Tony Stark sat back in his lab, doing his best to focus on his work. For once, he wasn't working on something Iron Man related. He was actually addressing the business side of his company...or at the very least, he was supposed to be doing so. Unfortunately, his mind would not focus on that. Under normal circumstances, this would be due to his boredom with such mundane matters, but since the adoption of Rainbow Dash had been made official - along with her gaining American citizenship (classified as a 'born in America' citizen, since she had entered the world - albeit from another one - in America, which was the loophole Fury had used to streamline the paperwork...which had led to Nick and Tony joking that Rainbow could run for President someday) - Tony had been paying more attention to the work side of his work to try and set a good example for Rainbow...or at least a better one, according to Pepper.
This rumination, of course, brought him back to the reason he was having trouble focusing on his work. Normally, when he was doing any sort of work on his computers lately, Rainbow would be sitting on his shoulder, watching in fascination. He still wasn't sure how much of what he did she actually understood and/or retained, and how much of it was her being fascinated by all the flashing lights. Still, even when she was out and about with Hulk and Zuki - or more recently, with Pepper - he didn't have trouble focusing, since there was nothing to worry about.
As he closed the screen and returned to the pacing that had consumed most of his morning and midday, he came back to the focus of his thoughts. He was worried about Rainbow today...because it was her first day of Kindergarten.
It had been a heated debate between he and Pepper. He favored home schooling Rainbow, since between him and JARVIS her education could easily be streamlined to as fast as she was comfortable with taking it and as much as she could absorb, while at the same time learning just how high her innate learning curve was. She was, after all, still an alien life form they knew little about beyond her ability to dominate the hearts of all around her through the power of cute (or awesome, according to Rainbow). Pepper, however, had argued that Rainbow needed to be schooled alongside other children just like any other so she could learn social skills. She made a valid - if uncalled for - point in stating this as one area that Tony was sorely lacking and incapable of teaching in. Tony had thought he would be able to talk her around...until Hulk and Rainbow had sided with Pepper. Hulk had said - though not in so many words - that keeping her in an Ivory Tower defeated the purpose of getting her citizenship and adopting her. Rainbow had said she wanted to make friends.
And so, despite Tony's misgivings and concerns, he enrolled Rainbow in the local school district, and today she started in Kindergarten. He had taken her personally to drop her off, and had been torn between proud, nonplussed, and crying on the inside when she flew off to class happily without so much as a worried glance back and a happy wave. She had waved bye easily, secure in knowing he'd be back for her in the afternoon. And he hadn't been able to focus on his work at all since.
"Bye Daddy! See you after school!"
With those words - spoken freely and in joy - Rainbow had expressed the total absence of her worries...and filled Tony with his. It didn't help when Pepper informed him calmly that her lack of concern in being separated from him for school showed just how good a job he'd done in raising her...especially when he found himself oddly jealous of the other parents whose kids clung to them, screaming to not be left there.
At that moment, the elevator doors slid open, and Hulk stepped out, with Zuki behind him, Rainbow on the 'puppy's head.
"Rainbow?" Tony asked surprised. "School doesn't let out for another two hours?" He rushed to her side. "Is everything okay?"
Rainbow hung her head, pouting. "I got kicked out..."
Tony sat back in surprise, torn between wanting to comfort her and an odd pride in her achievement. "...What happened?" he finally asked.
Hulk grunted. "Puny humans like little pony too much. Keep wanting pet, keep wanting hold, keep tugging. Little pony not like!"
"They were touching my wings..." Rainbow whimpered, folding her wings around her and stroking the downy pinions protectively.
Tony nodded in understanding. Rainbow was especially sensitive about having her wings or hooves touched, and only let him preen her because she wasn't able to do it herself yet. "Did you tell the teacher?"
"...after flying up to the ceiling to get away from all of them," Rainbow admitted.
Hulk scowled. "Teacher say Rainbow have to sit down with others, but Rainbow not like them touching her. Then Rainbow call Hulk, and Hulk come in. Hulk tell tiny humans to not pet pony. Tell them to pet puppy instead!" He gestured to Zuki, who grinned happily. "Tiny humans make stinky wet and loud noises, then Hulk yell for quiet."
Tony did his best to keep his face impassive as he imagined how well that would have gone down.
"So I got kicked out," Rainbow admitted. "For being a...disc-rip-stove influenza."
"You mean a disruptive influence?" Tony corrected.
"Yeah, that thing."
