While Tony and the Peter were working in the lab, Rhodey was busy trying to get everything under control on the main floor. The Wakandan soldiers were confused as to what had happened and were literally all over the tower. While many of the commanding officers knew English most of them didn’t. Rhodey was working hard with the officers to work with them to have them comfortable while they awaited their king. And if that was not hard enough soon the Media truck lined up on the grounds trying to understand what had occurred. While he worked to get them off the grounds for the moment the government decided to march in and make the whole situation worse!

"General Ross. For what do I owe this pleasure?" He asked when he saw the aging man striding forward.

"Colonel Rhodes. I need to talk with Stark." The general growled while he looked over at the Wakanda soldiers lounging on sofas.

Rhodey wanted to tell the gramps off but he saw from the side of his eyes that the media had started listening closely with their cameras facing towards them.

"Of Course General. Please follow me this way." Rhodes led him away from spying eyes and into one of the elevators. But instead of leading him down to the lab he led him up to the many conference rooms.

"If you wait here I’ll bring Tony." Rhodey stated as he went out of the room. "FRIDAY lock that damn door down will ya?" He mumbled under his breath and heard the satisfying click of the lock. As soon as he was back inside the elevator he heard the general start banging on the door. He laughed all the way down to the labs.

When Rhodey was close enough to see his friend he stopped. Tony loved the unshaven look but right now he looked downright tired. He could faintly see the bruise on his neck which was bound to only get darker. Why was the world getting more complicated? Aliens, alternate Universes… what was next? All those people downstairs had no idea what future lied ahead of them. Even he did not know what he should do for what was inevitably coming? He sighed. Well one step at a time he guess.

"Tony. General Ross is here." He said as he walked inside the lab.

"I know. By the way bold move! Asking FRIDAY to lock his door." Tony gave him a bright smiled. "Maybe all of you guys have been spending too much time with me. I swear you all becoming mini me."

"What?"

"Peter too. Haha. He had T’Challa on hold for 20 min just to spite him."

"That was childish thing to do! Doesn’t he know how time sensitive this all is?" Rhodey exclaimed as he dropped down on the only chair without paper covering it.

"Hey I don’t think you have any right to scold him at the moment Mr. Childish." Rhodey loved it when Tony laughed. He’s been doing it much more. He laughed with him.

"So we all know why Ross is here. Why did T’Challa call?"

"The others left Wakanda. In fact they are heading this way right now. Not sure if they are going to barge in or stay hidden until coast is clear." His friend replied nonchalantly.

Rhodey groaned. Sometimes the others were such idiots! He was running around because of this PR nightmare. Now he might have to deal with this also! He groaned loudly again.

"Don’t worry If they do decide to barge I’ll take care of the media." Tony gave him a encouraging smile.

"You’re already stressing yourself on what’s going on in this lab. You shouldn’t have to worry about what’s going on outside. Vision and I’ll take care of it. You focus on saving other T’Challa’s life."

"So what have you been telling others?" Tony smirked because the bastard already knew his answer.

"Training exercise." Rhodey mumbled. He expected the roar of laughter this time.

"When the heck are you going to tire of that excuse? I mean, you can only use it so much?"

"Hey this time the Wakandan army actually seem to believe it! They been lounging all around and getting themselves drinks and all that! We’re almost out of Vodka." He tried to explain himself. But he knew it sounded stupid even in his own ears.

Tony smiled tiredly. "T’Challa is entering US airspace as we speak. He should arrive at the tower in 30 min. Let’s hope we’ll have more answers then. For now we need to make sure Ross does not find out anything important. And training exercise isn’t going to cut it."

He frowned. "Yeah. But what the heck are we suppose to tell him? None of the excuses I’m thinking about will fly with him."

"We’ll give him half truth. Someone in the Wakandan army decided to overthrow T’Challa reign and tricked the army to attack the Tower. That way T’Challa will be forced to step down from his throne in answer for the potential war he started. Or something along those lines."

"What’s going to stop Ross from brining down T’Challa? I know he’s not opposed to go to war with Wakanda. He wants their vibranium. What if he makes it all worse?" Rhodey knew the bastard well enough to not give him information that he will use for his benefit.

"Right now Ross doesn’t know that T’Challa had the others. He believes that he can use T’Challa as his ally. If we play this right Ross is going to believe that T’Challa will owe him a favor for keeping this a secret. I know it’s not the most ideal situation. But, it’s the best we have. Unless T’Challa himself can think of another one." Tony explained.

Rhodey groaned once more. Why did everything have to be so complicated! He stood up as Tony cleaned up some of the papers he had been reading, The two of them left the lab and back up to the conference room. Rhodey felt a tiny bit of joy as he still heard the banging from the inside.

Tony put on his best smile as strode in. Before Ross could even get in a word in Tony stopped him with a gesture to the conference table. Ross remained silent as the desk hologram lit up and Tony spoke.

