You Could Make a Case for That

It's a good thing Tony didn't help rebuild the world after Thanos snapped

The idea that Tony "rebuilt the world after Thanos" made me laugh. The beginning of Endgame showed Tony didn't do ANYTHING to help the world after the Snap. Given Tony's usual solutions to things, it's horrifying to think of a world rebuilt in Tony's image.

Note: Set a year after Infinity War, so Thor is not so bad yet and Bruce is still small.

Natasha, Clint, Nebula, and Rocket separated to get into position. They were all wearing suits that blocked them from being detected--so far. The self-proclaimed King of the World took his security VERY seriously.

The former Avengers compound had become the center of Tony's New World Order. Security was a top priority, with drones deploying every day to eliminate threats. Even with all of the "necessary" deaths, the list of targets never got smaller.

Natasha and Rocket--along with Steve and Clint--were at the top of Tony's hit list. The only reason they'd survived this long was thanks to the secret help of Queen Ramonda, Okoye, and the other Wakandans. As far as the world--or Tony--knew, no Wakandan ever left the shield that protected their vibranium from the dozens of Iron man armors circling it. The country was once again isolationist in order to prevent Iron Man from getting access to their vibranium.

Natasha often wished Captain Marvel had stuck around after bringing Tony and Nebula back to Earth. But she also wondered if the Earth would have been better off if Tony had never been found in space.

Tony had quickly come to power after the Snap, promising everyone that HE would fix things. Nobody realized what Tony Stark considered a perfect world.

There were machines everywhere, all under Tony's personal command. Project Insight 2.0 launched, and like Hydra, Tony had no problem killing people pre-emptively as a "safety measure."

The "precious freedoms" Tony mocked when he returned from Titan were soon gone from people's lives. What Tony wanted became law.

So now the remaining Avengers and their allies were working to take down their former teammate.

Natasha hoped they all survived the attempt.

Tony blinked as Friday informed him he had visitors. He checked a camera feed to see Thor looking like a bum, Banner looking as mousy as ever, and Cap looking pissed. He confirmed he had his gauntlets on and drones ready, then said, "Show them in."

He spun his chair to face them as they stepped through the doors of the command center. He said, "So are you two here to collect the bounty on Cap? Should keep you in beer and doughnuts for a while, Lebowski."

Thor gripped his axe and said, "No, Stark. We're here to end your reign of terror."

Banner nodded and said, "Tony, have you even looked at what you've done? People are starving and scared."

Tony said, "They're SAFE. That's what we need to be--SAFE. If that gets in the way of people getting their shipment of Cheez Wiz on time or their late-night dinner plans, tough."

Cap shook his head and said, "You never learn. People have the right to make their own decisions, Tony."

Tony laughed and said, "Not anymore."

Then he spun and fired at a vent. He said, "I know you're here, Widow. Come down and join the party."

Suddenly Widow appeared near the edge of the bar across the room. She leaned on it and said, "Tony, this is not a path that ends well for you."

Tony said, "You really think you and Cap and the has-been twins are going to take ME out?"

Suddenly Tony was pinned in place by an arrow that shot a new kind of EMP web around him.

Hawkeye landed in front of him and said, "I will slit your throat in a heartbeat, so I suggest you don't move."

Tony said, "Friday, Protocol 13."

Nothing happened.

Thor shrugged and said, "Looks like Friday took the day off."

Nebula's voice over the comm system said, "We have recalled the drones and armor and secured all systems.

An unfamiliar, gravelly voice said, "You sure you wanna keep this loser alive? I'm thinking the Iron Moron makes a good target for shooting practice."

Cap shook his head and said, "Tony has to face the consequences of his actions."

Natasha looked at Tony and said, "This time you don't get to take the easy way out."

Tony had to admit he got a fair trial. And he couldn't say that his sentence was cruel or unusual punishment. He got fresh air, exercise, three meals a day. He even got the occasional vid call from Happy. He'd banned Rhodey and Pepper when they'd admitted their part in bringing Tony down.

His captors this time didn't demand he build anything. They didn't give him anything he could build with, either. He had books, notepads, and other things to pass the time. But the sharpest tool he ever got was chalk or crayon. And there was nowhere to hide.

Worst was the reports of how the world was very slowly recovering from the reign of Tony the Tyrant.