Several weeks after his call to Rogers, his conversation with Rhodey, and the start of his social media trending war- a plan fully was underway.

'What's in Ross's closet' was phase two of that plan. They all knew, going back to how he'd handled the Hulk incidents in New York- long before the Avengers came to be, that Ross was far from a squeaky clean individual. The odd mash up of Rhodey and Black Widow were on that assignment. Cap and the rest of his team were laying…mostly low. Going out on Wakanda sanctioned missions. After the craziness that occurred, Wakanda had withdrawn from the Accords and was free to let superheroes do as they pleased within their borders and most of the surrounding nations that had also not ratified the Accords. This was good, they needed the positive news showing how Steve Rogers and his team were helping; by stopping weapons deals, drug rings, poachers and more. All of that without a special UN approved panel telling them they could.

At the same time, Tony continued to have Friday assembling articles on things the Avengers could be doing but weren't because the panel, or Ross, didn't think it was necessary to bring them into help. What were the final death tolls in those instances? That was the hardest part. Sitting back and following orders when he knew there were people out there who needed help. Rogers had been right, it was too difficult to stand by because a boardroom said no.

When he was frustrated, he worked. Hunched over a station in his labs while he tinkered with fabric that was stretched out before him. "Didn't know you were going for the spandex look." Rhodey teased, having returned from his latest trip to the capital for intel.

Tony grunted, "Not for me." He gave without looking up from his work as James stepped closer, getting a better look at the suit.

"For the kid. When he's older." He shrugged. They were still in a good place- at least as far as Tony knew, Spiderman was sticking to the minor leagues and sending up anything that was too dangerous to the Avengers- then they waited for the UN to say it was okay to take out the threat. Of course, he wouldn't be a kid forever hence the upgrade- the only reason Tony wasn't about to give him the suit right now was because it packed a bit of a bigger punch and he wanted Peter a bit more responsible and seasoned before giving him additional power. Thankfully it seemed the kid was staying away from the dangerous stuff as there hadn't been any alerts and no signs of him biting off more than he could chew.

Before Rhodey could retort, Tony continued, "I figure I already upgrade everyone else's toys, wouldn't be fair for the kid to be the only one without a present at Christmas." It was nowhere near the holiday of course, but the explanation made sense. Rhodey knew the true meaning behind it and wouldn't tease Tony about it, not now anyway.

"Speaking of." Rhodey offered, "Can you take a look at the left rotator cuff? It was pinching a little on my last flight." Tony waved him off, of course he'd look at it. "I'm gunna go hit the shower. Meet me upstairs in twenty and we can discuss our next step in the war on Ross."

"Yes of course Honey Bear." Tony gave before ordering his music to play, to drown out any further attempts at conversation right now. Rhodey took his leave, metal braces on his legs helping him up the stairs with relative ease, something that was still impossible otherwise.

Tony was left with about thirty seconds of peace (peace for him being the blaring of AC/DC) before the music died. He stood up, needing a break from his work while dealing with whatever the interruption was. "What is it Fri?"

"Call from Happy Boss." Came the pleasant voice.

Tony considered it for a moment before nodding, "Alright. Put him through." Instantly the sounds of wharf, seabirds and the laughter from tourists in the background assaulted him. Before Happy had a chance, Tony had to wonder, "Are you on a beach?"

"Yeah I'm on a beach. I'm on vacation. Remember? Where am I supposed to go on vacation Tony? Huh?" His thick accent strong at the silly question. Happy was every bit the New Yorker and it was ever so easy to rile him up.

"You workin' on that tan?"

"Not that it's any of your business boss but yeah, I am. Too much cold up north. Liked it better when you lived in L.A." While Happy spoke, Tony moved to a separate work area with a computer instantly hacking the phone line and using one of his many satellites to zero in on his assistant. Happy was apparently stretched out on a beach lounger, in nothing but black swim trunks, sunglasses and his pasty white self. When Tony began to crack up, Happy instantly knew what was happening and flipped off the sky.

"Yo boss. I called you cause that kid's got me working my vacation."

The kid. Peter. "What's going on?" He wondered instantly, with just a hint of worry that only his long time employee would pick up on. The teen had been doing well, maybe too well? Perhaps he was calling to punt a problem up to the major league.

