A/N) So I've had to remove a scene from this chapter due to the explicit nature of it. The scene itself isn't too explicit but if anyone wishes to read it, it is available on Archive of our Own. I use the same username there as I do here.

PART FOUR

THE WAR ON EARTH

Chapter Five

The Armour

The fact Tony had both succeeded and failed in his mission was a conundrum to Thanos. He had retrieved the data the Titan had ordered him to and had deleted it from the Stark Industries server. However he had also failed to issue the killing command to the Chitauri kill squad.

And the failure to issue the command was a much bigger issue for Thanos, especially since Tony had issued the command before in the intervening years without hesitation.

Tony knelt in the centre of the room, his hands bound in front of him, his head bowed with his chin resting on his chest.

Proxima stood in front of Thanos, detailing Tony's exact actions during the attack. Thanos was also incensed they had failed to bring Pepper Potts to him. He wanted her as a hostage to ensure Tony's continuing compliance. Unfortunately, the Avengers had rescued her after Tony had been returned to Thanos' custody by Corvas.

He was glad about that. He hadn't wanted Pepper to suffer the indignity of what he was about to go through himself. The threat of the Chitauri having him still terrified him. Proxima had suggested it as punishment for Tony's betrayal, for daring to hurt Corvas, for turning on them, after everything they had done for them.

Tony had yelled, had shouted out in defiance that they had never done anything for him.

Proxima had punched him in the face to silence him, her anger showing through as she left a large, bloody welt on the side of his face, the blood still dripping down his cheek.

Footsteps came closer and Tony looked up.

Thanos had risen from his throne and was now standing in front of Tony.

The Titan's fingers messed in his hair.

Fear coursed up Tony's spine. It was never a good thing when the Titan touched him on the head.

"It is a great shame you decided to betray me, to turn against us. You know full well what the consequences of your actions will be. Pain. Pain that you have never experienced before."

Tony breathed in deep. "I'm ready," he hissed in defiance.

"You think so, Stark?" chuckled Thanos. "I believe my daughter, Proxima, promised you something down on Earth."

Tony stilled. No… God no… Please…

"Now you see. You will have another chance to please me but first, I think the Chitauri deserve a reward for their many years of dedicated service. Do you not agree, Stark?" the Titan caressed his head tenderly.

Panic set in and he attempted to pull away but Thanos tightened his grip on Tony's head. He could hardly breathe. This was not happening. It was not…

"Please…" whimpered Tony. "I can't…"

"You should have considered the punishment before acting out," stated Thanos. "I will reward you for success but for failure…" He didn't need to finish the sentence.

Proxima took Tony by the throat as Thanos released him and dragged him away. "Let's get you prepared, shall we?"

Horror welled up inside Tony. He couldn't believe this was happening. He felt numb and in shock. His limbs did not work and he felt sick to the stomach.

"It's a shame Pepper is not here to see this. Maybe if she was here, she'd be the one on the receiving end of this…" Proxima said darkly. "But then, Corvas, may have wanted to use her too… Humans are such fun to play with…" she trailed off.

Pepper. They had intended for Pepper to be the victim here. If there was anything that strengthened Tony's resolve it was the fact that it was better he received the punishment than it being Pepper. He would never be able to forgive himself if he had to endure the pain of watching Pepper be tortured or worse… raped.

Tony didn't know how long the rape went on for, only that there were multiple Chitauri warriors who came to take him. Proxima watched it all happen, her grin getting wider and wider as Tony continued to scream and sob before finally falling silent, only flinching with each penetration.

Finally, he lay, exhausted, his body hurting. Proxima moved forward slowly, pacing herself as she took on the sight of Tony's battered body.

Her hands brushed his buttocks.

Tony was done. Completely done.

"You've been thoroughly used now," she mused. "Now, Tony, each time you attempt to betray us this will be your punishment. The more times you turn on us, the longer the punishment will last. I'm sure you do not wish to experience that again, do you?"

Numbly, he shook his head.

"And, when we reacquire your lover, she will be the one bent over this slab on the receiving end of this whilst you watch… I think that will give you an incentive to not betray us again." She moved around him, slapping him on his cheek and then taking his chin. "Isn't that right, Tony?"

"Yes," he answered. It was the only response they would accept.

"Good."

He was returned to his quarters and left alone. They'd dumped him on the bed, leaving him curled up in a ball, clutching his knees to his chest.

It had nearly been Pepper. The thought that Pepper may have had to suffer the indignity of what he had just gone through… Don't think of it.

Trying not to dwell on his punishment was difficult. He could still feel their hands on his hips, the rocking of his body…

God, he was so messed up.

His hand strayed to the arc reactor in his chest. If it could only be so easy for him to end it all, he would. But they always knew. He never dared, not anymore.

