"When are you going to tell him?" Natasha asked as she picked up a weapon she was going to use. A few guns, knives, and bombs lay in her arsenal of high-tech weaponry made by Stark Industries. It was the perfect set for an assassin.
She had been wondering for months, waiting when the soldier was going to break the news of what they had found out in that bunker.
Steve's gaze flicked briefly in her direction, but his expression remained inscrutable.
"Or I guess, you're not planning on telling him at all," she noted, her patience wearing thin.
Steve glanced at her before turning his gaze to the man in question. With a heavy sigh, he rose to his feet and retrieved his shield, "Not now, Natasha. We've got more things to worry about."
As Steve began his descent towards the platform where the jet awaited, a commanding voice suspended him mid-stride.
"Steve," she said, her tone carrying an undeniable authority.
Though she knew it wasn't her role, a sense of duty stirred within her, compelling her to safeguard these friends who had become like family over the past few months.
She walked over and positioned herself beside him, her gaze fixed on the rest of their teammates bustling about, with a crew loading up their supplies for what they hoped would be their final search to find the sceptre, "Tony's going to want to hear the truth from you. Don't let him know it from someone else's."
As she began to walk away, Steve found himself at a loss for words, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions. She was right, what she proposed was undoubtedly the correct course of action. Yet, this was Bucky— not just his friend, but his steadfast companion during times when he had nothing. Bucky, whom he had believed lost forever, only to be discovered alive, albeit transformed into a shadow assassin, manipulated and twisted as a tool of destruction. Some might label Bucky a monster for the atrocities he'd been compelled to commit, but to Steve, he remained his oldest and loyal friend of yesteryears.
He sighed, the weight of his decision settling heavily upon him. The trust he had painstakingly rebuilt with Tony since Miami was fragile, precious. Revealing this truth could shatter the Starks and ruin their forged friendship— a risk too great to take, especially given the importance of their current mission.
For now, it could wait.
"We'll be back before you know it, bud," Tony whispered, his hand gently caressing Peter's cheek. As they prepared for what might be their final raid, the weight of their mission hung heavily in the air. Finally, they had a lead on the location of the sceptre.
But with each goodbye to Peter, Tony felt an ache in his heart, a reluctance to leave. He yearned for a world where he didn't have to constantly worry about the safety of his family, where they could be shielded from harm.
After every mission, he found relief in the thought of returning home to his son, eager to see the light in his eyes and spend cherished moments together. If only such peace and security could extend beyond the confines of their missions, if only they could carve out a world free from danger.
"The last time you said that you didn't go home for three months Dad. You almost died," Peter recalled, his voice heavy with the weight of the memory.
Tony's brow furrowed as he too remembered that harrowing period. Though years had elapsed, the memory remained etched in both their minds, a tragic turning point that birthed Iron Man and irreversibly altered the trajectory of their lives.
"We'll make sure your father stays out of trouble, Peter. He's in good hands— or perhaps, it's the other way around," Thor said with a grin, playfully tapping Peter's shoulders as he strode past them. Tony merely chuckled at the remark.
Peter's smile widened as he felt the support of the team, their reassurance washing over him. They all exchanged glances, silently affirming their commitment to each other's safety and to bringing everyone home unharmed.
"No need to track me, okay? We're going to Sokovia. In and out, once we found the sceptre," Tony said firmly, cutting off any protest from Peter before it could start, "You thought I wouldn't find out didn't you?"
Peter wore a sheepish grin and shrugged, "It was worth a try." He was careful and he had consistently upgraded his tracking code in JARVIS' server but of course, Dad had always figured him out.
As they prepared to leave, Tony enveloped Peter in a tight embrace, "Come're..."
Peter melted into the hug, feeling the familiar warmth and safety of his father's arms, "I love you, Dad."
Tony pressed a kiss to Peter's head, inhaling the scent of his son's hair, relaxing him almost making him not want to leave, "I love you tons, Pete."
"Shit!" Tony cursed, his grunt echoing as he collided and ricocheted off the base's force field. While he tackled the aerial assault, the rest of the team focused their attacks on the ground.
