Author's Note:
Hey Everyone,
I just wanted to drop a chapter here for those of you who would like to follow my new story. It's a continuation from my other story...it continues right from where I left off. This chapter is short and sweet.
This new story is Alternate Universe...it takes place roughly about 6 months after Civil War. Steve and Clint are in Wakanda with Wanda. Clint is waiting for the go-ahead to go home. He is officially retired and has laid down his arrows. He is in regular contact with his family thanks to the great technology in Wakanda. Steve has assumed custody of 16-year-old Wanda Maximoff. (In this story, Wanda is a teenager) Lots of father/daughter stuff and fluff...my two dads type thing.
There won't be much about the Black Panther characters in my story (I don't know the movie...anything written about that place will be all alternate reality and from my imagination.)
Tony is trying his best to get the Accords amended so he can reunite the Avengers. He's working on patching his relationship with Pepper and trying to keep Peter Parker safe from himself. Lots of father/son stuff and fluff Plenty of teenage boy attitude and Tony 'tude.
So, all that to say, hope you join me on my adventures...Enjoy!
This nation was founded on one principle above all else: The requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences. When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth, and tell the whole world- -No, you move.- Captain America
"I know you were only doing what you believe in, and that's all any of us can do, it's all any of us should. So no matter what, I promise if you — if you need us, if you need me, I'll be there." - Steve Rodgers
"I know we're not perfect, but the safest hands are still our own." - Steve Rodgers
"Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are graced with." – Tony Stark
"It's not enough to be against something. You have to be for something better." – Tony Stark
"I'm saying there may be a causality. Our very strength invites challenge, challenge incites conflict, and conflict... breeds catastrophe." Vision
"Just because it's the path of least resistance doesn't mean it's the wrong path. Staying together is more important than how we stay together." Natasha
"If, we have one hand on the wheel that can still steer." Natasha
The River of Truth
Chapter One
New York
Tony rubbed the sleep from his eyes and glanced at his watch on his wrist. Sitting up, he scrubbed a hand across his scruffy face and tried to figure out his surroundings. Six in the morning wasn't his usual Sunday arousal time but he figured he should try and be a good example to his friendly neighbourhood spiderling. Glancing across the room, he spied the young superhero sprawled out of the floor in a rather awkward position but fast asleep. Tony stood up and quietly walked over to the kid. Peter looked like he had quite literally fallen asleep in the middle of attaching the last piece of armour to the ironman suit. His light brown hair was tousled, his head resting on his forearm and his body just lying where it had been last at work. Soft little snores emitted from the boy's mouth. Tony couldn't help smiling at the look of peacefulness on the youngster. Awake, the kid was a force to be reckoned with, but asleep he looked every inch the boy he was; sweet innocence radiating from him.
Tony shook his head in complete awe and wonderment when he saw his suit standing completely in all its glory. Every loving piece was put in its place. Damn if the kid hadn't even cleaned and polished it. It took a lot to impress Tony but even he had to admit, he was amazed at the kid's ingenuity and determination. Tony had doubted Peter would have the knowledge to reassemble the suit. In fact, he would have put money on it. He had planned to use it as a teachable moment, telling the kid that he needed to pay attention to details and never assume he knew what the assignment was. Obviously, that idea went straight out the window.
"Damn, kid," he muttered, realizing that Peter was not only intelligent but he was a mastermind at manipulation. The kid was motivated by his curiosity about Cap and him, and he'd used it to stubbornly reconstruct the suit. Tony had gained a whole new respect for the kid. Peter was a lot smarter than he gave him credit for. Of course, that didn't mean Tony planned to divulge anything to the kid. Somethings were private and Tony wasn't ready to disclose anything.
Tony reached out and ran his finger over the front of the suit in admiration. "Friday, run a diagnostic on Mark VIII."
"All systems online and functioning."
"Son of a gun," muttered Tony again, shaking his head in disbelief.
Peter stirred at his feet, rolling over and all but jumping to his feet in bewilderment. "Mr. Stark."
Tony reached out and steadied him on his feet as the teenager nearly toppled backwards.
"Probably not a good idea to get up so fast, Underroos," said Tony with a smirk, "Kinda gives you a head rush."
Peter's face flushed a little as he took a minute to wake up and become steadier on his feet. Tony continued to go over the ironman suit, looking over every detail closely and with admiration.
"Kid, you seriously never fail to amaze me. I thought you said that you couldn't put it back together?"
Peter shrugged sheepishly. "No one says it'll work. I'd check it over before you use it."
Tony waved a hand at him. "This is an older suit; I'd never use it again."
