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[ironandheart]

SECOND CHANCES
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IN CHARACTER

NAME. Tony Stark
AGE. 53
SPECIES. Human
ABILITIES. His brain. Iron Man's powers derive from his armored suit. Powers include super strength, the ability to fly, durability, and a number of weapons.
CANON POINT. After Hulk snaps in Endgame.
CANON PUNCTURE. Ask, please!

HISTORY & PERSONALITY

WIKI LINK: HERE

HISTORY & PERSONALITY: Tony, the only child in an affluent family, had every toy he could possibly want from the day he was born. His mother, Maria, loved him, but her role as dutiful wife to renowned inventor and businessman, Howard Stark, often kept her busy with events outside the home. Tony, consequently, spent most of his childhood with nannies and butlers although he’d never utter a bad word about Maria, whom he cherished despite their scarce time together. He simply learned to live in the moment with her. However, his relationship with his father was neither cordial, nor loving. Howard had been abused by Tony’s grandfather and, in turn, had no model for a healthy father and son relationship.

Tony’s fraught relationship with his father marked his youth. Tony was a prodigy who graduated from MIT at 17, but his father still saw him as lazy. They had many arguments about Tony not living up to his full potential throughout Tony’s childhood. Tony never pleased his father, even when he won first place in science fairs or earned honors in school. Howard expected his son to be ambitious and resented any time Tony spent socializing with friends, even when Tony was a child. Howard believed his son’s intellect was a gift that Tony didn’t appreciate. Sure, Tony did well, but did he really try? Or did he skate by on his natural intelligence? Eventually Howard’s cold attitude and nitpicking became Tony’s inner voice. Maybe he wasn’t good enough. Maybe he could do better if he wanted. Maybe he didn’t deserve the wealth handed down to him.

Tony, believing he would never earn his father’s admiration, lived “up” to the man’s low expectations. Maria’s reassurance that Howard missed him when he was at school and loved him made no difference to Tony. Why should he bother trying to please his father when Howard made it clear Tony disappointed him? The future Iron Man instead became the lazy playboy his father believed him to be during his teen years at boarding school and MIT. Nonetheless, Tony was plagued by a cloud of unhappiness that he couldn’t push away no matter how much alcohol he drank or how many women he bedded. His father’s indifference toward him not only haunted him, but life as a childhood prodigy left him secluded and unable to connect with many people, especially those his own age. He couldn’t articulate why he always felt vaguely uneasy or even admit it to himself at the time, but Tony’s bravado masked insecurity and loneliness.

Not all was lost for Tony during those early years since he made one dedicated friend in James Rhodes, who Tony affectionately dubbed “his” Rhodey. Rhodey understood Tony in a way others did not; he not only put up with Tony’s ego and sarcasm, but matched his wit. He didn’t expect favors or gifts from Tony, but merely enjoyed hanging out with him. Tony was accustomed to people spending time with him because of the things he could get them or the connections he could bring them so Rhodey’s friendship meant the world to him.

Tony’s life drastically changed in 1991 when his parents were killed in a double homicide disguised as a car accident. He’d later learn the truth about the accident, but at the time all he knew was that his parents were gone and he was suddenly in charge of his father’s company, Stark Industries, at only 21 years old. He was smart enough for the job, clearly, but did he want it? Did he have the initiative? His father’s voice inside his head said no, but Tony had no choice. Even if he did have a say in the matter, he’d choose to carry on his father’s legacy.

Grief hit Tony hard. He missed his mother’s love and felt guilty for wishing she’d have been spared even if his father was killed. His last conversation with his father also haunted him; why hadn’t he tried harder to get his dad to understand him? He mourned not only the loss of his mother’s affection, but for a future opportunity to connect with Howard that he’d never get; moreover, the pain pushed Tony further into his partying ways.

He may have been known as a tabloid playboy, but Tony also proved to be an ingenious weapons designer and inventor as his years at Stark Industries continued. Work and parties filled his calendar, which meant Tony didn’t need to think about the hollowness that stalked him. However, things changed circa 2008 when he and Rhodey travelled to Afghanistan to demonstrate a new Stark Industries missile. Terrorists wounded Tony, leaving him as good as dead; luckily, an imprisoned doctor named Yinsen implanted an electromagnet into Tony’s chest to keep shrapnel shards from reaching his heart.

