Disclaimer: I own nothing in the MCU or anything drawn from the comics. Unfortunately. Lol. All characters belong to the amazing people over at Marvel! I'm just playing with them for a little bit.
Summary: Homecoming AU. "I swear..." he gasped out between his sobs. "I... I didn't kill Mr. Stark." When the argument after the ferry incident goes horribly awry, Tony is missing and presumed dead, and Spider-Man is suspect number one. Peter believes his mentor is still alive out there, but he'll need help to find and save Tony from who truly wants him dead in time.
Author's Note: Hey, guys! Thank you for all the reviews, favorites, and follows! They mean a lot to me and really keep me encouraged! I'm glad you guys are happy that Steve and his team have come into the picture to try to help find Tony! As I said, what better way to add a little more angst than after what went down between them in Civil War? Also, speaking of Tony, he's not in the best of spots at the moment, and as promised, we'll see quite a bit more of what happened while up on that rooftop, as well as where he's at now coming up! With that said, I hope you enjoy! :-)
Chapter 7– Pawns on a Chessboard
"So... tell me what you would've done to those punks, exactly, if I hadn't stepped out of the car?"
Happy rolled his eyes as he tightened his hands around the wheel. "I could've handled 'em," he muttered defensively as he turned onto the closest street he could to get to the harbor.
"Oh, yeah? With what?" Rhodey asked with a grin. "Those stellar boxing moves of yours I've heard a thing or two about?"
"Wait... what? No... she didn't..." There's no way he could have known about that... It had been so long ago that he and the woman in question had gone to infiltrate Hammer Industries, as well as when she had caught him off guard in the boxing ring...
Rhodey chuckled. "Romanoff and Tony may have mentioned something about it to me once... She suggested a possibly more... able bodyguard. But that was before she knew the real you, so don't worry. We had a good laugh." Though his cheerful look waned, not only at the thought of their missing friend but also the thought of one of the teammates he'd believed he'd been able to trust.
They'd been on the same side when it had come to signing the Accords, and they'd fought together in Germany before she decided to help Steve and Barnes escape. Not the worst crime ever committed since it turned out the latter had been proven innocent in the UN bombing, but still. She was now rogue, like a few other members of the team, the family, they had built. He remembered the billionaire had at one time expressed how he wasn't sure if Black Widow could be trusted considering her less than... ideal past. And with the amount of times she'd seemingly been able to effortlessly cross, double cross, and even triple cross people she'd say she cared about, he couldn't blame him.
But also like Tony, he'd come to slowly trust her and wanted to believe the best in her since she was a valuable asset to the Avengers Initiative. And a good friend. It was a little hard to think of her, and the others, on the other side of the law now...
Beside him, the colonel could hear Happy grumbling under his breath about women, particularly women spies, and things that shouldn't be shared. Chuckling, he reached over and patted his arm. "Chill, man. It was all in good fun. You know Tony would never dream of replacing you, especially when it comes to watching Pepper." He paused, a mischievous gleam appearing in his eye. "You'd throw too big a fit."
"Yeah, yeah. Oh, and for your information, I got the guy. And she's a freaking secret agent." Happy sent him a mock glare as he found a place to park. This time, it was across the street from the gelato store. "At least we got the kid's backpack, didn't we?"
Rhodey acknowledged this with a nod. "That we did," he agreed before he smirked. "But only because I stepped out of the car, and those punks recognized Colonel James Rhodes and didn't want to mess with War Machine."
"Oh, shut up." But even Happy wasn't able to keep the small smile off his face. Shortly after the fight in Germany that had caused him extensive spinal damage and paralysis from the waist down, he couldn't deny that he had been concerned about the other man. He hadn't tried to let it show, but he'd seen the signs of depression Rhodey had displayed when he believed no one was looking as Tony attempted to help him walk again, and he couldn't blame him for that. It was a relief to see that some of his friend's humor had definitely returned, even when they were now faced with the grim reality of not knowing what had happened to Iron Man.
"Everything's in there at least, yeah?" the head of security continued.
