Cosmic is Forever
Summary:Set after may have fooled Galactus and left before the Devourer could do anything,but was that the end?If so, then why is there a gold man the Universe is celebrating and the Cabal hunting?
They were saved from reacting with the unexpected help from Ant-Man. The HYDRA agents had managed to knock over one of the ant hills he lived in in Central Park and that drew his attention. When he saw what was going on, he had been quick in offering aid and with his help, they managed to make the Cabal retreat. After all, they couldn't do all that much against an army of both giant and natural sized ants.
''That was risky, crazy and ingenious all at once.'' Hawkeye had commented as soon as the bad guys left. ''Why aren't you an Avenger?'' It was a joking question, but he had never expected Tony's answer.
''Actually, after today, I'm thinking of expanding the group a bit. Maybe not full time Avengers, unless they want to, of course, but the backup we need from time to time. Both Spiderman and Ant-Man have proven themselves today and I think that earns them this reward.'' The conversation had ended at that and Stark had left for his lab, where JARVIS had to help him calm down so that the power in his body can calm down. It took him half an hour but it was worth it. By the time everyone was ready to debrief, Tony had calmed down enough that the power was now just dancing underneath his skin. It was still restless and it wasn't calming down beyond that. It didn't like that Tony had been brought up in that conversation any more than Tony had been.
The debriefing table was suddenly more full than it had been since when Tony had called the Avengers to assemble when he thought Cap was gone. Even learning that the Cabal was forming, not everyone had sat down. Now, everyone, even Scott and Peter were sitting. This was a surprise. Hulk liked to prowl around, restless with all that gamma energy in his body. Thor usually liked to play with Mjolnir or compete against Hulk in video games. Sam was usually around and about as much as Tony was, trying to help as much as he can. Widow sat in her place but there were times she wasn't at a meeting at all. And Steve often stood up when he was trying to make a point. Today, only Tony was on his feet and it was a strange feeling.
''So the Cabal are looking for the new Herald of Galactus? Are they absolutely insane or what?'' Spiderman asked after the situation has been completely explained. He had been there, but he had never seen or fought Galactus in person. Neither had Ant-Man but Tony had talked to him about it when they were storing Pym Particles during his last visit so he knew a bit about it.
''Why would they even want to go after a being so powerful? The Herald serves only Galactus and no one else, so there is no way they were thinking of adding him to the Cabal.'' Natasha said, looking over the files of the members of the Cabal. ''Not even mind control could make a Herald of Galactus betray his master.''
''I don't know. Shellhead sure did; he's the one that saved the D'Bari.'' Hwakeye commented. ''He even tricked him into giving him the Power Cosmic, then he used it to find an unstable planet and got him to try and eat it. The thing exploded into his face and knocked him out.''
''You were a Herald of Galactus?'' Scott, Peter and Natasha asked at the same time, staring at Tony with interest, admiration and apprehension respectively.
''How come you never told me?!'' Ant-Man pouted.
''That's so cool!'' Spiderman gushed, even more hero worship for Iron Man and Tony Stark in his face than ever before.
''Why hasn't SHIELD been informed about this?'' Black Widow asked in a dangerous tone.
"Because it was Avengers business." Clint said with crossed arms, staring at her in a way that indicated that they were having a silent conversation with their eyes. "And we dealt with it."
"Ay." Thor agreed, raising a fist in Tony's direction. "Iron Man thought up a brilliant plan that sated the insatiable Devourer! Songs should be sung in his name! Not criticisms from people who had not tasted the danger that is the Power Cosmic."
"So the Cabal is after Tony?" Sam asked, just to make things clear.
"No. A Herald stays a Herald as long as they serve Galactus. Tony broke the pact so he no longer has the power." Steve answered instead of the genius. "If he still had the power, he would have told us."
Tony was about to answer but Scott cut in. "If not Stark, then who are the Cabal after? Who has the Power Cosmic now, if Galactus is knocked out?"
"Is it at all possible to steal the power?" Peter asked, looking at Thor, who was basically their resident expert on all things not of Earth. The blond god thought about it before shaking his head.
