February 18th, 2011
Whistling a merry tune, I made my way down the sidewalk of lower Manhattan, heading toward the towering structure that was Stark Tower, standing tall at the end of the street.
A bright smile was plastered across my face, for today was the most important day of my new life.
It was payday.
From what Ms. Potts had told me, my Bacta was selling like hotcakes.
Militaries and hospitals across the country were eager to have my sprays and patches in their first-responder kits, and already it had garnered a reputation for being the difference between life and death in many situations.
Which was good, because that was the entire point of the product.
Checking in at the front desk was much quicker this time around since the receptionist recognized me, and I was quickly led up to the same floor as last time and escorted into the conference room.
Ms. Potts was present, along with a few members of the board, which was surprising given I was only here to pick up a check.
"Mr. Blackwood! You're right on time." Pepper greeted warmly, rounding the desk and pulling me into a hug.
I stood frozen for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden affection, before remembering my manners and returning it.
Pulling back, I caught the look in Pepper's eyes. It was almost… maternal?
"Happy, the check."
Happy Hogan stepped forward and produced a crisp blue-and-white check, the Stark Industries logo stamped neatly in the top right corner.
I took it hesitantly… and nearly dropped it when I saw the astronomical number written across it.
"This… is this…?"
Pepper smiled, the expression mirrored by the board members seated around the room. "It is. Once we reached out to our government contacts and demonstrated the product, they were all very eager to get their hands on it."
I shook my head in disbelief, steadying myself with a hand on the table as Pepper placed a reassuring one on my arm.
"But three hundred thousand dollars? For the first month?"
It was far beyond my expectations, to be fair.
Though, considering the influence and reach Stark Industries had proven to possess, maybe I should have seen it coming.
"And it will only grow once we expand globally. That figure is limited to domestic distribution." one of the board members added.
Holy shit. I went from poor to fucking rich in a month, and they were saying this was just the beginning.
Still, that didn't explain why the board was here. That alone made me wary.
Taking a closer look at their faces, I noticed the greed in their gazes. They looked at me like I was a prized stallion, not a teenage boy.
Glancing back at Pepper, I was relieved to see she was the exception, her expression calm, almost understanding.
"Why don't you give us the room," Pepper said evenly.
A few of them moved to protest, but one sharp look from her shut that down immediately. Grumbling, they filed out, leaving just me, Pepper, and Happy behind.
"When I got my first paycheck as CEO, I reacted much the same way. Tony paid me well as his PA, but as CEO? That was… different." Pepper said with a small smile.
I exhaled slowly, trying to get my thoughts in order. Why was this hitting me so hard?
Maybe because I had grown up poor.
In my first life, my mother and I had barely gotten by before she passed. Her medical bills ate up most of her paychecks long before the end.
After that, everything I had at the group home was donated—clothes, toys, games—until I was old enough to get a part-time job, and even then it barely covered anything.
In this life, I'd been even worse off. If it hadn't been for the wad of cash Doctor Stasis kept in his desk, I would've been completely broke.
And now… this.
This kind of money was life-changing.
My plans just got a whole lot easier. Better equipment, better food, better living conditions… and I could finally start laying the groundwork for my future.
The real question was whether I should continue using Stark Industries' connections to sell my products, or go independent.
I'd still receive steady income from our partnership, and that wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.
On top of that, I already had a backlog of inventions—some finished, others in progress—that I hadn't pursued simply because I lacked the funds for materials.
That wasn't a problem anymore.
Judging by the looks the board members had been giving me, they either wanted me to join Stark Industries outright or lock in exclusive rights to anything I created going forward.
Neither option was particularly appealing.
Well… maybe one or two more deals. But after that, I'd branch out on my own.
It took more than a couple hundred thousand to start a company, and most of my inventions weren't exactly cheap to produce.
Hell, the only reason I'd managed to build the holo-projector at all was thanks to leftover parts stored on my ship.
"Now, while we've gone over your earnings, there is another reason you were asked to come in today, Mr. Blackwood." Pepper said, pulling me from my thoughts.
"And that is?"
"Your holo-projector and x-ray technology have caught the attention of the board. Someone, I'm not sure who, leaked its existence to our contacts. They've asked us to approach you about another deal. Exclusive production and distribution rights." Pepper explained.
I sighed. Right on cue.
I wouldn't have minded if it were any of my other projects, but the holo-tech was something I wanted for myself.
"With the Stark Expo coming to a close this summer, it would serve as the perfect centerpiece to cap off a successful year of rebranding for Stark Industries." Pepper added.
The Stark Expo.
I had completely forgotten about that.
Which also meant I'd completely forgotten it was going to get attacked by Hammer Drones and Whiplash and turn into absolute chaos.
"I was actually planning for the holo-tech to be one of the flagship products of my own company, Ms. Potts." I said.
Instead of disappointment, Pepper looked… interested.
