Note:
Zeta: Part 2 is here!
Tony: Finally, took you long enough!
Zeta: Well, excuse me! It takes some good amount of effort to write this. I'm not even sure I even got the characters right.
Philemon: Please, dear readers. Review this work and tell us what you think so far.
Zeta: If you find some mistakes, tell me and I'll fix them. Otherwise, enjoy reading part 2 of chapter 2.
Disclaimer: I do not own these amazing works. Marvel owns the Avengers and Atlus owns the Persona Series.
Chapter 2, Part 2
In another part of the globe, inside a disclosed location. A wine-red haired woman was sitting at a desk with three other ladies. One was a turquoise-haired woman wearing glasses and a white vest with a blue-green dress. The other two were a blonde woman with electric-blue eyes and a silver-haired woman with red eyes and both in similar clothes resembling that of a dress worn by a secretary. They were all gathered around a table with a folder in the middle.
"So… there's an increase in Shadow activity in America?" the redhead asked the women. The one wearing glasses nodded before opening the folder and pointing it out to her.
"Yes, most specifically in the state of Arizona in the area known as the Colorado Plateau. We checked with one of the satellites who sent images of the surface and from it, this is what we got." The researcher passed her the photos, displaying what appeared to be a shard of a meteor about the size of the Empire State Building, but wider. Drawn around the circle, were runic symbols of unknown origin and design.
"Hm…" The empress pondered on the satellite snapshots before handing them back to the engineer. "We have a situation in our hands now. What do we know so far, Yamaguishi?"
The young researcher, Fuuka Yamagishi, looked over her notes and calculations on her notepad that she carried with her.
"I estimate about half a year before the energy reaches a peak. We've checked around Japan and other nations and all indicate that America is secretly creating something. It won't be long before the UN conference about these Sokovia Accords, so we don't have much time." Fuuka then turned to the blonde robotic maiden, Aigis, who turned on the projector on her signal.
The projection displayed a satellite in outer space, with the words "Laser Pinpoint Firing System". The floating man-made project still had exposed parts, but they were few in number. The systems satellites resembled closely to flowers, although the metal petals were what concentrated the energy to power the laser.
Lady Kirijo, or as she is known by her closest friends, Mitsuru, maintained a poker face that rivaled even the coldest of CEO's as she inspected the photographic images from space.
"I see, so if this system activates, then the logical conclusion is that the energy would activate the stone." Mitsuru murmured.
"Yet the main question is what the purpose of the large stone is?"
"I'm afraid that I do not know, Mitsuru."
"The analysis of the stone is underway, but another alarming trouble popped up while we were doing the research. Energy signals similar to Shadows and Personas have been detected in the location where the UN meeting is to take place." Aigis added in, displaying another screen of data.
The small group of analysts took note of the similarities of the three energy spectrums before assembling a plan.
"Alright, I'll contact Detective Shirogane and Akihiko to go to the UN meeting myself with Labrys. Yamaguishi, contact the detective and reporter that we met a few weeks ago. We might need them for later. The rest are on standby. Dismissed." The Kirijo 'Ice Queen' left the room, with the others acknowledging their orders and beginning the task of clearing the room.
Mitsuru headed to another room, where scientists were scrambling to analyze and collect data from the computer screens and holographic projectors.
What really caught her attention was the holographic image of a titan-sized golden ornate door being held shut by a statue. Yet the shape of the stone seal was that of a teenage boy, not even older than fifteen or sixteen years of age.
"What are we dealing with now, Makoto?"
It was close to midnight by the time Tony, Steve, and the others managed to form their own draft. They had all agreed to refine the details tomorrow and headed back to their rooms to get some shut-eye.
Tony was laying alone once more in his own bed. Pepper had left to handle some business in Texas regarding some arrangements to have another Stark Industries building built in one of the metropolitan areas. She also mentioned something about a Japanese company meeting with her later in the week.
"Long day ahead of us now" Tony sighed as he wrapped himself beneath the covers and started to snooze into dreamland.
…
Tony was once more welcomed by the sight of Philemon's shrine and the being himself, whose mask prevented Tony from trying to find something to use to find out more about the Master of Persona.
"Welcome again, Tony." He greeted the billionaire.
Tony waved off the greeting, "Yeah, yeah, spill the beans. Why am I here now again?"
Philemon gave him a nod, "As you have remembered, the contract I spoke of was the Accords. With the upcoming time, events that have been hidden away from the eyes of the universe will resurface once more."
This puzzled the philanthropist further, "Wait. Events that were hidden away? "
"Indeed, and as you continue, a number of paths will open to you and your companions. Through each one, you will witness the trials of the people you meet as well as confront your own troubles. But remember that whatever path you choose, the choice was yours and no one else's."
Tony nodded with a face of resolve, "So, mind explaining what events you are referring to?"
"I will tell you what I can tell you at most. The events occurred the same year you were held imprisoned."
Tony felt the hairs of his skin prick up at the reference of his kidnapping and became tense.
"As you were being held, an evil arose to answer the call from humanity by granting their wish. I'm afraid that I can tell you no more, as our time is up."
Tony was calling out to Philemon, "Wait!" But the shrine faded into darkness before he woke up back in the comfort of his bed.
"I will not cooperate with you, Mr. Secretary Ross."
Esper Redlaw was not having the time of his life. The minute he arrived, his secretary informed him of his meeting with the Secretary of State, Thaddeus Ross, who was worth a large migraine with his view on mutants and enhanced humans.
"I assure you, Mr. Redlaw that this will help protect the nation from superhuman threats as well as other alien threats. All you need to do is provide us the technology and you would not be involved." The ex-general tried to convince the CEO and owner of Redlaw Nanotech.