"The Power is always given by Galactus himself. I have yet to hear of it being taken, let alone stolen."
"That, however, doesn't exclude the possibility." Sam comments, crossing his own arms. "It just makes it less probable. And after meeting Impossible Man ... there might be a being who can take the Power Cosmic by force."
"Preposterous!" Thor exclaimed.
"Why do you constantly disagree with the idea that it could have been stolen? It's the only logical explanation!" Sam snapped, not at all liking how his ideas kept being shot down without a seconds consideration or hesitation.
"Because," Thor got up and leaned over the table to tower over Falcon. And being that holds the Power Cosmic in such a pure and direct form loses its mind in a matter of seconds!" He thundered, no pun intended, glaring at the slightly cowed human. "No creature can have the power without Galactus bestowing it upon them, because Galactus erases their mind. They cannot talk or think, let alone steal the power!"
"What about Tony then?" Natasha asked, still suspicious about the whole thing. "He rebelled yet he seems sane to me. Well, as sane as Tony Stark can ever be."
"Um, thanks?" The black haired man in question mumbled but was ignored.
"I am guessing that our friend has never fully accepted the Power Cosmic so he was able to keep his mind. And he released himself of the function of Herald when he left Galactus to devour the unstable core." Thor sat down and some of the tension drained away. "It is possible that he is simply a special case or that Galactus never quite trusted him. After all, what sane man goes to speak and negotiate with the Devourer himself?"
"Hey!"
The protest was ignored. "What if he's the Herald, still, if he kept the power but not the obligation behind it? Then what?"
"We can always ask the Guardians of the Galaxy when and where the Herald was last spotted. Maybe even Heimdall." Thor returned and Steve cut in before any more damage could be done. He had seen how Tony has been drawing into himself more and more as they talked and he would rather leave this unsolved than have to draw Tony out of his protective shell all over again. The first time had been hard enough.
"Then lets call the Guardians and ask them. We should probably tell them that the Cabal is after him as well, so that they stay alert."
"Ay. I agree."
Sam just nodded and the others gave grunts that meant the same. Tony just nodded and walked over to the communications counsel to make the call. He could have told JARVIS to do it but he wanted, needed something to do to stop the panic rising in him. He wasn't ready for this. He just ... wasn't ready. The hail went out and they waited a few seconds before Peter Quill, AKA Star Lord, appeared on the screen.
"Hey, Stark. Avengers." Steve scowled at how Star Lord especially acknowledged Tony, not at all liking the almost familiarity the other used with Iron Man. Especially since he had been ready to kill him last time they met. That and he didn't like anyone giving Tony extra attention. "This is a surprise. What can I do for you?"
"We need a piece of information, Star Lord, and then we'll be out of your hair for a good while." Tony answered, not paying much attention to the man himself. The Guardians of the Galaxy leader frowned but other than that didn't really react to Tony not noticing how he was singled out. There might have even been a pout on his face.
"Sure, shoot."
"Have you ever heard of someone calling himself the 'Space Knight' while also wielding the Power Cosmic? Without being the loyal Herald to Galactus at the same time, that is." Iron Man asked, leaning his hip on the consul. Both Steve and Peter Quill followed the movement but both snapped back to attention, Steve when Natasha cleared her throat and Peter when Gamora kicked him in the leg.
"Wow. I mean, I know that everyone has heard of him by now, but I honestly thought Earth wouldn't yet. Then again, they do have Tony Stark to keep them up to date. Ow!"
"Stop flirting and finish the conversation!" It was Rocket this time and Quill glared. Tony rolled his eyes but said nothing and waited, crossing his arms.
"Right. Yeah, so he's basically taking credit for what you did." He put up a hand to stop the other Avengers from bombarding him with questions. "He came out of nowhere, Power Cosmic and gold armor and all, and people just assumed that he was the one who put Galactus down and all that. Word spread pretty fast and here we are now, waiting for him to make a second appearance."
"Second?" Steve asked with a raised eyebrow.
"How do you know it's not Tony?" Sam asked and Tony sharply looked at him. Hurt was all over his face for a moment before he wiped it away and hid behind a blank expression.