Peter frowned. "Then why keep it?"
"I keep them all. It's like how an artist keeps a portfolio of their work." Tony scrutinized the suit for a few more minutes and then walked over to the wall, hitting a button. The wall in front of him opened to display a whole showcase of ironman suits.
Peter's eyes widened in astonishment. "Whoa," he said, his jaw dropping open. "This is so cool!"
Tony chuckled and stretched, yawning and groaning at the same time. "Well, good job, kid. I don't know about you but I need a shower and some food. What do you say?"
Peter didn't appear to hear him as he walked up and down the showcase wall, staring at each ironman suit in turn. The entire history of Ironman was showcased behind the glass. It was like a museum of Tony's suits dating back to some of the most archaic ones. Peter could see the progression in technology and Tony's entire inventiveness sitting right in front of him.
"Is that the one that you wore when…" he began, his jaw still open in wonderment.
"Spiderling, I do much better on a full stomach. C'mon!"
Peter scratched his head while still staring at the cabinets.
"They're not going anywhere, kid," prompted Tony, walking to the glass doors and opening them. "C'mon, let's go."
Peter kept staring but walked backwards towards Tony's persistent voice. He didn't dare take his eyes off the history in front of his face. It was incredible to be privy to such awe-inspiring technology. Peter had always admired the Avengers but most importantly the technology and expertise were what drew him the most. Forcing himself to keep walking but never taking his eyes away from the wall, Peter managed to reach the glass doors without maiming himself. As soon as he was in reach of Tony, the billionaire grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and dragged him out of the room.
***nomanisanisland***
Peter drained his juice glass, wiped the back of his mouth with his hand and sat back in his chair with a pleasant look of satisfaction of his face. He hadn't had a breakfast like that for a long time on just a regular Sunday. Usually, Aunt May and he would sleep in late, and grab a coffee and muffin at the local coffee shop. It was kind of a tradition for them, especially after his Uncle Ben died. Before that, his uncle had been known for spectacular Sunday breakfasts. It just seemed to hurt too much and remind them too much of missing him, so his aunt May and he just avoided it by creating something new together.
"Get enough?" asked Tony, running the frying pan under the water in the sink.
Peter nodded and groaned. "I can't eat another bite. I had no idea you could cook Mr. Stark."
"For the last time, Pete, call me Tony. Mr. Stark was my ole man."
Peter smirked. "So, where did you learn to make crepes, Tony?"
Tony smiled nostalgically. "From my mom. She attended a year of school in France when she was a girl. She learned how to make the best crepes from some famous chef there."
Peter stood up and walked towards the large window in Tony's Penthouse. "So, do all the Avengers live here?" Peter hesitated and corrected himself. "I mean the ones on your side."
Tony dropped the pan in the sink, wiping his hands on his pants. He definitely did not want to talk about the Avengers. He hadn't even finished his coffee yet.
"There are no sides, Spiderling. Just the right side." Tony grabbed the coffee pot and topped up his mug. He walked into the open living area and sat down on one of the oversized lounge chairs.
Peter turned to stare at him. "I was there. You guys were fighting head to head with each other. You said Captain America was wrong. Don't tell me there were no sides. Where are Captain America and his team, anyway? Where did they disappear? I know he's considered a criminal now. I read it in the news."
"Hey, Steve Rodgers will never be a criminal, kid; no matter what the press says," Tony growled, feeling irritated. He should have known that the conversation was going to head in this direction.
"Sorry," mumbled Peter, hearing the irritation in his mentor's voice. "I know you guys are friends."
"We were."
Peter spun on his heal. "Were?"
Tony took a long drink of his coffee, burning his tongue but not caring.
"Where are the rest of them?"
"The rest of who?"
Peter walked closer and sat across from Tony. "Cap's team…you know, Hawkeye and Falcon and the rest. That girl was kinda freaky and who the heck was that big dude we took down?"
"Good call by the way," acknowledged Tony, sitting up a little. "Big Star Wars fan, are we?"
Peter held up his thumb and forefinger gesturing a small amount.
Tony smirked.
"So, where are they?"
Tony sighed and stood up again, not for any reason but to pretend to fill his mug again. He was quiet for a few minutes as he stood by the counter. Peter wouldn't know many of the people he fought against. Hell, Tony didn't even know Bucky that well. He never even gave him a chance. And the Little Witch? She was just a kid, probably not much older than Peter if the truth was known.
