Disclaimer: I don't own the MCU...duh. (I do own my OC though).

Leave a review if you can, would really appreciate it!

I was originally planning on having The Big Fight™ in this chapter, before an idea came to me. After watching Falcon and the Winter Soldier, I thought to myself, "Dude, why don't you have Toni chase them down, like a detective?" And…that's what we're going with!

Sorry for anyone expecting a big showdown this chapter, the possibility of detective!Toni appealed too much to me.

Iron Symbiosis = Thoughts / texts

Iron Symbiosis = Symbiote thinking

"Iron Symbiosis" = Symbiote speaking

"How?"

The breathless question came from Wanda, leaning forward with her mouth parted in anticipation.

Steve grinned and answered, "We're going to hijack SHIELD headquarters, then we're going to send a message out to the world, explaining why we're right."

Wanda nodded, her curiosity satisfied, sitting back as she played it out in her head.

"And then?"

The question came from Sam, innocent despite the distrust behind it.

"And then…the world will see we're correct and they'll understand why we did what we did!" Steve replied, looking at Sam with an expression that screamed 'Don't you get it?'.

Sam looked back at Steve with an equally 'are-you-stupid' expression.

"What if it doesn't work out, Steve? What happens then? What happens when Toni shows up?"

The last question made Steve flinch, thinking hard over what Sam had said. Sam looked at Steve, waiting for an answer, but seeing that one wasn't going to appear anytime soon he sat back with a disgusted huff. The rest of the group looked on in amazement, completely bamboozled after seeing their leader/messiah reduced to silence.

"How are we going to get there Steve? What if somebody spots us on the way? Did you think of anything, or did you just think everyone would go along with your half-assed plan like a bunch of SHEEP!?"

Sam started in a soft tone of voice, but ended shouting at Steve, spittle flying into his face. Steve flinched at every sentence, without answering back.

"Hey! Sam, take a break. What's got into you?" Clint shouted, body language threatening as he stood up. Scott did the same, eyes confused.

"Wh-What's go into me?" Sam asked, aghast at the delusion present.

"Yes! What's your problem with Cap? He's our leader, you gotta trust him!"

"You guys…you're all delusional. Totally, totally delusional. What's wrong with you?! Why can't you see…you're in the wrong and our leader has no idea what the hell he's doing!"

"Well, if you hate him so much, just leave, won't you!"

"Fine! I will!"

Sam stormed out, leaving a still furious Clint, a silent Steve and a shocked atmosphere behind him.

The silence pervaded for a couple minutes after Sam left, Clint slowly calming down and realising what had just happened.

"Shit. What do we do now?"

All eyes turned to Steve, who shifted uncomfortably under their collective gaze.

Toni flew over towards Queens, New York. Her mind was awash with thoughts, lack of sleep and stress a comforting normal despite the unrest going on in her life. Yin had been abnormally quiet since their (sort of) argument, and Toni rather missed the soothing knowledge of always having a companion with her.

"Spider-Man spotted. Approximate location is 500 metres north-east." FRIDAY announced, her Irish tones surprising Toni. FRIDAY had been rather…muted since Toni had come back from Siberia, although she assumed that was because of Yin and the vow she had made regarding watching it.

"Thanks Fri."

Toni slowed to a stop, settling next to a Peter Parker. He sat on a ledge, mask hooked up to his nose, eating a sandwich.

"Hey, Toni. Why are you here? Did something go wrong? Ned and I built this really cool thing, you should check it out, it's like our millennium falcon but better-"

Peter suddenly stopped talking, a blush lighting up his youthful face as he realised he was…verbally vomiting once again.

"Well hello to you too, Peter." Toni chuckled, even harder once she saw the dirty look Peter threw at her.

"Toni…what's up with your suit? Is it nanoparticles, or illusion technology, or-"

"Nope."

"…Nope?" Peter repeated with a questioning tone, bewildered by the non-reply.

"It's not that, and I bet you will never guess it." Toni clarified/challenged, making Peter's eyes narrow as he thought hard.

Toni smiled and relaxed as Peter rambled on, leaning back as she let the sound of his excitable voice wash over her, making sure to shake her head every now and then to keep the illusion of being engaged.

"-Alien?"

Toni sat up slightly, giving Peter a tiny bit more attention.

"Repeat that last one, underoos?"

"I said, have you watched the movie 'Alien'. You haven't been listening, have you?" The deadpan tone made Toni grin, scratching her head sheepishly.

"Okay…what's the last thing you heard?" Peter sighed despairingly.