"Well, I can answer both questions with one reply. Good. Right, yeah. The last time the Space Knight has been spotted was two days ago, when Tony was helping out in that fight against the stray space slug that got onto Earth. Remember, you called us to pick it up and take it away."
"Yeah. That was fun, though." Hulk answered, remembering wrestling with the space slug with great delight.
"Where was he spotted?" Clint asked, standing next to Tony and crossing his arms. Steve went to walk over to Tony's other side but Thor beat him to it, standing at Tony's left shoulder while Clint was at the right. Spiderman was standing a little to the side, curious by these Guardians of the Galaxy while Ant-Man shrunk himself and settled on Tony's right shoulder. Steve scowled as he had to stand to the side of Hawkeye but still settled all the same.
"Um, a few galaxies away from our current location. That's quite a distance from both Earth and where we fought Galactus last time, but Power Cosmic comes with teleportation abilities."
"Great." Hawkeye muttered. "I hate teleporters."
"Riiight. Well, we gotta go, so... Bye Tony! Call more often, okay?" Steve fumed as Quill cut the connection with those parting words.
"Going from Stark to Tony..." Steve muttered darkly and Clint and Scott snickered at him. "Well, at least we got some information, right?"
"Yeah, and a lot harder task. If it were Tony, we would at least know who we are looking for and where to look for him." Natasha said with a frown, her hands on her hips. "Now, we have the whole Universe as both the field and the suspects. Great."
Not liking how this whole thing was going, Tony stretched and made a yawning motion despite not feeling tired at all. A perk from the Power Cosmic running through his veins: he doesn't get hungry or tired. Still, since the others didn't know that ... "Well, now that that's dealt with... I'm gonna take a nap. I'm beat." Without further adue, Stark walked out of the room and told JARVIS to get him an elevator. The AI did so without hesitation and no one tried to stop him but he heard Thor coming out after him.
"Friend Stark!" The thunderer called. Tony didn't feel like talking with him right now because he was bound to know something. Asgardians were very well informed beings and have no doubt heard all about the new Herald. He didn't know if they knew it was him but they knew he was on Earth and that was dangerous enough as it was. "Please, wait for me, my friend!"
Tony didn't stop, however. He had to be stopped by Thor's bigger and stronger hand on his shoulder but it also caused him to whirl around, the power begging to be used on his friend and the inventor had to force it down. "Please, Thor. I ... I can't talk right now. I'm tired and hungry-"
"But we must discuss this, sooner rather than later. It's for your own good, Tony." The god said gravely, gazing into the genius's eyes. "This is a grave responsibility that has been placed upon your shoulders. You must-"
"I don't have to do anything!" Tony snapped, eyes flashing with the light ocean blue and Thor stepped back, feeling the barely there tingle on the back of his neck that said that a great power was being restrained and only barely. It amazed him how this mortal had not only resisted Galactus's control but now he wielded the greatest power in the whole multiverse and he was trying to resist and control it, without any knowledge about it or any proper training. "I just want to get some sleep and maybe eat something. I just want to rest and forget about ... everything for a few hours. I can deal with everything else tomorrow."
Thor stared after him as the agitated man left the hall, into the escalator and out of his sight. The thunder god sighed, recognizing his friend's stubborn tendencies to do everything by himself, no matter the problem at hand, how big and complicated it was or how many people would be required to normally deal with it. He sighed, thinking that he will have to watch over him, more so than usual.
'Perhaps I should get the good Captain to help me on this quest of looking after friend Tony?' Thor mused as he turned around and nearly jumped out of his armor when he saw Hawkeye standing there. "Hawkeye, you have given me quite a fright!"
"Is Shellhead gonna be alright?" Clint asked, not even acknowledging the fact that he had managed to frighten the "fearless" Son of Odin like he usually would. Thor had noticed that he and Tony had become closer friends ever since Tony spoke to him while he was pretending to be the Herald of Galactus. The fact that he had chosen Clint over Cap said a lot about the level of trust between them. Well, it had to be high since they teamed up to prank Thor, Hulk and the Black Widow all the time. If there was anyone who would be the right person to know about Tony's power ... it would be Clint.
