"Dr Stark, you can come out now", the older Stephen said as the movie paused and the theatre lit up.
Toni came out of the door with a Hyacinth balancing on her shoulders and Augie in her arms who was smiling and blabbering at them, while Gregory was trying to make sure that his younger sister didn't fall back.
"Oh my god, Hyacinth! Get off of sister's shoulder", Violet said, eyes wide in horror as Benedict and Colin rushed towards them to pull their sister down from Toni's shoulder.
"It's ok, she is not heavy at all", Toni said as she proceeded to hand over Augie to Daphne, but he held tightly onto Toni's hair. So, when Daphne tried to take her from her sister, Augie started crying and pulled a fistful of Toni's hair.
"Ow, ow, ow. Easy there, you'll make me go bald, sweetie", Toni said as Augie continued to pull it with all his force.
"Aw, you are already his favourite", Daphne cooed at the duo.
"Seems like it, " Toni said as she pulled Augie back in her arms, finally calming Augie.
"Hey! Get down. It's my turn now", Gregory said to his sister as she continued to sit on Toni's shoulder not budging the slightest.
"No, no one will get on her shoulder. Also, Hyacinth get down this instant!", Violet scolded the two of them as Hyacinth got down and she and her brother scurried away from Toni grumbling and bickering at each other unaware of whatever happened in the last twenty-five minutes. By that time Daphne had also successfully managed to take Augie from her sister's arms.
The moment Toni was free from the kid, Violet wrapped her arms around her engulfing her in a long and warm hug. Toni closed her eyes and hugged her back tightly, after all, since she had a motherly hug.a
She had Peggy but Peggy was more sort of a cool aunt than a mother. She was the person one could gossip about their crush, the person with whom one would get drinks at a bar, not the one who would tuck you in bed at night or the person one could go up to whenever they had nightmares.
By the time they pulled apart, there were already tears in Violet's eyes. But she gave her a smile and patted her cheek. A smile enough to convey how proud she was of her daughter.
"Antoinette Margaret Stark!", Pepper shrieked as she marched towards the shorter woman, it didn't take a genius to understand the blonde was pissed.
"Pep, no. Wait. I can explain", Toni said extending her hands and urging her to stop as she tried to hide behind Colin and Benedict.
"Why did you not tell me any of this, when I asked you about it?", Pepper asked. If Extremis was still in her system, she would have burned the whole place to the ground.
"Pep-", Toni started but was cut off by Pepper.
"Do you not trust me enough?", Pepper asked, her voice now broken and eyes teary.
"Pep, no. It's I- umm, I just didn't know what to tell, how to share, okay?", Toni tried to explain.
"I just really didn't want you all to worry anymore. I-I came back alive and I didn't want to ever think about it again. So I never said anything to anyone. I buried it deep and never looked back at it, ever. I just couldn't", Toni fumbled as she tried to explain but was pulled into another long hug.
"Next time something like this happens, I will kill you myself", Pepper threatens to which she nodded her head as all of them went back to their respective seats.
Peter, Pietro, Vision and Wanda hugged the woman tightly who hugged them back. For Toni, these teenagers and young adults had become the family she craved for. These people had made living in that large quarters easier. Yes, Rhodey, Pepper and Happy were always there but they too had lives to lead. Pepper and Happy had a company to run and Rhodey had to go back to his duties once he got used to his new legs. And it has been about two months since Stephen came back but he too now had new duties. So, most of her days were either spent making technology with Vision and the teenager who often swung by or training and chatting away with the twins. So, in a way, they had become her home.
By the time they had let go of her, Rhodey gave her a side hug and Stephen proceeded to hug her but was interrupted by a cough. They turned around to see Gregory standing there giving Stephen a narrow-eyed look.
"I would like to sit beside my sister", Gregory said, well more like demanded as the whole room watched while trying to hold back their laughter.
"Okay, you can sit on that side", Stephen answered while pointing to the side Rhodey was sitting on.
"No, I like her left side more", Gregory said as he sat on the seat which was originally meant for Stephen.
"But, that's-", Stephen was about to complain but was cut off by Toni.
"Oh no it's fine sweetheart. I am sure Stephen can find another seat", Toni said as Stephen grumbled under his breath.
"He can sit in my seat", Hyacinth chimed in as she proceeded to sit in the only vacant seat on the left of Gregory. Stephen let out a wry laugh and looked at Toni for help, who had a mischievous smirk playing on her lips.
"Yeah, Stephen will sit in that seat", Toni said pointing to the seat between Kate and Eloise who gave him a mischievous smile and a wave to which Stephen visibly gulped. The others in the room who were watching the drama unfold were having a hard time trying to hold back their laugh as Stephen walked towards the seat and plopped down.
"If we are done now with the sitting arrangement, can we please start the movie?", Shuri asked to which the hall erupted in lots of yes.
INT. STARK MANSION, MALIBU – NIGHT
Pepper is shown watching the news.
Newscaster: Stark Industries! I've got one recommendation! Ready? Ready? Sell, sell, sell! Abandon ship!
"Ugh, it's that channel", Sam complained at the screen.
"Why are you even watching the channel?", Natasha asked as she turned to Pepper.
"Well, I had to check on the responses of the media", Pepper said scrunching her nose.
"What is wrong with it?", Violet asked.
Newscaster: Does the Hindenburg ring any bells? Let me show you the new Stark Industries business plan! Look, that's a weapons company that doesn't make weapons!
