Chapter Notes
I mean, I had to do it right? How couldn´t I use that line!
And we get introduced to Thor! And more scientists!
Poor Al, so many scientists...
Chapter 8: I am Ironman
The next days newspapers featured my lantern-design prominently along side speculation what exactly had happened at the facility. The government swept in before the reporters could question any of the captured personnel but that was probably for the best.
Tony and I celebrated my first media coverage as a vigilante with a round of pizza.
His alter ego had been featured in the news quite often too. In the time since Ironman´s debut the press had connected the suits arc reactor to SI. When questioned by reporters as to whether SI had any relations to Ironman, Tony had declined to comment (thanks to Pepper´s threatening looks) but had pointed out how Ironman was taking care of Stark weapons in the wrong hands.
The picture of Pepper looking at the sky like she was praying for divine intervention to save her from Tony making her life more difficult than it had to be, has been hanging framed in my apartment in NYC ever since.
My work with the X-Men was slow but steady. Until the beginning of May we successfully completed two more raids, one each month, and saved another 11 mutants that were taking refuge in Xavier´s mansion for now.
The financial help Tony was giving, was dearly needed now. I was visiting about three times a week and made a lot of new friends there. My favorites were definitely Lara, the girl from my first visit, and Hank.
I resolved to bring my furry friend together in a room with Tony and maybe even Banner eventually. I was sure they could do incredible things together, even if Pepper would most likely lose all her hair out of stress. Sacrifices must be made. For science.
My studies were going well too. I was convinced that should I show the Ancient One and some of the Masters my progress with runes, for example my shackles or the collar, I could receive my title as Master – however…
I had a more ambitious project in mind.
I wanted to recreate the Eye of Agamotto, a container for Infinity stones that allows magic users to harness the power of the stones without risking their health. For that purpose, I had been allowed to study the amulet in Kamar-Taj and pester the sorcerers with questions. I mean if it had been done once, I should be able to replicate it right?
The original way how Agamotto had created the amulet had been lost, though Ree´s detailed scans helped a lot. I was still changing and tweaking details to fit my requirements. I had my eye (eh? Eye of Agamotto, eye? Get it?) on the Aether, the reality stone. Otherwise it would just end up with the Collector and soon after Thanos anyway. In the meantime, I had developed quite the skill in working with metals. Useful.
May 7th, it was opening day for Stark-Expo. Of course, I had to come. Tony had just ended his welcoming speech and I headed backstage to talk to him.
"And? How did you like my speech? Impressive right?", the billionaire said with outstretched arms, puffed up and seemingly very satisfied with himself and his presentation. I was acting like a deer caught in headlights.
"Ugh… I kinda didn´t listen?", I said hesitatingly. I really didn´t. I had just been caught up in thoughts.
For example, in planning our little celebration this evening, where we would finally tell Pepper that she would be CEO soon. (Tony had wanted to make a big press conference out of it, but I convinced him to tell Pepper in private first.)
The red headed assistant next to me let out an amused huff. Natalie Rushmann.
So yeah, that was still a thing. Naturally Tony knew this time. We did not want to risk SHIELD catching wind of anything though. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer and all that.
Officially, she was actually still my assistant that I had lend Tony to lighten Pepper´s load with the Expo. Unofficially, that post was supposed to be given to Pepper´s permanent replacement but then a spider showed up in the applications.
From what Tony and I could guess, SHIELD now suspected me of being Ironman, because I showed up in Tony´s life suspiciously at the same time as Ironman. Understandable mistake, didn´t stop us from having a good laugh at their expense.
Tony made a betrayed sound and looked horrified.
"How could you? Et tu, Brutus?", he turned to Natashalie while putting a hand on his heart. "I thought we had built a good report in the last few weeks!"
Before he could ramble on, I put an arm around his shoulders and pushed him forward.
"Yes, yes, you poor, poor man. Now why don´t you go incognito so that you can lead me around your Expo for a few hours and then we go meet up with Pepper. You promised!"
