Alter-Stark froze, wide eyed and slack jawed. He wasn't expecting Tony, so they were leaning more towards dimensional travelers.
"I guess this isn't Kansas after all." Older version of him tried to joke but Tony could see he was uncomfortable.
See if the small one can change size. If they are anything like what I'm familiar with they could be dangerous. It's best to show you are aware of the other's presence.
Way to freak a guy out.
"Tell your pall to return to his normal size."
I'm going to look stupid if that isn't already his normal size.
It was a gamble to think they weren't just some more baddies to deal with but Tony was keeping an eye on their third member who was getting in an elevator.
"Fair enough," Alter-Stark grinned although he was only putting up a front. Tony knew himself well enough to know his mind was working overtime trying to make sense of things.
"Come on out Langly, the jig is up."
A sound was heard before another man appeared, his helmet retracting, instantly Tony had JARVIS scan the new guy for an ID.
Scott Lang, an electrical engineer and under Hank Pym? Noted.
"Dude, how'd he know we're time travelers? Wait does this mean we've done this again in the future? And current us have only come here now?"
Alter-Stark groaned.
"Shut up Antman it's obvious this isn't our timeline. For one that is not my Mark VII and I know for a fact I should be suitless and hanging out with some shield agents right now, not-" he waved his hand at Tony.
Ask if his arrival is due to the Mad Titan.
Must be something he got from Loki. He'd ask Bruce about it later.
"Is your arrival due to the Mad Titan?"
Scott jumped back, while Stark jerked.
Scott started blabbering while the other him was more on guard, Tony's words put him on edge.
"How does he know, how do you know? What is going on?"
They ignored Scott, Alter-Stark locked his jaw, the look on his face changing rapidly with his changing thoughts.
He eyed the hallway they were in and tipped his chin, "We should take this somewhere else yeah?"
They went to a vacant room that hadn't been filled with anything outside of a table and a few chairs.
While they filed inside Tony kept an eye on the Captain wannabe, the guy was having a rough time probably due to not being familiar with this Tower's layout. Stark sat on the table facing Tony swinging his leg carelessly while Scott slumped into a chair looking curiously between Tony and Stark.
"Where's Bruce?"
Tony asked, a little excited for the possible answer. It wasn't everyday you go to meet another version of yourself. Sure there might be other questions he could ask first, like how did he get the suit to form from nothing but the real thing that made him excited was the prospect of interacting with another Bruce.
Stark stalled before slowly saying,
"He's here. In fact he's getting the other stone."
So there is another Stone.
Ignoring Bruce's musings he stepped forward, his heart taking a quick up-notch in speed.
"So you completed Project RE?"
"What?"
Tony saw confusion and clicked his tongue, mouth flattening. If this was any version of his future this Tony should know what he was getting at.
"Damn. Can you at least tell me how Bruce is."
Stark didn't answer he only leaned back on the table cocking his head at Tony like he asked something bizarre.
Getting frustrated Tony huffed.
"Unbelievable. No wonder you needed help from another dimension. I bet you don't even have your own Bruce."
Stark seemed to have trouble understanding Tony and ending up rolling his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, even with a Hulk it wouldn't help."
Tony felt like he swallowed a chunk of ice. A world where Bruce didn't land in his head was staring at him and it looked like a sad world. He could see this version of himself was tired and worn down.
The barely hidden flint in his eyes, the exhaustion he didn't hide. It all showed just how much shit this version went through. Tony lost his exhilaration, any enjoyment from this alternate version of himself vanishing with the dismal realization.
He couldn't relate to someone who never met Bruce. Just trying to visualize going through the things he did alone as he should've, was enough to make him wince in pain. Life without Bruce was something he couldn't fathom but from what he could see it wouldn't have been pretty. This was proof that without Bruce he was a failure. It was everything he feared.
Clenching his hands he gritted out,
"I'm sorry to hear that." Deeply sorry this Tony had to do things alone. "Not everyone's blessed I guess."
The other Tony read his pity and narrowed his eyes. The look said he didn't like Tony's tone to which he only shrugged.
"Do you have like another Bruce here or something?" Scott said, laughing nervously, he was trying to break the rising tension no doubt.
"Obviously, don't get me wrong Banner's great but I doubt you'd be here if you had my Bruce." The quiet confidence with which he spoke those words had the other Stark baffled before deciding he was in fact insulted.