"That's just insensitive", Steve frowned at the t.v", Steve said.
"I am confused, what are they talking about?", Loki asked.
"Same. I also do not understand anything…", Colin said.
"Hindenburg was an airship which was like a very old version of planes and was used by rich people for luxurious travel. In probably, 1939…", Rhodey started to explain but was cut off.
"May 6, 1937", both Vision and MJ chimed in correcting him.
"Yes, 1937. It caught fire while travelling to Lakehurst from Frankfurt and it was a disaster", Rhodey finished his explanation.
"Exactly, they are trying to compare the business plan with that disaster…", Clint further explained.
"That's overly insensitive", Francesca scoffed at the man on the screen.
"They never have something good to say, you can trust me on that!", Bruce commented.
"That is quite true…", Wanda also grimaced remembering how she was bullied by the media, especially that channel after the Lagos accident.
Toni Stark: [Over the intercoms] Pepper. How big are your hands?
Pepper Potts: What?
Toni Stark: How big are your hands?
"Why would you ask that someone?", Anthony asked as his widened as Colin snickered.
"That sounds so wrong, on so many levels", Stephen muttered under his breath but Eloise heard it and tried to stifle the laugh.
Pepper Potts: I don't understand why…
Toni Stark: Get down here. I need you.
INT. TONY'S WORKSHOP - SECONDS LATER - DAY
Dim and unsettling. She finds Toni wearing a tank top in a chair, she sees her chest device for the first time and steels herself.
Toni Stark: Hey. Let's see them. Show me your hands. Let's see them.
Pepper holds up her hands as she comes closer.
"Please, don't tell me you're doing what I am thinking you are doing", Bruce asked as he dabbed away the beads of sweat from his forehead with his handkerchief.
"No no, she is doing exactly what we think she is doing…", Stephen grumbled at the screen.
Anthony who was sitting behind him leaned forward near Stephen's shoulders to ask, "What is she doing?".
"That!", Stephen said as he jabbed his hand forward pointing at the screen.
Toni Stark: Oh, wow. They are small. Very petite, indeed. I just uh… need your help for a sec.
Pepper Potts: Oh, my God, is that the thing that's keeping you alive?
Toni Stark: It was. It is now an antique. This is what will be keeping me alive for the foreseeable future. I'm swapping it up for an upgraded unit, and I just ran into a little speed bump.
She holds up the newly fabricated, higher-tech replacement chest piece.
"Your speed bumps are never little, Toni", Steve whined at the screen.
"I will have to agree with Steve on that", Bruce commented.
Pepper Potts: Speed bump, what does that mean?
Toni Stark: It's nothing. It's just a little snag. There's an exposed wire under this device. And it's contacting the socket wall and causing a little bit of a short. It's fine.
"No, no, no… You go to hospital Toni, you go to the bloody hospital", Clint shouted at the woman who according to him had clearly lost her mind.
Toni pulls out the old device, handing it to Pepper.
Pepper Potts: What do you want me to do?
Toni Stark: Put that on the table over there. That is irrelevant.
Pepper Potts: Oh, my God!
She sets the old reactor on the table.
Toni Stark: I want you to reach in, and you're just gonna gently lift the wire out.
Pepper Potts: Is it safe?
A series of 'no's were filled throughout the room practically begging the women on the screen to stop. Meanwhile, Pepper simply glared at the woman in front of her as she snickered quietly at the reactions of the room.
Toni Stark: Yeah, it should be fine. It's like Operation. You just don't let it touch the socket wall or it goes "beep."
Pepper Potts: What do you mean, "Operation"?
"How does she not know what operation is?", Ned asked Peter in a hushed voice.
"I know right!", Shuri joined in the chat whispering to them.
"I mean, it's the best game ever made", Peter whispered back.
"Nerds", MJ muttered under her breath as she rolled her eyes at the three of them.
Toni Stark: It's just a game, never mind. Just gently lift the wire.
Pepper Potts: Okay.
Toni Stark: Okay? Great.
Pepper Potts: You know, I don't think that I'm qualified to do this.
"I don't know anything that's happening over there, but all I know is you are not qualified to do that. No offence…", Simon said.
"None taken. I myself know how underqualified I am to do that", Pepper replied.
Toni Stark: No, you're fine. You're the most capable, qualified and trustworthy person I've ever met. You're gonna do great. Is it too much of a problem to ask? 'Cause I'm…
Pepper Potts: Okay, okay.
Toni Stark: I really need your help here.
Pepper Potts: Okay.
Pepper slides her hand into the hole in Toni's chest.
Pepper Potts: Oh, there's pus!
Toni Stark: It's not pus. It's an inorganic plasmic discharge from the device, not from my body.
"That doesn't make it better", Pietro scrunched his nose as he saw it on the screen.
Pepper Potts: It smells!
Toni Stark: Yeah, it does. The copper wire. The copper wire, you got it?
Pepper Potts: Okay, I got it! I got it!
Toni Stark: Okay, you got it? Now, don't let it touch the sides when you're coming out!
Pepper lets it touch the side.
"She said don't", Strange screeched as he further slumped down in his chair, groaning and rubbing his face as Eloise, Francesca, Daphne and Kate fanned him with their fans.
"I know", Pepper also groaned at her past self almost killing her boss.
Pepper Potts: I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Toni Stark: That's what I was trying to tell you before. Okay, now make sure that when you pull it out, you don't…
Pepper pulls out the wire with the magnet attached and the medical equipment starts beeping.
