Disclaimer: I don't own the MCU...duh. (I do own my OC though).
Leave a review if you can, would really appreciate it!
*Gasp*. Some kind of…'X-Man'?...has snuck into my story. How did that happen?
This chapter is mainly focused on Toni, and her activities leading up to an inevitable(haha) confrontation between the Avengers and Team Cap. Speaking of Avengers, perhaps they need rebranding. Room for thought, no?
Iron Symbiosis = Thoughts / texts
Iron Symbiosis = Symbiote thinking
"Iron Symbiosis" = Symbiote speaking
Toni landed next to the door of the restaurant Pepper had told her to go to. Moments later, Hope followed, both of them transforming out of their suits into smart attire. Conversation stopped as they entered the building, every set of eyes either subtly or openly fixed on Toni and Hope.
The women themselves briskly walked behind the waiter, following him into a private room. As soon as they entered it, whispered conversation broke out, as the people eating could not believe their good fortune.
"Can you believe it? We just saw THE Toni Stark."
"I wonder what she's doing here. What if it's something top secret…"
"Daddy, can I get an autograph?"
Toni's ears twitched at the last one, (super-hearing was absurdly useful, she found out; people would say such interesting things when they thought nobody else could hear them), and she resolved to get one to the child before they left the restaurant.
"So Toni…why have you brought her here."
Pepper was seated at the table, looking at Hope with narrowed eyes. Toni followed her glare, and inwardly sighed at the obvious animosity running between the two women.
"Pepper, Hope. Do we have a problem-o here?"
Both of their fiery hot stares quickly switched to Toni, and she stepped back at the venom inside.
Yin…they're scaring me.
…Me too.
"It's her fault!" Both women yelled at the same time, in a way that would have been comical if there were not still heaps of hostility in the air.
Toni blinked owlishly, before expelling a deep breath and running a hand through her head in irritation.
"OK. This isn't working out. I'm going to leave this room for a bit. When I come back, this better be done and dusted. Capiche?"
The two women nodded sullenly, and as soon as Toni left she heard raised voices behind her.
You will have a tricky time trying to get those two to work together. I wonder why there is such bad blood between them.
Rival CEO's...go figure. Hopefully, they can work something out.
Looking around, she realised the restaurant had yet again gone silent, with everyone on the edge of their seats, waiting for Toni to do something.
She walked.
One step at a time, the click-clack of her heels ridiculously loud in the taut quiet. It stopped, there was quiet, and she looked down into the shocked eyes of the boy below her.
"I heard you wanted an autograph?"
The boy nodded mutely, dumbstruck by his luck.
Toni smiled and knelt down, getting to his eye level. She took a pen from her pocket, (nobody had to know it was a Yin-made construct), and signed his T-shirt. Looking around, she calculated from experience perhaps ten seconds before somebody else would work up the nerve to ask for an autograph, which would produce a swarm of people begging for a selfie or something else.
"What's your name, kid?" She asked, standing up to go back.
"B-Bobby Drake." He mumbled, looking up at her in awe.
"Bobby Drake." Toni repeated, before tousling his hair and going back to their private room, coincidentally seconds before anyone else could work up the nerve to ask for another autograph.
Closing the door gently behind her, she looked up to find a sullen Hope and Pepper, both looking like they had just run a marathon.
"Got it out of your systems?"
Two nods.
"Good. Anyway, onto why we're here. Pepper – hit me."
"Alright. Good news first: Our lawyers are working on the Sokovia accords, and they've made good progress. Support for 'Team Ironheart' is at an all-time high, while support for 'Team Cap' is non-existent. That Stark Phone you designed blew up…in a good way. By the way, I got a call from Rhodey."
"What did he say?" Toni asked, face pinched slightly in worry.
"Just that he's got a surprise for you and that he'll see you soon. Oh! And that the person you sent over is working wonders."
Toni grinned, happy she had made the right choice when she called Helen.
"Anyway…bad news. We haven't had a whiff of Roger's group yet, although there were some reports that they were sighted in Wakanda, of all places. People are asking questions about how you survived from that shield, and some are starting to think the video is fake."
