Chapter 25
As ever thank you all for your follows, favourites views and reviews, special thank you to CCSakuraforever and Mystic 777 for your reviews.
This is the last chapter for a good while I'm afraid, when I started this it was designed as a way of mixing Star Wars and Avengers while venting about the outcome of Civil War as a result the initial idea only reached this point, a point where Tony and the world is in a better place. Since then I've been amazed by the response and it's given me the kick needed to keep going, I'm currently working on the following part which will include my version of Infinity War. Unfortunately this will take time, I've got a lot of deadlines to work on at the moment and I like being a few chapters ahead in case the muse abandons me for a while.
Huge Thank You again to all who have reviewed my little idea. I hope you enjoy.
Captain America, Steven Rogers stood behind a forcefield as Pepper Potts glared at him.
"Pepper," he nodded.
"Mr Rogers," replied Pepper curtly.
"Look I..."
"... No you're listening to me," said Pepper and in that second Steve knew how she was a female CEO of one of the richest companies in the world. "Now I know Shuri spoke to you about the Accords so I don't see the point in repeating what she said, instead I want to talk to you about Tony." Steve gulped, "you've spent years living well off Tony's guilt and I'm ashamed it took me so long to realise. You've consistently called on him to do the impossible for a mission or even for your rooms while you stayed here, every time you didn't thank him merely acted as though it was all due to you."
Steve had sat on the bed provided and bowed his head.
"What did you say to Tony when you first met him?" At Steve's confused face Pepper elaborated, "when you were fighting on the helicarrier. No? You don't remember, well Tony does. You asked him what he was without the suit." Steve nodded as he remembered Tony's flippant reply of billionaire, playboy and philanthropist. "Did it ever occur to you to ask what the suit would be without him. He built the first suit in a cave being tortured by terrorists. He chose to become a hero and his genius is his power not the suit. You disregarded him because he wasn't the same as his father a man you claim to have respected." Steve tried to interrupt but Pepper had other ideas, "Oh no Rogers you don't say anything I'm talking and you're listening," she smiled as Steve looked like a cowed schoolboy. "Tony has spent his whole life being told by his father that he needed to be more like you, the great Captain America, he was ignored as a child so his father could go off searching for you. You are infinitely lucky he had his mother to support him else you'd never have been shown the mercy you did. You spat on their memory and any friendship you had with Tony the second you decided to cover up their murder. Did it occur to you that Tony could sympathise with being forced to do something against his will?" Steve watched as Pepper's hands began glowing before she took a deep calming breath. "No, the great and powerful Captain America has to be right, he can do no wrong. Whatever happens you won't be that man anymore. You left the people and they aren't going to forget, you attacked the people and turned your back on the true heroes. Tony is a true hero he stayed, through thick and thin, he was dealt the worst hand and through it all never stopped. He saw the impossible situation and refused to accept it, he is the hero, Spider-Man, Rhodey, Vision, they're the heroes. You're just a lost man trying to justify his existence by fighting 'bullies'."
"I'm sorry," said Steve quietly, "I never meant to hurt anyone."
"I'm afraid it's a little too late for that, you've managed to burn whatever bridge you had with Tony. I'm here to tell you about what will happen to you. You'll be charged with assault of multiple German police officers, trespassing, property damage and breaking of the Sokovia Accords through terrorist acts."
"But I didn't sign them."
"It doesn't matter, under the new accords enhanced individuals are tried through the Accords council."
"I'm not a terrorist."
"What d'you call breaking into a country without their express permission and destroying their property terrifying the general populace in the process."
"What will happen to the rest?"
"Well only Scott and Clint have turned themselves in so until the rest do we'll not know. As for them Scott has a lawyer and has been given a year's parole no further jail time. Clint has been given three years parole for showing very little remorse for what he'd done."
"At least he'll get to spent time with Laura," mumbled Steve.
"Well that will be up to her not him."
"What?" Asked Steve confused.
"Gods sake, you ask people to put their lives on the line for you and don't have a clue what it costs them to fight for your greater good. When you come to your senses let me know." With that Pepper turned and without looking back she strolled from the room, a large weight lifted from her shoulders and transferred to Steve's if the bowed shoulders was an indication.
_LINEBREAK_
"So erm you're like a princess right," said Peter nervously.
"Yep," replied Shuri looking at the tables holographic display.
"Wow," stared Peter.
As he stood there in awe Shuri kept fiddling with the hologram.
"Damn," muttered Shuri, she looked up at Peter with an evil grin, "Hey whatever your name is."
"It's Peter," he grumbled.
"Ok Peter I just need you to get me passed this little firewall here, please."
"Huh, but can't you isn't Wakanda meant to be really advanced."
"It is and we are but the AI isn't letting up," she came round to stand in Peter's personal space, "so I really need your help."
"Er...mmm... I don't think I should," said Peter nervously.
