This chapter probably comes off more anti Tony than I intended, but this is how I see the other characters reacting to Tony's actions in this chapter. Especially pre CW Tony.
Guest: He hasn't met Strange from his time, but he met Future Strange in the first chapter.
Green Hal37: It really does.
Vision is just a character I have a very had time writing. But he'll get some material over this chapter and next.
Yep.
Indeed.
"So, you dress up like a cat? Do you like cats?" Sam deadpanned.
"What are you, Catman?" Tony added as T'Challa looked at them unamused.
"The Black Panther was the first king of Wakanda, its founder," T'Challa said and they all listened, intrigued. "Since then, the royal family has been trained to bear the mantle, fathers training their sons to be the protector of Wakanda. The mantle has been passed from warrior to warrior, from father to son for centuries. Now it is mine to bear, as it was once my father's and it will be my son's one day."
"Your suit, it's Vibranium?" Steve asked and T'Challa remained silent.
"Whether you want it to or not, I believe your secrets will come out. You should tell us the truth before they do," Thor advised and T'Challa sighed after a few moments of silence.
"Yes, it is Vibranium Captain," T'Challa admitted.
"My old man thought he'd gotten a hold of the last of it," Tony said astonished.
"Something tells me that's not true," Natasha said pointedly and T'Challa remained silent.
"Perhaps we should continue watching?" Vision suggested.
With a few glances towards T'Challa, knowing he was keeping a few more secrets, the other Avengers nodded before they turned back to the screen. However, T'Challa knew the subject was far from dropped.
At the Compound, Vision is attempting to make Paprikash in a gesture to make Wanda feel better. Wanda walks in and takes over, as Vision can't taste anything and has never cooked.
"It's the thought that counts," Wanda said with a smile that Vision couldn't help but return.
Vision and Wanda were oblivious to the look Clint was giving Vision. Natasha recognized it as the look he got when he was assessing a target and smirked. Oh Vision, he had no idea what he was getting into.
In the lab, Barton had his arms crossed and looked extremely displeased. Something Fitz took notice of.
"You really don't like Vision, do you?" Fitz said amused.
"I don't know him," Barton corrected. "I left the team shortly after he joined and when I came by The Compound, we didn't exactly stop to chat. I just don't think he's good for her."
"So says every father ever about their daughter's boyfriend," Fitz said amused and Barton smirked.
"Well, I guess you'll know about that in a few years when your daughter starts dating," Barton joked and the smile left Fitz's face. "My disapproval has nothing to do with his interest in Wanda. It has to do with…well, just watch."
Vision awkwardly tries to assure Wanda she is not hated but only ends up amusing her. Wanda reflects on how she has been changed by her powers. Vision briefly relates by talking about The Mind Stone in his head. Wanda moves to leave to head to the store but is stopped by Vision. Tony has asked Vision to keep Wanda there until The Accords are in place.
"You did what?" Clint said in a low, dangerous voice and Tony felt the temperature in the room drop as several pairs of eyes turned on him.
"I don't know," Tony said awkwardly, wishing he was anywhere else now. "This hasn't happened yet."
"This is internment Tony!" Steve snapped angrily.
"I know Cap!" Tony finally snapped back. "I don't know why I'm acting this way, why I'm doing all these things! I'm sorry okay, I'm sorry for all of it!"
For a moment, it was silent, Steve and Tony staring at each other, the tension between them visible before someone else spoke up.
"And you're just fine with keeping her there!?" Clint snapped as he turned his glare on Vision.
"People are afraid of Wanda, they cannot help it. And as I pointed out in the recording, the likelihood of another public incident is significantly decreased if Wanda remains at The Compound," Vision said, finding no fault with this logic.
Clint almost leapt out of his seat to throttle Vision but Wanda placed a hand on his shoulder, pointedly telling him to remain in his seat, although it was clear that she was hurt by Vision's words. Nearly everyone else looked at Vision angrily as he wondered what the issue was. Even Tony was disturbed by Vision's willingness to keep Wanda a prisoner.1
"You and me, we're gonna have a talk when this is over," Clint growled as he glared at Vision.
