Chapter Text
Ever since Tony Stark heard King T'Challa managed to negotiate, more like bribe, using Vibranium, some pardons for the Rogue Avengers consisting of the man he hated more than Obadiah Stane himself, Steve Rogers, along with Natasha Romanoff, Clint Barton, Scott Lang, Sam Wilson, and the mind-raping witch, Wanda Maximoff, he had been in his lab working on countermeasures.
First, he had to contact an old flame from back in his playboy days, to Pepper's dismay, although Pepper was thinking too much; he wasn't going to sleep with her again, but he needed something. After making a deal with Emma Frost, Tony managed to secure some Mysterium from her. He also managed to make a synthetic version, which he gave some to Emma in return; both of them had a stable supply of what could be considered the most powerful metal in the universe, making even Captain America's servant, T'Challa's country's most prized resource, a joke.
Right now, Tony was in his lab, his eyes fiercely determined, hovered over the sleek console in his lab. "FRIDAY, pull up the specs for the Stark MindSafes," he commanded, his voice laced with a sharp edge of resentment.
The AI, ever efficient, brought the schematics onto the holographic display. The devices, no bigger than a coin, were deceptively simple in appearance but housed cutting-edge technology. Tony glanced at the designs with a mix of pride and bitterness.
"These MindSafes, they're my countermeasure against... certain untrustworthy telepaths," Tony said, his thoughts momentarily flickering to Wanda Maximoff.
He still felt the sting of betrayal from the so-called 'Rogue Avengers.' The name left a sour taste in his mouth.
"Especially Wanda," he added with a sneer.
"Ever since she joined the team, I've had these... nightmares. They stopped when she was on the run, which confirmed my suspicions. She's been tampering with my mind." FRIDAY processed this, her voice neutral.
"The MindSafes utilize quantum entanglement theory, Boss. Any attempt at mental intrusion triggers a flood of quantum-encrypted data into the assailant's mind. This data stream is designed to be overwhelming, rendering the telepath incapacitated."
"Exactly," Tony nodded.
"It's like fighting fire with fire, but in this case, we're flooding their minds with so much information that they can't focus on manipulating ours."
He picked up one of the prototypes, rolling it between his fingers. "These will protect us from those mind games. I won't let Wanda or any of the Rogue Avengers get the better of us again. They think they can just waltz back with a pardon and everything's fine? Not on my watch." Tony's expression hardened.
"I want these deployed to all Avengers, current and future, on our side; forget Rogers' side. I hope some hostile mind-warper damages him like Maximoff did to mine. No exceptions. We can't afford any more... incidents."
"Understood, Sir. I'll begin integration protocols immediately," FRIDAY responded. Tony smiled; if Maximoff wanted to fight, he would show her and the rest of the Rogues their place.
These people would be nothing; they had no life skills without their powers or ability to kill, unlike Tony, who was a genius prodigy who invented near-unlimited clean energy, made the Iron Man suit from a box of scraps in a cave, and had so many patents.
He knew Rogers and how he operated; Rogers and his team would come back acting like they did nothing wrong, and it was all him, the Genius, Billionaire, Playboy, Philanthropist.
Tony knew Steve Rogers was always jealous of him.
Tony had everything Steve wanted: a girlfriend who loved him, while his died in some care home, unloved.
Tony used to love his Aunt Peggy, but after finding out she knew and hid his mother's death and Howard's, he hated her. He's happy he never went to her funeral. But enough about that; Tony planned to remind them that he has not and never will forgive them.
He will make sure that as long as they lived in his compound, they will be reminded they are nothing but criminals, scum to humanity, no matter how much T'Challa pays off.
The disgrace son of King T'Chaka would never be able to control what happens in Tony's own home.
Tony walked over to his desk, taking a seat in the plush chair. He sighed heavily, leaning back and rubbing his temples. His thoughts were racing, a whirlwind of emotion. Anger, hatred, bitterness. But mostly, regret. Regret for trusting the wrong people, for letting them in, for caring about them.
"They'll learn their place," he said, his voice tinged with hatred.
"I will train them like dogs if I have to." FRIDAY interrupted him, her tone clinical.
"Sir, there is an incoming call from T'Challa. He is requesting to speak with you."
Tony's brow furrowed, the anger within him rising. "Put him through."
"Hello, Stark," the Wakandan king's voice came through, his tone smooth and calm. "I trust you've received my gift." Tony clenched his fist, his nails digging into his palm. He took a deep breath, willing himself to remain composed.
"Your gift," he spat out, venom dripping from every word, "Don't worry, Panther, two can play at that game. After all, in the compound, you have no control over what happens." T'Challa's voice remained cool.
