The Walking Iron Man

Chapter 3

A Trip to the CDC

Author's Notes: I know that Rick's part of the story has only been summed up, but that's because those events remain the same. But once they meet up with Reed's group, that's when it will change and there will be dialogue from them.

Back in Georgia...

After Daryl Dixon had returned to the camp upset over the loss of the deer he had been tracking, he was told by Rick about his brother Merle, which upset him even further. But Rick proposed that they go back to Atlanta for him and to retrieve the guns he had left behind.

So they made the trip back to Atlanta, went up to the roof where Merle was left behind, but they only found his sawed off hand. Daryl wrapped it up in a hanker-chief and put it in his bag. Then they went to retrieve the guns, only to be surrounded by Vato gangsters who were trying to take the guns as well.

That led them to their fortress that turned out to be an abandoned nursing home where the Vatos were taking care of the old people that the staff had left behind. Rick left them half the guns to help protect them all.

After they tried returning to their truck, they found it had been taken and concluded that Merle was the one who took it. So they had to walk all the way back to the camp.

Later that evening as everyone back at the camp were enjoying the fried fish that Andrea and her sister Amy had caught earlier that day, a group of walkers had shown up and began attacking. Carol's husband Ed was the first victim, followed by Amy.

Just when all hope seemed lost, Rick and his group showed up and were able to shoot down all the walkers. Andrea was so upset over Amy being bitten as it was her birthday that she stayed right by her body until the next morning when she turned. Andrea put a bullet in her head.

Rick suggested they head to the CDC to get some answers about what was causing the people to turn into walkers, or how the walkers are able to move.

Back in Florida...

Reed Richards was still working on finding answers to those same questions as well when he too came up with the idea to go to the CDC.

He walked into the living room where Susan was sitting looking very upset. Pepper was also sitting in there, but she was crying over Tony having turned, but still being alive. Victor von Doom sat there not knowing what to do to make either of them feel better.

Reed was about to speak up, but Susan beats him to it by saying, "How could you do this?"

"Susan, if this is about feeding Tony, I told you that I had to." Reed responded.

"And how did you go about finding that person you fed him? How many more were there?" Susan asked.

"Just a few, but I only selected those who were on the brink of death or were freshly killed." Reed answered.

"But what about that guy that Tony was eating when we arrived? He looked pretty alive to me!" Susan grilled.

"OK that was a mistake. I thought he was dead, I had no idea he was passed out drunk." Reed explained.

"You should've called SHIELD! They can help!" Susan yelled.

"No! Tony has asked not to get them involved. Besides, I think I can figure out how to help him." Reed said.

"And how are you going to do that? You're not a medical doctor!" Susan questioned.

"I know, which is why we are going to the CDC. The nearest one is in Atlanta." Reed answered.

"The CDC? You think they can help with that? They're not as advanced as SHIELD!" Susan argued.

"Because they are working on a cure as well. But we really need to leave now." Reed said.

"We? Why do we have to go? Why not just you and Tony?" Susan asked.

"Because we need to stick together, even if that includes Victor. But of course you don't have to go, you can leave and go back to Latveria anytime." Reed said while looking at Doom.

"You are right Reed, I could go back home. But I made a promise to my people that I would not return until I have a cure. And it sounds like you don't want me to go with you, just so you can keep the cure to yourself! Well you can forget that! I'm coming with you." Victor ranted.

"Are you serious Victor?" Susan questioned.

"Yes I am, despite how awkward this trip will be with you two. But I'm also going for her." Victor said while looking over at his goddaughter Valeria.

"Well I'm glad you're coming!" Valeria said while hugging him.

Franklin grumbled at his sister. He couldn't believe that his parents made Dr Doom her Godfather, but they did because they felt they owed him for delivering her safely and keeping Susan alive during labor.

"Anyways, everyone pack your things, but only what you need! The helicopter cannot carry too much weight. Plus I need room for the equipment." Reed ordered.

"Just don't make me take my armor off!" Victor stated.

"Reed, can we talk?" Susan asked.

"What more do you need to say?" Reed asked.

"I don't understand why we can't just stay here and call for help. Have you seen how widespread this thing has become?" Susan asked.

"I am aware of that, but we don't have enough resources to continue further studies on Tony's condition. He didn't get a chance to get his lab fully equipped yet. The CDC may be behind, but it'll be better than this place." Reed explained.

"I hope you're right." Susan said.

"Look. I understand the danger out there. Which is why I asked you and the kids to stay in the Baxter building. Though I do know that you were heading to SHIELD's shelter and were only coming to retrieve Pepper Potts, but I do want to know how Victor ended up coming with you guys?" Reed asked.