Sneering, "Look kid, no one could've prevented what happened on my end." Let alone one guy his face said.
"I gotta agree with Stark here. Er, my time's Stark." Scott scratched his head, sheepish.
Tony crossed his arms, nothing would change his mind.
Eh let's swap I'm done here.
Are you sure? This might not happen again.
I lost interest, besides I hope this doesn't happen again. Sure it was fun for a second but looking at my face that's a stranger, it's starting to creep me out.
As if reading what Tony's real worry was Bruce said in a serious voice,
He is likely correct in the assumption that my presence wouldn't have diverted his world's danger.
Implying that Tony was ridiculous for thinking otherwise but what did he know?
Whatever you say buddy, I'm going back to that nap.
Tony couldn't believe the gall of this younger self. They were obviously in some sort of whacko place. Where did his calculations even go wrong for them to land here? He gave his past self a surly look.
Scott was shooting him worried looks but this was practically a baby, this Stark went through nothing of the pain he did. Tony wouldn't be ridiculed by someone who couldn't fathom the shit he had to go through.
No matter if this was time travel gone wrong or an alternate dimension this was still a version of himself that was still bright eyed and bushy tailed. How naive could you be to think one person could change what happened. Though he couldn't help but wonder why Stark's helmet was still up, not once going down, not even to flash a cocky grin. Even against enemies Tony couldn't help reveal his face. Usually to mock them.
Although the self assured aura he gave off was nostalgic in an odd way, he remembered being like that. Thinking he was always right. He didn't exactly grow out of it but he certainly changed.
In the sudden quiet after the other's proclamation Tony considered the pros and cons of even giving this version a heads up of sorts. If this truly was another world he felt like he should but this Iron Man was already aware of Thanos somehow. If he gave out information from his end would it even be relevant? What if it was wrong for this dimension? The whole time they spoke he felt like he was missing crucial pieces of information.
That and he could feel the other's disappointment. How anyone could feel disappointed when a future version of themselves created time, ah, dimension travel was beyond him but it grated to hear another version of himself look at Tony and find him wanting. He had enough self hatred from his end thank you.
The first time since meeting each other younger Stark shifted changing his stance, making Tony sit up almost in answer to the alertness he gave off. Tony frowned, a little weirded out. The whole time so far Tony was a little confused but nothing was out of his grasp of understanding.
Things were still familiar in a way. He didn't know why but something about the other Stark made him more aware of him. Don't tell him the idiot was going to fight was he? Didn't he notice how his armor was used? It was obvious his was the superior version. Even if begrudgingly the other's suit didn't show up on his scanners.
"Captain Rogers it appears you are facing an alternate timelines version of yourself."
Tony blinked, something was different. Did he use a voice changer? The hand to his helmet showed he allowed his voice to be heard by Tony and Scott. Deliberately letting him know he was talking to the other Rogers. A sudden thought came to mind.
"Can you tell your counterpart I have his allies with me now. Bring him and the scepter if you would."
Why did Tony get the sudden feeling this version never disclosed his real identity like he did all those years ago? Did it have to do with this 'Bruce' Stark spoke of? No, Tony was sure no one could've changed his mind back then. Ugh, this whole endeavor was giving him a headache. This was supposed to be an easy in and out mission.
Still he spoke to his own Cap to work with his alternate for now.
"How do you know about the Mad Titan?" Tony asked, feeling the weight of the past few days close in on him.
The others faceplate bore into him, "Irrelevant. What are your intentions here?"
Why was this Stark so stiff now? This guy went through moods faster than Tony was used to, especially for someone that was meant to be himself.
"We're here to get the infinity stones," Scott pitched in while Tony closed his eyes, gathering his patience.
"The cube is one of them." Stark stated, cocking his head, "And the scepter. You mentioned another. So there are three on this planet." Tony pursed his lips, was this guy for real? Was this timeline accelerated in some way?
"Freaky." Scott shivered.
Tony debated for a moment before giving a little more, "The time stone is in the hands of a wizard. You'll meet him later, I think." With the way things were maybe he'd meet Strange faster than he did or not at all.
"Wait should we be telling him this?" Scott suddenly asked after giving the most information away, Tony breathed in deeply.
"We hopped to the side not backwards. I'll tell him just enough to get the point across."
