Tony walked towards his door, and dived when the arrow flew past his head and embedded itself in the doorframe with a "frung". He turned and saw a shadowy figure, who lowered a bow.

"You Robin Hood?"

"Suppose so. My name's Clint Barton, and I want a million dollars. If I don't get it, I will honest-to-God shoot you through the head."

lllllllllllllllllllllllllll

Tony sat down outside the door and placed his hands under his chin. Clint walked over, arrow taken from a quiver from his back.

"What's the money for?"

"Why?"

"I ought to know what the hell I'm gonna be robbed for."

Clint laughed.

"Y'know, you're funnier than they say. Still, I need the money. Go to the Bahamas, retire for life."

Tony shook his head.

"You're lying."

"Suppose I am. Why should you care?"

"Because whatever family problems you have I will happily fix them."

Clint sighed, and put the arrow back.

"So much for Robin Hood, eh?"

"You seem like more of a Friar Tuck to me."

"Look. We've got outstanding stuff. Medical bills, loans, et cetera. The house I grew up in will be repossessed, and the tenants thrown out. Then the next guy, and the next guy, until no one is left."

"You can't help everyone."

"But you can try!"

Tony sighed again.

"Look. When I go out there, as Iron Man, I try to try and help. I don't try to help."

"Why?"

"Because if I try to help, I'll end up helping too little. But if I try to spur up others to help, then everyone gets something."

"You kinda seem delusional."

"You kinda seem naïve. A million? Really?"

"Worth a shot."

"Worth anything, but you wouldn't get it. If anything, you'd get 100,000. At most."

Clint sighed.

"Listen, Barton-"

"Clint"

"-Clint, I'm gonna help you and your family and the others. But in return you're gonna help me with the city. There are others: Spider-Man, Captain America, and God knows Banner may one day control the Hulk. There's even one guy I'm waiting to meet who apparently is called Daredevil. You're gonna be a hero."

"Do I have to wear spandex?"

"No, but you better mask-up. You want a name?"

"I dunno. I've got perfect aim. How 'bout Hawkeye?"

"Hawkeye it is."

The two parted company. Tony immediately got inside, and found a man sipping from a cup and sitting in his armchair. He had a mustache and wore a red robe and blue shirt.

"And you are?"

"Dr. Stephen Strange, sorcerer supreme."

"And you're in my house because?"

"A terrible evil is approaching in three months. An evil from beyond our world."

"It have a name?"

"Uatu the Watcher has granted me a name through the astral plains. The name of Thanos, the Mad Titan."

"Right. So, uh, you wanna leave yourself out or?"

The surroundings began to morph and change into different colours and shapes. Then there was peace, and a smoke. Through the smoke stepped a tall man with a large head and white eyes.

"I am Uatu the Watcher. Anthony Stark, your destiny is approaching."

"Oh yippee."