(MCU) Forged Reality: Chapter 15 - Early start

Chapter 15 - Early start

Summary: With tensions rising and old loyalties tested, Tony begins laying the foundations for a war he hoped he’d never have to fight.

Tony was sitting in his office, and Rhodey was pacing right in front of him, much to Tony's exhaustion.

Rhodey, on the other hand, was furious with himself. "How didn't I notice? It's my damn job."

Tony sighed and tried once again to calm his best friend. "No one expected you to follow Steve's every step."

Rhodey shot him an annoyed look—whether he was annoyed at him or himself, Tony couldn't say. "I was charged to be the army's liaison in the Avengers; that's the only reason I'm on the team to begin with."

Tony knew it, of course; that's why he didn't take any insult when Rhodey stayed on the team after he was kicked out. Rhodey brought Pietro over a couple of hours ago, and the Maximoff twin relayed a message from his sister.

Apparently, Wanda managed to find out a big part of the secret Steve was trying to keep from him—especially from him, according to the magic user—which struck Tony as odd. He personally had no connection to Barnes. Howard did mention him a couple of times, but like everyone else, he believed Barnes was dead, and that was it.

Why was Steve so intent on keeping Tony from this little mission of his? Did he want the full credit for saving his friend? And what did he think would happen if he did find him? The government wouldn't exactly rush to pardon a brainwashed terrorist who was responsible for how many murders, including a former president.

Tony guessed it was a problem to be figured out if it showed up.

Rhodey, meanwhile, frowned and asked, "Why the hell should you fund his little search mission? Or the team in general if he kicked you off?"

Tony scowled at Rhodey, long past this question. "You know why. You know what's coming; we will need as much manpower as we can muster. And as annoying as they are, their experience and strength are valuable." He then sighed heavily. "And anyway, soon enough they will be the UN's problem; I can hold off for that long."

Rhodey sat down across from Tony's desk and leaned forward on it. "I don't like it. You might be right, but on the other side, the Avengers won't be enough; we will need more, and Rogers refuses to recruit to even their ranks."

Tony nodded gravely. "I wish Steve would listen to me and do some interviews; I have some candidates I tried to recommend to him, but he dismissed me quickly."

Rhodey's stare gained a hard glint to it, and he said in a heavy tone, "Don't play dumb with me, Tony. We both know war, and we both know armies. I think it should be clear as day what is going on."

It was. Tony was trying to push the thought away, not wanting to believe it. But with Rhodey shoving it in his face, it was undeniable. Steve was building an army that would be loyal to him within the Avengers, and from Wanda's report, it looked like he was building it to go against Tony specifically.

Tony had to put his face in his palm and ask out loud, "But why?"

Rhodey leaned further onto the table and said heavily, "It doesn't matter. All we can do in this regard is wait and see if Ms. Maximoff will bring any new info. What we do need is to start preparing for war as well; can't allow the meathead to catch us with our pants down."

Tony pulled his face away and asked, "We?"

Rhodey snorted and said in a tone that made what he was saying sound obvious, "Did you really think I would be on anyone else's side? You are like my little brother; it doesn't matter if I have to take on an army of aliens or Captain America—I will stand right next to you."

Tony felt his heart warming at the sentiment. It was moments like this he remembered that no matter what this world threw at him, there was one person he could always count on. Shaking his head back into reality, "What do you suggest we do?"

Rhodey sighed in exasperation of his own before saying, "I know you have a few plans to evolve the Avengers Initiative."

Tony raised an eyebrow at the other man. "So? Steve is not going to listen to me."

Rhodey smirked. "And why ask him? You own the Avengers label. Let him run around the world and build up his little group; meanwhile, we will build a foundation for something much bigger. Do you really think the UN will leave him in charge?"

Tony was surprised by the question. "Why wouldn't they? If they try to remove him, the public will be enraged."

Rhodey looked at him oddly before asking, outraged, "You weren't following the polls lately?"

Tony tilted his head. "Not for a while. Didn't see the point."

Rhodey shook his head in disappointment before calling out, "Friday, if you will please."

Before Tony could object, Friday's Irish-tilted voice spoke, "Of course, Colonel-man." A holographic screen then appeared before Tony.

Before he could even get a chance to read it, Friday was already reporting everything. "As of right now, the statistics in the US are leaning more toward Captain America with 59 percent in his favor and 38 percent to you. There are 3 percent that would prefer if the Avengers didn't exist at all."

Tony shrugged; he figured things would be like that. Actually, he thought his numbers would be much lower. Who thought there would be so many people wanting to see him leading the Avengers?

Friday, as it turned out, wasn't finished quite yet. The chart on his screen was replaced by another one with much different numbers. "Outside of the US, however, is an entirely different story. Captain America is left far behind with 30 percent, while Iron Man is far above with 60, and there is a high number of 10 percent that wish to discontinue the Avengers entirely."