"Your own company?"
I nodded.
"And when did you decide this?"
"It's been a dream of mine since I was a kid, but it really started becoming realistic once I got into Midtown High."
"A budding entrepreneur," she said with a faint smile. "You certainly have the mind for it."
I couldn't help but smile, a bit of heat creeping into my face at the praise.
"Tell me more. Is this going to be your only focus, or are you planning to expand beyond pharmaceuticals and medical technology?" she asked, leaning forward slightly.
Should I tell her?
Having allies in high places wasn't exactly a bad idea, and if the movies were anything to go by, she was one of the most trustworthy people I could know.
"While that will be part of it, my main focus is going to be aerospace. Specifically, developing technology for traversing our solar system… and eventually beyond."
She blinked, clearly not expecting that jump.
"That's… quite a leap. Are you sure you're ready for something like that?" she asked, though there was no dismissal in her tone, only curiosity.
"I plan on earning my master's in aerospace engineering while also studying business management at Empire State University. I've already submitted my applications, and not to toot my own horn, but I'm confident I'll get in."
Which was all true. Between patrols and building gear, I'd been putting in the work. Planning for the future mattered just as much as surviving the present.
"Ambitious," Pepper said thoughtfully. "That's a good quality to have in this line of work."
She fell silent for a moment, clearly considering something, before continuing.
"I'd like to make you a proposition, if you're willing to hear me out."
I gestured for her to continue.
"I see potential in you, the same kind Tony saw in me when he handed me the company." She glanced at Happy, who nodded in agreement.
"Come by a few times a week. Shadow me. I can teach you more about running a multi-billion-dollar corporation firsthand than any textbook ever could."
Did she just offer me an internship?
I was already stretched thin between being Guardian, going to school and working on my inventions, but… this was an opportunity I couldn't ignore.
And I still planned on going to college. The degree would give me credibility, and a solid cover for where all my knowledge was coming from.
I'd been hesitant about taking on too much at once. I didn't exactly want to end up with zero social life.
But this?
This was worth it.
Hands-on experience. Connections. Insight into how a company like Stark Industries actually functioned.
"Thank you, Ms. Potts. It would be an honor." I said sincerely.
She smiled brightly. "Good. And Edward, I can call you Edward, right?"
I nodded.
"There's the annual spring gala on March 21st. Investors, business contacts, CEOs, the works. I want you there. Start building connections early. My assistant will send you the details."
She stood, making her way toward the door, before pausing to give me a once-over.
"And buy a proper suit. You can afford one now."
With that, she walked out, leaving me sitting there, slightly stunned.
Damn. She switched from warm to all business in a heartbeat.
…Why was that kind of hot?
-
So no clones? Idk I feel like you guys want clones judging by the comments.
Quite frankly I expected the reaction even before I uploaded, thats why the previous chapters authors note was there. Perhaps in the back of my mind a Bizarro or Ultraman situation was an option but I guess thats not an option now.
On the other note several comments on different platforms are talking about how he should have known better then to leave blood behind, that he shouldn't trust anyone in SHIELD, that he shouldn't have much trouble with Gorgolla, that the HYRDA Agent shouldn't be muttering under his breath like that hasn't happened in several instances on screen.
You guys do understand there needs to be some suspense right? Some plot?
I want to state this clearly here for everyone, Edward isn't going to just roll through everyone. He isn't omnipotent. He isn't thinking of a hundred scenarios every second.
At the end of the day he is a seveteen year old boy barely three months in this world with a little bit of foreknowledge from movies and barely any comics focusing on restarting his life on top of using his new-found powers to prepare for the eventual threat of Thanos. He's still a rookie, still hasn't fought anyone that has challenged him in anyway before this.
Its why I didn't have him instantly jump at being a hero despite being in the Marvel Universe with powers. His end goal, even after Thanos, is to live a long and happy life, get rich, make his impact on the world, and eventually fade off into the sunset with a family.
I have to spoil half of the shit I am writing because people are getting butthurt and will likely tune out the moment they see a miniscule plot-point they don't like.
I'm gonna just skim through the comments at this point. I mentioned before I can't make everyone happy, but there was still a decent amount of support. Now its just people wanting to dictate what I write and how I write it.
I feel like I'm complaining in this authors notes and defending myself from the pitchforks in the comments more then I am connecting and interacting with my readers in a positive way. Maybe I'm being a bit sensitive, but thats just me.
I get 'constructive criticism' is a thing, but its not even criticism just passive aggressive comments and then backtracking their statements, acting as if they did nothing wrong when I call them out on it. Keep that same energy if your gonna comment bullshit.
In the end it is what it is. I still have like eight chapters unedited, but I haven't written much new these past few days. Partly because I've been a bit busy, but also because I'm kinda losing motivation. I had hoped to get to the Stark Expo soon tho, and then after that it might move it bit fast until we get to Avengers.