Chapter IX – The Day After

Tony Stark stared at himself in the mirror. The battle worn face looked back at him with tired eyes. He straightened the Federation dress uniform leant to him for the party. It was a midnight blue tunic with gold buttons running down its center with a pair of matching slacks.

He closed his eyes and sighed. In a few short hours, he would be leaving for home again. Earth, the 21st Century. Back to war and destruction. Back to the Avengers, back to his company. Away from Samus. In the mirror's reflection, he could see the Heart sitting on the bed behind him in the small guest quarters. So much destruction for such a little thing. He thought.

A knock on the door jarred him from his thoughts. He walked briskly towards the door, and pressed a button. It opened with a hiss. Clint stood there in a similar dress uniform.

"Hey, what's takin' so long, Tony?" He asked. "The others are ready. Come on."

"Yeah," Tony said as he exited the room, the door shutting with a hiss.

"Cheer up, Tony," Clint said. "It's a celebration, and we have some stuff to celebrate!"

"I don't feel much like celebrating, Clint," Tony said.

"I know you're upset, Tony," Clint said. "About Samus and all, but, please, try to enjoy yourself." Clint patted him on the shoulder. "At least for me."

"I'll try," Tony said with a wan smile. "It's just the weight of everything. Not just Samus. We have so much to do back in our time, where Galactus is still alive. I have my company, where I work to design better weapons." He paused. "I just want to know that my inventions save lives, not take them. After seeing what happened to Aluren and Gyllin, I want to not be known as a weapons designer."

"Tony," Clint said. "You won't. The Iron Man armor has saved countless lives. Think about it. All those years with the Avengers weren't for nothing! You just have to realize that sometimes that to obtain peace, you have to bonk some heads. Aluren saw that, and," Clint paused. "He had a point there, despite his other views. I think Samus agrees as well. Samus and Gyllin both told me that you achieve great things, and you know what, Tony? I agree with them. I know you way to well to doubt you."

"Thanks, Clint," Tony said, pulling Clint towards him as they walked.

At the end of the hall, the others were waiting for the two Avengers. Each wore a Federation uniform for the occasion. Cloud and Terra smiled as they approached, and walked up to them. It seemed weird to Tony to see Cloud without that sword of his. Terra gave each of them a hug in turn, while Cloud shook their hands. Behind them, Iron Man saw Samus talking to a blonde-haired woman also in a Federation uniform.

"Pardon me," Tony said to Terra and Cloud as he walked up to Samus.

"I'm sure the Federation will overlook your record, Faith," Samus said as Tony walked up to her. She glanced over her shoulder. "Tony," she jumped.

"Samus," he said.

"You look good," each said at once, and then laughed.

"Tony," Samus said. "Faith has decided to help us round up the remnants of the Syndicate."

"Really?"

"Yes," Faith said softly. "Aluren was a noble man, but the company he kept wasn't always so noble. With him dead, the Syndicate will most likely just turn into a group of mindless thugs."

"Yeah," Tony said. "That is an honorable thing to do. Speaking of mindless thugs, where are our other friends?"

"Ridley and his Space Pirates took off once Galactus was dead and we were ready to go," Samus said. "The Federation and the Space Pirates said their token appreciations of thanks, and that was it. Both sides wanted as little to do with the other as possible."

"Then things are back to normal for you?" Tony asked.

"I guess we'll see," Samus said with a shrug.

The door at the end of the hall then opened as Gyllin walked through. He also wore a Federation uniform, but his was decorated with a variety of accolades.

"The Admiral told me to inform you that the party is set to begin," Gyllin said with a bow, motioning them in.

"Thank you, Gyllin," Samus said with a smile as she walked in.

Tony followed, with Faith cautiously moving in behind him. Terra, Cloud, and Hawkeye soon followed.

