So, I ran into a bit of an issue-with Kelly being the pompous jack-ass he is, I realized I had to logical form to get heroes to follow his ideals and join him with Registration, especially because of his mutant stance, which I can hint will escalate more because of the actions of those mutants I showed in the end of the last chapter. Then I remembered-Victoria Hand: despite Osborn's insanity during Dark Reign, she genuinely believed as she stated in New Avengers that he had the right idea and that if it weren't for the Goblin persona destroying him, the results could've been very different. So, I try to play into that tone with this chapter.

Now, I give you Love & War Chapter 12. Enjoy! Marvel owns everything.

Chapter 12: Ramifications

*Stark Industries, Japan branch, Office Building; Tokyo, Japan, Early Morning in USA, but afternoon here. About 7 hours after MRD Announcement*

Stark always wondered what the ramifications would be since the moment he chose to say those four words in front of the cameras. I am Iron Man. He wondered if because of that, he had caused this problem, if he had paved the way for this "solution" Kelly was proposing for America.

No one in Stark Industries' Japanese branch knew he was here; he was in the penthouse office on the very top of the tower, and he had come in the dead of night in Tokyo. Thanks to his armor's stealth mode, the Japanese military didn't notice the Iron Man suit entering the nation, for which he was very grateful, because he was not in a mood to be bothered. Ever since he left Houston, his view of what he was doing…what superheroes were doing, had been shattered.

2,000 lives were lost or changed forever, because the Avengers weren't fast enough, because the New Mutants had screwed up his team's chance to save the day.

He sat on the large plush couch, his armor across the room, a Martini in his hand. He had kicked his alcoholism years ago, but now, all he wanted was to drown everything in Martinis. It wasn't working at all. The bodies and charred skeletons and maimed survivors wouldn't escape his mind, would not leave him be when he closed his eyes. It was torture, and all because he and his team weren't fast enough…weren't good enough.

'Sir,' JARVIS said. 'You have an incoming transmission.'

"JARVIS, I already told you, I don't want to speak to any of the Avengers right now, or anyone from SHIELD," Stark snapped. "Tell them I am not available."

'The transmission isn't from any of your associates, sir.'

That caught his attention a bit. "So then who is it from?"

'One Ms. Victoria Hand, Director of H.A.M.M.E.R.-sir, I'm afraid my protocols are being overridden.'

"Stark, we need to talk," a female voice came as a projection of a video transmission appeared. The woman in the transmission was Director Victoria Hand.

"How the hell did you get past JARVIS's protocols?!" Stark replied angrily. "I wrote those myself!"

"You expect me to tell you all my secrets?" Hand replied briskly. "Ok, that's not the point. Right now, I'm just the messenger; Kelly and I would like to speak with you-in person and as soon as possible."

"And why the hell would I speak to you after what you did in Houston?" Stark sneered.

"Because I think you're a very smart man who's trying to understand where he went wrong in Houston," Hand replied with total honesty, shocking the armored Avenger. "And because I wish that there was a way to take back what happened in Houston, but there isn't, so I'm trying to do what I can to ensure another Houston doesn't happen again. Because I still believe in heroes, Iron Man, and I know that the world-this nation still needs them, but that they need the nation just as much. And because I believe in a tomorrow where we can still have heroes and have the public trust them. Will you come, Mr. Stark?"

Her words startled Tony. At first, Hand seemed like a flunky that would bend to Kelly's will at any moment and follow his orders blindly, but now she struck him as someone who genuinely believed that with the right work and time, the SPRA could actually do some good.

And he was curious to see why.

*SHIELD Helicarrier, 10 miles outside Washington, DC; Around the same time*

The conference room assigned specifically for the Secret Warriors-SHIELD's crack superhuman response black ops team-was missing some members, had some new recruits…and had a visitor in the shape of a war god.

"Ares, do you really have to be here?" Fury sighed as he rubbed his temple.

"You plan to turn these Secret Warriors into a more world proactive fighting force, as the mighty Avengers," the Greek God of War stated. "My son Phobos is a part of said Warriors; I allowed him to be a part of this team because my faith in you and your leadership is plentiful, but if you plan to send him to face the likes of Doom or the Masters of Evil in the stead of the Avengers, I would like to have a say in that, Fury."

