Disclaimer: I don't own the Avengers Marvel and Disney do.

Chapter 4

On January first Tony launched out of the Quinn jet which flew on auto pilot over the city. Suddenly he was thrown back years. He had rebuilt his mark iii which he salvaged along with the rest of his original suits from the ocean. Not even his house, his whole house landing on top of them destroyed them. His mark I was in a museum and the rest in storage Peter and Morgan had been thrilled to accompany Tony to one of his secure warehouses, Pepper had declined only after did Tony realise why. They had both chatted endlessly as Tony pulled out his old suits asking a million questions between them. When he found his mark iii, he had forgotten how beat up it was. His mind drifted to his 'time heist 'mission with Steve as they joked about their out costumes. Morgan had tapped at his ribs and he looked down to see she was pointing at Peter. Tony strode over and saw what Peter was holding, a protype Tony had created of Steves shield though, he wasn't happy with the design and never showed it to the man. 'I miss him I grew up reading about him and studied everything about the war and the howling commandos, they will never be Avengers again will there Mr Stark?' Peter asked not taking his eyes of the shield. Tony sighed brushing his hands through his hair looking into Morgan's brown eyes.' They are still heroes Peter, different but with the same goals.' Tony recalled taking the shield in his hands and looking over the old armour hanging on the rails, it gave him an idea.

Tony landed in a perfect hero pose as Pepper called it raising his arms as the crowd screamed and chanted. Tony's helmet flipped up and he walked slowly across the stage smiling at Pepper and Morgan who stood just off stage. Suddenly FRIDAY rang out a proximity warning and Tony's heart skipped a beat as his scans identified to objects entering the atmosphere. The ships buzzed the expo and then took off at once. Tony's suit was as functional as any of the others and he didn't hesitate to take off after the two unidentified ships, to be honest he had expected such an event earlier considering what had transpired with Thanos. But not on the opening night of his expo. He was beginning to think these things were cursed. Rhodey buzzed in his ear, 'Rhodey… you…are…retired…what …are…you …doing?' Rhodey was only at the expo to show his support and people loved the war machine. Tony heard a string of curse words over the comms 'Language!' Tony replied with as sudden Pang of nostalgia, god he missed him. Tony had reached as high as his suit could take him and he hovered and watched the ships jump into hyperspace through a hexagonal window. Rhodey hovered beside him as jets flew beneath them 'you think they were friendlies? Rhodey asked as they descended back down toward the city 'I don't think so pal they were scouts; we are going to need back up 'Tony had already contacted Shuri well aware that they scanned the whole planet for threats. His com cracked as he landed in central park 'Yes Stark we saw them we couldn't get our jets there quick enough they have left the solar system I believe' Shuri said confidently. Tony flipped back he helmet of his suit; he had forgotten how uncomfortable his mark iii was. 'Can you keep watch Shuri I will have my own satellites repositioned and sync up 'Shuri confirmed she would keep him updated of any changes. Tony brushed his hair out of his eyes and stood quietly in the dark park 'Tones?' Rhodey said placing his hand on Tony's red and gold armoured shoulder.' I've got a bad feeling on this one pal'

…..

Tony still couldn't get through to the Benatar, Thor had only sent one message in the past year and it had been brief and unhelpful. The media was in a frenzy with too many people attempting to make contact with hm. Tony had a good team who redirected only the most urgent messages to him personally, Fury had called Tony's private number and they debated calling in Danvers. Tony advised they should hold off for now well aware her duties were spread across the galaxy. He also owed her his life and they had gained a level of mutual respect. Earth couldn't solely be dependant on her however, despite the fact she kicked ass in defence of the Earth. She had a direct link to Fury now as they all did via the holographic coms set up during those five years the world stood still in mourning. The expo continued, Tony couldn't afford to cancel the whole thing and he would not of anyway. It was much more than just feeding his ego as many thought, he was doing it to bring together the best and brightest and current events made that even more important to the future of the planet. 'Boss Peter is in trouble there is a situation' Tony bounced up from his chair 'what's going on?' he said as he tapped on a concealed unit in the wall 'a gang with advanced alien technology attempted to steal a security van they have hostages within a bank ' Pulling his shirt up Tony attached the housing unit to his chest as FRIDAY displayed the coordinates. Tony realised Peter was still home for the holidays and Tony knew the kid wouldn't have hesitated to get involved, he was to much of a hero for that. Tony launched out of his office heading downtown, FRIDAY was unable to contact KAREN and Tony felt a chill flood him while he pushed the thrusters to their maximum output, hold on kid Tony thought, hold on.