"Secretary, these are the current footages of downstairs with all the Wakanda soldiers. I know you already won’t believe us if we tell you this has all been a simple training exercise. So before your face becomes any more red let me tell you the truth."

Rhodes saw that Ross did not believe a word Tony said but the Secretary still took a seat.

"Well go on. Why the hell did the Wakandan army attack a building in US territory. If it was any other country it would have been a declaration of war." The old general stated.

"Because they were going to start a war." Tony continued before Ross could get in another word. "There was a man who wanted to overthrow T’Challa and tricked the army downstairs that this was the wish of the King. Before anything damage could happen T’Challa manage to contact us of the plot and we were able to peacefully settle the situation." Ross glared.

"You expect me to believe this? Your telling me a man tricked the army to attack the Avenger Tower?"

"Well let’s just say this man is pretty high up. I’m sure King T’Challa would be very grateful if you match your story with ours." Now Rhodey could tell Ross began thinking and plotting. He could tell the man knew what he already wanted.

"King T’Challa should be arriving some time soon so when he arrives you can talk with him more about what went on. But if you excuse me. I really need to take care of the media that just keeps piling up."

"Don’t you dare lock the door this time!" Ross growled before both of them made way outside.

"We never locked the door. It must have been jammed. It does that sometimes. Rhodey remind me to get the door fix."

Rhodey smirked and nodded.

XXX

Vision was waiting out on the Helipad waiting for T’Challa to arrive. T’Challa quickly left the helicopter and nodded in greeting towards the android.

"Welcome to Avenger Tower your Highness." Vision stated pleasantly.

T’Challa shook the hand the other being held out.

"I wish I could have visited under more favorable situation. But alas I’m glad to be now. Where is Tony Stark? I would have expected him to be the one to welcome me." T’Challa stated as looked around for the man

"Tony is talking with Secretary Ross at the moment. I believe the conversation is about why Wakanda had attacked the Tower." T’Challa couldn’t tell if the android was being sincere or sarcastic.

"I’m sure they are. Well can you take me to the Other Me?" He asked as he walked towards the only entrance on the roof.

"Of course. Please follow me this way." T’Challa followed as he was led into the elevator and down.

When the doors opened up the boy who he had spoken to hours ago stood waiting for them.

"Your highness." The boy stated "Vision."

"Peter will you take King T’Challa to where the other him is resting? I am needed back on ground." Vision asked the boy, Peter, as he gestured towards him.

"Of course. He’s this way." T’Challa looked around the labs as he was led. It was indeed a sight to behold. His palace labs were impressive but he could admire the many different equipment this lab held.

As the two of the walked closer towards a door T’Challa could already hear the groans and yells. Fear filled his stomach. He dreaded seeing the man behind that door. But it had to be done.

Peter watched as T’Challa’s face turn deathly pale pushing the lab door. There within the glass cell stood the man who looked exactly like him. No not only look like him. But was him. The second their eyes met the other him began to laugh.

"There is the King of Wakanda! I thought you wanted to leave me in here to rot!" The man’s voice was filled with sarcasm. T’Challa glared as he himself strove forward.

"I told you to not do anything! Why didn’t you listen? Do you know how much trouble Wakanda is in right now?" He roared and watched his other him flinch. It brought fear in him once more seeing the other him like this.

"I… I needed to live. You were taking too long. I need to live. I need to get back to my Wakanda!" This time the other him pleaded. The dread in his stomach only increased.

"Tony Stark called upon a surgeon that might help prolong your life. So please do not do anything. Just rest." T’Challa himself pleaded. When the other him began looking around and mumbling to himself T’Challa knew he was having another hallucination. With a sigh he turned back and was face to face with the man he had wanted to talk to.

"So is it unnerving to see someone with the same face act like this?" Stark asked.

"You have no idea."

"I know you want to talk more about what we can do for him. But right now we need to take Ross out of here. And the fastest way is for you to talk with him. I already told him the story we came up with. Ross seemed eager to get something from you. Most likely Vibranium but I’m sure you can handle him yourself." Stark stated once again led him up.

"Yes. I think I already know what I can do for Secretary Ross." T’Challa replied.

"Well he’s through that door. Try not to bash his head in to the floor. Repairing floors cost me money."

XXX

It was only when the jet was flying over the Atlantic ocean did Scott decided to regrow the plane back to it’s original size. The team had been discussing on where they can stay and talked about strategies to be able to go in to the US unnoticed.

"Well I guess we can do the same thing as last time?" Sam asked. "We can use Scott’s ants again."

"I guess that’s the easiest way to sneak in." Clint agreed. As he watched Scott command the ants put in sugar for him inside his coffee. "I know that’s cool and all but man that disgusting."

"Hey! Ants are clean. I wouldn’t eat anything you touched though." Scott quipped back.