"He's got a point," Betty Ross, the Red She-Hulk, said.

"Fine, fine, you can stay for the while," the Director relented. "Not like I can argue with a god of war, anyways."

"So where are Widow and Coulson?" Winter Soldier asked.

"Coulson's meeting with the American President," Fury responded. "Widow…well, until this Registration Act goes through, I'm keeping her on reserve status, since she's also an Avenger. I'd like to see her stance on the whole thing. Anyways, I'm sure you all already know these two agents here, but for politeness sake, this is Agent 13, or Sharon Carter, and Dum Dumm Dugan; they'll be part of the Secret Warriors, effective immediately."

"Mate, if you're going to have us work as Avengers like Ares said," Blade interjected, "I would've thought you'd recruited people with a little more…what's the word…firepower; no offense to the both of you."

"None taken," Carter replied nonchalantly.

"No worries, we'll convince ya on the field," Dugan smirked.

"Ok, so since the Avengers are preoccupied with Kelly's crap of a law, we're the world's foremost line of defense now?" Daisy Johnson, Quake, asked.

"Kid, you always were the foremost line of defense-you guys just did it on the low, behind the scenes," Fury smirked. "Just think of yourselves as being more public."

"Fury, I gotta be honest-how does this law affect us?" Ross asked. "The majority of us are American citizens, after all, and we-"

"Are now fully deputized agents of SHIELD," Fury answered with authority. "Effective as of this morning; figured it'd be the only way to keep you all from having to deal with Kelly." Fury then turned to Blade. "I think that since you're originally British, the law won't affect you, but I figured Kelly would try to do something about you anyways, so you are also an agent of SHIELD."

"No problem, Fury," the British vampire hunter replied. "It'll help in case Parliament tries to do the same thing with us in Excalibur."

"I think Parliament is a bit more intelligent than the current US Congress," Fury replied.

"Am I also an agent of SHIELD now?" Phobos asked. "My father and I live in the Bronx, after all."

"Kid, you're the freakin' Greek God of Fear-I'd PAY to see someone try to get you to register."

"Fury speaks truth, son," Ares added. "We as gods hold no requirement to abide by the laws of mere mortals. I can guarantee you Hercules as well as Thor will not abide by it, either."

"So what now, Fury?" Barnes asked. "We just wait until we see where this goes before the Warriors act like the new Avengers?"

"Speaking of the Avengers, did you make this offer with them?" Quake asked. "They're a world organization and-"

"They'd never go for it," Fury replied. "The Avengers won't work for anybody, as they shouldn't, and even this wouldn't be considered by them as a means to escape Registration. We'll just have to wait and see where this goes."

*Oval Office, White House, same time*

"Sir, I think you need to reconsider-" Coulson began again, but the President wasn't having any of it.

"Agent Coulson, an attack happened on American soil-caused by superhumans and mutants; I am in favor of mutants and superheroes, I really am, but if they're going to keep acting in this kind of manner, then I think Senator Kelly is right. I've seen the plans for the Superpower Registration Act, and I honestly think Kelly has the right idea-"

"Mr. President, if Kelly's bill goes into law, the enemies of America, along with the entire world, will rise into a panic. All superpowered individuals will in essence become soldiers of the US armed forces; they will be seen as a superhuman army run by the nation that is widely considered as the planet's strongest!"

"You think I want that, Agent Coulson?!" the President fumed. "I can think of 10 nations and groups off the top of my head that would use lethal force against this nation if that happened. But…" the President sighed, "I have a people to answer to, and they are demanding that superhumans and mutants in America take responsibility; this Act can provide that, and I will do everything in my power-EVERYTHING-to ensure that they are used only domestically, not as weapons to be sent into the Middle East or something. You have my word."

"It's not your word I don't believe, sir," Coulson replied as he turned to leave, realizing he wasn't going to get through to this man. "It's Kelly's word SHIELD, Fury and I are concerned about."

*Aunt May's House, Forest Hills, Queens, a few hours later*

"Peter Parker, I swear that if I catch you on screen signing that man's bill, I will make your life very miserable!"

Peter couldn't help but chuckle at his beloved aunt's warm threat…although part of him wondered if she was actually being complete honest. It wouldn't surprise him after seeing Carol's face after she threatened her, and Carol could throw May into space if she wanted to…if she wasn't a bit scared of her, too.