"Do not try me, Stark. The pardon is done, and the Rogue Avengers will be allowed to return to their former lives." Tony laughed, the sound harsh and mocking.
"But not in this house. My house, my rules, and not even you can change that. Also, don't forget, outside of Wakanda, I'm in charge. How does it feel to bribe with that much Vibranium but still just get the bare minimum? Don't worry, I will be sure to make their life a hell for the rest of their days." T'Challa's voice now sounded annoyed and slightly angered.
"Stark..." T'Challa was cut off as Tony ended the call.
Tony leaned back in his chair, his expression darkening. He knew the Panther King wouldn't take his threat lightly. He didn't care; he had the resources and the tech to defend his compound against any attacks.
"FRIDAY, got any idea on breaching that barrier that trash bag of a King has gotten too cocky hiding behind?" Tony declared, his voice tinged with a mix of impatience and hatred. "Something that turns their strength into a weakness."
"Indeed, Boss," FRIDAY's voice resonated through the lab.
"Considering the properties of Vibranium, I propose a solution that could exploit its known vulnerabilities."
The central hologram shifted, revealing a sleek, menacing missile, its design exuding lethal elegance.
"Introducing the 'Arc Overload Missile.' Its core concept isn't to penetrate the barrier but to overload it entirely." Tony arched an eyebrow.
"Overload it? Go on."
"The missile is powered by a modified arc reactor, a design I've adapted from your earlier work. Upon nearing the barrier, it unleashes a concentrated burst of energy."
"Explain the science, FRIDAY. Why would this work against Vibranium?"
"Vibranium, as used in the Wakandan barrier, is highly conductive, as seen when Ms. Romanoff brought the King to his knees with your creations, the improved Widow Bites.
I propose leveraging this property. The arc reactor can generate an immense electrical surge, tailored to the barrier's frequency. This surge would exploit Vibranium's conductivity, essentially overloading the barrier's energy matrix."
"So, we hit them with a surge their own barrier can't handle. It's like short-circuiting the entire system." Tony asks.
"Correct. The resultant overload would cause a collapse of the barrier, allowing the missile to pass through unhindered. Additionally, the aftermath would fry their Vibranium infrastructure the barrier uses, preventing immediate recovery, well for years, since they will need to build a whole new infrastructure." Tony paced, a storm of thoughts swirling in his mind.
"This could turn the tide. It's good karma, especially in Wakanda and Wanda's case." Tony stated.
"That's right, sir. I think using our opponent's strengths against them is good karma," FRIDAY agreed. Tony turned, his eyes shining with a mixture of triumph and satisfaction.
"Let's see how the Panther King reacts to this," he said with a grin. "Now we wait; if he messes up our plans in training the Rogues and teaching them their place, well then, we will hit them at their most vulnerable and destroy all the Vibranium they have. And if the Rogues mess up, then they will join their precious captain." Tony would not have it; he would not let these criminals think they could get away with their crimes.
He knew that Wanda was a mind rapist, and she would suffer the most; he would not have that woman near him, and he would not have that woman hurt anymore. He would have a team loyal to him and him alone, not the Rogues.
"FRIDAY, got any idea on breaching that barrier that trash bag of a King has gotten too cocky hiding behind?"
"Sir, there is another incoming call," FRIDAY announced. Tony sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He didn't have the energy to deal with any more of T’Challa’s bullshit.
"Who is it?"
"Colonel James Rhodes."
Tony perked up. Rhodey, his friend. "Patch him through."
"Hey, Tones. Heard about the band getting back together, sort of," Rhodey's voice echoed through.
"More like forced," Tony replied dryly.
"You could've refused."
"Not and let them go scot-free. I'll teach them a lesson," Tony said firmly.
Rhodey's voice took on a warmer tone. "Just be careful, alright? They might have some tricks up their sleeves."
"I doubt it. They're false heroes and idiots. I'm going to show them the merchant of death side," Tony scoffed.
Rhodey's tone shifted, now laced with concern. "Ok, just don’t do anything rash. I don’t want a country annihilated."
"They’ll learn their place, Rhodey," Tony assured him.
"Tony..." Rhodey's voice trailed off, worry evident.
"Speak later, honey bear," Tony ended the call, turning to his console with narrowed eyes.
"FRIDAY, let's make a weapon worthy of the merchant of death. Fabricate the Arc Overload Missile. We’ll use it as a warning strike to wipe out their Vibranium supply."
"Understood, Sir. Ready within a week."
"Perfect," Tony replied, his voice carrying a cruel smile. "The perfect counter for the Panther King's 'gift.' Ready just in time for those criminals' return."
Tony sat back, his fingers flying over the keys, driven by vengeance and the fresh sting of betrayal.