Wanda pointedly asks Vision what he wants and he simply says for everyone to see her as he does.
"And now you're playing on her guilt and insecurity to convince her to stay," Natasha said angrily, the tactic remaindering her of things the Red Room had done to her as a child.
Wanda flinched, the tactic clearly working as Clint placed an arm around her while flashing a glare at Vision. Vision was beginning to realize that perhaps his logic wasn't as sound as he thought.
In Berlin, multiple police cruisers are escorting Bucky, who is in a container made to hold him, to base as Steve, Sam, and T'Challa are in the back of a car. Sam makes a comment about T'Challa's suit, which he sees as 'a cat suit'.
"It is not a cat suit," T'Challa said annoyed.
"Looks like a cat suit, I'm gonna call it a cat suit," Sam shrugged.
Tony, Thor, Scott, and Peter laughed at the exchange as Natasha and Clint smirked while Steve and Wanda smiled; the tension in the room momentarily broken.
Steve asks if T'Challa's suit is made of Vibranium. T'Challa, without answering the question, tells them the history of the Black Panther before point blank asking Steve if he thinks he can protect Bucky from him.
And just like that, the tension was back as T'Challa flinched.
"I am sorry Captain," T'Challa apologized but Steve shook his head.
"You think he killed your father. I don't blame you, I would react the same if it was my mother," Steve assured him.
They arrive at the base and get out of the back of the car. Steve sees Bucky in the container before walking up to Sharon, a man in a grey suit, and three armed members of the Task Force. Steve demands to know what will happen to Bucky and the man in the suits says he will be psychologically evaluated the extradited. Sharon introduces the man as Everett Ross, the Task Force Commander. Steve asks about a lawyer for Bucky, which Everett laughs at, finding it amusing.
Something that most of the viewers from earth were unnerved by.
"So The Accords mean you don't get a lawyer?" Peter asked stunned.
"Apparently so kid," Rhodey said grimly.
"A lawyer should be provided to Mr. Barnes regardless of his crimes, due to his status as a POW," T'Challa noted.
"Apparently, The Accords disregard the Geneva Convention," Natasha said disgusted.
"The what?" Thor asked confused.
"An agreement between countries to protect the rights of military personal and civilians alike during war. Apparently, The Accords rank higher on the governments list," Steve said disgusted.
Everett tells them they'll get a recite for their gear. As Sam grumbled about this, Steve looks back, getting a look at Bucky before the doors close behind them.
Steve looked down, saddened that this was happening to Bucky; after all he'd been through.
Steve, Sam, and T'Challa are led into another part of the building, joined by Natasha, who scolds Steve. Tony is there, on the phone, doing an interview, mentioning consequences when he hangs up. T'Challa is led into an office as Steve asks about consequences. Ross wants them prosecuted, Tony tells them.
"Of course he does. Ross will do anything to get his hands on you Cap," Clint said, looking over at the confused Steve. "He's after that serum in you. He'll take any advantage he can to get it."
Steve nodded the grim reality of what a man like Ross would go after in order to get their hands on the serum that had made him not lost on him.
Steve notes he's not getting that shield back and Natasha makes a quip about it and Sam's wings belonging to the government.
"Damn, that's cold," Sam quipped.
"Warmer than jail," Tony quipped back in an attempt to lighten the mood but it just brought the tension back.
At a power station, a man in a truck drives up, looking at a clipboard.
Back at the base, Natasha walks into the office T'Challa is being held in. She references there earlier conversation and he notes she isn't used to the truth. Natasha brings up his Vibranium suit, which puts him under the jurisdiction of The Accords. T'Challa asks how long a psychological evaluation usually takes, eager to take Bucky back to Wakanda to face justice. Natasha warns him he's being naïve before Everett walks in, clapping sarcastically. Bucky's extradition has been granted.