Before we got to do any of that though an explosion hit, and the screaming started. Tony and I made eye contact immediately.
"Where is your case?", I asked, referring to his portable Ironman suit.
"Still in the car, the red Lambo.", he answered and fished a key out of his jacket pressing it into my hand. I nodded to him and disappeared around the next corner to portal to the parking lot. I scanned for Tony´s car and returned 30 seconds later to the corner I had just left from.
Tony was already waiting and ready to go. While he took off in his suit, I looked around.
Luckily, Natashalie had taken off already, probably to investigate the explosion. I activated my suit in the incognito mode that hid my hair and flew high above into the rafters.
"Ree, what can you tell me."
At the same time as the info started pouring in, I spotted the source of the chaos and cursed. Vanko in his arc reactor powered suit with whips. He had crashed the big model in the middle of the hall, which resulted in a small explosion of electricity.
This was bad, really bad. He might not have the drones he had in the film, but Tony´s suit wasn´t prepared for his whips (maybe a bit careless on my part, but how the hell was I supposed to warn Tony of "really powerful whips"?) and we were in the middle of giant crowd.
I swooped down and put the fight under a big teal dome. Inside it, Ironman was evading Vanko´s swings with aerial maneuvers and keeping him away from the remaining civilians.
I formed a hole to pass through and started on rescuing the panicked and injured. I built gurneys for those that couldn´t walk and pulled people out from under the wreckage Vanko had already created. I made new gateways to let them outside and towards the medical team that had been stationed at the Expo.
With the civilians safe, I returned to see how Tony was doing.
Not that great.
Vanko had hit him and one of his repulsors was damaged. That limited his maneuverability severely. Vanko was not untouched either. Some of his chest protection was gone and one of his whips was flickering.
I created root like constructs that quickly wound themselves around his whips when Vanko rested them on the ground in preparation for his next attack.
When he encountered resistance in pulling on his whips, he changed his focus from Ironman to his weapons. Tony used that moment of distraction to fire a blast at Vanko´s reactor. The power of the impact forced the Russian to let go and he flew back about half a dozen meters. While he tried to stand up, I came at him near full speed and slapped a collar around his neck before he could do anything but groan.
Letting out a whoop and throwing a fist up in the air, I turned around. Immediately, I caught the cameras pointed in my direction. I resolutely ignored them or how awkward they made me feel and floated over to Tony, who stood amidst the rubble still.
"Need a lift?", I asked smirking. He could hear the smirk but only let out a groan. Snickering I didn´t wait for an answer and lifted him with teal bands under his arms. When we were high enough in the air, I created a portal under us to fly through. I wanted to be extra careful that no one caught a glimpse of Tony´s lab through the opened doorway.
I put him down.
"Better change quick, they will be asking to see you soon.", I said. "Message me when you want be taken back, I´ll do some clean-up."
He waved me away and I returned to the Expo-plaza. I began floating the broken pieces of what had been top notch tech into a portal to the mirror dimension and cleared the walkways, still happily ignoring the press.
Oh, and was that Agent Coulson? That was quick.
Ten minutes later, I played taxi for Tony again and let him begin to handle the press.
I went to Tony´s office at SI where we had prepared for Pepper´s party and relaxed. It was decorated with banners and flowers and everything.
A shame.
I was at my second piece of cake when the door opened. In came a predictably stressed Pepper and Tony who looked to have just been placating her (probably unsuccessfully). Happy came in behind them and closed the door. He had a good poker-face, but I could tell he was amused.
Pepper came to an abrupt halt as she took in the room. Suddenly self-conscious about eating her cake without her, I stopped too.
"Congrats to becoming CEO? Sorry about eating your cake?", I said uncertain. She stared at me. When in doubt, smile. So I did. And gave her a thumps-up while I was at it. Pepper threw her arms up in indignation. All words seemed to have left her.
"You! He! Argh!", she tried to communicate her grievances before all energy left her. I put piece of cake on a plate and held it in her direction.