Clint laughed. Somehow after the battle in Wakanda the group was back to their selves. Scott like this much more. But he could not let go of his doubt on Cap’s leadership. He was Captain America! The hero all boys and girls his age grown up with. How can he doubt someone like him? But he did.

Steve laughed with them. He wanted to relax the way the others seemed but he couldn’t. He feared what lied ahead of them. When he had left the others he did so because he believed they could take care of themselves. But when he saw Tony being strangled… He forgot Tony was just a man without his suit. He wasn’t like him.

Wanda looked over at him. Steve nodded towards her.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" He asked.

"When we get there… What if Tony doesn’t want our help?" She asked softy.

He had debated that too. He knew their relationship was not that great at the moment. But Steve had given his word that he would be there for Tony when he was needed. He was going to keep that promise.

"Don’t worry Wanda. We won’t do anything rash. We will stay hidden until the moment we are indeed needed."

Steve saw her nod and smiled.

XXX

"Doctor Strange! How have you been? I’ve been great. Yeah. Well you see as you might have heard from the news the Tower was attacked. But that’s not the whole story. Uh huh. There’s someone over here that really needs your assistance. I’ll send over my helicopter. Right. See you soon." Peter watched Mr. Stark end the call.

"So is Doctor Strange that good of a surgeon?"

"One of the best." The older man replied. "But too prideful. Well… It’s a pride he deserves. He truly is an artist in the surgery room."

Peter listened carefully. When he began working for Mr. Stark he had met so many amazing people. People who were the best in their own specialties. There were so many people who deserved to be called hero than him.

"Why did you ask me to help you?" He asked finally. "You know so many amazing people. So why me? Both at the airport and again here? Why me?"

Mr. Stark observed him carefully.

"We were all young once. We weren’t the best in what we did. We made tons of mistakes as we reached here. I saw greatness in you. I saw someone who can be taught. I saw me in you."

Peter was speechless for a second. "What…?"

"You’re brilliant Peter. Don’t ever doubt yourself. I asked you to help me because I needed you. I asked you because you were the best I needed. Still need."

Peter was speechless. It took several moments and blinking before he spoke again. "Thank you. For everything."

"And one more thing. I know you keep calling me Mr. Stark but can you stop now? I mean come on just call me Tony. Mr. Stark makes me sound old!"

Peter couldn’t stop himself. "You are old." He froze but began laughing with Tony.

Yeah. He was lucky to meet Tony Stark.

XXX

"So how did your talk with Ross go?" Rhodey asked T’Challa when they all gathered in the labs.

"I have decided to allow his nephew to be the ambassador in Wakanda. And for him to show me around when I am here in New York." T’Challa replied.

"Ross wanted Everett as the ambassador in Wakanda?" Rhodey was surprised that he didn’t ask for Vibranium.

"I’m sure he believes that with Everett Ross there that there would be greater chance to sneak out information." Tony replied for T’Challa. "Well I’m glad we got him out of our hair this soon. Now we really need to talk about the elephant in the room. Really? Alternate Universe?" Tony asked.

T’Challa inspected all the people in the room. He watched as they all looked expectantly at him.

"Yes. He is me from another universe. When the aliens attacked New York 4 years ago… He was transported here to this world. It seems he had wanted to find a way back home by himself. But after two years of no progress he had come to me for help."

"And you believed him?" Peter asked this time

"Yes. After hours of testing we found out he was indeed me."

"So when did you know about his illness?" Vision asked.

"After a year later. He began acting violent to the Scientist. And one day he had a seizer. When he was unconscious we tested him and found out about the aneurism."

"So your helping him because he’s you." Rhodey stated.

T’Challa remained silent for a moment. "No I’m helping because I have the same illness."

The room became silent after his confession.

"What?" the teen in the room asked.

"After the other me fell… I took the same test. I thought it wouldn’t hurt to test myself. After all he was me… And sadly I was right."

Tony grimaced. When he said what he did earlier he had not thought how truthful that statement might have been.

"So. How come your not acting like a panther and he is?" Tony asked. As he watched carefully for other symptoms that might show itself in T’Challa.

"Because my illness is not that far gone. I found my illness quick enough that medication is holding it at bay. But it’s not enough. Surgery I was told was impossible. I was hoping as I helped the Other Me that I would find a cure for myself. I am sorry for trying to trick you into handing me Killian’s research." T’Challa apologized and bowed his head.

"We would have helped right away if you had told us the truth." Rhodey stated.

Tony watched silently before he stood up.

"Well then no time to waste let’s find a cure. And I really need to call someone now. So excuse me for a moment."

And Tony left the rest of the group in the lab and walked toward his own room.

He picked up the cell phone that was lying on his table. He sighed once before he flipped it opened and dialed.

It rang about 3 times before the call went through.

"Tony?" Steve sounded relieved.

"Yo Cap. Are you trying to make everything more complicated for me?" Tony answered back.