DISCLAIMER: I do not own Iron Man or any related characters. It is all Marvel/Disney.

Intro: I'm on a bit of an Iron Man kick now with the movie recently being released on DVD. So, this is born from the recent infatuation. Plus, there's not a lot of Iron Man comic-styled fics on here, either. So, with that all said, here is The Astonishing Iron Man. A reboot, of course. It's its own universe.

The Astonishing Iron Man

Chapter 1- "Blueprints" Part I

In the 1960's, a young twenty-something had a vision of the future. A vision that detailed how technology advanced so greatly that the world became a Utopia of sorts. His name was Howard Stark and he believed that perfection could be discovered as if it were a buried treasure. And, technology would be the tools needed to unearth said treasure.

In the late sixties, the vision began turning into reality. Howard Stark designed and built his own company from the ground up. All his ideas, inventive genius, creativity. It was all him. It all came from his brain. Every aspect, everything.

Stark Industries officially opened in 1972. Though, there were difficulties here and there and more than a few conflicts of interest, the business thrived and soon Howard Stark was a household name. Magazine publications, special television shows and radio broadcasts, personal appearances across the globe, etc.. Though it wasn't his initial intention, Howard Stark had become a legend.

At the end of the seventies, it had been announced by Howard that his Wife of fifteen years had become pregnant with their first child. Soon following, Howard informed the world that he had every intention of naming this child as the heir apparent to his throne. The following year, Anthony Edward Stark was born.

Stark Tower...

Before his death in 1992, Howard Stark had become involved in a project. Designs had been drawn-up for what would one day be called Stark Tower. His health had been declining, though. Had drastically ever since his wife, Maria, had passed away three years prior. So, the job was initially unfinished. However, little Anthony Stark took it upon himself to push along production.

Now, nearly twenty years later, Anthony - better known as Tony - was one of three occupants. The other two being his faithful butler, Jarvis, and his executive assistant, Ms. Pepper Potts.

"Okay, let me start off by saying that when I accepted this job, I understood there would be times that I would regret being Tony Stark's personal assistant. I- There would be days and nights when it would seem like the worst idea I've ever had. B-but Tony, this is too much. It's too far, lines have been crossed. I just cannot continue to be your assistant if I'm forced to put up w-with these... instances!"

Pepper Potts had stormed her employer's personal bedroom. Angry wasn't a strong enough word to convey her emotions in that moment. Limitless infuriation came to mind. Now, she wasn't entirely sure if that was even a word, but it was exactly how she felt at that point in time.

Groggy, still half-asleep, Tony slowly picked his head up off the pillow, grimacing as he did so, "Uhhh... good morning, Pepper."

"Good morning?" she was fuming, marching over to the bed and grabbing the comforter, pulling it off, "That's all you have to... oh my god!" she turned away, feeling humiliation that wasn't strong enough to crush the anger.

"Oh, wow, forgot she was there." Tony mumbled, swinging his legs off the bed while it was extremely apparent that there was a naked woman fast asleep on the other side. He yawned and rubbed his aching skull, not caring whatsoever that he was also completely naked, "What time is it?"

"Time for you to wake up, sober up and get these girls out of your home." she was very stern in her delivery.

"Girls?" plural.

"Yes." Pepper nodded aggressively, "Girls. Tony, this is unacceptable! There are three more downstairs right now in the kitchen, hassling Jarvis. The poor man is about to have a heart attack."

"He could use the excitement." Tony shrugged, wincing, "Loosen him up."

"You're unbelievable." Pepper threw a newspaper into Tony's lap.

Tony read the front page article aloud after a sniff, "Okay, whadda we got? Let's see... Don't know if you caught it, but last night Tony Stark brought new meaning to the term playboy. Along with four very beautiful but ultimately shameless young women, Tony was seen drunk in public, acting lewd and disrespectful to all around him. There was quite the scene at a club owned by him. In fact, it would be fair to mention that Tony Stark may be the very first club owner to ever be kicked out of his own establishment."

"Well, that's certainly an accomplishment." Tony commented with a bit of a sarcastic smile.

"It's not something to be proud of Tony." Pepper sighed, her anger fading somewhat, "Being an alcoholic isn't something to have pride in."

Tony finally grabbed a pair of pants and got dressed, grabbing the girl in his bed gently by the wrist and leading her practically still asleep form out of his bedroom, "See her out, please?"

Pepper just gave him a look before complying with his request. It went without saying, but he also wanted the others gone as well. Sadly, a practice that Pepper Potts was all too much used to.

The door closing, Tony Stark stood alone in his bedroom. Today was going to be a busy one. He had a very important meeting with the Chairman of Advanced Idea Mechanics, Obadiah Stane in regards to a partnership between the two companies. Not technically a merger. Simply a limited partnership. Tony was also due to meet with certain Military officials concerning a trip he would be taking to the Middle East tomorrow.

