Tony hadn't expected the split among the Avengers to look like this.
He had always assumed only one person would stay neutral and stand with him-his old friend, Colonel Rhodes.
And Tony was confident about that.
Rhodey would lean toward him. He trusted Tony far more than the rest.
Bruce Banner, though?
That was unexpected.
Tony hadn't thought Banner would side with him at all.
Shaking his head, Tony stopped thinking about it.
There was no point.
If the Avengers really turned against him, they wouldn't come out ahead anyway.
Tony didn't just have money.
After learning from Noah for so long, he now had real superpowers.
And more importantly, he didn't believe the final lineup would actually be three versus six.
Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes were still variables.
"Besides," Tony thought, "even if it really is three against six, the high-end combat power is all on my side."
He wasn't wrong.
There was a clear hierarchy within the Avengers.
Tony himself was unquestionably at the top.
Technology.
Magic.
Both combined.
Then came Bruce Banner.
When the Avengers were first established, the title of "strongest Avenger" had been reserved for him.
That alone said enough.
Once that mild-mannered doctor turned green, the results were terrifying.
"Forget it," Tony smiled. "Why bother worrying about them?"
"Sir," Jarvis interrupted, "I'm afraid I must disturb you."
"Disturb away," Tony replied. "What now?"
"Your teammates are preparing to confront you."
"Oh?" Tony tilted his head. "They're coming over?"
"Yes," Jarvis said calmly. "They've held several meetings. All about you."
"They appear unwilling to wait any longer."
"They want to lay everything on the table."
Tony sighed.
Of course.
What was coming would always come.
Honestly, he hadn't wanted this exposed.
But unfortunately, one of his teammates was a walking liability.
Whether Steve Rogers did it intentionally or whether it was simply his nature, Tony didn't care to analyze.
He wasn't interested in dissecting human morality.
Dig deep enough, and even saints turned into hypocrites.
"When?" Tony asked.
"Possibly today. Possibly tomorrow," Jarvis replied. "Additionally, Director Nick Fury has sent you a message."
"Fury?" Tony raised an eyebrow.
What did that bald head want now?
Another lecture?
"Put it up," Tony said.
The screen lit up.
Fury's face appeared.
"Tony," Fury said, "I know what you're dealing with. I checked it with that person."
"That bastard really knows how to stir trouble."
"But listen carefully."
"If you're exposed, deny everything."
"Absolutely deny it."
"Don't admit a damn thing."
Tony stared at the screen, then let out a helpless laugh.
He hadn't expected Fury to back him like this.
Then again, Fury probably wasn't worried about Tony.
He was worried about the Avengers.
What Tony had done was serious enough to tear the team apart.
And Tony's combat strength was too extreme.
If things truly escalated, the Avengers could collapse on the spot.
As their creator, Fury didn't want that outcome.
The easiest solution was simple.
Tony denies everything.
Meanwhile, Fury prepares a scapegoat.
Someone who "stole" the Pym Particles.
"Too bad," Tony said quietly. "I probably won't give him what he wants."
"Jarvis," he said aloud, "contact all Avengers. Tell them I have something to announce."
"Yes, sir."
A pause.
"To confirm," Jarvis added, "are you planning to reveal everything?"
"Of course," Tony replied with a casual smile.
"Rather than waiting for them to knock on my door, I'd rather act first."
"Understood, sir."
-
"Can you stop shaking?"
Noah glanced sideways, exasperated.
The little owl on his shoulder was trembling nonstop.
"Yesterday scared you that badly?"
Just the night before, this owl-who had followed him for nearly twenty years-had been ambushed by Gugu.
Pinned to the ground.
Struggling helplessly.
Noah still felt his throat tighten remembering it.
Magical and alien creatures were ridiculous.
Especially Gugu.
That bored expression at the end had left Noah speechless.
Same gender. Different species.
What kind of nonsense was that?
In the end, Gugu left with BD1, who had babbled for half an hour straight.
All that remained was a shivering Hedwig.
Noah stared at her.
"Scumbag... no. That doesn't sound right either."
He gave up.
Since then, Hedwig hadn't dared leave his side.
She even insisted on standing on his shoulder.
Normally, Noah wouldn't allow that.
If she were an eagle or a hawk, maybe.
But an owl?
A small, fluffy one?
Walking around like this was embarrassing.
"I'll make an exception," Noah sighed.
He genuinely couldn't understand her.
She had once flown across oceans-Hogwarts to Kamar-Taj-without getting eaten by sea eagles.
And now she was terrified, despite being completely unharmed.
Shaking his head, Noah suddenly remembered something.
Should he try Transfiguration on her?
Hedwig stiffened.
Then trembled harder.
A faint golden glow appeared around Noah.
The owl closed her eyes, resigned.
Then-
The phone rang.
Noah frowned and stopped.
Picking it up, he saw the caller.
Strange.
Noah rubbed his chin.
He wasn't sure what Strange wanted, but he had nothing urgent to do.
"Why not," he muttered.
Golden light flickered.
The next instant, Noah appeared inside 221B Baker Street.
Strange stood there holding his phone, completely stunned.
Everett looked even worse.
"What's with those faces?" Noah asked casually.
He sat down.
"Get me a cup of milk tea."
"And find something for this little one to stand on."
"She's been on my shoulder all night."
"Uh-yes, Master," Strange replied immediately.
"John, help me. Milk tea. And bring the hanger from your room."
"Why mine?" Everett muttered.
But he moved anyway.
He had learned his lesson.
Sorcerers who came and went without warning were not people to provoke.
Especially ones like this.
"Alright," Noah said lazily, "tell me what's wrong, Stephen."
"You're adapting faster than I expected."
"By the way, how's John Watson?"
"Your new roommate?"
"Yes, Master," Strange nodded.
"He's a former CIA agent. Fired, I think."
"He's helped me a lot."
"I suspect he's using a fake name."
"But I'm not using my real name either, so..."
"A wise choice," Noah said, nodding.
Otherwise, what would become of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson?
That wouldn't do.
Noah also confirmed something.
This John Watson was indeed Everett Ross.
Why he ended up with Strange didn't matter.
Noah could toss that problem to Fury.
Fury would investigate it thoroughly.
"Enough of that," Noah said, waving a hand.
He looked directly at Strange.
"So."
"What do you want from me?"
Strange swallowed.
"Master... I wanted to talk about what happened after you left last night."
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