Chapter 5
Tony ran his fingers through Fenris’s fur and was using his other hand to look through report for the new compound being built with the combined designs of him and his mother. Construction was going well and looked like it would be completed on time. When Fenris’s head suddenly shot up Tony looked at the massive wolf wondering what was going on that caught his attention.
“What’s going on Fenris?
He didn’t get an answer of course but the wolf stood up and began growling at the door leading to the balcony. Tony almost thought of calling his armor when there was a loud knock at the balcony door. Seeing the massive towering form of a man that looked like he could give Thor a challenge in a wrestling match Tony told Friday to call Hela. The queen of the dead appeared within moments and smiled seeing the towering man that was bare chested other than the green and yellow strap going across it. Tony stared curious at the massive sword on his back as Hela moved to invite the man inside.
“Hercules, I see you decided to visit your brother.”
Tony stared shocked to hear this massive man was the legendary Hercules. He watched the much taller man grin brightly as he greeted Hela like she was a close friend. It seemed almost odd considering Hela was basically Zeus’s mistress, or former mistress as it was. Although considering most of Zeus’s history of love affairs maybe it just wasn’t that weird to the hero.
“It is a pleasure to see you Queen Hela. I am sorry to say I could not convince anyone else to come see the newest addition to our family. I had hoped to at least convince Hephaestus to come considering their shared talents. Sadly he is not nearly as social as I.”
“It’s alright Hercules, I am just pleased someone came. My son deserves to know the other half of his family. Is Zeus not coming to visit?”
“You know my father, he must be careful as his wife will be quite displeased to find he has once again taken another lover. He will come when he can. Now, I wish to meet this most talented warrior and craftsman Anthony.”
“Right here big guy.”
Hercules turned to look at Tony as he approached and Tony found himself looking up at the hulking man. Seriously he was taller than Thor, if he had to guess the man was six foot five. It was seriously unfair as it made Tony feel even smaller than he was already.
“Such a tiny warrior but surely you must be as strong as our father and your mother Queen Hela.”
Tony smirked as he felt the weight of Hercules’s hand on his shoulder.
“I’m not tiny, you’re just a giant.” He teased the taller man who grinned easily accepting the joking.
“We must celebrate our meeting brother. A feast!”
Tony chuckled.
“Sure Hercules, I’ll order food and call the rest of the family.”
Hercules grinned brightly excited to meet the others. Tony set out a mass text to everyone and had Friday order enough pizzas for their group. Jarvis and Vision were the first to arrive and Tony introduced them as his sons to Hercules. Hercules happily scooped them up into a bone crushing hug that would probably be painful with anyone else. Peter arrived with his Aunt May next and Tony introduced them telling Hercules he was mentoring Peter and that May was Peter’s aunt.
“Ah, adopting a young warrior who has no other father figure. A noble cause brother.” Hercules slapped Peter on the back in a friendly gesture. “Feel free to rely on me as one would their uncle. Any child of my brother is family to me.”
Tony considered correcting him but Peter looked so excited and even May didn’t look like she wanted to correct the alien warrior. Peggy arrived next and Hercules looked very interested in the female warrior.
“A pleasure to meet such a fine warrior.” Hercules greeted Peggy as he lay a kiss on her hand.
As they settled down to eat Loki arrived by bi-frost. Tony waved him over surprised by his arrival but the trickster wasn’t unwelcome. He greeted Hercules with a polite nod and received a hug in return.
“I see the family of Odin has been blessed with a truly powerful mage. Your father must be so proud.”
Loki tried not to react to the other god’s words.
“I fear not. Odin only desired warrior children and my trickster nature does not make for a worthy heir.”
Hercules frowned at Loki’s words.
“I do not understand. Odin is both a warrior and powerful mage. My own father spoke at length of Odin’s younger years where he was quite the trickster. A shame he has changed so much. You must tell me tales of your past tricks.” Hercules said leading a stunned Loki to a seat near him so they could talk.
Tony listened to the various conversations happening around him. It was nice he realized to be surrounded by family like this. He never really had this kind of relationship with the Avengers like he had hoped. He thought they had been becoming more but as he sat here among people who accepted him as one of them he realized he’d always been an outsider among the Avengers.
“Boss, there’s an incoming jet requesting permission to land.” Friday’s voice broke through the numerous conversations.
“A jet? From where?”
“It appears to be a Wakandan jet, the code given with the request is one granted to Princess Shuri.”
“She’s got permission to land.”
Tony got up to go meet the Wakandan royalty and was a little surprised when Hela, Hercules, Loki, and Jarivs all stood to join him.
“Guys I can greet Shuri on my own you know.”
“Nonsense, I wish to meet this princess of such an advanced nation.” Hela told him.
