Support me and be 30 chapters ahead of webnovel:
patreon.com/Draco_
For every 5 Patreon memberships I receive, I'll release 15 chapters all at once. Your support means a lot to me.
*****
Feny actually felt that telling Tony the truth about his parents' death right now was an opportunity too good to pass up.
As for why Wanda and Pietro's parents died, the most direct cause was, of course, that shell. However, the root causes were Tony's manufacturing, Obadiah's smuggling, and the terrorists' war.
Howard Stark died at Bucky's hands, but Bucky was just like that shell. Although he was the most direct killer, he wasn't the primary cause of the tragedy.
"This friend of mine... he's a genius. He had a father who, though not a man of many words, loved him dearly."
Tony sipped his drink. He thought Feny was trying to comfort him, so he didn't interrupt, choosing instead to listen quietly.
"His father was also a genius—the most outstanding scientist of his era, bar none."
As he continued listening, however, Tony's expression turned slightly bewildered. A friend of Feny's whose father was the most outstanding scientist of the era? Aside from himself, no one seemed to fit that description.
"As the most preeminent scientist, he naturally had many inventions. For instance, one particular study regarding a serum drew the wandering eyes of certain people."
Tony set down his glass, his expression turning solemn. He realized Feny seemed to have something of great importance to tell him.
"And so, the villains dispatched their top assassin. Being an ordinary man, his father died—as one might expect—without even having the chance to say goodbye to his son."
"Are you saying he was murdered!?"
Tony bolted upright. He wasn't a fool; Feny had made it so clear that if he couldn't grasp the meaning, he might as well go bang his head against a wall.
"Let me finish first!"
Feny looked at the agitated Tony and said soothingly, "Don't worry, I'll tell you everything."
Tony's face was pale, but after taking a deep breath, he sat back down. He grabbed the bottle, poured a full glass, and downed it in one go.
"The assassin staged the scene to look like a car accident. You're likely familiar with that official narrative."
Feny took a sip of his own drink, sighed, and continued, "What I'm about to tell you next is likely something you don't know."
"The assassin sent by that organization was someone your father actually knew. In fact, they were once good friends!"
Tony gripped his glass so tightly that had it not been high-quality crystal, it likely would have shattered.
"However, he had been brainwashed and controlled by those people. When he killed your parents, he didn't have a shred of his own consciousness."
"Who is he?"
Tony stared at Feny, his question delivered in a flat tone that barely suppressed a rage ready to erupt at any moment.
"Before I tell you, do you think he's a bit like that shell?"
Feny looked at Tony and asked suddenly. Although he didn't want to join the Avengers or take sides in their potential infighting, in the eyes of many, he and Tony were already in the same camp.
Even Feny realized that as they spent more time together, their bond grew stronger. It was impossible to remain completely detached, which was why he chose to enlighten Tony like this.
"It's not the same!"
Tony said in a low voice, though his tone wasn't nearly as firm as he imagined.
"He was merely a weapon in someone else's hands," Feny sighed, finally choosing to stop keeping Tony in the dark. "His name is Bucky Barnes—a former member of the Howling Commandos and the Captain's only brother and family."
"I know of him!"
A flash of surprise crossed Tony's eyes. "It was said he died during World War II after falling off a cliff!"
"He was saved, and they gave him a few 'upgrades' along the way."
Feny drank slowly. "Later, codenamed the Winter Soldier, he was repeatedly sent out for assassinations. It seems that Romanoff woman even encountered him once."
"Where is he now?" Tony pressed.
"Do you plan to seek revenge?" Feny looked at him. "He is the Captain's only brother. If you kill him, your relationship might never recover."
"He must be held accountable for what he has done," Tony answered grimly. Hatred isn't something one can just drop. While he could logically understand Feny's words, the thought of his parents being murdered made his blood boil.
Because of Feny's involvement, the relationship between Tony and Cap wasn't like the original timeline—where they first clashed, then understood each other, and finally collaborated closely.
Currently, they had the clashing part down, but the understanding hadn't quite arrived yet, let alone the cooperation. The two were more inclined to find each other irritating and simply ignored one another.
"He was in Sokovia recently. As for now, I'm not entirely sure."
Tony didn't blame Feny for not capturing Bucky despite knowing the truth; he preferred to seek his own retribution personally.
"Who was controlling him?"
Feny's words had worked to an extent, shifting some of Tony's hatred elsewhere.
Hearing this question, Feny hesitated briefly. After some thought, he decided not to expose HYDRA directly just yet. "It's a very secretive and vast organization. I've been investigating it lately."
Feny wasn't intentionally hiding HYDRA, but he felt now wasn't the right time. At the very least, it could wait a few more months until he graduated.
Tony didn't doubt him. He nodded and looked down at his glass, a heavy silence falling over the room.
Seeing this, Feny slowly stood up. He had said what needed to be said; it was time to let Tony figure out how to handle it. Before leaving, however, he offered one last piece of advice:
"Bucky Barnes is the only brother Steve would die for. If he finds out, he will do whatever it takes to stop you."
"Yeah... thanks."
Tony snapped out of his trance and looked up at the departing Feny, offering a word of gratitude.
"I'm heading out. Don't forget those siblings—they're just like you; they won't find it easy to let go of their hatred." Feny gave one final reminder before opening a portal and vanishing.
This was why Feny chose to tell Tony now. Tony was a superhero; despite his many flaws, they couldn't overshadow his virtues.
Feny didn't know what Tony would choose. After returning home, he put the matter out of his mind and picked up the Scepter, examining it closely and wondering how to use it to help the siblings awaken their powers.
"Can you make a sound?"
Feny lightly tapped the Mind Scepter against the table and addressed the Mind Stone.
The air remained silent.
This wasn't the first time Feny had tried to communicate with the Mind Stone or the Space Stone. Since obtaining them, he had tried to chat with them several times.
Unfortunately, these two stones were like mutes. No matter how much he cursed, sweet-talked, or threatened, they hadn't uttered a single word to this day.
It inexplicably reminded him of that 'Magical Cloak' in the New York Sanctum. What was that saying? Back then, you gave me the cold shoulder; now, I'm out of your league!
(End of Chapter)