A young man was looking over the plans with him.

Betty Brant, Tony's publicist, knocked at the open door.

Tony did not look up from the plans. "Come in, Betty. I want you to see something that our young friend here suggested."

"It may have to wait Mr. Stark," Betty said as she moved towards his desk.

"Why's that?"

"Charlie was about to buzz you with this, but I happened by. The King of Markovia is on the secure line."

Tony looked at his guest and smiled as his mind wandered for a second to the events of just a few short weeks ago right after his world tour . . .

Tony was visiting Markovia to speak with King Viktor regarding some problems that they had been having with the Stark enterprises plant located south of Markovia's capital. Some terrorists calling themselves the Masters of Disaster had been making strikes against the plant over the last few weeks.

"Mr. Stark. Welcome to Markovia," a man in a military uniform said, as Tony reached the bottom of the planes stairs.

"Thank you. It's been too long since I've been here last," he said as he nodded appreciation to the man's salute.

"King Viktor is awaiting you at the Palace. Please come with me."

After about a half hour, Tony saw the Royal Palace in the distance. Palace was a bit of an understatement, as it was more of a castle with a palace built around it. It had a grand presence on the rolling hills, and could be seen for miles around.

"Beautiful view," he said to the driver. One last time trying to get something of a conversation going.

"If you say so Mr. Stark."

Tony patted his briefcase that lay on the seat next to him. He hoped that he wouldn't need it at this stop for more than a quick public appearance and a little recon work.

He was led into the Palace with only the Guard that had picked him up at the airport to accompany him.

He shortly arrived at the throne room, and was greeted there by a sitting King Viktor.

"Welcome Mr. Stark," the King said as he rose to greet his guest.

He extended his hand to Tony, who gave a firm handshake.

"I apologize for the lack of a proper reception, but as you know . . . we have had problems as of late with the Stark Plant in Markovia. We chose this course of action to insure that certain parties did not know of your arrival. The best way to avoid unpleasantries."

"I understand King Viktor."

"Good . . . good." King Viktor said as he motioned to the young men standing to the rear of the throne. "These are my sons. Gregor, the eldest. Brion, my youngest."

Both the men bowed their heads in respect to Tony.

"Nice to meet you both," he said, feeling just a bit uncomfortable.

While the room had a feel of being in the times of knights and royalty, there were all the trappings of home. A mini fridge stocked with Tony's personal favorites. Snacks in another. Again, everything Tony enjoyed. His host had certainly done his research . . . or at least made the right phone call to prepare for his visit.

Tony unpacked his laptop and answered some e-mails that needed his immediate attention.

An inquiry from Betty regarding the hiring of two candidates that they had met several weeks prior. The background checks had come back better than expected, and Tony gave the go ahead for their employment.

He shut down his laptop and looked at the clock. He still had a couple hours before dinner was to be served, and the meeting to begin. He decided to take a spin to the Stark Plant and check things out for himself.

He pulled his briefcase out, and soon Iron Man was jetting towards the Plant.

Iron Man made several passes around the perimeter of the grounds and saw that the Mountains gave several easy access points for someone with range powers to easily attack it at their leisure.

He radioed in to the security office at the Plant, and they agreed to have someone meet him and show him the site of the latest attack.

What the Masters of Disaster, as that was what they called themselves, were doing was informing them barely seconds before the attacks began. The group would call into the secure line in the security office and tell them exactly what they were about to do.

The Head of Security handed Iron Man a folder that contained what basics of the groups members that they were aware of. Tony looked at the papers, and took quick photographic images of them to read on his way back to the Palace.

He bid the man goodbye, and took off towards the Palace and the impending dinner with the King and his sons.

New-Wave (Becky Jones) is the leader of the Masters of Disaster, and can transform her body into any form that water can take.

Windfall (Wendy Jones) can control winds, ranging from gentle breezes to extremely violent storms.

Shakedown (name unknown) is extremely strong, and can generate vibratory forces that he can either channel through a medium or project toward a desired target. These tend to resemble earthquakes when they hit their targets.

Coldsnap (Darrel, last name unknown) is capable of generating sub-zero temperatures. He can also generate large quantities of ice.

Heatstroke (Joanne, last name unknown) can generate controlled bursts of flame. She is also able to exude extremely high temperatures.

It should be noted that Coldsnap and Heatstroke have joined with the Masters to find a cure for their conditions. They were known lovers before an industrial accident cursed them with these powers, and are currently trying to amass enough money to finance the search for a cure.