Ten Rings, the terrorist group, eventually offered Tony freedom in exchange for building a Jericho missile. Tony, naturally, did not trust the terrorists so he and Yinsen built a small, but potent electric generator called an arc reactor to power Tony’s electromagnet along with an armored suit. However, as the suit neared completion, Ten Rings attacked their workshop. Yinsen used himself as bait for the terrorists so that Tony could complete the suit. The ploy worked and Tony escaped in the suit, but not before burning the group’s weapons. He then crashed in the desert, but Rhodey rescued him.

Tony was not a completely different man when he returned from Afghanistan, but he definitely gained a new perspective. He promptly announced Stark Industries would cease manufacturing weapons despite colleagues telling him he’d ruin Howard Stark’s legacy. He also turned to his computer, J.A.R.V.I.S, to create a better and more powerful version of his arc reactor and suit, which became handy when Tony learned his father’s old business partner was trafficking weapons to criminals across the world in a bid to push Tony out of the company. He also learned Ten Rings planned to attack Yinsen’s home village, Gulmira. He used his newly improved suit to fly to the village and save its people. Tony was then attacked when he fled Gulmira, but called on old friend Rhodey for help. He also revealed his new identity to him; thereby, showing how much he valued and trusted in their friendship.

Tony’s problems didn’t end when he returned home; in fact, they grew worse thanks to his father’s old partner, Obadiah Stane. Stane, who planned a coup in Stark Industries, wanted to duplicate Tony’s suit, but did not have the means so he attacked Tony and ripped the arc reactor out of his chest. Tony somehow managed to get to the old reactor Yinsen built for him and, with Pepper's help, killed Stane after an intense air fight led them to the rooftop of Stark Industries. Pepper, at Tony's urging, blew up the roof. He, however, suffered another blow when he realized Stan was behind everything that happened to him in Afghanistan.

Tony retained control of his company, but at an emotional price. Who could he trust? What was his company’s new mission? Where would he go from this point? These thoughts ran through his mind during a press conference the next day where he announced, “I am Iron Man” despite S.H.I.E.L.D protests. He met Nick Fury soon after, but rebuked his offer to join something dubbed the “Avenger Initiative.”

Iron Man became a household name after the press conference thanks not only to the Stark name, but for the superhero’s insistence on using his suit for the good of people. Tony even resisted the government’s bid to sell his designs. He suspected his father would have deemed him foolish for turning down the money, but Tony suddenly felt like he had a purpose in life that surpassed his last name or billionaire status. Still, copycats wanted Tony’s designs and enemies wanted him dead.

Things were going well for Tony in the months following his revelation as Iron Man despite scuffles with enemies. He was just starting to find his footing in the world when he learned his arc reactor was poisoning him. He found the whole thing ironic; the very invention that kept him alive was also killing him. Was that not a metaphor for his entire life? Tony, once again despondent, fell back on his old ways of handling pain. He partied too much and took chances he shouldn’t. He was going to die anyway, so what did it matter? It was also during this time that he promoted Pepper Potts to CEO and hired Natalie Rushman as his personal assistant. Rushman, of course, was Natasha Romanoff’s alias.

Things went from bad to worse when an enemy named Ivan Vanko attacked Tony during the Monaco Historic Grand Prix. Vanko and his pal, Justin Hammer, wanted to prove Iron Man was not invincible so they attempted to build armored suits that would defeat him. Tony, who was growing sicker during this time, decided to let loose at his birthday party. He dressed in the Mark IV armor and drank himself silly, but Rhodey again came to Stark’s rescue. Their fight ended in a standstill, but Rhodey kept Tony away from serious trouble and harm.

