A/N: I hope you guys don't mind two updates in the same week! Lol Enjoy!
Chapter 20
Three months later . . .
Ring. Ring. Ring.
"Hello?"
"Stark? This is Loki."
"Loki?" Tony furrows his eyebrows in confusion before slowly sitting up and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He turns to look at the digital clock on his nightstand. "It's five in the morning."
"I am aware, and I would not have called if this matter wasn't urgent."
Tony pinches the bridge of his nose and blinks his eyes repeatedly in an effort to stay awake. "I see your point. What's wrong?"
"I cannot get in contact with Director Fury."
That comment gets Tony's attention. Whenever someone calls, Fury always answers the phone, even if it's just to tell the caller to piss off.
"When was the last time you spoke with him?" Tony asks, curiously.
"Yesterday morning; I was trying to see if he would let me leave headquarters, and he told me to scram, which was quite rude of him."
"And you haven't heard anything since?"
"Unfortunately, no. I have an urgent matter I need to discuss with him and he's not answering his phone, pager, or email. I fear something may have happened to him."
He does have many enemies . . . "Alright. Loki, sit tight. The Avengers are on our way."
"Thank you, Stark. I will meet you when you arrive," Loki says before hanging up.
Tony sighs and looks down at his phone. "JARVIS wake up the other avengers and tell everyone to meet in the living room."
"Right away, sir."
Tony turns to Steve, who is surprisingly still asleep, and gently shakes the other man until he shifts and groans. "Steve, wake up, we have a situation."
"A situation?" Steve asks. "What's going on?"
"Loki called. He says he's been trying to contact Fury—for what reason, I don't know—but he says he can't get a hold of him."
"Really? That's odd," Steve says, sitting up and looking over at Tony. "He always answers."
"That's what I said," Tony responds. "I'm having JARVIS assemble the others to meet in the living room."
"Good thinking," Steve says before climbing out of bed and heading for the closet to grab his uniform. "In the meantime, you should let Coulson know."
"I'll text him and have him meet us at Shield," Tony says, as he opens the messaging on his phone and sending a text to Coulson. He gets a response a few minutes later that says "On my way."
Tony climbs out of bed, and pulls on the same outfit he wore yesterday—a simple black shirt and blue jeans. He grabs his spare armor suitcase that's setting next to his bed and turns, seeing that Steve is ready as well. "Let's go," he says before leading the way out of their room and towards the elevator.
Tony and Steve take the elevator downstairs and arrive in the living room, where the Avengers are waiting, all looking disheveled and sleepy in their uniforms. Bucky and Clint are dozing on one of the couches. Bruce is sitting in a chair (wearing the pants Tony made that transform with him) and nodding off. Thor is yawning. The only one who looks fully alert is Natasha, who is leaning against one of the couches, but Tony can see in her eyes that she wants nothing more than to go back to sleep.
"Is everyone here?" Steve asks.
"Where's Rhodey?" Tony asks.
"I'm here," Rhodes answers. He appears from the kitchen with a burrito in his hand, and ignores Tony's side eye. "I can't find the Director on an empty stomach," he says before taking a bite.
Tony rolls his eyes. "Do you have your armor?"
Rhodey nods and points to the black briefcase resting next to Natasha's feet.
"Good, we're all here," Steve says. "Let's go. Bucky, Clint, wake up."
"I am up, mom," Bucky mumbles. He yawns and stretches before sitting up and forcing his eyes He hits Clint in the stomach with is nonmetal arm, causing the other man to groan.
"Fuck man," Clint says in a quiet tone. He sits up and stumbles to his feet, smiling at Thor when the man helps steady him.
When Bucky and Bruce rise to their feet, the team follows Steve out of the front door.
At Shield, Clint lands and parks the Quinjet in the Helicarrier's hangar. The Avengers quickly climb off and meet Loki and Coulson, who are standing together not far off. Loki is wearing long sleeved silk green pajamas and his hair in a loose bun. Coulson is wearing his usual pressed gray suit and cream tie.
Loki snorts when the Avengers reach his position. "What took you guys so long?"
"We actually have to drive to the airport to get the Quinjet from my private hangar," Tony says with a shrug. "You can't exactly land a plane on the roof of the mansion without some disaster steaming from that decision."
