A mile in my shoes

Chapter 26

Steve rushed into the fight to protect his family as best he could. Despite being vastly outnumbered, he knew he had to defend them as best he could. The fight for justice had never been an easy path, but it was precisely that challenge that made it all the more meaningful. There was something about Stark that had never sat right with Steve from the very beginning. He couldn't help but feel that Tony's father, Howard, would be deeply ashamed of his son's choices and actions. Howard had known the hardships of life and had fought tooth and nail to build his empire, but Tony seemed to have taken his inherited wealth for granted, doing little to earn more or contribute to the world.

While Tony was labelled a genius, he lacked a crucial understanding of the struggles faced by the ordinary people, the "little guys," who fought each day just to survive. Unlike Steve, Tony had never been forced to fight for his life against formidable adversaries, shielded by his wealth and privilege. It was this fundamental difference in their experiences that caused an irreparable clash in their perspectives, making it nearly impossible for them to see eye to eye. Steve wished Tony would not bring the entire world down with him.

On her side of the courtyard, Wanda had a triumphant smile, harnessing her powers. Tony Stark had been a constant source of frustration and pain for her. Nobody could blame her for putting an end to Stark's strange vengeance against her.Being responsible for the deaths of her parents and brother was obviously not enough for him, he had also turned her new and beloved home into a suffocating prison. A gilded cage might seem alluring to some, but Wanda knew all too well that it was still a cage, restricting her freedom in every way.

"Clint! Stop!"

Natasha Romanoff was not engaging in the battle like the rest of her team. Steve wasn't exactly surprised by her approach to the events. After all, Natasha was a seasoned spy, always seeking out an advantageous position and willing to bend the truth if necessary. The moment Steve noticed she was working side jobs while on their missions, he should have distrust her more. Yet, he had always been someone who believed in second chances. Not third ones.

Steve firmly believed that in the end, the righteous would triumph over evil. This was how it was supposed to be. If not now, History would see him for who he truly was. He was a true hero. Governments might attempt to suppress the truth, but Steve was convinced that no political force could permanently conceal the light of justice. He knew that despite the powerful individuals with hidden agendas sitting at their desks, others with courage and conviction would unveil the hidden truths and bring them to light.

The fight was short lived. Clint could have subdue Tony Stark in a couple of seconds, but they had to admit that the armour presented a formidable challenge. Iron Man had always been recommended. To make matters worse, it became apparent that half of their usual arsenal was rendered utterly ineffective against their creator. Hawkeye's trusty arrows had been carefully crafted by Tony himself. The genius was never making the same mistakes twice. What he had made, he could undo even from afar. Tony never played fair, so typical of him. As for the Black Widow's bites, they were likely rendered useless as well, but Natasha wasn't currently in the mindset for a fight.

"You're a coward, Stark! Fight like a real man! Without that armour, you're nothing!" Clint yelled, his anger palpable, staring down Tony.

The Rogue Avengers knew that if they could rely on one weakness in Tony Stark, it was his colossal ego. They had learned from experience that a well-placed taunt could provoke him into acting exactly as they desired. Natasha knew how to manipulate someone to her own gain, and she had learned everything she needed to know about Stark during her furrow undercover mission she had once done in Stark Industries.

"Come on, Stark! Are you scared to face us without your precious toys?" Clint continued, goading Tony further.

Once again, it worked beautifully.