“I am quite curious as well.” Loki admitted.
He didn’t bother questioning why they were all insistent on joining him. Outside he waited for the jet to land and could already feel his excitement as he saw the advanced jet landing. He already knew to expect at least one bodyguard with Shuri but he hadn’t expected to see the two female bodyguards and Prince T’Challa as well.
“Tony!” Shuri rushed over much to the obvious displeasure of her bodyguard.
“Hey Shuri,” He accepted the hug from the young princess before he asked, “not that I don’t mind you finally visiting but what’s up?”
“I wanted to come see you and I’ve come to kidnap your kid for science.”
Tony couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped him.
“Well it’s not up to me if your going to kidnap him. His aunt’s inside with him so you’ll need to ask her.”
His eyes landed on T’Challa curious why he came as well. He suspected it was because he learned of Shuri being in contact with him before and just learning of it. He just hoped T’Challa didn’t use that to try and manipulate him.
“Dr. Stark.” T’Challa greeted which surprise surprise the prince of an isolated nation knew he had several PhDs.
“Just Tony is fine.”
“I do not feel I have earned the right to call you by your first name. I know you extended an invitation to my sister to visit but I felt the apology I owe you was best given in person.”
Ok so now Tony was confused. Apology?
“Pretty sure you don’t owe me an apology.”
“I do owe you one. I had believed from what I knew of your armor’s capabilities that you would not have lost the fight against Captain Rogers and Sargent Barnes. I had failed to take into account your actions at the airport where you attempted to stop the situation from escalating and tried to bring them in without further conflict. I should have realized without lethal means, you would have struggled against two enhanced fighters. You could have died and if I had thought about the situation properly I would have realized you required assistance.”
“He almost did die.” Hela hissed at T’Challa.
“Mom don’t, he couldn’t have known.”
“It doesn’t matter if he did or didn’t. He was there and he didn’t care enough to check on you. He tried to kill Barnes for his own father’s murder. Why shouldn’t I serve my own brand of justice for his own part in your injuries?”
The two woman moved forward ready to defend their king.
“Mom I’m ok now, better than ever even. No need to start a war with Wakanda.”
Hela scowled a bit and it was almost like seeing her and Loki as siblings for the first time. They looked the same as they wore matching scowls.
“I can totally see the resemblance.” Shuri pretended to whisper to him.
“I know right? It’s like really weird.”
“Well at least I share a resemblance with one of my siblings.” Loki said with just a tint of fondness in his voice.
“Alright guys, let’s go in and finish our pizza. Then Shuri can kidnap Peter and I can figure out what I’m going to do with our newest guests.”
Peter was delighted to meet Shuri of course and the Wakandan princess was already talking about Peter coming to Wakanda. As they continued to eat and talk amongst themselves T’Challa moved closer to speak with Tony. Hela and Jarvis both were trying and failing to be subtle trying to spy on the conversation.
“I am truly sorry I did not offer you aid before.”
“Seriously it’s fine. Look at me, everything worked out. I look like I’m back in my twenties, I’m a god, and I’ve been reunited with family I thought I lost.”
T’Challa was staring closely at his face.
“I had noticed your more youthful appearance though I thought it inconsiderate to ask about it. It is very obviously still you, both your appearance and personality still shine through and Shuri assured me while you do look quite younger that I needn’t question your identity.”
“Yeah godhood apparently restored my youth. If I still drank I’d probably be carded at the door.”
“More than likely.” T’Challa agreed with a friendly smile on his lips.
“Brother!” Hercules boomed loudly drawing Tony’s attention.
“Yeah big guy?”
“I wish to see this world you call home. What do humans do for entertainment?”
“A lot of things actually. We have movies, amusement parks, trips to the beach, things like that.”
“There’s mini golf, and lazer tag, and paint ball!” Peter added helpfully.
“Lots of food to try to.” May added also.
“I favor Midgard’s vast wealth of knowledge. Libraries and the internet are quite helpful for such things.” Hela stated.
“You might enjoy watching sports. We have several.” Jarvis added as well.
“I wish to experience what your realm has to offer. It shall aid me in understanding this realm and bonding with my new family.”
Tony looked at the others to see their thoughts. Peter raised his hand eagerly jumping up and down where he was sitting.
“Can I take Uncle Hercules and Shuri for lazer tag?”
Tony’s heart melted at Peter calling his brother uncle. It was like he’d adopted another kid and it was awesome.
“Alright I’ll make arrangements for lazer tag. How many do I need to account for?”
Everyone’s hand went up causing Tony to raise a brow at Loki.
“Really?”
“Just because I am not what one expects of someone from Asgard, I am very fond of competitions just as any other Asgardian warrior.”
