(MCU) Forged Reality: Chapter 23 - Preparation for Battle

Chapter 23 - Preparation for Battle

Summary: Allies gather as shocking news forces Tony to prepare for conflict.

"Who is it that Natasha sent you to pick up, Clint?" Tony asked after focusing his mind back on the current problem.

Clint frowned with a shrug. "No idea. I told her I was retired and had no intention of playing this kind of game. But Tony, it's less the person and more about the gist of her orders."

Tony nodded in agreement. "Yes. Natasha signed the accords; should conflict present itself, she should be on our side, and still, she is gathering players for Steve."

Wanda looked uncertain for a moment before speaking with a heavy sigh. "Look, I hate to say it because I know she is your friend, but I never sensed any loyalty coming from the Spider. Though she does have more affection for Rogers than you. If I have to guess, she is making sure that whoever wins in the next fight, she is with the winning side."

Clint grumbled a little before finally admitting, "She has a point, Tony. She was always more on team Cap; remember her evaluation?" The archer spat the last word.

Tony shrugged. "Fury knew what she would write; he wanted a biased report to deliver to the WSC." Then he let out a deep sigh of his own. "Though I hoped she would be reasonable enough to help me stop any fight with Steve, not help him build toward one."

Pietro's stare hardened. "Then we should make preparations of our own."

Tony gave the speedster a hard stare. "Even if I did decide to do that, who the hell would even side with me?"

Instead of being discouraged, the silver-haired man perked up and said cheerfully, "You can count on me!"

Clint shrugged, though his face did soften as he said, "If I have to choose a side, I might as well go with the one that allows me to return home afterwards. But Laura..."

A voice then came from behind Clint. "As long as it's Tony you are helping, I will allow it."

Clint turned around to look surprisingly at Laura, then Lila jumped into the frame and said with as much sternness as a little girl could, "You better be helping Uncle Tony and not those meanies, daddy."

Clint was frozen for a moment before he turned to Tony with a bewildered look and said, "I suppose that settles it."

Wanda gave him a small smile. "While I still have to be a spy on Rogers's team, I hope you know that when the time comes, I'm on your side. And you have Vision too."

Tony leaned back, a little shocked by the show of support. "I suppose I do have Rhodey too..."

Tony was cut off by T'Chaka, who decided to add with his kind smile, "If you will allow him, I believe you will find my son to be a valuable ally in a fight like this."

T'Challa turned to Tony and bowed his head slightly. "It will be my honor to fight at your side, Tony."

Tony blinked; he wasn't sure what the prince was capable of, but considering the king vouched for him, he would take it at face value for now. So, all he could do in return was give a grateful nod.

Tony was about to tell everyone to meet at the tower when Friday's voice came again, this time more distracted. "Boss, a priority call from Agent Ross."

Tony's eyebrows jumped again, and he could only carefully reply, "Let me hear it, Fri."

"Dr. Stark, we have a huge issue," the voice of Agent Ross immediately filled the jet. "We have managed to locate James Barnes in Budapest."

Tony frowned a little, not understanding where the problem was. "Is he under someone's protection, or is he resisting arrest?"

The agent gave a weary sigh. "I wish it was something so simple. By the time the German task force arrived there, Captain Rogers was already on site, and he began to attack the soldiers before any questions could be asked."

Tony's eyes widened, and he said immediately, "Don't tell me... Fri, bring up the news; any damn channel will probably do."

The image of the still listening group at the Barton farm was replaced by a European news station. "As you can see, the destruction all around the main road is extensive—the result of a chase after the suspect James Barnes, who was aided by the individuals known as Captain America and Falcon."

Tony and T'Chaka could only watch in horror at the scene. Barnes, Rogers, and Wilson on their knees being arrested by a small army aided by War Machine. Behind them, a tunnel had collapsed with a couple of cars clearly visible under the debris. Smoke could be seen in the background as well as screams that could be heard.

Tony was in such a state of shock that he barely noticed when the anchor kept speaking. "The UN German task force had identified the suspect an hour ago and created a perimeter to securely bring him in for questioning. Captain Steve Rogers was on the scene and chose to attack the soldiers without provocation, and then did all he could to help Barnes escape the pursuing task force. The result of which we can see behind us. It was Rogers and Falcon who intentionally destroyed the foundations of the tunnel, causing it to collapse."

Tony could hardly believe it. It was one thing if Barnes was the one to destroy the tunnel in an act of desperation, but... Steve?! Steve did it?! And what the fuck was Wilson thinking to go along with this insane idea?

"At this time, we can report 22 confirmed deaths—12 of the German task force and 10 civilians. Though we are expecting the number to rise as the rescue efforts for those who are trapped under the collapsed tunnel continue. Captain Rogers, Sergeant Wilson, and suspect Barnes are being transported to a German facility, where hopefully they will be charged for their crimes," the anchor finished with uncharacteristic venom for a news reporter, not that Tony found it in himself to disagree.