Toni Stark: There's a magnet at the end of it! That was it. You just pulled it out.
"It's physically impossible for me to watch", Bruce whined.
"Same", Violet muttered.
Pepper Potts: Oh, God!
Toni Stark: Okay, I was not expecting…
Pepper Potts: Okay, what do I do?
Toni Stark: Don't put it back in! Don't put it back in!
Pepper Potts: What's wrong?
Toni Stark: Nothing, I'm just going into cardiac arrest–
"Oh my god! Why are all of my children so reckless? It's bloody Edmund's fault", Violet screeched at the screen as Colin tried to calm her down.
Pepper Potts: What? You said it was safe!
Toni Stark: 'cause you yanked it out like a trout… We gotta hurry. Take this. Take this. You gotta switch it out real quick!
"It's not a time to fight", T'Challa shook his head at the screen.
Pepper Potts: Okay. Okay. Toni?
Toni Stark: What?
Pepper Potts: It's going to be okay. Okay?
Toni Stark: Is it?
Pepper Potts: It's gonna be okay. I'm gonna make this okay.
Toni Stark: Let's hope. Okay, you're gonna attach that to the base plate. Make sure you…
Toni screams went it attaches.
Toni Stark: Was that so hard? That was fun, right? Here, I got it. I got it. Here. Nice.
"That was not fun", Wanda commented.
"Oh come on, it was so fun", Toni replied.
"You nearly died of it. How was that fun?", Rhodey asked.
"You can also die of adventure sports, but that is fun", Toni retorted to which Rhodey went to reply but sat there gaping like a fish.
Pepper Potts: Are you okay?
Toni Stark: Yeah, I feel great. You okay?
Pepper Potts: Don't ever, ever, ever, ever ask me to do anything like that ever again.
"I still mean it", Pepper grumbled to which Toni laughed at her.
Toni Stark: I don't have anyone but you. Anyway…
A sudden wave of silence engulfed the hall as most of them looked at her while Toni looked down at her hands. The only person who didn't turn around was Bucky since he was already busy blaming and crucifying himself over and over. He still blamed himself. He knew that he was the reason that Toni didn't have anyone for a long time. And he knew it would take a long time for Toni to forgive him because if he was in her place he too wouldn't have forgiven himself for what he took away from her.
Toni didn't like being vulnerable like that in a hall full of people especially where few of them have negative opinions about her. But her trance was broken when a small pair of hands wrapped around her neck.
"Don't worry, you have us now", Hyacinth said as she hugged the woman.
"Yes, we will help you", Gregory said as he too joined the hug.
"Aww thank you, little people", Toni said as she hugged back the two of them while Violet smiled fondly at them bonding together.
Toni rips the wires off and stands up.
Pepper Potts: What do you want me to do with this?
Pepper asks holding Toni's old reactor.
Toni Stark: That? Destroy it. Incinerate it.
Pepper Potts: You don't want to keep it?
"I am so glad you kept it", Toni said to Pepper as the latter passed her a smile.
Toni Stark: Pepper, I've been called many things. "Nostalgic" is not one of them.
Pepper Potts: Will that be all, Dr Stark?
Toni Stark: That will be all, Miss Potts.
Toni turns to talk to her robot while she looks back at Pepper as she walks away.
Toni Stark: Hey, Butterfingers, come here. What's all this stuff doing on top of my desk? That's my phone, that's a picture of me and my dad. Right there. In the garbage. All that stuff.
INT. HANGAR - EDWARDS A.F.B. - DAY
Rhodey paces before an F-22 and a Global Hawk drone. Student pilots are assembled before him.
James Rhodes: The future of air combat. Is it manned or unmanned? I'll tell you, in my experience, no unmanned aerial vehicle will ever trump a pilot's instinct, her insight, that ability to look into a situation beyond the obvious and discern its outcome, or a pilot's judgment.
A voice chimes in from the depths. Toni's been watching from the shadows.
Toni Stark: Colonel? Why not a pilot without a plane?
"Really subtle, Stark", T'Challa commented.
James Rhodes: Look who fell out of the sky. Dr Toni Stark.
Man: Hello, ma'am.
Toni Stark: Speaking of manned or unmanned, you gotta get her to tell you about the time he guessed wrong at spring break. Just remember that, spring break, 1987. That lovely lady you woke up with.
James Rhodes: Don't do that!
Toni Stark: What was his name?
James Rhodes: Don't do that.
Toni Stark: Was it Ivan?
"You love embarrassing Rhodey, don't you?", Natasha asked as she laughed at the two of them.
"Of course, I do! It's my most important duty as his best friend", Toni replied as she passed Rhodey a mischievous look who just rolled his eyes at her.
James Rhodes: Don't do that. They'll believe it.
Toni Stark: Okay.
James Rhodes: Don't do that.
Toni Stark: Okay.
James Rhodes: Don't do that.
Toni Stark: Pleasure meeting you.
James Rhodes: Give us a couple of minutes, you guys.
Toni walks to Rhodey as the pilots trickle out, buzzing and stealing looks at Toni.
James Rhodes: I'm surprised.
Toni Stark: Why?
James Rhodes: I swear, I didn't expect to see you walking around so soon.
Toni Stark: I'm doing a little better than walking.
"Yeah like not sleeping at night", Thor commented.
"I thought you were on my side Thor, not Pepper's", Toni whined.
"Well, she is more intimidating, so I am on Lady Pepper's side", Thor retorted.