This is some party, Clint thought as he looked around. Puts the one at the summit to shame! Around the large room, tables adorned with expensive tablecloths sporting the Federation logo, Earth surrounded by a laurel crown, lay scattered around the room, each with food and drink both exotic and familiar. Banners with the Federation logo hung around the room, and windows along the back wall revealed the starscape outside as the Federation cruiser headed back towards Earth. Clint smiled as he went to the open bar. Cloud and Terra followed him.

"And what will you have," the young Federation officer behind the bar asked.

"Have any beer?" Clint asked. "Don't care as much for the 'fancy drinks'."

"Uhh, I think so," the officer said, rummaged around the bottom cabinet, and appeared shortly later, holding a bottle of beer. "Yes we do."

"Good, make it three," he said, indicating Terra and Cloud. The officer handed Clint the three bottles, already opened.

"Drink up and celebrate," Clint said, handing Terra and Cloud each a bottle. Clint took a swig from it and smiled. "This is good beer."

Terra and Cloud each looked at him funny, and then took a tentative swallow. Each made a face, stared at each other, and swallowed hard.

"Don't worry," Clint said. "It's an acquired taste to some people."

The three walked around the party, checking out the variety of foods. Each one daring the others try out the unfamiliar ones. Some were okay, some were disgusting, and some were quite delicious. After sampling the local cuisine, the three walked next to one of the view ports, Clint finishing up his beer while Cloud and Terra politely nursed theirs.

"So what do you guys plan on doing now?" Clint asked.

"The Federation said they will drop Cloud and I off at our respective home worlds," Terra said, taking another drink from her beer. "They think that with Mag – I mean Aluren – gone, things will return to normal now. I just want to settle down now that I feel that now my 'destiny' is finally over. I can actually get on with my life, to live how I want to. I can't wait to get back to the orphanage." She was smiling now.

"I'm looking forward to seeing my friends," Cloud said. "And relax, like Terra said. I think a month at Costa del Sol will do it," he finished with a grin.

"I don't blame ya," Clint said. "I think I'm due for some R&R myself with the Avengers."

"I doubt we'll ever be able to see each other again," Terra said with a sigh.

"Yeah," Cloud said, looking at her.

"Hey, don't get depressed here," Clint said. "It's a party, have fun!" Everyone seems so depressed Clint thought as he sighed inwardly.

"Tony, Samus," Gyllin said. "This is Admiral Wells."

"The inventor of the Iron Man armor himself standing here in front of me, it is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Stark," Admiral Wells said. He was tall and well built, filling his Federation dress uniform. Like Gyllin's, his was very decorated. His black hair was cropped short, and peppered with gray. The lines of his face accented his rough features perfectly. He smiled broadly, extending a hand towards Tony.

"A pleasure," Tony said. "And call me Tony."

"Tony it is. And Miss Aran," he turned towards Samus. "It is an honor to finally meet you. The woman who single handily destroyed the Metroid scourge."

"That's me," Samus said with a wry grin. "And I've heard quite a bit about you as well, Admiral."

"Yes," the Admiral responded politely.

"So how do you know Gyllin?" Samus said, as the old man went to go grab another drink.

"We were in the Academy together," the Admiral said.

"He was in the Academy?" Samus asked with wide eyes.

"Yup, he would be an Admiral now himself if he didn't quit," the Admiral said with a sip of his drink. "We were undergoing a combat simulation with live ammo, and I got hit in the chest with a stray bullet – we were still practicing with projectile weapons in those days, barbaric things they are – and the others just left me be. It was a competition, see, and the winner would get top accolades. If they helped me, their chances at success were nil.

"Then Gyllin came in and saved me," Wells continued. "He shot his chances at winning the thing, but he didn't care. He left shortly after wards in disgust, despite the merits he received from the act."

"That is when he started working for the military?" Tony asked.

"Yes," Wells nodded. "He even turned down Aluren's Jenova project – did he tell you that?"

"Yes," Tony nodded. Samus just looked confused.

