A/N: Just one more chapter to go! Before I begin though, I want to thank everyone for supporting this story. And in the next coming months, you'll see my next project in this ultimate MCU x over project. ENJOY!
The next day, back at Stark Industries, Tony was preparing for a big press conference about what happened last night with Stane, Drakken, and Shego. And all the while, Kim and Ron were packing their stuff, ready to go back home to Middleton with Kim's family. Kim now felt way much better, her post traumatic stress fading away. She smiled to herself as she packed her clothes and Tony read the newspaper with the headline, 'Who is Iron Man?'
"Iron Man. That's kind of a catchy name." Tony said to himself as Pepper applied more makeup to his wounds from last night's battle. Kim amusedly rolled her eyes at that while Ron smiled. "It's got a nice ring to it, but it's not entirely accurate."
"It kind of is." Ron smirked. "I mean, would you rather go for 'Metal Gear Superhero'?" Kim giggled at that, feeling more like herself by the minute.
Tony smirked right back at him. "Good point. Iron Man it is. It's kind of evocative, the imagery, anyway." he said to which Kim continued to smile. It's been a busy few weeks for sure, but now that she's back to herself, she was ready to say goodbye to LA and get back to saving the world. Agent Coulson then approached Tony and handed him a slip of paper to read for his news conference.
"Here's your alibi. You were on your yacht." Coulson explained. Tony and Kim were unsure about the whole thing. Shouldn't Tony just tell the truth? But then again, he had to protect the people important to him, including Pepper and the company. "We have port papers that put you in Avalon all night, and sworn statements from 30 of your guests. So basically, Kim and Ron did all the saving."
"Wow, I can't believe I'm saying this, but you guys are better than Global Justice." Ron said, amazed that he was able to cook up an alibi so fast. Kim chuckled at that before remembering something.
"What about what happened to Stane?" Kim asked, worried that she might be held responsible for Stane's death.
"Don't worry, Miss Possible. It's being handled." Coulson assured, allowing Kim to breathe with relief. "He's on vacation, and small aircraft have poor safety records." He then cleared his throat nervously as he caught Kim's glare. "Unless they're being flown by you." Kim smiled at that.
"But what about the whole cover story that it's a bodyguard that Wade designed for Kim? She would never go with a plan like that." Tony counter-argued.
"Hey, I'm sure she wouldn't mind extra help. After all, I hired a whole squad for Kim when I had my Naco Royalties." Ron smiled, making Kim smiled back.
"Wait, you were a millionaire?" Tony asked with a smirk, finding it hard to believe.
"Yeah, for two days." Ron smiled. "It was the most badical time of my life!"
"You know you might wanna keep that boasting in check, Mister Stoppable. We still have your tax records from your outrageous spending spree with that money. And the IRS will not take kindly to you if they read it." Coulson warned jokingly, making Ron go silent and Kim couldn't help but giggle over it. "And as you, this isn't my first rodeo, Mister Stark. Just stick to the official statement, and soon this will all be behind you. You've got five minutes." He then turned to leave before Kim stopped him.
"Agent Coulson?" Kim asked. "I just wanted to say thank you very much for all your help. We've couldn't have stopped Drakken, Shego, and Stane without you."
"No big, Miss Possible." Coulson smiled, using Kim's phrase. "It's what we do. You and Mister Stoppable will be hearing from us."
"From the Strategic Homeland..." Kim tried to say the lengthy name before Coulson put a hand up to stop her.
"Just call us, S.H.I.E.L.D." Agent Coulson smirked.
"Hey, now that's a better name to remember." Ron smiled.
"It's a spanking name! Once again, thanks for everything, and give my best to Doctor Director." Kim smiled.
"Will do." Coulson smiled as he left, and James, Ann, Jim, and Tim entered, carrying their luggage.
"Alright, everyone ready to head back home?" James asked with a smile.
"Totally! I'm so ready to relax!" Kim smiled with relief.
"You mean 'marinate'? Relaxing for the professionals?" Ron smirked.
"Yeah, marinate." Rufus squeaked, pulling out a pair of sunglasses. Kim chuckled at that as Tony got up and hugged Ann and shook James's hand.
"Thanks for all your help and expertise, Doctor Possible. Stark Industries could use a guy like you." Tony smiled.
"I'll think about it." James chuckled as Tony reached down to Jim and Tim's level.
"And you boys keep up with your rocket building and you might be the next me." Tony smiled, high fiving the twins.