"I've tried reaching the Director's phone, but with no answer," Coulson says. "We'll check his office."
"We should check his bedroom before his office," Bucky suggests as the group begins making their way through Shield. When Coulson gives him a curious look, he adds, "What? It's like six in the morning and a man does need his beauty rest."
"Fair enough," Coulson agrees. "We'll start there instead."
"Oh! We'll get to see Fury's bedroom," Clint says. "I wonder if it will be neat like his hairdo."
"Remind me to laugh when we find the director," Coulson deadpans.
"I thought it was funny," Rhodey says. "For amateur hour."
"Man, fuck you, I'm funny," Clint says, offended.
"Whatever you say," Rhodey says with a disbelieving shrug.
"We're here," Coulson announces as he pauses in front of a door labeled "Director Fury: Do Not Enter."
"Director Fury!" Clint shouts before banging on the door. "Are you in there? Yoo-hoo!"
The Avengers begin banging on Fury's door while shouting his name and various insults for around a minute before backing away to see if he answers.
"Thor, break it down," Clint says.
"You can't break down the Director's door," Coulson objects.
"I won't be breaking down the door, Thor will," Clint says, patting the blond god on his arm and ignoring Coulson's eye roll.
"This is not going to end well," Loki says as his brother readies himself to break down the door.
Before Thor can charge, the door flies open and Fury is standing in the doorway looking more pissed than anyone has ever seen. He's glaring at the Avengers and Coulson with his one good eye, and his mouth turned into a deep frown. Despite this, Tony finds it hard to take the man seriously. The Director is standing in the doorway wearing blue and white striped pajamas and wearing slippers with Cap's head on them.
Tony looks over at Steve, and sees him barely holding in his laughter. Clint actually lets a snort escape which causes the Director to glare harder.
"Can't a man get some beauty rest around here!" Fury exclaims, angrily.
"We thought you were dead, you asshole," Tony says.
"You thought he was dead?" Steve asks confused.
"Well, Loki wasn't exactly clear," Tony responds, defending himself.
"Sir, you weren't answering your phone," Coulson says.
"My cell phone is broken and was going to get a new one in the morning," Fury answers, irritated. "You idiots fail to remember, that I have a landline in case of emergencies. Now, if you don't mind, I would like to go back to sleep."
"Wait a minute. Loki, you never told us why you needed to talk with the Director in the first place," Natasha says, moving the attention the god.
"I needed to speak with the Director because I've figured out the third trial," Loki says.
"Shit, I guess we're staying up," Rhodey says
"Head over to the meeting room. I'll meet you there," Fury says before shutting the door in The Avengers faces.
In the meeting room, things are tense. The Avengers, Coulson, and Loki are sitting around the table in their usual setting arrangements, restless and fidgeting. Fury arrives after a few minutes with a coat over his pajamas and proper shoes on. He strides to his usual place at the head of the meeting table and sits down in between Coulson and Loki.
Loki pulls out the scroll from his jacket pocket. He unravels it before laying it on the table in front of him. "You have to aid someone from the past. It doesn't say whom. The only clues the scroll gives are: the year 1951, and Start."
"Start?" Fury questions.
Loki shrugs. "That's what it says; who knows what it really means. Asgardian magic works in mysterious ways."
"Wait, wait. We're going to be time travelling?" Clint says with a raised eyebrow. "Are you kidding me?"
"I don't make the rules, bird," Loki says. "I will conjure up a portal and hope for the best. It will reopen automatically at your location when the trial is complete."
Tony tenses when Loki mentions a portal. He thought he was through with those after New York, but apparently, the universe has other plans. The brunet feels someone place a hand over his, and he quirks up the corner of his mouth. Steve always knows when Tony needs him, even if he doesn't say it aloud (and he rarely does).
"Do you have any recommendations on who should go back?" Coulson inquires.
"The bird, the widow, and the two iron lads," Loki says, giving Tony a knowing look. The raven-haired man knows more about the trial than he's letting on, Tony is sure of it.
"I don't care who goes back, as long as it's not Cap and/or his sidekick," Fury announces.