"It would probably help if someone could cover the alarms proclaiming your life is in danger."

The smooth, mocking voice jolted Tony from his thoughts.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, glaring angrily at the Trickster god in front of him.

"Annoying you, obviously," replied Loki.

Tony continued to glare. "Spit it out." He wasn't in the mood for games, not after what he'd just suffered. Loki had terrible timing. "Besides, aren't you meant to be betraying Thor?"

Loki chuckled. "As far as Thanos is aware, yes."

Narrowing his eyes, Tony searched the god's face. "You're working with Thor… Playing the dangerous game."

"I know it is likely to kill me in the end but Thanos cannot get those stones, Stark. And I know about your little rebellion on Earth. They may have broken you but you are slowly fighting back," mused Loki. "Even now, after your punishment, you are still simmering with rage, wanting to get revenge on those that have tormented you for so long."

Tony gritted his teeth. "You know nothing."

"Do I have to tell you in easy words before you understand I know what you've been working on?" sighed Loki. "But they don't know. But now you took your first step of rebellion, they may just start looking deeper into what you are making here."

Tony clenched his fists. "What am I doing?"

"You want me to say it?" Loki raised an eyebrow.

"I'm asking you," retorted Tony.

"They'll hear."

Tony smirked.

Loki stepped forward, moving closer to him, leaning forward so his lips were by Tony's ear. "You are creating a suit that is invincible against the Infinity Stones and capable of wielding them."

Tony moved back, shocked. How the hell had Loki found out?

"Remember, I looked into your head, Stark. I saw everything in there. I don't want Thanos to win either which is why I haven't betrayed you."

"You're protecting me?" Tony asked uncertainly.

"As much as I can. It's nearly finished, isn't it?"

He'd been working on this suit for years, cleverly disguising it as abandoned projects that had failed, but bit by bit he was putting it together. It was more advanced than the suit he wore on missions. But this suit should be capable of harnessing the power of the Infinity Stones and of defending against them. He wouldn't know until he was in battle but it was the best he was capable of giving. He was sure he was going to die in the coming days but it would be worth it and he'd finally be at peace.

"Yes," he admitted.

"Stark, I can get you out of here, if you let me," offered the Trickster.

It was such a tempting offer to take. "We'll be caught before we even make it out the door," he whispered in reply.

"Not right now. You want out. I can deliver you your freedom."

Tony looked down at his feet. "The only freedom I will ever have is death."

"I see there is no reasoning with you," stated Loki. "Very well. Just know, Stark, that I am willing to help you if you chose to take me up on the offer."

"Don't worry, I won't be." As much as the offer was tempting, Tony knew he had to stay.

He still had work to do.

Loki returned to the Avenger's Compound after checking in with Thanos. He'd been ordered to the ship that was currently circling above Earth's atmosphere, out of range of detection by their satellites. Thanos had demanded an update on the location of the Mind Stone which was on Earth, held by Heimdell. His mission was to retrieve it but he'd also been ordered to infiltrate the Avengers and sabotage them, something he hadn't been very successful at, considering they'd prevented Thanos' children from acquiring Pepper Potts.

Of course, Loki wasn't really trying to let Thanos win. He needed some victories to ensure his cover remained intact. He was playing a dangerous game.

They were sitting in a secured command room waiting for Loki to begin his report. Everyone was there. Every member of the Avengers and other allies had arrived. Gamora from the Guardians was also sitting around the table. Stark's former girlfriend was as well though Loki didn't see why she had to be there but he wasn't going to argue about the semantics of it.

"Thanos has three Infinity Stones," he confirmed. He'd noticed the third stone in the Gauntlet as he reported to Thanos.

"The Reality Stone?" Gamora paled. "He retrieved it from Knowhere?"

Loki shrugged. "I'm not sure where he got it from, only that he has it. He is halfway to achieving his goal. Two stones remain here, where is the third?"

"No one knows," answered Gamora. "The Soul Stone has been kept hidden for years. There is no way possible for him to retrieve it."

Loki watched her carefully. He could tell she knew something more than she was letting on, but he would allow it to pass for now. He didn't need to know the specifics of what she was hiding from them, unless it became a danger to the survival of the universe and he doubted she knew where the last Stone was.

"What's Thanos' plan now?" asked Rogers.

The man was unbearable to be around. He didn't trust Loki but was willing to work with him because of Thor. It still grated that Loki had changed, and was no longer the person they had encountered years ago. Thanos had been responsible for Loki's state of mind then. He was risking life and limb to ensure the Titan failed in his holy quest. And yet he was still treated like he was a villain rather than a precursor of information.

