[starriesky, cyrrus] The key

[StarrieSky]

Emma watched Bruce Banner walk towards the elevator. She knew all about his problem, and felt sorry for him. She couldn't imagine what it must feel like, to have such a dangerous power you can't control. She didn't show it though. People didn't really appreciate such feelings directed towards them.


Emma smiled kindly at the scientist when they were introduced. She grabbed his offered hand, shaking it. "It's lovely to meet you." She let go of his hand, brushing a strand of hair out of her face and behind her ear. She had always wanted to meet Bruce Banner. She had followed his story since the beginning. It was actually what inspired her to become a journalist. She had read a lot of articles that portrayed him as a villain, some monster that mindlessly destroyed everything he came across. But whenever Emma saw his human self, he just looked lonely. She knew the stories were wrong, and wanted to tell the truth.


"I have always wanted to meet you." She smiled at him. "You inspired me to become a journalist. I want to thank you for that. I never would have thought of it without you. But I love what I do, I can't imagine my life without it."

 

[Syrrus]

That was something neither Bruce nor Steve had expected. A woman, no a person just complimented Bruce Banner? And not only that but she thanked him? Had the world indeed gone topsy turvy? If Bruce wasn't used to it, to people to scream when they figured out who he was or their endless conversation about him and how he belonged in a cage he would have gotten insulted by Captain America's expression. However, Bruce was very much used to it so he didn't even notice it.


"I eh- I'm sorry? I think I didn't hear you alright." He said, pushing his classes up over his nose as he looked away, towards the elevator door in front of him. "I don't see how my profession or... condition, in lack of a better word could inspire you to become a journalist. Perhaps you were talking to Steve?" Yes, that was probably correct. She was talking to Steve Rogers. It all made more sense now.


The doctor took a tight grip of the safety railing as the elevator came to a sudden halt, like it did once it hit the top floor and as the doors opened hell broke loose. It seemed like Tony stark, Spiderman, Thor and Hawkeye was having a water balloon fight. Causing Steve to scowl.


"You have the worst throwing arm I have ever seen, puny mortal!" Thor laughed just as a water balloon was throw in his face. Spiderman hanging from the roof laughed out loud and ended up with one straight in his mouth.


"Be nice to Hawkie! He's a good coffee fetcher!" Came a voice that belonged to no other than Tony Stark but not the Tony Stark that Emma and Steve was used to but a very wet and a bright smiling man who threw himself down upon the sofa. Chuckling to himself as he saw Steve, Bruce and the girl.

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​

"Look who the cat brought in! The cat being you, babe." He winked towards Emma and then continued: "Why does it look like you've been through hell Steve? Oh, guys! Watch out don't throw any water around Banner or I'll have to renovate the tower -again-"


"Nice Tony... very nice..." Bruce mumbled as he walked through the door, avoiding the water on the floor.

 

[StarrieSky]

Emma shook her head at his question. "I wasn't talking about Steve." She opened her mouth, ready to explain herself, when the elevator doors opened. The words froze in her mouth, shocked at the scene that greeted her. The Avengers, Earth's heroes, were having a water balloon fight. Just when she thought nothing could surprise her anymore this happened. Thor was hit in the face with a balloon thrown by Hawkeye. He was perched on the table, a grin on his usually serious face. Another water balloon was held in his hand, ready to throw to his victims. He laughed when Spiderman received a balloon in his mouth. He was ready to throw his balloon at Tony, but when the man spoke in his defense he grinned sheepishly and changed his target to Spiderman. If only she had her camera. She could write a great piece about this. But without a picture no one would believe her. The Avengers were always very serious when they appeared on tv.


Emma's gaze flew over to Tony Stark when his voice sounded through the apartment. It was surreal. The first time she met Tony Stark he had been full of hatred, murder in his eyes. He had wanted nothing more then to kill her and Steve. But this Tony was happy. He didn't seem to care that he was soaking. His eyes were shining with joy. It was the complete opposite.


Emma couldn't help the blush that spread across her cheeks when Tony winked at her, calling her a babe. She wasn't used to it. She never went out with friends, instead spending her time inside her home, writing. She was glad when his attention shifted to the guys next to her. She winced at Tony's remark to Bruce. "You shouldn't provoke him like that." Crap. Her hand flew up, covering her mouth. It slipped out of her mouth before she could stop herself. Stupid! What if Stark got angry and didn't want to listen to her? Did she just ruin everything?