"I dunno, he said he wanted me to get a message to you, something about the suit."

Tony blinked, "Didn't you listen?"

Happy, on the monitor shrugged, phone held up to one here with a fruity beverage in the other hand, "Why would I do that? I don't know anything about the suit, he wanted you. Probably used his parachute again. I'm on vacation, you listen to it."

Tony rolled his eyes, neither of them realizing the grave mistake about to occur. "Alright alright geez. Send it over, I'll see what's up. Remind me again, why do I pay you?"

"I keep you humble boss." Was the snarky reply before Tony ended the satellite feed and the call easily enough.

"Friday. Play it." He ordered when he saw the message come through.

Peter's voice filled the speakers of the room, "Hey…Hey Happy… Could you, can you get this message to Mr. Stark? I uh…I have a question about the suit."

The kid caught buses and stood his ground against Cap, Tony really needed to talk to him about growing a pair in the verbal confidence department. Just one more thing on his long list of things to do. Standing he moved to head back his original workstation, only to fall through what could only be described as a burning hole in the ground. At least that's what it looked like.

He landed in a crouch on old marble that was not in his Tower. His tower was also very well lit, naturally, not this...this musty-ness?

His gaze shifted as he pushed himself up to stand. The...hole, disappeared in a shower of sparks and he felt the nanotech in his chest buzzing, ready to form his suit or anything he needed at a moment's notice.

"Tony Stark." Was called, drawing his attention to a...I'm sorry...was this guy actually wearing a cape? Dude, that was Thor's thing. And the facial hair? Uh, get your own look brotato. "Stephen Strange. I need your help."

He blinked, "I'm sorry, is that supposed to mean something to me?" he tilted his head to the side slightly, catching sight of another man nearby, "Is he eating a Tuna melt?"

Strange's gaze shifted to Wong and the other gave an apologetic shrug.

"Mr. Stark if we could focus-"

"Focus? Oh I'm focused. And I'm giving you five seconds to explain what the hell is going on here." Was given, angry but with the confidence of being Earth's mightiest defender.

Strange pinched the bridge of his nose. "Stark. I'm not here to fight. I'm here to help." The other stared at him as if to say 'go on'. "I have a message from Thor."

Oh, well, that changed things. Tony blinked, stance relaxing if just slightly. "Point break?" He questioned instinctively causing the other man to now question him silently.

Strange decided not to focus on the weird comment. "I've been in contact with his ship-"

"Wait you? How? I have had every resource possible scanning for anything, anything." From Thor...From Banner. Even when he and Cap were at their worst he was still searching for their missing teammates. "And you're telling me you what? Just got a collect call from the God of Thunder? No, sorry, not buying it."

Strange resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I have no doubt you've got vast technologies out there Stark, but while you work in the mechanical, I work in the mystical." He tapped his hands, letting pointless sigils flare for just a moment in proof. "I operate on different frequencies and happened across the signal. Now then, would you like to help your friend, or shall we continue to stand here and argue about whose is bigger?" He questioned, taking the dig where he could get it it.

Tony's eyes narrowed, oh. He really didn't like this guy, mostly because well, Tony would have applauded him if the insult hadn't been directed his way. He considered for a moment before offering, "Fine. Let's do this. But I want a tuna melt." He gave, finger up in the air as to signal for a waiter. This time Strange did roll his eyes but nonetheless a plate would appear in Tony's free hand causing the billionaire to blink as he moved to follow Strange, "Holy shit...you're are a wizard." He stated, lifting the plate to examine, the mechanic in him trying to figure out the scientific answer to how it appeared, "Am I a wizard? Is this where we go to the sorting hat? I hate to tell you but I'm Ravenclaw all the way, ya know they did not get nearly enough credit. Too smart to get dragged into Harry's bullshit soap opera."

"Will you shut up?" Stephen wondered, half begging as he led Tony to what the other would describe as another musty room, thick with the scent of books and pine and filled with various artifacts.

"Oh sorry Gandolf." Tony offered, still inspecting his sandwich that had appeared from nowhere. Another form of nanotech perhaps? He took a bite to taste it, just for science.

"Oh my God, I'd rather face Dormammu again…" Strange admitted to himself in a moment of shock.

"Who? Did you give him a sock? I hear they like that." Tony stated, some words slightly garbled around the sandwich he was chewing.