"Aunt May, I'm not going to tell the world who I am, don't worry," Peter replied. "Seriously, why would you even think that? It'd make your life, MJ's life, Harry's life, Carlie's life, and Carol's life a living hell if my enemies found out who I was. No way am I letting that happen."

"What about Carol, sweetie?" May asked with concern.

"Carol is against it too, Aunt May," Peter replied instantly, the woman in question back in her apartment. "Besides, eventually, we'll be starting a family and she doesn't want to have our children living under the constant threat of my enemies ready to kill them because they know who I am."

"But she used to be military," May countered. "What if they reactivate her for duty?"

"I don't think that'd stop her," Peter smirked. "Trust me, Aunt May; Carol isn't going to support Kelly's registration law. I know my fiancé."

*Carol Danvers' apartment, Upper West Side of Manhattan*

Her duty was always to her country, first and foremost, when she had been Air Force.

Then she became Ms. Marvel, and her duty was to the innocent. As an Avenger, her duty was to the world.

As a heroine, her duty was to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.

But wasn't it also her duty to ensure she was trained enough-? No, she was trained by the best military on the planet, and she was disciplined enough.

…But what about the new heroes rising up? What of those already out there, if they made a mistake? What about the future generations of superhuman heroes…like her children, if they had powers?

Carol pondered these thoughts as she stared out her window towards the sun set, the light adding an ethereal glowing beauty to her blonde hair. She knew that Kelly's Registration Act would be the spark to a fuse already in place that would ignite many dangerous situations. An entire population would be turned into a privatized army. America would be even more powerful, and other countries would respond in their own way. What if the UK tried to militarize Excalibur?

But the other aspects of the law made sense, and they appealed. They promised training and discipline for upcoming heroes, to prepare them to be the next generation of champions. If her children would be heroes, then that was something she'd want for them-training.

Carol was torn, unsure of what to think.

*Capitol Hill, that evening; Washington DC*

Stark touched down in front of the Capitol Building, no regard for the loud noise the armor was making or for the people watching him. Nor was there any regard when he simply walked into the Capitol building despite the protests of the security guards, walked straight to the visitor center desk and said, "Kelly's office. Now."

Five minutes later, Iron Man entered the office of Senator Robert Kelly; he was surprised to see the office filled with a number of laptops and large screens with satellite images of America, as well as Hawaii, Alaska, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guantanamo Bay and Puerto Rico, along with other US-controlled islands and military bases worldwide. A table in the middle showed an entire array of digitalized graphs, statistics and other things. The only two people in the office were standing by the table.

"Ah, Mr. Stark," Kelly said with an unreadable grin as he walked over to welcome his guest. "Welcome to the temporary headquarters of H.A.M.M.E.R. Ms. Hand told me you were willing to listen to us."

"Cut the crap, Kelly, and let's get to the point," Stark snapped as he removed his helmet. "Why do you want to speak with me?"

"Because I want to convince you to support Registration, Iron Man," Kelly replied simply. "I think Houston was a clear example of what is possible with superheroes not being well trained and responsible enough."

It only took two seconds for Stark to turn to leave. "I don't have time for this."

"Mr. Stark," Hand called after him as he was about to open the door. "Despite Senator Kelly's cynical approach to the topic, you have to admit that the factor of training and responsibility is a superb notion, one that the American public is demanding now, and besides that, I find it very noticeable how Houston is affecting you."

That caught Stark's attention. Debating with himself for a few seconds, he turned and walked back towards Director Hand. "Ms. Hand, you said you wanted to prevent another Houston and that you still believed in heroes. If that's the case, why did you arrest the New Mutants?"

"Because they played a hand in Mastermind's destruction of Houston; Stark, if those children didn't escalate the situation I am pretty sure Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man and Scarlet Spider could've stopped that terrorist from using Maximoff as a living weapon."

"They were mind controlled-"

"And were under the orders of Wolverine to not engage and to remain with the Avengers in fighting the Brotherhood; if they didn't charge in recklessly, the whole thing wouldn't have happened. Stark, I took this job to prevent an event like Houston. I want heroes to remain out there, because we need to be honest-there are threats in this world that SHIELD and SWORD and the like can never stand up to, but the likes of the Avengers can and have. But now more than ever, our country is filling up with people who have powers that if unchecked can destroy cities, maybe countries. The Registration Act will provide these individuals-superhuman and mutant alike-the path to use and channel their powers correctly, and use rational thought in the heat of battle."