"He was going to kidnap Pepper to use as a bargaining chip for the cure that he thought Tony had." Susan answered.

"But how did he even think that in the first place? Especially to show up at Pepper's with that knowledge. The only ones who knew about this safe house is Bruce, who is in South Korea and me, and I never told anyone else about..." Reed said, and then stopped when he remembered the phone call he made to Tony.

"What is it?" Susan asked.

Reed walked up to Valeria, who was showing Victor her college level homework that was graded with A 's. She was smart enough to skip several grades and do online courses for college. She was smiling over Victor's praises, but when she saw her father, her smile disappeared.

"Is there something wrong daddy?" Valeria asked with a smile, but fearing that he figured out what she had done.

Now Reed knew she was playing innocent when she called him daddy, which she never does.

Meanwhile at the CDC...

Rick and his group had made it, though they almost didn't get let in since there was only one man left in the building. His wife, who was the scientist that Reed had spoken with, had died. But it wasn't in vain since her brain scans gave a better understanding of how the dead were able to move.

But the CDC wasn't as much of a haven as Rick had hoped it would be since the building was set to self destruct. They were locked in, but at the last minute the door was opened and everyone ran out, except for Jacqui and Andrea, who both volunteered to stay. But Dale didn't want Andrea to die, so he stayed with her until she changed her mind and they both ran out of the building. Right before the building exploded, Rick noticed a helicopter was landing on the roof.

"Are they landing?" one of them said.

"Oh my God! We gotta warn them!" Lori exclaimed.

But it was too late, as soon as it landed, the CDC building blew up.

"Oh my God!" Lori gasped.

"I'm sorry, there's nothing we can do now, we have to go!" Rick ordered as he grabs Lori's hand and runs into the vehicle and drives off following Dale's RV, which is following Daryl's motorcycle in the front.

Reed's group POV...

After loading up the helicopter, and suiting Tony up in an Iron Man suit, everyone was ready to go. Reed piloted the copter and headed to Atlanta. It only took an hour, but they made it and Reed could see the CDC building.

"Here it is, I knew we'd make it! I'm going to land on the roof." Reed said.

But just as he landed, the building exploded. Pepper, Susan, Valeria, and Franklin screamed.

"What the hell!" Victor screamed.

"Susan! Are you alright?" Reed asked.

"We need to get down now!" Susan screamed.

"Right. I got you!" Reed said to his daughter as he unbuckled her seat belt and lowered her down to the ground.

Reed ordered Susan, "Slide down my arms!"

So she did as she was told and Tony had hovered down while carrying Pepper. But the moment they were on the ground, she noticed Franklin was missing.

"Franklin! He's still up there!" Susan panicked, then she shouts out to the roof, "Franklin!"

Valeria spoke up, "Victor's up there too! I think he's helping him."

Up on the roof, Victor unhooked himself and was about to levitate to the ground with his powers, but he saw Franklin run back into the copter. He wasn't about to leave him there, so he went to go get him.

"Franklin! What are you doing? We gotta go!" Victor said.

"I have to get these!" Franklin said while grasping his father's notes and a few personal items.

"Leave them! This roof is going to collapse!" Victor ordered.

"Fuck you Dr. Doom! I'll get myself down!" Franklin cursed as he pushed past him, and went to retrieve the notes stuffed in a bag.

But just as Victor warned, the roof began to buckle. He quickly grabbed the bag and hoisted it over his shoulder, then he grabbed Franklin and they hovered down to the ground.

By then, Reed, Susan, and Valeria had moved further from the building. Franklin ran from Doom as soon as his feet touched the ground toward his family.

Susan hugged him and said, "Franklin! I'm so glad you're OK! But what were you doing up there?"

"I had to get them! All of dad and Tony's work. We almost lost it." Franklin explained.

Reed speaks up, "Franklin. Scientific work can be redone and rediscovered again, but you could've died!"

"Well you guys might die anyways if we don't get away from here!" Tony stated as they looked around and saw the walkers coming toward them.

"We also need to get away from this building!" Susan declared as the CDC was now completely engulfed in flames.

Reed ran toward the vehicles that had been abandoned checking for any that could still run. He found a Jeep that started up.

"Everyone, in here!" Reed called out.

Susan loaded her kids on first and then got in. Tony was pulled in. Dr. Doom hesitated, but knew he had no choice, but Pepper wasn't in yet. He looks over and sees her getting ready to fight the walkers.

"We have to go! Come on." Doom said as he grabs her around the waist and lifts her in.

By the time they got in, the only place for Doom to sit was in the front seat with Reed Richards.

"Well, it looks like you get to ride shotgun Victor." Reed said with a chuckle.