Also interesting is the seeming unwillingness of Windfall to harm anyone during their raids. Leading to several overheard arguments between her and her sister.

Possible weak link in the team . . . Windfall.

Around fifteen minutes after retying his tie for the third time, Tony heard a knock at the door.

Prince Brion was standing at the door waiting when Tony opened it.

Brion greeted Tony and introduced a woman standing behind the young man's hulking frame. "Mr. Stark, this is Dr. Helga Jace."

"The pleasure is mine," Tony said as he gently kissed the woman's hand.

"Why thank you Mr. Stark."

"Please. Call me Tony. I've heard your name before . . . "

"Yes. I was in the news a bit last year when I sought asylum here in Markovia. I had achieved my greatest success here," she said, her eyes glancing towards Prince Brion.

Tony nodded his head as his mind raced. He realized that Prince Brion had to have been altered by Dr. Jace's work. She was a brilliant scientist that was able to tap into "powers," both physical and mental, that a human body might well be capable of, but might never develop on their own. A sort of forced mutation.

"That would explain why you returned here when your associates entered into more . . . questionable areas," Tony said as he thought of headlines past. She had been associated with several Doctors that were now under investigation by several government agencies.

Brion started to shift his weight from foot to foot uncomfortably. "Shall we go?" he asked.

Tony and Dr. Jace stopped talking as they saw the King entering the room from another doorway.

Tony admired the grandness of the dining hall. It was larger than most houses in Markovia, yet still maintained a welcoming atmosphere.

King Viktor took his seat, and motioned for the others to take theirs.

"My compliments to your staff," Tony said as they got up from the table.

The King began by explaining that there was unrest within the country. There were pockets of terrorists rising up and striking against industrial targets throughout Markovia.

He turned to Tony and said, "It's not just your industrial plant that we are having problems with. Truth be told, your plant has been hit the least of those struck to this point."

"That would explain why Iron Man said the damage there did not seem that pronounced."

"True. Iron Man is one of the reasons I asked you to come Mr. Stark," the King said as he stood. "My country needs his help."

Tony let out a slight sigh under everyone perception. "I understand your need of help, but what exactly are the terrorists demanding?"

"They feel as if I have betrayed the country itself by bringing the industrialists here. By supplying jobs that end the day with oil on the hands and not the dirt of the land." The King was moving around the room, getting more and more agitated.

Prince Brion rose from his seat. "Father, you know that it is a small group that feels this way."

"A few is to many my son. The people must trust their King and his decisions."

"If it wasn't for Baron Bedlam, none of this would be happening," Brion said as he put his hand on his fathers shoulder.

"Baron who?" Tony asked.

Prince Gregor answered. "Baron Bedlam. A name given to the individual that is leading this rebellion against my father. He is a faceless coward that chooses to hire mercenaries to fight his battles."

"These . . . Masters of Disaster?"

"Correct," the King said as he walked over towards the large window in the room.

"King Viktor," Tony said as he got out of his chair, "Iron Man can do some recon work and try to shore up Stark Enterprises Plant here, but I . . . "

Tony's words were cut short by the plate glass window King Viktor was standing in front of shattering. Glass flew everywhere as the five members of the Masters of Disaster entered the room.

Windfall motioned with her hands and Tony felt a wind begin moving himself and Prince Gregor backwards.

Shakedown charged Prince Brion and tackle him. The two grappled with the Prince quickly losing the battle and falling unconscious.

Heatwave and Coldsnap looked frantically around the room for something . . . or someone.

New Wave grabbed the King and looked at Prince Gregor. "You better be smarter than your dear father is, she hissed, "and you better take your pet tin soldier and get out of Markovia while you are still able."

Prince Gregor tried to move, but the winds that Windfall were creating held him and Tony to the doors of the room, which felt like they were going to break open at any moment.

"Alright people, let's get out of here," New Wave barked, "and just so you don't forget us . . . "

New Wave turned her attention back to the King, and within seconds he was shriveling before their eyes. All of the water was being drawn out of him by New Wave.

She turned and threw the king into Windfall's wind blast and his body slammed into Prince Gregor and Tony, breaking the doors wide open and allowing for the Masters of Disaster to escape. Tony could here New Wave yelling at Windfall to be quiet about the King.

"Get him to Dr. Jace," Tony yelled as he ran down the hall, "I'm going to send for Iron Man."

The young man nodded and walked toward the window.

"Hello King . . . "