James Rhodes: Really?
Toni Stark: Yeah. Rhodey, I'm working on something big. I came to talk to you. I want you to be a part of it.
James Rhodes: You're about to make a whole lot of people around here real happy, 'cause that little stunt at the press conference, that was a doozy.
Toni Stark: This is not for the military. I'm not…It's different.
James Rhodes: What? You're a humanitarian now or something?
"Why didn't you support it?", Steve asked.
"Well, after that press conference, the government and military were after me since I had a personal relationship with her. So I was a bit pissed at her…", Rhodey said.
Toni Stark: I need you to listen to me.
James Rhodes: No. What you need is time to get your mind right. I'm serious.
Toni Stark: Okay.
"In retrospect, I should have listened to you", Rhodey muttered under his breath as Toni squeezed his hands reassuring him.
James Rhodes: It's nice seeing you, Toni.
Rhodey walks from the hangar as Toni watches him go.
Toni Stark: Thanks.
INT. STARK MANSION, MALIBU – DAY
Toni is in her workshop, working on her computer and hologram table.
Toni Stark: JARVIS, you up?
JARVIS: For you, ma'am, always.
"I am still not used to the voice", Daphne commented.
"Why did you name it JARVIS by the way?", Bucky asked.
"JARVIS is an acronym for Just A Rather Very Intelligent System but it was also named after a very good friend of mine Edwin Jarvis", Toni answered with a smile on her face as continued to look at the screen.
"Well, I would have named him God", Eloise commented.
"Why would you do that?", Benedict looked at his sister with a weird look on his face.
"Because whenever I would need him, I would just ask God. And it'll be just a voice answering me, like God", Eloise explained.
"That is actually a brilliant idea", Peter commented as he worked it out in his brain.
Toni Stark: I'd like to open a new project file, indexed as Mark Two.
JARVIS: Shall I store this on the Stark Industries Central Database?
Toni Stark: Actually, I don't know who to trust right now. Till further notice, why don't we just keep everything on my private server?
JARVIS: Working on a secret project, are we, ma'am?
Toni Stark: I don't want this winding up in the wrong hands. Maybe in mine, it can actually do some good.
EXT. DESERT, AFGHANISTAN – DAY
Men from the Ten Rings searching the desert for Toni's suit. Shows that part of Raza's face was burned.
"So, you didn't think of collecting the armour, genius?", Natasha asked.
"No… At that moment it would have been a waste of time", Toni said.
"And I am pretty sure, it will be impossible to start the suit up without the arc reactor", Shuri stated.
INT. STARK MANSION, MALIBU – DAY
Toni working on a boot for the new suit in her workshop. Her robot, Dum-E, is assisting her.
Toni Stark: Next. Up. Not in the boot, Dum-E. Right here. You got me? Stay put. Nice. You're of no benefit at all. Move down to the toe. I got this. Okay, I'm sorry, am I in your way? Up. Screw it. Don't even move. You are a tragedy.
"Then why don't you fix it?", Pietro asked.
"Because he is my kid, my child… He might be weird and a bit dumb, but I can't give up on him", Toni said dramatically as Rhodey and Pepper rolled their eyes at her.
Toni wearing the boots in her workshop for a test flight. One of the robots is filming it, while Dum-E is in charge of the fire extinguisher.
Toni Stark: Okay, let's do this right. Start mark, half a meter, and back and centre. Dum-E, look alive. You're on standby for fire safety. You, roll it. Okay. Activate hand controls. We're gonna start off nice and easy. We're gonna see if 10% thrust capacity achieves lift. And three, two, one.
"I so want to see how this ends", Sam said cackling at the screen.
Toni immediately flings back and hits the upper wall. Dum-E uses the fire extinguisher on her.
The whole hall erupts in laughter as Toni groaned in embarrassment. Rhodey on the other hand caught it all on his phone to further blackmail her.
"Oh my god, that has gotta hurt", Wanda said as she scrunched her nose while Violet winced as she saw her eldest doing reckless activities which honestly no one should be doing. She could have sworn that her grey hair have doubled since the moment she stepped into this theatre.
Toni is then seen working on flight stabilizers for her hands/arms. While she's working, Pepper comes in with a wrapped box and a cup of something.
Toni Stark: Up two. All right, set that.
Pepper Potts: I've been buzzing you. Did you hear the intercom?
Toni Stark: Yeah, everything's… What?
She is still distracted with the flight stabilizer.
Pepper Potts: Obadiah's upstairs.
Toni Stark: Great!
Pepper Potts: What would you like me to tell him?
Toni Stark: Great. I'll be right up.
Pepper Potts: Okay. I thought you said you were done making weapons.
Toni Stark: It is. This is a flight stabilizer. It's completely harmless.
The stabilizer shoots, flinging Toni backwards and scaring Pepper.
Toni Stark: I didn't expect that.
"How do you keep your calm with her?", Anthony asked.
"I ask myself that every single day", Pepper answers.
"Hey it was supposed to be harmless", Toni reasons.
"Nothing is harmless if you know how to use it", Francesca said.
"That is quite true", Ned replied.
Toni then comes upstairs to find Obadiah playing the piano and Pepper working on the couch.
Toni Stark: How'd it go? It went that bad, huh?
Obadiah Stane: Just because I brought pizza back from New York doesn't mean it went bad.
"What's a pizza?", Simon asked.
"How do you not know about pizza? Lady Sta- Toni, they have to try pizza", Thor said jumping up and down on his seat like a child.
