REWRITTEN
Hi guys!
This his the english traduction of « Sous l'armure ». foxgirl224 asked it so here it is!
By the way, I just saw my profile stats and I saw that I'm read by people from all over the world: Germany, Canada, evan Haiti! So if you review, can you indicate you country? It's so fun!
I'm in Paris, France if you wanna know.
Enjoy :)
PS: Few months after the Battle of New York, everyone is 'OK' with the others.
The Avengers, Earth's Mightiest Heroes, were all in the living room of the Stark Tower - now known as the Avengers Tower - for their traditional movie night. Thor and Steve were slumped side by side on a couch, Bruce was sitting on his armchair and Pepper was comfortably settled on the floor. All of them were watching the scene being played under their eyes. Tony Stark and Clint Barton aka Ironman and Hawkeye were arguing about the movie they wanted to watch.
"No! We've already watched Hunger Games like 15 times Tony, and I can't stand your jokes anymore!" shouted Clint.
"Awww, but, Katniss, you're so remarkable in this movie," retorted Tony with a smirk.
The exchange had started ten minutes ago when Natasha decided she had had enough and took them both by the ear.
"Tony, stop annoying Clint, and you Barton, don't exaggerate," she ordered. "We've only watched it like… Er… Well, anyway, it's mine and Pepper's turn to choose and we picked Titanic. Now, the first of you two who bother with the other he's gonna regret it." On those words, she let them go and they got away from each other, mumbling and rubbing their ear. No one messed up with BlackWidow's threats. Tony sat down with Pepper et took her in his arms while Clint went pouting on the couch between Steve and Thor. Natasha grabbed a bow of tissues and put them on the table. Even if they were super-heroes, the Avengers were still emotional and she predicted a profusion of tears, especially from a certain soldier and a certain god. The movie had just started when Jarvis stopped it.
" Sir, a call from Nick Fury. He says it's an emergency" announced the electronic butler. Surprised - and a bit worried - everyone stood up.
"Take the call JARVIS," replied Tony.
"Stark?" Director Fury's voice echoed in the room. Natasha frowned so slightly that only Barton noticed it - and it was because he was used to her. She had heard a hint of anxiety in her boss' voice. It was never a good thing.
"What's up Nicky? Hard to sleep?" said Tony with his usual smugness.
"This is an emergency call. Loki is back," replied Fury. The atmosphere changed immediately. Thor stood up abruptly at the mention of his brother. Natasha and Steve became more alert, ready to do whatever was needed. They were glancing discreetly at Bruce who was still in his armchair, a slight touch of green on his skin but calm otherwise. Tony, on the other hand, didn't look shocked at all but his eyes landed on the bar before jumping out of it a second later. He had tried to stop drinking for Pepper and the Avengers, but Loki meant problems and Loki's problems required alcohol. Pepper had covered her mouth with a hand to muffle her small shout of horror. She didn't want to lose Tony. It had been so close the last time. But Clint, Clint was the worst.
"What!" he shouted in anger. He had jumped to his feet faster than anyone. He had turned to Thor but Natasha could still see his face over the god's shoulder. His features were distorted by pure rage but there was a real fear in his eyes."Isn't he supposed to be in a cell in Asgard?"
"Yes…" started Thor hesitantly. "But Loki is the God of Lies, Mischief and Betrayal. He must have found a way to escape." He frowned, his mind jumping to Asgard and wondering what Loki had done their.
"Well, now, he's in Central Park," continued Fury.
"We're leaving immediately, Sir," said Steve, turned in his Captain America mode. All of the Avengers got up and went to prepare themselves.
"Let's go kick a malefic god's ass," muttered Tony while dropping a quick kiss on Pepper's lips. She watched him worriedly as he went to his lab.
—
A few minutes later, the Avengers were all in the Quinjet, Clint at the pilot sit, and flying toward Central Park. While everyone was getting ready for the upcoming fight, Steve noticed the concerned look on Thor's face.