"So much for due process," Steve said, his hands clenching tightly on his pants legs.
"You'd be surprised how much the law gets thrown out the window when politics are involved," Natasha said bitterly.
Steve is watching the security cam footage of Bucky when Tony walks over, carrying a case. He opens it to reveal two pens that once belonged to FDR, which he had used to sign the Lend-Lease Bill, providing support to The Allies when they needed it most. Steve notes some would say it brought them closer to war.
"I'm not saying I do," Steve said as they glanced over at him. "But some of the guys I served with during the war felt that way."
Tony claims he's trying to extend an olive branch as Steve notes he hasn't seen Pepper. Tony admits he and Pepper are taking a break.
Tony flinched at the reminder as his friends looked at him, thrown by this revelation.
"How long…" Rhodey trailed off, realizing he'd had no idea his friends were on break.
"A few weeks now," Tony said quietly. "We just…she just couldn't handle it, handle me anymore. She needed a break from me, from Iron Man."
"I'm sorry Tony," Steve said gently.
"Well, in her defense, I'm a handful," Tony sighed. "Can we just keep watching, please?"
Tony tells Steve about trashing his suits after almost losing her, then Hydra and Ultron. Tony tells Steve he's never gonna stop being Iron Man because he doesn't want to and thought The Accords could split the difference.
"A document isn't gonna make Pepper come back Tony," Natasha said gently. "She fell in love with you, not Iron Man."
"I am Iron Man," Tony said and, for once, the words brought him no pride or joy.
Tony stands up, musing about how his father had always made things work with his mom. Steve remembers Howard during World War Two and Tony remembers Howard mentioning it a lot during his childhood, trying to inspire Tony but just ended up annoying him.
"I'm sorry Tony, I don't mean to make things difficult," Steve apologized.
"I know Cap. And, looking back, I probably exaggerate my dad's shortcomings. He mentioned you a lot but I can see how he was just trying to make me make the most of myself now," Tony mused, regretting how he hadn't listened more to Howard growing up.2
Steve apologizes for making things difficult and Tony responds with a sarcastic quip. Steve explains that he can't just stand back and watch as something that he sees as wrong happens. Sometimes he wishes he could, Steve says but Tony knowingly says he doesn't and Steve admits it. Tony admits sometimes he'd like to slug Steve but he doesn't want to see him gone because the world needs him. Tony tries to bargain that if Steve signs, it will make it all legit, transfer Bucky to a psyche center instead of a prison in Wakanda.
"Wait, didn't Ross, the other Ross, already give Barnes over to you?" Scott asked as he glanced over at T'Challa, who nodded.
"He did," T'Challa confirmed.
"Maybe you didn't know," Rhodey suggested as he looked over at Tony.
"Maybe," Tony said although he was doubtful, considering everything he'd done up to now had confused and disgusted him.
Steve picks up the pen, saying there would have to be safeguards if he agrees. Tony seemingly agrees, saying they can amend The Accords later.
"I'm lying to you Cap," Tony said softly, shame filling him as Steve looked over at him. "If I've already signed, there's nothing I can do to get The Accords amended or help Barnes. I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm so sorry."3
Steve didn't know what to say and even Scott, who had heavily disliked Tony before meeting him, didn't have the heart to say anything with how low Tony looked.
Tony mentions getting Steve and Wanda reinstated, causing Steve to ask about Wanda. Tony admits she is being held at the Compound, angering Steve. Tony defends it as protecting Wanda, to Steve's disbelief and disgust.
"Those who sacrifice freedom for security deserve neither. One of your presidents said that I believe," T'Challa mused.
"Benjamin Franklin actually," Steve said as Tony grew more and more disgusted with his on screen self.
Steve accuses Tony of subjecting Wanda to internment but Tony defends it as Wanda is not a US citizen and the government doesn't 'grant VISAs to weapons of mass destruction'.
