Ultimatum
A/N: Hope you guys like this chapter.
Thumbs up to Dracomancer1 who edited this to make this chapter more enjoyable
Chapter 9: Rampage of Whiplash
Nick Fury stood nervously at the desk. To his fellow soldiers, he looked every bit the dependable leader the had all seen him be. However, a select few could tell that Fury was on edge, maybe a bit scared, and he had every right to be. It took some time but he was finally meeting Mr. Harry Potter. After months of surveillance and having agents attempt to follow him the meeting was finally going forward.
Fury would have normally been impressed with the level and sheer number of skills the young man possessed. However, the reasons behind such appreciation made him very worried. This was a young man who clearly beared no allegiances towards any individuals or organizations. This made him a wild card. Now, Fury was also finding out after a month of rumors that there was another world hidden within the one in which he had confidently operated for decades. That made Fury very nervous indeed. His superiors wanted to control that world and have some say in it, however Stark had gotten to them first by offering full cooporation.
Nick Fury had sent agents to see what the world was like at the Stark Expo, and their reports left him amazed. The food, the cultures, even the animals. Myths were explained as well as the correct history of wizards and witches.
When asked about Mr. Potter's history, his tales evoked nothing short of astonishment. How a Dark Lord attempted to destroy him when he was just a baby, his amazing achievements in school, and how he ended up defeating said Dark Lord when he was only seventeen years old. After he defeated the Dark Lord, he reformed the Ministry of Magic and the rest of the magical world into what it was today. He was the modern day incarnation of Merlin, despite how young he appeared. Mr. Potter was the most influencial and greatest sorcerer of the Wizarding World and had more say than the President of the United States. Even the World Security Council didn't know a thing about the magical world.
So, Nick Fury went to Stephen Strange to learn more about this fantastic hidden world, only to hear Strange explain that his magic was different from that of the wizarding world, as he dealt with dimensional magic and fighting demons in realms outside of ours. He revealed that the magicians of the Wizarding World focus on real magic, capable of feats far greater than he could have hope to achieve; he did know about Harry Potter and gave him a few key insights about the young man.
What was more disturbing was the young-looking witch that was with Mr. Potter. She was, as wizards and witches were claiming her to be, Morgan le Fay, the same Morgan el Fay of Arthurian legend. Nick Fury didn't even know where to begin with her. She was undoubtably dangerous, and if what the legends said about her were true, then Fury knew he couldn't trust her. He shuddered at the thought of what would happen if she would turn on the world at large; wizarding history said only Merlin was powerful enough to stop her. So, he wondered if Mr. Potter kept her in check or was in league with her. That led to the question of who was controlling whom.
A car pulled up breaking Fury from his train of thought. Nick Fury could see Harold 'Happy' Hogan driving it.
It had come at last. A meeting that would determine the future of the human race. He half prayed they would be reasonable and not attempt to destroy him for the demands the Council has made.
The car stop and six people got out, the first being the new Chief Operating Officer of Stark Industries Virginia 'Pepper' Potts. Nick Fury had half a dozen reasons why Tony appointed his former personal assistant as the C.O.O. of Stark Industries.
The next person who got out was a reason for Nick Fury to be worried. It was Bruce Banner; alias the Hulk. This was a man who appeared to be harmless on the outside unless you knew the man and had access to his files, than you would know how dangerous he truly was. The Hulk Buster Unit he has behind him were all nervous. They were at half strength as they were only carrying high impact rifles and it wasn't enough to harm Banner should he go green. The only difference was that that were packed with tranquilizer and sleeping gas rounds. It was their only means of defense against the big guy.
Next was Anthony 'Tony' Stark who stepped out of his car looking like his usual confident self. It took some time, but the only thing S.H.I.E.L.D. was able to recover was the Iron Man Suit Mark I. Because of it, and Stark not sharing his Iron Man invention, S.H.I.E.L.D. was creating their own, codename Project Mandroid. Fury knew the project would be a lot easier if Stark was involved, but he doubted he would take kindly to someone using his own technology to create an army of suits similar to his Iron Man armor. He just prayed Stark would be forgiving, knowing how much Stark would be needed for technological innovation in the future.
The next person to exit the vehicle was Harry Potter. He was wearing red robes today and carrying his staff as if it was of great importance. Nick Fury prayed the young man was reasonable. He doubted he could so much as handle another Hulk level entity. Especially one who could control his own mind and thoughts.
Next was the mysterious witch herself, Morgan le Fay. She seemed to favor greed robes, as she was wearing another set today. Fury was half tempted to shoot her then in hopes she didn't try to control his mind, so seriously had he taken the reports on her.
