Chapter 2 – Little Brother, Fate, and Deadly Toys
1970 – Kent Age: 5
A baby’s cry broke the silence of the Stark family home. Kent, who was busy dismantling Howard’s old radio, turned his head lazily.
“His name is Anthony Edward Stark,” Howard said excitedly as he held the tiny baby. “Kent, that’s your little brother.”
Kent approached. His face was neutral, even a little sarcastic. “He’s… soft.”
Maria chuckled. “He’s a newborn, honey.”
System: “Detection target: Tony Stark. Status: Small, weak, and vulnerable. Recommendation: Do not drop.”
Kent sighed. “Listen, System, I’m not going to throw my little brother. Not yet.”
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Age 7
Howard stared at his son as he soldered components while replaying a recording of his own speech. The kid even fixed a military radio transistor in three minutes… while eating cereal.
“Kent,” Howard said, narrowing his eyes, “where did you learn all this?”
Kent turned quickly, then grinned. “From books. And… intuition.”
System (whispering): “And me, you traitor.”
Howard was getting more and more suspicious. Not because Kent had access to technology, but because Kent seemed too prepared. He wasn’t like a typical kid genius. Like he knew the world, knew things that hadn’t happened yet. Like… not entirely of this world.
But every time Howard tried to investigate, Kent always had a reasonable excuse.
“I just caught on quickly, Dad. That’s all there is to suspect.”
System: “Yeah, caught on quickly because I injected 67% of the Iron Man Mark Zero blueprints into his brain when he was 4.”
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Age 10
“System,” Kent whispered in his dark room, “if I changed history, everything would be messed up, right?”
System: “Chaos, chaos, a mini-apocalypse, or the TVA could come and give you an expulsion from the universe. Which would you choose?”
“But Tony… he’s going to die. I know that.”
System: “I know you want to save them. But remember one thing, Kent: ‘Where there is life, there will be death. You are no exception.’”
Kent stared at the ceiling. Outside, snow was falling gently.
“But I am Stark. I will create a future… that can cheat destiny.”