Nick Fury eventually let Tony in on more secrets, including Natalie Rushman’s real identity. He also informed Tony that his father was a S.H.I.E.L.D. founder who helped Vanko’s father invent the original arc reactor. Fury then delivered the final blow — Howard had Vanko’s father deported because he wanted to sell the reactor for profit and, subsequently, the Soviet Union sent Vanko to a labor camp where many died. Tony finally knew the genuine reason Ivan Vanko wanted him dead; furthermore, he identified with Vanko’s need for revenge since he too would want vengeance in Ivan’s shoes.

Tony ultimately decoded a hidden message in a diorama of the 1974 Stark Expo, which led to discovery of a new element that he could use in his arc reactor to improve his health. Tony’s discovery came just in time for the new Stark Expo where Hammer and Vanko took remote control of armored drones and Rhodey’s Mark 11 armor. Tony rushed to help his friend, but things looked bleak for Iron Man until Natasha deprogrammed Vanko’s hold on Rhodey’s suit. Tony and Rhodey then proved the ultimate team by working together to defeat their enemies.

Tony, encouraged by his second chance at life, turned to Fury, but was told S.H.I.E.L.D. believed Tony too difficult to work with and would only consult him as needed despite Tony receiving a medal for heroism. Once again, Tony was told his best wasn't good enough. Would it ever be? Nonetheless, despite S.H.I.E.L.D. deeming Tony problematic, they still called on him when Loki attacked earth several months after the expo. Again, Tony’s intellect proved more important than his attitude and he was tasked with reviewing Erik Selvig’s research on the Tesseract. It was during this time period that Tony met Captain America, a man his father highly praised in Tony’s youth. Tony’s defenses went up immediately. He mocked Steve every chance he could and sought to present himself, instead of Cap, as leader of the freshly formed Avengers. Tony also became closer to Nat during this period and took a liking to Bruce Banner although he felt Thor was brawn without brains. He also feared Thor would not be objective when it came to his brother, Loki.

The Avengers, despite their differences, captured Loki and even Thor agreed to turn him into S.H.I.E.L.D. Victory, however, did not last thanks to Loki escaping. Tony and Steve then found themselves agreeing about Loki’s ultimate goal — publicly overpowering the superheroes before declaring himself Earth’s ruler. They were proved correct when Loki opened a wormhole through Stark Tower so that a Chitauri fleet could attack the city. Matters grew worse when the World Security Council launched a nuclear missile in NYC. Tony intercepted it and flew through the wormhole despite knowing he would likely die. It was also during this time that he began to see himself as a real team member and realized he cared about the Avengers. His courage paid off; the army was destroyed and he survived thanks to the Hulk.

Loki’s attack and the subsequent alien invasion left Tony with a bad case of PTSD. Tony hardly slept and suffered nightmares about losing loved ones. Knowing the Department of Damage Control wanted to create advanced weapons, Tony decided to make more Iron Man suits. His relationship with Pepper then suffered since she was rightfully worried about him and the repercussions. Tony, nonetheless, resolved to protect the world, especially when his driver and friend, Happy Hogan, was attacked by a terrorist called the Mandarin. Tony brazenly called the Mandarin out on television, who retaliated by destroying Tony’s home. Tony escaped the attack in his suit and ended up in Tennessee without enough power to get home. Tony soon realized the world thought he died and decided to use the situation to his advantage and investigate the Mandarin.

Tony eventually found who he believed to be the Mandarin, but was in for a surprise — the Mandarin was actually an actor named Trevor, who didn’t know that his image had been used in the name of terrorist attacks. He was further taken aback when he realized the local bombing he was investigating was actually the mark of soldiers subjected to Hansen’s Extremis. The bombing was publicized as a terror attack to keep Extremis’s flaws secret. The story further unraveled with Tony learning Killian appropriated Hansen’s Extremis research as a cure for his disability before expanding the program to wounded veterans.

Killian taunted Tony with images of Pepper being subjected to Extremis because he wanted Tony’s help in perfecting the drug. Tony, worried and running out of time, managed to escape Killian’s clutches and, along with Rhodey, saved passengers aboard Air Force One. The aircraft itself was destroyed in the process; Killian also managed to grab the United States president, who he planned to publicly murder. Tony summoned the iron suits he created before his house was destroyed for back up while Pepper overpowered Killian. Tony, in turn, destroyed all his iron suits and underwent surgery for his heart. He was Iron Man, but he loved Pepper Potts and desperately wanted to prove it to her.