 

[Syrrus]

"Seems like little girl has a thing for the tiny monster man!" Thor chuckled, like thunder which probably was a good reason to not get on his bad side. This of course caused Tony to laugh to, slapped his knee and pointed towards Banner who was leaning against the bar counter with his arms crossed and a brow raised. "Did you hear that Brusie? You finally got a fan! And a pretty one at that. Welcome to the Avengers casa! What can I do for you?" Tony asked, gesturing towards her to come closer.


Steve couldn't help to smile which was only noticed by a few of the ones in the room. He usually never smiled like that, especially not around Tony Stark. They were friends, sure but not very good friends. Tony paid for everything and Cap gave the orders, or at least the good orders.


Spiderman pulled away strings of balloon from his facemask before saying: "Why are you looking like hell cap, did something happen on the way here?" The teenager looked over to their so call leader who simply shook his head and looked over at Tony who now raised an eyebrow. "Why is everyone looking at me for? I know I'm sexy but I rather have the attention of the lady and not the rest of you. Where's Natasha when I need her? This is a sausage fest."

 

[StarrieSky]

Emma's face grew red as the men laughed, pairing her with Bruce. Even the stoic Hawkeye was laughing as he plopped down in a chair. "I don't..!" She sighed. She could already guess it didn't matter what she said, it might even make things worse is she started denying it. When Tony gestured at her to come in, she threw a hesitant glance at Steve before walking inside the room. She had to admit the top floor looked pretty. It didn't look like the rest of the building at all. This place had a sense of home. She knew a couple of the Avengers lived here, and this place showed it.


Emma shuffled at Spiderman's question, uncomfortable even though the question wasn't directed at her. She frowned at Tony's words. How did he turn from a joking, happy man into the monster they had experienced before? It just didn't make sense.


"Nat's on her way." It was Hawkeye who said this. Ofcourse he knew where the woman was. The two of them were close, something the media had noticed as well. There was a lot of gossipping, speculations wether the two were a couple of not. Hawkeye didn't care. He and Natasha had something special, something that couldn't be defined by a relationship. They were two sides of the same coin, soulmates. They knew they would spend the rest of their lives together.


Swallowing nervously, Emma took a step forward. She kept her gaze focused on Tony. "We need to talk to you." It was an awkward topic to talk about with everyone else present. How do you tell someone they turn into this monster that doesn't blink at killing their former teammates? No, it was best to do it in private.

 

[Syrrus]

"She better hurry up. I need someone to wash my car in a bikini and I rather it not to be you." Tony said, looking at Hawkeye with a big grin. Teasing the more normal, deadly assassin was a lot more fun than people gave it credit. Of course, Steve didn't much like it. He enjoyed Natasha's company too but making jokes like that about a lady was nothing but rude. Besides, something told him that she had a thing for Bruce, anyhow.


Tony leaned back in his seat as Emma walked forward, she looked so serious. Perhaps she wasn't a fan but someone from the press? Or maybe someone who needed the big and strong Iron Man to help her with something more private. He nodded towards Hawkeye, again. "Hey, Clint. Get me a whiskey will you. Half glass loads of ice."


Why did Tony order around Barton? Because it was easy and because he was their errand boy. At least according to Tony. Bruce simply didn't understand why he couldn't get the billionaire his liquor, he was standing right by the bar! Though he supposed that it was for the best. Bruce had never been a big drinker. Alchohol made people mad and he rather stayed far away from that whole scenario.


"What do you want?" Tony asked, smiling at the girl but then started to frown as Captain America sat down in front of him too. "Wait, this isn't about a baby, is it? Because I swear I did not mean to knock anyone up! And if it's something to do with Steve I don't even know why you are coming to me about it. I'm not his daddy."


Quicksilver than came bluring into the room, pointing at Banner. "How did you get up here? You didn't take the stairs." Bruce shook his head. "No, I didn't. I took the elevator. Sorry to disappoint but I rather not let the other guy though today, either. " This caused Pietro to frown. "How the heck did you manage to sneak past me?!"


"Question!" Shouted Tiny Stark, raising a finger in the air, catching everyone's attention. "How does the Hulk sneak?" He asked, smirking. This of course caused Bruce to frown. Here we go again... "The same way he whispers!" Tony chuckled, as if he had just come up with the greatest joke of all time.

 

[StarrieSky]

Emma frowned when Tony ordered Hawkeye around, and the guy actually stood up without a complaint to get him the drink. Why did he allow himself to be used like this? She didn't know that the man had already decided on a way to take revenge and was going to act soon.


