[1987]
Standing in his graduation robes, a now seventeen year old, Gregory Stark looked himself over in his dorm room mirror.
The place that had been his home away from home during the past three years.
But now all that was about to come to an end.
For today was his graduation day.
Which he would attend to receive both his PhD's. He would also give a graduation speech as his classes summa cum laude.
A position his brother Tony was also graduating with today on the other side of the country at M.I.T.
A thing he had called to congratulate his twin on earlier this morning. Tony giving the same congratulations back to Gregory.
The two brothers also promised to meet up at their family New York home in a few hours to celebrate.
Moving on.
Seeing his graduation robes were perfect Gregory exited his dorm room, which had just a few days ago been basically entirely emptied.
Even of Athena.
Who Gregory had arranged to be sent to and set up at a private building he had purchased in New York just last year with his own funds. That had already grown to quite a large amount, especially after Athena came online.
Given she helped him steal money from criminals, only after outing their crimes to the authorities and making sure they either went to prison or ended up dead by the hands of their own rivals.
Since Gregory would definitely put the money they'd collected to better use than they ever could.
Really, he was doing the world a favor.
As he closed his dorm room door for the last time, Gregory noticed out of the corner of his eye Reed coming out of his room, dressed in his own graduation robes, accompanied by a young man who looked their age.
"Friend of yours Reed?" Gregory decided to ask.
"Greg. Oh yes. This is actually my best friend Benjamin Grimm" Reed spoke.
Introducing the future hero The Thing to Gregory.
[Insert Image of Benjamin Grimm/The Thing Here]
"Ben, this is the guy I was always telling you about, Gregory Stark." Reed spoke.
"Nice to meet you Stark." Ben said. Extending his left hand.
Which Gregory shook. "Same to you Ben. Reed's told me a lot about you as well. But considering how he's both our friend its a wonder we've never met over these past three years."
"Well you know Reed." Ben mused.
"Yeah, I do." Greg replied.
The two then sharing at laugh at their mutual friends expense.
"Haha." Reed dryly laughed. "Very funny you two." He spoke. "So Greg, what you're plans afer graduation?"
"Heading to England to help out doctor Williams for a bit." He replied.
Since now that he had graduated he would honor the deal he made with Leonard Williams and in fact travel to London, England to actually work on the Super-Soldier Serum in person. Even though he has been working on it from the developmental side for the past couple of years.
By constantly phoning and messaging with Dr. Leonard.
Even meeting several times with the man in person.
Though with college now over for him Gregory would go to the actual facility where the serum was being physically made and kept. Allowing him to finally get his hands on it.
"And what about you Reed?" Gregory asked. "And if you don't mind me asking you as well Ben?"
"Heh, unlike you two egg heads I'm actually just about to begin college. State University in New York." Ben revealed.
"And I've been asked to work at some think-tank there known as the Baxter Building." Reed revealed.
"Well then good luck to both of you." He replied.
Even though Gregory, through Athena, would secretly be monitoring both Ben and Reed. In fact ever since he got Athena properly up and running he had been doing the same thing with numerous other potential allies.
Like the X-Men, several of the Defenders, Spider-Man's family, since Peter Parker the future wall-crawler hasn't been born yet, and in that regard his parents Richard and Mary Parker had the same background as they did in the Amazing Spider-Man films, etc...
Along with potential threats and enemies.
Magneto and his Brotherhood, William Stryker, Hydra, the Roxxon Corporation, Oscorp Industries, Hammer Industries, Thaddeus Ross, etc...
For Gregory truly didn't want to find himself faced with many big surprises in the future.
Because in the Marvel universe that can spell death very quickly.
"Thanks." Ben and Reed replied at the same time.
After that the three then made their way to the graduation ceremony.
Then after it took place Gregory found himself on a plane home.
Now a certified doctor.
***
[New York City, New York]
Stepping through the gates of the arrival terminal, his bags in hand, Gregory took a deep whiff of New York air.
"Ah, great to be home." He mused.
"And it's good to see you again young master Gregory." Jarvis spoke. Pulling up in one of the Stark family vehicles.
"Great to see again as well Jarvis." Gregory replied.
He then moved to put his bags into the vehicle and get into the back seat. Afer which Jarvis got back on the road and in no time at all they were home.
Tony waiting outside to greet them as they pulled up.
"Brother." He said.
"Brother." Gregory replied.
The two twins then shared a manly hug.
"So, how was California?"
"Warm and filled with surfer girls. How as M.I.T.?" Gregory said.
"Cold, and filled with girls in winter gear." Tony replied. "Though I did make a friend. Names James Rhodes. A bit of a stick in the mud, but thanks to yours truly he's loosened up. Would love for you to meet him some day." He explained.
Describing to Gregory how he met his lifelong best friend.
"Yeah, I'd like that. And the same goes for me. I'd love for you to meet my friend Reed Richards." Gregory spoke. "He's a child genius like us, and just like your friend James he needs some loosening up."
"Good thing you have the master of the art standing right in front of you." Tony replied.
"Glad to see you're as humble as ever little brother." Gregory said.
After he did the two, plus Jarvis, headed inside and got comfortable.
Where all three caught up with each other.
Eventually joined by Jarvis's wife, Ana.
[Insert Image of Ana Jarvis Here]
Who was another fixture in the Stark's twins lives.
As the four continued chatting away for some time eventually they stopped and went their separate ways.
With the Jarvis couple heading off, Tony heading to the pool, while Gregory decided to head to his room and make sure everything was ready for his trip to London. For which he was leaving for tonight after he greeted his parents.
A moment that came, and went.
Especially after Tony and his father had another one of their arguments, once the elder Stark caught Tony lounging by the pool.
Saying nothing Gregory just went to sit next to Tony after their parents left.
"Don't." Tony said.
"I wasn't going to say anything about the fight. Just wanted to know if you want a souvenir from London?" Gregory asked.
"Yeah, maybe some strong English liquor so I can forget what happened just now." Tony said.
"Sure. I'll get you something good." Gregory replied.
He then walked away from Tony, deciding to give his twin some alone time. Besides, he still had things he needed to handle.
Such as Athena.
Taking one of the family cars, since he had his driver license, Gregory drove to the location of the private building where he had paid for Athena to be moved too.
Which an inconspicuous three-story office building.
Entering it Gregory took the stairs down to the basement, where Athena's severs were located. Along with several more he had purchased and had delivered to the basement through third-parties that didn't ask any questions.
"Hello Athena, how are you doing?" Gregory asked.
[I am well creator.] Athena replied.
"Good." Gregory replied. "Well then I think its time we give you an upgrade." He said.
So with that Gregory took off his coat and then began going to work. Connecting all the other servers he had purchased up to Athena, increasing her processing power exponentially.
Once he was done he sat down in the chair and looked at the computer screens. "So Athena, how do you feel now?"
[Better than ever Greg.] She typed.
Surprising him. "Huh, you know in all the time since I brought you online that's the first time you've used my name."
[Is it?] Athena typed.
"It is." He replied.
[Understood. If you wish I'll stop using it.] She typed.
"No, it's fine. In fact it means you're growing. And in that regard I couldn't be happier." Gregory replied.
When he did a smiling icon appeared on the computer screen.
"You're welcome." Gregory said.
He then talked with Athena for a bit longer, and made sure everything was in order before left. Since he wouldn't be coming back for a while.
For he was off across the pond.
That night Gregory boarded his flight, and after several hours he had arrived in London, England.
Ready to finally grasp the Super-Soldier Serum after years of planning.