Next was Lieutenant Colonel James 'Rhodey' Rhodes. He was Tony Stark's best friend and primary liaison between Stark Industries and the American Military. No doubt he was here to keep the peace between S.H.I.E.L.D. and the heroes.
"Thank you for coming." Fury said believing it was wise to start off with being polite.
"Thanks for asking so nicely." Banner said as he shook his hand. He was nervous. That much was clear to Fury.
"Don't worry about the guards. They are here to make sure the big guy doesn't try to tear me apart. They won't do anything without my order." Fury said in hopes to reassure Banner of his intentions.
"Does that including bringing in one of the Other Guy's old sparring partners for insurance?" Banner said.
"You noticed. Alright, you can come out Logan."
From the shadows came one of the shortest people Harry has ever seen in his life, but he was stack up.
"Fury asked me here as a personal favor. Should big green come out I'm only here to prevent it from tearing up Fury's men." The man known as Logan said.
"You don't have to worry about that. I gave Banner a calming draught before we came here to ensure the other guy doesn't come and make a mess of things. Banner can't get mad even if he wanted to." Harry said. The moment he said that many men seem to have relax and give a sigh of relief.
"Calming draught, you know I think I remember working with a wizard back in the 1940's. Some guy named Al. Wasn't his full name but that's what I called him."
"Your memory is coming back I see." Fury stated, sounding pleased.
"Yeah, Chuck's sessions are helping." Logan said rubbing his neck.
"Al… surely not Albus Dumbledore." Harry said in a slow voice.
"Yeah that sounds about right. I'm not sure though, my memory is still a bit fuzzy on the whole subject. It use to be the three of us in the war. Captain would lead the Howling Commando's with myself as somewhat his second… though he had Bucky as his official second. Albus worked mostly with Colonel Chester Phillips. Never talk much to the man himself though."
"I knew Dumbledore; In a way he was my mentor during my academic career." Harry said, looking moderately surprised.
"I don't mean to prod, but we should get down to business." Banner said as stood his ground watching Fury closely.
"Right, first of all… we would like to know your intentions." Fury said in hopes he could get to the main topic off the bat and start off well.
"We intend to fight those who threaten others."
"Meaning….?"
"It's a hero thing. We've made mistakes, and we intend to fix them by helping the world fight the battle it can't fight." Harry said.
"What about the wizarding world?" Fury asked.
"We just want to be left alone." Morgan stated calmly.
"My superiors don't want that… they want the wizarding world to… become a part of the rest of the world respectively and follow our laws." Fury said in a slow voice.
"You mean you want us to submit to your ways." Harry said in disgust.
"That's one way of looking at it."
"I see the world hasn't become wiser since my time."
"What do you mean?" Nick Fury asked.
"In my time, there were men like you who wanted those of us with power to submit to them and be ruled. We refused. Because we refused, they began calling us servants of the devil and began to kill us unless we repented to their 'God.' It was a time of massacre for my people… it's why they went into hiding in the first place…to prevent a world war. We have our ways, you have you ways… but your superiors don't seem to understand that we just want to have peace and be left alone." Morgan explained pointing her finger at Fury. "It's why history remembers me as a villainess. Because I was against the ideas of muggles ruling us like animals so I did everything I could to fight against the idea of being ruled and trying to live free." Morgan added. She would have gone on but a look from Harry silence her.
"But why open the doors at all?" Fury asked, genuinely confused by their actions.
"It was bound to happen. Sooner or later people would have noticed what I was and questions would have been asked. Tony felt it was best if we reveal ourselves on our terms instead of on the terms of the world powers. Revealing ourselves was to improve relations with the rest of the world in hopes that one day we could work together towards a brighter future. But I can tell you this now, the wizarding world does not submit. If they heard you've said this, many in our world would react violently, those who have long spoken about how your people want to rule us like animals." Harry said.
"I'm sure it won't come to that." Nick Fury said in an uneasy voice.
"According to our history, that's how the black ages began, because corrupt men tried to rule what they couldn't have. What you are proposing will give birth to great evil in the world. We are a free people and we will die free."
"My superiors want to have some say within your world. They don't like the fact that your people are walking around unchecked."
"So what are you going to do next, tag them? I know the Mutant Registration Act is proposing to tag mutants like they're common animals. They are gearing up for war." Tony said as he put in his two cents.
"I'm not a fool, but if war does break out then the government and your superiors will force S.H.I.E.L.D. to fight against the mutants and the wizarding world even when they know it's wrong. You need to stand up to them." Tony said.
