Burning the witch is so last century
She’d done it! She’d finally avenged her family and killed the monster that had ruined her life and so many others. Wanda had grown tired of her failure to get revenge and Rogers’s continued failure to aid her in making the merchant of death suffer. She had gotten into contact with Hydra once it was made clear Rogers was no longer of use to her and her powers were no longer available to her. She didn’t care if she ended up dead so long as she finally killed Stark. Hydra was rebuilding in the shadows and were doing quite well rebuilding after being exposed and gutted with their reveal. They were patient though but with her offer to remove Stark as a threat they’d given her one of their newest weapons. Something they were certain could even kill a god. She had laughed manically as she was given the weapon, finally she’d have her revenge! She’d kill the murderer that the world so wrongly praised. She’d finally be with her family again; she’d see her parents and her brother to tell them that Stark was finally dead. And in the afterlife should they end up in the same place together they’d make Stark suffer even more.
She had gone with Rogers and Romanoff with the two believing she’d side with them and try to convince Stark to listen. She didn’t have any intention of wasting time on useless words. No, she was finally putting an end to this. As they tried to speak to the genius she simply reached for the weapon she had hidden on her person and aimed at the genius. She fired and for the first time in so long she felt truly happy. Finally, he was gone and she’d no longer suffer because of him.
Oh, you foolish child.
The voice caught her off guard as she looked around for the source. The world around her vanished, the others present frozen in place as darkness consumed everything. She looked around wildly trying to understand what was happening. She’d killed Stark, why was this happening? No one here had such power to do this. The same tone of the cold voice let out an emotionless chuckle.
You assume so much. A pity that with such powers you had before that you never noticed me. Oh well, it works in my favor.
She saw shadows swirl from the darkness revealing none other than Stark. Dressed in one of his perfectly tailored suits that seemed to be formed of the very shadows that summoned him with red the color of blood added to the mix. His eyes glowing the same color as the reactor that once sat in his chest, their glowing nature seeming to appear as cold as ice.
“I killed you, you can’t be here.”
You truly are lacking a brain. I am the son of two gods, one of which has domain over death. Did you truly think the title of Merchant of Death was merely a name given to me by mortals? It is a title I earned and one that perfectly matches what I am.
“You’re a monster!” She snarled at him trying to lift the weapon again but found her body frozen in place and refusing to answer her commands.
Of the two of us my dear I can assure you I’m not the monster. In fact, my kills are from defending myself against monsters like you. Look around little witch, you will find my victims are far less than yours.
She turned her head, the only part of her body that could move. Her eyes widened at the sight of the numerous bodies around them. Most of them faceless while others in various states of mutilation.
“See, you’re a monster! Look at all these people you’ve murdered!” She screamed at him.
She watched as Stark walked to one of the mutilated bodies that had a face. He picked up the bloody head and stared into its lifeless eyes.
Obadiah Stane, a former business partner and the one who sold weapons to murderers and terrorists. Once I found out I tried to put a stop to it but he was a crafty bastard to say the least. When he attempted to murder my friend, I fought him. I had no intention originally to kill him but the situation left me with little choice. Blown apart by the very creation left by my father. This man is among those I’ve killed through my actions and decisions.
She watched as Stark carelessly dropped the head, watched as he walked over the severed limbs of the man he’d once worked with. His steps silent as he moved to another body part. Limbs twisted, skull brown apart, and blood soaked into the ground with a fire orange tint.
Ellen Brandt, a woman that tried to kill me and worked for the terrorist Aldrich Killian. She was more than willing to kill whoever she needed to in order to kill me. She was a heartless killer and I killed her in defense.
“You expect me to believe this? You’re the heartless murderer!”
He ignored her as he once again moved to another body. Another one tinted with the fire orange that he stared down at with an emotionless expression.
Eric Savin, also a cold bloodied murderer that worked for Aldrich Killian. Was happy to kill whoever was in his way. Held a child hostage in hopes of getting to me.
“I don’t need you to tell me about those you murdered. Let me go you monster!” She demanded.
This isn’t me bragging you pathetic child. This is me showing you the truth whether you like it or not. You see, I’m aware of what I’ve done. Both me and my counterpart that walks in the light. You however, you have never cared about the lives of others.