Emma scoffed at Tony's remark about her having his baby. As if she'd ever sleep with him. Not only was he almost twice her age, but he was not her type. And then there was his reputation. She had no interest in one night stands, let alone with him. Then a familiar face entered the room. Emma froze. She had not been prepared to see him again. His dead body flashed before her eyes again. She was distracted from the image by Tony's shout. When he made another joke at Bruce's expense, she snapped. That was it.


"Will you stop that!? Steve and I have something important to say. So shut up and listen before I make you!" If looks could kill Tony would be dead. Emma looked furious. "I discovered I have powers, I have been threatened by mutants, I watched people die and I had to run for my life all in just a couple of hours! I did not come here to watch you behave like a child!" It felt good to have that out of her system. She huffed angrily, blowing a strand of hair out of her face. She didn't care if she offended Tony Stark. Tony Stark could go to hell for all she cared.


Hawkeye was staring at her, shocked. He had been about to put Tony's drink down on the table when the girl exploded. He would have laughed had it not been for the last part of her rant. Powers? Mutants? Something big was going on.

 

[Syrrus]

Tony leaned back in his seat, narrowing his brown eyes. He was used to women shouting at him, ranting and whatnot, he was a playboy after all and had invented a special security system to get rid of them who wouldn't leave him alone. However, Tony - even if he was very good at playing it up - wasn't an idiot. The comment about him being rude to Bruce for the hundredth of time went flying over the top of his head, she was talking about death, mutants and powers. Now that was something that he couldn't ignore. He peered over at Captain America, waiting for some sort of hint that this was all a very odd joke. And people though he was unfunny?


Nothing happened.


Bruce walked up to them and leaned over the back of the sofa so he would watch them intensely, pushing his glasses up over the bridge of his nose. Usually he kept away from these sort of conversations, made sure to stay out of heated discussions but this sounded far too serious to ignore.


Spiderman fell off his seat, upside down on the roof and landed on the couch next to Tony, blinking in surprise behind his mask. Was this girl for real? Quicksilver seemed to have difficulty staying out of the conversation too, seeing as she mentioned mutants. "You better not sit here and joke about people like me messing up your kind again, because I am sick of it." Pietro said, folding his arms over his chest.


Steve shook his head and placed a hand on Emma's shoulder, supporting her. "She's telling the truth." He removed his mask once again to reveal his scared and jaggered face, which even caught Bruce off course. He had noticed that something was wrong but not that wrong.


"What the heck?" Tony said blinking in confusion. "What in the world happened to you cap?"


Captain America looked down upon his feet, averting his gaze from Tony. This hurt more than the super soldier would have thought. Tony and him had never been the best of friends but this? "You did Tony." He looked up, taking a deep breath though his nose. Causing the rest of the Avengers to look in-between each other in confusion. "We are from the future and let me tell you, it's not a very nice place."


"Don't tell me that Red Skull or... Magnito is messing shit up? Because I am tired of--"


"Tony." Steve interrupted the billionaires rant, looking him straight in the eyes. "It's you."

 

[StarrieSky]

Emma ignored Quicksilver. She didn't have time to try and convince him that she was telling the truth. It did sting a little. She had to remind herself that this wasn't 'her' Quicksilver. She was relieved when Steve took over, showing them his scars. She could only imagine how they all felt, seeing the traces of his old wounds. Wounds that they had never seen before.


Emma saw how this affected Steve, how he was struggling. She laid her hand on his arm, silently showing her support. When Steve announced it was Tony, the room remained silent. Hawkeye was speechless. He couldn't imagine any of them laying a hand on each other, let alone hurt each other in such a way it left scars. Sure, they were rough, but they were all friends in the end. This was serious. He slowly sat down on the couch next to Peter, waiting for an explanation.


Emma gave them just that. "The Tony Stark that I met earlier today... He was a monster." She took a deep breath. "You started a war. In your quest to stop those opposing you -" she glanced at Steve "you destroyed the entire city. You stopped at nothing to achieve your goal. You terrorized the people, with all these drones patrolling the streets. Those that were openly against you were never seen again." She looked down at her lap. "SHIELD experimented on me when I was a baby, giving me powers. I can travel through time. Steve discovered this, and went to find me. He took me to the tunnels, where the mutants were hiding." She looked at Quicksilver. "He said you could help me get control over my powers. But the mutants had suffered a lot in the war. They didn't trust anyone. They threatened me, until you arrived." She smiled softly. "You were like their leader, they all respected you and listened to you. You and Wanda helped me to reach my powers." So far it had been easy to tell everyone about what had happened. But this was the difficult part. It hurt to think about. Pietro's dead body flashed across her vision again.


