Avengers: Legacies

Change of Leadership

After Tait and Sigyn were questioned by Maria, Tony Stark had made a scene entering the Helicarrier. Every gun was trained on him as he ambled his way inside. Agents peered at him in awe when he walked past, having only heard stories and rumors about the Invincible Iron Man and the genius that created him. His armor whirred as it detracted from his body and converted into a circular red device. He plucked it off his chest and tucked it away into his suit inner jacket pocket.

Tony had been worn down by age. His salt-and-pepper hair had grown out and his goatee-mustache was almost completely white. The wrinkles around his eyes and lips had been from years of grimacing and sorrow. His eyes had lost the vivacity that used to reside there when he got inspired or into a teasing mood. When his sight landed on his new team of heroes, some of that liveliness came back. He was excited. He just had to make sure he didn't get carried away.

Upon entering the conference room, he immediately honed in on the Rogers-Romanov twins. James had the same potential that his father had had in leading the new team, but so didn't Rosalie. He had taken the time to read up on both of them from the files that Maria had sent his way. But James was far too stubborn and arrogant and sometimes didn't play well with others. Rosalie was too closed off and did better in smaller groups which this team was not. Besides, it was clear that she and Barton were like the reincarnates of their parents, both working well together like a well-oiled machine. It would be sacrilege to split them up. He picked up on all of this as he entered the room.

James sat with his arms crossed and leaned back in his chair, glaring down Tait from across the table. The prince of Asgard pretended not to care and stared out the glass walls into the monitor room below. Rosalie occupied the seat next to her brother where she was bickering with Barton in sign language. He couldn't pick up what they were saying; they were signing too fast. Sigyn and Azura conversed casually with one another while Pym sat between them, completely captivated by the fact that Tony Stark was standing in the same room as him.

"Alright, kiddos, time to listen up," he piped up, causing the teenagers to hush their side conversations and focus on the veteran Avenger. They followed his movements as he made his way to the head of the table. He plopped down next to James and winked at him. James scowled back. Tony chuckled inwardly. The boy was just like his old man.

"I know you might have some questions. I know that you're scared, uncertain, frustrated, and a little messed up over the fact that your lives have completely flipped upside down on you. I will try my best to be there for you. I will guide you and oversee your efforts in retrieving your parents while making sure you receive the best training there is to offer. I will be bringing in some help to do just that." He paused and glanced at the vacant faces around him. He sighed. "Tough crowd. I understand. But listen, I need this team to function efficiently and that means there needs to be some form of leadership in order for that to happen. I can't always be there holding your guys' hands. One of you needs to be calling the shots. I had the chance to read all of your files and have come to the conclusion that James would be the best kid for the job."

He gestured to a shocked James. The poor kid was white as a sheet.

"Oh, Mr. Stark, I don't know. I'm not--"

Rosalie elbowed her brother in the ribs to shut him up.

"He'll do it," she said, winking at James. He shook his head, about to protest when Tait made an unexpected interruption.

The prince of Asgard stood abruptly, knocking back his chair. He pressed his palms into the tabletop and scowled at James. The newly elected leader shifted back in his chair. He could detect the hostility in Tait's gaze. Sigyn attempted to persuade him to sit down, but he ignored her pleas.