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Feb
Year 1 |
Iron Man and the Absorbing Man stare at each other on the runway of a Los Angeles airport. The Absorbing Man's body is currently steel (as seen last issue- Matt) and it glistens in the midday sun. All he wants is a short vacation, but a run-in with some security guards seems to have destroyed that possibility.
Iron Man, on the other hand, is here in L.A. for some personal business (again, see last ish- Matt) and was about to catch a plane for New York. He's got several problems of his own- a memory gap and his apparent death that has cost him his fortune and his company. Needless to say, neither of these two gentlemen are in a particularly good mood.
"I'm leaving this airport and you can't stop me, Iron Man!" Absorbing Man shouts.
"There's no way I'm letting you leave here, Creel!"
Suddenly, the Absorbing Man leaps at Iron Man, who ignites his boot jets in an attempt to get away. However, the Absorbing Man manages to touch his boots as Iron Man takes to the air, and now his body takes on the property of Iron Man's refractory coated armor! "Blast!" thinks Iron Man. "I was afraid of this! I've got to take him out quickly."
Iron Man arcs back to Absorbing Man at top speed and hits him with full force. The Absorbing Man flies through the air and lands hard. He leaps back to his feet. "Is that your best shot?" he taunts. Iron Man flies at him again, but this time Absorbing Man is ready for him. He lifts a nearby luggage taxi and hurls it at Iron Man. The luggage taxi slams Iron Man to the ground and stuns him momentarily, but a moment is all the Absorbing Man needs. He leaps on top of Iron Man and begins to pound on Iron Man's shell.
"If he keeps this up, he could do some damage! I've got to get him off me fast!" thinks Iron Man. He first increases the power to the filters in his eyeslits, and then activates his unibeam light at maximum intensity. The light reflects of his own armor and the Absorbing Man's skin, causing a glare which temporarily blinds the Absorbing Man. As he stumbles back, Iron Man hits him with a tremendous blow, sending the Absorbing Man flying into the wall of the main building. The impact bursts a water line in the wall. Absorbing Man decides to take advantage of the opportunity and takes the form of the water, letting himself flow through the pipes to safety.
Realizing he has no way to pursue Absorbing Man, and that he has a flight to catch anyway, Iron Man finds a secluded spot to change into Tony Stark. Fortunately for him, his fight has delayed his flight. A few hours later, he returns to New York and Avengers Mansion.
After arriving in the mansion, Tony decides to head to the kitchen to see what Jarvis has on the menu for that night's meal. In the kitchen sits Captain America, in costume but with his mask removed, enjoying an early evening snack consisting of milk and cookies, of course.
"Hello, Steve." Tony says as he walks in.
"Hello Tony. How did your business out west go?"
Tony tells Cap that Felix Alvarez has now set the legal wheels in motion, and as soon as his finances are his own, he will be moving back to L.A. and will repay the money he has used from the stipend fund. Cap suggests that repayment is not necessary. After all, Tony has been very generous in financing the Avengers over the years, so perhaps it is only fair that the Avengers pay him back a little. Tony says he won't hear of it, the money will be repaid.
Next, Cap mentions the big Avengers meeting to be held the next day (the one held in Avengers #403- Matt). "Will your return to the west coast affect your ability to be an active Avenger? I'd really like to have you back on the team, especially after all that's happened."
Tony replies, "I'll definitely remain with the Avengers. Right now, I'm in the process of rebuilding my life, and I think it's most important to rebuild my relationships with my friends. After all, I've crossed swords with so many Avengers so many times over the years, and what you've told me of recent events involving Kang (in the Crossing- Matt) make me believe that I need to earn back the Avengers trust. The best way to do that is as a part of the team."
"I'm glad you'll be with us, Tony." Cap smiles and shakes Tony's hand.
Jarvis enters and says, "There is a telephone call for Master Stark from Mr. Alvarez."
"Thanks, Jarvis. I'll take it in my room."
Upon returning to his room, Tony answers the phone. "What's up, Felix?"
"I've set up court dates for next week. Having you declared legally alive and regaining your fortune shouldn't be much trouble, but getting Stark International back from Fujikawa's going to be very sticky. This could be tied up in court for years."
"Don't worry, Felix. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I can't lose."
Next issue: Battle in the boardroom! Also, Tony goes out for a night on the town!
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