Emma directed her gaze back to her lap, hurt in her eyes. "Tony found us. You told us to run, that you would stall him. But you..." Tears filled her eyes, the grief still fresh. She closed her eyes, a few tears rolling down her cheeks. "He killed you. He killed so many people, just to get to us." A sob threatened to escape Emma's lips, but she kept it inside. She lifted her eyes, looking at Tony. It was difficult to look at him while telling about her first encounter with him. It was difficult to separate this Tony from the monster. "You just didn't care. You were so full of hatred. You didn't care how many victims there were, as long as you got us. I used my powers to travel back in time with Steve, to just before you arrived. But Wanda said we couldn't change it. So we went back again, this time coming here." Emma was mentally exhausted. It had taken a lot out of her to think back on what happened. She had had no time to grieve yet, so everything was still fresh. Her gaze drifted back down as she hung her head, caught in flashbacks. Shadow Cat holding her pinned to the wall. Wanda screaming while she threw away her father's helmet. Pietro's body falling down. Wanda holding his broken body in her lap. Tony Stark's hate filled eyes. A soft sob escaped her lips as tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

 

[Syrrus]

Everyone was speechless. At first annoyance had filled some of them, enough to cause Bruce to back off, o try and leave them alone, give them some space. Of course Tony wouldn't like to be called a villain for he were no such thing. He had stopped making weapons for the army years ago, he had stopped terrorists, he had saved the entire world from aliens together with the Avengers, he had done it all. He had proven himself to be more of an hero than any of them for he had the ability and the flaw to be bad. He had all the reason in the world to turn sour but he hadn't, he had a good heart. Bruce couldn't stand how they talked about this Tony, the one from their future. Stark and Banner were best friends, they knew the same amount and if it wasn't for Tony Bruce would never have returned to aid them against Thor's brother in New York a few years ago.


And then the girl started crying.


Their annoyance got washed away and Steve quickly placed his arms around her. The poor little girl. No one said a thing however, no one dared to break the silence. They didn't wish to question and at the same time no one could believe what they were told. Quicksilver placed a hand over his neck and peered over at Tony who just sat there, sinking deeper and deeper into his seat. He wasn't frowning, he wasn't smirking not even trying to laugh it off.


He was just staring at them, with empty eyes.


He had done what?


Steve took a deep breath and looked back up upon Tony Stark. "The civil war started randomly one day. You came in here, telling us about your new idea. An idea that every hero, every masked hero of the world should sign up and give away their true identity to the world. To make them feel safer, so the civilians would know who protected them, who they could trust." Steve looked around the room as he explained before looking back down at Tony, swallowing nervously. The Captain, nervous? Surely this was no jest.


"At first, Spiderman joined you. He took off his mask in public, talked to the press. A few did indeed join you but they who didn't joined me. I was against you from the start. Trying to tell you about the danger they who showed their identity in the public eye would have to face. Bruce joined you, as did many others but Clint, Natasha, Quicksilver and Wanda joined me. However you..."


Steve looked down upon the girl who he held against his chest, the poor little girl.


"During a fight for this tower you killed Natasha, snapped her spine and threw her off the tower, while your robotic army climbed the walls and killed anyone who tried to stop you. I sent Quicksilver here to help Clint hold the fort, for I was not quick enough. However, Pietro told me that he had simply been to late and had watched as you cut out Barton's eyes with his own arrow, laughed at him and strung him up on wires outside the great balcony. Where you later hung Natasha and even Magnito."


The words that Tony was told stung like thick needles crawling up through his veins and he vanished even further down his seat, staring at Steve as if he was telling a lie. No, not as if he was lying.


As if he hoped that he was lying.

 

[StarrieSky]

Hawkeye couldn't believe what he was hearing. When Steve described the way Tony killed Natasha and him, he shifted uncomfortably. That was just cruel. And to think Tony did it to them... The Tony he knew would never do that. But he also knew Steve would never lie about something like that. Steve wasn't one for jokes, and his upbringing had taught him not to lie so that wasn't the case either. Something must have happened to make Tony do that. Someone must have been controlling him. There was no other explanation. Clint refused to believe the Tony he knew could ever be so cruel.


Emma leaned against Steve as his arms closed around her, taking comfort in his presence. She buried her face in his chest, one hand reaching up to clutch at his suit. She allowed herself to give in to her grief for a little while. She listened to Steve continue the story as tears fell from her eyes. She remembered the fight where Natasha and Clint were killed. She had been able to watch it all from her window. The way Stark slaughtered his friends had been brutal. It's the reason she had feared him so much. She had seen what he could do to his friends. Who knew what he would do to his enemies?


