Masking My Life

Chapter Ten~Time To Be A Hero

Why did I think this was a good idea when I said let's go kick some ass I meant to drive a car.....NOT FLYING!!!!!!!!!!

"Tony, I am going to die!" I say shakily hovering in the air, Tony flies in front of me. "You're doing good so far the Expo's just over there." he was right; the shining lights were like remembered...A little too bright, what was going on?

"Tony somethings up." I say, pointing to the Expo, he turns to face it through the top of the main stage we see drones rise out of the scene as a voice calls names "Army! Navy! Air Force! Marines!"

Me and Tony both scowl "Hammer." we state, and full thrust towards the Expo.

"Yeah! Yeah! Woo! That's a hell of a lot better than some cheerleaders, let me tell you. But as revolutionary as this technology is, there will always be a need for man to be present in the theatre of war. Ladies and gentlemen, today, I am proud to present to you the very first prototype in the Variable Threat Response Battle Suit. And its pilot, Air Force Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes!" shouts Hammer stepping aside. Rhodey, in new armor, has risen to the stage.

"You seeing this, Tony?"

"Yeah, I see it, land on the stage."

"Won't that ruin Hammer's performance?" I ask, hoping for the best answer, "Yes." I smile, "Let's do it!"

"For America and its allies, Hammer Industries is reporting for..." starts Hammer, oh I'm sorry you were saying? Me and Tony land on the stage as people start cheering, Hammer looks at us in confusion, Rhodey looks at me in bewilderment "It's just a mask, and you can't see me?" I ask.

"Illisha?! Listen the gloves, boots, and mask all look nice, but the t-shirt and workout pants, you need a real outfit."

"Can we work on that later, we got trouble," says Tony.

"Tony, there are civilians present. I'm here on orders. Let's not do this right now." says Rhodey.

"Give them a wave." says Tony, we all turn back to the crowd and wave as Hammer walks back to us "Hey, all right. Yeah."

I lean over to Rhodey. "All these people are in danger. We gotta get them out of here. You gotta trust if not us me for the next five minutes."

"Yeah, I tried that. I got tossed around Tony's house, remember?" says Rhodey turning to me. "Listen, I think he's working with Vanko," says Tony

"Vanko's alive?"

Hammer then started walking over to us, fake laughing, "Hammer, was is he?" I ask

"What?"

"Where's Vanko?"

"Who?"

"Tell me." Tony puts his arm in front of me "What are you doing here man?" ask Hammer to Tony, I look at Rhodey just suddenly his large gun on his shoulder takes aim at me and Tony "Is that you?" I ask.

"No, I'm not doing that. That's not me. I can't move. I'm locked up. I'm locked up!" shouts Rhodey, Tony turns as well to see just then all the other drones behind him take aim at us as well "Get out of here. Go! This whole system's been compromised."

"Let's take it outside," says Tony, god no more flying please.....what choice do I have. Tony and I push off the ground as the drones and Rhodey fire at us, Rhodey and the air force drones taking off after us.

"Tony, Illisha, I'm locked on. I have target lock!" shouts Rhodey, okay that great we are trying to fly away from you!

"On what?" I ask.

"On you two!"

Rhodey starts shooting at Tony and me, "On your six!" What, still being chased by Rhodey's suit and the air force drones, "Remote reboot unsuccessful." says J.A.R.V.I.S. through my mask. "You tried to reboot Rhodey?"