Tony sighed as he sat down beside Zuki, lifting Rainbow into his own lap. "I have to admit, I was afraid something like this might happen. You're just too adorable and awesome to resist, and little kids are especially grabby at this age. Guess you'll just have to wait until you can be enrolled with kids a little older before you can start making friends your own age."
Rainbow sighed disconsolately. "I guess..."
"In the meantime," JARVIS spoke up, projecting his recently completed holographic self representation, a green humanoid image with - at present - few defining characteristics, "we can begin your instruction here in the home. I believe that between that and interaction with Tony's work acquaintances, you will be quite able to fill your days with amusing endeavor."
"Guess so..." Rainbow admitted. The prospect of learning from the computers did intrigue her, and she did like most of those she met in the company. However, she had learned that sulking often got her good things, and she was dedicated to this sulk.
Tony chuckled. "Come on, Dashie. Let's get you some ice cream."
"Ice cream!" Rainbow cried happily, zipping into the air to fly circles around Tony's head. Chuckling, they headed for the kitchens.
Let me just say, before I read this, that everyone always gets it wrong. HERE's how it actually is:
fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2013/127/b/5/pony_stark_is_iron_mane_by_amelie_ami_chan-d64gcva.png
...Certainly wasn't expecting this to be updated on Valentine's Day of all days. Oh well, I'll take what I can get.
5627490 That... is a magnificent picture. Author! Make this happen!
Oh this made my birthday ten times more enjoyable!
...well this is a surprise.
5627515 Happy b-day
If I were to venture a guess, Rainbow Dash might have some amazing technical knowledge as she grows...That'd add to her repertoire of awesome.
No one can resist the power of ice cream!
I absolutely love this story. I got extremely excited when I say the update.
I have no complaints at all, found nothing wrong gramatically, good job.
...Huh. Not what I thought it would be at first glance. You have my interest.
The desultory is rising!
After all rainbow did win the title of "Iron Pony."
Missed a space here. (washer -> was her)
5627595 Just think of the conversations between RD and Twilight after their stories. The author can actually measure his success from number of headaches caused by their talks when fans try to understand what they are talking about.
5628021
If only I actually understood enough advanced science to write those conversations.
5628114
If you follow the hyperlink to the picture, you'll see it's the infant of the Godzilla from the new movie.
The one from which comes the quote, "That's a lot of fish".
When it grows up, it'll be that Godzilla.
However, I believe you're the first to catch the reference of the name.
5628118 I hope you don't mean that 98 bullshit flick.
Should I be worried that there's an ad about diabetes at the bottom of this chapter?
D'aaw. And did you just turn Jarvis in to Anon?
5628025 you don't have to, find some transcripts on a technological debate, copy & paste then you are done
Dash - First Grade: "Got kicked out again, Daddy... Same stupid reason..."
Tony Stark files hostile environment lawsuit against school.
Dash - Second Grade: "Wow! School is great Daddy! The petting started again, but this time the teachers told them to stop when I asked - and they did! And during recess I made friends with Jimmy and Suzy and Freddy and Ami-with-an-I and Jonny and..."
Dash - Forth Grade: "I dunno Dad, I like my friends and all, but none of them seem to be able to understand basic aviation principles..."
Dash - Sixth Grade Principle's Office: "Hi Dad..."
Principle: "Mr Stark, do you know why we called you in today?"
Tony Stark: "Does it have anything at all to do with the trebuchet made from playground equipment that I saw on my way in?"
Principle: "No. Er... Probably that too, but at the time I had called you, I had only been informed of the suit of power assisted armor she has apparently made from parts scavenged from the cafeteria and janitors' closet."
Tony Stark (sighing): "You aren't going to try to kick her out again, are you? Look, I'll pay for the damages..."
Principle: "I'll gladly accept that offer, but we (the teachers and I that is) feel that the problem is that your daughter doesn't feel challenged enough by her current curriculum. She looks up to you, you know, and she pushes herself very hard. So hard, in fact, that she has far exceeded her grade level in her Math and Science classes. Unfortunately, her grades in her other classes are merely high average, so we have some concerns that she will fall behind in those classes if she is passed to higher level courses ahead of her current classmates. Not to mention the difficulties she would experience adjusting to socializing with students older than her."
Tony Stark: "And what are you recommending?"
