My Allegiance (3)

Chapter 25

(Aircraft, Stark's POV)

Everyone looks exhausted. Things definitely didn't go the way we'd expected. Well, Ultron was already there with the twins which didn't surprise us too much, but half the team got taken out by Wanda's witchy fingers. And because of her, because of whatever the hell she did to Banner, half of the city got destroyed.

Stupid Rogers and his pride. Won't admit when he's wrong. We needed y/n out there and he knows we did, he just doesn't want to say it.

So we're airborne at the moment, but I don't know where the hell we're going. Barton has us practically cruising through the sky.

Banner is curled up with a blanket around him, finally back in his human form and feeling incredibly guilty for what he did. He's not speaking to anyone, which I can understand. We all get it, this is the first time that the Hulk has been exposed like that to the world, and no doubt there'll be some people after him.

Thor, Rogers and Romanoff all seem to be off in their own little world. I don't know exactly what Wanda did to them, but she's messed their heads up pretty badly.

There's the familiar ringing sound of an incoming video call, and I answer the thing with a sigh.

"The news is loving you guys," says Maria Hill's irritating voice. "Nobody else is though. There's been no official call for Banner's arrest, but it's definitely in the air. So if that happens, just let the authorities take him without a fight, or else you'll make things even worse."

"The Stark Relief Foundation?"

Another one of my projects designed as a peacekeeping tool and relief group for situations like these.

"They're already on the scene. How's the team?"

"We uh, we took a hit today. But we'll shake it off."

"Well for now I'd suggest staying away from New York. Go into stealth mode, lie low for a bit. Just stay out of the public eye."

"That's your plan? You want us to run and hide?"

"Until we can find Ultron, I don't have much else I can offer."

"Right. Got it," I end the call with another sigh, then move up to the front of the ship. "Hey Barton, wanna switch out?"

"Nah I'm good. If you want a few hours of kip then now's a good time. We're still a few hours away."

"What? From where?"

"I know a safe house."

"Well where is it?"

"You'll see," he says, then waves me away from the controls.

"Alright alright. I'm going."

I grab blankets from a hold above my head, and I go hand them round to everyone. Banner declines a second one so I keep it for myself.

But there's one more thing I need to do before I can rest.

I pull my phone out from the compartment where I'd stored it earlier, and I hit speed dial.

"What happened? How is everyone? Did you win?" She picks up on the second ring.

"We're fine, sort of. We're all still alive."

"Okay great. Then why the fuck did it take so long for anyone to get in touch? It's been hours."

"I know kid, I'm sorry. Didn't really have much choice though, we were pretty tied up."

"Well as long as everyone's alright, I guess that's what matters," she says. "So what happened then?"

"Ultron already had the vibranium when we got there, and he had the twins with him."

"Oh god."

"Yeah. It's alright though, we kinda expected them to be there. But they got the better of us, took out half of us. Clint managed to put Wanda down for a bit, but then her brother came in and got her out. Then....."

"What is it? What happened?"

"Don't suppose you've been watching the news have you?"

"No, why?"

"Uh, we kinda destroyed a city in South Africa."

"What?? How the fuck did you manage that?"

"I'll explain fully later, okay? Just know that it was all an accident."

"Alright. And Ultron?"

"He got away with the vibranium. But we'll find him."

"I know you will. Just all of you come back safe okay? When should I expect you?"

"Yeah, that was the other thing."

"....... What is it?"

"We uh, we can't come back just yet. Not to New York. We need to stay under the radar until everything's died down."

"So where are you going?"

"I don't actually know. Barton knows of a safe house somewhere, but he's not telling us exactly where it is."

"Okay. And when will you be back?"

"I don't know. Whenever it's safe I guess. We're waiting for an update from Hill, then we'll know."

"And what about me?" She asks quietly.

"I don't know what to tell you kid, I really don't. I can't give you a location because I don't know where we're going. I think the best thing for you to do is to stay at the Tower with Loki alright? As much as I hate it, I know he'll keep you safe if anything happens."

"I can look after myself."

"I know. But he's there as well alright? You're not alone, so if anything were to actually happen-"

"You mean if he found me."

I sigh, "Yeah. He probably knows where you are, in fact he's probably got tabs on all of us. So he'll know we're not there, and if there was a time to strike then it'd be now. So stay near Loki and just hold tight until we get back, alright? I'll try and keep you updated."

"You better try damn hard Tin Man."

"I will. I promise."