"I am asking myself that too", Toni mutters.
"Okay, Old Stephen, we are having pizza for lunch and cheeseburgers for dinner", Toni shouted at the ceiling but didn't get any answer in return.
"Did you think he heard me?", Toni turned around and asked everyone in the room but to her surprise, everyone had hands on their ears and passed her a look.
"She, Eloise, I told you were not adopted", Benedict teased as Eloise tried to punch him.
Obadiah is still playing the piano.
Toni Stark: Sure doesn't. Oh, boy.
Obadiah Stane: It would have gone better if you were there.
"I thought he asked you to lay low…", T'Challa scoffed at the screen.
Toni Stark: Uh-huh. You told me to lay low. That's what I've been doing. I lay low, and you take care of all…
Obadiah Stane: Hey, come on. In public. The press.
He comes over to sit next to Toni.
Obadiah Stane: This was a board of directors meeting.
Toni Stark: This was a board of directors meeting?
Obadiah Stane: The board is claiming you have post-traumatic stress. They're filing an injunction.
Toni Stark: A what?
Obadiah Stane: They want to lock you out.
Toni Stark: Why, 'cause the stocks dipped 40 points? We knew that was gonna happen.
Pepper Potts: Fifty-six and a half.
Toni Stark: It doesn't matter. We own the controlling interest in the company.
Obadiah Stane: Toni, the board has rights, too. They're making the case that you and your new direction aren't in the company's best interest.
"What is an injunction?", Anthony asked.
"Injunction is a legal way of trying to stop someone from doing something", Steve explained.
"Here, they are trying to file an injunction to kick Toni out of her own company", Stephen further explained.
"They can do that?", Benedict asked.
"Unfortunately, yes", Rhodey replied.
"Why does it feel like he has something to do with the injunction?", Kate asked.
"Oh, he had!", Toni said.
Toni Stark: I'm being responsible! That's a new direction for me, for the company. I mean, me on the company's behalf being responsible for the way that… This is great.
Toni stands up, taking the pizza box with him. Obadiah follows.
Obadiah Stane: Oh, come on. Toni. Toni.
Toni Stark: I'll be in the shop.
Obadiah Stane: Hey, hey! Hey, Toni. Listen. I'm trying to turn this thing around, but you gotta give me something. Something to pitch them. Let me have the engineers analyze that. You know, draw up some specs.
Toni Stark: No. No, absolutely not.
"He is manipulating you now", Daphne scoffed at the screen.
Obadiah Stane: It'll give me a bone to throw the boys in New York!
Toni Stark: This one stays with me. That's it, Obie. Forget it.
Obadiah Stane: All right, well, this stays with me, then.
Obadiah takes the pizza box back.
Obadiah Stane: Go on, here, you can have a piece. Take two.
Toni Stark: Thank you.
Obadiah Stane: You mind if I come down there and see what you're doing?
Toni Stark: Good night, Obie.
Toni heads back down to her workshop.
She is shown running another flight test, this time wearing the boots and hand flight stabilizers.
Toni Stark: Day 11, test 37, configuration 2.0. For lack of a better option, Dum-E is still on fire safety. If you douse me again, and I'm not on fire, I'm donating you to a city college.
"Why are you so mean to him?", Wanda asked.
"Because he won't work properly otherwise", Toni said.
"Don't worry she's way too fond of him to donate him", Rhodey said.
Toni Stark: All right, nice and easy. Seriously, just gonna start off with 1% thrust capacity. And three, two, one.
Lifts off the ground and hovers for a bit before landing.
Everyone in the room looked at the screen in awe and pride.
Toni Stark: Okay. Please don't follow me around with it, either, 'cause I feel like I'm gonna catch on fire spontaneously. Just stand down! If something happens, then come in. And again, let's bring it up to 2.5. Three, two, one.
She lifts off the ground with less control and starts hovering all over the workshop.
Toni Stark: Okay, this is where I don't want to be! Not the car, not the car! Table! Could be worse! Could be worse! We're fine! Okay.
She lands where he started. Dum-E goes to use the fire extinguisher.
The theatre filled in laughter at that.
"He still is an idiot", Colin said as he chuckled at the screen.
"But he is my idiot", Toni replied.
Toni Stark: No! Uh-uh! Uh-uh! Yeah, I can fly.
"Finally a Stark whose things actually fly", Bucky mutters under his breath.
Toni fully suits up in the Mark II.
Toni Stark: JARVIS, are you there?
JARVIS: At your service, ma'am.
Toni Stark: Engage heads-up display.
JARVIS: Check.
Toni Stark: Import all preferences from the home interface.
JARVIS: Will do, sir.
Toni Stark: All right, what do you say?
JARVIS: I have indeed been uploaded, sir. We're online and ready.
Toni Stark: Can we start the virtual walk-around?
JARVIS: Importing preferences and calibrating virtual environment.
Toni Stark: Do a check on control surfaces
JARVIS: As you wish.
The full suit is shown.
JARVIS: Test complete. Preparing to power down and begin diagnostics.
Toni Stark: Uh, yeah. Tell you what. Do a weather and ATC check. Start listening in on ground control.
JARVIS: Ma'am, there are still terabytes of calculations needed before an actual flight is…
Toni Stark: JARVIS! Sometimes you got to run before you can walk. Ready? In three, two, one.
"No, Toni. No!", Bruce groaned. She was way too reckless for her own good.
She begins hovering and flies out of the garage into the sky.