"We were talking about my suit." Toni mumbled guiltily.

"Toni! That was ten minutes ago! Wait a minute. Does that mean that your suit has something to do with aliens?"

"And if it did?"

The short question was innocent, but with a whole host of hidden meanings behind it. Peter paused, taking his time as he pondered over his answer.

"I think…that would be pretty cool, Ms Stark."

Toni smiled softly, brushing a few strands of brown hair out of the way.

Yin, you want to say hello?

…Yin?

Toni grimaced, recognising that Yin was actively ignoring her.

"Well, maybe one day I'll tell you."

"Why not todayyyyyy?" Peter whined, flopping around in annoyance.

"Tell you what, Peter. The day you become an Avenger is the day I tell you."

Peter looked at her suspiciously, looking for any traps in her promise, before deciding it was legit and giving her a hug.

"Thanks Toni oh wait I meant Miss Stark thank you thank you when can I become an avenger?"

All of this was delivered in one breath, leaving Toni with a (slightly) panting teenager hanging off her arm like an overgrown Peter-puppy.

"The day you're allowed to drink, kiddo."

Toni watched with bated breath as Peter processed her words, and understood their meaning.

"WHAAAAAT?! 21?! Ms Stark, that's too late, c'mon, I'm Spider-Man…"

"…"

"I swear, that last part sounded nicer, more reasonable and less entitled in my head."

"…"

"Please…"

"Nope. Your aunt would kill me, and I'm rather attached to my mortal tether on this planet."

"That was weird, Ms Stark. And my aunt isn't scary at all."

"You haven't seen her properly angry…"Toni muttered, eyes unfocused as she remembered when May had confronted her for bringing Peter back from the 'internship' with bruises all over him.

Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed overhead, disrupting the previously sunny day. Peter looked up in utter bafflement at the abrupt change in weather, but as soon as it came, it was gone. Peter looked back at Toni, who no longer was delving into (slightly) traumatic memories.

The New York sun beat heavily onto the two figures sitting on the roof of the skyscraper, but there was also a nice, calming breeze. The silence was peaceful, tranquil and Peter unloosened, eyes drooping ever so slightly….

Brrrzt!

Peter jolted at the sound of his phone, before his eyes widened and he put his mask back on his face.

"Ms Stark, I gotta go! Aunt May's cooking lasagne and I can't be late else it'll go cold!"

The woman his frantic statement was directed to merely raised her hand and waved him away and he quickly left, swinging away with his trusty webs.

As soon as Peter left, Toni groaned, slowly getting to her feet.

"Alright FRIDAY. When am I talking to T'Challa?"

"3 hours, Toni. You'll need to run if you want to make it."

"That shouldn't be a problem, she's been running for her whole life."

Yin's voice was an unexpected addition to the conversation, causing Toni to grimace at the bitterness of his tone.

Look Yin…I don't have time for this right now. But I swear – we'll talk later, okay?

There was no answer, but Toni let something that could possibly count as acceptance through their bond.

"Okay, FRIDAY. What's the quickest way to get to Wakanda?"

Three hours later…

Toni came to a smooth stop at the palace gates, looking around at the city in a mix of disbelief and appreciation.

"Where have you been my whole life?" she muttered to herself, taking in the view.

"Jealous, Ms Stark?" T'Challa's cool, collected, slightly teasing voice sounded from behind her.

"Of course – who wouldn't be? But disappointed, at the same time." Toni continued to look at the view, barely acknowledging the king behind her. Using her super-hearing, she could ever so slightly hear the affronted whispers of the guards.

"Hoh? Would you care to elaborate?"

"Your advanced tech, limitless reocurces, secrecy and you choose to build…this. Skyscrapers looming over the city every 100 metres, colours muted and drab."

"Perhaps it is here to serve as a reminder that Wakanda is not paradise. No matter. Why have you come here, Ms Stark?"

"You know why I'm here, T'Challa. Where are they?"

"Who, Ms Stark?" The query was innocent, the tone resigned, a perfect oxymoron.

Toni finally turned, stalking toward T'Challa until there was barely an inch of space between them.

"Don't play games with me T'Challa. Where are they?"

"Not here." T'Challa replied slowly, meeting her stare firmly. They were close enough to be in a lover's embrace, yet the fury emanating off Toni ruined that impression.

"Were they here?"

"No."

Lie.

Yin spoke in her mind for the first time in hours and she clenched her fists at his thought. In her fury, she grabbed T'Challa by his lapels, lifting him off the floor with her symbiote-enhanced strength. The Dora Milaje streamed forward, spears pointing towards Toni as they sought to help their choking king.

