Unraveling and Spinning Plots

"What did you bring for lunch today, Gary?"

Gary smiled. "Left over lasagna. How about you Bobby?"

Bobby smiled too. "Same but fried chicken! Trade you half of my wife's chicken for half of your moms lasagna?"

The shorter slightly rounder man grinned up at his tall lanky friend and stuck out his hand and they shook on it. "Deal!" He sighed. "Oh man, I can't wait. What a great job! Good pay, decent benefits, paid lunches... and we're making the world a better place!"

Bobby rolled his eyes. They'd had this conversation before. "You're a dreamer."

Gary shrugged. "That's what these drugs coming from Krakoa do! Human Drug L, extends human life. Human Drug I, functions as a universal antibiotic. Finally, Human Drug M treats so-called "diseases of the mind," such as dementia. Those are good things."

Bobby smirked. He definitely agreed... but he liked pushing his friends buttons. "Yeah... or that's what they want you to think!" He said waving his hands dramatically. "What about those things they've got us adding to them? Maybe they help control minds! Maybe the mutants are in your mind right now! Oooo weee oooo!"

"Dude!" Gary said looking around. "Don't! What if someone heard you? I like this job!"

Bobby chuckled. "Relax. Nobody pays attention to the grunt- uuuh..." he slumped with a dart sticking out of his neck.

"Du- duhhh..." Gary joined his pal slumped over with a dart also.

Deadpool walked over. "No yeah, mine are out too. Sure I'm sure. Fine I'll check." He sat between the two of them and pointed at their lunches. "Is that homemade? Mind if I help myself? I'm going to take that silence as a "yes"." He grabbed a piece of chicken and pulled up his mask tearing into it with his teeth. "Ummm! Sho gud! Can I have that juice box? Thanks pal!" He poked the straw in and slurped loudly. "Ahh! Yeah they're both out. This sector's secure for sure and these guys mentioned something about an "additive"! Seems like our friend was right after all. Better pull all the product in this one too for testing... Ooohhh... garlic bread!"

Temporary Watcher Stan turned to Temporary Watcher Deadpool. "Are you moonlighting while still on X-Force?"

TWDeadpool looked at Stan, "Was that you at the mall as a security gaurd with the girls while they were trying on sexy outfits getting a look at Gwen? By the way there's lasagna in the refrigerator if you want some..."

Stan smiled and nodded. "OK. 'Nuff said!"

Deadpool nodded getting up to fix Stan a plate. "Yup... that's what I thought!"

(("It was just as you thought."))

Walt sighed. "Of course it was. Tell Logan to make sure they replace all the tampered product. I know it's a big job but this has to happen."

"How did you know, Pops?" Asked Jubilee next to him snapping her gum.

Walt frowned and raised an eyebrow. "First she doesn't call me that. Second we're secure here just be yourself. Do that and you'll get your answer."

"Jubilee" rolled her eyes. "Fine," Mystique said dropping her disguise and reverting to her normal self and crossed her arms. "Tell me. How did you know?"

Walt sighed signing more paperwork for Pepper and Elyia... but not before checking out how crossing her arms like that pushed out and emphasized Mystique's breasts for a quick second... He was only human. "It's simple," he said going back to work. "Its predictable. Mutants in this world always get screwed over. Do any of you know why?"

"Because the world is unfair and cruel that way?" Pepper guessed.

Walt shook his head. "Nope. Those things are true, Pepper but that's not the reason. Even assuming that unfairness you'd think statistically things would work out just once."

Mystique frowned. "Its because we're feared and hated and everyone conspires against us that-"

"Wrong," Walt said without even looking up from his work. "While some of that is true that's not the reason either. Again I reiterate, things NEVER workout for mutants. You guys have tried a bunch of different things and plans, both good guys and bad guys, you have unbelievable, reality altering powers but things always go badly. This is what? The third, fourth or fifth time in recent memory you've tried building a "nation"? Wouldn't you figure either something would work eventually or do you think the law of averages really have it out for you all?" He finally looked up and sighed looking at Elyia. "You get it don't you?"

She nodded. "I believe so. It's because of poor storytelling isn't it? Theirs is an "underdog" story. If they come out on top for a change then their writers have to come up with a new original story that's different from the established pattern. If they do succeed it has to be "Temporary" from the writers perspectives. They're either stuck in a rut finding new ways to tell the same failure story or theyre too comfortable in the rut they're in and don't want to deviate from it."

Walt nodded and smiled. "You know your stories. Highest marks. That's how I knew. I only had to look at what you all have done, think like a writer and analyze "how" it could go wrong and then pick the most epicly "bad" ways to make it fall apart. It's not exactly Shakespeare but it's something. Step one was turning "Stark" the company against you now that Tony had stepped back and was being publicly supportive of mutants. Two birds, one stone. They smeared his name and started manufacturing these to use against you while pulling that astrobase shenanigans on Mars... and that wasn't all..." With a few waves of his hand and flicks of his fingers he and Friday displayed files and blueprints on holo images for them.