Sniffling slightly, Emma slowly pulled away from Steve. She had given herself enough time to grief. She had to pull herself together. She rubbed her eyes, rubbing away her tears. She threw him a shy smile, silently thanking him for his support. She then turned her gaze to Tony. What she saw broke her heart. He looked so... small. As if the world had come crashing down around him. She supposed it had, in a way. She regretted the way they had told him. They shouldn't have been so... so hard on him. But she hadn't cared. She had wanted to hurt him if she was completely honest with herself. She had wanted to hurt Tony Stark for killing Quicksilver. But this wasn't that Tony Stark. He didn't deserve this. "I'm so sorry..." She didn't know what else to say. What do you say to someone after you inform them they become a monster that slaughters his friends? Especially when you're the one that so cruelly informed them.

 

[Syrrus]

Tony felt everyone's eyes upon him, almost as if they were expecting him to either break down or latch out in pure anger. He hated this situation because he didn't understand it. He didn't know why this was happening to him or what in the world could cause him to do something like what the two in front of him just explained. He wasn't evil. A bad man, maybe... sure he didn't threat women perfectly, he would never hurt them. Perhaps a little seeing as he had his way of one night stands, everyone knew the countless women that he had hurt mentaly by breaking their heart and sure he had made great and terrifying weapons for the American army that had in return been used against them as terrorist weapons.


Tony Stark wasn't evil.


He got up, almost as if someone had burnt him, so quickly that the sofa almost feel backwards, wouldn't it be for Hawkeye's and Spiderman's weight upon it. He felt dizzy and ill. He had difficulty breathing and everyone of the Avengers knew exactly what that meant.


Tony had been suffering from something called PTSD, Post traumatic stress disorder. It was something he had developed after the attack on New York, after going through the worm hole. And what Steve watched made the Captain realized that there was no way Tony Stark was responsible for his actions in the future.


The billionaire walked around the table, he was stumbling, covering his arcractor with his hand, pressing it against his chest as he went tumbling forward. Breathing heavily, hyperventilating. Bruce was the first one to catch him. Quicksilver didn't have the morals to so but Bruce knew exactly how Tony felt. To be described as a monster without understanding or being able to control the outcome.


Bruce caught him before he hit the hard floor, held him tightly between his hands and managed to get him down on the ground, leaning his back against the bar. "Calm down Tony, deep breaths. Can you hear me?" Banner waved a hand in front of Tony Stark's face. Tony was mumbling to himself, clearly panicking but he was breathing and his eyes managed to, in a way, focus upon Bruce who was checking his pulse, heartbeat, fever and breathing. Handing him a plastic bag to breath in and out off.

 

[StarrieSky]

Hawkeye kept his distance. He never knew how to handle Tony's moments of weakness. Sure, he was familiar with PTSD, having gone through it himself - and Nat as well - but it affected everyone in a different way. While he had withdrawn from the world and Nat had lashed out at the people closest to her, Tony had these episodes of hyperventilation. Bruce was usually the one who calmed Tony down. So Clint let Bruce do his job. He had his own. He stood up, moving towards the elevator. "Nat's here. I'll inform her of what happened." He reached the doors just as they opened and Natasha was about to step outside. Clint however prevented her from doing so by gently pushing her back and entering herself, the doors closing behind them.


Emma was shocked. She hadn't expected it to affect the genius so much. Ofcourse she was unaware of the PTSD, the Avengers had made sure it was hidden from the public. The feeling of guilt rushed over her. She pushed herself up in a standing position, ready to help, but hesitated. What if she made things worst? But no. This was their fault. She had to try.


She quickly went over to Tony and Bruce, kneeling down in front of them. She made sure she was in Tony's line of sight, before she started quietly and calmly talking to him. "You have done nothing wrong. You are nothing like the Tony Stark we described. You are a good man. Do not let our experiences define who you are." Her eyes softened. "It's obvious you would never do something like that. You are a kind person." Emma truly believed the things she said. It was obvious something had to have happened to Tony to turn him into that monster. There was no way this person could murder someone in cold blood. Whatever happened to him, they were going to stop it. She refused to let this kind man transform into that monster.

 

[Syrrus]

Steve leaned back in his seat, propping his arm up on the back of the sofa so he could crane his head and watch them silently. No one else ran to help Tony, Bruce needed the space to work and Tony needed space to breath. If something went wrong they would be quick to take him to the hospital, which was just why Quicksilver twitched the way he did, prepared to run as quick as he could, would it be needed.