He sighed.
“Oh this isn’t going to end well.”
No doubt if Loki was going so would Thor, the thunder god had a sixth sense about any kind of competition.
~
“Ok I feel like this will only end horribly.” Tony stated again as he and the others readied themselves for their ‘friendly’ competition.
Loki had a mischievous smirk on his face, Thor looked overly confident in his abilities for someone just now trying out lazer tag, Hercules was already discussing teaming up with Thor, and so help them all Peter was in a corner with Vision, Jarvis, and Shuri whispering amongst themselves.
“I do hope it is not so horrible that you will deny my offer of treating everyone to celebratory meal afterwards.” T’Challa spoke up loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Hey if you want to feed a bunch of gods and super humans that’s fine with me.” Peter said grinning with Shuri at his side.
“Winning team decides where we eat. Godly family against you weak muggles.” Tony said pulling Rhodey to his side. “So me, mom, my awesome brothers, and uncles against you guys. Just to make things fair you can have Vision and Jarvis on your team.”
“I didn’t hear me mentioned.” Peggy said from where she was standing next to Pepper.
Tony ducked behind Rhodey for protection because he had honestly forgotten to mention Peggy but also because he’d forgotten Pepper had actually made room in her schedule for this event. Though the week time from when it was originally brought up did leave enough time to clear a day to spend with them.
“I believe three teams would be best. Myself, my beloved, and Peggy as our own team.” Hela suggested moving over to the other two women.
“Shit, we’ve already lost guys.” Tony said only have joking.
“Of course you have.” Peggy agreed.
“We shall see Lady Peggy.” Loki said sticking up for their team.
“We’re team Yeet!” Peter cheered likely referring to one of his pop culture references.
“Then we’re team godly tricksters.” Tony said earning a bright grin from Loki.
“I suppose we shall be team Superior.” Pepper said for her team.
Tony valuing his life didn’t argue that she and the others of her team were indeed superior over the other two teams. The following battle was…interesting. Peter, T’Challa, and Jarvis had amazing reflexes and Shuri was nothing to laugh at. Vision was taking a bit to become familiar with the game and comfortable enough to really get into it. Loki was a menace and it was the most amazing thing Tony had ever seen. Not that he was to surprise but Thor and Hercules were the first to be taken out because stealth was not either’s most talented skill. Peter and Shuri were taken out by Peggy, Loki got T’Challa, and Hela had taken out Thor, Hercules, and Rhodey.
Tony and Loki had all but disappeared as the others faced off against each other. Vision and Jarvis were working well together now that they had gotten the hang of the game. Vision even managed to take out Peggy which was an amazing feat considering her skillset. Hela promised to avenge her and was shot by Loki. Hela had clearly not been expecting that and swore her revenge. Tony gave Loki a look but the trickster smirked as both moved as one to continue to hide. They left Pepper, Jarvis, and Vision to duke it out amongst themselves.
The three did duke it out and when only Pepper stood the victor of the three Tony and Loki jumped out from their hiding places. Pepper missed while both Tony and Loki hit their target.
“Ha! We’re the best.” Tony cheered just as he was hit. Confused he looked at Loki who had shot him with a mischevious smirk on his face.
“There can only be one.”
Rhodey was laughing loud enough that Tony could hear him.
“Traitor! We were on the same team.”
“Well you paired up with a trickster, why are you surprised by this?” Loki countered.
“My revenge will come when you least expect it.”
Loki just smirked silently welcoming his attempts at revenge. Thor patted Tony on the shoulder with a grin on his face.
“One must always be careful when trusting Loki.”
Tony rolled his eyes but smiled as Hercules patted Loki on the back nearly making the trickster topple over as he congratulated him on his win. As promised T’Challa paid for their meal afterwards. Loki being the winner had chosen their destination after the game and choose seafood. No place was better for seafood than Red Lobster.
When their food came Loki looked excited to eat but before he could even touch his food each and every seafood item on his plate suddenly jumped up and ran off with the chant of ‘Nope, nope, no, nope’ causing people to stare in shock and Loki to glare at Tony who grinned.
“My vengeance.”
Loki just countered by stealing Tony’s food. Jarvis was kind enough to share his seeing as Loki was eating Tony’s food with a dagger in hand ready to cut him if he tried to take it back. Shuri and Peter both had their phones out recording the incident and no doubt it would be posted later on Youtube. Luckily Loki was shape shifted to hide his identity so no one would comment on the god of mischief being on the planet. Soon that issue would be handled though. As they ate Tony leaned over to his mom and whispered a thank you for her using her magic to help him get back at the trickster. Hela just smiled with a silent warning within her eyes. The prank war he’d just started he should have seen coming.