Prisoner Of The Spandexians (Leo Valdez Meets The Avengers)

Rebuilding Festus

TONY POV
Leo showed us the remains of his metal dragon. Me and him are trying to rebuild it. Leo wired the last piece, and then the eyes lit up. It was dim at first, but slowly the eyes lit up like dim car headlights. He stood up slowly.

Leo grinned, "Festus?"

Festus smirked, and Leo ran and hugged his neck yelling the dragon's name. Festus leaned down, bringing his giant head and wings around Leo, like he was hugging him.

He The dragon grinned, and moved his jaw, making creaking sounds. Leo seemed to understand.

"Yep, boy you're back. I didn't do it alone this time." Leo said with a grand smile.

The dragon turned to me, and looked at Leo and creaked his jaw.

"Yes, boy, we can have motor oil and Tabasco sauce later, and yes this man helped me rebuild you, seeing as your control was busted. His name is Tony Stark." Leo gestured to me, "Tony meet Festus."

"Hey, Leo, how do you understand him?" Tony asked.

"I'm sure a genius like yourself will be able to figure it out by listening to the creaks he makes with his jaw." Leo said, his eyes twinkling with a light I'd never seen before. The dragon smiled and turned to me, making freaks. I began to see a pattern. Leo smirked as I tapped the pattern on my leg. I recognized the pattern. Morse code.

I translated it.

Can you understand me?

I smirked, "Yes, I can. Festus. I can understand you."

The dragon looked so happy. He started dancing around on his pad, and shot fire into the air.

He understands! Leo he can hear me! No one but you, Leo, had understood me in 20 thousand years! I'm not just a mindless beast to everyone anymore! I'm a somebody! I got a name, I was saved, I was finally fixed, I was freed, I was given a purpose, I was understood by you, but now! Now there is more than one person who knows I'm not a soulless mindless machine beast! Now I can say I have friends! With an S at the end!

Leo tapped something back on his desk, smiling widely.

I missed you. I missed you so much. I didn't think I was going to get you fixed! I was so scared I'd lost you forever! Festus, if I could I'd bring you all the friends in the world, there's more people, I'm not sure they know Morse code, but me and Tony will translate. It's the most I can do, old friend.

I smiled and tapped a message on the nearby wall.

Look, I might not know you too well, but I think you're gonna be a great friend. I'll definitely help translate, and I'll try to be a good friend.

Leo looked at Me, a smile on his face, with happy tears falling down his slightly pudgy Latino cheeks.

"Thank you." He whispered to me.

"No problem," I smiled.

We walked off to get the other Avengers.

The very people who were currently in a fight about whether Lays or Pringles were better.

Some things never change.