"We can't go?" Steve asks, confused.
"I am not a sidekick," Bucky says, with an offended huff.
"If what Loki says is true, and the year is 1951, then the two of you are already missing and presumed to be dead. I do not have the time or patience to deal with the repercussions that shit," Fury responds.
"Then it's settled," Loki says with an air of finality.
"Loki, how fast can you conjure up a portal?" Coulson asks.
"At any time," Loki responds.
"Good. You have one hour to prepare yourselves." Fury says before leaving the room with Coulson in tow.
"Are you going to be okay with going back Tony?" Steve asks, as soon as the Agents leave.
Tony gulps before nodding. "I'll be fine." He looks up and gives Steve a small smile. "I'm gonna make a call. I'll be right back."
He stands from his chair and exits the meeting room, shutting the door behind him. He walks a little ways down the hallway before leaning against the wall with a heavy sigh. The brunet pulls out his cell phone and dials a familiar number, in the hopes that talking to one of his oldest friends will help calm him down.
"Tony?"
The brunet cringes. "You sound mad."
"I am mad," Pepper says. Tony can hear her frowning. "You haven't been answering my calls—Rhodey told me you almost died in England."
"I didn't want you to worry."
"Your excuses are getting worse, Mr. Stark."
"Pepper, can we just . . ."
"Is everything okay?"
"Not really . . ."
"Do I need to fly in from California?"
"When did you go back to California?"
"After the Foundation Ball, Tony, I texted you. Don't you remember?"
"Uh . . ."
Pepper sighs, heavily.
"Wait, Pep, just listen, please."
Tony tells her everything about Loki, the trials, the Avengers having to be separated, that he is going to be a part of the group going back in time, the dream, and worst of all—the portal.
Pepper remains silent the entire time Tony talks. When he finishes speaking, his friend takes a shaky breath. "Does it have to be you?"
"Yeah."
"Can't they get someone else?"
"No; Steve and Bucky can't go back. Whenever Loki is near, Thor refuses to leave his side. We don't know how The Other Guy will react to being out of this time period—his comfort zone. The same goes with Bruce," Tony says. "Plus, I can't let Rhodey go without me. He's not an engineer and he's still wearing Hammer Tech. If something happens to his suit, he won't be able to fix it. They need me, Pep."
"God, you're such a good guy, Tony," Pepper says. She sniffles over the other end, and Tony hopes she's not crying. "I really don't want you to have to go through this—especially now that I know the whole story."
"If it makes you feel any better, Steve doesn't want me to go either. But, he knows this is something I need to do—I need to face my fears, and I would have had to at some point," Tony says, more so convincing himself of this fact than Pepper. "Hey, you want me to bring you back a souvenir from the past?"
Pepper laughs. "As long as it's not one of those stupid foil soap swans that Rhodey collects."
Tony smiles. "It's a deal."
"Be careful, Tony. You better call me when you get back."
"I will, and thanks for this."
"No problem," Pepper responds. Tony can hear the smile in her tone.
"Goodbye, Pep."
"Goodbye, Tony."
Tony hangs up his hone and slips it back into his pocket. He still doesn't want to do this trial, but he does feel better after talking to Pepper. The brunet sighs and heads back into the meeting room, taking is place next to Steve.
The blond gives Tony a tight smile and kisses him on the cheek before tangling their fingers together.
Clint clears his throat, causing everyone to look at him. The archer is currently standing on the arms of his swivel chair, and swaying in a dangerous fashion.
"Get down from there before you bust your ass," Steve says in a firm tone.
"No," Clint responds before sticking out his tongue, and earning an eye roll from the Captain. He clears his throat again. "I propose we get pre-trial shawarma. Right now."
"Don't you think it's too late for that?" Natasha asks, with an amused smile.
"It is never too late, my faire Dragon Queen of Orion," Clint responds.
"Will you stop quoting Return of the Dragon 2," Rhodey says, slightly amused, before throwing a paper ball that hits Clint in the face, but doesn't affect his balance.
"You're just jealous because you're not a faire Dragon Queen," Clint says as he finally sits in his chair like the rest of the class.
"I am the fairest in all of the motherfucking land, bald eagle," Rhodey responds.
