Disclaimer:
As usual, no Avenger belongs to me. I guess nothing here really does belong to me (besides mistakes. Sorry for those…).
This is basically an RP I did with my good friend Tesa, who should get at least 60% credit for this. Probably 70%. Yeah.
Anyway, it's completely fictional, and playing in an AU.
Reviews are welcome – if you feel like writing one :D
Have fun reading!
Things written like this are Narration in this chapter.

There is a kingdom, far over the distant land. The Kingdom? It's called the Iron. Yeah, I know, strange name, but you'll know why it's called that pretty soon.

Where were we…? Ah yeah! The Iron was ruled by a family called Stark. They were firm but kind. Some loved them some… not so much. But no one could deny that the fact that the current Lord, King Howard, dying, was a good thing.

See, the Queen died a long time ago only had one son – Antony. But the son was too young to be able to take the mantle yet. So that would mean, the new temporary ruler would be Obadiah Stane, and no one wanted that. But alas, they had no choice, as the King passed away and Stane took over. He kept little Antony safe, allowing only a few people near him, those being the Prince's servant girl - Virginia Potts and his best friend James Rhodes.

There was another person very important to this story, and his name is Steve Rogers. He is a legendary knight of the Iron, serving the old King and getting cursed for it. Yes, you heard right - he is cursed. Cursed with long life - he had seen many good men die, the most notable his partner and best friend.

But let's move away from the people for a bit, and focus on the Kingdom. See, it was very well known, and when something is known, others have opinions about it. It was just like that, that the Iron had one of the most feared and horrible Kingdome around trying to destroy it. That kingdom? The Red Empire – or Red as many called it. It was ruled by someone many never even dared to speak off, saying it'll bring bad luck an all. This man? Johann Schmidt – also called the Red Skull for his way of killing enemies. He peeled the skin from their heads.

And then there was the Resistance. They were known well by the Iron, as the Resistance kept attacking and fighting off the knights the Iron sent. They attacked any convoys and raided the carriages. They were led by a woman, whose name was known far and wide across the Kingdoms and maybe even the whole world. She was actually given the name – Black Widow – for a reason. No man had ever faced her and lived to tell about. But she was far from the biggest threat. No, that honor belonged to the one man she loved – Winter Soldier. Now that name… it's actually a legend. Many don't even believe the man lives, but it's all true. It happened during one of the harshest and strongest winters the Kingdome has ever known. The Iron risked and attacked the Rebellion, thinking they might take them with their grate army. But the force they sent was taken down and defeated by a single man – who was given the name Winter Soldier.

There's another person you should know about. His name, is Clint Barton. He's a simple farmer, with a family and loving wife. But he used to teach archery at the Iron, until he retired. He liked the simple life more. Try not to forget him.

"What are we waiting for? We should attack now!" Brock Rumlow, a member of the Resistance and leader of the main attack force, asked, looking at the four other people in the tent.

"We just lost a squadron to the Red. We can't risk moving in, if we don't know why the Red is here and what it's doing," the Black Widow explained calmly. Her red hair moved as she sighed and was greatly visible against her black, form fitting pants, with black leather straps coming from her lower back. Her top consistent of a tight, black-red leather jacket, covered in straps. It went all to her wrist, where black gloves covered that part. She wore a slightly torn scarf around her neck, which flew down at her body. On her back were two, arm length swords with sharp hilts.

"Agreed. The fortune does not favor us this day," the Scarlet Witch nodded slightly, her brown hair kept in place by a red headband, which followed the length of her cheeks and down to her neck. She wore a red-black leather top, as it covered her red-black dress, crisscrossed with straps and fabric. From the waist lower, a fine fabric flew freely, moving as she crossed her legs.

"You seem in and odd rush today Brock. What's the matter?" the Winter Soldier raised an eyebrow, hardly visible from his hooded face, as he leaned on the support pillar, his leather, one sleeved, back jacket brushing against the wood. He had some metal plates strapped to his right arm, while the left one was made of metal – an old wound hardly anyone knew about. His back pants were slightly baggy as a belt assured quick access to his daggers.