"Hicka bicka boo!" both Tweebs smiled, making Tony chuckled as he got back up and faced Ron.
"And Ron, make sure to take care of your bestie. She needs someone like you to help her save the world." Tony said, making Ron tear up and smile.
"Thanks man. Just don't forget my name!" Ron said. "Note: serious face!"
Tony chuckled. "Trust me. I won't. Not even a brainwashing machine I would design would do that." he smiled before giving Ron a hug. He then faced Kim. "Kim..."
"I know." Kim smiled, a tear coming out of her left eye. "I'm grateful we met too. I couldn't have done this without you. You're a good friend, Tony." The two hugged tightly.
"So are you." Tony whispered with a smile before the two broke, and it was time for the Possibles and Ron to go back home.
"Thank you, Pepper. We'll see you all around." Kim smiled and waved as she, Ron, her brothers, and parents headed out the door.
"You're welcome! Bye!" Pepper smiled and waved as they left. It was now time for Tony to do his press conference. "OK, it's time to get this show back on the road."
"You're right." Tony smirked as Pepper fetched a nice suit for him to put on. "But, you know, even I don't think I'm Iron Man." Pepper rolled her eyes at that. "What?"
"You're not Iron Man." Pepper playfully scolded as she put Tony's suit on him while he held the alibi in his mouth.
"Maybe. If I was Iron Man, I would have this girlfriend who knew my true identity, and if it were so, she'd be a wreck. Always worrying about me if I might die, yet ultimately proud of the man I had become." Tony smiled as the two faced each other. "She'd be wildly conflicted, which would only make her more crazy about me." He then remembered something. "Tell me you never thought about that night?"
"What night?" asked Pepper before it came to her. "Are you talking about that night when we danced and went up on the roof, and then you went downstairs to get me a drink, and you left me there by myself?" As she was talking, the spark between the two was only getting stronger. "Is that the night you were talking about?" Tony nodded, making Pepper smile. "Thought so. Will that be all, Mister Stark?"
"Yes, that'll be all, Miss Potts." Tony smiled before finally leaving for the press conference.
At the press podium, Rhodey was finishing his speech as Tony finally arrived. "And now, Mister Stark has prepared a statement. Miss Possible and her partner, Ron Stoppable, have gone back home so they'll not be part of this conference. And Mister Stark will not be taking any questions. Thank you." Rhodey explained as Tony stepped up to the podium and faced the reporters. He was full on prepared to just read what was given to him for once. No need to put anything else in jeopardy again.
"It's been awhile since I was in front of you. I'd figured I'll stick to the cards this time." Tony said, earning a laugh from the press pool. He then read his alibi. "There's been speculation that I was involved with Miss Kim Possible and her sidekick, Ron Stoppable during the events that occurred on the freeway and the rooftop while trying to stop Drakken and Shego..."
Christine then raised her hand. "I'm sorry, Mister Stark, but do you honestly expect us to believe that was a bodyguard in a suit that Kim's technology genius Wade Load designed that conveniently appeared, despite the fact that Kim..." she wanted to asked before Tony cut her off.
"I know that it's confusing." Tony assured. "It is one thing to question the official story, and another thing entirely to make wild accusations that I'm part of Team Possible, or insinuate that I'm a superhero like Kim."
Christine smirked as she caught Tony slipping, already smelling a breaking cover story on the way. "I've never said you were a superhero, nor that you were joining Kim Possible on her moral mission to save the world." she said, making Tony sweat and mumble a bit. He then recovered himself.
"Well, good. Because that would be outlandish and fantastic." Tony shot back. But he then sighed. "Kim...in all the time that I've been with her, she's probably the most amazing person that I've ever had the privilege to meet. She's a cheerleader, straight A student, an athlete, an amazing kid. She has her flaws, but that doesn't make her any less a good person than she is. She can basically do anything. That's why she's a hero. But me? I'm just not the hero type. Clearly. With this laundry list of character defects, all the mistakes I've made, largely public."
Rhodey sighed, thinking Tony was taking too long with his rambling. He then whispered into his ear, "Just stick to the cards."
Tony nodded and held the cards again. "The truth is..." he began before pausing. In that moment, he finally realized why Kim was a hero. It was just her. She tries to stay true to herself, and that's all that anyone can do. Not a secret or a sign. Not the way the stars were aligned. Just exactly what is true. In that moment, Tony knew what he needed to really say. For the next lifetimes, people all over the world will be talking about the moment that Tony Stark would say four words that changed the course of history forever: "I am Iron Man."