Peace did not last for Tony Stark. He underwent surgery and destroyed his suits a few years earlier, but duty lured him back when the Avengers found Wolfgang von Strucker was experimenting on Wanda and Pietro Maximoff in a Hydra facility. The team not only wanted to save the siblings, but find the scepter Loki used in New York. Wanda, who blamed Stark Industries for her parents’ deaths, planted harrowing visions in Tony’s mind. The vision, once and for all, proved how much Tony cared about the Avengers and feared for their safety. It also showed how responsible he felt for their safety.

Tony and Banner, after escaping the facility, discovered an artificial intelligence within the scepter. Tony then decided to use it to complete his Ultron Global Defense Program. Things backfired when Ultron disabled J.A.R.V.I.S., attacked the Avengers, and escaped with the scepter. Ultron then killed Strucker and recruited Wanda and Pietro into his army of robot drones. The Avengers were hot on Ultron’s tail, but Wanda thwarted them through mind manipulation.

Fury, after learning that Ultron forced a doctor to create a body for him, encouraged the Avengers to work together to stop Ultron. They agreed, but Tony angered them when he secretly uploaded J.A.R.V.I.S. into a body. Still, Thor helped Tony activate the body after his vision showed it had a powerful infinity stone on its brow; hence J.A.R.V.I.S. became known as Vision. Wanda and Pietro, meanwhile, escaped Ultron when they realized it wanted to take over the world. They, Vision, and the Avengers then traveled to Sokovia, the heart of Ultron’s plot, where they successfully prevented global destruction, although not without great destruction to the city. Tony, still wanting a life with Pepper, left the team to Nat and Steve before returning home.

Tony wanted to move on after the Battle of Sokovia, but his demons chased him. His sleepless nights intensified and his PSTD made him restless and paranoid. His inability to stay out of danger also dampened his relationship with Pepper. Tony, aside from Rhodey and Happy, found himself alone again so he poured himself into work and philanthropy. One of his prevalent altruistic gestures included gifting an entire MIT class with grants for their projects, but even that good deed didn’t go unpunished. He ran into a mother of a young man killed in the Sokovia attack shortly after his presentation at MIT. She accused him of using his money to ease his guilty conscience and forced him to look at her son’s photo.

Tony’s conversation with the mother he met weighed heavily on his mind when he and several other Avengers learned that the United Nations felt uneasy about superheroes acting outside their jurisdiction. He and Steve immediately disagreed about the Sokovia Accords, which would put the Avengers in the government’s hands. Tony, happy to relinquish some pressure and power to an outside source, readily agreed to sign, but Steve did not. Wanda also wavered, although Vision, Rhodey, and Nat ultimately agreed to sign.

The official Sokovia Accords conference brought chaos. T’Challa’s father was murdered in a move to frame Bucky Barnes, a former brainwashed assassin and Steve’s best friend. The government immediately called for Barnes’ arrest, citing brute force would be used if needed. Steve and Sam ignored Nat’s caution and hunted Bucky down although they are eventually captured by authorities. Tony then pleaded with Steve to sign the Accords so that the government would go easy on him, but Steve couldn’t do it, which left Tony disappointed. Despite the on and off rivalry, Tony cared deeply for Steve and hated breaking up the team. Bucky and the others later managed to escape their holding place after a scuffle that left Tony bruised. Nat asked him if he had any ideas about what to do next and Tony admitted he did.

Tony’s plan landed him in Peter Parker’s apartment in Queens, much to Peter’s surprise. Tony fibbed to Aunt May, telling her he gave Peter a grant and needed time with the teen. Once they were alone, Tony confronted Peter about being Spider-Man. He ignored the boy’s protests and teased him about his suit, which he found hidden in Peter’s ceiling. Tony, admittedly there for his own benefit, told Peter he needed an upgrade and that Tony could help. However, Tony found himself more interested in the boy when Peter admitted he couldn’t live with himself if he didn’t use his powers to help others. Tony then insisted Peter accompany him to Germany.

