Chapter 177: Part-Time Teacher Iron Man
Early the next morning, George greeted Professor X briefly before Apparating directly to the entrance of Tony's mansion.
"Good morning, Mr. George. Sir is awaiting you in the laboratory," JARVIS announced as the security camera scanned George. The iron gates slowly opened.
George nodded and stepped inside.
Since Obadiah Stane led mercenaries to break into the mansion and killed most of the security guards, Tony had stopped hiring any bodyguards. His only driver/bodyguard Happy had been stationed at Stark Tower as security director to protect Pepper.
In Tony's view, if enemies could defeat him personally, those bodyguards would just be additional casualties.
Passing through the hall to the underground laboratory, he saw Tony intently working on designs for new armor.
It must be said - although Tony was a playboy and sometimes unreliable, he never slacked in his work. Even after passionate nights with Hollywood's most beautiful actresses, he would immediately get up and go to the laboratory when inspiration struck.
"George, you're here. The items you requested - I stayed up last night and made five sets for you."
Seeing George enter the lab, Tony set down his blueprints and pointed to a large case nearby.
George collected the various alloy wands from the case into his own container. After brief consideration, he asked Tony:
"Tony, after handing the company over to Pepper, you must have quite a lot of free time now?"
"I'm much more free now. I think it's good - gives me more time to research new energy sources and upgrade my armor."
Tony had his robotic arm Dum-E pour him a glass of red wine. He no longer had to drink that awful chlorophyll juice.
After committing to Pepper, he stopped fooling around. With no company matters to handle, he could focus on research while occasionally making appearances to deal with terrorists.
To be honest, he sometimes felt a bit bored.
"Would you be interested in occasionally coming to our school to teach the children as a part-time instructor? Wolverine keeps talking about wanting to drink with you."
Recently, George had given this careful thought.
Thanos would definitely bring his cosmic army to attack Earth to collect the Infinity Stones. So it made sense to prepare in advance.
Nick Fury wanting to assemble the Avengers to defend against potential crises wasn't a bad thing in itself.
If the lips are gone, the teeth will feel cold - if Earth was destroyed, he and the school's teachers and students wouldn't escape unscathed either.
So he didn't plan to prevent the Avengers from forming.
But he couldn't let Nick Fury or the government take the lead in establishing it. Otherwise before fighting Thanos, they might first be mobilized against someone uncontrollable like himself.
He could gather these superheroes around himself as the center, to eventually use against Thanos.
In fact, when Thanos brought his cosmic army to attack Earth, what role did the government play? What did Nick Fury accomplish?
Nothing. Well, paging Captain Marvel counted - but that was after everything had already concluded.
Now was perfect - their school was recruiting teachers. Captain America and Hulk had already joined. He already had ties with Tony and could bring him in too.
In a couple days he'd go help Thor, and most of the original Avengers would be on his side.
In the future when there was time, they could recruit more students and teachers, properly train them, and perhaps by the time Thanos' cosmic army arrived, he wouldn't even need to intervene personally - the school's teachers and students alone could make Thanos cry for mercy.
Actually it didn't require being too deliberate or time-consuming - sometimes it could be accomplished incidentally.
"Wolverine wants to drink with me? Great, this time I won't lose to him. But having me teach a bunch of kids seems a bit..."
Receiving George's invitation, Tony's face showed clear interest, but his pride prevented immediate acceptance.
Despite his glamorous image, Tony actually had very few real friends.
Rhodes counted as one, Happy as half, and Yinsen who went through hardship with him also counted.
Rhodes was busy with official duties and rarely available. Happy had been sent to protect Pepper. Yinsen had returned to provide free medical care for the poor in his homeland.
In his heart, he already considered George and Logan friends too.
But these two refused to tell him the school's location or invite him to visit, clearly still wary of him, which left some lingering dissatisfaction.
Now that George was inviting him to be a part-time teacher, it showed he was fully trusted, so that dissatisfaction naturally dissipated.
"Don't tell me you lack confidence?"
George deliberately provoked him.
Tony couldn't tolerate such an insult. He immediately retorted loudly:
"Who am I? I'm Tony Stark! Graduated from MIT at 17 with top honors! I've lectured at all the top universities! And I can't teach some snot-nosed kids at your school?"
"Great. Interested in visiting our school now?"
George shrugged.
Tony nodded: "Let's go. Right now."
George immediately grabbed Tony and Apparated them to the mutant school.
"I think next time I'll just fly here in my armor."
Tony dry heaved a couple times while complaining.
Experiencing Apparation's rubber-tube-squeezing sensation for the first time wasn't exactly pleasant.
"I'll send you the coordinates later. Next time you can come yourself. But remember to bring this."
George tossed Tony a glass orb.
Tony examined the small sphere: "What's this?"
"A sphere containing my energy. I set up special wards around the school. Only those carrying these can see the school and enter unimpeded."
George explained while giving him a tour.
After just a few steps, they encountered Banner and Betty.
"Good morning Bruce, Betty. Sleep well last night?"
"Headmaster! Good morning. First time sleeping so peacefully without worrying about transforming."
Banner smiled in reply.
"This is Bruce Banner and Betty Ross, our school's new teachers. This is Tony - you briefly met yesterday."
George made introductions.
"Pleasure to meet you Dr. Banner. I've read several of your papers on positron research - quite impressive."
Tony patted Banner's shoulder, unusually polite for a first meeting.
"Thanks!"
Banner responded with an awkward but polite smile.
(End of chapter)