Language alert! Mild cursing in this chapter.
Tony Stark was a billionaire. He was a genius, a playboy, he was even a hero - he was everything anyone would want to be. One thing he wasn't however, was a teenager. Sure he passed that point in his life where he transitioned from a high-pitched talking toddler into a functional adult, but that was long ago. And last time he'd checked, time does not work backwards.
But this mirrored version of him tells him otherwise.
This phenomenon was something not even his genius mind could comprehend, well, it should not even need to be understood since such situation doesn't even exist in the first place.
But here he is, living, breathing, standing against the laws of time.
He runs a hand through his thick brown (for the sake of the story guys!) hair. It was that point in his life where he had still wanted to retain his soft locks. Only a short time he had to cut it before going back home for Christmas after years of studying abroad. And after that, he never did want to grow out his hair again.
He snaps back to reality focusing on the most important questions first. The Scientific Method, though he rarely uses it as he jumps straight on to the conclusion, seemed to be the most suiting process for his current predicament.
"Sir, there seems to be a significant change in your biological state. It is quite alarming."
"No shit,Sherlock. FRI, pull up the stats."
"All vital information except for one seems to be normal, sir." Normal? He was never normal. He's been pulled apart and pieced back so many times to be normal.
"You appear to be around 16 years old, sir."
"16?" He repeats. That's how old Peter is right now. So... he's a highschooler? Great. Just great.
The way this morning started wasn't too beautiful either.
Living in a hundred-floor tower has its perks. You are far from the bustling and noisy streets, but still get to enjoy the view on the whole city. Well, you would if you only pull the curtains up, or in billionaire Tony Stark's case, disable window blocks.
It was a good thing FRIDAY, his... great AI already did that for him.
"Mmmhhnnghhh... FRIDAY dim the lights!" Tony tossed and turned on his bed, smothering himself in the pillow and covers.
No response.
Damnit, he rarely gets enough sleep recently. Working on the Avenger's tech, upgrades on the baby spider's suit protocols...
"FRIDAY!"
He pokes his head out the covers, wincing as the bright sunlight and the echanting cityscape assaulted his eyeballs. Why wasn't FRIDAY listening to him? There was radio silence in her part, which was incredibly odd.
Tony groaned as he got out of bed, only to fall off and land on his butt. Mornings were bad, but never this terrible. What are great way to start the day off!
But something felt off. His room seemed a lot more... chilly than before, and... he actually felt lighter and more energized. Not something he would expect after going to bed at 5 am. Groaning as he stood up, streching himself to get rid of the... excess sleepiness. His chest felt strangely lighter. Alarmed, his hands flew to his chest.
There wasn't the familiar biting cold of metal. No revebreating pulse from the arc reactor. No signature blue hue. There wasn't even an arc reactor at all!
He runs towards the mirror. This isn't him at all. There wasn't a goatee, no graying hairs, no deathly tired look, no faint after effects of the palladium poisoning. A young teenager stood in front of him. The teenager who made headlines after graduating MIT.
The teenager, who'd soon learn to drink to fix the cracks in his persona.
"You seem to be in distress sir. Would you like me to call Miss Potts?"
"No!" Tony yelled a little too loudly. His throat and voice felt raspy, and sreaming "I'm just processing. I, how'd I turn into a Curious Case of Benjamin Button?" Tony groaned into his palm. "Wait no, don't answer that."
He sighed. "Where's Bruce?"
"Mr. Banner is currently on a, grocery run with Mr. Rogers. Mr. Barnes with them as well."
He can't bother them. Those three had a lot of catching up to do. Bruce was the only one he needed in the group anyways. He could wait... right? FRIDAY interrupts his musing.
"Sir, Mr. Barton and The Falcon would like to let you know that they are approaching the common room. It seems that they would like to show you something.
"Shit. FRIDAY, tell them I'm not here!" Tony practically screeched, wincing when his voice cracked. Do actually mean this body's not through puberty yet?!
