls. I study them, each design, each detail, and each shade of color. I'll have to remember to ask Tony if he can score me some high grade art supplies.

Eventually, Tony excuses himself to go to the bar and Pepper goes with him to get water. I continue to wander, looking at paintings until I run right into another person. I really have to stop doing that and pay attention to where I'm going.

"Fuck, sorry," I say as take three steps back, creating space between me and the person. It's a guy, early twenties, and with the slimiest smile I've ever seen.

"It's fine," He brushes his dark black suit off and runs a hand through his greasy hair. "You must be Luis Stark."

"Is it that obvious?" I ask dryly.

He smirks, "You're the only person actually enjoying the art so you must be new. People who come to this event every year pay no attention to the art." He points to people spread through the gallery, "See? They gossip, make deals, eat, drink, flirt, and talk, but they can't be bothered with the art."

He's not wrong, I think to myself as I scan the room. He clears his throat and holds out his hand, "Charlie Joplin."

I take it and shake like a trained dog, "Luis, but you already knew that. You know Tony?"

"Yes, I'm familiar with him, but I doubt he remembers me," Charlie's smile never falters, if anything it gets wider.

"Don't take offense to it. He doesn't remember a lot of people," I say. I myself remember that he didn't even recognize my mother.

He gestures as if saying, what can you do. "Well, don't worry. If you get bored I'm sure things will heat up a bit later."

"I'm not bored," I assure him. I run a hand through my hair and cringe before withdrawing it back. Pepper will be pissed if I mess it up.

"I know that's why I said if." With that he turns and saunters away.

"Creep," I mutter under my breath as I turn back to the paintings. I scan the crowd, looking for Tony, but not seeing him. I'm not really worried about it – I'm sure I'll find him eventually. I scan more of the paintings until I stop at one depicting a red canoe floating in a river of black and white. It's a smart play on colors and as I think to myself the ways I may be able to incorporate the same concept into my own future paintings I hear my name from the other side of the hallway.

I freeze, but only slightly before I go back to the painting as casually as possible. "JEEVES," I address him quietly, covering my mouth to muffle the word to the people around me. "Let's zoom into that conversation."

"As you wish, Luis," His voice replies in my ear before new ones fill my ears. "The speakers are Benjamin Backer, Edmund Kennedy, Shae Backer, and Lisa Kennedy." The names are unfamiliar to me so I don't linger on them long.

"Keep your voice down," Mrs. Backer says, hushing the other couple.

Lisa scoffs, "He can't hear us I'm as quiet as a mouse. All I'm saying is I feel bad for Tony and Pepper. They have a child on the way and they have no time to deal with some leech."

"Lisa, Ms. Potts has stated that they have taken a paternity test, so he is his biological son. It's good for him; I know what it's like growing up in a bad neighborhood, and this is a great way to get out of his situation." Benjamin reasons.I resist the urge to laugh, so he's the guy who has to remind everyone of where he came from 24/7.

The other man practically sniffs, "I heard he isn't even a legal citizen. His mother smuggled his five sisters – all with different men, may I add – and him over the border."

"Please, I'm sure that isn't true."

I let out a sigh as I turn around to face the four, "It isn't true. I'm as legal as you all are." They look startled as the color drains out of the Kennedy's faces.

"We-we-," Mrs. Kennedy stutters, surprised at being caught red handed. Benjamin looks at ease, the corner of his lip twitching up as he sips his scotch. His wife is at ease also, studying me with a cool, calculating gaze.

"So, please, do me the favor of spreading that bit of news around so that I won't have to explain it again." As I turn to walk away and find Tony I allow myself a grin, teaches them not to talk about others practically in front of them.

The ball gets more crowded as the night gets later with more guests arriving fashionably late than socially appropriate. Woman laugh and sip delicately from wine glasses as men brag about their latest conquests, all of which sound boring. I'm out of place, I realize. Without Tony with me I know no one. I have no one to talk to.

I've been texting Lupe all day, trying to make her feel better about the situation. It would be hard on any eleven year old, especially because she understands almost nothing of what's happening. It doesn't help that my mom won't press charges against Manny, so she doesn't understand why his actions have no consequences. Let me tell you, that was a fun one to explain to her. Mommy doesn't care who he hits as long as sometimes he doesn't get too drunk. That's not what I said, of course, but I really wanted to.

I maneuver past people, and make my way toward the room were Tony and I split up. There's a type of dance floor elegantly set up and I see Tony and Pepper dancing, looking happy together. What if I am ruining things for them? No, Tony would have said something then. Would he? I shake my head turning away from them; I can't let some snobs words get into my head, they don't even know the truth.

I quickly approach a server, "Is there any place I can get some air?" I glance toward the front doors, "Privately." I add, remembering the paparazzi.