"Think so." Rhodey glanced down at the slightly tattered backpack resting in his lap. "I mean, his phone and change of clothes are in here. Along with a couple notebooks, math and science books... A copy of Hamlet. An iPod with noise-canceling headphones. Pack of gum, half gone... I'd say we were pretty lucky. Those guys digging through it must have just found it before we got there."
"Good. Wouldn't want anything stolen when we were supposed to get it."
"Kid's gotta be more careful where he hides his things," Rhodey stated as he set the backpack on the floor before opening the door and carefully stepping out of the car. "Even if that's his normal safe place, it won't be all the time."
"True, though I guess that's part of the problem of being the only one of you guys who has an identity that's still secret," Happy replied as he also stepped out before locking the car up after them.
Rhodey sighed. "Yeah, and let's hope it stays that way," he muttered with a cautious look around. "Especially right now..."
Happy nodded in agreement as they began to walk down the still bustling and brightly lit sidewalk. He glanced skyward, knowing the smoke still had to be lingering heavily over them even though it couldn't be seen against the starless sky. "Yeah, that kid doesn't need any more stress with people finding out who he is when that person is being accused of murder..."
"Not at all. Kid would break under that kind of pressure." The "still might" the colonel had thought better of adding at the last second lingered heavily over them. Happy still seemed to hear it, however, as he sighed.
"That's what worries me."
When the two men reached the harbor, they both paused at the sight they were greeted with gathered in front of the burning building. "What the hell is this...?" Happy groaned in clear annoyance. "This wasn't here earlier..."
Rhodey let out a long breath when his gaze passed over two clearly opposing groups, both rowdy, angry, and seemingly restless enough to start resorting to more physical methods. Police officers were carefully moving through the crowd, trying to keep the confrontation from turning violent. "This doesn't look good," he muttered. "Looks like we got one side defending Tony, the other Peter... Damn, people will fight over anything these days." He shook his head slightly. "Let's see if we can find an officer to talk to."
"Right with ya, buddy."
When they got nearer to the large assembly, someone from the pro-Iron Man side noticed them and immediately pointed. "Colonel Rhodes!"
The call was immediately picked up by other surrounding the young man, interspersed with other cries for War Machine, as many people in the group began to try to make their way toward him with their cell phones out. But Happy stepped in front of him, blocking him, and Rhodey chuckled.
"I appreciate the sentiment, but I don't need a bodyguard, Happy..."
"Just shut up and take it," Happy hissed back before turning his full attention to the advancing people who had gathered to express outrage and sorrow over the presumed fate of Tony Stark. "Hey! Keep your distance!"
It was then that Rhodey didn't mind having the head of security along with him to help ward off the riled crowed as they made their way, slowly but surely, toward the barricade blocking off the burning building. He just wasn't in the mood to deal with any of the shenanigans, not when one of his best friend he'd had for almost his whole life could have been nearby and hurt, or...
"Colonel Rhodes! A word, please."
His thoughts were instantly derailed when a tall, slender young woman with long, strawberry blond hair approached from the other side, sighing with annoyance when he realized she was a reporter as she shoved a handled recorder in his face.
"What are your thoughts on the eyewitness report that Stark, a known personal friend of yours, could have possibly been murdered earlier this evening?"
"No comment," Rhodey stated stiffly, not even looking at the woman as he kept making his way forward. But even though he knew the truth about Spider-Man's involvement in the incident, the word kept echoing in his mind, no matter how much he tried to force it away.
Murdered... murdered... murdered...
"Colonel, how about thoughts on the reports that Spider-Man has been reported as the last known person to not only see Stark alive, but also as the person who is, right now, the lead suspect in his presumed death?" she persisted.
"No comment," Rhodey repeated, just as firmly as the first time. He cursed inwardly when the joints in his left knee began to stiffen up a little, making his strides a little more difficult despite the braces. It was a problem he'd been noticing throughout his rehabilitation if he overdid walking without anything for support, one that Tony was determined to fix. All he knew was now was not the time for it to settle in.
"How about your thoughts on–!"
The reporter's question was rudely interrupted when Happy suddenly reached over and grabbed the recorder from her hand. "He said no comment," the head of security snapped before tossing the small device as hard and as far away from them as he could. Rhodey watched appreciatively as it shattered against the concrete.