Pepper gasped. "Oh my god!"

Mystique's eyes widened. "Those are..."

"They're "weapons"," Walt said grimly. "Weapons for hunting mutants and mutant sympathizers and supporters. Weapons that have Tony's, Ironman's, face. They're Stark Sentinels, new and improved."

They all frowned looking at what was essentially a perversion of the Iron Man legacy combined with one of the mutants greatest threats. Red and gold Ironman ascetic and technology equipped Sentinels. Killer weapons.

"I feel sick," Pepper said sitting down. "They can't... they couldn't!"

"They did," Walt nodded as he worked. "Friday."

The images changed to show Stark factories mass production of them. Weapons test footage... and much more. (("When we discovered the project it was only in it's infancy. A little less than a hundred Stark Sentinels were in a state of near readiness. That is why Walter moved quickly to seize control of the various Stark enterprises and take over when he did... Now we have over a thousand Stark Sentinels online and in operational status after moving up production and more are being made as we-"))

"Walter!" Pepper gave him a disappointed look as Mystique growled unhappily but Elyia sighed. "Don't you get it? It really is a nice bit of theater I must say."

Walt grinned and finished signing then stretched and shrugged smiling a crooked smile. "The damage was done. Stark as a company made weapons again. We're a weapons manufacturer. And we almost had an enemy take control of all this and use it to make their weapons... but they didn't. I did. I own these. Friday has been busily rewriting their coding nonstop. These are now our weapons. Our symbol. And they aren't going to use the face of Iron Man to hunt down and damage or destroy innocent lives. Not on my watch! But I have no problem about using them against those who wanted to use them that way in the first place."

Pepper sniffed wiping at her eyes. "Thank you," she said as Mystique slowly smiled and asked, "You're going to turn them on their creators?" She asked grinning at the thought.

Walt nodded and winked. "As well as defend mutants and protect innocent civilian lives. Just like the Mars base plan it's wasteful to throw out a good idea. We'll alter those ideas to our plans and purposes... but that thinking, it also works both ways. That's how I knew they'd try to tamper with Krakoa's wonder drugs. They'd try to pervert your good works for humanity and use them against mutants. The labs will likely find the drugs make people go crazy or straight up die if a marker or signal is given either turning the humans against mutants or holding the whole human species hostage to cripple you." He shook his head. "That's what took me awhile to figure out. Almost too long. The paradigm shift. These guys are different in the fact that they'd willing to hurt millions, if not billions, of "normal" humans to target the mutants. Infact their plans hinge on it. It's not just "collateral damage" in this pathetic war, it's a major part of how they were planning on waging it. They compromised their twisted "ideals" of being "humanities saviors" in their fervor to destroy, discredit and wipeout mutants."

Mystique smirked. "You're good at thinking like a villain you know. I know," she held up her hand before he could interject. "You don't like labels like that. I meant it as a compliment actually. You're not a bad opponent."

Walt laughed. "Then I'll gladly take it as a compliment. Thank you, Mystique. Shall we play chess sometime? Sometime when were not trying to "save the world" or at least this one, that is."

She laughed. She had to admit that he reminded her of people like Charles and Eric sometimes but always in his own way. Usually with less arrogance and more simple charm... but there was nothing "simple" about this man at all. That was his greatest deception and deceit. He acted simply, prefered simple things and simple approaches... but he was a conplex mastermind and manipulator in his own right. He didn't like the labels of good and bad, hero and villain because those roles were too constraining for someone like him. He operated on a different level. The only constraints he accepted were those he put on himself.

And she hated to admit it but the more she got to know him the more he intrigued her and the more she liked that about him... and that was irritating. She wanted to keep hating him. Hating him made things so much easier! He was just a human... no. He wasn't "just" anything. That was a bad way to think about him. She needed to stop thinking about him that way.

And here he was. A world like her own. A world full of mutants and he was trying so hard to help them. *Just like he's trying hard to help you? That's why he did what he did to you. Why you have to go to those insipid meetings. Why he didn't just get rid of or abandon you. Or are you not ready to admit that yet?* the nagging voice in her head that sounded like her own teased her... and it was right. She wasn't ready... not yet, anyway. But maybe someday...?

"Why not," she said answering his question and her own silent one. "Someday. Until then..."

Walt nodded. "Right. We have work to do." He handed the documents he'd signed to Pepper. "Feel up to suiting up, Rescue?"

Pepper raised an eyebrow. "You want me in this fight?"

Walt nodded. "Yes or at least I want you seen as in this fight but only if you're comfortable with that." He took a deep breathe and let it out. "I have no problem about taking "Tony's place". He should never have divested himself from the Stark businesses in the first place. That was a mistake. I'll take his place with your help as we previously discussed and do it my way... but I don't have the right to be "Iron Man". I don't deserve it and even if I did it would make me uncomfortable."

