In the gym Tony and Steve were getting geared up for a boxing match. Thor had been nominated referee mainly because he didn't know the rules and could stop them both in a glare. The betting was mostly in favor of Steve, but it was fairly even among the agents. Many of the minor agents came to watch, and somehow the soda machine was shot open.
Agent Romanov was escorting Thor to the gym. Romanov was one of the few people that was not put off by Thor's arrogant manner. If she could handle Tony for a few months, she could handle Thor.
"May I ask you something Lady Natasha?" Thor asked as they walked through the complex.
"What?" Romanov said. The obvious difference between Tony and Thor was that Thor had manners and was polite.
"Tell me, what is 'boxing'?"
"It's a sport here on Earth. Mainly what happens is, two people get into a ring and punch each other until one of them stays on the floor for more than 10 seconds."
"A sport involving punching…" Thor said pondering this information. What a strange world, such violence is not permitted in Asgard, but here it seems encouraged. "What must I know in order to 'referee'?"
"Just keep them from killing each other, and don't let them bite or cheat. Just decide to stop it if you think it is not fair."
"I am not accustomed to only watching a fight."
"Yeah, well this world finds entertainment by putting people through trials and watching them suffer." She suddenly had a flashback to her past in Russia, but shook it off quickly. "You'll be fine."
"You are strong and brave Lady Natasha. Thank you for your assistance."
"No problem."
They made their way to the gym and encountered a huge crowd of agents. All of them in suits, and all with loaded guns, it was a truly a terrifying yet funny sight. Thor shoved his way forward, Romanov following behind in the path he made. Thor came to the ring and entered.
Tony was at the right end of the ring, Steve at the other. Thor stood in the middle, and then he saw something shiny and got distracted. What is the strange metallic object that rings when I touch it? He wondered as he fiddled with the bell. What is it with these midgardians and their strange ways? He then realized all the agents were yelling at him to start the fight.
"QUIET!" Thor bellowed, and the room fell into an awkward silence. "Now, Tony, son of Howard, and Steven of America, step forward. Have a noble battle! Do not completely kill each other or I shall be forced to intervene. Fight bravely!" Thor said, and looked to Romanov who gave him a smile and nod.
Tony hopped around Steve, and Steve took a defensive pose and waited for Tony to wear himself. Coleson told him he gets excited at the beginning, and then wears out toward the end, (Coleson had also bet $200 on Steve).
"Come on! Come on! Give me a shot! You painted ballet dancer!" Tony called out goading Steve on.
"Talk, talk, no punches yet huh?" Steve said in response. Tony began to throw light punches, watching how Steve defended, trying to find a way to break through. This continued on for about a minute, and Tony had now memorized Steve's defensive moves. Yes, it is a wonderful thing to be a genius in fights. Tony thought.
Tony quickly threw a fake punch toward Steve's right, Steve went for it, but Tony grabbed his arm, spun and elbowed him behind the head. Steve barely flinched, but smoothly grabbed Tony by his back, flipped him around and kneed him in the chest, causing him to double over.
"Alright, that was a cheap shot." Tony said. "Thor, come on buddy, don't you think that was dirty?"
"There was nothing wrong with the attack, Warrior Stark, you were not sufficiently defending yourself."
"Wow, a man looks for help…" Tony said then looked at Steve, "…not like I need it."
The fighting continued, this time Steve was more aggressive. At every offensive attack Tony offered, Steve defended and then found a hole and punched it. Yet Tony held his ground fairly well too, he quickly learned Steve's pattern and blocked his strikes fairly easily. It was looking like a boring fight to the agents, both men being cautious, not wanted to attack too aggressively, and both being able to defend themselves well. Some agents began to boo, and scream at them. Thor looked at them startled by their sudden change in attitude.
About forty five minutes later, both men were still standing but the agents were beginning to tire and started sitting down. However in that time, both men had at least one patch of blood on them and bruises everywhere. Tony had somehow dislocated his shoulder, and Steve's ankle was twisted in the most unnatural way. Both were unwilling to give up, and both were too tired and worn out to continue.
"You still going?" Tony said, panting. "Are you seriously this mad about Peggy moving on?" As if in reply Steve's face flushed with color and he began to attack Tony, hitting him with what little strength he had left. Steve seemed to forget all else except his frustration, and Howard's betrayal. He vaguely heard Thor shouting to "Hold" and all the other agents shouting encouragement.
Thor saw Steve lose control of himself, he suddenly wondered if that is what he looked like in his fits of rage. He knew Steve wouldn't listen to his words, and so promptly came in between Steve and Tony and threw a mighty punch knocking the already exhausted Steve out. Tony struggled quickly to his feet saying, "I'm fine, totally fine!" But he looked far from it.
"What the hell is going on?" Director Fury shouted, and all the agents hushed, and some stood next to each other to hide the broken soda machine. "Get a hold of yourselves! Someone get Tony and Steve to a doctor, move!" Fury looked at the two men, what had driven them to this? He wondered. But it didn't matter, they both needed to be moved to the hospital or they weren't going to be help to anybody.