"Don't tell me you're scared of the Red?" the Falcon smirked, arms crossed over his chest. Much like everyone else, he wore a leather, black jacket, his however only had two straps, keeping the sleeves on the fabric. His pants were tight at the top, but grew a bit baggy further down the legs. On his back was a bow and quiver, while his belt had a sword.

"All I'm saying is, that while the Iron is busy with the Red, we can attack," Brock sighed and looked at the four. Almost nothing happens without at least one of them giving permission.

"We'll think about it."

It was late summer, and Clint Barton, a simple farmer, was busy with harvesting. His family's fields were pretty big, and they were proud to claim them as theirs. Their small, but cozy house stood upon a hill, surrounded by their fields, with a stable for two horses, three cows, and two pigs. Some chickens were running around too, mostly around the barn, since there's where Clint kept the corn.
Life was peaceful for him since he retired from teaching soldiers and guards how to use bow and arrow. Even though he retired, he never really could dig a hole for his favorite weapon, and out of habit he still trains.

Mostly late at night when the field work was done and his three children were asleep. Laura, his wife, would sometimes watch him, sometimes chide him for staying up so late – differs what time it was.
Today, a sunny day, he rose early and went to work, scythe over his shoulder, wearing simple and slightly worn out clothes. Laura and the kids would follow soon, after they ate their breakfast (which the farmer had on his hand, since it was a simple bread with some cheese, so he could eat while walking). He was cutting the corn with his scythe and only made a break to take Nathaniel, his youngest son, still a baby, on his back. Laura couldn't carry him around all day.

By midday they had finished that field, and Cooper (his oldest son) and Lila (his daughter) were playing with their dog, Lucky, while Clint repaired some things (the barn's roof needed it), and Laura was taking care of Nathaniel. Later, when the sun didn't burn so much anymore, they continued, till it got too dark to see. It really was a normal, boring, peaceful day in the Barton household.

Meanwhile, Steve Rogers was busy with coordinating the next attack – and defense – against the Red. He tried to think of all possibilities, but there were just so many.
"They could attack from the riverside, the ford there is easy to cross..." he mumbled to himself, leaning over a map, tracing possible ways to attack or for the others to attack with his fingers.
In the back of his mind he also thought that those (damn) rebels could attack anytime soon. It would suit them to attack when they are busy, it would do their goal good, he guessed.

"Tony! You shouldn't be doing that!" Pepper looked down the hall as she watched Prince Stark climbing out the window. They were both around 20, but the man still acted like a kid.

"Quiet down Pepper! Or they'll hear us!" Stark muttered, annoyed by the fact the girl was here, but at the same time glad for her company.

"Tony!" came a call as the two turned to the left, seeing another man with a disapproving look.

"Rhody! C'mon, you need to help!" the Prince smiled at his friend.

"No way… Your uncle would kill me," James sighed and came closer.

"He is not my uncle," Tony narrowed his eyes a bit before he saw the armor his friend wore.

"…Going somewhere?" he asked dumbly.

"Yeah…" Rhodes tensed a bit and straightened his back.

"I was sent to the front line and keep the enemy away," he took a breath and stood with pride.

"Please, be careful!" the girl was almost crying as she hugged the knight.

"…I thought you wanted to join Rogers' ranks…" Stark climbed back inside and hid his sadness.

"I did… but we don't always get to pick where we fight…"

"…Be save okay?"

"Sure. I'll being you a present when I get back!" and with that, Rhodes bowed a goodbye before leaving for his group.

"Widow! Winter!" a man came rushing into the tent, panting.

"Easy scout, calm yourself," the red-head's attention was full on the boy.

"T-The Iron… It's mounting an attack – on the Red!" he managed, doubled over.

"Already? But weren't their forces diminished at the battle of Libo?" the male assassins questioned.