Tony was staring at her, fear in his eyes. It wasn't certain if he could see her or even hear her. In fact, all he possibly could see was the blackness of space and the millions and millions of stars shining down upon him and the clutter of aliens who were going to come down and destroy his home world. The visions behind his eyes were always the same. The disorder could be triggered from a simple whisper or a weird tasting burger or one too many bottles of beer. Or something like this.


Bruce let the girl talk to Tony, noticing how her presence and her words caused the man's pulse to slow back down to normal. Things were getting better, slowly and steadily but the doctor would say nothing, simple let the girl do the talking.


Spiderman climbed over the roof, trying to get close to watch with curiosity.


Tony removed the bag from his face and reached out for the girl. He felt destroyed. The news of a future that he couldn't control was bearing down upon him but Stark was not someone who would beg or crawl for help. He was Ironman. Though there was one thing he could do and no matter how difficult it was for him to move, focus or talk he still managed to place a hand on her shoulder, parten his lips and stutter.


"I am sorry."


Tony Stark apologized, that didn't happen often and not only that but he apologized for something he was in no control of. Something he hadn't even done. In case he would be forced to do it, incase they would fail. What could they do to stop him? He could focus enough to think clearly. His mind went back and forth. He now knew what would happen, perhaps that was enough? He looked over at Steve, realizing that it wasn't enough for the Captain was still there. Tony didn't know about time travel but he understood the matter enough to know of its after math and outcome. If they didn't find the cause to his change, if there was no other choice...


"Promise you'll kill me."

 

[StarrieSky]

Emma was stunned at his apology. No words could excuse Stark's actions. A simple apology did not take away the pain. Despite that she had longed to hear those words. It was just the wrong Tony Stark that uttered those words. It brought Emma no satisfaction to hear those words, only sadness. When Tony asked them to kill him she could feel her heart break. She never imagined he would ask this. It was a promise she could not make. She had already grown attached to him.


Emma grabbed Tony's hand, removing it from her shoulder and holding it between her smaller hands. "We won't let you turn like that. We will save you." No matter how long it took, no matter how many times she would have to use her powers and travel backwards, she would save him. He was a victim in this just as much as everyone else was, she saw this now. And she refused to have any more victims.

 

[Syrrus]

Tony leaned his head back against the bar, he looked at her and then tilted his head upwards, feeling that burning sensation in his throat. Hopeless, was one word to describe how he felt. Hopeless and just a little bit weak. He was a one man team, he had only joined the Avengers because Nick Fury had said he was incapable of doing so, that he didn't belong that he didn't fit. He had joined and proved him wrong out of spite and he had been a part of it since.

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Even built them a tower.


"If that is the only way to stop me from murdering innocent people. From stabbing my team in the back, then you'll have to promise me to take my life." He spoke softly, almost too softly for Tony Stark. He wasn't one to give up but in a sense he didn't. "I refuse to let the legacy I have worked so hard on to change, to clean the Stark name from the red lists to let one damned villain take me down. Me and the whole world. I will not have it!"


Tony slammed his hand backwards into the bar, causing Bruce to twitch, just a little and frown at his friend as he removed his glasses and popped them down his pocket. He looked at Emma and then at Steve who now stood up, tightening his belt.


"At least promise you'll do your best? Of course you won't be alone. We'll help out. Though I don't know where to start." Banner sat down, thinking hard to himself what possibly could be powerful enough to control Tony enough to cause that much damage and without being near him. Bruce had a lot of villains himself who used mind control, it was the only way to stop the Hulk after all. All of them needed to be close to be able to control him though and Hulk was just a big nerve. To be able to control someone like Tony they'd had to be nailed to his back and if not that they'd at least have to have enough powers to change him forever. Something so powerful that only one man Bruce knew of could do it.


"Charles Xavier changed Magnito, didn't he?"


This caused Tony to glance at him, tierd. Dark rings had already began to form underneath his eyes. "Why would Professor X mess my head up to destroy the world? He's trying to save it, just like us. He's a Mutant hero."


Bruce shook his head and placed a hand on Tony's shoulder. "I wasn't talking to you. You need to rest. To stay here and take it easy. I'm certain Steve and... Miss Emma can lead this mission without you, don't make me turn green to put my foot down."

 

[StarrieSky]

Emma pursed her lips, frowning. She was annoyed at Tony. He kept trying to have them promise to kill him. Well, she wouldn't let that happen. "No one is killing you. I can travel through time remember? I'll keep going back if I have to, I don't care how many times. But I refuse to let any more people die because of this." She stood up, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "So stop trying to get us to make that promise. It is not going to happen."