"Bill Stark Industries," Happy finished dryly before setting a hand on his friend's shoulder and steering him away from the stunned woman.
"I was two seconds away from doing that myself, man..." the colonel muttered.
"Two seconds too slow, my friend." Happy smiled back at him, causing both men to chuckle.
Rhodey's cheerful smile faded with a sigh when they reached the barricade keeping the civilians a safe distance away from the burning building. He glanced around, noticing a blonde woman somewhat nearby being consoled by a couple of officers before casting his gaze above them at the bright, crackling flames. The heat was intense, even from that distance.
As he watched the firefighters work to combat the blaze as best as they could, his jaw tightened as a sobering reality occurred to him due to all that he had seen through his years of service. If anyone had been up on that roof when the explosion hit and stayed up there in its fiery aftermath, there wasn't a very high chance that anything could be found. Unless Tony had been able to find another way to make it off the building to escape the blaze...
But then, his eyes narrowed slightly in confusion when something caught his eye against the night sky in the flickering light. What appeared to be a drone of some sort was hovering a cautious distance above the building and was being careful to avoid the smoke or the direct line of vision of the firefighters. Not thinking too much of it, he began to look away before pausing and taking a second look when something about it caught his attention.
The red and silver coloring... the almost bird shape...
Rhodey's brow furrowed as he started to look at the large group of people gathered around them. He knew that device... there was no mistaking it. Or its owner. Sam Wilson had to be somewhat close by if Redwing was, though what he was doing here after having been completely off the radar after escaping the Raft prison two months before, he wasn't sure. Unless he'd happened to hear about Tony...
If that was the case, who else could have been with him?
Beside him, Happy didn't seem to notice the same things as he instead scanned the group of police officers scrambling around on the other side of the barricade. Finally spotting a familiar face, he raised a hand and waved to get his attention.
"Hey, kid!" he called. "Over here! Remember me?"
The young, clean-shaven officer he had seen earlier in the day turned at the voice before giving the head of security a small smile. Glancing around at the other officers around him, he began to jog over. He briefly pulled his cap off and brushed a hand through his unruly brown hair before replacing it as he stopped in front of them.
"Hey, yeah, I remember you," the officer muttered. "You were the one asking all the questions before."
Happy let out a small, slightly irritated breath before offering a conceding nod. "Yeah, and I've got a couple more..."
But his sentence trailed off when he saw the younger man's eyes go wide when he noticed just who was with him. He allowed himself a quiet chuckle when he remembered how the officer had spoken about both Spider-Man and Iron Man with excitement the first time he had seen him, knowing he shouldn't have been surprised to see this response to yet another Avenger. Perhaps his friend had been right in saying that having War Machine around would be helpful at the scene, after all...
"Co-Colonel Rhodes," the young officer managed to stutter. "It's... it's an honor to meet you, sir.
Rhodey quickly turned around from whatever he'd been looking for to face the kid, and a small smile appeared at the corner of his lips as he sturdily shook his proffered hand with a brief nod. "Pleasure's mine," he replied. "Keep up the good work here, son."
The young man appeared as though he could faint on sight at the compliment if he weren't on duty. "Th-thank you, Colonel..."
Happy smiled. "Look, kid, we're here to see if we can find out anything more about what could have happened to our friend, Tony Stark," he continued, making sure that his Stark Industries badge was in plain sight. "We're not entirely sure we believe what the news has been saying about what happened, and if there's a chance that he's around here somewhere, hurt or disoriented..."
Hesitance immediately crossed the young officer's face. "Oh, I... I don't think I'd be allowed to let you past this point," he told him with a brief shake of his head. "I've been around here all day, and I haven't seen any sign of Mr. Stark around the scene... Besides, it's much too dangerous. I could get in trouble..."
Rhodey flashed the younger man the finest example of his bright, charming smile that was full of confidence. "We won't get too close to the building itself, I promise," he assured him calmly. "We'd just like a brief look closer to the harbor, perhaps on the other side of the building... that's all. Because if there's a chance that Mr. Stark is hurt and needing medical attention, well, that'd be on us. And all of you guys. We can't have that."