"The balcony on the third floor is the only place open to the public at this time. I can take you there if you'd like." The guy responds, passing his tray to another man. I think he's just eager to get away from it all too.

I nod, "Yea, thanks." He takes me up several staircases and to a hallway, we walk awhile before he leads me to a large balcony that overlooks the people outside, dying to get a look of someone famous while the paparazzi swarms like buzzards around carcass. "Thanks." I say again as the guy wanders back inside.

I sigh, placing my head in my hands as I lean against the railing. What am I doing right now? At the beginning of this week I was skeptical. I thought that by the end of the two weeks I would be un-impressed by Stark and just agree to take the money. I didn't think I would get attached to him or the rest of the Avengers.

I didn't realize that I would want to stay. I like having a stable, well, semi-stable father figure in my life. I like not getting beat, and I like having people who care about me. Sure, my mom and sister's care, but it's… different I guess. And don't get me wrong I miss my family, too. I just wish there was a way they would give me the best of both worlds.

I hear the door open and close behind me and then footsteps, but I don't look up. "Yes?" I ask as I watch the crowd.

"¿Me extrañaste, Luis?" My heart stops and I find myself unable to move as my stomach plummets.

"Manny," I mutter, slowly finding it in myself to turn around and face him. He's dressed in a grey suit that can't possibly be his and his brass ring glitters on his finger. His hair is slicked back in an obnoxious way that seems to be popular tonight. I curl my hands into fists, now's the time I've been waiting for. Too bad that there are people swarming for a piece of gossip as juicy as me killing my step-dad.

"Don't look so surprised, Luis," He smirks as he walks closer to me. I instinctually take a step back, but this only causes his smirk to grow wider.

"What are you doing here?" I question, voice hard, "Shouldn't you be hiding at one of your friend's house, freeloader?"

His smirk vanishes, "Think you're so tough now that you got a more powerful last name? Guess what kid? I got new friends now, and more power than you could imagine."

"Where's my sister?" I ask, taking a step forward.

Manny laughs, "What? You gonna hit me? I'd like to see you try." His arm suddenly clamps down on my bicep, squeezing. If I thought he was strong before, than he must me on some sort of steroids now – his grip is bruising and painful, more so than before. I try to jerk out of his grip, but he squeezed harder, bringing his other arm back and sending his fist crashing into my nose. I stumble back against the railing, immedialty bringing a hand to my nose to stop the blood flow. I don't think it's broken, but it still hurts like a bitch.

"Pussy," Manny mocks, "You may be rich, but you're still a little bitch."

"That's it," I click the button on my cuff for my suit, setting off the tracker that will now deploy the suit to me. It'll take about five minutes. Five minutes too long. As he makes to move again I launch myself at him, catching him by surprise and slamming my fist into his eye as he did to my own mother once.

He yells in shock before tossing me off of him, slamming my body into the wall. I let out a groan, but refuse to stay down. If I do, he'll kick me like he has a million times before, and I can't let that happen again. I stumble to my feet as he advances behind me allowing me to slam my elbow back into his face before turning to face him completely.

He's pissed now, I can see it in his eyes, "Fine, you want to play like that." He presses down on his wrist like he's pressing a button and almost immediately two grotesque creatures enter the balcony, jumping down from the roof apparently.

Chitauri.

"What the fuck?" I ask, confused. "How did you get those? The Avengers killed them in the Battle of New York."

"More like temporarily disabled. Now they're better, just like me." The aliens stand behind him, as if waiting for a sign or signal from him. Now I realize that this is too much to handle, and I will die if my suit doesn't get here within seconds.

"JEEVES, tell Tony what's happening." I say quickly, hoping that the message is sent quickly. I don't hear his response, as a scream erupts from the crowd below. A woman shrieks as she points up at the balcony and the aliens it now contains. The crowd erupts into a panic and I feel myself panicking as I move along the wall to the railing, trying to put distance between myself and them.

"Where did you get those?" I taunt – there's nothing more left to do at this point. "God knows you're not smart enough to make or find one."

"He wanted me to keep you alive," Manny grits out, walking quickly, "But I think I'm not going to listen." Everything happens quickly. A beeping fills the air as Manny raises his fist and the Chitauri raise their weapons. A smirk makes its way onto my face as I know what I must do. I turn as quickly as possible and before Manny can land a hit I jump off the balcony.

The crowd below yells and screams as I fall, all recognizing the new bastard son. However, in this moment, I feel weightless. Time has suspended and I'm just falling, putting my life in my own hands, and trusting the work I've partially created. I suppose you could say I'm putting my life into Tony's hands too. The beeping gets louder as my body becomes enveloped in cool metal and then I'm no longer falling, I'm flying.

"The Hound suit successfully deployed," JEEVES informs me as I let out a relieved laugh as I hover in the air, thankful.