"That's…understandable, although also really annoying. I don't want anybody to know about Yin just yet, but if I stay silent this is going to grow into an even bigger problem. Wakanda? Huh, they're just as likely to be in Madripoor, or anywhere else. You really think T'Challa would let his father's murderer and his friends live in his country? Still, I'll get in touch with T'Challa, see if I can weasel some answers out of him. He's royalty though, and I really don't want to cause some kind of bureaucratic mess."
"So…we going to order?" Hope asked, hands already reaching for the menu.
"Yeah, of course. Anyone up for Shawarma?" Toni grinned, hit with a strong sense of Déjà vu.
Toni, Pepper and Hope left the restaurant out of a back exit that one of the waiters had kindly provided, all of them with satisfied looks on their faces and crumbs dotted around their mouths. A SUV pulled up beside them and Pepper opened the door.
"Well, this is my stop. It was lovely to see you again Toni. Hope…interesting as always."
Hope smiled sardonically back, while Toni rolled her eyes at the sparks flying between the two women. Pepper left and Toni turned to Hope.
"Hey…I'm guessing you have things to do – as a former CEO of a big company, I should know – so I'll see you tonight?"
Hope stood confused for a moment before a (figurative) light bulb turned on over her head.
"Oh yeah! Sorry, I forgot that I was moving into the Avengers base. Okay, I'll see you tonight."
With that friendly goodbye, Hope turned and flew away, leaving Toni on her own. The woman herself then checked her Stark phone, before a small smile crossed her lips.
Rhodey: Hey Toni…I haven't seen you in a while – wanna see the progress? That doctor you sent over is really working wonders over here :)
Toni started to type in a reply, before thinking of something better to do.
Actions do speak louder than words, don't they?
Damn straight. Let's go, it's time to visit Rhodey.
A split-second later, Ironheart took off, leaving New Yorkers gaping in awe at the trail she left behind.
"Yes, Colonel Rhodes, there you go…almost there…well done!"
Rhodey panted, a satisfied look on his face as he collapsed into a chair. His legs trembling, he slowly shook them out, marvelling at how rapid Helen Cho's treatment had helped him. Checking his phone, he frowned at the non-reply from Toni.
Usually, she's so fast answering her phone. Is she in trouble?
"Colonel Rhodes, your progress has been huge, I give you a few more days before your treatment is finished." Helen delivered with a warm smile.
Rhodey let out a long breath and closed his eyes, a rare smile gracing his face.
"Helen…how many times do I have to tell you…you've done so much for me, there's no need for formality! Call me James, please."
"Col-James" Helen corrected herself after a pleading look from Rhodey, "That brings us to the end of our session. I'll see you tommo-"
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Helen walked to the door and opened it, an inquisitive question dying on her lips when she saw who was behind it.
Toni Stark looked back at her, saying a small hello and then directing her attention to the dust particles on the floor.
Helen smiled, the doctor inside of her immediately recognising when someone was feeling extremely nervous and awkward.
"Hey Toni…come in. It's nice to see you!"
Toni nodded weakly, before seemingly swallowing her fears and looking Helen straight in the eyes.
"How's Rhodey? Any improvement?"
There was a painful vulnerability in her voice, like a mirror one blow from shattering. Luckily, Helen had good news.
"Toni? You didn't answer my text?" A voice rung out a few metres away, easily recognisable.
Toni turned so quickly that Helen momentarily worried that she might've got whiplash, eyes wide as dinner plates as she tried to process what she could see.
"R-Rhodey. You're…standing. Without…support. How?" Toni slowly stuttered out, moving towards Rhodey at increasing speed.
"Well, that's easy to answer. It's all because of OOF" Rhodey cut off abruptly as Toni slammed into him, sending them both to the floor. A few seconds later, Helen cleared her throat and asked, "Are you two okay?"
Toni shot up, saying apology after apology, frantically checking to see if she had broken something. Rhodey chuckled, and said, "Nice to see you too, Toni."
5 minutes later, everyone was sitting down calmly, chatting about random inane things. Helen had explained the process that had got Rhodey back on his feet, (literally), and once Tony had fully understood she relaxed – a slight, curious glint betraying her avarice for more information later.