"Language!" Steve barked through gritted teeth as he dodged a barrage of enemy fire, his shield deflecting the bullets effortlessly, "JARVIS, what's the view from upstairs?"
Amidst the chaos of the firefight, the Stark satellite system whirred into action, its AI analyzing the surrounding tech and defences with precision.
"The central building is shielded by some sort of energy barrier," JARVIS reported over the comms, "Strucker's technology is well beyond any other Hydra base we've taken."
Thor leaped mightily from the towering tree, his hammer poised for a surprise assault that sent every guard crashing to the ground. "Loki's sceptre must be nearby," he declared, his voice resonating with determination, "Strucker couldn't mount this defence without it. At long last."
Natasha deployed a strategically placed bomb, its explosive force incapacitating a group of soldiers with precision, "At long last is lasting a little long, boys." she quipped, a smirk playing on her lips amidst the chaos.
Meanwhile, Clint's arrow soared through the air with deadly accuracy, obliterating a bunker, "Yeah. I think we lost the element of surprise."
Tony soared past a line of guards, effortlessly dispatching them with beams from his repulsors, "Wait a second. No one else is going to deal with the fact that Cap just said "language?"
"I know," Steve exclaimed, hurling his bike at soldiers approaching in their truck, "It just slipped out."
Tony couldn't help but grin under his helmet, recalling how Steve often impulsively scolded them for using foul language, especially in front of Peter when they were back home hanging out.
Tony dispatched the Iron Legion to safeguard civilians within the city's confines. As they advanced on the base, intent on neutralizing all opposition, Clint, poised to unleash another arrow toward another bunker, was unexpectedly stopped by an unseen force.
The blur attempted to knock Cap off his feet, but he effortlessly regained his balance, "We have an enhanced in the field."
"Clint's hit!" Natasha dashed towards Barton, who was lying prone, "Somebody wants to deal with that bunker?"
In a snappy motion, Hulk came to the rescue, demolishing the bunker.
"Thank you."
"Stark, we really need to get inside," Cap urged amidst the chaos of battling guards.
Tony, focused and determined, closed in on the power source, analyzing its structure. Identifying the pathway beneath the north tower, he quickly devised a plan. With a calculated blast, the power source was neutralized, and the once impenetrable shield surrounding the base powered down.
"Drawbridge is down, people," Tony announced triumphantly, signalling their opportunity to advance.
"Clint's hit pretty bad, guys. We're gonna need evac." Natasha announced, attending to Clint's injuries.
"I can get Barton to the jet. The sooner we're gone the better. You and Stark secure the sceptre." Thor directed to Steve as they prepared for the advancing HYDRA soldiers.
"Copy that." Steve acknowledged, his voice steady amidst the thunderous clash of Thor's hammer against his shield, sending shockwaves that toppled wave after wave of enemy soldiers.
"Find the sceptre," Thor commanded before soaring into the sky.
"And for gosh sake, watch your language!" Tony quipped as he ascended toward the base's headquarters, his suit glinting in the sunlight.
Steve let out a resigned sigh, "That's not going away anytime soon."
Tony smashed through the window, triggering an immediate response from the guards who opened fire. However, they seemed oblivious to the fact that no bullet could breach his impenetrable suit, "Guys, stop, we gotta talk about this."
In one swift motion, he disabled them, sending them crashing to the ground with expert precision. With the guards subdued, Tony turned his attention to List, who was attempting to hijack the files. Without hesitation, he unleashed a powerful blast, sending List unconscious.
Stepping out of his suit, he activated it into sentry mode. With a gesture, he directed it to keep watch as he strode purposefully toward the display of computers.
"Okay, Jarvis," he said, his voice echoing in the spacious room, "You know I want it all. Make sure you copy Hill at HQ."
As the AI acknowledged his command, he surveyed the room, his eyes narrowing. In a base this expansive and fortified, there had to be more than met the eye. With the sceptre's location in mind, he couldn't afford to overlook any potential threats or hidden agendas lurking in Strucker's arsenal.