Toni Stark: Handles like a dream. All right, let's see what this thing can do. What's SR-71's record?
"Toni, no…", Stephen muttered as he rubbed his face with his hands.
JARVIS: The altitude record for fixed-wing flights is 85,000 feet, sir.
Toni Stark: Records are made to be broken! Come on!
She begins flying straight up.
JARVIS: Sir, there is a potentially fatal buildup of ice occurring.
Toni Stark: Keep going! Higher!
Ice builds up around the suit, causing it to stop working and her to start flying from the sky.
Toni Stark: We iced up, JARVIS! Deploy flaps! JARVIS! Come on, we got to break the ice!
The whole hall was at the edge of the seat, especially people from the past. If anyone told them that morning, that they will witness a human being flying, they would have laughed at their face. But now to see a human being, let alone, their long lost sister flying, had blown their minds up.
Toni manually gets the flaps up. The power starts just in time before she crashes into traffic. She heads back to the mansion and hovers above it, hoping to safely land on the roof.
Toni Stark: Kill power.
"No–", Bruce shouted but alas, his hout would mean noting now. He had simply sit back and watch in horror as Toni crashed down.
The power is killed and Toni falls through the roof, the piano, and down into her workshop, landing on top of a car. Dum-E uses the fire extinguisher on her.
Daphne snorted at the screen but quickly covered with a cough.
Toni is out of the suit and walking around the workshop with an ice pack on her head. She picks up the cup that Pepper left earlier and notices the package she left. On top, it has a sticky note saying 'From Pepper'. She takes it off and opens the package.
From inside, she took out a a glass case covering her old arc-reactor with a not stating 'Proof that Toni Stark has a heart'. She traced the ring of the arc-reactor with a fond smile as she dabbed a few tears out of the corner of her eyes. She placed it on the table and moved over to her workspace.
"It is the best gift I have ever received. Thank you, Ms Potts", Toni said sincerely to Pepper.
"You are welcome Dr Stark", Pepper replied with a grin.
Toni Stark: Notes. The main transducer feels sluggish at plus 40 altitudes. Hull pressurization is problematic. I'm thinking icing is the probable factor.
JARVIS: A very astute observation, ma'am. Perhaps, if you intend to visit other planets, we should improve the exo-systems.
Toni fondly rolled her eyes at her ex-AI. She had somehow made an exact replica of her favourite person. She loved F.R.I.D.A.Y and Vision dearly but JARVIS had a special place in her heart and will always continue to have.
Toni Stark: Connect to the sys. co. Have it reconfigure the shell metals. Use the gold titanium alloy from the Seraphim tactical satellite. That should ensure fuselage integrity while maintaining a power-to-weight ratio. Got it?
JARVIS: Yes. Shall I render using the proposed specifications?
Toni Stark: Thrill me.
TV Reporter: Tonight's red-hot red carpet is right here at the Disney Concert Hall, where Toni Stark's third annual benefit for the Firefighter's Family Fund has become the place to be for L.A.'s high society.
Toni Stark: JARVIS, we get an invite for that?
JARVIS: I have no record of an invitation, sir.
TV Reporter: …hasn't been seen in public since her bizarre and highly controversial press conference. Some claim she's suffering from post-traumatic stress and has been bedridden for weeks. Whatever the case may be, no one expects an appearance from her tonight.
"You are going to crash it, right?", Anthony asked.
"Yes, but in style", Toni winked at her brother.
JARVIS: The render is complete.
Toni Stark: A little ostentatious, don't you think?
JARVIS: What was I thinking? You're usually so discreet.
"Your AI is as sarcastic as you", Loki commented.
"Why thank you?", Toni replied.
Toni Stark: Tell you what. Throw a little hot-rod red in there.
JARVIS: Yes, that should help you keep a low profile. The render is complete.
Toni Stark: Hey, I like it. Fabricate it. Paint it.
JARVIS: Commencing automated assembly. The estimated completion time is five hours.
Toni Stark: Don't wait up for me, honey.
INT. FIREFIGHTER'S FAMILY FUND CHARITY GALA, DISNEY CONCERT HALL, LOS ANGELES – NIGHT
A fire truck is parked outside. Obadiah poses for photos on the red carpet. The crowd is a mix of kingmakers, pols and Generals - along with celebs and stars.
Obadiah Stane: Weapons manufacturing is only one small part of what Stark Industries is all about, and our partnership with the fire and rescue community…
An Audi R8 zips past other cars on the road, its speed causing a blur of motion. Eventually, it comes to a stop in front of a grand hall where a gala is taking place. All the cameras that were on Obadiah were now on the car.
From the car, a woman emerges, her presence commanding attention. She is dressed in an exquisite black one-shouldered gown that expertly showcases her figure. The dress features an asymmetrical neckline that tastefully conceals her arc reactor and a high slit that adds a dramatic touch to the outfit. Her long black hair cascades down in waves, framing her bold facial features and striking red lips. A choker made of a large sapphire, delicate pearls, and sparkling diamonds adorns her neck with matching earrings and a bracelet adding a touch of elegance to her wrists.
"Ah, it's that iconic look", Shuri said as she fanned herself using her hand, while Toni chuckled at the girl's reaction while T'Challa was trying to find a way to get away from his sister.
"Yup, one of the top three little black dress moments", MJ said.
"What's a little black dress moment?", Daphne asked.
"It's the iconic fashion moment in world history where women in power wear simple and elegant black dresses as statement pieces and it often shows the power they hold and helps them take control of their narrative", Pepper explained.