"Thor? I know Loki is your brother, but we have to stop him before he hurts a civilian," he told the Thundering god softly, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I know Captain" replied Thor with a sight. "Even if he's my brother, he needs to be stopped before he does anymore damage to Midgard or its inhabitants. However, it is my fault if he is like this, and for this, I will never forgive myself."
"It is not your fault Thor. Loki has done his choice by uniting with the Chitorys. You couldn't have done anything." Thor turned away, obviously not wanting to talk about his brother. Steve wondered if he should insiste before deciding that it wasn't the best time to talk about family problems.
"Landing in a few seconds!" shouted Clint. "Hook your sit belts!" The Quinjet landed gently near Central Park's lake, right in front of the mischievous god. The Avengers got out and surrounded him. Loki didn't move safe for the disturbing smile that appeared on his face.
"Surrender Loki," said the Captain.
"What, not even a 'Oh Loki, please, tell us how you came here, how did you escape from Asgard's prison?'."
"That is enough, brother! Do what the soldier told you." exclaimed Thor. Small sparks were popping out of his hammer and his cape was fluttering in the wind. He was looking like a king ready to give justice.
"I am NOT your brother, Thor." The other were spat with anger, or even fury. Loki had lost his small smirk. His eyes were cold and his jaw, closed. He was staring at his brother as if he was trying to pierce a hole in his head.
"Of course, yeah, we know that. Thor's not your brother, Odin's not your father and you're gonna take control over Midgard and then, all of us, poor humans, are going to be yours slaves. Wonderfull. Oh! But, wait, isn't it what happened last time? You know, when we stopped you." Tony's voice came filled with disdain. The faceplate of his helmet was up. Loki smiled even more.
"Tony Stark. You think you're exceptional, don't you? I read in you, and you're just a man who hide behind an armor and behind a mask. We will see soon who, between you and me, will be the last one to laugh once I'll have exposed the great Tony Stark." Bruce, ready to hulk out, saw a terrified look on his friend's face. It disappeared so quickly he though he had dreamed it. Looking at his teammates, he saw he had been the only one to notice it. He must have imagined it. His attention went back to Loki who was starring at the billionaire like a cat would stare at a mouse.
"Yeah, right. Well, that's enough. Prepare to loose, Reindeer Games," was Tony's answer, his faceplate now down.
"You shouldn't take it like this, Stark," Loki said with a smirk that gave shivers to Steve. The god snapped his fingers and everything went black.
—
Natasha was the first one to wake up. She was sat on a chair, her hands tied behind her so tightly she couldn't free herself, whatever she tried. At least, she wasn't hurt. Well, it didn't hurt anywhere. Not feeling any danger, she opened her eyes. All of the Avengers, Fury, Pepper and Colonel Rhodes were here, all sat and hands tied behind them. No. Someone was missing. Tony wasn't here. Ok, first, stay calm. He couldn't be far away. Well, he could, but there was no point in thinking about it right now. Stay calm. Breath. She was used to those kind of situations. Safe for them and a giant white screen on one of the white walls, the room was empty. There was only one exit, a door, white too, probably locked. All of this white made Natasha think of a psychiatric hospital. But why would they be in such a place?
She didn't have her weapon anymore, not even the knife she was hiding in her left boot. Even Clint didn't know its existence. The others seemed weaponless as well. Not a single sign of a shield, a hammer, a bow or a gun. By the time she finished her inspection, the others had woken up.
"Everyone's all right?" she asked. Clint grumbled and nodded slowly. No one seemed hurt. That was one good point.
"Where are we?" Pepper sounded a little afraid. "I was in… in my office when everything went black. Tony… Where's Tony?» Natasha was impressed by Pepper's self-control. Any other average person would be absolutely terrified after waking in a strange piece and missing their loved one who should be with is team. Though, Pepper was not an average person. She was dealing with Tony Stark since god know when and with the Avengers for a few months now.
"Same here," grouched Fury, "I was on the hellicarrier. And I guess you're in the same case, Colonel. » Rhodes nodded silently, not completely alert yet.
"Then…" sighed the director, turning toward his team."What the HELL happened? And WHERE IS STARK?"
"Ow! Have pity for my ears, Fury," exclaimed Clint. He turned silent again under the man's glare.