"Let go of the king, foreigner." Hissed one of them, shaking Toni from her rage. She immediately did, dropping T'Challa where he took a few steps back, trying to breathe.

"Why are you lying to me, T'Challa? You better give me the right answer this time. Where are they?"

T'Challa coughed slightly, rubbing his throat as he looked up at Toni. Toni was surprised at the lack of anger in his eyes, only shame and guilt resided there.

"I didn't know what they did to you. And once I found out, I just wanted them gone. So they left. I don't know where they went. I don't want to know where they went."

"Nobody here knows?!"

"The one person here who does has been sworn to silence." At this, T'Challa gave an involuntary glance over his shoulder towards one of the Dora Milaje. Toni immediately honed in on her next target, quickly stepping towards her before being stopped by a literal wall of spears.

"What can you tell me?" Toni asked, eyes fixed on the woman's.

"You-you're not going to ask where they went?" The Dora Milaje asked, bewildered.

"Xoliswa! Hold your silence. Remember your vow!" A different Dora Milaje whispered frantically.

"No. I've met fanatics like you before. You would never betray your king like that. So instead: what can you tell me?"

The revealed Xoliswa replied slowly, "I heard them mention a woman on the flight by the name of Sharon Carter and her current location."

"Which is?"

"Madripoor."

Toni groaned, holding her head in her hands.

Murphy's law strikes once more.

However much I hate to admit it, yes. That rhymed, by the way.

Toni got a telepathic eye roll from Yin making her grin. [A/N I'm rolling with the rhymes today apparently.] Yin had started talking to her again!

"Ms Stark?" The polite, slightly concerned dulcet tones of T'Challa interrupted her train of thought.

"Ah, right. Thanks for the information, that's useful. T'Challa – I don't know. I won't tell anyone that you harboured them, only because I believe that you feel severe regret for your actions."

"Thank you, Ms Stark. Wakanda is in your debt." A deeply grateful T'Challa responded. (As he should be, Toni had probably just saved that man his crown). Judging by the stiffening of spines and slight gasps, that was an unexpected proclamation to make.

"Thank you, T'Challa. I'll be in touch."

With that, Toni blasted off, heading for Madripoor.

Sam trekked down winding, lonely road. He couldn't use his suit, as it had become too recognisable and he hadn't made up his mind about what to do yet.

Should I give myself up to the authorities…what would they do to me? I can't hide, I have nowhere to go…I have no choice. I have to give myself up. But what if Team Cap see that I've been arrested? They might abandon their plan and do something different!

Sam thought over the dilemma as he walked, unable to come up with any solutions.

"Any sign of Sharon Carter?" Toni asked FRIDAY and got a negative response in response.

"Damn…I should have known it wouldn't be that easy. This is going to be like searching for a needle in a haystack."

An apt observation. Perhaps you should ask around?

It's a long shot…but I'll take it.

Toni stepped into a side street and quickly went from Ironheart to 'random person on the street' using a Yin-hoodie. She took in the sights of Madripoor as she walked around, the luminescent, neon lights and towering skyscrapers dominating the horizon.

Toni had landed in Hightown, a part of the city which was incredibly rich and high-end, but she had gradually made her way to Lowtown on her prowl, the poor part of the city. Gleaming white stone was slowly getting dirtier, the street becoming more cracked. Rubbish blew by her feet and a smell started to emerge, causing Toni to wrinkle her nose. People brushed her past, but they had haunted features and a quick stride now. It was fully night-time in Madripoor now and there were whispers in the dark, eyes staring at her clothes as she passed with a hungry glint, shrieking laughter coming from many a house.

Toni stopped, looking up at the neon sign in front of her, music blaring in the establishment behind it.

Princess Bar

"This is where I need to be. No doubt about it."

Toni strode up to the door, where two beefy bouncers gave her a once-over and immediately held out their hands to stop her going forward.

"Sorry, little miss, but I don't think you want to go in there." One of the bouncers sneered, jerking his hand behind him.

Toni raised her head slightly, allowing the two to get an eyeshot of her feature.

"I think I do."

The two bouncer immediately paled, one of them waving her through while the other frantically whispered through his mic to his boss.

Toni smirked and strolled into the bar, going straight to the table and motioning to the bartender.

"What will it be, ma'am?"

"Strongest stuff you've got."

The bartender nodded, a true professional in not letting any of his disbelief show.

Why bother? There's no point, is there?