"I know you're hiding more than files. Hey, J, give me an IR scan of the room, real quick."
"The wall to your left. I'm reading steel reinforcement and an air current."
As he walked alongside the wall, his murmurs echoed softly, "Please be a secret door, please be a secret door, please be a secret door..." With a push, the wall yielded, revealing a hidden passageway, "Yay!"
Curiosity killed the cat, and Tony began his descent down the dimly lit passageway. He knew he should wait for backup— Steve, in this case— but the old man was likely preoccupied. Over the crackle of the intercom, he caught snatches of Cap questioning Strucker about the sceptre and the enhanced.
The sooner they get the sceptre, the sooner they can get out and finish the mission.
As he advanced, a glimmer illuminated his path at the tunnel's end. To his surprise, it led him to a dome resembling a museum, within which lay the lifeless form of a Chitauri Leviathan.
"Guys, I got Strucker," Cap announced.
"Yeah, I got... something bigger." Tony saw recovered artifacts from the Battle of New York. Who would've thought. It was hardly surprising that both Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D. sought to exploit the power of alien technology.
Among the salvaged materials, he noticed a particular focus on replicating his Iron Man armor. His attention was then drawn to a pulsating blue glow emanating from the sceptre, now infused as an energy source, "Thor, I got eyes on the prize."
His eyes lit up and he could hear Thor on the intercom but as he stepped nearer, the sounds began to dwindle until there was only silence.
The atmosphere turned frigid, the air growing sharp against his skin. A shiver ran down his spine as he felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle, and then, the unmistakable hum of alien life that he had once battled filled the void.
Before him, the colossal form of the leviathan materialized, its deafening roar startling him to the point of almost losing his balance. He realized at that moment, that he was no longer within the confines of Hydra's base. He had been transported into the vast expanse of space.
What is happening...
Tony found himself transfixed, unable to tear his gaze away from the massive wormhole looming before him, a tear in the fabric of space revealing Earth, dwarfed a thousand times over by its enormity, making New York City seem insignificant in comparison. The sight was so vivid, so tangible, that he couldn't fathom whether it was a product of his imagination, a prophetic vision, or stark reality.
As he watched, a horde of leviathans poured forth from space, poised to descend upon and ravage his homeland. Panic surged through him, urging him to act, to intervene and prevent the impending catastrophe. Yet, despite his desperate need to stop the encroaching threat, he found himself paralyzed, his entire body trembling uncontrollably, rooted to the spot by a potent cocktail of fear and disbelief.
It couldn't be...
His heart clenched in horror as he surveyed the scene before him— the lifeless forms of his friends, once the world's mightiest heroes, now nothing more than inert shells atop a grim mound of bodies. Sweat beaded on his brow as he struggled to comprehend the devastation.
Bruce, Natasha, Clint, Thor, and Steve... beaten and lifeless.
With trembling hands, he approached, driven by a desperate need to confirm the unthinkable— to ensure that some flicker of life remained within his fallen friends. But as he drew nearer, a jarring sound shattered the silence, the unmistakable squeak of a stuffed toy beneath his foot.
He stooped to retrieve it, recognition flooding his senses—it was Peter's cherished childhood toy, Oreo. Dread coiled in his chest as he raised his gaze, and there, amidst the carnage, lay his son.
"No, no, no," he whispered, his voice choked with anguish.
Panic surged through him, draining his strength as he gathered Peter into his arms, the boy who he most loved in all of his existence, now motionless and pale. He searched desperately for a sign of life, his hands trembling as he sought a pulse.
"This can't be happening," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the pounding of his own heartbeat. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. He couldn't accept what he was seeing, couldn't accept any of it.
Suddenly, a cold hand and bloodshot eyes startled him from his reverie. A faint cry of plea pierced the air, "Dad, why didn't you save us? You could've..."
Tony stared at his son, Peter, his mind reeling with shock and disbelief. Peter's eyes slowly fluttered closed, his breaths growing shallow until they ceased altogether.
Tony cradled his son's lifeless body in his arms, a tsunami of grief, sadness, and anger crashing over him in relentless waves. He felt utterly helpless, paralyzed by the weight of his own inadequacy.