The kid's defenses were cracking, that much was clear by his darting gaze. "Well, as I said, we... we did go over the scene..."
And totally missed Spider-Man, Happy thought to himself with annoyance.
"Consider it... Avengers business," Rhodey quickly continued, that disarming smile still lingering on his face. "Kid, I'm a military man who's served this country for years. And this guy here..." He paused, cheerfully patting Happy on the arm. "This guy here used to be Iron Man's personal bodyguard. I give you my word we'll be very careful and won't get too close. Okay? Just a quick little look around." He completely ignored the scowl being sent his way by the head of security.
After another moment and cautious look around at the other officers, the young man nodded. "Okay," he finally agreed, moving the barricade a little to the side so they could have room to pass through. "But be quick about it. And don't get too close. Don't want you two to get hurt, Colonel."
"Much appreciated, son. What's your name?"
The officer definitely seemed flustered to be asked such a direct question. "Peterson, sir."
"Well, you have my thanks, Peterson. We'll be quick. And you can blame me if you get into any trouble for this."
Peterson nodded, appearing as though he'd never dream of doing such a thing, and stepped aside, allowing them to come inside the perimeter. Rhodey walked through first before he glanced back at the other man with a large, satisfied grin.
Happy's eyes narrowed. He knew where this was going. "Don't even say it..." he began, his tone low and full of warning.
"I told you so, man," Rhodey said with a brief laugh, completely ignoring his friend's roll of his eyes as he stepped past the barricade himself. "War freaking Machi–!"
But before he could finish his statement of personal victory, a deafening crack echoed through the night air. People in the large crowd behind them screamed and gasped in fear. Peterson's eyes widened in terror. Happy reached forward and grabbed a hold of the colonel's arm, pulling him back toward the barricade. Rhodey threw an arm out to steady himself as he stumbled back, wincing as his legs protested to the sudden motion before turning above him once again with fear of his own.
The flaming building had finally started to collapse beneath the weight of the damage caused by the flames and earlier explosion, and they all could only watch in horror as large, fiery chunks of concrete began to fall toward the ground far below as the structure started to implode.
"Oh, shit!" the panicked voice of Sam Wilson broke through the two earpieces. "Nat! Steve! Get out of there, now!"
The blonde-haired Natasha Romanoff stared up at the crumbling building with fear as she took a few quick steps back from the barricade and the officers she'd previously been speaking with hurried away. She hardly noticed as Redwing zipped away back toward its owner high above her as she grimly realized that anything they'd hoped to find on that rooftop that could lead them to Tony was going to be lost now. Hopefully, Sam would be able to find something in the footage he'd managed to get before everything had collapsed.
But while a concern, it wasn't her immediate worry. Her sharp gaze quickly scanned the officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel who were scrambling on the inside of the perimeter, looking for the familiar bearded face of their third companion hurrying away from the scene. But she did not find what she sought.
"Steve!" she yelled, covering the ear not containing the small communication device in effort to block out the loud sounds of panic so she wouldn't miss anything. "Steve!"
But she heard nothing.
Undeterred, Natasha moved a bit further down the barricade, getting as close as she possibly could to get a better look at where she had last seen their friend disappear into the shadows of the now partially collapsed building that overlooked the harbor. "Sam, do you have a visual on Steve?" she asked, her gaze traveling upward to see if Redwing was still close enough to the scene to get a good look.
It took a moment for his defeated response to come through. "Negative..."
Sighing, Natasha tried to fight the anxious crowd threatening to consume her in all the chaos. "Steve!" she cried out one more time, hoping to get any sort of response as Sam took up the call in her ear as well. "Can you hear us? Steve!"
The only answer they received was static.
"B-but... Mr. Stark... My uncle, he's right there... How can you not see him? Mr. Stark? He's right there! We have to help him!"
Tony could feel the teen's skinny frame shaking against him and could hear the tears forming in his eyes as the words broke through his lips, and his brow furrowed as he made sure his hold around him stayed secure to keep him in place. He could only assume that the gas they had been hit with had some hallucinogenic properties, which was a lot less severe than he had feared when he'd seen the symbol of the Ten Rings on the device that had come at them. He had immediately removed his suit jacket after his Iron Man armor had been targeted by their assailants– much to his great annoyance– to cover his face, but he'd also been keenly aware that it wouldn't be enough to counteract the effects completely. He'd have to be careful.