'That, however, is not my decision to make.' Thor thought to himself as he went from observing the archer to once again looking to where Tony had gone. "I have a right to believe that he will be, even if the path to that might be a bit rough."
"Sooo, he's gonna be okay, then?" Clint asked again, not at all getting why Thor had to go and sound like a Chinese fortune telling cookie. He really hated those; too little cookie and too much paper. Not to mention the cryptic bullcrap.
"In all honesty," Thor said thoughtfully, still gazing at where their friend has gone. "I sure do hope so. Besides, he would tell us if he weren't, right?"
"Yeah, 'corse he would." Barton said, sounding more like he was trying to convince himself. "I mean, who else would he ask for help over his own team, right?"
"Ay! So we have no greater reason to worry! Friend Tony will come to us when he is ready." With a nod, Thor marched off to the kitchen, thinking who else would Tony pick over him to help with his new powers.
00000
The ringing of a doorbell surprised Doctor Stephen Strange from his meditation, as he had not sensed anyone approaching. The Sorcerer Supreme cautiously settled his feet back on the ground from where he had been floating two feet off the ground, sat in Indian style, and extinguished the flames that he had invoked in order to concentrate his power. The six dimensional rifts he had summoned disappeared and the house looked almost normal again. His Cape of Levitation placed snugly around his shoulders, Doctor Strange made haste to the doorway when he heard the bell being pressed repeatedly by whomever had decided to pay him a visit today.
'What day is it? Is it a visiting day? Is it a work day in normal everyday life? Do I even have a doorbell? And if I do, since when!?' These were the thoughts running through his mind as he arrived in front of the door. 'Who is it, anyway?'
"Yes? How may I help yo-" The words died on his tongue as he recognized the well disguised man before him. Black hair with grayish brown accents to it, brown eyes that turned a grayish blue under the right light, Italian like tan and a gouty style beard, there was no mistaking Tony Stark but instead of his usual get-up of Armani and Gucci suits or well worn old band T-shirts or even the Iron Man armor and under-suit, the genius, billionaire, philanthropist was dressed in an ordinary, plain hoodie, a pair of ripped jeans and a NY cap on his head. Even his sneakers looked worn out and, all in all, he looked nothing like the press or the Avengers would ever suspect him to look. Heck, Strange almost didn't recognize him! "Well, this is certainly a surprise. What would Tony Stark, man of science and technology, the face of the future, need of a man of magic and mystical arts?" It was asked in a jesting tone but the joke died in his throat even faster than his casual greeting has moments ago when he saw the look in Stark's eyes. "Stark?"
Tony ignored his worry with a sorrowful easy that made Strange frown. "Doctor Strange, you know I wouldn't come to you if the situation weren't dire."
"Tony? Is something wrong?" Stephen cut in, not allowing the other man to ramble on until he decided whether or not to spill it. It happened way too often and Strange was not about to fall for the - very successful - trick.
Tony took off the cap and ran a hand through his hair, messing it up even more. "I need you to promise me two things-"
"Stark-"
"Promise me."
"Stark-" He tried again but Tony only raised a hand to stop him with a very serious look in his eyes.
"Promise me."
Stephen nodded. "I'll promise after you tell me what it is I am committing myself to."
"Fair enough." Tony conceded with a nod, putting his hand down. "Okay, first? You don't talk about this. With anyone! No one knows but me and you, okay?" Stephen thought about it and how he was to make two promises at once, so if he didn't agree to the second part of the deal, he can decide whether or not he'll be telling someone. "Second ... " the man paused and didn't look ready to continue so Strange took pity on him and prompted.
"You have to tell me if you want help, Tony."
Tony nodded and took a deep breath. "I need you to not ask any questions ... and I need your help, in theory, how to control the energy in your powers."
Strange stared at him, speechless, because he had never expected to hear this.
'Did Dormamu take over the world and flipped it on its head or am I dreaming? Because there is no way this is reality!'
"So, what's your answer?" The genius asked, looking ready to bolt but Stephen was still too shocked to really formulate any real words. "Well?" The annoyance poured in that one word snapped him out of it and Strange looked up.
"I..."