"Take it, Tony," Homelander said softly. "Go get her back."
"You..." Tony stared at Homelander in shock. "Are you serious? Do you know what this means? If Ultron gets it, he'll..."
"I know."
Homelander cut him off.
He bent down, pressed the scepter into Tony's trembling hand, then gripped his hand tight.
"That's why we're here."
"Tony, if we can't save the people we love, what's the point of talking about saving the world?"
"Do what you have to do..."
Homelander straightened, his voice firm and powerful.
"...and leave the rest to me."
"And me."
A steady voice came from the doorway.
Steve Rogers strode in with his shield. Bucky stood silently beside him.
"Count me in." Natasha followed close behind, fully armed.
"...Don't forget, we got ourselves into this mess together!"
Dr. Banner walked in and went straight to Tony's side.
Then came Jessica, Wanda, Pietro, Angela...
Every Vought hero filed into the office, one after another.
They said nothing. They simply stood before Tony.
Tony looked at the familiar faces.
He saw the resolve and trust in their eyes.
In that moment, for the first time in years,
he felt something he had long forgotten.
Something warmer than the Avengers.
Family.
Tony's nose stung, and his vision blurred.
He spun around, turning his back on them so they wouldn't see the tears filling his eyes.
Notification! Special Popularity Points +10,000! (From Tony Stark)
He steadied his breathing and tried to make his voice sound as sharp and arrogant as usual.
"Fine... If you freaks have nothing better to do and insist on tagging along..."
Tony tightened his grip on the scepter and strode toward the door.
"Wait."
"Don't rush off, Tony."
At the virtual tactical display he had opened, Homelander tapped the holographic model of Avengers