Chapter Two
"Usually we would open this broadcast with a 'good morning America', but today is nothing but a tragedy. Just a few hours ago I received news that Toni Stark, or Iron Lady, was found dead this morning by King T'Challa of Wakanda after a fight between herself and old war heroes Steve Rogers also known as Captain America and Bucky Barnes also known as the renowned assassin Winter Soldier. King T'Challa was able to retrieve video of her last hour and to say that I am a lost for words is an understatement. I had to beg my producers to let me show you the footage but I believed you all deserved to see how much of a monster Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes truly are. Take a look."
The world watched transfixed as Toni Stark found out the true cause of death of her parents and how a man she thought was her friend had known and kept it from her. They watched as the three battled it out and ultimately watched as Toni Stark drew her last breath while her former friend left her behind with not even a glance back. The video ended with the news reporter Christine Everhart wiping her tears away with a Kleenex.
"I hope I speak for everyone when I say this. Steve Rogers, you are a murderer and a backstabber. And I hope that if you ever darken these shores again, that you get what you deserve. This is Christine Everhart, Action News." And the screen went dark.
All around the world people were crying for blood, the blood of Captain America and the Winter Soldier. And none were crying out for it more than Pepper Potts, one of the best friends of Toni Stark and current CEO of Stark Industries.
Some of those that Toni had fought alongside, the other Avengers, the former and current also were horrified that their fellow teammate could do something like that. They all felt the grief of losing someone they had called friend pass on because of the actions of another friend.
As for Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes, neither knew yet that their actions had caused the death of Toni Stark but they would soon.
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Toni huffed and puffed pulling the suitcase behind her. It had been a longer walk than she had thought but she had finally made it. She was directed by her A.I.s to the house they had found for her to rent. The landlord would be meeting her there to discuss rent and other things.
She arrived and only had to wait five minutes before an older woman and an older man pulled up in their car and walked towards her.
"Toni Stark?" The man called out.
Toni turned fully towards them with a smile. "That's me. And you must be Mr and Mrs Witwicky. It's a pleasure to meet you and I thank you for taking time out of your day to meet me in regards to renting this house on such short notice."
The older couple exchanged a glance. They weren't used to genuine respectful prospective tenants.
"Oh, it was no trouble at all. We were just gardening when we received your email. We'll just be glad to have someone actually using the property and not letting it go to waste. Now rent and utilities is $750 a month after a $500 deposit. For the first month we don't charge anything as we know that it takes a minute to settle down. We just take the $500 deposit and pay for the utilities out of our own pocket. And after that we expect the $750 on the last day of every month. This is a two bedroom, three bathroom house with a basement and attached garage. Would you like to take a look inside?"
"Yes, of course." The Witwicky's showed Toni the house and Toni knew that they were offering her the best deal she would get. "I'll take it."
The three shook hands. "Great! You can start moving in today and one of us will come over tomorrow with the paperwork and for the deposit. You have a great day, Miss Stark."
The couple got in to their car and drove away. Toni waved at the car until it was out of sight and began to lug the suitcase into the house and closed the door behind her.
Get somewhere to live. Check!
Now she just had to get a job and set up a lab in her basement. Just because she was in a new world did not mean she wasn't going to tinker and create things. She was Toni Stark after all.
"JARVIS, make sure I somehow get a bank account that has some money in it so I can pay the deposit fee and also so I can furnish the house and get food."
"Of course, Miss."
"FRIDAY you and I are going to be tricking out the basement into my new lab. See if there are junkyards around please."
"Right away, Boss."
Toni brought the suitcase down into the basement and it was a fairly wide basement with only a corner being used for the stuff for the house. Toni walked over to a wall with the suitcase and pushed a button on the handle. Immediately the suitcase began separating into four suits of armor against the wall.
She smiled softly as she began to imagine what the basement would look like when she finally started going.
"This is a good start. We can do this, JARVIS, FRIDAY, we can survive here."