"Weapons of mass destruction? Are you serious Tony?" Clint finally snapped, glaring at Tony.
"You would know a lot about weapons of mass destruction, considering you fly around in one," Wanda hissed, shuttering in anger and Tony flinched.
"I know, okay, I know. Like I said, I don't know what's going on with me. I'm sorry; I wish I could make him see that what he's doing is wrong. But all I can do is not repeat his mistakes, okay? I'm sorry for what he said and did to you, but I can't change that," Tony said as he looked over at Wanda.
Wanda could feel his sincerity and, after a moment, nodded. She did not forgive, she had never truly gotten over the death of her parents and that it was his irresponsibility that allowed that. But, she would allow him to earn her forgiveness, provided he learned from past sins.
Steve and Tony continue to argue, Tony insisting he's trying to protect them from something worse. Steve scoffs, giving the pen back before walking into the office Sam is being held at.
"Often times, those who do wrong see themselves as the hero of the story," T'Challa said gently and Tony flinched.
Steve watches the security cams as the 'psychiatrist' sits down with Bucky, who is still restrained by the container. Sharon walks into the office and gives Sam the recite for his wings. Sam is offended his suit is described as a 'giant bird costume'.
"Giant bird costume!" Sam exclaimed offended and the tension broke as snickers and laughs broke out in the room.
Sharon turns the monitor in the office on so Steve can see and hear what's going on in Bucky's evaluation. Steve gives Sharon a grateful look as Natasha watches from outside. The 'psychiatrist' addresses Bucky by James but Bucky gruffly tells him he is Bucky.
Steve closed his eyes, the emotions hitting him hard. If there was any doubt left in him, it was gone. This was truly Bucky, not the Winter Solider. His best friend was back.
At the power station, the man in the truck honks the horn, making a man come out. The delivery man gets out of the truck and opens the back, revealing two crates. They take it, putting on the ground and the delivery man makes the other man sign for it.
Back at the base, Steve is looking at the photo of 'Bucky', asking why it would be released by the Task Force. Steve realizes that Bucky is being set up, to be flushed out. Sam argues that they had looked for him for two years with no success but Steve points out they hadn't bombed the UN. Sharon points out that that just guarantees the Task Force would get Bucky and the realization hits them.
"Oh shit," Scott said as it hit all of them as well.
"Zemo, he's the psychiatrist. This whole thing has been about getting Barnes there," Natasha realized.
"But why?" Steve asked his mind racing.
"I believe we are about to find out," Thor noted.
"How did Zemo even get passed the security?" Peter asked.
"Either he's that good or they are really bad at their job," Tony noted.
With Bucky, Zemo is casually asking about Bucky's past. Bucky refuses to talk about it but Zemo assures him they only have to talk about one as he gets a text, telling him 'the package has been delivered'.
At the power plant, the worker has opened the crate to reveal the bomb, to his confusion. The EMP goes off, frying the plant.
"An EMP at a power plant, he wants to knock out the power so they can't watch the integration," Clint realized with dread.
At the base, the power goes out as everyone looks around in confusion. Steve looks at Sharon and she tells him where Bucky is at. He and Sam take off as T'Challa watches in confusion.
With Bucky and Zemo, Bucky demands to know what is happening. Zemo says he wants to discuss Bucky's 'home' as he pulls out the red book. Zemo begins saying the words from the beginning of the recording as Bucky begs for him to stop before crying out in pain. Bucky used his strength to break his restraints, desperately pounding on the side of the container as Zemo continues to say the words. Zemo finished as the side of the container flies off, Bucky finally breaking free. But it no longer Bucky, but The Winter Soldier, ready to comply.
"Bucky," Steve said softly, tormented by how his best friend was continuously used, first by Hydra, now by Zemo.
Zemo demands the mission report of December 16th, 1991.
"What is it about that date? What is so important about that day?" Rhodey wondered but no one had an answer.
Not long after, Steve and Sam walk in, seeing the guards on the floor, out cold. Zemo is on the ground, playing the part of the psychiatrist. Steve walks up and picks up by the collar, slamming him against the wall as he demands to know what Zemo wants. Zemo simply says to see an empire fall.
"An empire fall? What does that mean?" Sam asked confused but, once again, no had an answer.
Steve's interrogation is interrupted as The Soldier jumps out, lunging for Sam. Sam barely dodges the robotic arm, which hits the wall instead. They exchange a few blows before The Soldier grabs Sam by the neck and throws him into the container, dazing him.
"I'm gonna be feeling that in the morning," Sam said dryly.
The Soldier then goes after Steve, swinging at him with his robotic arm. Steve dodges but The Soldier backs him up against an elevator. Despite Steve's efforts to stop him, The Soldier sends Steve through the doors and down the shaft, landing on the elevator a few stories down.
"Wow, he's good," Peter said in awe.
"Now you see why he was Hydra's best assassin," Natasha said and Steve flinched.
Sam is awakened by someone talking on the PA. He sees Zemo standing by the elevator and calls out to him, getting up and running after him when Zemo flees.
As Everett is barking orders, Natasha asks if Tony brought a suit. Tony points out he's an active non-combatant before Sharon rushes over, telling them to follow her.
Meanwhile, Steve is climbing up the elevator shaft as Sam is pursuing Zemo.
The Soldier is engaging some members of the Task Force as Tony is watching from behind the corner. Tony transforms his watch into a low powered gauntlet before he rushes out to engage The Soldier.
"You don't have a suit but you're going out to engage the most infamous assassin in the word with a gauntlet? And not even a fully operational gauntlet? Do you have a death wish?" Rhodey said as he looked at his friend as though he was crazy.
"Apparently," Tony said, seeing how that was stupid.
He blasts The Soldier with a sonic wave, dazing him before blasting him with a flash, stopping him before rushing over. The Soldier tries to shoot him but Tony blocks it with his gauntlet, absorbing the bullet. Unfortunately, this left Tony defenseless and The Soldier yanks the gun in half and strikes Tony with the half in his hand.
"Uh-oh," Tony said as they all tensed.
As Tony is tossed into some tables, Sharon rushes over and began engaging The Soldier. Natasha joins her but The Soldier takes Sharon out by throwing her into a table. Natasha jumps on The Soldier's back, wrapping her legs around his neck as she frantically beats on his head. The Soldier backs up and yanks her off him, slamming her down onto a table with his robotic arm wrapped around her neck, choking her. She gasps out he could at least recognize her.
As everyone tensed, worried for her, Natasha flinched. While Steve and Clint would no doubt think she was referring to DC, only she knew that she was talking about long before that, before she'd been recruited by SHIELD. Back when she was Natalia and he was just a handsome, dangerous man she was sleeping with.4
T'Challa rushes in, kicking The Soldier off Natasha.
"Thank you your highness," Natasha said gratefully and T'Challa nodded.
The Soldier and T'Challa exchange a few blows before The Soldier landed a solid hit with his robotic arm. T'Challa was sent flying back but landed safety on the floor. Looking up, T'Challa saw that The Solider was climbing up some stairs. With a growl, T'Challa rushed over and climbed up the other side of the stairs. He pulled himself of the ledge and jumped, landing at the top of the stairs, blocking The Soldier's path. They exchange a few blows before T'Challa grabs The Soldier's robotic arm, holding it down and restraining him, to The Soldier's surprise.
"Wow, you're strong even without the suit," Scott said, impressed.
T'Challa tensed, knowing that The Avengers would have more questions. He just hoped he could leave here with all his country's secrets intact.
With a twist, The Soldier and T'Challa were sent tumbling down a flight of stairs. They picked themselves up and continued their fight before T'Challa sent a powerful kick to The Soldier's chest. The Soldier is sent flying into a wall before falling into an opening down to the first floor. T'Challa jumps off the stairs down to the floor, but The Soldier is gone.
Steve, Natasha, and Clint were eying T'Challa, knowing that those feats shouldn't be possible. Unless T'Challa had been enhanced like Steve. But that was impossible, wasn't it?
Outside, Sam has followed Zemo outside but lost him in the crowd of panicking people, finding only Zemo's jacket, abandoned on the ground.
"Damn it!" Sam swore.
It showed how tensed things in the room were that no one joked about Sam swearing or scolded him for doing it in front of Peter.
On the roof, The Soldier has gotten into a helicopter, preparing to take off when Steve bursts through the door to the roof. Steve rumps onto the landing pad as the chopper begins to lift in the air. Steve grabs onto it, trying to stop it from taking off. As it begins taking off with him hanging, Steve grabs onto the ledge of the landing pad, pulling the chopper back with his other arm.
"Wow Cap, nice," Tony said as they all stared in awe.
"You can do that?" Peter said excited.
"Apparently, I've never tried it before," Steve said, as surprised as any of them.
"Bet all the girls would love this," Natasha teased him and Steve rolled his eyes.
"What is your obsession with my love life?" Steve grumbled but Natasha just grinned cheekily.
The Solider turns the chopper on its side and Steve lets go, taking cover on the pad as the chopper's blades tear it up. Miraculously, Steve manages to avoid the blade. However, Steve ends up next to the wind shield and The Soldier reaches through with his robotic hand, grabbing Steve by the throat.
"This guy just won't give up!" Scott exclaimed.
"I know the type," Sam said as he glanced over at Steve.
Desperately, Steve pushes the chopper off the pad. They fall below, landing in a river. Steve pulls the unconscious Bucky out and swims away.
"Looks like you two have come full circle," Natasha joked and Steve nodded.
"Yeah, but now what?" Rhodey asked.
"Only one way to find out," Steve said as the recording continued.
1: Wanda was being kept prison by Vision, no one try and kid themselves. Being kept prisoner is the legal definition of what Vision did to her. And it's a perfect example of why I don't support this relationship, even more than the fact it has no basis whatsoever. I like Vision, but it's not a healthy relationship for Wanda. There's a very controlling/manipulative aspect to this relationship from Vision's side in that Vision does not consider Wanda's desires or what she wants. Even in IW, where it was better, he still doesn't really consider Wanda or treat her as an equal partner.
2: Howard was far from a perfect father. He was emotionally distant from Tony; he kept a large part of his life a secret from him, making it impossible for Tony to really know him. He basically put up an iron wall between himself and Tony. But, with that said, Iron Man 2 and Endgame showed that Howard, for his shortcomings, loved Tony above all else. Tony also is far from an unbiased narrator when it comes to Howard, so he likely exaggerates Howard's shortcomings as a parent, something Tony basically admits in Endgame. So please, let's stop pretending Howard was this abusive monster.
3: I really don't want to cover this because I am trying very hard not to make this a Tony bashing fic. But I feel it's necessary for the story's integrity to address this. Tony's 'compromise' to Steve wasn't worth squat. Even if Tony didn't know that Bucky had already been handed over to T'Challa, Tony would not have the power to amend The Accords, as Tony had already signed, agreeing to their terms. If Tony has already agreed, no one is going to listen when he wants to amend The Accords. Plus, in an interview, RDJ confirmed Tony was lying to get Steve to sign.
And, since I know that, chances are, there's at least one of you reading this who will take this out of context or twist it, let me be clear: Bucky's situation is not the issue. This issue is that Tony would lie to Steve, using his trust and concern for Bucky in order to manipulate him into signing a legally blinding document he does not agree with. If I hadn't known this was not Tony Stark then, I did at that point. Tony would never do that to someone he sees as a friend, someone he respects.
4: In the comics, Bucky and Natasha have a complicated romantic past. This was just a nice little reference to it.