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billionairesHe quit after Ultron. He was supposed to be done anyway but it's never that simple between himself and Iron Man, is it? The man and the myth, mere human versus legend. They're not his family in the strictest sense, but he'd still lay down his life for any of them any time, even Wanda; and even now that he's a father himself. Maybe having Morgan had even increased that drive in him for peace, safety and the wellbeing of everyone he once called Friend. In the strictest sense, Ultron was the precursor to Thanos and that's why he'll always feel responsible for putting an end to this. Wherever the chips fall.
It's this desperation to get a lead that has him in extreme sleepless research mode all over again. Tony knows there has to be something out there - anything - that can slow this guy down before he collects 'em all. That's when he gets the call, in the middle of the night. It's not like Nick has ever been considerate about things like this, and it harkens back to his "consultant" days. Not that those lasted very long either.
"I'm not interested," he lies, but Fury accurately points out Tony wouldn't have answered if he weren't. Dr. Strange found an artifact in the process of running through every possible outcome. He's still in the Matrix or he might have the decency to deliver it himself, but as usual, they need Tony to figure it out. He's sure someone has to be a better fit for this project than him, but they're running low on options - and allies. They also know Banner is much better at saying 'no' than he is.
It's how he ends up back in New York, probably the last place he wants to be, staring at a room full of dweebs who have no idea what a thing does. It gives him very creepy déjà vu and he's not digging it, not at all.
"Alright, everyone clear out. Maybe it's shy." There's a massive energy signature coming off this amulet, but it isn't an infinity gem. So what is it? The answer comes when he's finally too sleep-deprived to babysit his own algorithm and he drifts off with the totem close enough to reach out and touch. He "wakes up" in what seems like a dimly lit living room, though even Tony's subconscious assumes he's dreaming. "I'm home, honey... just tell me where you are. I'll come to you."
It's spooky in here and getting spookier, especially as he realizes he doesn't have the arc reactor. He must have left behind it on the desk... All of the sudden, he pinches the inside of his arm, eyes widening when he feels real pain. Okay, yeah, this isn't even remotely normal.
"You've got a lot of 'splaining to do, Lucy..." He turns to see a woman standing there behind him - had she always been there? Her dark features are nothing compared to the stormy look she wears, even while holding a doughnut. Wait, is he sure he isn't dreaming?
It's this desperation to get a lead that has him in extreme sleepless research mode all over again. Tony knows there has to be something out there - anything - that can slow this guy down before he collects 'em all. That's when he gets the call, in the middle of the night. It's not like Nick has ever been considerate about things like this, and it harkens back to his "consultant" days. Not that those lasted very long either.
"I'm not interested," he lies, but Fury accurately points out Tony wouldn't have answered if he weren't. Dr. Strange found an artifact in the process of running through every possible outcome. He's still in the Matrix or he might have the decency to deliver it himself, but as usual, they need Tony to figure it out. He's sure someone has to be a better fit for this project than him, but they're running low on options - and allies. They also know Banner is much better at saying 'no' than he is.
It's how he ends up back in New York, probably the last place he wants to be, staring at a room full of dweebs who have no idea what a thing does. It gives him very creepy déjà vu and he's not digging it, not at all.
"Alright, everyone clear out. Maybe it's shy." There's a massive energy signature coming off this amulet, but it isn't an infinity gem. So what is it? The answer comes when he's finally too sleep-deprived to babysit his own algorithm and he drifts off with the totem close enough to reach out and touch. He "wakes up" in what seems like a dimly lit living room, though even Tony's subconscious assumes he's dreaming. "I'm home, honey... just tell me where you are. I'll come to you."
It's spooky in here and getting spookier, especially as he realizes he doesn't have the arc reactor. He must have left behind it on the desk... All of the sudden, he pinches the inside of his arm, eyes widening when he feels real pain. Okay, yeah, this isn't even remotely normal.
"You've got a lot of 'splaining to do, Lucy..." He turns to see a woman standing there behind him - had she always been there? Her dark features are nothing compared to the stormy look she wears, even while holding a doughnut. Wait, is he sure he isn't dreaming?
