The phone connected with a click, and the sound of Danny's voice, a little shaky but whole, filled my ears. "Ryan? Is that you?"
A monumental sigh of relief escaped my lips, a sound I didn't realize I was holding in. It was him. He was alive.
All the terror and grief of the past few days, the silent horror of watching my family vanish, felt a little less heavy. He was my last anchor to a reality that still made sense.
But just as I was about to speak, a massive digital billboard above the airport entrance flickered to life. The news anchors' faces were grim, their voices filled with a sorrow that resonated with the global silence.
"We have just received confirmation from the remaining members of the Avengers," one anchor announced, her voice wavering. "The cause of the recent disappearances has been identified. It appears an alien known as Thanos, in an attempt to balance the universe, used a powerful relic to... wipe out half of all life."
My relief vanished, replaced by a cold, searing shock. My brain, once a fortress of logic and reason, struggled to comprehend. Half of all life. Wiped out. By an alien.
And then, a second image flashed across the screen: a shot of the Avengers, bruised and defeated, their faces a mix of sorrow and failure. "Sources confirm they fought bravely, but were unable to stop him."
A boiling rage, unlike anything I had ever felt, began to consume every thought. It started in my gut and surged through my veins like a tidal wave of pure, unfiltered fury.
My family hadn't just died in some random cosmic event. They were collateral damage. They had been killed because a group of so-called heroes, with their fancy suits and super-powers, had failed.
Something inside me snapped.
My hand tightened around my phone. Danny's voice was still in my ear, asking if I was okay, if I was safe. I didn't answer. I couldn't.
His story, his battles, his entire existence had brought me here, to a world where a bunch of self-appointed protectors lost a fight and wiped out everyone I loved.
I cut the call, the dial tone a final, definitive note of severance. My eyes, now burning with a singular, focused purpose, locked onto the city skyline. My mourning was over. There was no room for grief now, only vengeance.
I had no idea where the Avengers were, but I knew who their face was. I was going to find him. I was going to find the man who had brought a useless alien from space to my home and cost me everything.
TONY STARK POV
I sat on the balcony of Stark Tower, a glass of something strong in my hand, staring out at the city that was still reeling from yesterday's madness. We had returned to Earth after finishing off Thanos, or at least, what was left of him.
The media had its pound of flesh this morning, and now all that remained of us—the Avengers—was scattered across the building, trying to find some form of peace. Thor was on the roof, probably communing with the heavens.
Bruce and Fury's space girlfriend were with what remained of SHIELD, picking up the pieces.
I was still struggling with the aftermath. My brain, despite all my tech and all my genius, couldn't quite compute the loss of half the universe.
At least Pepper was still with me. That single fact was an anchor in the storm. I was lost in my thoughts when FRIDAY's voice cut through the silence.
"Sir, a shareholder of Stark Industries has entered the building and is making his way toward the penthouse."
I frowned, taking a sip from my glass. "FRIDAY, check the stark industries. Did something happen?"
"The reports indicate that except for the turmoil caused by the disappearances Stark Industries is operating normally, sir."
"Then what is his business here?" I asked, my interest piqued.
FRIDAY's voice took on a cautious tone. "If I may, sir, I would not consider his visit a business-oriented one. His facial recognition and body language scans show very apparent signs of anger and hostility. I suggest you prepare for a confrontation."
"Scan him. Any weapons, dangerous objects, or enhancements?"
"Scan complete. Most dangerous object in possession is the belt buckle, classified as threat level zero. No signs of external physical enhancement. Body weight scans from the elevator are consistent with an extremely healthy male, in specifications with his BMI."
I looked up as Steve walked over, ever the vigilant one. "Did something happen, Tony?"
"FRIDAY detected a young man entering the tower with anger and hostility. Apparently, he's a shareholder of Stark. He has no weapons and is a normal human."
Steve nodded, his face already set in his earnest, hero-mode expression. "I see. He must have lost someone too and is probably blaming us after the news. I'll talk to him."
He was already moving toward the elevator. Though I wondered how he reached that concusion so quickly.
Natasha, who had been watching the elevator surveillance, stopped him with a sharp look. "Well, looking at his expressions, I don't think 'talking' is going to cut it."
Just as she finished her sentence, the elevator doors slid open. The young man stood there, his face a mask of grief and pure, concentrated fury. His voice, low and chilling, echoed through the quiet of the penthouse.
"It's all your fault."
Steve, always the first to act, stepped forward. He put a gentle hand on the young man's left shoulder, his voice calm and steady. "Son, calm down. We can talk about this."
The young man didn't flinch. His eyes, burning with a raging fire, locked onto Steve. "Make me."
Before Steve could even react, the young man's right hand shot out in a blur of motion, landing a perfect uppercut on Steve's jaw. The sound was a sharp crack that echoed in the silence.
As Steve stumbled back, disoriented, the young man grabbed the hand still on his shoulder and executed a perfect shoulder throw. Captain America, the man who had faced gods and monsters, hit the floor with a heavy thud, his perfect jaw looking less than perfect for a moment.
Despite him being on the opposite side of the room, I still took the moment to relish the Captain's shocked expression. I even saved a picture of it.
I mean, it's not every day you see a guy who fought against aliens and demigods with a shield be put down with a simple, yet utterly brutal, shoulder throw. This was going to be a good material for future use.