Of Creation, Rebirth, and Consequences
Tony could admit he was nervous, Pietro had woken up and had so far been silent. No hateful stares, no curses towards him, nothing to show that he had any kind of ill will towards him. Still Tony worried and was careful around the enhanced man. Hela and Peggy were handling the matter of the criminals that had stood beside Wanda. Though he doubted they knew of her plans he didn’t care. They had allowed her to join the team knowing her past. He was worried about Janet as her husband and daughter had been arrested as well though he doubted they’d stay there long. They had the money to get good lawyers that would no doubt claim they’d done no wrong. Pepper wanted him to get a restraining order and he’d given her the go ahead to do so. He was so tired of dealing with them.
“The magic man said something inside you attacked Wanda.”
He froze at the voice he hadn’t heard in years. He turned slowly to face Pietro who didn’t look angry as he had expected.
“That’s what Stephen said, I don’t know. I’ve never heard some voice in my head to tell me I’m not alone up there.”
Pietro watched him for several moments before he nodded.
“If you find out, I want to talk to him…I suppose I owe him a thank you. I’d still be dead otherwise…and he dealt with that thing that replaced the sister I knew. She wasn’t really the same after she got her powers but I chose to ignore it. All we had was each other and I clung to that.”
Tony looked down at his coffee, it was what he’d been in the kitchen for and now it didn’t seem appealing to him.
“I’m sorry for what happened.”
Pietro shrugged.
“You’re not the bad guy we always believed. It was so easy to see you as this heartless thing that did anything for money and power. We never really saw you as a person. People make mistakes and the good ones try to make up for them. You did that. I saw the press clip of you shutting down the weapons department when you realized terrorists had them. You never wanted good people to die because of them, that was something we never understood or even considered.”
“It’s fine, people make mistakes and you were grieving. Do you know what you want to do now?”
Pietro looked away looking unsure.
“I want to make up for what I’ve done. I did a lot of bad things while working for Hydra. If you’d let me I’d like to make amends as an Avenger.”
Tony stared at Pietro not entirely sure what to think or do. In the end it wasn’t really up to him. He’d have to go through the application process like everyone else.
“Laura is who you’ll have to talk to in order to fill out an application. The office isn’t open right now but when it is I’ll take you. For now you can use one of the guest rooms we have here. Part of being an avenger is you have to have something outside of it like schooling or a job.”
Pietro looked uneasy again.
“I’d like to go to school if possible. I’m not sure how I’ll afford it though.”
“I’ll cover it.” Tony offered shocking Pietro.
“Why?”
Tony shrugged.
“Because I love a good redemption story. You deserve better than the shit life’s hit you with. Even if there’s a chance you’re not approved, you deserve something good in your life. Considering this me passing it forward. I do a good deed for you and one day you offer a good deed to someone else.”
Pietro stood there a moment awkwardly before the next second he was in front of Tony.
“Thank you.” He patted Tony’s shoulder before he was gone again.
“Mr. Stark!”
He turned at the sound of Peter’s voice and stumbled as the spiderling hugged him.
“I heard what happened. Are you ok?”
Tony nodded before looking at Jarvis, Vision, and Harley that had come to check on him as well.
“I’m good guys, don’t worry.”
“But Hercules was angry and said he was going to kill the rogues. He made it sound like you’re dying.”
“I’m not dying Pete, it was just a flesh wound.”
“Said the black knight when he lost an arm.” Jarvis said unamused.
“I still have both arms J.”
Jarvis still didn’t look amused.
“So you’re not dying?”
“No Harley I’m not dying. I’m ok and hopefully the rogues won’t be bothering us again. I didn’t see Scott or Sam though so I have no idea if they got their heads out of their asses but we’ll see. Although considering Scott’s suit was made by Hank Pym it’s unlikely he’ll be allowed to keep it if he hasn’t joined on the hate Stark train. If he’s really trying to make up for everything I could probably help him.”
“You are far to kind.” Vision told him looking a bit concerned.
Tony just shrugged.
“Now if you guys are done worrying about me let’s do something. It’s not late and the party has ended early considering our earlier uninvited guests.”
“Are you sure you don’t need to rest?” Jarvis asked.
“I’m fine, I promise.”
“Well if you say so, I vote video games.” Harley suggested excitedly.
“Is there something we can play together?” Tony asked with a slight frown because he was sure there wasn’t.
“Super Smash Bros, we can take turns. Winner fights next challenger.” Peter offered looking just as eager now.
So they ended doing that. Peter and Harley challenging each other to be crowned winner. Tony of course sucked at the game and Jarvis was second to the two youngest members. Vision looked just as confused as Tony and was doing slightly better than the genius.
~
Hela had returned home late after dealing with the aftermath of the rogue’s attack. She had been enraged by their actions but Peggy had calmed her enough not to kill them. They’d be dealt with in a way much crueler than death.
As she stepped into the resident area of the compound she felt something shift. An energy that washed over her like a tidal wave making her freeze in place. She had never feared anything in her life but right now she felt a cold wave of fear wash over her.
Now mother, you needn’t fear me.
She turned to the source of the voice, a being that looked like her son stood there. An amused smirk on his face as he walked towards her, the shadows seeming to cling to him even as he moved.
“Who are you?”
Why I’m your son dear mother of mine. Do you not recognize me?
He let out a laugh that sent chills down her spine.
You really don’t like me, that’s alright. I doubt there’s anyone that would actually be so friendly with me. I am the Merchant of Death, a part of your son. I do thank you for awaken Anthony’s godhood, it has granted me more power than before.
“This place, it isn’t the compound.”
Yes and no, you see my domain as a god is that of creation, rebirth, and consequences. This place is a dimension of my own creation, a place that connects to all other dimensions. I like to keep an eye on things, such as the punishment of that wretched witch. I’ve brought you here so we could speak. So in a sense we are in the compound, just not in the same way as the other residents.
“This kind of power…you are a powerful god indeed.”
Is it really that surprising? The goddess of death that rules as queen of Hel and the god of the sky, lightning, and thunder who rules as king of Olympus could only birth a powerful being.
“So what are your intentions Merchant?”
The Merchant gave a cold smile that made Hela uneasy.
“Why I intend to ensure that we’re safe. We have been others’ punching bag long enough. I simply wished to tell you that I’m an ally so long as you never cross us as so many other trusted have done. I also wish to inform you that it will be me that stands beside you and the others when Thanos comes. I will wipe him and his forces from not only the living but any habitable reality. I am crafting a prison just for them, a place that the rogues shall go when they to have met their end.
She stared at the Merchant with curiosity and worry.
“And what kind of place will this reality that you’ll be sending them?”
Her questioned earned her a cold grin.
Why a hell unlike any they’ve known. A constant fight for survival with no true way to achieve such a thing. An endless cycle of fighting, killing, and dying. For all those I will send there will neither be alive nor dead. Able to feel pain and suffer a temporary state of death only to still raise to repeat the process. Everyone is both predator and prey, a battle royal with no end and endless respawns.
Even she could admit that was rather cruel and as though sensing her thoughts the Merchant moved closer.
It is their consequence for their actions. They have no regard for the lives of others so I will have no regard off theirs. Do you intend to interfere?
“No, they deserve whatever fate awaits them.”
The Merchant looked quite pleased.
Do let my dear uncle know. He may even find it amusing. It was a pleasure meeting you mother but I fear I have other things to tend to. Until next time.
He waved goodbye before he and his shadows vanished. She blinked at the suddenly light and spun around when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Sister? Is something wrong?”
Hela shook her head and walked away from Loki, not yet ready to speak of the Merchant or what he’d told her.