Chapter 7

After everything was done, I decided to move into the Avengers tower, as Tony so happily put it. It was complete with everything anyone needed. Steve also took the offer and moved into the tower as well. Bruce Banner continued staying with us, and only because he enjoyed working with Tony so much. Being in the same place as Tony Stark proved to be difficult with my temper. He was usually annoying.

I held the place down as they had gone on a mission to retrieve Loki's scepter in Russia. Now that the world knew about me, I decided that laying low for a little while was better then going into the world like nothing was wrong. I instead, helped Falcon look for James Barnes.

Ever since the destruction of SHIELD, I had been searching for him. I had found his trail several times, but he wasn't an easy person to find. I wasn't about to give up now though. He'd show himself sooner or later, and Steve wouldn't want me to give up just yet.

I growled to myself as I sat in the Smithsonian, in front of the Captain America exhibit. He had come here often, from the smell of his scent. I knew he was looking at the memorial for him. Resting my elbows on my knees, I propped my head up for a moment as I stared at the video for a while that was playing, just to pass the time.

When it ended, I felt the air shift behind me, and a scent filled my nose. For just a brief moment, I was filled with excitement. Glancing behind me, I met the brown eyes of Bucky Barnes himself. Looking back ahead of me, I stared at the screen that was now blank.

"Well, you are a hard person to find when you don't want to be found," I mused.

"I would assume you would be the same," he muttered.

"You would never find me if I decided that I wanted to stay lost," I grunted, and he snorted behind me.

"You've been searching for me for a while," Barnes muttered. "Why?"

"I mean you no harm," I started quietly. "Steve just...he wanted to find you. It's known through all of Hydra, and the Avengers that you went missing. I'm guessing that is because memories of your old life have surfaced."

"From what you did to me," he grunted. "And...I remembered...what he said to me before he fell."

"Listen, you saved me when they wanted to make me an experiment," I replied. "I want to return the favor, and help you remember who you used to be. Plus, I'd like to keep the only person who has ever made me weak under my claws."

A soft laugh erupted from the man behind me. "Everybody has a weakness," he answered. "You're just angry I found yours."

"And I'm sure I know what yours is," I mused.

"Oh?"

"Your memories, and soon after that, Steve," I said smugly, glancing over my shoulder.

He glared slightly at me, and watched as I got to my feet. I chuckled softly, and then reached out to touch his hand. At first, James flinched at the contact, but he relaxed slowly.

"And also, perhaps I like you," I mused. "I don't like a lot of people."

His expression eased a bit, and I backed up as he stood up. James was taller by almost a foot when put up against me. Looking up at him, I tilted my head a little.

"I'm a monster," he rumbled quietly. "There is nothing to like about me. I'll come around when I'm ready."

Before he could walk off, I reached out and grabbed his hand. James froze for a long moment, before turning back and looking at me. I wasn't about to let him walk away thinking that. He was far from one in my eyes.

"I'm a monster," I said softly. "I've destroyed many more lives than you have. But the difference between you and I...is that you didn't have a choice. I did."

Surprise flashed across his expression. "What?"

"I'm a dragon," I sighed. "It's just...back then, it was what we did. I laid waste to more than one kingdom in my time."

"How do you live with it?"

"I just do," I shrugged. "It's a part of what I am. I once told Steve that as I've grown older, I've mellowed you could say. I no longer want to fight, but if I had to, the world better look out."

"Are you even from here?" he asked, his voice quiet.

"No. I can't remember where I'm from, but I know I didn't come from here," I answered. "You come around when you are ready, we'll be there."

James nodded briefly, before easing himself out of my hand and walked off. I sighed quietly, and decided that it was time to go back to New York. I made sure I wasn't seen when I was flying home, and at sunset, I was landing outside of the building. Tony had built a huge platform to support my dragon form, along with any other flying machine that might come in handy. Rumbling quietly, I listened to the noises inside and heard familiar talking. Baring my teeth in a smile, I watched the door open.