"It's not that simple," Fury said in hopes they would understand the position he was in. He hated how his superiors put him into these positions.
"My mentor once told me, the difference is always difficult between doing what is right and what is easy." Harry said. Fury said nothing but stared at him with his one good eye.
"Wise words. I'll talk to my superiors. See that we don't do a repeat of history. They would like it better if you would work for S.H.I.E.L.D. for life, but I can see that won't work well. So I want you to take a look at this." Nick Fury said handing him a folder with the words 'Avengers Initiative' stamped across the front.
Monaco, France
Harry and Tony stepped out of the car and waved to the crowd that was loudly cheering their names.
"What is this place again?" Morgan asked as she got out of the car. She look up at the Hotel de Paris and couldn't help but feel a bit disgusted with muggles and their technology.
"This is a social gathering; Tony also has the car his company sponsors racing today." Harry said.
"Oh, I hate this." Morgan said through her teeth as she gave a smile to the crowd.
"Deal with it, we are doing this to gain public favor." Harry said.
"Hey, don't be upset or anything for the next twenty minutes." Tony said to Pepper as they walked in the hotel.
"Why would I be upset?" She asked.
"Mr. Stark." Natalie said as she approaches them.
"Oh why didn't I see this coming?" Pepper said through her teeth.
"How was your flight?" Natalie asked while giving him a smile.
"It was excellent, its really good to see you again Natalie." Tony said.
"We have one photographer from the ACM, if you don't mind."
"Sure." Tony said.
"When did this happen?" Pepper asked under her voice.
"What, you made me do it." Tony remarked.
"I made you do what?" Pepper asked.
"When I promoted you, I had to find a new assistant." Tony said through his teeth.
"Let's find us a table shall we?" Harry said before Pepper decided to drag the incident any further.
"You look fantastic," Tony said as Natalie thanked him "But that's unprofessional. What's on the docket?"
"You have a nine thirty dinner."
"Great I'll be there at eleven." Tony said as he walked through the tables and saw a corner table he liked. "Is this table us?" Tony asked.
"It can be."
"Make it so."
"Mr. Musk, how are you." Pepper said as she greeted the millionaire airplane designer.
"Great, thank you. Hey, congratulations on the promotion." Mr. Musk said as he shook hands with Pepper.
"Why thank you." Pepper said.
"Hey Elon, how you been? Those Merlin engines are fantastic" Tony said shaking hands with him.
"Great. Hey I've got an idea for an electric jet."
"Great, show me the test runs and I'll get you the next available slot." Tony promised.
"Sounds good, hey till next time!" Tony said as he walked towards the bar.
"Anthony! Is that you?" A voice called out.
"It's my least favorite person on Earth: Justin Hammer." Tony said as he turn to his somewhat rival.
"Hey pal, you're not the only rich guy here with a fancy car. You know Christine Everhart from Vanity Fair." Justine said introducing the blond next to him.
"Yes we do, she did quite the spread on Tony last year." Pepper said in a muted tone.
"And a story, she did a story on me as well." Tony piped in.
"Which was very enjoyable." Harry eagerly said, hoping to avoid any conflicts.
"Big story, the new COO of Stark Industries."
"I know, congratulations. Listen, my editor will kill me if I don't grab a quote for our Powerful Woman issue. So can I?"
"Sure." Pepper said before making an excuse about going to the bathroom.
"She's actually doing a big spread on me for Vanity Fair. I thought I'd throw her a bone, you know." Justin said.
"Well we all do what we can." Harry said as he raised his glass.
"So buddy, how are you doing? You're looking gorgeous." Justin said.
"I'm well thank you." Tony said trying to avoid Justin who was feeling clingy on him.
"Can I ask you guys… is this the first time… hey is this the first time since the Senate Hearing you two have seen each other?"
"Actually since he got his contract revoked." Tony said.
"Actually it's on hold." Justin said.
"What's the difference between 'on hold' and 'cancelled'?" Tony asked in a sarcastic voice.
"Yeah what is?" Christine asked.
"Well if you must know I'm hoping to present something at your Expo."
"Well if you invented something that works, I'll think about giving you a slot." Tony said.
"More like kick him too the curb." Harry mutters as he drains his drink.
"Mr. Stark, your corner table is ready." Natalie said as she came over.
"I actually have a slot this year." Justin said.
"Hammer needs a slot Christine."
"We kid yeah… we're kidders." Justin said, giving off a couple of small, awkward chuckles.