"Why didn't you do more?" Peter's final words echoed in Tony's mind, a haunting reminder of his failure as a father and as a hero. He searched for an answer but found only silence, his thoughts consumed by a vortex of regret and despair.
His breath caught in his throat as he snapped back to the base, the weight of reality crashing down upon him like an avalanche. Gone were the vast expanses of outer space, the looming phantom of a floating leviathan, and the haunting image of lifeless bodies.
His knees buckled beneath him, sending him crashing to the floor, a tumultuous blend of grief and relief coursing through his veins, leaving him adrift in a sea of uncertainty.
Was it a vision, a fabrication of his mind, or perhaps an illusion crafted by the enhanced? The question lingered, but he found himself too weary to pursue an answer. All that mattered now was the glimmering sceptre, a beacon of power amidst the chaos.
With a determined resolve, he rose to his feet, his armor moulding around him. Without hesitation, he reached out and seized the sceptre, his grip unwavering.
Never again would he allow such horrors to unfold. Life or death, he vowed to wield every ounce of his strength to prevent such devastation from ever taking root again.
"Tony, you okay?" Steve's voice cut through Tony's daze as he focused on piloting the aircraft. He could still hear the soft banter between Thor and Steve from earlier, but his mind kept drifting.
Despite his efforts to maintain composure when bringing the sceptre aboard the jet, he couldn't shake the unease. His silence didn't escape Steve's watchful eye, the captain being all too perceptive and observant, "You look pretty shaken earlier, something happened?"
Tony forced a smile, masking his unease. Revealing what he'd seen would undoubtedly compromise his position. They wouldn't let him anywhere near the sceptre,
"No. no. Just a bit tired that's all. In fact, all of us are," he said, stealing a glance at Clint and Bruce, who appeared far worse off than he did.
"Yeah, well. If there's anything. Let me know." Cap flashed a sincere smile, a rare sight reserved for close friends, before heading over to speak with Thor.
"Hey Banner, Dr. Cho's on her way in from Seoul, is it okay if she sets up in your lab?" Tony asked, glancing at the message from Hill.
He'd brought Dr. Cho on board last year as one of the Avengers' physicians in case of serious injuries. Despite the logistical challenge of flying her from Seoul to NYC when needed, her expertise in tissue regeneration proved invaluable to the team.
"Uh, yeah, she knows her way around," Bruce affirmed.
"Appreciate it." Tony acknowledged, directing his attention to his dependable co-pilot and all-purpose assistant,
"Jarvis, tell her to prep everything, Barton's gonna need the full treatment."
"Very good sir."
"Take the wheel," he instructed, his hand hovering over the last of the buttons that controlled the auto-pilot. Glancing briefly at the stickers Peter had randomly placed around the interior of the jet, he felt a pang of nostalgia wash over him. It was extraordinary how even the silliest objects could evoke memories of his son.
"Yes, sir." came the response from the co-pilot's seat, "Approach vector is locked."
Tony made his way towards the sceptre, where Steve and Thor were looking into. All he needed was to convince them.
"It feels good, yeah?" Tony began, "I mean, you've been after this thing since SHIELD collapsed. Not that I haven't enjoyed our little raiding parties, but..."
Thor nodded in agreement, "No, but this... this brings it to a close."
"As soon as we find out what else this has been used for. I don't just mean weapons." Steve added, his tone serious.
Tony's gaze fixated on the sceptre, a strange sensation pulling at him as if it were reaching out. There was an undeniable urge to delve deeper into its mysteries. It whispered to him, suggesting that it held the answers he desired. He knew he needed time, perhaps even days, to unravel its secrets. Whatever it held, he was determined to uncover it.
"Banner and I'll give it the once before it goes back to Asgard. Is that cool with you? I mean, just a few days until the farewell party. You're staying right?"
Thor grinned, parties on Midgard would be nothing compared to Asgard, but to Hel with it, it's a party still, "Yes, yes, of course. A victory should be honoured with revels."