"You know, it's funny," Stark replied. "You say superhuman and mutant, but when I asked Kelly earlier, he refused to make any mention of mutants in his plans."

"No, I said I would not have them in H.A.M.M.E.R. in any way or form, Stark," Kelly retorted with a huff. "The act is open to them as well, if they chose."

"Really? So you won't try to imprison them, especially after you just announced the creation of a Mutant Response Division?"

"The MRD is a branch of H.A.M.M.E.R. that will respond accordingly to acts of mutant aggression, nothing more," Hand interjected. "Everything in H.A.M.M.E.R. is under my direct authority, Iron Man, and I am telling you now, I intend to do everything in my power to make sure that Registration does what it says it will do. I believe in a world where heroes are looked up to, Iron Man," she continued with sincerity, "and I don't want another Houston to happen. Stark, this law is what the nation needs, and your support, and the support of the Avengers, would help show the heroes in this nation that it is indeed a notion that can work."

"The majority of Avengers are American citizens, Director Hand," Stark said. "If we register, it'll make our first responsibility to the United States; the Avengers' responsibility is to the world, in keeping it safe."

"You can still be Avengers to the world and remain loyal to the country, Stark," Hand replied.

"There's the question of secret identities."

"They'll only have to reveal themselves to the US government, and only select officials."

"The nations of the world will see us as a superhuman army under the authority of one of the most powerful countries on the planet."

"I have no intention of using the heroes registered under the Act for anything other than domestic purposes. Sending superhuman soldiers oversees is like sending a nuke right into Tehran."

"How can we know that you'll keep your word?"

Hand sighed and looked at Stark with total honesty. "Because I am personally drafting a treaty with the UN World Assembly and the President that will ensure just that; I am not interested in a superhuman arms race, Iron Man-all I want is for heroes to be responsible and well trained, to have authority to answer to when the situation seems tough, and to prevent another Houston from happening."

Stark looked at Hand, astounded by her words.

"I want to do some good with this law, Iron Man; I sincerely believe that the Superpower Registration Act will help benefit both this nation and America's superhuman and mutant community. I will do everything in my power to ensure that this is done right, and I think I can do it…if you'll be my second in command."

"What?" both men replied in unified shock.

"Yes, Mr. Kelly, I'd like Iron Man to be my deputy director; I know you'd rather I pick from the other candidates you've chosen but I think someone from the superhero community would be a much better choice in this matter."

Kelly seemed to think it over for a minute, looking between Stark and Hand a few times, before shrugging his shoulders. "If Stark agrees to do so, I see no problem with it."

"Will you accept the offer, Mr. Stark?"

Tony thought about it. The notions that Kelly was trying to put into play with H.A.M.M.E.R., mutantkind and Registration seemed way too extreme, especially since Kelly kept calling mutants a plague and he created the MRD; Victoria Hand, however, seemed like the opposite could happen instead. Besides, Stark would be lying to himself if many of the ideals didn't appeal-proper training, discipline…many heroes just dove right into heroics when they got the power-hell, he was one of them. But sometimes, there were consequences as a result, and Hand was looking to make sure such things never happened again. She was hopeful about this act, and in honesty, her hopefulness was rubbing off onto him. Stark was beginning to think that Registration, if done right, could impact in the right way. Not only that, there was the promise of keeping them in domestic use, not as weapons.

"Ok, Director Hand," Tony Stark said. "You have your second in command. And I will relay this to the Avengers; the Avengers will support the Act."

Hand's smile was purely genuine. "Thank you, Mr. Stark."

"But there is something I still want to know," he continued before looking at Kelly. "What did you do with the New Mutants?"

Kelly sighed. "I knew you'd ask me that eventually; come over to this table and see; they're plans for a prison for holding mutant aggressors." He looked up at Stark. "AGGRESSORS, not mutantkind in general."