"So that is what Gyllin meant by 'calling in favors'?" Samus asked.

"Yes," Wells said. "I've been in his debt ever since. Though I think this hardly counts as suitable repayment as Galactus was a threat to all life."

"The debt is repaid, Wells," Gyllin said with irritation. "Don't worry about it."

"Of course, Gyllin," Wells said with a smile.

"So now what?" Samus asked. "What about the Space Pirates, the station's wreckage, and the Syndiacte."

"Well," Wells said. "The station will eventually crash into the planet's surface. The planet is uninhabited, so it won't affect any one. I have crew there to make sure people won't scavenge for any bits of Galactus' technology."

"And keep anything of interest for the Federation," Samus said with a grin.

"Now what gives you that idea," Wells said with a wolfish grin. Samus just smiled, and took a gulp of the drink she was holding.

"As for the Syndicate, we are employing Faith to help us hunt them down, as you know. It shouldn't take long to find them. Without Aluren holding them together, they are no longer much of a threat. Where is Faith anyway?" He asked looking around. Samus looked around and saw her standing in a corner, alone, staring out into space. Samus just shrugged her shoulders.

"Anyway," Wells continued. "The Space Pirates are not really talking to us, so I assume that it will be status quo. I guess it was too much to expect peace with them," Wells sighed.

"Yeah," Samus said. "Surprise there."

"Also, one last thing," Wells said. "This is for Gyllin as well. In light of these recent events, the Federation has decided to put a ban on time travel technology." Gyllin spat out his drink. "After you return Mr. Stark and Mr. Barton to their time, and we return Terra and Cloud, all time travel devices are to be destroyed. Got that Gyllin?"

"Yes," he grumbled.

"Well, then," Wells said. "Let us put all the business behind us now, and enjoy the party!"

Clint was a little tipsy from the drinks, but nothing too major. He was now in his Hawkeye uniform again as he walked down the hallway to Cloud and Terra's room. With a sigh, he stopped and closed his eyes. They would all be returning home soon, and he hated saying good-bye.

He was surprised to find their door slightly open. Talking came from the room, so Clint decided to just sit outside for a while, trying not to listen to their conversation.

"I am going to miss you," Terra said.

"I know," Cloud said, wiping a tear from her face. "You are an amazing person, Terra."

"Thank you," Terra said softly. "So are you."

Cloud just smiled.

"Why did you want to protect me so much?" Terra asked. "Why did you volunteer for this?"

"Because," Cloud said. "You remind me of someone who I once knew, and lost because I couldn't protect her. I wanted to protect you so that I could conquer that demon inside of me."

"Cloud," Terra whispered as she hugged him. He hugged her back, running his hands through her green hair. Wordlessly, they both stared at each other, and Cloud leaned forward and kissed her gently. Terra promptly returned it.

After a few moments, Terra pulled away and sighed.

"I think Clint's been waiting for us long enough," Terra said as she used her magic to open the door, and find Clint standing there.

"Uh, hi," he said, waving his hand. "I came by to tell you that the transport to take you guys home is ready to leave."

"Thank you, Clint," Cloud said as he and Terra got up. Cloud retrieved his sword, and the two walked up to the door.

"I don't want to impede upon your last moments here," Clint said. "So, I will just tell you where the transport is. Just follow the hall, go down to level B2, and you'll be right there."

"Thank you Clint," Terra said, giving him a hug, and a kiss on the cheek.

"Uh, hey, no problem, Terra," he said with a slight blush.

"Clint," Cloud said, extending his hand. "It has been an honor fighting along side of you."

"It has been a pleasure, Cloud," Clint said. "If it were possible, you guys would make a pair of great Avengers. Both of you take care."

"We will," Terra said, and the two walked off hand in hand. Clint just smiled as he watched them go. I'm actually going to miss them he thought.