Clint lets out an offended squawk. "I am a hawk!"
"Quoth the raven, nevermore," Rhodey counters, which causes everyone (aside from Clint) to burst into laughter. Even Loki lets a wide grin cover his features.
Clint huffs, and Rhodey smiles triumphantly.
Fury reenters the room with Coulson in tow. The Director glances at the Avengers with a narrowed eye. "What the hell are you so giggly about?"
"Nevermore," Rhodey repeats, which causes another round of laughter.
Fury sighs. "Why did I have to get stuck with you people?"
"C'mon, you know you love us," Tony says with a wide grin.
"No, I do not!" Fury says with a frown.
"Guys, it's time," Coulson says.
"It's time? Oh my god, my wife is having a baby!" Clint exclaims, causing more laughter from the Avengers. The archer turns to Bucky and says, "You're in labor, my dear wife!"
"Oh that's what that is? I thought I was just backed up from that chili we ate last night," Bucky responds.
"You asshole, I made that chili," Steve says in an offended tone.
"My point," Bucky answers.
"Will you all stop fucking around?" Fury exclaims. "Now, there's a trial that needs to get completed. The sooner that's finished, the sooner you can make fun of Cap for not knowing how to cook chili."
"What is this? Bag on Cap day?" Steve asks.
"We can go back to making fun of the pigeon over there," Rhodey says helpfully, ignoring Clint's offended screech.
"Like I said, you can make fun of each other after the trial," Fury says to the team before looking at Loki. "Can you conjure that portal now?"
"Certainly," Loki says, rising from his seat and moving to stand next to the Director. He raises his arms to chest level and closes his eyes in concentration. Blue energy is summoned to Loki's fingertips and shoots in front of him, creating a blue portal of swirling energy in front of him.
Tony carefully observes the portal. This one is different from the one in New York—probably because Loki isn't trying to kill them this time and infinite space isn't on the other side.
"Is it safe?" Clint asks cautiously.
Loki bristles, offended that Clint would doubt his skills. "Of course it's safe, you nimrod." The man walks back to the table and picks up a pen before enchanting it with his magic and handing it to Natasha.
The assassin looks at the pen in her hands with caution. "What am I supposed to do with this?"
"It's laced with my magic, think of it as a tracer of some sorts," Loki answers. "The pen will allow me to know where you are in case you need my help. That is, under the assumption that you are all going to remain together."
"That's . . . very thoughtful of you," Natasha says, carefully choosing her words. She opens one of the many pouches on her utility belt before sliding the pen inside.
"Yes, well, I don't want to listen to the oaf whine if something happens to his precious teammates when I'm capable of assistance," Loki huffs, pointedly ignoring Thor's wide smile.
The Avengers rise from their seats and stand together with Loki and Fury, gazing at the portal with curious and cautious expressions.
"Right, let's go," Clint says. "Nat, you first."
Natasha raises an eyebrow. "Why me?"
"Because if we're put in the middle of a war zone, you'll scare everyone way with your ninja moves."
Natasha snots, and shakes her head amused. She walks up to the portal and sighs. "Men," she says before walking through the portal.
"Rhodey, you're next," Clint says.
"And you're coming with me," Rhodey says, grabbing Clint by the ear with one hand, and his briefcase with his armor in the other. He shakes his head before dragging the protesting Clint into the portal.
Tony sighs, knowing he is the last one left. The brunet steps forward with his briefcase held tightly in his hand. He steels himself and takes another step towards the portal when he is hit with the visions from his nightmare: Steve dead, Skull smirking, the terror at realizing he's going to be alone.
The billionaire shakes his head. He can't go. Steve can take care of himself, sure, but Tony doesn't want to risk coming back and find out that he's already gone.
Tony can hear someone approach him and place a hand on his back before Steve's form comes into view.
"Are you okay?" Steve asks with a worried crease in between his brow.
"Yeah, completely," Tony says, knowing Steve won't believe his lie. He never was able to lie to him, especially to his face.
Steve begins to rub Tony's back in a comforting manor. "You'll do great, Tony, and I'll be here waiting for you when you come back. I promise you everything will be fine."