"So, Rhodey…are you coming back?"
The question was ambiguous, but the intent behind it was not. Toni wanted him back on the team. The mood in the room dropped to a serious one, as Rhodey opened his mouth to reply.
"No, I don't think I will(1)." Rhodey replied, smiling softly at Toni to try to cushion the blow.
It didn't help. Toni looked absolutely crushed, in a Toni way – by cracking a joke and trying to laugh it off.
"Well, that's okay. Is it because of Helen? Can I be the auntie-"
"Toni." Rhodey cut in gently, going closer towards her and rubbing her shoulder with his hand...
…which was violently shook off by Toni, a small but intense look of anger crossing her face to try to assuage the disappointment and hurt.
"What." was hissed viciously, all semblance of a mask long gone.
"It's not you. It's me." Rhodey paused for a chuckle from Toni, but he didn't receive anything, "In all seriousness Toni: it is me. I can't keep doing this. I'm not like you; I'm not meant to be a hero. I'm just a soldier. The airport woke me up to reality. How long until something worse happens?"
"That's not a good reason." Toni mumbled, but Rhodey could see her anger subsiding as she understood the logic behind his answer.
"I know it's not the best, but it's the only one that I can give right now. Look – I know you're really disappointed but you've got to remember; I'm still here for you. I just can't be a superhero anymore."
Toni nodded quietly, before directing her attention towards Helen and asking her more probing questions about the process she used to heal Rhodey.
The man himself sighed, unsure how much of what he said had been recognised by Toni.
Toni flew back home, her thoughts awash with conflicting emotions.
Rhodey abandoned me.
Helen forgave me.
WhatshouldIdowhatshouldIdoWhatshouldIdo…
In all her plans, Toni had never thought of one where Rhodey was not by her side. Reflecting, she admitted that was rather short-sighted of her – but it was Rhodey! Her best friend, who had been by her side since-
He left you before for the army. Why wouldn't you think he would do it again?
A small, insidious voice whispered to her, causing her to start breathing faster and faster...until she abruptly calmed down, breaths evening out again and heartbeat slowing.
Thanks Yin.
Don't worry. No need for you to have a panic attack hovering over New York City.
I wasn't having a panic attack.
There was no reply, but Yin's silence spoke volumes.
What am I going to do?
A casual New Yorker, if they squinted hard enough, might have spotted a blur in the sky, casting a shadow over the land below. With Hawkeye's eyesight, they would be able to see subtler details – the dejected slump and depressed body language.
Laura tapped her foot nervously, standing outside of the Stark residence, waiting for Toni. Suddenly, a hot rush of air blew into her face, making her hair go everywhere. Blinking through the dust, she spotted Ironheart(2.0).
The purple and silver gleamed sublimely in the sunlight, even as it slid off her body. Laura, in the recesses of her own mind, had to admit that she found the new suit a little creepy only in the way of how it detached itself from Toni. Unlike previous models, which were well-known to mechanically come off, this one slid off, in a movement that barely looked human. The suit then seemed to disappear into Toni, although Laura could concede that Toni's technology was so far beyond everybody else's that it would not be a stretch to imagine it to be some kind of nanoparticle quirk.
"Hey. FRIDAY said you wanted to speak to me." Toni said, face the picture of nonchalance.
"Yeah…I'm sorry to take up your time, I know you don't have a lot of it. I still want to get the divorce in writing."
"Okay…I'll give you Pepper's phone number. Are you…content with your new place?" Toni asked awkwardly, unsure which word to use.
"Oh Toni…it's wonderful. The only problem is that is it a large shift from the farm and the kids are still getting use to that, but I'm sure they'll get over it soon. Again: thank you so-"
"It's fine, it's fine." Toni cut in hurriedly, before checking her phone and acting like something important had come up.
"I'm so sorry Laura, but I've got to go. Something's come up."
Laura nodded, having just finished typing Pepper's phone number into her own phone.
Toni flew up, the roar of her thrusters drowning out what Laura muttered to herself.
"You may not accept it…but thank you, Toni. You truly are a wonderful person and you don't deserve what my husband and his gang of murderers did to you."
Why did you not let that woman thank you for what you did?