Doom sighed and said, "Like I have much of a choice, but for now I can set aside our differences. But once we find a cure, I'm out of here!"

"If we even find one." Reed thought in his head, but knew better than to say it out loud.

Later that day...

Reed stops the jeep when they come across the numerous abandoned cars on the highway. Susan wakes up from her nap and asks, "Why are we stopping?"

"We're blocked." Reed answers.

Doom responds, "We can just blast these cars out of the way."

"Hold on! There's people over there." Reed says as he points to Rick's group coming back up from the side of the road.

"So what! We don't know them." Doom said.

But Reed already got out of the jeep to go talk to them.

Doom sighed, but got out of the Jeep and followed him.

Reed stands back as he sees them approaching Carol, who was waiting for news of her daughter Sophia. Rick looks frantic as he asks if she came back. Finally, Glenn points to him and Rick walks toward him.

Andrea asks, "Is that Mr. Fantastic?"

Reed is the first to speak, "Um...hi."

Then Rick asks, "Are you one of them Fantastic four guys?"

"Yes I am. I'm known as..."

"Mr. Fantastic?" Rick finished.

"Um yes." Reed responded.

Daryl joins the conversation and says, "We could've used ya a moment ago when the herd came by!"

Reed looked confused, so Rick told him, "A huge group of walkers came by. That's what we call em. Anyway, we had to hide under the cars til they walked by."

Carol runs up and frantically asks, "My daughter's missing! You haven't seen her have you? She's ten years old, has short blond hair with a blue shirt on!"

Reed answered, "No, I haven't seen a little girl. I take you guys were looking for her?"

"Yeah. She ran off when one of the walkers tried to grab her. I went after her, but I had to get the two walkers away from her. I told her to stay put, but if she had to come back, I told her to keep the sun on her left shoulder." Rick said with his head on his hand, then he sees Susan approaching along with Franklin and Valeria.

"What's going on?" Pepper asks as she follows behind.

"They're looking for a little girl they lost." Reed answered her.

"Oh that's terrible! We can help you look if that would help." Susan offered.

"Thank you ma'am. I'm Rick Grimes, I know who you guys are."

"Pleasure." Susan said as she shook his hand.

"What y'all doing here anyway?" Daryl asks.

"That's Daryl Dixon." Rick introduced.

Glenn gets wide eyed and asks, "Holy crap! Is that Dr. Doom?"

They look over and see him approach, and they all back up. Rick looks at Reed for answers.

Shane points his gun at Doom and yells out, "Put your weapon down and hands up in the air! And don't try that Diplomatic immunity bullshit here!"

Rick orders, "Stand down Shane! Are you trying to get us killed?"

"Calm yourselves. I am not going to harm anyone." Dr. Doom slowly takes his gun out of his holster and sets it down on the ground and puts his hands up in the air.

Shane grabs the gun and says, "You better not!"

"Enough!" Rick scolds Shane, then says, "I believe Daryl had the right question, what are you guys doing here?" Rick asked.

Reed answers, "We have a lot to explain, and I will let you guys ask any questions you have afterward.

So Reed tells them about heading to the CDC and how it exploded as soon as they landed. Rick helped fill in the details of why it exploded and how they too barely made it out. He had Susan keep Iron Man back so he can prepare them for his condition.

"OK that explains why you came out here, but I'd like to know why he's with you?" Rick asks as he points to Doom, then continues, "From what we know, you guys are enemies, aren't you?"

Dr Doom step up and explains, "Given the circumstances we've ended up in, we have set aside our differences to achieve our common goal, which is to find a cure for this wretched disease. But make no mistake...I still hate him!" But then adds as he looks at Shane Walsh, "Although I think I've found someone I dislike more."

"The feeling's mutual." Shane remarked as he glared at Doom.

Reed responds, "I'd say we're more like frenemies, but we've called a truce, so there won't be any fighting."

"Point taken Richards. But get on with explaining Iron Man already!" Dr. Doom pushed as he was tired of Reed dragging his feet in talking about Tony Stark.

"Iron Man? Is he here too? That does explain why she's here with y'all." Rick asked as he looked at Pepper Potts. He thought he has seen someone else in the jeep and now confirmed it.

"I was getting to that Victor!" Reed seethed.

Susan cleared her throat and mediated, "Guys! Truce?"

"Just spit it out already!" Daryl piped up.

Reed takes a deep breath and says, "OK first of all...Tony Stark is very self aware and can see, hear, and talk. I know that doesn't make sense why I'm telling you this, but when you see him, you'll understand."

He had told Pepper to go get him and she did.

