Chapter 14 – Realisation and Remembrance, 2011

While the expression of the Iron Man faceplate remained impassive, Tony Stark's face was set in steely determination as the American countryside blew past below him. He couldn't think clearly, he was being driver by anger; at Rhodey, at himself, and at the whole situation. Sensible thoughts tried to break through his concentration but failed; Rhodey had crossed a line. A big one. But to Rhodey, Tony had cross that line years ago by "stealing" Pepper from him. That, it seemed, had been the start of this for Rhodey.
Perhaps Rhodey envied Tony's life, more successful life. Not that it was Tony's fault; being born into one of the wealthiest families in America, perhaps even the world, and having one of the top five greatest scientific minds in that same world, second to his personal friend Reed Richards.
"Approaching supersonic speed, sir." J.A.R.V.I.S. informed him, but the A.I.'s words were lost on Tony.

The sonic boom was like a thunderclap to the people below him, the suit nothing but a red blur in the darkening sky.
Tony's eyes struggled to focus as things before him became a blur as well. "Eighty percent power remaining." J.A.R.V.I.S. warned, but again Tony didn't register the voice, though his subconscious registered the flashing number on the Iron Man HUD.
He found himself smiling as he thought about his daughter; the day she was born, her first birthday, when she took her first steps, missing her second birthday and the temper-trantrum she'd thrown because of it. Then turned ten and Tony wondered where the time and that little girl had gone.
His smile faded.
If Rhodey hurt his little girl, there'd be nothing to stop Tony, nowhere for Rhodey to run, to hide, from Iron Man. He wouldn't let up until Rhodey paid for it. Slowly, it begun to dawn on him that Rhodey wasn't there anymore; all that remained was the War Machine.

And Tony, Iron Man, was standing between him and the world.
Tony focused again, this time on the lights of Paradise City in the near distance. He smirked as he remembered the Guns 'N' Roses lyrics and hummed the tune as he approached, imagining Axl Rose's voice in his head as he did so.
He noticed the Stark Global tower and factory, set apart from the other skyscrapers of the city. Both the tower and factory were both now defunct and in-operational, for obvious reasons, though the original ARC Reactor was still running, powering down, he claimed to the press.
In truth, Tony hadn't powered down the ARC Reactor, or ripped the buildings down, as he felt that it was one of the few links to his father that he had. Aside from the company name and that infernal hot-rod that he always seemed to find a fault with. Any excuse to take it apart again. His father created the basis of the technology in his chest, keeping him alive, how could he move on with a constant reminder like that?

He wished Howard could have met Maria, and wondered, not for the first time, how the great Stark Senior would have reacted to a seemingly-normal, perfectly-ordinary teenage girl, who was more interested in fashion, music and...boys, than science, education, and the family business.
He activated the suits flaps and slowed right down as he neared the Stark Global weapons factory.