Tony, Rhodey, Peter, Nat, T’Challa, and Vision faced off against Clint, Wanda, Steve, Sam, Bucky, and Scott in Germany. Tony believed he could reason with Steve, but again felt disillusioned when Steve refused to relent. Battle soon ensued although Tony really didn’t want to hurt any of his friends (and especially not Steve). However, Tony soon realized the other side had powers his team couldn’t match. He also felt guilty for bringing in Peter, even though Tony made it clear he wanted the teen to keep his distance and merely “web them up.” Consequently, he insisted Peter leave the battle after Ant-Man threw him to the ground.

Tony faced more trauma when Sam caused Rhodey’s suit to malfunction. Tony chased Rhodey to the ground, but War Machine ultimately took a hard tumble, which landed him in the hospital with possible paralysis. Tony was further humiliated and hurt when he realized Nat let Steve and Bucky escape. He accused her of being a double agent, but, really he was upset that his closest friends didn’t understand his motives. He was on his own again.

Tony finally realized Steve was right about Bucky being framed for the attack at the conference and sought to make amends. Unfortunately, he, Steve, and Bucky walked into a trap where he learned Bucky, under hypnosis, murdered Howard and Maria Stark. Tony, reeling from shock, turned to Steve. “Did you know?” he asked. Steve broke Tony’s heart when he acknowledged he did.

Tony, blinded by anger, betrayal, and grief, confronted Bucky. Steve then worsened the situation when he insisted Tony understand Bucky hadn’t been himself when he killed Tony’s parents. The trio soon engaged in a physical fight, which culminated in Tony demanding that Steve give up the shield Howard Stark made him and Steve leaving Tony alone in Siberia.

Steve’s choice haunted him, but Tony ultimately found his way back to the Avenger’s compound where he helped Rhodey through physical therapy. Tony felt guilty every time Rhodey struggled even though Rhodey told him he thought they made the right decision regarding the Accords.

Life returned to as normal as it got for Tony Stark following the Accords disaster. He made no move to stop the Avengers from escaping prison although he refused to speak to Steve. However, Tony needed a project to distract him from his sorrow so he and Happy embarked on moving the Avenger’s compound upstate. He also started a protocol for Cap’s new shield although he did not inform Steve. Tony wasn’t sure he’d ever actually give it to his former friend, but he thought it good to have just in case.

Tony, needing more distraction, set his sights on Peter Parker again. He couldn’t leave the boy and his new armored suit to his own devices; if Peter did something stupid, Tony would never forgive himself for setting the wheels in motion. He formally put Happy in charge of looking after the teen, but kept close tabs, even rescuing Peter from drowning during a botched mission. Tony scolded Peter for operating outside his limits and warned him to remain on the ground as a “friendly neighborhood Spider-Man” until Tony felt he was ready for more responsibility. Tony was not actually present that evening, but used his Iron Man suit to rescue Peter and reprimand him remotely from his island vacation. However, Tony became uncomfortable when he yelled “because I said so” into his phone. Was he just like Howard? Tony’s greatest fear was repeating his father’s mistakes with a child.

Peter didn’t give Tony a break; instead, the stupid “kid” hacked the GPS on his suit so he could sneak around hunting dangerous criminals. Peter’s transgression came to Tony’s attention when Tony called Peter to praise him for a rescue the boy completed during a school trip. Tony admitted he wanted to break his father’s cycle by praising Peter so he was confused when Peter brushed him off. Loud noises further worried Tony, especially when Peter lied to him about band practice, which Tony knew he quit six weeks earlier.