A new weapon had been designed by Tony Stark. One that would be tested tomorrow and then unveiled the following week in the United States. It was a missile dubbed The Jericho. It was highly dangerous. Of course, what would be the point of designing a be-all end-all missile if it wasn't highly dangerous? If all went according to plan, Tony Stark would become much richer than he already had. Which, in itself, seemed quite impossible.

He walked over to his dresser, and pulled out the bottom drawer, which turned out to be a cooler. A somewhat advanced one, but a cooler nonetheless. An assortment of drinks inside, all with a high level of alcohol. Tony took one out, flipping the lid and starting to sip. Following the first few, he could already feel a wave of relief wash over his body.

"Ah, liquid angels, take me to the heavens." Tony remarked humorously to himself while walking into his own personal bathroom, "Of course... assuming all that nonsense is real."

Somewhere in the Middle East...

It felt more of a bunker than anything else. At least, in the eyes and mind of Dr. Ho Yinsen. For the past nearly ten years, the elderly and frail man had been unwillingly working for a terrorist group called the Ten Rings. Their leader was a young man driven by hate, and deep pain. A man referring to himself as Mandarin.

Dr. Ho Yinsen no longer considered himself alive anymore. Though, he accepted that his soul hadn't passed on yet in the scheme of things. In his old life, Yinsen was a renowned Physicist and Engineer. Quite the inventive genius, garnering him slight comparisons to the late Howard Stark. He had become famous, a beloved individual across the globe. Then it all took a drastic and dangerous turn.

Dr. Yinsen had agreed to meet with people in the Middle East. Ironically, just before 9/11. He was abducted after the meeting. Taken to a cave where he was instructed that he was to co-operate or his loved ones would die. He did not believe their words, taking them for empty threats and bullying tactics. That could not have been any further from the truth, though. Days later, photographs were shown to Yinsen of his brother. Images detailing a brutal demise.

Since then, Yinsen had co-operated. He helped design special guns and vests for protection. He even aided in the designs of vehicles and other gear. His so loathed himself for aiding evil men. But, what choice did he have? All he could see in his mind was his wife and children suffering the same tragic fate as his brother. He couldn't risk it, their safety had to come first.

Yinsen laid on a broken cot, a pile of dirty rags for a pillow, a ripped burlap sack as a blanket. He knew how stupid it was, but it was the only shred of normalcy that he could cling to. His supposed bedroom; a cave with barely working lights and rotting food with dirty water.

"Up." a ragged voice demanded, a faint Asian accent within.

Yinsen picked himself up, legs swinging off the side of the makeshift bed. He said nothing, instead simply awaiting whatever it was that the leader of the Ten Rings wanted to say...

The man calling himself Mandarin stood tall wearing heavy militant clothes and gear, guns strapped to him along with other weapons as well. His bald head dirty and a bit burnt from the relentless sun outside. He stepped slowly towards his captive in an intimidating manner, towering over him, "Tomorrow, you have a room-mate."

"Who?"

"Anthony Edward Stark."

Yinsen laughed weakly, coughing and spitting up a bit after doing so, "Obviously, you are mistaken. There is no way that you could successfully..."

Mandarin leaned in close, whispering intently, "I took you. I stole you and I never gave you back. The same will happen to Stark."

"You under-estimate the security of wealth."

"My end-game has come. I have waited ten long years for tomorrow. And, I will wait another ten if that is what it takes to secure my goals. But, my goals will be reached. They will be recognized and felt throughout this entire world."

"If you do succeed, you will have quite the bargaining chip. You will..."

"No bargain." Mandarin dismissed, backing away, "That isn't what this is about. I have no intention of dealing Stark away. He will create my weapons." he held up his hand, wiggling his fingers, the tattoo of a ring upon each one, "And, after that, the world will witness his death."

Mandarin turned, making his exit, but was stopped by Yinsen calling out to him, "When you first took me, I asked you your name. You responded... Mandarin. I asked you why such a name. You then replied... You will tell me at the end. So, I ask you again... what is the significance of your name?"

Mandarin hesitated, then looked over his shoulder in a subtle manner. However, no answer was given.

Later that afternoon, a restaurant...

He had been drinking, but he was far from drunk. At least, according to him. Of course, Pepper Potts held a different view. The constant push and pull of Tony's supposed alcoholism had been its own demon to live through over the years. But, lately especially, it really seemed to be getting the best of him. She understood clearly why he drank so much. But still. He drank everyday. More often than not, he was drunk at all times. Not too sound to conceited, but Pepper truly wondered if he would even be able to handle running Stark Industries if not for her helping him.