Though what he could say for certain was that there was no one standing where Peter was frantically trying to get to. There was actually nothing there aside from the edge of the building, which the web-slinger would have toppled right off of if he hadn't caught him. Though he couldn't deny that his young companion's broken tone as he called out for his uncle, as he adamantly told him that they had to help him, pierced straight through him. The billionaire was aware of the circumstances surrounding Ben Parker's death, he had been since he had decided to recruit this kid after learning who he was and what he could do, so he understood how painful this fresh wound still had to be for Peter to believe he was now seeing this beloved man.
He opened his mouth to say something to get the teen to focus, to see reason, to offer a little comfort perhaps, but he froze when a stern, quiet voice reached his ears. It was one that he knew well, one that made his very blood run cold.
"... Tony..."
A moment passed before Tony raised his gaze from Peter, who he was sure was prepared to start trying to fight out of his hold again, and his hazel eyes narrowed as he attempted to focus on the figure he could just start to make out through the light-colored haze that still lingered over them. He blinked rapidly a few times as the gas continued to thin around the shadow that slowly drew nearer to them, and it wasn't long before this man's immaculate suit, sharp features, and brilliant white hair and beard were clearly visible.
Hearing him was one thing; seeing him was another all together.
The billionaire's breath caught in his chest as the arm he had around Peter began to loosen, and his eyes widened in fear as he stared at the crimson blood marking the serious, lined face he knew so well. He felt the teen's gaze on him curiously, but he ignored it as his sole attention remained on the commanding figure standing before them, his mind frantically trying to process exactly what it was that he was seeing.
D-Dad...?
But then, Tony shut his eyes tightly as he briefly shook his head with determination. This vision wasn't real. It couldn't be. Howard Stark had died... no, was murdered... years before. This last image he had seen of his old man from the old video Baron Zemo had shown him only two months before that had been burned into his brain ever since and that had manifested itself in front of him now was merely that– his mind playing tricks on him. It had to be an effect of the gas, there was nothing else it could be. His father was just a hallucination. There was no way it could be real...
"Tony... Look at me, son."
... Then why did that voice, that deep voice he had heard for all of his young life, sound so damn real...?
His breath shaking as it now came quicker, Tony forced his eyes to open and look back at his father, no matter how much he didn't want to. He had to just... ignore what was happening, not play into these hallucinations. But he somehow felt obliged to obey the gentle command, nonetheless. Just as he always had. Howard's sharp gaze met his and captured it, and he found he was unable to look away.
"Tony, I always knew that you would have the ability to change the world," Howard continued now that he had his son's attention. "And look at you now. I regret not saying this to you sooner, but my greatest creation has always been–!"
Suddenly, a metallic silver hand landed on top of Howard's head from behind, roughly yanking his father out of sight. Tony let out an audible gasp as he stumbled back away from both this new threat and from Peter, his heart hammering painfully in his chest as he turned away.
"Mr. Stark...?"
The billionaire heard the web-slinger's concerned voice but found he couldn't bring himself to respond to it, to reassure him. He frantically attempted to steady himself, to force himself to breathe, to focus enough to slow his racing mind down to a point where he could just think.
His efforts were interrupted by a heavy footstep made by what he saw was a black combat boot out of the corner of his eye, and Tony's head quickly snapped up as another man strode out of the smoke toward them. Dread coursed through him when he immediately recognized the dark uniform, the left arm completely made of metal with a red star painted on the shoulder, and the brown hair that framed his pale face. Or at least what was visible of it. A dark cloth mask covered his features except for the piercing blue eyes rimmed heavily with black.
But no... wait... something was wrong here... That metal arm... the other man no longer should have had it... He had blasted it off himself... He was certain of that...
... Then why...?
But Tony had no time to question it further as he watched Barnes pull what appeared to his distorted mind to be a high-powered assault rifle off his back with gloved hands... and aimed it straight at Peter.