"Miss Shuri, Peter is under oath not to disclose such information and forcing him to would incur the wrath of Mr Stark." Peter looked to the ceiling and smiled in thanks at the AI, "Miss Shuri should you wish to learn of the secrets to Mr Stark's technology I suggest you ask, continuing to look without permission will only result in being deemed an enemy to Clan Stark which will lead to heavy legal penalties."
"Oh come on I was just curious," she did notice FRIDAY's use of Clan Stark though, this was the second time she'd heard about the organisation.
"I believe it is a human phrase which talks about curiosity and cats," replied FRIDAY before going quiet.
Shuri huffed before turning to Peter, "ok so what can we talk about?"
_LINEBREAK_
'221 Bleecker Street,' read Loki as he looked up at the ageing brownstone, as he'd approached the could make out the large window in the Attic in the form of the eye of Agamotto.
"Mr Laufyson I wasn't expecting to see you again," as soon as he'd stepped through the doors of the Sanctum Santorum in New York Loki felt the eyes on him. Looking round he saw he'd been transported to the Attic and floating in the window was the Master of this arcane sanctuary.
"It's Odinson," replied Loki watching the figure land before him.
"Ah Yes I had heard of your change of heart," replied Dr Strange more than slightly disbelieving Loki's sincerity.
"I've come with a token of peace which I hope can be used to prevent a greater evil from befalling this world."
"You speak of Thanos."
"Yes. He is seeking power and if he gets it, the universe will suffer."
"You wouldn't have come here without a plan," said Dr Strange.
"Indeed," nodded Loki, with a flourish of his hand he drew from the air the tesseract. "With three Infinity Stones on Earth it will become a beacon. We need to be ready. I've spoken to Stark and he's begun the plans for a planetary shield powered by the Tesseract, this will be the only thing which can withstand the power of the other stones."
"The Time Stone remains with me," said Strange, "it is the responsibility of the Sanctum to protect it."
"I have no issue with you keeping it but we need to liaise so as to make sure we are aware of the status of the stones."
Some two hours later Loki left with a smile on his face, though they'd never be friends the wizard was an admirable ally and with their combined abilities he was starting to feel hopeful for the chances of Earth.
_LINEBREAK_
Returning to Realspace Tony watched as earth grew closer in the viewport, 'it was good to be home,' he thought as he angled them towards New York. Coming in to hover above Avengers Tower Tony switched controls to Bruce before standing.
"See ya jolly green," he patted Bruce on the shoulder before making his way aft.
"Bye Tony," sighed Bruce, he and Hulk had managed to come to a tentative understanding whilst on Mjolnir but without the space to transform he was restricted to meditation.
"Yo Valkyrie I'll get that ship to you as soon as," called Tony to the female warrior, "might need to come to the compound for a flight test," he added, "Oh and bring your boyfriend too."
"Sod off Stark," Called Valkyrie as he slid down the ladder to the rear access hatch.
"Do you have to antagonise everyone!" Asked Jess exasperatedly waiting at the hatch helmet on.
"Only the special few," grinned Tony, "Hey JARVIS d'you mind telling FRIDAY we'll be there in a bit," "Certainly Sir," "Oh and ask the Parkers if they want to come over for takeaway, make it clear they can't refuse."
"Yes Sir," the droids faceplate went blank as he communed with FRIDAY in the Tower. "The Parkers will be there at six pm, the order has been placed with the usual takeaway and will be delivered at six also."
_LINEBREAK_
"May good to see you," called Pepper as the Parkers arrived in the penthouse suite holding Gerry and the takeaway. "How's things at the hospital?"
"Oh same old, busy but I wouldn't change it for the world," smiled May, her face clearly showing the tiredness from working late at the hospital for the last week or so. "I have to say Stark Industries leg braces have been a godsend they've halved the rehabilitation time."
"We're glad you approve, it's one thing to hear from focus groups and another thing to hear from someone who's using them daily," smiled Pepper. "Hopefully as soon as we get the Bacta to work we can make your job even easier, we're just waiting on a company to take it up. Tony brought in a trio of geniuses to help with the R&D and I have to say they've really advanced a lot of the work."
Across the room Jess was trying to get Peter to babysit Gerry so she could get some time with May alone for a date night out.
"So what can he have, what can't he have, are sweets ok, fish, erm milk?..."
"... Breathe Peter you know what he likes, you've looked after him before."
"Yeah but you've always been upstairs, what if something happens?"
"It won't, come on Pete I've got faith in you, have a little in yourself," smiled Jess ruffling his hair.
Sat on the opposite end of the sofa to him Tony watched Vision awkwardly holding Gerry whilst doing his best to avoid the toddlers wandering hands which eagerly reached for the android's cloak.
Rhodey began sorting out the takeaway onto plates as Tony sat back and watched the interactions smiling, he understood perhaps for the first time what his mother meant when she described jatne manda (good mood - a complex sense of being at one with your clan and life, translation curtesy of ), he was at peace with his clan, his life and his place in the world. 'This was a team he could work with, this was a clan,' he thought proudly as he saw Gerry flick rice onto Vision to a room full of stifled laughs.
The End?