"Like Princess Diana of Wales did after Prince Charles cheated on her", Shuri commented.
"Well, Buzzfeed did place yours in third after Princess Diana", Peter said.
"Who is the first?", Francesca asked.
"The one and only Aubrey Hepburn who popularised this dress in Breakfast at Tiffany's", Toni commented.
INT. FIREFIGHTER'S FAMILY FUND CHARITY GALA, DISNEY CONCERT HALL, LOS ANGELES –
Toni starts walking towards Obadiah Stane across the red carpet. We see a random woman approaching Toni.
Random Woman: Hey, Toni, remember me?
Toni Stark: Sure don't. You look great, Hef.
She compliments an old man as she passes him by. The man gives her a two-finger salute and a bright smile.
"Hey! I know this man", Ned said.
"Because he is our bus driver", MJ said.
"No, he is our neighbour", Peter said.
"But I saw in our party in Stark's tower", Thor said.
She walks over to where Obadiah was giving the speech as the paparazzi hollered at her for more photos and interviews.
Obadiah Stane: We're going to have a great quarter.
Toni Stark: What's the world coming to when a gal's got to crash her own party?
Obadiah Stane: Look at you. Hey, what a surprise.
Toni Stark: I'll see you inside.
Obadiah Stane: Hey. Listen, take it slow, all right? I think I got the board right where we want them.
Toni Stark: You got it. Just cabin fever. I'll just be a minute.
She heads inside the hall and strides up to the bartender.
Toni Stark: Give me a Scotch. I'm starving.
"You eat food, when you are starving, not alcohol", Violet scolded Toni like a child.
She orders the bartender and sits at one of the barstools when she notices the glasses in front were kept in a haphazard way. She starts to re-arrange it in an order when a figure comes behind her but she is too engrossed to notice.
"What are you doing?", Colin asked curious.
"Oh! That is my OCD, OCD-ing", Toni answered.
Agent Coulson: Dr Stark?
Toni Stark: Yeah?
She answers without looking at the man as she continues to arrange it.
Agent Coulson: Agent Coulson.
She looks up at the man when she heard the name, a knowing smile plastered on her face. Agent Coulson smiles back at her.
Toni Stark: Ah, AC. Long time no see. It's been what, twelve years?
"You knew him before?", Steve asked.
"Yeah, somewhat…", Toni answered.
Agent Coulson: Thirteen, Dr Stark.
Toni Stark: So, how's work going in–
Agent Coulson: Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.
Toni Stark: Just tell Nicky to call it S.H.I.E.L.D. already. I couldn't make Pegs call it.
"How did you know Director Fury?", Clint asked.
"I knew him before he became Director and also he worked with Pegs", Toni explained.
Agent Coulson: Yeah, I will pass that on to Director Fury. Listen, I know this must be a trying time for you, but we need to debrief you. There's still a lot of unanswered questions, and time can be a factor in these things.
She gets up from the seat, now uneasy, trying to avoid the man beside her. She looks around to find an escape when she suddenly spots a man coming up to the bar.
"That man looks familiar…", Hyacinth stated as Toni tried to hide her snort.
Toni Stark: Let's just put something on the books.
She says as she walks towards the man who didn't notice Toni.
Agent Coulson: How about the 24th at 7:00 p.m. at Stark Industries?
Toni Stark: Tell you what. You got it. You're absolutely right.
She replies without turning back and taps at the man's shoulder. He turns around. It's Stephen Strange.
"It's you!", Daphne said as she turned towards Stephen.
Toni Stark: John! How you doing, dude?
"John?", Sam asked as Toni quietly snickered.
Stephen looked at her with confusion. She raised her eyebrows and he took the signal and placed the drink on the tray of a passing server and offered her his hands which she took.
Stephen Strange: You look fantastic! I didn't recognize you.
"I have a feeling that he actually didn't recognize you", Rhodey said.
"No shit, Sherlock!", Toni retorted.
Toni Stark: Thank you! You look good too.
She said as she pulled him to the dance floor and placed his hand on her waist and both of them started gracefully moving across the dance floor.
"So you just kidnapped him and forced him to dance with you?", Bucky asked.
"That's a very dramatic way to explain it", Toni replied.
Stephen Strange: What are we doing here?
Toni Stark: Just avoiding my godmother's spies.
Stephen gave her a funny look.
"Stephen looks so confused", Pietro said as he clutched his stomach to stop himself from laughing.
"Trust me, I was… I was even starting to believe the rumours", Stephen grumbled.
Toni Stark: Nothing, just needed an out from that man. Thank you John for saving me.
Stephen Strange: John? Really?
Toni Stark: What? You look like a John.
We see a top shot of Stephen twirling her in the middle of the dance floor.
"You two look cute together", Francesca said as she saw her sister being twirled in the middle of the dance floor.
Stephen Strange: Most people say I look like an Edward.
Toni Stark: My uncle's name was Edward and an Edward believes in forever love.
Stephen Strange: So you don't think I believe in love?
Toni Stark: No, Johns don't believe in forever. And I don't believe in love.
"Are you flirting with him?", Gregory asked Toni.
"Kinda", Toni replied as Gregory turned to give Stephen a glare.
Stephen Strange: Well, maybe one day you'll find a man and he will give you both.
Toni Stark: Now, you sound like a William.
"This is the worst kind of flirting I have ever seen…", Clint said.