Tony doesn't respond. Instead, he sets is briefcase on the ground, and reaches forward to pull Steve into a kiss, ignoring Fury's protests of "Jesus, Stark" and "Do that on your own time."
The billionaire ignores Fury in favor of pressing closer to Steve. The Director isn't wrong, though. He and Steve tone down their affection for each other at work, but Tony can make an exception. Apparently, Steve can too with the enthusiastic way he's kissing back.
A few moments later, Tony pulls away and gives Steve a small smile. "I love you."
"I love you, too. Come back to me, you hear?"
"I will," Tony says before giving Steve one last kiss. He steps away from the other man and picks up his briefcase off the ground. Tony takes a deep breath, and enters the wormhole.
Tony emerges from the portal in an alleyway. A dirty, disgusting, alley that has trash scattered everywhere and an unknown substance stuck to the brick walls on either side. Tony sighs, as the portal closes behind him. Going through the portal wasn't as horrible as he thought it would be, and he is actually feeling quite calm now. Maybe it's because Tony is comforted in the fact that Thor would never let his brother do something to harm them again.
The brunet looks around and sees Clint and Rhodey are standing a few feet away with Natasha nowhere in sight. Tony furrows his brow. "Where's Nat?"
Rhodey turns his head to look at Tony. "Natasha's scouting ahead. She'll be back—"
"Alright everyone's here. Let's go," Natasha says, her silhouette appearing in the mouth of the alley with her hands on her hips.
"Right now," Rhodey says. He leads the way out of the alley, followed by Clint, and Tony.
Tony blinks is eyes repeatedly as he adjusts to the darkness surrounding him. He looks around the area, confused, still feeling disoriented from the portal. The area seems familiar to him, but he can't properly determine where he is.
"Where are we?" Clint asks as he looks around the area.
Natasha walks over to a nearby bench and picks up a newspaper resting on the surface. "New York City, May 14th, 1951. Do you guys know of any significance to this date?"
Rhodey and Clint shake their heads no.
"I think I may have read something about this date or one close to it in Howard's journal, but I don't remember," Tony says, with a furrowed brow.
"That's helpful," Clint mutters sarcastically.
"No, that actually is helpful," Rhodey says. "Remember what Loki said: 1951 and Start, which is suspiciously one letter away from Stark. If something near this date is connected to Tony, then the trial has to involve his past in some way."
Tony snorts, not dismissing Rhodey's theory. As long as the trial doesn't involve Howard, he really doesn't care whom from his past is about. He is silently hoping he'll see Jarvis again. The former butler died a few months before he went to Afghanistan. Tony misses Jarvis terribly; he would give anything to speak with the man one last time.
Natasha purses her lips. "If you do remember the exact event on the exact date, Tony, let us know."
"Of course," Tony answers.
"What's going on over there?" Clint asks with a furrowed brow
The other three avengers follow Clint's line of sight and see bright, flashing, different colored lights in the distance. They exchange curious glances before heading towards the light and stumbling into some kind of and (what appear to be) science experiments are set up all over the area, with a flood of people jammed between the tables.
"Is this . . . Stark Expo?" Rhodey asks as he looks around.
"Oh shit," Tony says as he lays eyes on the one man he never thought he'd have to see again. His father.
Howard is standing some distance away, wearing a pressed blue suit and chatting with a woman wearing similar attire. Tony has no idea why he's shocked at seeing Howard. Whenever he has to bring the past, or in this case travelling into the past, his father is always involved in some way. Honestly, he should have known when he first brought up Howard's journal.
Luck appears to not be on Tony's side (then again, when is it ever) because Howard turns and catches the brunet's eye before turning and doing a double take. The billionaire was always told that he looked like a younger version of his father, and apparently, Howard can see that too, since he's walking over to the Avengers and ignoring the words of the woman following him.
Howard reaches the Avengers, stopping directly in front of Tony, and looking over him with a curious look on his face. The man furrows his brow, as if trying to ascertain where he's seen Tony's face before. After a few tense moments, Howard opens his mouth to speak.
"Have I seen you somewhere before?"
A/N: I'm going to be posting a companion to this trial called "None Too Thrilled" so you guys can keep an eye out for that!
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! We're heading for the home stretch now!