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[Ironman] Ch: 84 [Howard and Tony]
🕑 Added 2025-05-05 21:50:49 +0000 UTC[A few hours later...]
Tony's eyes fluttered open. His head was pounding. He looked around and saw that he was in his room. Beside him, Howard was sitting on the armchair, and Natasha on his left. Both of them looked worried. Seeing him waking up, both of them sighed in relief.
"T-Tony..." Natasha stammered, "Are you alright?"
"Yeah. Just the usual. Forgot to take the med," Tony sat up as he pitched the bridge of his nose and frowned. "Sorry for worrying you."
"Med?" Howard stood up and walked up to his bed. "Tony... What med are you talking about?"
"As you know, I have a habit of overworking myself and staying awake for long periods of time, which has caused sleep deprivation and the usual headache. Thus the meds. Nothing to worry about. And don't tell Mom. She's gonna drag me back home if she finds out." Tony waved dismissively. As much as he wanted to tell his dad about the ticking bomb of an Infinity Stone in his brain, he decided not to. It could put both of them at risk in the future.
Howard sighed, shaking his head. "Building all those things and... You need to stop neglecting your health, son."
"Sorry about that. I'll try not to do it again."
Yelena usually takes care of Tony's meds and food. With her busy with the Celestial Island, Tony missed his reminders.
"Anyway, how's Steve?" Tony asked.
"Still a bit shaken. But Peggy is there with him, so I don't think they'll leave each other's side."
"That's good." Tony smiled.
"Well, then." Howard patted his back. "You need rest. Get some sleep."
"I had a good sleep. So, ask away what you wanted to ask. I'll try to answer them," Tony said as he reached for the glass of water on his bedside stand and took a sip.
Howard looked at Natasha and then back at Tony.
"The Shadow Legion..."
Before he could continue, Tony raised his hand.
"It's me. I created them."
Natasha remained calm while Howard frowned.
"You know Red Room, right?" Tony asked him.
"Yes. A Russian Syndicate. They kidnap kids to train them as assassins and spies... Widow Program. Shield has been trying to take them down for years. But they disappeared around two years ago. According to our intel, someone attacked their outposts," Howard replied.
Tony smiled, "I found them and wiped them out."
Howard's eyes widened. "You...?"
"Yup! After taking them down, I saved the Widows from their mind control, provided therapy, and helped them live normal lives. New identity, jobs, and everything they needed. But some decided to stay back," Tony explained.
"Wait a minute!" Howard took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "All these women around the base? They're the Widows?"
"Yes. I simply gave them another chance. I made sure that they didn't have to live with the sins of their past. Well, technically, it's not their sins, but those bastards from the Red Room. Now, they can live life as any other person without being burdened by their past."
Howard let out a long breath as he stared at Tony.
"Then I thought, if there are such cruel people in the world, then there is a possibility that in the future another Red Room or worse might surface. Not to mention those superpowered humans and mutants running around causing all kinds of trouble. So, I built the Shadow Legion. An elite team of enhanced individuals with the sole purpose of protecting people. Then I found out about the corrupt people in our system. Cops, government officials, Shield agents, Oscorp, Hydra, Hammer industries, Mandarin, and many others. That's where we come into the picture. Our goal is to expose these people, eliminate them if necessary, take their black money and give it to those in need, and make the world a better place for everyone."
Howard slumped back on the chair, deep in thought. There was a moment of silence between them.
"How long have you been doing this?"
"Well, too long. I started with Mandarin and Hydra after I found out about their assassination plan. They planned to kill you and mom. So, I did what I had to do... Eliminate them. Remember that time when Mandarin International suddenly fell? It was me. I exposed them and made them and Hydra fight each other. They destroyed each other. I exposed the Hydra agents inside Shield. I fix your relationship with Hank Pym. I saved Janet... Well, technically, I just gave Hank the info, and he did the rest. The rest, you already know from the news and Shield info channel. And as you can see... Here we are," Tony explained. "Oh, as for how I did it. Don't ask. I won't tell. A man gotta have some trade secret, right?"
Howard rubbed his forehead and sighed. "You... You're not a kid anymore. You've done so many things in such a short time. I'm proud of you, son. But..." Howard looked at him with a complicated gaze. "Did you kill? Take lives?"
"Yes. Yes, I have."
"And... Are you okay with that?"
Tony closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "No. Not really. But it was a choice I had to make to protect my family, my loved ones... to protect you and mom and my friends here. Sometimes the most moral path isn't the best. You should know that, Dad. You killed during the war to protect people. We may not be at war, but I am protecting people. From evil, from injustice, and from the darkness in this world. And I have not taken any innocent life."
Howard remained silent, contemplating Tony's words. Natasha squeezed his hand tightly, smiling softly at him.
"I can't stop you, son. I never could. I don't think anyone could. Your determination, your will... You were always the best. I knew it from the day I saw you solving the Arc Reactor's formula. But this... Even I never imagined you'd come this far. You even found time to create technology to evolve the world. I couldn't be more proud of you than I am now." Howard smiled.
Tony nodded in reply.
"So, don't tell Mom?" He smiled, scratching his head.
"Why? Afraid she might ground you?" Howard chuckled. He was still processing everything, but he knew there was no stopping Tony at this point. And he wasn't going to stop him either. Instead, he decided to support his son as much as he could.
"That's one of the things I'm afraid of, yes." Tony chuckled, "You're cool with me being a crime-fighting vigilante?"
"I'll accept it if you accept one thing."
"What is it?"
"Don't overwork yourself. If something happens, tell me. I want you to depend on me when you need help."
"You serious?"
"Yes. All you have to do is ask."
"Well, I need a site to build a spaceship," Tony said with a large grin. He got Howard where he wanted. Now, Howard can't step back.
"Spaceship?" Howard narrowed his eyes. "You want to go to space?"
"Not just space. Let's just say, it's a secret and not to worry, I'll tell you everything when I am ready."
"Fine. You'll get your site and permits," Howard sighed.
"Thanks, Dad!" Tony cheered.
"Well, I should probably inform Fury and the others." Howard stood up.
"Keep my identity a secret from Fury and the world for now, please. I don't want Shield interfering with my work. As for Peggy and Cap, I'll talk to them," Tony said.
"Okay. I'll keep it a secret for now," Howard nodded as he stood up. "Just if you are planning on pulling another world-shifting stunt, please let me know in advance."
"Yeah. Got it," Tony chuckled.
Howard patted his head and left the room.
A few seconds later...
"You think he believed everything?" Natasha asked out of curiosity because she had never seen someone believing things that easily, and here it's Howard Stark himself.
"Yeah. He believes in me and my decision. That's what makes him a great dad. He doesn't try to stop me even after knowing about my secret identity. I've seen many parents trying to stop their kids from pursuing their dreams. And then I thought to myself, I'm so lucky to have him as my dad." Tony smiled. "Now, he wants to help me whenever I need help."
Natasha nodded with a small smile, "You think someday..." She didn't complete the sentence.
Tony knew what she wanted to say. He grabbed her arm and pulled her on top of him. He looked into her eyes as his right hand brushed against her cheek.
"Yes, someday. You are gonna be a great mom, Nat."
"And you'll be a great dad, Tony."
Their lips met as they kissed each other passionately.
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AN: 1 more chapter before this volume ends. Vol-3 will start with a time skip, straight to the Stark Expo.