Once upon a time, she was angry. Now, she was just sad. Over the years, Pepper had grown to see Tony as more than just her boss. It was breaking her heart to have a first row seat to his self destruction.

"There must be an alternative." Pepper mentioned in the back of the limousine, Stark's personal driver, Happy Hogan behind the wheel. They were just about to arrive at the restaurant where Tony Stark and Obadiah Stane would be conducting their meeting.

"You know why I do it." Tony sighed, not wanting to take this trip again.

"You're destroying yourself, Tony. Half the time, you're not even you. And, what about your health? How long until your liver shuts down?"

He wasn't in the mood for this, "That won't happen. You know why."

She just shook her head, looking out the window as the limousine stopped in front of the desired destination. He didn't see, didn't realize.

Inside the restaurant...

He was known by Tony Stark as Obie, though he preferred being called Obadiah. He was the Chairman of the Board at Advanced Idea Mechanics. It was a business that he personally started. It was inspired by his own admiration towards the great Industrialist Howard Stark, and his extreme dislike towards his own father, Zebediah Stane.

The company was to mirror Stark Industries in many ways. Though, there had always been a much more centered focus around the Military.

Obadiah was an older gentleman, though he was no senior citizen. He was closing in on fifty, but felt as though he were half that age. The past few years, he and Tony had developed a little friendship. They had even enjoyed the night life together a few times, though Stane was much more reserved than his younger counterpart. After all, Tony was barely thirty.

"There he is." Stane stood up from his seat at the table with a smile and hand stretched forward.

"How goes it, Obie?" they shook hands.

"Always good, Tony." he responded before greeting the assistant, "Ms. Potts, always a pleasure."

"Mr. Stane." she nodded.

He waved his hand, "Ugh, that makes me sound too old."

They all took a seat, Tony quickly ordering a drink, Pepper rolling her eyes.

"Where's Happy?" Stane wondered.

"Cruising for chicks, where else?" Tony chuckled, Obadiah following suit.

"Actually... he's running errands." Pepper cleared up.

"Tomorrow's big. Let's discuss." Tony placed the attention on himself.

"Tomorrow is big, Tony." Obadiah agreed, "I know I've said this a dozen times, but it's gotta be perfect. I mean, we are on the brink here, Tony. You pull off that demonstration tomorrow, and we're going to be gold. Finally, Stark Industries and A.I.M. will be working together."

"You're worried." Tony casually remarked.

"I'm not..."

"Yes, you are. I can see it. It's like a Jedi thing, man. You're sweatin' it."

Obadiah smiled, "I just want everything perfect. We're taking a lot of heat for this partnership. For some reason, especially me. One thing goes wrong and it'll blow up in our face faster than we can blink."

Tony shook his head, "Don't be ridiculous. Nothing bad's going to happen."

Stane sighed, leaning forward on the table, his head in his hands before looking to Pepper, "See, this is why I'm worried." then he looked back to Stark, back to his future business partner, "You never take it seriously. You never..."

"What is this, National Hassle Tony day?" he couldn't believe he was hearing it from Obie now.

"Tony, you never take things seriously. And, lately..."

"Meeting adjourned." Tony stood up, ready to leave.

"Lately, you've been spiraling." Stane's words somewhat reminiscent of what Pepper was saying earlier. "Tough love time, Tony. You are an alcoholic. I've witnessed it first hand with my father, if you continue to..."

Tony stopped in his tracks, turned on his heels and angrily stepped to Obie, face to face, "You don't know me, Obadiah. You know my name, my face, how much money I have in the bank, but you don't know me. So, I'll say this one time and only one time... Don't fool yourself into believing you have me figured out. You don't. No one does. And, the only person in this entire world that comes anywhere close is her."

"You need help." Obadiah spoke calmly, though Tony was only getting irritated, "C'mon, you know you do."

"I thought this was a business meeting... not a god damn intervention."

"Hey, it is a business meeting. This is all about business."

"Yeah? Coulda fooled me."

"Listen, Tony. Last night was a prime example of not only bad press but unwanted press. Like I said, there's already a lot of heat on us. People don't trust us. They think Advanced Idea Mechanics and Stark Industries going into business together is one of the signs of the apocalypse. We have to make them trust us. And, the only way to do that is to keep our noses clean. Okay? We..."

Tony stopped him from saying anything else, "Tell you what... Talk to me after I ace the demonstration tomorrow, okay? Talk to me then, and tell me how much I'm spiraling."

With that, Tony took his leave, deciding on waiting outside until Happy rolled back around. Momentarily, Pepper started on her way out...

"Pepper." Obadiah only addressed Pepper Potts by her first name when something was very serious, "You got to rein him back in. You know as well as I do, last night cannot happen again. He's damn lucky it didn't end up costing him the demonstration."

"I know." Pepper nodded, "I know."