"Thanks, JEEVES. You saved my ass."

"It's my pleasure, sir." The crowd has gone silent as they take their pictures of Tony Stark's son in an Iron Man suit. People from inside have flooded outside to see what all the commotion is about. Among them I recognize Tony and Pepper, Tony looks as if he's calling his own suit.

I fly up back to the balcony, keeping distance between myself and the other three still. Manny looks as if he's just drank something sour. "Got yourself a fancy suit and you think you're better than me."

"No," I reply lifting my arms and taking aim, "I know I'm better." I fire both repulsers at both Chitauri, causing them to hit the wall hard, denting the stone. Still, they get up and fire their guns at me. I dodge each easily and raise my hands again, firing another time and hitting my targets, but still they rise again.

Manny grins, "Modifies, remember?"

"JEEVES, what's the deal with these things?" I ask, confused.

"They have three hearts, sir. Each heart is hidden within the body and is about the size of a grain of rice."

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

"I'm afraid not sir," He replies, voice full of sympathy.

I let out a groan, "Fine," I raise my hand again, two ball sized bullets shooting out and embedding itself in the flesh of each monster before combusting, sending flesh and blood everywhere on the balcony.

"Those were your only two combustors, sir."

"Thanks for the inventory check, JEEVES." I say sarcastically as I turn my focus to Manny. "Let's talk in private." Before he can run a grab the back of his shirt and fly up to the roof, throwing him onto the roof of the MET.

He gets to his feet as I land on the roof and runs toward me, hitting the suit if my armor so hard it dents. Not enough to do real damage, but still. I slam my fist into the side of his face, causing him to fly to the end of the roof. I lift the mask so he can see my face when I talk to him, "Now, you gonna tell me where the hell Marta is?"

"I – I ain't gonna tell you anything," He spits blood at my feet.

I sigh dramatically and grab him, tossing him down to the center of the roof hard enough to dent the concrete. "I have all night," I call to him as I fly closer, landing in front of him again so that I can kick him in the shoulder, making him yell in pain.

"Where. Is. My. Sister." Silence follows and I raise my hand again before he cries out.

"Fuck! I don't know! She's not my problem anymore!" He's on his knees in front of me, hands raised and head down.

"What does that mean?" I snarl, "What did you do to her?"

"There – There was this guy, okay? And he found me and was talking shit saying if I helped him find you he'd make me rich and stronger, alright? He wanted me to bring you to him!"

"He's the one who drugged you up?" I ask. That makes sense I guess. It explains the nice suit and the Chitauri and the new nice suit. The extra strength. It explains it all.

"Yea… Then he said he's double the price if I gave him Marta. I didn't think nothing bad would happen to her, ya know?"He looks up at me a hopeful glint in his eyes.

I take a step forward and ask, voice low, "What did he do to her?"

"He said something about a… Con? Cocoon? I don't know, man, I didn't know what it meant I just wanted the money."

I pause for a minute. Con? Cocoon? What the fuck is he…? No… No, he can't be that stupid. It feels like all the air has been sucked out of my lungs. Like I have nothing left to breathe because there's only anger. Anger at this man who's beat me almost my whole life. Who made my life a living hell and ruined everything my mom held dear to her. He ruined my mom's heart and mind.

So when the word comes out I don't know how I control my voice. "Concubine?" I say it softly, barely loud enough for him to hear it.

His face lights up, "Yea! Yea, that's it -" I don't let him finish because I'm already hitting him. Hitting him for all the times he's hit me and all the times he's hit my family. I'm hitting him because he's so fucking stupid and I'm so fucking angry at him for doing this to her. For selling her for a nice suit and extra muscle.

I feel his blood on my face, sticky and hot, but I don't stop because I can't stop.

I hate him.

I hate him.

I hate him.

I only stopped when I'm forcibly pulled off of him by a now suited up Tony, "Luis! Luis! Stop! He's dead!" I struggle anyway and only vaguely notice the tears that mix with the blood on my face.

"He – That fucker sold her!" I spit through my rage and my tears and shouts. "She's fucking eleven – she's only -." A sob cuts me off and I feel arms wrap around me as I cry.

I've went from being the happiest in awhile to killing my step-father on the roof of a museum. I thought that the act would bring me joy and relief.

I just feel like I'm dying myself.

This is one of the chapters I've been really looking forward to since I've started it. I mean, there had been some changes since Charlie wasn't in the original outline, but I've been planning Manny's death since the beginning, and yes, Manny is dead. It's really not as satisfying as you would think. More heartbreaking and soul crushing.

Also in other news I fucking hate Charlie Joplin now and I made him so that's saying something. He's not deliciously evil like Loki, but my disgustingly evil like bugs.

Anyway, please review guys! When I get reviews I usually update quicker, and with finals coming up I really need that extra confidence boost! So Review review review!