Chapter 2.

"Guys, I've got Sparkles here…" Static broke and silenced Tony's voice as a few seconds later another spoke.

"Before I go home, I must repay you for your kindness." Static burst through again and Steve had to strain his ears to try and continue to listen to the duo.

"Help me? I don't know if you know but I am a genius just about any problem I can solve myself." Natasha had to contain a snort at that. Once again my original analysis of Stark is being proven correct Narcissistic to the core.

"You are like the others I help." Disturbance began to warp the tone of its words as static worked to mask some its content as well. " You are the least liked of the team ," Wincing in sympathy on the other side of the com Rhodes knew that tensions between Tony and the old team still run high but not that they were that strained. Dammit Tony why didn't you tell me it was still that bad? They had forgiven Wanda for Ultron but not Tony for it and now the raft? (That was mostly Ross but they still thought it was Tony. What idiots.)

Nonverbally he asked Friday to track Tony's location, she had found it quickly but it was on the complete opposite side of the area. He forwarded this to the others. If he saw any non-flying avenger he would help them get there faster but for now he was focused on getting to his best friend.

"Partially due to the personality you portray…"

Ouch. That was harsh. Wait what portray? Clint was stupefied in shock as the Being's, Sparkles, words sunk in.

"Rude." Not a denial. Natasha noted. She would have to interrogate Stark about this later.

"…And due to your past misdeeds which they don't know the full story about."

Wanda glowered at the com as her hands crackled in reddened rage. She knew enough. He had taken her parents from her first with the bomb he created then Pietro with Ultron which was Starks brain child. She would never forgive him. Ever.

"A conflict took place which exaggerated matters." Peter knew that in ordinary circumstances he wouldn't have been called in to help fight Captain America's side at that Berlin Airport due to being underage but Mr Stark had needed help to detain the others. Tony had revealed later that he had thought despite Peter's young age he could find no one more capable. Additionally, once Mr Stark had realised how serious the fight was going to go he had told Peter to go home. Now, Peter respected that despite feeling slightly annoyed by it at the time. Afterwards, Peter had been able to explain away his injuries from the airport as coming from a "Steve from Brooklyn" but he highly doubted he would have been able to do that if he had carried on fighting.

Static begun again but was quickly cut out.

"You really aren't a bad person."

Scott inwardly scoffed he had been hearing from Hank to never trust a Stark and Tony had done nothing to change his mind yet.

However the Hulk who picked up Ant man earlier rumbled with laughter to himself seeing the incredulous look on Scott's face. TIN MAN GOOD FRIEND TO HULK AND BANNER. TIN MAN VERY GOOD. Banner in his mind nods in agreement but kept him quiet as not to disturb Tin Man and Sparkles conversation.

"I have to admit playing the villain does get old even if they get the best lines."

Has Stark been playing a part this entire time? Natasha was outraged. But a deep sense of anxiety settled in Peter at these words. He couldn't keep quiet any longer.

"Tony what's going on we're following Rhodes to your location?" He had hoped to get a reaction out of Mr Stark by calling him Tony ("Call me Tony, Mr Stark makes me feel old.")

There was a very pregnant pause.

"Tony?"

There was a whoosh of what sounded like strong wind hitting the armour. A dull thud. Silence.

"STARK."

Steve's anxious yell bounced around the unnaturally dark alleyway.

The silence he got back as a reply increased the worry and suspicion of the other Avengers who edged forward slightly behind him. (They had been persuaded by Cap not bound ahead as although the Alien ,Being or whatever it was, hadn't shown signs of malice towards human kind yet, they all knew how Stark pushed buttons and could make someone or something flip out.)

"Mr Stank," Rhodes projected his teasing tone into the alleyway as they all edged further in. ("That's one of the funniest nicknames I've heard for Stark, I'm so stealing that." Clint murmured to Scott who smothered a snort in response, imaging Tony's reaction to that.)

The deafening silence in reply did nothing but heighten the tension even more.

"Come on Tones tell me that creepy alien hasn't got you."

"Why would it go after him?" Wanda whispered maliciously under her breath. "He's in no way been misjudged or wronged we all know arrogant murdering arsehole."

Wisely she stopped once Vision gave her a sharp look in response and Spiderman's masked eyes narrowed at her.

"We all make mistakes Miss Maximoff." A sharp otherworldly voice spoke from the blanket of black in front of them making everyone tense and point their weapons in its direction.

The sparkling humanoid walked calmly towards the group sending small shards of light scattering in every direction as it raised its hands in a peaceful gesture despite that both Natasha and Clint kept their weapons drawn and aimed at the creature.

"Why do you hold hostility towards me humans? I mean you no harm."

"Where do you hold Friend Anthony then?" Thor boomed twirling his hammer menacingly at the being that seemed unphased by the unspoken threat.

"It seems you are one of the few here that would call him so God of Thunder," The Being smiled amiably at him before turning and addressing the others "I will take you to him."

Sparkles clicked its fingers and they all disappeared.