A very exhausted Steve walked out, still dirty from whatever he had been doing. I gave a soft croon in his direction, and folded my wings. He gave me a relieved smile, and reached out to stroke my cheek. I welcomed the touch, and used it to center myself from the long flight. A rumble left my throat, and he sighed softly.

"When did you get back?" I asked.

"About twenty minutes ago," he sighed.

"Were you successful?"

"Yes," he nodded. "The scepter is in the lab right now."

"Good," I rumbled.

Humming, I moved back from him and pushed my transformation to human. Following Steve back inside, I was greeted by the sight of everyone at the bar. Bruce and Tony had changed into regular clothes, while Thor, Hawkeye, Natasha and Steve were still in uniform.

"Well you all look lovely," I remarked.

"Oh, we missed you too," Clint smiled.

"Mmm," I chuckled. "How about you guys go shower and change, and I'll order take out."

"That...actually sounds wonderful," Thor sighed suddenly.

I nodded my head at them, and watched as they all left to go get cleaned up. Making a few quick phone calls, I ordered some take out for everyone. By the time they had made it back to the main lounge area, the food was delivered and everything set out. I watched them for a moment, and felt something shift in me. I needed to fly again, this time for a while.

"Are you ok?"

Glancing over, I watched Clint join me to grab a beer. "Yea," I shook the feeling. "I'll be all right."

Making sure, he then nodded and walked off. I joined them, and plopped down beside Steve. He looked at me for a brief moment, and then stuffed a bite full of food into his mouth. I snorted at him, hiding my amusement. They all ate like animals when they returned from missions. It was always amusing. Thor was probably the most amusing. Having heard stories from back when he was in Asgard, I would have enjoyed watching the people eat.

"How is that missing person case?" he asked, swallowing.

"He's alive," I said slowly. "I've found traces of him. But he keeps moving."

"At least he's alive," Steve murmured, glancing down at his food.

Several days later, Tony threw a party after he spent some time looking over the scepter that they had retrieved. He invited a bunch of people out, and Natasha happily put herself behind the bar. Maria Hill was there, along with Rhodes, who was a friend of Tony's. I had dressed up just enough, but stayed comfortable. I grabbed a strong drink from Natasha and joined the others around the couches and chairs. Steve smiled when he saw me, and offered me a place to sit down, so I took it.

He wrapped an arm around my shoulder, giving me a slight squeeze. "You've been flying a lot. You all right?"

"Fine," I smiled, looked at Thor as he set the hammer down.

"But it's a trick!" Clint declared, tilting his beer after he took a drink.

"Oh no, it's much more than that," Thor chuckled.

Clint squinted for a moment. "Uh, the whole whosoever be he worth shall haveth the power! Whatever man, it's a trick!"

Thor gave a dazzling smile. "Well please, be my guest."

"Come on," Tony grinned.

"Really?" Clint asked.

"Yeah!" Thor nodded, encouragingly and I snorted slightly.

Rhodes chuckled from behind the couch. "Oh this is going to be beautiful."

"Clint, you've had a rough week. We won't hold it against you if you can't get it up," Tony said casually.

Clint glared at the billionaire and I bared my teeth in a smile, unable to help it, so his glare was turned toward me as well. He snorted then, and grabbed the hilt of the hammer, claiming it was still a trick. I was not surprised when he couldn't lift it. If it was from Odin himself, then no one other than Thor was going to be able to wield its power.

Once that was done, there was some banter among the others about trying it out, so we all laughed as the games began. I noticed Thor was thoroughly enjoying himself. I watched as it went through the line, and chuckled when Tony and James tried to lift it but couldn't. Steve grinned and finally jumped up from next to me to give it a go. I watched with great amusement when the hammer wiggled slightly. The smile on Thor's face disappeared for a second, but when Steve couldn't lift it, he grinned again at the man.