Tony approaches fully armored in his Mark 42 Iron Man suit and greets, "Hello! I don't know most of you, but I'm sure you guys know who I am, I am Iron Man."

"He looks pretty normal to me, but what are you getting at?" Rick asked.

"Tony? You ready to show them?" Reed asked.

"No, but they will find out anyways if I don't do it now. Brace yourselves! This is not going to be a pretty sight, and please don't shoot me!" Tony said.

Then he opened his mask, and gave Rick and his group a shocking sight.

"What the hell!? He's a walker?" Shane shouted as he pointed his gun at Tony.

"Whoa! Hold on! I'm not dead!" Tony exclaimed as he put his hands up. After a pause, he adds, "Well...technically I am dead, except I'm the living...living dead. See? Do those other living dead guys talk like this?"

Everyone is shocked, but Dale is the first to speak up when he asks, "How is this possible?"

Tony answers, "I don't know! That's what I've been trying to figure out. Reed just started helping me, but all we've been getting is more questions. There is one thing that you guys should know about me."

"And what's that?" Rick asked.

Tony answers, "I have to eat."

"Do you mean...the living?" Rick asked.

"Yes." Tony answered quickly.

Reed tells him, "I help him find food. But!...only those who have been freshly killed! Or are dying."

Rick and the rest of the group suddenly look uncomfortable.

Shane whispers to Rick, "Avengers or not, we are not letting them stay with us! Especially with that...thing! He'll put us all in danger!"

Daryl says, "I hate to say it, but I agree with Shane."

Dale speaks up, "Now hold on guys! He said he only finds him the freshly killed ones. Besides, I'd rather have him here where we know where he's at, than to have him out there and not knowing if he could be nearby or not. Plus, think of the advantages of having a living walker! He might deter the other walkers away from us!"

Rick responds, "Those are good points, but I'll think about it."

"You're not serious are you? Plus they have Dr. Doom with them, and from what I've read, he's a dangerous tyrant who wants nothing more than to rule the world!" Shane explains.

Reed whispers to Susan, "Maybe we should go. It sounds like our presence is going to be a threat here."

"Just wait! They haven't made a decision yet." Susan said.

Meanwhile, Valeria waves at Carl, who smiles sheepishly and gives a small wave back.

Valeria walks over to hm and says, "Hi. I'm Valeria."

Carl, who's not used to a girl coming over and talking to him, responds nervously, "H-h-hi!"

"What's your name?" she asks.

"C-Carl. You have a pretty name. I've never heard one like that before." Carl said.

"Thanks. Dr. Doom gave me that name. He named me after a girl he once loved but lost." Valeria said.

Carl points at Doom and asks, "Him?"

"Yeah. My mom would have died giving birth to me if not for his help. It's a long story, but don't believe what you have heard about Dr. Doom. He's a really cool guy, and he's been doing good things since I came into this world. He's just here because he thought Iron Man had a cure, but Pepper took him willingly to Iron Man."

"Valeria!" Susan called out to her daughter.

"Oh, I guess I said too much. My mom wants me back over there. Nice meeting you Carl."

"It was nice meeting you too!" Carl said as she walked back with her mom.

Lori Grimes heard what Valeria told Carl. From what she had read in her People magazine subscriptions, Lori knew that Susan Richards was once with Dr. Doom when he was still known as Victor Von Doom, but had been with Reed beforehand, and then returning with him after leaving Victor. But the last she heard, was that her marriage to Reed was on the rocks. She too had a similar experience when she went to Shane when she thought Rick was dead. Although she had been seeing Shane even before the world went to hell, but only to see if Rick would notice and then fight to get her back. It didn't work because he only brushed off any suspicions.

She's snapped out of her thoughts when Rick signals for her to join the group discussion of whether to let them stay or send them on their way.

Finally Rick approaches Reed and tells him, "Alright, we couldn't come to a complete agreement, however...since we could use all the help we can get to locate Sophia, you can stay with us, for now. As for Iron Man's food situation, if you can't find any fresh kills, we're just gonna have to give him squirrels to eat."

"Agreed. We'll do our best to locate her while I figure out where to go next. I don't want us to be a problem." Reed said.

"Good. We're gonna go back out there and look for Sophia." Rick said.

"I'll come with you." Reed said.

After Carl gets permission to come along with his dad, Valeria asks her dad if she could go with him as well. Reed says yes, but to stay close by them.

Dr. Doom goes with Daryl's group since Reed and Shane are in the other group, but was surprised that Valeria was going with them. Though he figures it's so she could get to know Rick's son, whom he saw her talking to earlier. Pepper Potts joins with Daryl's group as well. Meanwhile Susan, Franklin, and Tony stay behind with Dale and T-Dog.