At this he looked at Stark, "The Mad Titan is coming and you will be unprepared for him. He's a universal kinda threat. He's looking for the infinity stones, there are seven in all and yes three of them are on earth right now. I need those stones to stop him in my time."
"Will you return them?"
"Yeah, things like them should be where they belong." Tony said staring at the other Iron Man, he was taking the news better than he should be. Stark still felt off and he stopped being able to read the other guy. He didn't like it.
"If not, creating a portal to your world to reclaim them should not be too difficult." With a furrowed brow Tony wondered just how that was going to be done. He stared longer trying to see past the metal exterior before pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Whatever, where is the cube now?"
Before the other could answer the doors opened causing Tony to flinch only to relax when he saw his own Rogers holding the scepter, the other Captain was following with a confused frown. Man you could really see the span of time between the two, one just as hollowed out as he was and the other still full of life.
"Cap!" Scott greeted happily from his chair.
"Tony, what's going on?" His Rogers asked looking stoney, gripping the scepter tightly, eyes going back and forth between both Tony's. While younger Rogers stared openly at Tony his confusion going for a little longer before he forced his face into something more neutral.
"Looks like I hadn't invented time travel after all but a portal to an alternate dimension, short story short, this Iron Man is letting us take the stuff so long as we give it back." Tony didn't know how else to say it, this wasn't exactly planned after all.
Rogers gave Tony a suspicious glance as if he couldn't trust either Iron Man. Tony held back a scoff, used to the Captain's second guessing his words.
"Yeah this guy knows way too much for this time I swear." Scott whispered at Rogers as he came further into the room.
"Interesting."
Their Captain watched as the other Rogers walked over to younger Tony asking if it was true and if they should really let these doubles take whatever they were after. To which Stark gave some dry reassurances.
"Did you do this on purpose?" Rogers asked Tony as if it was all some hidden agenda of his, then again he could be reading too much into it. Tony could admit he was still sore about some things and took most things Rogers said negatively. So the only response he could give was a sigh. A loud one.
The differences in the worldlines was shown as the younger one ended up nodding and said, "If you're sure."
There he was standing next to his Iron Man with his hands tucked behind his back. This guy took to the oddity of doubles as if it were an everyday occurrence. Simply giving them an interested look. Even if he held himself with an easy air he didn't fool anyone in the room, everyone knew just how quick he'd react if a fight went down.
Ha, if there was any further proof needed for this being an alternate dimension it was that. As Tony couldn't recall ever having an easy acceptance between he and Rogers. Then again if this Tony never revealed his identity it was easier to see why they got along, Tony thought sardonically.
"I'm guessing using your own isn't possible but do you really need these items so much you'd come here?" Young Cap asked Rogers as if all he needed was confirmation from his other self to be used as trustworthiness.
In the end the older Captain gave his counterpart a deep stare as if trying to impart the severity of the problem with looks alone, "It's the only way. And we will return them."
Young Cap looked him up and down, seemingly reading what he needed. "Alright. We'll hold you to it."
Tony cleared his throat they did still have a bit of a time crunch going on.
"Right, so where was that cube?"
"JARVIS will direct you." Stark tipped his head.
"JARVIS…" He forgot. The sting that came when he remembered his baby as he was. Tony swallowed past the lump in his throat, looking away to collect himself.
"Do make a ruckus getting your items. I wish for SHIELD to be aware of an outside party taking the stones." Stark spoke pointedly towards Tony and the Captain who looked too much like the younger versions, even if the other Iron Man was acting unusual, Tony could still get what he was trying to say.
Not that knocking out a few SHIELD agents for a disguise was hard, it was something he was going to do even before getting caught.
"If it's one thing we can do, it's cause a ruckus!" Scott exclaimed before shrinking, Rogers opened his mouth as if to ask something but Tony grabbed his hand, quickly cutting in.
"Yeah, yeah, we can do that. Let's get some infiltration gear eh? We'll make sure when we bring them back to do it on the down low." Tony wasn't sure what Rogers was going to say but best to stay clear of any more needless information sharing. This world's timeline had to be sped up if Iron Man was already showing distrust in SHIELD.
"Through here if you would," Jarvis directed them and Tony left them behind without a second glance whatever strangeness this world held it had nothing to do with him ultimately. He needed to keep his head straight and prepare for his own world's future, and ensure that it had one in the first place.
