The World Watches
Tony takes off towards Novi Grad with a heavy heart. Leaving the team, he had hoped would be his family behind. Rhodey comes up beside him, and he looks over at his best friend.
“It’s for the best, isn’t it?” There’s a part of him that doubts his choices, that wants to fly back and apologize.
“Yeah,” Rhodey says, with unshakeable confidence. “It’s for the best.” Tony takes a breath, in, and out.
“Friday, scan for signs of life.” He orders, “Contact anyone working on search and rescue, let them know the Hulk is coming to help out.” A lights array scans over the ground.
“Life signs detected, analyzing the best way to move debris,” Friday says. And the array shows Tony how the debris is piled up. As a pair they begin to lift debris, careful not to cause anything to fall.
“Hello,” A small voice greets in Sokovian. “Who’s there?” Friday is quick to translate for them.
“I’m Tony, I’m going to get you out, okay,” Tony calls out. “I need you to stay very still.”
“Okay.” The voice says, and Tony moves a piece of concrete to reveal a child’s face.
“What happened?” Rhodey asks, as they slowly move debris. The child blinks at him.
“There was shouting and shooting, and I was scared, I hid.” The kid explains. “The ground was shaking, and we’re supposed to hide if the ground shakes, under tables, that’s what my teacher says.”
“Your teacher is very smart.” Tony says. They manage to get enough space to pull the kid out. “Friday, find me somewhere our friend can get some first aid.” Tony requests, lifting the child into his arms. They look to be about eight years old, covered in dirt, with tear tracks down their face.
“Head north Sir.” Friday plots a path, and Tony cradles the kid as he flies.
The kid ends up being one of the days few successes. A broken arm, a tear-stained face, a survivor. Many others aren’t so lucky, and the one’s they find alive don’t feel incredibly lucky. The capitol city of Sokovia, destroyed in its entirety.
The Hulk arrives, in the afternoon, and transforms back into Bruce, helping out in any way he can. Rhodey and Tony work with search and rescue teams, scanning for signs of life and pointing people in the right direction. There are photos taken of the three of them, dirty, and exhausted.
Iron Search and Rescue
Doctor Hulk: Sokovia Updates
Hydra Witch helped Ultron destroy Sokovia
Death Count Rising Where is Captain America?
Unbeknownst to those working in the field the headlines are rolling in. Showing Ironman, War Machine, and Bruce Banner doing everything they can to help the people of Sokovia in the wake of this calamity. Nearly every article asks, where are the Avengers, where is Captain America? Where are the other heroes?
Rampant speculation that the Captain died in battle takes over America, while others speculate that Captain America simply doesn’t care about people outside of America.
While the heroes work on the ground, a witch hunt begins. Evidence piling up, of the Hydra Witch influencing the Avenger, working with the robot that attempted to destroy the world. Just as speculation reaches its peak, footage comes out of the Hulk, eyes glowing red as he attacks Johannesburg.
“237,” Tony says, as he finds another one alive, another person who might not have lived. He’s trying not to count the bodies they’ve found. He’s trying not to think of the 347 bodies. Search and rescue is only the first step.
“237,” Rhodey says. Tony’s UI lights up with a phone call.
“Hello?” He answers, attempting some of his usual cheer. It’s hard, in the face of everything.
“Mr. Stark, we were wondering if you’d be able to answer a few questions on the Ultron Investigation,” The person on the other end says. “I’m Stuart Smalls, lead investigator, we are currently based out of Tigard, just outside of Novi Grad.”
“I can come in,” Tony agrees hesitantly. “We’re still finding people though; would you be able to wait a couple more days?”
“I’m afraid not,” Smalls says. “We can do most of the interview now over the phone, and follow up in person if that works for you.”
“Sure, ask what you need to.” Tony offers, scanning the debris below him. They’re finding less and less survivors as days go by.
“To start with, can you tell me what you remember happening the first time your team interacted with Wanda Maximoff?” Smalls asks.
Tony launches into the story, explaining everything he can remember about their raid on the Maximoff’s Hydra base.
Over the next hour of work, he tells the story of how Ultron came to be, and how he gained the strength needed to attack the way he had. He doesn’t gloss over anything, explaining the team’s reactions, the involvement of Wanda Maximoff, and their discussion when everything was over.
When the call ends, he gets back to work.
When the call leaks, it’s the beginning of the end for Captain America, and his merry men.