Sighing, Stark followed Hand to the table to see Kelly's plans. All the while, Kelly was ecstatic. Not only was his Act getting support nationwide, but a co-leader of the Avengers had decided to support the Act as well. He knew he made the right move of hiring Victoria Hand as director of H.A.M.M.E.R. and letting her be the one to talk Stark into supporting the Act. Sure…there may have been a few things he twisted when he told her what to say to him, but it got him the support he needed. When the superhero community saw that a co-leader of the Avengers was on his side, they'd fall right into line behind him. As for the mutants in America…he had plans for them. All he needed to ensure the success of his law was as many superheroes backing him as possible.

Everything was going perfectly.

*The New Xavier School for the Gifted; San Francisco, California; next morning*

"…and Dr. Lang thanks everyone for those who are willing to take up the call to deal with the plague mutant aggression as members within the ranks of the MRD."

Scott Summers, Logan, Jean, Charles Xavier, Emma Frost and Beast were watching the morning news, which incidentally had another segment for Senator Kelly's Superpower Registration Act. Scott wasn't sure how much more of this garbage he could take; the most anti-mutant senator was pushing for superheroes to register once the act was passed, and he still said nothing about mutants other than they were a plague and that the MRD was created to deal with mutant aggressors. The fact that he still had the New Mutants imprisoned God knows where made him furious, enough that Jean and Emma would occasionally cringe from the psychic feedback of his angry thoughts.

"Senator Kelly still hasn't revealed where the children are," Xavier mused.

"Call him what he is, Chuck," Logan growled. "A dirty asshole sonuva-"

"Even if we find out where they are, Professor," Jean interjected, "what are we going to do? It's not like we can just attack them and rescue them?"

"Why not?" Logan remarked.

"I am long past making decisions of such, Jean," Xavier said. "Whatever we do will be Scott's decision."

"Well, whatever Slim says, if the man don' shut up soon, I'm going to-"

"Now, I am going to reveal another tidbit under the Superpower Registration Act. As you all are aware of, Houston was the site of a vicious battle between the Avengers and the Brotherhood of Mutant Supremacy. These mutant terrorists have stopped at nothing to ensure that the way of life of people like you and me is disrupted and they can proclaim themselves our superiors. Well, I say no more. With H.A.M.M.E.R. director Victoria Hand, I have secure the ability to create a prison to hold mutant aggressors that dare to disrupt the American way of life. It has been tested and it is a success! Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you America's first mutant detainment center-PRIME Containment facility!"

The six mutants gasped as the cameras shifted point of view from the studio Kelly was in to the Nevada Desert, were a large facility was located. It appeared like a prison and a factory. Electric fences with watchtowers surrounded the facility and a helipad was visible. There was a military presence and the air around the facility screamed sinister.

"The PRIME Containment Facility will begin a slew of prisons constructed to ensure that superhuman and mutant aggressors that threaten America are contained and corrected accordingly. Under the guard of the US military and H.A.M.M.E.R. troops, it promises…"

"They said it was tested," Jean whispered with shock, as Logan stood up in shock.

"That's where the children are, then," Emma said with urgency. "What do we do?"

"The decision is Scott's, Emma," Xavier said sagely.

Scott looked at the screen, hearing Kelly's voice but not listening; if Kelly was serious when he said that the facility was tested, then Jean was right-the New Mutants were inside. Beyond doubt, they were probably under questionable conditions and ethics. Scott was Cyclops, the leader of the X-Men, a teacher at the school, and one of the world's greatest advocates for human-mutant peaceful co-existence. He needed to keep face, ensure he practiced what he preached, or his efforts would fall apart in seconds. But there were his students, and they were his responsibility. Scott stood up, his decision made.

"Logan," he said as he turned to his greatest friend. "Assemble X-Force."

SNIKT SNIKT!

"Bub, it'd be my genuine pleasure."

XXXXXXXXXX-A/N-XXXXXXXXXX

So, how did you like it? I plan to develop Hand's character quite a bit in this story and also tinker with Kelly as well.

As always, your feedback and reviews are always welcome, and anything you would like to ask, leave in a review or PM me.

And for anyone following my Justice League Tomorrow story, a new chapter was also posted up.

Next up: More Peter/Carol moments, a jailbreak and...IRON MAN VS. WOLVERINE! And DEADPOOL! DEADPOOL EVERYWHERE!

Until next time readers; Happy New Years, and I hope you all enjoyed your holidays.