"Nothing," he laughed.

"And?" Tony demanded.

"Widow?" Bruce asked.

"Oh no...no. That's not a question that I need answered," she laughed, raising her drink.

"Kayden?" Tony grinned.

"You're hilarious. That thing would more than likely strike me," I snorted as Steve plopped down next to me.

"All deference to the man who wouldn't be king, but it's rigged," Tony declared, making us laugh.

"You bet your ass," Clint snorted.

Maria gasped fakely. "Steve, he said a bad language word."

Steve sighed, looking at Tony. "Did you tell everyone about that?"

We all laughed freely at that, and I put my feet up to lean back against the couch. Steve patted my knee as Tony and Thor went back and forth about the handle, and ways Tony might be able to lift it.

"Yes, well that uh, a very, very interesting theory. But I have a better one," he grinned as he got up and picked up his weapon. "You're all not worthy."

Something suddenly made my hair stand on end, and I sat up a little straighter as a loud screeching noise went off. Everyone covered their ears, and the noise stopped moments later. Steve got to his feet slowly, and I tensed to the point where it was painful.

"Worthy...No...How could you be worthy? You're all killers."

Everyone jumped up and spun around to face the owner of the voice, and I watched as a pieced together Iron Man suit dragged itself forward. Steve's muscles all tensed dramatically and he moved a slow step forward.

"Stark."

"Jarvis," Tony murmured, but no answer came.

"I'm sorry, I was asleep. Or...I was a dream?" the suit tapped itself.

"Reboot, Legionnaire, we got a buggy suit."

"There was a terrible noise...and I was tangled in...in strings. I had to kill the other guy. He was a good guy."

"You killed someone?" Steve asked lowly.

"Wouldn't have been my first call. But down in the real world we are faced with ugly choices."

"Who sent you?" Thor demanded.

I kept my body relaxed, but my eyes were anything but. They flared in anger, till I was suddenly shocked by what came from the suits mouth. Tony's voice, echoed through the room.

"I see a suit of armor around the world."

"Ultron," Bruce breathed.

"In the flesh," Ultron replied. "Or, no, not yet. Not this...chrysalis. But I'm ready. I'm on a mission."

"What mission?" Natasha asked.

"Peace in our time."

I snarled as Tony's Iron Legion bots broke through the walls and the floors, coming right for everyone. Steve kicked up the coffee table as a bot came flying out and it sent him flying anyway. It was amazing how many bots Tony had just kept coming, and I grunted as one hit me with the laser that it shot. Flipping back onto my feet, I ducked when Thor hit one with his hammer, and I broke one in half that was at his back.

"Stark!" Steve snarled, as he was thrown against a wall.

"One sec!" Tony cried.

I knew Tony was working hard to shut down the bots, but that wasn't working. I had briefly noticed that the scepter had been stolen. Ducking from one, I grunted as I was sent flying into another wall.

"Cap!"

Just as I got up, I went to brace myself when the shield cut through the bot in front of me. I caught it as quick as I could, and the breath was kicked out of me at the impact. Glaring at Steve, I threw it back to him. It had been absolute chaos as we had been fighting, while Ultron sat back and watched.

"That was dramatic! I'm sorry, I know you mean well. You just didn't think it through. You want to protect the world, but you don't want it to change. How is humanity saved if it's not allowed to..evolve?" Ultron announced. "With these? These puppets? There is only one path to peace. The Avengers extinction."

In his rage, Thor threw his hammer right at the bot, causing it to explode and go dead. He then swung and looked at me as he spun his hammer. For a moment, I thought he was going to attack, but he simply motioned for me to follow. We left the tower, and I shed my human form and followed the bot that had flown off. I knew the god was angry. He had every right to be. We flew, following the bot north, but after about a good hundred miles, we lost the trail. I couldn't even find the scent.

"I'm going to kill him," he snarled.

"Thor!" I protested, a low growl in my throat.