Tony alerted the units on the ground of his approach, of course Iron Man had not been seen fighting or defending Earth In some time but they didn't question his presence as he hovered across from the bank his scanners finding the hostages in one area, three others toward the back and one was alone. 'Boss I am picking up alien energy signatures use caution' Tony rolled his eyes but, in his heart, he knew how dangerous this was. Some technology had never been recovered after the whole mess on Coney Island some enterprising bystander clearly managed to get away with something. 'FRIDAY where is Peter?' Tony asked as he hovered closer finalising his attack route 'unconscious boss in the vault basement level' Tony felt his heart skip a beat they had managed to knock out Spiderman? How. He couldn't think on that now the kid was alive that was the best news he had for now. Tony informed the officer in charge of his plan and he gave the go ahead, Tony took a breath and flew headlong into the window in moments they were all down, he turned as FRIDAY attempted to warn him as a purple blast hit is boot, he landed and the thug soon realised it would take a lot more to take down Iron Man. Tony strode confidently forward despite pain shooting up his leg, Tony reached up and pulled off his mask he was just a kid, he span him round and marched out handing him to the closest officer he turned quickly ushering out the six hostages. Once they were clear he jogged down to the basement and quickly found the vault. He easily sliced through the door and stepped through the opening, he would have to pay for that later, He saw Peter tied up and bundled in the corner 'FRIDAY?' Tony knelt beside Peter as FRIDAY confirmed a concussion. Tony sighed and cut the ropes gently throwing Peter over his shoulder. Peter stirred' 'Mr…Stark no..no… it…. its 'Tony was about to tell him to be quiet as half a dozen spherical objects bounded toward them. Tony swiftly threw Peter toward the corner covering him hoping that is amour would be enough as the air exploded around them.

Peter coughed into consciousness his senses going wild as he glanced around in the darkness, He trusted his senses and realised he was in a very small space. His eyes took moments to adjust as he saw the familiar glow of Tony's reactor. Peter couldn't shift the debris or get any closer to Tony half buried in the rubble. 'Mr Stark…can 'he coughed again and shook his head 'Tony?' Peter struggled to draw breath his mind flying back to the warehouse, the vulture all those years ago. No. He had done it then he had shifted the rumble he was stronger than this, He braced himself against the wall and pushed upwards and the rubble shifted as he broke free. Peter paused to feel any shift in the ground. Tony appeared to be under some kind of beam which was holding up a huge wedge of concrete. His enhanced senses helping him see in the dim glow given off by Tony's suit. Those thugs were right, they were no ordinary criminals and they said they would kill Iron Man. Peter cursed how had he of allowed himself to get knocked out he was better than that. Peter crawled under the beam and asked for FRIDAY. He quickly got a response relayed by KAREN. 'Boss has concussion, burns to his right leg and several abrasions the suit is holding' Peter gasped 'he's ok apart from that? how the…' He stopped mid-sentence as Tony began to stir shifting rubble above his head 'stay still Mr Stark help will be here soon KAREN sent out a distress call they will know where to find us' Tony's helmet slid back and he turned and looked at Peter 'you…you… ok… kid?' Peter nodded 'yes sir I am sorry...' Tony began to cough violently his eyes closing as he fell unconscious. 'FRIDAY replace Mr Starks helmet this air won't do him any good'. Peter shifted further forward on his stomach placing his hand across the reactor on Tony's chest 'it will be alright Tony; it will be alright'

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