5 C (5) Operation Begin

He hadn't expected Steve, or any other member of the team to know nothing about the Accords when Tony had brought Ross to them to discuss the implementation of them.

"I'm saying we cannot simply go to another country without permission and act within their borders without notifying the correct people. There is legislation being drawn up which will affect how we work as a team. We will have to answer to a panel of people if things go wrong, submit reports of our missions, work with the panel if places do not wish for our help. The Accords are good and bad. They'll be coming in regardless of what you think, Steve. It's better to work with them than to become a fugitive and being unable to help people without becoming a hunted man yourself."

"Tony has a point, Steve," agreed Natasha, leaning across the desk. "It's worth notifying the Nigerian Government. If something doesn't go to plan –" she glanced at Tony, "we've covered ourselves, right?"

Tony nodded emphatically. "Any fallout will not be so bad because we will have had permission to be there."

"What if they say no? I'm not going to let some official dictate how I go about saving the world."

"Wow, Steve, wow." Tony had forgotten how Steve could be stubborn. "Look, I know you find it hard to trust the government after Hydra infiltrated SHIELD but do not make yourself a criminal. How can you help people if you are constantly on the run? We need to stay a team and if that means taking the bad with the good, then we should. The Accords will become law, whether you like it or not."

"Tony, you're respected. Can you make the call?" Natasha eyed him directly.

"Sure." Tony figured he would be the best one to do so. Steve didn't have the diplomacy skills Tony had learned over the years.

Wanda frowned. "But why would they listen to Stark? He's not respected… He's hated."

Tony wanted to laugh. "I'm not hated. I may have been for a while after Ultron, especially after the first few months, but I've shown I am willing to atone for my mistakes. 75% of the relief aid for Sokovia comes from my own pocket. It's because of Sokovia and what happened there is why I am willing to work with the governments on the Accords. They should have the right to refuse our help, especially when it isn't world-ending scenarios." He narrowed his eyes, scrutinising Wanda. "Don't forget I've kept your part in Ultron quiet." He placed his hands together and cast his eyes around the room. "Look, the Accords are something we can discuss after Lagos, but I do believe it would be in our best interest to inform the Nigerian government of the threat. And, they may give us extra help to capture Rumlow."

"More people the better, Steve," intoned Nat as Steve reluctantly nodded.

Tony smiled at her.

For the next two days and nights, Tony worked hard to replicate his nano-technology.

He hadn't invented it until the beginning of 2018, just before Thanos arrived, but there was no reason why he couldn't establish the suit now. He'd already started the bare basics of it.

He needed a portable device to carry around with, one that could be easily hidden and activated at a moment's notice.

With the new Arc Reactor ready, Tony attached it to his chest, with little nanonites clinging to his skin to hold it in place. They didn't hurt, he barely felt it.

Smiling steadily, he slipped out of his lab. He needed to prepare for the mission.

They'd be leaving in a few hours.

-------------

3rd May 2016

Lagos, Nigeria

It was an overnight flight to Nigeria.

The team had gained permission from the Nigerian government to carry out their mission in Lagos, providing they liaised with the military which Tony was very happy to oblige by, despite Steve's continued concerns.

As Steve was in charge of the mission, it was his duty to co-ordinate with the Nigerian military team which was being sent to join them.

As the Quin-Jet began its descent into Nigerian airspace, Tony couldn't help but glance at Natasha, who sat in the pilot's seat.

He hadn't had a chance to really study her since everything was happening so fast.

Tony had needed to integrate himself into the Lagos mission and he hadn't had much time to do it. He'd thrown himself into his new situation.

Now he had a bit of relative quiet he couldn't help but keep glancing towards Natasha. The last words he'd ever heard from Nat were: "See you in a minute".

Those had turned out to be the last words she would ever say to the team before her death. Before her act of self-sacrifice to ensure they gained the soul stone.

But if gaining the soul stone requires losing someone you love, how can I obtain it without doing so?

He shook his head. The dilemma of Vormir would have to be solved some other time. But he would make sure Nat's fate would be changed.

Sadness welled up, tightening his chest. He hadn't been shocked to see Nat when he'd gone to their planning session because he'd already known she was still alive in this time.

It had been hard to see her, knowing of the fate which awaited her. A few years ago no one would have thought Natasha would sacrifice her life, but then, Tony mused, no one would have believed it possible for him either.

Steve had once made it clear to him; Tony would never do something so heroic. Hours later he had proved Steve wrong.

Truthfully, Tony had been lying down on the wire for years now. So many times he had stared death in the face and had survived.

Only this time death had caught up with him and somehow he'd miraculously been sent back to 2016 with vague instructions to 'fix it', whatever that meant!

'I'll change it. I'll change it so Nat does not have to die.' It was a vow he intended to keep.

Right now, he needed to focus on ensuring the damage to Lagos did not occur again.

As long as he played his part Wanda shouldn't have any need to contain a suicide bomb.

****

add this to your library and send power stone🗿🗿🗿