Civil War Chapter Nine

Helicarrier Landing Deck:

"For the last time, the Thunderbolts aren't going anywhere near this."

Iron Man stood firm under Maria Hill's glare as they faced down on the helicarrier's landing deck. "They've proved more effective than all of you heroes in a single effort."

"If by more effective you mean more broken bones." Iron Man said. "These are men with grudges, and I know you wouldn't normally put people in the field who are emotionally attached to the assignment."

"Then why should I let you go?"

"Because if you don't, you'll have Iron Man on the anti registration side. And I've read your playbook."

Maria threw her hands in the air and left. "Fine. Just bring Captain America back."

Yellowjacket rubbed his eyes. "What about you big guy?" He turned to the Sentry.

"Yea, Bob, are you feeling up for it?"

The Sentry shivered and looked around. "I'm sorry guys… the agoraphobia…"

"No need to explain." Iron Man said. "I don't want to take our friends to jail either. You sit this one out with Nighthawk. We'll handle this."

Iron Man and Yellowjacket walked away. As he left, yellowjacket turned and sent a wry smile to the Sentry. The Sentry smiled back, nervously.


Antarctica:

The Watcher contemplated the figure before him. "How long now since you have eaten Stephen Strange?"

Strange shivered in the arctic snowstorm. "Just a little water since the Civil War began."

"Why are you fasting Strange? You obviously favor no side, or else you could have ended this war in a day. What outcome are you meditating for?"

"Whichever victory is best for mankind my friend." Strange said. "And spills the least amount of blood."

The Watcher rubbed his chin in thought. "If I were to give you some advice my friend…" The Watcher said. "It would be to eat. Despite your neutrality, it would be wise of you to be at your full strength if you wish to prevent bloodshed. You never know when you will be called upon."


The Bridge:

The guards stood tall as the watched the corridor between 42 and the real world. Suddenly, they all fell over with a yelp, as something invisible hit their helmets. "Thanks Sue." Captain America said. "You can make us visible again now."

The assembled heroes became visible as they move to prison forty two. "How's security Vision?" Cap asked.

"It's taking a while." Vision said. "But we're in the clear for now. This Wakandan technology is fantastic."

Spider-man held up his hand. "Hold up guys." He said. "My Spider-sense is going off the scale! We're talking defcon one!"

"I'm not surprised." Iron Man stepped through the portal on the other end of the corridor, a line of heroes following behind him.

"You've just walked into another trap Captain." Iron Man said. "We've had a mole on your side for quite some time now, and you're outnumbered five to one."

"If you're talking about Tigra, we know all about her." Cap said.

"What?" Tigra asked, shocked.

"You're not the only one with a mole." Cap smirked.

"That's impossible." Iron Man said. "Nobody knew about her but me, Reed, and Pym."

"I'm sorry Tony." Yellowjacket said.

"Pym?" Tony asked. "Why? You believed in this more than anybody!"

"It's a good thing I'm not Pym than." He said.

"Who are you?" Reed asked.

"No, no, that's not it." The fake yellowjacket said. "What you should be asking is, what have I done while impersonating your friend?"

A swarm of anti registration heroes came in through the portal, freed from prison forty two. "The Cells." Tony said.

"I believe this evens the odd a little." Cap said.

"Cap, can't we resolve this peacefully?" Tony asked. "The President is prepared to give twelve pardons. Well, eleven. Reed's already reserved one for you, Susan. Think of the Punisher Cap. Think of the harm unlicensed vigilantes can do. All we're talking about is teaching young heroes how to be better and sending them into the field fully equipped. Is that so wrong?"

"No, it isn't." Cap said. "What is wrong, is you've made yourselves puppets. Being a hero is about doing what's right, not what other people tell you is right."

"I am doing what I think is right." Tony said.

"Then I feel sorry for you Tony." Cap said. "Because that means you think Goliath's death was right. You think this prison is right. You think working along psychopaths is right. Think of what you wanted Tony, now think of what you've done."

"Good advice." Tony said. "Why don't you listen to it?"

Cap raised his shield. "Avengers!" He yelled. "Assemble!"


A/N: Alright, here it comes. The big finale. Hold onto your socks everybody, for the next lesson will be the most important of them all.