"Yeah. Who doesn't love revels? Captain?" Tony asked. He needed the full confidence of their Captain if he was going to do this without suspicion and interruption.
"Hopefully this puts an end to the Chitauri and HYDRA, so. Yes, revels." Steve's smile radiated hope and relief.
As the jet touched down at the Penthouse, Tony's nerves grew increasingly jittery, eager to disembark. While he knew Peter was safe, the yearning to feel his presence, to hold him close and confirm his well-being, consumed him. It wasn't just reassurance he sought, it was the tangible comfort of Peter's presence in his arms that he craved.
Clint was the first to be brought off the aircraft, lying on a stretcher, and was greeted by Dr. Cho and her team of nurses. Nat, Thor, and Bruce escorted him.
Meanwhile, Cap and Hill engaged in a discussion about the enhanced individuals as they disembarked from the jet.
As Tony found himself alone aboard the jet, shielded from prying eyes, the weight of his true emotions bore down upon him. With a heavy sigh, a tremor of restlessness coursed through him. The harrowing vision lingered, etched into his mind. He brushed a hand across his face, attempting to regain composure.
"Dad!" A joyful voice pierced the silence, drawing his attention. He swivelled his chair toward the source of the sound.
Peter's beautiful face welcomed him home. His son— alive, radiant, and full of life— running towards him. The warmth of the moment enveloped him, and he felt a surge of emotion, a desire to freeze time and savour this perfect moment for eternity.
He rose to his feet, arms wide open, and they enveloped each other in a warm embrace. With closed eyes, Tony whispered a silent gratitude that this moment was the one that was real.
Peter sensed an unusual tightness in Dad's embrace, "Dad.. can't breathe."
"Sorry bud," Tony replied, a grin masking his emotions as he swiftly wiped away a tear, hoping Peter wouldn't notice. He tenderly traced the contours of Peter's face, etching each detail into his memory.
I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you, baby.
"What happened at Sokovia? What happened to Sir Clint?"
Peter held his hand as they strode into the Tower.
"Mission accomplished and let's go check on him to find out. So, how's school? What have you been up to?"
"What's the rumpus?" Bruce asked as he and Tony made their way into the lab where the sceptre was kept.
Meanwhile, Peter joined Nat and the rest of the team, exchanging tales of their experiences in Sokovia.
"Well, the sceptre. You see, we were wondering how Strucker got so inventive. So, I've been analyzing the gem inside you may recognize," Tony explained as he brought up a yellow 3D image of Jarvis's consciousness. Bruce easily identified it. Then, he displayed another 3D image revealing the contents of the sceptre.
"It's beautiful. It's like it's thinking. I mean this could be a... it's not a human mind, it... I mean, look at this! They're like neurons firing." Bruce said in utter fascination.
"Down in Strucker's lab, I saw some fairly advanced robotics work. They deep-sixed the data, but...I gotta guess he was knocking on a very particular door." Tony observed, sharing a meaningful look with Bruce, who immediately caught on.
"Artificial intelligence." Bruce filled in, his expression reflecting a mix of concern and intrigue.
"This could be it, Bruce. This could be the key to creating Ultron." Tony concluded, his tone tinged with a sense of urgency and determination.
They thought it was just a fantasy, a concept beyond Tony's wildest dreams. Ultron— an unprecedented peacekeeping AI designed to safeguard Earth from all present and future threats, terrestrial and extraterrestrial alike. It promised a safer world for all, a beacon of hope amidst looming dangers. And if successful, Tony could finally retire from the superhero business, finding solace in a world at peace.
"If we can harness this power and apply it to my Iron Legion protocol." Tony mused, his eyes gleaming with ambition.
"That's a mad-sized if," Bruce interjected, her tone laced with doubt.
"Our job is 'if.'" Tony exclaimed, his tone urgent, "What if you were sipping margaritas on a sun-drenched beach turning brown instead of green? Not looking over your shoulder for VERONICA. What if the world was safe? What if next time aliens roll up to the club, and they will, they couldn't get past the bouncer? We can only do it while we have the sceptre here, that's three days, give me three days."