He can't be seen like this. He's charming sure, but the teenage self-consciousness he never felt before came crushing down on him. And even if it hadn't, being around Barton is horrible. All the teasing and bugging... it was as if he didn't have a life of his own! Barton can be incredibly insistent.
"Mr. Barton and The Falcon says its an urgent matter about a bet. I seem to be on override, sir."
An urgent matter? About a bet?
"That isn't even an emergency!" Tony hissed.
"Just delay the elevators! Just until I get out of here!"
He had to think of something. Quick.
Tony ran across the room and to his wardrobe. His designer clothes, all his suits and pricey shirts. Damn, none of these will fit him! Not even the cat shirt Peter bought him. Peter... it wouldn't fit a highschooler. Unless...
Thank goodness the Spider-kid practically lived there. May had allowed him to stay over during Fridays or Saturdays to work on projects, with Sundays strictly their aunt-nephew bonding time. That being said, Tony opened the wardrobe.
A couple of science T-shirts, and a new pair of jeans he bought the kid a few weeks ago. He made a mental note to checkr on those, the kid needs new clothes. In the corner he sees Peter's pizza shirt when he first met him. He quickly grabs a navy blue 'Element of Suprise' shirt and a dark red jacket.
And would you look at that, a pair of sneakers that conviniently hadn't been worn yet. Jeez, that kid needs to know how to use the things he buys for him.
A quick glance at the mirror told him he looked decent. Grabbing a Starkphone and a backpack (Peter's yet again,) he scrambled into the common room. The common room had 2 elevators, both of which were the fastest way to the ground.
He'd have to use his private elevat--
DING!
The elevator right in front of him dings as two figures shuffle into the room. Dammit! He rushes to hide by the counter and wait for them to hopefully leave, otherwise, he'll be forced to take on drastic measures.
"Hey FRIDAY, where's Stark at?" Barton.
"Mr. Stark is currently at compound." FRIDAY didn't rat him out, which was a good thing. Smart AI. He let out a silent sigh of relief.
"Aww man, I wanted to show him something." He could hear Barton's whine echo throughout the place. He slumped at the chair, facing the ceiling. Sam took a seat next to him and frowned.
"You wanted to show him a 'Which Avenger Are You' quiz, Clint. It's not exactly an emergency." He sighed. "But it's kinda strange. He's usually at his lab at these hours."
"FRIDAY," Tony whispered, hoping the spy didn't hear him, "fake a mission 5 blocks from here. Activate protocol Escapist." Tony prayed the AI would listen to him. After a moment of silence FRIDAY announced the 'threat'.
"Oh sh-- that is bad. I'll go first. Suit up!" Clint jumped off the couch and ran off... wihtout using the vents this time. He rushed back to the elevator and it shot downwards. Why he always chose the narrow vents, Tony didn't know. Oh well. Tony came out of where he was hiding and walked towards his private elevator.
"Peter?"
Oh yeah... Sam was there too. Shit.
"Aren't you supposed to be at school?" He heard footsteps, Sam's, headed towards him. No. No. No. No. No today.
"Uhhh..." Damn you elevator, move faster. It should've been there by now. Unless FRIDAY is conspiring against him again. The slow blinking of the elevator light confirmed his suspicions. I'm going to dismantle you little piece of--
"...Peter?" Sam placed a hand on his shoulder and he violently flinched. It was that moment that the elevator (or FRIDAY) answered his prayers (oh...so FRIDAY did have mercy after all.) He made a mad dash to the elevator, his back turned from Sam as he stabbed the 1st floor button. Close. Close. Close. CLOSE QUICKER!
"Wait Pete--"
The elevator's doors closed off and descended as graceful as a landslide towards the ground.
--er..." Sam was actually confused at his behavior. It was so... un-Peter-like. It was so not Peter. What just happened?
Inside the elevator, Tony actually felt sorry for Sam. But as he catches a glimpse of the tower's lobby, comes a bigger question/problem.
How does he get out of this unnoticed?
HEY! Red here, as you can see I'm starting a new fan fiction. Rest assured, I'm working on my other fic's chapter.