The Iron Girls - Flames

1) The Beginning

When all this started Tony Stark was just a man known as the worlds most famous mass murderer and Pepper Potts nothing more than his secretary. Our parents have evolved from then but, most importantly, me and my sister have evolved over the years and we have been taught how to survive the most ridiculous circumstances. The first one began way back in 2008 the night before we were in Vegas our dad was receiving an award of some kind. I don't really remember, let's start there that night when everything that was about to change our lives began. We were about to learn that villains are closer than you might think.

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Viva Las Vegas

April 12th 2008

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Bright lights and loud noises are cancelled out by the ballrooms thick walls. Dark flooring filled with tables and chairs. Seats with women in thousand dollar dresses and men with thousand dollar watches. No table is more popular than the one in the front middle with the world's most famous twins Samantha and Alexandria Stark between them is an empty seat where their father should be and next to Alex is another empty seat but that ones for their uncle Rhodey who's behind the stage right now. On the other side of Sam is the only parental figure sitting next to them, Obadiah Stane.

The lights begin to dim and everyone looks to the images being projected in front of them, "Its beginning." Alex mumbles under her breath as she sits a little bit straighter trying to make her feet touch the floor. The voice over begins.

"Tony Stark. Visionary. Genius. American patriot. Even from an early age, the son of legendary weapons developer Howard Stark quickly stole the spotlight with his brilliant and unique mind." Sam pushed a loose strand of her hair behind her ear as she looked away from the projector and towards the double doors where she realizes that her uncle Happy and her father are most likely on the other side. "At age four, he built his first circuit board. At age six, his first engine. And at 17, he graduated summa cum laude from MIT."

Alex whispers to herself as she counts the numbers, "we did that when we were three and that when we were five, we haven't done that one yet but... by sixteen."

"Then, the passing of a titan. Howard Stark's lifelong friend and ally, Obadiah Stane, steps in to help fill the gap left by the legendary founder, until, at age 21, the prodigal son returns and is anointed the new CEO of Stark Industries." Sam glances to her sister who has already declared herself the future CEO of Stark Industries while Sam plans to travel the world. "With the keys to the kingdom, Tony ushers in a new era for his father's legacy, he and his daughters have been creating smarter weapons, advanced robotics, satellite targeting. Today, Tony Stark and his daughters have changed the face of the weapons industry by ensuring freedom and protecting America and her interests around the globe."

The lights come back on and Rhodey walks up to the podium dressed in his uniform. " As liaison to Stark Industries, I've had the unique privilege of serving with a real patriot. He is my friend and he is my great mentor. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present this year's Apogee Award to Mr. Tony Stark."

Alex and Sam desperately look around the room for their absent father. "One of us should go up." Alex straightens out her dress.

"Tony?" Rhodey says from the stage looking out into the audience eventually making eyes with Sam who simply shrugs her shoulders.

"I'll go look you two go up." Sam says standing up her long maroon dress touching the tips of her flats.

Obadiah stood up, "Sam I don't think its a good idea to go out there alone."

"No offense Obie I'm sending Alex with you because I don't think its a good idea for you to go up there alone."

"For what it's worth." Alex begins as she gets out of her chair, wobbling slightly in her half inch heels, "If we both went out there, now that's chaos."

Obie smiled at the girls, "Go or stay put, come on." Obadiah and Alex linked arms and walked up the stage, the lights taking notice of the sparkles on Alex's blue dress.

"Thank you, Colonel." Obie says as he takes the trophy from Rhodey.

From the stage Alex can see Sam slip out the double doors and for a split second the sound enters the room of machines, coins, victory and that of mad men.

Rhodey leans over and whispers,"Thanks for the save." to Obie and Alex.

"This is beautiful. Thank you. Thank you all very much." Obadiah holds up the Apogee Award, "This is wonderful. Well, I'm not Tony Stark. But if I were Tony, I would tell you how honored I feel and what a joy it is to receive this very prestigious award. Tony, you know...The best thing about Tony is also the worst thing. He's always working."

He pats Alex shoulder and hands her the award, "My dad might be the Stark this award is for but its for a Stark nonetheless. I just want to thank you all one more time... my father is glad. Have a good night."

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The bright lights of the Casino nearly blinded Sam as she ventured into the unknown. "I need sunglasses to just be here." She muttered to herself as she pulled on the silver handles closing the door to the ballroom.

Sam pulled the hair tie off her wrist because on the car ride Alex one the rock paper scissors game that decided whether or not she should wear her hair up or down and Alex thought she'd look good with it down. Sam quickly pulled her hair into a ponytail even with her hair up it reached her mid back.

No one noticed the eldest Stark child walking alone in the casino because everyone was too busy with games, "I'm gonna need hearing aids after this." Sam mumbled to herself as she continued walking straight she figured she would do what she normally does to follow the sound of the loudest and most annoying person in the room which was almost always her father, Tony. After he had a few drinks he would be down to do anything which is why Sam didn't event want to show up tonight.

Eventually she sees her father after almost being tripped over by a drunk man and woman who are most likely going to be married by an Elvis impersonator later tonight. Sam would love to meet Elvis. They've been in Vegas three days and she hasn't seen one too busy with red carpets.

"Happy!" Sam yells out over the sound of slot machines.

"Sam?" Happy asks before leaning down to the girl, "I thought you were with you sister and Obadiah?"

"Yeah I was..." Sam looks up at her dad as he lets out a yell, "Until he didn't show up perusal."

Happy glances over at the man who he is the protector of, "Sorry kid."

Sam gives a shrug, "I'm used to it."

"You shouldn't be used to it." Sam leans into Happy's embrace and he picks her up. Sam tries to get her father's attention but to no avail, he only pays attention to Happy and Rhodey when he finally shows up with Alex and the award.

Eventually Rhodey takes the girls with him, "Do you two have your bags packed for tomorrow?"

"Yea" Alex says they exit the Casino.

"Where are you taking us?" Sam asks as they approach the parking Garage.

Rhodey looks at the girls with a smirk on his face, "Frozen Yogurt and then the four hour drive home."

"Road trip" Both the girls speak at once as they crawl into the back of Rhodes' car knowing very well their dad is off with some chick.

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