Strange stared at him in disbelief. After several seconds he shook his head before waving his hand over a large pot. Tony would describe what happened next as a 3d video appearing but he saw none of the technologies needed for it. Interesting.

Thor's face appeared, but he was different, weathered. "Well hey there handsome. Get all cleaned up for little ole me?" He wondered with a smirk, "Ya know it's nowhere close to Halloween…" An eye patch?

Thor offered a smirk, one only a man who had lost much but still found a way to hold hope close could offer. "Stark, I have missed your vigor greatly."

Tony blinked, taking a moment to remember Thor's often hilarious speech patterns. "Uh yeah, listen, take me to dinner first okay? Geez I'm sleezy but not easy. Playboy code." He held up a few fingers as if making a boy scout pledge.

"Tony." The billionaire froze, "It's good to see you." The image shifted and Tony drew in a breath.

"Bruce…" For the first time Stephen saw the facade drop, the snarky sarcastic shell that Tony Stark wore just as well as he wore the Iron Man suit, fell away. "Hey...hey buddy...how ya been?"

"Been better, but I'm getting there." he offered back. Now wasn't exactly the time for the long winded catch up conversation, Bruce knew that so he kept his response short.

"So guys…" Tony started at the lull in the conversation, "I mean...What the hell?" That about summed it up.

Thor and Bruce shared a look, which was impressive given they had only 3 eyes between them. "A lot has transpired Stark." The blond offered, sobering a bit. "Asgard has fallen." There was a pause there, he didn't go into the details as he had before. Contrary to how he'd acted, Thor did remember Strange but the God of Thunder often hid behind the mask of being all muscle and no brain. He was an imposing figure already so by dumbing himself down people underestimated him. Now was not the time to downgrade his intelligence.

Tony blinked as Strange continued, "Thor is on is way to Earth with 827 individuals who need sanctuary." To put it simply.

The billionaire blinked. "I'm sorry...did I hear you right? You're bringing almost a thousand alien gods to this planet? And you need my help how? I don't know if any of you are aware but immigration is a hot button issue right now." At this point, Tony still recalled the voicemail from Peter. He'd need to listen to it again to see what the kid needed. He was human and not perfect but he was a genius so he could keep his thoughts ordered enough to recall said message.

"Come now Stark, where is that can do attitude?" Thor wondered, smiling a bit at the Man of Iron who was complaining still.

"Tony." Bruce's voice cut in, "They've got nowhere to go." Tony pinched the bridge of his nose. This was exactly what he did not need, not when he was getting close to fixing the mess he'd made with Ultron, with the Accords and more.

"We've got the logistics figured out. Obviously I'm no happier at the idea of so many Asgardians wandering the planet. There's land, in Norway, if we're able to secure it-Wong and I can set up wards. No one needs to know the Asgardians are there and they can go on living their…" he gestured in the air, their lives, whatever those were, exactly.

"Great, so let's circle back to why I'm here? And if it's to compare looks- I win, hands down." He offered to Strange who maturely ignored the dig.

"Simply put we need your finances to secure the land." Strange gave, to the point as he crossed his arms.

Tony tilted his head, all while Thor and Bruce simply watched. "I'm sorry. Okay. First, am I just a paycheck to all of you?" He sounded upset but Bruce and Thor knew him well enough to know that Tony didn't care about the bottom line when it came to money so that wasn't his real gripe. "Second, aren't you a wizard? Can't you just wizard the money? Or at least the deed?" And there it was, his true issue with all of it. Of course, only Tony could be mad that the wizard couldn't magic his way to a solution

"It doesn't work like that…" But Stark wasn't having any of it and continued.

"For that matter, another thing. This tuna melt? Sub pair. At best. No, you know what? I'll do it. There. Saving the day again with my amazing finances." Let the praise be given.

"Tony." Bruce gave, the other scientist seemed to keep him grounded in moments like these. "There's one more thing you need to know…" The billionaire frowned, there was something in Banner's tone.

Up to that point, Tony remembered the message, he knew he needed to get back, to see what issues the kid was having with his suit. The moment Loki stepped into view every thought he had went blank.

"Hello Stark."


So there you have it, another chapter down. Can anyone really blame Tony for forgetting about the voicemail given the bombshell that is Loki was just dropped?