"Cake? It´s choco-banana, made it myself."
Was very proud about it too.
She sighed and plopped down next to me.
Apparently, after my exit and Tonys usual media spiel, SHIELD agents had approached Pepper to talk to Tony about Ironman and the mysterious vigilante (me!). It was clear they were banking on Pepper doing most of the convincing when Tony just blew them off. They were somewhat right – in the end Tony came clean, about Ironman, about me and about our plan to make her CEO. Pepper was understandably not happy about being out of the loop.
At this point I joined the conversation. When Pepper heard about Shieldra and their dubious machinations, her wrath and frustration found a new target. I exchanged a relieved glance with my fellow vigilante at that. I let him do most of the explaining in favor of falling into a food coma.
Also, Natashalie had more or less covertly asked after my location after the attack. I snorted at that. With Tonys quick return SHIELD was most likely suspecting me even more now.
"Anyway, you have to do an official press conference tomorrow, Tony. Address the whole Ironman situation and who was that maniac today? …"
While Pepper lectured Tony, I drifted off.
I yawned. Pepper hit me in the side with a sharp elbow and I send her a hurt look. She rolled her eyebrows.
"You said, you wanted to come to the press conference. Don´t start sleeping where you stand.", she said distractedly, checking her watch.
I grumbled. True. I knew Tony by now. Today would be interesting. I had Ree record Natashalies reactions while I was watching Coulson.
Tony didn´t disappoint. After the first question to the topic of Ironman: "The truth is; I am Ironman."
I was grinning, Pepper was groaning. Coulson was disappointingly stoic, but his eyes did twitch. That was probably a lot for him. A quick replay of Natasha showed her furrowing her brows in confusion and skepticism. The press crowd ate it up and went wild with questions.
"Do you know who Bluelight is?", shouted out one reporter. I perked up at that question. Wait what? He couldn´t mean-
"Ah, the hero that helped me out yesterday? Nice dude. I like that name. Bluelight. Although it is technically teal…", he said with shit eating grin. I was glaring at him unimpressed. They can´t be serious. That name better not be sticking around, I swear.
Of course it stuck. Domi came by just to make fun of it. God dammit.
It was the end of May when my alarms around New Mexico sounded off. I immediately abandoned my work on runic arrays and looked into pictures of the town that was closest to the signal.
"Puente Antiguo, hm?", I murmured with an excited smile. Aliens and scientists, here I come!
I arrived just as the second signal came. I could see Mjolnir fall from where I was standing (floating). Thinking quickly, I started flying in the direction of the landing sight. My goal for this incursion was basically just to bullshit my way into a position of legitimacy with both Asgard and SHIELD.
When I landed, I let Ree scan the hammer and studied the runes curiously. While squatting on the ground I absentmindedly put some simple runic arrays of protection and surveillance around the hammer. They mainly looked impressive. I knew that Mjolnir had its own protection.
After an hour I got up reluctantly to go call it a night. I didn´t want to be here when SHIELD came around and I had no idea how fast they were.
The next morning, I stood at the open back of the garage the science trio was using as a base and listened to them talk about Einstein-Rosen-Bridges. I didn´t hide or anything, I was standing there in my basic uniform without the part that covered my hair. Very noticeable.
I started to fly towards them when they gathered around the photo of Thor´s silhouette falling. Before they could decide to storm off to the hospital, I cleared my throat.
"I heard you had an encounter with an alien yesterday?"
Three very bewildered scientists whirled around and stared at me.
When in doubt, smile.
"So, -", I started. "Dr. Foster hit the alien with a car and Ms. Lewis-"
"Call me Darcy."
"Darcy tazed him. And he called himself Thor? That is not good."
I grimaced. Thankfully there would be no negative consequences for this. Both Doctors looked at me worried. Darcy´s eyes were wide as she asked:
"Is he going to try to take over the world? Is this an invasion?"
I laughed.