The big blue ball that was the planet Earth now stretched in front of Samus' ship. Samus, Tony, and Clint were up in the cockpit as they stared at it. Each was wearing their respective costume/armor. Inside, Tony was not happy to see it. He swallowed hard as he remembered the scene back on the Federation cruiser.

"Tony," Samus said as she approached him after the party. He was walking back to his quarters when she caught up to him.

"Samus," Tony said as he saw her approaching.

"I want to talk to you," Samus said, as she practically shoved him through the door to his quarters.

"Samus," Tony said with a smile as he stared at her in her Federation uniform. Her hair was tied back, but she now undid it to where it cascaded behind her. She fixed him with her brown eyes.

"I won't lie to you Tony," she said. "I hate long good-byes."

"So do I," Tony replied nervously.

"I also believe that actions speak louder than words," she said as she walked up to him, grabbed him and kissed him fiercely on the lips.

After a moment, they separated. Tony just stood there, speechless. Samus just grinned at him.

"Tony, I've already said all I wanted to say to you," she said.

"As have I," he replied.

With a shake of her head, she indicated his now clear bed. Tony just laughed.

Tony sighed as he was brought back to reality. He cradled the Heart in his hands.

"So what are you guys going to do when you get back?" Samus asked.

"Take a long vacation," Clint said. "And then maybe hunt Aluren down and take him out before this whole mess gets out of hand."

"I would advise against that," Samus said. "I shudder to think about what his disappearance from the time line will do to things. He did stop Galactus, remember?"

"Oh yeah," Clint said.

"Tony?" Samus asked.

"Go back to inventing things," he said. "Some device that will change man kind for the better."

"What about the Heart?" Samus asked.

"I think," Tony said heavily. "That I have finally realized why the Heart doesn't exist in historical records, and it is not because of the time travel." He paused. "It is because I destroy it."

"What?" Clint exclaimed.

"Tony," Samus said. "After all this hard work, you tell me you're going to destroy it?"

"Yes," Tony said. "After seeing what became of the Janus, I shudder to think what the Heart could do if used to power a weapon. Mankind is not ready for it yet. Maybe someday, but not yet."

He stood up. "Stand back." He put the Vulcan's Heart on the floor, aimed both repulsers at it, and fired. The Heart blew apart in a thousand tiny fragments there on the floor. Tony collapsed after doing that. It's gone. It's finally gone.

"Tony," Samus whispered as she activated Gyllin's black time travel device.

"Whew, that was some ride," Hawkeye said as he and Iron Man walked back to the UN summit. Behind them, they could hear Samus' ship taking off, and flying into the reaches of space.

"Yeah," Tony said.

"Hey, it's okay, Tony," Hawkeye said. "I have a feeling you haven't seen the last of Samus. Hey, listen. If you ever want to talk, don't hesitate to ask all right?"

"Thank you, Clint," Tony said. "I appreciate that."

"Hey, that's what friends are for, ya know?" Clint said. "Hey, what do you suspect became of Doom and his cronies."

"Probably came back somehow."

"Yeah, I guess it is too much to hope for that he was on the station when it blew."

"Iron Man! Hawkeye!" Morin said as he ran up. "Have you found the Heart? People are wondering?"

"It's gone," Iron Man said. "Destroyed."

"What?" Morin exclaimed. "What happened?"

"I destroyed it," Iron Man said.

"But why?" Morin asked. "It was a brilliant invention."

"Maybe I'll explain it to you and the rest of the world when they are ready."

"Come on, I'll get you a drink," Hawkeye said, escorting Morin back inside the summit.

Iron Man stood outside, watching the sky. Samus. He thought. I wish I could be with you. I miss you. But… I guess it was never meant to be.

"Tony," Samus whispered as she flew away from Earth, and back into her own time period. The stars looked so empty now, so lifeless. "I can't dwell in the past," Samus said. "I have to go forward, keeping my mind on the present." She swallowed. But it is so hard.