"I have to retrieve that scepter again. It shouldn't even be in human hands!" he roared, lightening flashing from his hammer.

"Agreed," I murmured softly.

He took a huge breath, but that didn't stop him from being angry. We flew back toward the tower, and I turned human and let him take me inside. When we landed, I silently followed him to the lab, where I knew they were.

"This...isn't strategy, this is...rage," Bruce murmured.

The door flew open as Thor charged in and I sighed quietly and stood off to the side. There was a lot of that going around today then. Thor stormed up to Tony and grabbed him by the throat. He easily lifted the man into the air, his face etched in anger.

"Woah! Woah! It's going around!" Clint exclaimed.

"Come on. Use your words, buddy," Tony tried to say calmly.

"I have more than enough words to describe you, Stark," Thor snarled.

"Thor," Steve demanded. "The Legionnaire."

The god glared at Tony, arching a brow at me. I scoffed at him, and sighed. "Trail went cold about a hundred miles out. Heading north."

"And it has the scepter," Thor snarled. "And now we have to retrieve it. Again."

"The genie is out of that bottle," Natasha sighed, jerking her head. "The clear and present is Ultron."

Dr. Cho who had been with us slowly turned around, her expression pure disbelief. "You built this program. Why is it trying to kill us?"

I tilted my head, giving her the benefit. It was a good question indeed. Tony had been staring at something, and from where he stood he started laughing. It was a soft chuckle, but one that had Bruce shaking his head in disagreement. Thor turned his attention back to Tony.

"You think this is funny?" he asked, his smile deadly.

Tony turned and looked at all of us, trying hard to not start laughing. He snortetd a little, and I went and moved away from the demigod, just in case he got angry. Steve glanced down at me when I came to stand near him.

"No," Tony snorted. "It's...probably not right? This is very terrible. Is this very terrible? I mean, is it?"

"This could have been avoided," Thor snapped, moving forward. "If you hadn't played with something you don't understand."

"No," Tony suddenly cut him off, and walked over to him. "I'm sorry. Sorry. It is funny. It's a hoot that you don't get why we need this."

"Tony," Bruce warned quietly. "Maybe this isn't the time..."

"Really?" Tony demanded. "That's it? You just roll over and show your belly every time someone snarls."

"That wasn't a snarl," I said lowly, and Clint snorted a laugh.

"Only when I've created a murder bot," Bruce replied evenly.

"We didn't," Tony snapped. "Were we even close? Did we even come closer to an interface?"

Bruce shrugged a little as Steve stepped forward, cutting off their conversation.

"Well you did something right," Steve interrupted."And you did it right here. The Avengers were supposed to be different from Shield."

"Does anyone remember when I carried a nuke through a wormhole?" Tony glared. "Anyone? Saving New York. Does anyone remember that? A hostile alien army came through a wormhole and we were fighting 300 feet below it. That up there...that is the A game. How are we going to keep doing this?"

"Together," Steve replied quietly.

"We're going to lose," Tony answered, shaking his head.

"Then we'll do that together too," Steve arched his brow. "Thor is right, Ultron is calling us out. Now I'd like to find him as quick as possible. The world is a big place. Let's start making is smaller."

I watched Tony move off to the side, glaring down at something. Shifting quietly, I walked over to him and laid a hand on his arm, drawing his attention. I ignored the annoyed look he gave me, and instead I let my eyes go red for a moment.

"Sometimes, there is a moment in which you need to back down," I said quietly. "You cannot protect everything. Had this worked...that would be one thing. But it didn't, and this time it is your fault. Don't blame everyone else for your damn mistake. Not this time."

His mouth almost dropped open at my words, and everyone glanced at me when I turned and walked off. I wasn't about to take on an angry man just because his toy went the wrong way. Thor had been right, Tony didn't understand what he was dealing with.

Sorry, i was not liking the title of this story so I changed it. It seemed a little more fitting! Enjoy!

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