Tony was right to worry about Peter because he found him straining to keep the Staten Island Ferry from splitting in half. A furious Tony used his drones to piece the boat together before lecturing Peter about hacking his suit’s GPS to disobey Tony’s orders. Peter amplified Tony’s rage when he said Tony would be present if he cared. Tony, proving he did care, stepped out of his Iron Man suit and continued lecturing the boy. “If you died, that is on me,” Tony ranted before adding he wanted Peter’s suit back. Tony knew it was a rash decision the moment the words left his mouth, but doubled down on his demand. Peter’s disappointment bothered Tony, who muttered he was turning into his father, but what was he supposed to do? Let the kid’s optimism get himself or someone else killed? Still, Tony saw himself in the kid, albeit a happier version. Tony noted Peter’s ambition and creativity the night he met him in his bedroom and saw the inventions Peter pieced together from literal garbage. It was the reason Tony told him he had connections at MIT. However, he told himself he should have known a fast-talking, excitable, and sweet kid wouldn’t think before he acted. Hell, Steve didn’t either. Tony decided if anyone should mentor the kid, it was Steve, but kept that to himself.

Tony and Pepper reunited after the Accords events, but Tony hesitated about asking her to marry him. Would she want children? His interaction with Peter confirmed he’d make a lousy dad; he regretted losing his temper, but what could he do about it? Tony, like always, bottled up his feelings and focused on his work. There was, thankfully, plenty to do with the compound moving upstate.

Tony got his wish for a short time. Peter, as far as Tony knew, stayed out of trouble and focused on school and friends. However, he should have known Spider-Man wouldn’t sit by when problems arose. Tony wouldn’t either. Still, he couldn’t believe Happy’s account of Peter thwarting Vulture’s plans to steal a jet carrying weapons to the new Avengers compound in only, as Tony labeled it, his onesie. Hearing about the fire and a “webbed up” Vulture only made Tony feel guiltier about taking the armored suit. The kid could have been killed without it! Nonetheless, Peter’s gumption impressed Tony so he requested Happy bring the kid to him at the new headquarters.

Tony was relieved to see Peter in one piece and immediately apologized for taking the suit and misjudging him. Still, Tony always had a hard time admitting he was wrong so he added, “But it was the tough love you needed, eh? That moment? You really did screw the pooch.” He didn’t realize his insistence that his actions were for Peter’s own good came out like a desperate plea for confirmation from the kid. He was pleased when Peter seemed to agree and excitedly told Peter to put on the suit and get ready to greet reporters. Peter, however, surprised Tony and rejected his offer to become a full time Avenger. Tony, unable to conceal his astonishment, said he’d only ask one more time, but Peter insisted he wanted to keep looking out for the “little guy” a bit longer. Tony didn’t push and asked Happy to take Peter home. Happy agreed, of course, but requested a moment with Tony. Peter headed for the car, but suddenly turned around. “That was a test, right?” Peter asked. “No one is actually back there?” Tony realized the kid gave him way too much credit, but quickly confirmed Peter’s theory. “You passed!” He told him before returning his attention back to Happy.

Tony and Happy were bickering over who was right about Peter when Pepper appeared. She took less than five seconds to assess that Happy and Tony screwed everything up. Tony told her not to worry; he had an announcement they could use instead of proclaiming Peter was a new Avenger. “You still have the thing?” he asked the visibly enthusiastic Happy. Pepper saw the ring and said she could come up with something better although her smile and kiss hinted at her answer.

Life was looking up for Tony Stark. Sure, he didn’t know where Bruce or Vision were, and he still wasn’t speaking to Steve, but he was engaged to Pepper, mentoring Peter, spending time with Rhodey, and avoiding mortal danger so a win in Tony’s book. He even had a dream about having a daughter with Pepper. Still, as good as life looked, Tony wore his arc reactor, which Pepper didn’t understand. He had the surgery, after all, so he didn’t really need it if he intended to retire Iron Man. Tony tried to joke that it was to chase “bad guys” from their future child’s closet, but he was only half kidding. The “bad guys” weren’t just ghosts and goblins to Tony after all he had seen.

It turned out Tony was right to worry about the future. He and Pepper were enjoying a stroll when a ring of light appeared. Dr. Steven Strange emerged to warn him of danger, but Tony dismissed him until Bruce materialized in the light a moment later. Tony immediately knew something bad happened and comforted Bruce, who fell into Tony’s arms. He hated disappointing Pepper again, but he joined Strange and Bruce in Strange’s home. He filled Bruce in on the divided Avengers, but agreed to call Steve for aid just as alien invaders crashed into NY. Needless to say, he didn't make the call.