"Apparently not… But I do sense a disturbance… All is not well…" the witch had her eyes closed as a dim, red light surrounded her.

"What should we do? We might not get another chance for an attack like this," the Falcon looked at their two leaders.

"Give us the go. I'll lead the first team personally!" Brock looked at the duo.

"No," the Widow spoke before anyone could utter a single word.

"I and he will check the perimeter. I don't like Reds in my territory," she turned to her lover and looked him in the eyes.

"So, back in action? It's been a while," he grinned, as the other boy opened his eyes wide.

"They are going back into battle… The tide is sure to turn in our favor!"

"Master Schmidt," a small, fat man came forward as the addressed man sat on his throne.

"What is it Zola?" Johan sounded annoyed.

"W-We have received another message from the Iron…" the small man swallowed and held out the small piece of paper.

The Red Skull took it and read it to himself, a wild grin on his face as he finished.

"So… The Iron is getting more soldiers ready at the east… Perfect. Send another battalion at that section. I want those knights eliminated!"

"Y-Yes sir but… What about the Rebels?"

"What about them?"

"…There have been reports of them attacking our men…"

"I care little for savages with nothing to offer. Kill them all."

"Clint?"

"Yes Laura?"

"Can you get Cooper and Lila? I've got a feeling that they should stay in today."

"Sure." Clint nodded and made his way to where he last saw his children. Soon he found them. "Cooper, Lila! Your mother said you should get back in. Something seems to be going on."

"Okay Papa" Lila chimed, before calling Lucky and walking into the direction of their home.

"Are you going to hunt today, Papa?" Cooper asked. "That's right. So you have to look after you siblings and your mother. Can you do that?" Cooper nodded excitedly, then hurried after his sister (they started a race to their house, which Lucky won). Clint himself wandered slowly back to the barn, where he kept his bow and the arrows. When he got them, he saddled a horse and took off towards the forest to hunt a deer. Laura's birthday was coming up soon, and some meat on that day to celebrate would be nice.

Rogers meanwhile had gotten ready. He had planned out how they would attack the Red, and he had his place in the front row. Like always. He wasn't a general or Marshall who kept himself behind the lines, in treacherous safety. Instead he rather fought alongside his soldiers, something that earned him deep trust and loyalty from them.

Soon they had arrived, and the battle began. Steve, preferring shield and sword, but mostly the shield, charged directly into the enemies' front line, giving his best - as usual.

"What are we doing?" the Winter Soldier asked, sitting on a tree branch and looking at the female bellow.

"Recon…" she answered, moving away the bush to get a better view.

"And here I was, thinking we were going to see some action…" the man sighed.

"You'll see plenty of it in time," she grinned before seeing some movement.

"Well, it seems the Iron is moving out…" her eyes widened slowly as she saw who was leading them.

"And Rogers is in the first row…" she whispered, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"…" the other assassin was silent until he noticed some movement across the hills.

"It seems the Red was expecting them… These won't even make it to the river before they get crushed," he kept his eyes on the approaching armada.

"Tch, I hate those bastards," the Widow frowned and moved from the bush.

"What are you gonna do?" Winter jumped off the tree.

"…I'd rather have the fancy Starks rule here than the Red Skull. I'm pretty sure all of us can agree on that," she closed her eyes, focusing.

'Wanda… can you hear me?' she spoke in her mind.

'Yes I can… What are the news?' came the witch's voice.

'Tell Rumlow and Wilson their teams are a go. But only spook 'em – the Red is aiming to take the Iron by surprise.'

'I shall relay the information. What are you going to do?'

'…We'll see if can find a Redy,' and with that, their conversation ended.

"How many?" she saw the smirking face of her partner.

"Three," he shrugged, eyes on her.

"I call two."

"Fine," and with that, the assassins took out their weapons and hurled them at spots around themselves (bushes, branches and ground) getting a scream or a groan.

