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The Iron Man suit, Mark VI, erupted from the waters surrounding Stark Tower, a fiery red and gold streak against the midday sun. Tony Stark was talking non-stop over the comms, his voice filled with exaggerated pride.
"This is my grand unveiling, Hermione! The clean energy module, integrated directly into the tower's water supply! We're going off-grid! No more fossil fuels! It's my big day! Where's the attention?!"
Hermione, listening from the penthouse, couldn't help but roll her eyes and chastise him over the speaker. "I'm sure it's very impressive, Tony. But can we discuss this later? You're not doing your job all day. Isn't the Iron Man armor enough for you to play with?"
"Play with? This is advanced technology! Isotope isomer energy! Clean energy! Only I, Tony Stark, could come up with this!" Tony was furious that his genius was being questioned.
He landed with a solid thud on the helipad. Jarvis's calm voice cut through the triumphant roar of the armor. "Sir, Agent Coulson is awaiting you in the lobby. Urgent request."
"Tell him I'm not in," Tony snapped immediately, his mood souring. He unclasped the suit and strode into the apartment in a t-shirt and jeans.
He walked past Hermione, his eyes narrowing. "Wait a minute, little witch." He circled her slowly. "Did you grow taller? Seriously, did you take some kind of fast-grow charm? You're moving too fast."
"Please," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "I'm almost fourteen. I'd be a dwarf if I didn't grow eventually." She put her hands on her hips, glaring at him. Tony and Pepper exchanged a knowing, fond look.
The elevator doors opened, and Agent Coulson, ever the professional, stepped out. Tony's face instantly darkened.
"Phil," Tony growled, cutting him off before he could speak. "I'm going to need you to turn around and leave. I'm having a private moment of genius contemplation."
"Mr. Stark," Coulson began, looking strained, "this is critical. The Tesseract is lost. Loki is alive and has it."
"Oh, for God's sake, there he goes again," Hermione muttered. "Loki. Really, Director Fury?"
"Phil?" Tony caught the slip instantly. "Since when are you two on a first-name basis? When did Agent become Phil? And what did he lose?"
Pepper quickly intervened, putting a gentle hand on Tony's chest. "Tony, stop competing with a child. Phil came to show us the file."
She walked over and accepted the encrypted tablet Coulson offered. "It's about the threats," Coulson explained. "Director Fury needs to ensure the Avengers Initiative is ready."
Pepper placed the tablet on the coffee table. With a wave of her hand, the data expanded into a holographic projection. Files on gamma radiation, super-soldiers, and alien artifacts shimmered in the air. Tony's focus was immediately drawn to the video clips. The footage showed a level of catastrophic, uncontrollable power that he, the man who built a suit to control chaos, had never truly grasped. He saw the Hulk's destruction, the silent, terrifying power of the Destroyer, and then, clips of his own fight with the Iron Monger.
The projection showed Hermione. She was a silent, efficient force of nature, single-handedly disarming his multi-ton armor with a single word. Then, the clip of her shielding both him and the missiles.
Tony's arrogance completely dissolved. His posture shifted from defensive snark to tense, protective fury.
"You're telling me," Tony said, his voice dangerously low, pointing at the projection of the Hulk's punch, "that you put this child, a civilian, in a warzone against that? That's what you were doing when I was missing? Putting her in danger?"
"Mr. Stark, she insisted—" Coulson began.
"I don't care what she insisted on! She is fourteen years old! She is not on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s payroll, and she is not disposable!" Tony roared, his protective instincts, once activated, becoming absolute. His fury wasn't about the Tesseract; it was about the principle.
Pepper backed him up, her eyes blazing as she looked at Coulson. "No matter how important that Cube is, I will not allow you to put Hermione at risk again. Is that clear?"
Coulson looked uncomfortable. "Perfectly clear, Miss Potts. That's why the Director only requested her consultation. She has already declined."
"Good," Pepper sighed, her expression softening. "Now, I have to go to Washington D.C. to finalize the locations for the clean energy project. Phil, since you're heading back, is there any way I could hitch a ride?"
"I could arrange a S.H.I.E.L.D. transport, Miss Potts," Coulson offered.
"Don't bother," Hermione said. She stood up, walked over to Pepper, and waved her hand, the act now casual, routine.
The air beside Pepper tore open with a sharp, sizzling sound. A swirling, sparking oval of orange energy appeared, showing a crisp, recognizable image of Washington D.C. on the other side.
"It's too much trouble for Phil," Hermione said simply. "I'll just send you there myself."
Pepper, who was long past being surprised by this girl, just smiled and gave Hermione a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, sweetie." She adjusted her jacket and calmly stepped through the magical portal.
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