"And I assure you I have negotiated with other ambitious military officers before then, Mr. Secretary." Esper spoke up again.
Ross was growing frustrated at his stubbornness until Pierce Collins walked in.
"I believe that I can help with that project of yours, Mr. Secretary." He said as he took a seat across from Redlaw.
"What!? Pierce, you can't decide that all of a sudden! We share the ownership!"
"I'm afraid that I'm no longer part of Redlaw Nanotech anymore, Mr. Redlaw." Pierce hands over a manila folder, which Redlaw reads with a grimace.
"Very well, Mr. Collins. Consider yourself unwelcome from my company and any other companies owned by Redlaw Nanotech will not associate themselves with Ares Military Industries. Good day gentlemen." Redlaw left the ex-general and his friend, who had betrayed him and ripped away whatever trust he had in people to shreds.
…
As soon as Esper arrived at his modest, private home, hidden from the eyes of the public, he quickly left to his room and got undressed, the clothes falling of his muscular, lean body. The nude man entered the shower quickly with the freezing water running down his body. In the duration of his shower, he let his own thoughts run wild.
"I trusted Pierce to refuse… yet he threw away our friendship and destroyed my trust in him.'
Esper growled, 'He knew the military would try to contact us to get us to work for them. But why?'
Esper sighed and shook his head. Being angry and volatile would not do him any good. He would contact his brothers-in-arms Aquila and Gladiolus to see what they have to say on this. The four were good friends, but in business, he trusted Pierce to know what's best for the company.
He dressed up in his sleepwear and got onto the bed and laid down in the dark.
'So much for trust. Well, I'll have to manage on my own. I have a meeting with Stark Industries after the UN meeting in Vienna since I'm apparently an influential figure. Stupid politicians… always greedy for power and influence.'
His rest was filled with turmoil for the night.
Pierce's cold, steel grey eyes observed the ex-general rant about how he was among the very few people who understand the importance of supporting the nation blah, blah, blah.
Honestly, the Secretary of State could shove it with his project. Pierce had better plans on how to use the project.
"So… you convinced him that you would be working with him in full capacity?"
Pierce rolled his eyes at his mysterious caller, "I just said that, didn't I? Now that you've made me destroy the trust I had with my friend, what now from here?"
"I believe you had said that your friend was a nobody who doesn't know how to even run his own company, didn't you?" the caller retorted sharply.
The traitor growled at his reminder of how badly he had talked about Esper.
"The plans are set on your end, I suppose? If they were not, I doubt you would be spouting those remarks of yours now."
This caught the caller off guard, with silence as his answer.
"Anyways, I'll be sending in some people up there to work under you. Take good care of them now." Pierce hung the phone up before getting up and looking at himself in a small mirror he hung up in his office. The mirror reflected the dark circles under his eyes that were hidden by the glare from his glasses. He still knew Esper noticed them, as he knew his once brother in all but blood had a knack for seeing details others would not catch.
"I'm sorry, Esper."
Weeks passed and after the arduous work, the Avengers had finally completed the final draft for the document entitled "Hero's Allegiance & Protections". The document was then signed by all of the team before being scanned by FRIDAY and sealed with several passwords and protected with the modern firewalls from Drake Computer Tech and Redlaw Nanotech.
"So, Capsicle, all done now?" Steve rolled his eyes at Tony's ridiculous nicknames.
"Yes, Tony, we're good from this end. With the safety net made as well as covering all possible loopholes, we should be fine. The only thing we need is having someone be the director of the team to direct all of our missions."
"Then let's put Pepper. She'll-"
"Tony…" the captain's voice cut through, "Pepper can't be in charge of the team. She already has the Stark Industries CEO position to handle. We need to find someone, but I made sure that we're given at least a year to find someone. It can be an individual or an organization, so relax."
The genius inventor didn't like the idea of waiting, but he at least placed some trust in the team. "Alright then. We only have a week to be ready."
Steve nodded, "We'll be ready for anything. If what Philemon said is true, then something's going to happen at the conference."
"I suppose." Tony suddenly went quiet for a moment, causing the first Avenger to worry.
"Everything all right?"
The billionaire chuckled lowly, "No… Yes… I mean… I don't know anymore." He then served himself a shot from the nearest bottle of whiskey he could find.
"Pepper and I broke up, and I just remembered that as well." He massaged his head at a steady rhythm. "So much has happened and… our relationship really didn't work out."
Steve did not react, merely sat there listening patiently at the man who had broken up with the woman he loved.
"She didn't agree on me being an Avenger and as Iron Man, and if I didn't quit the superhero business, then she would break up with me. And she did."
Tony couldn't believe he opened up to the one guy he least expected to open up to. Clint was closer, having seen slightly beyond his mask, and second closest was Bruce. Now, the cap had gotten a glimpse of himself, beyond the billionaire persona.
"So… what do you plan now?"
Tony relaxed on the leather couch he was sitting on, while the soldier pulled out his sketchbook and began drawing on a chair near the window.
"Nothing but keep on going with my life. It was painful for a while, but I got over it."
Steve felt uncertainty in the genius' words.
Note:
Zeta: One more thing. Give me some ideas on what Personas should our merry band of superheroes get.
Tony: It better be a good one.
Zeta: I do have a list, but I want some second opinions. However, the Personas will interact quite differently from the rest, depending on the hero's powers.
Tony: So...?
Zeta: For you, it will be normal. For someone such as Wanda, it will interact differently. Anyways, stay tuned for Chapter 3!