Principle (handing some paperwork over to Stark): "Well, since she will be entering Junior High School this coming year, may I suggest setting up an advanced curriculum for her? She will still attend classes for those subjects where she remains on par with her fellow classmates, but for those fields where she excels, we were hoping that you'd be willing to help finance an advanced study program? Not just for her, but for other students who are advanced in some areas, but are otherwise better suited for remaining in their age group?"
Tony Stark (Looking over the paperwork): "Well, Dash? How do you feel about all of this? From the looks of things, if you study really hard, you could try skipping ahead several grades, and maybe even enter college early like I did. I won't lie to you though. If you go that route, you won't have nearly as much time for your friends. Far less than I did even. You got this far because of a lot of hard work and effort on your part already while I was more naturally gifted at your age. On the other hand, the deal they are offering does seem better suited to your needs, and has the added benefit of keeping you with your current social group for the most part. Or you could just coast a bit, and let your classmates catch up, but that has the risk of you coasting too long and falling behind as a result."
Dash (appreciating the fact that her father is asking for her input instead of just deciding for her, thinks hard for a few minutes): "I think I'd like to take the offer, Dad. I want to make you proud so much, but I don't want to leave my friends hanging, and that means being able to make time for them..."
Tony Stark: "You already do, Dash, you already do. Okay, so how do we make this happen?"
O O O
I don't know what it is about your stories that inspires me to make these long, drawn-out omake segments...
5627587 Thanks
5628464 And then those of us who are tech-heads will pick apart the debate and help improve it. (or, confuse the hell out of you...)
5628658 that would actually be nice, it has been a while since I have had an intelligent conversation with someone and "exchange notes" as it were
5628683 Notes? I'm expecting an explosion (that always seems to happen, right before the magic smoke gets out.)
5628697 considering I have theoretical plans inside my head on how to build a rocket launcher for under $100 that is a distinct possibility
Holy cheesecake, this thing is alive?! Anyways, great chapter! If you're going to be updating again, I hope that my enthusiasm won't die out for the story, because that'd be a real shame with how well you write.
5628492
...
...
...
That was actually very good...I like it.
Yes! This one is my favorite, and it got updated! Looking forward to more!
Hmmm given the somewhat hybridization of universes you seem to be using, is Xavier's a schooling option?
this is one of the only crossover fics that I like.
5628913 But that's only for mutants! Rainbow's in perfect control of her abilities.
5628273
Yes, unfortunately, I mean that Godzilla.
5628340
Nope. I just unlocked the Jarvis of the old Iron Man cartoon.
5629119 Ah! Thank you.
5629111 Oi, Its called the Xavier Institute for Gifted Students! They have regular academia their too! Not just mutant power control! Plus if necessary I don't think Tony would mind giving a "donation" to the school.
5629119 That was NOT Godzilla. That was another fuck up depiction from the assholes at Hollywood. The 2014 movie was the REAL Godzilla and all the older flicks.
5629457
Agreed. But it was the only Godzilla that specifically referenced Gamma Radiation as part of its formulation, so it was the only one I could have Hulk dominate.
...also, I found the babies adorable.
5629189 Not even Wolverine can withstand RD's cuteness or awesomeness.
5629510 When they're not trying to devour folks I hope. XD The Gamma one does make a fair point.
5631009
Nah, even when trying to devour people. I'm like Fluttershy like that.
This is awesome plz don't take 3 months to update this time
5631011 This is all actually giving me idea's for something new.....hm..............
5631944 oh please do tell
rainbow is not cute. you want cute HAVE SOME DERPY
5628118 Actually, I was referring to that Godzilla's son. You know, the one which got its own spinoff series? Where it was a lot stronger and tougher than its father, and even had radioactive breath like the real Godzilla? Is it going to be like that one?
...Or is it going to be another big tuna-head?
(But yes, I did get the reference to the Big G's nephew )
OR IS IT A JOKE?
i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/208/947/rainbow_dash_for_pres__by_blabyloo229-d4hdyf2.jpg
VOTE RAINBOW DASH, 2020!
Oh, and as an afterthought, YAY NEW UPDATE FOR THIS STORY!
(By afterthought, I mean forethought that was pushed to the back of my mind while searching for a specific picture, which I never did find, but oh well. The picture I did find made up for it!)
5637878
I didn't know Godzuki got his own spin off series...although that makes a joke I have planned for much later in the story even funnier.
And you'll just have to see as he grows up.
5637979
...I have no idea where you got that image, but I love it!
5638938
I,,,honestly have no idea, but now I want to add that in. I have no idea why.
5636436 Don't think so. Not absolute anyways.