Avi2112
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Chapter 97
🕑 Added 2024-08-14 06:01:35 +0000 UTC
"We have to stop meeting at these kinds of places," Moira greets you with a warm smile as you enter the press conference hall. The room buzzes with reporters and officials at Stark International Headquarters.
"Indeed," you reply with a chuckle.
Moira's expression shifts to one of concern. "I wanted to personally apologize for what happened with Obadiah Stane. He went missing during the FBI's transport to prison. If we had been more careful, yesterday's events wouldn't have transpired."
You shake your head. "It's not your fault, Moira. You're with the CIA, not the FBI. There's no need for you to feel responsible."
She sighs, clearly troubled. "I know, but I still feel bad. You put your trust in me, and I don't want to let you down."
You give her a reassuring smile. "Trust me, you haven't. At least he's caught now. I just hope he doesn't go missing again."
"Do not worry, a higher department has taken over his custody. You won't be seeing him ever again," Moira responds seriously.
"Good," you reply, nodding, knowing that she's talking about SHIELD.
Moira's concern shifts to a more personal matter. "I'm more concerned about our date. I hope this doesn't cancel our plans," she inquires, looking at you hopefully.
"Definitely not. I'm looking forward to it," you respond with a smile, making her face brighten.
As you were having some small talk with her, your mind drifts back to the previous day's events.
---
After Toni defeated Stane, you made both of them invisible and transported them to a secluded corner with your Forcefield Power. Opening an Earth Portal, you took Toni and the Mk-II suit to her house in Malibu.
Toni had also filled you in on the ambush that she experienced at her house. You were shocked to know that someone had shut down Jarvis this easily. Apparently, you had underestimated the enemy, as such technology is in the hands of only a handful of groups.
Until then, your guess was that these goons belonged to the Mandarin, who had come to get revenge for what happened in Afghanistan to one of his branches, and that would also line up with him saving Obadiah. But now you felt like maybe it wasn't them and it might be someone else altogether.
Arriving at her house, you both made your way to the basement, only to find it empty, devoid of any souls. The Tinkerer and the two goons Toni had knocked out were all missing. You checked the footage and discovered that the last few hours had been wiped clean.
You informed Toni about your worry that they might have stolen some of her data or planted a bug here. Toni heeded your words and decided to thoroughly check her house for anything suspicious.
You had to go, so Toni, after hugging and kissing you, told you that your suit looks cool and winked at you, saying that she especially likes your hard metallic pants.
Ignoring whatever she was implying, you hurriedly returned to the HQ, placing Obadiah in a conspicuous corner with a knockoff scrapped iron suit which you had made from your Metal Constructs power.
Before leaving, you also tried telepathy on Obadiah but found the same mental block on his brain. It was definitely very odd. You would have to check later if they had any mental shield like yours installed or if it was something else blocking you from reading their minds.
Then, making yourself invisible, you slipped into your normal suit and emerged from behind the stage to reconvene with Pepper, creating an alibi.
Pepper had been relieved to see you, and you telepathically informed her about what had occurred.
Just then, you received a call from Bobbi telling you that she had arrived at the HQ in the Ghostwing with Sage in tow.
They had gone to Afghanistan as today was the day when Sage took some of her own personal revenge, so you didn't blame her for arriving here just then.
There were also sirens ringing from outside, signalling that the police had arrived.
---
You're brought back to the present as your casual talk with Moira is interrupted by the sound of NYPD Captain George Stacy arriving at the podium. He clears his throat and begins to address the assembled press and officials.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here. Yesterday's terrorist attack was a stark reminder of the threats we face…"
You listen as the official response to yesterday's events is far from what really happened.
---
In the room behind the stage, Toni Stark sits in a chair, today's newspaper in her hand. The headline says: "Who is the Iron Woman? And Who is Aeon?" Two photos accompany the text—one of her in the Iron Woman suit and the other of a Golden-White caped figure.
Toni chuckles, showing the paper to Pepper, who is adjusting her tie, getting her ready for the press conference. "'Iron Woman'—that's kind of catchy. I mean, it's not technically accurate; the suit's a gold-titanium alloy, but it's got a nice ring to it."
Pepper rolls her eyes affectionately. "You do realize that the Fantastic Four would have ended this threat easily if they weren't out of town on some Academic Conference."
Toni pouts, "Iron Woman sounds way cooler than Invisible Woman"
Their banter is interrupted by Agent Coulson, who enters the room with a serious expression. "Miss Stark, here's your alibi." He hands Toni a set of notes.
Toni glances at them and then back at Coulson. "Do we really expect anyone to believe that it was my female bodyguard in the suit? And what about Stane? There's nothing about him here."
Coulson maintains his professional demeanor. "This isn't my first rodeo, Ms. Stark. Just stick to the cards, and soon, this will all be behind you. You've got 90 seconds."
