Iron Beta 3: What to do When your World Explodes

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

If I die, Coulson gets my Harry Potter books.

I blink as the thought passes through my head, surprisingly the only non-panic thing as I stare up at an all-sliver, slim, definitely female version of Iron Man and Iron Beta.

She turns her head, the movement startling me into action. I instantly grab my dad and dive behind one of the tables that looks the least like Swiss cheese.

"You fools!" Steel laughs. "You poor, petty fools. I hold the power here. All of it, mine. I am the real hero! I have more honor than these old frauds ever will. I have the brains of Hulk, Iron Man, and Iron Beta combined. I have the strength of Capitan America, the aim of Hawkeye, and the stealth of Black Widow. Why do you need six heroes when you have me? Rise, minions, and follow my command!"

Yeah, all of that is quite unlikely, lady.

I can hear whispers float across the ship, agents scurrying and scuffling like mice inside walls.

Please do not let them go over, please do not let that happen...

"Are you insane?"

I freeze and peek over the table to see the tech I inadvertently saved from my mother earlier standing with his hands on his hips, one foot and hip jutted out in a classic diva pose.

"No, scratch that, I know you are. We do not need or want you here, if that was not clear already. Our heroes are the Avengers, not their washed up, old, insane exes. We will join you the day Capitan America goes to jail for kicking puppies and Iron Man vows never to drink again. Long live Avengers!" he shouts, rallying a cheer from the agents starting to rise around him.

I immediately scramble so that I am crouched next to Steve. "The loyalty is nice and all," I hiss, "but where is our plan?!"

Steve fixes me with an incredulous look. "Again, I do not have one!" he whispers indignantly. "I do not always have a plan! Just...just go and fight and do not die, alright?"

"Right." I agree, taking deep breaths. "Right. We can do this. We got this. We are the Avengers. Earth's Mightiest Heroes. And if we can't save the earth-"

"From my estranged, insane, ex and the mother of my child-" my dad mutters.

"-you can be damn sure we will avenge it." I finish with a nod at my dad, pouring as much determination and nobility into my voice as I could.

"I see why the girls followed you through Australia." Steve mutters with admiration gleaming in his eyes.

I smile. "So who is going to go out there with me and help me kick some iron butt?"

They all grin, and then my dad sticks a hand out from next to me. I stack my hand on his, Clint on top of mine, then Natasha, Bruce, Thor, and finally Steve tops the pile.

"One."

My dad and I awkwardly hug around my bow.

"Two."

Clint and I kiss quickly, hopefully not for the last time.

"Three! Go!" We all whisper shout, priming and locking our weapons and tensing every muscle in our bodies.

We stand and leap over the table almost simultaneously, scattering slightly to cover the entire battlefield.

"Hey! Iron Wacko!" I shout unto the crowd. "Come out come out wherever you are!"

I do not get a response; then again, I was not truly expecting one. So instead I settle on releasing an explosive arrow towards a line of HYDRA agents, turning and walking casually away as I press the trigger.