Chapter 51: Prelude to reunion

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Star Labs, Earth-1

Morning

"Alright, so let me get this straight," Barry said messaging his temple as The Avengers stood in the cortex. "Rhodey contacted you last night and said Tony needs our help?"

"According to him, something's happened, something bad. He didn't want to tell me over communications, but he's worried about Tony," Steve explained.

"And why the hell should we care?" Clint demanded and they all turned to him. "What? You're all thinking it! Why should we help him after everything he did to us!? He sold out my family, put us all in cages, held Wanda prisoner, and went on a rampage to kill Barnes! Not even counting the fact that this whole Civil War could have been prevented if he'd just listened to you guys! As far as I'm concerned, whatever happened to Stark, it's exactly what he deserves!"

Clint stormed out, leaving the others staring after him.

"You guys feel that way as well?" Steve asked, looking at the rest of his teammates.

"The stuff Stark did, it's hard to forgive man," Sam pointed out.

"Given my history with him, I feel I cannot answer that objectively," Wanda said as Barry took her hand.

"Look Cap, he sold us all out, because he was looking for absolution for Ultron. And he didn't care if he dragged the rest of us down with him. Even if we did forgive him, I'm not sure any of us could ever trust him again," Barry said and Steve nodded at him in understanding.

"I'm not asking you to trust him. I'm asking you to trust me. Just from the way Rhodey spoke, whatever happened was serious. If it was serious enough for Rhodey to go behind Tony's back like this-"

"It's bad enough that Tony is probably going to get himself killed," Natasha finished and Steve nodded.

"Are we sure that Rhodey isn't being manipulated by Tony?" Sam asked.

"Honestly, after everything that happened, nothing is off the table when it comes to Tony," Barry admitted.

"So…what do we do then?" Sam asked.

"I might have an idea…if Barry is willing to make a call," Natasha said as she looked to a confused Barry.

Avengers' Compound, Earth-66

Afternoon

"Why the hell would you call them?!" Tony shouted at Rhodey.

"Because we need help. Pepper died Tony! She is dead and I am sorry about that, but you aren't the only one who lost someone!" Rhodey shouted and his heavy breathing filled the air as Tony was unusually silent. "She wouldn't want you to go on like. She would want you to make things right with Steve and the others. Like it or not, we need their help."

Tony sat down, appearing defeated when they heard a ringing noise. They looked down at the device Steve had given Tony before Rhodey picked it up.

"Steve?" he answered.

"We'd like to meet, face to face. If Tony is up for it, we'd like him to come through a breach, to talk," Steve explained.

Rhodey looked up at Tony, a 'your call' look on his face. Tony sighed, not wanting to know but clamping down on his first instinct to tell Steve to go to hell. Rhodey was right, Pepper would want him to make things right with Steve and the others. And he could admit he burnt a lot of bridges that needed to be rebuilt. So, he gave a nod to Rhodey.

"You name the time, he'll be there," Rhodey agreed.

Star Labs, Earth-1

Same time

"We're sure about this?" Barry asked, not liking the feeling of this plan.

"I don't like this plan either, but if you guys don't feel you can trust him, it's the only way e can know for sure if we can trust him on this," Steve said as he looked around at his team.

Later, in the Breach Room, a breach opened up and Tony stepped out. Tony looked around, confused on why no one was there. Then, a dart hit him in the side of his neck. He pulled it out and stumbled forward, his vision blurring before he fell to the ground, out cold. Clint jumped down from the ceiling, his bow aimed at Tony.

"You have no idea how tempting it is to put an arrow in you," Clint sneered before he lowered his bow. "But I'm not a cold blooded killer. I'm not you Stark."

Unspecified location, Earth-66

Same time

In a darkened room, a blond haired man was cleaning his gun when a hissing, low voice spoke up.

"Stark is on Earth-1. Now is the time to strike," the voice said and the man smirked.

"Excellent. You were right, attacking his beloved and his bodyguard was the perfect motivation," the man said, his thick Russian accent echoing through the room.

"Stark's emotions are his weakness. With the loss of the woman he loved, he would seek out his former friends, both to try and ease his own guilt and to attempt to reconcile with them. He is a broken man, he desires companionship," the voice hissed.

"Phase one was a success. Phase two will be as well, Lord Savitar," the man said as he picked up an automated rifle.

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If you enjoy please support me on my patreon Future 80+ chapters at patreon.com/Darkphoenix11

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