Shadowbreath: The New Avenger

Chapter 11

Edit 02/01

"No. No, of course that new clause can't be changed, or removed, or whatever you leeches are trying to do with it." Tony snapped, his fist clenched beneath the conference room table. He leaned back in his leather chair and glared at the holographic participants of the meeting.

Ross clicked his tongue disapprovingly and tapped his holographic tablet with a pen. "I can't allow the Avengers free reign in any case, no matter how dire the situation is. That kind of power must be contained!"

A few murmurs of agreement settled around the table, but Tony picked up on a few side-eye glances in Ross' direction. Interesting , not everyone agreed with the power-hungry Secretary. Good to know.

"I'm sorry, I think you are forgetting a little alien invasion that happened eight years ago? The world needs 'Earth's Mightiest Heroes' to protect it against threats that could wipe out the entire human race." Tony narrowed his eyes, driving the point home. "Because of your original terms, the Avengers are scattered, and Earth is at risk. Again . It's only a matter of time before some monster or alien race comes to threaten us again. When that happens, you need us. Together. And I can guarantee you that the Avengers won't even consider signing unless the Accords have the highlighted reforms."

"You want us to trust a couple of war criminals?" Ross argued.

Tony rolled his eyes, blatantly ignoring the painful churning in his stomach as he thought about Steve. "I still can't believe you made Captain America a war criminal, for christ's sake. Whose brilliant idea was that? Barnes didn't plant the bomb, and you know it. There's evidence of that now. If you want us all , you will need to agree to drop all charges against my team." The holographic board members fidgeted in their chairs, clearly uncomfortable. Good . "We can agree to play by the world's rules when it makes sense to, but the second humanity is threatened, we reserve the right to protect Earth as we see fit. The Avengers do not answer to one country's government, and that's something you all need to understand."

He pointed to his tablet, highlighting the specific clause that would allow the Avengers to be what they were always meant to be. "Either you agree to this, along with the other reforms, or you will be powerless when the next disaster comes. You need us, and we are willing to work with you." Tony gave them his best Tony Stark smile, "Do the right thing here, gentleman."

XX

Peter stepped out of the elevator, looking around for Tony. The billionaire had sent Peter a text late last night telling him that Happy would be waiting to pick him up at the apartment at eight am sharp. Apparently he wanted Peter at the compound this morning for some reason.

"Er, Tony?" He asked hesitantly, walking through the dining room into the kitchen.

Pepper and Tony were toasting their champagne flutes filled with what looked like mimosas when Peter found them. The billionaire had dark circles under his eyes, like he went thirty-six hours without sleep...again. However, despite his obvious exhaustion, he had a bright twinkle in his eye, and he was smiling brightly at Pepper. When they turned to see Peter, both of their faces lit up even more. Seeing them made something within his chest blossom with thrumming warmth. He decided he liked it when they looked at him like that.

"There you are kid! Get over here, we're celebrating!" Tony gestured for Peter to come close, and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Pepper leaned down to give him a kiss on the cheek, causing Peter to flush with embarrassment. He really liked Pepper, and she had been calling him every other day to check in to see how he was doing.

"What's all this about?" He asked, leaning into Tony's touch.

Pepper and Tony grinned at each other again, "Last night, Tony was able to finally, finally get the United Nations' approval to move forward on the Sokovia Accords reforms that we've been pushing for the past four months."