The billionaire moved before he was even aware of what his body was compelled to do. He saw the teen was continuing to stare at him in fear, not even noticing the Winter Soldier or the danger he was clearly in. Tony quickly reached out and pulled him back, ignoring the kid's startled shout, as he put himself between Peter and the weapon just as the gunshot echoed around them. He inwardly chastised himself. Why he kept playing to these hallucinations, he wasn't sure...
... until burning pain erupted low in his side as a real bullet tore through his body.
It was that burning pain in his lower side that caused a weak groan to break through Tony's dried, chapped lips as he slowly forced his eyes to open. But everything around him was moving too quickly, and he closed them again as he let out a long, shuddering breath.
Damn, everything hurt. His limbs felt almost like rubber and were too difficult to move as they protested any and all movement. His torso felt as though it was on fire as he struggled to take full breaths. His whole head was pounding and felt as though it was too heavy to lift off the hard floor. And almost worse than all of that, his mind felt as though it had been forcefully detached from his body, and with as weak as everything was, it felt as though it hadn't been put back properly yet. It was a sensation that was both unfamiliar and unsettling, much more so than any of the physical injuries that he'd become so accustomed to over the years.
What... what the hell had even happened...? He couldn't say for sure... All he remembered was being on a rooftop somewhere... he'd been angry at someone about something...
... Wait...
A blue and red suit flashed before his eyes followed by a desperate young, familiar face...
"Mr. Stark..."
Peter. He'd been with Peter up on that rooftop.
He struggled to force his eyes open again before trying to push himself up, though he didn't have the strength. His head weakly dropped back to the floor as his chest heaved and his mind whirled.
Where was Peter? He had to make sure he was safe, that he was okay, that he was unhurt...
"Better get moving then, Iron Man..."
A beautiful face framed by strawberry blonde hair, one that he loved more than any other– especially when she gave him that smile– was close to his own. How he'd just wanted to lean forward, to close that distance as he'd done so many times before, to capture her lips with his own...
"Pe... Pep...per..." Tony gasped out, his hand slowly reaching out before him. She hadn't been up on that building along with him and Peter... had she...? He couldn't remember...
"Tony... Look at me, son."
Howard... His father had been there...
No, that was impossible... But that deep voice, it was so clear... that bloodied, stern face so familiar...
Barnes... no, that metal arm shouldn't have been there...
... Barnes had shoved his father aside... had killed him... had tried to shoot... Peter...
The pain in his side flared, and he carefully rested his arm over it.
"Mr. Stark!"
Peter's pale, fearful features flashed before his eyes again. Peter... where was Peter...?
The billionaire's mind was going so fast it almost hurt... it throbbed in time with his frantic heart... Slow down... please slow down...
Barnes' gun was fired... There was a burning pain in his side as a bullet tore through him... pain... then bright lights and intense heat...
... an explosion...?
Peter's panicked... or was it pained... scream echoed in his ears...
Peter!
Tony took a sharp intake of breath as he once again started to try to push himself off the floor, causing a coughing fit to wrack his entire body and wreaking havoc on his sore, dry throat. He couldn't breathe. But he didn't give up as he pushed himself up on one arm, the normally strong, sturdy limb trembling as he struggled to support his weight and threatened to send him face-first back to the floor. The coughing finally stopped, still leaving him gasping for breath, and he reached for his chest...
But he paused when his fingers came in contact with something he hadn't expected to feel there.
Wires.
Tony's eyes snapped open, and despite how the dark room around him spun, he forced himself to look down at his chest. Through the minimal lighting and his blurry vision, despite how he blinked repeatedly in effort to clear it, he saw the wires were definitely connected to his body. At his feet was what appeared to be some sort of...
... was that... a car battery...?
Cold panic grasped his heart and wouldn't let go. But that... that was impossible... He didn't... he didn't need that... This wasn't... There was no way...
The billionaire struggled to raise his head to get a better look around, noticing the one bright spot in the place he was being kept in was a large, illuminated, red flag mounted on the wall across from him. His hazel eyes widened as his mind nearly ground to a complete halt when he saw the symbol that shook him to his very core– two swords crossed in the middle of ten interlocking rings...