The Middle East...

Good things come to those who wait.

Patience will always be rewarded.

The man who called himself, Mandarin, thought of those phrases as he sat alone within the darkness of a cave, no illumination save for faint candlelight. The time was drawing nearer. The moment of truth was fast approaching, the moment that he had been waiting ten long years for. The moment when opportunity presented itself before him, beautiful and golden.

Anthony Edward Stark would be paying a visit tomorrow. He was scheduled to debut a new missile. An added strength in the war on terror. Little did he or anyone else know that there was something far worse than war awaiting his arrival. Destiny had called and Mandarin was prepared to answer.

Tomorrow, Mandarin would grab hold of Anthony Stark and refuse to let go until every drop of blood had bled from his dried corpse.

It was now only a matter of hours.

Stark Tower...

Tony Stark sat alone in the dark within the confines of his main office. He stared out the window into the night sky, the full moon shining so brightly. It really was beautiful to see, like a priceless piece of artwork had just leaped off of the page into the sky.

He thought about what happened last night. He thought about what Obadiah said earlier. He thought about all the things Pepper had been saying the past few years. He then glanced to the drink in his hand, the half-empty glass that was begging to be finished.

Tony wasn't stupid. He saw what everyone else did. He understood what they were saying. Yet, at the same time, he didn't consider himself an alcoholic. He didn't drink because he couldn't go without. No. He drank so much for a very specific reason. He drank near constantly because of an extremely rare disease that he had been suffering from since birth.

There was never a clinical term for the disease. As strange as it may seem, the disease was a curse as well as a gift. You see, Tony Stark had been born with a more than quadruple the amount of neural tissue in his body. In fact, it lined almost every inch of him. Which, essentially, meant that almost his entire body was part of his brain.

This supplied him with near constant pain. If he was stone-sober, it was excruciating.

However, at the same time, this strangely also gave him the ability of regeneration as well as making him a complete genius. In lamens terms, with brain cells spread throughout the entirety of his whole system, his body reacted to wounds by stitching them all by itself with nothing more than Tony thinking of healing. Thus, is why he never worried about his liver becoming too damaged.

Now, you would think that with being able to regenerate wounds, that getting drunk was out of the question. But, that was far from the case. It was if Tony's brain hated going through what it had to on a daily basis, and saw the alchohol much in the same light as Tony; as a means to escape the pain.

Taking him away from his thoughts were knocks at the door. He finished the last of his drink and set the glass down on his desk as the door opened, revealing a long-time friend by the name of James Rhodes...

Tony sighed, sitting back in his chair, "I'm telling ya right now, man, if this is about me changing my lifestyle, you can turn your ass right back around 'cause I'm not in the mood."

James 'Rhodey' Rhodes just chuckled as he approached.

James Rhodes was better known as Lt. Rhodes of the United States Marine Corps. He was also Liason between the United States Military and Stark Industries. Not to mention a personal friend of Tony's since way back in grade school. They bonded over both of them being hassled by bullies. The friendship stuck ever since.

Rhodey stood in front of the desk, "I just came here to make sure everything's full speed ahead for tomorrow."

Tony nodded.

"Of course, when I got here, Pepper told me about what happened earlier."

Stark sighed, pointing to the exit, "There's the door."

"Tony, listen, I get it, okay? I know why you do it. But, there's got to be a better way. I mean... you're a bonified genius and you can't come up with a better way to deal with the pain?"

"Was that an insult or a compliment? I'm not sure." Tony quipped, skirting around the issue.

"Seriously, Tony."

"Look..." Tony sat up in his chair, "... I've said this before - which obviously means I have to say it again - Contrary to popular belief, I have everything under control. I am under control. Which means I am not out of control."

"Your behavior has people nervous." Rhodes explained clearly, "Specifically, certain people that you do not want to be making nervous."

Tony shook his head, "Well, when they have a painful disease that inflicts them, then I'll re-evaluate my actions that make them nervous."

Rhodey sighed. This was going nowhere. Of course, that wasn't a shock. Nevertheless, there was tomorrow to be concerned with, "Let's just go over the schedule for tomorrow so we're both clear."

"Okay."

"I'm going to be meeting you at the base at exactly 0900 hours."

"That's 9pm, right?"

"Actually... 9am."

"Oh, my bad."

Rhodey grumbled under his breath, his head dropping down before he continued, "Alright, from there we..."

THE ASTONISHING IRON MAN

And the first chapter is done. Really quick, I want to point out something. I went a little over my head with the explanation of Tony having neural tissue throughout his body. My excuse is, I wanted to include the idea so bad (it comes from Ultimate Iron Man) that I didn't think it through as much as I should. But, I love the idea and I just think it adds more to the character rather than just having him be an alcoholic with no decent reason behind it.