Don't remind me. I just want to get the buzz, but I guess even that isn't going to happen.

Apologies.

It was your fault, but I don't blame you for it.

"Toni Stark…billionaire, superhero, in my bar. Why?"

Toni turned around to regard the man who had spoken, idly noticing the rest of the bar had gone quiet. The man in question had blonde hair and sharp features, clothed in an immaculate white suit and a black tuxedo.

"And who are you?"

"Call me O'Donnell. Everyone else does."

"Never heard of you."

"I would be surprised if you had."

"Where is Sharon Carter?"

"That's what you came for?"

"Why else?"

"You're a superhero. This is a den of villainy. Go figure."

"Not my concern at the moment. Where is Sharon Carter?"

"Interesting…follow me."

Toni did as he instructed and they went into the back of the bar.

Wait...I never got my drink. That's a shame.

"Not many people dare come here at night. Too…dangerous for them." O' Donnell said, stopping in a darkened room

"Lucky I'm not 'most people' then."

"Indeed. Sharon Carter…she's upstairs. I'll leave you to it."

O'Donnell gestured toward a set of wooden stairs hidden in the dark, just like in horror movies, and she slowly made her way up. It was dark and Toni slowly felt her way forward, stairs creaking at her every step.

"FRIDAY?"

"Singular heartbeat in front of you."

Toni blinked, then a fist flew towards her face. With her superhuman reflexes, she could've easily dodged, but she chose not to. The fist hit her face…and rocketed off, the person letting out a cry of pain. Yin had hardened Toni's skin with his powers, although it was too dark for the assailant to see what had happened in that split-second.

"Sharon?"

"Should've known that wouldn't work…what do you want, Toni? You going to bring me in?"

"Yup. But firstly: where are the rest of your merry pack of marauders?"

"You…you think they're with me?"

"…they're not?"

"No! They left me, I had to scramble out of the country before I had the whole military on my ass!"

Toni gritted her teeth, frustrated at another dead end.

Her Stark Phone rung, and she glared at it for a few moments before answering the call.

"Pepper, what's up?"

"Toni. I just got a call from Sam Wilson."

"Huh! What did he say?"

"He said…the rogues are planning an attack on SHIELD headquarters. Very soon."

"Wait, wait, wait. Why was he telling you this? You sure he's not lying?"

"Yeah, he said he ditched the others and he called me from a random telephone in the middle of nowhere. Even if it's not true, it's worth making sure. He tried calling you first, but apparently the thing didn't recognise your number."

"I changed it. So they were in America, right under our noses? Damn it…"

"Toni, you gotta hurry. Where are you right now?"

"…Madripoor. I was chasing down a lead."

"Just get back here. There's no time to waste!"

Toni immediately went into her suit, barely sparing the shocked Sharon Carter a second glance as she took off.

"She didn't even arrest me? Wow, she's in a hurry. Well…might as well use the opportunity to go to a different country." Sharon muttered to herself.

The Daily Bugle

TONI STARK SPOTTED IN MADRIPOOR

Famous superhero Toni Stark, known equally for her alias, 'Ironheart', has been spotted in the lawless island-state 'Madripoor'. What has the billionaire been up to recently?

Nobody knows.

Since her fight with former teammate and world criminal Captain America, Stark has been keeping a low profile. Her press announcement was 4 days ago and meanwhile there has been video proof confirming that she had been spotted in New York, eating at a restaurant with close friend Pepper Potts and rival CEO Hope Van Dyne. She has also been spotted sitting on a rooftop with *Spiderman*, the local menace. Was she there to arrest him? if she was, she appears to have failed, for the notorious vigilante is still at large!

Now, we bring you readers fresh eye-witness accounts that give photo evidence, (see page 2), of Ironheart in Madripoor. Is she hunting down her former teammates? Is she finding new teammates, like she claimed she was in her press announcements?

Questions to ponder, reader, and we will give you the answers to them as soon as possible!

4 shadowed figures quickly climbed onto the train, looking around to make sure nobody had seen them. The train started moving, heading to New York, and the people took off their hoods, revealing the rogues…

This two week schedule is working quite well for me, but I do have my research project presentation and end of year exams…

The Princess Bar and O'Donnell are in Marvel comics. They are actually located in Madripoor and after looking up drawings of O'Donnell, I'm fairly sure I described him right. As for Madripoor, watch the Falcon and the Winter Soldier if you want a better look at it.

All the chapters – except for Chapter 1 – have been quite a bit over 3,000 words. Is that a good chapter length?