"No, not that bad." I paused. "I think? But Thor is the crown prince of Asgard, they are quite proud folks as far as I know. I´m inclined to believe that he is telling the truth. I found a hammer that is most definitely the mythical Mjolnir in a crater outside of town."
I could see the excitement in the eyes of the scientists and raised my hands to slow them down.
"Eh, eh. First the alien, then the alien hammer."
With that we were off to the hospital. On the way Darcy turned to me:
"Aren´t you going to stick out like that?"
I tilted my head in thought and created a teal trench coat to wear.
"Better?", I deadpanned. She opened her mouth to say something and blinked. She closed her mouth and turned around. I smirked.
When we entered the parking lot Thor was already leaving in a hospital gown.
"Let me guess, this is him?" I asked amused. "That was easy."
I exited the car and went towards him.
"Thor? Thor Odinson?", I asked. He turned towards me with a stern look.
"Yes, and you are?"
I sighed. Damn you Tony.
"I´m known as Bluelight here. Tell me, what are you doing on Midgard? Alone and as a mortal at that?"
I tried not to frown at saying my new moniker. I heard Darcy behind me suck in a breath. I could feel her starting to plan something. She was probably the only one here who had heard of me. Meanwhile Thor looked exited that someone seemed to be able to understand something about his predicament.
"Are you a local warrior? Let me tell you about woes- "
"Before you do that", I interrupted him and opened up a portal to the garage. "Why don't we get you some clothes?"
I smiled placatingly at him while he started to prattle on about seidr and how he didn´t know there still were some on Midgard. Thankfully he went through immediately. Probably because he was so used to magic he didn´t know thanks to Loki.
I hurried after him with a quick "See you at the garage!" to the gob-smacked scientists. Jane was going to ask so many questions. I know these science-types by now.
I set Thor up with some of my bigger clothes (that were still tight for him, I tried not to glare at him for that) and by then we were joined by the others again.
In the end I had to tell Jane that if she really wanted to learn about portals, that she would have to visit Kathmandu and search for Kamar-Taj. It wasn´t planned but I was curious what would come of it. Even if she didn´t become a sorceress, she could at least annoy the Ancient One with her questions. That would be kind of funny.
Next up Thor regaled us with the story of his exile. Well, it was more of a romanticized version of it with Thor as the valiant hero and the Jotuns as the evil villains. In the middle of that conversation, we switched location to a diner to eat.
I got a few weird looks, but I told the friendly older lady behind the counter about how I was dressing up for a friend´s children birthday-party later that day and all was well.
When I got my milkshake, Darcy started to sneak her phone in position for sneaky shot. I made eye contact with her while I brought the straw to my lips and made a hole in the mask with a thought. I slurped loudly in victory as she slumped down pouting.
Thor finished slightly depressed about the situation. I tried to get him to think about where he went wrong, however he wasn´t all that interested and easily distracted. For example, he destroyed a cup after he drank the coffee and Jane had to placate the owner while Darcy and I gave Thor a crash course in earthern etiquette.
When he heard the locals talk about a hammer in a crater out in the middle of nowhere that no one could approach, he got excited and started to storm off.
I groaned and cradled my head in my hands.
Darcy patted me on the back in commiseration.
Chapter End Notes
The whole Eye of Agamotto thing: Of course, I don´t know about the comics, but in the movies: it´s not really explained how these ways of harnessing the stones work? Ok, the Gauntlet was made by the dwarfs of Nidavellir, then there is the Eye, made by sorcerers and then there is Ronans warhammer? And of course Lokis scepter too...
All in all, they get glossed over a lot (which isn´t all that bad, not everything has to be an intricate part of the story) but the Eye of Agamotto seems to be the best and most obvious to study for Al here, so that´s what he is doing.
And our hero finally has a name!
First I thought to make up some cool name, but then it occured to me that Al wouldn´t name himself. That´s the job of the press. And they are somewhat obvious (I mean, Ironman?). Also the Green Lantern/ Bluelight thing makes me laugh. :P
