Ch. 1

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"Are you sure I can't get out of this? There's nowhere else I can go?" Tony asked his parents, the question being more directed at his mother.

"No. The headmaster specifically requested that you would attend this school. Besides, it's not like you were doing any better in your previous situation." Howard told him.

Tony scowled. He wasn't even sure why principle Fury wanted him at this stupid school anyway. Avengers Academy was supposed to be a special high school for enhanced individuals to learn their powers and train. Tony wasn't special, he was just a smart-ass rich kid with a blue glowing orb stuck inside his chest.

"I was doing just fine at my old school. At least I actually knew people there."

"Cheer up" his mother said. "Rhodey and Pepper will also be attending here, you won't be totally alone.

"Rodney and I don't have any classes together, and Pepper and I only have lunch. And I checked, they're not going to let me room with Rhodey. So yeah, I'll be totally alone."

"Didn't you and Pepper break up?" Howard asked.

"We're still friends." Tony said, pretending not to notice the judgment in his father's voice. He could see exactly what Howard was thinking, that at least Pepper was a nice girl that could keep him out of trouble. Not that she did such a good job at it, but she kept him out of a larger number of hookups and scandals. They weren't happy together though, and Tony wasn't about to stay in an unhappy relationship just to please his father. No fucking way.

Tony stared out the window, pissed at Fury for wanting him to come here, pissed at his father for making him go, and pissed at his mother for not trying to change Howard's mind. Tony was pissed at the whole world, really, but hey, what else is new?

"We're here." Howard said, pulling up to the Academy. Tony had to admit that it was pretty, with its sprawling campus and lush greenery. But it still wasn't enough to make up for his father sending him off to boarding school, which he had been wanting to do but Maria constantly insisted against.

"Bye, Mom." Tony said once they were out of the car.

"Be good." Maria said only half-jokingly, pulling him into a hug. "Do you need any help with your bags?"

"Nah, I've got it. Besides, Howard's probably anxious to drive off and no see me 'till Christmas." Tony said with a bitter laugh at the end.

"Please, try not to leave it like this. We'll not going to see each other for four months, is this how you want your father to remember you until we visit again?"

"Fine. But I'm doing this for you, not him." Tony grumbled, wanting to ease his mom's worry. "I love you, Dad." He said stiffly. "And I know you're doing the best you can."

Howard just gave a little nod, not wanting to get out of the car.

Maria pulled Tony into a hug one last time, tears in her eyes when she finally broke away.

"Maria! We've been here for ten minutes! Anthony said he didn't want your help, let's go!"

"Bye Mom." Tony said one last time, picking up his bags and walking towards the school. He had pretty low expectations, but at least he would be far away from his father. The freedom was almost intoxicating. Maybe this place wouldn't be such a shitstorm after all. 

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