"So you're going for artificial intelligence and you don't want to tell the team." Bruce's gaze lowered, transfixed on the hologram, recognizing the magnitude of the risk involved.
Tony doesn't require the team's lectures on his actions. Time is of the essence, and if he intends to build this, he must act swiftly before the opportunity slips away, "We don't have time for a city hall debate. I don't want to hear the "man was not meant to meddle" medley. I see a suit of armour around the world."
"Sounds like a cold world, Tony."
Tony stole a glance at his son outside the lab, his laughter filling the room with warmth. But even in the midst of joy, the memory of Peter's lifeless face pierced through his thoughts like a dagger. It was an image he couldn't shake, one he never wanted to see again— a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the depths of sorrow no parent should ever have to bear. Yet, despite the chilling reminder, Tony remained determined. In a world where darkness loomed, he was resolved to gamble everything for the chance of attaining peace.
"I've seen colder. This one, this very vulnerable blue one? It needs Ultron. Peace in our time. Imagine that."
"Wow, Dad. You're still here at the lab? You've been here all night last night. What have you and Dr. Banner been working on?" Peter asked as he entered the lab, casually dropping his backpack onto a nearby chair.
Happy was the one who picked him up from school which he found sort of strange since Dad always insisted on picking him up whenever they didn't have missions.
Snagging an apple from the table, Peter took a bite, his gaze drifting to the calculations displayed on a nearby monitor.
Furrowing his brow, Peter found himself struck by a sense of déjà vu, "Um, why is this similar to JARVIS's schematics?"
Bruce glanced over at Tony, silently gauging whether he would finally come clean. Peter had always possessed an exceptional knack for understanding technology and science, a talent that never failed to impress the scientists at the Tower—a fact of which Tony was particularly proud.
Tony hesitated for a moment, but then he thought, 'Why not?' This could serve as a valuable learning opportunity for Peter to enhance his programming skills,
"Ultron."
Peter gazed at his father, a mix of shock and curiosity playing on his features. Had he heard correctly?
"Ultron is real? How... Dad, how is that possible? Can I help?" Peter's voice betrayed his excitement, a slight squeal escaping him, a telltale sign of his enthusiasm. His father had always dismissed the notion of creating Ultron as mere fantasy. The idea of achieving such a high level of intelligence in an AI for large-scale peacekeeping seemed far-fetched. But if the science bros were indeed pioneering the creation of the most advanced AI in the world, Peter couldn't miss out on the opportunity to be a part of it.
Papers were scattered in order and stacked on the floor around Tony, who sat in the middle of it, "Come over here and check these calculations with me." he called out, before pausing, "Oh wait, go do your homework first."
"Already done," Peter chimed in, settling beside his father with a grin. Tony arched a brow at him, "I did it while I was waiting for Happy to pick me up."
"Atta boy," Tony said proudly, wrapping his arm around his son's shoulder. He pressed a kiss to the top of the boy's head, a moment of paternal pride shared between them before they seamlessly returned to their work.
Over the next two days, they delved into a whirlwind of calculations, experiments, and trials, tirelessly seeking the perfect blend of algorithms and sentience integration for the Ultron AI.
Peter devoted his after-school hours to assisting them, his youthful energy fueling their attempts until the late hours of the night. Despite their collective genius— the amalgamation of the world's highest IQs— the task remained dauntingly unfinished, with stacks of code bearing witness to their unwavering pursuit of perfection.
"What did we miss?" Tony's voice echoed in the empty lab as he gazed at the remnants of their fruitless attempts.
He stood alone amidst the clutter of discarded notes. Bruce had retired for some much-needed sleep before the upcoming party, and Peter was on his way home from school.
Fatigue weighed heavily on Tony, his sleep-deprived eyes reflecting the toll of caffeine-fueled nights spent labouring over their project.
"I'll continue to run variations on the interface, but you should probably prepare for your guests. I'll notify you if there are any developments. Enjoy yourself, Sir," JARVIS said as he started to walk out of the lab to have a little nap before the party.
It's time to finally accept that Ultron is still far from their reach.
"Thanks, buddy. I always do."