"It wasn't very funny!" T'Challa says, lightly fuming behind Tony Stark.
"That's where you're wrong." Rocket responds. "Because I thought it was hilarious!"
"We're all under a lot of stress." T'Challa argues back. "My people are terrified out of their minds. Nobody knows what anything does, and you think making sound effects is funny?"
"Yea, I do." Rocket responds. "Look, we had to cut the tension." Rocket tries to defend herself.
"I am Groot." Groot responds.
"See! Groot agrees." Rocket answers.
Groot makes an angry face and stomps his foot. "I am GROOT!" he says loudly.
"Will you shut up about that game!" Rocket responds. "I'll get you another one when we get off this tropical planet."
"This planet is not tropical." T'Challa responds. "We have all four seasons."
"Four?" Rocket asks, confused.
"Hey, Toto." Tony Stark interrupts suddenly. "Could you stop arguing with the Cowardly Lion for a second and let me think."
Rocket looks to Tony, then back to T'Challa. "I don't get it." T'Challa makes a confused face also.
Before anyone can get another word out, Captain America comes jogging up to the group. The grass is somewhat uneven and she has to do a little skip to reach them. This causes her breasts to bounce rapidly. A detail that Tony Stark wishes he didn't notice.
"Tony," Steve Rogers addresses him. "About the other day..." Captain America grabs her left hand with her right and nervously plays with her fingers while she tries to think of what to say. She tries to peer into Tony's eyes so he can see the sincerity of her words. A blond curl falls in her face, somewhat ruining the moment. She runs a finger over her temple, pushing the curl away while trying to flick the rest of her hair away at the same time.
Tony feels his blood rush and for a moment feels desperate to not stand here in front of a very feminine and vulnerable Captain America. He takes in a deep breath to say something, and feels her scent entering his lungs. It's something new, not the usual aftershave and musk Steve Rogers usually wears. Tony has to resist the urge to ask what the Captain is wearing and begins to feel desperate to get out of the situation. He looks away.
"I know you're still mad Tony." Captain America says, once again misreading the situation. "I would be too, but he can help." She tilts her head in an attempt to make eye contact again. This causes Tony to look further away and set eyes on Bucky.
Despite what Captain America had just said, Tony is just noticing Bucky now. He seizes the moment and lets some anger distract him from the rush he gets every time he talks to Steve Rogers. Tony glares at Bucky angrily, and Bucky guiltily looks away.
"Tony..." Captain America says, lightly placing her hand on Tony's chest. The sight of it actually bothers Bucky now. He looks further away and his eyes settle on Rocket.
"Hi." Rocket says feigning a shy wave.
Flashbacks of a few nights ago pop into Bucky's head and he begins to angrily glare at Rocket. Rocket looks at Tony then at Bucky. "Oh, so I guess we're doing this now." she says. Rocket does her best to make an angry glare back toward Bucky. "Is this right, or should I look toward somebody else also?" Rocket says sarcastically.
"Alright already! That's enough." T'Challa snaps, rushing in between their line of sight. "We're never going to make any progress if we can't control our emotions!" Almost everyone is thrown off by this sudden burst of emotions.
"I am Groot." is heard from behind Tony, and it seems to break the silence.
"We'll get you one later, son." Rocket responds back.
T'Challa looks to Tony before speaking again. "Mr. Stark, I believe Nick Fury is waiting for you at the palace."
"Right... On that." Tony answers, eager to get away from everyone.
As Tony rushes off, T'Challa then addresses both Captain America and Bucky, shifting her gaze back and forth. "Do any of you know where Thor or Nebula are? They were supposed to help."
"No sir." Captain America says, while Bucky just shakes his head.
"I am Groot." Groot interrupts.
"And can one of you take these two into the city and buy him a new video game?" Black Panther points toward Groot.
Rocket looks at Groot and smiles with a thumbs up, while Steve and Bucky look on confused.
"I don't really know the city." Steve Rogers answers. Bucky glares directly at Rocket, covers his vibranium arm and shakes his head angrily.
T'Challa looks to Sam and James Rhodes momentarily before giving up. "Fine, I will take them." She says. "Come on, let's go. And you two," She addresses Bucky and Steve again. "See if you can find Thor."
"Yes, sir." Captain America responds before gesturing toward Bucky, and the both leave in a hurry also.
T'Challa looks at Sam and James again before releasing a frustrated sigh.
"Like children." Rhodes says as he smiles at T'Challa and lightly shakes his head. T'Challa smiles back and shakes her head also, before leading Rocket and Groot toward the city.