Emma glanced at Steve when Bruce mentioned Charles Xavier. He had been next on their list of people to visit. It couldn't be a coincidence that Bruce now mentioned him. This Xavier was important. But why? She knew who he was ofcourse, he had built the famous school for mutants, or gifted children as he called it. They had to see him soon.


It was just before Bruce told Tony to rest that the elevator doors opened. Out came Hawkeye and Black Widow. It seemed as if Natasha didn't care about what was going on. She had her usual smirk on her face, arms hanging loosely next to her sides. But those that knew her could see a tension in her body that had not been there before. She had been deeply affected by what she had been told, though she'd never admit it. She considered Tony a friend, one of the few she had. To have Clint describe how he killed her was disturbing. She could see it affected him as well. After his story they had stayed silent for a while, sitting next to each other. They drew comfort out of each other's presence. When they were ready to go back upstairs, they had left the room without another word.


As Natasha caught Bruce's words, she walked over to them. "I'll take care of him." She grabbed Tony's arm and pulled him up, dragging him with her back to the elevator. If he protested at her actions, she ignored it. The elevator doors closed behind their backs as Natasha would bring him to his bedroom. Hawkeye, who had still been standing next to the elevator, now walked over to the others. "So what's the plan?"

 

[Syrrus]

Bruce got up on his knees and, wiping his hands before he continued to fidget the way he always did. He wasn't one to tell people what to do or where to go. In fact he was merely a theory guy, someone who could throw ideas around but never the one to make the call on what to actually do.


Banner was stroking his hand together, slapping his left palm over the top of his clenched fist, then the bottom and then the top again, like he always did when trying to concentrate. He looked at Captain America who looked back. Bruce made a gesture, raising both his eyebrows and tilting his head towards Hawkeye. Nothing was being said. Cap simply nodded and Bruce continued.


"We need to speak to someone of the world's biggest brains, someone who is used to abnormal activities. The first candidate that comes to mind is Professor X at the Xavier institute. Not only does he have to deal with teen who's just discovered their mutant powers, always different from the rest but he's also very familiar with time travel and of course... m-mi-... " It was obvious that Bruce had a great difficulty with what he was about to mention. The feeling of losing control of giving it to someone else without your own knowing until it was too late? It was his greatest nightmare.


"Mind control. I don't think that Xavier himself is responsible of what is going to happen but he might know how to find out who it is before it is too late." Bruce gestured towards Steve. "Or do you know where Tony was just before he acted... different?"


The super soldier shook his head. He had no clue, in fact it had never been mentioned.


"Then it's the only lead we got. Also... There's Mister Fantastic?"


Steve started to walk around the room while Bruce continued to talk.


"Reed Richards would probably know more than Xavier would it all be a more... scientific Endeavour?"

 

[StarrieSky]

Emma stood up as she listened to Bruce talk. She knew what their first step would be. "Xavier comes first." She looked at Steve. "Back at my apartment you thought we should visit him after Tony. And now Bruce is telling us the same thing." She shrugged. "I don't know. I have a feeling like he has all the answers." She didn't know where the feeling came from. Maybe it had appeared back at the apartment when his name was mentioned for the first time. That spark had continued to grow as time passed. And now this talk had only strengthened that feeling. He was the answer. She just knew it. But why?

 

[Syrrus]

Steve looked over at Emma as he stopped walking back and forth. This seemed harder than he had imagined originally. He had thought that it would have been enough to simply speak with Tony to put some sense into him. However, that had apparently been to naive of a thought. He knew for a fact however that the X-men did not agree on having the Avengers visiting them. They would see Steve for miles. He looked over at Banner who had returned to what he usually did which was reading his research from high-backed chair in the corner.


"Emma you and Banner will go to Xavier and speak with him. I'll take Hawkeye to the Fantastic Four."


Bruce dropped his glasses in shock and slowly turned to look at the Captain, worry in his eyes. He really didn't enjoy the idea of meeting Mutants that could play with his head. Having Scarlet Witch around daily was enough stress for him to handle. It seemed like he had little choice though because Steve was already making his way towards the elevator.


"Do you really think it's wise?" Bruce ask as he got up from his chair, arms around himself like a scared child. "More wise than me showing up there, you know what the X-men thinks of us. They don't know what you look like, Banner. Or even if they did you could easily just dress differently and no one would recognize you. I am all towering giant in comparison." Steve continued, turning at the door. "But I'm-- The other guy would clearly be worse than Captain America! They would probably see it as a threat which I very well might be would they... you know... that." Banner couldn't even say it, he simply knocked himself on the forehead.


