The War Within | A Tony Stark Series

s: Runaway

"Jess... Jess?!"

I couldn't believe the sight before me. It all played out in slow motion as each member of the team strikes for the other. How did we get from the earth's mightiest heroes to a war within ourselves. Tony wants to defend our legacy as Steve wants to do right by his best friend. But at what cost? What good are we to the world if we can't solve our personal problems without destroying the environment around us. On one hand, we're dangerous but on the other we're capable.

I grew weaker, the longer the battle carried on. At the very least, all I want is for all of us to be able to walk away. I could hear my heartbeat getting slower as my energy was being used up on everyone but myself. The one voice that brought my back, was none other than Tony's.

"Jess, can you hear me? You have to get the Maximoff to release her hold!"

I broke from my trance and immediately searched for Wanda. Once I locked her in, I raised my hands and pushed sound waves to distort her concentration. She screamed, bringing her hands up to her ears to try and block out the eerie noise. The building she was holding up eventually crashed down, but the super-soldiers had made it through. I lowered my hands as I felt a little blood begin to trickle down my nose. I dropped to my knees, holding myself up from the ground with my palms. I looked up at Wanda, both of us trying to catch our breath. Our eye contact never broke until Vision came down to check on her. I pushed myself to sit up, sharing an apologetic look. I didn't need to verbally confront her; we're both mind readers after all. She responded with a nod as she and Vision had their moment.

I looked up at the sound of the quinjet taking off. Rhodey and Tony took off not too long after while being tailed by Falcon. I wiped my nose on my sleeve, focusing on the two before Sam could make a move on them.

"Vision, I got a bandit on my six..." Rhodes reaches for backup. I watched miniature eruptions surround Rhodes who successfully dodged them all. I looked back at Vision who's still locked eyes with Wanda.

"Vision," I called out. I tilted my head toward the men in the sky, hinting at his next move. Without hesitation, another beam struck out from the stone. I watched it fly across the sky, heading straight for Sam until he retracted his wings enough for him to drop from it's reach. My eyes widened as the beam shot past him and straight for Rhodes. I froze in shock for a second before clutching my chest.

"Tony, I'm a flying dead stick..." I heard him barely verbalize through the comms as both Stark and Wilson flew down to catch him. There's no way they'd make it on time. I forced myself to stand and pushed myself forward. I stumbled after a couple steps, gritting my teeth. Every bone in my body ached as I ran. My chest was tight, the air felt thin. I'm not fast enough. I have to make it. I leaped forward, shifting into the only form of myself I knew could save him.

I thrusted myself forward with all fours, taking advantage of the speed. I could almost reach him. The texture beneath my paws suddenly change, being on the grass now. I have a chance. I leaped in the air, diving into Rhodey. I caught him, breaking his fall with my form. We crashed into the ground, rolling until we came to a halt. For a moment there was a relief. But the impact was severe.

Tony's pov

"Rhodes!" I immediately ripped the face of the suit, revealing Rhodes in practically perfect condition.

"I'm fine. I actually don't feel a thing..."

I snapped my head at Jess who didn't seem to be moving. I panicked and rushed over to check her vitals. The suit scanned over her canine form. I could barely see her rib cage rise, breaths weak and slow.

"Come on..."

"Emergency medical is on its way," Friday informed.

"Tony... I think she's still absorbing it. For all of us."

I looked up at Rhodes who got himself to sit up. How did I let it get this far?

***
Monroe's POV

I held my rib cage, grunting through gritted teeth. My head pounded as the ringing of the machine intensified. Once the scan was complete, I was moved into an isolated room to rest as low whispers were made to Tony and Rhodes about my current condition. Vision had been scolded on his lack of focus and for whatever reason, Nat wasn't here to ground me back to earth. 

"How you holdin' up?" Rhodes asked, leaning on the door frame. I only lifted my head up, enough to see Nat hadn't joined him.

"I've been better. The impact didn't take, did it?" 

"Not a scratch on me, thanks to you," he smiled. I let out a relieved sigh as I let my head fall back, staring straight at the ceiling. "What's gonna happen to her?"

I didn't have to look back up at Rhodey to know his guilt was peeking through.

"Look, I know you and Nat are close. But she let them go, Jess."

I immediately darted my eyes at his, "You can't be serious..."

"Jess-"

"She's not getting locked up like the rest of them. She stays with me," I forced myself to sit up and began pulling at the needles hooked on me. I swung my legs over to hang from the edge of the bed until Rhodey placed his hands on either side of my shoulder.

"T'challa told Ross what she did-"

"Let me go."

"If you interfere, they'll arrest you too."

"Then let them," I spoke with my jaws clenched in anger. I shoved his hands off me, grabbing a bag that was set on the table with my stuff inside. I walked out looking for a bathroom, leaving Rhodey with no hesitation. Once I had changed back into my clothes, I reached out for the knob of the door until reality set in on injuries. I pressed up against the door, using it as leverage. I took a moment to take a breather before shaking it off and swinging the door open, only to reveal T'challa blocking my way.

"She's gone."