"He knows we are protecting the Time Stone here," explained Loki. "He is aware the Asgardians in Norway are protecting the Mind Stone. Heimdell is keeping it safe until we can decide what to do with it. He will come for one of the two stones. I would guess the Mind Stone will be next. He will send Stark."

"Are you sure on that?" asked Steve quietly.

"Yes. Stark has been involved in obtaining every Infinity Stone so far. He'll be sent against the Asgardians, I'm sure of it."

"Did they hurt him?" asked Pepper.

Loki turned his gaze on her. "Yes. He defied the will of Thanos. The punishment was severe."

Pepper clutched her arms to her chest.

"But, his will to fight back is only stronger. Seeing you again, Miss Potts, seems to have invigorated him. I think if we were able to capture Stark, we might be able to bring him back into the fold," explained Loki. "I even offered to help him escape when I saw him not that long ago. He refused."

"What? Why?" Steve queried. "Surely he'd want to be away from them…"

"That's what I thought," noted Loki. He had been surprised but once he had been sure of what Stark was up to, his refusal had made sense. "It seems he has spent the last few years designing a suit which is capable of harnessing the Infinity Stones. Thanos is unaware of this otherwise I am sure the remnants of the armour would not exist within Stark's quarters."

"Tony's doing what?" muttered Bruce, surprise echoing in his voice.

There was a small smile on Gamora's face. "He's fighting back."

"He has been for years, mostly in little ways. I don't think he really knows he has been doing it," noted Loki, "but he's become more aware of what he's been creating. He stayed because he needs to make the finishing touches to the suit." He placed his hands upon the table. "Unfortunately, it's the matter of getting Stark to take that final step. I do not think he will push himself to do so."

"But he did when I was in danger," said Pepper. "Tony and I…" She looked at Gamora. "Did he really talk about me a lot?"

"He did. He found some comfort in doing so," she replied, "however because you were his faith, they know acquiring you will be a way to keep him in line, and ensure his compliance."

Loki watched the conversation with interest. "The best option is to liberate him from his captors once the suit is finished but that will prove difficult."

"Then let's set a trap for him," suggested Barton.

He'd been against receiving aid from Loki but had ultimately been under voted. Thor's support of his brother had urged the others to at least give Loki a chance, though Roger's continual glares at him only proved he only agreed to listen out of necessity.

"A trap he may easily overcome," noted Loki.

"That may be so, but there are ways to disable him so he cannot escape," said Rogers. "It's harsh and unfair but we need him back. There is always the risk, if he's still on the other side, we'll end up killing him if he isn't safe with us."

Natasha glanced around the table. "Then we need to start making a plan. One that works and is effective in achieving our goals."

"Then plan away," offered Loki, waving his hand in front of him. "I can only inform you when Thanos will next launch his attack. That is if I am summoned before him prior to it. We may have to act quickly without notification."

"We can take all of these variables into account," said Bruce.

They were about to begin discussing a plan to bring Tony in when one of Gamora's alien friends burst in through the door. The Racoon was holding some sort of device in his hand that resembled a communicator.

Loki wasn't too familiar with their part of space, having spent most of his years amongst the Nine Realms, but he had heard tales of a group of Guardians who had saved Xandar from destruction. He knew Gamora was one of them.

"Rocket?" she asked, standing up and moving towards him. "What is it?"

The Racoon held up the communicator. "I got a message from Quill. He's on his way to Terra."

It was of some relief to Gamora that the Guardian's ship made planet-fall in the early hours of the morning, three days after the attack on Stark Industries. Both Drax and Mantis were sporting injuries though they were hardly significant enough to take them out of action. Quill did not leave the ship, prompting Gamora to leave Drax and Mantis to Rocket and Groot who had come to greet them.

It had been thanks to James Rhodes and the support of the Avengers that Quill had been allowed to land, especially after the spate of attacks the planet had suffered in recent days. Though Gamora had been present at one of the attacks to aid the Avengers, she hadn't really been focused upon. Her presence on Earth had remained a secret up until now when the Avengers announced they were working alongside a team of intergalactic heroes.

Gamora wouldn't say they were heroes; they were just people trying to right the wrongs in the universe and do right by themselves.

She found Quill just a little way into the ship. His face was covered in cuts and his right arm was bandaged.

"The bastard broke it," he said as soon as he saw her. "He already had the stone when we got there. The Collector is dead."

Gamora lowered her eyes. "I know. I should have been there."

Quill shook his head. "No. You shouldn't have." He stepped forward and grasped Gamora's arm with his one good one. "He wanted you. If you'd been there, he'd have got you."

Gamora lowered her gaze. "Does he know where I am?"

"He does now. He guessed. He said you'd be where Stark is."