He suited up and fought alongside Wong and Strange until he was cornered. He was plotting his next move when Peter Parker popped up to help him. He sent Peter to guard “the wizard” aka Strange while he finished up on the ground. Unfortunately, Peter and a restrained Strange were then “beamed” toward a spaceship. Tony rushed toward the spaceship and insisted Peter could fall because he’d catch him. Peter finally did and, true to his word, Tony didn’t let the boy fall. He sent a new Spider suit to grab the kid and then demanded that Peter go home.

Tony did not heed his own advice; rather than return to the ground, he snuck into the ship. He hid while he weighed his options, but Strange’s cape quickly found him. “Well, you are loyal,” he told the cape before a familiar voice piped up. Again, Tony wondered why he was surprised Peter didn’t obey him. He was too much like Tony in that regard. He rolled his eyes when the kid, unsurprisingly, started rambling about his new suit’s intuitiveness so, really, Tony was responsible for Peter sneaking on the ship. He guessed his expression changed the kid’s mind because Peter quickly took back that statement. Was Peter afraid of him? No, Tony decided the kid couldn’t possibly feel frightened because he kept blathering at him. Tony didn’t want Peter there, but he appreciated the loyalty and concern. He decided he’d need to fill Peter in and keep him safe until the ordeal ended. He warned Peter it was a “one way ticket,” but Tony would die getting Peter home if needed. Peter’s transgression, moreover, turned out well for Strange and Tony because he told Tony about an old movie plot. He and Tony then reenacted the plot, which killed the alien and freed Strange.

Tony was not shocked when Strange didn’t value their effort — the doctor obviously had a superiority complex. Took one to know one, eh? Sure, Tony understood that Steven vowed to protect the infinity stone he wore around his neck, but Tony needed to confront Thanos. “He’s been in my head for six years,” he told Strange. Still, he bristled when Strange mentioned the stone came before Tony or Peter. Oh, Tony wanted to spend his life with Pepper, but he’d sacrifice himself to defeat Thanos if it came to it. Peter, however, was another story for Tony so he resented Strange’s dismissal of the teen’s life. He muttered something about priorities to Strange.

Tony and company continued their trek to confront Thanos. They eventually landed on the designated planet where they met several Guardians of the Galaxy, including Peter Quill, Drax, Nebula, and Mantis. They concocted a plot to take the Infinity Gauntlet off Thanos, but the plan failed. Tony, wounded, then watched Strange surrender the Time Stone. “There is no other way,” Strange told a distressed Tony, who recalled the doctor saying he only saw one outcome in which they defeat Thanos.

Thanos left the group stranded on his planet and headed to Earth, where he retrieved the final infinity stone. He activated his gauntlet with a snap of his fingers. Back on the planet, Tony was then forced to watch everyone except Nebula turn into dust. However, his biggest heartbreak occurred while he watched Peter disappear in his arms. Tony, in his head, failed not only at protecting New York all those years ago, but now a kid he loved and, eventually, he suspected, the world.

MCU Tony goes through several transformative experiences so it is hard to pin point three specific instances that ultimately shape who he becomes near the end of the film franchise; instead there are specific time periods, which influence Tony’s motives, personality, and actions up to his canon point in game.

♦ Afghanistan + Fallout

It might be odd to say the death of his parents didn’t greatly influence Tony, but, at the time, it really didn’t cause him any major personal revelations. He handled his grief like he handled everything that came before it — through booze, women, and sarcasm. However, the event did force him to take over Stark Industries, which ultimately led to his trip to Afghanistan and birth of Iron Man. Had he not been attacked, Tony would not have met Yinsen, who not only saved his life, but encouraged him to use his abilities to create good in the world. Tony never forgot Yinsen sacrificed himself because he believed Tony could accomplish great things in the world; therefore; he started making decisions with Yinsen in mind. He discontinued weapon building through his company and improved his armored suit not only because he saw first hand the destruction Ten Rings caused in Afghanistan, but because he wanted to make Yinsen’s sacrifice worth something.