Harry shook his head and was ashamed to see a man as rich as Tony was groveling for achievement.
"Do you know where Tony went?" Harry asked about ten minutes later as he looks around.
"I'm not his servant." Morgan mutters drinking another Champaigne glass.
Harry gives her a slight look.
"Are you getting drunk?"
"No. I'm tipsy." She answered as she gave a hiccup.
"What's the use of having and owning a race car… if you don't drive it?" Tony said on T.V.
"Oh you've got to be kidding me." Harry said, watching Tony contend among professional racers. Harry had to admit Tony was doing very good to keep up with them on such a fast course. Then again, he thought, Tony loved to drive fast with his own cars.
"He forgot to drink his potion again." Morgan said as she looks at the screen.
"Not again, he has to drink it every hour." Harry said as he watches the race go on. But the screen suddenly changed when a lone figure began walking on the race track.
"This isn't good." Harry said as the man pulled out what appeared to be a pair of electrified whips and started attacking the race cars.
"We got to go." Harry said.
"Stark needs his suit." Morgan said.
"Happy, where's Happy?" Harry said taking off through the crowd.
"He could just summon the case to him." Morgan replied taking another sip of Champaign.
Harry ran up to Happy, and grabbed the case, casting a quick spell to vanish the handcuffs linking it to his arm and disappearing from sight.
When Harry reappeared on the racetrack he could see Tony trying his best to keep his distance. Despite his frantic efforts, the man was closing the gap.
"Tony." Harry said tossing him the case. The man turns to see Harry standing there. What caught Harry's eye was the chest piece in the man's little get-up. Somehow, this guy was able to copy Stark's own inventions. Harry didn't even want to begin pondering where he managed to build one.
Summoning his staff towards him Harry robes changed from blue to black as Thanatos reappeared.
Casting a spell, Harry set up a barrier to prevent the other race cars from enter the now combative area.
The man grinned, displaying his dirty, gold plated teeth as he moved to attack. Harry deflected his blows, but the backlash of the attack caused Harry to stumble back a few feet. The next crackling lash wrapped around Harry's staff, yanking it out of his hands. Harry took a few steps back to avoid the next whip that came for his head. Placing his thumb in his palm he thrust his hand forward and the strange man fell back.
Tony grabbed his suit and put it on. It took him awhile, but he stood ready to fight. His first move: firing a repulsor blast straight into the man's back.
"This guy's a pain." Tony said as Harry appeared by his side.
"He has tech based off yours. He must have stolen it somehow." Harry said.
"Must have paid a lot of people off to get that technology. Oh well, we can find out later, let's kick his ass." Tony said as he raised his hand up. "Whiplash here just wants some fame. I'm going to give him some." Tony said as the humming in his arm began.
Whiplash cracked his whips and hit Tony in the arm causing them to cut through the outer flaps like a pair of steel knives cutting through butter. Tony got up and fired another shot but Whiplash deflected it with his whips.
"That's not going to work; we need to close the distance." Harry said as he ignited the guy with lighting from his fingertips. Unlike with Tony's Iron Man repulsers, Whiplash was unable to deflect or dodge the lighting that came from Harry. He also wasn't wearing a full body suit like Tony's and the lighting actually arced across his skin causing him to scream in pain. Tony closed the gap and got a few good jabs in before knocking him out cold. Tony grabbed the chest piece and held it in his hand, his eyes carefully scanning it. Harry summons the strange harness away from Whiplash and looked at it. Despite the junk that held many similarities between the Mark I and this suit, it was well made. Harry knew he would have to have Tony take a look at it later.
The CRS came in and took Whiplash into custody. Despite losing the battle, he was laughing at them, claiming that they had lost. Shaking his head, Harry summoned his staff back to him and cast a reparo on Tony's suit to repair the damage that was done.
Elsewhere
Morgan was watching the whole thing unfold and was pleased how easily they dispatched the situation. However, she grew worried as she notice a smile creep across the face of Justin Hammer. Morgan knew he had evil intentions in mind and she didn't like it.
A/N: Damn the meeting with Fury took longer than I thought but I hope you guys enjoyed it. Hope you guys enjoy the fight with Whiplash too.
Will be focusing on the mystery girl that i mention last chapter. its going to be Ms. Marvel. As to answer your question about Morgan le Fay status she is a somewhat mentor-servant to Harry Potter. She is bound to his wishes but she can still do things that are within her own will. Don't forget she can be very manipulative and cunning. Harry will be picking up her habits to be the same but an honest type.
Also I will be introducing two other Ultimate/Avenger in the next chapter. Guess who they are.