"Damn," she sighed, pulling away from him. Her knowledge of where the soul stone was, was what Thanos would be after, but she had told him she'd never found it. In reality she had. She knew where it was located. She would never divulge the location of it. And as far as she was aware, Thanos didn't know she had lied. He had believed her when she'd informed him she'd failed. Now though, there was a possibility he suspected she must have lied…

"Gamora, what does he want you for?" Quill asked quietly. "I need to know if I can help you."

She shook her head sadly. "You can't help me. Not in the way you think. At some point, Thanos and I will come face to face. He could open up a portal and grab me before I have a chance to do anything about it. When the time comes, we'll deal with Thanos then. Right now, we're focusing upon rescuing Tony. If we can liberate him, we may score a victory we sorely need. And it may prevent Thanos from obtaining another Infinity Stone."

"You really want to help save him, don't you?" asked Quill quietly.

"I do," she admitted. She'd failed Tony before, and she wasn't going to do that again. "What happened to him is my fault. I feel responsible for what he suffered." She looked at him then, noting the sadness and worry in his eyes. "No matter what my feelings for Tony are, it doesn't make you any less important to me. I would never be able to forgive myself if I didn't try… Tony deserves a life and a chance to be who he once was."

"Gamora," Quill said quietly, "after everything he's been through, I don't think it is even possible."

Gamora nodded. "Maybe. But I have to try. If I can save just one life, it will be worth it." Pulling Quill into a hug, Gamora rested her head against his shoulder. "I'm glad you're safe."

"Me too," he replied.

But she knew neither of them would be safe for long.

Thanos was coming to Earth.

Tony knelt in front of Thanos, head bowed low as he waited for his next set of orders. He had been left alone for a few days after his punishment, though they had restricted his food and water, leaving him to ration what he already had.

It was just him and the Titan.

A rare occurrence.

"Stark."

Tony swallowed. Thanos rarely used his surname.

"My Lord," he uttered in response, keeping his head low.

"The Mind Stone resides on Earth with the Asgardian refugees. Bring it to me."

Fear struck him as the order rushed through Tony's brain, comprehending what he was being asked to do.

Thanos was setting him up to fail.

There was no way possible he'd be able to retrieve the Infinity Stone from the Asgardians. It was beyond his capabilities.

Only one answer would be acceptable to the Titan.

"I will endeavour to bring the Mind Stone to you," replied Tony. He couldn't refuse. The punishment they'd subject him to would be… Dwelling on it wasn't the best idea.

"No, Stark, you will bring me the Mind Stone. You will not endeavour to anyone. My patience has worn out." The Titan loomed over Tony.

Tony swallowed. He didn't like the promise of torture that was reflected in his captor's eyes.

"If you succeed, you will be rewarded. You know it well, Stark, don't you?"

It was a question he had to answer. "Yes."

"And, if you encounter my daughter, Gamora, bring her back with you. She and I are overdue a very long talk."

Tony nodded. "I swear I will not fail you."

"Good. Remember the life of your lover is at stake. I know who she is. I could find her easily and bring her back here, bypassing all security that keeps her safe. Remember it is only your compliance and successes which keep her safe for now, Tony."

How could he forget the obvious threat that hung over Pepper's shoulders?

"Go." The order was firm and demanding.

Tony backed away from the Titan, slipping out through the doors of the throne room. Even as he retreated towards his quarters, an ominous feeling arose in his stomach, as if he could sense what would happen next. He wasn't certain if he was sobered or terrified by the idea, and yet it was still a peaceful thought.

I'm not coming back here, am I?

To be continued...

Please let me know what you think!

So, I never intended for Tony to be raped again. But when I was writing the previous chapter and it became clear Tony was going to defy his captors, I realised the punishment he would receive would be horrible. If you remember in the original rape chapter with Nebula (posted on A03), she intimated he'd be raped by Chitauri next if he kept resisting her. Tony, terrified by that prospect, relented his resistance. It was also heavily implied by Proxima in the last chapter that this is what Tony's punishment would be. Or rather Pepper's if they had managed to keep a hold of her...

I didn't want to write it graphically so I went for the simplest of sentences in what is posted on AO3.I can now promise this will be the last instance of rape in this story. There will be no more of it.

Tony is resisting and continues to do so. He has been for years, though unconsciously.

I hope to have the next chapter posted later this week. I have a wedding to attend on Thursday and then Friday I am packing for holiday. Saturday we fly out the UK to somewhere hot. I will not have internet connection during this time but I will be taking my laptop with me so I can write whilst relaxing next to the swimming pool! I want to get the next chapter finished before I go as it is the end of Part 4 and I feel it will be a good way to round this part of the story off before I leave for holiday. Part 5 will have roughly 10 chapters within it and as long as I have the last chapter of Part 4 finished before I go away, the first chapter of Part 5 will be posted around the 26th/27th August.

Look for an update next week!

Until then,

the-writer1988