"At least, I can flirt, unlike someone…", Toni retorted.
"Hey! Stop being passive-aggressive. I can flirt, that's why I have a wife", Clint said.
"Who are you kidding Clint? You can't flirt, I wonder how you got a wife", Natasha said.
"I hate you two", Clint replied.
Both of them share a laugh.
Stephen Strange: So, how are you? Rumours say the Stark Heiress has gone mad or something.
Toni Stark: Maybe I have. But it feels good, to be mad.
Stephen Strange: Now you sound like Joanna.
"I don't get it… Who are you all talking about?", MJ asked.
"I think they are talking about Joanna the mad", Francesca said.
"You are correct", Stephen replied.
Toni gives him a grin as the song comes to an end. People around the halls burst in claps and cheers as another song pulls up.
Stephen Strange: Shall we have a drink?
Toni Stark: Sure. I will have a martini.
They walk to the bar and take seats on the bar stool and sipped on their drinks.
Stephen Strange: Can I have another dance?
Toni Stark: Well, I have to find my assistant, so…
Stephen Starnge: Come on, Stark Heiress can't tie her shoes without her assistant. Don't be a Bella!
Toni Stark: Ah! Look at you, Durden. And no I will last a week without an assistant.
"You won't", Wanda said.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence everyone", Toni sassed.
Stephen Strange: I don't think so…
Toni Stark: Well, I know so.
Stephen Strange: Oh! What's your social security number?
Stephen raised his eyebrows.
Toni Stark: Five.
Stephen Strange: Five?
"Really, Toni? Five?", Bruce teased.
"What's a social secure, whatever?", Kate asked.
"It's like a university roll number but for the country?", Toni replied.
Toni Stark: Right.
Stephen Strange: Right. You're missing just a couple of digits there.
Toni Stark: The other eight? So, I got an assistant for the other eight. And I am not telling a John William Durden my social security number. Identity theft is a serious issue.
"Identity theft is not a joke, Jim", Wanda and Shuri shouted at the same time.
By the time, they finished their drink, they were interrupted by a new voice.
Christine Everhart: Wow. Toni Stark.
Toni Stark: Oh, hey.
Christine Everhart: Fancy seeing you here.
Toni Stark: Carrie.
Christine Everhart: Christine.
Toni Stark: That's right. What do you want?
"Did you really have to be rude to her?", Steve asked.
"Did she really have to interrupt our conversation like that?", Toni countered.
Christine Everhart: You have a lot of nerve showing up here tonight. Can I at least get a reaction from you?
Toni Stark: Panic. I would say panic is my reaction. Also, I am here, talking to someone… Would you like to come back another time?
Christine Everhart: Well, I was referring to your company's involvement in this latest atrocity.
"I have a feeling you both are talking about different things…", T'Challa said.
"We were", Toni replied.
Toni Stark: Yeah. They just put my name on the invitation. I don't know what to tell you. Now, if you'd excuse us?
Christine Everhart: I actually almost bought it, hook, line and sinker.
Toni Stark: I was out of town for a couple of months, in case you didn't hear.
She thrusts a dossier of photos on the counter in front of her.
Christine Everhart: Is this what you call accountability? It's a town called Gulmira. Heard of it?
"It was Yinsen's town, right?", Benedict asked to which Toni simply nodded.
She takes one of the photos to get a closer look.
Toni Stark: When were these taken?
Christine Everhart: Yesterday.
The photos were of victorious insurgents, the Ten Rings insignia on their vehicles, clutch Stark machine guns and RPGs. Behind, a town burns and bodies are strewn. A photo of civilians being marched in rows, pre-execution, Stark weapons trained at their backs.
The hall sat back and stared at the screen in horror as the witnessed the extent of destruction.
Toni Stark: I didn't approve any shipment.
Christine Everhart: Well, your company did.
Toni Stark: Well, I'm not my company.
She abruptly gets up and leaves Christine and 'John' there as she makes a beeline for the exit. She strides out to the red carpet paparazzi towards Obadiah and whispers something to him. The Paparazzi have snuck up on them, snapping photos.
Obadiah Stane (to the paparazzi): Please, do you mind?
They go further up the stairs.
Toni Stark: Have you seen these pictures? What's going on in Gulmira?
Obadiah Stane: Toni, Toni . You can't afford to be this naive.
"Oh shit!", Loki gasped as he he put two and two together.
Toni Stark: You know what? I was naive before, when they said, "Here's the line. We don't cross it. This is how we do business." If we're double-dealing under the table… Are we?
Reporter: Toni, your picture, please!
Obadiah Stane: Let's take a picture. Come on. Picture time! Toni. Who do you think locked you out? I was the one who filed the injunction against you. It was the only way I could protect you.
"You asshole!", Thor shouted as Toni covered Gregory's ear and Gregory covered Hyacinth's.
"Teri ma ki!", Kate shouted as she got up from the seat about to punch the screen but Anthony pulled her down trying to calm her.
A series of curses filled the room, everyone equally angry at the bald-headed devil in front of them.
Obadiah gives her a smile while Toni is shell-shocked, trying to keep a straight face and hold back tears. Obadiah goes down the stairs his bodyguards following as she stands there glaring at his back. She looks back one last time, at the hall where she sees 'John' standing on top of the stairs having a confused look on his face. She gives him a small smile and walks down the stairs towards her own car and drives off.
"Sorry, for leaving you standing there", Toni said to Stephen.
"It's fine, I understand", Stephen replied her with a smile.