"Tch, I killed them…" she sighed and moved to a bush, pulling out a blood covered dagger.

"That's why I kept mine alive," the Soldier grinned and kicked a pile a dirt, earning a groan.

"Now… what can they tell us," the man smirked and pulled a wounded knight, in full red armor.

"You heard her boys! Let's go!" Sam smiled as he was the first to charge out of their hiding spot, yelling and getting the attention of the Iron knights, before more of his companions rushed out.

"Don't let them have all the fun!" Brock called, leaving the safe place a moment after Wilson's full team was out.

"Remember, get them aware and then vanish!" the two leaders called, surrounding the Iron knights.

Steve, even though pretty busy killing Red-soldiers, noticed that something happened. 'So they really were here after all...' he thought, when nobody attacked him for a moment (which didn't last long). But he basically couldn't do anything against the rebels, since the Red-army was quite overwhelming, so he continued to fight as many enemy-soldiers as he could, trusting his soldiers to...sort of know what they were doing.

Clint meanwhile had left his horse at the place where he usually left it before going to hunt - under a huge tree. The horse was so well-behaved and tamed, that it would not run away, except it was in danger. Nobody could remove instincts that easily after all, and the horse would be dumb to not flee when in danger.

So, now alone with his trusted bow and a quiver filled with arrows, the farmer made his way stealthily through the forest. He could hear sounds of a battle coming from his left and frowned. "That would explain Laura's bad feeling..." he mumbled to himself and walked further to his right. There was no chance of getting to see a deer with that amount of noise they were making. When he was far enough away, he climbed on a tree, perched on a branch, and waited.

After roughly two hours he finally saw a deer. A nice one too. It would last them for maybe three months if they would eat it sparingly. He readied his bow, aimed for a mere moment and fired - killing the deer instantly. He climbed down and examined his prey, before disemboweling it (nobody would use a filled intestinal of a deer anyway). When he had finished that, he wiped his knife clean(er), shouldered his prey, and returned to his horse. He laid the deer over the horse's back before mounting it himself and returning home.

As soon as they appeared, the rebels vanished back into the forest. They were not equipped, in numbers, in wants or even allowed to fight. Their mission was over for now, so it was time to head back to their camp.

"What took you?" Sam and Brock were in shock as they saw Winter and Widow sitting on a log, eating a baked rabbit's foot.

"Well excuse us if we aren't master assassins and can't move like the wind," Wilson smiled and sat next to them, grabbing a foot.

"So, what did you two do?" Rumlow smirked at the duo before a bone hit him in the head.

"We got some information for a change," the Winter Soldier cleaned his hand and turned to a small tent.

"We're waiting for him to wake up," the two who just arrived didn't need it worded – they knew who was in that tent, and it was the same reason the male assassins' metal arm was bloody.

"Anything useful yet?" the Falcon asked, looking at both leaders.

"Only that Skull is getting information. We don't know how yet."

"Where's Wanda?" Brock looked around, mouth full of the meat.

"She had to go to the castle. It's that date again…" the Soldier sighed.

"She's in line if we need her. That's what matters," the red-head stood up as a groan came from the small tent.

"Well… back to work. Don't burn the camp down," the duo grinned at the two boys before leaving.

"Tony! I was worried sick!" Obadiah called as the said boy entered the throne room.

"Apologies uncle Stane… I had to say goodbye to Rhody," Stark muttered and came closer.

"Aha I see…" the elder man nodded.

"Tell me, do you want to be a knight?" he added, looking at the kid.

"Me? No." it was simple and quick.

"Good, because you can't be. You're a prince – you need to behave like one."

"…This is about that time I skipped Nanny Hill's lessons?"

"And Sir Fury's literature."

"…"

"Tony… if you're going to be the next King, you need to act like one."

"But I don't want to be a King!"

"Tony…" without another word, the Prince left the chambers.

"That's right boy… keep on being that way," when Stane was sure no one would hear him, he grinned and made himself more comfortable in the throne.