Tony was surely taken aback by that info. Who knew outside of the country he had so much support? Or was it that the Captain America mantle had only so much effect inside of the US? It's not hard to imagine some international individuals wouldn't like the idea of the literal American symbol being the head of a group like the Avengers that operates on a global scale.

Rhodey smiled widely. "You see. I think it would be a good idea if we gather up a team of our own in case it comes down to blows with Rogers."

Tony sighed—he did that a lot today—before saying, "It won't be so easy to do it under the radar."

Rhodey hummed. "Probably not; Romanoff will be keeping tabs on you to make sure you don't get any anti-Avengers ideas, but that doesn't mean she is going to think you are building your own team."

Tony smirked at his best friend. "You are counting on her arrogance to blind her, which I admit is the most likely thing to happen."

Rhodey smirked in return when suddenly Friday spoke, "Boss, you have an emergency incoming call from Christine Palmer."

Tony frowned; he could guess what this was about, but he was still worried, especially when he heard Christine's frantic voice. "Tony, thank you for answering."

Tony used the gentlest tone he could. "Christine. I take it something happened with Stephen."

The woman's voice was still on the verge of panic, but it also had a small edge of relief. "So you heard?"

Tony frowned even more. "Of course. I tried calling him, but he kept sending me to voicemail."

Christine sounded upset when she said, "Of course he did. Did you hear about his last obsession? He blew all his money on those experimental surgeries, and now..."

Tony wanted to calm down the distraught girlfriend. "You don't have to worry, Chris; I will cover his living expenses, no issue."

Christine sighed before speaking, "It's kind of you, Tony, really; it's more than that asshole deserves, to be honest. But that's not the issue. He bought a ticket to Tibet with the little money he had left, and now I'm worried."

Tony's frown turned into a scowl. What the hell do you think you are doing, Strange? Getting religious now, and in Tibet at that? You just have to add to my headaches. Still, he remained calm as he said, "I will have Friday keep an eye out for him; if she spots him, I will get him a ticket straight home."

Christine let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you so much, Tony. It means a lot that you are still willing to help him."

Tony smiled a little. "Even if our friendship is a little strained in the last few years, we are still friends, and I watch out for mine." If he was in a cartoon, Tony was sure a lightbulb would have appeared above his head right now. "By the way, I heard the hospital is giving you some troubles."

She let out a bitter laugh. "Can't really blame them, can I? What would you do if one of your top employees suddenly started to go off work every other day, sometimes without early notice? I guess that's what I get for sticking with Stephen."

Tony immediately reprimanded her. "You should never feel bad for protecting someone you love, Chris. Stephen is in a bad place, and he's trying to push you away; I would know—I was there."

Christine let out another deep sigh—seemed to be contagious today. "You are right; I guess I'm just angry in general, and it's easy to take it out on him right now."

Tony nodded. "I get it. But I do have an offer that can help us both. I'm planning to create a new department in SI, a medical department."

Christine's voice went from depressed to excited. "That's a great idea. With resources like SI's, a medical department will be able to achieve a lot. How can I help?"

Tony smiled widely and delivered the request in his usual dramatic fashion, which caused Rhodey to roll his eyes with a fond smile. "Let me hire you as the co-head of it."

There was a long moment of silence. "Are you serious right now? Is this for real?"

Tony chuckled a little, finding the situation amusing. "Of course I am, as real as the department itself, at least."

Tony could hear the frown Christine was wearing on her face as she asked carefully, "Not that I don't need the job, because honestly, I do. But are you sure the head is the right place for me? I mean, you have Dr. Cho; you have been working with her for a while now—wouldn't she be the better choice?"

Tony kept on smiling. "You might have missed me saying co-head. I intend for you and Helen to work together on it. She's still recovering from the entire Ultron ordeal and can use some help around. And I can think of no one with more experience, kindness, intelligence, and dedication for the work than you."

Christine sounded embarrassed for some reason as she responded, "I... I... Wow, Tony, thanks. I didn't know you thought so highly of me." The cheerfulness returned to her voice as she said, "I would love to join your department."

Tony spread his arms dramatically, which earned him an odd look from Rhodey. Yes, he knew she couldn't see him; he just couldn't help it. "Welcome to SI, Dr. Christine Palmer."

"I..." There were some voices on the other side of the line before Christine's voice came back. "Shit. Got to go and take care of something. Talk with you later, Tony." With that, the line went dead.

Rhodey looked at Tony with a smirk. "Well, you didn't take long to take action, now did you?"

Tony shrugged. "What can I say? I seize the opportunities I see." His voice then turned more serious. "You are right; whatever it is Rogers is playing with, we can't help it, but we can be ready to deal with the results of it when the time comes."

Rhodey smiled widely and proudly at Tony and said, "That's what I'm talking about; let's get an early start on this shit show."