*** At the Palace ***
Tony makes his way through the front doors and is quickly greeted by Shuri and Nick Fury. Despite knowing about the changes Tony is still somewhat taken aback by Nick Fury's new look. While her body had clearly changed significantly, she refused to change the type of clothing she was wearing. Nick Fury's new breast, wider hips, and shorter stature gave off the vibes of an angry old woman. Nonetheless, Tony felt more relaxed than being around the others.
"Hi Tony!" Bruce Banner peaks out from behind Shuri. She shyly shuffles into sight. She is wearing a one piece sundress covered in vibrant Sunflowers pointing in every direction. It goes down to her knees, exposing somewhat smooth legs. She is also wearing yellow and black matching sneakers. Shuri places his hand on her back as she guides her into view. Bruce holds her hands behind her back.
'Is she fishing for a compliment?' Tony wonders, a little annoyed that Bruce seems to have completely embraced her femininity so quickly. Tony feels on guard again worried that Bruce might become equally as emotional as Steve. He debates asking about the Hulk before he is interrupted by Nick Fury.
"Mr. Stark." Nick Fury says in a calmer voice than Tony expected. "You seem to be more popular than I expected."
"Mr. Fury." Tony addresses her. "What's so important that it couldn't just be over the phone."
"You have guests Mr. Stark," Fury answers. "And seeing as you are the only person I summoned to show up, then we may as well get started." Nick Fury turns away and starts leading everyone further into the palace. As she passes Shuri, he gives Nick Fury an annoyed glare that does not go unnoticed.
"You doing okay, Tony?" Bruce Banner asks passively as she begins walking alongside him.
Tony has to look down to peer into Bruce Banner's eyes. She looks so different he has to remind himself who she really is. "Yea, I'm doing fine." Tony responds. "How're you holding up Big Guy?"
Bruce mouth's the words, "I'm okay." but it is little more than a whisper. She feels really bothered and somewhat hurt by Tony's choice of nicknames. She looks away, trying to hide her disappointment.
They all enter Shuri's lab and Nick Fury quickly moves toward the center computer console. "May I?" He asks as he starts punching buttons, without waiting for a reply.
"No, Please! Help yourself." Shuri responds clearly annoyed. Bruce breaks away from Tony and moves toward Shuri in hopes of keeping him calm.
"Do you mind telling me," Nick Fury begins asking as he loads up a screen with several people on it "why I have a ship full of ravagers asking for you?"
The screen loads up revealing Star-Lord sitting sideways across her seat with Drax, still topless, watching the screen intently. "Ha!" Drax immediately shouts pointing at the screen. "The metal man!"
"Hey! What's going on?" Star-Lord asks loudly as she sits up straight. "You know you've got a Skrull ship up here!"
Nick Fury cuts the audio without warning. "They seem to insist you invited them."
"Ravagers?" Tony Stark asks.
"They're kind of like scavengers," Nick Fury answers. "Think of them as space pirates, but nowhere near as organized."
Tony looks at Nick Fury, surprised at his knowledge. He then looks at the screen to see an annoyed Star-Lord tapping on it trying to get their attention.
"This is the group that helped us fight Thanos." Tony informs Nick Fury. "They're friends with Nebula..." Tony realizes Fury hasn't met Nebula yet before changing his words. "And Thor."
"Friends with Thor?" Fury asks. "That explains why they came in tow on a ship full of Asgardian refugees."
"Asgardian Refugees?" Tony asks.
"I was about to ship 'em to Norway." Fury explains while Tony looks at him confused.
"Asgardians?" Bruce Banner asks. "I might actually know who they are?"
Nick Fury looks toward Bruce with an impressed expression. "You know these Asgardians?"
"I might have rode with them for some time." Bruce answers.
Nick Fury continues to look impressed. "I guess that saves me some time. Since we can't seem to find Thor, you can talk to them."
"I don't know.." Bruce starts to say, before Fury interrupts him.
"Tony you're up." Nick Fury says as he unmutes Star-Lord.
"Stop touching me!" Star-Lord whines loudly as she tries swatting Mantis' hand off her back. She looks back into the screen and sits back down. "You know we could hear you, you know."
"Mr. Star, what do you know about the asteroid field, Sanctuary?" Tony asks, causing Star-Lord to jump. She didn't know she could now be heard. "Do you know how to locate Thanos' hideout?"
Star-Lord looks at Tony through the screen, wondering if he was joking. "It's Star-Lord." she responds angrily before answering the question. "I might, but I might also know a few people that could kill us for a lot cheaper."
"This isn't a laughing matter." Tony responds. "Because of your outburst, Thanos has all six infinity stones, and we only have a short amount of time before he's strong enough to use them again."
"You're right," Star-Lord argues back. "It's not a laughing matter. Thanos has multiple planet sized armies, complete with super-human level generals in an impossible to navigate asteroid belt. Oh, and did I mention he threw a planet at us? Oh wait, you were there!"
