The Equivalents

41. Press.

The Avengers/Justice League/Batfamily had no idea that their time was now running out. Their three friends were still alive, but the villains holding them hostage were plotting big ways to kill them. They were on the clock now. They didn't know if they would last two weeks or two hours. But the villains wouldn't do anything small. They would be plotting some big elaborate scheme to torture them before they died and torture their friends after they were gone. Still, there was no exact amount of time that it would take to come up with such a scheme. It could take days, weeks, or in the worst case scenario, seconds. And even if they did do it in seconds, it would still take time to get everything together and what not. But the point is that they could kill Bucky, Peter, and Jason very soon. So the heroes would have to be able to find them quickly, or face finding their bodies.

On top of them not having any clue what their one lead meant, the press had been dying to get to Tony and ask a few questions. When Tony finally couldn't avoid it anymore, he had to address the press and see what they wanted.

"Mr. Stark! There have been sightings of new superheroes tagging along with the regulars of New York. Are the Avengers getting new team members?" A man asked.

"There are some new people who will be working with us for some time, but only temporary." Tony said.

"Mr. Stark! The fight that took place in Queens four weeks ago ended in chaos. Where were the rest of the Avengers?" One woman asked.

"The Avengers were following a lead to try and find the criminals responsible. We came however as soon as we heard of the disturbance." Tony answered. Hoping they wouldn't pry too much more.

"Mr. Stark!" Another woman yelled. "Is it true that some of the Avengers and their new allies, including Queens' own Spider-man, have gone missing?"

Tony didn't know how to answer that. They were already having a hard enough time as it was trying to fix the problem. The last thing they needed was the press to find out. For people to start boycotting the Avengers for not finding their own teammates. For people to try and help and possibly get themselves killed. For panic to arise because if these criminals could take out the heroes they could take out anyone. But he knew if he lied to them, the people and the government would lose trust in the Avengers. They would think they lied to make themselves look like better heroes without hearing the reason why they lied. Without caring that they were trying to protect the other people and not just themselves. So... what was he supposed to say?

"Spider-man... Spider-man and two other heroes have gone MIA." Tony stated. "We're doing everything we can to find them. We know who has them, but not where they are."

"Mr. Stark, if your heroes can't keep themselves safe, how are they going to protect us? And if they can't protect us, are they actually 'heroes'?" The same woman continued.

Tony wanted to smart off something like, 'Don't see you doing anything out there.' But he knew that would only make the situation worse.

"The attack on Queens was an ambush. They were heavily outnumbered and outgunned. And yet my guys still managed to save everyone. Yes, several people were injured. But not one person died that day." Tony said. "Those same young men didn't stop protecting those people. They kept fighting until the bad guys took out each and every one of them. And now, who knows what's happening to them. But I know they wouldn't have changed anything if it meant one innocent person died." Tony continued. "If that's not a hero, than what is?"

That seemed to shut the woman right up. Good job, Tony.

"Do you have any leads as to where the missing heroes are?" A man asked.

"I'm afraid I have to keep that information confidential." Tony said. "Sorry folks, but I gotta go. If anyone has any information about the Green Goblin, Red Skull, a crazy clown, or any other weirdo, be sure to contact one of my associates." Tony then suited up in a nanotech suit and flew off.

The next day, the newspapers all had the same headline. Or something similar to it.

Bruce Banner came in to the kitchen with one of said papers. Tony, Steve, Natasha, Clint, Bruce W, and Clark were already in there.

"Well, Tony certainly shed some light on the situation." Bruce B sighed as he threw the paper down on the table.

Spider-man kidnapped!
Spider-man along with two other Avengers go missing after trying to stop an attack on Queens, New York, confirms Tony Stark.

"Are they all like that?" Clark asked.

"All except for the Daily Bugle." Bruce B then threw that paper on the table too.

Spider-man attacks again!?!?
Spider-man disappears after attack on Queens, New York. Maybe he's the one to blame?!?!

"Figures." Clint laughed.

"So what's gonna happen when our bad guys see this?" Nat asked.

"Hopefully nothing drastic." Steve said.

"But maybe something dramatic." Bruce W stated. "Joker and Goblin are the type to put on a show. If they see this, they might come back out into the light."

"How long do you think that will take?" Tony asked.

"However long it takes for them to come up with whatever mascarade they think of." Bruce W answered. "Could be hours, could be weeks."

"We don't have weeks." Clint said. "Everyday that passes on is another day innocent people are in danger. Not to mention our own guys."

"What do you want to do, Clint?" Bruce W questioned. "We don't know where they are. We don't know what are only credible lead means. We don't know when or where they could strike again. What do you think we should do?"

Clint said nothing. "You're right. I just feel like we're not doing enough."

"We all do, Clint. But right now, there's not much we can do except wait and try and figure out what some pizza parlor has to do with all of this." Steve replied. "But we'll figure it out. We always do."