Tony Stark, Billionaire industrial giant and Super Hero double checked his suit computer as he tried to localize the anomaly that was messing with his scanners.

Deciding it needed a complete overhaul, the man behind the Invincible Iron Man landed softly before his objective and looked around for any signs of traps or trouble before aiming his hand at the center of the Warehouse door.

"Identity Confirmed 'IronMan' Welcome to Sunnydale Armory."

As the cleverly concealed blast doors slid back iron man flew into the Sunnydale Armory for the first time.

It had been built by subcontractors of Stark Enterprises and programmed from a Satellite station in L.A.

Had he remained where he was, the superhero would have seen the Warehouse door across from his slide open and a dark skinned female carry an unconscious reporter out of the building with his objective for being here close behind.

Fortunately for Alexander Harris, the Chief of security for Stark Enterprises was busy trying to nail down the interference of his systems in order to stay around no longer then absolutely needed.

--

"Right now the demonic population is trying to stay under the radar until the media frenzy Miss Case here stirred up dies down. Unfortunately that brings it's own complications with it as Iron Man will probably show up in town sometime in the next few days, something I look foreword to with the enthusiasm of a nine year old going to the dentist." Xander explained sourly as the two hunters moved through the Sunnydale night towards the reporter's hotel.

"Why is dat a problem sir? Isn't he one of da heroes?" Kendra asked, confused, as Xander flinched underneath his armored helmet.

"Yes, yes he is. The problem is that my armor bears a striking resemblance to some of the earlier Iron Man suits, which puts both of us in a rather uncomfortable position, as the 'Iron Tech' is almost universally NOT patented. That means that technically I am allowed to build my own version, but he can still hit me with Industrial Espionage lawsuits. Though in order to do that he would have to release the technology to the courts so they can see that it is actually stolen from his design." Xander explained as Kendra tried to follow the reasoning behind the problem.

"Why is it not patented? Do not companies do that so others don't steal dere design?" The heavily accented teen asked as Xander nodded in approval of the question.

"Yes, as a matter of fact they do, the problem arose first with the computer companies you see. If you have enough money you have a passing fair chance of getting the patent and simply building something of your own that is identical down to a very few details, then getting your own patent and shrug off the lawsuits because of the minor changes you made." Xander said as Kendra nodded in turn. "With something as potentially world altering as Iron Tech it was decided that no one could steal what wasn't written down. It hasn't stopped people from trying, but for the most part they've had limited success."

"Den why don he go after de others and leave you be? You can't be da biggest problem he has."

"No I'm not, but my armor is more advanced than any of the other imposters and that scares him. He wants to find out how I managed to build what I did and either make me stop or force me to join him." The armored teen said as they walked. "The problem is that I built this and I'm not going to stop and I can't join him because I have a job to do here."

"So you seem ta have all de cards, why are you scared of 'im?" Kendra asked as the young Slayer kept careful watch on their surroundings.

"First off, I'm not scared of him." Xander defended as he searched for the right words to express his situation. "While he can't take me to court for the Iron Tech theft, he can have me arrested for possessing military grade weapons and keep it from ever going to court, thanks to the national secrets act of '92. As long as he can prove to either the U.N. courts or a legitimate multinational law enforcement agency that I am a threat to any given country's sovereignty, they can hold me indefinitely without any due process." Xander explained as the dark skinned teen stared at him in shock.

"I thought dere were laws against dat sort of ting?"

Nodding at the question, Xander turned down one of the side streets and started approaching the hotel from the rear. "There are, in each individual nation there is an entire slew of laws protecting, corrupting and downright oppressing each and every person's given rights. The U.N. actually has no law concerning the length of time prisoners can be held, only the treatment they must receive." Xander explained as they reached the building they were looking for. "This is the place, her room is on the second floor, number 214." Xander said and watched as the burdened Slayer broke into the building with an ease he would never get used to.

"Well, well, well. What have we here? The white knight guarding the damsel's castle as she sleeps, or some sick pervert hoping to catch a glimpse."

Xander turned and slowly enhanced the light amplification in his armor to its max and grimaced at the green distorted pixilation he got. He would definitely need to work on that when he got back.

"I don't think you're one to be talking about sick perverts Willy. Either explain to me why I shouldn't crush you like a bug or tell me something that may avert my attention."

"Whoa, slow down there, Tin-Man. Just making a funny, geez! Look the word on the street is that some of the demons have decided to put an all points bounty out on your little friend, I thought I might stop by and let her know."

"Out of the goodness of your heart I'm sure." Xander's sarcasm cut at the little man as he flinched back slightly.

"Believe it or not, the broad's actually been real good for business. All those cranky night hunters you and your friends play with have to spend their time at my place rather then hunting and risk being exposed." The bartender said before simply shrugging. "Just thought someone might like to know, the longer she sticks around the more money I get to make."

Watching the worm walk off, Xander sighed underneath his armor. Whether or not the rat man was lying about his reasoning was beside the point, to date, Willy had never entirely lied when he had ratted someone out. Misplaced or misspoke the truth, that was well within the oily man's ability, being slimy enough you walked away in disgust was one of his better abilities.

But lie, not likely.

"Looks like it's going to be a long night," Xander muttered to himself as the newest Slayer rejoined him after her adventure in Breaking and Entering.

--

"Wow, so just like that he just came right out and said it?"

"Yeah, just like that, he just looked at me and asked 'Can you point me in the direction of the warehouse district?' and then flew off." Willow said into the phone as she forgot the request to keep it between her and the hero in her enthusiasm to tell her best female friend.

"Wow, compared to that, Ford knowing I'm the Slayer kind of pales into insignificance." Buffy said in shock as Willow started to babble about Buffy's friend knowing her secret.

--

(A/N) Okay, again not a lot happening in this, just trying to set the stage for what's to come.

Also I know I'm not spot on when it comes to some of the characters, but I'm trying to advance the storyline as best I know how.

Sorry if that offends you.

I did have a whole 'Nick Fury Vs. The Watchers Council' Sub Plot I wanted to work in, but… it just didn't happen. Maybe next time.

I also wanted to throw in some 'Victor Von Doom accepts the last Kalderash Gypsies into his lands' and maybe some 'Captain America Trains Riley Finn' but I think that line of thought has been done to death.

Hope you all enjoyed my little fic and give me lots of bright shiny reviews.

Also Thanks Duchess.

-Tjin