One could say Afghanistan was the first domino that caused all the other dominos to fall. If Tony never had that experience, Stark Industries would have continued doing business with terrorists, he likely would have been ousted by his father’s business partner, Iron Man would have never flown, he never would have joined the Avengers…so on and so forth.

♦ Sokovia Accords + Aftermath

Tony might have never learned that Bucky killed his parents if he and Steve agreed on the Sokovia Accords. Was it good that he learned the truth? Perhaps not, but the truth still influenced his actions and desires going forth. Tony Stark does not trust easily so Steve’s apparent betrayal made him question everyone in his life. If Captain America could disappoint him, anyone could, right? Even Steve’s letter did little to make Tony feel better; Steve apologized, but Tony still felt like he chose Bucky over him. “Sorry, Tony, he is my friend,” Steve told him in Siberia. What was Tony then? Once Tony calmed down, he realized Steve needed to stop him from killing Bucky in a fit of rage not only for Bucky’s sake, but Tony’s, but he still felt hurt. Steve abandoned him at one of his lowest points: Pepper left him, Rhodey was injured, Bruce was missing, most of the Avengers were angry at him, and he felt like he was grieving his parents all over again.

♦ Becoming Spider-Man’s Mentor

Tony likes being in charge, but he never saw himself as a teacher or parent due to his father’s lingering influence over him. Yes, he got on well with Harley when he was hiding in the kid’s garage, but he didn’t feel like he was really doing much for him. Sure, he taught him how to defend himself against bullies and encouraged his interest in technology, but Tony didn’t see those things as revolutionary. He reasoned anyone with “half a heart” would have done the same. Still, he never made a conscious choice to engage with the kid. Tony needed him and he returned the favor. He didn’t realize someone else in his shoes might not have spent time with Harley or kept in touch after their encounter. He didn’t realize he was mentoring Harley at all.

Tony’s experience with Peter, however, was different. For starters, Tony actively sought the boy out with the intention of building him a better suit so the kid could help him in Germany; moreover, Tony knew he was arming a teenager with a suit that required training. He couldn’t just dump Peter once he finished with him and Tony’s resolve to help the boy only strengthened when he saw how young he was. He also met Peter shortly after he spoke to the mother of the teen killed in Sokovia so seeing another promising and intelligent boy with his life ahead of him brought out Tony’s protective instincts. He couldn’t bring the other boy back to life, but he could ensure Peter became a strong superhero who lived a good long time.

Tony didn’t expect to grow attached to Peter; nor, did he intend to establish a close relationship, which is why he assigned Happy to “babysitting” duty. Tony told himself that he was merely impressed with the kid’s work in Germany and innovative inventions, but, really, Peter’s excited rambles tugged at Tony’s heart. Tony even sided with Peter against Happy when Happy reprimanded him for filming his adventures. “I’d do the same,” Tony told Happy before filming a video with Peter.

Tony fell for Peter early on, but his confrontations with the boy impacted Tony most. He thought he was turning into his father when he scolded the kid and took away his suit, but he realized something significant when Happy told him Peter captured Vulture. Tony’s first thought wasn’t that Peter didn’t listen to him or made a choice he didn’t approve of; rather, he felt relieved that Peter was okay. He was also proud of him for thinking on his feet and trusting his instincts even after Tony questioned his maturity. Still, the biggest thing Tony realized that night was that he felt guilty. Did Howard ever wonder how his actions impacted Tony? Did he care how Tony felt? If he did, why didn’t he ever tell Tony? Tony wouldn’t let Peter, a boy who also lost his parents, wonder how a childhood superhero felt about him. He wouldn’t allow Peter to face the risks that came with being Spider-Man alone. No, he’d admit he misjudged Peter and invite him into his life without Happy in the middle. Iron Man wanted to groom Spider-Man as the next great superhero, but, more importantly, Tony Stark wanted to give Peter Parker the male role model Tony desperately needed at his age.

Had it not been for Peter, would Tony have felt ready to marry Pepper? Maybe not. He worried that she’d want kids and he didn’t. But after Peter? Tony thought maybe, just maybe, he was cut out for fatherhood after all.