He motioned around them at the faceless bodies. Those skewered on spikes with endlessly blood flowing from their corpses, bodies chained with drool pooling beneath them, bodies stacked up carelessly.
These are your victims. Men, women, and children. You didn’t care who they were, what background they came from, whether they were innocent or guilty of anything. Many just a means to an end.
He said standing before one of the chained forms.
After all, if you were to use your abilities you needed to train. You don’t even know their names, don’t remember their faces. They were victims of your desire for revenge. I wonder, what would your brother think if he knew of the monster that destroyed these people’s minds so ruthlessly.
“Don’t you dare speak of my brother!” She roared struggling to move but failing.
Of course, you never considered those that were killed when you unleashed the Hulk onto a populated city. Children orphaned, parents mourning their children. So many lives lost with my other side working so hard to prevent as many deaths as possible.
Wanda stared at him now a bit confused.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
He looked at her as though she was stupid.
Even you cannot be this stupid. Have you not noticed the difference between me and the Tony Stark the world sees? Or are you so blinded by your foolish dreams of revenge that you truly don’t see the truth before you? I am a very different Tony Stark than the one that is Iron Man. I’ve always existed unknown to my counterpart though we are still one and the same. Two halves of the same whole. I being born of our godly heritage, ensuring our survival during impossible situations. Surviving your attempts to kill us, surviving the Ten Rings, Killian, the numerous attempts on our life. Though I’ll admit I think nothing of those I’ve killed for our survival I am not heartless like you. I do not kill simply for the sake of killing. I remember their faces; I remember what was the cost of my survival. You don’t even remember those you’ve killed with your actions; they were just collateral damage.
“I’m not the one here who’s a murderer. You’re the one that deserves to die! How did that weapon not kill you!” She snarled, demanding answers.
As I stated before, I am the Merchant of Death. Killing me was never going to be so simple. Of course, the side of me that lives in the light will not remember what has transpired here. I’m quite pleased with this arrangement. Let him hold onto his humanity for as long as he can. One day he will be aware of me and we will meet a compromise of co-existence. For now, I despise how unwilling he is to deal with those that have greatly wronged us and are a danger to the world around them. Now for dealing with you, a proper punishment must be dealt. You who believe even if you were killed in the aftermath of your actions would see your family again in the afterlife. I believe I shall deny you this.
“What are you talking about? You don’t have that kind of power.” She snarled.
Oh but I do. I am far more powerful than so many give me credit. Now that my power is fully awakened thanks to my dear mother I am able to do far more than you can even imagine. I wonder how long Rogers and the others will try and wake you. It will be entertaining to see.
“What?” She asked, a feeling of fear creeping into her heart.
Your body will survive, it’s your soul that’s going to suffer. I’m sending it to another dimension, one that is the furthest thing from pleasant. As for your family, I believe I’ll let them know of your actions. Let them see you for the monster you are. Of the twins it’s Pietro that deserved a second chance. So blinded by his need to protect you he never noticed how unhinged you became. In death he’s seen what you became. Realized his death was ultimately your fault, you’re the one who allowed Ultron’s creation and it was Ultron who killed him.
“Don’t you dare touch my brother!”
He smiled at her, cold and cruel.
I have no plans to hurt him. I’m going to hurt you. While your soul won’t be here, you’ll see that Pietro will have what you’ve always desired. Happiness and peace in the wake of the tragedy of your parents’ death. Unlike you I know he will feel remorse for what he’s done at the command of Hydra and you. A truly redeemed hero. I do hope you enjoy the show little witch, I know I will.
She screamed as her body was pulled into the ground by unbreakable chains. Her hands clawing to keep her from being dragged down as she cursed Stark’s name. His cruel smile never wavering as he waved at her looking far to amused by her efforts. She screamed as she finally lost the fight, looking above her as her brother appeared not once turning her way as she called for him. Pain shot through her entire being as she was trapped in a place made of nightmares. Her eyes forced to watch as her brother returned to the living unbothered by her living form remained motionless with her soul so far from it.
~
Tony sat up rubbing his chest where there was a lingering pain. Confused by what had happened as his memories were a bit fuzzy.