The news channel was replaced to show the shocked and pale faces of his three friends. Ross's voice filled the jet again. "I was hoping you could lend your assistance in Germany, Doctor Stark."

Tony closed his eyes, already feeling a headache coming on. "What do you want me to do?"

Ross's voice was a little tense as he asked, "This is a secure line, right?"

Tony gave a dry chuckle, already dreading the response he would get. "Yes. All my lines are untraceable thanks to Friday."

Ross let out a heavy sigh. "The President ordered us to cut a deal with Rogers and Wilson and see if Barnes is eligible for one as well."

Tony's eyes flew open, and his voice was outraged. "What does the fool think he's doing? Cutting a fucking deal after this fiasco—he'll lose the support of the European Union!"

Ross's voice had an edge of disdain to it. "Our illustrious president received a secret call from the Black Widow pleading Rogers's case, if giving the president a list of demands on behalf of the man could count. You can guess what our fanatic president did straight after."

Tony let out a frustrated groan and mumbled, "I hoped I wouldn't have to use it before the elections."

"Umm, Doctor Stark?" Ross asked nervously.

Tony shook his head and said tiredly, "I will be there, Agent Ross; sit tight."

Ross let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you, Doctor Stark. You should know, by the way, due to her presence in Europe, Agent Carter is insisting on joining the case."

Tony felt the dread in his heart rising for some odd reason, but the call ended there, and before anyone else could say anything, Tony spoke. "Friday, tell Nick it's time for protocol broken crown."

There was a moment of tense silence before Friday relayed a message. "Director Fury said that he is on it."

Tony planted his face in his palm and said through a muffled voice, "What the hell am I supposed to do now?"

"May I suggest something, Tony?" T'Chaka asked softly. Tony pulled his face out of his hands and looked at him pleadingly. "It is a clever warrior who hopes for the best yet prepares for the worst," the king offered his wisdom.

And while Tony hoped for more specific advice, the words of the older man motivated Tony to make the decision he needed desperately now. Turning back to the screen with the worried faces of his friends, Tony began ordering, "Wanda, please go back to the compound and report if Steve is giving any orders we should know about; also send Vision to the tower. Pietro, you go meet Vision at the tower and get to Germany; Natasha will probably join you—try to play nice for now."

Wanda nodded instantly, while Pietro gave a reluctant nod; he wasn't the best at hiding his feelings, but Tony knew if he wanted to get one over on the red spy, he had to play things close to his chest.

That's why he turned to Clint and told him, "You and the prince here will be our ace in the hole. After all, the Widow thinks you are retired, and she thinks the prince hates me; we will play with those cards if it comes to it."

Clint gave him a small smile and a nod. And with that, the screen flickered away and the panel on his seat closed.

Tony leaned sideways a little and called, "Hey, Simba, mind turning the jet back to Germany?"

T'Challa took a moment to realize he was being spoken to using a nickname before a little smile spread on his lips and he replied, "Very well, Tony."

Tony looked at the king and told him with a firm tone, "Once we land, stay close to me. I wish I had the time to drop you somewhere safe, but it looks like things are escalating too quickly."

T'Chaka bowed his head ever so slightly. "I shall follow your advice then and hope that my presence will be able to be of some assistance in the troubling time to come."

Tony flashed the king a quick smile before he began strategizing in his mind. He considered calling Bruce, but his friend just got back with his ex, and having the Hulk fighting on the news was not something that would contribute to the big picture.

The thought of using Thor's communication device also passed his mind, but again, Tony didn't want to start some outright war with his former teammates.

They had enough powerhouses as it was. Between himself, War Machine, Vision, and even Wanda if things came down to it. They also had Pietro for some quick thinking and Hawkeye in reserve in case the Widow tried to jump ship.

Tony was still unsure of what T'Challa could contribute to the team, and he would need to figure it out before they landed, but for now they had the prince of Wakanda on their side as well.

Meanwhile, Steve had himself, another unstable super soldier, and Falcon. Which made things seem a little unfair, but maybe it would make the oaf think for a moment and reach a more peaceful solution for this mess.

Tony really hoped Sharon would be smarter than getting herself involved with his group, at least not publicly.

He would try to offer Steve a deal. He would try to find something for Barnes—maybe therapy with BARF would work, while under protective custody, of course.

Tony could only hope that Steve would see reason and agree to it. Things could get so much worse if Tony did nothing and Steve was left unchecked. Maybe Tony made a mistake allowing the Avengers free rein under Steve's leadership.

Maybe Tony should have transferred the leadership the moment he bought the rights to the Avengers initiative, or maybe he should have disbanded it outright and built something new, like he was doing now.

Hopefully, now was not too late, but... Tony shook his head; now was not the time to think about it.

Tony took a deep breath; things seemed to go from bad to worse with each passing hour. Hopefully, it wouldn't get to a fight, but if it did, Tony felt good about the team he had built.