Steve knew about Banner's fear, they all did because they all shared it. "They won't know it is you." "They can read my mind! They'll figure it out." "Just don't think about Hulk or the Avengers and they will be none the wiser." "I am not certain that is how it works..."

 

[StarrieSky]

"He's right." Hawkeye looked over at Bruce. "They know the both of us. You're our best bet." There was no way they were sending Emma alone. Someone would go with her. Natasha and Tony were not available. Which left the three of them. Him and Steve were to recognisable. Which left Bruce. Clint didn't enjoy it, but that didn't mean they should avoid it. There was too much at stake.


He walked over to the elevator, joining Steve in front of it.


Emma smiled reassuringly at Bruce. "Don't worry, we'll be fine. I won't let them mess with you." As if she could actually do anything against them. But that didn't mean she couldn't try. "I'll help you. I mean, I managed to help calm down Tony right?" She shrugged. "Maybe I can help you as well. Besides, there's too much at stake." She didn't want to force Bruce to do something he didn't want to. But Steve was right. It made sense for Bruce to come with her. She knew he realised it as well. His fear was stopping him. His fear always stopped him. Fear of the 'big guy', as Bruce named the green monster. But he couldn't let it control his life. He had to fight, not just for the world but for himself. "You're strong Bruce, stronger than you think. You can do this."

 

[Syrrus]

Bruce looked down at Emma, who was a little bit shorter than himself. "I am not certain you realize that my condition is a bit different from one with PTSD. If I my heart rate goes above a certain point i will turn, no matter the amount to yoga I'm trying to do to prevent it." Banner sighed and grabbed his coat, he supposed that he didn't have a choice. He then got in the elevator together with Steve and Hawkeye.


"I still think Clint is the most normal looking..." He said, looking at his reflection in the painted black window. Steve smirked. "Barton is also the only normal guy in our group." He decided to play on the joke Tony usually made. A bit out of character perhaps but he felt frisky. Hitting the button as Emma stepped inside

 

[StarrieSky]

Emma followed Bruce, still trying to reassure him. "Doesn't mean I can't try." She stepped inside the elevator just as Steve made the joke. It felt so out of place coming from Steve that Emma couldn't stop a giggle from escaping. Hawkeye was smirking as well, so she didn't feel too bad. She cleared her throat. "Sorry," she sheepishly said. She remained silent the rest of the way down.


When the doors opened at the ground floor she confidently walked outside, having gathered her wits again. She walked in front of the rest, turning around when they reached the doors leading outside. "So we'll split up here right?" She actually had no idea which way either of them were going. She hoped Bruce knew how to get to the school. Though it'd be no problem either way, she could easily get the information. It would take some time though, and she had wasted enough time already. It was time to get going.

 

[Syrrus]

Steve nodded as they walked through the entrance, shielding his eyes from the sun with the palm of his hand. He hasn't seen Reed in a very long time. The man had been one of the first to fall, after the death of his wife.


"Yes. Good luck." Rogers smiled at Emma before walking down the street, he could get to the Fantastic Four in a matter of minutes with his running speed, unfortunately Barton didn't have the same luxury so they simply had to get a cab.


Bruce scratched the back of his head as he watched the two walking down the street in a hurry and he then peered at Emma and pointed. "The institute is just out of town. I rather if we didn't take a cab... Cramped spaces and all that." He spoke rather nervously, mainly because he could imagine how it would be to see the X-men and he could already see their faces of disbelief that the Hulk of all people walked straight into their home. He just had to hope that Xavier would be the first person to greet them.


They had to take a cab, the man realized and called for a taxi, waving a hand in the air. The driver called him 'buddy' which was something Banner never had been called by anyone but Tony and it got on his nerves. "Could you take us outside of the city? Towards the Xavier mansion?" Bruce asked and by the look on the drivers face he sure could take them there but he wouldn't like it.

 

[StarrieSky]

Emma watched the two men walk away before turning towards Bruce. She understood his dislike of cabs, and was prepared to walk if that was what he wanted. She didn't want to push him. She was pleasantly surprised when he called for one anyway. He was facing his fears. This was great. But the driver almost ruined it with his reluctance. She wouldn't have any of that.


Deciding to try something new, she walked forward. When she was standing next to Bruce, she put a smile on her lips, directed at the driver. "Thank God! I was starting to think no one would take us!" She opened the door and sat down, scooting over to the other seat so Bruce could sit down. The driver still looked like he wanted to send them away, but he was watching her closely. She felt uncomfortable when she leaned forward slightly with her arms leaning on her legs, showing her bosom. She smiled shyly at him, feeling disgusted with herself. "I really appreciate this." The driver looked happy to take them there. Perv.