AN: the song lyrics at the beginning of this chapter are from a Bon Jovi song called American Reckoning, which is from their 2020 album. (the album is called 2020)
Prologue The Avengers: Civil War
America's on fire
There's protests in the street
Her conscience has been looted
And her soul is under siege
Another mother's crying
As history repeats
Bruce's point of view
"How many times have we been over this Stark. You're supposed to be a genius, you might want to PAY ATTENTION. Allow me to explain again. This is the last time, though. Bucky was used as a weapon, and he wasn't in his right mind on the night of December 16th 1991" Rogers snarled
"He killed my parents. I could almost understand if it was just my dad… but he killed my mom too… and she was simply an innocent bystander. She didn't deserve what happened" Tony replied, his brown eyes huge with rage.
"Peggy Carter-Stark was anything but an innocent bystander, She was part of the Strategic Scientific Reserve, she was a soldier, and she was far from innocent…" Rogers replied.
"She was not a soldier! She was my mother, dammit! You will show respect! My father was not innocent, but… he didn't deserve to die either." Tony spat, "I have no parents… my children have no grandparents… you son of a bitch, you have no idea how that feels." Tony hissed. He was absolutely livid.
"Stark, that was 15 years ago… it's time you got over it" Rogers snapped.
Thor stood up, grabbed Rogers around the throat and pointed Mjölnir into his face
"I don't care if it was 15 years ago, 15 minutes ago or 15 centuries ago… you do not ever tell a person who is grieving to 'get over it' that's the worst thing to say" Thor growled.
"Exactly" said Severus. "Because you never do get over it, you just… learn to live with it."
"We are way off-topic. We are supposed to be discussing the Sokovia Accords."
"I'm signing" said Tony
"As am I" I replied, "I don't like Ross, or what he stands for, but I do agree that we need to be held accountable… especially me." I replied.
"I will sign too." said Jay
"As will I" said T'Challa.
"And I" said Nat, "Tony's godparents brought me up well…"
"I don't want another situation like we had with Ultron" said Wanda
"Nor do I" said Pietro
"Nat, how can you sign these?" Clint demanded, but Nat turned around and glared at him.
"Clint, if you know what's good for you, and you don't want to lose me and the kids, for good, you'll sign them!" she snarled
"Fine" said Clint.
"I'm not signing" said Scott
"Scott, why? My parents raised you"
"I know Tony, and I will forever be grateful to them for opening their hearts to me when I was a troubled teen" said Scott, "but I don't know how I can protect Cassie under these rules"
"I'm signing them, Scott" said Clint.
"As am I" said Hope
"I wish I could… I'm conflicted." Scott replied.
"Come on Scott… if you sign the accords, you can protect Cassie better than you can just now you won't have to go on missions as often… you can come and help me at Pym Tech." said Hank
"All right sir, I'll sign." said Scott
"Scott, how can you do that? Abandon what you stand for so quickly? My best friend was used as a weapon, and now that arrogant thug Ross wants to pin the blame on Bucky. I won't let that happen. I can't sign the accords. Furthermore, I won't sign the accords. How can I?" Rogers growled, frowning at Scott.
"Steve, just sign them. I'll be OK" said Bucky
"Now Bucky, I'm not signing them" Rogers growled.
"To answer your question, Cap, Howard and Peggy brought me up from the age of 12. They brought me into their home and raised me as one of their own… how can I betray them by not signing the accords?" said Scott.
"I doubt Howard and Peggy treated you the same as the others." Rogers sneered, causing Scott to frown and glower at his former hero.
"They did… I got privileges, chores, and consequences just like the others." Scott said.
"That's surprising" Rogers snapped
"You don't know Howard and Peggy as well as you claim to if that's how you feel" said Scott, his voice ice-cold. I wished that I was a little closer to Scott at that point so that I could have hugged him.
Two magical yellowish gold portals opened and a tall skinny man wearing a cloak stepped through followed by a slightly shorter less skinny man.
"Greetings, Mr Stark and the rest of you. My name is Dr Stephen Strange and this is my compatriot Dr Benedict Wong. We run the magic school, Kamar-Taj. We have come here because General Ross said we have to sign the accords… The Ancient One isn't happy about it" said the skinny man.
"But we don't have a choice, it's better if we sign. I foresaw disaster with these accords, but I have been wrong before." said The Ancient One.
"Where is Ross?"
"Lobbying Charles Xavier"
"Charles Xavier was one of my father's greatest friends. I'm sure he'll sign the accords along with his employees and the students he cares for." I explained.
"I highly doubt that," Rogers sneered
"You've chosen your path, I've chosen mine. We are sworn enemies from this moment on" said Rogers. "And be warned, when our paths cross again, which they will, and you know it, we'll be more powerful than you"
"You are so childish. We never should have gone looking for you. We should have left you as a Capsicle".
"Your father stole my girlfriend!"
"Rubbish!"
"Enough! Guys, we have to stay focussed"
"It's over, Jay, we can't go on like this."
"We've tried to fix it. It's unfixable. It's over. You side with Stark and you're done. You're out of the team, you're not part of the future".
"Ha! Good luck getting any companies to sponsor you!"
Quill, Gamora, Nebula, Drax, Groot, Rocket, Wilson and Barnes left with Rogers.
"What a shower of absolute bozos." I said, rolling my eyes. "All right, guys, I have to go. On my way back from the things I had to do, I'm collecting Peter. He's joining the team. I promised him that if he got consistently good grades last year, he could join us… and he's had consistent straight A's all year in all subjects in every test and in every paper he's turned in." I said proudly, and the others applauded.
Tony's point of view
"How old is Peter?" asked Scott
"He just turned 16," I replied
"You know… maybe I should train my sister in the same way" T'Challa mused. "She's smart as a whip, and she's a very capable scientist, but she can't fight and one day she will take the mantle of Black Panther from me so…"
"It wouldn't hurt her, your highness, in fact, she would benefit from it greatly. Maria is too young to join the team, but she can train with us so that she can keep herself and her friends safe."
"I promised Harry, Hermione, Fred, George, and Severus that they could join us for training."
"I wonder if there'll be a mage version of the accords."
"We should ask Ross about that"
"Sorry guys, I have to go, or I'm going to be late, I have a date with Pepper and I want to get her some roses before I meet her."
"Are you guys finally back on track? What took so long?" Nat asked. "Was she being stubborn again, or were you being stupid?"
I scowled and said
"Nat. Pepper was petrified after that bastard Killian did what he did… I don't blame her for stepping back. She's still CEO of Stark Industries, she still helps me with Peter and Maria, and I want to make this work with her…"
"She's your soulmate Tony… if you don't work it out you'll both die"
"We were on a break because she's been dealing with her trauma, Wanda. We both understand the seriousness of the soulmate thing. I asked her to take as long as she needs… I'll wait for her, and I'll be patient."
"That's good to know Tony because I'm ready to recommit to us… properly"
"Hello beautiful" I replied, "You look incredible, as always"
"Shall we?"
"Of course. On the way, though, I want to get you some roses"
"Thank you, Tony".
"My pleasure honey."
"Shane is going to bring my bags tonight once he gets home from work"
"Good"
We had a very nice lunch.
When we got back from lunch, there were people waiting to talk to us…
Nick Fury was one of them.