"The freaky girl is named Wanda Maximoff. We rescued her and her twin brother in Sokovia." Tony sniffed at this part. It was too complicated to explain how the little witch had tried to decimate them all. "It's complicated but suffice to say, they were victims. Pietro, her brother was killed. I think Cap and Hawkeye feel responsible for that so they took her under their wing. She's a kid like you, but she's dangerous on her own. I tried to keep her under wraps, but Hawkeye didn't seem to like that idea and neither did Steve."
"She doesn't act like a kid; that chick is seriously twisted."
Tony's lip twitched as he tried not to laugh. His own memories of Wanda's temper and immaturity were all too familiar to him. "Trust me, Pete; she's a kid. Worse of all, she's a female kid." Tony shuddered. He didn't have any experience with females except his mother and Pepper. He didn't count the numerous women he'd slept with over the years before Pepper. He never understood them either but it was a game he played, a game with benefits obviously. Since he met Pepper, he looked at woman differently. He didn't understand them but he certainly valued them more. "I can barely understand you, Pete; don't ask me to figure out a teenage girl."
Peter snickered.
"Besides, she's Cap's problem or Clint's…I dunno which, maybe both. All I know is she's not my problem."
Peter looked wistful for a moment, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. "Not all teen girls are bad."
Tony laughed, filling his mug again and coming back into the room. "Easy now, Tiger."
Pete blushed and looked down at his hands, quiet for a moment and then continued his questions. "Okay, so where are they?"
"The big dude you took down is Scott Lang." continued Tony, ignoring the question. "I have no clue why Cap dragged him into things except he needed more people to try and take us down…"
"Kinda like how you dragged me into it?"
Tony quirked a brow. "Touche, kid. We had no idea of his capabilities, and I'm damned sure Steve didn't either. Nevertheless, Lang, Clint, Sam and the little witch all took a dive to help Cap escape."
"Why?"
Tony sat forward, "Heroes are made by the paths they choose, Pete, not with the powers they possess. Every one of them believes in what they did. They believe Cap is right in his convictions."
"Is he right?"
Tony stood up again, pacing the floor. "I used to think he was wrong and I was right. I'm not so sure anymore."
Peter stood up and walked up to Tony. "You told me a lot of things, Mr. Stark, …er…I mean Tony…when you wanted me to go to Germany with you. You told me Cap and his team were dangerous because they were wrong but they thought they were right. Why do they disagree with the Accords?"
Tony looked deeply into Peter's young face, full of idealism and dreams. His dark eyes sparkled with youth and determination. They were so full of life and hope, still relatively unscathed by the reality of the world.
Tony puffed out his cheeks. 'It's complicated, kid and I'm too tired to get into it. C'mon, I'll take you home. Good job last night, by the way. I'm worried about Jocasta now, but I trust you will remember the rules and our deal, no matter what you manage to do to her. Just remember, she's my friend, not yours! " Tony smirked and grabbed his keys off the counter. It was time to take the spider kid home.
***tbc***
Sorry for changing the title to the story...the more I write and plan out the plot, I feel like "No Man is an Island" is a better title.
Inspiration from this song. Check it out on YouTube
No Man is an Island by Tenth Avenue North
I won't run, I will stay
I'm not leaving you!
I know there's friction here
The struggle makes us new
I wish you never thought you had to go,
Wish you never thought you had to leave!
Together we can lift each other up,
We can build a shelter for the weak!
No man is an island, we can be found
No man is an island, let your guard down!
You don't have to fight me, I am for you
We're not meant to live this life alone!
Oh, oh, oh, oh!
I see fear in your eyes, there's no safety here
Oh, my friend, let me in, I will share your tears
I wish you never thought you had to go,
Wish you never thought you had to leave!
Together we can lift each other up,
We can build a shelter for the weak!
Oh, come on!
No man is an island, we can be found
No man is an island, let your guard down!
You don't have to fight me, I am for you
We're not meant to live this life alone!
Oh, oh, oh, oh!
Through trouble, rain, or fire
Let's reach out to something higher!
Ain't no life outside each other
(We are not alone!)
Through trouble, rain, or fire
Let's reach out to something higher
Eyes open to one another
(We are not alone!)
(We are not alone!)
No man is an island, we can be found
No man is an island, let your guard down!
You don't have to fight me, I am for you
We're not meant to live this life alone!
Oh, oh, oh, oh!
No man is an island, we can be found
No man is an island, let your guard down!
You don't have to fight me, I am for you
We're not meant to live this life alone!
Oh, oh, oh, oh!
No man is alone!
Why you try to fight me?
We don't have to do it alone!
We don't have to do it alone!
We don't have to do it alone!
Songwriters: Brendon Shirley / Jason Jamison / Jeff Owen / Mike Donehey / Ruben Juarez
No Man Is an Island lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC