Disclaimer. Avengers are not mine I just play. Disney/Marvel own them
The return of Tony stark, chapter two.
Rain dropped lightly on Tony's umbrella as he stared out onto the compound. It had only been fully cleared for a few months the clean-up taking much longer than he anticipated. With massive gouges in the earth, scorched ground. The impact craters were huge. Tony had not been back since the battle leaving everything to his clean up crew which he had set up to clear up after Loki and any subsequent battles over the years. They had been kept busy. Tony walked across the ground past his security spotting a couple of piles of debris still waiting to be collected, the familiar A of the Avengers resting on its side. He knelt and touched the ground looking up. Tony began to think he should just keep the gates shut. With the various people working on their own including Wakanda the world had plenty of people to look after her. Tony glanced at his phone as the glass glowed blue, FRIDAY in his ear reminding him of his up coming meeting. It was because of Peter he was standing in the rain and his discussion about the Avengers. Tony had two well three sticking points. One the whole issue of accountability, he needed to protect who ever came under his command. Two was if it was possible that SHIELD and the new Avengers could well together. Three was convincing his potential recruits to join up, they all seemed happy with their own paths. Tony refused to make the mistakes of the past he also wasn't 100% sure if he could resist the suit if the opportunity presented. He was Iron Man after all. Tony decided he would build the new SHIELD here and see what came out of it. Let the Avengers rest. His mind drifted as he jumped startled "God strange give me a little warning will ya?" Tony said watching the wizard step out of the portal. "It's good to see you Tony "He said as the rain began to stop "we're not being invaded, are we?" Tony asked panic catching at his throat, "strange placed a reassuring hand on Tony's shoulder "no the Earth is fine I wanted to discuss something with you" Tony looked over the battle field, he hadn't seen Strange since the Steves funeral. "can I ask you something first? Tony said still staring out." of course" Tony shifted on his feet "of all those possibilities you saw you saw me die here it's why you saved my life on Titan; did you never see Steve make that play?" Strange glanced towards Tony "he tried but you always got there first the slightest shift and it changed everything, I made the best call I could and yes anything could have changed the outcome" Tony turned and went toward his waiting car "some of us have to drive ill come by your place"
The Sanctum was much like Tony remembered without a giant hole in the roof." how is Doctor Banner?" Strange asked as he offered Tony a cup of tea "good he's happy expanding all those young minds but I get the feeling that's not why you asked me here" Strange leant back considering his words. "As you know I have been training wizards and protecting this reality as my knowledge grows as do my concerns" Tony felt and anxious bubble swell in his stomach "ok so all is not good here at Hogwarts" Tony tried to hide a grin recalling that the Harry Potter books and films were among Morgan's favourites. Strange leant forward "Since the use of the stones there has been a sharp increase in recorded mutations, humans with extraordinary powers" Tony squinted rubbing the bridge of his nose he recalled hearing of Xavier and his school but it had been relatively quiet over there." What are you saying Doc" Tony asked with a hint of the answer already" These mutant powers equal my own, Wanda I understand is at college and has great power, imagine a thousand and imagine they do not have humanities best interests at heart"
Tony's heart began to pound considering the implications," what can we do?" Strange smiled "we need to work with the ones who do wish for peace, Xavier for one he has team and you need to meet him Tony, you need to work together".
….
The second anniversary dawned, how had it been two years already. Tony sat beside Pepper almost holding her hand too tight. He hated and loved this day. Tony pushed his glasses up and stared at the massive crowd that sprawled in front of them. It was an odd mix of mourning and celebration thought out the world and Tony struggled to balance those feelings within himself. He turned looking at Clint with his wife with Wanda beside them, they looked solemnly forward. Peter sat straight behind him listening quietly to the president's speech. Sam a couple of seats over had tears in his eyes. Scott still appeared to look uncomfortable around the hero's but held it back. Rhodey sat beside Tony and he gave Tony a small smile before facing the front, he felt the same as Tony he was sure. Bruce hadn't been able to make the trip and they had not heard from Thor in over a year he hoped he was ok. Tony felt Steve's absence so painfully that he struggled to catch his breath, he saw the man he had idolised as a child standing alone against an army, he would never back down from a fight. Pepper sensed his distress and squeezed his hand a little tighter, tears glistening in her eyes.
Jets flew overhead as the ceremony concluded, later they would be fireworks celebrations in honour of the returned. Tony planned something different. Happy pulled up at the hotel and Tony swiftly opened the door taking Morgan's and Pepper's hands, He nodded to his security as passed into the large function room separate from the main building. He had wanted to do this at home but getting everyone together was hard enough and it was easier to meet up here, in DC.
Tony was starting to think he had too much going on. The Expo would be ready in the new year every pavilion had been filled, ever presentation spot too. Pepper had dealt with the influx of sponsors and Tony was truly overwhelmed by the response. He had Spoken to Strange once more and he considered the conversation as helped himself to a soda. He finally had a meeting set up with Xavier and truthfully, he was anxious. The guy was genius he had read his papers and lecture notes his ideas were inspired. His train of thought was de railed as people began to arrive. Morgan ran to Clint and his youngest son ran to the far corner of the room following Morgan who had her tablet in her hands. Tony smiled as he pulled Clint into hug as his two eldest went to mingle with the other teenagers, Peter, Wanda, Cassie Lang and Shuri who followed her brother into the hall." Good to see you pal" Tony said as he released Clint. He gave a wry smile "you too man been a while hear you have been keeping busy" Tony shrugged "you know me". Groups naturally formed leaving Clint, Rhodey, Sam and Scott. They spoke about Tony's latest projects and what was going on at PYM tech to which Tony was interested. Morgan ran up and down showing Tony this and that before returning to the floor by the windows. Tony needed to talk to them all while he had them here. "Listen I know it's not a perfect situation but I need to discuss something with you, all of you "Tony motioned to Happy "Can you follow Happy I have secure room" None of them protested they had all been through so much and trusted Tony with their lives .Tony found Pepper quickly whispering where he was going she held his hand and brushed away a stray hair from his eyes, she could see he was anxious. Tony appeared shortly after with T'Challa and Hank Pym.
Tony looked around the room as the various members as they settled on the chairs, he clicked his watch to ensure that the room was secure which FRIDAY confirmed in his ear. Tony looked around at the people whom he shared so much history, humbled to be in the same room. He hadn't realised he had gone quiet until Rhodey spoke up "Tony?" Tony straightened and cleared his throat." Ok yes, I won't be long" he paced across the floor." I wanted to tell you a couple of things that have not been made public and I need a little advice "Clint raised an eyebrow but said nothing, Tony usually worked alone ploughing ahead with his own projects. "I agreed to restart SHIELD the right way, Fury asked me to take over as Director" Tony awaited the response with baited breath he had hardly proven himself a good leader in the past. "That's something Tony really I am sure you will do great "Clint said without a hint of Sarcasm. "There's a second in command spot if you want it Clint…you don't have to say yes or no…"but Clint interrupted "I'll take it Tony but I won't go into the field those days are over for me" Clint stood and Tony Shook his hand "Great that's sorted, Rhodey Sam I know you have other things going on but your knowledge would be invaluable I could really use your help." the two military men stood and Rhodey pulled him into his arms "of course buddy been getting restless" Sam stood a little further back "I, I would be glad to help out Tony, Steve he would of liked it if we stuck together" T'Challa rose " I cannot join but you will have the support of Wakanda we all have to live in this world, and the world has been given a second chance to improve" Tony was not expecting that, the Wakanda's had offered technology and support but never directly to an individual. "thank you, your highness, I am honoured "
Tony lost his train of thought for a moment as Rhodey gripped his arm, he felt a little lightheaded in response to the support his friends had shown. Hank Pym joined the group "I may not have gotten on with your Dad but King T'Challa is right we have been given a second chance we should cherish it " Hank then smiled back at Scott "We will help you where we can and I am sure ant-man will come in handy" Scott stared eyes wide "yes of course anything you need happy to help " he trailed off as his face flushed. " Thank you, Hank, Scott I really appreciate your support" Tony replied with a genuine grin as he allowed everyone to retake their seats.
Tony downed a glass of water before he continued. "Dr Strange approached me regarding a situation that may well get worse in the years to come" Tony paused a moment gathering his thoughts and the painful subject he was about to bring up." Because of the use of the stones here on Earth there has been and increase in mutations and these mutations in my understanding vary wildly" You could have cut the atmosphere with a blunt knife. "I am sorry how did that happen?" Scott said confused but eager to learn." Radiation, they were used three times and did more damage than we realised at the time beyond what we could see" The room remained quiet and Tony continued "some of these mutations cause powers that go beyond any of us with very few options if we at some point needed to engage if they became hostile"
"Have these mutants been hostile?" Rhodey asked realising Sam was thinking the same. Tony sat down the exhaustion of the day catching up with him. "In small pockets yes as I said it has the potential to get worse" T'Challa spoke up "my sister has concerns over this radiation and we will look further into the issue but we cannot fight each other again after our eyes have been opened to the dangers that lie in the stars"
The room fell respectfully silent as they considered the wise king's words, Tony could not have said it better. "I have a meeting set up with professor Charles Xavier, he has a school for gifted children, mutants. He has struggled to keep them safe and he has team who want peace among all human kind. With him, his team I need to find some common ground work with them toward avoiding conflict" Tony scrubbed his eyes and closed them for a moment. T'Challa approached standing in front of Tony placing a comforting hand on his shoulder Tony looked up "you have come far my friend and this is a worthy pursuit know your friends support you and that you follow a noble path"