“Anthony!” His mother hugged him tightly much to his confusion.
“Yeah mom? What’s going on?”
“You don’t remember?” Quill asked, when did he show up?
“No? Did I pass out? Because I swear, I haven’t had anything to drink yet.
“That witch shot you!” Jessica snarled in rage; her eyes locked onto said witch who was unconscious on the ground but handcuffed.
The security team were dealing with her and the others that had arrived with her. He frowned confused before he seemed to remember what happened. Oh, he’d been shot. He looked down at his chest where there was a hole from the weapon but his skin was perfectly unmarred.
What happened? He thought to himself. He thought he heard a chuckle, a sound dark with humor but he couldn’t be sure. He felt like this was something new because of his awaken godhood but somehow this didn’t worry him. The strange presence both foreign and familiar in a way that didn’t make sense.
“I’m ok now.” He said standing up with Quill and Hela helping him as his legs felt a bit shaky.
“How the hell are you ok though? There was a hole in your chest where your heart should be!” Quill exclaimed. “I swear I saw it close up and heal kind of like my dad but he was a celestial.”
Tony frowned confused.
“No idea, I’m still getting use to being a god.”
“Let us handle this Mr. Stark. Return to the party and enjoy yourself. You don’t need to be bothered by this mess.” Colossus said which Tony was inclined to listen to.
“You guys will be ok?”
“We’re fine, just go and take it easy.” Cable said, his tone not as stern as usual. If he were to guess he’d think Cable was a bit shaken by the situation.
“Quill watch over him. I’m going with them to deal with this.” Hela said shifting Tony’s weight to Quill.
“Got it, we’ll keep him safe.”
Tony didn’t protest and Quill pulled him along and back into the building. The rest of the party was still going, it seemed Friday had made sure the rest of them were left unaware of what had transpired outside. His father walked over to check on him, no doubt left inside to make sure the party was left unaware.
“I see you are indeed still in one piece. We were worried.”
“I’m fine, I need a new shirt though.”
Quill offered him his jacket which was appreciated and weirdly comfortable.
“Stark, a word if I may?” Tony looked to Stephen who was looking at him with a weird expression.
“Sure, let’s go someplace private to talk. I need a moment to rest anyways.”
He followed Stephen slowly, able to walk on his own but still really sore. He followed Stephen to the resident area of the compound. Stephen led him to the common area where to his utter shock was Pietro Maximoff very much alive and sleeping on the couch.
“What…?”
“He arrived after a massive spike of magical energy. Returned from the dead as part of a punishment towards Wanda Maximoff. From what I was told he will not be a threat to us as he is aware of what’s transpired since his death.”
“Did mom bring him back?”
Stephen looked at him with a strange look.
“He did mention you wouldn’t remember. He seems to think you’ll believe any lie I tell you but I’m not an idiot. I know you earned your title of genius. Seems even before your mother awakened your godly heritage it’s been there in some manner all this time. A slightly darker side of you that has allowed you to survive more than any normal person can. He brought Pietro back and dealt with Wanda while also restoring your body after receiving a fetal injury.”
Tony looked at him in shock.
“What?”
“I don’t know what domain you rule over but whatever it is it’s allowed you to access other dimensions as well as restore the dead. The only reason I was made aware of what’s happen is because it seems your other side, the merchant, knows as sorcerer supreme that I would look into any kind of magical activity on this planet.”
“So…there’s some other personality inside me that’s helped me and did this?”
Stephen nodded. Tony took a deep breath before collapsing into a nearby seat.
“Alright. I’ll worry about all that later. For now, we need to worry about Pietro and figure out what to do with him from here.”
Stephan joined him in sitting there and watching over the sleeping enhanced.
“I’m glad your alive.” Stephen finally said.
Tony glanced at him surprised, he and Stephen weren’t all that close.
“This world is a better place with you in it. I may not be overly fond of your family but I’ve seen what you all have been doing.”
“Thanks, I guess. Didn’t know you cared.”
Stephen smirked.
“I care about the state of this world. Besides, you’re not all that bad. Someone I can snark with that is probably just as annoying as I am.”
Tony laughed.
“I’m sure a lot of people would agree with that statement.”