Tony wanted to get angry and snap back at Star-Lord's outburst, but he could see large tears welling up in her eyes. "You know what?" Tony says. "Just get down here. Your friends can help us make a plan."
"Fine!" Star-Lord says, trying to sound tough. Tony just turns away, too annoyed to argue.
As the screen goes out, Nick Fury turns to Shuri and asks, "Is there somewhere they can land?"
Shuri looks at Fury annoyed. "Yea, fine!" he replies. "When we decided to open the borders, I was expecting people from Earth, but fine. Whatever. I'm sure my brother won't mind."
Tony wanders not too far and starts looking at monitors for Vision who is in the room, not far from everyone. He glances up to see Nick Fury looking at him studiously.
"What?" Tony asks.
"Did he really throw a planet at you?" Nick Fury asks.
"It was more like a moon, but yes." Tony answers. "It was one of the most terrifying things I have ever seen." He adds casually as if this were an everyday conversation.
Nick Fury raises his eyebrows and gives an impressed nod, before changing the subject. "Dr. Banner, you're up next." Nick Fury tells Bruce.
"I don't think any of them are going to recognize me." Bruce tries to protest.
"Well, you're the best we've got!" Fury snaps back. He lifts a phone, "Command, please patch the feed through."
After a few seconds the screen begins to glow again and a new creature fills the screen. "Hello!" the rock-like creature says with a wave before looking off screen. "Hey, boss. Someone finally picked up."
A very exhausted looking male Valkyrie walks onto screen and sits in an unseen chair. "This is Brunnhilde of Asgard. Whom am I speaking to?" Bruce does not recognize him.
"Hi, uh..." Bruce answers in a very shy feminine voice. "This is Bruce Banner." She looks at Nick Fury wondering what else to say. Nick Fury just gestures with her hands for Bruce to hurry.
Valkyrie interrupts before Bruce can speak again. "Listen, I'm on a ship with refugees from what's left of Asgard." He starts. "Our planet has been destroyed, most of our population was wiped out, and we've been traveling for over a week."
"I know..." Bruce answers. "I was there when it happened."
Valkyrie's face suddenly changes to confusion then a little anger. "What do you mean you were there?" He demands to know. "How could you possibly have been there? The only people who were there are either on this ship, or dead! You couldn't possibly..."
"Angry Girl?" Bruce suddenly asks. The name causes Valkyrie to stop arguing. He studies Bruce for a moment but doesn't recognize her.
""How do you know that name?" Valkyrie asks, almost afraid of the answer.
Bruce is suddenly very aware of what she is wearing and begins to feel a little cold. She raises her hands as she shyly tries to cover her exposed arms. "It's me, Valkyrie..." She waits for his look of recognition, but it never comes. "The Champion... Big Guy."
Valkyrie's eyes slowly widen dramatically. He opens his mouth to speak but no words come out. Valkyrie begins to shake his head lightly as he darts his eyes all over Bruce's new image. Bruce gets the distinct feeling that Valkyrie looked like was going to be sick. "No..." Valkyrie says in protest.
"It's okay Valkyrie," Bruce adds, trying to calm him down. "It happened all over. Thor and I tried to stop it, but..."
"Thor?!" Valkyrie exclaims as he snaps out of his daze. "Thor is alive?"
"Yes, he's down here on Earth with all of us." Bruce answers.
"Where is he?" Valkyrie demands. "We're coming down to see you!"
"I'm not sure where he is exactly," Bruce says. When she sees the look of annoyance on Valkyrie's face she adds, "but we're in Wakanda now."
"Where is Wakanda?" Valkyrie demands. "Send me the coordinates. Our people need food, water, and their leader!"
"I uh.." Bruce Banner stutters and shifts her gaze toward Shuri who seems very annoyed now. Shuri looks away from the screen toward Bruce.
Looking into Bruce's pleading eyes seems to calm Shuri, as she relents. "Fine, we can let them in." Shuri sighs as he turns toward Nick Fury and gives him an okay nod. He turns back to Bruce and smiles reassuringly. "It's okay. We'll just make it into a party." Shuri says as a joke.
Bruce smiles at Shuri's answer and looks back toward the screen. "I'll see you soon, Angry Girl."
Hearing the name again seems to bother Valkyrie a bit, causing him to study Bruce once more. "I'll see you soon." Valkyrie responds, " And Big Guy... I still liked you better when you were green." He says.
Bruce releases a little giggle and tries to stifle herself, but it's not quick enough. Everyone is now giving her an odd awkward look, except Tony who is now massaging his temples in frustration and Shuri who is now smiling happily at Bruce's cuteness. Valkyrie shakes his head disapprovingly as he logs off.