Toni dropped onto the roof of the Avengers Mansion, running a hand through her hair tiredly.
I'm not good with praise.
Because you believe them to be lying to you?
Can't you just pick out what you want from my head? I have given you a route in for a reason.
I find that to be a crude, uninspired method in understanding people. I would much rather hear your thoughts by you telling them to me, instead of me taking them.
Who would have thought the alien parasite had more chivalry and honour than most people I know?
Symbiote. Not parasite. Symbiote.
The sharpness in Yin's voice was unmistakeable and Toni could pick out the shards of hurt behind it.
Shit…I'm sorry, Yin. You know I didn't mean it.
I do. That's why I'm not too angry at you. But still…why won't you let me in, Toni?
Yin, I'm fairly sure that out of everyone I know, you understand me the best. You're literally part of me.
Then why won't you answer my questions?
Toni stayed silent for a moment, knowing that Yin was expectantly waiting for her answer. She felt like she was standing on a cliff edge, unsure if she was willing to jump…
I…I'm still wary of you, Yin.
Confusion. Hurt. Sadness.
Tony sensed flashes of those as they flew through their bond, and she hastened to reassure Yin.
Yin…please don't take this the wrong way.
…I'm not sure if there is another way to interpret what you have just told me, Toni.
It's not that I don't want to trust you…I've just been let down too many times before. Gaining my trust takes a lifetime of devotion, one might say.
Judging by your current profession, that's not very long.
Oof. Look-it's just that…you have access to all of me, and it's not really a two-way street. Your backstory, while understandable, is a little sketchy and although I can sense through our bond that you're authentic in wanting to help me: I only have your word to go on whether the bond itself is authentic!
Wow. I now understand why your friends call you paranoid.
Speaking of, is it okay if I do some tests to check what kind of effect you have on me. Scientific reasons only, of course.
Of course.
A sardonic, half-betrayed tone had slipped into Yin's...voice/thoughts? by the end of their conversation and Toni winced, well aware of the betrayal that Yin was feeling.
The door opened and closed, a lithe body slipping in, footsteps silent. Natasha Romanoff lifted her head, the hood slipping off to reveal bedraggled red hair. What had once been her defining feature hung limply by her shoulders, much like the rest of her features. After escaping from Wakanda, (Natasha always saw the way the wind was going, and left before the fall), she had managed to find her way to a coastal city, where she planned to lie low for a while.
"Oh Natasha…you screwed up big time."
Natasha tensed, hands flying towards non-existent pistols by her sides before she recognised the voice and sighed out of her nose.
Nick Fury sat on her bed, idly watching her out of one eye (lol).
"Why, why did you choose Rogers? At least you did the smart thing and got out early, I suppose."
Natasha grimaced, knowing that she wasn't going to like what came next.
"I'm reassigning you. You're a SHIELD agent again, not an Avenger. You're going to have to wear a mask, after you've made yourself this famous and internationally hated."
Natasha nodded in defeat, following Fury as he left the room.
Steve stood in front of his fellow rogues, (except for Sam, who had traipsed off in a foul mood), and started to speak.
"Ok. You guys are probably wondering why we're having this meeting. It's simple. We've got to do something about the Sokovia Accords. We have to show the people that they are not right. We're superheroes! We don't need 'supervision'. C'mon you guys! We have to get a message out to the world, we have to tell them we're here, and we're in the right!"
Steve finished his speech with an exuberant roar, stirring up his group to action.
"Say whatever you like about Cap, you can't deny his charisma is unmatchable though." Scott muttered to Clint, who nodded fervently in agreement.
"What are we going to do, Steve" asked Wanda, eyes peering anxiously towards Steve's.
"We're going to make them remember who we are."
This chapter was mainly about tying up any loose ends before the story progresses.
(1) if you didn't catch this reference...where have you been?
Bonus points if anyone caught the Falcon and the Winter Soldier reference too! Regarding that, the newest ep of Falcon and the Winter Soldier has got me considering whether to involve Sharon Carter in my story...why not?
Well...*gulp*…here we are. Staring into the abyss. I've got no more pre-written chapters left and I have my end of year exams coming up. Here's to hoping inspiration strikes!