"We were…" Steve started when suddenly, Loki appeared out of nowhere.
"I heard you calling Stark." He had a smile on his face that could not mean anything good and was vibrating with pride and satisfaction. "Do not worry, you'll see him soon. In fact, you are going to see the REAL Tony Stark, the broken man behind the mask." Steve turned his head to see Pepper and Colonel Rhodes' reaction. He knew they were the ones who knew Tony for the longest time ans he wanted to see if they took what the god had said seriously. The worried look on Rhodes' face made him wonder on what he really knew about his friend. While he was thinking, Barton had started to speak.
"Right, let see the horrible and spoiled life of a billionaire, son of a millionaire, famous, genius, playboy and I don't know what else." He was laughing so hard his stomach hurt. Natasha smiled at his words. Indeed, Stark had no reason to be broken. Sure he had had a bad relation with his father, but others - Clint and Banner - had lived worse, and he had been held captive in Afghanistan but he didn't have any issues with it. She had lived with him enough to say he wasn't suffering of PTSD or even nightmares. Sure, he had trouble sleeping but as he said " Genius here".
"And where the fuck are we Loki, you bastard?" asked Fury, always serious.
"In a place no one will find. Or at least, not while I want them to."
"That is enough!" shouted Thor, startling everyone. "Release us and tell us where the man of Iron is."
"I have no order to take from you, ôh Thor the Mighty" spitted Loki with contempt before vanishing.
Clint was still laughing but seemed to calm a little after the god's departure. The idea of Tony Stark, the most self-centered et confident man on Earth, being 'broken' was entertaining him highly. However, Steve remembered Rhodes' face and glanced at him again. The Colonel was exchanging worried looks with Pepper.
"Miss. Pots, Colonel. Is there anything we should know about Tony's past?" he asked in a deep voice. He had gotten everyone's attention. Rhodey pinched his lips together. Pepper was hesitating. It confirmed Steve's guess.
"Please," pleaded the Captain. "We are his friends and teammates. We should know."
"I don't… It's not up to me to reveal this…" replied Pepper with an apologetic look. They fall in an awkward and tensed silence. Pepper's words had confused the avengers and Fury. No one had talked when Loki appeared as unexpectedly as the first time with an unconscious Tony Stark by his side. The man was tied up to a chair. His head was resting on his torso, which must not be confortable at all, and the armor had disappeared but else he seemed alright. Loki had placed them so that they all could face him, as in a court, but also watch the screen.
"You wanted to see Tony Stark, here he is." He then slapped Tony across the face which seemed to make him return to the world.
"Wha… What's happening?" he asked seeing the others staring at him. Loki moved closer to him and Tony flinched, surprised by his presence. The god took him by the hair and threw his head backward which made the hero moan.
"DON'T TOUCH HIM!" shouted Pepper. And she had guts to speak like this to a god. The culprit didn't react at all.
"What is happening Stark? I am going to show at every single person you care about who you really are. You are nothing, Stark. You never was. You are pathetic, worthless. You are going to regret you didn't died when I threw you in this window, Stark. You are going to regret stopping me from conquering Midgard."
"Wow wow wow, hold on a sec, throw in a window? What is he talking about Tony?" asked Bruce. He hadn't talked since they had arrived, trying to stay calm. Now, however, he was slowly losing control.
"Oh, he didn't tell you? We had a very interesting conversation before all of you arrived, back then. I touched him with my scepter et I discovered some very interesting informations, even if I couldn't take control of his mind, of his heart. And I pushed him out." Everyone of them was extremely worried and aware of what was happening. They all knew what Loki's scepter could do. Why on earth hadn't Toki said anything about it? They were all expecting a snarky comment from the genius, so when he stayed silent, they noticed the utter terror in his eyes.
"Tony…" started Steve.
"T-t-t-t Captain" interrupted Loki. "You'll talk later. It's time to have some fun." He vanished again and before they could say anything, the screen lit up and the lights went off.
Pfew, that was long.
I hope you enjoyed. A few chapters are already written in french so I should translate them soon. Feel free to point out my mistakes.
Also, R & R please.