No... no... this was impossible... There was no way he could be here... It felt like so, so long ago now. Another lifetime.
... But yet...
His chest hurt like hell whenever he took a gasping breath. His heart felt like it had to keep forcing itself to beat again and again as it pounded against his ribs. The pain, the feeling, so hauntingly familiar...
But he knew better... didn't he...?
Letting out an exasperated, almost fearful, sigh, Tony frantically pulled at the wires attached to his chest, finding with confusion that they had only been clipped onto his torn t-shirt. His brow furrowing, but not able to deny the feeling of relief that replaced the panic, he weakly shoved the wires away from him, his foot lightly bumping against the car battery for added measure. He wanted nothing to do with it.
Trying to settle his breathing a bit, he slowly dropped his head again. His fingers curled tightly into a fist. He wasn't stashed away in a cave in Afghanistan somewhere, he had to keep telling himself. He wasn't being held captive by the Ten Rings...
But clearly, someone had brought him somewhere after... whatever had happened down at the ferry port after Peter had gotten into some trouble. And obviously, that person wasn't friendly.
A quiet laugh reached his ears then, causing his body to tense. He should have known; there was always one right away.
"You're awake, Mr. Stark. Good."
Tony glanced up, seeing the same pair of black combat boots he remembered from earlier before he slowly raised his gaze to look at the Winter Soldier towering above him. Or rather, someone who looked like the Winter Soldier. Now that the man was closer, he could see, even through the bit of a haze that lingered over his brain, the differences in his facial structure a bit more, as well as in his build. That and he had that blasted metal arm that he wasn't supposed to.
"So... who are you supposed to be?" the billionaire asked lightly, hoping to keep his voice as steady as possible despite how everything hurt and how dry his throat was. "Some cheap Bucky Barnes knock-off? Go back to Comic Con, pal. Or your parents' basement..."
Arsen rolled his eyes in annoyance before he smirked. "You still have some fight in you. That's good," he muttered. "We'll see how long it takes to get that right out of you."
Tony attempted a similar look in return. "You'll be trying for a long time, I'm afraid." He was definitely pleased with how sturdy and confident his tone sounded there, all things considered. "It's going to take more than a couple wires and a car battery to me to crack."
The other man's blue eyes gleamed, and Tony felt a sense of dread he couldn't explain. "Fortunately for us, the doctor has plans for you," he told him. "You have your role to play yet in the events that will now begin to unfold. And then your use will have reached its end."
His arms were beginning to tremble beneath him as they struggled to support his weight, but Tony grit his teeth in determination to keep himself propped up, even as he briefly closed his weary hazel eyes. His mind was still attempting to clear itself completely, and the words weren't fully registering. What role was he supposed to be playing? All he knew was he wasn't going to go along with it, not at all. He wasn't going to do anything these crazy cosplayers wanted.
"Look, pal, if you think I'm gonna just..."
"I'd be careful if I were you," Arsen suddenly advised, interrupting his captive. "You're only one pawn on this board, Mr. Stark. You never know where the other pieces are."
A cold dread flooded through Tony as his eyes widened slightly. Peter... Pepper... They couldn't be here... could they? No, he refused to believe that...
"What... what do you...?" he began, his tone cracking ever so slightly as his mouth felt dryer than ever. But his question trailed off when the other man turned on his heel and began to make his way toward the door of the room. "Wait..."
But Tony's protests fell on deaf ears as Arsen strolled out, the last thing he saw being the gleam of his metallic arm before the door slammed heavily closed behind him.
Author's Note: Quick shoutout to CoffeeRanger for this little idea of the first mind game played on Tony! Much appreciated, my friend, and I can't wait to get more into our rather evil ideas that we've got in store. So, that's it for this one! Poor Tony, that's all I gotta say. It won't be getting much easier for him for a while. And poor everyone else as they try looking for him! It won't necessarily be the easiest on them going forward, either! Next chapter, we'll be getting back to Peter as he figures out how to get himself more in on the action to find Tony, as well as to deal with the other problems he's facing. As always, feedback is appreciated. Until next time, guys! :-)