She blinked then nodded. "I understand. That's why you wanted me with you when you took inventory of the suits. I don't either. Just like you, I'm not Tony." She touched his cheek smiling. "Don't be hard on yourself for that. Even Tony had a hard time living up to being Tony and "Iron Man" after all."

They both laughed at that. "True!" Walt said. "But what I said is true too. I can't be Ironman. I don't think anyone should. That's why I left it to the robots. But an "Ironman" like hero, like "Rescue", should be seen out with them. Rhodes is MIA. I'm not asking you to fight if you're not comfortable with it. Just be Rescue. Help people. Save lives. Do it with our reclaimed Sentinels" he frowned and nodded. "Help me think up a better name for the press for afterwards for starters! I'm leaning towards using "Iron" something. Iron Legion. Iron Guardians or-"

"Avengers," she said. "Why leave them as just Tony/Ironman when we're missing so many? Iron Avengers."

Walt glanced at Elyia who sighed... but Lady Loki nodded and smiled. "It definitely makes a certain kind of sense from a literary perspective... and I'm positive it'll test well."

Walt chuckled. "I bet. Alright. Let's go with that. Iron Avengers, provisional," he winked and they all chuckled.

But Pepper gave him a hard look. "You really won't suit up?"

Walt pursed his lips.

Pepper grinned. "I knew it!"

Walt held up his hands. "Yeah, ok. Maybe... but definitely not as Ironman." He also glanced at Mystique. "Plus there's the usual secret identity problem... it'll be just a bit difficult to be in "two places at the same time" so I was thinking..."

Mystique smirked. He was willing to count on her to help? A small part of her wanted to refuse just to be spiteful... but she also wanted to be involved in doing something... and if that something somehow helped mutants in this world and stuck it to groups like Orchis in the process... "Fine. I'm in."

Pepper grinned. "That sounds like we need a new color scheme for the suits to me?"

Walt scratched his chin and shrugged. "Well... I was kind of thinking..." he made a gesture and called up a display to show her. "I know. It's simple and basic."

"It's dark," Mystique grinned.

"Definitely dark hero/villain vibes," Elyia/Loki commented.

But Pepper shook her head. While Walt had colored, and knowing him, designed the suit with a stealth black and grey pattern... it was also colored darkly in mourning for his friend. "I think it's perfect. Have you decided on a name?"

Walt shook his head. "No and we need one before the media thinks one up."

"Dark Knight?" Elyia/Loki suggested.

Walt rolled his eyes. "Fitting, but probably not. It's kind of famously taken by someone else..."

"Iron Shadow," Anastasia said entering the room when Walt looked at her she said. "You're trying to honor your friend. In the shadow of his memory. Knowing you striking from and hunting them down in the shadows. Iron Shadow."

Walt smiled at her. "Thank you, Ana. That was very thoughtful. I think I like that name." She adjusted her glasses and shrugged... but also smiled slightly.

Walt looked at Pepper and she nodded as did Elyia/Loki who smirked. "It's very thematic but it certainly works for our purposes. Iron Shadow and the Iron Avengers."

(("By the way there is another bit of business you have been quite noticeably avoiding, Boss..."))

Pepper shook her head and called up the relevant information including Tony's invitation. "Why am I not surprised?"

"Aww gee," Walt rubbed the back of his neck. "You all know how much I dislike those things. I know Tony was going to attend and there's a good likelihood "bad guys" will make an appearance but surely somebody else-" He saw everyone shaking their heads and sighed. "Fine. I had a feeling that was the case. The ladies are out picking out dresses... I'll take Tony's place and do what he was and attend the Hellfire Gala but I'm not happy about it!"

Mystique chuckled as she looked over the information with the others. "Well that was a poor choice of words. This is going to be interesting!"

Walt paused. "Oh why do I not like the sound of that? Even from the beyond Tony sticks it to me! What have I gotten myself into? Marvel Fight Club? Stripping for charity?"

Elyia smirked. "A date. The good news is it looks like you'll only have a plus one to our group-"

Walt rolled his eyes but nodded. "That is good news. We're a damn big group as is we don't need a whole cheerleader squad added to the mix."

(("But the plus one is Ms Emma Frost, Boss."))

Walt looked up at the ceiling. "A blind date with the unbreakable, diamond ball buster? Thanks, Tony... Thanks a lot, Pal."

Maybe it was just his imagination but Walt could swear that he heard Tony laughing somewhere from the great beyond.

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Nora Valkyrie Yang Xiao Long Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Rachel "Raven" Roth Manami "La Brava" Aiba Tsuyu "Froppy" Asui Haruhime Sanjouno Anastasia "The Baroness" Cisarovna/DeCobray Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O Merida Gwen "Gwenom" Stacy Jubilation "Jubilee" Lee and Jennifer "She-Hulk" Walters

Will Return In

Making a Tentative Date for Mars & Enter the Widow

Coming Soon]