The com jarred her our of her thoughts. She flipped it on idly.

"Samus," Ridley's voice hissed.

"Great," Samus said to herself. "What do you want Ridley?"

"To formally end our alliance," he hissed. "Things are now back to normal."

"I gathered that since you didn't stay for the Federation party," Samus said.

"I am not crazy enough to hang around anyone associated with the Federation!" Ridley hissed.

"How are your wounds recovering?" Samus asked.

"Fine," Ridley said. "Thank you," he hissed bitterly.

"You're welcome," Samus said thickly. "So I guess we're enemies again?"

"Yes," Ridley said. "But if you don't interfere with our business, we won't interfere with yours."

"Sounds reasonable," Samus said. Ridley just hissed and turned off the com at his end. Samus was about to turn hers off when it buzzed again.

"Damn it, can't I get a bit of privacy here?" Samus said, irritated.

"Samus," Gyllin's voice came over the intercom.

"Gyllin," Samus said. "What can I do for you?"

"I need the time travel device back," Gyllin said in a heavy voice. "With the Federation's new ban, I have no choice."

"It's already been taken care of," Samus lied. It sat right in front of her.

"You think me an idiot, Samus," Gyllin sighed. "I'll tell the Federation that it has been taken care of, but please, please don't do anything stupid. Okay?"

"I won't," Samus said.

"And don't bug Tony too much, okay? I don't want any weird time disruptions all right?"

"I won't," Samus said.

"Say hi to him next time you see him, though, okay?" Gyllin said.

"I will," Samus said as she flipped off the com.

She then sat there, staring at the stars, and sighed.

"I miss you already, Tony," she said. "Why is it that our type always has to suffer alone? Is there any room for love in a heart of steel?"

Afterward:

His whole body ached and hurt. Through strained eyes, Joseph Aluren could see the wreckage around him. Much of it still fell in flaming chunks from the sky. Twisted metal lay scorched around him as well as the charred bodies of those who fell on the station. How he survived he was uncertain. Probably somehow connected to his mystic blood. His head hurt, most likely from that treacherous bastard Doom's shot, and all he could do was lay there. In the distance, the sound of some large object rolling could be heard.

Aluren was in a field of soft, comfortable grass, and he rolled over. The sun blinded his face as he stared in the clear blue sky. A few puffy clouds drifted idly by. Then, he turned his head sideways and saw the once mighty husk of Galactus. The giant sat, sunken and burnt with many gaping wounds. He still sat upon his throne. The rolling continued.

"My dream, my destiny," Aluren said with a wince. "My salvation," he whispered. "Gone." He reached his hand to where it covered his view of the former celestial being. Then he saw it.

From behind the hulking form of Galactus was a big, rolling, ball of – stuff. Many weird, and wondrous things were stuck to it, and Aluren just had to admire it. Then it rolled over the station bits, adding them to the mass. It then, rolled over the form of Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds now rolling with it. It moved towards Aluren.

His eyes widened as it approached him, and he screamed as he was rolled up into the mass.

"You have rolled up a Devourer of Worlds!" The King of All Cosmos said. "We have not seen one of those in a long time. We are most impressed, young prince, this shall make a fine Katamari. Royal Rainbow!"

End Notes:

Well, it was a long time coming, but I think it was worth it! The scope changed so often during the planning stages, I almost didn't write this story. So after long moments of trimming the cast and plotline (I had multiple characters originally planned such as Spider-man, the FF, Superman….) to a much more manageable number, I came up with Hearts of Steel! I felt that the smaller, tighter cast allowed for more character development, which I prize as the most important aspect of fiction. And as for the end… well, I was on a Katamari Damacy binge when I wrote the end, so it just popped into my head as a humorous, whimsical end to the story. Royal Rainbow!

In dedication: I have read Avengers: Disassembled, and was upset to see Hawkeye die as he was my favorite comic character – this one is for you Clint!