Before leaving, Coulson hesitates and then asks, "Do either of you have any idea who the Golden Time Man is?"
"You mean Aeon?" Pepper asks with a weird expression.
Pepper thinks about how the public has started calling him Aeon, a name coined in an interview with the Daily Bugle last night by the woman who was personally saved by him.
"Yes, the one who helped deal with the terrorists," Coulson clarifies.
Toni and Pepper exchange looks, their faces perfectly neutral. "We don't know anything about him," Pepper answers smoothly.
Toni nods, adding, "I'd like to know who he is, though. He saved Pepper and many others last night. His suit is a bit ostentatious with the white and gold colour, but it does match the name Aeon"
Coulson keeps his smile and doesn't press further on that topic. "What about the other three leaders of those terrorists who went missing when the police arrived?"
Pepper responds, "They might have escaped during the chaos, or someone might have helped them escape" In her mind, she thinks about how Bobbi and Sage arrived just before the police and, after talking with Luke, took away those three leaders. All five of them were made invisible by Luke's powers, and the arrival of the police created the perfect chaos, making it easy to slip away unnoticed.
Coulson gives both women a suspicious look but relents. "You'll be hearing from us soon," he remarks, giving a small smile.
Pepper responds, "Your department... Strategic Homeland..."
"Just call us SHIELD," Coulson corrects her before leaving the room.
"You know, it's actually not that bad. Even I don't think I'm Iron Woman," Toni remarks, looking at Pepper.
"You're not Iron Woman," Pepper states as she helps her wear her suit.
"I could be, though," Toni replies with a smirk.
"You should leave these things to those with super powers, like the Invisible Woman," Pepper advises with a shake of her head.
"Right," Toni murmurs quietly to herself as they leave the room.
---
"And now, Ms. Stark has prepared a statement. She will not be taking any questions," you see Captain Stacy announce before walking off the podium.
"Do you know who this Aeon fellow is?" Moira suddenly inquires, looking at you with a casual look.
You smile, shaking your head. "Not a clue, Moira. But I am thankful to him for saving my life yesterday."
Before the conversation can continue, you both notice Captain George Stacy walking toward you. Moira steps back, giving you space. "Don't forget about our date," she reminds you with a smile.
"I won't," you reply as Captain Stacy arrives in front of you.
"Thank you for your help last night, Uncle George!" You greet him with a smile.
Captain Stacy puts a hand on your shoulder warmly. "It's just my duty, son. And if something had happened to you, my daughter Gwen would have been very upset. She would have literally chewed my head off," he remarks with a chuckle.
"Still, I appreciate that you arrived there personally to check up on me," you respond with a smile.
Captain Stacy shakes his head. "I'm just glad that you weren't hurt," he continues. "Helen has invited you to dinner at our house tonight. She's very worried about your well-being after last night's incident."
She was not alone, as you had to spend a lot of time on your phone last night, with your and Pepper's faces plastered on the evening news as the primary targets of this terrorist attack, making everyone try to reach you to ask if you were okay.
You smile, knowing how much Uncle George and Aunty Helen like you. They're secretly hoping you and Gwen will become more than friends. "I'd love to. I'll be there," you reply gladly, as Aunty Helen is a good cook.
With that, you turn your attention back to Toni, who is now on stage. Captain Stacy steps aside, and the reporters buzz with anticipation.
"Thank you. It has been a while since I was in front of you." Toni glances at the notes Coulson had given her. "I figure I should stick to the cards this time," the reporters laugh at her joke. "There's been speculation that I was involved in the events that occurred on the freeway outside this HQ and also inside the building…"
Before Toni can continue, Christine Everhart interrupts, "I'm sorry, Ms. Stark, but do you honestly expect us to believe that, it was your female bodyguard in a suit that conveniently appeared and saved all the people like she was Susan Storm, despite the fact that many witnesses heard your voice from both the robot-like things…"
"I know that it's confusing. It is one thing to question the official story, and another thing entirely to make wild accusations, or insinuate that I'm a superhero," Toni Stark replies, looking at Christine.
"I never said you were a superhero. I was talking about Invisible Woman from the Fantastic Four," Christine clarifies.
"Didn't? Well, good, because that would be outlandish and fantastic," Toni murmurs into the mic. "It's not like Invisible Woman is the only female superhero," she says, glancing at you standing across the room.
"Just read the cards, Toni," Pepper murmurs quietly, stepping beside her.
"Yeah, okay. Yeah." Toni clears her throat and makes eye contact with you again. "The truth is…
I am Iron Woman!"
The room erupts in chaos. Reporters shout questions as the crowd surges forward. You release your held breath as you watch Toni smirk at you, a sense of triumph in her eyes.
Amidst the chaos, you realise that this is a momentous moment, as The Age of Superheroes has officially begun!
